Dr. Lena Hanson
Food Science Editor
Dr. Lena Hanson is the Food Science Editor at Snacks and Cravings, where she explores the fascinating intersection of chemistry, biology, and the snacks we eat. She specializes in analyzing food additives, sensory science, and the 'bliss point' to demystify how modern treats are formulated. Through evidence-based reporting and myth-busting articles, she translates complex food science and ingredient breakdowns into practical knowledge for health-conscious snackers.
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Latest Articles
Sugar substitutes: The ongoing debate on health effects
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization, recently classified aspartame as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans' (Group 2B).
Sep 9, 2026 · 3 min read
How to Make Healthy Dog Treats: A Complete Guide
Foods like garlic, onions, chocolate, grapes, and raisins, common items in many human kitchens, can be life-threatening to dogs, according to BlvdVet .
Sep 7, 2026 · 3 min read
Lab-Grown Protein Cookies Made From Plastic Bottles and Corn Waste
Researchers at Southern Illinois University have engineered microbes capable of breaking down discarded plastic bottles and corn waste into protein-rich cookies.
Aug 25, 2026 · 4 min read
What Are Flavor Masking Agents and How Do They Work?
Patient compliance for oral medications can jump from 53% to 90% simply by adding flavor masking agents, dramatically improving healthcare outcomes.
Aug 16, 2026 · 4 min read
What Happens to Taste and Smell as We Age?
More than 75% of people over the age of 80 years have evidence of major olfactory impairment, profoundly altering their daily experience of food, according to PMC .
Aug 9, 2026 · 5 min read
Algae Extracts Elevate Protein Ketchup's Nutritional Value
A recent study revealed that adding just 3% algal extract to ketchup can double its protein content, while taste testers still preferred its flavor, according to Phys .
Aug 8, 2026 · 3 min read
How Specific Brain Neurons Control Food Cravings
In the mouse brain, specific neuron populations encode memories for sugar and fat, a discovery explaining why nearly 99% of adults experience powerful food cravings.
Aug 6, 2026 · 4 min read
Top 8 Dog Food Toppers for Picky Eaters
A recent survey found 35% of dog owners report their pet is a 'picky eater,' leading to concerns about nutrient deficiencies and daily mealtime struggles.
Jul 9, 2026 · 5 min read
How Microbial Interactions Shape Artisan Cheese Flavors
A year-long experiment on Cheddar-making, meticulously tracking microbial populations, revealed that removing a single starter culture member like Streptococcus thermophilus caused other essential bac
Jul 8, 2026 · 4 min read
High-Protein No-Cook Snacks for Sustained Energy
Wilde Protein Chips, often seen as a guilty pleasure, surprisingly pack ten grams of protein per serving, challenging the notion that convenient snacks can't be nutritious.
Jul 6, 2026 · 4 min read
AI Can Design Your Next Favorite Burger. Do You Trust It?
BurgerAI's Mushroom Burger achieved an environmental impact more than an order of magnitude lower than a popular fast-food burger, marking a substantial leap in sustainable food production.
Jun 30, 2026 · 2 min read
Potatoes Remain Most Popular Selling Vegetables in US
Americans consume an average of 110 pounds of potatoes per person annually, making it the nation's most consumed vegetable, reports the USDA Economic Research Service.
Jun 29, 2026 · 3 min read
Butter vs. Margarine: Health, Flavor, and Culinary Uses
In 2020, a quiet FDA ban on partially hydrogenated oils fundamentally changed margarine's health equation, eliminating the ingredient that made it a dietary villain.
Jun 28, 2026 · 3 min read
Evaluating High-Protein Snack Sticks: Health vs. Reality
Eating just 50 grams of processed meat daily, equivalent to a few snack sticks, could increase your risk of type 2 diabetes by 30% and colorectal cancer by 26%, according to Research and Markets .
Jun 26, 2026 · 3 min read
Dietitian Approved Snacks for Sustained Energy
Skipping a planned snack leaves travelers vulnerable to overpriced, nutrient-poor airport food or unexpected delays.
Jun 24, 2026 · 4 min read
How Do Scientific Principles of Kombucha Fermentation Affect Tea?
Sales of kombucha are projected to reach 10.
Jun 23, 2026 · 4 min read
What are innovations in food tech?
The global food technology market is projected to more than double in a decade, from $210.
Jun 22, 2026 · 5 min read
Top 3 High Protein Snacks: Protein & Fiber Beyond Steak
Aloha Organic Protein Bars pack 14 grams of protein and up to 10 grams of fiber, a nutritional punch often overlooked when compared to a traditional steak.
Jun 20, 2026 · 3 min read
How Do Chemical Reactions in Wine Bottles Affect Aging?
A bottle of fine wine, stored upright, can become a breeding ground for spoilage bacteria, transforming a potential masterpiece into vinegar, even if its horizontally-stored siblings thrive.
Jun 20, 2026 · 4 min read
Plant-Based Pet Treats: Unproven Health. 2026 Trends Unready.
Despite a booming market for plant-based pet treats, the scientific community admits it does not fully understand if these diets are truly healthy or nutritionally complete for our furry companions.
Jun 19, 2026 · 2 min read