Eat cheese to lower diabetes risk
Researchers studying the link between food and diseases found that cheese-eaters were 12 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who rarely enjoy the dairy product.
The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, was one of the largest studies ever to examine the impact of eating habits on a variety of diseases, according to the Daily Mail.
Researchers examined 16,000 participants with type 2 diabetes and compared their healthy and eating habits with 12,400 others who did not have the disease.
A comparison of dairy consumption found that cheese did appear to protect against metabolic disease. Other dairy foods, with the possible exception of yogurt, did not appear to directly protect against the condition.
Researchers suggested that one reason for cheese’s impact on diabetes is that “not all saturated fatty acids have an equal effect on cardiovascular risk,”which is similar to findings of other recent studies. These studies suggest certain acids produced only in cows’ stomachs may help protect heart disease
Grape powder may improve blood pressure, vascular health
Daily supplements of a freeze-dried grape polyphenol powder may reduce systolic blood pressure and improve the health of blood vessels, says a new study.
One month of supplementation with the polyphenol-rich powder was associated with a reduction in levels of inflammatory biomarkers that are involved in damage to cells called soluble adhesion molecules, particularly soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1). It is generally accepted that low circulating level of sICAM-1 is good.
“This study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to evaluate the effects of a grape preparation of standardized polyphenol content on [metabolic syndrome] parameters and on vascular endothelial function in free-living men aged 30 to 70 years,” wrote researchers from the University of Connecticut and the University of Antioquia in the Journal of Nutrition.
Eating Grapes May Help Protect Heart Health in Men with Metabolic Syndrome
Consuming grapes may help protect heart health in people with metabolic syndrome, according to new research published in the Journal of Nutrition.[1] Researchers observed a reduction in key risk factors for heart disease in men with metabolic syndrome: reduced blood pressure, improved blood flow and reduced inflammation. Natural components found in grapes, known as polyphenols, are thought to be responsible for these beneficial effects.
The randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study, led by principal investigator Dr. Maria Luz Fernandez and Jacqueline Barona, a PhD student in Dr. Fernandez’ lab at the Department of Nutritional Sciences of the University of Connecticut, recruited men between 30 and 70 years of age with metabolic syndrome. The study is believed to be the first to look at the impact of grapes on metabolic syndrome.
Dietary fiber cuts colorectal cancer risk
Vitamin D3 beats D2 for maintaining winter levels
Vitamin D3 is more effective at maintaining blood levels of the sunshine vitamin during winter months than the D2 form, says a new study.
“To our knowledge, this is the first study comparing vitamin D3 and D2 by mapping the time course of serum 25(OH)D from the summertime peak through to the wintertime nadir,” wrote researchers in the British Journal of Nutrition.
Vitamin D refers to two biologically inactive precursors – D3, also known as cholecalciferol, and D2, also known as ergocalciferol. Both D3 and D2 precursors are transformed in the liver and kidneys into 25- hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), the non-active ‘storage’ form, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), the biologically active form that is tightly controlled by the body.
Many researchers agree that many people are vitamin D deficient and need vitamin D supplements, but the form and recommended dose are still hotly debated.
Some foods are high in calories, but good for you in small portions
I have a friend whose father has cancer, and she asked me how to help him gain weight and strength. Not really my area, since I generally help people lose weight in order to live healthier lives.
But the part about “healthier lives” struck a nerve. I realized that whether you’re gaining or losing weight, many of the health issues are similar.
So I decided to look at foods that are healthy even though they pack a calorie punch! You should eat them, but if you’re watching your weight, keep portions small.
Green tea and weight loss
Raisins boost athletic performance
For athletes participating in the London 2012 Olympics, here is a helpful tip!
According to a new research, you can now replace your dose of sports chews with the good old raisin as it provides the same workout boost.
Researchers from the University of California-Davis found that eating raisins can boost performance in athletes and long distance runners.
Many athletes like to fuel with energy gels or chews because they are easy to carry and digest.
The study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition evaluated the effects that natural versus commercial carbohydrate supplements have on endurance running performance.
Runners completed three randomised trials (raisins, chews and water only) separated by seven days.
The study found that those who ingested raisins or sports chews ran their 5 kilometres on average one minute faster than those who ingested only water.
Whey protein isolate offsets effects of high fat diet
Genetically modified rice a good vitamin A source
Genetically modified rice could be a good source of vitamin A for children in countries where deficiency in the vitamin is common, a new study suggests.
The study tested so-called Golden Rice against both spinach and supplements in providing vitamin A to 68 six- to eight-year-olds in China.
Researchers found that the rice was as effective as the capsules in giving kids a boost of vitamin A, based on blood tests taken over three weeks.
And it worked better than the natural beta-carotene in spinach, the researchers report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Normally, rice plants produce beta-carotene – a precursor to vitamin A – in their green parts, but not the grain that people eat. Golden Rice is genetically engineered to produce beta-carotene in the edible part of the plant.
