Fruits and Vegetables

According to a series of articles by Parkin et al 2011 published as a supplement of the British Journal of cancer, one third of all cancers are caused by tobacco, unhealthy diet, alcohol, and obesity. About 40% of all cancers are caused by things we mostly have the power to change say the authors. [1]

In a foreword Professor Sir Richard Peto writes that tobacco still remains the most important avoidable cause of cancer, responsible for almost 20% of all cases of cancer

A study of Pan et al. 2012 supports the long ongoing hypothesis that red meat consumption increases the risk of total, CVD, and cancer mortality. The data of more than 120.000 observations and dietary habits of 2 prospective cohort studies over the course of 20-30 years demonstrate that people eating daily red meats, such as hot dogs, sausages and other processed  red meats, had a 20% increase in mortality rate. [1]

Tarawneh et al.2012 report that visininlike protein 1 (VILIP-1) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)  may be used as an indicator of ongoing injury to brain cells in patients with Alzheimer's disease. [1]

Healthy diet does not only reduce risk of heart disease, obesity and diabetes but has a deep impact on  psychiatric and neurologic conditions, such as depression and dementia. Many studies assessed the improving of cognitive function are related to this issue.

A diet high in fruits and vegetables provides high levels of phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.  Murphy et al. 2011 estimating usual intakes of nine phytonutrients by Americans consuming recommended levels of fruits and vegetables found that such diet is rich in carotenoids and flavonoids. [1]

Cassava  (Manihot esculenta) is a staple food for large African regions, but it has the lowest protein:energy ratio and cassava diet furnishes less than 30% of proteins and  less than 10-20% of the required amounts of iron, zinc, vitamin A and vitamin E. [1]

Unpeeled purple tomatoes reduce blood pressure
Antioxidant effects of a diet consisting of purple potatoes microwaved with skins were compared to a diet of refined  starch as cooked biscuits by Vinson et al. 2012. The purple potato diet caused an increase in plasma and urine antioxidant capacity. People receiving refined potato starch diet had a decreased antioxidant status.  [1]

Magni et al. 2012 describe a novel serine-endopeptidase activity with cleavage specificity to twin-arginine pairs (-R-R-) in mature dry Lupinus albus seeds. The authors suggest that the activity of the novel endopeptidase is essential for degradation at germination and generates polypeptide fragments with specific biological activity. [1]

Phytoestrogens have been promoted as healthy dietary supplements and foods, such as soybean-derived foods, rich in the isoflavones genistein and daidzein. These isoflavones are also found in soy-based infant formulas. [1]

According to the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) flowering ornamental trees such  Cassia Fistula and Cassia Nodosa (known as “golden shower tree”) may improve the landscape of Kuwait. These trees  produce colourful flowers for a long duration and are tolerant to hot arid climates. [1]