Your fault you're fat? I don't buy it
30 October, 2014 by Alessandro R Demaio, Harvard UniversityDoes our fatness and our love of alcohol come down to stupidity or poor self-control on the part of individuals? Or is something bigger at play here? Are people making poor but informed choices on what they eat and drink, or are we all being duped by industry?
Unlocking aroma formation in wine
29 October, 2014Scientists have identified two enzymes that determine the terpene content - and thus the aroma intensity - of grapes. The findings could play an important role in the future development of grape varieties.
Tea flavour, health benefits reduced by rain
28 October, 2014Researchers have found that shifting patterns of precipitation affect key chemicals responsible for the flavour and health properties of tea.
Too soon to tell if chocolate is brain food, experts say
27 October, 2014Recent research suggesting that compounds found in cocoa can improve memory in older people makes old age seem not quite so bad. But is it too soon to start plying grandma with a family-sized block of chocolate every time you go to visit?
Cherries that keep their cool travel better
24 October, 2014How do you keep cherries fresh when exporting? The secret's in the cooling, according to Canadian agrifood research. Just a few degrees can have a big impact on cherries that are transported via ocean container.
Older consumers need educating about protein
24 October, 2014Consumers are becoming aware of how important protein is in the diet - but most of them aren't eating enough of it and don't fully understand its benefits. According to research firm Canadean, this presents an opportunity for manufacturers.
Facebook could be making children fat, study shows
23 October, 2014Despite bans on television advertisements of energy dense, nutrient poor (EDNP) food brands to children, many companies are circumventing these laws by promoting their brand through Facebook, University of Sydney researchers say.
I was going to have celery but my brain wanted chocolate!
22 October, 2014Choosing healthy snacks instead of junk food might be more difficult than we realised. Scientists have found that, as we read a menu or scan the shelves at the supermarket, our brains are making decisions based on a food's calorie content.
Could grapefruit juice be the new weapon against Type 2 diabetes?
22 October, 2014Grapefruit diets have been around since the 1930s and are often dismissed as fads. But new research from the University of California, Berkeley, suggests that a closer look at grapefruit juice is warranted.
Farm fresh milk keeps kids healthy
22 October, 2014A European study has shown that infants fed on fresh, unprocessed milk rather than UHT milk are less prone to infection.
Waging war on a grapevine epidemic … with maths
21 October, 2014A University of Sydney researcher has returned to his home town in Italy to help save century-old Italian grapevines currently being ravaged by an aggressive insect-borne disease. His weapon of choice: mathematical modelling.
Frozen meals trump QSR meals for nutrition
21 October, 2014What's healthier: a frozen meal or a meal from a quick-service restaurant (QSR)? According to new research, the frozen meal wins out in terms of dietary fibre, potassium, calcium and protein - and it has fewer calories and less saturated fat.
Energy drinks pose public health risk
21 October, 2014Researchers from the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe have warned that increased consumption of energy drinks may pose danger to public health, especially among young people.
Walk this way: calorie information signage encourages healthier purchases
20 October, 2014Researchers have found that teenagers who saw printed signs outlining how many miles they'd need to walk to burn off the calories in a sugar-sweetened beverage were more likely to select a lower-calorie beverage, a healthier beverage or a smaller-sized beverage.
Big junk vs people power: how we can fix our collective weight problem
16 October, 2014 by Jane Martin, University of MelbourneIt's clear that much more needs to be done about the obesity epidemic, but where should we best focus our efforts? Educating people to eat better and do more exercise? Or policy changes that will pull the levers to promote behaviour change at the population level?
