Three preliminary findings from a nutrition meeting
Three studies presented at NUTRITION 2026 examine eating hours and cognitive tests, the nutrient profile of toddler foods, and oral acidity after carbonated drinks.
Science··Morning
Eating windows and planning scores
A six-month weight-loss study divided 47 women aged 50 to 79 into two groups: 26 narrowed daily eating to less than nine hours while the others retained a roughly 12-hour pattern. Both groups lost about seven kilograms. The shorter-window group improved more on spatial planning and problem-solving tests, while multitasking and reaction time showed no notable difference. This small study reports changes in selected test scores, not a reduction in cognitive-disease risk.[1]
The product profile of toddler aisles
Researchers assessed 2,783 packaged products found in baby and toddler aisles across 21 Austin grocery stores using the Nova classification and World Health Organization nutrient-profile criteria. 81 per cent were classified as ultra-processed, while 49 per cent failed at least one standard for sugar, sodium, fat or energy density. The findings do not measure what children consumed or any health outcome. They describe which products occupied selected shelves in one city.[2]
Short-lived oral acidity after drinks
In a measurement where 20 adults tried all four drinks, sugar-sweetened soda produced the lowest salivary pH relative to plain water. The drops after plain and calcium-fortified sparkling water were temporary; values approached baseline within 20 minutes and remained above the 5.5 threshold associated with enamel damage. The result covers only a short-term oral response. All three studies were presented as meeting abstracts; they are independent findings and have not yet appeared as journal articles.[3], [1], [2]
