Eating For Health

For years Coca-Cola has used high fructose corn syrup to sweeten Coke.   Now, after 40 years, they have announced they are launching a new Coke sweetened with cane sugar .   Coca-Cola already sells a Coke sweetened with cane sugar in Mexico.   Is cane sugar better for you, or is it just clever branding?   In this blog post, we’ll break down the differences between cane sugar and high fructose corn syrup and help you make informed choices.   🧃 Why Coca-Cola Is Adding Cane Sugar Consumer Demand for Simpler Ingredients:   Many consumers want more natural ingredients in foods and beverages.   They perceive cane sugar (sucrose) as being more natural or real than high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).   Cost:   Coke won’t be saving money as high fructose corn syrup is cheaper than cane sugar, partially because it is heavily subsidized by the U.S. government.   Publicity and Politics:   President Trump post...

Many food companies are responding to federal pressure to remove artificial food dyes from their products.   Mounting evidence links synthetic food dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5 to behavioral issues such as hyperactivity and even allergic reactions-especially in children- so the pressure is on to reformulate foods.   Because the FDA has a 2025 initiative to phase out petroleum-based dyes, the food industry is responding.        What is the FDA Initiative ? In April 2025, the head of the Food and Drug Administration announced they were working to eliminate several artificial food dyes including Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, and Blue 2.   Another dye, Red 3 is scheduled to be banned by 2027 as research has found it caused cancer in laboratory rats.   Additionally, FDA announced it was approving “four new natural additives”.   📊 How prevalent are artificial food dyes in our foods? According to a study published in the Jour...

Anyone suffering from inflammation is always looking for something to help reduce inflammation.   A relative with hip inflammation said they were trying tart cherry juice.   Then another relative went to the doctor because of their knee pain from arthritis. The relative told the doctor he was trying lots of things including losing weight, physical therapy, and an anti-inflammatory diet.   The doctor suggested adding one more thing, tart cherry juice. Why is tart cherry juice considered anti-inflammatory? 🍒 Rich in Anthocyanins Tart cherries are packed with anthocyanins , powerful antioxidants that give the fruit its deep red color. These compounds help reduce inflammation by blocking enzymes involved in the inflammatory process. And cherry juice contains quercetin , a flavonoid that helps reduce pain and swelling.   🧠 Supports Joint and Muscle Recovery Studies show tart cherry juice can ease joint pain and stiffness , especially in people with arthritis....

One of the nutrition topics trending today is “what are high-protein snacks”?   I see cereals advertising “protein”.   But cereals aren’t really a good source of protein.   But many foods are.   Whether young or old, we need protein in our diets.   Young people need protein for growth and muscle development.   Older people need protein to help maintain their muscle mass and prevent sarcopenia – the loss of muscle mass as one ages.   What about cereal and protein? As noted, some cereals advertise “protein” on their label such as Cinnamon Cheerios Protein.   But ask AI if Cheerios are a good source of protein and the answer is: “Cheerios are not a good source of protein on their own”.   Why?   Because cereal provides only a small amount of protein, about 3-5 grams, and the protein isn’t the highest quality.   Cereals like Cheerios are great for adding whole grains to your day but may not be the best way to add high quality protein...

My husband showed me an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal, Is Your Brain Aging Faster Than You?  New Clues Emerge .   In the article, a man was experiencing issues like no longer being able to play the bagpipes as he made too many mistakes, then forgetting things.   At 56 years old, he was diagnosed with dementia.   What are the risk factors dementia? Age is the highest risk factor for dementia and one you can’t change. Type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.   Other risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical in activity, poor diet, and hearing loss.   Some more risk factors are noted in Risk factors for dementia . What lifestyle changes can potentially slow and maybe even reverse some cognitive decline?   There are two lifestyle changes one can make that are often noted in research: diet and physical activity . NIH states, “Emerging epidemiologica...

Almost everyone thinks sodas are not good for your health.   Sweetened sodas are loaded with added sugar and low-calorie sodas use artificial sweeteners which many people try to avoid.   But there are new sodas on the market being advertised as good for your gut.   What are these sodas and why are people drinking them for a healthier gut? What are the new sodas promoting gut health? Two types of sodas are being marketed.   Prebiotic Sodas:   Prebiotics are mainly fiber that feed our healthy gut bacteria.   Two brands of prebiotic sodas are Poppi and Olipop .   On the Olipop can it states, “Supports Digestive Health”.   The prebiotic fibers in Olipop include cassava root, chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, guar fiber, and Nopal cactus.   Olipop also contains Calendula Flower for its lutein, beta-carotene and flavonoids.      Probiotic Sodas:   Probiotics are healthy bacteria usually found in foods like yogurt but n...