Cocoa Polyphenols may reverse blood vessel damage

In a study of 11 male smokers, consuming a dark-Cocoa beverage rich in Flavan-3-ols (cocoa polyphenols) significantly improved their blood vessel function. The scientists from the University of California concluded that regular consumption of the Cocoa Flavanols may have a sustained benefit on blood vessel health and possibly even reverse damage in vessel function. The study is published in the February 2007 issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology.

EPA-DHA from fish oils important for bone health in teenage boys

Researchers from Umea University in Switzerland recruited 78 healthy young men from high schools and sports clubs. Their average age was 16.7 years at the start of the almost 8 year long study. It was found that higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids particularly DHA (found in fish and fish oils) was associated with a peak bone mineral density in the entire body and of the spine in these crucial growth years. Having a ratio of Omega-6 fatty acids in excess of Omega-3 was associated with a less robust bone structure. The new study which supports previous research is published in the March 2007 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Soy foods and soy isoflavones decrease the risk of prostate cancer in this large Japanese study

The incidence of prostate cancer is much lower in Asian than Western populations. Diet and other environmental factors may play a role in prostate cancer. Animal studies show that isoflavones have a preventive effect for prostate cancer. In this nine-year follow-up, population-based prospective study, researchers form Japan?s National Cancer Center looked at the diet and prostate cancer incidence in 43,509 men between the ages of 45 to 74. Consuming soy foods decreased the risk of localized prostate cancer by 48%, the soy isoflavone Genistein decreased the risk by 48%, and the soy isoflavone Daidzein decreased the risk by 50%.

The new study is published in the March 2007 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention.