Diet Of Dried Plums Seems To Reduce Colon Cancer Risk

U.S. researchers have found that a diet rich in dried plums might ward off colon cancer by helping the gut retain beneficial bacteria. Earlier research has shown that disruptions to the microbiota spur the onset or recurrence of intestinal inflammation that can increase the risk of colon cancer. Dried plums, however, contain phenolic compounds that serve as antioxidants to neutralize the effect of free radicals that damage DNA. The new experiments in rats found that a dried plum diet increased the proportions of two major phyla of bacteria in the gut, while the control diet lowered the proportions. The tests also showed that rats eating dried plums had fewer aberrant “crypts” in gut wall tissue, a strong cancer indicator.

"Dried plums can reduce risk of colon cancer, research shows", News release, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, October 12, 2015

Wine Contains Lots More Arsenic Than Water, But Poses Small Health Threat

A U.S. researcher has determined that wine on average contains a lot more arsenic than the U.S. EPA allows in drinking water, but the risk of poisoning is small unless you’re also getting arsenic from other dietary sources, like apple juice, rice or cereal bars. The problem is especially worrisome for pregnant women, children and the elderly, the scientists said. They are more likely to consume large amounts of contaminated rice, organic brown rice syrup, seafood, wine, and apple juice. The study analyzed 65 wines from Washington, New York, California and Oregon. Washington wines had the highest arsenic concentrations, while Oregon's had the lowest. Arsenic leaches into water and soil – and then the food chain – when rocks containing the metalloid are eroded by rain, rivers or wind.

"Arsenic Content in American Wine. ", Journal of Environmental Health, October 07, 2015

U.S. Dietary Guidelines Not Based On Current Science, Journalist Says

The nutritional science on which the latest version of U.S. Dietary Guidelines is based may be outdated and misleading, according to a journalist writing in a scientific publication. Nina Teicholz argues that the guidelines, based on an expert report by a 14-member advisory committee, do not reflect recent scientific findings. For example, the committee said the association of saturated fats with heart disease is strong. But the panel did not review scientific literature on saturated fats from the past five years that had failed to confirm a link between sat-fats and heart disease. Teicholtz says that the committee’s analyses of nutritional study findings were less than rigorous, and may simply have relied on the outdated conclusions of industry-funded organizations like the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. The article has prompted a congressional review of the expert report.

"The scientific report guiding the US dietary guidelines: is it scientific? ", BMJ, October 06, 2015

Simple Blood Test Could Speed Diagnosis Of Celiac Disease

To celiac diagnose celiac disease – a severe immune reaction to the protein gluten in wheat, barley, and rye – a physician has to take blood and intestinal tissue samples (gastroscopy), an uncomfortable, often painful procedure. Now Norwegian scientists have developed a simple test that may make it quicker and easier to diagnose the disease. The test is based on the fact that in celiac disease immune cells, known as T cells, analyze gluten molecules and decide that they are a harmful bacteria or virus. For the new test, a blood sample is taken, the blood is enriched with certain reagents, and gluten-reactive T cells are counted. People with celiac disease will have a much higher number of gluten-reactive T cells in their blood than non-celiacs.

"Simplified diagnosis of celiac disease", News release, University of Oslo, October 05, 2015

Replacing Sat-Fats With The Right Foods Reduces Heart Disease Risk

Science for a long time has advocated removal of saturated fatty acids from the diet as a way to cut the risk of cardiovascular disease. But no one made any recommendations about what to replace those fats with. To find out what was best, U.S. scientists analyzed questionnaire data collected over at least thirty years from 84,628 women and 42,908 men free of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. They found that patients making lifestyle diet changes – specifically avoiding sat-fats – did best when they substituted unsaturated fats like vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds, as well as healthy carbohydrates such as whole grains. Those who turned to processed foods with low-quality carbohydrates from refined starches or sugars barely reduced the risk of heart disease.

"Fructose and Cardiometabolic Health. Journal of the American College of Cardiology", Journal of the American College of Cardiology, October 03, 2015

To Reduce Risk Of Heart Disease, Increase Consumption Of Fruits, Veggies, Fiber

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are known to reduce the risk of inflammatory disease, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. SCFAs are produced by bacteria in the gut by fermenting insoluble dietary plant fiber. Which foods best promote SCFA production? For this study, Italian researchers collected a week's worth of daily diet information from 153 adults. They were equally divided into omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans. After analyzing gut bacteria and metabolites from stool and urine samples, the researchers found that the highest levels of SCFAs were found in vegans, vegetarians, and those who regularly followed a Mediterranean diet. But no matter what dietary pattern was followed, high levels of SCFAs were strongly linked to regular consumption of fruit, vegetables, legumes, and fiber.

"High-level adherence to a Mediterranean diet beneficially impacts the gut microbiota and associated metabolome. ", Gut, October 01, 2015

For Long-Term Weight Control, Avoid Starchy Vegetables

New data from a study by U.S. researchers show that some vegetables are not as good for dieters as others. Nutritionists have long advocated increased consumption of fruits and vegetables as a way to keep weight under control. The new study, however, finds that starchy vegetables, while certainly healthful, are less likely to help in weight loss and actually contributed to weight gain. Researchers analyzed data collected from national survey questionnaires submitted by 133,468 American adults over 24 years. Starchy vegetables like peas and corn were associated with long-term weight gain, while fruits and non-starchy vegetables were associated with weight loss.

"Changes in Intake of Fruits and Vegetables and Weight Change in United States Men and Women Followed for Up to 24 Years: Analysis from Three Prospective Cohort Studies. ", PLOS Medicine, September 29, 2015