Environmental Nutrition

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Research Roundup

Subscribers Only • Vitamin E supplements may help ward off colds in older people, according to a Tufts University study of 617 nursing home residents.• Overweight and obese postmenopausal women may be able to lower breast cancer risk by exercising to raise levels of high-density lipoprotein (“good” HDL) cholesterol, suggests research from Norway and the U.S. • Vitamin D may help protect against periodontal disease, chronic inflammation of the gums that can lead to tooth loss, suggests a large population study

Beyond Pancakes: Buckwheat Boasts Nutrient Arsenal

Subscribers Only Despite its name, buckwheat—also called kasha—isn’t remotely related to wheat or any other grain. Buckwheat is rich in complex carbohydrates and is one of the best sources of protein in the plant kingdom. Here are the folklore, the facts and a savory recipe for chili made with buckwheat.

Help Banish Bad Breath by Keeping Mouth Bugs in Check

Subscribers Only Q . I have a terrible problem with bad breath. Are there supplements or products that could help? A . Yes, but most cases of bad breath can be solved by meticulous regular cleaning of your teeth, gums and tongue.

EN Decides New Egg Study’s Findings Are All Scrambled

Subscribers Only Q . First, eggs were bad for you, then we were told they were okay after all. Now I hear they’ve been linked to death! Can I eat eggs or not? A . While mixed messages still circulate, the majority of research strongly supports that eggs do not increase heart disease risk in most people

EN Turns Up Trans-Fat-Free Cracker Options Aplenty

Subscribers Only Kudos to Nabisco for taking the trans fats out of Triscuits . Other cracker makers are following suit. Why the sudden corporate change of heart? Companies are likely trying to beat others to the punch to meet the new Food and Drug Administration regulation requiring trans fat labeling by January 2006. A Food Comparison.

Are Companies Aiding and Abetting Obesity?

Subscribers Only No question, Americans are getting fatter. Nearly two-thirds of us are overweight or obese. In response, companies are accommodating us with larger furniture, oversized umbrellas and towels, clothing with roomier fits. Is this new marketing niche a help or hindrance to the people to whom it caters?

Expert Panel Calls for Lower LDL Levels

Subscribers Only Heard often in response to news of President Clinton’s recent quadruple coronary bypass surgery was, “But he looked so healthy!” And that’s the lesson; you can look healthy and still be on the verge of a heart attack. For all the fancy new tests and blood markers, blood cholesterol levels remain important clues to health.

Reported Breast Cancer-Carb Connection

Subscribers Only Carbohydrates got another bum rap in recent weeks when a study reported they may raise the risk of breast cancer. But the American Institute for Cancer Research, which partly funded the study, contends that the hyped news reports didn’t tell the whole story. EN takes a closer look.

Use of Sugar Substitutes Skyrockets--How Sweet is That?

Subscribers Only We Americans love our sweets. We eat 10 to 30 teaspoons of added sugar a day, twice as much as recommended. Surprisingly, as the sugar tide rises, so do the use of sugar substitutes, fueled by the low-carb craze. Here's EN 's guide to these sweeteners.

Coffee: Unexpected Perks From a Seemingly Guilty Pleasure

Subscribers Only Four out of five Americans regularly drink coffee; nearly half indulge daily. But for years, coffee has endured a shady reputation primarily because of caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant. But coffee also contains components that newer research suggests may actually be beneficial.

Foods and Supplements That Help Keep Eyes Healthy, Save Your Sight

Subscribers Only Now there’s another reason to eat your fruits and vegetables: Antioxidant vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients found in fruits and vegetables may help lower your risk of macular degeneration and cataracts—eye diseases strongly linked to aging.

Nine Risk Factors Predict Most Heart Attacks

Subscribers Only Of every 100 heart attacks worldwide, at least 90 are influenced by nine controllable risk factors—lipid levels, smoking, blood pressure, diabetes, abdominal obesity, fruit consumption, vegetable consumption, alcohol intake and physical activity—concludes a 52-country study.