Latest news with #EmilyLachtrupp
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Just Discovered a Surprising Health Benefit of Tea
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RDA new study suggests that eating more flavonoids may help improve quality of life as we age. Berries, apples, red wine, oranges and black tea had the strongest associations. Adding more plant-based foods to your day can support healthier are living longer than ever. From 1900 to now, we've increased our longevity by over 30 years. But living longer doesn't necessarily equate to being healthy and having a high quality of life, especially as we age. That means it's important to focus on both lifespan (number of years lived) and healthspan (number of years with good health). Reasons for the increase in longevity have a lot to do with medical advances, including diagnosing, treatments, surgical options and research. While these things may improve quality of life, they often only cure or improve the disease state. This means that ultimately, your quality of life depends on your habits. Though some may think these habits are more important in midlife and older age, the younger you are when you establish healthy habits—even in childhood—the more likely you are to continue them throughout your lifetime. And let's face it: The more established habits become, the more difficult they are to change. Diet plays a large role in how well our bodies and brains function, as well as how quickly they age. Researchers from Australia and the U.S. teamed up to take a closer look at a powerful plant compound—flavonoids—aiming to establish relationships between them and healthy aging. They recently published their findings in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Let's break them down. Related: 6 Habits Women in Their 20s Should Start for Healthy Aging, According to Experts Researchers drew data from two long-term U.S. studies—the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS). The NHS began in 1976 with 121,701 female nurses between the ages of 30 and 55 at baseline; the HPFS included 51,529 male health professionals aged 40 to 75 at baseline and started in 1986. Researchers included 62,743 females and 23,687 males from these studies for this current analysis. This study aimed to examine relationships between flavonoid intake and three indicators of healthy aging: frailty levels, physical function and mental health. Flavonoids are plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Foods high in flavonoids include berries, oranges, apples, dark chocolate and tea. For this study, researchers looked at several angles, including a 'flavodiet' score based on the number of flavonoid servings per day, flavonoid subclasses and more. To examine flavonoid intakes, researchers used participants' food frequency questionnaires, which were completed at baseline and every four years. Frailty is defined as having three or more of these self-reported criteria: fatigue, poor strength, reduced aerobic capacity (i.e., getting short of breath more easily with activity), five or more chronic illnesses, and 5% or greater loss of body weight. Frailty was determined based on answers to a questionnaire every four years. Physical impairment was assessed throughout the study period based on a 10-question survey about physical limitations in performing various moderate and vigorous activities. Participants were given a score, calculated on a 100-point scale. Those scoring under 80 were considered physically impaired. Mental health was assessed using three different scales at various times throughout the study period. Poor mental health was determined based on the scores. Related: How Poor Gut Health Can Increase Anxiety and Depression Risk & What to Eat to Help Because researchers were looking at so many aspects of flavonoids and various factors, many results surfaced from this study. The researchers observed the clearest associations between flavonoids and healthy aging in the Nurses' Health Study, which included only female participants. For female participants, those who ate the most flavonoids had a 15% lower risk of developing frailty, a 12% lower risk of developing impaired physical function and a 12% lower risk of developing poor mental health compared to those who ate the least flavonoids. The researchers also broke down those findings for female participants food by food. The findings included that when comparing highest to lowest intakes: Tea, red wine, blueberries, apples and oranges were associated with an 11% to 21% lower risk of frailty. Red wine, blueberries, apples, strawberries and oranges were associated with 4% to 14% lower risk of physical impairment. Apples, strawberries, oranges and grapefruit were associated with 10% to 15% lower risk of poor mental health. The findings for citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit also included their juice, so even a morning glass of OJ may have beneficial effects. Related: Is Orange Juice Good for You? Here's What Dietitians Say There were few strong associations for male participants, but they largely had to do with high amounts of flavonols supporting better mental health with age. For instance, female participants who increased their intake of flavonoid-rich foods by three servings a day were at a lower risk for all three aging outcomes, while male participants only experienced a lower risk for poor mental health. Researchers aren't entirely sure why men didn't show the same level of risk reduction as women. While there may be some sex differences, they surmise that it might also be due to the shorter follow-up time in the male study compared to the female study. Less follow-up time means less data to work with, so more research needs to be done to gain clarity in this area. One limitation of this study is that it depended on self-reporting on diet, which opens up the possibility of bias and incorrect estimation. The participants of this study were largely white professional men and women, so it is unknown whether the results extend to other populations. Related: Scientists Just Discovered a New Health Benefit of Coffee While we often focus on living longer, the same habits contributing to longevity can also help improve quality of life. If this is your goal, this study suggests including plenty of foods rich in flavonoids—and that includes drinks like black tea. While all tea leaves are loaded with antioxidants, this study primarily considered black tea. But other teas rank right up there, too, including green, hibiscus, oolong, white and rooibos. This study did not note whether the tea was consumed plain or was embellished with sugar or cream, but if you're going to become a regular tea sipper, we suggest drinking it plain most of the time to avoid consuming too much added sugar and saturated fat. If you want the extra flavoring, consider sweetening your tea with allulose or stevia and using a touch of milk or nondairy milk for creaminess. Of course, those recommended flavanol-rich foods also include berries, apples and citrus fruits and juices. Eat the fruits whole or use them in tasty recipes, including smoothies and our Lemon-Blueberry Overnight Oats, Spring Pea Salad with Strawberries or Slow-Cooker Chile-Orange Chicken Tacos. Moderate red wine intake was linked to healthier aging in this study. It's important to emphasize that the benefits were exclusively related to red wine. Plus, research is mixed regarding alcohol and health. If you stick to just one 5-ounce serving with dinner, there is evidence that you might experience health benefits to your heart and brain. Beyond these limits—and for some, with any amount of alcohol—health benefits diminish. Related: 5 Fruits with More Fiber Than a Bowl of Oatmeal, According to a Dietitian This study didn't include dark chocolate in the analysis, but that, too, is rich in flavonoids. If you're looking for creative ways to add dark chocolate to your food lineup, give some of our highly rated recipes a try, including our Crispy Peanut Butter Balls and Chocolate Nut Bark. This study suggests that eating foods rich in flavonoids may reduce your risk of frailty, physical impairment and poor mental health as you age, especially for women. The foods they found had the greatest influence in these areas are black tea, berries, apples and citrus fruits and juices. Assess how many of these foods you're currently including in your diet and start by adding a serving each day, gradually increasing over time. Other lifestyle areas that influence healthspan include physical activity, stress, sleep and time spent with loved ones. Take a big-picture view of your health and start with any area you feel you'll have the most success in. This will make it easier to build on that success, as small steps lead to big changes over time. Related: Scientists Just Discovered a Heart-Healthy Benefit of Pecans Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Proposed Food Dye Ban Affects More Than Candy—10 Surprising Foods You Need to Know About
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD"Key Takeaways" Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has proposed a ban on many food dyes. Many foods, including cereals, fruit, sausage and condiments will be affected. In the meantime, you shouldn't fear these food dyes, a dietitian this year, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced a ban on food dye Red No. 3, which is commonly found in candy, grocery store baked goods, gummy vitamins and various cereal and dessert products. Since then, states like Arizona, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia have passed laws banning other synthetic food dyes from schools. But at a press conference this week, health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took this initiative a step further. He announced that both the Department of Health and Human Services and the FDA will start to roll out a ban on the following synthetic food dyes: Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Citrus Red 2 and Orange B. These dyes aren't just found in candy or snacks—there are produce, dairy, meat and other surprising products that will be impacted by this new legislation. But before we go through the foods affected, you may be wondering if you should worry or avoid these foods with synthetic dyes in the meantime. Our senior nutrition editor Jessica Ball, M.S., RD has an answer that will hopefully ease your nerves. 'While there is some research on the health effects of food dyes, it is limited and often done on animals rather than humans. This means there's not clear or unanimous evidence that they are harmful in moderation,' shares Ball. 'There are several more evidence-backed things that are linked with positive health outcomes, like an overall balanced diet, regular physical activity, stress management, quality sleep and access to healthy foods. Those are things I would recommend focusing on rather than focusing on avoiding food dyes.' Related: Should You Worry About Food Dyes? Here's What Experts Say With that said, here are the unexpected foods that may start looking a little different if or when the food dye ban is in full effect. While it may not necessarily be shocking that cereals like Lucky Charms and Froot Loops contain food dyes like Red No. 40, Blue No. 1 and and Yellow No. 5, the amount of cereals on the market with these dyes is surprising. Cereals like Fruity Pebbles, Trix, Fruity Cheerios, Apple Jacks and Cap'n Crunch's Crunch Berries will need to look for new ways to create vibrant hues without the affected dyes. Ever wondered what ingredient gives Kraft's Creamy French Dressing its classic orange tone? It's Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6, which are included in the ban. Kraft's Classic Catalina dressing also has Red No. 40 and Blue No. 1—but whether dyed or dye-free, we prefer making salad dressings at home to spruce up our greens anyway. Related: How to Choose the Healthiest Salad Dressing, According to a Dietitian Did you know that some hot dogs and sausage casings are synthetically dyed with Orange B? It makes sense when you think about it, but if your go-to ball park meal starts to look a little different during the 2027 season, don't fear: it's just dye-free. Yes, even our fruit is impacted by the dye bans. The exterior peel of Florida oranges are commonly dyed with Citrus Red 2 to give the fruit that signature summer glow. And there is a reason for it. 'It is a common practice to color the skins of oranges in certain orange growing areas of the country because of climatic or cultural conditions which cause the oranges to mature while still green in color,' the FDA notes. Therefore, all oranges on the marketplace meet the maturity standards to be sold, but some are dyed to be more appealing to the consumer's eye. Don't fear if you see some green oranges once the dye ban takes effect. Canned vegetables can be a healthy, budget-friendly way to include more fiber on your plate. It's important to know that your canned peas may not be as green once food dye Blue No. 1 is removed from retail. But don't worry; they will be just as nutritious and taste exactly the same. Related: How to Choose the Healthiest Canned Fruits and Vegetables, According to a Dietitian On a similar note, preserved fruit products like jams, jellies and marmalades may have various dyes depending on the fruit. Plus, dried fruits like papaya, mango, kiwi and more may contain food dyes like Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6 or Blue No. 1. It's not just yogurt marketed at children that uses food dyes. Brands like Dannon Light + Fit and Yoplait perfect their yogurt's hue with Red No. 40, Blue No. 1 or Yellow No. 6. You may find that the color of your strawberry Yoplait Light or key lime Light + Fit Greek yogurt might be toned down in the near future. Various Gatorade, Powerade and Pedialyte flavors have dyes like Red No. 40 and Blue No. 1 on their ingredients lists. But something you may not consider is that water-dissolvable drink powders like Sunkist, Country Time, 4C, Kool-Aid and Crystal Light all contain food dyes to elevate the appearance of your sip. It may be harder to know when they're fully dissolved once they're dye-free, so give it an extra shake or stir before tasting. Related: 5 Foods That Are Packed with Electrolytes, According to Dietitians Some seasoning mixes, including Great Value's Lemon & Pepper Seasoning, get their color from food dye, so the color will become more muted in your cooking once removed. But including fresh lemon, like slices on top of our highly-rated Grilled Lemon-Pepper Salmon in Foil, will help keep your dish vibrant. Alongside salad dressing, your refrigerator door may be taking a hit after the food dye ban is in full effect. Great Value's Cocktail Sauce and Vlasic's Sweet Relish are just two popular examples that use dyes like Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5, respectively. There are a lot of foods on the market that contain dyes—but there is no significant data that shows that these dyes cause any sort of harm to the body. Unless it's a personal preference, there's no need to avoid these dyes up to the ban, but just remember that your groceries may have a different hue when these food dyes are removed from the ingredients. 'As a registered dietitian and health professional, I think one of the most important things food policy can do is increase access to healthy foods for all people,' explains Ball. 'This makes it easier for folks to meet their nutritional needs, be fueled for regular exercise, nourish their families and more. Things like food access and accessible nutrition support are much more impactful and beneficial for health than avoiding food dyes.' Related: Active Recalls on Butter, Ground Beef and More to Be Aware of Right Now Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Butter Recalled Due to Potential Fecal Contamination—Here's What to Know
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD"Key Takeaways" Cabot Creamery butter with sea salt is being recalled. The recalled butter contains 'elevated levels of coliform,' a bacteria found in feces. The butter was sold in seven states and may be in consumers' an active recall on approximately 1,701 pounds of butter sold in seven states, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). This is due to the butter containing 'elevated levels of coliform,' which is a bacteria found in human and animal feces. The product affected is 8-ounce packages of Cabot Creamery Premium Butter, Sea Salted. The butter was packaged as two 4-ounce sticks in cardboard shells and have a UPC of '0 78354 62038 0' printed on the packaging. The recalled butter also has a best-by date of September 9, 2025, and lot numbers '090925-055' and '2038.' The Cabot-branded butter was sold at grocery stores in the following states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Check your refrigerator immediately for this dairy product. If your butter matches the recall information, dispose of it or return to your place of purchase for a possible refund. Related: Over 20,000 Pounds of Sausage Recalled Due to Contamination—Here's What to Know This recall was classified as a Class III recall, meaning that consuming the butter is 'not likely to cause adverse health consequences.' However, the high presence of coliform bacteria notes a potential fecal contamination. Fecal coliform can cause stomach pains, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal illnesses, and it may cause common foodborne diseases like E. coli. If you are showing signs of sickness after eating the recalled butter, contact your healthcare provider immediately. For questions about this recall, contact the FDA by calling 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332). Related: Costco Just Issued a Health Alert on a Chicken Product—Here's What to Know Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
These 7 Food Dyes Are Starting to Get Banned in States—Should You Still Eat Them?
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD"Key Takeaways" Food dyes like Red Dye No. 40 and Yellow Dye No. 5 are now banned in West Virginia. Foods containing these dyes won't be allowed in school lunches in the state starting August 1. A dietitian says that more research is needed on food dyes to determine health week, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey signed a bill that will prohibit seven food dyes in school lunches and in food items for sale across the state. The food dye ban in West Virginia schools will start August 1, 2025, and the ban will extend to retail food starting January 1, 2028. The following additives will be included in this ban: Red Dye No. 3 Red Dye No. 40 Yellow Dye No. 5 Yellow Dye No. 6 Blue Dye No. 1 Blue Dye No. 2 Green Dye No. 3 Some of these dyes are commonly found in breakfast cereals, soft drinks, dairy products, candy, jellies and even condiments and canned foods. It's safe to assume that these dyes are on the ingredient lists for thousands of products on the market. Related: Should You Worry About Food Dyes? Here's What Experts Say West Virginia isn't the only state to sign similar legislation. Last year, California banned six of the seven listed food dyes above from schools—and the one dye left out of their list, Red Dye No. 3, was officially banned by the FDA earlier this year. But why are these dyes being banned right now, and should we look for them on our labels? Is it time to avoid food dyes altogether? We asked our nutrition editor and registered dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD to explain. 'It's important to remember that most research done on food dyes is done on animals like mice or worms instead of on humans. And oftentimes, the animals are given a concentration of food dyes that wouldn't be realistic for a human to consume (think three or more times greater than the acceptable daily intake set by the FDA),' shares Ball. 'There is a growing body of research on the potential negative health effects of consuming ultra-processed foods in excess, but this is often related to things like added sugar, sodium and saturated fats rather than food dyes. The science does not suggest that food dyes are significant contributors to chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease or diabetes.' If you would like to avoid these dyes for personal reasons, that's understandable and you're free to do so. There are plenty of products and retailers like Trader Joe's that promise high quality dye-free foods. But because of the limited science and the lack of proof that these dyes can cause health concerns, this isn't a swap that you need to make. 'There are a lot of well-researched ways to support overall health, like maintaining a balanced eating pattern, regular physical activity, healthy lifestyle, social support, food access and creating a health-supportive environment,' explains Ball. 'These things are important to focus on when talking about improving public health, and they are supported by science. Claims about the health effects of food dyes are not evidence-backed in that same way.' Related: Why Is the California Prop 65 Warning Label on All of My Food Containers? Read the original article on EATINGWELL
