The pigment astaxanthin makes salmon pink, and may also help prevent dementia.  Compounds called phospholipid hydroperoxides (PLOOH) occur in abnormal levels in the red blood cells (erythrocytes) of dementia sufferers. According to a Japanese study, astaxanthin seems to reduce PLOOH accumulation. After 12 weeks (a relatively short time), subjects who received daily supplements of astaxanthin showed significant reduction in PLOOH levels. Researchers found that when astaxanthin is absorbed into the body, it accumulates in red blood cells, at which point it displays antioxidant-like properties, preventing the buildup of PLOOH in those cells. Currently, the pigment’s main health benefits are to the eyes and skin, but it seems to improve joint and central nervous system health as well.

A Danish study involving nine participants who ate diets containing the same amount of calories but varying levels of dairy fat and calcium over ten days found that a diet rich in dairy calcium reduced LDL (“bad cholesterol”) associated with high saturated dairy fat without affecting HDL cholesterol. The four diets consisted of low calcium and low fat, high calcium and low fat, low calcium and high fat or high calcium and high fat. Milk was the main high calcium source for participants. The low calcium diet included a protein drink containing amounts of whey, casein powders and lactose equivalent to milk. “Dairy calcium seems to partly counteract the raising effect of dairy fat on total and LDL-cholesterol, without reducing HDL-cholesterol,” the researchers concluded.

ConAgra Foods announced four new Healthy Choice Café Steamers meals and nine improved All Natural Entrées, and the company claims its Healthy Choice meals let consumers follow the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans in "a way that is practical, simple, and economical." The company says the frozen meals have low levels of fat and saturated fat, controlled levels of sodium and cholesterol, less than 500 calories per single-serve entrée and include whole grain and meatless versions. ConAgra maintains that independent research supports its claim that frozen single-serve meals can “help people lose weight better and more rapidly than healthy eating plans that don't include frozen single-serve meals.”

A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association reveals that children who consume salty snacks at least three times a week are 4.8 times more at risk of having asthma symptoms than children who never or rarely do so. This association is more pronounced in children who watch television or play video games for at least 2 hours per day. Researchers hope the study, which covered 700 children in Athens, ages 10 to 12 years, will encourage public-health officials to focus future interventions and messages on modifying these behaviors as early as possible.

A study by Datamonitor reveals that almost half (47 percent) of consumers in the U.K. want to use their genetic information to personalize their food and beverage choices. Underlying the market potential of personalized foods, Datamonitor also found that 42% of consumers would view more favorably a 'customized/personalized' grocery product. A possible impediment is that proliferation of products is leading to ‘choice paralysis’ (over half of U.K. consumers agree there is too much grocery product choice) that leaves consumers unresponsive to new products and causes them to instead turn to known brands. Products with specific benefits and highly targeted markets look set to do well in the early stages of market development, like MANFLU that delivers a shot of cough and cold remedy and Custom Choice that allows celiac suffers to create their own gluten free breakfast cereal.

Researchers in Spain who investigated both the key factors behind consumer food choice and attitudes toward healthy eating found that sensory appeal, price and convenience were more important than health-promotion or weight control among 200 Spanish consumers. Participants associated the terms “low in calories” and “help me to control my weight” with “low in fat” than with “low in sugar.” Participants said dairy products were the most frequently consumed food, and indicated that foods whose ingredients promoted health were among the least consumed, probably because consumers either were not interested in or had little knowledge about the health benefits. The study found that women and adults in general were most concerned about health and weight control.

Silver Spoon has partnered with Cargill to jointly market and distribute Truvia, the stevia-based, no-calorie sweetener in the UK. In the U.S. Truvia became the leading stevia-based sweetener just two years after being launched, helping the retail sweetener category grow 18 percent. It has become the third best-selling non-sugar sweetener; a market valued at $685 million in the U.S. Currently the U.K. low calorie sweetener market is valued at £50 million.

The impact of various fatty acids (particularly trans fats) on cardiovascular health has been well-established, but scientists in Spain are exploring them from another angle: the effect of fatty acids on depression. Researchers followed a group of more than 12,000 people for six years—all initially depression-free. By the end of the study, those who ate the most trans fats showed a depression risk 48 percent higher than those who did not. Their findings also suggest that consumption of olive oil, poly-and monounsaturated fats reduces the risk of depression, though they caution that further study is needed to validate this.

Australian researchers who compared the effects of low- and high-calcium meals on calorie intake and appetite among 11 middle-aged men found that higher levels of the mineral and vitamin at breakfast increased fat oxidation and energy burning rates over 24 hours, and increased feelings of satiety. Breakfasts that contained more than 500 mg of calcium and 8.7 micrograms of vitamin D were associated with significantly increased fat and energy burning during the rest of the day, compared to breakfasts that contained 250 mg of calcium 0.3 micrograms of vitamin D. According to the researchers, the participants ate less at a subsequent buffet meal, “the buffet to dinner interval was prolonged, and reported 24-hour energy intake following this trial was significantly reduced.”

A perspectives article presented at a symposium in Copenhagen challenges entrenched beliefs that saturated fatty acids increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The authors of the paper suggested that looking at one factor like saturated fat content or blood lipids can be misleading because so many “pathways” affect cardiovascular disease risk. To properly assess cardiovascular risk it is necessary to look at all components of the diet, not just one element like fatty acids. For example, the protein, calcium and other nutrients in cheese may counteract the impact of saturated fat content. One study found that replacing saturated fats and trans fatty acids with polyunsaturated fats actually increased the risk of coronary heart disease.

Despite an increasing trend toward obesity, the lack of nutrients in the diet of America’s children is also causing malnutrition, according to a report from the American Dietetic Association. Compounding the problem is the fact that youth are also not getting the recommended amount of physical activity needed for healthy growth. The report recommends that parents, schools, communities and others make sure kids eat whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean meats and beans, and low-fat and fat-free dairy and get at least an hour of physical activity daily. Opportunities and strategies for improving the quality of children's eating behaviors and increasing their levels of physical activity include: maximizing parental influence, encouraging healthy family routines and promoting the availability of healthy foods for children wherever they eat.

Researchers in the United Kingdom found that organic supermarket milk is far higher in beneficial fatty acids than conventional, non-organic milk, and has between 30-50 percent less saturated fat. And while conventional milk shows seasonal and weather-related variability in both saturated fat and fatty acid content, organic milk shows no such effects: beneficial fatty acids like CLA and omega-3 are higher year-round. Researchers also uncovered a link between milk quality and climate change: wetter, cooler summers result in nutritionally-impoverished conventional milk.

A large variety of dietary supplements promise to help Type 2 diabetics control their blood sugar, but experts warn that there’s virtually no scientific evidence backing the claims. Examples of products from alternative medicine companies include Sugar Crush, which contains herbs like common sage, cinnamon, hibiscus, etc., and Blood Sugar, whose main ingredients are cinnamon bark and chromium. A research chemist with the USDA has found some evidence that cinnamon and chromium do increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin. But endocrinologist Dr. Daniel Einhorn of UC San Diego says there are only two proven, reliable ways to control blood sugar without using prescription medications: a healthy diet and regular exercise.

An Australian study has found that government-led folate promotion programs have reduced folate deficiency in the population with only small increases in overall folate intake. Scientific evidence has shown that adding the B vitamin folate to the diet of childbearing-age and pregnant women reduces the risk of neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida. This has led to government-sponsored efforts to encourage women of childbearing age to supplement their daily intake of folate. Australia implemented food standards calling for fortification of bread flour with folic acid. However, there is continuing concern that excess folic acid in the diet may increase the risk of cancer and heart disease and mask vitamin B12 deficiency. But the study found that ”relatively minor” increases in blood folate levels “have led to an impressive reduction” in folate deficiency in Australia.

Contrary to traditional recommendations, breakfast may not be the most important meal of the day for overweight or obese people, according to German researchers. They found that people who consume a high-calorie breakfast end up consuming more daily calories overall compared to people who eat smaller breakfasts or skip the morning meal entirely. The study analyzed two weeks of diary entries from 280 obese and 100 normal weight people. Those who ate high-calories breakfasts – about 400 calories more than small breakfasts on average – consumed about 400 more calories during the day. According to the researchers, reduced breakfast calories was associated with lower total daily calorie intake. “Overweight and obese subjects should consider the reduction of breakfast calories as a simple option to improve their daily energy balance,” the researchers concluded.

Supermarkets across the UK have started using the phrase "meat-free" instead of "vegetarian" on selected products. Marks & Spencer cite the trend among consumers who are more concerned about eating less meat for health benefits and not ethical reasons. Mintel says 6% see themselves as ‘vegetarian’ but 60% say they ‘eat meat-free foods.’ The "Meat-Free Mondays" campaign by Sir Paul McCartney, several popular books, and statements on sustainability by the UN have helped highlight the benefits of eating less meat. M&S will stock their meat-free products alongside products containing meat while Asda retains a separate shelf. 

A research study conducted jointly by the University of East Anglia and Harvard University concludes that eating blueberries can prevent high blood pressure. The agents responsible for this effect are called anthocyanins, part of the flavonoid family—compounds found in many commonly-eaten foods, and already known to protect against heart disease. This study—the first of its kind to examine the effect of flavonoids on high blood pressure (or hypertension)—followed more than 150,000 subjects over 14 years—none of whom had hypertension at the beginning of the study. Participants who ate at least one serving of blueberries per week showed a 10 percent reduction in their risk of developing high blood pressure.

Global Industry Analysts expect the global herbal supplements and remedies market to grow to US$93.15 billion in 2015. Its report, "Herbal Supplements and Remedies: A Global Strategic Business Report," highlights ageing population and increasing consumer awareness and demand for general health and well being as driving growth in both developed and emerging markets. It also claims that "greater efficacy, little or no side effects" and consumers' preference for healthy herbs and related derivatives will help ensure continued growth. An important factor for long-term growth will be scientific evidence and clinical tests supporting both safety and efficacy claims.

The positive effects of adding cocoa to the diet have been generating increasing interest recently, with studies showing potential benefits for heart, skin and brain health. With respect to cocoa and cardiovascular health, Japanese scientists believe they have uncovered the mechanism: cocoa’s ability to boost high-density lipoprotein (HDL)—or good cholesterol—by increasing levels of apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A1), a compound the human body needs in order to manufacture HDL. Cacao liquor—high in antioxidant-rich polyphenols, and a main ingredient in both cocoa powder and chocolate—is the agent responsible. Evidence suggests that adding dark chocolate to a diet increases HDL and slows or prevents LDL oxidation in healthy subjects. Further, this study found that, in healthy subjects, daily intake of cocoa powder increased HDL levels and decreased levels of LDL.

Australian scientists have uncovered evidence linking salt consumption, high blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers showed that a high-salt meal affects the ability of blood vessels to widen within 30 minutes after being eaten. Though normal function returned after two hours, researchers are concerned about the potential long-term effects of a high-salt diet, as compromised blood vessel function is believed to lead to thickening of the arterial walls (atherosclerosis). Also, this response is similar to the body’s reaction to a meal high in saturated fats—known to contribute to increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Antioxidants like vitamins C and E have an unexpected negative side effect, according to Israeli researchers: they may cause fertility problems in females. Antioxidant supplements are widely available over the counter and are added to food, drink, and face cream, despite the fact that little is known about how they act in the body. Antioxidants eliminate cell-damaging molecules called reactive oxygen species produced naturally in the body and in large amounts at times of stress. But when researchers applied antioxidants to the ovaries of female mice, ovulation levels dropped dramatically: very few eggs were released from the ovaries to reach the site of fertilization, compared to those in untreated ovaries. The reason for the phenomenon? Ovulation relies on the “harmful” substances destroyed by antioxidants: reactive oxygen species.

Global Industry Analysts forecast continued growth in the world soy food market and expect it to reach US$42.3 billion in 2015. Its report, "Soy Foods: A Global Strategic Business Report," sees key drivers as the increase in consumers' health consciousness, demand for nutritious diets, and knowledge about the health benefits of soy foods, such as protection from cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Manufacturers' innovations in product development, aging population, and increasing popularity of organic soy foods also help boost the market. Soy foods have become mainstream products in both developed and developing markets, and while anti-soy allegations impacted growth recently these worries have faded. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market, followed by the United States and Europe.

A recent study conducted at Emory University and reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association concluded that teens whose diet includes a high level of added sugars—sweeteners added to foods and drinks either by the manufacturer or consumer—are more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes as adults. This study, the first of its kind to focus on adolescents, found that, on average, United States adolescents take in 20 percent of their daily calories in nutrient-poor sugars—three to five times higher than the American Heart Association’s recommended upper limit—mostly from soda, fruit-flavored drinks and coffee or tea that’s been sweetened.

Sixty percent of today’s British consumers prefer naturally low-fat or low-calorie foods, says a Mintel report, while 63 percent of those who dieted in the last three years used calorie-reduced food. Many find diet foods less filling. Seventy-three percent find each small pack of diet foods more expensive and 41 percent prefer to eat their usual regular food items in smaller portions. Thirty-eight percent think that low-fat food taste and quality has improved, but 54% prioritize taste over calorie or fat content. Nearly a half do not feel that low-fat foods are really healthy and 44% are not sure if diet food sweeteners are really safe.

Preliminary studies at Albany, California’s ARS Western Regional Research Center indicate that exposing carrots to UV-B (a component of sunshine) can boost the vegetable’s antioxidant capacity. Antioxidants are natural compounds found predominantly in fruits and vegetables, and are known for their potential to prevent heart disease and cancer. By subjecting fresh, sliced carrots to an energy-efficient 14-second dose of UV-B, researchers found that antioxidant activity increased by about three times the normal rate. This level of exposure does not otherwise significantly affect the carrots.

Slowly but steadily, the vegan diet that bars consumption of any animal-derived foods or ingredients is catching on in the U.S., thanks to ready availability of vegan foodstuffs like tempeh and tofu, a wider array of recipes, and other factors. Recent survey results peg the total vegan market at about one percent of U.S. consumers – or about a third of self-professed vegetarians. Besides food and recipe availability, the increase in the vegan population can also be tied to an increasingly health-conscious and environmentally aware American population, and to concerns among shoppers about where their meat really comes from. Also, celebrities like Bill Clinton and Mike Tyson have touted their vegan diets. And many chefs say vegan entrees are one of the hottest restaurant menu trends of 2011.

Two surveys conducted by Harris/Decima on behalf of Dempster's Bakery found only 10% of Canadians are eating the recommended amount of grain per day. The majority in all age groups fell short of the recommended 6-8 servings per day despite more than 80% of respondents agreeing about the positive health benefits of whole grains. The 25-34 year olds are doing the best with 15% reaching the goal. Dieticians say the problem stems from misinformation and not understanding which foods contain the right carbohydrates. They recommend simple changes such as oatmeal for breakfast and whole grain bread or pasta to meet the requirements.

Strict vegetarians or vegans may face higher risk of having blood clots and atherosclerosis, or thickening and hardening of the artery walls, according to a review of research on the biochemistry of vegetarianism published in the past 30 years. While omnivores have significantly higher cardiovascular and obesity risks, strict vegetarianism is clearly not risk-free. Compared with omnivores, vegetarians have less vitamin B12 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid in their "tissue membrane phospholipids," conditions that in turn can lead to higher heart attack and stroke risk. To counter this risk researchers suggest vegetarians/vegans supplement their diets with n-3 PUFA and vitamin B12.and lower plasma HDL-C. These conditions in turn can lead to heart attack and stroke. 

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in America and has been brought into the political spotlight by the First Lady's "Let's Move" initiative. George Ball, current chairperson of the W. Atlee Burbee Company, says that research by his company has shown that getting kids to eat healthy is a matter of the parents setting a good example. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported only 26% of U.S. adults consider they eat 3 or more servings of vegetables a day. Ball says if parents actively involve their children in growing fruits and vegetables the children learn to enjoy eating the results. Even fresh produce grown using containers in a home is an improvement over unhealthy alternatives. To educate people about fruits and vegetables Ball previously helped organize community leaders, schools, and churches in establishing local gardens.

The high level of antioxidants found in whole grains is thought to be key to their ability to decrease the risk of developing chronic diseases. Researchers tested the impact of different grains - Kamut® khorasan bread (an ancient grain) and modern durum wheat bread – on the oxidative state (a measure of the antioxidant protection) of rats. For the wholegrain Kamut® bread, they also compared bread made from baker’s yeast to that made from sourdough. The researchers found that total antioxidant levels were higher in both types of Kamut® bread—and highest in the sourdough bread—than in durum wheat bread, and that rats who ate the ancient grains were better able to overcome oxidative stress (known to damage cells and lead to disease).

Antioxidants found in pecans seem to reduce risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, a U.S. study has found. In the study, 16 men and women aged 23 to 44 years ate a series of three diets: three ounces of whole pecans, three ounces of pecans blended with water, or a control meal without pecans but otherwise equivalent nutritionally. Researchers analyzed biomarkers in blood and urine, finding that the antioxidant gamma-tocopherol (vitamin E) in the body doubled eight hours after both pecan meals. After the whole pecan meal, oxidized LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol decreased 26 percent after eight hours. "This protective effect is important in helping to prevent development of various diseases such as cancer and heart disease,” the authors wrote.

A study by Australian and Finnish researchers has found that an unhealthy lifestyle as youths mature into adulthood  has a significant impact on unhealth lipid and lipoprotein levels in adults. The researchers studied 539 young adults who were measured at the start of the study in 1985 when aged 9, 12, or 15 years and at follow-up between 2004 and 2006. An unhealthy lifestyle – lack of exercise, smoking, obesity, saturated fat consumption, etc. – was shown to affect whether an individual maintained weight, lost weight, or developed risky cholesterol levels. The researchers concluded that weight control, increased physical activity, avoidance of smoking, and improved socioeconomic position as a person grows from youth to adulthood “are likely to be of benefit in preventing adult dyslipidemia,” the researchers concluded.

An extract of the edible Korean plant trifoliate orange (P. trifoliate) was found to inhibit glucocortiod-induced osteoporosis (GIO) and to promote bone tissue formation in a study in mice. The Korean researchers suggested that the molecular mechanism behind the inhibitory effect may be due to decreased expression of the gene AnxA6. All in all, researchers tested 68 ethanol or methanol extracts of edible Korean plants. “These findings suggest that [trifoliate orange] has a strong in vitro  and in vivo inhibitory effect on GIO, and decreased expression of AnxA6 may play a key role in this inhibition,” the researchers concluded.

There is no significant difference between protein-enriched and standard protein meal replacements in terms of weight loss, liver function, kidney function or bone density, according to a one-year study by U.S. researchers who tested 100 obese men and women over age 30. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups who ate either a high-protein weight loss meal (2.2g protein/kg of lean body mass per day) or a standard protein (1.1g) meal. After a year, both groups had lost about the same amount of weight on average. The researchers concluded that “protein-enriched meal replacements as compared to standard meal replacements recommended for weight management do not have adverse effects on routine measures of liver function, renal function or bone density at one year.”

Self confidence, courage and pride are a few of the intangible benefits that accompany weight loss experienced by women who regularly eat Special K breakfast cereal, according to the newly revised Special K Challenge. The new version of the Challenge – whose theme is "What Will You Gain When You Lose?" – still emphasizes shedding pounds but adds an emotional element rooted in self esteem. The message of the new ad campaign, which includes traditional (print, TV, etc.) and digital (Facebook, etc.) media, is that losing weight and keeping it off are not temporary goals, but lifelong lifestyle commitments. According to a Leo Burnett ad agency executive,  "Shifting the focus to how you want to feel provides the ongoing, positive motivation to take the longer view.”

Children have long been eating sweets for the taste but models and celebrities eat sweets for a quick energy boost and as a low-fat alternative between meals, and now the Sweetie Diet has made the trip over the Atlantic from the US to the UK. Looking at the caloric count of Jelly Bellies with 80 calories per serving it is easy to think of the candy as a low-fat alternative. Nutritionists warn that even though the taste and look of sweets are appealing, especially to young people, the side effects are harmful. Almost all sweets are pure sugar that provides an initial energy boost that later fluctuates causing behavioral changes. Aside from causing acne and bad teeth, going on the Sweetie Diet also plays havoc with the internal body: lowering metabolism that causes weight gain over the long term, causing nutritional deficiencies, and increasing the risk of diabetes.

Commercial weight-loss companies are ramping up their advertising campaigns to promote new dieting programs to recapture former clients and win over new ones. Weight Watchers ($1.4 billion in sales in 2010), Nutrisystem ($527 million) and Jenny Craig ($480 million) rule the $3.2 billion commercial weight-loss center category but are not resting on their laurels. All three are rolling out innovations designed to entice dieters who switched to less expensive do-it-yourself dieting schemes during the recession. Nutrisystem’s new ad agency developed a campaign emphasizing real people rather than celebrities. Weight Watchers is pushing its refurbished calorie-counting system (PointsPlus), while Jenny Craig is touting its new Metabolic Max Program that customizes weight-loss programs to clients' "unique metabolism.”

Canadian stevia extract producer GLG Life Tech Corporation says that its joint venture partner China and Healthy Foods Company Limited (CAHFC) has begun production of four all natural stevia-sweetened beverages under the ANOC brand name in China. The production line is capable of producing 108 million 500 ml servings a year, and is starting with green tea, black tea, peach juice and orange juice products. Key Chinese government objectives in participating in the joint venture are to show that a rural farming region such as Xioagang can support a strong farming economy and that industrial development will increase economic prosperity in a rural region. According to GLG, China’s food and beverage industry has grown 20 percent a year from 2002 to 2009, when it was valued at $693 billion.

If the large turnout at the recent American Muslim Consumer Conference in New York is any indication, U.S. businesses are stepping up efforts to cater to the Muslim community. The trend is already noticeable in the food industry, with such companies as McDonald's, Wal-Mart, and Whole Foods now selling halal lines prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary laws. American producers are following the lead of Europe, which has established itself in the burgeoning halal industry, which posts yearly international sales of over half a billion dollars. But, like their European counterparts, American manufacturers can expect resistance from Christian populations in the current political climate. Errol Schweizer, an executive with Whole Foods, nevertheless predicts continuing penetration by American business into the Muslim market: "It isn't a question of whether they're going to do it. It's a question of where and when and how."

Levels of toxic phosphorous in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) drop precipitously when they follow a vegetarian diet, according to a study by U.S. scientists. CKD patients have a tough time excreting the mineral phosphorous, found in proteins and a common food additive. Preventing phosphorous buildup, which can lead to heart disease and even death, is critical, but food labels often do not list phosphorous content. For the study, nine CKD patients followed a vegetarian or meat-based diet for a week, then the opposite diet two-to four- weeks later. Blood and urine tests found that despite equivalent protein and phosphorus concentrations in the two diets, patients had lower blood phosphorus levels and decreased phosphorus excretion in the urine when they were on the vegetarian diet.

A 10-year U.S. study of the six basic dietary patterns of 2,582 older (aged 70 to 79) adults who completed questionnaires has found that participants who tended to eat foods from the “high-fat dairy products” or “sweets and desserts” clusters were 40 percent and 37 percent more at risk of mortality respectively than those who consumed “healthy foods.” The healthy foods cluster comprised low-fat dairy products, fruit, whole grains, poultry, fish and vegetables. According to the researchers, “the healthy foods cluster also had significantly more years of healthy life and more favorable levels of nutritional biomarkers” than other food clusters. Besides “high-fat dairy” and “sweets and desserts,” other clusters identified by the researchers included "meat, fried foods, and alcohol," “breakfast cereal" and “refined grains.”

After long delays and a lot of legislative wrangling, the U.S. Congress has passed and sent to the White House the first major food safety reform legislation in nearly eight decades. President Obama is expected to sign the measure this week. The bill was finally passed by the Senate and the House after problems related to funding were at least temporarily resolved. The bill gives the Food and Drug Administration authority to order recalls of tainted products and beef up the federal inspector force by 2,000. The update of the nation’s system for protecting consumers from spoiled foods was prompted by several recent contaminated food scares. Discovery of salmonella  prompted the recall of more than half a billion eggs.