Category Archives: Food

Gluten Not The Only Protein That Affects Celiac Disease

There’s no denying the increasing popularity of gluten-free products. According to U.S. News & World Report, household purchases of foods labeled “gluten-free” increased from 5 to 11 percent between 2010 and 2013. Also, sales of gluten-free foods are predicted to generate around $15 billion in yearly sales by 2016. The gluten-free option has become so popular that the FDA has had to step in to ensure that such claims on food labels are actually true. Despite this rise, however, the jury is still out regarding whether or not a gluten-free diet actually improves the lives of those who do not suffer from celiac disease. For example, this study shows that non-celiac gluten sensitivity may actually be a myth. Either way, the problem for those who actually suffer from celiac disease has just become more complicated, as a new study suggests gluten isn’t the only culprit in wheat.

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Posted in Diet, Food, Health, Health Facts, News, Nutrition, Studies | 2,403 Comments

Drinking Milk for Bone Health Could Actually Have Opposite Effect

Every five years since 1980, the USDA and the HHS have jointly published the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. It’s an exhaustive document detailing the foods and serving sizes that Americans should consume in order to promote health, prevent disease and maintain a healthy weight. When it comes to milk consumption, the 2010 edition states that “recommended amounts are 3 cups per day of fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products for adults.” Drinking milk in this amount is thought to promote bone health and decrease the risk of fractures due to the amount of calcium milk provides. However, health professionals don’t always agree with this notion. For example, a Harvard School of Public Health report indicates that the jury is still out on the benefits of milk. Now, a new study is not only casting doubt on milk’s bone health effects, but it’s also showing that milk could do a lot of damage.

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Posted in Diet, Food, Health, Medical, News, Nutrition, Studies, Women | 53 Comments

WHO Says Energy Drinks Are Dangerous – Especially for Young People

Energy drinks, the caffeine-filled, carbonated beverage of choice for people seeking an energy boost, are big business. According to Red Bull’s website, around 5.387 billion cans of the drink were sold just last year. In 2012, a total of 12.5 billion USD was made in the energy drink industry. Estimates from the European Food Safety Authority indicate that 30 percent of adults and 18 percent of children under the age of 10 consume energy drinks. The most staggering estimate, however, is that 68 percent of adolescents drink the highly caffeinated beverages. So what’s the big deal? Well, energy drinks have been associated with several health issues for years, mostly involving heart palpitations, nausea, jitteriness and emergency room visits in young people. They have also even been linked with risky behavior. Now, researchers from the World Health Organization (WHO) are calling for action.

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Posted in Food, Health, Health Facts, Medical, News, Nutrition, Parenting | 2 Comments

Study Shows Decrease in Fast Food Calories, but Is It Enough?

Earlier this year, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reported that major food and beverage companies such as Kraft, General Mills, NestlĂ© and Coca-Cola cut around 6.4 trillion calories from the U.S. marketplace. Now, it seems that fast food companies may be following suit. According to a study published this week in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, newer menu items in some of the largest chain restaurants in the U.S. had an average of 56 fewer calories this year than they did in 2013. This is about a 12 percent decrease in fast food calories overall. Specifically, newly introduced beverages had an 8 percent decrease in calories, while children’s items decreased by 20 percent and main courses dropped by 10 percent. These reductions in fast food calories are significant, but it’s not exactly time for health proponents to celebrate just yet.

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Posted in Diet, Food, Health, News, Nutrition, Studies, Weight Loss | 1,230 Comments

Caffeine-Infused Underwear and 7 Other Bizarre Weight Loss Products

Let’s face it: weight loss is hard. Diet and exercise takes time, commitment and willpower. And with so many people trying to lose weight, it’s no surprise that marketers have been trying to sell people shortcuts for years. Most people know that weight loss products as crazy as say, tapeworms, are way too dangerous and ineffective to attempt using (although it still happens in rare cases). However, there have been tons of bizarre weight loss products over the years that have been less risky but no more effective. Even just this week, the Federal Trade Commission had to put a stop to two companies that were manufacturing caffeine-infused underwear such as leggings, bras and girdles. The companies, Norm Thompson Outfitters and Wacoal America, were charged with deceptive advertising, as they promised “slimming and firming” within a month but had no evidence to backup those claims. Customer refunds will total around $1.5 million.

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Posted in Diet, Exercise, Food, Health, News, Nutrition, Weight Loss | 7,548 Comments