NHS special health authority

Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? A nutritionist explains the science behind 'functional' foods

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 10, 2023

We’ve all heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but how true is that?

Key Points: 
  • We’ve all heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but how true is that?
  • Apples are not high in vitamin A, nor are they beneficial for vision like carrots.
  • However, apples contain various bioactive substances – natural chemicals that occur in small amounts in foods and that have biological effects in the body.

Functional foods defined

    • Functional foods are not the same as superfoods.
    • The problem is that most of those claims are not based on scientific research, like the criteria for functional foods are.
    • In addition to the nutrients that our bodies need for growth and development, functional foods contain a variety of bioactive substances, each with a unique function in the body.
    • Research suggests that the carotenoids from foods and the other categories of bioactive substances may help prevent certain cancers and improve heart health.

History of the functional food movement

    • From the early 1900s to the 1970s, nutrition research focused on vitamin deficiencies.
    • In 1980, the U.S. government published the first dietary guidelines that encouraged people to avoid fat, sugar and salt.
    • Public health messaging encouraged people to replace fatty foods with starchy foods such as breads and pasta.

Japan’s focus on foods for health

    • To correct this problem, Japan became the first country to introduce the concept of functional foods in the 1980s.
    • Today, Japan uses the phrase “Food for Specialized Health Uses” for products that can be scientifically shown to promote health.
    • Japan has more than 1,000 foods and beverages approved as food for specialized health uses, such as hypoallergenic rice.

The bioactive components in apples

    • An apple’s natural dietary fibers are one of the bioactive components that lead to its being classified as a functional food.
    • Pectin functions to reduce the amount of sugar and fat that is absorbed into the body.
    • In addition, apples contain high amounts of natural chemicals known as polyphenols that have vital roles in promoting health and reducing chronic disease.
    • Because they are mainly in the peel, whole apples are better sources of polyphenols than juice or applesauce.

Revisiting the original question

    • One U.S. team analyzed the apple-eating patterns and number of doctor visits among more than 8,000 adults.
    • Once adjusted for demographic and health-related factors, the researchers found that the daily apple eaters used marginally fewer prescription medications than the non-apple eaters.
    • A group of European researchers found that eating two apples a day improved heart health in 40 adults.
    • And Brazilian investigators found that eating three apples daily improved weight loss and blood glucose levels in 40 overweight women.

NICE Drives Exceptional Patient Care for One of the Largest Health Authorities in the UK

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 1, 2022

NICE (Nasdaq: NICE) today announced that NHS Lothian has successfully deployed NICEs NEVA Assist and NEVA Unattended in a continuing, multi-year partnership.

Key Points: 
  • NICE (Nasdaq: NICE) today announced that NHS Lothian has successfully deployed NICEs NEVA Assist and NEVA Unattended in a continuing, multi-year partnership.
  • NICE is thrilled with the success found at NHS Lothian, said Darren Rushworth, President, NICE International.
  • NEVAs ability to identify the administrative issues enabled patients to quickly get the care they need and allowed health care providers to focus on improving patient care.
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COMPASS Pathways joins forces with King’s College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to accelerate psychedelic research and develop new models of mental health care in the UK

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 5, 2021

The three parties are keen to collaborate on a multi-year partnership that reflects their commitment to delivering innovation in mental health care.

Key Points: 
  • The three parties are keen to collaborate on a multi-year partnership that reflects their commitment to delivering innovation in mental health care.
  • By combining our strengths in biomedical research, clinical trials, clinical care, translational science, training, and digital innovation, we can create a world-class centre of excellence in mental health.
  • COMPASS Pathways plc (Nasdaq: CMPS) is a mental health care company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation in mental health.
  • South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust is a large and complex multi-site provider of mental health services providing the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK.

NHS Counter Fraud organisations give evidence on the Bribery Act 2010

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, November 17, 2018

Select Committee on the Bibrey Act 2010 takes evidence on 20 November at 10.30am

Key Points: 
  • The Select Committee on the Bribery Act 2010 hears evidence from the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, NHS Counter Fraud Services, barristers and solicitors.
  • Do you think understanding of the Bribery Act, and specific wording, is improving with time?
  • How effective are the UK's law enforcement organisations when it comes to investigating and prosecuting bribery?
  • What do the NHS Counter Fraud Authority and Services, respectively, do to tackle bribery within the NHS?

NHS Counter Fraud organisations give evidence on the Bribery Act 2010

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, November 17, 2018

Select Committee on the Bibrey Act 2010 takes evidence on 20 November at 10.30am

Key Points: 
  • The Select Committee on the Bribery Act 2010 hears evidence from the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, NHS Counter Fraud Services, barristers and solicitors.
  • Do you think understanding of the Bribery Act, and specific wording, is improving with time?
  • How effective are the UK's law enforcement organisations when it comes to investigating and prosecuting bribery?
  • What do the NHS Counter Fraud Authority and Services, respectively, do to tackle bribery within the NHS?