Archive For The “Health” Category
Researchers at the University of Lleida (UdL) have discovered that red-fleshed apples improve endothelial function, which regulates blood flow, reduces inflammation, and modulates the immune system in people with high cholesterol.
Laura Rubió, one of the project’s lead researchers, highlighted that the benefits of red-fleshed apples are “superior” due to the significant improvement in inflammation markers. This variety is not grown in Spain, and now researchers are looking for ways to process and commercialize it so consumers can benefit.
The ‘AppleCOR’ project emerged from a collaboration with IRTA, which was testing a red-fleshed apple grown and sold in northern European countries but not in Spain.
This is because red-fleshed apples contain “anthocyanic phenolic” compounds, which are also found in fruits like blueberries and black grapes. These compounds had never been studied at such levels in apples before, and since they are known to have health benefits, the researchers decided to investigate if the same effects occurred in this apple variety.
Gold Bell and Morning Kiss Organic are spotlighting their full line of premium organic and conventional potatoes and onions as ideal ingredients for holiday meals, according to a news release.
Gold Bell said its pearl onions, boiler onions, shallots and cipollini onions enhance and elevate cooking. These holiday staples provide essential nutrients as potatoes are high in vitamin C and potassium and also offer vitamin B6, magnesium and antioxidants, and onions offer fiber and folic acid, the release said.
Gold Bell said it is fully equipped to ready to meet retail demands with high-quality potatoes, onions and specialty items available in customizable packaging options alongside bulk products. The company sources its potatoes and onions from East Coast farms in Massachusetts and Maine as well as from Prince Edward Island in Canada.
“Now is the perfect time to indulge in savory soups, stews and elevate your Thanksgiving sides,” Michael Guptill of Gold Bell said in the release. “By selecting Gold Bell and Morning Kiss Organic potatoes and onions, consumers are not only enhancing their meals but also making a positive environmental choice. We’re excited to partner with retailers to bring our exceptional crops to family tables across New England and beyond during the holiday season.”
The Cranberry Institute has launched its latest digital resource, The Berry Best Guidebook, which compiles all the research behind the health benefits of cranberries. While decades of research support the role of cranberries in health, new studies continue to uncover even more potential benefits.
The online resource makes it easy to explore the bioactive compounds in the fruit and their proven effects. The guide includes links to help access each section including stomach – suppression of H. pylori, gut microbiome, urinary tract health, support of nerve cells and cognition, and others.
While most cranberries are harvested between September and October in the U.S., all forms of cranberry (juice, fresh, sauce, or dried berries) are healthy and can be enjoyed year-round.
The fruit is rich in healthful bioactive compounds including polyphenols such as proanthocyanidins (PACs), anthocyanins, and flavonoids, and are one of the only foods rich in A-type PACs which give cranberries the ability to inhibit bacterial adhesion in the body.
Cranberry anthocyanins have been shown to be the most highly available to the body.
Cranberry polyphenols help prevent biofilm formation, which benefits the body by keeping bad bacteria at bay. Biofilm is a layer of bacteria that grows and sticks to a surface, this can happen during the early stages of the development of an infection in the body.
An evaluation of food data collected from more than 3800 people through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2010 was used to develop a dietary index for healthy gut microbiota.
The research identified cranberries as part of a short list of foods found to benefit gut microbiota diversity and production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), a metabolite produced by the fermentation of fiber by the gut microbiome. A growing body of research supports the role of SCFAs in fighting inflammation and supporting immunity.
Other benefits of the fruit include supporting oral health, cardiometabolic health, and cardiovascular support.
Researchers at the University of Lleida (UdL) have discovered that red-fleshed apples improve endothelial function, which regulates blood flow, reduces inflammation, and modulates the immune system in people with high cholesterol.
Laura Rubió, one of the project’s lead researchers, highlighted that the benefits of red-fleshed apples are “superior” due to the significant improvement in inflammation markers. This variety is not grown in Spain, and now researchers are looking for ways to process and commercialize it so consumers can benefit.
The ‘AppleCOR’ project emerged from a collaboration with IRTA, which was testing a red-fleshed apple grown and sold in northern European countries but not in Spain.
This is because red-fleshed apples contain “anthocyanic phenolic” compounds, which are also found in fruits like blueberries and black grapes. These compounds had never been studied at such levels in apples before, and since they are known to have health benefits, the researchers decided to investigate if the same effects occurred in this apple variety.
The researchers began the final phase of the project by recruiting over 100 volunteers, who ate apples for six weeks. They compared the effects of red-fleshed apples with white-fleshed varieties, consumed either as a snack or as an infusion.
The results showed that all apples provided health benefits to the volunteers, but the red-fleshed apples were superior, particularly in preventing chronic cardiovascular diseases in people with high metabolic risk, such as those with hypercholesterolemia.
In addition to UdL and URV, the study involved researchers from the Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences (CSIC, University of La Rioja), the Nutrition and Health Unit of Eurecat, the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV), and the Biomedical Research Unit at Sant Joan University Hospital in Reus.
Apples with red flesh, both inside and out, occur naturally in some regions of Central Asia. Their flesh displays a red hue instead of the typical off-white color found in most commercial apples. Some varieties include Pink Pearl, Pink Sparkle, and Geneva Crab.
In a study from Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health, funded by the California Walnut Commission, researchers show that adolescents and young adults who consumed walnuts with other nuts (WON) had the lowest prevalence of obesity.
Researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), including 8874 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years old and 10,323 young adults aged 20 to 39. The research focused on understanding the associations between consumption of walnuts and other nuts with measures of obesity including relative fat mass (RFM), a tool that estimates body fat percent and regional fat composition.
The study showed that, especially in adolescent girls and young women, the consumption of WON has the strongest inverse association with measures of obesity when compared to non-nut consumers. This association was not found among young men, adolescent boys, or adolescent girls who consumed walnuts only.
A systematic review of cohort studies indicated that long-term moderate intake of nuts (i.e., 1–2 servings of nuts per week) was associated with less weight gain and reduced risk of overweight/obesity and that consumption of a high-quality diet is inversely associated with body mass index, and even though walnuts and other nuts are energy dense, they may not promote obesity.
Scientists also make the distinction that these observations might be due to revere causality since “that people with obesity have altered their diets in terms of nut consumption to prevent more weight gain.”
BAKERSFIELD, CA — Grimmway Farms, a global leader in fresh produce, is promoting the health and nutritional benefits of baby carrots in a nationwide campaign targeting grocery retailers and shoppers. The I Love Baby Carrots campaign runs through October and tells the multi-faceted story of baby carrots using social media, brand ambassadors, and local and trade media channels.
“Grimmway has been known for our delicious baby carrots since we first introduced them to the market nearly 30 years ago,” said Grimmway Farms Executive Vice President Eric Proffitt. “As the market leader in healthy, fresh produce, this campaign is an opportunity for us to help retailers tell the complete baby carrot story – from the inception of the category, to how they are grown and processed, to the convenience and nutritional benefits they offer to kids and families.”
Baby carrots have long been synonymous with eye health, but Proffitt noted there are several other proven benefits of these crunchy and versatile snacks, including increased antioxidant protection, reduced inflammation, and improved heart and skin health. In fact, research findings presented at the 2024 annual meeting of the American Society of Nutrition found that eating a single serving of baby carrots just three times a week can increase skin carotenoid levels by more than 10 percent.
“Generations of families have long enjoyed the health benefits and convenience of baby carrots, whether as lunchbox snacks, paired with dips, or incorporated into recipes,” Proffitt noted. “We’re excited to share all the reasons why even more shoppers should fall in love with them too.”
Shoppers are invited to follow #ILoveBabyCarrots on Instagram and tune into @grimmwayfarms Wednesdays through October 9, 2024.
About Grimmway Farms
Headquartered in Bakersfield, California, Grimmway Farms traces its roots to a produce stand opened by the Grimm brothers in the early 1960s. Grimmway is a global produce leader and one of the largest producers of carrots. Grimmway supplies more than 65 organic, USA-grown crops and brands include Cal-Organic Farms and Bunny-Luv.
A new partnership with Tennessee’s largest insurer aims to address statewide food insecurity while improving health outcomes and preventative care participation, FarmboxRx.
Collaborating with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee members will receive deliveries of healthy food with condition-specific health education shipped directly to their doors after completing critical preventative health screenings, according to a news release.
One in seven people in the state faces hunger, and 40% of families with children say they are food insecure, the release said. FarmboxRx said the partnership will expand access to nutritious foods at a time when Tennesseans, particularly in urban areas, continue to struggle with the affordability and accessibility of healthy meals, facing higher risks of developing long-term health issues and complications as a result.
This announcement follows the release of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee’s health equity report, which shed light on contributors to health disparities across race, ethnicity, age and economic status. This initiative furthers the organization’s commitment to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations in collaboration with a company purpose-built to do so, according to the release.
“To narrow health disparities, we need to first tackle the social determinants of health affecting these communities,” said FarmboxRx founder and CEO Ashley Tyrner. “Food insecurity is a multidimensional issue — and it’s not always as simple as having access to food. Given the unique challenges each community faces, we must assess state-specific barriers to nutrition and subsequent health issues. Our health plan partners recognize this, and I’m grateful for their commitment to our shared mission.”
Beyond addressing nutritional needs, FarmboxRx says it can enhance health outcomes for individuals by providing condition-specific health literacy materials in each box. Its programs empower members with information about their health and covered benefits through their insurance provider, in this case, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, the release said. The health literacy materials encourage members to adopt a proactive and informed approach to their well-being and the well-being of their families in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
FarmboxRx says its approach to using healthy food delivery as an engagement tool to incentivize members has helped healthcare organizations nationally promote health equity and inspire self-efficacy.
To date, FarmboxRx has shipped millions of pounds of fresh produce, healthy grocery items and medically tailored meals to members of managed care organizations nationwide in all 50 states and penned partnerships with more than 90 health plans, the release said.
Folsom, CA — Food plays a big role in everyone’s identity, and those born between 1997-2012, commonly known as Gen Z, have been deemed the “foodie generation.”
Gen Z is driven to a particular food by varied factors, but data suggests foods that support health and well-being by providing energy, managing weight, and fostering mental health are priorities.1,2 Yet when it comes to choosing foods that support these needs, Gen Z, along with millennials and beyond, often overlook a convenient and important food group – tree nuts, including walnuts.
Nuts, including walnuts, are nutrient dense and considered a key component of many recommended dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean and vegetarian diets. They are also recommended for daily consumption in the latest U.S. Dietary Guidelines.3
Despite the recommendations, nuts remain under-consumed by the U.S. population,3 perhaps due to nuts being calorie dense, leading to potential concerns that including nuts in the diet could promote weight gain. But new research suggests people, especially Gen Z and millennials, should reconsider nuts, like walnuts.
In a recent observational study from Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington and funded by the California Walnut Commission, researchers observed that adolescents and young adults who consumed walnuts and other nuts had a lower prevalence for obesity when compared with those who consumed no nuts.4
Researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) which included more than 19,000 adolescents (12 – 19 years old) and young adults (20 – 39 years old) to understand the associations between consumption of walnuts and other nuts with measures of obesity including relative fat mass (RFM), a validated tool for estimating body fat percent and regional fat composition.
In particular, young women consuming only walnuts had a significantly lower prevalence of obesity when compared to non-nut consumers. However, this association was not found among young men, adolescent boys, or adolescent girls who consumed walnuts only.
Researchers also observed that adolescent girls and young women who consumed walnuts only, or other nuts, had a significantly lower RFM compared to non-nuts consumers. Only young males in the walnut and other nut groups showed an inverse association with RFM compared to no nuts group, this was not found in adolescent boys.4
These results are promising suggesting that there may be an association between the consumption of nuts, especially walnuts with a lower prevalence of obesity and lower RFM within certain populations. However, cause and effect could not be determined, and additional research is needed to support these results.
Additionally, the average nut consumption in this population group was low with 76% of adolescents and 69% of young adults reporting no daily nut consumption. Furthermore, when walnuts were consumed, adolescents only ate ~ 2g/day while young adults had ~ 4g/day, which is far below the recommended intake for nuts of 2 – 3 ounces (56 – 85g) per week or 1 to 1.5 ounces (30g) per day, respectively.3
“While additional research is needed, these results showed that food should not be judged based on calories alone. The addition of nuts, like walnuts, as a part of a healthy eating pattern may help lower the risk of obesity,” explains Dr. Carla Miller, PhD, RD, Professor of Nutrition at Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington. “Whether it is a handful as a snack or part of a meal, even in small amounts, nuts, including walnuts, can and should be a part of a nutritious diet to support well-being.”
Beyond Weight Management: Walnuts May Support Overall Physical and Mental Well-Being in Gen Z & Millennials
Teens and young adults crave food that supports both their physical health and mental health, with over 30% seeking emotional and mental health benefits.1 Research suggests that daily walnut consumption could potentially support cognitive health and mental well-being in this unique population.
- Daily Walnut Consumption May Support Teens’ Focus and Attention – In a multi-school randomized controlled trial of 771 healthy teenagers ages 11 to 16, participants who consumed 30 grams of walnuts per day (1 ounce or 1 handful) for six months had improved neuropsychological scores for attention, fluid intelligence (i.e. problem solving, quick reasoning skills) and ADHD symptoms, when compared to the group not eating walnuts.6,* The positive results in this study were only seen in those teenagers who could better comply with eating more than 3 servings of walnuts per week. Only less than half of participants in the intervention group adhered to eating walnuts daily for 6 months, which might have impacted the data accuracy. No significant results were found for the primary outcomes of this study regarding neuropsychological function, indicating that the intervention did not work overall. However, this study does provide valuable insights and a basis for further clinical and epidemiological research on the effect of walnuts on brain development in adolescents.
- Walnuts May Improve Mental Health and General Well-Being in University Students — A novel study of 80 healthy university students ages 18 to 35, who ate 2 ounces of walnuts a day for 16 weeks, compared to those who did not eat walnuts, prevented negative changes in self-reported mental health scores and scores of stress and depression during a stressful academic period. The group that ate walnuts experienced an increase in metabolic markers that protect against stress and a decrease in those that are linked with stress. While inconclusive, researchers found that the group who consumed walnuts also saw an improvement in sleep scores related to getting to sleep, sleep quality, awakening from sleep, and behavior following wakefulness by the end of the study period. 7,*
- Snacking on Walnuts May Improve Metabolic Health in Young Adults — In a recent study of 84 young adults, ages 22 to 36, with at least one metabolic syndrome risk factor, researchers found that snacking on 1 ounce of mixed unsalted tree nuts, including walnuts, twice daily, may improve metabolic health, when compared to carbohydrate-rich snacks. Researchers observed a reduction in waist circumference and lipid biomarkers in female participants who consumed tree nut snacks, when compared to those who consumed carbohydrate-rich snacks. Males who consumed tree nut snacks had decreased blood insulin levels, compared to those who consumed carbohydrate-rich snacks. Both males and females consuming tree nut snacks saw an effect on triglycerides and TG/HDL ratios with TG/HDL ratios reduced ~11% compared to those consuming carbohydrate-rich snacks.8,*
These studies are not without limitations. While the findings cannot prove causality, they do shed light on how nuts, including walnuts, can be a part of a healthy diet that supports metabolic health and well-being. Additional research is needed to determine how these results apply to other populations.
A new study shows that storing blood oranges in cool temperatures boosts the fruit’s antioxidants and other health benefits.
The fruit, known for its deep red flesh which contains an antioxidant pigment, is rich in useful health compounds that include anthocyanins, flavonoids, polyphenols, hydroxycinnamic acids, and ascorbic acid. All compounds are linked to several health benefits including anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiviral, antiobesity, and antitumor properties.
The study shows that storing the orange at ambient temperatures can degrade the bioactive compounds and shorten its shelf life due to water loss, increased respiration, and fungal decay.
The oranges were harvested from a research plot at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy, FL, and immediately transported to the lab at the University of Florida.
The new University of Florida report shows that storing blood oranges at 40 to 53°F enhances anthocyanin, phenolic content, and antioxidants. When they lowered the temperatures 43 to 46°F, they also preserved fruit firmness, weight loss and sugar content.
The fruit is commonly grown in countries with cold Mediterranean climate like in Italy and Spain. In the United States, blood oranges grow primarily in California.
Florida citrus growers might have a hard time growing the variety in the state, due to its subtropical weather. Anthocyanin develops when the fruit is exposed to cold temperatures for at least 20 days, weather conditions that are rare in the state.
Lead author of the study, Fariborz Habibi says growing the variety might not be viable just yet for Floridian growers.
“Although blood oranges typically command higher prices than other common varieties, such as navel or Valencia oranges, it is unclear if farmers could substantially increase their per-acre income by adding them to their crop selection and then storing them for internal color development,” Habibi explained.
“Improved fruit quality from the storage method presents a promising opportunity for the Florida citrus industry. However, further study is needed before recommending anything to growers.”
According to a research published by Concordia University’s Department of Health, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology in the Physical Activity and Nutrition journal, consuming cranberry can improve running speed and aerobic performance in trained runners thanks to faster muscle reoxygenation rates.
The trials monitored the performance of 14 trained distance runners that ingested a cranberry supplement for 28 days.
The research found that constant supplementation led to noticeable improvements in their performance, running speed improvement, and muscle recuperation, thanks to faster reoxygenation rates.
Athletes ran two times trials over three separate visits, one 1,500-meter and the other a 400-meter, in the second test they were given a cranberry supplement and then told to continue ingesting it for 28 days.
This is due to the fruit being rich in polyphenols, an antioxidant which protects the body from free radical effects caused by strenuous exercise.
According to Concordia university’s paper, the fruit is also easily accessible for others who might want to try for themselves since “they’re indigenous to and a major industrial crop for Quebec.” According to Statistics Canada, the province produces roughly 60% of Canada’s cranberry yield.