Eating For Health

A new study published in JAMA Network Open (2026) is challenging long‑held assumptions about red meat and brain health — but with a twist. The findings don’t apply to everyone. Instead, they focus on a specific genetic group: people who carry the APOE ε4 gene , the strongest known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. If you’ve ever wondered whether diet affects Alzheimer’s risk differently depending on your genes, this research adds an intriguing piece to the puzzle. 🔍 What the Study Looked At Researchers followed 2,157 older adults (age 60+) in the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care (SNAC-K) cohort for up to 15 years . They examined: How much meat people ate (including red meat and processed meat) How their cognition changed over time Whether they developed dementia Which APOE genotype they carried (ε3/ε4, ε4/ε4, or non‑carriers) The goal was simple: Does meat intake affect cognitive decline differently depending on your genetic risk? 🧠...

Who doesn’t love some fresh‑cooked asparagus? My husband recently stopped by our local farmer’s market hoping to pick up a bundle — but it wasn’t quite in season yet. When it is available, asparagus is truly a powerhouse of good nutrition. And here’s something many people don’t realize: how you cook asparagus can affect its nutritional value . Let’s take a closer look at why asparagus is so good for your gut, your bones, and your overall health. 🥗 Packed With Vitamins and Minerals Asparagus is naturally low in calories — just 27 calories per cup of raw spears — yet loaded with essential nutrients: ·          5 grams of carbs ·          No cholesterol ·          Very little fat ·          Almost half your daily vitamin K ·          20% of your daily folate, and several ot...

Last week, I blogged about coffee and its relationship with cholesterol and heart health. Some readers asked great follow-up questions: What about instant coffee, decaf coffee, and mushroom coffee? Let’s break down what the research says. ☕ Coffee and Cholesterol Basics Coffee itself contains no cholesterol , but it does have two natural oils — cafestol and kahweol — known as diterpenes . These compounds can raise LDL (the “bad” cholesterol). Using paper filters to brew coffee removes 80–90% of cafestol and kahweol. In contrast, unfiltered coffee can raise LDL cholesterol by up to 8% in just four weeks .   (See: Coffee, Cholesterol, and Your Heart: The Facts That Matter ) ☕ Instant Coffee and Cholesterol Instant coffee isn’t brewed through a filter — you simply add hot water to the granules. So, does it affect cholesterol levels? Instant coffee is considered a low-cafestol option , similar to filtered coffee, and is generally safe for cholesterol-cons...