Pizza and chocolate--health foods?

Isn't it fabulous how healthful junky foods (or "indulgences," as they're termed in the trade) are becoming? Recently, some samples of Hershey's Antioxidant Milk Chocolate showed up at our office. Never mind that sugar is the first listed ingredient: These things are laced with natural flavanols! They're good for us! We hear that another American staple is soon to be rejiggered: A cholesterol-lowering pizza is in the works. Both dough and cheese of the patent-pending are impregnated with plant sterols, creating a pizza that will theoretically lower blood levels of LDL, or bad, cholesterol. "I believe Heart Healthy RoadPizza is the perfect vehicle to help lower cholesterol," says the pizza's inventor, Ira Scott, in a press release. "Chocolate and pizza are two foods that are fine just the way they are," comments a colleague. "No one should be messing with them." — Rosie Mestel

Addicted to junk grub? Beware!

Junk food is not only causing obesity but heartburn or acidity leading to ulcers and even cancer in food pipe, a study claimed. The nation-wide study has found that heartburn is affecting about three out of five urban Indians (From Hindustan Times). The study conducted in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Bhopal and Hyderabad showed that irregular food eating habits is another cause for heartburn among 71 per cent of the urban adult population. "Food related problems constitute the largest chunk of reasons leading to acidity. Junk food and irregular food eating habits are the two main reasons for acidity," Anup Singh, who heads the Health Care Welfare society, an NGO that works on health-related matters. "In most parts of India, people love to eat out and that results in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease," he told PTI. GRE is a condition in which acid, bile and partially-digested food in the stomach back up into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Heartburn happens when the esophagus comes in contact with stomach acids. If it is overlooked or not treated, it could lead to ulcers and bleeding of the esophagus. Spicy and chilly based food like pizza, spicy curries, chips and snacks -- a must at parties, celebrations and social gathering are the main culprits (10 per cent) that are changing eating habits as well as interfering with lifestyle activities.

Scientists coming with a way of making healthy pizzas

US researchers have developed a way of baking and fermenting dough which can increase levels of antioxidants, which protect against cell and tissue damage (From BBC NEWS). The team from the University of Maryland told the American Chemical Society longer baking and higher temperatures are the key. But a UK diet expert said a healthier pizza base might lead people to choose more unhealthy toppings.