More evidence that antioxidants are good for you!

Research out of the University of Washington suggests that free-radicals cause ageing.

"Free-radicals have been linked with heart disease, cancer and other age-related diseases. "

Study: Only Broiled, Baked Fish Help Heart - Yahoo! News

Aong similar lines to the story below that says all low fat diets are not the same, all fish is not the same according to a new Harvard study.

Study: Only Broiled, Baked Fish Help Heart - Yahoo! News: "'All fish meals may not be equal,' said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian of the Harvard Medical School."

Short version? Low fat fish probably do not have enough Omega-3 in them and frying is not good for you:

"people who regularly consumed broiled or baked fish were more likely to have a lower heart rate and blood pressure, and better blood flow to the heart.

In contrast, those who regularly consumed fried fish or fish sandwiches showed signs of hardening arteries and other cardiac problems."

So ask for the baked fish, not the fried :)

Veggie, low-fat diet lowers cholesterol more-study - Yahoo! News

As if you weren't convinced already!

More evidence that all low fat diets are not created equal and that it is best to eat your fruits and vegetables!

Veggie, low-fat diet lowers cholesterol more-study - Yahoo! News: "A low-fat diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans has twice the cholesterol-lowering power"

Christopher Gardner of Stanford University was lead author:

"Of the volunteers, 61 ate a conventional low-fat diet, which included frozen waffles, turkey bologna sandwiches, frozen pizza and similar foods. The other 59 ate a plant-based diet including whole-grain cereals, dark lettuces, bean burritos and vegetable soups....Both diets contained identical amounts of total and saturated fat, protein, carbohydrate and cholesterol. Calories were carefully controlled to keep each volunteers' weight constant....The plant-based diet lowered LDL by more than twice as much, by 9.4 percent, the researchers reported."

Fruits and Vegetables made easier

A giant trend in teh produce deptartment is to try to make the food easier to eat. For instance, few now buy heads of lettuce when they can buy premade salads. Similarly, fruit companies are now trying to get in on the act:

"Sunkist's Fun Fruits are sliced oranges, apples or pineapples, or red grapes with no stems, available in half-cup serving packages that have pictures of kids on them. The products will be in supermarkets this year; Sunkist is working on a version for grown-ups."

We have a long ways to go however, as few Americans are eating enough fruits and vegetables!

Stores Use Fresh Produce to Lure Shoppers - Yahoo! News: "Consumer research shows that the average person eats 1.8 cups of fruits and vegetables a day, according to the nonprofit Produce for Better Health Foundation. That total is less than half the amount recommended in the government's new food pyramid, which says the average person should consume about 5 cups of fruits and vegetables a day"

Need another reason to eat your vegetables?

New studies suggest that low levels of magnesium can lead to artery disease.

"In a study of 2,977 men and women, researchers used ultrafast computed tomography (CT scans) of the chest to assess the participants' coronary artery calcium levels. Measurements were taken at the start of the study -- when the participants were 18 to 30 years old -- and again 15 years later.

"The study concluded that dietary magnesium intake was inversely related to coronary artery calcium levels."

"Most dietary magnesium comes from dark green, leafy vegetables."

"The researchers from Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago were to present their study Saturday at the American Heart Association's annual conference on cardiovascular disease, epidemiology and prevention."

- Forbes.com