HEALTH NEWS
· Eating avocados during pregnancy associated with lower food allergy risk in baby
- Six new studies point to red raspberry's potential anti-inflammatory properties
Eating avocados during pregnancy associated with lower food allergy risk in baby
University of Eastern Finland, May 7, 2025 (Eurekalert)
An observational study among 2,272 mother-child pairs in Finland found that infants had 44% lower odds of developing food allergies at 12 months if their mother consumed fresh avocado during pregnancy, after adjusting for other lifestyle, delivery, and maternal health factors.
This is the first published study to link avocados in the maternal diet to a lower risk of infant food allergies—a growing public health concern that affects nearly one in 13 children, or roughly two in every classroom.
Researchers analyzed data collected as part of the Kuopio Birth Cohort (KuBiCo). Participants who reported eating any avocado (>0 grams) in either trimester were defined as avocado consumers, and non-consumers were those who did not report consuming any avocado in either trimester.
Infant allergic outcomes, including rhinitis, paroxysmal wheezing, eczema, and food allergy, were evaluated at 12-months of age. After adjusting for factors food allergy was found to be significantly higher in infants of non-avocado consumers (4.2%) versus avocado consumers (2.4%).
Six new studies point to red raspberry's potential anti-inflammatory properties
Various Universities, May 2, 2025 (Medical Xpress)
Initial findings from six animal model studies reveal the potential effects of red raspberry consumption on cardiovascular disease risk reduction, maintaining normal blood glucose levels and liver function as well as potential anti-inflammatory effects related to bone health.
Cardiovascular
University of Michigan observed potential benefits of red raspberry intake on obesity-prone rats.
Metabolic Syndrome
Washington State University noted positive effects of red raspberry consumption on metabolic syndrome in male mice with diet-induced obesity.
Oregon State University studied the effects of red raspberries in mice fed a high-fat, high-sugar Western diet.
Diabetes
Texas A&M University reported positive effects of red raspberry consumption on diabetes-related complications and heart disease in obese diabetic mice.
Liver Function
Oregon State University noted raspberry's capacity for ellagic acid quercetin to bind to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARa).
Inflammation and Bone Health
Texas Woman's University observed anti-inflammatory effect of polyphenols in red raspberries in the production of osteoclasts, the cells associated with the breakdown of bone.
Better physical health probably follows religious and spiritual engagement, rather than vice versa
University of Miami, May 7, 2025 (PLoS One)
Better physical health probably follows religious and spiritual engagement, rather than vice versa, per six year longitudinal U.S. study aiming to tease out this relationship
Religious and spiritual (R/S) engagement is generally associated with better health. However, it is not known which comes first between R/S engagement and health due to a lack of longitudinal studies. We examined this issue in a sample assessed six years apart.
We examined the measurement invariance and reciprocal relationships of R/S engagement and self-rated physical health (SRH) at two timepoints (six years apart). We then assessed whether the strength of their relationships with each other differed.
Our findings demonstrate that religious and spiritual engagement predicts better self-rated physical health six years later, whereas better SRH does not significantly predict future R/S engagement.
Tomato and fruit juice improve quality of life for kids with asthma
King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology (Thailand), May 7, 2025 (News Medical)
In a recent study published in the journal BMC Nutrition, researchers evaluated the effects of an antioxidant-rich diet on asthma outcomes in children.
In the present study, researchers examined clinical outcomes, pulmonary function, and serum antioxidant levels in asthmatic children in Thailand.
Participants were randomized to the intervention or control group. The control group received conventional usual care, whereas the intervention group received usual care and mixed fruit and tomato juices. Further, serum antioxidants (ascorbic acid, lycopene, and beta-carotene) were measured.
In sum, the consumption of tomato and mixed-fruit juices for eight weeks improved asthma symptom control and quality of life in children. Serum beta-carotene increased within the intervention group, though this was not significantly different compared to controls. However, pulmonary function, ICS usage, and between-group antioxidant levels were unaffected by the intervention.
Discover how parsley helps to fight cancer University of Missouri, April 25, 2025 (NaturalHealth365)
Research published in Oncotarget detailed for the how apigenin in parsely slows and halts the production of the enzyme IKKa, which is behind the growth and progression of cancer. The scientists concluded that apigenin has a profound ability to slow cancer progression or stop it altogether.
In addition to these results, combined apigenin with green tea successfully treats colon cancer and the University of Missouri researchers found apigenin was effective against breast cancer and killed as much as 86 percent of lung cancer cells.
Parsley is an excellent source of carotenoids, which protect against cancer-causing cell damage. Additionally, it’s considered a “chemoprotective” food due to its ability to protect healthy tissues in the body from the toxic effects of many cancer treatments or drugs. As a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties – and its rich source of vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, fiber, lutein, zeaxanthin, folate and cryptoxanthin.It’s also packed with a higher concentration of vitamin K than kale.
Eating ultra processed foods may speed up early signs of Parkinson's disease
Fudan University (China), May 7, 2025 (Eurekalert)
People who eat more ultra processed foods like cold breakfast cereal, cookies and hot dogs are more likely to have early signs of Parkinson’s disease when compared to those who eat very few ultra processed foods.
Researchers looked for signs of prodromal Parkinson’s disease, which is the earliest stage, when neurodegeneration begins, but more characteristic symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, like tremors, balance problems and slow movement, have not yet begun. These early symptoms can begin years or even decades before the typical symptoms start.
The study included 42,853 people with an average age of 48 who did not have Parkinson’s disease at the start of the study. They were followed up to 26 years. After adjusting for factorsg, researchers found that participants who ate 11 or more servings of ultra processed foods per day had a 2.5-fold higher likelihood of having three or more early signs of Parkinson’s disease compared to those consuming fewer than three servings per day.
When looking at individual early signs of Parkinson’s disease, researchers also found that eating more ultra processed foods was tied to an increased risk for nearly all symptoms except constipation.