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How diet quality affects the colon's microbiome
How diet quality affects the colon's microbiome New research has examined the effect of dietary quality on the composition of the colon's microbiota. The study suggests that following a high quality diet may increase the number of beneficial bacteria, whereas following a low quality diet may raise ... Read more →
Why a Balanced Diet Beats Nutritional Supplements
Why a Balanced Diet Beats Nutritional Supplements Go to any convenience store and you’ll find rows upon rows of dietary supplements. That’s because vitamin and mineral use has skyrocketed over the past decade as the nation has experienced a massive health and wellness boom.... Read more →
Missing Critical Healthy Foods Also Key Reason for Diet-Related Deaths
Missing Critical Healthy Foods Also Key Reason for Diet-Related Deaths A study published in Lancet recently reported that bad diets now kill more people in the world than smoking. However, this tend isn’t simply because of the unhealthy foods people are eating. It’s also be... Read more →
Poor diet is biggest health risk and more deadly than smoking
Poor diet is the world's deadliest health risk, accounting for a fifth of all deaths, a study has shown. Eating unhealthily claims more lives than smoking because of its links to heart disease, cancer and diabetes, say researchers. More than 130 scientists compared dietary habits to rates of... Read more →
'Forget the fads. Enjoy your spuds and bread' - Why it's time to stop painting carbs as the villain
Potatoes, bread and the carbohydrate food group of which they are part have been vilified time and time again. But do they really deserve their bad reputation? While it's easy to label some foods as either 'good' or 'bad' or something to avoid, carbohydrates - like most foods - are a little more c... Read more →
Is it better to be 'fat but fit' or 'slim but sedentary'? - Not all scientists agree on recent research
Can you really be 'fat, but fit'? Known as the 'obesity paradox', it's a debate that has raged since the 1980s and continues to divide scientists today. One thing they do agree on is that being a normal weight - defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 18 to 25 - doesn't necessarily guarantee yo... Read more →
Are plant-based milks any good, or are you better off just having a bowl of porridge? - Irish experts give their verdicts
Say you drink coffee and you want to buy a creamer, so you go into a supermarket. There are two products on offer - one costs €1.05 for a litre. The other costs €1.71. You might say that's nuts. And if you did, you'd be right. That's how much an online supermarket charges for one litre of ... Read more →
The 5 worst dieting fads to avoid - dietitian Orla Walsh on the diets that don't work and the strategies that do
Some 80pc of resolutions fail by February and just 8pc of people are thought to achieve their New Year's resolutions, studies have found. A common goal is losing weight. So why do so many people find this resolution so challenging? Well, one of the reasons is setting out on an unsustainable path. I... Read more →
5 things to start eating this January
After an indulgent December, January is all about abstinence and discipline. Champagne is replaced with green juice and post-lunch naps make way for early morning runs. But opting to eat more healthily in 2019 doesn’t have to mean enforced deprivation. The start of a new year is also an oppor... Read more →
Enjoy the holidays without packing on the pounds
The holiday season is all about family, friends, celebrating and sometimes overindulging. But you can maintain your weight during the festive winter month while enjoying yourself, says our resident dietitian Orla Walsh The weight gain that many experience around Christmas cannot be blamed solely on... Read more →
Restaurant meals 'are busting calorie limit'
The calorie content of popular meals in restaurant chains is excessive and only a minority are meeting public health recommendations, a new report warns. The study found an average of 751 calories in main meal dishes served by fast food chains. But there were 1,033 calories in dishes served ... Read more →
What effect is our protein obsession having on our health?
A courier arrived at my front door recently, requesting my signature for the delivery of some large boxes. The cartons, which were addressed to my 20-year-old son, held, I discovered on investigation, two giant containers of protein powder. I expressed my disapproval and concern to... Read more →
Dining with danger... The worrying rise in food allergies
Food sensitivities have never been more common, and the effects are obvious everywhere from our kids' lunchboxes to restaurant menus. But what's behind this increase? In a special report, Chrissie Russell asks the experts for the most up-to-date advice, meets the families coping with serious allergi... Read more →
How ancient spices can cure modern stresses
Stress is an unavoidable symptom of modern life. We all suffer from it - many of us are even being signed off sick from work because of it - and we probably all talk about it far too much. But what is the best way to manage it? The theories are infinite, ranging from practising regular ... Read more →
Children consume 'three times more sugar' than recommended - Nutritionist has simple tip to stop this
Half the sugar consumed by children comes from unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks, according to a health watchdog. On average, children are consuming at least three unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks a day, with around a third consuming four or more. This means that children can easily ... Read more →
Understanding arthritis just how vital is diet?
When you have arthritis, it's important to have a good knowledge of what foods to include and avoid. Our resident dietitian has the answers, and explains the two most common types of the condition. According to Arthritis Ireland nearly one million people in Ireland live with arthritis. Osteoarthrit... Read more →
Everything you need to know about soy products and how they impact your health
Soy bean products are growing more and more popular - from milk to tofu, there is an entire spectrum of foods available. However, there are still some controversies over soy. So just how safe is it? And how much should you be eating? Dietitian Orla Walsh separates truth and fiction. Soy comes from ... Read more →
How to get kids to eat their vegetables
The key to getting children to eat vegetables lies in persistence, the results of a new study suggest. According to the findings, ‘repeated exposure' to vegetables at snack and mealtimes is key when trying to improve a child's diet. The UK researchers analysed a number of methods aimed at en... Read more →
This Irish version of Nutella hits the same spot– without the controversial palm oil
Earlier this week, an experiment which visually broke down the ingredients of Nutella went viral across the world, highlighting just how much controversial palm oil lies within each jar of the hazelnut spread. According to the European Food Safety Authority, the oil is more carcinogenic than any ot... Read more →
Less salt being used in processed foods
There has been a significant reduction in the salt content of a number of food products available in Ireland, particularly processed meats, such as rashers and sausages, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has said. It has published an update of its annual salt monitoring programme, which h... Read more →
Replace saturated fat with unsaturated
A large study appears to confirm the long-held view that eating high amounts of saturated fat increases the risk of premature death. This US study is the most detailed investigation into the impact of dietary fats on health ever undertaken. According to the researchers, in recent years, there has b... Read more →
Gluten-free diet not a healthy option for all
There are no proven health benefits to switching to a gluten-free diet unless a person has coeliac disease or an allergy to wheat, researchers have said. People with coeliac disease are unable to digest gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Symptoms can include weight loss, abdominal pa... Read more →
Many eating too many 'free sugars'
While it is well established that certain food and drinks, such as fizzy drinks, are high in sugar, Diabetes Ireland has expressed concern that many people may be unknowingly filing up on ‘free sugars'. Free sugars are classified as simple sugars that are added to foods by manufacturers or co... Read more →
Indian takeaways loaded with fat and salt
What are you having for dinner tonight? Beware - if you order an Indian takeaway, you may end up eating enough food for two people and far too much saturated fat and salt. According to a new report by Safefood, a typical starter, main course and pilau rice from an Indian takeaway contains significa... Read more →
Study urges moderation in red meat intake
A study linking red meat and mortality lit up the media in more ways than one. Hundreds of media outletscarried reports about the study. Headline writers had a field day, with entries like “Red meat death study,” “Will red meat kill you?” and “Singing the blues abo... Read more →
Most Irish adults not exercising enough
Just one-third of Irish people get enough exercise and only one-quarter eat enough fruit and vegetables, a major new survey has found. According to the first national survey on the nation's health since the SLÁN survey in 2007, while overweight and obesity figures appear to have stabilised i... Read more →
Some wraps contain almost 1,000 calories
While many people think that wraps may be a healthier lunch option, a new report has revealed that some contain more calories than a Big Mac and large fries from McDonalds. The report by Safefood, What's in your Favourite Wraps?, was based on a survey of almost 240 takeaway wraps purchased in 80 re... Read more →
The truth about superfoods
Certain foods have been assigned 'super' status and attributed mighty powers said to benefit our health dramatically. Dietitian Jennifer Sygo examines these so-called superfoods and debunks some of the myths surrounding them. Whole foods have literally hundreds, even thousands, of active compounds,... Read more →
Majority support tax on sugary drinks
Almost 60% of Irish people would support the introduction of a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks in order to help reduce the rate of childhood obesity, a new poll by the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) has revealed. In its pre-budget submission, the IHF is calling for a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened drinks. ... Read more →
Less protein, more carbs 'provides key to healthier, longer life'
Cutting down on protein and upping consumption of carbohydrates may be the key to living a longer, healthier life, new research suggests. In tests on mice, changing the mix of protein and carbs produced the same benefits as reducing calorie consumption by 40pc. Previous research has shown th... Read more →
Eat raw, living food to improve your body and mind
Anyone who is feeling unwell should first look at the foods they eat, writes Dr Brian Clement, who believes that cooked food compromises our capacity to heal I HAVE been director of Hippocrates Health Institute, located in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, for the last 34 years. At our health institut... Read more →
Say no to (7) spoons of sugar
Ideally, adults, and children over the age of 11 should not be consuming more than 30g, or seven spoons, of sugar a day. But as we know, most of the sugar we eat is not added but hidden in different foods and drinks. Savoury foods may seem deceptive but they can contain significant amounts of sug... Read more →
Obese people 'unlikely' to reach normal weight
An obese man has only a one in 210 chance of ever achieving a normal weight again, while an obese woman has a one in 124 chance, a new study has found. UK researchers tracked the weight of almost 280,000 people between 2004 and 2014. They assessed the probability of obese people reaching a normal b... Read more →
Sugary drinks kill thousands worldwide
Sugary beverages, such as fizzy drinks and fruit juices, may be responsible for as many as 184,000 deaths worldwide every year, according to a global report. US researchers analysed 62 dietary surveys involving over 611,000 people that had been carried out in 51 countries between 1980 and 2010. Dat... Read more →
Packaging key to kids' food choices
Children are more likely to reach for healthy foods if the packaging appeals to them, a new study has found. "The food industry has a lot of experience in using marketing effects to increase product sales amongst children. By comparison, there is very little knowledge about how such marketing effec... Read more →
Chocolate may be good for the heart
People who eat up to 100g of chocolate per day may have a lower risk of developing heart disease or suffering a stroke, a new study has found. UK researchers looked at almost 21,000 adults taking part in an ongoing diet study. They also carried out a major review of all of the available published e... Read more →
Weekend screen time bad for teen bones
Teenage boys who spend a lot of time at the weekend looking at various screens have poorer bone health, a new study has found. This finding does not seem to apply to teenage girls however. Researchers in Norway looked at almost 1,000 teenagers aged between 15 and 17. All of the participants were a... Read more →
Nuts, peanuts reduce risk of death
People who regularly consume nuts and peanuts may have a reduced risk of dying from a number of different diseases, including cancer and diabetes, a new study has found. However, the consumption of peanut butter does not appear to affect mortality rates. Researchers in the Netherlands used data fr... Read more →
Busy year for eating disorder helpline
Almost one in five calls to an eating disorders helpline last year came from children aged 14 and under, a new report has shown. Around 200,000 people in Ireland have eating disorders and Bodywhys is the national voluntary organisation that supports those affected. According to its 2014 Annual Repo... Read more →
70,000 screened for diabetic eye disease
Over 70,000 people with diabetes have had their eyes screened as part of Diabetic Retina Screen (the National Diabetic Retinal Screening Programme), since it began in 2013. The aim of this programme is to prevent vision problems and blindness due to the eye disease, diabetic retinopathy, which is a... Read more →
Seriousness of coeliac disease 'undermined'
An estimated 46,000 people in Ireland have coeliac disease, however in recent years, the seriousness of this condition has been undermined, the Coeliac Society of Ireland has said. This week is Coeliac Awareness Week and the society is aiming to increase awareness of the condition, including its sy... Read more →
1 in 5 kids think nuggets are healthy
At least one in five Irish children aged between six and 12 years think that chicken nuggets are healthy, while a similar number believe that dried fruits and nuts are unhealthy, a new survey has found.According to the findings, one in nine children also consider apples to be unhealthy.The survey of... Read more →
'You cannot outrun a bad diet'
While exercise is essential for good health, it will not counteract the negative impact of a poor diet, experts have claimed. They insisted that nobody can outrun a bad diet, even athletes. According to the experts, while exercise has a key role in staving off diseases such as heart disease and di... Read more →
Warning over online slimming tablets
Irish people are being warned about the dangers of buying slimming products over the internet, following the death of a young woman in the UK. The warning comes from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), following the death of a 21-year-old English student earlier this month. Eloise (El... Read more →
Schools still providing unhealthy foods
Many secondary schools are continuing to offer their students unhealthy foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar, the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) has claimed. It carried out a survey of 39 post-primary schools and found that over half (51%) offered their students non-chilled snacks, including sw... Read more →
Dementia risk for underweight middle-aged
Middle-aged people who are underweight may have an increased risk of going on to develop dementia, a new study has found. UK researchers analysed the medical records of almost two million people, which had been collected over a 20-year period. The average age of those involved was 55, while the ave... Read more →
Eggs lower risk of type 2 diabetes
People who regularly eat eggs may have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a new study has found. Few studies have assessed the link between egg consumption and diabetes and any findings have been inconclusive, so researchers in Finland decided to investigate further. They looked at the di... Read more →
Less treats and fizzy drinks for kids
Parents in Ireland are giving their children less treat foods, less fizzy drinks and more water at mealtimes compared to a year ago, new research has found. The research was carried out by Safefood to coincide with the first completed year of its three-year campaign to tackle childhood obesity. It ... Read more →
Energy drinks increase blood pressure
The consumption of energy drinks increases the blood pressure of healthy young adults, especially if they do not consume caffeine on a regular basis, a new study has found. Energy drinks, which are popular among teenagers and young adults, can contain up to three times the amount of caffeine found ... Read more →
Warning to avoid unpasteurised milk
According to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), raw milk - i.e. milk that is unpasteurised - can contain harmful bacteria that increase the risk of foodborne illnesses. It has just published a report which contains the findings of a survey that confirms the presence of pathogens in raw mi... Read more →
Pro-vegetarian diet cuts heart risk
People who consume more plant-based foods than animal-based foods have a reduced risk of dying from heart disease, a new study has found. UK scientists looked at the diet and lifestyle habits of over 451,000 people from 10 European countries. All were aged between 35 and 70 and were monitored for a... Read more →
Irish need to cut down on portions
Irish people need to cut down on the portion sizes of most foods they are eating, a new report has found. According to the report by Safefood, many consumers believe that portion sizes are only relevant to people who are dieting, and are not an issue at all for men or younger adults. Furthermore, ... Read more →
Healthy diet may lower COPD risk
People who consume a diet high in whole grains and vegetables, and low in processed meat and sugary drinks, lower their risk of developing the serious lung condition, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study has found. COPD is an umbrella term for a number of chronic lung disorders... Read more →
Sugary drinks linked to earlier menstruation
Young girls who consume a lot of sugary drinks tend to begin menstruating earlier, a new study has found. This marks the first study to investigate a link between these drinks and the age at which a girl gets her first period. It involved over 5,500 girls aged between nine and 14, who were monitore... Read more →
Too much TV linked to junk food consumption
People who watch excessive amounts of television tend to eat more junk food and have a poorer understanding of healthy nutrition, a study has found. According to US researchers, a number of previous studies have found a link between time spent in front of the TV and unhealthy food consumption. "In... Read more →
Diabetes camp to focus on lifestyle changes
Many people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes do not receive adequate information on the importance of moving to and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Diabetes Ireland has said.According to the national charity, which offers support and education to people with diabetes and their families, a hea... Read more →
Irish men 'have less healthy diets'
Irish men consume less healthy diets, are less aware of healthy eating guidelines and have a preference for larger portions than Irish women, a new report has found. According to the report, Men's Food Behaviour, which was published by Safefood, men's attitude to food is putting them at a disadvant... Read more →
Benefits of med diet, exercise seen a year later
People who consume a Mediterranean diet and increase the amount of exercise they do for just eight weeks, may still be reaping the health rewards of this one year later, a new study suggests. UK researchers looked at people over the age of 50 who were originally assessed over an eight-week period. ... Read more →
How to eat yourself young with tips from a naturopath
A morning brew - When you wake up in the morning, squeeze half a lemon into some warm water, add a little ginger and a teaspoonful of turmeric. This drink will cleanse your liver and will also start the digestive process. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory, which is good for the skin. If you're trying t... Read more →
Are saturated fats good or bad for our health?
Saturated fat has long been demonised by nutritionists, but new research has indicated that eating moderate amounts makes good health sense. You've heroically avoided steak and swapped butter for marge - but the latest food news could leave a bad taste in your mouth. Despite everything we've been t... Read more →
Get to grips with 'Meat Free Monday'
Meat Free Monday is not just good for the environment, it's also good for your health, writes Rozanne Stevens. For those who haven't heard about Meat Free Monday, it is a worldwide organisation started by Paul McCartney and his two daughters, Stella and Mary. The main message of Meat Free Monday is ... Read more →
Kids getting too many treat foods
Parents are being urged to cut down on the amount of treat foods they are giving their children and replacing them with healthier snacks. Previous research suggests that as much as 20% of children's daily calorie intake comes from foods such as crisps, sweets and biscuits. As part of its ongoing ca... Read more →
'Fat shaming' does not work
Making people feel ashamed about their weight does not help them to lose it. In fact, many may simply gain more, a new study has found. UK researchers set out to investigate the popular theory that discrimination or ‘fat shaming' encourages people to lose weight. Types of discrimination inclu... Read more →
Gaining just 5lbs raises BP
Gaining just five pounds in weight can raise a healthy adult's blood pressure, a new study has found. While many people are aware of the dangers of gaining a lot of weight, US scientists wanted to investigate any potential dangers associated with gaining a small amount - between five and 11lbs. Si... Read more →
Honest to goodness: Soups that boost vegetable intake
Rocket, watercress and chilli would give any cold a good spanking. If you don't have a cold, make the rocket soup anyway - it is delicious. Adding the leaves to the spinach soup base at the last minute or two keeps the colour really bright green. If you cook the spinach too long, it tends to look a ... Read more →
Why the full fat diet is not as unhealthy as you think
Six decades after experts told us that fat was bad for us, we're more overweight than ever. What if they got it wrong? Dr Michael Mosley on the diet myth no one wants to talk about. I read a study the other day that found that eating yoghurt would help you lose weight. Not surprising, because it is ... Read more →
'Five a day' is enough
It is already known that consuming five portions of fruit and vegetables per day lowers a person's risk of death. Now a new study has found that this may be enough, as consuming more than five portions appears to offer no additional benefits. Previous studies have suggested that eating more fruit a... Read more →
The world's best and worst diets revealed
Kate Quilton travelled the globe to countries with 80pc obesity — and one where a village has found the secret of eternal youth in search of the world's best and worst diets. I’m in hospital to see my dad. He’s sitting up and chatting away like he’s propping up the bar at his... Read more →
The Benefits of Being Overweight
During all of my 16 years dedicated to chronic dieting and feeling out of control around food, one of my enduring beliefs was that being slim would mean I would be happier, confident and in control. Summertime sunshine tends to bring with it relentless advice on ‘5 easy steps to a toned tummy&... Read more →
Spread the word: butter's good for you after all
In radical new research, scientists claim that this traditional family staple has unfairly been given a bad press for decades. Suzanne Campbell reports. In a provocative cover story, Time magazine urges us to ditch the health advice and eat butter. That's if you never stopped eating it anyway. ... Read more →
Bikini Season: Eight foods to beat the bloat
With dieticians advocating super foods, Paleo fanatics taking over Instagram, and celebrities promoting the latest fad (5:2 we’re looking at you) - the struggle to get bikini ready is as confusing as ever. It’s time to go back to basics- your body will naturally respond. Whether you&rs... Read more →
High protein diets 'cut stroke risk'
High protein diets may protect against stroke, especially if they contain a lot of fish, scientists have said. Researchers analysed seven diet studies involving a total of 254,489 participants whose progress was monitored for an average of 14 years. Those who ate the most protein were 20pc less li... Read more →
Diet a factor for 40% of IVF patients
As research shows high cholesterol levels can reduce a couple’s chance of conceiving a baby, a leading Irish fertility expert has said up to 40% of his new patients may have fertility problems due to their poor lifestyle. Research in the US has shown that when one or both people in a couple h... Read more →
Can the new 5:2 summer diet really get us beach fit?
Michael Mosley, the creator of the original fast plan, gives Victoria Lambert a pep talk about his new version to get us in shape for summer. Discussing one's diet with Dr Michael Mosley, journalist and medic, feels a bit like confessing directly to God. Michael may not claim to have created the wo... Read more →
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