Is what you are eating giving you cancer? Is it worsening symptoms of depression?
Researchers at Florida universities are working to understand how diet and disease are intertwined. A recent Food is Medicine Symposium at Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale shed light on the connection between food and health.
The Culprits
The biggest contributors to common illnesses are processed foods made with added sugar or flour, animal fats, processed meats like bacon and salami, and butter. Fruits and vegetables can help prevent disease, but many people do not meet the recommended daily intake of five servings.
Research on Food as Medicine
Researchers are not just focusing on what to avoid, but also on which foods can be medicine. Some promising findings include:
- Lentil beans, which contain high levels of fiber, which impede cancer growth.
- Orange peels, which inhibit the production of harmful chemicals associated with cardiovascular disease.
- Velvet beans, which show promise in treating Parkinson’s disease.
- Almonds, whose skins are rich in polyphenol antioxidants, can lower LDL or "bad" cholesterol levels.
- Mushrooms, which have a prebiotic power that can reduce gut inflammation.
Florida Researchers at the Forefront
University of Florida experts are joining forces with medical professionals to produce more foods that can help prevent and treat diseases. "Our food is making us sick," says Dr. J. Scott Angle, a University of Florida agriculture expert. "The U.S. is spending a lot of money trying to cure disease caused by poor food quality."
University of Florida Initiatives
UF scientists are using gene-editing to grow strawberries and blueberries with higher antioxidant content. They are also growing lettuce and broccoli with more nutritional value. Additionally, they are feeding nutrients to fish to boost the Omega-3 fatty acids in their tissues and reduce inflammation in humans who consume the fish.
Conclusion
The connection between food and disease is clear. By understanding how our diet affects our health, we can take steps to prevent and treat illnesses. It is essential to recognize that food can be both medicine and poison, depending on what we eat. By making informed choices, we can take control of our health and well-being.
FAQs
Q: What are the biggest culprits in terms of poor food quality?
A: Processed foods made with added sugar or flour, animal fats, processed meats like bacon and salami, and butter.
Q: How often do people meet the recommended daily intake of five servings of fruits and vegetables?
A: Around 10%, according to a statistic from the University of Florida.
Q: What are some food options that can help prevent and treat disease?
A: Many fruits and vegetables, including lentil beans, orange peels, velvet beans, almonds, and mushrooms.
Q: What is being done at the University of Florida to produce more foods that can help prevent and treat diseases?
A: University of Florida experts are using gene-editing to grow strawberries and blueberries with higher antioxidant content, growing lettuce and broccoli with more nutritional value, and feeding nutrients to fish to boost the Omega-3 fatty acids in their tissues.
