Anemia, a condition caused by vitamin and mineral deficiency,
doubles the risk of serious physical decline in the elderly,
according to a new study. The researchers do not yet know if
vitamin supplements could prevent elderly disability...
Increasing the intake of soy isoflavones may have little effect on
either LDL or HDL cholesterol, concludes a review by Dutch
researchers, while a Chilean team finds that soy protein can
improve endothelial function despite producing...
US firm Technology Flavors & Fragrances continues to falter in
2003 with a 70 per cent decrease in net income for the second
quarter, a decrease in net sales of 5.7 per cent and rising
operating costs.
Researchers in Japan report that low dose supplements of the
hormone DHEA may improve the health of arteries as well as insulin
sensitivity in middle-aged men with raised cholesterol, reducing
their risk of developing heart disease.
Natural chemicals released in the body as a result of chronic
inflammation may underpin the failure of low-fat, so-called heart
healthy diets to actually reduce cholesterol and heart disease risk
in some people, suggest results of...
Executives from global food and drink firms, under increasing
pressure to improve the nutritional value of their products,
continued talks on their role in global health at a WHO meeting
last week.
Edible vegetable and fruit wraps, among the latest developments
from modern chemistry, look set to keep lunches fresher longer and
be substituted for some non-biodegradable wraps, says the creator,
food chemist Tara McHugh.
By all accounts DSM presented a less than rosy set of second
quarterly figures this week with sales and operating profit figures
both plummeting. The company predicts a further downward trend in
the third quarter but should rebound...
The actual feasibility of linking consumption data to health
outcomes came to light this week following investigations into the
buying and eating of novel - to include genetically modified -
foods.
A green algae supplement has been shown to boost the immune
system's response to the flu vaccine in people aged 50-55 years
old, although the findings, published in the Canadian Medical
Association Journal, were not consistent...
Mandatory addition of folic acid to cereals and grains in the US
may be dangerously concealing vitamin B12 deficiency in the
elderly, said a scientist this week. B12 is needed to protect
against deterioration of brain cells.
Intake of omega-3 fatty acids, known to boost cognition and mood,
could also significantly reduce the chances of developing
Alzheimer's disease, said researchers this week.
A new study finds that eating a dietary plan high in soy protein,
viscous fibre, almonds and plant sterols is as effective in
managing cholesterol as taking a starting dose of
cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Athletes should be warned against drinking too much water, or other
sports drinks, during exercise, writes a sports medicine expert in
this week's BMJ, prompting swift reaction from sports drink
maker Gatorade.
Eating in between mealtimes is fundamentally ingrained in
Europeans' eating habits, claims a new report that encourages
manufacturers to concentrate on healthy snacks and meal-snack
'hybrids' to meet the needs of this...
Scientists in the UK said on Friday they had found evidence of a
link between consumption of fat and breast cancer, a theory so far
poorly supported by human trials. Their study raises questions
about the methods of assessing dietary...
Engineers at the Russian company Izobretatel in Moscow have
designed and patented a new device for rapid and cost-effective
analysis of the consistency of various food- and non-foodstuffs for
future standardised replication.
The carbohydrate-rich pizza could be associated with a reduced risk
of cancer, suggested a newspaper report yesterday, while a recent
study finds that the tomato-based food could help lower women's
levels of heart disease.
Women who take vitamin C supplements may have a lower risk of
developing coronary heart disease than women with low intakes of
vitamin C, according to a new study. But researchers are still
calling for more trials before making recommendations.
Chemicals in the seeds of magnolia trees have been found to inhibit
the growth of new blood vessels, cutting tumor growth in mice by
half, according to a new study.
A review of black cohosh, said to be the most comprehensive to
date, finds it to be safe, just days after another study suggested
that the herb, taken as an alternative to hormone replacement
therapy (HRT), could trigger the spread...
The FDA has confirmed the health benefits of omega-3 rich walnuts.
The agency will allow California's walnut growers to use a health
claim stating that 'supportive but not conclusive' research shows
the nuts may help...
A new study on mice suggests that the herb black cohosh, used by
women as an alternative to HRT to treat menopause symptoms, may
speed up the spread of tumors in women with breast cancer.
The amino acid and powerful antioxidant cysteine may be able to
reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to a study, which found
a link between lower risk of the disease and those women with
higher levels of the antioxidant.
Flavor and mouth-feel of soy-protein drinks should not present a
barrier to consumer preferences, claim researchers, assessing the
acceptability of soy drinks compared to those made with whey
protein.
The Food and Drug Administration unveiled its new regulations on
trans fat labelling yesterday, after years of campaigning by
consumer groups and nutritionists. Food manufacturers were quick to
confirm their compliance with the rules,...
Red clover extracts marketed to treat menopause symptoms had no
significant effect on hot flashes, reported researchers in this
week's Journal of the American Medical Association.
NASA-awarded food science students will present the ultimate in
space comfort foods - the 'Pizza Popper'- at the upcoming IFT
Annual Meeting in Chicago this weekend.
Vitamin E may be more important for its anti-inflammatory and
cardiovascular benefits than its antioxidant activity, suggest
authors of a recent Harvard Medical School publication.
Herbalife is to market a nitric oxide supplement to boost
cardiovascular health. The product, the first in a series of heart
health supplements, is made with an amino acid complex,
antioxidants and folic acid.
Acatris, the Dutch health ingredients company, has called for
greater harmonisation of the methods used to test soy isoflavones
to help consumers avoid "the proverbial problem of comparing
apples to oranges rather than apples...
Red ginseng may help diabetes patients regulate blood sugar levels,
according to two small studies presented at the American Diabetes
Association's recent Scientific Sessions.
Taking folate supplements may help suppress depression suggests a
new study, which found that problems metabolizing the B vitamin may
be causing increased incidence of the condition.
Functional foods need to become the 'pharmacy' for disease
prevention, argued an expert recently, urging the Canadian
government to increase use of functional foods to reduce healthcare
costs.
FDA commissioner speaks out against the growing tide of obesity and
calls on health professionals and the food industry to tackle the
key question - how to communicate the right information to the
consumer?
Men who take large doses of zinc in supplements could be at
increased risk of prostate cancer, finds a study by researchers at
the US National Cancer Institute. The risk was only seen however at
levels far above those set by most...
Education is playing an increasing role in the quality of our
diets, new research indicates, pointing to a much wider gap between
the diets of differently educated people compared to 30 years ago.
There is still insufficient evidence to determine whether vitamins
can reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease or cancer, concludes
a report by researchers in the US, revealing the gaps which should
be targeted by further research.
The components in milk fat could be responsible for lower rates of
asthma among young children, concludes a study in Thorax,
which challenges previous findings linking fish fatty acids to
lower incidence of the disease.
Representatives from 169 countries gathered in Rome yesterday for a
week of talks led by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. High on the
agenda, food safety, biotechnology, food irradiation and an
overhaul of the Codex structure.
Infant formula supplemented with iron and the fatty acids DHA and
ARA helps to significantly improve the visual development of
infants compared to non-supplemented formula, shows a new study.
Fatty acids may have a significant impact on mood in the elderly,
say researchers in the Netherlands, showing that it is not just new
mothers who could benefit from an omega-3 rich diet.
Imagine eating purple bread, purple vinegar or blue noodles. Now
imagine that they are good for you. Food scientists in Australia
have come up with natural food colours that also give a boost to
the health.
Sodas and sugary drinks are helping to push up the figures of obese
children, suggests a small study in the US, and also result in
deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals.