Researchers studied how adults in Mexico, Mexican Americans, and other Americans use food labels to make healthier eating decisions. They found that people with health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure were more likely to read nutrition labels, especially warning labels that highlight excess sugar and sodium. The study showed that different groups of people use labels differently—non-Mexican Americans read nutrition facts labels most often (80%), while Mexicans preferred warning labels that clearly show problem ingredients. These findings suggest that clear, easy-to-understand food labels might help people with diet-related diseases make better food choices.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether people with health problems caused by diet (like diabetes and high blood pressure) actually read and use food labels when shopping, and whether different groups of people use labels differently.
  • Who participated: Nearly 24,000 adults from three groups: people living in Mexico, Mexican Americans living in the United States, and other Americans. The study collected information about their health conditions and how often they looked at food labels.
  • Key finding: People who had been diagnosed with diabetes or multiple diet-related health problems were significantly more likely to read nutrition labels, especially warning labels that point out excess sugar and salt. However, label use varied by group—non-Mexican Americans used nutrition facts labels most (80%), while Mexicans preferred simple warning labels.
  • What it means for you: If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, reading food labels—especially ones that clearly warn about sugar and sodium—may help you make healthier food choices. However, labels only work if they’re easy to understand, so different types of labels may work better for different people.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot of people at one point in time (2021-2022) and asked them about their health conditions and label-reading habits. They didn’t follow people over time or test whether labels actually changed their eating habits—they just looked at whether people with certain health problems were more likely to read labels than people without those problems.

The researchers used data from the International Food Policy Study, which surveyed adults in Mexico and the United States. They asked people whether they had been diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, or cancer. They also asked how often people looked at nutrition facts labels (the detailed label on the back of packages) and warning labels (the simple labels on the front that highlight problem ingredients like excess sugar or salt).

The researchers used statistical methods to compare label use between people with and without health conditions, while accounting for other factors that might affect label reading, like age, education level, and income.

Understanding who uses food labels and why is important because it helps governments and health organizations decide what type of labels work best for different groups of people. If people with diet-related diseases are already motivated to read labels, then making labels clearer and easier to understand could help them make even better food choices. This research also shows that one-size-fits-all labeling policies might not work equally well for everyone.

This study has some strengths: it included a large number of people (nearly 24,000) from different countries and backgrounds, which makes the findings more reliable. However, the study only looked at whether people said they read labels—it didn’t actually watch them shopping or measure whether reading labels changed what they ate. Also, people might not remember accurately how often they read labels. The study was published on Research Square, which is a preprint server where research is shared before formal peer review, so the findings haven’t yet been reviewed by other experts in the field.

What the Results Show

The study found that nutrition facts label use was highest among non-Mexican Americans (80.1% said they used them) and lowest among Mexicans (69.8%). This difference was statistically significant, meaning it wasn’t likely due to chance.

Among non-Mexican Americans, people who had been diagnosed with diabetes or multiple diet-related health problems were significantly more likely to read nutrition facts labels compared to people without these conditions. This suggests that a health diagnosis motivates people to pay more attention to what’s in their food.

In Mexico, the pattern was different. Warning labels (the simple labels on the front of packages) were used more often than nutrition facts labels (77.4% vs. lower rates). Mexicans with diabetes and high cholesterol found the warning labels particularly helpful, especially ones that highlighted “Excess Sugar” and “Excess Sodium.” This suggests that simple, visual warnings might be more effective than detailed nutrition information for some people.

The study also found that different health conditions were associated with different label-reading behaviors. People with diabetes were particularly motivated to read labels across all groups. The research suggests that people who have already experienced health problems are more aware of the connection between diet and disease, which makes them more likely to check food labels. Additionally, the findings indicate that cultural and educational differences might affect how people prefer to receive nutrition information—some people want detailed facts, while others prefer simple warnings.

Previous research has shown that food labels can help people make healthier choices, but most studies focused on whether labels work in general, not on whether they work differently for people with health problems or across different cultural groups. This study adds to that knowledge by showing that people with diet-related diseases are already more motivated to use labels, and that different groups of people prefer different types of labels. This suggests that future labeling policies should consider the needs and preferences of different populations.

The study has several important limitations. First, it only measured whether people said they read labels—it didn’t actually observe their shopping behavior or measure whether reading labels changed what they ate. People might overestimate how often they read labels, or they might read labels but not understand them. Second, the study is cross-sectional, meaning it took a snapshot at one point in time, so we can’t tell whether having a health diagnosis caused people to read more labels, or whether people who already read labels were more likely to catch health problems early. Third, the study relied on self-reported information, which can be less accurate than objective measurements. Finally, the study was published as a preprint and hasn’t yet been reviewed by other experts in the field.

The Bottom Line

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or other diet-related health conditions, reading food labels—especially warning labels that highlight excess sugar and sodium—may help you make healthier food choices. Start by looking at the front-of-package warning labels, as these appear to be easier to understand quickly while shopping. If you want more detailed information, check the nutrition facts label on the back. These recommendations are based on moderate evidence from this study, meaning the findings are promising but more research is needed to confirm that label reading actually improves health outcomes.

This research is most relevant for people who have been diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease. It’s also important for people of Mexican or Mexican American descent, as the study shows that label preferences may differ across cultural groups. Food manufacturers, grocery stores, and government health agencies should also pay attention, as the findings suggest that different types of labels work better for different populations. However, if you don’t have a diet-related health condition, this research doesn’t necessarily mean you should start reading labels more often—though doing so is never harmful.

The study doesn’t measure how quickly reading labels leads to health improvements. In general, making dietary changes based on label information might take weeks to months to show up in blood sugar levels or blood pressure readings. Don’t expect immediate results, but consistent attention to labels over time may contribute to better health outcomes.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track how many times per week you check food labels while shopping, and specifically note which labels you find most helpful (nutrition facts vs. warning labels). Set a goal to check labels on at least 3 products per shopping trip.
  • Use the app to photograph and log warning labels you find helpful (especially those highlighting excess sugar or sodium), then create a personal list of “better choices” based on these labels. This makes it easier to remember which products to buy next time.
  • Over the next 2-3 months, track your label-reading frequency and note any changes in your food choices or health markers (like blood sugar or blood pressure readings if you monitor them). Review your progress monthly to see if increased label awareness is helping you make healthier choices.

This research is a cross-sectional study that shows an association between having a diet-related health condition and reading food labels, but it does not prove that reading labels causes better health outcomes. The study was published as a preprint and has not yet been peer-reviewed by other experts. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other diet-related health conditions, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet based on food labels. Food labels are a helpful tool, but they should be used alongside professional medical advice, not as a replacement for it. Individual nutritional needs vary based on your specific health conditions, medications, and other factors that only a healthcare provider can assess.