Environmental Nutrition

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Research Roundup

Subscribers Only • Cocoa products, especially dark chocolate, may help lower blood pressure , German researchers found. • High-calorie meals increase the severity of heartburn ; high-fat meals increase frequency, says a British study of people aged 26 to 70. • High-fiber diets and fiber supplements may help reduce inflammation, according to scientists from South Carolina.

Red or Black, Raspberries Ripe With Phytonutrients

Subscribers Only Raspberries are nutritious little nuggets, fairly bursting with vitamin C and manganese, and their fiber content is impressive. But much of their nutritional merit is due to a potent phytonutrient which may fight cancer. Enjoy them in EN 's Summer Salad.

Got Milk Allergy?

Subscribers Only Q. I have lactose intolerance and can’t drink milk. Should I also avoid products that say “may contain milk”? A. No. That warning is intended for people who suffer from milk allergy, a much more serious condition.

Only One Form of Niacin Can Boost HDLs

Subscribers Only Q. My doctor gave me a prescription for niacin to lower my cholesterol. Can’t I just take the niacin that’s sold in my health food store? A. No. The niacin your doctor prescribed is likely in a different, more effective form than the niacin in most over-the-counter supplements.

When Is an Antioxidant not an Antioxidant? Flavonoids Reveal New M.O

Subscribers Only Q. I heard recently that fruits and vegetables don’t really contain antioxidants after all. Do I still need fruits and veggies? A. Yes, eating fruits and vegetables is still a smart move. The findings you mention suggest that while flavonoids work well in test tubes, their antioxidant activity in the body is weak.

Packaged Potatoes: More Convenient, Less Nutritious

Subscribers Only Potatoes fresh from the farm once accounted for roughly 80% of the potatoes prepared in American kitchens. Now, processed potatoes rule, but all that processing eliminates much-needed nutrients, while adding fat and sodium. An EN brand-by-brand comparison.

New Study Finds Garlic Ineffective, But Don’t Give Up on It

Subscribers Only Garlic is a popular remedy for high blood cholesterol levels. However, the research on garlic’s effectiveness—both as a food and in supplements—is mixed. Now, a new study is out that put garlic to the test for six months.

Trans Fats Get Deadlier

Subscribers Only New findings from the Nurses’ Health Study provide the strongest evidence yet for a deadly link between heart disease and trans fats. In fact, just a few servings a day could multiply your risk.

Evaluating 4 Diets From A(tkins) to Z(one)

Subscribers Only Trendy low-carb weight-loss plans, like the Atkins and Zone diets, have been duking it out for years, each claiming to be the best for weight loss. But a new study gives the Atkins Diet a leg up.

Beyond the Sugar Bowl: Sweeteners Closer to Mother Nature

Subscribers Only Among table sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, molasses, honey or maple syrup, which is most healthful? If you said the more natural molasses, honey or maple syrup, you’d be right. . .but not by much. Here, EN looks at some less refined alternatives to white sugar.

Is It Safer to Eat Organic Spinach
. . .or Peaches or Apples? EN Weighs In

Subscribers Only Last October, spinach tainted with E. coli sickened more than 200 people and caused three deaths. The outbreak involved spinach packaged and grown by companies committed to organic produce, which many people believe is safer than conventionally grown produce. Is that the case? EN weighs in.

Vitamin D May Help You Dodge Cancer; How to Be Sure You Get Enough

Subscribers Only Vitamin D has an illustrious history as a nutrient required for calcium absorption and bone growth. But one of the most impressive and fastest growing areas of vitamin D research is D’s possible role in preventing cancer, especially of the breast, colon and prostate.

Soy Isoflavones Proved to Help Build Bone

Subscribers Only Regular intake of isoflavones from soy appears to slow the loss of bone and actually increase bone formation. That’s what a group of Asian researchers found when they pooled findings from previous studies.