Juice cleanses: whether or not you're converted to the supposed benefits of ditching food for days on end, in exchange for liquid fruit and veg, one thing that's for certain is our fascination with them. We grilled Dr Andrew Thornber, Chief Medical Officer at Now Patient, with over 20 years experience, as to whether or not going on a juice detox diet is really a good or safe idea, and if it's a successful way to lose weight. Plus, we put a PRESS London package to the test ourselves. Here's what we discovered...

A juice cleanse is where a person commits to not eating solid food for a day, or multiple days, at a time in order to gain supposed health benefits your calorie intake will be well below the Recommended Daily Allowance, too. PRESS London say their juice cleanses are a great way to break bad eating habits and kickstart a healthier lifestyle, while boosting energy levels, skin and offering positive weight loss for some. "We believe they're the perfect reset and chance to flood the body with nutrients," says George Phillips, Operations Manager at PRESS London.

"Many detox or juice diets are also based on the idea that toxins build up in the body and can be removed by eating, or not eating, certain things," explains Dr Thornber. "However, while there's no evidence that toxins build up in our bodies, juices could help improve digestion by introducing healthy enzymes that make the gut work more efficiently." He says they're safe to do for a day or two, but he doesn't advise sacrificing solid food for any longer than that.

And the medical verdict on the weight loss front? "Juice diets may lead to short-term weight loss, but by restricting calories youre limiting certain nutrients, which isnt good for your health. They are basically like a short term fast," says Dr Thornber, whilst stressing that those with kidney disorders ought to steer clear of drinking large quantities of juice, as they may contain oxalate (an acid that can contribute to kidney stones and other problems).

While many juice cleanse companies sell packages ranging from one day up to a week, Dr Thornber advises no more than two days (and if you have any concerns at all, consulting your own GP beforehand).

It's probably not a good idea to do a cleanse when youre ill. "Your body needs all its energy to heal itself and a cleanse doesnt do this," explains Dr Thornber. "If you do, it could take longer to recover, leaving you feeling sluggish and tired."

Both Dr Thornber and PRESS London say that gentle exercise is okay, but taking a HIIT class mid-cleanse is not advisable. "Exercise can kickstart the natural detox process as it flushes out the lungs and cleanses the skin as we work up a sweat," says Dr Thornber. "Swap running for a low impact walk and take it easier in the gym than you usually would. However, if at any point you feel dizzy or weak, listen to your body and stop." Noted.

The jury's still out on that one. "There's some debate as to whether going on a juice diet would exasperate or help IBS, it depends on what the individual person has issues with consuming and avoiding foods which may irritate, for example cucumber," says Dr Thornber. It's worth noting that cucumber features prominently in many juice cleanse packages.

We tried PRESS London's Softcore Juice Cleanse Package

Okay, so I need to begin with a disclaimer originally I was kindly provided with a three-day package (equal to 709 calories per day and worth 147 in total) to put to the test. However, on what ought to have been Day 1, I caved at 3pm and ordered an Indian takeaway because I was off sick, feeling very sorry for myself and I knew for sure that samosas and dahl were what my body needed. Wow, feels good to be honest. Thanks, guys. So, here's the review of the two days worth of juice cleansing that I did religiously stick to, equating to six bottles of juice and two nut milks per day. The two-day Softcore Juice Cleanse package costs 98 and for a smaller one-day package, you're looking at 49.

Jennifer Savin

Having finally recovered from the lurgy, I was excited to get a serious vitamin hit in and begin the cleanse. Using the handy guide that accompanies the juice delivery, I started the morning off with a Wake Up celery juice, before moving swiftly on to some Easy Greens an hour or so later. Both tasted great and by the time my Cacao Nut M*lk was due at 11am, I wasn't even hungry. Ha, juicing! I thought. I could do this in my sleep.

By 1.30pm, things had changed. I was ravenous. Light-headed. The headache was diabolically real. I was hallucinating garlic bread and oh, butter. Sweet, creamy, buttery toast. My desk suddenly resembled a gigantic Pop Tart. I ploughed on and went to bed miserable but determined to continue.

Jennifer Savin

A miracle! I woke up feeling normal the crippling headache had vanished and incredibly, I wasn't bloated (as I often am). Heading into the office, I found it easy to resist the ever-permanent chocolate, biscuits and cheese puffs on offer, preferring my juices and nut milks. Again, they all tasted great. It was fairly easy getting through the day knowing the end was in sight, but by 9pm I was hungry and desperate for solid food once more. I also added up my sugar intake per day on the cleanse, and realised that it rocketed to a huge 114.9g a day... far more than the recommended 27g for women. Gulp.

When I asked PRESS London about this, they said, "The higher natural sugar content is important to maintain energy levels, as while on the Softcore Juice Cleanse package your body is in a calorie deficit. Given the short term length of a cleanse the added sugar won't have a detrimental effect on the body."

Burcu Atalay TankutGetty Images

Overall, I'd rate the two-day cleanse as a 5 out of 10 in terms of required willpower, keeping in mind that my usual diet is fairly healthy-ish, and lost a total of 3.25lbs throughout the process (most of which reappeared after a few days of eating normal-sized portions). I liked the challenge of the experience and can't rate the taste factor of PRESS London's offerings highly enough, but I think if I were to do another cleanse in future that I'd prefer one of their offerings which include soup, to try and stave off some of those intense food cravings.

I can see that a juice cleanse could be a good way to wean yourself off of gigantic portion sizes if that's something you struggle with, but as Dr Thornber said, it's probably best to check with your GP first.

For more information on PRESS London's juice cleanse packages, click right here.

Dr Andrew Thornber is Chief Medical Officer at Now Patient.

Follow Jennifer on Instagram and Twitter.

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Juice cleansing: everything a doctor wants you to know - cosmopolitan.com

By Joe McCormack

If youre like most of us, you overindulgeda bit too much in 2019. No, not on calories (well, maybe those too!), but onnoise. Thats the name for the dizzying onslaught of information from workemails, app notifications, the 24/7 news cycle, social media updates, and otherforms of screen time that leaves us unable to focus, listen, or do deep work.

A smidgen of noise now and again is okay.(We all have our guilty pleasures!) But consuming it mindlessly, all day long,is as bad as keeping a bag of chips, a monster-size soda, and a can of frostingat our desk and reaching for them every few minutes.

Too many empty brain calories wont make youfat but they will make you mentally anemic. Noise keeps you in a constant stateof distraction. And like actual junk food, a high-noise digital diet isaddictive, yet it never satisfies or nourishes you.

The real problem with giving into noisetemptation isnt what youre doing; its what youre not doing. Youre tuningout what really matters. Youre skimming the surface. When youre scrollingFacebook, for instance, you arent learning a new language, refining thatcareer-changing presentation, or engaging with your kids in a meaningful way.

The new year is the perfect time to putyourself on a noise diet. To help with your calorie count, lets take a look atwhat noise junk food looks like:

The irritatingyet addictiveparade ofsocial media stock characters in your newsfeed. This band of noisemakersassaults your brain with their cries for attention. For instance:

The humble bragger. Your college rival whosubtly slips into her post that she just got another promotion at her swankycompany. #blessed #gag

The cryptic drama-stirrer. Thatself-righteous friend who calls out people anonymously for perceived slights ormakes vague poor me pity posts. (Cue the wave of very concerned commenters.)

The over-sharer. We dont need aplay-by-play of your colonoscopy. Thanks.

The drop-of-a-hat ranter. Whose day wouldbe complete without a furious recounting of how the barista screwed up yournonfat, dairy-free, double-shot, decaf, extra-hot mochaccino with extra foam?The nerve!

The overly zealous kid promoter. Yes, yes,we know Junior is the smartest, cutest, cleverest tot aroundyour other 15posts this week made that perfectly clear.

The amateur political pundit. Do notengagejust dont.

[emailprotected]$$ shows on TV. You dont need to wasteyour precious attention span watching Jerry Springer, B-list celebritylip-synch contests, or those morning talk shows. Substance-free televisioncombined with the lure of a cozy couch can quickly turn into a lost day orevening.

The 24/7 news carousel-of-darkness. Sadly,most news is bad news, and during a controversial election year it can also befodder for controversy, vitriol, and the loss of civility with friends, family,and neighbors. (Hint: You dont need to totally disengage, but its good to bediscerning about what you let inand about how often you engage in debates withthe people in your life.)

Your work email. Your boss just had to emailyou at 9:30 p.m.again. The moment you jump out of the bath to write back isthe moment work email becomes yet another source of noise.

Are you feeling that noise hangover settlein? Dont worry, you can kick off the new year with a different kind ofdietone that cuts the empty brain calories of digital distraction and givesyou what youre really craving: a more intentional life. Join my Just Say Noto Noise Movement and tip the scales in the other direction. A fewsuggestions:

Try going a week without social media. (Wepromise, youll survive.) A short detox from social media is a pretty painlessway to unplug and reclaim a lot of lost time. When the week is over, you cansee if you even want to go back to occasional scrolling.

Reduce temptation by hiding distractingdevices from yourself. Okay, you probably cant hide your computer but you canshut the office door. As for cell phones and tablets, treat them like what theyare: gateways to digital distraction (and it is a very slippery slope). Find anout-of-the-way place to charge and store your devices so youre not constantlyreaching for them.

Break the idiot-box background noisehabit. Its easy to mindlessly turn on the TV when you get home. Problem is,its broadcasting nonstop noise into your work-free hours. Instead, plan a timeto watch your favorite shows. Daily exposure to the depressing litany of painand conflict we call news isnt making your life better. Neither is watchingthe Fatty McButterpants episode of King of Queens for the 50th time. (Okay,we admit that one is pretty funny.)

Set some work/life boundaries with the7-to-7 rule. The company wont crash if you stop answering emails around theclock. After 7 p.m., put away your devices for the night. Dont pick them upagain until 7 a.m. the next day.

Insist on phone-free family dinners Yes,the kids might whine at first, but soon enough theyll get used to conversingwith the out-of-touch Boomers and Karens at the table.

and screen-free family fun days. Forinstance, make video games and TV completely off-limits every Wednesday andFriday. Yes, even if the kids swear they have no homework. Instead, dosomething fun or productive as a family. Play a board game. Go bowling orskating. Cook a great meal together. Volunteer at the local animal shelter.Heckmaybe even read.

Learn to save your appetite for the stuff thatreally matters Your appetite is really your attention span, and its yourmost precious resource. Filling up on headlines, emails, and social media meanstheres little left over for doing the deep and meaningful work that helps youreach big goals at work and in your personal life. Before you cozy into an hourof lurking on your exs Facebook page, close the laptop and find somethingproductive to do.

and choose some meaningful goals topursue. When you are able to sharpen and aim your focus, you can do some prettyimpressive &%$#. Want to start a website? Get a better job? Learn to code?These North Star goals are the best incentive to rethink your relationshipwith noise and see how your life changes.

We dont realize that very often our addictionto information is the thing holding us back from getting a huge promotion,becoming valedictorian, or training for a marathon, but thats exactly whathappens as time passes. Once you think of it this way, its so much easier toput yourself on a noise diet. Make this the year you take back your time anduse it to do something that matters.

JosephMcCormack is the author of NOISE: Living and Leading When Nobody Can Focus. Heis passionate about helping people gain clarity when there is so much competingfor our attention. He is a successful marketer, entrepreneur, and author. Hisfirst book, BRIEF: Make a Bigger Impact by Saying Less (Wiley, 2014), sets thestandard for concise communication.

Joe is the founder and managing director ofThe BRIEF Lab, an organization dedicated to teaching professionals, militaryleaders, and entrepreneurs how to think and communicate clearly. His clientsinclude Boeing, Harley-Davidson, Microsoft, Mastercard, DuPont, and selectmilitary units and government agencies. He publishes a weekly podcast calledJust Saying that helps people master the elusive skills of focus and brevity.

To learn more, visit http://www.noisethebook.com.

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Guest Op-Ed: The New Years Noise Diet: Why You Should Cut the Empty Brain Calories in 2020 - Charlestown Patriot Bridge

In recent years, how and what we eat has been transformed. These changes are written on the land, on our bodies and on our plates, Wilson writes. The 21stcentury diet consists of unhealthy food, eaten in a hurry; the product of an environmentally damaging food supply system that is out of control.

Hunger has been in decline: in 2006 the number of overweight people exceeded those who were underfed. The modern diet - now remarkably similar around the world - contains too much sugar and refined oils, but is deficient in micronutrients, such as iron. The result is an epidemic of obesity and diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes and preventable forms of cancer: The same food that has rescued us from hunger is also killing us.

Indeed, one of the many remarkable facts in Wilsons important book is that our diet is now a greater cause of death and disease globally than either alcohol or tobacco, with some 12 million dying in 2015 due to dietary factors.

As well as explaining how we came to be in this food hell with its calorific fast food and fads, from avocado toast to black charcoal smoothies - Wilson offers valuable suggestions for ways in which individuals can change how they eat (smaller plates, more variety, make time to cook and enjoy food), as well as how governments can help. Cities are leading the way: Amsterdam has cut child obesity by 12% through city-wide policies to discourage unhealthy eating, and in Copenhagen the majority of adults cycle to work and the food culture centres on dishes which are healthy, sustainable and delicious.

Wilson finds hope in data showing that veganism is becoming more popular (increasing by 350% since 2006 in the UK) and, as sales of raw ingredients rise, more people are returning to home cooking. Her book is both an urgent plea to reject ultra-processed products and a heartfelt celebration of the true value of food. Cooking is not just good for your health but an antidote to so much of the craziness of modern life.

The Way We Eat Now is published by 4th Estate (RRP 9.99). To order a copy go to guardianbookshop.com. Free UK p&p over 15.

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The Way We Eat Now by Bee Wilson review strategies for eating in a world of change - The Guardian

It can be difficult to keep up our workout routines. New year's resolutions are quickly set aside despite our best intentions. Our busy lives get in the way, and misconceptions about exercise don't make things any easier.

There are many common myths about exercise that are getting in the way of our workouts or are impeding us from making the most out of the little time we do have to look after ourselves.

Here are some of the most common myths and a look at the science that debunked them.

RELATED: CAN YOU GUESS WHICH OF THESE 9 SMARTPHONE MYTHS ARE TRUE?

Some people get rather dramatic once they hit their 30s saying it's all decline from that point on. Simply put, that's not true.

As a research paper byUK Activepoints out, aging by itself doesn't cause serious problems until you are in your 90s. What does cause problems is inactivity due to people's perception that they are too old to be engaging in any sort of rigorous physical activity.

One study also looked at the training of elderly people and concluded that they could increase their strength, muscle power, and mass effectively by working out.

In other words, for the majority of us, age shouldn't be a reason not to workout.

When it comes to weight loss it's all about the diet. The title of this British Journal of Sports Medicine article says it all:"It is time to bust the myth of physical inactivity and obesity: you cannot outrun a bad diet."

Shawn M. Talbott, PhD, nutritional biochemist and former director of the University of Utah Nutrition Clinic toldThe Huffington Post:

As a rule of thumb, weight loss is generally 75 percent diet and 25 percent exercise. An analysis of more than 700 weight loss studies found that people see the biggest short-term results when they eat smart."

Many people think they are eating and drinking healthily when really they are not. As per theBritish Journal of Sports Medicine paper, this comes largely down to the perception of what healthy is. The 'health halo' effect created by the marketing strategies of many food companies is largely to blame.

According to an article by Livestrong.com, sports drinks like the regular G-Series Thirst Quencher Gatorade contains 21 grams of sugar and 80 calories in the same portion.

While we do need to replenish our sugar levels after a workout,our activity levels might not justify the need for this amount of sugar. If this is the case, the added sugar and empty calories ingested will contribute to weight gain and hinder our workout.

They can be, but it depends on whether you are a morning person. Getting up first thing in the morning and going for a run is undeniably a great way to kickstart your metabolism. However, asa 2019 study published in theJournal of Physiologypoints out, working out between 1 pm and 4 pm is just as effective as working out at the crack of dawn.

Not convinced? Turn yourself into a morning person. Another widely believed misconception is that if you're born a night owl there's nothing you can do about it.

A study published in the journalSleep Medicineshows that four simple habits can help you become a morning person, which is associated with better physical and mental health

Many many people swear by consuming protein shakes or protein-rich meals within an hour of working out. However, the science on this is far from being conclusive.

A paper in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutritionpoints out the following:

"Despite claims that immediate post-exercise nutritional intake is essential to maximize hypertrophic gains, evidence-based support for such an 'anabolic window of opportunity' is far from definitive."

According to the paper, the anabolic window hypothesis is based on the presupposition that "training is carried out in a fasted state," when this is often not the case.

It is widely believed that stretching out before a workout will limber you up, and in doing so, make it less likely that you will tear a muscle or suffer a similar injury.

However, according toa 2007 study published in the journalResearch in Sports Medicine, this isn't true.

The researchers "concluded that static stretching was ineffective in reducing the incidence of exercise-related injury." While pre-workout stretching might not be as important as previously thought, a pre-workout warm up is still effective in preventing injuries, according toa 2018 study published in theJournal of ExerciseRehabilitation.

Many athletes and sports professionals, especially male ones, have long avoided sex before a professional competition. In men, it's rooted in the belief that it will drain them of energy and testosterone.

According to Vice, this belief has been held since the times of the Ancient Greeks. In other words, people have been pointlessly depriving themselves of sex for hundreds of years. That's according to astudypublished inThe Journal of Sexual Medicine.

The research even suggests that sex before a competition as long as it's more than two hours before might be beneficial, as it relaxes people.

What should come first? It's the age-old question: should we do cardio before our workouts or after them? A short run can leave us feeling energized, but can it be detrimental to our weight lifting aims?

AsMax Lowery, personal trainer and founder of the2 Meal Day intermittent fasting plan, told Business Insider:"It's a huge mistake doing your cardio and exhausting yourself before you do weights.Cardio will deplete your muscle glycogen stores, which is essentially your stored energy for explosive activity. This means your strength and weight training will be much less effective."

In other words, while it depends a little on what your workout aims are, doing your cardio before hitting the weights will mean you won't have the stamina needed for serious muscle gains.

A 2015 study confirmed what most of us suspected: gymgoers that concentrate all of their efforts on getting bigger aren't necessarily stronger than people who have a more rounded exercise routine and less muscle mass.

The research, published in the journalExperimental Physiology, shows that weight lifters and sprinters have stronger muscle fibers, on a cellular level than bodybuilders. Bodybuilders, on the other hand, have more muscle fibers. So it comes down to quality over quantity. If you're only focused on getting ripped you might be sacrificing the quality of your muscles.

Of course, as with any scientific pursuit, the science around exercise and workouts is constantly evolving and improving. A belief being proved wrong, therefore, is progress, allowing people greater knowledge of their own bodies.

Do you know any other workout myths? Have you rid yourself of an unnecessary exercise belief that freed you to have a more effective workout? Be sure to let us know in the comments.

Go here to read the rest:
9 Exercise Myths That Have Been Debunked by Science - Interesting Engineering

Major opposition parties have agreed to press the government to cancel its plan to dispatch Maritime Self-Defense Force units to the Middle East following the Iranian missile attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq on Wednesday.

Some in the ruling bloc have started to express concern over the dispatch, which is intended to gather information to ensure the safety of shipping lanes in the region, amid tensions that could continue to escalate if the United States and Iran engage in a cycle of retaliation. The missile attack followed the U.S. airstrike last week that killed a top commander of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

At a meeting on Wednesday, the Diet affairs chiefs of opposition parties, including the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, agreed that they will call on the government to withdraw the Dec. 27 Cabinet decision on the MSDF deployment.

The planned dispatch deviates from Japans neutral stance in its Middle East diplomacy, CDP Diet affairs chief Jun Azumi told reporters after the meeting. Prime Minister Shinzo Abes decision is wrong.

We cant expose Self-Defense Forces members to danger based on such vague legal grounds as survey and research,' Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki said at a news conference. We are against the deployment.

Former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, who currently sits as an independent, said, The situation has changed since the Cabinet decision. It will become a major topic in the coming ordinary Diet session. The 150-day regular session of the Diet is slated to begin Jan. 20.

The governments insistence on going ahead with the mission gives the opposition bloc further ammunition to question it in the Diet in the wake of other scandals such as the one involving Tsukasa Akimoto, a Lower House lawmaker and a former member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, who was arrested last month for allegedly receiving bribes from a Chinese company planning to run a casino resort in Japan.

The opposition side intends to press the government over the MSDF deployment issue at off-session hearings of the House of Representatives Committee on Security and the House of Councilors Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense, both slated for Jan. 17.

Meanwhile, Fumio Kishida, chairman of the LDPs Policy Research Council, told reporters at the party headquarters that preparations should continue for the MSDF dispatch, suggesting that the mission will take place as scheduled.

But some in the ruling party have voiced concern over deteriorating security conditions in the Middle East.

One former Cabinet minister noted Japans alliance with the United States as a source of concern, saying that there is fear that MSDF members may become a target of attacks once they are dispatched on the mission. So we need to be cautious.

The MSDF units cant go (to the Middle East) if it becomes a battle zone, a mid-ranking LDP lawmaker said.

The Cabinet decision has been made, but we may have to consider delaying the dispatch depending on circumstances, said a senior official with Komeito, the coalition partner of the LDP. Its a difficult situation.

View original post here:
Japan opposition bloc to push for halt to Mideast mission amid Iran-US tensions - The Japan Times

Picture by Hybu Cig Cymru

Gwyn Howells, Chief Executive of Hybu Cig Cymru

In recent years January, along with furniture sales and failed resolutions, has been a month where we seem to be challenged about our dietary choices, and their impact on our planet.

Meat in particular comes in for fierce scrutiny, and the debate on social media has become increasingly shrill in tone. The vegan lifestyle seems to attract more attention than its number of adherents (currently 1.16% of the UK population) warrants.

This article argues that we dont need to feel guilty about enjoying steak or lamb cawl so long as we know where the meat came from, and that making sustainable dietary choices could be good news for Welsh farming. But to do so, we first need to address some of the more pernicious January myths.

Myth 1. Livestock farming emits lots of CO2

Counting all emissions, agriculture ranks well behind sectors such as transport and energy generation. Beef and sheep farming are responsible for around 4% of the UKs GHG emissions.

Farmings main greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are not CO2, but methane and nitrous oxide. A growing body of evidence suggests that methane, though a potent GHG, is less damaging than previously thought, as it lasts around a decade in the atmosphere, whereas CO2 can last over a century.

Farming in Wales is already taking steps to reduce emissions of both nitrous oxide (by reducing fertiliser use) and methane including pioneering work at Aberystwyth University.

Myth 2. Cutting down on meat is unquestionably good for your health.

Sure, many people could benefit from eating a balanced diet that includes more vegetables. But meat too has its place in healthy diets. Worryingly, there is ample evidence that some groups in society increasingly suffer from deficiencies of minerals such as iron and zinc, which are found in abundance in red meat.

Most people do not eat more than the Governments recommended intake of 500g (cooked weight) of red meat per week.

Myth 3. To make your diet more sustainable you have to cut down on red meat

Despite the existence of some calculators that claim a simple equation between your diet and your carbon footprint, there is a vast difference between farming systems in different regions.

In Wales, the landscape is ideally suited to raising sheep and cattle outdoors using natural grass, a type of farming which is a world away from intensive systems in other parts of the globe.

Oft-cited global figures, for instance that it takes 15,000 litres of water to produce a kilo of beef, can be misleading. In the most sustainable farming systems the figure is closer to 200 litres.

Recent international studies such as the IPCC report, while critical of poor environmental practices in some countries, see sustainable types of livestock and dairy farming as part of the solution to climate change and global food security, and reject responses such as rewilding or a wholesale switch to meat-free diets.

The choice facing consumers

The lack of distinction between environmentally-damaging systems overseas and the largely grass-fed, free-range types of farming which are the norm closer to home was at the heart of the fierce criticism of the BBCs Meat: a Threat to Our Planet documentary last year.

This programme risked giving British consumers a misleading picture by highlighting damaging practices in countries such as Brazil and the USA while ignoring how meat is produced here.

It concluded with presenter Liz Bonnin saying that shed taken the personal decision to cut red meat from her diet due to concerns over global factory food production, which makes little sense when one considers that most of the beef and lamb on sale in Britain comes from non-intensive farming, a claim which cannot be made for several other types of protein on our supermarket shelves.

The opportunity for Welsh farming

PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef have sustainability credentials which should resonate with todays consumer, backed up by farm-to-fork traceability.

It wont be easy to cut through the current media narrative, fed by a food industry which has a vested interest in using an overly-simplistic green message to sell us expensive, out-of-season, highly-processed meat-free products.

But Hybu Cig Cymru is investing 250,000 in a campaign over the next few weeks to make the positive case for lamb and beef from Wales, and is working with partner organisations across Britain on a broader promotional programme on health and sustainability.

A focus on the real challenge

All parts of our society need to play their part in mitigating the climate crisis we face. But we must recognise that the lamb and beef sector in Europe, and in Wales in particular, has a sound record in terms of its sustainability. It is also distinctive in the positive contribution it can make in terms of capturing carbon and regenerating our soil.

Arguing that one type of food is bad and another good, regardless of its origin and production methods, is not a rational response, and risks deflecting attention from the difficult choices needed to tackle climate change.

See the article here:
Cutting through the January meat myths - Nation.Cymru

Often referred to as the king of fruits, mango (Mangifera indica) is one of the most beloved tropical fruits in the world. Its prized for its bright yellow flesh and unique, sweet flavor (1).

This stone fruit, or drupe, has been primarily cultivated in tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Central America, but its now grown across the globe (1, 2).

Given that mangoes contain natural sugar, many people wonder whether theyre appropriate for people with diabetes.

This article explains whether people with diabetes can safely include mango in their diets.

Mangoes are loaded with a variety of essential vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious addition to almost any diet including those focused on improving blood sugar control (3).

One cup (165 grams) of sliced mango offers the following nutrients (4):

This fruit also boasts small quantities of several other important minerals, including magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc (4).

Mango is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber key nutrients that can enhance the nutritional quality of almost any diet.

Over 90% of the calories in mango come from sugar, which is why it may contribute to increased blood sugar in people with diabetes.

Yet, this fruit also contains fiber and various antioxidants, both of which play a role in minimizing its overall blood sugar impact (2).

While the fiber slows the rate at which your body absorbs the sugar into your blood stream, its antioxidant content helps reduce any stress response associated with rising blood sugar levels (5, 6).

This makes it easier for your body to manage the influx of carbs and stabilize blood sugar levels.

The glycemic index (GI) is a tool used to rank foods according to their effects on blood sugar. On its 0100 scale, 0 represents no effect and 100 represents the anticipated impact of ingesting pure sugar (7).

Any food that ranks under 55 is considered low on this scale and may be a better choice for people with diabetes.

The GI of mango is 51, which technically classifies it as a low GI food (7).

Still, you should keep in mind that peoples physiological responses to food vary. Thus, while mango can certainly be considered a healthy carb choice, its important to evaluate how you respond to it personally to determine how much you should include in your diet (8, 9).

Mango contains natural sugar, which can contribute to increased blood sugar levels. However, its supply of fiber and antioxidants may help minimize its overall blood sugar impact.

If you have diabetes and want to include mango in your diet, you can use several strategies to reduce the likelihood that it will increase your blood sugar levels.

The best way to minimize this fruits blood sugar effects is to avoid eating too much at one time (10).

Carbs from any food, including mango, may increase your blood sugar levels but that doesnt mean that you should exclude it from your diet.

A single serving of carbs from any food is considered around 15 grams. As 1/2 cup (82.5 grams) of sliced mango provides about 12.5 grams of carbs, this portion is just under one serving of carbs (4, 10).

If you have diabetes, start with 1/2 cup (82.5 grams) to see how your blood sugar responds. From there, you can adjust your portion sizes and frequency until you find the amount that works best for you.

Much like fiber, protein can help minimize blood sugar spikes when eaten alongside high carb foods like mango (11).

Mango naturally contains fiber but isnt particularly high in protein.

Therefore, adding a protein source may result in a lower rise in blood sugar than if you were to eat the fruit by itself (11).

For a more balanced meal or snack, try pairing your mango with a boiled egg, piece of cheese, or handful of nuts.

You can minimize mangos impact on your blood sugar by moderating your intake and pairing this fruit with a source of protein.

Most of the calories in mango come from sugar, giving this fruit the potential to raise blood sugar levels a particular concern for people with diabetes.

That said, mango can still be a healthy food choice for people trying to improve blood sugar control.

Thats because it has a low GI and contains fiber and antioxidants that may help minimize blood sugar spikes.

Practicing moderation, monitoring portion sizes, and pairing this tropical fruit with protein-rich foods are simple techniques to improve your blood sugar response if you plan to include mango in your diet.

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Is It Safe to Eat Mango If You Have Diabetes? - Healthline

Sugar and honey are both sweeteners - the only thing that makes honey better is its natural composition. While sugar is made up of glucose and fructose (50-50 ratio), honey is also made up of sugar but contains only 30% glucose and a little less than 40% fructose. It also contains several other types of sugar molecules, which take longer to digest by the body and do not always get stored up as fat. This means this is comparatively healthier.

Pure, organic honey also contains zero preservatives and additives, which is another risk factor when you consume processed sugar.

Apart from that, honey also comes loaded with a lot of health benefits - from acting as a natural immunity booster, supplying nutrients and trace minerals, including amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants.

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Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to request airlines to replace sugar with honey. How healthy is this swap? - Times of India

News | January 7, 2020/>

By FDA

Fresh produce plays an important part of an overall healthy diet. While millions of servings of fresh produce are consumed safely every day, recent outbreaks of foodborne illness have once again placed produce safety in the spotlight. We must continue to build upon and implement the science- and risk-based controls envisioned by Congress through the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), including those set forth in theProduce Safety Rule.

Last year was the first in which theU.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) and our state regulatory counterparts beganconducting routine inspections of large farms for this rule established by FSMA. (In general, were not addressing sprouts operations here, which have additional requirements and earlier compliance dates.) Leading up to 2019, the agency has collaborated with theNational Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA)and our state partners to help prepare farmers to comply with the rule. We have also supported states in the development of their own produce safety programs.

The recent produce outbreaks show that we must remain laser-focused on prevention to help bend the curve of foodborne illness. We remain committed to doing everything we can to prevent outbreaks, working with fellow regulators and the food industry to identify and address causes and keep consumers aware of potential risks.

And, we are making progress in realizing the promises of FSMA with our implementation of the produce safety standards under the rule.

Inspections of Farms, Large and SmallThe FDA and our state regulatory partners are completing the first year of routine inspections of large farms covered by the Produce Safety Rule. The states, which are conducting the lions share of this work domestically, have conducted almost 1,000 farm inspections under a cooperative agreement with FDA. The agency conducted 183 domestic and foreign produce inspections in 2019. The first routine inspections of small farms are set to begin later this month.

Staying true to our educate before and while we regulate philosophy, FDA has focused on education, training, and outreach to farms. This outreach includes about 1,400On-Farm Readiness Reviews that NASDA developed in collaboration with the FDA and state and extension partners to help farmers assess how ready they are to comply with the rule.

The FDA also established theState Produce Implementation Cooperative Agreement Program (CAP), which has helped establish state and territorial produce safety programs. This past year the agency awarded $27.1 million to 47 states and American Samoa, with a total of $112.3 million in CAP grants awarded over the past 4 years. This funding is being used to conduct inspections, as well as to support education, outreach, and technical assistance activities.

We also renewed our commitment to work with NASDA, which is partnering with the Association of Food and Drug Officials, in using $1.3 million in FDA funding to further support the development and maintenance of strong produce safety programs in states and territories.

The FDA will continue to work with our state regulatory partners to maintain consistency in how we do inspections and how we follow up with farms if any observations are made.

Advancing Agricultural Water StandardsOne of the particular challenges weve faced with the Produce Safety Rule is ensuring that our standards for agricultural water are protective of public health and workable for farms of all kinds and sizes. After we finalized the rule, we heard from the produce community that some of the requirements were too complex, costly, and unworkable, and we determined that we should, based on these and other comments, consider other approaches to address the agricultural water requirements.

We extended the compliance dates for certain agricultural water requirements for covered produce other than sprouts while we are reviewing emerging science and perspectives from experts and stakeholders. FDA produce safety experts have participated in more than 200 educational farm tours, many of which were specifically conducted to observe diverse operations as they relate to the use of agricultural water.

FDA experts are now working on a rulemaking to propose an approach that offers flexibility and addresses the practical challenges of implementing some of the agricultural water requirements across the diversity in farm types, water sources, and water uses. We hope to issue proposed revisions to those agricultural water requirements in 2020.

In the meantime, we continue to stress to growers the importance of using good agricultural practices (GAPs) for agricultural water. For example, the FDAs GAPs guidance recommends that growers assess their water quality, considering their water sources and distribution systems, practices, and conditions, as well as land uses, to identify potential sources of contamination and apply controls to minimize microbial food safety hazards.

To facilitate another resource for farmers, and to advance the science around agricultural water, the FDA is also working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop a testing protocol for evaluating the efficacy of antimicrobial products for use in treating agricultural water.

Imported Produce Same Safety Standards as Domestically ProducedWe are committed to ensuring that foods imported from other countries are held to the same standards as food produced domestically. In February 2019, we released the FDA Strategy for the Safety of Imported Foods, describing our comprehensive approach to imported food safety.

Part of our strategy is that we intend to help ensure that farmers in other countries who export to the U.S. have access to resources that include training and On-Farm Readiness Reviews.

We also have theForeign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)rule under FSMA, which requires importers to ensure that their suppliers are meeting U.S. food safety standards. Routine FSVP inspections of produce importers began in the fall.

The FDA has enforcement tools and we will act when there is a public health risk, no matter where in the world the food is imported from. For example, awarning letterwas issued in August 2019 to the distributor of papaya imported from Mexico that was tied to an outbreak of Salmonella Uganda. Citing significant violations, the FDA raised the possibility of debarment to prohibit the importer from bringing foods into the U.S. for up to five years.

Micro Testing to Advance Prevention StrategySurveillance sampling is an important part of our public health mission, particularly considering how FSMA has shifted our focus as an agency to preventing foodborne illness. We have two ongoing microbiological surveillance sampling assignments in fresh herbs and frozen berries, types of produce that have been associated with past outbreaks of foodborne illness. Further, the FDA completed the microbiological surveillance sampling of processed avocados and guacamoles and will publish a final summary of its findings in 2020.

The FDA is conducting a focused assignment to test samples of romaine lettuce grown in the Central Coast, Central Valley, and Imperial Valley in California and in Yuma, Arizona for pathogenic E.coli and Salmonella. This assignment follows multiple outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with romaine lettuce over the past two years. This also follows testing that the FDA conducted last summer in which samples of romaine lettuce grown in the Yuma region werecollected from commercial coolersand cold storage facilities. No pathogenic bacteria were found in the testing.

Across all of these assignments, thousands of samples have and will be tested for pathogens. While most of the samples have been free of pathogens, there have been a small number of pathogens found. The FDAs response has included voluntary recalls and import alerts, in addition to investigating the cause of the contamination.

The Path Forward for Produce SafetyOur commitment to advancing produce safety is unwavering. We will continue to work closely with our state regulatory partners to help ensure that farms understand the requirements for produce safety and to provide consistency across programs. The agency intends to advance agricultural water standards that are feasible for the people who must meet them and protect public health. And, as we move into 2020, we will reach another critical implementation milestone the initiation of routine inspections for small farms.

We know that getting this right is paramount andremain committed to working together to bend the curve of foodborne illness.

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Outbreaks Emphasize the Importance of Implementing Produce Safety Standards - Food Safety Magazine

Montrouge, France, January 8, 2020

DBV Technologies Reports Positive Three-Year, Long-Term Data from the PEOPLE Phase III Open-Label Extension Study of Viaskin Peanut in Children with Peanut Allergy

Patients demonstrated durable, long-term clinical benefit with an additional two years of treatment

Low discontinuations due to adverse events observed

Study represents the largest long-term peanut allergy immunotherapy trial to date, with high compliance enabling extended study participation

DBV Technologies (the Company) (Euronext: DBV ISIN: FR0010417345 Nasdaq Stock Market: DBVT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced positive topline results of the three-year, open-label extension of the Phase III PEPITES trial (PEOPLE) evaluating the long-term efficacy and safety of investigational Viaskin Peanut in peanut-allergic children ages 4 to 11 years. The results demonstrate long-term clinical benefit as shown by an increase in eliciting dose (ED), which may decrease the chance of reacting to an accidental peanut exposure. After three years, 75.9% (107/141) of patients had increased their ED from baseline, and 51.8% (73/141) of patients reached an ED of at least 1,000 mg peanut protein by year three.

These new long-term data support the overall clinical benefit of Viaskin Peanut that weve observed to date in Phase II and III clinical trials. We are particularly pleased to see that approximately three out of four patients showed an increase in their eliciting dose over three years, regardless of their individual baseline, with roughly 1 in 7 patients able to consume 5,444 mg peanut protein without reacting during the Month 36 oral food challenge, said Dr. David Fleischer, Principal Investigator of PEPITES and PEOPLE, Director, Allergy and Immunology Center and Section Head, Childrens Hospital Colorado. Most peanut-allergic children react to a single peanut (300 mg of peanut protein) or less, with some reacting to as little as 1 mg, leading many children and families to experience constant fear of accidental exposure, loss of normalcy and decreased quality of life. These new data provide further evidence that Viaskin Peanut may reduce the risk of reaction from accidental exposure by increasing threshold reactivity through a treatment option that could be safe and convenient.

The PEOPLE study is an ongoing open-label extension study evaluating the long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of Viaskin Peanut 250 g in patients who have completed the Phase III PEPITES trial. Of the 213 patients who were randomized in the active treatment arm of PEPITES and completed the 12-month trial, 198 patients opted to enter the PEOPLE study (safety population). Of these patients, 148 were considered completers after 36 months and 141 patients completed all treatment according to the study protocol without major deviations. Efficacy data were analyzed from these 141 patients (per-protocol).

Topline results from PEOPLE support the long-term tolerability and clinical benefit of Viaskin Peanut, demonstrating desensitization over 36 months of treatment. After 36 months, 51.8% (73/141) of patients reached an ED of at least 1,000 mg peanut protein, an increase relative to Month 12, 40.4% (57/141). In addition, 13.5% (19/141) of patients completed the food challenge without meeting stopping criteria at 36 months (cumulative dose of 5,444 mg). At Month 36, the mean cumulative reactive dose (CRD) was 1,768.8 mg (median 944 mg) compared to 223.8 mg (median 144 mg) at baseline.

The safety profile of Viaskin Peanut was consistent with that observed in the clinical program to date in over 1,000 patients. During PEOPLE, the most common adverse events were mild to moderate skin reactions localized to the administration site and there was no epinephrine use deemed related to treatment. No treatment related serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported. One patient experienced one case of mild anaphylaxis that was determined by the investigator to be possibly related to treatment and resolved without treatment. Treatment compliance remained high throughout the study at a mean of 98% over three years of treatment.

Exploratory analyses suggest Viaskin Peanut may offer sustained effect even after a period without treatment. All participants who reached an ED 1,000 mg at Month 36 were eligible to continue the study for two additional months without treatment while maintaining a peanut-free diet. A further double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge to determine ED was administered at the end of this period (Month 38). The analysis showed that 77.8% (14/18) of the children who completed the oral food challenge at Month 38 maintained desensitization with an ED 1,000 mg.

Story continues

Harnessing the important immune properties of the skin, epicutaneous immunotherapy represents a potentially unique mechanism of action that may support the sustained desensitization observed in this study even after a period without treatment. These data further advance our understanding of the profile of Viaskin Peanut, which is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and may offer a simple, once daily, non-invasive treatment option for children living with peanut allergy in the second half of 2020, if approved, said Dr. Pharis Mohideen, Chief Medical Officer of DBV Technologies. Importantly, we would like to thank the children, families and investigators for participating in this study, the largest long-term trial in this underserved disease.

The Company plans to present full study results at future medical congresses as well as submit for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

About PEOPLEThe PEOPLE study is an open-label extension of the Phase III PEPITES trial designed to evaluate the long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of Viaskin Peanut 250 g (NCT03013517). Participants who completed the 12-month study period of PEPITES were eligible to enroll in PEOPLE. Patients who were randomized to active treatment in PEPITES are eligible to receive up to four additional years of treatment, and those previously receiving placebo are eligible to receive up to five years of treatment.

The study evaluates the eliciting dose after three years (Month 36) of active treatment using a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC). The starting dose of each challenge is 1 mg of peanut protein and escalates to the highest dose of 2,000 mg peanut protein; possibly repeated once to reach a maximum total cumulative dose of 5,444 mg peanut protein. For the next DBPCFCs after four and five years, the starting dose of each challenge is 10 mg of peanut protein and escalates to the highest dose of 3,000 mg peanut protein; possibly repeated once to reach a maximum total cumulative dose of 6,440 mg peanut protein.

The analysis also includes exploratory assessments of safety parameters, immune biomarkers such as immunoglobulin E (IgE) and immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4), and sustained desensitization following a two-month period without treatment.

About PEPITESThePeanutEPIT Efficacy andSafety Study (PEPITES) was a global, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Viaskin Peanut 250 g in children ages 4 to 11 years (NCT02636699). PEPITES was conducted in 31 centers across North America (Canada and the United States), Germany, Ireland and Australia.

Eligible patients were aged 4-11 years at screening with physician-diagnosed peanut allergy, currently following a strict peanut-free diet. Other key inclusion criteria were peanut-specific IgE >0.7 kUA/L, a peanut skin prick test with a largest wheal diameter 6 mm (children 4-5 years) or 8 mm (children 6 years) at screening, and an ED (the single highest dose at which a patient exhibited objective signs/symptoms of an immediate hypersensitivity reaction) of 300 mg peanut protein based on a DBPCFC.

PRACTALL,the joint American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) and European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) published food challenge methodology that defines strict, 30-minute intervals for peanut protein dosing, was used to evaluate sensitivity to peanut at baseline and exit.Challenges were stopped when patients exhibited clear, objective symptoms based on a pre-specified symptom scoring scale. A Good Manufacturing Practice food challenge matrix was used for all peanut protein and placebo food challenges.

During PEPITES, patients responses were assessed using DBPCFCs. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive either Viaskin Peanut 250 g or placebo for 12 months. The primary endpoint was based on a responder analysis after 12 months of treatment with Viaskin Peanut 250 g. For patients with a baseline peanut protein ED equal to or less than 10 mg, a responder was defined as a patient with a peanut protein ED equal to or greater than 300 mg of peanut protein after 12 months of treatment. For patients with a baseline ED greater than 10 mg, a responder was defined as a patient with a peanut protein ED equal to or greater than 1,000 mg of peanut protein after 12 months of treatment.

As a secondary efficacy endpoint, CRD was also evaluated in PEPITES to establish the total quantity of peanut protein that triggers patient reactions at Month 12 of active treatment versus placebo. Serological markers were also measured at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months in order to characterize the immunological changes in patients.

During the study, investigators relied on the commonly used National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) definition of anaphylaxis, which has been shown to be highly sensitive but only moderately specific in diagnosing anaphylaxis, in an attempt to capture as many potential reactions as possible.

Two hundred thirteen of the 238 patients randomized to the peanut-patch and 107 of the 118 patients randomized to the placebo-patch completed the study. After 12 months of therapy, patients treated with Viaskin Peanut showed a statistically significant improvement in the ED of peanut required to provoke an allergic reaction at food challenge compared with placebo. After 12 months of treatment, we observed that 35.3% of patients on Viaskin Peanut 250 g were responders, compared to 13.6% of patients in the placebo group (treatment difference = 21.7%; 95% CI = 12.4% - 29.8%; p<0.001). An increase in the CRD was also observed between the treatment and placebo groups (nominal p-value<0.001) after 12 months. The median CRD of patients in the treatment group increased from 144 mg at baseline to 444 mg at Month 12, compared with no improvement in the placebo group.

There were no cases of severe anaphylaxis, and only four of 238 patients (1.7%) dropped out due to treatment-emergent adverse events. A low rate of treatment-related epinephrine use was reported (2.9% treatment group vs. 0.8% placebo group). Ten cases in eight Viaskin Peanut patients (3.4%) of possibly or probably treatment-related anaphylaxis occurred; all were classified as mild or moderate without evidence of cardiovascular, neurologic, or respiratory compromise. Six of these ten cases were treated with epinephrine, and five of the eight patients continued on Viaskin Peanut in the study.

About DBV TechnologiesDBV Technologies is developing Viaskin, an investigational proprietary technology platform with broad potential applications in immunotherapy. Viaskin is based on epicutaneous immunotherapy, or EPIT, DBVs method of delivering biologically active compounds to the immune system through intact skin. With this new class of self-administered and non-invasive product candidates, the Company is dedicated to safely transforming the care of food allergic patients, for whom there are no approved treatments. DBVs food allergies programs include ongoing clinical trials of Viaskin Peanut and Viaskin Milk, and preclinical development of Viaskin Egg. DBV is also pursuing a human proof-of-concept clinical trial of Viaskin Milk for the treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis, and exploring potential applications of its platform in vaccines and other immune diseases. DBV Technologies has global headquarters in Montrouge, France and offices in Bagneux, France, and North American operations in Summit, NJ and New York, NY. The Companys ordinary shares are traded on segment B of Euronext Paris (Ticker: DBV, ISIN code: FR0010417345), part of the SBF120 index, and the Companys ADSs (each representing one-half of one ordinary share) are traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (DBVT).

Forward Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the potential of the EPIT platform and Viaskin Peanut as a treatment for peanut-allergic children. These forward-looking statements are not promises or guarantees and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described or projected herein include risk associated with uncertainties associated generally with research and development, clinical trials and related regulatory reviews and approvals. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other risks can be found in the Companys regulatory filings with the French Autorit des Marchs Financiers and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the Companys Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2018. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or circumstances, or otherwise, except as required by law.

DBV Investor Relations Contact Sara Blum ShermanSenior Director, Investor Relations & Strategy+1212-271-0740sara.sherman@dbv-technologies.com

DBV Media Contact Joe BeckerVP, Global Corporate Communications +1646-650-3912joseph.becker@dbv-technologies.com

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DBV Technologies Reports Positive Three-Year, Long-Term Data from the PEOPLE Phase III Open-Label Extension Study of Viaskin Peanut in Children with...