F LEX NUTR ITION
FAT CHANCE
A new study from the
University of California -
Davis, US, has found that
a high fat, or ketogenic,
diet not only increases
longevity, but improves
physical strength. The study
on mice found that there
was a 13 percent increase
in median life span for
the mice on a high fat
vs. a high carb diet.EAT GREENS,
SMELL SWEET
The best reason yet to
eat more fruit and
vegies? A study from
Macquarie University,
NSW, has found that men
who eat a diet that’s rich
in fruits and vegies smell
more “floral” and attractive
to women than blokes who
eat a high-carb or high-
fat diet. The researchers
found that men who ate
more refined carb-heavy
foods smelled more
“musty” and less
attractive to women.BINGE DRINKING & BRAIN
DAMAGE IN YOUNG PEOPLE
A study of the brain activity of
young binge-drinking university
students in Spain has found distinctive
changes in their brain activity compared
to non-drinkers, which may indicate
delayed brain development and may
even be an early sign of brain damage.
These changes indicate a decreased
ability to respond to external stimuli
as well as potential difficulties in
information processing capacity –
not something a uni student needs!BAD SUBSTITUTE
Research from Cornell
University has found that
erythritol, a sugar alcohol
that’s also found in fruit
like pears, grapes and
watermelons, is linked to
increased fat mass and
weight gain. Erythritol,
which has fewer calories
than sugar and is mass
produced by fermentation
for commercial use, is
a common ingredient in
processed foods labelled
“low calorie.”EAT LATER, GET FATTER
Don’t chow down later in the
day, says a study from the
University of Pennsylvania
School of Medicine. Those
who ate three meals and
snacked from noon to
11 pm every day for eight
weeks had higher insulin
and cholesterol levels and
gained weight compared
with those who just ate
from 8am to 7pm.FRY, GRILL, NUKE ’EM
An International Journal of
Food Sciences and Nutrition
study found that when
grilled or microwaved,
mushrooms retain powerful
antioxidant compounds.
When fried, mushrooms lost
a lot of protein and carbs
but bumped up fat and
energy. Mushrooms are high
in vitamin D when exposed to
sunlight, contain compounds
that boost immune system
function, reduce risk of
cardiovascular disease
and fight inflammation.CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: TS PHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGE S; PAUL BIRYUKOV/SHUTTERSTOCK; STUDIOCASPER/GETTY IMAGE S88 MUSCLE & FITNESS / NOVEMBER 2017