Red Wine Loses Its Health Halo
Image Source: Aileen Son
Red wine contains a polyphenol, resveratrol, that's good for your heart, right? Wrong. The French Paradox (French people eat food high in saturated fat but have low rates of heart disease) is due to red wine's heart-protective effects, right? Wrong. The red-wine studies of yore have now been thoroughly contradicted. Today's science shows that even one drink per day, of any alcohol, can increase your risk of heart disease. Alcohol (including wine) is also a carcinogen, according to health agencies such as the World Health Organization, and no amount of any alcohol is safe. Damn. What am I going to do with all my expensive bottles of red wine? And bourbon? I think you know the answer.
Why Pasta And Rice May Be Healthier As Leftovers
Image Source: Amanda Hakan
You've seen spurious headlines like "Eat Chocolate Cake—Lose 50 Pounds!" But this one has some scientific backing. When cooled after cooking, the starch in some high-carb foods like pasta and rice changes in structure, forming what's known as resistant starch. Resistant starch is harder to digest, so some of the sugars are not absorbed into the bloodstream. That helps reduce blood sugar spikes and may help reduce diabetes and obesity risk. With fewer absorbable sugars, resistant starches also contain about half the calories per gram as freshly cooked starches. The moral? Try cooking your pasta and rice ahead of time. It may do a body good!
The World's Healthiest Vegetable Revealed
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Açai, goji berries, quinoa...many "superfoods" have come and gone from nutrition headlines. Now, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has identified the healthiest of them all. Is it kale? No, it's....watercress! Based on nutrition density scores (high concentration of essential vitamins and minerals), the CDC gave watercress a perfect 100, beating out the usual suspects like kale and spinach. Want a simple health boost? Swap out arugula for peppery-tasting watercress in your next salad or pesto.
World Health Organization Agency Declares Aspartame A Possible Carcinogen
Image Source: Tony Cenicola
After analyzing three human observational studies, the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that aspartame may be carcinogenic to humans. However, the WHO's Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives disagreed, stating that the evidence did not draw a convincing link. The US Food and Drug Administration has also declared the artificial sweetener safe to consume in moderate amounts. Thousands of sugar-free products like diet sodas, chewing gums, yogurts and energy drinks include aspartame. While a definitive conclusion requires more studies, most nutrition experts recommend reducing consumption if you can.
World Health Organization Warns Against Using Artificial Sweeteners
Image Source: Jenny Kane/Associated Press
Looking to lose weight? Skip the sugar substitutes, says the World Health Organization. Following a systematic review of available evidence, WHO concludes that using non-sugar sweeteners "does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children." International researchers also found that continued consumption of artificial sweeteners may increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality in adults. Black coffee anyone?
CA And NY Propose Ban On Five Food Additives Deemed A Health Risk To Children
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Potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, titanium dioxide, propylparaben, and red dye No. 3 are widely used in US food products, including hundreds of baked goods, candies and soda. For years, the food additives have been banned in Europe due to evidence linking them to cancer, neurodevelopmental issues and hormone dysfunction, particularly in children. Newly proposed bills in California and New York seek to ban all five additives in US food products. If approved, the bans would take effect in 2025.