Mice given quercetin, a naturally occurring substance found in fruits and vegetables, were less likely to contract the flu. The study also found that stressful exercise increased the susceptibility of mice to the flu, but quercetin canceled out that negative effect. Quercetin, a close chemical relative of resveratrol, is present in a variety of fruits and vegetables, including red onions, grapes, blueberries, tea, broccoli and red wine.
Archive for category Fruits and vegetables
This study aimed to estimate the antioxidant intake from fruits and vegetables in the UK and Scottish population and to examine consumption models to identify potential strategies to optimize antioxidant intake from these foods. It’s a retrospective study of cross-sectional data on F&V intake in relation to antioxidant intake. Antioxidant capacity of individual fruits and vegetables was determined by the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay.
This is a focus group study. Spouse’s and friend’s health behaviour and support, poor neighbourhood aesthetics, safety concerns and access to facilities, availability of fruits and vegetables at home was perceived as important. Lower socioeconomic groups expressed more price concerns.
New research strongly suggests that a mix of preventative agents, such as those found in concentrated black raspberries, may more effectively inhibit cancer development than single agents aimed at shutting down a particular gene. Researchers examined the effect of freeze-dried black raspberries on genes altered by a chemical carcinogen in an animal model of esophageal cancer.
A systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions to promote fruit and/or vegetable consumption in children in schools was conducted to inform the EC policy development process. 30 studies were included, 70% increased fruits and vegetables (FV) intake, with none decreasing intake.
In a study of more than 1,306 families, researchers from Saint Louis University found that when parents boosted their own consumption of fruits and vegetables, so did their young children. To keep a child from becoming overweight, parents need to expose them early to a variety of health foods and offer the foods many times.
New York salad bars in health food supermarkets and restaurants had samples of their menu items analyzed. Way too much calories, fat, and sodium was the result. Large containers and names like ‘Vegan Chicken Delight’ and ‘Whole foods’ fools consumers to eat too much and too much fat and salt.
27 healthy americans aged 50 or over completed the 8-week study. Intervention participants used a PDA programmed to monitor their vegetable and whole-grain intake levels twice per day and to provide daily individualized feedback, goal-setting, and support. Veggi intake rose 1.5-2.5 servings/day and grains rose 3.7-4.5 servings/day.
72,113 US women who ate lots of vegetables, fruit, legumes, fish, poultry, and whole grains had 22% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and 16% lower risk of dying from cancer compared to those with high intakes of red meat, processed meat, refined grains, french fries, and sweets/desserts.
A study published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal suggests that regularly exposing children to fresh fruits and vegetables can encourage them to try more of these foods.