Good morning. In today’s edition:

• A New Study Lends Weight to Consumer Concerns About Pesticide Residues on Food, Presenting Fresh Evidence That Washing Fruit Before Eating Does Not Removed Toxic Chemicals Commonly Used in Agriculture. Pesticide Levels Posing ‘Significant Risks’ Found in 20% of Tested Fruits and Vegetables

• Your Social Position – Income and Job Role – Could Be Linked to Your Food Preferences. Those in the Lowest ‘Social Grade’ Had More Than Double the Odds of Using Food Delivery Apps. Those Who Used Food Delivery Apps Were 84% More Likely to Live With Obesity and 45% More Likely to Be Overweight

• A Study Found That Over 80 Years, People Who Followed a Pesco-vegetarian Diet Had an 18% Lower Risk of Death, Followed by Those on a Lacto-ovo-vegetarian Diet (Including Dairy and Eggs) With a 15% Lower Risk, and Adventist Vegetarians With a 12% Lower Risk

• Two Slices of Ham a Day Can Raise Type 2 Diabetes Risk by 15%, Research Suggests | Cambridge-led Study of 2m People Globally is Most Comprehensive Evidence Yet of Red Meat Link to Diabetes

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

A New Study Lends Weight to Consumer Concerns About Pesticide Residues on Food, Presenting Fresh Evidence That Washing Fruit Before Eating Does Not Removed Toxic Chemicals Commonly Used in Agriculture. Pesticide Levels Posing ‘Significant Risks’ Found in 20% of Tested Fruits and Vegetables

Recent research raises alarms for those worried about pesticides on their fruits and veggies. Despite popular advice, simply washing your produce under water isn't enough to get rid of harmful chemicals used in farming. This finding comes from a study published by the American Chemical Society.

Researchers tested various fruits and vegetables. 20% had dangerous pesticide levels. This poses a significant risk to regular consumers of these foods. The study explored new pesticide detection methods. It found that many of these substances seep through the skin of the produce, reaching the parts we eat.

According to the scientists, traditional cleaning methods can't remove all the pesticides. They specifically noted that peeling the fruits, such as apples, can be more effective. By removing the skin—and a bit of the pulp—they reduced pesticides.

This insight is vital. It shows how pesticides stay in our food, even after washing. The study's lead author, Professor Dongdong Ye, suggests peeling produce. It may be safer for reducing exposure to harmful chemicals.

Consumer groups and researchers now want better cleaning methods and stricter pesticide rules. This could help make our fruits and vegetables safe to eat. This report guides consumers. It also helps scientists and policymakers understand pesticide dynamics on produce.

Source: theguardian.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Your Social Position – Income and Job Role – Could Be Linked to Your Food Preferences. Those in the Lowest ‘Social Grade’ Had More Than Double the Odds of Using Food Delivery Apps. Those Who Used Food Delivery Apps Were 84% More Likely to Live With Obesity and 45% More Likely to Be Overweight

Does your place in society influence what you eat? A detailed study from England points towards this possibility. Researchers studied the eating habits of 1,521 households. They did this by examining their food and drink purchases. They found that people in lower social grades were much more likely to use food delivery apps than those in higher grades.

The findings were quite striking regarding weight. Individuals who frequently used these apps were 84% more likely to be obese and 45% more likely to be overweight than those who didn't use them. A similar trend was observed in Australia, suggesting a global pattern.

The research, reviewed by experts, shows a link. It cannot prove that food delivery apps cause weight gain. The study found no link between online grocery shopping and obesity. But, ordering from delivery services did relate to it. This might reflect different cultural practices and social group dynamics.

Some may choose cheaper, less nutritious food from these apps due to tight budgets. This could worsen health inequalities. This raises important questions. How do modern conveniences, like food delivery, affect our health? Do they change our choices and outcomes based on our social and economic status? The findings encourage a broader discussion on the role of lifestyle and economic factors in public health.

Source: scimex.org

HEALTH

A Study Found That Over 80 Years, People Who Followed a Pesco-vegetarian Diet Had an 18% Lower Risk of Death, Followed by Those on a Lacto-ovo-vegetarian Diet (Including Dairy and Eggs) With a 15% Lower Risk, and Adventist Vegetarians With a 12% Lower Risk

A new study shows that eating vegetarian can help older people live longer, especially if they include fish in their diet.

Researchers at Loma Linda University Health found that different vegetarian diets lower the risk of dying. Men and middle-aged people benefit the most. But, there’s a slight increase in brain-related diseases like stroke, dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease among very old vegetarians.

Gary Fraser, a professor at Loma Linda, shared that vegetarian diets are very helpful until people get into their 80s. After that, those who don’t eat any fish or dairy might face higher risks of these diseases.

“This is a small but real increase in brain diseases among the oldest vegetarians. We need to pay attention to this to help everyone benefit from a vegetarian diet as they age,” Fraser explained.

The study looked at data from about 96,000 Seventh-day Adventists in the U.S. and Canada. They found that those who eat fish had an 18% lower risk of dying. People who eat dairy and eggs had a 15% lower risk. Strict vegetarians had about a 12% lower risk.

Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the study highlights the importance of including fish in diets to keep older adults healthy. It’s clear that what we choose to eat can play a big role in how long we live.

Source: news.llu.edu

Two Slices of Ham a Day Can Raise Type 2 Diabetes Risk by 15%, Research Suggests | Cambridge-led Study of 2m People Globally is Most Comprehensive Evidence Yet of Red Meat Link to Diabetes

A large study by the University of Cambridge shows that eating two slices of ham daily could raise your risk of type 2 diabetes by 15%. A study of 2 million people worldwide provides strong evidence. It found that eating a lot of red and processed meats can raise diabetes risk.

Type 2 diabetes is a serious health issue. It affects over 400 million people worldwide. It can cause major health issues like blindness, kidney failure, and heart attacks. One of the best ways to lower the risk of this disease is by eating better.

The research looked at how different meats impact the chance of getting diabetes. It found that eating a small steak (about 100 grams of unprocessed red meat) every day could also make it 10% more likely to develop diabetes. Even chicken showed a slight risk increase, though the evidence was weaker.

The study, in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, supports advice to eat less red and processed meat. Professor Nita Forouhi, a lead researcher, explained that their findings are the most detailed to date. They confirm that reducing meat intake can help lower diabetes cases.

The study's advanced analysis and diverse participants make its findings more reliable than earlier ones. They emphasize the need for healthier eating habits to fight diabetes.

Source: theguardian.com

✢ A Note From Hem Hero

The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.