An Italian study found that people who ate five or more slices of bread a day, or 35 per week, were twice as likely to develop Renal Cell Carcinoma, a leading cause of kidney cancer, as those who ate bread only half as often, or less. The scientists behind the study felt that an increase in blood glucose levels might be a factor in the increased cancer risk. High GI foods are usually things that are highly processed with a lot of sugar or contain a lot of refined white flour. Some sources are saying that the study linked eating white bread with cancer because of this GI link, but "the study did not specify what type of bread [participants] ate," so statements of that sort are just speculation. The study did not actually "establish exactly what in bread may be to blame."

Besides, it seems that a significant portion of the food-related media tries to convince us that in Italy everyone only eats the best bread from their local bakeries, not processed white bread. If the results of the study turned out to be a result of eating three loaves of Wonder Bread each week it might make sense, but baguettes?

Usually, we hear about how foods can help to prevent certain conditions and health problems, not about how they actually reverse them, but there is new evidence to support the claim that walnuts just might be able to do that. A study has demonstrated that some of the chemicals that naturally occur in walnuts can help to undo "some of the detrimental effects of a high-saturated-fat diet." The most important chemical seems to be arginine, which aids the body in producing nitric oxide, which in turn prevents the arteries from hardening as a result of the inflammation caused by a high saturated fat diet.

So, does this mean that you can eat all the supersized fast food meals, cheese and butter that you want to, as long as you chase them down with a handful of walnuts? Not yet, since scientists do not know how strong the protective effect of the nuts is. They recommend incorporating a few as a part of a low saturated-fat diet.

We have heard in the past that drinking fruit juice is just as bad as drinking soda, since even though it contains vitamins and minerals, it still has a high number of calories from sugar. Some even speculated that drinking too many calories is a major cause of childhood obesity. A new study suggests that this speculation is incorrect and that drinking juice does not necessarily contribute to excessive weight gain.

The study, conducted by Dr. Theresa A. Nicklas from the Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, looked at 3-5 year old children and found that, on average, they only consumed 4.7-oz of juice per day, which is well within the 4 to 6-oz. recommended by the US dietary guidelines. It also found that not even 10% of these kids drank as much milk (low-fat or skim, preferably) as they should. Regardless, even when the study participants drank more calories each day, "beverage consumption was not associated with [being] overweight."

Nicklas says that more studies are needed, but it is becoming clearer every day that there is no simple solution, no one food that can be eliminated, to the obesity problems that so many around the world are facing. Hopefully, everyone will stop trying to point fingers and, instead, actually try to help people overcome obesity in a real way.

Breakfast might not be that important after all, as some scientists and nutritionists are beginning to question principles that have been the mainstays of diet and health for years and years. The doubts are arising from the fact that there is little to no scientific proof - just anecdotal evidence - that eating breakfast is definitely better for you. As Marion Nestle put it in What to Eat, " What you eat - and how much - matters more to your health than when you eat." Some even notes that there are more than a handful of people who would do well to skip a meal or two once in a while.

There is no proof that skipping breakfast is better for your health either, however, and studies show that many people who skip breakfast are likely to binge later on in the day, with snacks or overly generous lunches. People who eat breakfast are less likely to have certain nutritional shortfalls in their diets, since breakfast foods are often high in fiber, calcium, iron, protein and frequently include fruits, which provide many other nutrients. "There isn't any downside to eating a healthy breakfast," said Joan Salge Blake, a registered dietitian and assistant professor at Boston University specializing in weight management.

The annual meeting of the Institute of Food Technologists, a group of scientists and researchers who study and develop foods, is taking place right now in Florida. During one of the sessions, a food toxicologist revealed that the number of study participants is skewed towards men. Consequently, the results of such studies may not be as reflective of women, or women's physiology, than they are of men's.

The Society for Women's Health Research found that the biggest reasons for non-participation (16% each) are lack of interest and worry about the risk. Until more women decided to participate in these studies, bringing up the numbers to equal men's participation, women should realize that not every result might apply in the same way to them, as metabolism, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, lactation and menopause all might affect the outcome. Consequently, the results of some studies might need to be taken with a grain of salt, even the ones about salt.

The Society for Women's Health Research has more information about current studies and ongoing research.

 

According to a story in the New York Times magazine, there might be a connection between a healthy diet and a propensity for violence. Studies have been done in countries including Finland and England, and are underway in Holland and Norway, that showed a decrease in the levels of violent behaviors exhibited by convicts who were given omega-3 fatty acids and other nutritional supplements. The decrease was compared to prisoners who received placebo supplements, or none at all. Apparently, in addition to other health benefits, "Omega-3's foster the growth of neurons in the brain's frontal cortex, the bit of gray matter that controls impulsive behavior." In other words, for people who impulsively committed violent acts, having an increased amount of omega-3-generated neurons blocked those impulses and eliminated many violent behaviors.

The article does, of course, remind readers that there is no miraculous way to eliminate violent behavior - no matter how much fresh fish and spinach people are given. Just like diet alone is not a substitute for exercise on the quest to lose weight, diet alone cannot stop all violent behaviors. But it could help.

[Image NYT]