Today's NewsBites

The US Food and Drug Administra - tion (FDA) is going after misleading nutrition claims on the front of food packages—an effort that may ultimately lead to a single official symbol giving consumers an at-a-glance guide to healthy choices. As the agency sent a warning letter to food companies, Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said the FDA will investigate whether any packaging claims violate its labeling rules and “will take enforcement action against any egregious examples.”…

Read More>>

Darker-roasted peanuts pack a greater antioxidant punch, according to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in North Carolina. The researchers measured antioxidant levels in peanuts roasted at 362 degrees from zero to 77 minutes. Longer, darker roasting was consistently associated with higher levels of both water- and oil-soluble antioxidants, which scientists attributed to greater concentrations of phenolic compounds and/or “browning” reaction products.…

Read More>>

Dehydration has long been known to compromise physical performance. Now, a new Tufts study provides insight into the effects of mild dehydration on young athletes, and possibly into the lives of people too busy to consume enough water daily. About 30 male and female Tufts students were assigned to either a “dehydration group” not given fluids during athletics, or a control group that was given water. Participants weighed in before and after athletics to assess body water loss. After athletic activity, participants underwent cognitive tests, which included short-term memory and mood scales.…

Read More>>

Current Articles

Could your hip bones use a little tofu? Scientists report that moderate intake of soy—at least the amount found in about 1.75 ounces of tofu—was associated with reduced risk of hip fractures among women in the Singapore Chinese Health Study. That’s an amount of soy “higher than the low levels of consumption in the West,” noted lead researcher Woon-Puay Koh, MD, of the National University of Singapore.…

Read More>>

Along-term followup to the Diabetes Prevention Program trial has good news for the estimated 57 million Americans with high blood-sugar levels that put them in danger of developing diabetes: Intensive lifestyle changes aimed at modest weight loss reduced the rate of developing type 2 diabetes by 34% compared with a control group in people at high risk for the disease. Reducing dietary fat and calories, exercising such as walking about 150 minutes weekly and losing weight also proved more effective in diabetes prevention than metformin, an oral diabetes drug.…

Read More>>

Cutting your salt intake could significantly reduce your risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease, according to a new analysis. Researchers systematically reviewed the scientific literature and identified 13 studies of salt/ sodium involving a total of 177,025 participants. Pooling this data, the researchers found that a decrease in intake of 5 grams of salt a day—a little less than a teaspoon—was associated with a 23% lower rate of strokes and as much as a 17% lower risk of cardiovascular disease.…

Read More>>

Ask Tufts Experts

 

Since calcium and vitamin D strengthen bones and vitamin A weakens bones, why is all reducedfat milk fortified with both vitamin A and vitamin D? And why is whole milk not?

Read More>>

I enjoyed your Special Report on “Food and Your Mood” (January 2010), but wanted to know more about serotonin. Is it true that eating foods high in tryptophan boosts serotonin levels? What about supplements sold as “mood enhancers” that are related to tryptophan?

Read More>>

Do clementines have the same nutritive value as oranges?

Read More>>
Receive a Free Issue of
Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter
YES! Please send my FREE TRIAL ISSUE.
Full Name
City

Or...
Pay now and get immediate access to 3 years of the Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter.
online archives!
Address (line 1)

State
 
Address (line 2)

Zip Code
Email (required)
 
How we use your email address  
 
Offer valid in U.S. only.
 

Health Topic Archives

Search for topics Online Archives 2005–10

Did you know?

High-protein diets make kidneys work harder—an issue for the more than 20 million Americans who have chronic kidney disease but don’t know it.

Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter

For over 25 years, Tufts Healthletter has brought subscribers trustworthy news and real strategies that can add years of healthy living and vigor to life.
Read More>>

Quotes

"I thought I knew enough about nutrition, but your newsletter is a real eye-opener! Thanks for helping clear up some of the confusing information out there." Ellen M, Gloucester, MA

“I am a devoted reader of your newsletter. . . I recommend it to others because your advice is sound and unbiased and you stress the benefits of food over supplements.” --Edith R, Roanoke, VA

FREE
Special Reports
1.  Winning the Claim Game

Confused by food label claims?

2.  Getting Started with Strength Training

Seven exercises for greater strength and balance.

3.  Eating Out Without Pigging Out

Be smart about nutrition when eating out.

4.  51 Healthy Foods
You Can Say Yes To

Give your body a boost with these nutritious foods

Click on the above links to download reports