Soft drinks 'blood pressure risk'

People are advised to avoid drinking too many sugar-laden beverages

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Drinking too many sugary beverages appears to raise the risk of high blood pressure, experts are warning.

Findings suggest blood pressure goes up incrementally for every extra can of sugary drink consumed per day.

Drinking more than 355ml a day of sugar-sweetened fruit juice or carbonated drink can be enough to upset the balance, data on over 2,500 people reveals.

The study by UK and US researchers appears in the journal Hypertension.

The precise mechanism behind the link is unclear, but scientists believe too much sugar in the blood disrupts blood vessel tone and salt levels in the body. Non-sugar sweetened diet drinks did not carry the same risk.

“This is another nail in the coffin for soft drinks”

Professor Graham MacGregor Chairman of the Blood Pressure Association

On four separate occasions the participants aged 40-59 from the UK and the US were asked to record what they had eaten in the preceding 24 hours and give a urine sample as well as have their blood pressure measured.

The researchers found that sugar intake was highest in those consuming more than one sugar-sweetened beverage daily.

They also found that individuals consuming more than one serving per day of sugar-sweetened beverages consumed more calories than those who didn't consume sugary drinks - around 397 extra calories a day.

For every extra can of sugary drink consumed per day, participants on average had a higher systolic blood pressure by 1.6mmHg and a higher diastolic blood pressure by 0.8mmHg.

Overall, the people who consumed a lot of sugar-sweetened beverages appeared to also have less healthy diets and were more likely to be overweight.

But regardless of this, the link with blood pressure was still significant even after adjusting for factors such as weight and height.

Professor Paul Elliott, senior author of the study, from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, said: "It's widely known that if you have too much salt in your diet, you're more likely to develop high blood pressure.

"The results of this study suggest that people should be careful about how much sugar they consume as well."

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Someone with a blood pressure level of 135mmHg over 85mmHg is twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke as someone with a reading of 115mmHg over 75mmHg.

In the study, the link between sugary drinks and higher blood pressure was especially strong in people who consumed a lot of salt as well as sugar. Excess salt in the diet is already a known to contribute to high blood pressure.

The British Heart Foundation said more research was now needed to better understand the relationship between sugar and blood pressure.

Victoria Taylor, Senior Dietician at the BHF, said it was best to avoid too many sugary drinks because they add extra calories to our diets that can lead to obesity, a major risk factor for heart disease.

The American Heart Association says people should drink no more than three 355ml cans of soda a week.

Professor Graham MacGregor, chairman of the Blood Pressure Association said: "This is another nail in the coffin for soft drinks.

"Not only do they make you obese but they may also put up your blood pressure. Drinking sweet soft drinks is not good news."

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/health-12597970

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Shops urged 'keep drink separate'

The research found alcohol was sold near checkouts, as well as on its own aisles

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Alcohol should be kept away from food and soft drinks in supermarkets, according to a campaign group.

Alcohol Concern wants shops in England and Wales to keep beer and wine in a separate section.

It has found that big retailers place beer and wine near the doors and the tills, as well as on food aisles.

Industry groups say encouraging people to drink with food is responsible, as most people enjoy their alcohol that way.

But Alcohol Concern says drink should not be displayed so widely, and should not be alongside bread and cheese.

Its chief executive, Don Shenker, said: "It's now common practice to sell wine next to ready-meals, pushing the idea that a relaxing meal should be accompanied by an alcoholic drink.

"Such practices help fuel a drinking culture where one in four people in England are already drinking at levels that are harming their health."

Mr Shenker says supermarkets are "saturating" their aisles with alcohol.

Some of the samples identified by the group's research were:

Asda had bottles of wine at the fish, meat and deli counters and cans of cider next to the hot chicken counterMorrisons had beer next to fruit and vegetables, and champagne next to the milkSainsbury's had wine next to soft drinks, bottles of spirits next to fruit and boxes of beer next to cheeseTesco had bottles of spirits next to bread and tea, and cans of cider were found next to crisps

The research involved a single visit to a branch of each supermarket in Cardiff on a single day in December 2010.

The British Retail Consortium said it was a very small-scale survey, which would be skewed by the fact it was carried out close to Christmas.

“We have to start de-normalising alcohol - it is not like other types of food and drink”

Dr Vivienne Nathanson British Medical Association

The BRC's food director, Andrew Opie, said: "Supermarkets are the most responsible sellers of alcohol. There's no evidence to link the way alcohol is sold currently to irresponsible drinking."

"Limiting supermarket displays would create inconvenience for the vast majority of customers who enjoy alcohol sensibly", he said.

Alcohol Concern wants England to follow the example set in Scotland where laws restrict the places where alcohol can be seen.

Gavin Partington from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association said there was no evidence from Scotland that the change had any impact on tackling alcohol misuse.

"Far from demonising alcohol, surely we should encourage people to drink with food," he said.

"Most people enjoy drinks in this way and that's why they are happy to buy them as part of their weekly shop."

The Welsh Assembly Government has expressed support for the move, but has not yet introduced any measures.

Doctors' leaders have backed the calls for supermarkets to change the way they display alcohol.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics for the British Medical Association, said: "We have to start de-normalising alcohol - it is not like other types of food and drink."

"Alcohol in moderation can be good for you but as many as 30% of people in the UK are drinking far too much and putting their health at risk."

Dr Nathanson said: "Having separate alcohol areas in supermarkets is only one aspect of a comprehensive strategy that the government needs to introduce to tackle alcohol misuse."

The BMA and Alcohol Concern both support the introduction of a minimum price-per-unit for alcohol of 50p.

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-12599471

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Shop sells breast milk ice cream

The makers say the ice cream is pure, organic and totally natural

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A restaurant in London's Covent Garden is serving a new range of ice cream, made with breast milk.

The dessert, called Baby Gaga, is churned with donations from 15 women who responded to an advertisement on an online mothers' forum.

One of the women, Victoria Hiley, 35, said if adults realised how tasty breast milk was more new mothers would be encouraged to breastfeed.

Each serving of Baby Gaga at Icecreamists costs £14.

Mrs Hiley's donation was expressed on site and pasteurised before being churned with Madagascan vanilla pods and lemon zest.

Icecreamists founder Matt O'Connor placed an advert appealing for breast milk donations and believes his new recipe will be a success.

“What's the harm in using my assets for a bit of extra cash?”

Victoria Hiley Mother

"If it's good enough for our children, it's good enough for the rest of us," he said.

"Some people will hear about it and go yuck - but actually it's pure organic, free-range and totally natural."

Mrs Hiley, who gets £15 for every 10 ounces of milk she donates to the company, said it was a great "recession beater".

"What's the harm in using my assets for a bit of extra cash?" she added.

"I teach women how to get started on breastfeeding their babies. There's very little support for women and every little helps."

Mr O'Connor said health checks for the lactating women were the same used by hospitals to screen blood donors.

"No-one's done anything interesting with ice cream in the last hundred years," he added.

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-london-12569011

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Hodgson sorry over Olsson bust-up

West Brom boss Roy Hodgson apologises after defender Jonas Olsson smashes a picture in the tunnel at Stoke.

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9410192.stm

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Berlusconi back on trial in Italy

The Italian leader faces four trials in the coming weeks

A new life

White South African farmers say land reforms at home are driving them abroad

To revive its agricultural industry, the Georgian government is inviting groups of white South African farmers to settle and farm there - but not everyone thinks it is such a good idea, reports the BBC's Caucasus correspondent Damien McGuinness.

Dressed in shorts, snow is clearly a new experience for these South African farmers.

But this trip to Georgia is about more than seeing a different climate. Johan Swart has come with his wife and his parents to see if the former Soviet republic could one day become his new home.

He says the policies of the South African government are making it increasingly difficult to stay in the country where he was born.

“If it becomes policy to sell land to big investors, and if we then see a situation of land-grabbing, then it will be a big problem for our farmers”

Mariam Jorjadze Agricultural organisation Elkana

"The government can come to you, and tell you, this is what we are willing to pay for your farm and you have to sell," he explained. "If the government doesn't recognise the value you put on the farm, wants to pay you maybe a half of that, and you have to sell, what security do you have?"

At the end of apartheid in South Africa the majority of the land was owned by the white community, who made up less than 10% of the population. Now, with land reforms under way, some farmers are looking for opportunities elsewhere.

So far, 90 white South African farmers have visited Georgia to look at land for sale.

In the former Soviet Union, Georgian farms were mostly state-run, so many Georgian farmers lost their traditional skills.

According to government spokesman Nikoloz Avaliani, these South African farmers will help to turn things round.

"South African farmers are some of the best farmers in the world. They have good experience and we would like to see such farms in Georgia. There is a lot of potential here."

The Georgian government is giving them a great deal of support, such as advice about where to buy and how to settle in Georgia. And, depending how much foreign investment and jobs the farmers bring with them, they may be able to buy state-owned land cheaply.

But Georgian farmers say they are not getting any help from their own government.

As he herds his four cows alongside a small stream, Vakhtang Menagharishvili says the government doesn't seem interested in helping people like him.

"It doesn't seem very fair," he said. "They should help Georgian farmers first. Then help foreign farmers."

Mr Menagharishvili says government policies are sidelining farmers like him

Poor infrastructure makes it hard to get produce to market, and loans are expensive. So Georgian farmers struggle to make a decent living. Most earn less than $150 (£93) a month.

Mariam Jorjadze, from the agricultural organisation Elkana, says the main problem is that Georgian farmers need advice about how to run their farms more efficiently. The government, she says, is not providing that.

Small numbers of foreign farmers can be beneficial by bringing in investment, she believes. But a large influx would create tensions with local farmers.

"If it becomes policy to sell land to big investors, and if we then see a situation of land-grabbing, then it will be a big problem for our farmers because land is limited."

But Mr Avaliani disputes this, saying that many Georgian farmers are looking forward to working together with the South Africans.

"They want to set up joint ventures with South African farmers because they think they could raise the profitability and productivity of their farms," he said. "They are more than delighted to have South African farmers and South African expertise on their farms."

By the end of the tour it is clear that Georgia has made a positive impression on Johan and his family.

"This farm where we are right now is probably the best proposition we've seen so far," he says. "We're excited and there are a lot of possibilities here. It's something that can be considered seriously. But we're still going to have to see more of the farm before we can make a final decision."

If Johan and his wife do end up moving here, it certainly would be a fresh start for them - and perhaps for Georgian farming too.

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-europe-12599987

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Primark warns of slowdown in UK

As well as Primark, ABF owns brands such as Ovaltine, Ryvita and Twinings

Retailer Primark has revealed a "noticeable" slowing of demand in the UK since the start of 2011.

In a trading update, owner Associated British Foods said Primark performed well before Christmas despite the bad weather.

But January's rise in VAT and soaring cotton prices had helped contribute to the slowdown since then.

ABF shares fell nearly 6%, despite the firm saying that Primark stores in the rest of Europe were doing well.

In early afternoon trade their shares were down by 61 pence, or 5.99%, at 965.50p.

"The UK consumer is feeling a squeeze because of inflation and the VAT rise, and simply has less to spend," ABF's finance director John Bason said.

Associated British FoodsLast Updated at 28 Feb 2011, 08:57 ET *Chart shows local time price change %965.00 p-

-62.00

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-6.04

"Even for people who don't feel they will lose their jobs, they will feel they are being squeezed. It won't just be Primark, but we'll see it for a number of retailers," he told reporters.

ABF, which also owns brands such as Ovaltine, Ryvita and Twinings, is due to post its interim profit figures in April.

The company said that revenues at Primark would still be about 11% ahead of last year. Growth in stores in continential Europe had been "very encouraging", the company said.

ABF added that all of its businesses would still show that they were "delivering good revenue growth".

Primark operates 214 stores mostly in the UK, although it also trades in the Republic of Ireland, Spain, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands and Belgium.

But a slowdown at Primark's British stores may have implications for the wider retail sector.

"With more gloomy news from Primark today on High Street trading, we remain cautious in the short term about the general retail sector," said Nick Bubb, analyst at Arden Partners.

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/business-12594630

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