Are ultra-processed foods a risk to health?

High intake of several emulsifier E numbers linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk

10-Nov-2023 - High intake of several emulsifiers (part of the ‘E numbers’ group of food additives), widely used in industrially processed foods to improve texture and extend shelf-life, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), suggests a study published byThe BMJ. Given that these ...

Midlife obesity linked to heightened frailty risk in older age

Findings highlight importance of keeping trim throughout adulthood

03-Feb-2023 - Carrying far too much weight, including a midriff bulge, from mid-life onwards, is linked to a heightened risk of physical frailty in older age, finds research published in the open access journal BMJ Open. Frailty is often wrongly perceived as a purely wasting disorder, say the researchers, who ...

Probiotic bacteria found in fermented foods might help dispel bad breath

Lactobacillus salivarius and reuteri, Streptococcus salivarius, Weissella cibaria may work

29-Dec-2022 - Probiotic bacteria usually found in fermented foods, such as yoghurt, sourdough bread, and miso soup, might help dispel the embarrassment of persistent bad breath (halitosis), finds a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published in the open access journal BMJ Open. Lactobacillus ...

AI-enabled imaging of retina’s vascular network can predict cardiovascular disease and death

Paves way for accurate non-invasive screening test that doesn’t have to be done in clinic

18-Oct-2022 - AI-enabled imaging of the retina’s network of veins and arteries can accurately predict cardiovascular disease and death, without the need for blood tests or blood pressure measurement, finds research published online in theBritish Journal of Ophthalmology. As such, it paves the way for a highly ...

Two new studies link ultra-processed foods with heart disease, bowel cancer and death

Findings add further evidence in support of policies that limit ultra-processed foods

07-Sep-2022 - Two large studies published by The BMJ find links between high consumption of ultra-processed foods and increased risks of cardiovascular disease, bowel (colorectal) cancer and death. The findings add further evidence in support of policies that limit ultra-processed foods and instead promote ...

1 g cut in daily salt intake could ward off nearly 9 million cases of stroke/heart disease in China

And save 4 million lives by 2030, modelling study suggests

17-Aug-2022 - A modest cut of just 1 g in daily salt intake could ward off nearly 9 million cases of heart disease and strokes and save 4 million lives by 2030, suggest the estimates of a modelling study published in the open access journalBMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health. Salt intake in China is one of the ...

Dietary salt substitutes lower risk of heart attack/stroke and death

Beneficial effects likely to apply to people everywhere, say researchers

11-Aug-2022 - Dietary salt substitutes lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death from all causes and cardiovascular disease, finds a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published online in the journal Heart. The beneficial effects of these substitutes are likely to apply to people all ...

Drinker’s sex plus brewing method may be key to coffee’s link to raised cholesterol

Widest gender difference seen for espresso

12-May-2022 - The sex of the drinker as well as the brewing method may be key to coffee’s link with raised cholesterol, a known risk factor for heart disease, suggests research published in the open access journal Open Heart. Drinking espresso was associated with the widest gender difference in cholesterol ...

Exposure to traffic noise linked to higher dementia risk

Reducing noise is a public health priority, say experts

10-Sep-2021 - Exposure to noise from traffic on roads and railways over a long period is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease, suggests a study from Denmark published inThe BMJ. The researchers estimate that as many as 1,216 out of the 8,475 cases of dementia ...

Moderate coffee drinking 'more likely to benefit health than to harm it' say experts

27-Nov-2017 - Drinking coffee is "more likely to benefit health than to harm it" for a range of health outcomes, say researchers in The BMJ. They bring together evidence from over 200 studies and find that drinking three to four cups of coffee a day is associated with a lower risk of death and getting heart ...