A recent study has shed light on another possible cause of autism: processed foods. In their report, researchers from the University of Central Florida explored the possible role of the gut microbiome in developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a lifelong neurological and developmental disorder that begins in childhood. Published in Scientific Reports, their study revealed that exposing neural stem cells to high … Continue reading Propionic acid (PPA) in processed foods may be associated with autism spectrum disorder
Study: Trans fats linked to poor brain health and greater risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s
Trans fatty acids are the worst type of fats. Sometimes called “FrankenFats,” they’ve been linked to numerous diseases, ranging from cancer to heart disease to diabetes. They’re known to drive up cholesterol levels, contribute to insulin resistance and promote weight gain, among many other things. Recent studies also show that trans fats can harm your brain. In one study, which appeared in the … Continue reading Study: Trans fats linked to poor brain health and greater risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s
Stress can make you crave unhealthy foods, study finds
A recent study by researchers from Australia found that tense or stressed people have greater cravings for fast food, sweets and other unhealthy foods than people who aren’t as tense or stressed. Published in the journal Eating Behaviors, the study also revealed that people eat more foods the more tension they experience on a given day. These findings suggest that negative … Continue reading Stress can make you crave unhealthy foods, study finds
Bacteriocin-producing bacteria present in commercial foodstuffs
In this study, researchers at Bannari Amman Institute of Technology in India investigated the prevalence of bacteriocin-producing, food spoilage- and bovine mastitis-causing bacteria in commercial foodstuff. Their findings were published in the International Journal of Green Pharmacy. A total of 389 commercial food samples were selected for the study, including meat products, fish products, milk and dairy products, … Continue reading Bacteriocin-producing bacteria present in commercial foodstuffs
FDA approves genetically engineered pigs for food and medicine
Genetically engineered pigs will soon be introduced into the American food supply. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just approved the first-of-its-kind, intentional genomic alteration for domestic pigs. The experiment takes animal farming to an entirely new level, introducing genetic alterations that could cause genetic ripple effects for decades to come. The genetically engineered GalSafe pigs will … Continue reading FDA approves genetically engineered pigs for food and medicine
Reducing your intake of sugary drinks by 1 serving a day may lower diabetes risk by at least 10%
Researchers from the U.S. and China suggest that drinking a serving of water, coffee or tea in place of a sugary beverage may lower Type 2 diabetes risk by up to 10 percent. In a paper published in the Diabetes Journal, they further revealed that swapping sodas and 100 percent fruit juices for diet sodas and artificially … Continue reading Reducing your intake of sugary drinks by 1 serving a day may lower diabetes risk by at least 10%
Americans are still consuming too many carbs and fats, warn researchers
Despite some dietary improvements over the years, Americans are still eating too many low-quality carbohydrates and fats, according to a recent study published in the journal JAMA Network. An international team of researchers examined adult dietary habits and found that Americans are cutting back on low-quality carbohydrates. However, intake remains high at over 40 percent, while the consumption of … Continue reading Americans are still consuming too many carbs and fats, warn researchers
Researchers find strong evidence linking artificial sweeteners to asthma
Even moderate consumption of fructose and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) from soda, fruit drinks and apple juice corresponds to a higher risk of asthma in adults. This is the finding of a recent study by independent researcher Luanne DeChristopher and Katherine Tucker from the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell), published in the British Journal of Nutrition. Their study found that … Continue reading Researchers find strong evidence linking artificial sweeteners to asthma
“Vegetarian” fast food options are still full of fat, calories and sodium, caution health experts
A fast-food restaurant’s vegetarian offerings may not be as healthy as you might think. This is according to nutritionist Christina Crowder who noted that while some fast-food items may indeed feature “healthy” ingredients such as fresh vegetables, these are often smothered with salty sauces and served with sugary drinks. In addition, these are often accompanied by other salt and … Continue reading “Vegetarian” fast food options are still full of fat, calories and sodium, caution health experts
It only takes one: Drinking at least one sugary drink a day increases your cancer risk
When it comes to beverages that increase your risk of cancer, it turns out that a glass of orange juice may be just as bad as a glass of soda. This is according to a new study, which found that sugary drinks – including 100 percent fruit juice – were “significantly associated with the risk of … Continue reading It only takes one: Drinking at least one sugary drink a day increases your cancer risk
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 