Organic Foods - TheTruth on Health

Soil Association response to the Food Standards Agency's Organic Review

I'm still at a loss at how the FSA reached their decision when you read their report carefully, despite the biased nature of the report, it still manages to identify major benefits of organic foods.

Obviously a major concern amongst consumers buying organic is to avoid xenoestrogens, toxins and other potential residue contaminants in conventional crops

The FoodStandard's Agency study on Organic Foods admits

1. This review does not address contaminant content (such as herbicide, pesticide and fungicide residues) of organically and conventionally produced foodstuffs.

It is well proven that (most probably due to modern conventional farming and harvesting methods) average nutrient levels in food have reduced in recent years. It's suspected that the McCance and Widdowson data that nutritionists use could be hopelessly out of date for use as a therapeutic tool. Despite this studies as early as 1958 have been used by the FSA in the meta study.

The FSA study on Organic Food admits

2. Based on 162 relevant articles published, in peer-reviewed journals since 1st January 1958

The FSA meta study did find differences in important nutrient values The FSA study on Organic Food admits

3. Significant differences in content between organically and conventionally produced crops were found in some minerals (nitrogen higher in conventional crops; magnesium and zinc higher in organic crops),phytochemicals (phenolic compounds and flavonoids higher in organic crops)

London Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston says "We have many clients in clinic displaying symptoms of magnesium deficiency and Zinc is very important for helping with infertility problems which are on the increase. It's been shown anti oxidants such as flavonoids have an important role to play in protecting the body. It's misleading for the FSA to suggest food with higher amounts of these nutrients is of 'no importance' for optimal health."

In adition to disqualifying a major new EU study on organic foods the FSA also admits

4. Studies were also disqualified from inclusion if they were primarily concerned with non-nutrient contaminant content (cadmium, lead and mercury)

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Female drivers are skipping meals, driving on an empty stomach

Female drivers are skipping meals and driving on an empty stomach | Sheilas' Wheels

Can a better diet help your concentration and mood? Nutritionist, London Yvonne Bishop-Weston says "yes"

Yvonne is on the Radio today talking about how better nutrition can help you be a safer more considerate driver.

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Spit Out Your Energy Drink!

Why you should spit out your energy drink | Metro.co.uk:

Considering many people go to the gym to manage their weight London Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston has long held the view that the best thing to do with the sugary drinks on sale in Gyms is to spit them out. Now a scientific study has proven her correct - Spit out those highly processed simple carb rich sugary drinks, drink more water and eat proper food!

Sugars – carbohydrates – in liquids such as energy drinks fire receptors in the mouth which stimulate the brain to increase output, tests found.

The result is an average two per cent boost in exercise performance, with the added bonus of athletes not even feeling as if they are working any harder.

'Much of the benefit from carbohydrate in sports drinks is provided by signaling directly from mouth to brain rather than providing energy for the working muscles,' said physiologist Dr Edward Chambers.

Energy drinks have long been known to boost exercise performance but experts have said the sugar hit alone is not enough to explain the improvement.

Dr Chambers' team found that cyclists who sipped and spat out drinks laced with carbohydrates outperformed those who did the same with drinks laced with artificial sweeteners.

The sugar-drinking group finished a one-hour endurance test two per cent faster.

Previously unidentified receptors in the mouth sent pleasure signals to the brain, which reduced the cyclists' perception of the workload, said Dr Chambers, of Birmingham University, in the Journal of Physiology.

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Sodium Benzoate - Causes Cancer ? Destroys DNA ?

E211 Revealed: Evidence highlights new fear over drinks additive - Independent Online Edition > Health

More research has emerged after the Independent on Sunday first broke the story. It appears that when mixed with vitamin C some common E numbers become carciogenic. In addition when some E numbers found in drinks are mixed with E numbers found in crisps the potency then becomes seven times that of the E number chemicals found singly.

More research is urgently needed to find out the full effects of cocktails of E numbers on our bodies.

The Independent on Sunday reveals...

According to Professor Piper, sodium benzoate has a destructive effect on living cells, destroying the DNA in the mitochondria. In essence, his laboratory tests on yeast cells suggest that such preservatives generate free radicals which, in turn, damage cells. This oxidative damage, he says, is the kind of done by ageing and by alcoholic binges. Professor Piper is disappointed at what he sees as a "complacency" among the soft-drinks industry over the potential dangers of additives.

Coca Cola running scared after lawsuit - Coke Lawsuit

See also BBC , Observer - 1500 drinks a risk

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