Scientists from the University of Glasgow found that fats found in our stomach could reduce the protective benefits of antioxidants including vitamin C. The research is being presented today, at the Society of Experimental Biology’s Annual Main Meeting.

Cancer in the proximal stomach has been increasing over the last 20 years. The researchers report that environmental factors such as diet play a role. Nitrite is also believed to be a pre-carcinogen for gastric cancer.

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is one antioxidant that protects against the formation of nitrite compounds by making it into nitric oxide. If the antioxidants aren’t available, nitrite would form spontaneously into nitrosating species which could target secondary amines and bile acids and forming carcinogenic N-nitrosocompounds.

Reduced calorie intake has show to extend the lifespan of mice of up to 40 percent longer and now new research suggests that eating a reduced calorie diet later in life can still improve longevity. Professor Stephen Spindler (University of California) and his collaborators will be reporting their findings at the Society for Experimental Biology’s Main Meeting in Glasgow being held today.

Eating a low calorie diet that is nutrient dense has shown to help prevent cancer, and also increase longevity in mice studies. Spindler and his colleagues would like to find drugs to mimic the longevity effect because of the difficulty for most people to eat a low calorie and nutritiously dense diet. One drug that is normally used to treat diabetic patients is showing some promise of mimicking a reduced calorie diet. Spindler and the researchers are not sure if healthy people would benefit from taking this drug and if taken over a lifetime, there is a toxicity that could contradict the longevity benefits.

Duke University researchers say that eating and drinking certain foods may help smokers kick the habit. Water, milk, fruits and vegetables worsened the taste of cigarettes. Other foods and drinks had the opposite effect.

Researchers say that their research could lead to a “quit smoking diet”. They may also be able to develop a gum or lozenge making cigarettes less palatable. Other substances, like alcohol, coffee and meat actually enhanced the taste of cigarettes. Those consumables should be avoided if you are trying to quit.