Stress, upheaval steer people away from comfort foods

October 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Extended stress has been found to cause stroke, also called cerebral infarction, according to a unique patient study. Conducted by research collaborators from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden, the study found that many stroke patients urgently admitted to hospital have stated that they were under great stress over a prolonged period prior to suffering their stroke.

September 16th, 2009 LONDON - An increasing number of British people are dumping national dishes in favour of Indian and Italian foods. The survey conducted by tourism website iknow-uk.com showed that Britons are giving up English dishes like Welsh rarebit, toad in the hole, or bangers and mash for curry, pizzas and pastas.

September 15th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A dietary ingredient derived from a melon, which is rich in antioxidant superoxide dismutase enzymes, could relieve stress, according to a study. In the double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, researchers found that the supplement decreased the signs and symptoms of perceived stress and fatigue in healthy volunteers.

September 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Times can be stressful for yeast when grape juice is being turned into wine. Now, a researcher from the University of Valencia, Spain has identified the genes in yeast that enable it to respond to stress.

August 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Contrary to the belief that people tend to seek comfort foods at the time of stress and upheaval, new research has suggested that instead of going for the tried and tested, individuals actually try out new things at the time of change like the current credit crunch. Consumers may believe that they are more likely to rent favourite movies, listen to familiar music, and stick with engrained consumption habits (e.g., smoking, a daily latte) when they are otherwise surrounded by many new or changing environmental factors.

July 13th, 2009 MELBOURNE - A new survey has revealed that nearly nine out of ten Australians feel an "unhealthy" amount of stress, and most feel that it is largely contributed by work. The Newspoll, commissioned by Lifeline Australia, revealed that finances, health, and personal relationships were also the other contributors to stress.

July 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - A daily consumption of dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt can provide a unique package of nine essential nutrients at a low cost per serving, according to a recent review. Several prominent nutrition researchers have detailed an updated review of the health benefits of consuming dairy foods, which contributes to the well-established evidence that consuming three to four daily servings of dairy foods each day is a convenient and affordable way to get several key nutrients.

June 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Children living in war-hit Afghanistan experience a multitude of wartime stressors everyday, which increases their risk of developing post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a study. The kids are first-hand witnesses to the bombings, abuse, and the general upheaval of their home life and society as a result of war, including the effects of long-term poverty and familial turmoil.

June 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers from University of California, Berkeley claim to have found a missing piece of puzzle about how stress causes sexual dysfunction and infertility. The study showed that stress delivers a double whammy on reproductive system and fertility.

June 14th, 2009 LONDON - Scientists at University of Bristol have found why sticking slavishly to low-calorie meals often still fails to shift the pounds. They have found that when people choose lower-calorie dishes, they just compensate by eating bigger portions.

May 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - India is among the top 10 countries that have highest levels of social stress, which has a direct link to increased dating violence, according to new research from the University of New Hampshire. The research led by Murray Straus, co-director of the UNH Family Research Laboratory and professor of sociology, is based on a 32-nation study.

April 4th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Kids born to parents under stress-induced by low income, having little education, and being a single parent-are more likely to have tooth decay, according to a study. Researchers from The Ohio State University examined the stress levels of parents whose young children either had no cavities or so many cavities that they had to receive anaesthesia before undergoing dental treatment.

April 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Stress and worries, stemming from extreme insecurity about our jobs and future prospects, could affect our ability to take financial decisions, a study has suggested. The study, conducted by psychologists Anthony J.

March 30th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Most Americans consume more than double the amount of their daily recommended salt intake, says a new study. A study by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention shows that more than two out of three adults are in population groups that should consume no more than 1,500 mg per day of sodium.

January 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON - High-school kids glued to TV sets most of the time are likely to develop bad eating habits five years later, according to a study. Daheia Barr-Anderson worked with University of Minnesota researchers to investigate the link between TV and diet.