Environmental Nutrition

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Research Roundup

Subscribers Only • Eating beans or lentils at least twice a week may reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. • Eating yogurt twice a day may help fight bad breath , say Japanese researchers. • Sleeping too much or too little could cause your blood sugar to rise , increasing your risk of developing diabetes, report Harvard researchers.

Claims for Red Rooibos Tea Outstrip Scientific Proof of Benefit

Subscribers Only Q . I’ve read that rooibos tea contains even more healthful antioxidants than black or green tea and that it’s rich in vitamins and minerals. Is that true? A . Unfortunately, no. While rooibos (ROY-bus) tea is a good source of antioxidants, it contains only about one-quarter the antioxidant capacity of black or green tea.

Eco-Informative Sites

Subscribers Only • www.GreenerChoices.org —This new site, sponsored by Consumer Reports , is chock full of ways to be environmentally friendly. • www.OceansAlive.org —This must-visit site, sponsored by the Environmental Defense Network, features a wealth of information, including “Eco-Best” and “Eco-Worst” seafood choices.

Total Nutrition or Multivitamin of Champions?

Subscribers Only The “Breakfast of Champions” used to be something you ate from a bowl, but now the Wheaties name has been slapped on a multivitamin that claims to “help boost energy.” Likewise, Total cereal has always been touted as all the nutrition you need in a bowl. Apparently not any more.

What’s a Few Pounds More? A Lot, If You Want a Long and Healthy Life

Subscribers Only It’s long been accepted that being overweight can bring on life-threatening illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and possibly cancer. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta came out with data to confirm that obesity and overweight account for a mind-numbing number of deaths each year. But this past April, a study—also from the CDC—seemed to come to the opposite conclusion.

Bet on Blueberries for a Boost
To Health

Subscribers Only The Folklore . For centuries, Native Americans gathered blueberries to eat, and to use as medicine for the blood and for treating coughs. The Findings . Blueberries are rich in compounds that today’s researchers believe have medicinal properties, including anthocyanin, the pigment that gives the blueberry its rich, dark hue.

3-Hour Diet Is All About Timing: Eating Less More Often

Subscribers Only Q . Is there merit to the idea of losing weight by eating small, frequent meals, as The 3-Hour Diet claims? A . Yes, to some extent, though perhaps not for the reasons given in this book.

Yogurt Drinks: Tasty Treats, But Caloric and Costly

Subscribers Only On-the-go eaters have long been making their own yogurt smoothies for a nourishing breakfast or anytime snack. But if you need a faster, more portable potable, a proliferation of yogurt drinks is overtaking regular yogurts in some markets. Is that a good thing?

Climbing the New Food Pyramid: EN Lends a Hand

Subscribers Only EN eagerly anticipated the government’s updated nutrition icon, but we’re underwhelmed and disappointed with what was unveiled. As a stand-alone symbol, the new graphic falls flat. The wordless rainbow pyramid is colorful, but says little; it doesn’t even show foods. Here are more highs and lows.

Metabolic Syndrome: Are You at Risk? How to Know It, What to Do

Subscribers Only A new epidemic is brewing. Once ominously labeled Syndrome X, it’s now called metabolic syndrome and is believed to affect about 47 million adults in the U.S. It is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes and has been linked to other health problems, including dementia and some cancers.

Suspect Produce: How to Be Safe From Contaminated Fruits, Vegetables

Subscribers Only No doubt you’re aware there are risks from eating contaminated meat, poultry, seafood or eggs. But it may come as a shock to learn that fruits and vegetables can harbor some of the same bacteria, viruses and parasites.

Whole Foods Best for Lowering Cholesterol

Subscribers Only Making fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains a significant part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol is your best bet for a healthy heart.