Environmental Nutrition

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Reearch Roundup

Subscribers Only • Eating berries daily can benefit your heart in three ways, say Finnish researchers. • Trans fats may increase the risk of prostate cancer. That’s what Harvard researchers found when they analyzed blood levels in almost 15,000 healthy men. • Regularly getting little sleep may be detrimental to your weight. Older adults who sleep five hours a night or less are more likely to be obese than those who sleep seven hours a night.

Pasta With a Plus—Triple the Fiber, With the Calcium of Milk

Subscribers Only Pasta is a quick and economical, if not the most nutritious, meal. Hoping to set its pasta apart, Ronzoni boasts that its latest creation, Smart Taste pasta, is an excellent source of fiber and of calcium. EN takes a look.

Walnuts: Crack Open Daily for Your Health

Subscribers Only Research suggests that eating walnuts can calm inflammation of blood vessels, lower blood cholesterol levels and may even bolster bone density. They also deliver copper, phosphorus, magnesium and manganese. Sprinkle walnuts on cereal or salads or try EN 's own recipe for Walnut-Crusted Chicken.

Help for Fresh Breath?

Subscribers Only Q. Does eating parsley really help banish bad breath? A. Quite possibly. Chlorophyll—the compound in parsley that gives it its green color—does indeed have a deodorizing effect.

Diet May Turn Cancer and Other Genes On/Off

Subscribers Only Q. Can my diet affect the genes that trigger cancer? A. Most likely, yes. In essence, what you eat may be able to “turn on” or “turn off” genes, triggering detrimental or protective effects. It’s referred to as "epigenetic modification."

Coconut Oil Confuses: Is It an Artery Clogger or an Artery Cleanser?

Subscribers Only Q. I thought coconut oil was bad for the heart, yet I see “organic virgin coconut oil” promoted as healthful. What’s the deal? A. While coconut oil’s effect on health isn’t entirely clear, the truth probably lies in between health food and artery clogger.

Beware the Snack Attack: Stack the Chips in Your Favor

Subscribers Only Americans are snacking more than ever, some as much as three or more times each day. Such snacking can chalk up more than 600 calories a day on average. Chips of all varieties are among the favorites. EN offers tips on choosing among the chips plus a brand-by-brand comparison.

Mercury More of a Menace in Tuna Sushi; 5 Tips for What to Do

Subscribers Only Eating sushi has become an increasingly popular way to get your heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. But recent analyses have found alarmingly high mercury levels in some tuna sushi. EN suggest how to limit the risks.

All About Eggs (They’re Okay!): 13 Label Claims Defined

Subscribers Only Many people still eschew eggs, but studies now support eating an egg a day; they are versatile, economical, convenient and, yes, nutritious. What about the nutritional, environmental and ethical add-ons to egg carton labels. EN explains.

Choline, Betaine May Reduce Inflammation

Subscribers Only Greek researchers have found that eating a diet rich in choline and betaine, two related compounds, may be key to reducing inflammation, now considered a stepping stone to heart disease and other chronic conditions.

Think Before You Drink: Watch Out for Covert Calories in Beverages

Subscribers Only If you’re trying to lose weight or simply eat better, you’re probably rethinking what you put on your plate. But what you’re drinking may have an even greater impact on your waistline and health. Here are EN 's tips to help you make smarter choices.

Overcoming Insidious Insulin Resistance Could Combat 4 Types of Cancer

Subscribers Only Insulin resistance is a known harbinger of type 2 diabetes and a key component of metabolic syndrome. Now, recent research has uncovered a disturbing link between this reluctance of the body to recognize insulin and the development of cancer.