Science

30-Jul-2007 - The sensory aspects of cheese could be boosted by the addition of prebiotic ingredients, in addition to improving the nutritional profile of the product, suggests new research.

Scientists look to salt to reduce acrylamide

26-Jul-2007 - Salt may act as a catalyst in the polymerisation, and therefore reduction, of acrylamide in foods, suggests a new study from the Slovak Republic.

Organic meat and dairy linked to better quality breast milk

25-Jul-2007 - The breast milk of mothers consuming organic meat and dairy contains higher levels of beneficial fatty acids, and has an overall improved quality, suggests new research.

Soft drinks - heart disease study sparks reaction

24-Jul-2007 - Drinking more than one soft drink a day is associated with a 50 per cent increased risk in metabolic syndrome, says a new study from the US.

USDA develops low-sugar watermelons

23-Jul-2007 - A new variety of low-sugar watermelons could soon appear in produce aisles to appeal to diabetic consumers and those who want to reduce intake of sugar or carbs.

Sesame lignans could be edible oil antioxidant - study

23-Jul-2007 - Lignans from sesame could act as an antioxidant to prolong the shelf-life of bulk edible oils, suggests a study from India.

Cashews cause stronger reactions than peanuts - study

20-Jul-2007 - The allergic reaction to cashew nuts is more severe than peanuts, says a new study that deepens our understanding of food allergies and highlights the need for clear labelling.

Food cravings for calories not carbs, says obesity-related study

19-Jul-2007 - People with food cravings want calories, not carbohydrates, says a news study from the US that may have implications for obesity.

Extra fruit, veg may not affect breast cancer outcomes

18-Jul-2007 - Doubling the five-a-day recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption does not provide any extra protection against the recurrence of breast cancer, says a new study.

High GI diet linked to poor eye health

17-Jul-2007 - Eating a diet with a high glycemic index may increase the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), says a new study from Tufts University.

Protein-flavour interactions explored for meal replacements

17-Jul-2007 - Scientists from the US have explored the interaction between whey and soy proteins and flavour, a major challenge facing the blooming meal replacement product sector.

Xanthan gum may improve tapioca stability during freeze-thaw

16-Jul-2007 - Addition of xanthan gum to tapioca starch gel could improve the stability of emulsion during freezing and thawing, says new research.

Grapefruit may raise breast cancer risk - study

16-Jul-2007 - Women who consume one quarter of grapefruit every day may be at a 30 percent higher risk of breast cancer, suggests an epidemiological study from Hawaii and LA.

Organic farming supply can meet demand - study

16-Jul-2007 - Organic farming can yield up to three times as much food on individual farms in developing countries, as low-intensive methods on the same land, says a new study from the University of Michigan.

Sour taste all in the genes?

13-Jul-2007 - Genetics may play a large role in determining individual differences in sour taste perception, says a new study from the US that may lead to identification of the still-elusive taste receptor that detects sourness in foods and beverages.

Fat tax - proposed again by academia, dismissed by industry

12-Jul-2007 - If the British government imposes a "carefully targeted fat tax" on food, over 3,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease could be prevented every year, UK academics have said.

Corn syrup, cane sugar affect appetite equally - study

11-Jul-2007 - Beverages sweetened with cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup may affect hunger, satiety, or short-term energy intakes, suggests a new study from the US.

Western diet pattern may raise breast cancer risk

10-Jul-2007 - Asian women eating a Western-style diet, rich in red meat, starches and sweets, may raise the risk of breast cancer, according to new research from China.

Weekly comment

The aspartame science kerfuffle

09-Jul-2007 - The publication of a new animal study on aspartame last month has - as expected -sparked yet another bout of head butting from the two opposing sides of the debate. But it also highlights a bigger issue: one of transparency.

All-African GM maize to make its debut

09-Jul-2007 - The first ever genetically modified maize developed and tested exclusively in Africa will make its debut in trials in the continent's fields soon, scientists have reported.

Study finds no link between sugar drinks and kiddie obesity

06-Jul-2007 - A new study from the UK suggests that children consumption of soft drinks between age five and seven is not linked to obesity later in childhood, challenging previous studies that have targeted soft drinks as a major driver in the obesity epidemic.