Issue date:
February 13-15, 1998
The most colorful vegetables give you the most cancer protection
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Cranberry pills work, too
Research has shown that folk medicine is correct: Drinking cranberry juice helps to fight urinary tract infections. Now, a new study finds that taking cranberry concentrate in capsules (400 milligrams a day) also works to prevent such "bladder" infections.In a double-blind test, women ages 19-45 who took cranberry capsules (available in health food stores) for three months were only 40 percent as likely to get a urinary tract infection as women who took a placebo or dummy pill, according to Edward B. Walker, a researcher at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. News flash:
If you drink wine with meals, you're likely to live longer than if you drink wine alone without food, according to Italian researchers. DHEA warning: Heart danger
If you take high doses (25-50mg daily) of DHEA, a popular synthetic hormone sold in health food stores, be aware it can trigger heart palpitations and irregular heartbeats -- possibly even a heart attack, warns Los Angeles physician Ray Sahelian, author of DHEA: A Practical Guide. To reduce danger, he says, take no more than 10mg daily and stop taking it for a week or two each month. Advocates say DHEA can improve mood, energy and the sex drive, but it is far from proven. | |
 enerally, the deeper the color of a vegetable or fruit, the greater the amount of its natural anti-cancer chemicals.In fact, the bright colors are a giveaway that the food contains carotenoids, a group of antioxidants proven to help prevent your cells from being damaged by pollutants and other carcinogens. So in deciding which vegetables to buy in the grocery produce section or what to order off a restaurant menu, remember to go for the gold -- or the bright green, or the ruby red.
A checklist: Top cancer fighters: carrots, squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, yellow corn (but not white corn), all orange-yellow vegetables, apricots, mangoes, red and purple grapes, peaches, all berries, all dark green leafy vegetables and lettuces, tomatoes and broccoli.Some colorless vegetables have other anti-cancer chemicals. Examples: garlic, onions, leeks, cauliflower and turnips.White potatoes count as a vegetable, say National Cancer Institute authorities. Golden (yellow-fleshed) potatoes contain some carotenoids.
Hearty Vegetable Stew 2 Tbs. canola oil 12 ounces portobello mushrooms, cut in bite-sized pieces 11/2 cups canned black bean soup (use smooth, condensed soup; if beans are whole, run through a blender) 1 14 1/2 -ounce can vegetable broth 1 large baking potato, in chunks 11/2 cups carrots, small or cut 2 medium yellow onions quartered (about 2 cups) 2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 cup red wine, optional Salt and pepper to taste Sauté mushrooms until brown and softened, about 5 minutes. Set aside. In a large pot, combine bean soup, broth, potatoes, carrots, onions and seasonings; simmer until vegetables are done, about 20-30 minutes. Add mushrooms and red wine, if using. Heat through. Serve with brown rice. Makes 7 cups. Per cup: 147 calories, 4.6g protein, 21.7g carbohydrates, 4.5g fiber, 5.2g fat (0.5g saturated), 626mg sodium.
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