Obesity

A study of Mansour et al.2012 suggest the use of ginger in weight control. The authors  demonstrated that 2g ginger powder (Zingiber officinale) dissolved in a hot water beverage enhances thermogenesis and reduces feelings of hunger in overweight men. [1]

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

Golomb, Koperski and White 2012 report that chocolate reduces blood pressure (BP), insulin sensitivity, cholesterol level and lowers BMI due to the antioxidant activity of phytonutrients  catechins. Body mass index (BMI) is part of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) picture, and other MetS elements relate favorably to moderate chocolate consumption. [1]

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]

According to  the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, Diet Coke, and Diet Pepsi contain high levels of 4-methylimidazole (4-MI), a known animal carcinogen. Ammonia-sulfite caramel colouring E150d is the “caramel colouring”of colas. The carcinogen is formed when ammonia or ammonia and sulfites are used to manufacture the “caramel colouring” [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]

The Cochrane database presented a strategy of prevention of childhood obesity  to reduce the impact of resulting acute and chronic diseases, general health, development and well-being. The review intended to prevent obesity in children focusing on Body Mass Index (BMI) and  aims to find strategies with best results under specific conditions. [1]

Food choice is increasingly being influenced by health issues, creating opportunities for new product development, say El and Simsek in a 2012 review. Food scientists call for “optimal nutrition,” as the optimization of a daily nutrition model with nutrients and bioactive compounds to prevent diseases an promote healthy life. [1]

Cicerale, Riddell and Keast 2012 report that taste is important to choose food, however perceived sweetness intensity alone does not influence decisively food behaviours related to sugar consumption and dietary intake in adults. [1]

The authors studied the behaviour of 85 adults which tasted a sugar solution and rated the percepted sweetness. The study found no correlation between perceived sweetness and total caloric intake,  food behaviours relating to sugar consumption dietary intake and micronutrients.

Stevia is being obtained from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana. Its sweetnes has a slower onset and longer duration than that of sugar, and some extracts may have a bitter or licorice-like aftertaste at high concentrations. Steviol glycoside extracts have up to 300 times the sweetness of sugar. are heat-stable, pH-stable, and do not ferment. They also do not induce a glycemic response when ingested, making them attractive as natural sweeteners to diabetics and others on carbohydrate-controlled diets. [1]