Usually, the deeper the color, the healthier the fruit or vegetable. But it appears that there are exceptions.
Deep red tomatoes get their color from lycopene, a disease-fighting antioxidant. But a new study discovered that a special variety of orange-colored tomatoes called Tangerine tomatoes provides a different form of lycopene that our bodies can use more readily. “While red tomatoes contain far more lycopene than orange tomatoes, most of it is in a form the body does not absorb well,” said Steven Schwartz, the study’s lead author and a professor of food science at Ohio State University.
The researchers have not tested other varieties of orange tomatoes, so they don’t know if the advantage applies to them as well. But they suggested that, given this result, it probably makes sense to seek out any variety of orange and gold-colored heirloom tomatoes you can find (or grow). I would add that if you can’t find orange tomatoes, keep eating the red ones – some lycopene is better than none!
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HEALTH NEWS
Probiotics May Help Prevent Cancer
A new study from Belgium suggests that daily intake of probiotics (friendly bacteria) and prebiotics (substances that nourish friendly bacteria in the intestines) may reduce the activity of enzymes in the colon that produce carcinogenic compounds. A small study that included 53 young, healthy volunteers who took probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics (a combination of probiotics and the foods that foster their growth) found that certain probiotics and prebiotics decreased levels of enzymes believed to be involved with the development of colon cancer. The synbiotic didn’t appear to help. We’ve got to learn a lot more on this subject than this study reveals – as one of the researchers noted, it didn’t show that people will live longer, healthier lives because of the new findings. The study was published on February 28, 2007 in the advance online issue of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Meanwhile, in the United States, the growing popularity of products with probiotics (now one of the top five foods people say they want to add to their diets) generated concerns that consumers have no way of knowing the exact strain of what they’re getting or how much probiotic a product contains.
Support For Your Immune System
If your immune system needs some support, consider Dr. Weil’s Vitamin Advisor. Your free recommendation takes into consideration health issues, concerns and more, for a personalized supplement suggestion. Visit today.
Exercise to Avoid Incontinence
That conclusion comes from the ongoing Nurses’ Health Study that has been tracking the health of more than 100,000 women since 1976. Harvard researchers checked data from the study to see how women who developed incontinence differ from women who aren’t affected. They found that the most active women were 15 to 20 percent less likely to report incontinence than those who are least active. Women who walked the most (the popular activity among the group) were 26 percent less likely to have symptoms than those who walked the least, and women who exercised most were 30 percent less likely to report stress incontinence – urinary leakage that occurs in response to sneezing, coughing or lifting something heavy. The link was seen in all categories of body weight; even slender women who were inactive were at greater risk of incontinence than active, lean women. The researchers suggested that exercise may help by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles that can slacken and allow for bladder leakage. The study was published in the March 2007 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Women’s Health at Hand
Regardless of age, women have special health considerations. Dr. Weil’s My Optimum Health Plan provides advice, information and suggestions just for women. Learn more – take our tour and get a free recipe!
RECIPE
Marinara Sauce
Every cook needs a good recipe for marinara sauce. This one can be prepared in less than an hour and used in many ways. It is traditionally served over pasta, but is equally delicious with polenta or rice. It also makes a wonderful sauce for grilled vegetables or baked tempeh or tofu. We don't need to remind you that tomatoes cooked with oil provide a source of lycopene, one of the carotenes linked to protection from prostate cancer. View recipe...
Healthy Nutrition Tip
Courtesy of Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging
Anti-Inflammatory Eating Tip: Use extra-virgin olive oil as your main cooking oil. If you want a neutral tasting oil, use expeller-pressed, organic canola oil. High-oleic versions of sunflower and safflower oil are acceptable also, preferably non-GMO (genetically modified).
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4th Annual Nutrition and Health Conference
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