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Eating beans improves gut health, regulates immune and inflammatory processes in colorectal cancer survivors

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Adding navy beans to diet diversified gut microbiome which could aid in cancer prevention and treatment
string beans on bowl
Photo by R Khalil on Pexels.com

Newswise — HOUSTON ― Incorporating navy beans into the diet of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors has the potential to positively impact both gut and host health by modulating markers linked to obesity and disease, according to new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

The findings published today in eBIOMedicine, part of The Lancet family of journals, revealed BE GONE trial participants who added a cup of navy beans daily to their regular meals saw positive changes in their gut microbiome, which is associated with cancer prevention and improved treatment outcomes. Changes included an increase of alpha diversity, or beneficial bacteria (Faecalibacterium, Eubacterium and Bifidobacterium) and a decrease in pathogenic, or opportunistic, bacteria.

“Observing a shift in microbiome diversity with diet intervention alone is rare, and this study underscores the ability of a readily available prebiotic food to bring about such changes,” said corresponding author Carrie Daniel-MacDougall, Ph.D., associate professor of Epidemiology. “Over the course of eight weeks, there was an improvement in participants’ gut health, marked by an increase in beneficial bacteria, which wards off the harmful bacteria.”  

Obesity, poor diet, or gastrointestinal issues can cause disturbances in a person’s normal microbial balance. For people who have had or have CRC, these changes cause inflammation and can affect survival. Even after cancer treatment or precancerous polyp removal, a poor diet and an unbalanced gut microbiome can have negative effects on prevention efforts for both cardiovascular disease and cancer.  

Beans, particularly small white navy beans, are full of gut-supporting fibers, amino acids, and other nutrients, which can help the beneficial bacteria in your colon flourish, supporting immune health and regulating inflammation, Daniel-MacDougall explains. Despite being accessible and cost-effective, the legumes are frequently avoided by Americans due to mild or acute gastrointestinal side effects, which can be mitigated by proper preparation and consistent consumption.  

Daniel-MacDougall cautions that individuals should not attempt this diet without speaking to a physician, as it could have negative impacts without proper guidance. Further study is needed in order to determine how dietary changes can be used to lower cancer risk or improve treatment outcomes. 

The randomized BE GONE trial followed 48 men and women over age 30 who met the criteria for obesity via body mass index (BMI) or waist size and who had a history of bowel lesions. This included patients with a history of CRC (75%) and/or high-risk, precancerous polyps of the colon or rectum detected at colonoscopy. For eight weeks, participants either followed their regular diet or included a daily cup of organic, canned pressure-cooked white navy beans.  

Patients were able to choose and prepare their own meals, with close follow-up and counseling from the study dietitian. Every four weeks, participants provided stool and fasting blood samples to assess shifts in the gut microbiome as well as host metabolites and markers. Participants were considered adherent if they consumed at least 80% of the beans over the intervention period and followed the prescribed regimen at least five days a week. Limitations of this study include participant aversion to continually consuming navy beans. No serious side effects were reported. 

“The beans did not appear to induce gut inflammation or seriously impact bowel habits, which is crucial for CRC survivors and patients,” Daniel-MacDougall said. “However, once participants stopped eating the beans, the positive effects faded quickly, highlighting the need to educate patients on how to maintain healthy habits.”  

The study highlights the therapeutic role of naturally prebiotic-rich foods, while further emphasizing the need for consistent and sustainable dietary adjustments for high-risk cancer patients. In the next steps, researchers will focus on a wider variety of prebiotic foods and how changes to the microbiome affect patients undergoing immunotherapy.  

The trial was funded by the American Cancer Society, with initial support from an MD Anderson Institutional Research Grant. Additional funding support was provided by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) (P30 CA016672), the Andrew Sabin Family Fellowship Program, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) (RP160097), and MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program®. Study beans were independently purchased with funds from the Dry Bean Health Research Program, a peer-reviewed incentive award created by the Northarvest Bean Growers Association, Communique Inc. to identify and encourage researchers that apply for NIH-funding to support studies on beans and human health. A full list of co-authors and disclosures can be found here.

Read this press release in the MD Anderson Newsroom

Journal Link: eBIOMedicineREQUEST AN EXPERT

Food and Beverage

Fuel Family Fun with This Easy Recipe

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(Family Features) Between work, after-school activities and homework, planning memorable family time is nearly impossible. Changing that mindset can start by making mealtime simpler with recipes that serve up big smiles for the whole family and fuel fun, even on weeknights.

As a quick and easy mealtime solution that gives families time back to make lasting memories, Mrs. T’s Pierogies are pasta pockets filled with the stuff you love like creamy mashed potatoes, cheesy goodness and other big, bold flavors. Now, parents can get all their loved ones involved with the Go-Fun-Me Challenge – a commitment to make a simple dinner one night a week and create a memorable family experience in or out of the home with the time saved. By opting in between May 2-June 3, parents are entered to win $12,000 and a year supply of pierogies to help fund and fuel all of that fun.

You can find a little inspiration in recipes like these Pierogy Burrito Bowls, loaded with cheesy pierogies, cherry tomatoes, corn, sliced avocado and homemade avocado mayo crema for a simple meal everyone in the family can enjoy.

No matter how parents switch up their weeknight routines, like a trip to the park or an at-home movie night, pierogies make weeknight recipes like this one possible because they’re simple and easy to prepare, leaving more time for parents to do the stuff they love with the ones they love.

Opt into the challenge and find more recipes fit for family fun by visiting MrsTsPierogies.com/Go-Fun-Me.

Pierogy Burrito Bowls

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4

Burrito Bowls:

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 bag (2 pounds) Mrs. T’s 4 Cheese Medley Pierogies
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen corn, lightly roasted
  • 1 ripe avocado, pitted and thinly sliced
  • 1 cup pickled red onions
  • 3/4 cup Cotija cheese
  • fresh chopped cilantro, for garnish

Avocado Mayo Crema:

  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 1 ripe avocado, pitted and roughly chopped
  • 1/2 lime, juice only
  1. To make burrito bowls: In medium skillet over medium heat, add avocado oil. Saute pierogies in batches, approximately 8 minutes on both sides, until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Divide pierogies, cherry tomatoes, corn, avocado, pickled red onions and Cotija cheese evenly among serving bowls. Garnish with cilantro.
  3. To make avocado mayo crema: In food processor, process mayo, avocado and lime juice until smooth.
  4. Drizzle avocado mayo crema over bowls, as desired.


SOURCE:
Mrs. T’s Pierogies

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Beverages

International Delight Introduces Cold Foam: Elevate Your Coffee Experience at Home

Experience the premium coffee shop taste at home with International Delight’s Cold Foam, the innovative way to elevate your coffee creations.

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Hey coffee lovers and flavour enthusiasts! Get ready to elevate your coffee game at home with International Delight’s newest and first-to-market innovation, Cold Foam. This exciting launch brings the indulgent coffee shop experience right to your doorstep without breaking the bank.

On April 8, 2024, International Delight introduced Canadians to Cold Foam, a unique product that effortlessly elevates your coffee creations. It’s as easy as 1-2-3: shake it, foam it, and sip it! In just a few simple steps, you can transform any hot or cold coffee into a foaming delicious (yes, you read that right) coffee shop drink.

"Image: International Delight Cold Foam Can - Elevate your coffee experience at home with International Delight's new Cold Foam product."
International Delight Canada (CNW Group/Danone Canada)

International Delight listened to the desires of coffee lovers and delivered a game-changing product. With Cold Foam, they have revolutionized the at-home coffee experience, creating a multi-sensorial product that offers satisfying flavors and textures. Now, you can enjoy a premium coffee shop-style drink from the comfort of your own home.

Recognizing the rising popularity of cold foam in coffee shops and the growing number of consumers looking to recreate these specialty drinks at home, International Delight saw an opportunity. They took inspiration from social media, where coffee lovers seek unique creations, and developed their innovative Cold Foam product. Not only is it distinct to the brand, but it is also a first-of-its-kind offering on grocery shelves in Canada.

Indulgence is the name of the game with International Delight Cold Foam. Available in two fan-favorite flavors, French Vanilla and Caramel Macchiato, this coffee shop-style foam topper adds a creamy and foamy touch to your hot or cold coffee. Watch as it gradually mixes the creamer into your cup, creating a one-of-a-kind, indulgent experience. The best part? No frothers or extra tools needed! International Delight fans can enjoy their beloved foamy flavor hassle-free.

Starting in April 2024, you can find International Delight Cold Foam in major Canadian retailers nationwide. With just one can, you’ll enhance over 20 coffees and enjoy the delightful flavor at your fingertips. To celebrate, International Delight is running a pop-up sampling activation at the Toronto Eaton Centre in Toronto, Ontario, where you can grab free samples of cold brew coffee with Cold Foam from April 29th to May 5th, 2024.

Cold Foam is just the latest addition to International Delight’s commitment to delivering exciting coffee enhancing products that can’t be found anywhere else. So, coffee enthusiasts, get ready to sip, foam, and indulge with International Delight Cold Foam. Your at-home coffee experience will never be the same again!

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/it-s-foaming-delicious-international-delight-r-launches-first-to-market-innovation-in-canada-with-new-cold-foam-826651458.html

Visit www.InternationalDelight.ca and follow @internationaldelightca on Instagram and @internationaldelightca on TikTok to stay tuned on what’s next!

About International Delight Canada
International Delight® Canada has been transforming cups of coffee into moments that spark joy through one-of-a-kind, bold coffee enhancers and iced coffee flavours. By uniting people with smooth and rich flavours that add flavour to your cup and your life, International Delight Canada brings people together over a cup of coffee, creating opportunities for connection, inclusion and celebration. International Delight Canada coffee enhancers and iced coffees are available Canada-wide at major grocery retailers, convenience stores, and mass merchandisers across Canada. For more information, visit www.InternationalDelight.ca.

About Danone Canada
Danone Canada is a business unit of Danone and operates from head offices in Boucherville, Quebec and Toronto, Ontario. Danone Canada is the country’s largest consumer-facing Certified B Corporation®, demonstrating that the company meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Danone Canada’s ambition is to produce healthful dairy, plant-based products, and coffee creamers and beverages, create economic and social value, and nurture natural ecosystems through sustainable agriculture. Its portfolio of brands includes Activia®, Oikos®, DanActive®, Danone®, Silk® plant-based foods and beverages, So Delicious® Dairy Free, Stok®, International Delight®, evian® and more. For more information, connect with Danone Canada online at www.danone.ca, and on FacebookTwitter,  or LinkedIn.

1 Source: “Coffee and RTD Coffee, US 2021” Mintel, August 2021

SOURCE Danone Canada

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Food and Beverage

Blue Bunny Introduces Twist Pints: Adding a Twist of Flavor to the Frozen Aisle

Blue Bunny introduces Twist pints: a deliciously twisted combination of indulgent flavors swirled to perfection.

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Blue Bunny, the well-loved ice cream brand, is delighting taste buds across the nation with its latest creation – Twist pints! These frozen treats bring a whole new level of indulgence by combining two delicious flavors into one delectable pint, adorned with a heavenly ribbon of ooey-gooey goodness. With flavors like Chocolate Vanilla, Strawberries & Cream, Cookies & Cream, Candy Bar, Mint Chocolate, Blu’s Birthday Cake, and Cherry Chocolate, Blue Bunny is giving ice cream lovers a taste experience like never before.

Available now, Blue Bunny’s new Twisted Pints combine two indulgent flavors, expertly twisted to perfection.

Creating Dual-Flavored Bliss:
The success of Blue Bunny’s Twist Cones inspired the team at Blue Bunny to take the dual-flavored soft serve experience to new heights with Twist pints. Jeremy Hrynewycz, Brand Marketing Director at Blue Bunny, explains, “The overwhelmingly positive response to launching Twist Cones fueled our determination to create Twist pints. We carefully curated each twist to incorporate two flavors that consumers love, resulting in a DUAL-icious experience.” These unique pints are set to become the ultimate indulgent frozen treat of 2024.

More to Love, Pint by Pint:
While the Twist Cones were already a huge hit, Blue Bunny wanted to offer even more enjoyment to ice cream enthusiasts. Thus, Twist pints were born, featuring the same irresistible swirls of flavor in a conveniently pint-sized package. Whether you prefer to savor it solo after a long day or share it with loved ones, Blue Bunny ensures that Twist pints are perfect for any occasion.

Twisted Taste Tests and Great Wolf Lodge Partnership:
To celebrate the launch of Twist pints, Blue Bunny has joined forces with Great Wolf Lodge to create an experience like no other – the Twisted Taste Tests. At select locations throughout April, visitors will have the opportunity to try the luscious Twist pints right before embarking on the thrilling waterslides, combining the delights of flavor and adventure in one unforgettable event. For more information on how to get involved, visit [Website].

Where to Find Blue Bunny’s Twist Pints:
Blue Bunny wants to make sure that everyone has access to the delightful Twist pints. That’s why you can find them at retailers nationwide, including well-known stores like Walmart, Kroger, Food Lion, Albertson’s, Safeway, and Publix. Look out for that eye-catching Blue Bunny packaging!

About Blue Bunny:
For more than 80 years, Blue Bunny has been bringing joy to dessert lovers with their range of delicious dairy treats. Today, they offer over 75 varieties of frozen indulgence. Blue Bunny constantly innovates to bring playfully indulgent treats to freezers nationwide, and Twist pints are their latest creative masterpiece. You can find their beloved classics, such as Mini Swirls cones, signature Bunny Tracks scoopables, and award-winning Load’d Sundaes loaded to the max with mix-ins. Blue Bunny desserts can be found on shelves or served at various locations. For more information, visit Blue Bunny’s official website [Website].

About Wells Enterprises:
Wells Enterprises, Inc., the largest privately held ice cream manufacturer in the United States, has been delighting ice cream aficionados since 1913. As an independent operating company of the Ferrero Group, one of the global leaders in sweet, packaged foods, Wells produces more than 200 million gallons of ice cream annually. Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Bomb Pop, and Blue Ribbon Classics are just a few of the iconic brands created by Wells. With nearly 4,000 ice cream enthusiasts on their team, Wells is headquartered in Le Mars, Iowa, famously known as the “Ice Cream Capital of the World” due to its status as the largest location for ice cream production. Wells operates multiple manufacturing facilities across the United States, ensuring that quality and deliciousness are delivered with every bite. Learn more about Wells Enterprises at [Website].


Blue Bunny has once again captured the hearts and taste buds of ice cream lovers nationwide with the launch of their Twist pints. These unique frozen treats, expertly twisted to perfection, offer a wonderful blend of flavors adorned with mouthwatering ribbons of decadence. With the convenient pint size, it’s even easier to enjoy these DUAL-icious goodies alone or share them with loved ones. Keep an eye out for Blue Bunny’s Twist pints at your local retailer, and don’t forget to visit their website for more delightful frozen treats. Get ready to twist up your taste buds with Blue Bunny!

https://www.bluebunny.com/products/twist-cones

https://www.bluebunny.com

SOURCE Blue Bunny

https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-blue-bunny-twist-pints-twist-two-fun-filled-flavors-into-one-dual-icious-bite-302109959.html

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