Health Front
News that's good for you
July 2009
Reprinted with permission from Taste For Life

Will tax reduce a weighty problem?
The buzz on brown fat
Good snacking
Organic market milestone
A universal remedy?
Pass the gum!
Produce pointers
For real almond joy, chew thoroughly
Natural solutions for GERD


Will tax reduce a weighty problem?

Government officials are looking at a variety of ways to scale back the skyrocketing obesity rates in the U.S. Almost 20 percent of American kids fall into the obese category, and that’s a genuine health concern.

One suggestion to help stem the tide is to start taxing sugared beverages. A recent study found that increasing the price of soft drinks by 10 percent leads to a 7.8 percent decrease in consumption. According to the study authors, sugar-laden drinks "may be the single largest driver of the obesity epidemic."

An added benefit to a soda tax is the generation of sizeable revenues for states, which could go toward obesity prevention programs.

selected sources

• “Ounces of Prevention—the Public Policy Case for Taxes on Sugared Beverages” by K. D. Brownell and T. R. Frieden, N Engl J Med, 4/30/09
• “Time for Soda Tax? Backers Want to Cut Obesity, Aid Budgets,” www.wsj.com, 4/8/09

The buzz on brown fat

All of us are born with brown fat, adipose tissue that helps keep us warm at infancy. New studies suggest that it doesn’t disappear as we age, but remains into adulthood. That’s good news because it may help scientists discover ways to treat obesity. The amount of brown fat we have is inversely related to body mass index, particularly in older adults, and may play a role in metabolism. Thin individuals have more brown fat than overweight or obese people, and it acts as an energy burner. While the search for substances that stimulate brown fat "is definitely something we should pursue," Swedish researcher Sven Enerback, MD, PhD, told the Washington Post, "I don’t think there will ever be a pill that substitutes for a fundamental change in lifestyle in the treatment of obesity."

selected sources

• “Study: A Fat That Helps You Lose Weight?” by Alice Park, Time, 4/08/09
• “Studies Find a Way Adult Bodies May Fight Obesity” by David Brown, Washington Post, 4/08/09
• “Wait, What Is Brown Fat?” bwww.wsj.com, 4/09/09

Good snacking

For most of us, snacking's a habit we’re not likely to give up, so let’s choose snacks that are good for us. Think prunes, or if you prefer, dried plums, which many marketers think sound more enticing than prunes. Whatever you choose to call this fruit, consider a handful for your next snack. Research shows that dried plums may suppress appetite better than a processed snack such as low-fat cookies. Specifically, they found that subjects who snacked on dried plums felt significantly fuller and more satisfied than those who ate the same number of calories in the form of a low-fat snack food like cookies. In added bonuses, consuming dried plums was also related to improved blood lipids, better diet quality, and improved digestive regularity.

selected sources

• “Dried Plums for Healthy, Satiating Snack: Study” by Lindsey Partos, www.nutraingredients-usa.com, 5/4/09
• “Snack Selection Influences Satiety Response in Adult Women” by A. Furchner-Evanson et al., Experimental Biology, 2009

Organic market milestone

Although market researchers expected a slump in sales of organic products because of the gloomy economy, this hasn’t been the case. In fact, U.S. sales of organic food have risen as consumers seek value for their stretched food dollars. In 2008, sales were up close to 16 percent over the previous year, according to the Lieberman Research Group. Credited largely to the perception of value that organic carries, sales grew at a faster rate than general food sales

selected source

• “U.S. Organics Buck Recessionary Trend” by Caroline Scott-Thomas, www.foodnavigator-usa.com, 5/5/09

A universal remedy?

Ginger has more than a culinary reputation. The spicy herb has been used for thousands of years not only in foods but also as a medicinal folk remedy. Especially useful for relieving nausea and vomiting related to pregnancy, ginger may also be helpful for motion sickness in some individuals. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has funded studies of ginger’s safety and effectiveness, any possible interactions when taken with immunosuppressant drugs to reduce nausea in chemotherapy, and its impact on inflammation. These studies aim to identify the scope of ginger’s usefulness as a mainstream therapeutic option, thus combining traditional with modern medicine

selected sources

• “Effects of Ginger Capsules on Pregnancy, Nausea, and Vomiting” by G. Ozgoli et al., J Altern Complement Med, 3/09
• “Ginger: An Ancient Remedy and Modern Miracle Drug” by T. Hoffman, Hawaii Med J, 12/07

Pass the gum!

If afternoon snack cravings make it hard for you to watch your weight, the chewing gum industry may have the answer. Building on other research that linked gum chewing to reduced snacking, scientists found that men and women who chewed gum for 15 minutes hourly for three hours snacked less. The gum chewers also ate fewer sweet snacks, for a decrease of up to 60 calories daily.

The 115 men and women who took part in the study, all regular gum chewers, were given a nutrient-rich sandwich at lunchtime. For the next three hours, they either chewed sugar-free gum for 15 minutes each hour or did not chew. They were then offered various snacks. Those who chewed gum reported much less hunger and cravings for sweet snacks.

selected source

• “Chewing Gum, a Potential Tool in Weight Management: Study” by Lindsey Partos, www.foodnavigator.com, 4/20/09

Produce pointers

Keeping fruits and veggies fresh as long as possible avoids waste and maintains the nutrient level of the produce—while helping you get the most for your money. Here are two useful tips.

Forgo plastic. Produce ages prematurely when wrapped in plastic bags, which trap gases and moisture. Use perforated bags designed just for produce or loosely woven fabric like cheesecloth.

Keep it cool. Store fresh produce in your refrigerator crisper bins where the humidity levels can be set properly. As a rule, vegetables require higher humidity levels than fruits.

selected source

• “Get More Flavor, Nutrition from Produce with the Right Prep” by Rachael Moeller Gorman, www.cnn.com, 7/08

For real almond joy, chew thoroughly

Good news about nuts: Recent research finds that chewing almonds 25 to 40 times before swallowing leads to significantly more unsaturated fats than chewing them only 10 times. In addition, thorough chewing may make other nutrients in these nuts, like vitamin E, more available to the body.

Study participants who chewed longer reported greater satiety—that feeling of not only fullness but also satisfaction. Satiety, key in the battle against obesity, can boost will power and stave off hunger pangs, so those trying to lose weight are less tempted to snack between meals.

selected sources

• “Chewing Almonds May Boost Satiety” by Stephen Daniells, www.nutraingredients-usa.com, 5/18/09
• “Mastication of Almonds: Effects of Lipid Bioaccessibility, Appetite, and Hormone Response” by B. A. Cassady et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 3/09

Natural solutions for GERD

Acid reflux, where digestive fluids from the stomach travel upward into the esophagus, is an often painful condition. When it occurs two to three times a week for several months, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can begin to erode the esophagus. GERD makes swallowing painful and often leads to bad breath and erosion of dental enamel or more serious problems. Fortunately, a few simple actions can make a difference. Avoid large, heavy meals and certain foods and drinks: highly acidic foods (cranberry or lemon juice, many fruits, most vinegars), alcohol, allergenic foods, coffee, trans fats, some spicy foods, and sugar. Eat slowly in a relaxed setting and remain upright afterward. Drink plenty of water during the day but not with meals. To improve digestion, consider taking bitters or supplemental enzymes at the beginning of a meal. “Start with less than the label directions suggest” with enzymes, says Martie Whittekin, CCN, increasing dosage to the recommended levels until symptoms are relieved. Other natural alternatives? Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) and zinc-carnosine are both helpful in healing stomach problems.

selected sources

• Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & Other Acid Blockers by Martie Whittekin, CCN ($7.95, SquareOne, 2009)
• Supplement Your Prescription by Hyla Cass, MD ($14.95, Basic Health, 2007)