News From the Latest Studies

at 9:55 AM

A recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity examined whether teens, known
for eating fast-food, were reading the calorie information available at restaurants.  They found no difference in food choice before and after calorie labeling.   In this study the researchers compared the buying habits of 349 child and adolescents in New York and New Jersey, labels had not effect on their choices.  The labeling, whatever else it has done, has not solved the obesity crisis.

A study that was published in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association has shown that soda and other sugar-sweetened drinks may be correlated with higher  blood pressure in adults.  The researchers found higher blood pressure levels in individuals who consumed more glucose and fructose (found in high fructose corn syrup).  In addition they found no association  between diet soda intake and blood pressure levels.  A  couple of things I want to say about this study, 1. The word correlation does not mean causation, a sugary drink by itself may not raise blood pressure, but individuals who consume these sugary drinks may be the same ones who are not healthy in other areas of their lives, i.e. bigger portion sizes, consumption of higher calorie content food, inactivity, etc.  2. Regarding diet soda, on a regular basis I see people washing down their high calorie fast-food with diet soda.  So just because you are drinking diet soda does not mean anything by itself!

'Americans suffer from fiber confusion'-  This study made me laugh out loud.  According to a consumer survey of more than 1000 adults, people are really confused about fiber.  Almost 20% of Americans incorrectly believe that meats, seafood, and dairy foods are a good source of fiber (correction: plant-derived foods have fiber) and nearly 10%  thinks that water has fiber!!  80% believe that they get enough fiber but actually less than one in 10 actually get the recommended daily intake of 25 grams of fiber.  Also, 15% think that they only need fiber when they are constipated.

Fiber can be found in many plant-derived foods such as vegetables, all legumes, fruits and tree nuts.  Again don't confuse multi-grain with whole grain.  Generally a slice of bread needs to have 3 grams of fiber to be considered a 'good' source of fiber.