Ask the Experts

Q: Is it true that you dont get much nutrition from eating raw spinach,...

Answer : Lingxia Sun, a dietetic intern at Tufts Frances Stern Nutrition Center, replies: This is a no and yes answer.

Q: Ive been hearing a lot about the benefits of vitamin K2, and my...

Answer : Sarah L. Booth, PhD, director of Tufts HNRCA Vitamin K Laboratory, responds: Currently the clinical trial data do not support a protective effect of vitamin K2...

Q: You often write about healthy vs. unhealthy fat. But healthy vegetable oils simply...

Answer : We posed this challenge to Patsy Jamieson, our recipe editor. Here are her thoughts: Certain recipes like basic muffin batters and quick breads are fine with canola oil, but many flaky pie crusts, cookies and cakes...

Q: Is there anything nutritionally you could recommend that might help someone with bipolar...

Answer : Tammy Scott, PhD, a scientist at Tufts HNRCA Nutrition and Neurocognition Laboratory, cautions against any blanket recommendation for treatment...

Q: Is there really a noninvasive test that can measure antioxidants in the body?...

Answer : C-Y. Oliver Chen, PhD, a scientist in Tufts HNRCA Antioxidants Research Lab, answers: Yes, there is a non-invasive scanner that evaluates total carotenoid content in skin.

Q: I see that the Girl Scouts will be adding Food State Nutrition from...

Answer : Diane L. McKay, PhD, an assistant professor at the Friedman School and scientist at Tufts HNRCA Antioxidants Research Laboratory, answers...

Q: If I ate as much food every day as listed in your One...

Answer : Actually, we did compute the calories in our example of how to get 5,419 milligrams of potassium from a days worth of meals...

Q: Is there any difference in effectiveness between vitamin D supplements in soft gel...

Answer : Vitamin D expert Bess Dawson-Hughes, MD, director of Tufts HNRCA Bone Metabolism Laboratory, replies...

Q: Im trying to watch the glycemic index in the foods I eat. Is...

Answer : The glycemic index measures how quickly carbohydrates enter the bloodstream as sugar; glucose (sugar) and white bread...

Q: Is it OK to eat canned fruits and vegetables?

Answer : Abigail Lundin, MS, RD, a dietetic intern at Tufts Frances Stern Nutrition Center, replies: According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, we should strive to eat more fruits and vegetables-fresh, frozen, dried and canned.