Due to the great popularity of “Can Diet Coke Kill You?” combined with a lot of controversy over it, I have decided to write this follow-up post.

Most of the controversy over the last article was around the fact that the documentary I referenced cited data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) but that organization itself claims there is no proven link between aspartame and cancer.

What was presented previously was a short explanation of why aspartame is expected to cause cancer and other health problems and a summary of some information presented in Sweet Misery, including findings from analyzing NCI and other data. This article, however, cites other scientific findings and discusses the economic-political history of this topic a little bit as well.

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This is an image of the cancerous tumor that was recently removed from my body.

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]]> http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/10/31/did-diet-coke-cause-my-cancer/feed/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/10/30/honey-is-a-health-fitness-queen/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/10/30/honey-is-a-health-fitness-queen/#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:07:27 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/10/30/honey-is-a-health-fitness-queen/

With a lot of great health and fitness benefits, honey should be a common staple in people’s daily diets. Other than its great taste, it has numerous benefits for our bodies, immune systems, weight, and energy which you may not be aware of.

Honey is a source of a variety of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The main vitamins it provides are niacin, riboflavin and pantothetic acid, and the main minerals are calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Importantly, the amount of these substances in honey varies depending on its floral source, just as its color and taste vary.

On top of this, what are the main health benefits of honey?

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/10/30/honey-is-a-health-fitness-queen/feed/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/10/14/afraid-of-winter-depression-go-mediterranean/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/10/14/afraid-of-winter-depression-go-mediterranean/#comments Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:06:10 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/10/14/afraid-of-winter-depression-go-mediterranean/

The Mediterranean diet is not only good for its more well-known reasons — protecting against heart disease and cancer. According to a new study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, the Mediterranean diet, rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, nuts, and fish, may decrease risk of depression.

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/10/14/afraid-of-winter-depression-go-mediterranean/feed/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/09/28/diet-coke-can-kill-you/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/09/28/diet-coke-can-kill-you/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:45:10 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/09/28/diet-coke-can-kill-you/

According to a UK documentary, “Sweet Misery,” the National Cancer Institute identified a significant and impressive increase in brain cancer starting in about 1984. Why did brain cancer shoot up? It looks like it is because of articial sweeteners such as those found in diet drinks and food!

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/09/28/diet-coke-can-kill-you/feed/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/09/02/myths-about-raising-chickens-in-your-backyard/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/09/02/myths-about-raising-chickens-in-your-backyard/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:34:31 +0000 Scott Cooney http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/09/02/myths-about-raising-chickens-in-your-backyard/ Just like many other social phenomena that are good for the environment, the exploding trend of people growing their own chickens in the backyard has its naysayers.  Naysayers come in a wide variety of stripes.  For example, the widespread understanding that global warming is real and that we’re causing it has its naysayers, many of whom stand to lose a lot of money when their oil and coal has to internalize the cost of the pollution they’ve been making us pay for since their inception.  Or those that say that electric cars are not realistic…sure there are naysayers…wait, is there a trend here that the oil industry is against everything good?  Hmm…

But I digress.  Suffice it to say, there are naysayers who don’t want us to live well, to live with a lower carbon footprint by producing our own food.  Kimberly Willis and Rob Ludlow, co-authors of Raising Chickens for Dummies, can be counted among those that are dispelling these myths and empowering the people. 

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/09/02/myths-about-raising-chickens-in-your-backyard/feed/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/08/17/meatless-mondays-3-course-no-cooking-required-meal/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/08/17/meatless-mondays-3-course-no-cooking-required-meal/#comments Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:59:49 +0000 Rachel Venokur-Clark http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/08/17/meatless-mondays-3-course-no-cooking-required-meal/ As the dog days of summer come to an end, a 3 course, no cooking required meal sounds pretty good to me. Turn that stove off, shut down the oven, choose to go meatless this Monday and cool off with this appetizer, main course and dessert.

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/08/17/meatless-mondays-3-course-no-cooking-required-meal/feed/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/05/27/wtf-physical-education-doesnt-matter/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/05/27/wtf-physical-education-doesnt-matter/#comments Thu, 28 May 2009 04:07:03 +0000 Jennifer Lance http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/05/27/wtf-physical-education-doesnt-matter/ Today was the end of the year awards ceremony at my daughter’s school. A seventh grade boy, whom I love dearly, read a persuasive essay he had written about why they should have physical education class for 60 minutes a day every day.  His arguments ranged from health to curricular requirements, and the crowd of parents cheered his speech.

Unfortunately, recent studies in Europe have concluded physical education in schools makes no difference at all.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/05/27/wtf-physical-education-doesnt-matter/feed/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/04/01/tips-for-eating-to-reduce-inflammation/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/04/01/tips-for-eating-to-reduce-inflammation/#comments Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:37:29 +0000 Amy Bell http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/04/01/tips-for-eating-to-reduce-inflammation/ Studies have shown that many illnesses (including several types of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and heart disease) are largely influenced by chronic inflammation in the body.

Prolonged inflammation causes the immune system to become off balance, and can result in damage to healthy tissue.

Poor diet is a main contributor to chronic inflammation, but several lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise, and excessive stress can promote inflammation as well.

Many health and nutrition experts are now starting to emphasize the importance of following an anti-inflammatory diet.

Here are a few tips to get you started on your way to less inflammation and better health:

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/04/01/tips-for-eating-to-reduce-inflammation/feed/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/03/30/fish-oil-diet-could-curb-greenhouse-gases-from-cow-farts/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/03/30/fish-oil-diet-could-curb-greenhouse-gases-from-cow-farts/#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:44:16 +0000 Andrew Williams http://cleantechnica.com/2009/03/30/fish-oil-diet-could-curb-greenhouse-gases-from-cow-farts/

Irish scientists have discovered that adding just a small amount of fish oil to the diet of cattle can vastly reduce the amount of methane produced by, ahem…cow farts.

Climate scientists have long known that, pound for pound, methane is 20 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping the suns rays, making it a highly potent greenhouse gas. An incredible 900 billion tonnes of the noxious fumes are produced each year by methanogen bacteria that live in the digestive systems of ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/03/30/fish-oil-diet-could-curb-greenhouse-gases-from-cow-farts/feed/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/16/debunking-the-protein-myths-6-sources-of-vegetable-protein/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/16/debunking-the-protein-myths-6-sources-of-vegetable-protein/#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:35:09 +0000 Rachel Venokur-Clark http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/16/debunking-the-protein-myths-6-sources-of-vegetable-protein/ We have all heard that to lose weight and build muscle we should eat more protein. The Atkins diet had huge success with this concept for many years, until the founder died a few years ago. He reportedly had a heart attack, congestive heart failure and hypertension at the time of his death. Interesting. Typically, when we are told to eat more protein, we often turn to animal protein sources, like beef, chicken and eggs. In fact, most of our diets contain way too much animal and not enough plant based protein sources like vegetables, nuts, grains and legumes.

Protein is one of the three major nutrients the body needs. It helps keep our cells and tissues strong. However, diets high in only animal protein have been linked to cancer, heart disease, kidney problems and intestinal disorders. So how can you get enough protein for your body without getting it all from animal sources?

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/16/debunking-the-protein-myths-6-sources-of-vegetable-protein/feed/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/15/are-vegetables-as-good-for-you-as-they-used-to-be/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/15/are-vegetables-as-good-for-you-as-they-used-to-be/#comments Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:08:36 +0000 Amy Bell http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/15/are-vegetables-as-good-for-you-as-they-used-to-be/ According to research published in The Journal of HortScience, produce now lacks not only the taste, but also the amount of nutrients it had just 50 years ago.

Vegetables today are larger, but contain more “dry matter” which dilutes the concentrations of minerals.  This results in 5% to 40% less magnesium, iron, calcium, and zinc.

Selective breeding to increase crop yields has let to genetic dilution, which has also in turn caused declines in protein and amino acid levels in produce.

Because of the increased use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, crops are now harvested so quickly that the plant has less time to absorb nutrients either from synthesis or the soil.

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/15/are-vegetables-as-good-for-you-as-they-used-to-be/feed/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/15/the-great-american-meatout-change-your-diet-change-the-world/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/15/the-great-american-meatout-change-your-diet-change-the-world/#comments Sun, 15 Mar 2009 14:20:50 +0000 Amy Bell http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/15/the-great-american-meatout-change-your-diet-change-the-world/ Meatout (now in its 25th year) has become the world’s largest and oldest annual grassroots diet education campaign.

Every year on the first day of spring, thousands of supporters in the United States and several other countries participate and encourage others to go meatless for a day (or a lifetime), and discover a more compassionate and healthy diet.

Many mainstream health advocacy organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, the American Heart Association, and John Hopkins University promote the consumption of more plant-based foods.

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/15/the-great-american-meatout-change-your-diet-change-the-world/feed/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/08/eating-for-energy-5-helpful-foods/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/08/eating-for-energy-5-helpful-foods/#comments Sun, 08 Mar 2009 21:28:23 +0000 Amy Bell http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/08/eating-for-energy-5-helpful-foods/ The foods we eat have a direct impact on our overall energy.

Think about how you feel after having certain foods.

A greasy fast food meal more than likely leaves you tired, sluggish, and possibly feeling guilty, while a meal full of complex carbohydrates, healthy protein and fats, and fresh fruits and vegetables leaves a person feeling satisfied and energized.

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/08/eating-for-energy-5-helpful-foods/feed/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/02/top-5-disease-fighting-superfoods-you-already-know/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/02/top-5-disease-fighting-superfoods-you-already-know/#comments Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:47:18 +0000 Rachel Venokur-Clark http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/02/top-5-disease-fighting-superfoods-you-already-know/ Every week the “experts” are adding new foods to the list of what we must eat for health benefits; or taking away our favorites by telling us that this month they might make us sick. Its no wonder most of us hear a term like super-foods and throw our hands up in exhaustion. Can’t they just make it simple for us? I have good news; it’s not as complicated as it may seem. Food is the fuel our bodies need to run; the more premium the fuel, the better the body will work. It’s as simple as that. Eating the right foods, like super-foods can help ward off the typical wear and tear that comes along with aging and prevent future damage.

Super-foods are termed super because they are said to have the ability to cure, heal and prevent a variety of aches, ailments and disease; not to mention, they keep your body working for you without needing extra tune-ups.

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/02/top-5-disease-fighting-superfoods-you-already-know/feed/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/01/nutritional-support-for-adhd/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/01/nutritional-support-for-adhd/#comments Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:34:16 +0000 Amy Bell http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/01/nutritional-support-for-adhd/ It is estimated that 3 to 7 percent of American children suffer form Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

That adds up to over 2 million kids, one in every class of 25.

Traditional treatments involve medications such as Ritlin and Adderall, as well as other prescription drugs.  Side effects linked to ADHD medication include depression, anxiety, loss of appetite, inability to fall or stay asleep, rapid heartbeat…the list goes on and on.

Research has shown that nutrient deficiencies can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.  For many children, proper nutrition may effectively work as an ADHD alternative treatment.  (If your child is currently taking prescription medication for ADHD, don’t stop the medication without discussing it with your physician first.)

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/03/01/nutritional-support-for-adhd/feed/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/19/kids-who-watch-too-much-tv-become-junk-food-adults/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/19/kids-who-watch-too-much-tv-become-junk-food-adults/#comments Fri, 20 Feb 2009 04:25:35 +0000 Jennifer Lance http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/19/kids-who-watch-too-much-tv-become-junk-food-adults/ The negative effects on children of watching too much television are well known, and the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended children not watch more than two hours a day.

New research from the University of Minnesota has found that teens who watch more than five hours of TV a day are more likely to become fast food junkies when they grow up.

The study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity followed 1,366 high school students and 564 middle school students. Data was collected on the number of hours spent watching TV every day, which was then compared to their dietary habits five years later.  According to Natural News:

The researchers found that high school students who watched over 5 hours of TV each day consumed less fruits, vegetables, whole grains and calcium-rich foods as young adults, and instead had a higher intake of fast food, fried foods, snack foods, sugary drinks as well as foods with trans fats.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/19/kids-who-watch-too-much-tv-become-junk-food-adults/feed/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/10/genetically-engineered-animals-and-your-familys-diet/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/10/genetically-engineered-animals-and-your-familys-diet/#comments Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:51:45 +0000 Carlota Bindner http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/10/genetically-engineered-animals-and-your-familys-diet/ The same government agency that has failed to protect us from salmonella in peanut butter, BPA leaching into our children’s foods and beverages, melamine in formula, among other health dangers, will soon be allowing the by-products of genetically engineered animals to reach our grocery stores.  In January 2009, the FDA released the “Guidance for Industry #187″, which provides regulation guidelines that pertain to genetically engineered animals containing heritable recombinant DNA constructs.  Therefore, these are not even enforceable regulations on the animal agriculture industry.

 

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/10/genetically-engineered-animals-and-your-familys-diet/feed/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/01/28/family-meals-create-better-eating-habits/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/01/28/family-meals-create-better-eating-habits/#comments Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:57:01 +0000 Amy Bell http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/01/28/family-meals-create-better-eating-habits/ According to researchers at the University of Minnesota, eating together as a family during adolescence is associated with lasting positive effects on dietary quality in young adulthood.

Students surveyed as teenagers were surveyed again at twenty years old to determine the long term effects of eating family meals.  Researchers found that eating family meals together during childhood resulted in adults who ate more fruits and vegetables, and drank less soft drinks.

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When we experience stress too often, our autonomic nervous system rarely has a chance to activate the relaxation response.  This can eventually lead to physical or emotional illnesses such as high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, and depression to name just a few.

Making simple diet changes can help reduce stress, here are a few tips to get you started:

(Remember to always use organically grown foods when possible, it’s healthier for you and for the planet.)

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