What do these products have in common?
They all come with claims:
Cheerios - helps lower cholesterol
DanActive Yogurt - boosts immunity
Subway - subs w/ less than 6g fat
Chocolate - special antioxidants to neutralize free radicals
While there is nothing new about these products, one would think that these health claims are backed by double-blind, placebo-controlled, scientific data. Sure, there is a tremendous amount of long-term research showing the association of soluble fiber with cholesterol and active culture foods (probiotics Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus) boosting the immune system. There is no arguing those claims.
So with a zillion products on the market NOT backed by the FDA, why would you be hesitant to try a line of products like this..
I mean, if Kim Kardashian uses this product, it must work? Who needs scientific research when you can boost metabolism, jump start weight loss and cleanse in only 14 days?
I have a stack of journals and magazines on my desk so I thought I would post the latest food and nutrition briefs and industry news for your entertainment. While you may run across some of these consumer trends at the grocery store or next time you go out to eat, you can be sure that reputable professionals researched these claims before submitting them to their respected journals.
Source: ADA Times Winter 2010. Volume 7, Issue 2
1) Nutrition Information on Menus seems to make a difference
2) Study says being obese is as dangerous to health as smoking
3) Consumption of soy food linked with lower risk of death and cancer recurrence in women with breast cancer
4) Natural components in pomegranates are showing potential in blocking breast cancers fueled by estrogen.
5) St. John's Wort Not Helpful in treating IBS
6) Coffee and tea associated with reduced risk for diabetes
7) General Mills will cut sugar in 10 cereals marketed to children to single-digit grams of sugar per serving
8) Kraft is unveiling 20 new food products, some claiming important health benefits
9) Kraft is advertising its Shake N' Bake product for a campaign using the language of body makeovers to encourage customers to give their chicken dinners a makeover.
10) PepsiCo will open a new research facility at Yale with a goal of creating healthier food and drinks.
11) In Mid-february, USDA will allow Hass avocados to be imported from Peru.
12) Burger King Highlights "Gluten-Sensitive" food items on menu
13) Applebee's 5 under 550 calories is a new category on the menu
14) Dunkin Donuts introduced a DDSmart menu featuring "better-for-you choices that keep you running"
15) Starbucks has expanded its food line with panini sandwiches with less than 400 calories and promoting all of its beverages under 90 calories.
Source: Consumer Reports on Health - Volume 22 Number 3
1) For a happier marriage, do dishes together
2) Risk of blood clots syrockets after surgery, especially after hip or knee replacement.
3) People who drink 3-4 cups coffee a day have 25% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
4) Runners have longer telomeres (tip of chromosome where genetic material helps stem DNA decay) protecting them more than nonrunners, which explains why exercise is good for your DNA.
5) One of every 270 women at age 40 who has CT angiography will develop cancer from radiation used in the test.
6) Eating roughly 2 ounces of pistachio's a day for four weeks increases gamma-tocopherol in blood which helps ward off lung cancer.
7) Ginkgo Biloba doesn't improve memory or prevent dementia in a 6 year study of 3069 elderly people.
8) If you can't bring someone with you when undergoing a painful or stressful procedure, research shows that a picture of someone special reduces response to pain compared to pictures of strangers.
What was the last claim or health ad that you saw on TV, in a magazine or read in a journal?