Show 1079: What Is the Science Behind Fabulous Foods for Health?

Which fabulous foods can make a difference for our health? There might be too many to count. For this show, we are focusing on the science supporting the health benefits of just three power-packed foods: olive oil, curcumin and cherries.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Is One of the Fabulous Foods:

Olive oil is a pillar of the Mediterranean diet. Studies show that this eating pattern cuts your chance of developing heart disease, diabetes or other chronic conditions. What is it about olive oil that makes it so good for you? How can you choose the best olive oil?

Curcumin to Fight Cancer?

An Asian spice, turmeric, has been getting a lot of attention in research labs. One principal component, curcumin, has anti-inflammatory activity. It can benefit a tremendous variety of health conditions. In particular, it shows great promise against colon cancer, as our guest Ajay Goel, PhD, points out. How could it NOT count as one of the fabulous foods?

Cherries to Keep Muscles from Getting Sore?

Tart cherries, such as Montmorency cherries, have a surprising super-power. Taken before and after a major athletic competition such as a marathon, they reduce muscle soreness and speed healing. People who drink cherry juice have better endurance as well. Wouldn't you like a sip?

This Week's Guests:

Tod Cooperman, MD, is the founder and President of both ConsumerLab.com and PharmacyChecker.com. He writes and comments on consumer healthcare issues. His report on extra virgin olive oil can be found at https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Extra-Virgin-Olive-Oil-Review/evoo/

Ajay Goel, PhD, is director of the Center for Gastrointestinal Research and of the Center for Translational Genomics and Oncology at the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute. He is professor of medicine at Baylor University Medical Center and is with the Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center of the Baylor Research Institute and the Sammons Cancer Center of the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, TX. You will find his most recent research in Scientific Reports.

Malachy P. McHugh, PhD, has been the Director of Research at the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma (NISMAT) at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City since 1999. He leads a multidisciplinary research team including orthopaedic surgeons, physical therapists, exercise physiologists, nutritionists, biomechanists, biomedical engineers, and athletic trainers. He has been a consultant with the New York Rangers Hockey Team since 2000. Malachy McHugh received his PhD in Exercise Physiology in 1999 from the University of Wales, Bangor. His research on cherry juice for marathon runners was published in 2015 in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.