BEING OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE IS ASSOCIATED with a higher risk of more than a dozen cancers.

This week, France announced that it intends to cut the use of nitrites in food. The disturbing context: The French National Health Agency confirmed that nitrite raises our cancer risk.

COULD ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS INFLUENCE YOUR MOOD? The answer may be yes.

Here are 10 health-sector developments—not ranked—to watch in the coming year, determined by media coverage, reader interest, and personal interest.