Consumption Of Lentils Research Articles

Canadian Potential Healthcare and Societal Cost Savings from Consumption of Pulses: A Cost-Of-Illness Analysis.

Consumption of dietary pulses, including beans, peas and lentils, is recommended by health authorities across jurisdictions for their nutritional value and effectiveness in helping to prevent and manage major diet-related illnesses of significant socioeconomic burden. The aim of this study was to estimate the potential annual healthcare and societal cost savings relevant to rates of reduction in complications from type 2 diabetes (T2D) and incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) following a low glycemic index (GI) or high fiber diet that includes pulses, or 100 g/day pulse intake in Canada, respectively. A four-step cost-of-illness analysis was conducted to: (1) estimate the proportions of individuals who are likely to consume pulses; (2) evaluate the reductions in established risk factors for T2D and CVD; (3) assess the percent reduction in incidences or complications of the diseases of interest; and (4) calculate the potential annual savings in relevant healthcare and related costs. A low GI or high fiber diet that includes pulses and 100 g/day pulse intake were shown to potentially yield Can$6.2 (95% CI $2.6–$9.9) to Can$62.4 (95% CI $26–$98.8) and Can$31.6 (95% CI $11.1–$52) to Can$315.5 (95% CI $110.6–$520.4) million in savings on annual healthcare and related costs of T2D and CVD, respectively. Specific provincial/territorial analyses suggested annual T2D and CVD related cost savings that ranged from up to Can$0.2 million in some provinces to up to Can$135 million in others. In conclusion, with regular consumption of pulse crops, there is a potential opportunity to facilitate T2D and CVD related socioeconomic cost savings that could be applied to Canadian healthcare or re-assigned to other priority domains. Whether these potential cost savings will be offset by other healthcare costs associated with longevity and diseases of the elderly is to be investigated over the long term.

Effect of cooking and germination on antioxidant activity, total polyphenols and flavonoids, fiber content, and digestibility of lentils (Lens culinaris L.)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of cooking and germination on antioxidant activity, total polyphenols and flavonoids, fiber content, and digestibility of lentils (Lens culinaris L.). Seven commercialized samples of lentils (brown, red, dark green, French green, Beluga, dehulled and split red, and dehulled yellow) obtained from the Czech market were analyzed. Lentils were assessed for basic chemical analyses (dry matter and ash content), total phenolic and flavonoid contents (Folin-Ciocalteu and AlCl3·6H2O spectrophotometric methods, respectively), antioxidant analysis (DPPH assay), crude and neutral-detergent fiber contents and in vitro digestibility. Germination caused an increase in total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity, and digestibility and, contrariwise, a decrease in both crude and neutral-detergent fiber contents. Cooking resulted in the rising of digestibility and the reduction of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity, and both crude and neutral-detergent fiber contents. Practical applications Lentils, among other legumes, exert valuable nutritional composition (including high amounts of protein, fiber, and bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity, such as polyphenols). However, lower digestibility together with some antinutritional factors results in very low consumption of lentils in western diet. Lentils need to be processed prior to consumption. The most widely used processing methods represent thermal processing (cooking) and germination. These processing techniques can influence nutritional quality of lentils since antinutritional factors are reduced. It is crucial to monitor the changes occurring during the culinary processes and to ensure that these processes implicate positive affection of nutritive value of lentils. According to our results, both processing techniques resulted in enhanced digestibility of lentils. Furthermore, germination proved to be more efficient in the antioxidant activity improvement caused mainly by the increased amounts of polyphenols and flavonoids.

Legume consumption is inversely associated with type 2 diabetes incidence in adults: A prospective assessment from the PREDIMED study

Legumes, a low-energy, nutrient-dense and low glycemic index food, have shown beneficial effects on glycemic control and adiposity. As such, legumes are widely recommended in diabetic diets, even though there is little evidence that their consumption protects against type 2 diabetes. Therefore the aim of the present study was to examine the associations between consumption of total legumes and specific subtypes, and type 2 diabetes risk. We also investigated the effect of theoretically substituting legumes for other protein- or carbohydrate-rich foods. Prospective assessment of 3349 participants in the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) study without type 2 diabetes at baseline. Dietary information was assessed at baseline and yearly during follow-up. We used Cox regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for type-2 diabetes incidence according to quartiles of cumulative average consumption of total legumes, lentils, chickpeas, dry beans and fresh peas. During a median follow-up of 4.3 years, 266 new cases of type 2 diabetes occurred. Individuals in the highest quartile of total legume and lentil consumption had a lower risk of diabetes than those in the lowest quartile (HR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.96; P-trend=0.04; and HR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.46-0.98; P-trend=0.05, respectively). A borderline significant association was also observed for chickpeas consumption (HR 0.68; 95% CI: 0.46, 1.00; P-trend=0.06). Substitutions of half a serving/day of legumes for similar servings of eggs, bread, rice or baked potato was associated with lower risk of diabetes incidence. A frequent consumption of legumes, particularly lentils, in the context of a Mediterranean diet, may provide benefits on type 2 diabetes prevention in older adults at high cardiovascular risk. The trial is registered at http://www.controlled-trials.com (ISRCTN35739639). Registration date: 5th October 2005.

Repeated exposures and child centered nutrition phrases increases young children’s consumption and liking of lentils

BackgroundUse of repeated exposure in fostering development of food preferences has been examined; however, other techniques such as adult verbal communication have not. Child centered nutrition phrases (CCNP) have been developed, but the efficacy of adults’ use of these developmentally appropriate, nutritionally sound messages to improve children’s intake and liking of lentils has not been evaluated. ObjectiveTo determine whether repeated taste exposure (RE) and RE+CCNP would increase young children’s liking and intake of lentils. MethodsChildren (3–6 y; n=29) were offered lentils on 14 occasions (baseline, 12 exposures, and post). Taste preference and consumption were recorded and lentil consumption was measured to the nearest 0.1g. A generalized linear model was used to assess the potential group (RE or RE+CCNP) by exposure interaction on the proportional intake (weight eaten divided by weight offered). A subsequent logistic regression analysis was carried out to estimate the change in the odds of children reporting liking in the RE+CCNP group compared to the RE group. ResultsChildren’s consumption and liking of lentils increased with repeated exposure. Children exposed to CCNPs consumed a greater amount of lentils, although it was not statistically significant; however their reported liking at the beginning (p=0.04) and intermediate (p=0.02) time periods was more frequent than children who did not receive CCNP. ConclusionsRepeated taste exposure resulted in increased liking and intake of lentils in young children, and the use of CCNP may facilitate children’s liking and intake of certain foods.

Identification of urinary metabolites with potential blood pressure-lowering effects in lentil-fed spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Urine samples were obtained from a previously completed study that showed lentil consumption attenuates the increase in blood pressure that occurs over time in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The objective of the present study was to compare the metabolite profile of the urine samples from control and lentil-fed SHR in relation to the compounds present in lentils but not in other pulses. The urine samples were from 17-week-old, male SHR fed semi-purified diet prepared with powder (30%, w/w) from cooked whole pulses or a pulse-free control diet (n=8/group) for 4weeks. Pulse powders, control diet and urine samples were extracted using acetonitrile and analyzed by a high-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). Twenty-seven metabolites were significantly different in urine samples from lentil-fed SHR compared to SHR fed control diet, but only 7 were not present in the urine of SHR fed other pulses. Of these metabolites, only citrulline is linked to blood pressure regulation via production of the vasodilator nitric oxide (NO). Several arginine-related compounds that are NO synthase substrates or inhibitors were detected in lentils but not the control diet or other pulse powders. Consumption of lentils increases the availability of arginine and several related compounds that could potentially elevate production of NO and contribute to the blood pressure-lowering effects of lentil-rich diets.

Consumption of Whole Grains, Refined Cereals, and Legumes and Its Association With Colorectal Cancer Among Jordanians.

Background. The role of whole grains, refined cereals, and legumes in preventing or initiating colorectal cancer (CRC) is still uncertain. The aim of this study is to examine the possible association between the consumption of whole grains, refined cereals, and legumes and the risk of developing CRC among Jordanian population. Methods. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary data with regard to intake of whole grains, refined cereals, and legumes. A total of 220 diagnosed CRC participants and 281 CRC-free control participants matched by age, gender, occupation, and marital status were recruited. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of developing CRC in relation to the consumption of different types of whole grains, refined cereals, and legumes. Results. The odds ratio (OR) for developing CRC among cases consumed refined wheat bread at all meals was 3.1 compared with controls (95% CI: 1.2-7.9, P-Trend = 0.001); whereas the OR associated with whole wheat bread was 0.44 (95% CI: 0.22-0.92, P-Trend = 0.001). The statistical evaluation for daily consumption of rice suggested a direct association with the risk of developing CRC, OR = 3.0 (95% CI: 0.27-33.4, P-Trend = 0.020). Weekly consumption of macaroni was associated with CRC with OR of 2.4 (95% CI: 1.1-5.3, P-Trend = 0.001). The consumption of corn, bulgur, lentils, and peas suggested a protective trend, although the trend was not statistically significant. Conclusion. This study provides additional indicators of the protective role of whole grains and suggests a direct association between consumption of refined grains and higher possibility for developing CRC.

The Role of Caregiver Communication in Children's Liking and Consumption of Lentils

BackgroundUse of repeated exposure in fostering development of a child's taste preference for previously disliked foods has been thoroughly examined, however, other techniques such as adult verbal communication have not. Child Centered Nutrition Phrases (CCNP) were developed as part of the Child Care Mealtime and Active Play Partnerships project. The efficacy of adults’ use of these developmentally appropriate, nutritionally sound messages to improve children's intake and liking of lentils has not been evaluated.ObjectiveTo determine whether repeated taste exposure (RE) and RE + CCNP would increase young children's liking and intake of lentils.MethodsChildren (3–6 yr; n=30) attending the University of Idaho Children's Center were offered two tasting cups of lentils (24.4 ± 0.3 grams each) up to two times a week for a total of 5 exposures. Taste preference and consumption were recorded using three faces (“yummy,” “just okay,” and “yucky”) and plate waste, respectively. Lentil consumption was measured to the nearest 0.1 g. Repeated Measure Analysis of Variance was completed using PROC MIXED in SAS with Tukey's post hoc test to adjust for multiple comparisons. Main effects of group (RE or RE+CCNP) and exposure number and the interaction between group and exposure number were considered significant at p≤0.05.ResultsThere was a significant main effect of exposure on consumption (p=0.002) as children ate significantly more lentils at exposures 2–5 compared to baseline. The main effect of exposure on taste preference showed a trend to increased liking over time (p=0.07).There was no significant main effect of group on either liking (p=0.13) or consumption (p=0.56).However, there was a trend toward a significant interaction between group and exposure on consumption (p=0.09).ConclusionsRepeated taste exposure resulted in increased liking and intake of lentils in young children, and the use of CCNPs to engage children in trying and eating a novel food appears to have some promise. In order to further explore the trend toward a significant interaction between group and exposure continued research will be conducted.Support or Funding InformationAmerican Pulses Association

Effect of nutrition education among pregnant women with low body mass index: a community based intervention

Background: Indian women are chronically undernourished (36%) and anemic (55%) which has consequences on women during their adolescence, pregnancy, and lactation (NFHS-3). The main objectives were to assess the effect of nutrition education on dietary awareness and practice among undernourished pregnant women. Methods: Phase 1 included key informant interview capturing information on food frequency and dietary diversity (24 hour dietary recall). Based on the key informant interview and anecdotal evidences a hypothesis was generated and an experimental study was planned to test the hypotheses. Fifty pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy having body mass index (BMI) less than 18.5 were selected from 12 villages to be part of the intervention group. Non-intervention group comprised of age matched women in first trimester with low BMI selected from the neighbouring villages. Phase 2 effect of nutrition education was assessed on mean weight gain in third trimester of pregnancy practice of minimum meal frequency (3 meals a day), adoption of dietary diversity through 24 hour recall method, proportion of change evidenced in hand washing practice were measured. Results: Women enrolled in the intervention had a mean weight gain of 8.7 kg, with more than 3 ante natal care (ANC) visits having regular monthly attendance at ICDS center for awareness programs. Behavioral modification was evidenced by practicing a minimum of 3 meals or more during pregnancy, with consumption of vegetables, lentils and greens in their daily diet along with cereals. Regular hand washing before the meals and after using the toilet were self-reported by the women. Conclusions: Prospective weight gain among women in intervention had significance over those in the non- intervention group by 2.1kg. Women in the intervention group reflected behavioral change by practicing minimum meal of 3 or more, proper hand washing before meals and after toilet and adequate rest. However birth weight on other hand is weakly associated with maternal weight gain between the two arms of the study.

Health Benefits of a Pulse‐Based Diet for Soccer Players During Regular Season Play

Pulses are considered a low glycemic index food and may be beneficial for athletic performance. We have shown that acute consumption of lentils is beneficial for improving laboratory‐based endurance performance during simulated soccer games (Little et al., 2009; 2010; Bennett et al. 2012) and a pulse diet (2 months) is beneficial for lowering cholesterol levels (Abeysekara et al. 2012).PURPOSE:We hypothesize that chronic consumption of pulses by soccer players will improve measures of health throughout the soccer season.METHODS:Soccer players were randomized to receive a calorie adjusted, pulse‐based diet (250g of cooked pulses) for one month or consume their regular diet. Participants then crossed over to the opposite diet. Pre and post each month‐long diet phase, blood samples were collected to determine fasting glucose, insulin and lipid levels.RESULTS:Consuming pulses did not significantly affect blood insulin, total cholesterol, HDL or LDL and VLDL levels (n=9). Total cholesterol (TC) expressed as a ratio to HDL resulted in athletes consuming the pulse based diet after 4 weeks (2.04 ±2.49) having a lower TC:HDL ratio compared to when they consumedtheir regular diets (3.43±2.29) (p=0.03). Cholesterol ratios also decreased over time after consuming the pulse diet (Baseline: 2.74±2.49, Post diet intervention: 2.04±1.00).CONCLUSIONConsuming a diet composed of pulses provides the beneficial effect of reducing cholesterol ratios in healthy adult athletes. The reduction in cholesterol ratios over time in healthy individuals may indicate a beneficial role of consuming pulses to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.

Perceived Benefits and Barriers Surrounding Lentil Consumption in Families with Young Children.

Plant-based diets are advocated for prevention of chronic diseases. Lentils are an inexpensive plant-based meat alternative. This study determined perceived benefits and barriers to lentil consumption and how they relate to the demographics and nutritional knowledge of caregivers and consumption habits in families with children 3-11 years of age. A self-administered questionnaire measuring nutritional knowledge and perceived benefits and barriers to the consumption of lentils was completed by 401 caregivers in a school setting in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The majority of respondents were 26-45 years of age (83%) and female (76%). Respondents associated lentils with health benefits (91%). The most frequently reported barrier associated with consumption pertained to family acceptance: "if my child liked lentils I would make them more" (76% agreement). More than half (58%) of respondents stated they "never or rarely" consumed lentils (low-consumers). Of low-consumers, top barriers included lack of knowledge on how to cook lentils and a belief that family members would not accept lentils. Future promotion strategies should address the top barriers to lentil consumption. An understanding of the perceived benefits and barriers surrounding lentil consumption will help formulate approaches to increase consumption of lentils as well as pulses.

Nutritional Profile and Carbohydrate Characterization of Spray-Dried Lentil, Pea and Chickpea Ingredients.

Although many consumers know that pulses are nutritious, long preparation times are frequently a barrier to consumption of lentils, dried peas and chickpeas. Therefore, a product has been developed which can be used as an ingredient in a wide variety of dishes without presoaking or precooking. Dried green peas, chickpeas or lentils were soaked, cooked, homogenized and spray-dried. Proximate analyses were conducted on the pulse powders and compared to an instant mashed potato product. Because the health benefits of pulses may be due in part to their carbohydrate content, a detailed carbohydrate analysis was carried out on the pulse powders. Pulse powders were higher in protein and total dietary fibre and lower in starch than potato flakes. After processing, the pulse powders maintained appreciable amounts of resistant starch (4.4%–5.2%). Total dietary fibre was higher in chickpeas and peas (26.2% and 27.1% respectively) than lentils (21.9%), whereas lentils had the highest protein content (22.7%). Pulse carbohydrates were rich in glucose, arabinose, galactose and uronic acids. Stachyose, a fermentable fibre, was the most abundant oligosaccharide, making up 1.5%–2.4% of the dried pulse powders. Spray-drying of cooked, homogenized pulses produces an easy to use ingredient with strong nutritional profile.

Legume Consumption Is Inversely Associated with Serum Concentrations of Adhesion Molecules and Inflammatory Biomarkers among Iranian Women 3

Independent association between legume intake and systemic inflammation is not well documented. The traditional Iranian diet provides an opportunity to assess the association between legume intake and health outcomes. This study was carried out to examine legume consumption in relation to serum concentrations of adhesion molecules and inflammatory biomarkers among Iranian women. In this cross-sectional study, 486 Tehrani female teachers were investigated. A trained dietitian administered a validated semiquantitative FFQ for assessment of usual dietary intakes. Legume intake was calculated by summing up the consumption of lentils, peas, chickpeas, different kinds of beans including broad beans, and chickling vetch. To measure serum concentrations of adhesion molecules and inflammatory biomarkers, a fasting blood sample was taken. After statistically controlling for potential confounders, individuals in the highest tertile of legume intake had lower serum concentrations of E-selectin (percent difference between the lowest and highest tertile: -14.1%; P = 0.04), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (-20.3%; P < 0.01), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (-15.6%; P = 0.01) compared with those in the lowest tertile. Legume intake was inversely associated with serum concentrations of high sensitive CRP (hs-CRP), TNFa, and IL-6, even after controlling for potential confounders and dietary variables (percent difference between the lowest and highest tertile for hs-CRP: -39.2%, P < 0.001; for TNFa: -15.9%, P = 0.04; and for IL-6: -39.5%, P < 0.01). Legume intake and concentrations of serum amyloid A were not correlated. Legume consumption is inversely associated with serum concentrations of adhesion molecules and inflammatory biomarkers among Iranian women.

Chemopreventive effect of raw and cooked lentils (Lens culinaris L) and soybeans (Glycine max) against azoxymethane-induced aberrant crypt foci

Although lentils (Lens culinaris L) contain several bioactive compounds that have been linked to the prevention of cancer, the in vivo chemopreventive ability of lentils against chemically induced colorectal cancer has not been examined. Our present study examined the hypothesis that lentils could suppress the early carcinogenesis in vivo by virtue of their bioactive micro- and macroconstituents and that culinary thermal treatment could affect their chemopreventive potential. To accomplish this goal, we used raw whole lentils (RWL), raw split lentils (RSL), cooked whole lentils (CWL), and cooked split lentils (CSL). Raw soybeans (RSB; Glycine max) were used for the purpose of comparison with a well-studied chemopreventive agent. Sixty weanling Fischer 344 male rats, 4 to 5 weeks of age, were randomly assigned to 6 groups (10 rats/group): the control group (C) received AIN-93G diet, and treatment leguminous groups of RWL, CWL, RSL, CSL, and RSB received the treatment diets containing AIN-93G+5% of the above-mentioned legumes. After acclimatization for 1 week (at 5th to 6th week of age), all animals were put on the control and treatment diets separately for 5 weeks (from 6th to 11th week of age). At the end of the 5th week of feeding (end of 11th week of age), all rats received 2 subcutaneous injections of azoxymethane carcinogen at 15 mg/kg rat body weight per dose once a week for 2 consecutive weeks. After 17 weeks of the last azoxymethane injection (from 12th to 29th week of age), all rats were euthanized. Chemopreventive ability was assessed using colonic aberrant crypt foci and activity of hepatic glutathione-S-transferases. Significant reductions (P < .05) were found in total aberrant crypt foci number (mean +/- SEM) for RSB (27.33 +/- 4.32), CWL (33.44 +/- 4.56), and RSL (37.00 +/- 6.02) in comparison with the C group (58.33 +/- 8.46). Hepatic glutathione-S-transferases activities increased significantly (P < .05) in rats fed all treatment diets (from 51.38 +/- 3.66 to 67.94 +/- 2.01 micromol mg(-1) min(-1)) when compared with control (C) diet (26.13 +/- 1.01 micromol mg(-1) min(-1)). Our findings indicate that consumption of lentils might be protective against colon carcinogenesis and that hydrothermal treatment resulted in an improvement in the chemopreventive potential for the whole lentils.

Chronic Radiation Enteritis: Women's Food Tolerances after Radiation Treatment for Gynecologic Cancer

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To identify foods that commonly affect bowel activity after abdominal radiotherapy. Chronic Radiation Enteritis (CRE) can occur in patients who receive abdominal radiotherapy (ART). The literature suggests low residue, low fat, and low lactose diets in the management of CRE symptoms but does not provide definitive guidelines. Twenty-six women with documented CRE and 21 with no documentation of CRE (control group) completed a nutrition questionnaire developed by a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist. The questionnaire sought to identify specific foods that affected bowel symptoms after ART. Seventy percent of the CRE group identified excess bloating, gas, abdominal cramps and diarrhea post ART compared to 24% of the control group. Fifty percent of the CRE patients reported an increase in symptoms upon consumption of bran muffins, berries, cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, tossed salad, caesar salad, baked beans, lentils, and nuts in contrast to 14% of the controls. A significant difference was seen in the portion sizes of these foods tolerated between the two groups. Eighty-five percent of the CRE group could only tolerate very small portions of these foods (less than a diabetic food exchange) while the controls consumed large portions before symptom exacerbation. In conclusion, smaller, more frequent portions of foods are better tolerated and an individualized approach is critical in the nutritional management of CRE.

Food consumption patterns in a Palestinian West Bank population.

To describe the food consumption patterns in relation to wealth status and age groups in a Palestinian West Bank village population. Community-based cross-sectional survey of both households and individuals. A list recall method was used at the household level. At the individual level, a short food-frequency questionnaire was used in addition to a 24-h recall without estimates of portion sizes. A Palestinian semi-rural village in the central West Bank. All households and all men and women aged 30-65 y in the study village were invited. All 368 households and 85% (n=500) of eligible individuals participated. The mean energy consumption from 25 selected food items on household level was about 13.8 MJ (3300 kcal)/consumption unit/d (a consumption unit corresponds to the expected energy requirement for an adult male). The proportion of dietary energy from fat and the consumption of most animal products was highest among the wealthiest households, and the opposite trend was seen for the consumption of wheat flour and lentils. There seems to be an ongoing trend of increasing consumption of processed products rich in sugar among the younger age groups. Shortage of dietary energy on the household level did not seem to be a problem in this population, even among the poorest. Differences in food consumption patterns between the poor and the wealthy, including a higher percentage of energy from fat among the wealthy, may be to the disadvantage of the wealthy with respect to some diet-related chronic diseases. The Norwegian Universities' Committee for Development Research (NUFU).

Chronic Radiation Enteritis: Women's Food Tolerances After Radiation Treatment for Gynecological Cancer

LEARNING OUTCOME: To identify foods that commonly affect bowel activity after abdominal radiotherapy. Chronic Radiation Enteritis (CRE) can occur in patients who receive abdominal radiotherapy (ART). The literature suggests low residue, low fat, and low lactose diets in the management of CRE symptoms but does not provide definitive guidelines. Twenty-six women with documented CRE and 21 with no documentation of CRE (control group) completed a nutrition questionnaire developed by a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist. The questionnaire sought to identify specific foods that affected bowel symptoms after ART. Seventy percent of the CRE group identified excess bloating, gas, abdominal cramps and diarrhea post ART compared to 24% of the control group. Fifty percent of the CRE patients reported an increase in symptoms upon consumption of bran muffins, berries, cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, tossed salad, caesar salad, baked beans, lentils, and nuts in contrast to 14% of the controls. A significant difference was seen in the portion sizes of these foods tolerated between the two groups. Eighty-five percent of the CRE group could only tolerate very small portions of these foods (less than a diabetic food exchange) while the controls consumed large portions before symptom exacerbation. In conclusion, smaller, more frequent portions of foods are better tolerated and an individualized approach is critical in the nutritional management of CRE.

Measures of Food Choice Behavior Related to Intervention Messages in Worksite Health Promotion

Worksite nutrition educators and researchers need not only nutrient composition data but also information on employees’ food choices to create intervention messages that are food-focused and tailored to specific target audiences. This paper describes a method of calculating measures of food choice behavior related to intervention messages and reports relationships between workers’ food choices and demographic characteristics. This work was conducted as part of the Working Well Trial, a 5-year worksite cancer prevention randomized, controlled prospective field experiment funded by the National Cancer Institute. It was implemented in 114 worksites employing 37,291 workers who were engaged in a variety of businesses. In the fall of 1990, 20,801 respondents completed and returned a self-administered baseline survey. A modified Block 88-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) with portion sizes was used for the quantitative assessment both of nutrient intake and workers’ food choices. The worksite mean response rate was 71.6%. Responses to behavioral items regarding meat were used to measure meat preparation behaviors not captured on the FFQ. We found that higher education, greater age, and female gender were associated with food choices closest to the recommendations to increase fiber, fruits, and vegetables and to reduce fat. An exception to this pattern was the recommendation to increase the consumption of beans and lentils, which was associated with lower education, greater age, and male gender. The relationship of job status to the food choice variables was inconsistent across foods and study centers and there were differences between study centers in the magnitude of associations between food choices and demographic characteristics.

Cohort study of diet, lifestyle, and prostate cancer in Adventist men.

Dietary and lifestyle characteristics were evaluated in relation to subsequent prostatic cancer risk in a cohort of approximately 14,000 Seventh-day Adventist men who completed a detailed lifestyle questionnaire in 1976 and who were monitored for cancer incidence until the end of 1982. During the 6-year follow-up period, 180 histologically confirmed prostatic cancers were detected among some 78,000 man-years of follow-up. Increasing educational attainment was associated with significantly decreased risk of prostate cancer in this study; age at first marriage was also inversely associated with risk, although this was not significant. There was no relationship between body mass index (as measured by Quetelet's Index) and risk. A history of prostate "trouble" was associated with a 60% increase in risk which was highly significant. Although there were suggestive relationships between increasing animal product consumption and increased risk, these results did not persist after accounting for the influence of fruit and vegetable consumption. Nor was exposure to the vegetarian lifestyle during the childhood years associated with alterations in subsequent risk. However, increasing consumption of beans, lentils and peas, tomatoes, raisin, dates, and other dried fruit were all associated with significantly decreased prostate cancer risk.

Dietary habits and past medical history as related to fatal pancreas cancer risk among Adventists.

Epidemiologic studies of diet and pancreas cancer are few, and include ecologic comparisons and a limited number of prospective and case-control studies. Foods and/or nutrients that have been suggested to be associated with increased risk of this cancer include total fat intake, eggs, animal protein, sugar, meat, coffee and butter. Consumption of raw fruits and vegetables has been consistently associated with decreased risk. Dietary habits and medical history variables were evaluated in a prospective study of fatal pancreas cancer among 34,000 California Seventh-day Adventists between 1976 and 1983. Forty deaths from pancreas cancer occurred during the follow-up period. Compared to all US whites, Adventists experienced decreased risk from pancreas cancer death (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] = 72 for men; 90 for women), which was not statistically significant. Although there was a suggestive relationship between increasing meat, egg, and coffee consumption and increased pancreatic cancer risk, these variables were not significantly related to risk after controlling for cigarette smoking. However, increasing consumption of vegetarian protein products, beans, lentils, and peas as well as dried fruit was associated with highly significant protective relationships to pancreas cancer risk. A prior history of diabetes was associated with increased risk of subsequent fatal pancreas cancer, as was a history of surgery for peptic or duodenal ulcer. A history of tonsillectomy was associated with a slight, nonsignificant protective relationship as was history of various allergic reactions. These findings suggest that the protective relationships associated with frequent consumption of vegetables and fruits high in protease-inhibitor content are more important than any increase in pancreas cancer risk attendant on frequent consumption of meat or other animal products. Furthermore, the previously reported positive associations between diabetes and abdominal surgery and pancreas cancer risk are supported in these data.

A Study of the Red on Cream and Cream on Red Designs on Early Neolithic Ceramics from Nea Nikomedeia

Nea Nikomedeia, excavated by Robert J. Rodden in 1961, 1963 and 1964,' is an Early Neolithic settlement on the shore of an estuary near the Bay of Thessaloniki. Separate rectangular pole and mud houses were surrounded, in the earlier phase, by two concentric walls, and in the later phase, by a ditch. The inhabitants were mixed farmers who cultivated principally emmer wheat and 6-row barley, and herded sheep and goats. Some evidence for the consumption of einkorn wheat, lentils, peas and bitter vetch, as well as of pigs and cattle, was also present. Three radiocarbon dates-6220+150 B.C., 5605?90 B.C., and 5330?75 B.C.-place the site in the Early Neolithic period and make it one of the earliest farming villages in this area.2