Archive for category: Food Business

The University of Delaware recently conducted a study that shows a promising link between the prevention of memory loss and boosting cognitive ability with the consumption of tart cherry juice.

Boosting cognitive performance and prevention of memory loss should not just be the goal of older adults. And neither should it be a goal solely to gain more money or traction up the corporate ladder. Even people in the prime of their lives should opt to promote and protect their brain health. Why? Cases of dementia are on the rise. It is an umbrella term used to refer to a decline in thinking, problem-solving, language, and memory skills that affect a person’s ability to perform daily chores.

The Study on Tart Cherry Juice

In a different study, the University of Delaware stumbled upon the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the tart Montmorency cherries. It was shown to be capable of reducing blood pressure. The researchers wanted to explore the cherries’ properties further and tested their efficacy on brain health.

The new study results showed that frequent consumption of tart cherry juice showed to improve cognitive abilities as demonstrated by their decision making and memory skills. This is in comparison to test subjects who did not consume any tart cherry juice at all. It was proposed that the cherries’ oxidative stress-fighting and anti-inflammatory properties may help boost the blood flow to the brain, thereby increasing mental capacity. It is also believed that the bioactive compounds it contains like melanin, anthocyanins, and polyphenols may be crucial to its blood-pressure-lowering effects.

Importance of Cognitive Function

It is crucial to reiterate that cognitive function is a vital indicator of the quality of life and independence—whether as an older adult or not. That’s why it is important to start providing your brain function with the support and protection it needs to continue to do its cognitive role efficiently and reliably. And one way of achieving this is through the frequent consumption of tart cherries in the form of juice as put forth by the study.

Inspired by www.foodandwine.com

It may not sound surprising. Still, a US study has indicated that individuals who consume a healthy plant-based diet have a lower likelihood of developing and dying from heart-related problems.

The Study Background

Over three decades, researchers have followed 12,168 middle-aged adults and evaluated their food preferences and eating habits at various points of the study. Through the length of the study, there were a total of 5,436 contributors who died, and out of these numbers, it was shown that 1,565 of them did due to a cardiovascular problem.

As a background, the participants of the study were between the ages of 45 and 64 years old. During the beginning of the study, these participants did not have any heart problems. Further, the study also segregated the participants’ plant-based diet into four classes. One, the diet that was more unhealthy and starchy plants like processed foods and potatoes. Two, an entirely vegetarian diet. Three, a plant diet based more on green vegetables. And the fourth, an overall plant-based diet but not strictly vegetarian.

It was seen that people who adhered to diets 2 through 4 consumed less than a serving of processed food or red meat a day with an average of 4.1 to 4.8 servings of vegetables and fruits. While those on the first diet usually had 1.2 servings of processed or red meat daily with an average of 2.3 servings of fruits and veggies.

It is noted, though, that the study’s limitation is that the research relied on the participant’s capability of accurately recalling and reporting what they ate.

Key Intake from the Study Results

• It was seen that throughout the study that those who embraced and carefully adhered to a plant-based diet were physically active, high school graduates, white, and women. And it was also seen that those who adopted the plant-based diet were less likely to suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity. Almost all of them were non-smokers.
• Vegetarians and those participants who incorporated more plant-based and healthy food options in their diet had a 16% lower risk of getting diagnosed with a cardiovascular problem in succeeding follow-ups.
• On the other hand, individuals who did not eat a lot of plant-based food in their diet increased their chance by 16% of getting non-fatal strokes or heart attacks and even developing heart failure in comparison to those individuals who ate more plant-based food.
• What’s alarming is that the study showed a diet rich in refined carbs, and animal products have a higher chance of dying from heart disease. This chance is indexed at a 32% rate while the chances of dying—from any cause—during the study were pegged between 18 to 25 percent.

A Healthy Plant-Based Diet Can Make a Difference

As the study provides more evidence pointing to plant-based food being good for your heart health, everybody is urged to add more whole grains, vegetables, and fruits in their diet while lessening the consumption of processed and red meat.

Inspired by www.reuters.com

Common reasons why people go vegan is that they are concerned about animal welfare, trying to reduce their environmental footprint, and even wanting to be healthy. Whatever reasons why people embrace the vegan lifestyle, one thing is for sure, some of their nutrient needs may not be met adequately. And four vitamins and minerals are commonly lacking in a vegan diet, and these are:

1 – Iron

Animal meat is rich in iron and iron is the reason why our blood has that vibrant red color. Iron is essential in the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the cells all over your body. Thus, iron plays a crucial role in various bodily activities like promotion of a healthy immune system and energy production in the muscles.

Absorption of iron is also affected by various factors. Iron from plant-based food has less absorbability than from animal sources. Inclusion of vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables can help increase iron absorption from plant sources. Then there are also foods that can inhibit iron absorption like phytates, zinc, and calcium in vegetable proteins, grains, rice, and legumes.

2 – Iodine

Iodine is commonly found in seafood, and it is essential in making thyroid hormones, which play a role in the development of the central nervous system, regulation of metabolism, and for healthy growth and development. When a person is deficient in iodine, it can cause myriads of health issues like stillbirth, miscarriage, and congenital anomalies in women. It can also lead to constipation, dry skin, hair loss, facial puffiness, depression, muscular weakness, and lethargy, to name a few.

When it comes to vegan food rich in iodine, it would all depend on the iodine content of the soil where the plant was grown. So, the best way to ensure adequate iodine intake for vegans is to use iodine fortified foods like iodized salt and fortified nut or soymilks.

3 – Calcium

The most known source of calcium is cow’s milk; that’s why infants, toddlers, and school-age children are given cow’s milk to help with bone and teeth development and maintenance. Bones are the body’s reserve for calcium, which is vital in muscle movement and the continuous beating of the heart.

For vegans, eating foods fortified with calcium is the best solution to solve deficiency: calcium-fortified cereals, nut milk, and soymilk. Legumes, seeds, nuts, bean curd, and tofu are also plant-based foods that have a good content of calcium.

Another thing that vegans need to understand is that oxalic and phytic acid content in vegetables may inhibit calcium absorption and thus the need to consume more food rich in said nutrient. Foods that contain oxalic and phytic acid are soy products, some raw beans, grains, nuts, seeds, rhubarb, and spinach.

4 – Vitamin B12

Organ meats are rich in vitamin B12, and this vitamin is crucial in the creation of red blood cells. It is also essential in the production of neurotransmitters for proper brain function and the creation of myelin sheaths that insulate nerves. When a person is deficient in this vitamin impaired bladder and bowel control, visual disturbances, mood changes, memory loss, movement problems, impotence, weight loss, and bruising to name a few may occur.

Algae and some mushrooms are a naturally occurring source of vitamin B12 in the vegan diet. But now there are also vegan food sources that are fortified with vitamin B12 to ensure sufficiency in the diet.

Inspired by www.afr.com/

Vegans Need to Look Closer at Nutrient Content

While veganism and vegetarianism are growing diets, there are still some issues that people need to be aware of when consuming food this way. As we mentioned above, many plant-based foods don’t have high concentrations of the nutrients mentioned above. We created our GrandFusion® fruit and vegetable powders to help solve this problem. With our fruit and veggie powders, vegan product manufacturers can now add plant-based vitamins to their products to ensure that vegans are getting the necessary nutrients. Are you creating a new plant-based product for vegans? Download our whitepaper on how to develop functional foods and beverages with GrandFusion® fruit and veggie powders.