Latest news with #BenjaminParmenter
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
These four surprising foods could help you live longer and reduce inflammation
New research has found that these tasty snacks may ward off a multitude of serious ailments A new study has identified four foods that could help elongate our lifespans, and even cut the risk of diseases like Parkinson's, cancer and diabetes. Scientists across several universities from Northern Ireland to Vienna conducted a study that may have found the key to living longer. The study found that incorporating certain foods into your diet could help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurological diseases. Researchers from Queen's University Belfast, Edith Cowan University Perth (ECU), and the Medical University of Vienna and Universitat Wien led the study, which was published in Nature Food. Tea, berries, dark chocolate and apples are high in compounds called flavonoids, and consuming a variety of foods containing these compounds could extend your life expectancy, according to the new research. Flavonoids are a group of plant compounds that are high in antioxidants, and can be found in a range of foods, predominantly fruit and vegetables including broccoli, onions, tomatoes, peaches and grapes. Previous studies have pointed towards their abilities to prevent health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer, and therefore contribute to longevity. But this was the first study to identify that eating a variety of foods containing the compounds could impact life expectancy, rather than just the quantity consumed. The new study tracked the progress of over 120,000 participants aging from 40 to 70 years old for over 10 years. First author and co-lead of the study Dr Benjamin Parmenter said: "Flavonoid intakes of around 500 mg a day was associated with a 16 per cent lower risk of all-cause mortality, as well as a 10 per cent lower risk of CVD, type 2 diabetes, and respiratory disease. That's roughly the amount of flavonoids that you would consume in two cups of tea." But consuming a wide diversity of flavonoids had an even lower risk of these diseases, even when consuming the same total amount of the plant compounds. So instead of just drinking tea or eating apples, it's better to eat a range of flavonoid-rich foods to make up your intake- and even red wine is rich in the antioxidant compounds. Another co-lead on the study, Professor Aedín Cassidy said: "We have known for some time that higher intakes of dietary flavonoids, powerful bioactives naturally present in many foods and drinks, can reduce the risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and neurological conditions like Parkinson's. "We also know from lab data and clinical studies that different flavonoids work in different ways, some improve blood pressure, others help with cholesterol levels and decrease inflammation. This study is significant as the results indicate that consuming a higher quantity and wider diversity has the potential to lead to a greater reduction in ill health than just a single source." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Diet containing foods with this key component can lead to longer life, study finds
A diet containing daily servings of tea, berries, apples, oranges or grapes may lower the risk of early death and promote longevity. A new study published in the journal Nature Food concludes that people who consume a diverse range of foods rich in flavonoid molecules may have a lower risk of developing chronic health conditions and a higher potential to live longer. Consuming flavonoid food sources in the form of tea, berries, dark chocolate, and apples can prevent the development of conditions like type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart and neurological diseases, scientists, including from Queen's University Belfast, say. 'We have known for some time that higher intakes of dietary flavonoids, powerful bioactives naturally present in many foods and drinks, can reduce the risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes as well as neurological conditions like Parkinson's,' study co-author Aedín Cassidy explains. 'We also know from lab data and clinical studies that different flavonoids work in different ways, some improve blood pressure, others help with cholesterol levels and decrease inflammation.' Flavonoid molecules are found abundantly in blueberries, strawberries, oranges, apples, grapes, and even tea, red wine and dark chocolate. 'Flavonoid intakes of around 500mg a day were associated with a 16 per cent lower risk of all-cause mortality as well as a 10 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and respiratory disease,' Benjamin Parmenter, another author of the study, says. 'That's roughly the amount of flavonoids that you would consume in two cups of tea.' The study, which involved tracking over 120,000 people aged 40 to 70 for over a decade, is the first of its kind to highlight a benefit to consuming a diverse range of flavonoids beyond simply consuming a high quantity. The findings indicate consuming a higher quantity and a wider diversity of flavonoid foods can lead to a greater reduction in ill health than just a single source. The research is in line with the popular belief that eating colourful foods is invaluable to maintaining good health. 'Eating fruits and vegetables in a variety of colours, including those rich in flavonoids, means that you are more likely to get the vitamins and nutrients you need to sustain a healthier lifestyle,' study author Tilman Kuhn says. 'The results provide a clear public health message,' says Dr Cassidy, 'suggesting that simple and achievable dietary swaps, like drinking more tea and eating more berries and apples, can help increase the variety and intake of flavonoid-rich foods, and potentially improve health in the long term.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Diet containing foods with this key component can lead to longer life, study finds
A diet containing daily servings of tea, berries, apples, oranges or grapes may lower the risk of early death and promote longevity. A new study published in the journal Nature Food concludes that people who consume a diverse range of foods rich in flavonoid molecules may have a lower risk of developing chronic health conditions and a higher potential to live longer. Consuming flavonoid food sources in the form of tea, berries, dark chocolate, and apples can prevent the development of conditions like type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart and neurological diseases, scientists, including from Queen's University Belfast, say. 'We have known for some time that higher intakes of dietary flavonoids, powerful bioactives naturally present in many foods and drinks, can reduce the risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes as well as neurological conditions like Parkinson's,' study co-author Aedín Cassidy explains. 'We also know from lab data and clinical studies that different flavonoids work in different ways, some improve blood pressure, others help with cholesterol levels and decrease inflammation.' Flavonoid molecules are found abundantly in blueberries, strawberries, oranges, apples, grapes, and even tea, red wine and dark chocolate. 'Flavonoid intakes of around 500mg a day were associated with a 16 per cent lower risk of all-cause mortality as well as a 10 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and respiratory disease,' Benjamin Parmenter, another author of the study, says. 'That's roughly the amount of flavonoids that you would consume in two cups of tea.' The study, which involved tracking over 120,000 people aged 40 to 70 for over a decade, is the first of its kind to highlight a benefit to consuming a diverse range of flavonoids beyond simply consuming a high quantity. The findings indicate consuming a higher quantity and a wider diversity of flavonoid foods can lead to a greater reduction in ill health than just a single source. The research is in line with the popular belief that eating colourful foods is invaluable to maintaining good health. 'Eating fruits and vegetables in a variety of colours, including those rich in flavonoids, means that you are more likely to get the vitamins and nutrients you need to sustain a healthier lifestyle,' study author Tilman Kuhn says. 'The results provide a clear public health message,' says Dr Cassidy, 'suggesting that simple and achievable dietary swaps, like drinking more tea and eating more berries and apples, can help increase the variety and intake of flavonoid-rich foods, and potentially improve health in the long term.'
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Diet containing foods with this key component can lead to longer life, study finds
A diet containing daily servings of tea, berries, apples, oranges or grapes may lower the risk of early death and promote longevity. A new study published in the journal Nature Food concludes that people who consume a diverse range of foods rich in flavonoid molecules may have a lower risk of developing chronic health conditions and a higher potential to live longer. Consuming flavonoid food sources in the form of tea, berries, dark chocolate, and apples can prevent the development of conditions like type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart and neurological diseases, scientists, including from Queen's University Belfast, say. 'We have known for some time that higher intakes of dietary flavonoids, powerful bioactives naturally present in many foods and drinks, can reduce the risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes as well as neurological conditions like Parkinson's,' study co-author Aedín Cassidy explains. 'We also know from lab data and clinical studies that different flavonoids work in different ways, some improve blood pressure, others help with cholesterol levels and decrease inflammation.' Flavonoid molecules are found abundantly in blueberries, strawberries, oranges, apples, grapes, and even tea, red wine and dark chocolate. 'Flavonoid intakes of around 500mg a day were associated with a 16 per cent lower risk of all-cause mortality as well as a 10 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and respiratory disease,' Benjamin Parmenter, another author of the study, says. 'That's roughly the amount of flavonoids that you would consume in two cups of tea.' The study, which involved tracking over 120,000 people aged 40 to 70 for over a decade, is the first of its kind to highlight a benefit to consuming a diverse range of flavonoids beyond simply consuming a high quantity. The findings indicate consuming a higher quantity and a wider diversity of flavonoid foods can lead to a greater reduction in ill health than just a single source. The research is in line with the popular belief that eating colourful foods is invaluable to maintaining good health. 'Eating fruits and vegetables in a variety of colours, including those rich in flavonoids, means that you are more likely to get the vitamins and nutrients you need to sustain a healthier lifestyle,' study author Tilman Kuhn says. 'The results provide a clear public health message,' says Dr Cassidy, 'suggesting that simple and achievable dietary swaps, like drinking more tea and eating more berries and apples, can help increase the variety and intake of flavonoid-rich foods, and potentially improve health in the long term.'
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Tea and dark chocolate could help you live longer, Queens study shows
Tea, berries and dark chocolate could lead to a longer life span, new research has indicated. The study found those who consume a diverse range of foods rich in flavonoids, such as tea, berries, dark chocolate, and apples, could lower their risk of developing serious health conditions and have the potential to live longer. The study was led by a team of researchers from Queen's University Belfast, Edith Cowan University Perth, and the Medical University of Vienna and Universitat Wien. The findings reveal increasing the diversity of flavonoids within your diet could help prevent the development of health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurological disease. Flavonoids are found in plant foods like tea, blueberries, strawberries, oranges, apples, grapes, and even red wine and dark chocolate. Published on Tuesday in Nature Food, the research tracked more than 120,000 participants aged from 40 to 70 years old for over a decade. It is the first study of its kind to suggest there is a benefit to consuming a wide range of flavonoids beyond that of simply consuming a high quantity. Study co-lead, Professor Aedín Cassidy from the Co-Centre for Sustainable Food Systems and Institute for Global Food Security at Queen's said: 'We have known for some time that higher intakes of dietary flavonoids, powerful bioactives naturally present in many foods and drinks, can reduce the risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and neurological conditions like Parkinson's. 'We also know from lab data and clinical studies that different flavonoids work in different ways, some improve blood pressure, others help with cholesterol levels and decrease inflammation. This study is significant as the results indicate that consuming a higher quantity and wider diversity has the potential to lead to a greater reduction in ill health than just a single source.' Edith Cowan University research fellow, first author and co-lead of the study, Dr Benjamin Parmenter, made the initial discovery that a flavonoid-diverse diet is good for health. He explained: 'Flavonoid intakes of around 500mg a day was associated with a 16% lower risk of all-cause mortality, as well as a 10% lower risk of CVD [cardiovascular disease], type 2 diabetes, and respiratory disease. That's roughly the amount of flavonoids that you would consume in two cups of tea. 'However, those who consumed the widest diversity of flavonoids, had an even lower risk of these diseases, even when consuming the same total amount.' Read More Families criticise delays to inquiry into epilepsy drug valproate
