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Cranberries for Christmas?
Dr Emma Derbyshire PhD RNutr (Public Health) Nutritional Insight Ltd
Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) are a rich source of phenolic phytochemicals which have been linked to an array of health benefits. Now, a new trial has looked into how these are used in the body. Ten healthy older adults were provided with a low-calorie cranberry juice (54 percent juice) and the absorption and excretion of flavonoids, phenolic acids and proanthocyanidins (PACs) were measured. Results showed that phenolic compounds in cranberry juice were highly bioavailable, with plasma levels peaking between eight and 10 hours after ingestion. Plasma antioxidant levels also correlated positively with levels of phenolic compounds. These findings indicate that phenolic compounds in cranberry juice are bioavailable and have antioxidant properties in healthy older adults. While studies on lay populations are needed, having the odd cranberry juice at Christmas may go some way towards providing some of these benefits. For more information, see: McKay DL et al (2015). Food Chemistry. Vol 168, pg 233-40 [Epub ahead of print].
Omega-3 research
Dr Emma Derbyshire is a freelance nutritionist and former senior academic. Her interests include pregnancy and public health. www.nutritionalinsight.co.uk hello@nutritionalinsight.co.uk
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Some interesting new studies have looked at omega-3 fatty acids in relation to aspects of health and behaviour. Firstly, new data from the second Nurses’ Health Study, a large prospective cohort, has found that the consumption of two weekly servings or more of fish significantly reduced hearing loss risk when compared with women who rarely ate fish. These are interesting findings, with omega-3 fatty acids thought to play a role. Now more work is needed to investigate possible mechanisms of action. Another paper using results from two meta-analyses (25 studies in total) found that omega-3 blood levels were significantly lower in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Further analysis also showed that omega-3 supple-
NHDmag.com December 2014 / January 2015 - Issue 100
Antibiotics in early life and obesity link
The disruption of gut microbiota has been linked to obesity in previous publications. However, as this is established early in life, new research has now looked into whether infant antibiotic use could be linked to obesity in childhood. Using healthcare records logging antibiotic use and anthropometric measurements at age 9 years (n=616) and 12 years (n=431), results were analysed from a Canadian cohort study conducted from birth. Results found that infants receiving antibiotics in the first year of life were more likely to be overweight at 12 years of age (P=0.002). However, after adjusting for factors such as birth weight and breastfeeding, this association only persisted in boys. While obesity is a complex condition, these results indicate that infant antibiotic exposure could be another underpinning risk factor. Further work is now needed to investigate mechanisms behind this. For more information, see: Azad MB et al (2014). International Journal of Obesity (London). Vol 100(5), pg 1290-8.
mentation seemed to improve symptoms, particularly alongside ongoing therapies. Finally, a meta-analysis of 12 randomised controlled trials looking at omega-3 supplementation and cognitive function has found that while lower doses of omega- 3 fatty acids (<1.73g per day) significantly reduced cognitive decline, similar trends were not seen using higher doses. These are interesting findings, suggesting that smaller doses of omega-3 fatty acids could be more beneficial for cognitive well-being. For more information, see: Curhan SG et al (2014). American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vol 100 (5), pg 1371-7; Hawkey E & Nigg JT (2014). Clinical Psychology Review 34(6), pg 496-505 and Abubakari AR et al (2014). International Journal of General Medicine. Vol 7, pg 463-73
