News summary

Sense of taste “influences weight”

New research suggests that people with an unusually keen sense of taste tend to be thinner than others. Scientists at Rutgers University in New Jersey say people who are particularly sensitive to bitter compounds do not generally eat as much as those with less sensitive palates. Beverly Tepper, a professor of food science, says what she calls super tasters are 20 per cent thinner than “non-tasters”. In the study group that the “super tasters” had an average body mass index of 23.5, in comparison with almost 30 for “non-tasters”. The results indicate that “non-tasters” like fatty and sweet foods as well hotter and more bitter things.
(CBC Online)
www.cbc.ca

One way to avoid ill-advised dieting

It appears that young girls can be discouraged from excessive dieting through the use of short weekly sessions on healthy living and social pressures as an adjunct to sporting activity. In particular, say researchers at Oregon Health and Science University in the US, girls attending such a programme are less likely to be using or to start using diet pills, or taking performance-enhancing supplements such as steroids. Participants in the study also showed a reduced inclination to consider purging as a way to lose weight. Study author Dr Linn Goldberg says talking about healthy eating influences other types of behaviour in girls because good habits can be contagious.
(Reuters Health Online)
www.reutershealth.com

Benefits of olive oil acknowledged

Foods containing olive oil may be labelled to the effect that they could reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, the US government says. The authorities cite limited evidence from a dozen scientific studies into the benefits of monounsaturated fats. The Food and Drug administration qualifies its comments by saying that consumers should be careful not to increase the number of calories they consume when they replace high saturated fat with the monounsaturated fat in olive oil. This is the third time the FDA has granted a qualified health claim for a conventional food. In March, it said “supportive but not conclusive” research indicates that eating 1.5 ounces of walnuts per day may reduce coronary heart disease risk, and in September, it issued a similar claim for the heart health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids.
(CNN Online)
www.cnn.com

Extent of food side-effects

Almost half the participants of a web-based poll said they have experienced side effects of eating wheat, sugar, salt-based snacks, dairy products, and caffeine. Conducted by www.mynutrition.co.uk, the survey, which covers the responses of more than 30,000 adults in the UK, shows that 44 per cent experienced effects such as low energy, irregular bowel movements, high stress, bloating, and depression, with 6 per cent reporting no side effects.
(Nubella Online)
www.nubella.com

Gene manipulation may be key to obesity treatment

Scientists at the Garvan Institute in Sydney have genetically engineered a mouse to have a quicker metabolism and better sugar control, which means it can eat more without gaining weight. Professor David James says the discovery could lead to drugs that help obese patients lose weight while eating normally
(ABC Online)
www.abc.net.au

Fruit and vegetables offer less cancer protection

Eating fruit and vegetables does not after all offer protection against cancer, according to a major study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in the US. Researchers who analysed the results of two surveys involving a total of 100,000 people say those who eat the most fruit and vegetables have lower rates of heart disease but that their diets has no effect on the incidence of cancer. They suggest that the risk of chronic disease, including both heart disease and cancer, is 5 per cent lower in those who have
(The Independent)
www.independent.co.uk

Folic acid warning

A report published by Folic Acid Action (FAA) says 40 per cent of the UK’s pregnant women take folic acid too late during pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. FAA, a panel made up of healthcare professionals and representatives of a patient organisation recommends daily 400 microgramme folic acid supplementation for all women who are ovulating and sexually active. It also suggests that healthcare professionals routinely discuss folic acid supplementation with this group of women, and wants the government to revive the folic acid education campaign run by the now defunct Health Education Authority during 1996-99.
(Folic Acid Action press release)
www.microfolicacid.com/FAA