Functional Foods

Switzerland-based research team assesses the metabolic effects of dark chocolate consumption on energy, gut microbiota, and stress hormones.

Industry report highlights rising interest and activity in anti-aging foods and drinks, driven largely by the  demographics of an aging world population

Irish researchers find that curcumin, an extract found in the curry
spice turmeric, promotes death of cancer cells.

People under mental stress may promote psychological well-being by consuming green tea

In a study involving overweight women, a freeze-dried strawberry powder improved cholesterol levels by 5%.

Antioxidant-rich cocoa compound reduced the presence of inflammatory markers of atherosclerosis.

In that ADDLs, soluble oligomers of amyloid-B1–42 peptide, are thought to be the primary toxin adversely affecting brain cells in Alzheimer’s Disease, William Roth, from Monell Chemical Senses Center (Pennsylvania, USA), and colleagues completed a series of in vitro studies showing that oleocanthal, a natural compound found in extra-virgin olive oil, beneficially alters ADDL size, structure, and activity.

A study finds that eating chocolate two or more times a week slashes cardiac death by 66%, and that less frequent consumption is also associated with smaller decreased risks.

Telomeres are the endcaps on chromosomes, and telomeric shortening is thought to govern the number of times a cell can divide. Ruth Chan and a team of Hong Kong-based researchers studied  976 Chinese men and 1,030 Chinese women, ages 65+, surveying their dietary habits via a food questionnaire. Overall, only tea consumption was associated with telomere length.

German researchers have found that regular consumption of white tea, the least processed variety of tea and containing potent concentrations of phytochemicals, may help to prevent obesity and encourage weight loss.