Whats In Your Food ?

In our modern and fast-paced lives, it may be difficult to keep a healthy balance of nutrients in our food. Sugar is one of these nutrients, and the cells in our body would die without it. Consuming too much sugar, however, raises the risk of several problems, including poor dental health, obesity and type 2 diabetes. To keep control of sugar levels, it helps to know just how much sugar there is in the food we eat. Here, we have listed the sugar content of numerous everyday foods, both processed and natural ones. What is sugar? Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that belongs to a class of chemically-related sweet-flavored substances. It comes in many different forms. The three main types of sugar are sucrose, lactose, and fructose. Even though our cells need sugar (glucose) to survive, consuming too much of it can cause numerous different health problems. Added sugar contains no beneficial nutrients and in excess only contributes to tooth decay, diabetes, and obesity. The American Heart Association (AHA) have said that added sugars "contribute zero nutrients" and are just empty calories "that can lead to extra pounds, or even obesity, thereby reducing heart health." Being aware of the existing and added sugar contents of the foods and drinks we consume is vital for our health - even more so today because so many products have sugar added to them. The AHA currently recommends that men consume no more than 150 calories from added sugar per day, and women 100 calories. Nutritionists strongly recommend against consuming more than 13 teaspoons a day. Sugar content in common foods and drinks To help you keep track of how much sugar you're consuming we've listed some common everyday foods and drinks, together with their sugar content. Some of these may surprise you: How much sugar do chocolates and candy contain? Milk chocolate bar (44g) - 5.75 teaspoons of sugar Snickers bar (57g) - 7 teaspoons of sugar Milky Way bar (58g) - 8.5 teaspoons of sugar Marshmallows (100g) - 14.5 teaspoons of sugar Caramel piece (10g) - 1.7 teaspoons of sugar Butterfinger bar (60g) - 6.9 teaspoons of sugar Dove chocolate bar (37g) - 5 teaspoons of sugar Starburst packet (45 grams) - 5.5 teaspoons of sugar Twix bar - 2.75 teaspoons of sugar M&Ms packet (45 grams) - 5.75 teaspoons of sugar Boiled sweets bag (100 grams) - 11.5 teaspoons of sugar How much sugar do soft drinks contain? Coca cola (one can) - 7 teaspoons of sugar Red Bull (one can) - 7.5 teaspoons of sugar Lemonade (one glass) - 5.5 teaspoons of sugar Orange squash (one glass) - 2.5 teaspoons of sugar Hot chocolate (one mug) - 4.5 teaspoons of sugar Fruit smoothie (one glass) - 3.5 teaspoons of sugar A study published in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association, identified a link between drinking more than one soft drink a day and increased risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. How much sugar do breakfast cereals contain? Alpen - 5 teaspoons of sugar Cheerios - 1.1 teaspoons of sugar Corn Flakes - 2.4 teaspoons of sugar Cocoa Krispies - 9.6 teaspoons of sugar Froot Loops - 10.6 teaspoons of sugar Raisin Bran - 7.8 teaspoons of sugar Frosted Flakes - 8.9 teaspoons of sugar Honey Smacks - 14 teaspoons of sugar Rice Krispies - 2.5 teaspoons of sugar Special K - 3 teaspoons of sugar Wheaties - 3.8 teaspoons of sugar Trix - 8 teaspoons of sugar Lucky Charms - 9 teaspoons of sugar Rice Chex - 2 teaspoons of sugar Wheat Chex - 2.6 teaspoons of sugar Corn Chex - 2.8 teaspoons of sugar Honey Nut Cheerios - 8.25 teaspoons of sugar Reese's Puffs - 8.9 teaspoons of sugar Golden Grahams - 8.8 teaspoons of sugar Cocoa Puffs - 9.3 teaspoons of sugar Cookie Crisp - 8.7 teaspoons of sugar Shredded Wheat - 0.1 teaspoons of sugar Cocoa Pebbles - 8.6 teaspoons of sugar Banana Nut Crunch - 4.7 teaspoons of sugar In June 2012, researchers from Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity revealed that even though cereals aimed at kids had become more nutritious, cereal companies (such as Kellogg, General Mills, and Post) had increased their advertising spending considerably. Cereal advertising aimed at children increased by 34% between 2008 and 2011. Marlene Schwartz, deputy director of the Rudd Center, said: "While cereal companies have made small improvements to the nutrition of their child-targeted cereals, these cereals are still far worse than the products they market to adults. They have 56% more sugar, half as much fiber, and 50% more sodium. The companies know how to make a range of good-tasting cereals that aren't loaded with sugar and salt. Why can't they help parents out and market these directly to children instead?" How much sugar does fruit contain? Fruits contain fructose, a type of sugar. Fresh fruit have no "added sugar", but as you can see below, their levels of sugar range from 1 teaspoon per 100 grams in cranberries to 4 teaspoons in grapes. Mangos - 3.2 teaspoons of sugar Bananas - 3 teaspoons of sugar Apples - 2.6 teaspoons of sugar Pineapples - 2.5 teaspoons of sugar Grapes - 4 teaspoons of sugar Lemons - 0.6 teaspoons of sugar Kiwi fruit - 2.3 teaspoons of sugar Apricots - 2.3 teaspoons of sugar Strawberries - 1.3 teaspoons of sugar Raspberries - 1 teaspoon of sugar Blueberries - 1.7 teaspoons of sugar Cranberries - 1 teaspoons of sugar Tomatoes - 0.7 teaspoons of sugar How much sugar do cakes and desserts contain? Banoffee pie (1 medium portion) - 4.25 teaspoons of sugar Carrot cake (1 medium slice) - 3 teaspoons of sugar Custard (1 medium portion) - 3.25 teaspoons of sugar Chocolate mousse (1 medium portion) - 3 teaspoons of sugar Cornetto (1 cone) - 3 teaspoons of sugar Donut (1 jam doughnut) - 3.5 teaspoons of sugar Fruit pie (1 medium portion) - 3.5 teaspoons of sugar Fruit cake (1 medium slice) - 5 teaspoons of sugar Muffin (one chocolate chip muffin) - 4.75 teaspoons of sugar Ice cream (1 scoop) - 3 teaspoons of sugar Rice pudding (1 portion) - 3.75 teaspoons of sugar Sponge cake (1 medium slice) - 5.5 teaspoons of sugar Swiss roll (1 roll) - 2.5 teaspoons of sugar Why Should I monitor my sugar intake? The American Heart Association has urged people to cut their added sugar intake because of evidence that it can cause the following health conditions: Obesity - Scientists at the Medical Research Council found that eating more sugar is associated with obesity. High blood pressure - A high-fructose diet raises blood pressure in men, according to research reported at the American Heart Association's 63rd High Blood Pressure Research Conference. Heart disease - Researchers at the Emory University School of Medicine and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that people who consume higher amounts of added sugar are more likely to have heart disease risk factors. Type 2 diabetes - Research conducted at the University of California-San Francisco indicates that sugar intake could be directly linked to type 2 diabetes. Added sugar consumption far too high The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that far too many Americans are consuming too many calories from added sugars. The report revealed that nearly 13% of adults' total caloric intake are coming from sources such as sugar and high fructose corn syrup. Consumers need information on "Added Sugars" Dr Aseem Malhotra, a cardiologist, wrote in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) last month that dietary advice on added sugar is damaging people's health. Dr. Malhotra said "not only has this advice been manipulated by the food industry for profit but it is actually a risk factor for obesity and diet related disease." Food labels in the USA and Europe contain only information on total sugars per serving, and tell us nothing about added sugar. "It is therefore almost impossible for consumers to determine the amount of added sugars in foods and beverages." Prof. Tim Noakes, Director at the Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa, wrote in the same journal "Sugary sports drinks are promoted as essential for athletic performance, but are used predominantly by those without real athletic aspirations. Users need to understand that exercise may not protect them from the negative consequences of an excessive sugar intake." In the video below, Dr. Miriam Vos, assistant professor of pediatrics (gastroenterology) at Emory University School of Medicine explains what "added sugars" are and how they are different from the natural sugars we find in fruit or milk .

Biopatch Leads To Bone Growth

Research led by the University of Iowa has tested a "bio patch" that regenerates missing or damaged bone by inserting DNA into nano-sized particles to deliver bone-making genetic instructions directly into cells. The method succeeded in regrowing enough bone to fully cover skull wounds in live rats. And, in test tubes, it also stimulated new growth in human bone marrow stromal cells. Using pieces of DNA that encode for a platelet-derived growth factor called PDGF-B, the researchers delivered genetic instructions directly into living bone cells, causing them to make the proteins that lead to more bone production. They report their work in the latest issue of the journal Biomaterials. DNA delivered directly into cells While other researchers have also reported success in encouraging new bone regrowth, they relied on repeated applications that deliver the bone-making proteins from the outside which is costly, intensive and has to be done again and again. This study is different because it tackled cells from the inside, causing them to produce proteins that led to more bone growth. Corresponding author Aliasger Salem, professor at Iowa's College of Pharmacy, explains the benefit of directly delivering the DNA to cells: "If you deliver just the protein, you have keep delivering it with continuous injections to maintain the dose. With our method, you get local, sustained expression over a prolonged period of time without having to give continued doses of protein." Nano-sized plasmids carry the genetic instructions for making bone To make their bio patch the team made a scaffold from collagen then seeded it with synthetically made, nano-sized plasmids, each carrying DNA pieces of genetic instructions for making bone. The researchers then placed DNA-seeded and unseeded scaffolds onto small 5mm x 2 mm holes in the skulls of rats. They found after four weeks that the seeded scaffolds grew 44 times more bone and soft tissue than unseeded scaffolds and 14 times more than untreated wounds. Scans also revealed that the seeded scaffolds resulted in new bone growth that nearly closed the wound. The plasmids enter bone cells already present in the body. These are located near the wound site and drift over to the scaffold. The researchers found the plasmids transport easily into cells once they are shrunk in size and given a positive electrical charge. Prof. Salem explains: "The delivery mechanism is the scaffold loaded with the plasmid. When cells migrate into the scaffold, they meet with the plasmid, they take up the plasmid and they get the encoding to start producing PDGF-B, which enhances bone regeneration." Potential applications in dentistry The researchers say their bio patch could be used in dentistry to rebuild bone in gum areas to provide foundations for dental implants. This would be of great benefit to patients who need implants but do not have enough bone in the surrounding area. Another potential use for the bio patch could be to repair birth defects where bone is missing, for instance around the head or face. The bio patch could be made in the shape and size of the defect site so when the new bone grows it is a perfect fit .

Emotions In The Dental Office

After looking at pictures of dental treatment scenes, researchers[1] discovered that female patients scared of the dentist were six times more likely to be disgusted with what they saw, compared with non-dental phobic women. In a battle of the sexes, dental phobic women struggled to hide their emotions. Although both men and woman faired equally when asked about their feelings towards the dentist, women afraid of the dentist were more repulsed than their men counterparts. Survey data from the Adult Dental Health Survey[2] showed almost half of adults were moderately to extremely afraid of the dentist. With almost 30 million people visiting the dentist, Karen Coates, Dental Advisor at the British Dental Health Foundation, uses the research to reassure anxious patients that they are not alone and that there are ways make visiting the dentist a manageable experience. Karen said: "The good news is that more and more dentists now understand their patients' fears, and with a combination of kindness and gentleness can do a great deal to make dental treatment an acceptable, normal part of life. Make sure that the practice knows you are nervous, so that they can help you. You are not alone and your fear will be much less if you share it with your dental team. "Dentists are aware many of their patients have some form of anxiety. There are dentists who specialise in treating nervous patients and will make more time for you. Book appointments at a time of day when you feel at your best and when you do not have any other commitments to worry about. Allow plenty of time so that you can get to the practice in a relaxed frame of mind. "Agree with your dentist a sign that means 'stop I need a break' before the treatment is started. Usually you can just raise your hand, and the treatment can be stopped for a few minutes until you are ready to start again. Once you know that you can control the situation you will feel more confident. Some people find that listening to music whilst they are having treatment can help. If you are still nervous there are other techniques your dentist can use to help you, such as relaxation and sedation so ask the team about these. "Patients anxious of the dentist are, in theory, likely to have poorer oral health than those who get regular check-ups. Even if you are fearful it is important to visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend giving them a chance a chance to assess your oral health. Catching any problems whilst they are still small will mean that the treatment involved is much less and lighter on your pocket too. Truly a case that prevention is better than a cure. Always remember that you are in charge of your oral health for the rest of the time and brushing, twice a day for two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste, will help to remove plaque - the cause of both decay and gum disease. It is also important to clean in between teeth using interdental brushes or floss." The Foundation recommends the following for good oral health: • Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste • Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks • Visit the dentist regularly - as often as 3 , 4 or 6 month intervals

Diamonds In The Rough

UCLA researchers have discovered that diamonds on a much, much smaller scale than those used in jewelry could be used to promote bone growth and the durability of dental implants. Nanodiamonds, which are created as byproducts of conventional mining and refining operations, are approximately four to five nanometers in diameter and are shaped like tiny soccer balls. Scientists from the UCLA School of Dentistry, the UCLA Department of Bioengineering and Northwestern University, along with collaborators at the NanoCarbon Research Institute in Japan, may have found a way to use them to improve bone growth and combat osteonecrosis, a potentially debilitating disease in which bones break down due to reduced blood flow. When osteonecrosis affects the jaw, it can prevent people from eating and speaking; when it occurs near joints, it can restrict or preclude movement. Bone loss also occurs next to implants such as prosthetic joints or teeth, which leads to the implants becoming loose - or failing. Implant failures necessitate additional procedures, which can be painful and expensive, and can jeopardize the function the patient had gained with an implant. These challenges are exacerbated when the disease occurs in the mouth, where there is a limited supply of local bone that can be used to secure the prosthetic tooth, a key consideration for both functional and aesthetic reasons. The study, led by Dr. Dean Ho, professor of oral biology and medicine and co-director of the Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology at the UCLA School of Dentistry, appears online in the peer-reviewed Journal of Dental Research. During bone repair operations, which are typically costly and time-consuming, doctors insert a sponge through invasive surgery to locally administer proteins that promote bone growth, such as bone morphogenic protein. Ho's team discovered that using nanodiamonds to deliver these proteins has the potential to be more effective than the conventional approaches. The study found that nanodiamonds, which are invisible to the human eye, bind rapidly to both bone morphogenetic protein and fibroblast growth factor, demonstrating that the proteins can be simultaneously delivered using one vehicle. The unique surface of the diamonds allows the proteins to be delivered more slowly, which may allow the affected area to be treated for a longer period of time. Furthermore, the nanodiamonds can be administered non-invasively, such as by an injection or an oral rinse. "We've conducted several comprehensive studies, in both cells and animal models, looking at the safety of the nanodiamond particles," said Laura Moore, the first author of the study and an M.D.-Ph.D. student at Northwestern University under the mentorship of Dr. Ho. "Initial studies indicate that they are well tolerated, which further increases their potential in dental and bone repair applications." "Nanodiamonds are versatile platforms," said Ho, who is also professor of bioengineering and a member of the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the California NanoSystems Institute. "Because they are useful for delivering such a broad range of therapies, nanodiamonds have the potential to impact several other facets of oral, maxillofacial and orthopedic surgery, as well as regenerative medicine." Ho's team previously showed that nanodiamonds in preclinical models were effective at treating multiple forms of cancer. Because osteonecrosis can be a side effect of chemotherapy, the group decided to examine whether nanodiamonds might help treat the bone loss as well. Results from the new study could open the door for this versatile material to be used to address multiple challenges in drug delivery, regenerative medicine and other fields. "This discovery serves as a foundation for the future of nanotechnology in dentistry, orthopedics and other domains in medicine," said Dr. No-Hee Park, dean of the School of Dentistry. "Dr. Ho and his team have demonstrated the enormous potential of the nanodiamonds toward improving patient care. He is a pioneer in his field."

Arthritis and Your Gums ?

Does gum disease indicate future joint problems? Although researchers and clinicians have long known about an association between two prevalent chronic inflammatory diseases - periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - the microbiological mechanisms have remained unclear. In an article published in PLoS Pathogens, University of Louisville School of Dentistry Oral Health and Systemic Diseases group researcher Jan Potempa, PhD, DSc, and an international team of scientists from the European Union's Gums and Joints project have uncovered how the bacterium responsible for periodontal disease, Porphyromonas gingivalis worsens RA by leading to earlier onset, faster progression and greater severity of the disease, including increased bone and cartilage destruction. The scientists found that P. gingivalis produces a unique enzyme, peptidylarginine deiminanse (PAD) which then enhances collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a form of arthritis similar to RA produced in the lab. PAD changes residues of certain proteins into citrulline, and the body recognizes citullinated proteins as intruders, leading to an immune attack. In RA patients, the subsequent result is chronic inflammation responsible for bone and cartilage destruction within the joints. Potempa and his team studied another oral bacterium, Prevotella intermedia for the same affect, but learned it did not produce PAD, and did not affect CIA. "Taken together, our results suggest that bacterial PAD may constitute the mechanistic link between P. gingivalis periodontal infection and rheumatoid arthritis, but this ground-breaking conclusion will need to be verified with further research," he said. Potempa said he is hopeful these findings will shed new light on the treatment and prevention of RA. Studies indicate that compared to the general population, people with periodontal disease have an increased prevalence of RA and, periodontal disease is at least two times more prevalent in RA patients. Other research has shown that a P. gingivalis infection in the mouth will precede RA, and the bacterium is the likely culprit for onset and continuation of the autoimmune inflammatory responses that occur in the disease.

Pregnancy and Dental Health

When a woman becomes pregnant, she knows it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to ensure both the health of herself and the health of her baby. New clinical recommendations from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and the Eurpean Federation of Periodontology (EFP) urge pregnant women to maintain periodontal health as well. Research has indicated that women with periodontal disease may be at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such giving birth to a pre-term or low-birth weight baby, reports the AAP and EFP. Periodontal disease is a chronic, bacteria-induced, inflammatory condition that attacks the gum tissue and in more severe cases, the bone supporting the teeth. If left untreated, periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, can lead to tooth loss and has been associated with other systemic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. "Tenderness, redness, or swollen gums are a few indications of periodontonal disease," warns Dr. Nancy L. Newhouse, DDS, MS, President of the AAP and a practicing periodontist in Independence, Missouri. "Other symptoms include gums that bleed with toothbrushing or eating, gums that are pulling away from the teeth, bad breath, and loose teeth. These signs, especially during pregnancy, should not be ignored and may require treatment from a dental professional." Several research studies have suggested that women with periodontal disease may be more likely to deliver babies prematurely or with low-birth weight than mothers with healthy gums. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), babies with a birth weight of less than 5.5 pounds may be at risk of long-term health problems such as delayed motor skills, social growth, or learning disabilities. Similar complications are true for babies born at least three weeks earlier than its due date. Other issues associated with pre-term birth include respiratory problems, vision and hearing loss, or feeding and digestive problems. The medical and dental communities concur that maintaining periodontal health is an important part of a healthy pregnancy. The clinical recommendations released by the AAP and the EFP state that non-surgical periodontal therapy is safe for pregnant women, and can result in improved periodontal health. Published concurrently in the Journal of Periodontology and Journal of Clinical Periodontology, the report provides guidelines for both dental and medical professionals to use in diagnosing and treating periodontal disease in pregnant women. In addition, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recently released a statement encouraging pregnant women to sustain their oral health and recommended regular dental cleanings during pregnancy. "Routine brushing and flossing, and seeing a periodontist, dentist, or dental hygienist for a comprehensive periodontal evaluation during pregnancy may decrease the chance of adverse pregnancy complications," says Dr. Newhouse. "It is important for expectant mothers to monitor their periodontal health and to have a conversation with their periodontist or dentist about the most appropriate care. By maintaining your periodontal health, you are not only supporting your overall health, but also helping to ensure a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby," says Dr. Newhouse.

Colorectal Cancer Find

Two new studies published this week suggest that a type of gut bacteria found in the mouth may trigger colorectal cancer by influencing the immune response and switching on cancer genes. The researchers believe their findings may lead to more timely and improved ways of diagnosing, preventing, and treating colorectal cancer. Our gut contains trillions of bacteria, vastly outnumbering our own cells. These microbe communities maintain our health by training our immune system and helping us digest food. But they can also trigger disease. There is evidence that an imbalance between the "good" and the "bad" gut bacteria may promote colon cancer. The two new studies, published in the August 14th online issue of the journalCell Host & Microbe, focus on a genus of bacteria called Fusobacteria, and the species F. nucleatum in particular. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer among Americans. Researchers have found Fusobacteria from the mouth are also abundant in tissues from colorectal cancer patients. Our mouths contain millions of bacteria But until this latest research, it was not clear whether these gut microbes actually trigger tumors, and if so, how they do it. In the first study, the researchers found Fusobacteria in benign tumors that can become cancerous over time. This might suggest that they contribute to the early stages of tumor formation. Then, in mice bred to have a human-like form of colorectal cancer, the team found the bacteria sped up tumor formation by summoning a type of immune cell called myeloid cells, which penetrate tumors and trigger inflammations that can lead to cancer. Senior author Wendy Garrett, of the Harvard School of Public Health and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the US, told the press: "Fusobacteria may provide not only a new way to group or describe colon cancers but also, more importantly, a new perspective on how to target pathways to halt tumor growth and spread."