July 28, 2009 at 11:35 am (General)
Tags: Capital Area District Library, Consumer Health, nutrition
A nice glass of wine is a natural compliment to most meals including heart healthy fish and can be a healthy addition to your diet. But with 100s of varieties, is it possible that some are healthier than others? maybe. Studies have determined that red wine may have a health edge over white wine due to resveratrol, the heart-healthy substance derived from grape skins. Red wine is exposed to the grape skin longer and thus contains more flavonoids, antioxidants, and the bitter-tasting tannins that are also linked to cardiovascular health. Further, red wines produced in Spain and southwestern France seem to have the greatest concentration. But, study is ongoing and there still is much to learn about the health benefits for humans so stay tuned.
In the meantime, you can search CADL’s Health Resources including the Health & Wellness Resource Center database for articles on red wine 
health benefits and find ones such as that from the June, 2009 issue of Consumer Health News : Health Secrets of Red Wine Uncovered; but for maximum benefits, sip don’t gulp, research shows. Also, use the CADL catalog to find books on wines, healthy cooking, and nutrition.
Cheers to you and your good health!
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July 18, 2009 at 1:45 pm (General)
Tags: Capital Area District Library, food pyramid, nutrition
Maybe you didn’t realize that July is National Ice Cream Month! And, even better, that July 19 is National Ice Cream Day. Thanks to President Ronald Reagan who made the proclamation in 1984 we have official sanction to celebrate and enjoy this delightful treat. According to the International Dairy Foods Association(IDFA):
The U.S. ice cream industry generates more than $21 billion in annual sales and provides jobs for thousands of citizens. About 9% of all the milk produced by U.S. dairy farmers is used to produce ice cream, contributing significantly to the economic well-being of the nation’s dairy industry.
But, you’re thinking, can ice cream qualify as healthy? Of course! Ice cream has evolved over the years since it’s development into the product we know today. Sure you can eat only those types that are full of calories from fat and sugar, but just as easily, you can fill up on blends that contain yogurt (with live cultures), are sugar free, fat free, low-carb, even lactose free.
Want to read more about ice cream? Check out the IDFA’s Ice Cream Media Kit for details on the history of ice cream, trends on what’s hot in ice cream, and tips on storing and handling ice cream. The Capital Area District Library (CADL) lists several books on ice cream (and it’s relatives – ices, gelato, sorbet) for kids and adults in it’s catalog. You’ll find recipes, history, and literature. So whether it’s vanilla (still #1 in the U.S.) or something more exotic (chocolate-chipotle, saffron rosewater, lavender) – “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream”! (from The Ice Scream You Scream Song by Johnson, Moll & King)
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July 8, 2009 at 2:57 pm (General)
Tags: Consumer Health, FDA, food safety
Food and drug safety has been in the news a lot lately. Warnings about acetaminophen, salmonella poisoning, energy products, nasal sprays, pistachios; the list seems to go on and on. But, did you know there is a quick and easy way to keep up with the latest news from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA)? The FDA issues warnings and alerts via email and RSS feeds. To sign up for either, go to the FDA’s For Consumers page and look for the “Resources for You” box on the left side.
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July 3, 2009 at 10:57 am (General)
Tags: Capital Area District Library, Consumer Health, exercise, food
Exercising and eating go hand in hand, yet you may not know that there is a right and wrong way to combine these 2 activities for maximum effectiveness. New York Times Health reporter Tara Parker-Pope recently interviewed Leslie Bonci, director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and a certified specialist in sports dietetics about this topic. Bonci discusses common problems such as not eating before exercising (a definite no-no), eating too much, whether sipping or gulping fluids is more effective, and the number of times to eat. She’s also the author of a new book, “Sports Nutrition for Coaches” (Human Kinetics Publishers, July 2009)**. The full interview can be read online at Parker-Pope’s blog “Well“.
Bonci: Your food is just like your running shoes or your skis. It really is the inner equipment. If you think of it this way, you usually have a better outcome when you’re physically active.
** a copy of Bonci’s book will be available from the Capital Area District Library. Search MeLCat for her other titles, American Dietetic Association guide to better digestion, Sports Nutrition Update, and Total Fitness for Women: proven strategies to trim down, firm up, and get fit.
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