nutrition – Lacto Bacto

Many Baby and Toddler Foods Are Ultra-Processed

SimaMarch 26, 2026March 27, 2026Leave a comment

Yogurt with ultra-processed ingredients Credit: Wikipedia

There is concern in the United States about the increasing rates of colon cancer in young persons. Currently it is the leading cause of cancer in persons under 50 years. Some possible causes being examined are ultra-processed foods (over 50% of calories eaten daily by Americans), low fiber intake, and microplastics.

This is why the results of a recent study are especially concerning: about 71% of baby and toddler foods sold in the United States are ultra-processed. Snack sized packages and pouches were especially likely to having ultra-processed ingredients, as well as high levels of sugar and sodium (salt).

How to recognize ultra-processed foods? Read ingredient labels and if there is something that normally is not found in a person's kitchen, then it is ultra-processed. [Good book about this topic: Ultra-Processed People]

Examples of ingredients found in ultra-processed foods: emulsifiers, carrageenan, mono- and diglycerides, soy lecithin, polysorbate, cellulose, colors, titanium dioxide, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, dextrose, whey protein, nitrates, artificial flavors, natural flavors, colors, etc. Natural flavors are laboratory concoctions, even if they are "organic".

Excerpts from Food and Wine: Nearly 3 in 4 Packaged Baby-Food Products Sold in the US Are Ultra-Processed, Study Finds

A new study by The George Institute for Global Health found that 71% of baby and toddler foods sold in major U.S. grocery stores are ultra-processed.
Researchers identified more than 100 different additives in these products, with general additives, flavor enhancers, and thickeners among the most common.

...continue reading "Many Baby and Toddler Foods Are Ultra-Processed"

Eating Wild Blueberries Has Health Benefits

SimaMarch 20, 2026March 20, 2026Leave a comment

Some foods appear to have especially powerful health benefits. Berries are very beneficial, especially blueberries. (Or at least they have been studied more than other berries.) A recent study found that frequent or daily consumption of wild blueberries is especially beneficial for cardiometabolic health, including vascular health.

Blueberries contain lots of fiber, polyphenols (which have powerful effects on vascular health), antioxidants, flavonoids (anthocyanins), and micronutrients. Wild blueberries have more of all these compared to farmed blueberries. Blueberries are especially beneficial for vascular health because they reduce inflammation and vascular dysfunction.

Bottom line: Researchers suggest eating daily half a cup to one cup blueberries, especially wild blueberries, for health benefits, such as lowering inflammation. (Less is good also - better to eat some than none)

Medical Xpress: Studies suggest Maine wild blueberries support gut and heart health

Wild blueberries—the iconic Maine crop dotting hillsides, decorating sweatshirts and adding personality to local menus—is more than a cultural symbol. More than 20 years of preclinical and clinical studies suggest that regularly consuming wild blueberries supports gut and heart health and may reduce risk factors associated with chronic disease. ...continue reading "Eating Wild Blueberries Has Health Benefits"

Carrageenan May Be A Problem In Those With Red Meat Allergies Caused By Tick Bites

SimaMarch 17, 2026March 20, 2026Leave a comment

Tick bites from the lone star tick are increasingly resulting in the alpha-gal syndrome in the United States. This syndrome results in an intense delayed allergic response to red meat (beef, pork, and lamb), dairy products, and gelatin. Researchers have now found another common food ingredient that may cause an allergic response in those with the syndrome: carrageenan.

Carrageenan is derived from seaweed and is a commonly used emulsifier in foods and an ingredient in medications. A recent study of 562 individuals with self-reported alpha-gal syndrome found that about 11% reported an allergic response to carrageenan.

Following up on this in larger groups of people (how pervasive is carrageenan allergy in alpha-gal syndrome?) will be interesting. Many drugs don't report ingredient lists, and how many people actually read food ingredient lists? Unfortunately, someone trying to avoid dairy products due to alpha-gal syndrome may instead eat non-dairy ice cream - which contains carrageenan (as a thickener)!

From Medscape: Carrageenan: A Potential Allergen for Patients With Alpha-Gal Syndrome

Carrageenan is the second most commonly self-reported allergy by individuals with alpha-gal syndrome, surpassing nearly all other alpha-gal-containing food allergens, according to a research poster presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) 2026 Annual Meeting. ...continue reading "Carrageenan May Be A Problem In Those With Red Meat Allergies Caused By Tick Bites"

Consuming Coffee Or Tea Daily Associated With Lower Risk of Dementia

SimaFebruary 23, 2026Leave a comment

Cup of coffee Credit: Wikipedia

Once again, a recent study found that daily consumption of coffee has health benefits.

Recent research found that drinking a moderate amount of coffee (2 to 3 cups of daily) or 1 to 2 cups of tea daily was associated with a lower risk of dementia and better cognitive function. Decaf coffee appeared to have no effect on risk of dementia or cognitive functioning.

Persons with the highest intake (2 to 3 cups or more daily) of caffeinated coffee had an 18% lower risk of dementia compared with those who drank little or no caffeinated coffee. The large study followed people for as long as 43 years.

From Medical Xpress: Consuming 2–3 cups of coffee daily associated with lower dementia risk, better cognitive function

A new prospective cohort study by investigators from Mass General Brigham, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard analyzed 131,821 participants from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS), finding that moderate consumption of caffeinated coffee (two to three cups a day) or tea (one to two cups a day) reduced dementia risk, slowed cognitive decline, and preserved cognitive function. ...continue reading "Consuming Coffee Or Tea Daily Associated With Lower Risk of Dementia"

Elderberries Have Health Benefits

SimaFebruary 23, 2026February 23, 2026Leave a comment

People are always looking for foods that seem especially beneficial for health. Colorful vegetables and fruits fall into this category, especially berries, because of the polyphenols they contain. Recent research found that elderberries may help with insulin control, reduce fat production, and improve metabolic health - at least in this study using mice.

Interestingly, the researchers found that the microbes in the gut break down the polyphenols in foods. The researchers pointed out that other fruits and berries have similar effects to elderberries. But be careful - don't eat large amounts of raw elderberries by the fistful, because unripe elderberries also contain cyanide, which can cause nausea and vomiting.

Excerpts from Food and Wine: This Antioxidant-Rich Berry Could Be a Big Deal for Blood Sugar Control, Researchers Say

- Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic found that a compound in elderberries, cinnamic acid, may help improve insulin control and reduce fat production in mice with a healthy gut microbiome.
- The study shows that gut bacteria can transform elderberry compounds into metabolites that support improved metabolic health, potentially informing treatments for insulin resistance and fatty liver disease.
- While promising, scientists caution that more research is needed before recommending elderberry supplements — and remind readers that raw elderberries can be toxic if eaten unripe.

...continue reading "Elderberries Have Health Benefits"

The Microbes In the Mouth and Obesity

SimaJanuary 29, 2026January 29, 2026Leave a comment

scale, weight The microbes in your mouth may offer a clue to obesity. New research finds that individuals with obesity have more of certain types of bacteria in their mouth. These bacteria, such as Streptococcus parasanguinis and Actinomyces oris, are proinflammatory - meaning they trigger inflammation in the body.

The community of microbes in the mouth is the oral microbiome. The oral microbiome is the second largest microbial ecosystem in the human body after the gut.

The researchers studied 192 individuals and found that not only is the diversity (variety) of oral microbes different in obese individuals, but also the composition of their microbes is different (when compared to healthy persons of normal weight). The oral microbiome is obese individuals was imbalanced (dysbiosis).

They found that overweight individuals also have higher numbers of microbes that produce lactate. High levels of lactate are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and poor metabolism. The researchers summarize why these microbial differences are important:

"Compounds generated by oral microbes can interact locally with oral tissues or enter circulation, triggering various signaling mechanisms in distant organs. Lifestyle factors, such as diet, smoking, oral hygiene, and antibiotic use, can shape oral microbiome composition. Emerging evidence links oral dysbiosis to several metabolic diseases, including obesity."

Bottom line: Try improving your diet, brushing your teeth, and not smoking to improve your oral microbiome.

From Medical Xpress: Microbes living in our mouths could hold the key to obesity prevention

Scientists may have found a new way to spot early signs of obesity, which could lead to novel prevention strategies. A study published in the journal Cell Reports has discovered that people living with obesity have a distinct set of microbes in their mouths compared to people at a healthy weight. ...continue reading "The Microbes In the Mouth and Obesity"

Breast Milk Transmits Important Bacteria to the Infant Gut Microbiome

SimaJanuary 26, 2026Leave a comment

Breastfeeding
Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Anton Nosik

It has long been known that breast milk contains hundreds of microbial species (the milk microbiome), which help seed the infant's gut microbiome. Over the weeks and months of breast feeding, the microbial species in the milk change. All this is normal and good.

A recent study of human breast milk examined the species in breast milk and found that that the species could be viewed as a microbial ecosystem - one that is important in helping seed the infant's gut. The milk contained species that are considered beneficial (e.g., Bifidobacterium), but also some that can be viewed as not beneficial (e.g., E.coli). The milk was from healthy mother-infant pairs, so it was clear that this variety was normal.

Researchers analyzed 507 breast milk and infant stool samples from 195 healthy mother-infant pairs at one, three, and six months postpartum. They found characteristic mixes of bacteria dominated by Bifidobacteria (especially B. longum, B. breve, and B. bifidum). More than half of the milk samples contained B. longum, and that same species was abundant in over 98% of the infants' gut microbiomes.

The paper mentioned that numerous times they found the exact same bacterial strain in both the mother and infant pairs - thus evidence that the mothers transmitted that bacteria to the babies in the breast milk (this is referred to as vertical transmission).

From Medical Xpress: Breast milk microbes help shape infants' gut microbiomes, study finds

Most conversations about breast milk tend to focus on topics like nutrients, antibodies and bonding time rather than bacteria. But it turns out that human milk carries its own tiny community of microbes, and those passengers may help shape a baby's developing gut microbiome—which in turn can impact nutrient absorption, metabolic regulation, immune system development, and more. ...continue reading "Breast Milk Transmits Important Bacteria to the Infant Gut Microbiome"

Breast Milk Can Contain Traces of Pesticides and Other Chemicals

SimaJanuary 24, 2026January 26, 2026Leave a comment

Breast milk is considered the best food for infants, but it can be contaminated with chemicals the mother is exposed to in daily life.

A group of scientists analyzed samples of breast milk from nursing mothers in Canada and South Africa for contaminants and found low levels of pesticides, parabens (endocrine disruptors in plastics), and bisphenols, including bisphenol A and S (endocrine disruptor) in many of the samples.

They published several research papers with their findings. They found contaminants, but at different levels, in the 594 breast milk samples of Canadians and South African women. Unfortunately, all breast milk samples showed some contamination - which can occur from personal care products, the packaging used in foods, in medications, household cleaning products, or even as a food additive.

For example, methyl paraben was detected in 96% of the Canadian human milk samples, followed by ethyl paraben (57%) and propyl paraben (37%). The pesticide propanil (an herbicide) was detected exclusively in South African breast milk samples, as was the antiretroviral drug Efavirenz used in HIV treatment.

BOTTOM LINE: The researchers stress that breast milk is the best food (the gold standard) for infants, but women should realize that chemicals they are exposed to do get into breastmilk. Therefore, try to avoid pesticides, read ingredient labels, and try to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals.

From Newsweek: Scientists Discover Pesticide Traces in Breast Milk

Researchers at McGill University have identified several unexpected chemical contaminants in human milk, finding traces of pesticides, antimicrobials and additives used in plastics and personal‑care products.

The team said the data, drawn from Canadian and South African samples, could help strengthen chemical safety regulations and improve protections for infants and parents. ...continue reading "Breast Milk Can Contain Traces of Pesticides and Other Chemicals"

Some Food Preservatives Are Linked To Cancer

SimaJanuary 17, 2026January 17, 2026Leave a comment

Processed meat contains preservatives. Credit: Wikipedia

Once again, preservatives found in ultra-processed foods are linked to health harms. A large study of 105,260 French adults found that higher intakes of some common food additives or preservatives are linked to certain cancers.

There was an association of higher intake of seven preservatives with a higher risk of overall cancer, and also with breast and prostate cancer. On the other hand, there was no link between overall preservatives and cancer - just with the 7 preservatives.

The researchers looked at the overall cancer rate, as well as the most common 17 preservatives, and found certain associations: potassium sorbate with overall cancer and breast cancer, potassium metabisulfite with overall cancer and breast cancer, sodium nitrite with prostate cancer, potassium nitrate with overall cancer and breast cancer, acetates with overall cancer and breast cancer, acetic acid with overall cancer, and sodium erythorbate with overall cancer and breast cancer.

Bottom line: Read ingredient lists on food labels. Avoid foods that contain ingredients with chemical sounding names that are not normally found in a home kitchen. Those ingredients are in ultra-processed foods. Additionally, "natural flavors" are laboratory concoctions (found in ultra-processed foods).

From The Guardian: Studies link some food preservatives to higher diabetes and cancer risk

Higher consumption of some food preservatives is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cancer, two studies suggest.

The findings, published in the medical journals Nature Communications and the BMJ, may have important public health implications given the ubiquitous use of these additives globally, researchers said. ...continue reading "Some Food Preservatives Are Linked To Cancer"

Food Preservatives Linked to Higher Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

SimaJanuary 16, 2026January 17, 2026Leave a comment

Many studies are finding that eating ultra-processed foods (UPFs) can lead to all sorts of health problems. A recent large study conducted in France found that people eating higher amounts of food preservatives had a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Overall, people consuming foods with higher amounts of preservatives had a 47% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (when compared to people eating low amounts of preservatives).

Over 100,000 French adults were followed for more than a decade. The researchers found that 58 preservatives were in the foods they ate. The researchers examined 17 preservatives in depth (the most common ones eaten) and found that 12 preservatives are linked to type 2 diabetes: potassium sorbate, potassium metabisulphite, sodium nitrite, acetic acid, sodium acetates, calcium propionate, sodium ascorbate, alpha-tocopherol, sodium erythorbate, citric acid, phosphoric acid, and rosemary extracts.

From Science Daily: Common food preservatives linked to higher risk of type 2 diabetes

People who consume higher amounts of food preservatives may face a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a large new study. Preservatives are commonly added to processed foods and beverages to extend shelf life. ...continue reading "Food Preservatives Linked to Higher Risk of Type 2 Diabetes"