Introducing the new all electric
Sweet Bites Newsletter
Issue 68 | October 2021
In This Issue
FEATURE: The gut brain axis
NEWS: Nutritious and affordable food – is it possible?
NEWS: Australian Dietary Guidelines Expert Committee announced
Welcome
Welcome to Issue 68 of Sweet Bites. In this issue our feature article is about the gut-brain axis and why our gut is referred to as our second brain. There is a lot going on in our bowels and much we can do to look after the billions of microbes that live there.
Our News items are about which foods are nutritious and affordable in Australia and New Zealand, and the announcement of the Dietary Guidelines Expert Review Committee.
From the journals we’ve gathered three papers on sugars, carbohydrates and health: A trial on the effect of added sugars in soft drink compared with sugars in fruit on cardiometabolic risk factors; A micro-simulation study on the impact and cost-effectiveness of achieving national sugar and salt reduction targets in the USA; and the 2021 International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values.
We hope you enjoy this issue and invite you to be in touch if you have any feedback or suggestions for future articles.
Monthly Feature
The gut brain axis
You’ve probably heard of the gut-brain axis, but what does it mean?
News
Nutritious and affordable food – is it possible?
Food stress has heightened during the pandemic, but new modelling demonstrates how nutritional quality and affordability can be improved.
Australian Dietary Guidelines Expert Committee announced
The process of reviewing the Australian Dietary Guidelines is underway with the announcement of the members of the Dietary Guidelines Expert Committee.
Research Updates
We have three papers to share on sugars, carbohydrates and health:
No Effect of Added Sugars in Soft Drink Compared With Sugars in Fruit on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: Results From a 4-Week, Randomized Controlled Trial.
When 48 overweight adults were given either 6 pieces of fresh fruit or 955ml soft drink (each providing equal amounts of added sugars) in an ad libitum diet for 4 weeks, there were no changes in weight, blood pressure or other cardiometabolic risk factors, except for an increase in uric acid in men. The authors concluded public health interventions should focus on quality of the whole diet rather than reducing sugary drinks or sugar intakes. Read more here.
Health Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Achieving the National Salt and Sugar Reduction Initiative Voluntary
Sugar Reduction Targets in the United States: A Micro-Simulation Study.
A hypothetical model based on the US population predicted the following lifetime outcomes if proposed national sugar reduction targets (20% reduction from packaged foods and 40% from drinks) were met: Prevent 2.48 million CVD events and 0.49 million CVD deaths; Prevent 0.75 million diabetes cases; Gain 6.67 million QALYs (Quality Adjusted Life Years); Save US$160.88 billion net costs. The policy would become cost-saving after 9 years. Read more here.
International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021: a systematic review.
The first update since 2008, this edition lists over 4000 items, a 61% increase. There are two lists: the first contains precise values using the International Standard methodology, and the second contains values obtained using less robust methods. Dairy foods, legumes, pasta and fruits were usually low GI. Cereal and cereal products varied widely. Most potatoes were high GI, although there are now some lower ones. Read more here.
About Us
The Sugar Nutrition Resource Centre (SNRC) is committed to providing health care professionals with evidence-based information on sugar and nutrition.
Our work continues to be guided by scientific experts from Australia and New Zealand.
As always, we would love to hear any feedback from you.
About the Editor
NICOLE SENIOR
Nutritionist, Sydney
Nicole is an experienced Accredited Practising Dietitian and Nutritionist, author, speaker, blogger, cook and food enthusiast with an interest in turning evidence based nutrition guidelines into sensible, achievable and enjoyable everyday eating advice and supporting other food and health professionals to do the same.
Locked Bag 2222, North Ryde 2113, Australia
