Eye for a Banana
Important pigments for eye health, carotenoids, are found at various levels in different banana varieties. Researchers are now trying to understand how exactly bananas make and store these pigments. They are hopeful that these findings will help in the development of banana varieties with enhanced health benefits.
Sugar Kills
A recent study has found that fructose changes genes in the brain. These changes are linked to a range of diseases, including cardiovascular disease and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Fructose is found in a variety of food, including most baby foods.
DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, seems to reverse the damages that fructose produces. While DHA occurs naturally in brain cells, it is not a large enough quantity to help fight diseases. In food, DHA is mainly found in wild salmon, walnuts, and flaxseed, among others. Additional research still needs to be done to determine DHA’s ability to reverse damage to the human brain.
Early to Bed and Early to Rise
Night owls beware: researchers from the University of Delaware found that going to bed earlier and wake up earlier aligns much better with cardiovascular health. Links have already been made between poor sleep quality and a myriad of health problems, such as obesity, but this study shows that getting a good night’s sleep at optimal times will make a greater difference. It might also reduce other harmful behaviours, such as smoking and poor dietary choices.
Mom doesn’t always know best
Mothers still go by the common saying, “A chubby baby is a healthy baby,” a new study finds. Many mothers could accurately estimate their child’s weight, but more than half of those surveyed perceived their overweight child as having a healthy weight. Mothers who were concerned with their own weight were found to be more concerned for their child becoming overweight in the future. Researchers believe that nurses can aid in brief health screenings to emphasize the importance of a healthy diet.
Salmon may protect your baby from asthma
Pregnant women who eat salmon may have children who are less likely to develop asthma, a new research suggests. According to a Southampton University study, children whose mothers consumed oily fish while carrying them, were up to five times less likely to have been diagnosed with asthma by the age of three.
Eat your Blues
In a series of studies conducted on animal models, research shows evidence that eating blueberries may alleviate some of the problems associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD comes with a range of life altering issues, such as depression, substance abuse and an increased risk of suicide.
While a clinical trial is needed to be certain about the efficacy of blueberries in treating PTSD, researchers say it seems safe to say that eating blueberries can’t hurt—especially taking into account their other numerous health benefits.
Lose weight with beans
A new study finds that eating at least one serving a day of beans or legumes could contribute to modest weight loss. Consuming about a ¾ cup of beans, peas, chickpeas, or lentils each day led to a weight loss of just over half a pound in clinical trial subjects. These foods, known as pulses, help people feel fuller than they would on a controlled diet.
