Ask the Experts

Q: If youre worried about developing diabetes and keeping blood-sugar levels low, is it...

Answer : Nicola McKeown, PhD, director of Tufts Nutritional Epidemiology Program, answers: "The first goal would be to keep within a healthy weight...

Q: Im a healthy 71-year-old man with no heart or cholesterol problems. I eat...

Answer : Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, director of Tufts HNRCA Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, says the answer isnt as simple as how many eggs are too many eggs.

Q: Is the magnesium content of nuts higher or lower if they are raw...

Answer : Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, director of Tufts HNRCA Antioxidants Research Laboratory and an expert on the nutritional value of nuts...

Q: I will use blood thinners the rest of my life, and so watch...

Answer : Sarah L Booth, PhD, director of Tufts HNRCA Vitamin K Laboratory, answers, Blood thinners are among the top 15 drugs prescribed in this country...

Green Apples VS. Red Apples

When you compare the nutrients in green apples (including Granny Smith) versus red apples (including Red Delicious and Royal Gala), the differences are minimal. They all provide the same amount of fiber and vitamin C. However, the green varieties tend to be slightly lower (about 10%) in both calories and carbohydrates, while the red varieties tend to be higher (about 50%) in beta carotene-presumably due to their color.

Q: Is there any value to drinking cactus juice?

Answer: There may be benefits to consuming cactus- which is, after all, a plant-and people have been eating prickly pear cactus pads and syrup for centuries.

Q: The American Heart Association recommends at least five days a week of 30...

Answer : A Miriam E. Nelson, PhD, director of Tufts John Hancock Center on Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity and vice-chair of the committee for the US governments first-ever Physical Activity Guidelines...

Q: Is there any food value left in the parboiling water used to blanch...

Answer : A Natalie Faella, a dietetic intern at Tufts Frances Stern Nutrition Center, answers: I agree, it does seem like a waste to just toss the water left over after boiling vegetables.

Which is Healthier: Cooked or Raw Apples?

Diane McKay, PhD, a scientist in Tufts HNRCA Antioxidant Nutrition Laboratory, answers: Like most foods, cooking apples will tend to decrease the vitamin C content...

Q :I have to avoid copper because of Wilsons disease, so I cant have...

Answer : A Lisa Massini, a dietetic intern in Tufts Frances Stern Nutrition Center, responds: Copper sulfate is an approved pesticide for organic farms...