The green tea polyphenol (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG) may slash
the risk of gastric cancer among women by 75 per cent, suggests a
new study from Japan.
Lycopene, zinc and vitamin D show a 'weak association' for
protection against benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), a condition
said to affect more than half of all men over the age of 50,
suggests a new study.
An increased intake of fruit and vegetables may cut the risk of
Barrett's oesophagus, a precursor to oesophageal cancer, suggests a
new study form California.
Increased intake of vitamin B6 from dietary and supplements may
reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by over 20 per cent, suggests
a large Scottish study.
Foods and drinks developed to address the specific health needs of
consumers are expected to exceed category growth in the US
functional food segment, according to a new report.
Lycopene may show benefits against benign prostate hyperplasia
(BPH), a condition said to affect more than half of all men over
the age of 50, suggests a new study from Germany.
New varieties of the antioxidant-rich blueberry could result in
berries with better flavor, firmness and shelf life, according to
researchers at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Challenging the view that vitamin D3 is more potent than D2,
researchers from Boston University have reported that both forms
are equally effective at maintaining 25-hydroxyvitamin D status.
Extracts from plant essential oils (terpenes) can be stabilised by
encapsulation in the polysaccharide beta-cyclodextrin and modified
starch, suggests new research from Greece.
The potential benefits of soy isoflavones for breast health may
extend beyond malignant tumours, as a new study suggests a lower
incidence of benign breast cysts.
'Antioxidants' crop up every where, from beverage cans to cereal
packets. But industry must wake up to over use of the antioxidant
tag before the term loses meaning for consumers.
Doses of vitamin D3 of 2,000 International Units (IU) - the current
tolerable upper intake level (UL) in Europe and the US - are needed
to ensure blood levels of the vitamin amongst post-menopausal
African-American women, says a new...
Positive results for vitamin E and beta-carotene from observational studies are continuing to be cited in the literature despite contradictory evidence from randomised trials, says a new analysis.
Consuming antioxidant-rich foods during meals reduces the oxidative
stress associated with eating, says a new study that highlights the
importance of timing for maximum health benefits.
Phytoene and phytofluene, lesser known compounds from tomatoes,
also accumulate in significant quantities in key organs, and may
play a role in the health benefits previously attributed to
lycopene, suggests a new study with rats.
Increased intake of vitamin K1, and to a lesser extend vitamin D,
could protect against inflammation, and positively effect chronic
disease risk, suggests a new observational study.
Stevia, the natural sweetener causing a whirlwind of interest
around the globe, could also be a rich source of antioxidants and
may protect against DNA damage and cancer, says a study from India
published yesterday.
It all started with a trip to Greenland in 1970. Three Danes, a couple of dogsleds, and several years of study later and the omega-3 was born. Since then, awareness and understanding of marine omega-3 has sky-rocketed.
A big handful of almonds every day could boost the antioxidant
defences of smokers, a group at risk of low antioxidant levels due
to higher oxidative stress, by up to 35 per cent, says a joint
Chinese-US study.
Moderate deficiency of folate, riboflavin, and vitamins B6 and B12
together may promote the risk of DNA damage and increase the risk
of colorectal cancers, suggests a new study with mice.
Antioxidant testing of nutrients has taken a leap forward as
Cornell University scientists report a new assay that moves the
quantification of antioxidant activity from the test tube to
measuring bioactivity inside cells.
A flavanone compound in milk thistle, silibinin, may stop the
growth and spread of liver cancer, suggests a laboratory study from
the University of California, Irvine.
Combining citrus juice or vitamin C with green tea or its extracts
could increase the absorption of antioxidants from the tea up to
13-fold, suggests new research.
Extracts from black cohosh may stop breast cancer cells in their
tracks, suggests a new laboratory study involving scientists from
French botanicals supplier Naturex.
Pomegranate, known as the royal fruit because of the 'crown' on
top, is also the shining light for how to capitalise on consumers'
growing interest in exotic fruits and ensure they offer benefits
and not empty hype,...
Riboflavin supplements could boost the protective effects of folate
against colorectal cancer in people with colon polyps, suggests a
new study from the UK and Ireland.
A pooled analysis of the small but ever-growing body of science of
omega-3 and colorectal cancer indicates more fish oil does protect
against the cancer.
A series of clinical trials is underway in the UK to test the
anti-cancer effects of bilberry extracts, offer a potential boost
to the anthocyanidin-rich extracts.
A diet rich in flavonols from foods such as onions, apples and
berries may cut the risk of developing pancreatic cancer by about
25 per cent, a multi-ethnic study has reported.
Tocotrienols, the less studied form of vitamin E, may reduce DNA
damage, considered an important trigger in cancer development, by
about 50 per cent, new research suggests.
Isomers of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) may stop the spread of
colon cancer, suggests a new study from Korea that adds important
new data to our understanding of the ingredient.
The future of research into the ability of phytochemicals to treat
modern disease lies in Asia because of restrictive laws and
"cynicism", a UK based research company has said.
Freeze-dried back raspberries could help prevent the formation of
tumours of the oesophagus, if the results of a rat study also hold
true for humans, but were not seen to aid tumour regression.
Drinking five or more cups of green tea a day may reduce a woman's
risk of mouth cancer, but men may not experience similar benefits,
suggests a new study from Japan.
Pectin, a type of fibre found in fruits and vegetables and may
induce programmed cell death in prostate cancer cells, suggests a
new laboratory study from the US.
A new clinical study provided evidence that green tea catechins can
stimulate production of cancer-protective enzymes in people with
low natural levels - the first to demonstrate this effect in
humans, say researchers.
Green tea may stop the growth of colon tumours in their infancy,
suggests a new study using mice, but merely drinking green tea
offers no benefits against larger tumours.
Tocotrienol, the less well known form of vitamin E, could prevent
the formation of new blood vessels, and therefore hold promise
against a range of diseases, suggests new animal study.
