Plants Have More Protective Properties Against Alzheimer’s Than Pills

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Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most dreaded diseases that inflict the elderly. Conventional medicines are used to slow down the progression of the disease, but they do not prevent or reduce your likelihood of stopping this condition. While there is no cure for this particular disease yet, your likelihood of developing it can be reduced.

Dr. Neal Barnard, founding president of the Physician Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), noted that while popping pills can slow down the disease, they don’t prevent the onset of its occurrence. In his book “Power Foods for The Brain,” he discusses that certain foods can help protect your brain against Alzheimer’s disease.

Eat Plants to Protect Your Brain

There are many foods that you can eat for your brain but there are only a few that provides your brain with a shield. These plants with concentrations of certain vitamins including Vitamin E and B Vitamins (B6, B12, and folic acid). These vitamins help protect the brain from cognitive impairment when ingested especially together with a plant-based diet.

While these vitamins are good for the brain, they can cause harm if taken in huge amounts. For instance, large doses of Vitamin E can increase the risk of heart disease while high amounts of folate increase the risk for cancer. The thing is, the body has evolved to procure micronutrients through the food that we eat. Consumption of high doses of vitamins is not natural for the body and can possibly cause more harm than good.

How to Get Vitamins Trough the Food You Eat

The best way to get micronutrients that are good for the brain is by eating the right kinds of food. But how do you get micronutrients from the food that you eat? It is important that you know that plants are one of the best ways to get the micronutrients that you need. For instance, you can get traces of Vitamin E from green leafy vegetables like broccoli and spinach. You can also get Vitamin E from mangoes, sweet potatoes, and avocados. Other sources include pine nuts, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, sesame seeds, and pistachios. Although you only get 5mg of Vitamin E from these foods, you can reduce your risk by as much as 26%.

When it comes to Vitamin B6, you can consume whole greens, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, beans, nuts, and bananas. Folate can be sourced from leafy greens, peas, citrus fruits, and cantaloupes. Now the challenge here is Vitamin B12 as it is made by bacteria found in dirt. It is also found in meat. To compensate, you can consume a 1000mg B12 supplement daily especially if you are not a meat eater.

Many people believe that Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disease, but recent studies noted that it is a vascular disease as patients who suffer from this disease have clogged up arteries in the brain, which is a tell-tale sign of a vascular disease. Having said this, what is good for the heart should also be good for the brain and consumption of more plant-based foods is definitely good not only good for the hear but also for the brain.

Inspired by www.postindependent.com

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Study: Consumers Favor the Term “Plant-Based” Over “Vegan”

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The vegan movement is becoming popular as more people are trying to live healthy lives. Vegan food products do not contain any animal products (or by-products). In fact, around 800 companies worldwide have made vegan products and have partnered with organizations such as Vegan Action to market vegan food products.

But while veganism is considered a solid movement, another movement is coming to the forefront – the plant-based diet. While the two terms are often interchanged with one another, the latter has a broader definition ranging from excluding animal-based product to just adding more fresh produce to your diet.

Increasing Number of People Opting for the Plant-Based Diet

In a survey conducted by HealthFocus International, about 17% of consumers in the United States consume predominantly a plant-based diet while 60% say they are cutting back on meat-based products.  And those who are cutting back on meat reveal that they don’t plan to go back to their massive meat-eating habits and would want to make this flexitarian lifestyle permanent.

According to Steven Walton, General Manager of Research at HealthFocus International, the change in consumer preference with regards to consuming more produce is prevalent through a wide variety of demographics. This means that this diet is not only popular among millennials but even the baby boomers and generation Z. Industry leaders can benefit from this information, but they might be too distracted by the many words that have sprung up such as vegetarian, flexitarian, and vegan.

Vegan vs. Plant-Based in Consumer Minds

With this confusion, many consumers prefer a singular term when describing the diet. According to a California-based food consultant, Mattson, more than 80% of people surveyed indicated that they prefer the terms “plant-based” over “vegan” when describing a diet that avoids all types of animal products.

While the term “vegan” is often used, “plant-based” is more flexible and gives consumers the impression that the food tastes better and it more likened to whole foods. Mattson president, Barb Stuckey, noted that that the term “plant-based” is more positive and does not include deprivation or allegiance to a self-defining cause such as environmentalism or animal rights, which veganism is known for. By using the term “plant-based,” any conversation about plant-based food becomes neutral and does not incite any negative reactions from other people including ethical vegans.

Why are People Opting for a Plant-Based Diet?

There are many reasons why many people shift to the plant-based diet. Based on the survey, 3 out of 4 individuals noted that they would like to consume more plant-based foods for health reasons while others opt for this diet to lose weight or contribute something to the environment.

As more consumers are more welcoming to the term “plant-based,” food manufacturers have also caught up. Companies like Good Karma Food launched its non-dairy yogurt and sales have continued to increase 50% yearly. Other companies such as Beyond Meat introduced its plant-based chicken strips and burgers that vegan consumers have embraced with much gusto. Having said this, the popularity of the “plant-based” term has resulted in a new and ever-growing niche.

Inspired by www.fooddive.com

Infographic: What is Clean Eating?

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Do you know what clean eating is? The clean eating trend has taken over the food and beverage industry over the past few years. Consumers believe it is a way to eat whole foods and packaged products with simpler ingredients. Two of the essential whole foods to clean eating are fruits and vegetables. Check out this infographic below created by the American Heart Association to learn more about the clean eating.

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Why is the Keto Diet Taking Over the Country?

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There always seems to be a trendy diet that seems to be defying the logic of so many other diet and healthy eating plans. Ketogenics or the keto diet may be the craziest of them all, but it is taking over like wildfire. The new diet wants fewer carbohydrates and focuses on healthy fats like avocado and cheese. Who doesn’t love cheese and avocado? The diet is built on the idea that without the carbs, the body burns fat through a process called ketosis.

Ketosis and the Keto Diet

There are fortunately a few studies to back up this theory of ketosis and the reason for the keto diet. One study looked at 83 overweight subjects throughout a 24 week period, and they found significant weight loss as well as lower cholesterol while on the keto diet. The experts are recommended to consult a physician before going on the keto diet as it is very different and may not work for some people.

Keto Requires Commitment

The keto diet is not for everyone. It requires strong dedication and commitment to see results. While the diet does not ban carbs, you can eat very few. You have to eat mainly avocados, cheese, walnuts, almonds, and grass-fed beef. Now that’s an expensive diet!

 

Avocados prices have surged as demand is increased, but supply cannot keep up. Almonds are in the same boat, and grass-fed beef has always been priced at a premium. However, this is not slowing people down from trying the diet. Some companies are even trying to cater to this diet. Ancient Nutrition, for example, invested $103 million in growing its product line to meet the market’s needs.

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Scott Gottlieb’s FDA Will Continue to Push Food Transparency Measures

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With the focus on deregulation by the Trump administration, many food industry experts worried that the newly appointed commissioner of the FDA, Scott Gottlieb, would roll back pending changes to nutrition labels and consumer information. However, at a recent conference, Gottlieb made it clear that the FDA is going to continue to push for food transparency with Nutrition Facts, labeling, and definitions playing a significant role in the agency’s new nutrition innovation strategy.

Improving the Health of Americans Through Food Transparency

At the National Food Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., Gottlieb let everyone know that the nutrition innovation strategy is meant to improve the health of all American regardless of socioeconomic status.

“Our challenge is to help create more healthful choices and foster inovation and competition, and also make these choices more afordable.” – Scott Gottlieb, FDA Commissioner

A study found that 20% of American deaths in 2015 could be attributed to poor dietary factors. Gottlieb made sure to emphasize the importance of research and facts on everything his agency does. He said that clear science-based information is the central pillar of the work we do at the FDA and is essential to helping drive better consumer choices.

Nutrition Facts Labeling Updates

 

Gottlieb indicated that the new Nutrition Facts labeling initiative is of the utmost importance, but he wants to make sure it is right. He wants to roll out the new label with a consumer educational campaign to help the average American better understand how many calories they should be consuming each day.

On top of the new label, he promised to handle the definition of “healthy” and “natural” for labeling. A core definition of “healthy” is critical to help consumers better understand what they are buying. The new definition will consider nutrient content. Consumers also want more clarity on “natural” which has never been defined by the NDA. While Gottlieb did not offer up much on this definition, he did indicate that it will need to be science-based.

Streamlining the Labeling Process for Food Manufacturers

Gottlieb believes the regulatory labeling process is currently too lengthy and time consuming for food manufacturers. He has added to his docked to streamline the labeling process to modern times. He wants it to be easy for consumers to understand the health benefits of a product.

He wants to make it easier for the food companies to clean up their labels. Interestingly, he used vitamins as an example since they typically appear by their chemical name on the ingredient statement. We believe it should stay this way as most of these vitamins do not come from whole food sources and are chemically derived. Our GrandFusion products concentrate these natural vitamins from fruits and vegetables and as a result, allow products to use a much cleaner ingredient statement.

Conclusion on Gottlieb’s Remarks

The FDA is overall in good hands with this Trump appointee. He is committed to pushing forward all of the Obama-era regulations and making decisions on scientific fact. He believes some of the processes in the FDA are archaic and need updating to work faster in today’s environment. It will be interesting to see all the changes that move forward under Scott Gottlieb’s leadership.

Inspired by www.fooddive.com

Infographic: Healthy Look at The World of Vitamins

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Check out this in-depth infographic into the world of vitamins by 16 Best.

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B-Vitamins and The Best Whole Food Sources

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People who are following a plant-based diet often overlook their intake of B-Vitamins. But while many people focus on protein and calcium, these vitamins are essential as this group has a direct impact on your overall health from your heart, mood, to your digestion. These vitamins are used up for the production of healthy red blood cells, and they are also used to maintain the function of the cardiovascular and nervous system.

Why Is Food Important for Your Daily Dose of B-Vitamins?

B-Vitamins are essential to the body as this group of vitamins is used for the different physiological functions of the body. They are naturally found in food, and they are water-soluble except for Vitamin B-12. Aside from being water-soluble, these vitamins are destroyed by heat, so foods that are overcooked and highly processed contain lower amounts of B-Vitamins.

Foods That Contain High Amounts of B-Vitamins

Eating a nutritious and well-balanced diet is the best way to get your daily dose of B-Vitamins except for Vitamin B-12. Unfortunately, Vitamin B-12 is obtained from bacteria in the soil and the condition of our soil today is getting more impoverished due to intense synthetic agricultural practices. B12 can be found in a few plants and NutriFusion has developed a process to concentrate and stabilize naturally occurring B12, which once believed to be unobtainable in whole food sources. While you can get B Vitamins from eggs, milk, and red meat, plant sources are the best as you can also get other benefits such as antioxidants. Below are significant plant-based, whole food sources of for B-Vitamins.

  • Seeds: Seeds such as chia, flax, sesame, sunflower, amaranth, and pumpkin to name a few are excellent sources of B-Vitamins such as Vitamin B1 (thiamin), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B9 (folate).
  • Vegetables: Vegetables such as broccoli, sweet potatoes, leafy greens, leeks, and cauliflower are good sources of folate. Folate is necessary for synthesizing new cells as well as supporting both the immune and nerve functions.
  • Fruits: Fruits like avocados, bananas, dates, and figs are good sources of Vitamin B6 that is necessary for nervous system functions. They are also rich in Vitamin B5, which plays a prominent role in converting food into energy.
  • Beans and legumes: Beans and legumes contain high amounts of B-Vitamins except for Vitamin B12, so you get a lot of benefits eating them. Plus, they also provide high amounts of fiber for proper digestion.
  • Grains: Grains are some of the best sources of B-Vitamins except for Vitamin B12. Eat barley, brown rice, and wheat germ as much as you can to get your daily dose of B-Vitamins.

Is B-Vitamin Deficiency Dangerous?

Contrary to what most people think, a deficiency in B-Vitamins can spell serious health problems such as anemia, constipation, heart problems, brittle nails and hair, lack of appetite, and poor digestion. And since B-Vitamins also affect the mood of individuals, people who lack these essential nutrients may also suffer from depression, fatigue, poor memory, confusion, moodiness, and anxiety. With the many effects of B-Vitamins deficiency, it is important to know which foods great sources are so that you always get your daily dose of this important and highly underrated group of vitamins.

Inspired by www.onegreenplanet.org

GrandFusion Concentrates Plant-Based B-Vitamins For Food Industry

Did you know that NutriFusion developed a process to stabilize and concentrate the naturally occurring vitamins in fruits and vegetables into powder form? With the GrandFusion product line, food and beverage manufacturers can easily add essential micronutrients to their products without impacting the flavor or texture of the end product. Interested in learning more? Download our GrandFusion R&D kit to get started!

Bowery Startup Building World’s Techiest Indoor Farm

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With space becoming limited in urban areas, people are looking for ways to start indoor farms. Vertical farming is popular in urban areas because you can grow food in vertically-inclined surfaces or layers. Buildings and warehouses are being transformed to create vertical indoor farms.

When it comes to vertical farming, startup company Bowery is taking the lead by building a facility that allows people to do indoor vertical farming. The facility will be in Kearny, New Jersey and what makes this facility different is that it will be the most tech-savvy in the world. The company was able to raise $20 million from investors like GGV, General Catalyst, and GV to build its new indoor farm.

The Technology is the Key to Indoor Farm Production

The new facility can grow 30 times more than current indoor farms and it can supply 100 types of leafy greens to its customers. Recently, the company partnered with companies like Foragers and Whole Foods. The company is increasing efficiency by using machine learning, robotics, and predictive analytics to grow food. Bowery has developed a proprietary software system with a robust network to automate the farming practices.

Bowery CEO, Irving Fain, noted that the software is the brains of the farm. It can make small adjustments to changes in water flow, humidity, temperature, and light intensity to grow the best crops. The use of precision-level technology to control the environmental parameters is seldom used in agriculture and the company is keen on being the first to deliver this technology at an unparalleled level.

With this technology, Bowery is able to be 100 times more efficient when it comes to growing food compared to a square-foot of farmland. There is also no downtime as Bowery can grow food all year round and is not at the mercy of the changing seasons. The startup also does not use agri-chemicals like synthetic pesticides and fertilizers to grow food but surprisingly is able to produce higher yields for each crop cycle. This is definitely not doable when implemented out in the open field.

 

Fewer Middlemen Between Food and Consumers

The crops are grown through a system called hydroponics. This “soil-less” system uses substrates such as pebbles and rocks submerged in nutrient-rich waters to grow crops. But while the National Organic Standards Board has voted hydroponics as organic, Bowery is focused on growing post-organic food. The thing is that organic produce still uses pesticides, but Bowery does not use it at all.

This urban vertical farm provides food immediately to the neighborhood. Since the farm is located in the heart of New Jersey, the food produced goes to the local tri-state area. And since the food is grown close to the consumers, there are not so many players that sit between the food and the consumers which keeps the cost of the food down.  If more of these farms are built in the United States, it can provide fresh and healthy foods to all income levels and areas.

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