Environmental Nutrition

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Research Roundup

Subscribers Only • Drinking three or more glasses of red wine a day may lessen the chance of developing colon cancer. • People with gum disease are more likely to suffer a stroke than people with healthy gums. • Sugary foods, especially soft drinks , may increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Go Bananas! Help Protect Yourself Against High Blood Pressure, Stroke; Boost Immunity

Subscribers Only Bananas are among the oldest fruits, mentioned in ancient Hindu, Chinese, Greek and Roman texts. Rich in potassium and a super source of vitamin B6, bananas may help reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke and aid your immune system. Enjoy them in EN 's recipe for Virgin Bananas Foster.

Calming the Calamity of Canker Sores

Subscribers Only Q. I get canker sores regularly. Can changing my diet help prevent them? A. It might. Several studies have linked canker sores to low levels of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, C, E, thiamin, calcium and iron.

Decaf That’s Often Not

Subscribers Only Q. Is decaf coffee really caffeine-free? A. No. A recent analysis found that “decaf” from several coffee purveyors contained up to 16 milligrams of caffeine per 16-ounce serving.

Weight Gain, Heart Disease: Is High-Fructose Corn Syrup to Blame?

Subscribers Only Q . I’ve heard that high-fructose corn syrup might make me fat or even trigger some diseases. Should I avoid it? A . Avoiding it totally might be difficult, but it is a good idea to limit foods sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), though not necessarily because they contribute to overweight or disease.

Chocolate as Medicine: Wishful Thinking?

Subscribers Only Mars, Inc. has jumped onto the chocolate-as-health-food bandwagon. Its CocoaVia foods proclaims “Promotes a Healthy Heart.” EN indulges and reports it's not all bad--just watch the calories.

“Fat Actress” Loses With Jenny; Should You?

Subscribers Only Maybe you’ve seen Kirstie Alley, star of the short-lived sitcom “Fat Actress,” in TV ads for Jenny Craig celebrating her 75th pound lost. Impressive. But can everyday folk lose with Jenny?

New Study Cites Veggies as Brain Food

Subscribers Only Over 65? Eat your vegetables to stay sharp. So suggests a recent study that tracked more than 3,700 men and women. Researchers assessed what the participants ate, then tested their mental acuity three years and six years later.

Waking Up to the Cold, Hard Facts About Frozen Breakfasts

Subscribers Only Plenty of frozen breakfasts deliver hot meals in a jiffy. But most of these pancakes, waffles, omelets and egg sandwiches come with nutritional baggage like excess sodium, saturated fat and trans fats. EN offers tips on healthier choices and a brand-by-brand comparison.

Need a Fiber Fix? 6 Painless Ways to Up Your Intake

Subscribers Only How can fiber benefit your health? In the past year alone, researchers have linked eating a diet rich in high-fiber whole grains and reducing the risk of high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. How to give your diet a fiber makeover.

Exercise While Dieting to Prevent Bone Loss

Subscribers Only Weight loss that comes as a result of exercise helps protect bones, while cutting calories to lose weight triggers bone loss that can result in fractures. Those were the findings of Italian researchers from a one-year clinical trial.

New Markers Predict Heart Disease Even Better; How to Lower Your Risk

Subscribers Only For decades, the word cholesterol has been virtually synonymous with clogged arteries and heart disease. But that perception may soon shift as experts discover a growing number of more accurate measures for predicting your risk of heart attack and death.

Not in the Mood? Healthful Diet and Exercise May Turn Up the Heat

Subscribers Only It’s February and love is in the air. Despite the aphrodisiac aura surrounding Valentine’s Day, you or your partner may find you’re not in the mood. Or your body may refuse to cooperate. Getting older also creates stumbling blocks to love, but your sex life doesn’t have to retire when you do. For many people, a few lifestyle changes can be the ticket to a livelier love life.