Juice 'prevents clogged arteries'

Juices made from apples or purple grapes - and the fruit themselves - protect against developing clogged arteries, a study suggests.

Researchers fed hamsters the fruit and juice or water, plus a fatty diet.

The animals who were fed grape juice had the lowest risk of developing artery problems, Molecular Nutrition and Food Research reports.

The University of Montpellier team said the juice's benefits came from its high levels of phenols - an antioxidant.

Antioxidants in various foods have been regularly cited as being beneficial to heart health.

The French team looked at how juicing affected the phenol content of fruit - because most studies look at raw fruit.

Four glasses a day

They then looked at how being fed various kinds of fruit affected the hamsters' risk of atherosclerosis - the build-up of fatty plaque deposits in the arteries that can lead to heart attacks or strokes.

The amount of fruit the hamsters consumed was equivalent to three apples or three bunches of grapes daily for a human.

Hamsters given juice drank the equivalent of four glasses daily for a person weighing 70 kilograms (154 pounds).

The apples and grapes had about the same phenol content, while the purple grape juice had 2.5 times more phenols than apple juice.

Compared with animals given water, those given fruit or fruit juice had lower cholesterol levels, less oxidative stress, and less fat accumulation in their aorta, the main vessel supplying oxygenated blood to the body.

Purple grape juice had the strongest effect, followed by purple grapes, apple juice and apples.

The researchers say their findings suggest the amount of phenols contained in a food have a direct effect on its antioxidant properties.

Other antioxidant compounds in the fruits, such as vitamin C and carotenoids, could also contribute to their effects, they added.

The team, led by Kelly Decorde, said their findings "provide encouragement that fruit and fruit juices may have a significant clinical and public health relevance."

A British nutritionist said: "High levels of antioxidants are recognised as being good for you."

Rice Joins Ranks of Whole Grain Health Claim

FDA extended its health claim for whole grain foods to include whole grain rice. Further, FDA states that all single ingredient whole grain foods qualify for the claim, regardless of whether they meet the requirement for a minimum level of dietary fiber, as long as they meet the other general health claim requirements.

The dietary fiber requirement was established in 1999 in order to monitor compliance with the claim. FDA now states that compliance for single ingredient whole grain foods will be monitored by examining package ingredient statements, not through fiber content.

The whole grain health claim reads: “Diets rich in whole grain foods and other plant foods and low in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.”

2007 Organic Coffee Market Hits $1 Billion in North America, New Data Shows

The North American organic coffee market reached one billion dollars in 2007, according to new data released today during a sampling event featuring new organic coffees. The event was hosted by the Organic Coffee Collaboration, a project of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), at New York City's popular Union Square Cafe.

Participants in the Collaboration are: Dallis Coffee (New York City, NY), Elan Organic Coffees (San Diego, CA), Equal Exchange (West Bridgewater, MA), Fresh Harvest Products (New York City, NY), Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (Waterbury, VT), and Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company (Vancouver, Canada).

The amount of organic coffee imported into the U.S. and Canada increased 29 percent from 2006-2007 from approximately 65 million pounds to approximately 84 million pounds, according to Philadephia, PA - Daniele Giovannucci, author of the upcoming North American Organic Coffee Industry Survey, who presented the data at the event. Most of the coffee was sold in the United States. The survey will soon be available from the Organic Trade Association.

"By purchasing any of the delicious and high quality organic coffees available today, consumers are helping protect the environment around the world," said Caren Wilcox, OTA executive director.

Giovannucci estimates the organic coffee sector now represents 3 percent of the total U.S. green coffee imports in 2007, growing an average of 32 percent annually between 2000 and 2007. This growth dwarfs the estimated 2 percent annual growth rate of the conventional coffee industry. Organic coffee is grown in 40 countries worldwide, including the United States (Hawaii).

According to Giovannucci, factors driving the increase in organic coffee production and consumption include: growth in values-based purchasing (including the desire to support organic production practices) and personal health or food safety concerns.

The perennial Zagat-favorite Union Square Cafe is one of the many restaurants and other food establishments across the United States offering organic coffees to their discriminating clientele.


Background:

Organic coffee is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, avoid the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic farmers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production.

The Organic Coffee Collaboration - a project of the Organic Trade Association, the business association for the North American organic industry, includes:

Dallis Coffee (New York, NY) - A leading provider of organic and Fair Trade Certified™ coffees, selling to Whole Foods, universities and top cafés and restaurants across the country.

Elan Organic Coffees (San Diego, CA) - Elan Organic Coffees is a coffee developer and importer offering a line of certified organic socially responsible coffees it has developed through partnerships with village co-ops in coffee producing countries. Elan has pioneered the supply of the world's finest certified organic coffees, while supporting farmers and protecting the environment.

Equal Exchange (West Bridgewater, MA) - Worker-owned, Fair Trade Certified™ cooperative and one of the largest U.S. organic coffee roasters.

Fresh Harvest Products, Inc. (New York, NY) - Its Wings of Nature® brand coffees are small-batch roasted to a temperature that peaks the flavor and aroma of each bean, and then custom blended after roasting to provide unique and flavorful varieties.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (Waterbury, VT) - Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is recognized as a leader in the specialty coffee industry for its award-winning coffees and socially responsible business practices. The company offers a broad selection of double-certified organic and Fair Trade coffees under the Green Mountain Coffee Roasters® and Newman's Own® Organics brands.

Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company (Vancouver, BC, Canada) - A wholesome process for decaffeinating coffee - pure water, 100% chemical-free - ensures the best of the bean remains, while only caffeine is removed. Swiss Water decaffeinates organic coffees for premium companies including Elan Organic Coffees and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. Look for the SWISS WATER® logo on pack or in store to guarantee great tasting, 99.9% caffeine-free coffee.

Waving Your Coffee Wand

“The prettiest girl I ever saw Was sipping cider through a straw.”–Traditional Boy Scout song. “The prettiest girl I ever saw Was sipping coffee through a straw.”–Song not yet written, but now it could be. Meet the newest gadget in the coffee gadget universe. It’s called the “Wand” from Wisdom Wands, Inc. The “Java Wand” consists of a glass straw attached to a miniature French press filter.

For those new to the coffee culture, a French press is normally made of a narrow glass or plastic cylindrical jug, a snugly-fitting lid lined with a wire or nylon mesh, and a plunger. The user places the coffee and hot water in the jug, allows it to brew, and, by pressing the plunger, separates the coffee grounds at the jug’s bottom.

French presses are popular because the ground coffee releases more of its essential oils, and therefore flavor, into the water with which it is in contact. But, because the used grounds remain in the jug, the coffee should be consumed immediately so that it does not become overly bitter.

In the “Java Wand’s” case, the French press filter is contained in a tiny cube at the base of a glass straw.

You can brew your coffee directly in your favorite cup, with one or two tablespoons of your favorite beans, ground medium, and water. You can experiment to your heart’s content in deciding the best temperature for the water, the correct brewing time, and ratio of coffee grounds to water.

If you are trying a new coffee, let it brew for one or two minutes, and sip it through your straw. If it’s too weak, brew it a little longer; if too strong, make a note of the brewing time and decrease it the next time.

Add milk, sweetener, or whatever suits you fancy in creating your own unique coffee brew. Then carry your cup to your favorite coffee-drinking spot, and sip away.

One possible drawback to the whole concept? The straw eliminates your ability to gauge the temperature of the coffee before it hits your tongue.

Small sips, please.