Beware local news anchors who offer offhand nutrition advice

Local television newscasters should zip it when it comes to nutrition advice.

A newscast here in Baltimore featured a study in which UK researchers found that middle-aged and older subjects with the highest levels of vitamin C were more than 60 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to subjects with the lowest levels of the vitamin.

To lead off the report, the news anchor suggested that a couple of glasses of orange juice every day might help prevent type 2 diabetes.

The study is good news. The advice? Not so good.

An orange is high in unrefined, water-soluble fiber. And that makes it very different (and healthier) than orange juice. Many types of fruit juices (such as orange, grapefruit and grape juices) actually contain as much sugar per serving as a soft drink.

In the e-Alert “Hilarity Ensues” (7/29/08), I told you about a Tulane School of Public Health study that analyzed dietary and medical records in more than 70,000 subjects. Results showed that risk of developing type 2 diabetes increased by nearly 20 percent among subjects who drank one serving of fruit juice daily.

The study also found that three daily servings of whole fruit LOWERED type 2 diabetes risk by about the same amount. The reason: Fruit fiber helps prevent the sugar spikes that contribute to type 2 diabetes.

Source:
“High Vitamin C Intake May Cut Diabetes Risk” Reuters Health, 8/7/08, reutershealth.com