Prada presented its Women’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection in a live fashion show that was streamed on its official website. The collection, designed by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, were shown on Thursday, February 26, at 8 a.m., with the event broadcast in real time on prada.com . The fashion show continues Prada’s use of digital platforms to reach a global audience, with viewers invited to follow the presentation live online. By ML. Photo(s)/Prada

Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 will foreground women artists in its Insights sector, focusing on how they have developed feminist vocabularies and reshaped visual culture across Asia. The fair has also announced its Conversations program, which will be led by Shahzia Sikander, Uli Sigg, and Venus Lau. The series will address regional artistic developments and broader cultural debates. New commissions for Art Basel Hong Kong’s 2026 billboards will be presented around the city, offering an expanded public platform for participating artists. In parallel, the UBS Art Gallery in New York is showing the exhibition "Endless Possibilities: Geometric Abstraction," which explores how artists have engaged with abstract forms in modern and contemporary art. More information about the fair and its programs is available on Art Basel’s website . By ML. Photo(s)/Art Basel

New World Symphony will present a free Encore WALLCAST Concert, "Fire and Romance with MTT," in SoundScape Park on Saturday, February 14, with the outdoor event scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM. The concert, recorded on February 14, 2020 at the New World Center, features New World Symphony Co-Founder and Artistic Director Laureate Michael Tilson Thomas, violinist Nicola Benedetti and conducting alumnus Chad Goodman in a program highlighting Romantic and dance-inspired works. Prokofiev’s Second Violin Concerto, Schumann’s Third Symphony and Liszt’s symphonic poem on Prometheus form the core of the evening’s repertoire. Restrooms will be available in the southeast corner of SoundScape Park during the screening, and the New World Center building will remain closed with no VIP seating offered. The WALLCAST presentation is supported by Premier Sponsor The Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Inc., with additional support from Kokusai Denki and the Knight Foundation as part of New World Symphony’s initiative to reimagine classical music in the digital age. For program details, visitors can explore the program on the New World Symphony website. By ML. Photo(s)/New World Symphony

This one-night event features classic French bistro dishes, a great selection of wine and signature cocktails and a lively social vibe. The ticket priced at $65 per person includes a Matasanta Mezcal welcome cocktail on arrival and a three-course prix fixe menu. Also available for purchase are Matasanta Mezcal cocktails and magnum pours of wine by the glass—all enjoyed in the courtyard with a live DJ, keeping the energy high all night.  Tickets are available via  RESY .  By ML staff. Image courtesy of Bouchon Bistro

On Saturday, May 16, the University of Miami Student Center Complex will transform into a music-filled gathering space for families as Little Jam Fest returns for its third annual celebration.  Created by Miami-based children’s music company Jam with Jamie, Little Jam Fest has grown into a recognizable South Florida family event centered around live music, interactive play, and community connection. What began as a vision to bring families together through music has evolved into an annual gathering that draws more than 1,000 parents and children from across South Florida, including Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Palmetto Bay, and beyond.  New this year, the festival is launching the "Uplifting Young Voices” program in partnership with The Miami Foundation, inviting children ages 9–16 across South Florida to submit performances for a chance to win $250 and perform live on the main stage. Three young performers will be selected to showcase both an original song and a cover, highlighting youth creativity and confidence through music.  At the heart of the festival is founder Jamie Kolnick, whose company, Jam with Jamie, has spent the past 17 years bringing music into children’s lives. What started as birthday party performances has expanded into a nationwide children’s entertainment company offering preschool enrichment programs, public classes, community concerts, and large-scale family experiences across 9 cities. Miami, however, remains deeply personal, and Little Jam Fest reflects that local focus.  “Music has a way of building community in the most natural way,” Kolnick says. “When families are singing and moving together, something meaningful happens. That’s what this festival is about.”  Inside the University of Miami venue, families can expect a curated experience designed for young children and their caregivers. The day will feature live musical performances, interactive jam sessions, youth performers, sensory-friendly play zones, creative craft stations, local and national brand activations, and food and beverage experiences that encourage families to explore together.  Unlike many traditional children’s events, Little Jam Fest is designed to feel immersive yet welcoming. Parents are encouraged to participate alongside their children — singing, dancing, and engaging in activities together rather than watching from the sidelines.  In 2025, the City of Miami Beach officially recognized the event with a proclamation declaring “Little Jam Fest Day,” acknowledging its cultural and community-building role in South Florida. The recognition reflected what many families already felt: that Little Jam Fest had become more than an event — it had become a tradition.  Part of that success comes from strong community partnerships. Over the past two years, the festival has collaborated with organizations such as Baptist Health, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami Children’s Museum, Team Citron, Tonies, Sunset Pediatrics, local schools, and small businesses, helping create an experience that reflects the neighborhoods it serves.  The 2024 festival debuted at Jungle Island’s Bloom Ballroom, drawing more than 1,000 attendees. In 2025, the event expanded to the Miami Beach Convention Center, introducing wellness zones and additional youth performers. Now at the University of Miami for its third year, the festival continues to evolve while staying grounded in its original mission: building meaningful family connections through music.  As families increasingly look for opportunities to connect offline, Little Jam Fest offers a shared space for joy, creativity, and community — where music becomes a bridge between grown ups, children, and the broader South Florida community.  Tickets for Little Jam Fest will go on sale March 15that www.littlejamfest.com   You can sign up for a one time only early bird discount! By ML staff. Images courtesy of Little Jam Fest.

What do collecting old editions of Dungeons & Dragons monster manuals, securing the same tailgate spot for over 20 years and mastering yoga postures have in common? They are all forms of “serious leisure.” David Cargo, a Dungeons & Dragons player, dressed as one of his characters named Thorn Woodson, browses through board games at Portland Comic Expo on Oct. 27, 2019, in Portland, Ore. Ariana van den Akker/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images These pursuits are different from casual hobbies in several ways. They require participation over longer periods, which makes people who practice them more skilled and more connected with the activity over time. The driving force for casual leisure is having fun; when a participant becomes more focused on accomplishment and improving their skills, the pursuit can gradually become more serious. I direct the Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy Program at Florida International University. In my research , I study leisure pursuits and various contexts for serious leisure, with a focus on the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons . I also work in recreational therapy , which helps people recover and return to their pursuits after injury or illness. The approach we use can work as well for someone starting out with a new hobby. The idea of serious leisure was coined in 1982 by sociologist Robert Stebbins , who described the unique characteristics of more structured leisure pursuits. The more we understand about why people do the things they do, the more they can benefit from their pursuits. Even fringe or supposedly nerdy activities like D&D offer insight into the connections people form when they delve into a nonwork activity. Why so serious? People often associate leisure with ease and freedom. In contrast, serious leisure involves pursuing something for a long time and gradually developing the skills and knowledge required to excel at it. People have to push through barriers or setbacks to stay engaged and make progress. Over time, participants come to identify with the activity and to feel included in a subculture that has its own norms and values. In my work, that sometimes means developing elaborate characters who can battle beasts, dragons and giants. Dungeons & Dragons , which was developed in 1974, is a long-form game that takes place in multiple sessions that can last weeks, months or years. A Dungeon Master moderates the game and assumes the role of all monsters and non-player characters. The Dungeon Master narrates an adventure, aided by a Dungeon Master’s Guide and Monster Manual. Players create characters that possess certain traits and qualities. The outcomes of battles, decisions and interactions are determined by dice rolls. My study included convening focus groups with regular D&D players to determine whether their experiences playing the game represented serious leisure, as opposed to casual leisure associated with traditional board games. Players described developing their characters for years and acquiring knowledge and skills. They learned how magical items and weapons worked, made calculations and researched their character sheets. All of these practices are attributes of a uniquely D&D subculture. Participants also described the benefits they received from playing the game. For many of them, D&D offered a sense of community. It also was a safe space and a welcoming activity for those who might feel excluded by traditional leisure pursuits, such as sports and competitive games. From yoga to tailgating Prior studies have identified many other activities that can qualify as serious leisure, depending on the level of engagement. Some are in-person physical activities like yoga , sport clubs and rock climbing . Others include online pursuits like multiplayer online games and a virtual Harry Potter running club where members share running stories and experiences keyed to Harry Potter-themed discussion topics, such as logging miles in virtual races for their specific Hogwarts houses. Studies have explored game-based pursuits like tournament bridge , and even the social art of tailgating among serious football fans . In each case, researchers found that participants experienced hallmarks of serious leisure. For example, participants in multiplayer online games describe prolonged immersion in the activity. Yoga students pursued systematic training and skill development. And maniacally devoted Florida Gators fans scheduled family events around football season. In all cases, participants became increasingly involved over time, acquired knowledge and skills, and often forged shared identities and social connections. Are you serious? How do you know if your favorite leisure pursuit has gotten serious? One indication could be spending a lot of time on it and expanding your related knowledge or skills. You may also personally identify with the activity and its associated norms or subculture. Perhaps you’re increasingly spending time with other participants, and even using shared lingo. Ideally, your serious leisure pursuit will give you pride and a sense of accomplishment. Belonging to a shared subculture can make it easier to express yourself , which promotes social interaction and a feeling of belonging . These benefits aren’t trivial. Studies show that Americans’ social networks are getting smaller and that people are spending more time alone . These trends are associated with increased risks for premature death , heart disease and stroke , anxiety and depression , and dementia . In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on the loneliness epidemic that called for a national strategy to advance social connection . Leisure pursuits are a way to develop shared interests and social contacts. For example, dedicated bridge players describe a social world unique to champion-level players that involves hierarchies and relationships spanning decades. Serious participants in multiplayer online games describe feeling like part of a team and working together to share materials, skills and knowledge to help win challenges and battles. And serious football fans describe rites of passage associated with fandom, such as a solo performance of the team fight song on the tailgate of a truck. How to start Serious leisure doesn’t happen instantly, and not every practice needs to reach this level of commitment. Casual leisure has benefits too, so there is value in just getting started. But when a beginner gets obsessed with a new pursuit, it may start to take on the qualities of serious leisure over time. Starting a new hobby can be nerve-racking, especially when it takes place outside of our familiar home environments. Start small, go easy and match the level of challenge with your skill. You just may find yourself getting serious about it. Words by Emily Messina, Associate Professor of Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy, Florida International University. Special thanks for The Conversation . Support and donate  today.

The Happy Aging co-founder shares the art of living well; redefining longevity, leadership, and legacy.  “I’ll be surfing in my 80s”  In an era obsessed with optimization and youth preservation, Martha Graeff offers something far more radical: acceptance with ambition. The Brazilian-American entrepreneur, fashion authority, and longevity advocate has long been a familiar face in international style circles. With a career that began in modeling and evolved into styling and womenswear buying at Harvey Nichols, Graeff cultivated an instinct for beauty, discipline, and presentation. Her collaborations with Tiffany & Co., Lancôme, Isabel Marant, and Chanel cemented her position as a global tastemaker, while her digital presence grew to more than one million followers. But it was not fashion that would ultimately define her second act. It was aging. In October 2024, Graeff launched Happy Aging , a science-backed longevity platform dedicated to helping women grow stronger, healthier, and more empowered as they move through midlife and beyond. The brand did not emerge from trend forecasting or opportunistic branding. It was born from personal reckoning. After her divorce, Graeff experienced what she describes as a period of recalibration. “I realized I needed to take better care of myself physically, mentally, and emotionally,” she reflects. “I wanted to feel healthier, stronger, and more empowered.” What followed was not reinvention, but refinement. She returned to the ethos that had always guided her work: connecting women, uplifting them, and building community. This time, the focus was longevity. From Anti-Aging to Pro-Aging Graeff’s central thesis is deceptively simple. Aging is not a problem to be solved. “I want to cancel the idea of anti-aging,” she says. “We do not need to fight aging. Instead, we should frame it positively, honestly, and with empowerment.” The language shift matters. In an industry built on erasure, Graeff is advocating expansion. Rather than promising to reverse time, Happy Aging  emphasizes what she calls healthspan over lifespan. Women, she notes, statistically outlive men, yet often spend those additional years navigating greater health challenges. Her goal is not merely to extend life, but to ensure vitality within it. “I want to live to 100 feeling my best,” she says. “Walking, moving, being independent. Surfing at 80 or even 90.” The aspiration is aspirational yet grounded. Graeff’s approach rests on three non-negotiable pillars: nutrition, strength training, and social connection. She lifts weights five times a week. She prioritizes protein and targeted supplementation, including glutamine and NAD+-supportive formulations. She goes to bed at 10:30 p.m. and wakes at 6:30 a.m. to protect her circadian rhythm. She invests in friendships with the same seriousness she brings to fitness. Wellness, in her worldview, is not spectacle. It is repetition. “I have moved away from hype,” she explains. “It is about small, consistent habits that add up over time.” Building a Science-Backed Platform for Women One of the gaps Graeff identified in the longevity space was structural. Much of medical research historically centers on male biology, leaving women navigating hormonal shifts, perimenopause, menopause, and microbiome changes with limited tailored guidance. With Happy Aging , she set out to create a platform grounded in science but accessible in practice. She works closely with her medical co-founder, Dr. Daniel Yadegar, along with hormone and gut health specialists, to ensure formulations and content are evidence-based and designed specifically for women’s needs. She speaks candidly about topics that have long been whispered: declining NAD+ levels after age 35, the importance of gut health for mood and immunity, and the rising recognition of the vaginal microbiome during midlife transitions. These are not marketing buzzwords in her lexicon. They are biological realities that deserve attention. “True innovation supports long-term health,” she says. “Not short-lived fads.” Community as Currency If longevity is the science, community is the soul. Through initiatives like the Longevity Club, Graeff convenes monthly gatherings where women work out, share experiences, and speak openly about midlife transitions. These events are not transactional networking spaces. They are connective tissue. “Being a co-founder, at this stage of my life, is about connection,” she says. “Listening. Showing up personally.” Her philanthropic roots echo here. In 2018, she founded The Bazaar For Good, a Miami-based initiative that hosted curated shopping experiences with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting underprivileged children globally. That ethos of collective uplift now permeates Happy Aging . For Graeff, well-being is inseparable from service. “True well-being is not just personal,” she says. “It is about lifting others up.” Miami as a Longevity Laboratory Graeff’s evolution has unfolded against the backdrop of South Florida, a region increasingly positioning itself as a global wellness hub. Once known primarily for nightlife and glamour, Miami has matured into a city where beach walks coexist with biohacking clinics and female-led wellness startups. “Miami embodies health and vitality,” she observes. “From nutritious dining to sunshine and movement, the environment encourages you to prioritize your body.” She sees the city as fertile ground for the longevity conversation, particularly among women founders. The collaborative culture among female CEOs, she notes, has been instrumental in shaping her entrepreneurial journey. Palm Beach and Miami alike are witnessing an influx of longevity-focused facilities and programming, and Graeff believes the momentum is only accelerating. “Miami is on its way to becoming a global destination for living better, longer,” she says. Style as Self-Respect To understand Graeff’s influence, one must acknowledge the throughline between fashion and wellness in her life. Far from superficial, her personal style functions as a form of agency. “Personal style is an expression of self-respect and confidence,” she says. “And confidence is a cornerstone of longevity.” Dressing with intention, in her view, reinforces the same message as strength training or sleep discipline: you are worthy of care. As she has evolved, so has her aesthetic. Each decade has introduced a new silhouette, a new palette, a new articulation of self. “Fashion and wellness are deeply connected,” she explains. “Both are about honoring yourself and celebrating who you are at every stage.” In this sense, Happy Aging  is less a departure from her fashion career than its maturation. Redefining Success Ten years ago, success might have been measured in campaigns, covers, or collaborations. Today, Graeff defines it differently. “Success is about building a legacy and a movement that impacts the lives of others,” she says. She is candid about the entrepreneurial learning curve. Fundraising, investor meetings, and strategic planning required new fluencies. There were rejections. There were no’s. But clarity of mission, she believes, changes everything. “When people understand what you stand for, doors open.” And what she stands for is unmistakable: pro-aging as empowerment. The Legacy of Pro-Aging Graeff insists that Happy Aging  began as a movement before it became a brand. In five years, she envisions a global community of women equipped with tools, education, and support to navigate aging powerfully. She wants menopause normalized in conversation. She wants women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s to recognize midlife not as decline, but as a stage of clarity and strength. If she could redefine aging for the next generation, it would not be something to conceal. It would be something to celebrate. “Aging would be a stage of opportunity, strength, and self-discovery,” she says. In a culture still preoccupied with preserving youth at all costs, Martha Graeff is proposing a different aspiration. Not to look younger. Not to be ageless. But to grow more powerful with each passing year. In Miami’s salt air, on the gym floor, or barefoot in the sand with her daughter, she is building a philosophy that merges science with style, discipline with joy, and longevity with community. Her mission is not to stop time. It is to expand what we believe is possible within it. Cheers to the next 40 years! Surfs up.  By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Márcio Amaral

The National Hotel Miami Beach  is inviting guests and their dogs to a Dog Mom Walk on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Presented in collaboration with Yum Pup and the Dog Mom Walk community, the gathering combines wellness and oceanfront socializing along the Miami Beach boardwalk. Check-in begins at 10:00 a.m., giving attendees time to socialize and enjoy complimentary coffee during the first hour. Chewy Vet Care will be on-site to host a wellness-focused sniff zone and share expert dog care tips with attendees. At 10:30 a.m., participants will embark on a scenic group walk along the boardwalk directly behind the hotel. The morning will continue at 11:00 a.m. with an Instagram raffle and a merchandise shop featuring exclusive items. Following the walk, guests can opt to stay for Paws on the Patio, an al fresco dog-friendly lunch at the hotel available as a separate purchase. Tickets for the Dog Mom Walk are $5 per person plus tax. Registration is required, and all dogs must remain leashed at all times during the event. By ML Staff. Photos: National Hotel Miami Beach.

Louis Vuitton  is entering the second year of its official partnership with Formula 1  for the 2026 racing season. The luxury house continues its "Victory Travels in Louis Vuitton" initiative to celebrate sports achievements through custom trunk designs. To mark the start of the season, Louis Vuitton collaborated with Formula 1 on a pre-season image featuring all 22 drivers from the 11 teams. The photograph was taken in Bahrain during testing sessions ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, which begins on March 6. The championship trophy is presented in a custom Louis Vuitton Trophy Trunk. Throughout the 2026 season, Louis Vuitton will accompany the championship with 24 custom trophy trunks for each Grand Prix ceremony. The brand is also expanding its involvement by becoming the title partner for the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco 2026. This move builds on the relationship between the house and the Automobile Club de Monaco, which began with the creation of the Monaco trophy trunk in 2021. Trackside branding inspired by the speed of the cars will also be visible at all circuits. The 2026 season introduces several changes to Formula 1. New regulations bring smaller and lighter cars with updated power units and hybrid engines that run on sustainable fuel. The grid expands to include the Cadillac Formula 1 Team and the Audi Revolut F1 Team. Engine supplier changes include Honda partnering with Aston Martin and Ford working with Red Bull. Additionally, Madrid is joining the race calendar to host its first Grand Prix from September 11 to 13. Louis Vuitton has a long history of designing custom trunks for global sporting events. Since its 1983 partnership with the America's Cup, the brand has created trophy cases for the FIFA World Cup, the Davis Cup, the Roland Garros French Open, the NBA, the Rugby World Cup, the Ballon d'Or, and the Olympics. By ML Staff. Photos: Louis Vuitton.

Yamashiro Miami  is introducing its Sakura Brunch beginning March 15. Located on the ninth floor of the Gale Miami Hotel & Residences , the Japanese rooftop restaurant is launching a brunch menu designed to evolve with the seasons. The initial spring debut draws inspiration from Japan’s cherry blossom season. The new brunch menu features a variety of dishes including Tomago Sando, a Japanese egg salad sandwich served on milk bread, and Katsu Sando, which includes prime tenderloin and tonkatsu aioli. Other options are Avocado Toast with yuzu smashed avocado and a poached egg, Matcha French Toast with maple syrup and crème anglaise, Tomago Hot Pot with wild mushrooms, and Steak and Eggs featuring Wagyu bavette and shiso béarnaise. The restaurant also updated its beverage program. New drinks include the Japanrita From Miami, made with tequila, grapefruit liqueur, agave, yuzu lime, and black lava salt. The Not Too Bloody Mary features a choice of vodka or tequila mixed with coconut milk, clarified lime, tomato, olives, and soy. The Yamashiro Spritz combines sake junmai ginjo, Luxardo maraschino, pineapple, lime, coconut water, and prosecco. Guests can also order from the Coffee and Matcha Igloo Cart. The cart offers a choice between iced coffee made with Yamashiro's cold brew or a matcha drink crafted with matcha milk and vanilla. Servers prepare these drinks tableside and serve them in a sculpted ice cube cup. Brunch is available every Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 601 NE 1st Avenue in Miami. The restaurant recommends making reservations through OpenTable . By ML Staff. Photos: The Louis Collection.

Older adults can dramatically reduce the amount of ultraprocessed foods they eat while keeping a familiar, balanced diet – and this shift leads to improvements across several key markers related to how the body regulates appetite and metabolism. That’s the main finding of a new study my colleagues and I published in the journal Clinical Nutrition . Studies have linked ultraprocessed foods to poor health outcomes, but such foods make up about half the calories of a typical American diet. Kobus Louw/E+ via Getty Images Ultraprocessed foods are made using industrial techniques and ingredients that aren’t typically used in home cooking. They often contain additives such as emulsifiers, flavorings, colors and preservatives. Common examples include packaged snacks, ready-to-eat meals and some processed meats. Studies have linked diets high in ultraprocessed foods to poorer health outcomes . My team and I enrolled Americans ages 65 and older in our study, many of whom were overweight or had metabolic risk factors such as insulin resistance or high cholesterol. Participants followed two diets low in ultraprocessed foods for eight weeks each. One included lean red meat (pork); the other was vegetarian with milk and eggs. For two weeks in between, participants returned to their usual diets. A total of 43 people began the dietary intervention, and 36 completed the full study. In both diets, ultraprocessed foods made up less than 15% of the total calories – a significant reduction from the typical American diet , where more than 50% of total calories comes from ultraprocessed foods. The diets were designed to be realistic for everyday eating, and participants were not instructed to restrict calories, lose weight or change their physical activity. Maintaining metabolic health promotes healthy aging. Giselleflissak/E+ via Getty Images We prepared, portioned and provided all meals and snacks for the study. Both diets emphasized minimally processed ingredients and aligned with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans , the U.S. government’s nutrient-based recommendations for healthy eating, while providing similar calories and amounts of key nutrients. The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans , released on Jan. 7, 2026, explicitly recommend eating less ultraprocessed food , but the previous versions of the guidelines did not specifically address food processing. Our feeding study design allowed us, for the first time, to examine the health effects of reducing ultraprocessed foods while keeping nutrient levels consistent with recommended targets. We compared how participants fared while eating their habitual diets with how they responded to the two diets that were low in ultraprocessed foods. During the periods when participants ate fewer ultraprocessed foods, they naturally consumed fewer calories and lost weight, including total and abdominal body fat. Beyond weight loss, they also showed meaningful improvements in insulin sensitivity, healthier cholesterol levels, fewer signs of inflammation and favorable changes in hormones that help regulate appetite and metabolism. These improvements were similar whether participants followed the meat-based or the vegetarian diet. Why it matters Ultraprocessed foods make up more than half the calories consumed by most U.S. adults. Although these foods are convenient and widely available, studies that track people’s diets over time increasingly link them with obesity and age-related chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. With older adults making up a growing share of the global population, strategies that preserve metabolic health could support healthy aging. Most previous feeding studies testing how ultraprocessed foods affect people’s health haven’t reflected real-world eating , especially among Americans. For example, some studies have compared diets made up almost entirely of ultraprocessed foods with diets that contain little to none at all. Our study aimed to more closely approximate people’s experience while still closely tracking the foods they consumed. It is the first to show that for older adults a realistic reduction in ultraprocessed foods, outside the lab, has measurable health benefits beyond just losing weight. For older adults especially , maintaining metabolic health helps preserve mobility, independence and quality of life. What’s still unknown Our study was small, reflecting the complexity of studies in which researchers tightly control what participants eat. It was not designed to show whether the metabolic improvements we observed can prevent or delay diseases such as diabetes or heart disease over time. Larger, longer studies will be needed to answer that. On the practical side, it’s still unclear whether people can cut back on ultraprocessed foods in their daily lives without structured support, and what strategies would make it easier to do so. It’s also not fully understood which aspects of processing – for example, additives, emulsifiers or extrusion – matter more for health. Answering these questions could help manufacturers produce foods that are healthier but still convenient – and make it easier for people to choose healthier food options. The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work. Words by Moul Dey, Professor of Nutrition Science, South Dakota State University. Special thanks for The Conversation . Support and donate  today.

Some of the world’s healthiest and longest-living people follow the practice of hara hachi bu — an eating philosophy rooted in moderation. This practice comes from a Japanese Confucian teaching which instructs people to only eat until they’re around 80% full. The principle of ‘hara hachi bu’ is to stop eating just before you get full. Only_NewPhoto/ Shutterstock More recently, it’s been gaining attention as a strategy for weight loss . But while hara hachi bu might emphasise eating in moderation and stopping before you’re full, it shouldn’t really be as seen as a method of dietary restriction. Rather, it represents a way of eating that can help us learn to have awareness and gratitude while slowing down at mealtimes. Research on hara hachi bu is limited. Previous studies have evaluated the overall dietary patterns of those living in regions where this eating philosophy is more commonplace, not the “80% rule” in isolation. However, the available evidence does suggest hara hachi bu can reduce total daily calorie intake. It’s also associated with lower long-term weight gain and lower average body mass index (BMI). The practice also aligns with healthier meal-pattern choices in men, with participants choosing to eat more vegetables at mealtimes and fewer grains when following hara hachi bu . Hara hachi bu also shares many similar principles with the concepts of mindful eating or intuitive eating. These non-diet, awareness-based approaches encourage a stronger connection with internal hunger and satiety cues. Research shows both approaches can also help reduce emotional eating and enhance overall diet quality. A mindful approach to eating Hara hachi bu also shares many similar principles with the concepts of mindful eating or intuitive eating. These non-diet, awareness-based approaches encourage a stronger connection with internal hunger and satiety cues. Research shows both approaches can also help reduce emotional eating and enhance overall diet quality. Hara hachi bu may also have many advantages that go beyond losing weight. For instance, hara hachi bu‘s focus on awareness and eating intuitively may offer a gentle and sustainable way of supporting long-term health changes . Sustainable health changes are far easier to maintain in the long-term. This may improve health and prevent weight regain , which can be a risk for those who lose weight through traditional diet approaches. The ethos of hara hachi bu also makes sense in the context of modern life and may help us develop a better relationship with the food we eat. Evidence suggests that around 70% of adults and children use digital devices while eating. This behaviour has been linked to higher calorie intake , lower fruit and vegetable intake and a greater incidence of disordered eating behaviours including restriction, binge eating and overeating. As a dietitian, I see it all the time. We put food on a pedestal, obsess over it, talk about it, post about it – but so often, we don’t actually enjoy it. We’ve lost that sense of connection and appreciation. Hara hachi bu might help you improve your relationship with eating and your body. Doucefleur/ Shutterstock Being more aware of the food we eat and taking time to taste, enjoy and truly experience it, as hara hachi bu emphasises, can allow us to reconnect with our bodies, support digestion and make more nourishing food choices . Trying hara hachi bu For those who might want to give hara hachi bu or take a more mindful and intuitive approach to improve their relationship with food, here are a few tips to try: Check in with your body before eating Ask yourself: Am I truly hungry? And if so, what kind of hunger is it — physical, emotional, or just habitual? If you’re physically hungry, denying yourself may only lead to stronger cravings or overeating later. But if you’re feeling bored, tired, or stressed, take a moment to pause. Giving yourself space to reflect can help prevent food from becoming a default coping mechanism. Eat without distractions Step away from screens and give your meal your full attention. Screens often serve as a distraction from our fullness cues, which can contribute to overeating. Slow down and savour each bite Eating should be a sensory and satisfying experience. Slowing down allows us to recognise when we’re satiated and should stop eating. Aim to feel comfortably full, not stuffed If we think of being hungry as a one and being so full you need to lie down as a ten, then eating until you’re around “80% full” means you should feel comfortably satisfied rather than stuffed. Eating slowly and being attuned to your body’s signals will help you achieve this. Share meals when you can Connection and conversation are part of what makes food meaningful. Connection at mealtimes is uniquely human and a key to longevity. Aim for nourishment Ensure your meals are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre and energy. Practice self-compassion There’s no need to eat “perfectly”. The point of hara hachi bu is about being aware of your body – not about feeling guilty over what you’re eating. Importantly, hara hachi bu is not meant to be a restrictive eating approach. It promotes moderation and eating in tune with your body – not “eating less”. When viewed purely as a means of losing weight, it risks triggering a harmful cycle of restriction, dysregulation and overeating – the very opposite of the balanced, intuitive ethos it’s meant to embody. Focusing solely on eating less also distracts from more important aspects of nutrition, such as dietary quality and meeting essential nutrient needs. This practice may also not suit everyone. Athletes, children, older adults and those living with illness often have higher or more specific nutritional requirements, meaning this eating pattern may not be appropriate for these groups. While often reduced to a simple “80% full” guideline, hara hachi bu reflects a much broader principle of mindful moderation. At its core, it’s about tuning into the body, honouring hunger without overindulgence and appreciating food as fuel — a timeless habit worth adopting. Words by Aisling Pigott, Lecturer, Dietetics, Cardiff Metropolitan University. Special thanks for The Conversation . Support and donate today.