Research finds a new way to look at the relationship between what we eat and our health.

It might seem obvious that good nutrition is linked to good health. Still, it has proven difficult to identify specific links between foods and health outcomes. Two new studies from scientists at Imperial College London (ICL), United Kingdom, and various collaborators report insights from the analysis of metabolites in urine.

The researchers have created a 5-minute urine test that can capture a persons nutritional fingerprint.

Diet is a key contributor to human health and disease, though it is notoriously difficult to measure accurately because it relies on an individuals ability to recall what and how much they ate. For instance, asking people to track their diets through apps or diaries can often lead to inaccurate reports about what they really eat, explains study author Joram Posma, of ICLs Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction.

This research reveals this technology can help provide in-depth information on the quality of a persons diet and whether it is the right type of diet for their individual biological makeup.

Joram Posma, study co-author

Scientists from ICL and their collaborators from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Murdoch University in Australia authored the first of the two studies. It appears in the journal Nature Food.

Metabolites are molecules that the body produces during cellular metabolism, and some are measurable in a persons urine.

Working with 1,848 study participants in the U.S., the researchers were able to identify associations between 46 different metabolites and food types.

Co-author Paul Elliot, Chair in Epidemiology and Public Health Medicine at ICL, explains:

Through careful measurement of peoples diets and collection of their urine excreted over two 24-hour periods, we were able to establish links between dietary inputs and urinary output of metabolites that may help improve understanding of how our diets affect health. Healthful diets have a different pattern of metabolites in the urine than those associated with worse health outcomes.

Metabolites were linked with the ingestion of alcohol, citrus fruit, fructose (fruit sugar), glucose, red meats, and other animal proteins, such as chicken. Nutrients, including vitamin C and calcium, were also associated with metabolites in the study.

Metabolites associations with health outcomes also became apparent in the data. For instance, the scientists found that the metabolites formate and sodium were linked to obesity and higher blood pressure.

For the second research project, which also appears in Nature Food, the ICL team worked again with scientists from Murdoch University, along with researchers from Newcastle University and Aberystwyth University, both in the U.K.

The study reports that the scientists were able to produce an easy-to-administer urine test that could reveal a persons metabolite profile in the form of a Dietary Metabotype Score (DMS).

Study author Isabel Garcia-Perez, of Imperial College, says:

Our technology can provide crucial insights into how foods are processed by individuals in different ways and can help health professionals, such as dietitians, provide dietary advice tailored to individual patients.

In evaluating the test, the scientists conducted experiments with 19 people whom they instructed to follow one of four types of diets (ranging from very healthful to unhealthful) strictly based on the World Health Organizations (WHOs) guidelines. The healthiest adhered 100% to the WHO recommendations, and the least healthy just 25% of them.

The study authors found that even among those who reported following the same diet, there were differences in the DMS.

WHO recommendations contain a great deal of latitude in the choice of specific foods. One recommendation, for example, is, Fruit, vegetables, legumes (e.g., lentils and beans), nuts, and whole grains (e.g., unprocessed maize, millet, oats, wheat, and brown rice).

The researchers found that, in general, the more healthful the persons diet, the higher the DMS. Those with higher scores also had lower blood sugar and excreted an increased amount of energy from the body in the urine.

The study characterizes the difference between high energy urine and low energy urine as meaning that a person with a higher DMS would be losing 4 extra calories a day, which equates to about 1,500 calories a year, and would thus avoid about 215 g of body fat annually.

Next up for the team is investigating the use of this new technology in people at risk of cardiovascular disease.

Aside from the obvious value of the 5-minute test, the studies suggest that it may be time to use the new findings to personalize healthful food recommendations.

Newcastle Universitys John Mathers says:

We show here how different people metabolize the same foods in highly individual ways. This has implications for understanding the development of nutrition-related diseases and for more personalized dietary advice to improve public health.

The link between specific metabolites, foods, and outcomes also raises other considerations, according to ICLs Gary Frost, another co-author:

These findings bring a new and more in-depth understanding to how our bodies process and use food at the molecular level. The research brings into question whether we should rewrite food tables to incorporate these new metabolites that have biological effects in the body.

See more here:
Metabolites in urine point the way to a more healthful diet - Medical News Today

As huge a part of my life as fitness is, I really believe that what we put in our mouths has the biggest impact on our health of any aspect of our lifestyle.

I've seen the profound power of food firsthandand throughout my life, I've made significant changes to my diet in order to support my health and well-being. Ever since being diagnosed with diabetes at 22, there are certain foods I just won't touch anymore.

People often ask me if it's hard to avoid certain foods and if I miss themand my answer? Not at ALL.

I'll admit, it's true that changing the way you eat is often incredibly difficult at first. (Believe me, I remember the mood swings and the cravings!) But after some timefor me, it was about three weeksthose cravings disappear and taste buds change. Honestly, I feel infinitely healthier and more vibrant after giving a few specific foods the bootand I wouldn't go back for the world.

Of course, everyone's journey towards their optimal health looks a little different, but saying goodbye to the following foods has made all of the difference for me (particularly in regards to managing my diabetes).

When I was 19 or 20 years old, right before I was diagnosed with diabetes, I was a complete sugar addict. I started the day with some sort of sugary cereal like Lucky Charms or Cocoa Puffs and I always, always had a candy bar or some sort of hard candy (Jolly Ranchers and Hot Tamales were my go-to's) on me. I was sugared-up all the time.

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After my diagnosis, though, it was like a switch flipped. My health was on the line, so I went cold turkey on my sugar-filled ways. Out the window went the candy, the desserts, and even super-sweet fruit. At first, it was hard. I'd relied so much on sugar my entire life that I had headaches and terrible mood swings when I quit.

Within a few weeks, though, I started to feel better. Eventually, my desire to eat sugar completely disappeared. I didn't even like the flavor anymore. Now, even if you put a giant plate of dessert in front of me, I am zero percent interested. The only time I eat sweets these days is on my kid's birthdaysand that's for them, not me! I'll snack on low-sugar fruits like blackberries and raspberries, but that's about it.

After giving sugar the boot, I quickly learned that the body breaks down refined carbs straight into sugar, so I swore off those in order to better manage my diabetes, too. I ditched rice (yes, even brown rice), pasta, and breadand never looked back.

I know some of you are wondering, how could you ever swear off bread? But just like with sugar, when you give your body enough time without it, your palette changes and it loses its appeal. (Bonus perk: I no longer miss out on a beautiful meal out at a restaurant because I've filled up on the bread basket.)

As I cut these white carbs out of my diet and learned more about a keto lifestyle, I began to cut back on high-carb foods further and swap in low-carb alternatives and plenty of healthy fats.

So, instead of having mashed potatoes, I make cauliflower mash with butter and salt. It's so delicious and creamy, my kids don't even know the difference. Or, when my kids eat pasta, I opt for zucchini noodles. These simple swaps make it easy for me to enjoy a meal with my kids and still nourish my body in the way that works for me.

For me, the final piece of the puzzle was wine. I have always loved wine, but as I upgraded the rest of my lifestyle to manage my diabetes and feel as healthy as possible, I wondered if there was a better way to enjoy my wine.

Wine Membership

Dry Farm Winesdryfarmwines.com

When I discovered Dry Farm Wines a few years ago, I was intrigued. Their natural, organic, and biodynamic wines don't contain any added sugars or chemicals, so they're low-sugar enough to be keto-friendly and don't have as much alcohol as the average bottle.

The earthier, hearty flavor of these wines took some getting used to at first, but now I'd rather drink them than anything. While conventional wines often got me buzzed fast and left me with a headache, these did not. Yet again, I wouldn't go back to the old stuff for a second.

Halle Berry is a producer, director, and actress. Now known as one of the fittest women in Hollywood, Halle recently launched rspin, a community for stories, conversations, and products for health and wellness seekers. In her weekly WH column and #FitnessFriday Instagram posts, she shares a personal look into her own health and fitnessalong with the tips, tricks, and advice behind her famously fit physique.

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Halle Berry Cut These Foods Out Of Her Diet Years AgoAnd Doesn't Miss Them One Bit - Women's Health

Andrew Thomas says his roommates understand the deal: For multiple hours a day, hes going to be posted up in the dining room area of their apartment, doing Zoom calls with teammates and coaches on the New York Giants.

In April, Thomas was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the Giants are hoping their highly-rated rookie will anchor their offensive line for a decade or more. But Thomas, like many other recent draftees, hasnt even signed a contracta side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic that has disrupted the traditional NFL offseason schedule. For now hes working out and studying the playbook in Athens, Georgia, where he played for the Georgia Bulldogs, though hes begun checking out some spots in New Jersey that arent too far from MetLife Stadium.

Thomass schedule is largely dictated by the aforementioned Zoom calls: He plans his day around them, and gets his meals and workouts in accordingly. In his limited downtime, he says he actually doesnt obsessively play video games; his stress-reliever is the piano.

In an interview with GQ, Thomas discussed how he altered his NFL Draft preparations and training, why hes on a carb-heavy diet at the moment, and how his interest in music has helped him absorb the Giants playbook.

For Real-Life Diet, GQ talks to athletes, celebrities, and everyone in-between about their diet, exercise routines, and pursuit of wellness. Keep in mind that what works for them might not necessarily be healthy for you.

GQ: Before the NFL Draft, when the pandemic really arrived in the United States, how did your day-to-day change?

Andrew Thomas: When the pandemic happened, Pro Day and all those events were cancelled. I had about 10 visits scheduled with different teams. That was the first big differenceinstead of going to the facilities to have my workouts, I started having lots of Zoom calls. Id wake up and have two or three Zoom calls with different coaches and members of their staff. And then Id drive 50 minutes to this place called DASH Performance in Gwinnett County. It was shut down to the general public, but I had a relationship with the owner, so he let me come in there with my personal trainer to do some social distanced workouts. It was very different to not be able to come as you please; we had to come at a certain time, and avoid working out in a group. I adjusted and made it work.

Story continues

What kind of workouts were you doing in the leadup to the NFL Draft?

After the NFL Combine, my workouts switched to more football-specific stuff. Before the Combine was more speed training. But after that, it reverted more to conditioning and strength training to be in better shape. Lots of position-specific drills that work your lower body and your hips. So, squats, power cleans, any explosive movements that you do when youre making a block. And then there are some run-block drills, different techniques with different weights, working your hands, stuff like that.

What does your diet look like lately?

Im not a huge breakfast person. Usually Ill just eat something quick on the way out of the apartment. I dont like to work out with a lot of food in my stomach. After I got drafted and we started having Zoom meetings that are pretty long, I had to adjust what times I work out. Ive been planning my meals more than I used to so I can make sure Im not running on fumes.

For lunch, I like some type of Mexican food, like a burrito, nachos, something like that. Lots of carbs. Usually theres brown rice, chicken, or ground turkey. Dinner is where I really sit down and eat. Thats steak and potatoes, maybe more chicken, maybe spaghetti and meat; thats my biggest meal of the day.

Are you cooking any of that up yourself?

I cannot cook. I can do breakfast, but my girlfriend helps with cooking, and other times I go get stuff from different restaurants. If I had to cook something up, itd be some type of chicken alfredo.

Have you always been eating lots of carbs and protein?

I used to be on more of a cut diet. I wasnt really eating as many carbs because I was trying to lose weight. Now Im trying to maintain, so Im eating more carbs. I want to get a little stronger too, build some more body muscle, which is why Im eating more protein.

Whats the most important tally for you and your dietary goals? Is it calorie count? Grams of protein?

My body fluctuatessometimes Ill eat food and gain weight, other times Ill eat a lot and my body weight wont change. I dont really focus too much on how many calories Im taking in. The biggest thing is hydration. I sweat a lot, so making sure Im hydrated is definitely instrumental for training, especially in avoiding soft-tissue injuries. Thats the biggest thing Im focused on.

How many sports drinks a day are you consuming then?

This is a new thing for meI used to drink that stuff all throughout the day. But the nutritionist with the Giants explained to us that its really not that healthy to be drinking those all day, given the amount of sugar in them. A big lesson for me has been sticking to water throughout the day, and then drinking Gatorade for my training sessions.

Whats your cheat meal?

Definitely fried chicken wings from a place called American Deli. I dont know if they have those up there in the North like that, but down South, its big, especially in the Atlanta area.

How have you been passing the time while mostly doing meetings from home?

The video game thing isnt going too well for me. My roommates play a ton, but I dont play that much. When quarantine started, I thought I was going to have a crazy amount of free time, but there really isnt that much. Especially before the NFL Draft, there were meetings all day, I was working out and getting position work in, and so I wasnt actually laying around the house very much. When I do get a minute, I like to play my piano in between meetings.

The Undefeated talked to you about how learning sheet music can come in handy when youre absorbing a football playbook. Is that something youve noticed with the Giants playbook?

The way my brain works, music and football correspond in certain aspects. The offensive line position is about technique, learning behaviors, and a lot of that stuff doesnt come naturally. Thats how a lot of music is too. When I was in the band in middle school, we used to have this event where wed have music prepared to perform, and then another part was music wed never seen before. To me, that kind of translates to the field. You have your plays and a game plan going in, but the defense is going to react and do things you havent seen, and you have to react.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Real Life Diet

The Real-Life Diet of David Dobrik, Who is Skipping Workouts and Eating Watermelon Sandwiches

The YouTube star likes tennis, hates lifting weights.

Originally Appeared on GQ

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The Real-Life Diet of Giants Offensive Lineman Andrew Thomas, the No. 4 Pick in This Year's Draft - Yahoo Lifestyle

Jennifer Anistons fans consider her a Greek goddess for looking the same since years and years, Although she 51-year-old. They believe she still looks 30. She has been leaving her fans in awe with her slim figure in glamorous outfits.

Then stated that she makes super healthy meal choices to stay healthy. The stars daily diet plays a huge role to shine her amazing personality. Jennifer, who is also known for her clean-living LA lifestyle, often likes to practice yoga and takes a healthy diet to stay looking so stunning.

Her morning meal is a little different from a bowl of cornflakes. The star had earlier revealed in an interview that she resorts to intermittent fasting. And this eats no food in the morning. She apparently noticed a big difference after going without food for 16 hours.

After waking up, she has warm lemon water followed by a shake or avocado and eggs. At times, she has a puffed millet cereal with a banana. For lunch, she often takes some form of vegetables or salad with protein which is basic. She also devours a nutrient-rich, well-balanced containing healthy carbs, proteins, bright veg and leafy greens.

Jennifer Aniston became single after her divorce from Justin Theroux. Hence, a lot of fans believe shes quarantining all alone. But, fans couldnt help but notice she got company. She was apparently caught smiling at someone mysterious while talking to her friend Lisa Kudrow. In an interview with herFriends co-star fans, allegedly, noticed her smiling at a mysterious individual. Apparently, this mystery person was in the same room but only away from the camera.

Also, talking about quarantining, Jennifer Aniston recently uploaded a photo of herself. She was wearing a mask and asking everyone to do the same. As the pandemic cases in the United States continuously grow, it seems important for everyone.

In a lengthy message, the star agreed that wearing masks were inconvenient and uncomfortable. But that everyone should wear one if they care about human life. She couldnt deny that many people refused to follow the precautionary steps to flatten the curve.

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This year's second lunar eclipse is said to take place on July 05 and will be a special one, where a special 'full buck moon' will be witnessed alongside a penumbral lunar eclipse from some parts of the world.

While the sighting of the eclipse makes for a celestial event, culturally, eclipses are regarded to be a bad omen and there are customs which forbid people from moving out or eating food during the duration of the eclipse.

Eclipses tend to have a powerful effect on us and the natural body clock. This is something which has roots in traditional systems of medicine and Ayurveda too. Hence, a lot of people follow this customarily and have certain dos and donts while cooking or eating certain food items.

Here is a list of common diet beliefs and myths pertaining to a lunar eclipse:

See the article here:
Lunar Eclipse 2020: Is it safe to eat during Chandra Grahan? Here are the diet do's and don'ts - Times of India

By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi | Published: July 3, 2020 8:50:50 pm Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar recommended consuming konfal during the rainy season. (Source: Getty/Instagram)

Seasonal fruits and vegetables in India are a powerhouse of nutrients and come with benefits that can heal several illnesses. Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar on her Instagram account recently spoke about the health benefits of konfal, which is a species of yam that is sweeter in taste.

Diwekar recommended consuming konfal during the rainy season. Also known as purple yam, its starchy roots taste like potato. Traditionally, the arrival of monsoon meant eating lesser of green leafy vegetables and more of the creeper vegetables like doodhi and root vegetables and tubers like konfal. Monsoon also signalled the arrival of chaturmas four months, this year it starts from 1st July, a period of many festivals and Upavas or fasts not to be confused with the trend of fasting where the focus is to go long hours without food, in the name of cleansing or weight loss, she wrote in her post.

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Konfal Dont ask me whats its called in English, listen to what i am telling you and eat veggies that have no name in English. Speak about food in your local, regional language. One that connects you with your culture, cuisine, crop cycle and climate. Traditionally, the arrival of monsoon meant eating lesser of green leafy vegetables and more of the creeper vegetables like doodhi and root vegetables (and tubers like konfal). Monsoon also signalled the arrival of chaturmas (4 months, this year it starts from 1st July), a period of many festivals and Upavas or fasts (not to be confused with the trend of fasting where the focus is to go long hours without food, in the name of cleanse or weight loss). These fasts and what to eat during them are a cultural practice that has stood the test of time and is rooted in common sense. They introduced diversity in our diets in the form of tubers, pulses and smaller millets. The tubers were especially important as the fasts asked you to eat a variety of those. Nutrition science now recognises them as good sources of pre-biotic (food for healthy and diverse gut bacteria), isoflavones (that allow for hormonal wellbeing) and a variety of vitamins and minerals that improve blood sugar response. Unfortunately, a lot of our vegetables, tubers especially, are losing out as we now speak of food mostly in English. So, the broccoli, kale, etc., thrive, while the native species die. This monsoon, bring back the tubers that are part of your region and culture. In the pic is konfal kaap shallow fried pieces of konfal. What is your local speciality? #monsoon #foodculture

A post shared by Rujuta Diwekar (@rujuta.diwekar) on Jun 29, 2020 at 11:26pm PDT

Benefits of konfal or purple yam:

Benefits of konfal or purple yam:

* The root vegetable is rich in carbohydrates and vitamin C, making it ideal for the monsoon season.

* It is also rich in antioxidants which can be helpful in protecting the body from free radicals.

* It also has healing properties and can protect our body from cell damages.

* It also falls under low glycaemic index, making it apt for people with high blood sugar levels.

* The deep purple colour of this vegetable is due to anthocyanin pigments and is used as a natural food colouring agent.

These fasts and what to eat during them are a cultural practice that has stood the test of time and is rooted in common sense. They introduced diversity in our diets in the form of tubers, pulses and smaller millets. The tubers were especially important as the fasts asked you to eat a variety of those. Nutrition science now recognises them as good sources of pre-biotic (food for healthy and diverse gut bacteria), isoflavones (that allow for hormonal wellbeing) and a variety of vitamins and minerals that improve blood sugar response. Unfortunately, a lot of our vegetables, tubers especially, are losing out as we now speak of food mostly in English. So, the broccoli, kale, etc., thrive, while the native species die. This monsoon, bring back the tubers that are part of your region and culture. In the pic is konfal kaap shallow fried pieces of konfal, she added.

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Konfal: Why you should include it in your monsoon diet - The Indian Express

Amla or the Indian gooseberry is known to be a powerhouse of Vitamin C and a natural immunity booster. Here are all the reasons to include amla in your daily diet.

Amla can help you have beatiful skin and hair

We always keep looking forward for immunity boosting food items to be added in the list. Amla or the Indian gooseberry is a life savior and contains a lot of Vitamin C which helps in boosting immunity. The other sources of vitamin c are orange (pulp), papaya (ripe), lemon juice, sweet lime, strawberry, guava (pink and white flesh), black currants, mango (green- raw and ripe), bell pepper (red and yellow), green capsicum, knol knol, drumstick, brussels sprouts, green leafy vegetables etc. In Ayurveda it is believed that Amla can balance all three doshas of the body (Vatta /Pitta/Kapha) and can prevent underlying cause of many diseases.

1. Builds Immunity: In today's time we are looking forward to any hint of increasing our immunity, amla is a real booster and helps in building up body's capacity to fight against diseases.

2. Helps fightcommon cold: Vitamin C in amla prevents common cold and is absorbed more easily than the supplements available in the market.

3. A boon for eyes: It helps in improving eyesight and helps in enhancing the vision.

4. Helps in managing diabetes and lowering blood glucose levels: It helps in stimulating Insulin production and hence balancing the Glucose levels in body, also helps in reducing cholesterol levels in body.

Amla can help in managing diabetes and blood sugar levelsPhoto Credit: iStock

5. Has Anti-inflammatory properties: It helps in arthritis related aches as it has anti- inflammatory properties.

6. Can heal mouth ulcers: Gargling with diluted amla Juice gives an instant relief in mouth ulcers.

7. Good hair, prevents hair fall: It strengthens hair follicles and hence prevents hair fall, helpful in dandruff prevention, delays graying of hairs, makes hair shiny, soft and acts as natural hair mask.

8. Beautiful skin: It helps to make skin glow, blemish free and has anti - aging effects.

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(Vandita Jain is Delhi-based nutritionist and Diabetes educator)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

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Nutritionist Elaborates On The Many Reasons To Include Amla In Your Diet - Doctor NDTV