Heart Disease Archives

Kids and Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)

09May10th May 2024 By Rob Hobson

What are UPFs?

Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) are food products that have undergone significant industrial processing and are often loaded with additives like preservatives, colourings, flavorings, and emulsifers. They contain ingredients rarely used in home cooking, such as hydrogenated oils, and protein isolates. Common examples include sugary drinks, pizza, instant noodles, ice cream, biscuits and some and ready meals.

How to Spot a UPF?

UPFs are recognisable by checking the ingredients list for items that seem industrially produced or difficult to understand. If the ingredient list is long, contains multiple additives, or includes refined substances like maltodextrin, modified starches, emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners the product is likely a UPF. A simple rule of thumb is that if the food contains ingredients you wouldn’t typically find in your kitchen, it’s probably ultra-processed.

The Impact of UPFs on Children

UPFs can significantly affect a child’s health in both the short term and long term.

Short-term effects include:

Nutrient Deficiencies: UPFs displace nutrient-dense foods in the diet, leading to potential vitamin and mineral deficiencies as well as weight gain if consumed excessively.
Digestive Issues: Lack of fibre, combined with high sugar and fat content, can result in gastrointestinal distress, including constipation, bloating, and diarrhea.
Energy and Concentration: The rapid blood glucose fluctuations caused by high-glyceamic ingredients like refined flour and sugart can lead to energy crashes and difficulty concentrating.
Behavioral Issues: Ingredients like caffeine and sugar found in UPFs such as energy drinks can cause mood swings and behavioral issues.

Long-term consequences involve:

Obesity: Continuous intake of calorie-dense UPFs contributes to weight gain and the development of obesity.
Type 2 Diabetes: Excessive sugar consumption from UPFs can contribute to insulin resistance, leading to an increased risk of diabetes.
Heart Disease: High salt and fat levels can raise cholesterol and blood pressure, contributing to heart disease risk.
Bone Health: low intakes of bone minerals such as calcium can impact on bone density. Some soft drinks, like Diet Coke, contain phosphorus that leaches calcium from bones when consumed in excess, also increasing the risk of low bone density.
Dental Health: High sugar content can lead to cavities and long-term dental issues.
Poor Eating Habits: Early exposure to UPFs can lead to ingrained poor eating habits, which are difficult to break later in life.

Causes of Nutritional Deficiencies from UPFs

Nutritional deficiencies can arise when UPFs replace nutritious foods in the diet. Although significant deficiencies are uncommon , suboptimal intake of essential nutrients can still affect children’s energy levels, growth, and immune function. Nutrient-rich foods like vegetables, whole grains, and fruits are replaced by low-nutrient UPFs, limiting children’s access to vitamins, minerals, and fibre.

Factors Leading to Poor Eating Habits in Teens

Teenagers, especially girls, are particularly susceptible to poor dietary habits for various reasons:

Peer Pressure and Social Media: Pressure to follow certain diets or trends can lead to restrictive or unbalanced eating patterns.
Busy Lifestyles: Busy school and social life mean teens often grab convenient, processed snacks instead of balanced meals.
Lack of Nutritional Education: Without a strong understanding of nutrition, teens are often influenced by advertising and diet trends.
Emotional Eating: Stress and anxiety can lead to overeating or the consumption of comfort foods high in sugars and fats.

Long-Term Effects of UPFs on Weight Gain, Cholesterol, and Obesity

UPFs promote weight gain and health issues through several mechanisms:

Caloric Density: UPFs contain high levels of sugar and fat, making them calorie-rich even in small servings.
Hyper-palatability: The ratio of sugar to fat in UPFs creates an addictive effect, leading to overeating by triggering the brain’s dopamine release.
Altered Food Matrix: UPFs are soft and lack fibre, meaning they can be consumed quickly and don’t provide lasting satiety.
Gut Microbiome Disruption: Certain emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners in some UPFs may alter gut flora, which plays a role in energy extraction and nutrient metabolism. More studies on humans are needed to investigate this further.
Inflammation: Chronic inflammation resulting from poor dietary patterns can increase the risk of obesity and other chronic diseases.

Managing UPF Consumption

Parents can take several steps to help reduce the impact of UPFs on their children’s diets:

Set Realistic Goals: Understand that kids may struggle with peer pressure and advertising, so setting achievable dietary changes is crucial.
Promote Healthy Family Habits: Encourage healthy meals at home and involve children in meal planning and cooking.
Gradual Dietary Changes: Slowly introduce healthier alternatives to UPFs to prevent backlash or resistance.
Positive Reinforcement: Focus on foods to eat more of, rather than demonising or strictly banning UPFs, to promote a balanced diet.
Cooking Skills: Teach children to cook simple, versatile dishes and keep ingredients available for them to practice.
Batch Cooking and Snacks: Have home-cooked meals and snacks ready to avoid reaching for processed foods.
Address Emotional Eating: Recognise stress-eating patterns and offer comforting, healthy alternatives.

Conclusion

UPFs are a significant challenge due to their accessibility and addictive nature. However, with careful planning and gradual changes, parents can help guide their children toward healthier, more balanced eating habits. By promoting nutritional education, positive reinforcement, and a supportive eating environment, parents can empower their children to make healthier food choices that last a lifetime.

Is Your Love for Packaged Foods Hurting Your Gut Health?

12Mar12th March 2024 By Rob Hobson

The latest comprehensive review might leave a sour taste, especially if you’re scrolling through this while munching on your favorite boxed breakfast. The research is clear and quite alarming: a direct link exists between the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and an array of 32 negative health outcomes.

These convenience foods, it turns out, pose risks to every part of the human body, including increased chances of developing heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, mental health issues, and even leading to an untimely demise.

What was the study?

The monumental study, published in the BMJ, involved nearly 10 million participants and sheds light on the escalating consumption of UPFs worldwide. These include popular items like breakfast cereals, protein bars, sodas, pre-packaged meals, and fast food. Laden with unhealthy levels of fats, salts, and sugars, deficient in essential vitamins and fibre and loaded with additives, it’s shocking to find that these foods constitute more than half of the average diet in the UK. Particularly alarming is the uptake among younger demographics, economically challenged individuals, and those in less affluent regions, with diets comprising up to 80% UPFs.

Avoiding ultra-processed foods while attempting to plan healthy meals is not as straightforward as it might seem. In my research for the book “Unprocess Your Life,” it became evident that not all UPFs are created equal. Some, like wholemeal bread, certain cereals, and plant-based options, have been suggested to possess health benefits.

Could our gut be the missing link?

The debate is ongoing: while some argue for a ban or health warnings on UPFs similar to tobacco products, others call for a reevaluation of UPFs to acknowledge the nutritional value of some of these foods. Despite the ongoing discussion on which specific ingredients are the culprits, there’s a consensus that processed foods disrupt our gut’s microbial balance, which could be the root cause of their harmful effects.

Our understanding of the gut’s impact on overall health, including mental well-being, weight management, immunity, hormone regulation, digestion, and energy metabolism, is rapidly evolving. Research now suggests that a high intake of UPFs can significantly increase the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases, elevate the likelihood of anxiety and mental disorders, and raise the risk of type 2 diabetes. These findings point back to the critical role of gut health.

The Link Between Gut Health and Obesity

Characterised by heavy industrial processing and additives like artificial colors and flavors, UPFs have been closely studied for their connection to obesity—a factor in many non-communicable diseases identified in the study. The research highlights how the gut microbiome influences energy absorption and the breakdown of complex carbohydrates into short-chain fatty acids, which impacts everything from energy use in the body to appetite regulation.

Consuming large amounts of UPFs can detrimentally affect the gut microbiome due to the lack of beneficial nutrients, excessive intake of unhealthy components, and additives. This can lead to a less effective digestion and energy storage process.

Improving Gut Diversity Through Diet

The low fiber and high fat and sugar content in UPFs can harm the diversity of the gut microbiome. To combat this, increasing fiber intake through nutrient-dense UPFs and swapping out sugar and fat-laden processed meals for natural foods rich in fiber, like fruits, nuts, and seeds, is recommended. Such changes can foster a healthier gut microbiome, reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Understanding Prebiotics and Recognising Food Label Red Flags

Fiber serves as a prebiotic, nourishing beneficial gut bacteria that produce anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids. However, the typically low fiber content in UPFs can diminish these beneficial effects. Consuming a diet rich in prebiotic foods can support gut health and immune function.

Additionally, certain additives in UPFs, like emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners, may directly affect the gut microbiome, leading to concerns over gut inflammation and metabolic syndromes. While research continues to explore the specifics, there’s growing evidence that these additives contribute to gut health issues.

While the debate over UPFs continues, focusing on a diet predominantly consisting of whole foods is beneficial. A realistic approach to dieting, which may include some UPFs balanced with healthy options, is likely the most sustainable path to long-term health. Embracing small, manageable changes towards gut health is a crucial step for everyone aiming for a healthier lifestyle.

The rise of ultra processed foods: Navigating the next chapter

27Feb4th March 2024 By Rob Hobson

The journey of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) over the last 25 years is a tale woven with global economic shifts, cultural transformations, technological progress, and escalating health concerns. When I embarked on my nutrition career nearly two decades ago, the primary worries about what were then dubbed “processed foods” centered on their high levels of fat, salt, and sugar. Now, recognized as ultra-processed, these foods are implicated in adverse health outcomes for more expansive reasons, including their additives, altered food matrixes, and aggressive marketing strategies.

How Did the Rise of Ultra-Processed Foods Occur?

Characterised by an abundance of additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients, UPFs began to dominate markets in the late 20th century. This era heralded a quest for longer shelf life and cost-effectiveness, making food more accessible. Advances in food technology and global supply chains facilitated the mass production and widespread distribution of these foods, aligning with the modern era’s fast-paced lifestyle where convenience often dictates food choice.

1990s: The Foundation Years

The 1990s saw significant changes in food consumption patterns. Economic globalisation propelled multinational food corporations, introducing UPFs globally. This period marked a shift towards convenience foods, ready-to-eat meals, and fast food, driven by women’s increasing workforce participation, urbanisation, and the rising demand for time and cost-efficient food solutions.\

2000s: The UPF Boom Years

The early 2000s witnessed a surge in UPFs’ variety and availability. Technological innovations in food processing and marketing strategies aimed at both children and adults led to a spike in ultra-processed food consumption. UPFs began to replace traditional diets, especially in developing countries, altering global dietary patterns.

The Last 10 Years: The Backlash Begins

The past decade highlighted the health risks associated with UPFs. Research increasingly connected these foods to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers. The combination of high sugar, unhealthy fats, and salt content, alongside low nutritional value, placed UPFs at the heart of public health discussions.

Sustain, a UK NGO, has been advocating for a 9pm advertising watershed and an online ban for unhealthy food and drink ads. However, implementation has been postponed to 2025—a delay that seems short-sighted given the alarming obesity and type 2 diabetes rates among children and teenagers.

Current Concerns and Forward Look

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the risks associated with poor diets, as those with diet-related diseases faced higher severe illness risks. Global health organizations now call for a decrease in UPF consumption and urge governments to foster healthier food environments through policies like sugar taxes and clear food labeling, and promoting fresh, minimally processed foods.

As we look ahead, the challenge is to balance UPF convenience with the need for nutritious, budget-friendly diets. Food science innovations are creating healthier UPF alternatives, including plant-based options and nutrient-fortified foods. Yet, the real change may come from a societal shift towards valuing healthful, whole foods over convenience.

Plant sterols to help reduce the risk of heart disease

26Feb28th February 2024 By Rob Hobson

Heart disease, a leading cause of death worldwide, encompasses conditions impairing heart function and structure. The British Heart Foundation reports that in the UK, cardiovascular disease accounts for 27% of all deaths annually, signaling a significant health crisis.

What is the prevelance of heart disease in the UK?

Approximately 7 million people in the UK live with cardiovascular disease, with coronary heart disease (CHD) being the most common and deadly form. Heart disease includes coronary artery disease (CAD), arrhythmias, and congenital heart defects, with causes ranging from unhealthy diets and physical inactivity to genetics.

How can you reduce your risk of heart disease?

Preventative measures against heart disease emphasise healthy eating, regular exercise, weight management, smoking cessation, and regular health screenings. Amidst various strategies to combat heart disease, plant sterols emerge as a leading supplement to protect heart health, particularly due to their cholesterol-lowering capabilities. High cholesterol is a prevalent issue, affecting about half of all adults in the UK and contributing significantly to heart disease.

How do plant sterols help to reduce your risk of heart disease?

High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease and there are many dietary stratgies you can put in place to help lower levels in the blood. Dietary strategies including eating more foods high in fibre such as beans, pulses, lentils and nuts as well as reducing your saturated fat intake and including more healthy fats from foods such as olive oil and oily fish.

Foods rich in plant sterols such as legumes, avocado and olive oil can also help to reduce chlesterol levels but getting the amoutn needed from diet alone may not always be achievable. Plant sterols mimic cholesterol in the body, competing for absorption and signaling the liver to produce less cholesterol, thus reducing blood cholesterol levels naturally by up to 12%.

While statins are commonly prescribed for high cholesterol, some individuals opt for dietary changes and plant sterols to manage their levels. The effectiveness of plant sterols is acknowledged by the EU, which has authorised health claims stating that daily intakes of 1.5g to 3g of plant sterols can lower blood cholesterol levels by 7% to 12% within 2 to 3 weeks.

What other supplements can help to reduce the risk of heart disease?

Other supplements that may help reduce heart disease risk include omega-3 fatty acids, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), magnesium, garlic, and vitamin D. These supplements support heart health by reducing triglyceride levels, managing hypertension, and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, among other benefits. However, it’s important to remember that supplements should complement a healthy diet and lifestyle rather than replace them.

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil supplements, are beneficial for reducing triglyceride levels and lowering blood pressure. CoQ10, an antioxidant, aids in energy production within cells and may improve symptoms in patients with congestive heart failure. Magnesium plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy heartbeat and blood pressure. Garlic supplements can modestly lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, while vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.

What’s the take home message?

While prioritising a diet rich in heart-healthy foods and maintaining an active lifestyle are paramount for cardiovascular health, supplements like plant sterols offer additional benefits, particularly in lowering cholesterol levels. This makes them a valuable option for those looking to reduce their risk of heart disease. Supplements can provide specific health benefits, but should always be part of a broader approach to heart disease prevention that includes healthy living practices.

Six steps to living an unprocessed life

15Feb28th February 2024 By Rob Hobson

In our fast-paced world, the convenience and cost-effectiveness of food have increasingly dictated our dietary choices, pushing ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to the forefront of our consumption patterns. These foods, designed for prolonged shelf life and ease of consumption, are packed with additives like preservatives, emulsifiers, and artificial flavors, making them a staple in many diets despite their potential health risks.

The growing concern over the impact of UPFs on health is supported by research linking their consumption to a range of diseases, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This article explores the complex relationship between UPFs and health and provides practical steps for reducing their presence in our lives.

Understanding Ultra-Processed Foods

Ultra-processed foods are characterized by their extensive processing and the inclusion of ingredients that are not typically found in home cooking, such as artificial colors and flavors. These foods are manufactured to be irresistibly tasty, affordable, and convenient, traits that encourage overconsumption. Despite their widespread use, the health implications of consuming UPFs are increasingly scrutinized, with studies associating them with serious health issues.

The Impact of UPFs on Health

Recent studies have unveiled a concerning link between high consumption of UPFs and an array of health problems. A review of 43 studies highlighted that the majority found a correlation between UPFs and negative health outcomes, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.

For instance, research from the Fourth Medical Military University in China showed that individuals with the highest intake of UPFs had a 24% increased risk of developing heart disease.

Another study from the University of Sydney found a significant association between UPFs and an elevated risk of high blood pressure among middle-aged women.

These findings suggest that the risk associated with UPFs transcends the harm posed by their nutrient content alone, pointing towards additives and changes in food properties as potential culprits.

Navigating UPF Consumption

While the evidence against UPFs is compelling, completely eliminating them from our diet is neither realistic nor necessary. The key lies in moderation and mindful selection, focusing on reducing intake rather than pursuing an unattainable ideal of avoidance. It’s crucial to recognise that not all UPFs are created equal; some, like certain breads, yogurts, and cereals, can offer nutritional benefits. The challenge is to discern between harmful UPFs and those that can be part of a balanced diet, avoiding the pitfalls of “clean eating” extremism.

Steps to Unprocess Your Diet

Assessment and Planning: Begin by evaluating the UPFs in your diet and kitchen. Identifying your dependency on these foods is the first step toward making informed changes.
Identify Weak Points: Focus on the part of your day most reliant on UPFs, such as work lunches or dinner. Preparing meals ahead of time using simple, fresh ingredients can significantly reduce UPF consumption.
Homemade Alternatives: Replace UPF meals with homemade versions. Start with simple recipes and consider batch cooking to save time and money.
Selective Shopping: Not all processed foods are detrimental. Opt for products with minimal and recognizable ingredients, such as certain plant milks, over those laden with additives.
Informed Choices: When choosing between two UPFs, select the one with fewer additives. Reading labels can help make better decisions.
Enjoy the Process: Embrace the transition as an opportunity to involve family, learn new recipes, and explore different food sources. Making healthy eating enjoyable and affordable is key to sustainability.

The journey to reducing UPF consumption in our diets is not about perfection but about making better choices one step at a time. By understanding the impact of UPFs on health, assessing our consumption habits, and gradually introducing healthier alternatives, we can navigate the complexities of modern eating. The goal is to cultivate a balanced, mindful approach to food that prioritizes health without sacrificing enjoyment or convenience

Whats the deal with free radicals and antioxidants?

13Nov13th November 2019 By Rob Hobson

The world of nutrition has evolved hugely over the last few decades as interest in the topic has grown. Basic dietary advice is no longer enough for many people as they seek out other ways to optimise their health, combat ageing, lose weight and maximise exercise performance.

The desire to learn more has helped drive this evolution but has also exposed us to information that may be lacking in reliable science.

One topic that has always been popular is that of free radicals and antioxidants. These terms are frequently chucked around and often oversimplified as being either good or bad for us but is it really that simple?

A little too much knowledge can be dangerous

One of my old bosses many years ago once said to me that a little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing and this is something that always rings true when I listen to people talk about nutrition.

How has dietary advice evolved over the last couple of decades?

Not long after I started out as a nutritionist the Department of Health had just launched the five-a-day campaign (2003) to promote the health benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables in the diet. This campaign was driven by the science which proved fruits and vegetables had a key role to play in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cancers and diabetes.

The conversation around diet and nutrition at this time was heavily focused on key public health messaging to help tackle obesity and heart disease.

In 2007 the Food Standards Agency launched the ‘Eatwell Plate’ to help people to understand how the five key food groups form the basis of a balanced diet. This has since been replaced with the updated ‘Eatwell Guide’ (1).

When did the conversation start to change?

After this is when the conversation began to change as more people took an interest in the topic of nutrition.

Reporting in the media began to focus more on research findings linking diet to disease (many of which were contradictory), food companies started to coin phrases such as ‘superfoods’ and many books and TV shows on the topic became hugely popular.

During this time the quality of advice given out was questioned by qualified health professionals and authors such as Ben Goldachre putting much of it down to bad science. This also saw the demise of well-known ‘health experts’ who dominated our screens at this time.

Around this time was also when the food industry became more regulated as they had to provide evidence to support any health claims made on their products (2008).

In 2007 the UK regulator Ofcom introduced regulations banning the advertising of foods high in fat, salt and sugar on children’s TV channels. Bans were also introduced on the advertising of these foods on non-children’s channels during, before and after programmes aimed at those aged between four and fifteen.

The UK was the first country to introduce statutory scheduling restrictions of food advertisements to children.

The birth of social media

Around the same time came the social media explosion with the birth of Twitter in 2006 and Instagram in 2010.

These social media platforms are now home to many health and wellness ambassadors who churn out advice and represent food and wellness brands in the media. This has raised many issues as to the quality of nutrition and diet advice as people turn to unqualified influencers for information over experts (although there are now many trusted voices on these platforms).

The topic of free radicals and antioxidants

As our interest in the nitty gritty of nutrition has grown one of the topics that has continued to come up is that of free radicals and antioxidants. The terms are chucked around willy nilly and while most people may be familiar with them, very few actually know what they are.

The problem of oversimplification

The science behind free radicals and antioxidants is actually quite complex. One problem with delivering these concepts to people has been an oversimplification of the science which has led them to be classed as either being good or bad for you.

The idea that free radicals are bad and antioxidants are good is one that is used to sell myriad of products in the wellness market, but the science is not that straight forward. Antioxidants are normally depicted as the superhero defending our body against ageing and chronic disease risk caused by free radical damage.

There is of course truth in this depiction but unfortunately biology is never that simple.

What are free radicals?

Free radicals are very reactive chemicals, which are created when an atom or molecule (chemical that has two or more atoms) either gains or loses an electron. The most common type of free radicals produced in living tissue are called reactive oxygen species or ROS for short and these contain oxygen.

We produce free radicals naturally through chemical processes that occur in the body such as the breakdown of food and its transformation into energy used by cells.

We are perfectly equipped to deal with free radicals but they may become an issue when they build up in high concentrations. This can put the body in a state of oxidative stress (when free radicals outweigh antioxidants), which has the potential to damage every major component of cells when it occurs over a prolonged period of time. The most significant damage is that caused to DNA, which is thought to play a role in the development of many health conditions including heart disease and cancer (2).

The most likely cause of excess free radicals in the body are due to a combination of environmental, lifestyle and dietary factors which include pollution, stress, smoking, alcohol, sun exposure, infection and overconsumption of foods high in bad fats and sugar.

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are essential for the survival of all living things. These chemicals are able to interact with free radicals and neutralising them without getting damaged or becoming a free radical themselves. Whilst the body relies on external source of antioxidants, which are gleaned from the diet, it’s also able to make some such as the cellular antioxidant glutathione.

Dietary antioxidants are found in fruits, vegetables and grains, which are all a rich source. Examples of dietary antioxidants include lycopene and beta carotene found in red, orange and green vegetables as well as vitamins A, C, E and minerals such as selenium. Plants also contain compounds such as polyphenols, which act as antioxidants and are found in foods such as berries and raw cacao.

Are free radicals always bad for us?

Most people equate free radicals to poor health but there is more to the story as they also play an important role in many normal cellular responses.

The immune system uses free radicals to help kill foreign invaders (phagocytes) in the body, which are just one of many ingredients in a cocktail of chemicals released in this defence mechanism, which is known as an oxidative burst.

Another interesting example of where free radicals may be beneficial is linked to exercise, particularly amongst athletes. Free radicals may play a key role in the benefits gained from exercise, which goes against much of the information provided on this topic.

One of the benefits of exercise is that it helps to improve insulin sensitivity, which is a good thing as the body becomes more attuned to maintaining blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance has the opposite effect resulting in higher insulin and blood sugar levels, which form part of the aetiology of diseases such as diabetes.

Research has shown that the oxidative stress (excess free radicals vs antioxidants) induced by exercise actually promotes insulin sensitivity and triggers an internal mechanism to protect the body against the potential damage from free radicals (3). Interestingly, the same research has also shown that flooding the body with antioxidants (mostly in the form of supplements) may inhibit this health benefit from occurring.

These and similar findings have prompted experts in the field of sports nutrition to question the use of antioxidant supplements as part of their prescribed diet regime.

Are antioxidants always good?

The reputation of antioxidants has evolved over the decades into something of a panacea for good health. Early research many decades ago identified their role in the ageing process and their association with health has stuck.

There is no doubt that antioxidants have a key role to play in the aetiology of disease and cell ageing, but this doesn’t mean that overdosing on them will help you to live longer, stop you getting sick or prevent wrinkles.

Antioxidant supplements

Supplements containing antioxidants have always been popular but the evidence to support their use in the reduction of disease risk is often lacking and often contradictory.

Supplements have their place and as the name suggests this is to supplement the diet to make up for any shortfalls that may exist when your diet may be compromised for whatever reason. Public Health England currently recommend we supplement our diet with vitamin D during the winter months in the absence of sunlight and it has long been advised that women take folic acid during the early stages of pregnancy.

Supplements are also useful for young children, older adults and those following strict diets such as veganism. In such cases there may be a greater risk of deficiency.

In some cases, supplements could do more harm than good and especially high doses of antioxidants.

One example is the link between beta carotene supplements and lung cancer as shown in the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research Third Expert Report Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: a Global Perspective. This report found that there was strong evidence to show that taking high-dose beta carotene supplements increased the risk of lung cancer in both current and former smokers (4).

It’s all about balance

Adopting a healthy diet which includes plenty of plant-based foods, especially brightly coloured fruits and vegetables, will ensure a good intake of antioxidants. Leading a healthy lifestyle which involves being active, maintaining a healthy body weight, not smoking and addressing stress and sleep issues can help to reduce excess free radicals.

I get that this may be easier said than done and behaviour change is a tricky thing that often challenges our ability maintain a healthy way of living. However, focusing on the information and advice which is supported by science is always going to be a better long-term option than seeking out quick-fix fads. A faddy approach to your health is not only likely to be short-lived but may in fact be more detrimental to your health.

References

Join Cancer Research UK in giving up sugar for February

05Feb5th February 2019 By Rob Hobson

Addicted to sugar? Learn more about how you can ditch the sweet stuff!

Sugar is the villain in the world of nutrition and most significantly those added to foods, which are referred to as being ‘free’. We all eat too much of it and it’s supposedly more addictive than class A drugs. So, what’s the deal with sugar and how can we start to cut it out of our diet?

This month we’ve been challenged by Cancer Research UK to ditch the white stuff in the name of charity but why is it so bad for our health, how much are we eating and how can we reduce it?

What are free sugars?

Free sugars are considered to be the ‘bad guys’ and have been defined by Public Health England as all added sugars in any form which include (1):

All sugars naturally present in fruit and vegetable juices, purées and pastes
All sugars in drinks
All sweeteners including table sugar, honey, barley malt, maple syrup, coconut nectar, palm sugar, agave nectar, date sugar and brown rice syrup

Other sugars found naturally in foods such as whole fruits, cereals and dairy foods (not flavoured milks) are not as damaging to health. Blood glucose levels are less affected by the sugars in these foods as their fibre, fat and protein content slows down its release into the bloodstream. Foods containing these sugars are also much more nutritious and contain many other nutrients which are beneficial to health.

How much free sugar should we be eating?

Sugar is high on the health agenda with both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) urging us to reduce free sugars to just 5% of our daily calorie intake. Guidance from Public Health England is to limit free sugar intake to no more than 30g (6 tsp) per day.

How much free sugar are we eating in the UK?

Findings from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2018) have shown that most of us consume too much free sugar (2). The greatest contributors come from the sweeteners we add to food and drinks, soft drinks and then the usual suspects of confectionary and other sweet treats.

Sugar and heart disease

The relationship between sugar and heart disease has been widely researched and a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that a high-sugar diet was associated with a greater risk of dying from the condition. Researchers not only found a strong association between sugar intake and heart disease but that the higher your intake of sugar the greater your risk of disease (3).

It’s not fully clear how sugar and heart disease are related but several indirect pathways have been implicated. The liver converts excess sugar into fat and when overloaded this may increase the likelihood of fatty liver disease, which contributes to diabetes risk (a key factor in the aetiology of heart disease). Other risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure and inflammation have also been associated with diets high in sugar (3)

Sugar and cancer?

Sugar is often talked about with respect to cancer but according to Cancer Research UK, there’s no direct link between the two. Saying that, the two may be indirectly associated with one another, which has more to do with the impact of obesity. An unhealthy diet, which may include an excess of sugar in the diet has the potential to cause weight gain and evidence from research has shown that being overweight or obese can increase the risk of many different types of cancer including breast, bowel, oesophageal and pancreatic (4).

Beyond smoking, obesity is one of the greatest preventable risk factors in the development of cancer. It’s been predicted that by 2035 almost three quarters of the UK population will be overweight or obese, which may cause a further 670,000 new cases of cancer over the next 20 years.

Exactly how being overweight or obese causes cells to become cancerous is not yet fully understood but is thought to be triggered by chemical signals released from excess body fat. We need some fat for the body to function properly, but excess may be harmful as it releases hormones and growth-promoting signals in the body, which encourage inflammation and influence how often our cells divide. These changes in cell division are thought to be one of the most likely reasons why carrying excess fat increases the risk of cancer (5).

How to start cutting free sugars out of your diet

Food surveys have shown we all eat too much of the white stuff and yet most of us find it impossible to cut it out of our diet. Ditching free sugars for good is probably an unrealistic goal for the majority of people, but this current campaign led by Cancer Research UK offers an opportunity to kick-start new eating habits and explore ways to reduce them from your diet.

Top tips to tackling sugar in your diet

Try and make simple changes to your diet that involve cutting down on the amount of free sugars you consume. The tips below can help you to reduce the amount of free sugars in your diet and beat the cravings that act as a key barrier to change.

Understand sugar on the label

Many of the foods typically high in free sugars are obvious to spot, but a significant amount of those we consume are hidden in salad dressings, condiments, breakfast cereals, soups, cook-in-sauces and ready meals.

The front of pack labelling highlights the amount of sugar in a food product so opt for green or amber traffic lights. This labelling can be misleading as it represents all the sugars so also refer to the ingredient list. To identify free sugars, look for anything that ends in ‘ose’ (sucrose, glucose, fructose) as well as any healthier sounding alternatives, such as raw sugar, barley malt, maple syrup, coconut nectar, palm sugar, agave nectar, date sugar and brown rice syrup. These are all classed as free sugars.

Switch to sweet snacks lower in free-sugars

To reduce the amount of free sugar you add to food you can opt for dried fruits or homemade compotes. If you’re looking for something sweet to snack on, then try fresh or dried fruits alone or topped onto plain yoghurt. You can also control the amount of sugar you add to homemade fruit breads, which can be topped with nut butters.

Include plenty of protein in your diet

Protein helps to keep you feeling full and can lessen the desire to snack between meals. Structure your meals by teaming proteins with healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds), fibre (wholegrains) and plenty of vegetables. If you need to snack between meals then something protein-based such as boiled eggs, pulse-based dips (hummus) or lean meat proteins are a great option.

Get a little spicy!

Sweet spices such as ground ginger, allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon can make a great substitute for sugar. These spices can be added to hot beverages and smoothies or sprinkled over porridge and yoghurt in place of sweeteners such as sugar or honey.

Ditch sugary drinks

Soft drinks are one of the biggest contributors to sugar in the diet and even so-called health drinks can be loaded with sugar in one of its many forms. Try flavouring sparkling water with fruits, vegetables and herbs such as lemons, limes, strawberries, mint, cucumber, rosemary, fresh ginger and basil. Herbal teas are also lovely when brewed, chilled and sweetened with a little honey.

Keep occupied

Research shows that the desire for something sweet after you have eaten is more likely to stem from habits formed during childhood as opposed to anything more biological (6). Evenings are the downfall of most people when it comes to snacking, so the first step is to keep sweet treats out of the house. The next step is to find ways to occupy your time such as going out for a walk, doing something around the house or having a nice bath with a good book rather than flopping in front of the TV with a family pack of minstrels. There’s some truth in the saying, “Idle hands make for the devil’s work”.

Gum

Research findings are mixed but have shown that chewing gum may help overcome sweet cravings in some people (7). Make sure you opt for sugar-free varieties!

Learn to chill

We’re more likely to seek out sweet treats and comfort foods when under stress. Try to adopt other ways to manage your stress rather than relying on food. Magnesium helps to relax the body and can be found in foods such as nuts, seeds and even a little high-cocoa dark chocolate, which is also rich in the compounds phenylethylamine that acts as mild mood booster.

Try chromium

This mineral has been shown to help manage blood glucose (sugar) as part of something called the glucose tolerance factor (GTF). This factor increases the effectiveness of insulin, which is a hormone that helps to control blood sugar levels by transporting glucose into cells. Chromium also helps the body to process the carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the foods we eat. Whilst not conclusive, research has suggested that chromium supplements may help with cravings (8) and anecdotally, some people find these a useful way to reduce sugar cravings by taking with meals.

References