A press release at AlphaGalileo notes that in “one of the most comprehensive and definitive studies of its kind to date, a team of researchers at the University of California, Davis have proven that organically grown kiwifruit contain more health-promoting factors than those grown under conventional conditions.” (emphasis mine)

While I am not terribly surprised about the findings, I find it somewhat interesting that the word “conventional” has in the case of farming come to mean the type of farming that has become typical (at least in the western world) only in the past century or so.

The study, by the way, also mentions that a diet rich in grapefruit lowers cholesterol levels. Yum yum.

A recent Australian study suggests that “children who had drank more than two glasses (500ml) of fruit juice/drink per day were more likely to be overweight or obese.” Apparently, the odds for being overweight also increased together with the amount of fruit drinks consumed.

While the news release doesn’t explicitly say so, I assume these fruit drinks to be sweetened, non 100% fruit juices.

A study conducted on monkeys has revealed that eating a diet rich in trans-fats (commonly found in fried food, processed snacks, and especially in what you get at fast food places) makes you far fatter, especially so in the belly area, and much more vulnerable to diabetes than if you eat the same amount of calories from other, healthier, sources.

Well, where I live the question is rather meaningless, as the largest size you can get at fast food joints is “large”. Which in the case of Kentucky Fried Chicken is more or less the same as “regular”, anyway. But those living in countries more attuned to the joys of overeating may be interested to know that the answer is “between $4.06 and $7.72 for men and $3.10 and $4.53 for women, depending on their body type”. You can read about the study here, and debate about the flaws in its reasoning wherever you want (except for here, as comments are off).

Note to self: Never ever use the word “joint” again when referring to places that serve food. It just isn’t you.

A review of 87 studies shows that, independent of how much you exercise, a vegetarian or a vegan diet keeps your weight in check. In fact, switching from meat-based diet leads to a weight loss of about 1 pound per week. And not only that, you encounter less heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

I’m hungry.

Omega-3 is making the news again. This time around a meta study sheds doubt on whether Omega-3 fats really have any of their claimed health  benefits.