News to Ponder

• Registered dietitian nutritionist Melissa Prest, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and RDs Michelle Routhenstein and Gretchen Zimmermann suggest that eating dinner at least two to three hours before bed aids digestion, helps keep blood sugar stable and supports metabolic health, potentially supporting weight management. Studies show that earlier dinners help regulate hunger hormones and improve metabolic health, while late meals may disrupt sleep and increase heartburn.

• Chilled red wine is gaining popularity, especially among younger generations, as a refreshing option during hot summer weather. This trend reflects a shift from traditional beliefs that red wine should be served at room temperature. Younger drinkers are "breaking down old-school wine myths," says Miles Beale, CEO of the UK's Wine and Spirit Trade Association. Experts suggest cooling lighter, fruity reds with low tannins and alcohol content. Place bottles in the fridge for 20 minutes to an hour before serving, and consider plunking an ice cube in for about a minute to quickly adjust temperature if needed.

• Yale New Haven Health's teaching kitchen is showing medical residents and patients how to cook nutritious meals on a budget, with the goal of managing diabetes and other medical conditions. The program has grown significantly since its 2023 launch, with more than 2,000 participants last year. "There is a large body of research that suggests that when providers start doing healthy practices in their day-to-day lives, they are more likely to talk to their patients about these healthy practices as well," Max Goldstein, a chef and registered dietitian at the kitchen, says.