National School Food Policies Can Improve Health Now & Later

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Children need to develop good eating habits and perceptions of food and nutrition. While they are still young, it is essential for parents to establish good eating habits among children. But the challenge here is that children spend more time in school than at home thus it is crucial for the school to also do its share in improving the health of their students by reinforcing good eating habits.

The Benefits of a School Food Policy

This is the reason why school food policies are in place so that children can be encouraged to make healthy food choices. Providing free fruits and vegetables as well as limiting their sugary drinks while in school can have positive health benefits short and long term.

In a study conducted by researchers from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, they found out that putting healthy food choices in the cafeteria can have potential effects on the widespread juvenile obesity. The study, published in PLOS ONE journal, used risk assessment model to determine the impact of implementing food policies in the country in a national level for all elementary, middle, and high school students particularly on the body mass index (BMI) and the possible cardiometabolic diseases that may spring up in the future.

What Can Food Policies Do?

Since most children consume more than a third of their daily meals as well as snacks in school, having food policies focused mainly on healthy food options is crucial. And it is critical to quantify the effects of the policies on the food choices, health, and nutrition of the children. However, according to senior author Dariush Mozaffarian, the long-term health effects have not yet been evaluated across all levels of primary and secondary education in the country.

 

Several pieces of literature suggest that providing free fruits and vegetables can increase the habitual consumption of healthy foods where stark improvements have been observed among high school students at 25%. Limiting sugary drinks also decreases the frequent consumption among children and a significant decrease in their BMI with elementary school children showed the highest at 27%.

The Future of Health Food Policy

Changing the food policies in school at a nationwide level can also help the future generation. For instance, children today will eventually grow up, and if they grew up learning about healthy food choices, they could easily share with their children. If such policy was implemented, researchers suggest that provisions of healthy foods and drinks can prevent more than 22,000 deaths once they reach adulthood as the likelihood of getting diabetes, heart disease, and stroke reduces once you consume healthier foods.

Establishing a food policy in schools across the nation should be reviewed regularly so that policymakers know which facets they can improve on aside from eliminating sugary drinks and providing free fresh produce to the students. This is also to validate whether there are indeed short and long-term effects to the obesity rate as well as the overall well-being of the students.

Inspired by www.sciencedaily.com

Is Broccoli America’s Favorite Vegetable?

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Green Giant is a well-known brand that markets high quality and delicious vegetables. For National Eat Your Vegetables Day (June 17) they took an open-ended survey from each state nationwide. From that survey, they concluded that America’s favorite veggie is broccoli. To come up with unbiased results, the company surveyed a variety of people across the nation. The Green Giant surveyed almost 4,000 people to determine their findings.

Survey Finds Broccoli is America’s Favorite Veggie

Some key findings from the survey include that broccoli is the most popular vegetable in 47% of the states. In only 9 of the U.S. states, corn was the favorite, making it the second most favorite vegetable. Ironically, Idaho who is known for their potatoes was the only state to choose peas as their favorite. Noticeably missing from the favorites list are celery, onions, peppers, and spinach.

California, Nevada, Texas, and Florida are some of the states whose favorite vegetable was broccoli. Potatoes surprisingly were only chosen as a favorite by only five states. The cucumber was favorited by two states. There were five states who chose carrots. Four states chose green beans as their favorite. Large population states like New York, California, and Florida, all chose broccoli.

More Information on the Survey

After the survey data compilation, it showed that the Green Giant surveyed a total of 3,902 United States residents. All of these people surveyed were 18 years old and above. They all also have agreed to be part of this open-ended survey regarding their favorite vegetable and which state they live in. The Green Giant used Crowd Tap to conduct this survey from April 20, 2018 to May 4, 2018.

How Green Giant Is Making New Products

As the Green Giant continues its research on the development of their products, they will take into account the findings from their surveys in order to make better-suited products for their consumers.  Green Giant is still also looking to expand their Veggie Swap-Ins line, which includes Green Giant Veggie Tots, Green Giant Veggie Spirals, and Green Giant Riced Veggies. There are many more options available from this line. Their website www.greengiant.com has additional information about their lines and their products.

About Green Giant

For over a 100-years, the Green Giant has been picking vegetables at the peak of their perfection and also helping families find new ways to enjoy their products. Over the years the Green Giant became known for their delicious and high-quality vegetables. They have introduced new innovative products that families have loved over the years. Recently, the Green Giant launch of its award-winning Veggie Swap-InsTM line that included many different products, created new convenient and delicious frozen vegetables for families to enjoy.

Vitamin B3 Possibly Prevents Brain Cell Death

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In a breakthrough German-led study published in the journal, Cell Reports, they discovered that the death of nerve cells that occurs in Parkinson’s Disease could be stopped with Vitamin B3. This opens up a lot of possibilities when it comes to treating brain-wasting diseases.

Taking a closer look, nicotinamide riboside is the specific form of Vitamin B3 that is deemed to “stimulate the faulty energy metabolism in the affected nerve cells thereby protecting them from dying off.” In short, this form of Vitamin B3 can possibly preserve nerve cells by boosting their cell’s energy-producing centers, the mitochondria.

The Mitochondria and Parkinson’s Disease

Essentially, Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, gradual and irreversible neurodegenerative disease. What this means is that this disease results from the death of brain cells, connected with the production of dopamine which is accountable for controlling movement. Consequently, Parkinson’s affects a person’s balance, coordination, and walking. Sometimes other symptoms are also felt like depression, fatigue, memory problems, and sleep disruption.

In the US alone, there are 600,000 new diagnoses of Parkinson’s every year aside from the 1 million who already have it. Scientists believe that the disease is a product of environmental and genetic factors that work together.

Mitochondria is known as the powerhouse of the cell where it has the capability to convert food into usable energy by the cell. Since nerve cells constantly need energy, they are much more dependent on the mitochondria. A damaged mitochondrion is a common feature for brain tissue deaths, and related diseases include Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Cause or Side Effect?

All these discoveries lead to the question, which comes first the chicken or the egg? Are faulty mitochondria the cause of the disease or the side effect? Dr. Deledi and his crew studied the effect of Vitamin B-3 on mitochondria and nerve cells.

The Outcome of Study on Vitamin B3

By far, the studies were only limited within the four walls of a laboratory, but the results have been optimistic. By feeding the cells with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), the levels rise within the cells rise. As a result, it created new mitochondria within the cell and thereby increasing the cell’s energy production.

This study was then replicated using flies. In the flies that received the Vitamin B3 supplement, the flies showed substantially fewer dead nerve cells and they had longer retention of mobility in contrast to the flies that did not have B3 supplementation.

The next step in the study is to test the effects of vitamin B3 supplements on individuals with Parkinson’s. As Dr. Deledi has pointed out, “Administering nicotinamide riboside may be a new starting point for treatment and there is already evidence from other studies that show that vitamins do not have side effects when ingested.”

Inspired by www.medicalnewstoday.com

Infographic: Love Your Heart With These Fruits & Vegetables

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NutriFusion developed our GrandFusion fruit and vegetable powders because we know how important these whole foods are to our diets. We saw that people were eating more packaged and processed foods, but most of these were not packed with fruits and vegetables. On top of that, the products that did have fruits and vegetables in them were not retaining the beneficial vitamins and minerals that our bodies so desperately need. Check out the infographic below created by SunWarrior and a list of heart-healthy foods.

love your heart heart healthy foods fruits vegetables nutrifusion sunwarrior

 

Infographic Credit: sunwarrior.com

Study: Excess Body Fat Correlates to Low Vitamin D Levels

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Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is a fat-soluble nutrient produced the body naturally through regular exposure to the sun. Aside from sunshine, Vitamin D is also sourced from tuna, salmon, eggs, and sardines. While it is known that Vitamin D helps the body absorb Calcium effectively, recent studies suggest that it has a critical role in protecting the body against diabetes, heart failure, bone health, cancer, and respiratory tract infection.

The Link Between Vitamin D and Health

Researchers from the Leiden University Medical Center and VU University Medical Center presented their findings regarding the link between Vitamin D and excess fat. The study examined the data from the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity involving men and women between the ages of 45 and 65. The researchers noted that the lower levels of Vitamin D are correlated with the total body fat and liver fat among men and abdominal fat among women. The research suggests that individuals who have higher amounts of abdominal fat are at risk of Vitamin D deficiency; thus they should consider getting their Vitamin D levels checked.

Americans Suffer from Low Vitamin D Levels

While Vitamin D is one of the essential vitamins that the body needs, many studies noted that a large percentage of the population is deficient. In the survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), about 8.1% of the people in the United States suffer from Vitamin D deficiency. This equates to a gap in one out of 10 Americans. For the body to carry its natural physiological function, it is crucial to take in between 400 and 800 IU (10 to 20 micrograms) per day. Higher intake of Vitamin D will also benefit the body.

This is the reason why the Food and Drug Administration has approved the fortification of milk and other beverages with Vitamin D. In fact, fortifying milk with Vitamin D has been done since the 1930s, but it is only now that people are taking heed. While many food companies are strengthening their products with Vitamin D, there is still a challenge when it comes to introducing more of it on products.

Food Manufacturers Jumping on Vitamin D Bandwagon

The deficiency of Vitamin D among the broader American population has led to the manufacturers to create products that are infused with Vitamin D. Products that are fortified with Vitamin D should be labeled appropriately.

Vitamin D provides an off-taste to the product; thus ingredients place importance on creating custom premixes and employing the right blending techniques to avoid the lousy mouthfeel of Vitamin D. This is to ensure that milk products still taste the same, especially among children. What many food companies do not know about is GrandFusion…NutriFusion developed GrandFusion blends to concentrate naturally occurring, plant-based vitamins. GrandFusion blends include plant-based versions of Vitamin D, Vitamin D2, and Vitamin D3. The blends are so concentrated that the consumer will never taste the product when adequately blended into the product.

But with the food and beverage manufacturers advertising that their products are fortified with Vitamin D, are the consumers paying attention to the labels or not? We are still not sure, and after almost 100 years of enriching milk, we still see low vitamin D levels. Only time will tell if these new Vitamin D infused products well attract attention and grow into essential products for consumers.

Inspired by www.fooddive.com

More Research Points to Botanicals as Important to Brain Health

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There is growing evidence that associates a better cognitive function with the Mediterranean diet. In fact, different studies have identified plant extracts that can help maintain good brain health among older adults and these include resveratrol, Ginkgo biloba, Bacopa monnieri, Theobroma cacao, ashwagandha, Crocus sativus, ginseng, curcumin, and rosemary. These plant extracts do delay not only the cognitive decline but also have protective effects against neurodegenerative disorders.

No Available Studies to Pin the Claim

While the botanical extracts have vast potential, research regarding their efficacy is still in its early stage, and even organizations that support complementary therapies have not yet endorsed the potential role of botanicals in improving cognitive health. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) noted that no available and convincing evidence suggests that a particular supplement can prevent cognitive impairment particularly those that are associated with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Small Hints Found in Literature

Finding the exact mechanism and correlation still presents a challenge but the International Food Information Council noted that there are slight hints found in the literature regarding the links between food and brain health. The organization noted that what is good for the heart is also good for the brain. As such, promising plant extracts such as resveratrol, curcumin, and theobromine are not only good for the heart but also for the brain.

But this does not mean that this is the end of the line for plant extracts. It might take some time for companies who work with such ingredients to find the missing link to validate their claims for a reliable clinical result. Thus, the primary challenge for those working in the field of pharmaceuticals is to pin down on a particular measurable improvement among the human subjects so that the cause and effect can be proven.

 

Continuous Research Needed on Botanicals

Pharmaceutical companies have been working to pin down the mechanism of action of certain plant extracts. For instance, the company Evolva is looking at the potential of resveratrol to improve cognitive function. Working with the Brain, Performance, and Nutrition Research Center of Northumbria University in the UK, both organizations are working on how resveratrol influences the gut health concerning brain health.

On the other hand, other companies are working with other plant extracts. For instance, Ixoreal that sells both ashwagandha and curcumin supplements focus on the history and effects while, at the same time, undertake clinical trials to support their claims.

The research regarding the efficacy of plant extracts is paying off as it continues to attract the development of new products. While there is a rise in plant extracts used to promote better brain health, market researchers indicate that the growth of this niche is only 0.4%. Thus there are still many issues that should be addressed before this niche can reach its full market potential. Having said this, there is still more work to do by the researchers, food manufacturers, or pharmaceutical companies before products that can boost cognitive function will be favored in the market.

Inspired by www.ingredientsnetwork.com

The 13 Vitamins Essential for Survival

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While many pharmaceutical companies stress the importance of taking vitamins and supplements, scientific evidence shows that you don’t need vitamins in pill form especially when you can get them from the food you eat.

A review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology noted that there are only 13 essential vitamins that the body needs to function correctly. These vitamins are obtained from your diet. Curious about what these vitamins are? Read on below.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A helps to maintain healthy teeth, bones, skin, and mucous membrane. Get them dark green leafy vegetables, dark-colored fruits, egg yolks, liver, fish, and beef.

Vitamin B1

Also called thiamine, this converts carbohydrates into energy and helps regulate proper heart function. You can get them from lean meats, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, and organ meats.

Vitamin B2

Riboflavin promotes the production of red blood cells. Moreover, it also helps other B vitamins to function properly. Get them from organ meats, eggs, milk, green vegetables, and whole grains.

Vitamin B3

Niacin helps maintain healthy nerve and skin cells. It can also help lower the cholesterol levels in the body. It can be sourced from avocado, fish, eggs, legumes, potatoes, whole grains, and poultry.

Vitamin B5

Pantothenic acid breaks down the food and helps the body produce hormone and cholesterol that your body needs to function correctly. You can get them from kale, avocado, legumes, mushrooms, organ meats, sweet potatoes, milk, and poultry.

Vitamin B6

Also called pyridoxine, Vitamin B6 helps in the production of red blood cells. It also helps maintain the brain function and with protein synthesis. Get them from meats, poultry, nuts, avocado, banana, legumes, and whole grains.

Vitamin B7

Biotin helps break down carbs and protein. It also helps with the production of hormones. Source them from egg yolks, nuts, legumes, pork, yeast, cereals, and chocolate.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is essential for metabolism, and it helps with the production of red blood cells. It also lowers the levels of homocysteine that has damaging effects on the body. Source them from eggs, milk, organ meats, seafood and fortified foods. NutriFusion has found concentrated plant-based B12 that many companies are adding to their products as well.

Vitamin C

Ascorbic acid is an antioxidant that promotes healthy gums and teeth. It also encourages the body for healthy wound healing. Source them from broccoli, cabbage, citrus fruits, spinach, berries, and tomatoes.

Vitamin D

This vitamin aids in the efficient absorption of Calcium. We get it from exposure to the sun for at least 15 minutes, but they can also be sourced from fatty fish, fish liver oil, and cereals.

Vitamin E

This vitamin helps in the production of red blood cells. It also helps the body use Vitamin K effectively. Get them from green leafy vegetables, avocado, papaya, seeds, nuts, wheat, and mango.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K helps promote bone health and clot the blood. Get them from green leafy vegetables, fish, beef, eggs, and liver.

Folate:

Folate works well with Vitamin B12 to produce red blood cells. It is also required for the production of DNA thus making it an essential vitamin for pregnant women. Source them from beans, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, peanut butter, wheat, and brewer’s yeast.

13 Vitamins Make The Difference to a Point

Intake of vitamins is significant to get your body’s physiological function running. But it is critical to take note that too many vitamins can cause toxic build-up in the body and too many antioxidants can lead to the development of certain cancers. Take your vitamins at adequate levels.

Inspired by www.popsci.com

Infographic: A Guide to Vitamin Rich Foods

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Vitamins are essential to regulating the body and protecting us from oxidative stress. This is the primary reason that NutriFusion developed the GrandFusion powdered blends to help food manufacturers easily add robust combinations of vitamins and minerals all from fruits and vegetables. Check out this infographic on vitamin rich foods and how to keep your diet full of them.

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