Thursday, February 3, 2011

Chocolate, tea, wine, coffee can be healthy choices

SOME IMPORTANT NEWS REGARDING A NEW WEIGHT LOSS PILL!!

FDA rejects Orexigen's weight-loss pill Contrave
The FDA declined to approve Orexigen Therapeutics' weight-loss drug Contrave,

despite an advisory committee's positive review in December. The agency requested

a clinical study "of sufficient size and duration" to prove that the drug's cardiovascular

risk does not undermine benefits to overweight and obese people in the long term.

Chocolate, tea, wine, coffee can be healthy choices

A very interesting article published in NutraIngredients describes the benefits of certain foods thought to be unhealthy especially in regards to weight loss and heart health. But, if consumed correctly these foods can be healthy. Read on…..

People may try to give up chocolate, red wine, tea and coffee as part of New Year's resolutions, but British dietitian Dr. Sarah Schenker said all of those foods consumed in moderation are excellent sources of antioxidants. "Healthy eating plans should be about balance, making informed choices and taking a sensible long-term approach," Schenker said.

Nestlé has conducted consumer research amongst over 2,000 UK adults that shows a marked lack of awareness about the high antioxidant content of foods such as coffee and red wine.

Antioxidants are important because research has suggested that they can help to protect human cells from free radical damage caused by oxidative stress, a result of exposure to factors such as ultra-violet light, pollution or cigarette smoke. Effectively, antioxidants neutralise these harmful free radicals that may otherwise damage cells.

Nestlé estimates that, of an estimated 9m people within the UK currently on a post-Christmas healthy eating plan, 75% have given up foods such as chocolate, red wine, tea and coffee. However, the firm cites Ovaskainen et al. (2008) and two other studies in asserting that 'moderate coffee drinkers' in Europe get 60% of their antioxidant intake from the drink.

Antioxidant content of coffee
UK-based dietician Dr. Sarah Schenker said that although these foods featured on the most popular list of items to give up, yet when consumed in moderation are excellent sources of antioxidants, which as naturally occuring substances in plants include polyphenols, vitamins C and E and carotenoids.

Quoting Pérez-Jiménez J et al (2010), Identification of the 100 richest dietary sources of polyphenols, Schenker said coffee was one of the richest sources of antioxidants, but she warned that Nestlé’s research showed that consumers have limited awareness of its benefits as an antioxidant source (387mg per 200ml serving of soluble coffee compared with 269mg per 125ml serving of red wine).

Asked about food and drinks that are antioxidant rich, over half of the 2,027 adults questioned by polling organisation YouGov last December on Nestlé's behalf (59%) named blackcurrants as important sources of antioxidants, while just under half (46%) named red wine and carrots (49%). Dark chocolate (40%) and tea (35%) were both relatively well-known, but only 8% of respondents were aware of coffee’s antioxidant benefits.

Lifespan essential food?
Said Schenker: “Healthy eating plans should be about balance, making informed choices and taking a sensible long-term approach. For instance, whilst the vast majority of British people believe giving up coffee will benefit their long-term health, the reality is coffee can be good for you when drunk in moderation.”

Polyphenol expert Gary Williamson, professor of functional food, at the School of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds agreed, describing coffee as one of his “top 20 lifespan essential” foods.

In addition to coffee, Schenker advises increasing one’s antioxidant intake by eating cocoa beans, pulses and whole grains, alongside plant-based drinks such as tea and coffee.
Schenker also recommended eating dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids content for high antioxidant levels, and even advises drinking coffee as a pre-exercise drink, where she said its caffeine contant can stimulate athletic performance.

WHAT’S FOR DINNER?!

Fusilli with Herbed Ricotta and Grape Tomatoes

Serves 4

Total Time: 22 min

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 12 min

Ingredients

Salt

1 cup(s) part-skim ricotta cheese

1 tablespoon(s) fresh oregano leaves, chopped

1/4 cup(s) (plus additional for serving) grated Pecorino Romano cheese

1/4 cup(s) (packed) fresh basil leaves, chopped

12 ounce(s) fusilli or corkscrew pasta

1 pint(s) (2 cups) grape tomatoes

Heat large covered saucepot of salted water to boiling on high.
Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine ricotta, oregano, 1/4 cup Romano, and half of basil.
Add pasta to boiling water and cook as label directs, adding tomatoes when 3 minutes of cooking time remain.
Reserve 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Drain pasta and tomatoes; return to pot. Add reserved cooking water to ricotta mixture; stir into pasta and tomatoes. Toss with remaining basil. Serve with additional cheese if you like

Nutritional information is based on a 2-cup serving.