Consumption of whole eggs can be a part of a heart healthy diet, even in those with existing coronary heart disease, a new study has found.

Research from Yale University explored the impact of daily whole egg consumption in men and women with coronary heart disease(1).

The subjects were randomized to consume either two eggs, half a cup of egg substitute or a high-carbohydrate breakfast for six weeks as part of their typical diet.

The subjects who ate either whole eggs or egg substitute did not experience any negative impact in total cholesterol, blood pressure, body weight or endothelial function.

Research from the University of Connecticut suggested that daily whole egg consumption may have a positive effect on the function and composition of HDL cholesterol in adults with metabolic syndrome.

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Consumption of white potatoes is linked to increased intake of potassium, a new study has revealed.

For each additional kilocalorie of white potatoes consumed, there was a 1.6 mg increase in potassium intake among adults 19-years-old and older, and a 1.7 mg increase among children and teens from 2 to 18 years of age.

Gender, age, race/ethnicity and educational attainment, but not income or body mass index, were also highly predictive of potassium intake.

Potassium is considered a shortfall nutrient of public health concern because 97 percent of Americans do not have an adequate intake of potassium.

Maureen Storey, PhD, co-author of the study and president and CEO of the Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE) noted, “Very few Americans get enough potassium, which is a key nutrient that helps control blood pressure. Our study shows that the white potato is a particularly nutrient-rich vegetable that significantly increases potassium intake among adults, teens and children.”

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Niti Desai has a rich and varied experience in the field of nutrition, having built anenviable client list of individuals and organizations.

Niti has a masters degree in nutrition and dietetics and postgraduate diploma indietetics from the Leeds Metropolitan University, UK. She is an executive council member of Indian Dietetic Association – Mumbai chapter.

She was the official nutritionist for the Femina Miss India 2008 and Grazia FordSupermodel India 2008.She also advised olympic champions – Mary Kom, Gagan Narang and others in preparation of London olympics while on board with olympic gold quest.

Niti answered Sify readers’ queries related to the above in an exclusive chat. Read the transcript below.

I am working in an Healthcare IT which demands irregular shifts. Please suggest how to loose weight. Currently following the product ‘Metaslim for a while. Have gained 10 kgs, optimum is 52 kg, Please help

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Diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be prevented. Whether you fall in the high-risk category for diabetes, or are simply concerned for your health, do read the top 10 ways in which you avoid getting this disease.

A healthy diet and exercise can help prevent diabetes

According to the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research, Education and Training in Diabetes, diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death in the world. This disease is of special relevance in India, as Indians tend to develop diabetes at an earlier age and at lower levels of obesity.

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They are delicious and tangy and have a mellow fragrance you can’t miss. The delicious pomegranate is a natural wonder if there ever was one.

Pomegranate and its nutrients:

Native to Persia and the western Himalayan range, this wonder fruit is credited with being one of the healthiest fruits. A cluster of red, plump flesh covering seeds, they are rich in antioxidants and  vitamins, and make for an excellent source of fibre, too.

These health-giving seeds or arils as they are also called, are perfectly suited for juicing or eating whole on salads, yoghurt, or as a topping on any other food you love.

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Everybody’s heard of the adage “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But is it really true?

Apples have, for ages, been associated with temptation. Adam and Eve certainly couldn’t resist it, neither could Snow White. And why would they? This fruit is packed with nutrients and antioxidants which help your body fight and avoid many ailments.

Apple and its nutrients

Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus! You name it and this fruit has it! Apart from minerals, an apple is rich in a number of antioxidants which neutralise a number of harmful and reactive compounds that our body creates during it normal processes. Apples are also rich in pectin, a soluble fibre which is helpful in maintaining digestive health.

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Did you know honey is an effective natural skin moisturiser? Read on to find out more about the benefits of this sweet food.

A natural sweetener made by bees using nectar from flowers, honey,  is used in many medical traditions to treat varied ailments; and is  confirmed to have antibacterial and antiseptic properties.

Honey and its nutrients:

Honey is a mixture of sugars and other compounds. It contains mainly  carbohydrates: fructose and glucose; in addition to sucrose, maltose  and other complex carbohydrates. Honey also contains tiny amounts of several compounds that function as antioxidants. However, the specific composition of any batch of honey depends on the flowers available to the bees that produced the honey.

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This creamy flavour-filled fruit is a powerhouse of nutrients. It helps fight cancer, keeps your heart healthy and can also delay aging.

Avocado, a powerhouse of nutrients!

Avocado and its nutrients:

Avocados are getting popular as your neighbourhood fruits vendor too has begun to stock them. This creamy, delicious fruit contain many essential nutrients such as folic acid, potassium, fibre, vitamin E, B-vitamins. In addition this fruit is known as a nutrient-booster as it aids better nutrient absorption.

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The American Heart Association’s seven steps for a healthy heart– dubbed Life’s Simple 7 – can also help keep cancer at bay, a new study has claimed.

Laura Rasmussen-Torvik, a professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, said that following even six of the steps can cut cancer risk in half, ABC News reported.

She said that she and her colleagues had a hunch that following healthy-heart guidelines would also decrease the risk of cancer and their findings confirmed it.

According to the study, following four of the steps in ‘Life’s Simple 7’ resulted in a 33 percent cancer risk reduction, and following six or seven of the steps led to a 51 percent cancer risk reduction.

The American Heart Association had developed the seven steps in 2010 with the goal of reducing heart attack and stroke deaths by about 20 percent by 2020.

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Snack on nuts, drizzle a little olive oil, grab an apple, dine on fish, bite a chocolate. All these foods can help you lower your cholesterol.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is made by the liver. It is a part of every cell in the body and serves many vital functions. However, sometimes our bodies make more cholesterol than we need, and this excess cholesterol circulates in the bloodstream. High levels of cholesterol in the blood can clog blood vessels and increase the risk for heart disease and stroke.

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