Wide Variety Of Breads Contain Carcinogenic Compound

The Environmental Working Group reports that 86 breads and baked goods it analyzed contained a possible carcinogenic ingredient known as potassium bromate. The compound, linked in animal studies to cancer and development of tumors, is added to flour to firm up the dough, help it rise and give the finished bread an appealing white color. California is the only U.S. state that regulates potassium bromate. It requires a warning label on food containing it. Among the 86 products containing the potentially harmful compound are Hormel Foods breakfast sandwiches, Weis Kaiser rolls and French toast, and Goya turnover pastry dough.

"Scores of Baked Goods Contain Possible Cancer-Causing Additive", Report, Environmental Working Group, October 14, 2015

Dietary Supplements Are Popular, Safe, According to Dietary Supplement Makers

More than two-thirds of American adults say they take dietary supplements, and a large majority (84 percent) believe supplements are safe, according to a survey sponsored by the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade organization representing dietary supplement makers. Americans have the most confidence in the vitamins and minerals category. The survey found that between 2014 and 2015, overall usage of vitamins and minerals and “specialty supplements” remained flat. Usage of “herbals & botanicals” and “sports nutrition & weight management” supplements grew five percent.

"Most U.S. Adults Take Dietary Supplements, According to New Survey", News release, Council for Responsible Nutrition, November 23, 2015

Excess Fructose In The Intestines Linked To Bronchitis

A U.S. study reports that drinking beverages sweetened with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is associated with an increased prevalence and risk of chronic bronchitis in American adults. Adults who drink non-diet soda five or more times per week are 1.8 times as likely to develop chronic bronchitis as people who drink them only once or twice a month. And it doesn’t matter if smoking is involved. The researchers suggested that poorly absorbed excess fructose in the gut interacts with proteins to form antigens (“enFruAGEs”) that work their way to the lungs, triggering an immune response and causing bronchitis. More research is needed to prove the connection.

"Intake of high fructose corn syrup sweetened soft drinks is associated with prevalent chronic bronchitis in U.S. Adults, ages 20–55 y", Nutrition Journal, October 16, 2015

Diet Rich In Soluble Fiber Reduces Risk Of Damaging Inflammation, Obesity

New U.S. research in mice suggests that intestinal inflammation caused by a microbiome that lacks soluble fiber may be a key factor in obesity and in obesity-related diseases like diabetes. The researchers found that adding more soluble fiber to the diet restores the gut microbiome and intestinal health. For the study, researchers tested the effects of various diets (i.e., soluble and insoluble fiber, protein and fat) on the intestinal tracts of mice. Among other things, the researchers found that improvements in gut structure from a soluble fiber-rich diet were due to changes in the gut microbiota that produced anti-inflammatory molecules (short chain fatty acids) used as fuel by intestinal cells.

"Lack of soluble fiber drives diet-induced adiposity in mice. ", American Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, November 13, 2015

More Fiber In Diet Is Good, Except When The Bacteria Control System Is Defective

Some studies have linked metabolic syndrome with the fermentation activities of bacteria on soluble fiber in the intestines. The bacteria digest the fiber, creating short chain fatty acids that control inflammation and reduce the risk of obesity. So it is usually healthful to increase fiber consumption. But a new U.S. study found a link between unchecked bacterial fermentation, increased short-chain fatty acids and increased liver lipids in people (and mice) with a compromised “TLR5” function. A defect in the TLR5 receptor reduces control of bacteria volumes. Bacteria multiply, lipids rise, as does the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and liver damage.

"Microbiota-Dependent Hepatic Lipogenesis Mediated by Stearoyl CoA Desaturase 1 (SCD1) Promotes Metabolic Syndrome in TLR5-Deficient Mice", Cell Metabolism, November 13, 2015

Count Your Bites, Then Count Your (Weight Loss) Blessings

A small U.S. pilot study has determined that weight loss could be as simple a matter as counting – but not steps, or minutes of exercise, or calories. The 41 participants who completed the study counting bites as they ate lost about four pounds on average (a healthful pound per week). Participants also committed to taking 20 to 30 percent fewer bites over four weeks. They changed nothing else about their eating or exercising patterns. Those who didn’t finish the program blamed the difficulty of keeping count, so computer scientists developed an algorithm for that. The technology was licensed to a local Utah startup (SmartBites) that is working on an app for wearable devices such as Android Wear and WatchOS devices.

"Pilot Test of A Bites-Focused Weight Loss Intervention. ", Advances in Obesity, Weight Management & Control, November 13, 2015

Healthy Global Snack Market Continues To Evolve

The sweet and savory snacks market is not going away – it’s actually outperforming the rest of the packaged foods market – but is evolving or “repurposing,” according to Euromonitor. Meat-based snacks like Slim Jims have been “repurposed,” and are now popular among health-conscious consumers and selling much better than potato chips and candy in the U.S. and Europe. Millennials are eating fewer meals, and snacking more, especially on healthful snacks. Some traditional snack and candy companies are responding through acquisitions. Hershey, for example, bought Krave Jerky. And PepsiCo, which has seen major growth in potato and tortilla chip sales in Japan and China, is gradually turning toward healthier snacks to boost U.K. and U.S. sales.

"What’s New in Sweet and Savoury Snacks: Opportunities Abound for a New Wave of Products", Blog, Euromonitor International, October 21, 2015

Energy Drinks Are A – Potentially Harmful – “Guy” Thing

The main consumers of energy drinks are men, suggesting a connection between “masculinity ideology” and energy drink use, according to a U.S. study. Drinking energy beverages may be a way of “performing masculinity... a way to raise masculine capital." The researchers analyzed data from 467 adult males who were asked if they agreed with statements that suggested traditional masculine attitudes. They also asked what participants expected from energy drinks and whether they felt that the drinks affected sleep patterns. Young white men especially associated the drinks with participation in extreme sports or leading an active and competitive lifestyle. But the researchers warned that the high caffeine content of the drinks can have adverse health effects, especially when it comes to sleep.

"Moderated mediation of the relationships between masculinity ideology, outcome expectations, and energy drink use.", Health Psychology, November 04, 2015