Special Reports

While autumns chill marks the end of lazy summer days, it also signals the fall fruit harvest-a seasonal bounty of fresh nutrition. Apples and pears are among the most familiar of these healthy fruits; although today theyre available year-round, autumn is still the time to find them at their peak of flavor and nutritional benefits. And as you look to get your one and a half to two cups of daily fruit this fall, dont overlook more exotic options such as persimmons and pomegranates.

hanksgiving is the only American holiday not traditionally associated with eating red meat. But Turkey Day may be a trendsetter if the current onslaught of negative news about the health effects of red and processed meats continues: July 4th grilled fish… Labor Day roast chicken… Christmas tofu…

A rthritis is increasingly affecting our daily lives-and new research fnd- ings seem to dash any hopes that the most popular supplements thought to combat arthritis do any good. Yet amidst this gloomy picture, scientists are discovering clues to how you might make a difference against arthritis by smart choices in your diet.

T he start of a new year marks the perfect opportunity to revisit familiar menu routines and jump- start healthy eating patterns. Adding a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains to your plate will not only boost overall nutrition in your diet, but also broaden your culinary horizons. Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, director of Tufts HNRCA Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, emphasizes the importance of trying new foods in broadening diet variety: Dont get too caught up in trying to eat more of any one particular fruit or vegetable than another. Instead, work on expanding your palate by in- corporating some foods you dont rou- tinely eat. Were very fortunate today to have such a variety of affordable fruits and vegetables available year-round, so we should take advantage of that.

A furry of new research on fsh-oil supplements is raising eyebrows as well as questions about just how miraculous those omega-3 fatty acids really are. Live long, stay strong, say the ads for fsh-oil pills, touting not only omega-3s familiar heart-health benefts but also mental and cellular protection. But recent clinical trials have reminded nutrition scientists that, after all, the strongest data linking omega-3s and reduced cardiovascular risk come from observational studies: Overall, people who eat more fsh have lower rates of heart disease. Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, director of Tufts HNRCA Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, points out, however, that people who eat more fsh also tend to be more physically active, less likely to smoke and to eat a healthier diet in general, including more fruits and vegetables and probably less meat and cheese. Should the fsh oils alone get the credit for healthier hearts-or are omega-3s only part of the story?

G It might seem glamorous to pick up the fixings for each days meals at the market that same day, whip- ping up healthy gourmet meals from fresh ingredients like characters do in romantic comedies. But lets face it: In the real world, sometimes dinner comes out of a can or a box. The easi- est meals to make are those assembled from foods readily at hand-such as the contents of your kitchen pantry. But if your pantry is stocked with canned goods high in sodium and packaged foods packed with refined grains and added sugars, those meals you throw together could throw your healthy- eating plans for a loop.

New research makes the choice clearer than ever: Physical activity is key to living healthier longer, while inactivity shortens your life. If you need a push to get off the couch, a flurry of new research should provide plenty of motivation. The findings about the negative effects of inactivity and the benefits of physical activity couldnt be more stark: Sitting too much is dangerous for your health, while getting fit helps protect everything from your waistline to your brain

Inside Tufts HNRCA Laboratory of Nutrition, Exercise, Physiology and Sarcopenia-on the front lines of the fight against frailty. At 711 Washington Street, in the heart of downtown Boston, you will find the worlds largest research center on nutrition and aging. With over 300 scientists, the Tufts Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) has been advancing the knowledge of human nutrition since 1979

Quenching your thirst for answers about sodas and your health. Soft-drink lovers who thought they were doing something good for their health got a jolt-not the highly caffeinated soda kind-earlier this year when a report linked diet sodas to greater risk of stroke and heart attack. The surprising findings captured headlines and blared over the nightly news: In a study of 2,564 people