• Med Diet May Lower Dementia Risk. Close adherence to a Mediterranean style diet, one rich in plant-based foods and seafood, may reduce risk of dementia, researchers say. More than 60,000 study participants who were White British or Irish and between ages 40 and 69 years were assessed for Med diet adherence using two different questionnaires for over nine years. Those who followed a Med diet most closely had an up to 23 percent lower risk versus those with lower adherence, equating to a 0.55 percent reduction in risk of developing dementia.
(BMC Medicine, March 2023)
• Not All UPFs Linked to Diabetes. High intake of some, but not all, ultra processed foods (UPFs) is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes.Three studies of 200,000 participants found that increased diabetes risk was linked with certain UPFs, like ready meals, refined breads, and sweetened beverages. Other UPFs, like whole grain breads and cereals, fruit-based products, and yogurt and dairy-based desserts were linked with lower risk. Overall, each 10 percent increase in total UPF intake was linked with a 12 percent higher diabetes risk.
(Diabetes Care, February 2023)
• Off-Track on Sodium Reduction. The world is not on-track for its target to reduce sodium intake by 30 percent by 2025, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The report shows that only five percent have mandatory sodium reduction policies, while 73 percent lack full policy implementation. These policies could save an estimated seven million lives globally by 2030. Excess sodium increases risk of heart disease, stroke, and premature death. The WHO recommends reformulating foods to contain less sodium, limiting it in public institutions like hospitals and schools, and front of package labeling to help consumers choose lower sodium foods.
(World Health Organization Global Report, March 2023)
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