Environmental Nutrition

Look Ma, No Calories! But Lots of Misplaced Vitamins and Minerals

Subscribers Only While experts debate the role of diet sodas in health, beverage makers are introducing a whole new genre of diet soft drinks, fortified with vitamins and minerals. The latest entry is Diet Coke Plus , a “sparkling calorie-free beverage.”

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Research Roundup

Subscribers Only • High intakes of the B vitamin folate may help reduce the risk of breast cancer , Swedish researchers found. • People who take cod liver oil daily are almost 30% less likely to suffer depression than those who don’t, according to a Norwegian study. • Women who eat many whole-grain foods are less likely to develop high blood pressure , concluded researchers with the Women’s Health Study.

Improve Your Cracker Choices: Look for Whole Grain First

Subscribers Only A lot has changed in the cracker aisle of the supermarket. For instance, virtually no crackers with trans fats. And the newest focus is on whole grains and multigrains as well as on fiber from wheat or oat bran. Check out EN 's brand-by-brand comparison.

Don’t Peel Away Benefits

Subscribers Only Q. Do I lose the nutritional value if I peel an apple before eating it? A. You don’t lose much in the way of vitamins and minerals, but you could be peeling away many phytonutrients known to have anticancer activity.

Do Soft Drinks Raise Heart Disease Risk?

Subscribers Only Q. I read that soda—even diet soda—could increase the risk of heart disease. How could that be? A. A study did find a link between one soft drink a day and increased risk of heart disease. However, there are caveats to the study’s conclusion.

Count on Choline From Eggs and Lean Meat for Healthy Brain, Heart

Subscribers Only Q. I understand that choline is important for brain health. Should I be concerned about getting enough in my diet? A. Perhaps, though it’s not hard to get more. Choline, an essential nutrient related to B vitamins, is necessary for brain health, including memory.

Carve Out Nutrients From Colorful Pumpkin

Subscribers Only Pumpkin jack-o'-lanterns mark a tradition traced to the Irish holiday Samhain —summer’s end. Pumpkin gets its bright orange hue from beta-carotene which may protect against cataracts, promote lung health and boost immunity. Try EN 's flavorful roasted pumpkin recipe for a Halloween treat.

Selenium: Anticancer
But Pro-Diabetes?

Subscribers Only A new study from the University of Buffalo raises a caution flag about supplemental levels of selenium. Conducted to determine if selenium could help prevent diabetes, it ended up concluding just the opposite.

What Latest Breast Cancer Study Really Said

Subscribers Only The effect of diet on breast cancer generated quite a bit of news recently, as results from a multi-center study were released. The headlines might have convinced you that eating fruits and vegetables is ineffective against breast cancer. But that’s not what the study found.

Breakfast Is Served, With a Side of Health Benefits

Subscribers Only Would you like to ward off weight gain, prevent heart disease, stay sharp and feel energetic? Try eating breakfast. The morning meal may provide an edge in keeping excess pounds at bay; it also fosters clean arteries, benefiting the heart and brain.

Produce, Fish, Beans May Stop Cancer Return

Subscribers Only People treated for stage III colon cancer who eat more fruits, vegetables, fish and legumes are significantly less likely to have their cancer return than those who eat more red and processed meats, desserts and refined grains, say researchers.

Walk More, Eat More, Pay Attention: 3 Dieting Philosophies That Work

Subscribers Only Search “weight loss” on Amazon.com and more than 45,000 titles appear. Search for books backed by solid science, and choices plummet. Here, EN focuses on three diet books whose philosophies can work with almost any lifestyle and which, more importantly, are supported by research.

Could Imported Foods Be Tainting Your Pantry? How to Reduce the Risk

Subscribers Only “Chinese food” has taken on a rather sinister meaning of late, as contaminated foods from China have made their way onto our plates and into the headlines. How can you find out where your food comes from and feel sure it’s safe to eat? EN investigates and fills you in on what you can do.