Environmental Nutrition

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Research Roundup

Subscribers Only • Elevated fasting blood sugar is associated with an increased risk of death from cancer, according to a large Korean study. • Weight gain may increase the risk of kidney stones, especially among women, according to new analysis of three ongoing Harvard trials. • Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of sudden death by significantly lowering heart rate.

Calcium Added? Shake It Up

Subscribers Only A new study highlights the importance of shaking beverages that are calcium-fortified, whether it’s orange juice, soymilk or rice beverage.

Vinegar Sweet for Diabetics

Subscribers Only A kitchen staple that’s probably sitting in your pantry—vinegar—may help control blood sugar fluctuations in people with insulin resistance. That’s important, because chronic blood sugar spikes can damage the pancreas and other organs.

Drink Water to Ease Dizziness

Subscribers Only If you feel faint, dizzy or lightheaded after quickly standing up, especially in the morning, you probably have a common condition called orthostatic hypotension. According to researchers from the United Kingdom, relief may be as simple as drinking two glasses of water.

“Mother Grain” Quinoa Packed With Protein, Nutrients

Subscribers Only The Folklore : A native of the Andes, quinoa (KEEN-wah) dates back more than 5,000 years. Called “the mother grain” by the ancient Incas, quinoa sustained the Inca people and was considered sacred. The Facts : Though technically not a whole grain, quinoa offers a better balance of amino acids than the protein in most true grains. It is rich in iron and magnesium.

No High From Hemp, Just Plenty of Good (Legal) Nutrition

Subscribers Only Q . In a natural foods store, I found some products containing hemp. Are they okay to eat? A . There’s no reason to hesitate about eating foods made with hemp. Although hemp comes from the same plant as marijuana, the variety used for food contains only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive substance in marijuana.

Too Much or Too Little Iron? Knowing Status Requires Blood Tests

Subscribers Only Q . I’m an older woman who takes a multivitamin/mineral supplement without iron, as EN advises. Recently, I heard that many older people might benefit from an iron supplement. What should I do? A . You need to have blood work done to assess your iron status, but chances are you don’t need an iron supplement.

Wendy’s Wows Us With a Winner

Subscribers Only Hungry for some healthful fast food? Then head over to Wendy’s for the newest addition to its menu lineup: fresh fruit. Wendy’s Fresh Fruit Bowl and Fresh Fruit Cup feature cantaloupe, honeydew melon, pineapple chunks and red seedless grapes.

Salmonella Superbugs on the Rise

Subscribers Only What do raw cookie dough, an egg cooked “over easy,” undercooked chicken and a hamburger that’s pink inside have in common? If you eat them, you run the risk of becoming infected with Salmonella . What’s more, Salmonella infection is more likely to land in the hospital than in the past. Why?

Soymilk: Better Choices, Better Taste, Better Nutrition

Subscribers Only If you’re a soymilk aficionado, you’ve probably noticed the taste revolution. If you’re a neophyte, perhaps you need to give soymilk a chance. Taste has improved greatly over the years, partly because there are new flavor options. An EN Food Comparison.

Keep or Toss? EN Spring Cleans Your Fridge...and Freezer

Subscribers Only It’s a no-brainer that when that container of who-knows-what shoved in the back of the fridge has a blanket of grey fuzz, it’s time to toss it out. But what about last weekend’s leftovers or the salmon that was on sale two months ago still in the freezer?

A Radical Notion: Maybe Antioxidants Can’t Protect Us After All

Subscribers Only Antioxidants have long been heralded as heroes, Luke Skywalker-like defenders dealing light-saber blows to Darth Vader-like free radicals. But critics believe such notions are as much fantasy as the Star Wars epics themselves. Some studies suggest that antioxidants could cause harm.

Can You Dodge Dementia With Diet? EN Takes a Look at the Research

Subscribers Only Living longer is a good thing, right? But it comes with a few drawbacks that may temper your enthusiasm. One of them is the possibility of becoming senile, probably the most feared aspect of aging.

Eat Breakfast to Benefit Waistline and Heart

Subscribers Only Skipping breakfast could increase your chances of gaining weight and developing heart disease, according to new research from the United Kingdom.