Latest news with #TamaraDukerFreuman
Axios
11-04-2025
- Health
- Axios
A gut-check on SLC's "healthy" soda craze
Prebiotic soft drinks are popping off in Utah, but they're not "gut-friendly" for everyone. Why it matters: Gut experts warn about risks of consuming inulin, the fiber typically found in prebiotic sodas. Threat level: It can cause bloating and be "incredibly difficult to tolerate," especially for those with conditions like IBS, says Tamara Duker Freuman, a dietitian and author. And consuming inulin regularly "may increase risk of cancer, potentially by dampening anti-tumor immunity," according to Andrew Gewirtz — a biomedical science professor at Georgia State University who's conducted early animal studies and a case report about inulin. Zoom in: Folks in the Salt Lake metro are more likely to buy a prebiotic beverage, compared to the average national consumer, according to NielsenIQ. By the numbers: Prebiotic drinks made up nearly 3% of last year's soft drink sales in Salt Lake, above the national average of 2.4% The share of soft drink sales from February 2024 through January 2025 almost doubled the share from the year before. How it works: Eating prebiotics — food for gut bacteria — can be anti-inflammatory and "increase the good guys in your gut," Freuman says. Yes, but: "You should be aiming to get your fiber from foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes," says Hannah Holscher, registered dietitian and associate professor of nutrition at University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Although inulin can feed good gut bacteria, the byproducts of it — short chain fatty acids — might also help pathogens grow, said Gewirtz. "Further studies are needed to help identify who might benefit from it and who should avoid it," he says. What they're saying: "Like any fiber, inulin may cause temporary digestive discomfort as the body adjusts to increased fiber intake," Olipop told Axios in a statement. "That's why both nutrition experts and OLIPOP recommend starting with one can and gradually increasing over time." The statement emphasized that Olipop offers more fiber than other prebiotic sodas, and that inulin is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. As for Poppi, it denied the claim made in a class-action lawsuit that its marketing overstated the amount of prebiotic fiber and gut health benefits the drink offers.
Axios
11-04-2025
- General
- Axios
Where to find Jewish food in New Orleans
The Jewish holiday of Passover starts this weekend, and several New Orleans restaurants have food for your gatherings. The big picture: During Passover, which is sundown Saturday to sundown April 20 this year, observers eat matzo and other unleavened breads as a way to remember that the Jews fled Egypt so fast that their dough didn't have time to rise. Zoom in: Kosher Cajun Deli in Metairie has been open for more than 30 years and is one of the oldest Jewish delis in south Louisiana. It's half restaurant and half market. You can get dine in with matzo ball soup and deli sandwiches. Plus, you can also get kosher grocery items and deli offerings, like fresh pickles and sliced meat. The deli also flies in bagels from New York. Zoom out: Other places you can get Jewish food in town: What is Passover? State of play: The holiday, also called Pesach in Hebrew, is observed for eight days in the U.S. It commemorates the biblical story of the Jewish people's escape from slavery in ancient Egypt. The seder is the main Passover ritual and is a holiday meal that includes the re-telling of the story of the exodus from Egypt. Seder feasts are held on the first two nights of the holiday in the U.S. After lighting candles, it's a 15-step feast, according to Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center. The service uses Haggadah prayer books and includes drinking four cups of wine. Good to know: You can wish someone a "Happy Passover," Chabad notes. Other holiday sayings include have a "kosher and joyous Passover" and "chag Pesach" in Hebrew. It is not appropriate to say "Happy Yom Kippur" during the fall Jewish holiday, which marks the day of atonement. Passover food rules Dig in: Passover observers eat matzo, an unleavened bread, which is a flat crisp bread like a cracker. People who observe the holiday try to avoid food with grains, known as "chametz," like breads, pastas, pizza and beer. Between the lines: Lots of matzo can back you up. "Matzo can have an extremely binding effect," says dietitian and author Tamara Duker Freuman, who's Jewish. "Its ingredient list essentially reads the same as a can of Play-Doh." A sheet of matzo is "equivalent to two slices of bread, flour-wise," she says, and people tend to eat multiple sheets, without getting enough fluids.
Axios
08-04-2025
- Health
- Axios
What your gut wishes you knew before Passover
A gut check ahead of Passover: Are you getting enough fiber? Why it matters: Lots of matzo can back you up. During Passover, sundown April 12 to sundown April 20 this year, observers eat matzo and other unleavened breads as a way to remember that the Jews fled Egypt so fast that their dough didn't have time to rise. What we're hearing: "Matzo can have an extremely binding effect," says dietitian and author Tamara Duker Freuman, who's Jewish. "Its ingredient list essentially reads the same as a can of Play-Doh." A sheet of matzo is "equivalent to two slices of bread, flour-wise," she says, and people tend to eat multiple sheets, without getting enough fluids. "Anecdotally, here in New York we even see an uptick in bowel obstructions among observant Jews who have a history of Crohn's disease," Freuman tells Axios. To avoid matzo constipation: Drink lots of water. Prioritize fiber-rich fruits and vegetables. And — if you have preexisting GI issues — avoid eating more than two sheets of matzo per day, and ideally not in the same meal, Freuman advises.
Axios
04-04-2025
- Health
- Axios
Prebiotic soda sales pop in Tampa Bay. But are they good for your gut?
Prebiotic soft drinks are popping off in Tampa Bay, but they're not "gut-friendly" for everyone. Why it matters: Gut experts warn about risks of consuming inulin, the fiber typically found in prebiotic sodas. It can cause bloating and be "incredibly difficult to tolerate," especially for those with conditions like IBS, says Tamara Duker Freuman, a dietitian and author. And consuming regular inulin "may increase risk of cancer, potentially by dampening anti-tumor immunity," according to Andrew Gewirtz — a biomedical science professor at Georgia State University who's conducted early animal studies and a case report about inulin. By the numbers: Prebiotic sodas made up just a fraction (2.4%) of metro Tampa Bay's $724.2 million in total soft drink sales from Feb. 2024 to Jan. 2025. But their popularity is bubbling up — spiking from $483,494 in sales in 2022 to $17.7 million over the last year. Reality check: Less than 10% of American adults get the daily recommended amount of fiber, and many Americans regularly drink sugary soda — which has links to a host of health risks. Substituting a prebiotic soda in place of a higher-sugar one "could be a good, helpful swap" and "help bridge the fiber gap," Hannah Holscher, registered dietitian and associate professor of nutrition at University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign says. The bottom line: Aim for a diverse diet that includes naturally fibrous foods — but if you crave soda, don't go overboard with the prebiotic drinks.
Axios
02-04-2025
- Health
- Axios
Prebiotic soda sales pop in metro Atlanta. But are they good for your gut?
Prebiotic soft drinks are popping off in metro Atlanta, but they're not "gut-friendly" for everyone. Why it matters: Gut experts warn about risks of consuming inulin, the fiber typically found in prebiotic sodas. It can cause bloating and be "incredibly difficult to tolerate," especially for those with conditions like IBS, says Tamara Duker Freuman, a dietitian and author. And consuming regular inulin "may increase risk of cancer, potentially by dampening anti-tumor immunity," according to Andrew Gewirtz — a biomedical science professor at Georgia State University who's conducted early animal studies and a case report about inulin. By the numbers: Prebiotic sodas made up just a fraction (2.8%) of metro Atlanta's $730.4 million in total soft drink sales from Feb. 2024 to Jan. 2025. But their popularity is bubbling up — spiking from $606,836 in sales in 2022 to $20.8 million over the last year. Zoom in: Atlantans are more likely to buy a prebiotic beverage, compared to the average national consumer, according to NielsenIQ. Reality check: Less than 10% of American adults get the daily recommended amount of fiber, and many Americans regularly drink sugary soda — which has links to a host of health risks. Substituting a prebiotic soda in place of a higher-sugar one "could be a good, helpful swap" and "help bridge the fiber gap," Hannah Holscher, registered dietitian and associate professor of nutrition at University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign says. The bottom line: Aim for a diverse diet that includes naturally fibrous foods — but if you crave soda, don't go overboard with the prebiotic drinks.
