Wiston Papers

What's a body to do?

The availability of and easy access to scientific information should be a blessing.  Instead the quantity of data and contradictory studies often are confusing.  Rather than increase our understanding and enable us to make smart decisions,  the almost daily  studies tend to leave us befuddled and  less confident in our choices.  The world of nutrition is a good example.

COFFEE AND TEA

Americans consume an average of nearly 30 gallons of coffee and tea each year.  That’s a lot of caffeine and high levels of caffeine have been shown to cause anxiety, sleeplessness and bad humor.  That comes as no surprise to inveterate coffee and tea aficionados.

But recent research also reveals the benefits of our daily trip to the barista.  In addition to giving us a much-needed morning jump start, our daily cup of Arabica or Robusta can help us lose weight.  Coffee also lowers depression in women, increases protection against Type-2 Diabetes, fights Parkinson’s disease, and slows the progression of Cirrhosis.

Green tea helps you burn fat, has shown to help prevent coronary artery disease, is a safeguard against some cancers, and results in fewer cavities and can retard osteoporosis.

Time to get a bag of beans.

WINE

A nip of alcohol “strictly for medicinal purposes” is a centuries-old joke.  The evils of the Devil’s brew are well documented and efforts to banish consumption of it are nearly as ancient as its manufacture.  Alcoholism and Cirrhosis are among the many ilinesses associated with excessive imbibing.

However, wine--especially red--contains ample antioxidants that have a variety of health benefits.  The so-called “French Paradox” is often explained by the Gallic consumption of wine that seems to mitigate against the incident of heart disease in France despite that nation’s diet rich in saturated fats.

Moderate daily consumption of red wine--one drink for women; two for men--has shown to reduce slightly the PSA count (Prostate-Specific Antigen) in men, which may indicate some protection against prostate cancer.

Elderly women who have a glass of red wine daily  may lessen their chances of cognitive decline with passing years.

However, some persons appear to have more incidents of migraine headaches after drinking red wine.  There is research that indicates that beer may be as healthful as red wine.  Your choice.  But I'm sticking with the grape.  I've never heard of a wine belly.  

CHOCOLATE

Long considered a “guilty pleasure,” chocolate gradually has gained acceptability and respectability in the circles of healthful foods.  Once regarded as the door to obesity for those susceptible to its sweetness, dark chocolate and cocoa have proven to promote well being in several ways.

It stimulates blood flow to the brain and increases mental acuity.

Small amounts of Cocoa increase blood function in some patients suffering from Type-2 Diabetes and improve the appearance of skin in women.

One ounce of dark chocolate per day lowers the risk of stroke and heightens mood and pleasure.

Studies have also demonstrated increased memory among snails that consumed chocolate--just in case you wanted to know.

However, contrary to a recent rumor circulating on the Internet, there is no correlation between how much chocolate a nation consumes and the number of Nobel Laureates it produces.

FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND NUTS

Mother wouldn’t admonish us to “eat your fruits and vegetables” unless she knew something.  So there’s no surprise that this category has long reflected the conventional wisdom of healthful eating.  Now scientific evidence proves that mother knows best.

 Whether it’s their protection against  heart disease and stroke, drinking carrot juice to ward off breast cancer, or popping a handful of walnuts for brain power, fruits, nuts and vegetables are winners.  

And we’re told that we should eat up to seven servings a day to get the full benefits.  However, some fruits and vegetables are better friends than others.

Too many parsnips and potatoes increase blood sugar levels and can challenge insulin production.  Equally suspect are dates and pineapples.

My own empirical research concludes that ingesting high quantities of fruits, vegetables and nuts of any variety results in lengthy visits to the water closet.  Better have a good book and lots of magazines if you're going to be there for awhile.

SUGARS AND SWEETNERS

Where to begin?  You need a program to keep track of the types and varieties that include Artificial Sweeteners, Sugar Alcohols, Novel Sweetners or Natural.

It seems that both glucose (table sugar) and fructose (vegetables and fruits) can be harmful if eaten in large amounts.  Increased risk of heart disease, weight gain, diabetes, and even memory loss can result from excessive consumption.

DIETS

The easiest method to avoid the quandry of food choices is to just follow one of the popular diets, right?

The Atkins and South Beach Diets--low in carbohydrates and high in protein--have their advocates.  They have also left a trail of persons at risk of heart disease, according to several studies.  

Furthermore, the Atkins folks and South Beach layabouts tend to be a grumpy lot and hungry all the time. You stop eating carbohydrates and your brain shuts off production of serotonin--the chemical that makes you happy and reduces hunger.   A nasty combination by any measure.

High-carb diets, on the other hand, are recommended for increased energy, especially good for world class athletes and persons engaged in ultra-marathon runs---something I’m planning to jump up off my couch and do any day now.  High-carb dieters also tend to be happier than the low-carb folk.  But perhaps that’s because they’re relieved that their marathon is finished.

STARVATION DIETS

If choosing between a low-carb or high-carb diet is too tasking, just reduce your overall caloric intake.  Early studies on Rhesus monkeys and the B6 strain of mice indicated that reducing caloric consumption by 30 percent could extend life spans and fight common illnesses.  Great news for people who wanted to live forever with hunger pangs or who are fond of B6 mice rummaging through their pantries.

Those early studies now have been trashed as recent studies have debunked the notion.  Not only do starvation diets not work, but they slow your thyroid function, can reduce lean muscle mass, and your brain cells begin to eat themselves.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Despite initial uncertainty, for me the answer is simple.  I’ve devised my own diet based on the latest, credible science.

Breakfast

--One cup of coffee

--One cup of green tea

--One glass of red wine

--First of seven daily servings of dark chocolate from the Cocoa plant (it’s a vegetable)

Morning Snack

--Second of seven daily servings of dark chocolate from the Coca plant (it’s a vegetable)

--Handful of walnuts (brain food)

--Second cup of coffee

Lunch

--Third cup of coffee

--Second cup of green tea 

--Third of seven daily servings of dark chocolate from the Coca plant (it’s a vegetable)

--One McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with Cheese.   It contains beef (protein for muscles, skin and blood), American cheese (calcium for strong bones), Lettuce (source of carotenoid that combats cancer and aging), Ketchup (made from tomatoes that protects again prostate cancer), Pickles and Onions (two more servings of vegetables)

--One carrot (combats lung, throat and mouth cancer)

Afternoon Snack

--Fourth cup of coffee

--Fourth of seven daily servings of dark chocolate from the Coca plant (it’s a vegetable)

--Handful of Almonds (source of Vitamin E that prevents old-age cognitive decline and increases memory and verbal acuity)

Dinner

--Second glass of Red Wine

--Pasta (carbohydrates for my eventual marathon training)

--Potato (carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamin C and B-6)

--Romain lettuce (vitamin K)

--Chocolate ice cream [Fifth of seven daily servings of dark chocolate from the Coca plant (it’s a vegetable)]

--Peanuts on the ice cream (peanuts are high in niacin that may slow the onset or progression of Alzheimers and combat Parkinsons)

Evening Snack

--Sixth and Seventh of seven daily servings of dark chocolate from the Coca plant (it’s a vegetable)

I can feel the benefits already.  And if I have any left over chocolate, I'll give it to the snail in my terrarium. He could use some brain food.  

Steve Coon

October 15, 2012