January 2004 issue

Latest ARS Food & Nutrition Research Briefs Posted

The Agricultural Research Service has posted the latest issue of Food & Nutrition Research Briefs on its web site at:

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/fnrb

The Research Briefs present concise updates about ARS research in human nutrition, food freshness and safety, new foods and related topics.

Some highlights of the issue:

• Consuming high levels of hydrogenated fat, found in products like stick margarines, may contribute to higher levels of small, unhealthy particles of low-density lipoproteins, or LDL, in the blood.
• Three new, high-tech devices should make it easier, faster and less expensive to determine how many calories your body burns--information that's useful in helping you maintain a healthy weight.
• Kids' attitudes about their athletic abilities may influence whether they regularly exercise later in life--and may also influence their future risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
• A sweet, juicy new peach called "Gulfprince" may begin showing up in the produce section of some markets this coming summer.

ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency.

Contact: Marcia Wood, USDA-ARS Information Staff, Beltsville, MD 20705; phone (301) 504-1662, fax (301) 504-1641.