Bitter Melon

Bitter melon a common vegetable in China, India and South America could be a magic cure for breast cancer. Scientist have found that the bitter melon extract kills the cancer cells while not killing the good cells. Yes it is in early stages and clinical testing has to happen but this could be a major break through in fighting cancer.

In China they eat bitter melon soup all the time. I wonder if women in China who consume the soup have a lower incidence of breast cancer? An interesting research project.

Maybe we should start to import Bitter Melon Soup and sell in the holistic food stores as a possible cancer cure? Or maybe use it in stir fry mixes. Do we have any takers?

See article here: Click here.

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On November 8th, 2009 several of China’s top agriculture experts (the eight standards) met in Beijing. One of the presenters of interest was Professor Zhan Jingchun who spoke of his research on his Zero Pesticide Residual.

This should be of interest to all of us who are concerned about pesticides on our foods. Professor Zhan after 18 years of work has developed what he calls the Zero Pesticide Residual degradation technology. At its core it will control a series of biochemical reactions in the plants that will cause it to degrade pesticide residual to zero or near-zero. In addition it will reduce heavy metal toxins by 50% to 86%. The product is to be applied either by seed treatment, leaf application or through irrigation into the root of the plants. The product does not have any negative side effects or contamination.

After review and discussion by the experts it was determined that the Zero Pesticide Residual be approved and further testing be done on a commercial basis. The experts feel that not only will the process comply with China’s eight standards but will also meet the standards of Europe, Japan and USA. All efforts will be concentrated on moving forward and getting final registration in Beijing.

We look forward to seeing more details and explanation of the entire process and how it impacts the plants.

Source: Chinese Food Quality Newspaper, Nov 9, 2009
Eight Standards: Fruits, Vegetables, Fruits and Vegetable Powder, Tea, Cereals, Ginseng, Herbs and Cottonseed.

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What they found out:

• Half customers noticed the calorie count
• 28% of those that noticed said the information influenced their purchase.
• 9 out of 10 of those said they made healthier choices.

What is interesting, is that when the researches checked the receipts they found that the people had actually ordered slightly more calories than the typical customer had before the labeling law went into effect!

• NYC customers had a mean 846 calories after labeling law, before the law it was 825 calories.
• In Newark, it was 825 calories before and after.

Labeling laws, are they effective? Apparently not.

Labeling is also being tossed around in Obama’s health package.

Price and quantity more important than health and quality.

More info at NY TIMES

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I am an environmentalist, I think green, I buy organic.

Now I am asking myself questions.

I went to my local Wholefoods grocery store and looked in the freezer section. Wholefoods has their own private label, 365 Everyday Value. I examined the 365 Everyday Value Organic frozen vegetables, asparagus, spinach, edamame, a California blend (broccoli, cauliflower, and carrot), a Thai blend, and a Stir Fry blend. Much to my surprise each of these organic vegetables and blends were product of China, all from China each and every one. The price was cheap and reasonable compared to the non Wholefoods private label organic product.

So my question is, yes I get a great dollar value, but is it environmentally correct to be buying organic product from China? Should I be buying pesticide laden vegetables from the USA and more local than global?

Think of the environmental cost of transportation from China compared to local vegetables. Which has a greater impact on the environment? A larger carbon footprint?

Or should I be only thinking of my health and eat organic even if it means a larger carbon footprint?

A good question to ponder, my health today or my children’s, children’s, children world of tomorrow?

Health vs Environment?

Technorati Tags: organic, environment, health

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