Food and Nutrition news

This will be pretty quick, but there were several interesting food/nutrition stories recently that I wanted to let you know about:

First the good news:

• The British Medical Journal reports that "polymeals" (essentially meals designed to be good for you) can increase life expectancy.

set of ingredients which cuts the risk of heart (cardiovascular) disease by 76% and significantly increases life expectancy. Results of dining on the Polymeal were most dramatic for men, who were projected to live on average 6.6 years longer in total than those not eating the meal. Men will also live for nine years longer without succumbing to heart disease, and those that do will suffer it for less years of their lives. The Polymeal includes wine, fish, dark chocolate, fruits and vegetables, almonds and garlic, eaten on a daily basis. Quoted from ScienceBlog

• Still more evidence that eating many fruits and vegetables is good for you from the Mayo Clinic:

"Research shows that people who eat diets rich in plant foods have a lower risk of serious diseases, including cancer, says an article in the December issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter"--Yahoo

• Smelling citrus, geraniums, and pine may help prevent asthma! (I have to admit this caught me by surprise.

  "A key ingredient in the aroma from citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons appears to protect rats from the symptoms of asthma, new research shows"--From Yahoo,WebMD

• If you know you are going to eat a fatty meal, workout first! The workout may help protect you from the bad effects of the meal!

"Eating high-fat foods is known to transiently elevate levels of blood fats such as triglycerides, and recent research has shown that a rich meal can also temporarily impair the functioning of the lining of blood vessels-called the endothelium.

The new study, published in the December 21st issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, suggests that moderate exercise can blunt these effects"

From Yahoo, More available at News-Medical.net

Then the Bad news:

• There is now some evidence that the OTC painkiller Alleve may also cause heart problems. Painkillers sure have had a tough time of late! CNN, NPR (audio)

and finally just some news (neither good or bad):

• Sales of diet soda (ok, it's pop in WNY!) are ready to overtake sales of regular soda pop. Seattle Post-Intelligence, Tallahassee Democrat