Another day of rain means that ground conditions really are starting to become too soft for running on with full loads of compost.
The result is clearing office jobs and some thoughts on research papers.
Nutraingredient articles today took my interest. Yet again there are research revelations on nutrients that are relevant to sea buckthorn.
The suggestion that flanovoids may help healthy aging in women, based on a study of over 13000 women suggests that more than 1500 lived into their 70s with healthy aging. The work looked at the consumption of increased levels of flavonoids in midlife and the increased chances of better health and wellbeing in aging. The results suggest that overall health improvement may be more important to individuals rather than chronic disease incidence. The report particularly relates to the consumption of oranges, berries, onions and apples, and appears in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
It is interesting that part of the conclusion suggests that the findings could be helpful to public health recommendations regarding diet quality.
I say this because today I also saw an article from Australian researchers writing in the journal Appetite. Their findings were that regular consumption of high sugar fruit juice could be bad for blood pressure. The inference being that high blood pressure can lead to increased risk of cardio vascular disease and other issues. By high sugar juices they are talking about juices with natural sugars.
The two pieces of research put different angles on the value of fruit. Both studies offer suggested outcomes that need further studies to define conclusions, but often such studies are taken as providing definitive studies in their own right. Communication of studies is so important to convey useful messages. Juice contains many useful nutrients and it is a convenient way to consume them. Taken the wrong way – juice is high in sugar therefore it is bad for you, throws the baby out with the bathwater. Taken the positive way – juice is an important part of a balanced diet with some understanding of the word balanced maintains consumption but in moderation.
the Flavonoid report is frustrating in that again there is an indication that eating berries/fruit could provide real benefit, but the depth of knowledge; number of research projects that are followed through with conclusive clinical trials results in such bits of information only providing some suggestions and maybes.
Without investment in clinical trials true final evidence eludes us. A lack of commitment to defining health benefits from natural foods means that understanding what makes up a balanced diet is full of confusion. Poor diet choices does not provide good health outcomes, and is that fair to consumers?
Hence it is important when we reference research that the results are definitive and relevant to consumers.