Eating For Health

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...