Junk food in nurseries?

Various news media all over the country broke a story about the
quality of food served in nurseries.

The initial source for the stories was a report by Soil Association and
Organix called Georgie Porgie Pudding and Pie. It aimed to be 'the
first detailed investigation into the state of food fed to young children
attending nurseries in England and Wales'.

The research found that nurseries are offering food which is restricted
in primary and secondary schools (such as crisps, chocolate, lollies, sweets,
cakes, biscuits, burgers and chips).

Considering the fact, that almost 618,000 children (in 2006) were under
the age of 5 and, therefore, attended nurseries, we can only imagine
what they have been eating all this time.

They also revealed that food in some nurseries contained food additives
which are not normally allowed for young children. This included
Sodium aluminium phosphate (E541), Carboxy methyl cellulose (E466),
Propyleneglycol esters of fatty acids (E477), Calcium stearoyl lactate (E482),
colouring Norbixin (E160(b)), flavour enhancers Monosodium
Glutamate (E621) and Disodium 5-ribonucleotide (E635).

Moreover, it turned out some nurseries were spending only
25p on ingredients for a child's meal - how could you possibly
manage to provide quality food at this price?

Those who are interested can find a full report in pdf format here.
Meanwhile, a special website dedicated to the issue was set up. It
is called Better Nursery Food Now - and aimed to support a
campaign by encouraging visitors to sign the petition.

Among other interesting pieces of information on this website,
there is an overview of the current situation:

• No compulsory training for nursery staff serving food
• No clear nutritional standards
• No agency to monitor the quality of food provided
• No Government department giving a lead or promoting good practice
• No Government funding available to help nurseries improve provision

What can an average parent do in this situation? Probably
visit your child's nursery once again and make sure it provides
quality food.

(image from http://farm1.static.flickr.com/3/4298089_df412f0f12.jpg?v=0)

White wine vs. red wine

The NewScientist magazine has recently announced good news
for white wine lovers. The story came from Research Center at
the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, US where a
study was done.

Red wine has always been known for reducing the risk of heart
attack by by lowering cholesterol level. This happens because of
resveratrol, which is contained in grape skin.

Unlike red, white wine is made from the pulp of the grape, not
the skin, and, therefore, could not contain resveratrol. However, it
does contain tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol. According to the study,
although they are not identical, all three chemicals have enough
similarities that they could activate some of the same cellular
reactions.

The research found that "each of the wines and their components
increased the enzymatic activities of the mitochondrial complex
and citrate synthase". This means that the wines and the phenols
each had an effect on the cellular enzymes that the researchers
had set out to monitor.

In general, the results based on this study suggest that white wine
can provide the same level of cardioprotection as red wine if
contains enough tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol.

Dipak Das, a molecular biologist from the University of Connecticut
School of Medicine said: "We can safely say that one to two glasses of
white wine per day works exactly like red wine."


(image taken from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jedi58/1075336172/)

Thinking more could protect from Alzheimer's

A recent article in the Daily Telegraph attracted my attention so
I thought it is worth sharing the information.


According to the article, the research project was conducted at
San Raffaele University in Milan and aimed to find correlation
between mental exercises (education, demanding jobs) and risk
of dementia. The focus group included more than 300 people
"with varying degrees of memory loss, including those suffering
from Alzheimer’s and those suffering from an earlier stage of
decline known as mild cognitive impairment."

The results showed that people with higher level of education
and more intellectually stimulating occupations less suffered from
memory loss and, consequently, had less chance of getting the
Alzheimer's disease.

I think it is a significant result because it just confirmed what people
used to know for centuries. Even the early philosophers insisted
that the brain should be challenged all the time. It applies to human
body in general: if a certain muscle is not used, it degenerates quickly.


There is no doubt the information has to be taken into account,
considering the fact that more than 400,000 people in Britain
are suffering from full-scale Alzheimer's.

Below are some links to main web-resources related to Alzheimer's
disease and its current situation in Britain.

- Alzheimer's Society

- Alzheimer Research Trust

- Help the Aged

(image taken from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/75976921@N00/2187905205/)

My first post plus 1948 NHS video

This blog is a part of my Digital Newsroom module at the
university. As a member of a team I am responsible for
covering Health and some other issues related to it. I'll
attempt to find interesting information, health news
(including local) and comment on it.

This will include both national and local issues which
could be interesting for local audience.

It seems to me that the first post should be devoted
to something really special. Most people possibly remember
but for those who don't: 60 years ago, on July 5 1948 the
National Health Service was established.

According to its website, it was a man called Aneurin Bevan
who brought the health service into being. Originally a Welsch
miner, he became a Labour politician responsible for
healthcare.

On February 9 1948 he addressed the Parliament emphasizing
that “despite our financial and economic anxieties, we are still
able to do the most civilised thing in the world: put the welfare
of the sick in front of every other consideration”.

Here you can watch a 1948 British Government Public Information
film introducing the NHS.