Recent research saying that eating soy products may lower a man’s sperm count, and therefore, his fertility, have been called into question.
Some researchers knock its results because they say the study was based on a recollected intake of soy foods rather than a specific, controlled diet. And representatives for soy foods claim that the direct cause of what impacted these lower sperm counts was never identified.
The association points to the generations of Asians who have eaten soy-based products without apparent detriment to the health and intelligence of their offspring.
According to a New Scientist article, the study in question “admits that many East Asian men consume much more soya than the participants in his trial and do not develop fertility problems. He speculates that his study found a link between soya and low sperm count because many of the participants were overweight or obese. Men with high levels of body fat produce more oestrogen than their slim counterparts."
Showing posts with label food news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food news. Show all posts
Friday, 19 October 2007
Soy what?
Recent research saying that eating soy products may lower a man’s sperm count, and therefore, his fertility, have been called into question.
Some researchers knock its results because they say the study was based on a recollected intake of soy foods rather than a specific, controlled diet. And representatives for soy foods claim that the direct cause of what impacted these lower sperm counts was never identified.
The association points to the generations of Asians who have eaten soy-based products without apparent detriment to the health and intelligence of their offspring.
According to a New Scientist article, the study in question “admits that many East Asian men consume much more soya than the participants in his trial and do not develop fertility problems. He speculates that his study found a link between soya and low sperm count because many of the participants were overweight or obese. Men with high levels of body fat produce more oestrogen than their slim counterparts."
Some researchers knock its results because they say the study was based on a recollected intake of soy foods rather than a specific, controlled diet. And representatives for soy foods claim that the direct cause of what impacted these lower sperm counts was never identified.
The association points to the generations of Asians who have eaten soy-based products without apparent detriment to the health and intelligence of their offspring.
According to a New Scientist article, the study in question “admits that many East Asian men consume much more soya than the participants in his trial and do not develop fertility problems. He speculates that his study found a link between soya and low sperm count because many of the participants were overweight or obese. Men with high levels of body fat produce more oestrogen than their slim counterparts."
And we wonder why we’re so fat…
While worries about obesity have reached all-time highs, news comes from Jeep of its contest in which Jeep Liberty vehicles were covered in chocolate and car-hungry people are asked to lick through more than 700 lb of chocolate to win one to take home.As a PR stunt for “The Sweetest Day,” founded by candy makers in Cleveland, Ohio, evidently as an act of good will, chocoholics were asked to send through an essay to answer that ever-pertinent question “Why do you want to celebrate the Sweetest Day the Jeep Way?” Um, to win a car?
Chances are the winners will need a car to cart them around after all those calories.
And we wonder why we’re so fat…
While worries about obesity have reached all-time highs, news comes from Jeep of its contest in which Jeep Liberty vehicles were covered in chocolate and car-hungry people are asked to lick through more than 700 lb of chocolate to win one to take home.As a PR stunt for “The Sweetest Day,” founded by candy makers in Cleveland, Ohio, evidently as an act of good will, chocoholics were asked to send through an essay to answer that ever-pertinent question “Why do you want to celebrate the Sweetest Day the Jeep Way?” Um, to win a car?
Chances are the winners will need a car to cart them around after all those calories.
Wednesday, 17 October 2007
News & comment: Home-grown food in the US
A survey of 843 members of the American Dietetic Association has revealed a strong preference for US-sourced over imported food. Two-thirds would choose the US-produced option over an imported option, when presented with a choice.
An even larger majority of 81% think that it is important to know a food’s origin, and about 70% read a product’s label to find out.
71% of the polled members rated US food as excellent or good. Only 3% felt that US food was bad or terrible.
Most interestingly, perhaps, the poll notes that the preference for American food “appears to stem from the belief that US-produced food is more highly regulated than other countries.”
The survey was commissioned by the California Olive Association, which said it finds the results “gratifying.”
While food produced in California and eaten in Massachusetts (over 3,000 miles away) can hardly be considered local, it is encouraging to see that some are looking to their own country’s resources, as long as they are viable. But these ideas need to filter down through the community, as not everyone is convinced.
There are problems in the UK that stem from those trying too hard to source local product when the conditions are not right, and perhaps causing more (environmental) harm than good. Take for example, greenhouse or poly tunnel-grown tomatoes in winter, or, more recently, farmers artificially heating green pumpkins in the UK rather than sourcing them from, say, France. There is also the issue of producers in other countries that are dependent on their crop sales for their livelihood.
And is US food is more highly regulated than other countries? A definition of “regulated” is warranted. For example, genetically-modified foods are permitted in the US, while other countries ban them. Any thoughts?
An even larger majority of 81% think that it is important to know a food’s origin, and about 70% read a product’s label to find out.
71% of the polled members rated US food as excellent or good. Only 3% felt that US food was bad or terrible.
Most interestingly, perhaps, the poll notes that the preference for American food “appears to stem from the belief that US-produced food is more highly regulated than other countries.”
The survey was commissioned by the California Olive Association, which said it finds the results “gratifying.”
While food produced in California and eaten in Massachusetts (over 3,000 miles away) can hardly be considered local, it is encouraging to see that some are looking to their own country’s resources, as long as they are viable. But these ideas need to filter down through the community, as not everyone is convinced.
There are problems in the UK that stem from those trying too hard to source local product when the conditions are not right, and perhaps causing more (environmental) harm than good. Take for example, greenhouse or poly tunnel-grown tomatoes in winter, or, more recently, farmers artificially heating green pumpkins in the UK rather than sourcing them from, say, France. There is also the issue of producers in other countries that are dependent on their crop sales for their livelihood.
And is US food is more highly regulated than other countries? A definition of “regulated” is warranted. For example, genetically-modified foods are permitted in the US, while other countries ban them. Any thoughts?
News & comment: Home-grown food in the US
A survey of 843 members of the American Dietetic Association has revealed a strong preference for US-sourced over imported food. Two-thirds would choose the US-produced option over an imported option, when presented with a choice.
An even larger majority of 81% think that it is important to know a food’s origin, and about 70% read a product’s label to find out.
71% of the polled members rated US food as excellent or good. Only 3% felt that US food was bad or terrible.
Most interestingly, perhaps, the poll notes that the preference for American food “appears to stem from the belief that US-produced food is more highly regulated than other countries.”
The survey was commissioned by the California Olive Association, which said it finds the results “gratifying.”
While food produced in California and eaten in Massachusetts (over 3,000 miles away) can hardly be considered local, it is encouraging to see that some are looking to their own country’s resources, as long as they are viable. But these ideas need to filter down through the community, as not everyone is convinced.
There are problems in the UK that stem from those trying too hard to source local product when the conditions are not right, and perhaps causing more (environmental) harm than good. Take for example, greenhouse or poly tunnel-grown tomatoes in winter, or, more recently, farmers artificially heating green pumpkins in the UK rather than sourcing them from, say, France. There is also the issue of producers in other countries that are dependent on their crop sales for their livelihood.
And is US food is more highly regulated than other countries? A definition of “regulated” is warranted. For example, genetically-modified foods are permitted in the US, while other countries ban them. Any thoughts?
An even larger majority of 81% think that it is important to know a food’s origin, and about 70% read a product’s label to find out.
71% of the polled members rated US food as excellent or good. Only 3% felt that US food was bad or terrible.
Most interestingly, perhaps, the poll notes that the preference for American food “appears to stem from the belief that US-produced food is more highly regulated than other countries.”
The survey was commissioned by the California Olive Association, which said it finds the results “gratifying.”
While food produced in California and eaten in Massachusetts (over 3,000 miles away) can hardly be considered local, it is encouraging to see that some are looking to their own country’s resources, as long as they are viable. But these ideas need to filter down through the community, as not everyone is convinced.
There are problems in the UK that stem from those trying too hard to source local product when the conditions are not right, and perhaps causing more (environmental) harm than good. Take for example, greenhouse or poly tunnel-grown tomatoes in winter, or, more recently, farmers artificially heating green pumpkins in the UK rather than sourcing them from, say, France. There is also the issue of producers in other countries that are dependent on their crop sales for their livelihood.
And is US food is more highly regulated than other countries? A definition of “regulated” is warranted. For example, genetically-modified foods are permitted in the US, while other countries ban them. Any thoughts?
Sunday, 16 September 2007
Dove è la pasta?
Italians boycotted their signature staple Thursday in protest to high prices.
In a symbolic move, an Italian consumer organisation encouraged shoppers not to buy pasta.
The rising wheat prices – which also affect bread – could see the cost of pasta rise by 7%. While this rise may not seem much to those who partake of pasta a couple times a month, for Italians – many of whom eat pasta several times a week – pasta may not be an economical choice.
Pasta producers were quick to jump into the sauce, telling CBC news: "There is no dish that costs less," said Furio Bragagnolo, vice-president of the Italian pasta manufacturer's association. "Whoever decides to strike against pasta will spend more on whatever they buy instead. A plate of pasta probably costs less than an apple."
Lest many forget, Italian cuisine consists of much more than pasta. Dried beans, gnocchi, fresh meats, fish and vegetables all feature prominently in the diet.
However, if it is the rising cost of energy – as many say – that has caused the price hike in wheat products, spaghetti may no longer be the cheap dish of choice.
In a symbolic move, an Italian consumer organisation encouraged shoppers not to buy pasta.
The rising wheat prices – which also affect bread – could see the cost of pasta rise by 7%. While this rise may not seem much to those who partake of pasta a couple times a month, for Italians – many of whom eat pasta several times a week – pasta may not be an economical choice.
Pasta producers were quick to jump into the sauce, telling CBC news: "There is no dish that costs less," said Furio Bragagnolo, vice-president of the Italian pasta manufacturer's association. "Whoever decides to strike against pasta will spend more on whatever they buy instead. A plate of pasta probably costs less than an apple."
Lest many forget, Italian cuisine consists of much more than pasta. Dried beans, gnocchi, fresh meats, fish and vegetables all feature prominently in the diet.
However, if it is the rising cost of energy – as many say – that has caused the price hike in wheat products, spaghetti may no longer be the cheap dish of choice.
Dove è la pasta?
Italians boycotted their signature staple Thursday in protest to high prices.
In a symbolic move, an Italian consumer organisation encouraged shoppers not to buy pasta.
The rising wheat prices – which also affect bread – could see the cost of pasta rise by 7%. While this rise may not seem much to those who partake of pasta a couple times a month, for Italians – many of whom eat pasta several times a week – pasta may not be an economical choice.
Pasta producers were quick to jump into the sauce, telling CBC news: "There is no dish that costs less," said Furio Bragagnolo, vice-president of the Italian pasta manufacturer's association. "Whoever decides to strike against pasta will spend more on whatever they buy instead. A plate of pasta probably costs less than an apple."
Lest many forget, Italian cuisine consists of much more than pasta. Dried beans, gnocchi, fresh meats, fish and vegetables all feature prominently in the diet.
However, if it is the rising cost of energy – as many say – that has caused the price hike in wheat products, spaghetti may no longer be the cheap dish of choice.
In a symbolic move, an Italian consumer organisation encouraged shoppers not to buy pasta.
The rising wheat prices – which also affect bread – could see the cost of pasta rise by 7%. While this rise may not seem much to those who partake of pasta a couple times a month, for Italians – many of whom eat pasta several times a week – pasta may not be an economical choice.
Pasta producers were quick to jump into the sauce, telling CBC news: "There is no dish that costs less," said Furio Bragagnolo, vice-president of the Italian pasta manufacturer's association. "Whoever decides to strike against pasta will spend more on whatever they buy instead. A plate of pasta probably costs less than an apple."
Lest many forget, Italian cuisine consists of much more than pasta. Dried beans, gnocchi, fresh meats, fish and vegetables all feature prominently in the diet.
However, if it is the rising cost of energy – as many say – that has caused the price hike in wheat products, spaghetti may no longer be the cheap dish of choice.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
