With the increasing popularity of fiber-dense diets, new products boasting added fiber are flooding the US market. Despite fiber's benefits, such as promoting weight management and protecting against heart disease, diabetes, diverticulitis and colon cancer, experts warn against the trend of "fibermaxxing" without proper dietary balance. Debbie Petitpain, a registered dietitian nutritionist and a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, stresses the importance of gradual fiber intake increases and the preference for natural sources and whole foods over processed foods.

Processed meats, such as bacon, ham and deli meats, are linked to an increased risk of cancer, according to registered dietitians and health organizations like the World Health Organization and the American Institute for Cancer Research. These meats contain compounds formed during processing that may cause cancer, particularly colorectal and stomach cancer. RDs Maya Vadiveloo, Natalie Rizzo and Samantha Cassetty recommend minimizing consumption of these meats and opting for more healthful alternatives like rotisserie chicken or freshly roasted turkey. Also try chickpeas, eggs and canned tuna as nutritious substitutes for processed meat, Cassetty says.

Registered dietitian nutritionist Razan Hallak and RDs Diana Guevara and Jessica Zinn spotlight foods that provide amino acids, vitamin C, and minerals like zinc and copper that can naturally support collagen production, which is important for skin, joint and connective tissue health. Lean proteins, beans and bone broth provide key amino acids, while citrus fruits and red bell peppers enhance collagen synthesis with vitamin C. Foods with antioxidants like berries and cashews help protect existing collagen from oxidative stress.

Parenting and leadership share core skills, including emotional regulation, clear communication and boundary-setting, writes Jessica Wilen, an executive coach and founder of A Cup of Ambition. Wilen shares six lessons from parenting that translate to leadership, including the importance of maintaining your composure, being clear about what needs to happen and why and the ability to admit mistakes and repair any damage.

Just as parents need to instill confidence in their children, leaders must also resist micromanaging their team members and allow them the autonomy they need to learn from mistakes, Wilen writes. "Autonomy is not abdication. It requires clear expectations, appropriate guardrails and support when needed."

Researchers are investigating natural alternatives to GLP-1 injections, which have transformed diabetes and weight management. A review in Toxicology Reports highlights how foods like cinnamon, wheat, ginger, fermented green tea and berberine may regulate GLP-1 hormone activity.

A study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that 99% of cardiac events occurred in patients with at least one of four modifiable risk factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, tobacco use and high blood sugar. "The results were almost identical between the Korean and US cohorts in that traditional risk factors were universally present before cardiac events. That consistency across very different populations and health systems makes our findings especially strong," said researcher Dr. Hokyou Lee.

A review published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition highlights evidence that the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet may reduce complications related to Type 2 diabetes. The diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy while limiting sodium and saturated fats.