|
Researchers who evaluated the effects of caffeine and exercise on lab animals bred to be at high risk of skin cancer found that the combination cut the number of skin tumors by 62 percent, and the size by 85 percent. Similar, but smaller, results were found with caffeine or exercise by themselves. There was a 27 percent reduction in tumors in caffeine-only mice, and a 61 percent reduction in tumor size. Tumor activity decreased by 35 percent in exercise-only mice, while tumor volume decreased by 70 percent. The connection between the impact of caffeine and exercise is inflammation, which declined as much as 92 percent in mice that exercised and consumed caffeine, researchers said.
"Caffeine and Exercise May Be Protective Against Skin Cancer Caused by Sun Exposure, Study Suggests", News release, presentation at the AACR annual meeting, April 03, 2012
A study by scientists in Spain finds that consumers of fast food are 51 percent more likely to develop depression than those who eat little or none. This data support earlier research, recording 657 new cases of depression out of 12,059 people analyzed over more than six months. The researchers also note that the link between fast food and depression is “dose-responsive”: the more you eat, the greater the likelihood of depression. Participants who ate the most fast food and commercial baked goods were more likely to be single, less active and have poor dietary habits, which include eating less fruit, nuts, fish, vegetables and olive oil. The group was also more likely to smoke and work more than 45 hours a week.
"Fast-food and commercial baked goods consumption and the risk of depression", Public Health Nutrition, March 30, 2012
A study by Purdue University researchers reports that eating low glycemic index foods –particularly almonds – at breakfast increases feelings of satiety and fullness and helps prevent spikes in blood sugar all morning and after lunch. Foods with a high glycemic index, including many highly processed foods containing carbohydrates, are digested rapidly, resulting in high fluctuations in blood sugar levels and increased hunger pangs later in the day. Low glycemic index foods produce gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels, and are considered healthier. The study focused on the impact of eating almonds at breakfast, finding that the nuts make people feel fuller while lowering blood sugar concentrations.
"Glycemic Index Foods at Breakfast Can Control Blood Sugar Throughout the Day", News release, presentation at the Institute of Food Technologists' Wellness 12 meeting, March 30, 2012
A U.S. study that examined the interplay of beverage consumption and overall diet patterns has found that diet is the key factor, regardless of whether sugary or sugar-free beverages are consumed. The healthiest of the 4,000 people studied were those who ate a “prudent” diet (i.e., fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains, nuts and milk) and did not consume diet beverages. They had a lower risk of high waist circumference, high triglyceride levels and metabolic syndrome than those who ate a Western diet (i.e., fast foods, pizza, snacks, meats, etc.) and did not drink diet beverages. The second healthiest group was individuals with a prudent diet who also consumed diet beverages. Lastly, individuals who ate the Western diet had increased risk of heart disease, regardless of the kind of beverage they drank.
"Dietary patterns matter: diet beverages and cardiometabolic risks in the longitudinal Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study", American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 28, 2012
Consumers who want to increase their daily intake of heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids might someday be able to eat fish oil-supplemented yogurt, according to a U.S. study. Scientists tested different levels of fish oil in a savory chili and lime flavored yogurt. A one percent concentration of fish oil – which provides more than the daily amount suggested by the American Heart Association – would probably be acceptable to a majority of Americans, the researchers found in their testing. A higher concentration was found to be too fishy flavored to be acceptable. “A potential market exists for this population," the researchers concluded.
"Consumer perception and sensory effect of oxidation in savory-flavored yogurt enriched with n-3 lipids", Journal of Dairy Science, March 28, 2012
U.S. scientists report that supplementing a low-fat diet and regular exercise with multiple capsules of green (unroasted) coffee extract every day seems to be a safe, effective, inexpensive and quick way to lose weight. For the cross-over study, 16 obese or overweight young adults took green coffee bean capsules, alternating between 700 mg and 1,050 mg capsules daily, for 22 weeks. People cycled through the two doses as well as a placebo capsule, each for six-week periods. Average weight loss was 17 pounds, and included an average 10.5 percent decrease in overall body weight and 16 percent decrease in body fat. Weight loss might have been faster, except that each participant received the placebo and the lower dose of extract during the study.
"New Evidence On Effects of Green Coffee Beans in Weight Loss", News release, presentation at a meeting of the American Chemical Society, March 27, 2012
A U.S. study shows that adults who eat chocolate regularly tend to be thinner than those who don’t. For the study, researchers analyzed dietary and other information provided by 1,000 adults. They found that adults who ate chocolate on more days a week had a lower body mass index than those who ate chocolate less often. The researchers acknowledged that the size of the effect was modest, but nevertheless significant. The chocolate eaters consumed more calories and did not behave differently – for example, exercising more often – than the non-chocolate eaters. The data, researchers concluded, suggest that the composition of calories, not just the number, is important to the ultimate impact on weight.
"Association Between More Frequent Chocolate Consumption and Lower Body Mass Index", Archives of Internal Medicine, March 27, 2012
U.S. researchers who analyzed data from 5,115 black and white Americans over 20 years have found that moderate amounts of dietary isoflavone intake significantly lower blood pressure, especially among African Americans. Isoflavones are a nutrient found in soy products, as well as in green tea and peanuts. People who consumed more than 2.5 mg of isoflavones a day – 8 oz. of soymilk contains 22 mg – had significantly lower blood pressure than those who consumed less than 0.33 mg a day. The researchers said that eating soy protein, for example, with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grains could lower blood pressure by 10 mmHg for pre-hypertensives, and significantly reduce the chance of progressing to hypertension.
"Dietary Isoflavone Intake is Associated with Lower Systolic Blood Pressure: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study", News release, presentation, American College of Cardiology's Scientific Session, March 25, 2012
|
University of Scranton, March 26, 2012
|