Satoko Shimooka
What makes a food super?
When choosing food to include on our shopping list we are often attracted by a claim that a particular item is a “superfood”. It is important to understand that while we are all looking for foods that really are “super”, the term “superfood” is a marketing term and not a scientific term. Marketers generally use this term to describe a
Establishing healthy eating habits
Large population studies looking at diet and health have shown that eating five or more servings of fruit and vegetables every day maintains healthy immune and cognitive function, and reduces the risk of developing illnesses of ageing such as diabetes and heart disease. Detailed dietary analysis has shown that it is the anthocyanin biomolecules in fruit and vegetables that are
Made in New Zealand – with care
Now, more than ever, we are all taking extra care with how we live, particularly with the food we eat. Not only do we want our food to be healthy, but we also want to know where it has come from, and to be assured of its safety and that the utmost care has gone into its growing and preparation.
New Zealand blackcurrant anthocyanins enhance the delivery of nutrients to, and the removal of waste products from muscles during exercise
The ability of our muscles to perform while we exercise is dependent on them receiving, via our blood circulation system, nutrients that our muscles cells need for energy. One of the most important nutrients is oxygen which is involved in the conversion of glucose into energy by our muscles. A clinical trial undertaken at the University of Gloucestershire in England
New Zealand blackcurrant anthocyanins decrease the health-damaging consequences of being overweight
We all struggle with our eating habits and managing our weight, even though we know the importance of choosing the right foods and not overeating. Changes in life’s circumstances particularly tempt us to reach for those foods that comfort us, and often these foods are unfortunately not the healthiest. Consequences of being overweight can include elevated levels of blood
The importance of Vitamin C in maintaining our immune defense systems
Vitamin C has been identified as an important factor in maintaining our body’s immune defense systems including preventing the entry of bacteria and viruses into our body, and ensuring the correct functioning of cells in our circulation that seek out and kill bacteria and viruses that have gained access into our body. Vitamin C deficiency results in decreased immunity and
New Zealand blackcurrants boost the human immune system
Our bodies are continually exposed to pathogens such as bacteria and viruses that can cause illness if they gain entry into our body. The epithelial cells lining our nose, mouth, lungs and gut are sites where bacteria and viruses can enter the body. Fortunately these cells secrete molecules that activate the body’s own pathogen killing mechanisms and prevent these pathogens
New Zealand Blackcurrants reduce cardiac risk factors in metabolic syndrome patients
Daily supplementation with anthocyanins from bilberries and blackcurrants may improve cardiometabolic risk factors in people with metabolic syndrome (MetS), says a new study from Australia. HTTPS://WWW.NUTRAINGREDIENTS-USA.COM/ARTICLE/2020/03/31/ANTHOCYANIN-SUPPLEMENTS-SHOW-HEART-HEALTH-BENEFITS-FOR-PEOPLE-WITH-METS-STUDY
Maintaining the body’s infection-fighting immune system
The body is normally well equipped to defend itself against invading bacterial and viral infections. The first line of defense are neutrophils, cells that circulate through the blood vessels searching out pathogenic bacteria or viruses, phagocytosing (engulfing) them, then killing them with an arsenal of toxic compounds including hypochlorous acid, the antimicrobial agent commonly found in house hold bleach.
Blackcurrants and sports nutrition
Even with a small population of only 4.8 million New Zealand is globally renowned for its sporting achievements. No better evidence for this comes from New Zealand’s performance at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro Brazil, where New Zealand was ranked third in the world for the number of medals it won per head of population. There
