Vegetarian Diets Improve Diabetes Management
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials published in the journal Clinical Nutrition found that vegetarian-style dietary patterns (from vegan, which omits all animal products, to ovo-lacto-vegetarian, which includes eggs and dairy) may be helpful in diabetes management.
Bananas Beat Sports Drinks
A study published in 2012 found that competitive cyclists performed better on long rides if they consumed either a banana (plus water) or a sports drink, compared to water alone. Now a follow-up study, recently published in the journal PLOS One, concluded that bananas are even better than sports drinks at helping these athletes recover from extreme exertion.
Vitamin D Alone Does Not Help Muscles
It has been suggested that taking vitamin D supplements could help preserve muscle strength and functionality in older adults, but a new study concluded that supplementation alone had no impact on either muscle strength or physical performance.
Cravings Can Lead to Higher Spending on Junk Food
A recent study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America suggests that cravings for junk foods not only can undermine good dietary intentions, but also may increase spending on unhealthy choices.
Mediterranean Diet Associated with Lower Alzheimers Risk
Adhering to a Mediterranean-style eating pattern may protect the aging brain from Alzheimers disease, according to new research published in the journal Neurology. The three-year brain imaging study looked for Alzheimers disease-associated brain changes in 70 cognitively normal adults ages 30 to 60 years. Participants whose diets were closer to a Mediterranean style of eating showed fewer negative brain changes over the course of the study than those with lower adherence to this dietary pattern.
Studies Suggest Fish Oil Supplements Do Not Benefit Heart or Eyes
A growing number of Americans are turning to fish oil supplements to improve or prolong their health, but recent studies indicate these golden capsules may not be all that beneficial.
High Protein Diet May Increase Heart Failure Risk
A new study published in Circulation: Heart Failure concluded middle-aged men who ate higher amounts of protein had a slightly higher risk of heart failure than those who ate less protein. This association was found by following over 2,400 men ages 42 to 60 for an average of 22 years. Protein from fish and eggs was not associated with heart failure in this study.
High body fat may raise diabetes risk, even with normal BMI
New research shows that people who have a high body fat percentage may be more prone to diabetes, even if their body mass index (BMI) classifies them as normal weight. People classified as normal weight according to BMI may have a high percent body fat if they do not have much muscle.
Obesity Increases Cancer Risk
A new report from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) links obesity to 12 types of cancer. The report, Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: a Global Perspective, analyzed a decade of research to develop cancer prevention recommendations. The analysis found strong evidence that being overweight or obese throughout adulthood increases risk of cancer of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, colon, breast (post menopause), ovaries, endometrium, prostate (advanced), and kidney.
US Food Waste About A Pound Per Person Daily
Nearly a pound of food per person is wasted each day in America, according to a study in PLOS One. Researchers examined data on Americans eating habits as well as estimates of food loss, including waste, at multiple stages in the food system, spanning the period from 2007 to 2014. Of 22 food groups studied, fruits, vegetables and mixed fruit and vegetable dishes (39% of the total) contributed the most to food wasted. Thats because these types of foods tend to be the most susceptible to food spoilage.