July 31, 2009
Race/ethnicity, Family Income And Education Associated With Sugar Consumption
The intake of added sugars in the United States is excessive, estimated by the US Department of Agriculture in 1999-2002 as 17 percent of calories a day. In a study of nearly 30,000 Americans, researchers report that race/ethnicity, family income and educational status are independently associated with intake of added sugars. Groups with low income and education are particularly vulnerable to eating diets with high added sugars.
Got Zinc? New Zinc Research Suggests Novel Therapeutic Targets
Everyone knows that vitamins "from A to zinc" are important for good health. Now, a new research study suggests that zinc may be pointing the way to new therapeutic targets for fighting infections. Specifically, scientists found that zinc not only supports healthy immune function, but increases activation of the cells (T cells) responsible for destroying viruses and bacteria.
Over there! An 8 mile high distraction made of posh chocolate!
Ben Goldacre, The Guardian, Saturday 1 August 2009
This week the Food Standards Agency published 2 review papers showing that organic food is no better than normal food, in terms of composition, or health benefits. The Soil Association’s response has been swift, receiving prominent and blanket right of reply: this is testament to the lobbying power [...]
WFP To Cut $3B From Programs Because Of Budget Shortfall, Executive Director Says
Low donation levels are causing the World Food Programme (WFP) to fall short of feeding the most critically hungry people in the world, and the agency "has so far received only $1.8 billion and has had to cut back rations and programs to the 108 million people it serves, said Josette Sheeran," WFP's executive director,