Things we know: populations that eat primarily plant-based diets have lower risk for most chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. But the reasons for this remain a mystery. Is it fiber? Vitamins? Lower saturated fat? Some unidentified phytochemical?
The most likely answer is that it’s all of the above, and then some. Meanwhile, a recent study identified another plant component, called apigenin, that appears to play a role in disrupting cancer cells. Normal cells have a defined life span, controlled by genes that initiate cell death. Cancer cells evade this programmed cell death, and keep on growing out of control. Apigenin, binds to certain proteins in cultured cancer cells, and shutting off the out of control growth.
Does labeling food “healthy” lead to overeating? A new study says Yes. When given a choice of healthy or regular coleslaw, subjects took and ate more of the healthy coleslaw. In fact, the 2 coleslaw choices were exactly the same. When asked to estimate how many calories were in their portion, they underestimated the calories for the Healthy item.
Speaking of plant based diets, another study shows that the Mediterranean Diet helps the aging brain. This study, from Spain, followed over 500 people who were 55 or older. One group ate a traditional Mediterranean Diet with olive oil, the other ate a Mediterranean diet with nuts, and the third group age a low fat diet. The subjects took cognition tests at the beginning and then 6-1/2 years later. Of the people who had developed mild cognitive decline, more of them were on the low fat diet. Of the subjects who had developed dementia, more were on the low fat diet.
There’s no downside to a plant based diet. We may not know exactly why it’s healthy, but at some point, trying to pick out individual beneficial plant components is less important than encouraging the overall diet pattern.
Have a healthy and productive day!
MJ
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