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Business News/ Leisure / Busting some nutrition myths
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Busting some nutrition myths

Busting some nutrition myths

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Facts: Way back in 1995, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that “sugar does not affect the behaviour or cognitive performance of children", yet the American Academy of Pediatrics reports that 93% of parents ask if sugar should be avoided when their children are diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Adults forget how active children are and when you add in the excitement of a birthday party or a holiday such as Halloween, their behaviour seems to get even wilder. Parents assume that sugar is the reason.

Of course, no child needs added sugar. Instead of restricting all sugar, however, focus on naturally occurring sugars in foods such as fruits, 100% fruit juice or milk (yes, milk has sugar in the form of lactose) to sneak in the vitamins and minerals needed by growing children. Let your child eat the birthday cake and Halloween candy—in moderation, of course.

Myth 2 | High-fructose corn syrup causes weight gain

Facts: Not so, say several studies. High-fructose corn syrup is not sweeter than sugar and it doesn’t trick you into eating more calorie-rich foods. Last year, the American Medical Association said, “There is no proof that high-fructose corn syrup causes obesity." We should limit our sugar intake—32g or about 7 teaspoons a day—of all sugary-rich foods and beverages, including high-fructose corn syrup, granulated sugar and brown sugar.

Facts: With around 350 varieties of bottled water in the market and all kinds of outrageous claims, remember that water is not a magic weight-loss beverage. Our brains monitor thirst and hunger in different parts, and water doesn’t help us feel full or suppress hunger. Water incorporated into food (such as soups, fruits and vegetables) can help with weight loss, but simply drinking water will not.

Myth 4 | A low-fat diet is healthiest

Facts: Low-fat or high-carbohydrate diets can increase your blood sugar, insulin levels and triglycerides unless you are extremely active. A smarter approach is to adopt a Mediterranean-style diet that includes healthy fats such as olive oil, avocados, nuts and fatty fish, with lower intakes of meat and processed foods.

Recommendations from most health organizations suggest consuming 25-35% of calories from fat, with an emphasis on the good fats, while eating fewer of the bad fats (saturated and trans-fats).

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Ginger, long used as a folk remedy for nausea, reduced the sick feeling experienced by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy by 40%, a new study has found. This is important because about 70% of chemotherapy patients experience nausea, even on anti-vomiting drugs, says lead author Julie Ryan, assistant professor, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York. It was found that the most effective dose was about 1g, or half a teaspoon. Even a cookie or ginger ale containing that amount should work, Ryan says. However, ginger may hinder blood clotting and shouldn’t be used by patients without consulting their doctors, according to the American Cancer Society. Bloomberg

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The number of people aged 60 or more is growing faster than other age groups. Globally, from 1970 to 2025, growth is expected to be 694 million (223%). In 2025, the 60-plus population will number about 1.2 billion; by 2050, it will cross two billion, with 80% in developing countries. India’s elderly population was 80 million in 2008 and is expected to grow to 301 million by 2051. Life expectancy was about 50 years in 1970-75; in 1995-2000, it went to over 60. By 2050, close to 80% of all deaths will occur after 60. India is among the few countries where males outnumber females. However, life expectancy is higher for women (Source: Medical Council of India). Taru Bahl

Learn

Today is the second World Hepatitis Day, coordinated by non-governmental organization World Hepatitis Alliance. WHO estimates that Hepatitis C kills four times more people than AIDS and worldwide, one in 12 people lives with either chronic Hepatitis B or C.

And as Anil Arora, chief of hepatology services, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, said in a statement, “Every 15th carrier (of Hepatitis C) is an Indian, which results in about 12.5 million sufferers in India alone." Yet nine out of 10 people infected with Hepatitis C do not know they have it, making it a silent killer. There is no vaccine against it, so prevention is the best policy. To learn more, visit www.worldhepatitisday.com STAFF WRITER

The writer is a professor of nutrition in the College of Health and Human Sciences at Georgia State University.

©2009/ THE NEW YORK TIMES

Write to us at businessoflife@livemint.com

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Published: 18 May 2009, 10:52 PM IST
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