Tag: EW diet and health

A study observes a 12.1% fall in child hospital admissions for tooth extraction due to dental caries following the implementation of the UK soft drinks sugar tax. The greatest reductions were seen in children up to four years old (-28.6%) and those aged 5-9 (-5.5%). The study, which used data from 2014 to 2020, estimates a reduction of 5,638 cases per year. Despite this, no changes were observed in rates among children aged 10-18. The sugar tax, encouraging manufacturers to lower sugar content, might have influenced these outcomes.

New research suggests that reducing calorie and fat intake can largely decrease fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The 16-week randomized trial revealed that patients who reduced their daily calorie intake by 19% experienced significantly lower fatigue levels. Given that there’s currently no FDA-approved drug for fatigue in MS, the study proposes such nutritional adjustments to improve patients’ quality of life.

Consumers increasingly seek holistic health solutions through supplements that support both physical and mental well-being. The industry, according to experts, is responding with ingredients and formats that improve sleep, reduce stress, and aid healthy aging, among many other benefits. However, they emphasize the need to improve nutrient absorption for better efficiency. Experts also note the growing intersection between beauty and nutrition, as well as a rise in products for stress management and healthy aging.

Reducing daily caloric intake by 19% may decrease fatigue levels in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, according to a 16-week randomized trial involving 39 MS patients. The results suggest that low-fat diets can improve the quality of life for those suffering from this condition, with no FDA-approved drug for fatigue currently available. The trial revealed that adherence to a low-fat diet resulted in reduced fatigue levels.

Food-tech start-up SolvEat has developed a bioactive composition featuring eight botanicals that help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. The formulation has been introduced in a chocolate bar made by Israeli boutique chocolatier, Ornat. The chocolate, sweetened with natural sugar alternatives, debuted at the Fi Europe trade show in Frankfurt, Germany.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a data-driven dietary impact assessment (DIA) tool intended to help policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in Europe assess the health and environmental impacts of diet. The software looks at food systems’ roles in non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart conditions and models different dietary scenarios based on country-specific data. The DIA tool also analyses how diets can affect environmental factors such as soil pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and packaging waste.

As esports gains global popularity, there is an increasing demand for nutrition and supplements specifically designed for gamers to enhance energy, cognitive functions, and endurance. Key players in the nutrition industry are developing products ranging from functional beverages to snack bars. Novel ingredients, such as brain-boosting botanicals and omega-3s, assure cognitive enhancements, while microbiome-supporting solutions promise overall wellness.

A recent study reveals that practicing mindfulness can improve adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet among patients with high blood pressure. Through the study, participants in an eight-week mindfulness program showed better dietary habits and increased self-awareness, leading to significant improvements in their blood pressure levels. The researchers recommend mindfulness training as a tool for enforcing healthy dietary behaviors and managing hypertension.

Researchers at the World Institute of Kimchi have identified a strain of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in kimchi that exhibits robust resistance to viral invasions. The strain, Pediococcus inopinatus, found in long-term fermented kimchi, has a superior defense system compared to other strains. It is believed this resistance may also apply to mammalian viruses, therefore presenting potential for use in food and pharmaceutical industries, though more research is needed.

A recent study highlighted probiotic properties in two types of fungi traditionally used in food production. The fungi, Cyberlindnera jadinii and Kluyveromyces lactis, demonstrated potential to reduce gut inflammation, suggesting a promising direction for new probiotic development. The study also underscored the importance of characterizing food industry fungi strains for possible health benefits and increased usage in traditional health practices and clinical nutrition therapy.

Austrian researchers have confirmed that eating fruits and vegetables boosts bacterial diversity in the human microbiome, enhancing overall health. The plant microorganisms found in these foods, especially vital for the production of vitamin B12 and short-chain fatty acids, positively influence our gastrointestinal health. Diets rich in fresh produce may help prevent or control diseases and bolster immune system development, particularly during early childhood.