Survey Sheds Light On Canadian Attitudes Toward Food Purchasing January 19, 2010: 08:51 PM EST A survey of 25,000 Canadian consumers has unearthed four key trends in attitudes toward food shopping. The recession, for example, is keeping Canadians indoors, with 73 percent cooking more at home and 47 percent saying they have purchased more private label/in-store brands versus premium and name brands. Eighty-eight percent of Canadians feel that food and nutrition can help prevent illness, and 83 percent want foods that are healthier. Environmental accountability is important, as well, with 82 percent believing that companies are exploiting eco-friendly claims. The BrandSpark survey determines winners of the 2010 Best New Product Awards among 144 products. "7th Annual Best New Product Awards Reveals Key Insights into the Minds of Canadian Consumers", Brandspark International, January 19, 2010, via Brandspark International, © CNW Group Ltd

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Green Tea Antioxidant Found To Migrate To Eye Tissues To Fight Disease January 19, 2010: 02:22 AM EST Scientists in Hong Kong have determined in lab animal studies that the healthful substances known as catechins found in green tea extract actually do penetrate the tissues of the eye, including the lens, aqueous humor, vitreous humor and retina. (The highest concentration of one catechin variety was found in the retina.) Researchers have long believed that green tea catechins might be one of the antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin, that protect the eye from disease. But until this research was performed, no one was sure if the catechins actually found their way from the digestive tract into eye tissues. The scientists say their discovery suggests that green tea may possibly protect against glaucoma and other common eye diseases. Kai On Chu, "Green Tea Catechins and Their Oxidative Protection in the Rat Eye", Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, January 19, 2010, © American Chemical Society

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Probiotics Might Provide Novel Treatment For Inflammatory Bowel Disease January 19, 2010: 09:53 AM EST Probiotic microbes that produce butyric acid that reduces inflammation and strengthens immunity in the intestine could be used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Belgian and British researchers have found. An inflammation of the gastro-intestinal tract that causes severe diarrhea and abdominal pain, IBD affects 20 out of 100,000 genetically susceptible people in Europe and North America. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common manifestations of IBD, which results from an overactive immune response linked to an imbalance of “good bacteria” in the gut. In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, butyric acid strengthens intestinal wall cells. Filip Van Immerseel, Richard Ducatelle, et al., "Butyric acid-producing anaerobic bacteria as a novel probiotic treatment approach for inflammatory bowel disease", Journal of Medical Microbiology, January 19, 2010, © Society for General Microbiology

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Danish Scientists Researching Infant Formula Similar To Mothers’ Milk January 19, 2010: 10:34 AM EST Calling it a major technical challenge, two companies are working with Danish universities who have received government funding to develop an enzymatic process for producing key oligosaccharides, complex sugars found in high concentrations in human breast milk. Danisco and Arla Foods said the project offers an opportunity to explore the immune system of newborns: oligosaccharides help protect infants from infections and diarrhea. Some oligosaccharides are thought to be prebiotic, nourishing the beneficial bacteria in the intestinal system. “The possibility to develop such substances can lead to new and higher standards for commercial infant formula,” a company scientist said. "Research towards infant formula more closely resembling mothers’ milk", Danisco , January 19, 2010, © Danisco A/S

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Danisco Joins Danish Project To Synthesize Healthy Compound Found In Breast Milk January 19, 2010: 01:38 AM EST Danish food ingredient maker Danisco says it has joined a project whose goal is to develop a technology for producing oligosaccharides, an ingredient found in high concentrations in human breast milk that helps protect infants from infections and diarrhea. The project, funded by a $3.6 million grant from the Danish government, is tackling a major technical challenge, according to participants. But if successful, it will lead to the production of oligosaccharides that can be added to commercial infant formula. Because of oligosaccharides in breast milk, health authorities urge women to breastfeed babies exclusively for the first four to six months. "Research towards infant formula more closely resembling mothers’ milk", Danisco, January 19, 2010, © Danisco A/S

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Phase 2 Of U.K.’s Anti-Saturated Fat Campaign Urges Switch To 1% Milk January 18, 2010: 10:53 AM EST The U.K.’s Food Standards Agency has begun the second phase of the saturated fat campaign it launched in February 2009, using press, poster and radio ads to offer tips on trimming saturated fat intake. A keystone of phase 2, the FSA says, is an ad encouraging people to switch to 1% fat milk. The FSA cites a recent survey finding that people who use semi-skimmed milk are just as happy drinking a lower fat milk. One percent fat milk has half the fat of semi-skimmed, and people who drink semi like the taste of one percent milk just as much. Press release, FSA, "Consumers set for another milk revolution?", UK Food Standards Agency, January 18, 2010, © Crown copyright

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General Mills Extends Fiber One Brand With Low-Calorie Snack Bars January 19, 2010: 04:20 AM EST General Mills has extended its Fiber One brand of fiber-packed baking mixes, breakfast cereals and snack bars with the addition of two 90-calorie Chewy Bars designed to “make weight management easier for busy consumers.” Each bar, either chocolate or chocolate peanut butter, is about 50 calories less than the brand’s other bars, and provides five grams of fiber and 2.5 grams of fat. Americans over age four are supposed to be ingesting 25 grams of fiber a day, according to Institute of Medicine figures cited by General Mills, though 90 percent fail to meet that target. "Fiber One(R) Introduces 90 Calorie Chewy Bars", PR Newswire, January 19, 2010, © PR Newswire Association LLC

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Nestlé Battles Elderly Malnutrition With New High-Calorie Nutrient Drink January 18, 2010: 04:05 PM EST Switzerland's Nestlé SA is set to launch a high-calorie nutrient drink packed with protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and prebiotic fiber to fight malnutrition among older people. The company says Resource SeniorActiv is formulated to help stop weight loss and promote weight gain. Key ingredients include protein, Vitamin D, prebiotic fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins to support cognitive health and antioxidants to address “the oxidative stress and chronic inflammation that are part of normal aging.” The product will be introduced in Switzerland and rolled out gradually in other European countries. Press Release, Nestlé Nutrition, Switzerland, "New Nestlé Nutrition oral nutritional supplement and screening tool address malnutrition amongst older people", Nestlé S A,Switzerland , January 18, 2010, © Nestlé S.A.

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Nestlé Hopes New Drinks For Elderly Will Bolster Sagging Nutrition Sales January 17, 2010: 03:48 AM EST Struggling to breathe new life into its nutrition business in the face of tough competition from Danone SA, Swiss food giant Nestlé SA said it is unveiling a line of drinks created to fight the malnutrition problem in the world’s elderly population. The $174 billion health and medical nutrition market is growing at nine percent a year, but Nestlé’s sales are not keeping pace, according to analysts cited in this Bloomberg report. Nestlé, which recently purchased two Kraft Foods pizza lines, could become “just another” food company if it buys more businesses outside of nutrition, one analyst said. Tom Mulier, "Nestle Targets Malnutrition in Elderly to Fight Danone’s Gains", Business Week, January 17, 2010, © BLOOMBERG L.P.

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Researchers Find That One In Five Indian Girls Suffer From Calcium Deficiency January 16, 2010: 02:15 AM EST Twenty percent of Indian girls between the ages of 14 and 17 years are suffering from a calcium deficiency that could increase the risk of osteoporosis and other bone-related disorders, according to a private hospital study by Indian scientists. The calcium deficiency is linked to an increasing trend toward a junk food diet among younger people in India, the researchers said, and is exacerbated by a sedentary lifestyle and a lack of exercise. “These days youngsters are more prone to lifestyle-related diseases,” one of the researchers said. Obesity, for example, is fast becoming an epidemic in the country. Simran Virk, "20% girls suffering from calcium deficiency: Study", The Times of India, January 16, 2010, © Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.

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Western Diet Of Saturated Fats, Refined Foods Linked To Higher Risk Of Depression January 15, 2010: 04:18 AM EST An Australian study of 1,046 women ages 20 to 93 years found that those who followed a traditional diet – vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and high-quality meat and fish – were a third less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders than those following a diet high in refined or processed foods and saturated fats. The Western diet, researchers found, was associated increased the risk of depression by 50 percent. One problem for Americans is the relative unavailability of “high-quality meat,” researchers said. Meat from North American cattle fed a corn-based diet has more saturated fat and fewer good fatty acids. Caroline Cassels, "Whole Diet May Ward Off Depression and Anxiety", Medscape Today, January 15, 2010, © Medscape

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Wheaties FUEL For Active Individuals Is Now Available In Stores January 14, 2010: 10:35 PM EST The newest incarnation of the 85-year-old “Breakfast of Champions" – Wheaties FUEL cereal – is available in stores, General Mills announced. Created with the help of top athletes like Peyton Manning, Kevin Garnett, and Albert Pujols, the cereal was designed to help fuel athletic performance for active individuals looking for a lot of carbs in their diet. Each serving includes 210 calories worth of whole grain, B-vitamins, fiber, calcium and vitamins A, C, D and E. “Immediate energy” is provided by 14 grams of sugar, the company says. The cinnamon honey crunch-flavored cereal does not replace the original Wheaties. "Prepare to Win: Wheaties FUEL™, The New Breakfast of Champions®, Now Available in Stores ", Smart Brief, January 14, 2010, © SmartBrief, Inc.

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Weight Loss Surgery Is Becoming More Accessible To Overweight Individuals January 14, 2010: 11:18 PM EST Usually considered a last-ditch effort for very obese people who needed to drop a lot of pounds, weight loss surgery is now becoming available to diabetics and people considered merely overweight. In the past, overweight people who wanted the surgery often had to bulk up to qualify. Now that’s all changing, and that’s good news for those whose only option was heading to potentially dangerous foreign clinics. Even so, experts warn, not all people interested in weight loss surgery make good candidates. They should consult a physician after they’ve tried and failed at exercising and regulating their diet. Gina Roberts-Grey, "Weight loss surgery isn't just for the obese anymore", Wallet Pop, January 14, 2010, © Weblogs, Inc

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Uterine Fibroids May Someday Be Treated With Green Tea Compounds January 14, 2010: 09:30 PM EST A green tea extract known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has been shown to kill human leiomyoma cells in lab rat cancer tissue and in fibroid lesions in mice models, suggesting that it might be useful in treating uterine fibroids in humans. Affecting forty percent of reproductive age women, the symptoms of uterine fibroids include excessive vaginal bleeding, anemia, fatigue and lack of energy. In the study, rat leiomyoma cells were treated with various concentrations of EGCG. In the live mice, the treatment “dramatically reduced the volume and weight of tumors at four and eight weeks after the treatment,” researchers said. Dong Zhang, MD, Mohamed Al-Hendy, Gloria Richard-Davis, MD, Valerie Montgomery-Rice, MD, Chakradhari Sharan, PhD, Veera Rajaratnam, PhD, Anjali Khurana, BS, Ayman Al-Hendy, MD, PhD, "Green tea extract inhibits proliferation of uterine leiomyoma cells in vitro and in nude mice", American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, January 14, 2010, © Mosby, Inc.

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Natural Sweeteners Registering More On Moms’ Radar As Alternative To Sugar January 14, 2010: 09:31 PM EST Most mothers who do the basic food shopping for their families still choose sugar as the added sweetener for the home, but they’re not entirely happy about it, according to a consumer survey jointly conducted by a marketing consultancy and the maker of the stevia-based sweetener Reb-A. As many as 85 per cent of moms worry about how much sugar is consumed by their families, thanks to the obesity epidemic, but about the same number have doubts about non-natural alternative sweeteners. Not unexpectedly, Reb-A maker PureCircle says natural sweeteners like stevia are beginning to captures moms’ attention. Joysa Winter, "Pure Circle survey shows moms have conflicted feelings about sugar", Functional Ingredients Magazine, January 14, 2010, © Penton Media, Inc.

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U.K. Researchers Working On Replacing Alcohol With A Safer Sedative Ingredient January 14, 2010: 10:46 PM EST Researchers at Imperial College London are experimenting with replacement of alcohol in adult beverages with chemicals similar to the sedative Valium, so that people might enjoy intoxicating cocktails, achieve a state of pleasant inebriation, and then reverse the effects with a pill and not suffer a hangover. The researchers hope the drinks would not only boost a person’s well-being, they could also reduce the public cost of alcoholism, which in the U.S. was estimated to be $220 billion in 2005. However, Valium, available only through prescription, has its own side effects: dizziness, blurred vision and, in some, hallucinations. Tom Barlow, "Researchers developing new adult beverages with Valium-like drugs instead of alcohol", Wallet Pop, January 14, 2010, © Weblogs, Inc.

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Green Tea Extract Quadruples Antioxidant Content Of Dried Apples January 13, 2010: 01:58 PM EST Dried apple pieces fortified with green tea extract -- equivalent to the catechin content of four cups of green tea -- had quadruple the amount of antioxidants (monomeric flavan-3-ols and procyanidins) as in non-fortified apple pieces, according to research jointly conducted in Italy and the U.S. The researchers detected no change in the antioxidant levels when the dried apple pieces were stored for a month at 86° F (30° C) and seemed to prevent undesirable browning. According to market researchers, the market for green tea extracts, currently valued at $44 million, will grow by 13 percent over the next seven years. Vera Lavelli, Claudia Vantaggi, Mark Corey and William Kerr, "Formulation of a Dry Green Tea-Apple Product: Study on Antioxidant and Color Stability", Journal of Food Science Online, January 13, 2010, © Institute of Food Technologists®

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PepsiCo’s New Nutrition-Conscious Scientific Brain Trust Seeks Healthier Product Line January 14, 2010: 04:27 AM EST With the help of a dozen physicians and PhDs hired from leading health organizations, PepsiCo is rethinking its product line, both current and future, with a view toward making it either less unhealthy, Business Week reports. The company wants current products and new products to be less likely to increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease. One of the keys to this strategy is healthier ingredients that can work in a variety of products. For example, the availability of an all-natural zero-calorie sweetener derived from stevia led PepsiCo to devise several fast-growing brands, including the lower-calories orange juice Trop50. Nanette Byrnes, "Pepsi Brings In the Health Police", Business Week, January 14, 2010, © BLOOMBERG L.P.

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America’s Obesity Rates Have Peaked, But At Dangerously High Levels January 13, 2010: 04:09 AM EST U.S. obesity rates have leveled off and stayed constant for five years among men and for 10 years among women and children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But, though the percentages are no longer rising, they have peaked at very high levels. About 34 percent of adult Americans are obese, more than double the level of three decades ago. Moreover, 17 percent of children are considered obese, three times higher than 30 years ago. African-American adults, the CDC says, have the highest obesity rates: 37 percent of men and 50 percent of women. PAM BELLUCK, "Obesity Rates Hit Plateau in U.S., Data Suggest", The New York Times, January 13, 2010, © The New York Times Company

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Europe’s LeanGreenFood Network To Advance Sustainable Production Technologies January 13, 2010: 09:38 AM EST Based on the precept that food production must be sustainable and socially responsible, scientists from several European countries – Greece, Spain, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands – have created LeanGreenFood, an EU financed scientific network that will train food scientists in sustainable technologies and processes. The network will help educate young food scientists to rethink established food processes and use new technology. Enzyme technology, for example, can be used to extract and process ingredients in food based on natural sources, such as starch, pectin and proteins. The goal? Improved yields of biomasses, decreased water and energy consumption, less chemical use. Lars Holm Rasmussen, "Lean green food -- sustainable food production", Press release, January 13, 2010, © University of Copenhagen

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Polyphenols In Grape And Blueberry Juices Improve Memory Impairment – Studies January 12, 2010: 10:05 PM EST Adults who have experienced a decline in memory may be able to boost their cognitive function by daily drinking of Concord grape juice or wild blueberry juice, both of which contain anti-inflammatory compounds known as polyphenols that also influence neuronal signaling, U.S. researchers have found in separate studies. In a double-blind trial involving 12 older adults with memory decline who drank grape juice, the scientists measured significant improvements in verbal learning. In a second study, nine older adults with early memory changes who drank wild blueberry juice everyday showed improved paired associate learning and word list recall. "Grape, Blueberry Juice Good for Brain Health", Food Design, January 12, 2010, © Virgo Publishing, LLC

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Vitamin D Plus Calcium Found To Significantly Reduce Risk Of Fractures January 12, 2010: 08:49 AM EST Researchers who analyzed data from seven global clinical trials involving 700,000 patients found that taking both daily calcium and vitamin D supplements cut the risk of bone fractures, no matter the age, sex, or fracture history of the patient. An osteoporosis group estimates that 80 percent of the 10 million Americans who have osteoporosis are women; four of 10 women over age 50 will fracture their hip, spine or wrist in their lifetime. "This study supports a growing consensus that combined calcium and vitamin D is more effective than vitamin D alone in reducing fractures," a researcher said. J Robbins, B Abrahamsen, et al., "Patient level pooled analysis of 68 500 patients from seven major vitamin D fracture trials in US and Europe", British Medical Journal, January 12, 2010, © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

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Study Links Three Monsanto GMO Crops To Animal Organ Damage January 13, 2010: 04:41 AM EST Three genetically modified maize (corn) variations have been linked to organ damage in mammals in a new French study. Mon 810, Mon 863, and NK 603, all developed by Monsanto, damaged the kidneys and liver, as well as the heart, adrenal glands, spleen and hematopoietic (blood cell) system. According to this Natural News report, Monsanto’s research prior to governmental approval was faulty. The study, conducted by a French genetic engineering research group and two universities, urged that import and export of the GMO crops be banned and GMO testing should include at least three animal species, not just rats. Aaron Turpen, "Three Approved GMO Crops Linked to Organ Damage, New Study Shows", Natural News, January 13, 2010, © Natural News Network

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Green Tea Has Obstructive Effect On Smoking-Related Lung Cancer – Taiwanese Study January 12, 2010: 09:48 AM EST A clinical trial involving 170 Taiwanese lung cancer patients found that green tea can obstruct smoking’s effect on the disease. Lung cancer is the main cancer killer in Taiwan, scientists noted, and polyphenols are strong antioxidants that inhibit tumors. Does green tea help? Smokers and non-smokers who did not drink green tea were 5.16 times more likely to contract lung cancer than those who drank at least one daily cup. Smokers who did not drink green tea were 12.71 times more likely to contract lung cancer than those who drank a daily cup. I-Hsin Lin, M.S., "Green Tea Could Modify the Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Lung Cancer Risk", Presentation, AACR-IASLC Joint Conference on Molecular Origins of Lung Cancer, January 12, 2010, © American Association for Cancer Research

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America’s Obesity Problem Linked To Overuse Of Antibiotics January 11, 2010: 06:04 AM EST The lack of so-called good bacteria in the human digestive system – and not Big Macs or a lack of exercise – could be the key to the obesity epidemic in the United States, according to a medical school professor. Chronic antibiotic overuse is making kids fatter by destroying the good bacteria needed to efficiently digest food, he says, noting that “our ancestral microbes are disappearing." Those good bacteria residing in the gut and other places may also protect people from diabetes, asthma, and immune system problems, while bacteria on the skin may actually help prevent infections. Matthew Herper, "Germs That Are Good For You", Forbes.com, January 11, 2010, © Forbes.com LLC™

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Nutritionists Skeptical Of Health Benefits Of Functional Fibers Added To Foods January 11, 2010: 06:46 AM EST Many food products available today offer fiber content. But nutritionists and other health experts question whether added fiber has the same health benefits – lowering cholesterol, inducing regularity – as naturally occurring, or dietary, fiber found in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and grains. Food manufacturers are adding what is called functional fiber, including lab-produced maltodextrin and polydextrose, to breads and yogurts. Other added fibers include inulin, soy hulls, oat fibers and sorghum fibers. But scientists wonder if these are as beneficial. "They help, but not that much,” says a nutritionist. “They don't have the same functionality of a whole grain." Elena Conis, "All fibers may not be created equal", Los Angeles Times, January 11, 2010, © The Los Angeles Times

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Mangos Found To Be Effective Killer Of Breast And Colon Cancers January 11, 2010: 06:31 AM EST A new laboratory study by Texas researchers has found that mangos prevent and even stop certain colon and breast cancer cells. Noting that mangos are not high in antioxidants, compared with blueberries, acai and pomegranates, the researchers nevertheless tested mango polyphenol extracts on colon, breast, lung, leukemia and prostate cancers. Mangos showed some impact on the lung, leukemia and prostate cancers, but were most effective at killing breast and colon cancers, without harming normal cells. The researchers said they hope to conduct a small clinical trial among people with intestinal inflammation who are at greater risk of cancer. Kathleen Phillips , "Mango effective in preventing, stopping certain colon, breast cancer cells", AgriLife NEWS, January 11, 2010, © Agri Life Communications

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Expensive Weight Loss Programs Battle Cheaper DIY Dieting Options January 11, 2010: 01:50 AM EST High-priced diet programs are losing customers, thanks to inexpensive weight loss options and the availability of comfort foods during a stressful recession. The trend is having a negative effect – a sharp drop in growth rate – on the diet and weight loss industry, as three-fourths of dieters now follow a “do-it-yourself diet” devised at home.(The historic average is 70 percent.) According to this Advertising Age article, high-priced diet programs like Weight Watchers and Nutrisystem are making price and other concessions to maintain market share in a battle against cheaper DIY diet options offered by fast food companies and packaged food producers. Emily Bryson York , "What the Weight-Loss Biz Has in Store for 2010", Advertising Age, January 11, 2010, © Crain Communications

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New York-Led Initiative Proposes Salt Content Targets For Packaged, Restaurant Foods January 11, 2010: 05:13 PM EST Americans are consuming double the safe amount of salt each day – putting them at risk for hypertension, heart attack, and stroke – thanks mainly to salt added to restaurant and packaged foods, according to the National Salt Reduction Initiative. Noting that 80 percent of the salt Americans ingest comes from sources over which they have no control, the group proposed voluntary salt content targets in 61 kinds of packaged food and 25 classes of restaurant food, and said some popular commercial foods already meet these targets. The NSRI is a New York City-led partnership of cities, states and national health organizations. "Health Department Announces Proposed Targets for Voluntary Salt Reduction in Packaged and Restaurant Foods", NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, January 11, 2010, © The City of New York

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More Labeling By Food Companies Might Be The Solution To The Obesity Epidemic January 11, 2010: 04:28 AM EST Obesity has supplanted smoking as America’s major health issue, says Forbes editor Michael Maiello, and big farming and food companies like Archer Daniels Midland, Monsanto, Tyson, and McDonald's have replaced the tobacco companies as the key villains. But tackling the obesity epidemic requires much different tactics from those used to fight smoking. There’s no key issue in obesity like second-hand smoke, for example. Maiello says what is really needed is something the food industry hates: more disclosure. Use pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and genetic modifications, but tell people about it so they can make intelligent food choices. That means more labeling. Michael Maiello, "Big Fat America", Forbes.com, January 11, 2010, © Forbes.com LLC™

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Diet, Weight Loss Firms Have A Big Advantage In Building Robust Social Network Sites January 9, 2010: 07:55 AM EST While diet brand and weight loss companies have succeeded mightily in creating vibrant social networking Web sites along the lines of MySpace and Facebook, other companies, including Coca-Cola and Wal-Mart, have failed, according to Brandweek. For example, the Atkins diet online community added a million consumers in 2009, while Nutrisystem’s online community has 4.6 million participants, up from one million in June 2007. One expert says the main reason for the success of dieting and weight loss sites is a “built-in advantage… some kind of currency to connect with each other.” Losing weight and staying fit provide that common social value. Elaine Wong, "Diet Firms Score Where Coke, Walmart Fumbled", Brandweek, January 09, 2010, © Nielsen Business Media

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Nutrient Cocktail Shows Potential For Improving Memory In Alzheimer’s Patients January 8, 2010: 02:43 PM EST A mixture of nutrients developed at MIT may improve memory in Alzheimer’s patients by stimulating growth of new brain connections called synapses, large numbers of which are lost in early stages of the disease. Researchers found in a clinical trial of 225 Alzheimer’s patients that verbal memory improved after 12 weeks of drinking a cocktail of three natural nutrients – uridine, choline and the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (all found in breast milk) – plus B vitamins, phospholipids and antioxidants. The three main nutrients in the mixture are precursors to the fatty molecules that make up brain cell membranes, which form synapses. Philip Scheltens, Patrick J.G.H. Kamphuis, et al., "Efficacy of a medical food in mild Alzheimer's disease: A randomized, controlled trial", Alzheimer's & Dementia, January 08, 2010, © The Alzheimer's Association

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Industry Forecasters See Growing Consumer Awareness Of, And Concern About, GMO January 8, 2010: 10:28 AM EST The growth of organic foods that ban ingredients containing genetically modified organisms (GMO), and the emergence of the local and green product categories, could signal even more aversion among consumers toward genetic modification, says the director of the Institute for Responsible Technology. Citing forecasts published in Supermarket News, Jeffrey Smith says consumers are growing more concerned about the content of the foods they eat and are becoming increasingly aware – and wary – of GMOs. It’s likely, he says, that, like fat and carbs, GMOs “may finally burst through into the public awareness and join their ranks.” Jeffrey Smith, "Supermarket News Forecasts Non-GMO Uprising", The Huffington Post, January 08, 2010, © HuffingtonPost.com, Inc.

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Bland Compounds That Activate The Tongue’s Calcium Channels Can Enhance Flavors January 8, 2010: 01:42 PM EST Sounds like the food industry’s Holy Grail: substances that make bland, potentially healthier food – without sugar or salt – taste good. But scientists say it’s possible, thanks to so-called calcium channels found on the tongue. It is well known that some molecules trigger specific taste buds (salty, sweet, bitter, etc.), but apparently bland substances can also help enhance flavor. In this study, various compounds that activated the calcium channels in cells were diluted in salt water, sugar water, etc. Turns out the molecules that induced the most calcium receptor activity also elicited the strongest flavors in taste tests with volunteers. Takeaki Ohsu, Yusuke Amino, et al., "Involvement of the Calcium-sensing Receptor in Human Taste Perception", Journal of Biological Chemistry, January 08, 2010, © American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

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Monsanto’s SDA Omega-3 Soybeans On The Verge Of Commercialization January 6, 2010: 07:22 PM EST Among Monsanto’s eleven R&D pipeline projects advancing toward the marketplace is one with “direct consumer dietary benefit,” the company announced. SDA omega-3 soybeans, which are at the phase that directly precedes commercialization, offer a sustainable, land-based source of the omega-3 fatty acid that converts to the heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid EPA found in fish oil, the company says. Thanks to a Generally Recognized As Safe notice from the FDA, food companies can test the oil from SDA omega-3 soybeans in food products for future launch. Monsanto’s R&D pipeline also includes other soybean projects, as well as canola and cotton projects. "Monsanto Announces Record 11 Project Advancements in Annual Research and Development Pipeline Update", Press release, Monsanto, January 06, 2010, © Monsanto Company

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Restaurants, Food Companies Significantly Under-report Calories Of Side Dishes, Entrees January 6, 2010: 05:57 PM EST After checking the calories of side dishes and entrees from U.S. sit-down chain restaurants, fast food restaurants and supermarket frozen meals, researchers reported that the average stated calorie content was 18 percent less than what scientific analysis found. Two side dishes, the researchers said, surpassed restaurant calorie claims by almost 200 percent. On average, the calorie info of packaged food companies was eight percent less than what the researchers found. “If people use published calorie contents for weight control, discrepancies of this magnitude could result in weight gain of many pounds a year,” one researcher said. Lorien E. Urban, Gerard E. Dallal, et al., "The Accuracy of State Energy Contents of Reduced-Energy, Commercially Prepared Foods", Journal of the American Dietetic Association, January 06, 2010, © American Dietetic Association

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Nordic Naturals’ Effervescent Fish Oil Promises Fast Absorption Of Omega-3s January 5, 2010: 03:00 AM EST The “plop, plop, fiz, fizz” concept, usually associated with an effervescent antacid brand, has now been applied to omega-3 fish oil. U.S. company Nordic Naturals recently introduced Omega-3 Effervescent, an orange-flavored, water-soluble drink mix packaged in single-serving packets delivering 500 mg of EPA and DHA, plus 1200 IU of vitamin D3. According to the company, the product contains arctic cod liver oil, which has high DHA content and naturally occurring vitamins A and D. The company says the effervescent technology allows absorption of omega-3s into the bloodstream in as little as 15 minutes, much faster than other fish oil supplements. "Fish oil supplement now available in water-soluble drink", The Medical News, January 05, 2010, © The Medical News

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St. John’s Wort Shown Useless For Irritable Bowel Syndrome January 4, 2010: 05:50 PM EST While antidepressants are often used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the herbal antidepressant supplement St. John’s wort, which has been shown helpful in depression and certain pain syndromes, is apparently useless, according to new research. IBS affects the colon and commonly causes cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation. About 58 million people, mostly women, suffer from IBS. In this clinical trial involving 70 participants with IBS – half receiving St. John’s wort and half a placebo for three months – the placebo group actually fared better than the herbal supplement group. Yuri A Saito, Enrique Rey, et al., "A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of St John's Wort for Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome", The American Journal of Gastroenterology, January 04, 2010, © The American College of Gastroenterology

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Citicoline Shown To Play A Role In Reducing Cravings For High-Calorie Foods January 4, 2010: 05:51 AM EST A vitamin-like nutrient called citicoline might be a new aid in combating poor appetite control, new research has found. In a six-week study, U.S. scientists showed photos of high-calorie foods to 16 healthy men and women given either 500 mg or 2,000 mg doses of citicoline a day. They then measured appetite, weight, and brain response (using MRI) to the images. High-dose citicoline participants showing the greatest activation of key appetite-related regions of the brain experienced the biggest drop in appetite. The researchers concluded that citicoline does seem to reduce cravings for high-calorie foods and increase feelings of satiety. William D.S. Killgore, PhD, Amy J. Ross, PhD, et al., "Citicoline affects appetite and cortico-limbic responses to images of high-calorie foods", International Journal of Eating Disorders, January 04, 2010, © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Study Finds That Xanthigen Shows Promise As Weight-Loss Supplement January 1, 2010: 06:53 PM EST Russian and U.S. scientists report that obese women who ingested the food supplement Xanthigen-600 (300 mg of brown marine algae-derived fucoxanthin and 300 mg of pomegranate seed oil) lost a significant amount of weight during a 16-week placebo-controlled clinical trial. Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) lost an average of 12 pounds, while others lost 11 pounds. The scientists also noted decreases in waist size, body fat, and liver fat. “This product may be considered a promising food supplement in the management of obesity,” the researchers conclude. M. Abidov, Z. Ramazanov, R. Seifulla & S. Grachev, "The effects of Xanthigen™ in the weight management of obese premenopausal women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and normal liver fat", Journal of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, January 01, 2010, © Blackwell Publishing Ltd

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Food Shoppers Will Continue To Mind Their Health, And Pocketbooks, In 2010 December 31, 2009: 08:07 AM EST “Added value” is the theme for health and food trends in 2010 as consumers now known as "recessionistas" continue to look for ways to cut back on calories while saving money, according to an association that represents the low-calorie, reduced-fat food industry. Clipping coupons and finding the best prices on healthier foods will remain in vogue, along with calorie counting and finding easy, inexpensive ways to exercise. The group’s list of five key trends also includes a continued interest in natural foods, including those sweetened with stevia. "Consumers are considering their health and their pocketbooks,” the group says. ""Recessionistas" and Calorie Counters Lead 2010 Health Trends", Calorie Control Council, December 31, 2009, © Calorie Control Council

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Review Of Scientific Studies Finds Organic Foods Safer And Healthier January 1, 2010: 12:05 AM EST An exhaustive French review of scientific studies has found that organically grown food – whether from plants or animals – is safer and more nutritious than conventionally grown. Organic food contains almost no pesticide residues; organic vegetables contain half as many nitrates; and levels of harmful mycotoxins (from molds) on organic cereals are comparable to conventional cereals. Regarding nutrition, organic plant foods have more dry matter, minerals (iron and magnesium) and antioxidants such as phenols and resveratrol. Organic animal products have more polyunsaturated fatty acids. The author proposes several “improvements [in] organic production to achieve sustainable food production for humans in the near future.” Denis.Lairon, "Nutritional quality and safety of organic food. A review", Journal Agronomy for Sustainable Development, January 01, 2010, via Journal Agronomy for Sustainable Development, © INRA, EDP Sciences

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Affordability, Nutrition, Innovation Are Key Food Buying Trends In 2010 - Forecast December 30, 2009: 05:58 AM EST A consumer trends forecast from a marketing agency finds that, thanks to more women in the workplace, men are playing a larger role in domestic issues – food shopping, cooking, etc. Other trends: beverages of all kinds reformulated with less sugar; many new affordable organic foods; pragmatic rather than pricey restaurant and grocery choices, like affordable noodle bowl and tacqueria restaurants, grab-and-go grocery choices; new products with twists on kids' favorites like gourmet PB&Js and Asian-influenced easy lunches. A key trend, according to the agency: “Counting calories alone will not be as important as assessing the quality of those calories.” "Our 2010 Consumer Trends Forecast: The New SHEconomy", The Fresh Ideas Group, December 30, 2009, © The Fresh Ideas Group

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Phony Health, Ingredient Claims “Defraud” Consumers, CSPI Charges December 29, 2009: 02:36 AM EST Despite an increase in the number of warning letters sent by the FDA, the Center for Science in the Public Interest still sees a slew of “false claims, ingredient obfuscations, and other (food) labeling shenanigans” by many big food companies. On one of its cereals Kellogg, for example, “deliberately misreads” an Institute of Medicine report to say that consumers can eat more than four ounces of added sugar a day. Calling for federal reforms, the consumer watchdog says food companies “continue to confuse or defraud consumers about the health effects, ingredients, or ‘natural’-ness of their products.” "CSPI Urges FDA Crackdown on False & Misleading Food Labeling", Center for Science in the Public Interest, December 29, 2009, © Center for Science in the Public Interest

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Given Health Risks, Caffeine Content Labeling Needs To Be Standardized December 28, 2009: 03:46 AM EST Caffeine has started appearing in recent years in a wider variety of products. Besides the obvious – coffee, tea, and energy drinks – caffeinated products now include chewing gum and candy bars. But excess caffeine consumption is risky, a U.S. scientist who has studied the problem says. Too much can exaggerate attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity and insomnia; increase hypertension, heart rate and stress hormone secretion. It may also hamper blood sugar regulation and harm developing fetuses. Experts argue that, given the health risks involved, the lack of labeling standards for caffeine content needs to be rectified. Elena Conis, "Labeling standards for caffeine", The Los Angeles Times, December 28, 2009, © The Los Angeles Times

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Rudd Center Director Honored For Successful Battles With Food Companies Over Nutrition December 27, 2009: 04:30 AM EST A Connecticut newspaper has honored the director of Yale’s Rudd Center for Food Policy as “Person of the Year” for being “a major force behind the change in the nutritional landscape.” According to the New Haven Register, Kelly Brownell can take a lion’s share of the credit for getting big food companies like Kellogg and General Mills to announce reduced sugar content in kids’ breakfast cereals, and for suspension of the much-criticized Smart Choices nutrition standards program. Brownell bases his efforts on carefully gathered scientific data. So far, the strategy has limited his focus to nutritional issues with cereal and soda. Ed Stannard, "Person of the Year says to eat, drink and be wary (with video)", New Haven Register, December 27, 2009, © New Haven Register, a Journal Register Property

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Nestlé Says Greenblend Instant Coffee Delivers 70% More Antioxidants Than Green Tea December 22, 2009: 03:36 AM EST Nestlé says studies prove that its new instant coffee Nescafé Greenblend, recently introduced in Europe, delivers 70 percent more antioxidants than green tea. An average serving of Greenblend and green tea have about the same amounts of polyphenol antioxidants, according to the company, but the body absorbs Greenblend antioxidants better. The blend of roasted and unroasted green coffee beans was launched in Australia, Asia and Mexico in 2006 and was also promoted in France, Spain and the United Kingdom in 2009 as part of the Swiss company’s nutrition, health and wellness strategy. "Nescafé Greenblend rolled out into Europe", Nestle, December 22, 2009, © Nestle

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Chemical Relative Of THC Selectively Enhances Sweet Taste December 21, 2009: 08:23 AM EST Endocannabinoids, substances produced in the brain and body that are similar to the active ingredient in marijuana (THC), selectively enhance sweet taste by acting on tongue taste cells, according to new research. Scientists administered endocannabinoids in mice to determine various physiological responses to sweet taste stimuli. In every case, sweet taste responses were enhanced. The effect was specific for sweet taste, however: endocannibinoids did not affect responses to sour, salty, bitter or umami (savoriness) taste stimuli. The researchers say the findings may lead to creation of new therapeutics to combat metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Ryusuke Yoshidaa, Tadahiro Ohkuria, et al., "Endocannabinoids selectively enhance sweet taste", Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, December 21, 2009, © National Academy of Sciences

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Entrepreneurs Needed To Advance Flour-Making Potential Of Distillers Corn Grain December 21, 2009: 09:25 AM EST An Indian doctoral candidate studying in the U.S. is determined to transform food-grade, dried distillers corn grain (DDG) – which is 40 percent dietary fiber and 36 percent protein and currently used as animal feed – into an inexpensive, nutrient-packed flour for making the Asian flat breads known as chapathi and naan. The student’s adviser, who has been studying DDG for two decades, believes the grain has “limitless possibilities” for making nutritional flour, and could find a market in the U.S., Asia and India. He says the next step is to find entrepreneurs willing to take a chance in a down economy. Sowmya Arra, "Fortifying Chapathies an Asian Whole Wheat Unleavened Flat Bread Using Corn Distillers Dried Grains", Press release, December 21, 2009, © South Dakota State University

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Organic, Natural Food Buyers Remain Loyal, If More Frugal, During Recession December 21, 2009: 04:40 AM EST Almost 40 percent of consumers surveyed by market research firm Mintel say their organic product purchasing habits haven’t been affected by the recession. In fact, only a tiny fraction – three percent – have curtailed organic product purchases completely, while others report buying less expensive products. About a third of survey respondents say they trust the term “natural” label on products, 45 percent trust the term “organic,” while about 30 percent were not sure they believed either term. Supermarket sales of organic and natural foods dropped .3 percent in 2009, but industry observers expect a gradual recovery by 2012. "Mintel shows most consumers sticking with organic options in down economy", Mintel, December 21, 2009, © Mintel International Group Ltd

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