Food Facts

Too much sugar spells trouble for your heart

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Luanne

FoodFacts.com understands that there are so many health concerns that come from the consumption of excessive amounts of sugar. It’s so important for all of us to remember that the bulk of our sugar consumption isn’t coming from the sugar bowls on our kitchen tables, but rather the processed foods on our grocery store shelves. The obesity epidemic and the rise in the instances of diabetes are just a few of the things we’re already aware of that can be traced to the unnecessary amount of sugar in most American diets.

Today we read new information we wanted to share with you that’s really rather eye-opening. Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston have revealed that consuming too much sugar can greatly increase the risk of heart failure.

This study follows previous research out of the Emory University School of Medicine and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that found that people consuming high levels of added sugar from processed foods and beverages are more likely to have higher heart disease risk factors.

This new study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association states that just one molecule of glucose metabolite glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) can lead to improper function of the heart. G6P builds up when people consume too much sugar and starch and causes severe stress to the heart.

Preclinical trials were conducted in animals and then researchers tested tissue from patients who had a piece of their heart muscle removed in order to have a left ventricle assist device placed. Results of both the clinical trials and the tissue studies revealed that G6P can cause significant heart damage. It was noted that those who have high blood pressure and other conditions already have their hearts under stress. When excess sugar is introduced into the situation, it can severely worsen that stress causing major injury to the heart.

The CDC reports that more than 5 million people suffer from heart failure in the United states every year. Half of those who are diagnosed with the condition die within one year of diagnosis and there are over half a million new cases diagnosed each year.

This new research underscores the importance of remaining aware of the amount of sugar we consume. Pointing directly to the possibility of additional and serious dangers from the over-consumption of sugar, the study can certainly motivate us all to become even more vigilant about the avoidance of added sugar in our diets. FoodFacts.com has always been an advocate of cooking fresh, healthy foods from the ingredients we choose ourselves. While picking up what’s quick and convenient might seem like a good idea at times, our hearts will thank us for the additional effort involved – and the reduction of sugar in our diets.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262014.php

Proposed ban on large-sized sugar-sweetened beverages may impact our population in a positive way

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Luanne

FoodFacts.com has been following the proposed ban on the sale of large-sized sugary beverages in New York and bringing our community any news we can find on this controversial proposition. There are many conflicting opinions about the proposed legislation, but in March, the New York State Supreme Court struck down the plan. It is currently under appeal.

While the issue is being pondered by the judges, further research into the effects of such a ban nationwide is being conducted. Coming out of Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, one such study presents much food for thought on the subject.

The research is showing that the restriction of the consumption of large sugar-sweetened beverages would affect 7.5% of Americans on any given day … and an even larger percentage among those who are overweight. This would include 13.6% of overweight teenagers. The study also points out that such restrictions would not discriminate against the poor, finding that low-income individuals would not be disproportionately affected.

This study analyzed national data. Researchers note that the results suggests that bans of this nature would be a strong measure in obesity prevention even if they are implemented in various regions, instead of across the nation. Over 19,000 dietary records from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from the years 2007 through 2010 were analyzed.

60.5% of Americans consumed sugary drinks on a daily basis. 7.5% purchased those drinks from food establishments in 16 ounce or larger portions on any given day. That figure rose to 8.6% among those who are overweight. This increased again to 13.6% among overweight teenagers.

Since the legislation has not been passed, the researchers do not yet have a model for the scope of change it might actually cause. If passed, consumers would be free to drink sugary beverages in smaller sizes as much as they would like. Restaurants would seem to have the option of offering free refills or discounts on refills. But these assumptions aren’t certain, so the researchers used different scenarios to estimate how the policy might cut calories and consumption.

They propose that reasonably, 80% of large-sized sugary-beverage drinkers would downsize to a 16-ounce sized portion and that 20% may consume two drinks of that size. In this scenario, adults would cut 63 calories from their diets daily and children and teens would cut 58 calories. Both groups would remove three to four teaspoons of sugar from their daily consumption.

Simple calorie reductions like these can have a tremendous effect on excess calories consumed by Americans – especially our nation’s teens.

Another recent study coming out of Harvard has illustrated that teenagers are more likely to underestimate the calories they are consuming from fast food restaurant offerings. While soda consumption was not a specific focus of this study, the findings do underscore the propensity of teens towards more caloric fast food options.

The researchers also feel that the portion size restrictions in food establishments could influence behaviors within American homes (where most sugary beverages are actually consumed). Keep in mind that at McDonald’s, a 12-ounce beverage is child-sized, 16-ounce drinks are small, 21-ounce drinks are actually medium and 32 ounces are large-sized. It’s very possible that those serving sizes are, in fact, causing us to pour larger servings automatically when we’re in our own kitchens. Between the years 1999 and 2004, an average American teenager consumed 301 calories in sugar-sweetened beverages every day. That’s 13% of their total daily calories. In order to burn those 301 calories, they would need to walk more than five miles.

While the debate regarding the proposed ban on large-sized sugar-sweetened beverages continues in the New York Supreme Court, studies like this certainly raise some important points and possibilities. It gives us all another viewpoint to ponder as we await a final decision. FoodFacts.com will continue to keep you up to date on important news on this significant issue and its nationwide implications.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/261902.php
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57586093/teens-most-guilty-of-underestimating-calories-in-fast-food-study-reveals/

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Benefits of restrictions on large-sized sugar-sweetened beverages, food facts, Implications of Sugary Beverage Restrictions, Large-Sized Soda Ban, nutrition data, nutrition facts, nutritional information, Possible Positive Impacts from Banning Large-Sized Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, Proposed Ban on Large-Sized Sugary Beverages, Sales of Large-Sized Sugary Beverages, Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Restrictions | Leave a comment

Getting under the skin of blood pressure regulation

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Luanne

FoodFacts.com has been keeping our community up to date about controversies surrounding sodium levels. While it appears that we consume far too much salt on a daily basis, there have been conflicting studies about just how much is too much, how we need to control sodium levels in our diets and the effects of consuming too much of it. But today we found information that really got under our skin … literally.

According to new studies out of Vanderbilt University, a different and important organ system is significant to our bodies’ blood pressure control abilities. It appears that our skin stores sodium. Traditionally the model for blood pressure regulation has been relegated to the kidney, circulatory system and the brain. But that model still left questions about the reasons for elevated blood pressure in 90 percent of hypertension patients.

In these studies, researchers sought to find other ways the body stores sodium and they discovered that the skin, the immune system cells and lymph capillaries do, in fact, help to regulate sodium balance and blood pressure.

Mice who were fed a high-salt diet had large amounts of salt accumulate in their skin. The immune system cells seemed to sense the sodium and activated a protein called TONEBP. This protein increased a growth factor in the immune cells which in turn builds lymph vessel capacity and helps to clear the sodium.

The study shows that elimination of the TONEBP gene in immune cells prevented the normal response to a high-salt diet and increased blood pressure. Likewise, blocking signaling through the lymph vessel receptor inhibited the changes in lymph vessel density and resulted in salt-sensitive hypertension.

The findings support the idea that the immune and lymphatic systems in the skin work together to regulate electrolyte composition and blood pressure. Defects in this regulatory system may be associated with salt-sensitive hypertension.

To study the clinical relevance of sodium storage in humans, the investigators implemented special magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologies to detect sodium. They reported earlier this year that sodium is stored in muscle and skin in human beings, and that sodium storage increases with age and is associated with hypertension.

In future studies they intend to explore the meaning of that sodium storage. Will it, for example, elevate the risk for cardiovascular disease? They are planning to follow 2000 individuals for five years to measure tissue sodium two times per year to determine if elevated tissue sodium levels are linked to heart attacks, stroke or other arterial diseases.

There’s salt everywhere in our food supply. FoodFacts.com knows that our sodium consumption really isn’t coming from the salt shakers on our tables. This new information about how sodium is stored in the skin gives us a better idea of what our bodies are doing with all that salt and how it can possibly be affecting our health. We’ll be watching for the new studies exploring the relationship of cardiac disease and the salt-skin phenomenon. It’s just one more reason we should all be as aware as we possibly can be of our sodium consumption. We should all make our best effort to rid our diets of salt-laden processed foods. Let’s keep the salt on our tables where it belongs.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130603135314.htm

Posted in high blood pressure, hypertension, salt, Salt Skin Connection for High Blood Pressure, sodium | Tagged Blood Pressure Regulation, food facts, hypertension and salt under skin, nutrition data, nutrition facts, nutritional information, salt, Salt accumulation under skin, Skin salt connection, Skin stores salt, Skin stores sodium, sodium | Leave a comment

Eat your colors and reduce your risk of breast cancer

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Luanne

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. FoodFacts.com has always felt that Hippocrates had the right idea! We’re always thrilled to learn about how the foods we consume can have a positive influence on our health and well being. And we’re especially excited to discover that simple additions of fresh, healthy food to our diet can help us avoid chronic and often fatal illness.

A recent study from the researchers at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School has shown that women with high levels of carotenoids (naturally occurring plant chemicals) have a significantly lower risk of breast cancer.

While we know that diets high in fruits and vegetables have a positive influence on the risk of many different cancers, this particular link to those that are high in carotenoids offer specific benefits for women.

We’ve often heard the advice that “It’s best to eat in color”. This is certainly the case here. Carotenoids are pigements that give vegetables and fruits deep yellow, orange and red hues. Carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, winter squash, apricots, mangoes and papyas are all great examples of foods high in carotenoids.

The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of data from 8 different studies that included 7,000 women. They discovered that the women whose blood levels were in the top 20 percent for carotenoids were 15 to 20 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than those women whose carotenoid levels were in the bottom 20 percent. Most impressive, thought, was that the link between higher carotenoid levels in the blood was the strongest for the most aggressive, lethal forms of breast cancer.

Researchers noted that it seemed to be a linear relationship. The higher the levels of caretonoids in the blood, the lower the risk of breast cancer.

While more research is needed to discover the specific reason for the link, researchers hypothesize that the body may metabolize carotenoids into retinol, which may inhibit tumor growth.

It was noted in the study that the most effective way to boost carotenoid levels in the blood is through food consumption, not supplementation. They clearly felt that increasing fruit and vegetable intake is the best way to receive the health benefits of carotenoids and perhaps decrease the risk of breast cancer.

There are so many wonderful fruits and vegetables in beautiful colors. FoodFacts.com honestly has a difficult time deciding which ones to include in our diets first. Whichever you choose, enjoy them in good health, knowing that the rich bounty of colorful, carotenoid-containing produce may help us decrease our odds of developing a deadly disease.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/039018_breast_cancer_carotenoids_fruits_and_vegetables.html#ixzz2VUaOiltR

Posted in Breast Cancer, Carotenoids, fruit, vegetables | Tagged Carotenoids Breast Cancer Risk, Carotenoids Reduce Breast Cancer Risk, Colorful Fruits and Vegetables lower Breast Cancer Risk, food facts, Fruits and Vegetables High in Carotenoids Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer, Lower Risk of Breast Cancer, nutrition data, nutrition facts, nutritional information | Leave a comment

Congratulations Connecticut!

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Luanne

FoodFacts.com wants to extend our congratulations to the state of Connecticut for becoming the first state in the U.S. to officially pass a law requiring the labeling of all genetically modified ingredients on food products sold in their state! Great job Connecticut legislature!

Unfortunately, when we read further we discovered that, in fact, passing the law for Connecticut is only just the beginning. Those transparent labels we’re all so adamant about won’t be on food product’s on the state’s grocery store shelves just yet. Connecticut needs the company of its neighbors before it can actively enforce the law.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s office issued a press release explaining both the law and what’s required for it to go into effect:

House Bill 6527 – An Act Concerning Genetically-Engineered Food, will require producers to label genetically-engineered food in Connecticut as long as four states from the New England region with an aggregate population of 20 million also adopt a labeling provision.

So neighboring states will need to pass similar legislation in order for Connecticut to realize the benefits of this newly passed law.

Health and nutrition-conscious consumers nationwide have been standing up for the consumers right to know if ingredients in the products they are purchasing are genetically modified. We are looking for the transparency that will allow us to determine for ourselves whether or not we want to consume GMOs.

Opponents of the Connecticut bill (and others like it) continue to point out there is very little scientific evidence that GMOs are dangerous to our health. They say that available information points to the idea that genetically modified crops are “generally safe” for human consumption and are not associated with any serious health problems.

While Connecticut is the first state to official pass a GMO labeling law (whether or not it can currently be acted upon), it’s not the first to propose one. California is still working on it after the defeat of Proposition 37. Vermont is halfway there. And New Hampshire, Maine, Massachussetts and Rhode Island are in discussions about similar bills.

While we’ll have to wait for Connecticut’s neighbors to take similar actions in order to see the results of their leadership, FoodFacts.com wants to applaud the groundbreaking actions taken by its legislature. Passing the GMO Labeling initiative in Connecticut took real initiative, courage and leadership. It required the state’s lawmakers to disregard possible backlash from food manufacturers and put the rights of its citizens ahead of other voices. We’re hopeful that the actions of these lawmakers will encourage others nationwide to do the right thing for consumers all over the country.

Posted in genetic engineering, genetic modification, Genetically Modified food, genetically modified foods, genetically modified organisms, GMO, GMO Ingredient Labeling, GMO Labeling, GMO Labeling law | Tagged Connecticut Legislature Passes GMO Labeling Law, Connecticut Passes First GMO Labeling Law, First State to Pass GMO Labeling Legislation, food facts, GMO ingredient labeling, GMO Labeling, GMO Labeling Connecticut, nutrition data, nutrition facts, nutritional information | Leave a comment

Lower your risk of memory loss, commit to a healthy lifestyle

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Luanne

FoodFacts.com’s mission is to educate consumers about what’s really in the food products available on our grocery shelves. We take great care to inform our visitors about ingredients that may actually be harmful to our health and the real benefits of eating a healthful diet and committing to a healthy lifestyle.

Today we read about a new study out of UCLA that shows a clear and valuable benefit to adapting a healthy lifestyle and sticking with it. It appears that folks with healthy habits are at a reduced risk for memory loss than those whose habits aren’t as healthful.

UCLA researchers teamed up with the Gallup organization for a national poll of over 18,000 people. The survey asked participants questions about their memory as well as their lifestyle. The researchers then reviewed the results to see if there was any link between healthy behaviors and memory throughout adult life.

Participants were asked five very simple questions:

• Do you smoke?
• Did you eat healthy all day yesterday?
• In the last seven days, on how many days did you have five or more servings of vegetables and fruits?
• In the last seven days, on how many days did you exercise for 30 minutes or more?
• Do you have any problems with your memory?

Of course, the memory question relied on the participant’s own perception of his or her cognitive abilities. The survey showed that healthy eating, not smoking and regular exercise were linked to better memory among the participants.

Those between the ages of 18 and 39 were less likely to report healthy behaviors than those older adults over 60 years of age. Those who reported the healthiest habits were the least likely to report problems with their memory. People who only engaged in one healthy behavior were 21 percent less likely to report memory problems, those who engaged in two were 45 percent less likely, and adults who engaged in more than three positive behaviors were far less likely to report memory problems. Seventy percent of the older adults engaged in at least one healthy behavior compared to only 61 percent of middle-aged adults and 58 percent of younger adults.

It was noted that young adults participating in the survey were the most likely to engage in unhealthy habits. 25% of middle-aged adults participating were smokers compared with only 12 percent of those over the age of 60. Younger adults also reported eating less fruits and vegetables than the older survey participants.

Memory issues were reported from 26 percent of the older adults and 22 percent of the middle-aged adults. The researchers said these figures were expected among adults of these age groups, however, they said they were surprised that 14 percent of young adults reported memory problems too.

Researchers noted that it’s possible that older adults are engaging in healthier behaviors because they are more likely to listen to their doctors’ advice. They also noted that this survey speaks to the need for further research to potentially aid and enhance cognitive function throughout a lifespan.

Fruits. Vegetables. Exercise. No smoking. FoodFacts.com can get on board with these healthy habits at every age. And as we age, we’d all like to envision ourselves as fully functioning, active older adults. Let’s commit to that healthy lifestyle every single day.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/261358.php

Posted in Cognitive function, Cognitive Performance, diet, exercise, fitness, healthy eating, Healthy Habits, Healthy Lifestyle | Tagged Adults with Healthy Habits have Better Memories, food facts, Healthy Habits Better Memory, Healthy Habits less memory loss for adults, Healthy Lifestyle Better Memory, Healthy Lifestyle Reduces Risk of Memory Loss, nutrition data, nutrition facts, nutritional information | Leave a comment

9-year old calls out McDonald’s CEO, tells him his company is tricking kids

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Luanne

FoodFacts.com loves hearing stories about consumers making a real difference in the issues surrounding our food supply. We applaud nutritionally-conscious consumers who speak their mind and make their voices heard. And we especially applaud situations where those voices are coming to us loud and clear from the youngest generations. FoodFacts.com salutes those young people with the strength and courage to make their opinions count at early ages.

Recently, McDonalds CEO Don Thompson had the pleasure of being put on the spot by just such a nutrition-conscious consumer – 9 year-old Hannah Robertson from Oakbrook, Illinois. Hannah’s mom, Kia is a kid’s nutritional activist. She created an interactive children’s nutrition game called “Today I Ate a Rainbow”. Hannah’s apple didn’t fall far from Kia’s tree – Hannah stood up in front of the CEO of one of the wolrd’s biggest brands and gave him a piece of her mind at the McDonald’s annual shareholders meeting.
“There are things in life that aren’t fair — like when your pet dies,” said Hannah, who spoke with great confidence. “I don’t think it’s fair when big companies try to trick kids into eating food. It isn’t fair that so many kids my age are getting sick,” she said — blaming McDonald’s for unfairly targeting kids with advertisements for food that isn’t good for them.

Hannah ended her time-limited comments, made during the meeting’s question-and-answer session, by pointedly but politely asking: “Mr. Thompson, don’t you want kids to be healthy so they can live a long and healthy life?”

Mr. Thompson responded to Hannah, telling her that McDonald’s doesn’t sell junk food and that his own kids eat McDonald’s.

He explained that he, too, watches what his kids eat. “We cook lots of fruits and veggies at home,” he said. He also noted that McDonald’s sells fruits (apple slices in kids meals) and veggies (including side salads on the Dollar Menu). He also said that McDonald’s recently began to sell fat-free chocolate milk. Mr. Thompson thanked Hannah for her comments and told her he thought it was great that she wants to eat more fruits and veggies.

His response to this brave and well spoken young girl was basically a non-response. But sadly for Mr. Thompson the issue of improving childhood nutrition and fighting childhood obesity isn’t going anywhere. And while FoodFacts.com understands that McDonald’s has tried to make changes to improve its menu … well, let’s just say that we’re not quite as concerned about the calorie count of their menu items as we are about what’s lurking in the ingredient lists of said menu items.

So, Mr. Thompson, we think you should listen to Hannah and avoid telling her that your company isn’t selling junk food. We actually think you might want to review the ingredient lists for some of your “healthier” menu items like the Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken or the Fruit and Maple Oatmeal. Then you should take a look at your company’s most popular children’s offering, Chicken McNuggets. Hannah has a point, Mr. Thompson. We think you should start listening.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2013/05/23/mcdonalds-ceo-don-thompson-childhood-nutrition/2355129/

Posted in children, fast food, McDonald's | Tagged 9 Year Old Challenges McDonald's CEO, fast food, food facts, Hannah Robertson, McDonald's, McDonald's CEO Don Thompson Responds to Nine Year Old, nutrition data, nutrition facts, nutritional information | Leave a comment

Obesity linked to overeating in infancy

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Luanne

FoodFacts.com is continually seeking out any new information available regarding the worldwide obesity epidemic, how it affects our population, what its causes are and what we can do about it. This tremendous problem has touched so many lives negatively, instigating chronic disease and death and it continues to grow even more out of control each day.

Today we found interesting new information coming out of Brigham Young University that suggests we need to be careful about how we’re feeding our babies. Researchers discovered that clinical obesity at 2 years old strongly traces back to infant feeding.

BYU researchers analyzed data from over 8,000 families and found that babies who were formula fed were over twice as likely to become obese toddlers than those babies who were breastfed for the first six months. But the study went further than that and proceeded to define infant feeding patterns that seem to promote childhood obesity.

Babies who were put to bed with a bottle were at a 36% higher risk of childhood obesity than those who were not. The introduction of solid foods prior to the age of four months increased a child’s risk of obesity by 40 percent.

Habits like putting baby to bed with a bottle develop a habit for a child of needing to eat before sleep. It’s the kind of habit that can discourage a child from monitoring their own hunger and being able to self-regulate. Breastfeeding would naturally encourage that self-monitoring.

Breastfeeding also prevents a parent from encouraging an infant to overeat. If a formula-fed baby is full and pulls away from the bottle and the parent encourages him to finish, the baby’s cues are being ignored. If the baby is full, there’s no need to continue feeding.

Breastfeeding rates are lowest in poor and less educated families. Sally Findley, a public health professor at Columbia University, says the new BYU study shows that infant feeding practices are the primary reason that childhood obesity hits hardest below the poverty line.

Researchers noted that more and more study results are pointing towards early childhood for the origins of obesity. This doesn’t surprise us here at FoodFacts.com. There’s plenty that’s wrong with the products in our food supply geared towards infants and young children. While there are many eating patterns established in infancy, we are introducing the smallest of our population to unreasonable amounts of salt and sugar at an incredibly young age. This is certainly influencing growing children towards making unhealthy food choices later in life. Everyone in our population needs to take note of this important study information and commit to giving babies the best possible start in life. Our Baby & Toddler Nutrition Guide is designed to help parents of infants and growing children make the food choices that will help little ones along the path of healthy eating for a lifetime. Take a look at our Baby Page for more information.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/260952.php

Posted in Baby & Toddler Nutrition, Baby & Toddler Nutrition Guide, Baby Formula, Baby Nutrition, Breastfeeding, obesity | Tagged Bottle feeding and obesity, bottle to bed and obesity, Breastfeeding fights obesity, food facts, nutrition data, nutrition facts, nutritional information, Overeating in infancy leads to obesity, solids before four months obesity | Leave a comment

What do soda and crack cocaine have in common … they’re both equally damaging to your teeth

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Luanne

FoodFacts.com knows that everyone in our community is aware that there are no redeeming nutritional qualities in soda. The list of bad ingredients includes things like Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Benzoate, Caramel Color, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Benzoate, Brominated Vegetable Oil, Artificial Food Coloring, High Fructose Corn Syrup – and if it’s diet, Aspartame and Acesulfame Potassium. Ingredient lists on soda bottles are a chemical nightmare.

So it didn’t surprise us today to read the results of a new case study in a new issue of General Dentistry that compares dental damage caused by the over-consumption of soda to the damage caused by the use of a variety of illegal drugs.

Dental erosion is the action of acids wearing away tooth enamel, which protects the teeth from the development of cavities as well as cracking and discoloration. Tooth enamel also helps us have attractive smiles because of its gloss and sheen.

The General Dentistry case study compared the damage in three individuals’ mouths — an admitted user of methamphetamine, a previous longtime user of cocaine, and an excessive diet soda drinker. Each participant admitted to having poor oral hygiene and not visiting a dentist on a regular basis. Researchers found the same type and severity of damage from tooth erosion in each participant’s mouth.

“Each person experienced severe tooth erosion caused by the high acid levels present in their ‘drug’ of choice — meth, crack, or soda,” says Mohamed A. Bassiouny, DMD, MSc, PhD, lead author of the study.

Sodas generally contain citric acid and commonly, phosphoric acid. Both are known to cause dental erosion. The participant who consumed soda admitted to drinking 2 liters of diet soda daily for three to five years. That’s certainly excessive and the explanation for that participant’s dental erosion to be equal to the participants who had used methamphetamine and crack cocaine – both highly acidic and corrosive.

While the average soda drinker is not consuming 2 liters a day, the results of this study should clearly illustrate the effects of the over consumption of acids – like citric acid and phosphoric acid – on our teeth. It’s harmful. People who do drink soda should consider rinsing their mouth out with water every time they drink it, as it will increase saliva flow in the mouth which will help to return the acidity level in the mouth back to normal.

FoodFacts.com would like everyone to consider this: many years ago, both Coke and Pepsi were used as cleaning agents due to the strength of the acids they contain. If soda was used to clean commercial toilets and the ink-stained floors of printing plants, we can only imagine what they can do to our teeth, not to mention the rest of our bodies. Just don’t drink it.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130528122505.htm

Posted in Dental Erosion, Dental health, diet soda, Soda, tooth decay, Tooth Erosion | Tagged Drugs and Dental Erosion, food facts, nutrition data, nutrition facts, nutritional information, Soda and Dental Erosion, Soda and Drugs Erode Tooth Enamel, Soda Dental Problems, Soda Erodes Teeth like Cocaine, Soda Erodes Tooth Enamel, Soda Tooth Erosion | Leave a comment

Another reason to avoid processed foods … phthalates (chemicals in plastics and processed food packaging) linked to elevated blood pressure in children and teens

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Luanne

FoodFacts.com is constantly illustrating the hazards of processed foods for our communities. Unhealthy levels of sodium and sugar, trans fat, and dozens upon dozens of controversial ingredients and possible allergens plague our food supply. Food in boxes, simply stated, isn’t real food. Today we found new information underscoring the importance of avoiding processed foods.

Plastic additives known as phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates) are included in all kinds of processed food packaging. While they were once considered harmless, there is a growing body of research that links dietary exposure to phthalates to metabolic and hormonal abnormalities, especially in early development.

Coming out of NYU Langone Medical Center , in collaboration with the University of Washington and Penn State University School of Medicine, new research has been published that links exposure to certain types of phthalates and compromised heart health for children and teens. The study draws on data from a national survey of almost 3,000 children and teens and documents these issues for the first time.

Researchers examined six years of data from a nationally representative survey of the U.S. population administered by the National Centers for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Phthalates were measured in urine samples using standard analysis techniques. Controls for race, socioeconomic status, body mass index, caloric intake and activity levels were considered. It was discovered that for every three-fold increase in the level of breakdown products from phthalates, there was roughly a one-millimeter mercury increase in a child’s blood pressure. While that seems quite small, applying it over the population can increase the number of children with elevated blood pressure quite substantially.

Hypertension is most common in people over 50 years of age. It is, however, becoming increasingly prevalent among children, mainly due to the global obesity epidemic. National surveys have indicated that 15 percent of American adolescents now have pre-hypertension or hypertension. While obesity is considered the greatest culprit in the unfortunate trend, this new research suggests that environmental factors like exposure to phthalates may be contributing to the growing problem This exposure can be controlled through regulatory actions and behavioral interventions.

FoodFacts.com will continue to reinforce the importance of avoiding processed foods. This is another important reason to prepare meals from scratch using fresh ingredients that you’ve chosen carefully with the health and well being of your family in mind. We all deserve to know what’s in our foods … and unfortunately, if that food is coming out of any kind of package, you just can’t be sure.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130522085015.htm

Posted in Chemicals in Processed Food Packaging, Food Packaging, Phthalates, Processed Food Packaging, Processed Foods | Tagged Chemicals in food packaging high blood pressure, Chemicals in food packaging linked to high blood pressure, Chemicals in plastics and processed foods linked to high blood pressure, food facts, nutrition data, nutrition facts, nutritional information, Phthalates high blood pressure, Phthalates in processed food packaging high blood pressure | Leave a comment