Nutrition
No compelling evidence of health benefit from non-sugar sweeteners
January 9th, 2019 There is no compelling evidence to indicate important health benefits - weight, glycaemic control, oral health, cancer, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease - of non-sugar sweeteners, a European evidence review found. Potential harms cannot...Leafy greens may help to reduce AMD risk
A study has shown that eating vegetable nitrates, found mainly in green leafy vegetables and beetroot, may reduce the risk of developing early-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Researchers at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research...
Has the SA Heart Foundation's stamp of approval become blurred?
October 24th, 2018 The Heart and Stroke Foundation in SA continues to endorse foods shown to have questionable health benefits, writes the Sunday Times. Critics say it's a sales gimmick and diet guru Professor Tim Noakes says its ‘false information’ is deserving...
Americans are exporting their obesity to SA — Health department director
October 24th, 2018 The pandemic of obesity in South Africa is a result of our ‘Americanised’ food environment and the responsibility should be shifted from individuals to government policies, according to experts. “I hear people saying Burger King is coming to...
Vitamin D supplements 'do nothing' to improve bone health
October 10th, 2018 Vitamin D supplements do nothing for bone health and the UK government should ditch its advice that everyone should take them throughout the winter months, according to the authors of the biggest ever review of the evidence. The findings...Mediterranean diet reduces stroke risk by 20% in women
Eating a Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of stroke by more than 20% in women aged 40 or older, but it appears to have no significant impact on men’s risk, found a large UK analysis. Ancel and Margaret Keys, an American husband-and-wife...
High gluten intake in pregnancy may link to child's diabetes risk
October 3rd, 2018 A high gluten intake by mothers during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of their child developing type 1 diabetes, suggests a study. However, the researchers say that further studies are needed to confirm or rule out these findings...Lower nutritional quality food associated with cancer risk
The consumption of foods with higher scores on the British Food Standards Agency nutrient profiling system (FSAm-NPS), reflecting a lower nutritional quality, is associated with an increased risk of developing cancer, according to a study. The...
Dairy consumption linked to lower rates of CVD and mortality
September 19th, 2018 Dairy consumption of around three servings per day is associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality, compared to lower levels of consumption, according to a study led by a team of McMaster University researchers. The...
Whole grains substantially reduce type 2 diabetes risk 15-year study
September 12th, 2018 A large Swedish study over 15 years found that eating any type of whole grain reduces the risk of type-2 diabetes. Among those who ate the most whole grains each day, the risk of diabetes was 22% lower for women and 34% lower for men. Scientists...
The Sugar Wars: Have the ill effects of sugar been overstated?
August 29th, 2018 Have the ill effects of sugar been over-stated by scientists? Experts debate both sides in Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. Over the past 50 years researchers, clinicians, professional organisations, and health charities have waged war on...Mediterranean diet promotes healthy cellular ageing in women
Eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and low in added sugar, sodium and processed meats could help promote healthy cellular ageing in women, a study has found. "The key takeaway is that following a healthy diet can help...
Both low-carb and high-carb diets raise risk of early death — 25-year study
August 22nd, 2018 A large US study over 25 years indicates that moderate carb consumption – switching meat for plant-based protein and fats – is healthier than low-carb diets, such as Atkins and Banting. Both high and low percentages of carbohydrate diets...
ACC review: Plant-based diet with little or no animal products is best
August 1st, 2018 Researchers from the American College of Cardiology's Nutrition & Lifestyle Workgroup of the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Council have released their second review of nutritional "hypes" and controversies around dairy products, added...
Omega 3 supplements not protecting against heart disease and stroke – Cochrane review
July 18th, 2018 A Cochrane systematic review shows there is little or no effect of widely promoted omega 3 supplements on the risk of experiencing heart disease, stroke or death. Omega 3 is a type of fat. Small amounts of omega 3 fats are essential for good...