Tips for Health and Longevity: My Take on the Evidence

On average, one-fifth of daily energy intake for UK adults is from sugar [1]. Not only does this affect dental health, but sugar consumption is associated with increased risk of obesity. One 330ml can of cola can contain more than the recommended daily intake of sugar, with few additional nutrients  [2] , therefore the government consider sugar sweetened beverages to be of high priority to public health. The ‘soft drink industry levy’ is driving reformulation by businesses, using artificial sweeteners to mimic the taste and mouthfeel of beverages, yet offer a healthier alternative. A recent study by Huang et al. reported a positive association between consumption of both sugar sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages and risk of diabetes  [3] . After discussing these findings within wider research, it has been concluded that reducing consumption of sugar sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages may lower risk of diabetes and obesity, and that they should be repla...

There are 10 times more bacterial cells in the body than there are human cells, with the greatest concentration in the intestinal tract. The gut microbiome is complex and diverse, but has a fundamental physiological role. Prebiotics are functional foods that ‘feed the good bacteria’ to maintain a healthy digestive system and modulate immunity. However, from a recent randomised control trial conducted by Hume et al. it was proposed that prebiotic supplementation may also aid appetite regulation in obese individuals [1]. From discussing their results within the context of wider research, including both animal and human studies, it has been concluded that there are inconsistencies in observations from human trials regarding the role of prebiotics in appetite control and obesity prevention, but that it may still be beneficial to frequently consume prebiotic containing foods to promote a favourable microbial composition, and, simultaneously, increase the fibre content of the diet. Th...

The prevalence of dementia is increasing in line with the ageing of the UK population, making research into potential preventative measures fundamental in preserving quality of life for the elderly. It is frequently suggested that vitamin D may reduce risk of neurodegenerative diseases [1], yet a recent study by Olsson et al. found no association between vitamin D and incident dementia or cognitive impairment  [2] . From evaluating the wider literature, particularly considering the quality of the published research, it has been found that there is not sufficient evidence to make a definite conclusion . Nonetheless, it could be said to be beneficial for all older adults to take a daily vitamin D supplement to prevent deficiency, which would have adverse effects on skeletal health, resulting in functional decline. This action may allow for neuroprotective effects attributed to vitamin D to also be obtained. Dementia is a term that describes a set of symptoms that result from da...