Dark chocolate may be effective in preventing type 2 diabetes: "Five pieces a week could reduce risk by 20%"

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

ダークチョコに２型糖尿病予防の効果か　「週５片でリスク２割減」

2024.12.06 Fri posted at 17:34 JST

（ＣＮＮ） ダークチョコレートのかけらを週に５個以上食べれば、生活習慣病とされる２型糖尿病のリスクが２１％低減するとの研究結果が報告された。

米ハーバード公衆衛生大学院の博士課程で栄養学を研究する学生らのチームが４日、英医学誌ＢＭＵに発表した。チームは白人の成人から４年ごとに２５年間、食生活のアンケートを取った大規模な観察研究を基に、チョコ好きの１１万１０００人がダークチョコ、ミルクチョコをどのくらい食べていたかを調べた。

食事や生活習慣の要因を調整した結果、１オンス（約２８グラム）のチョコを週に５回以上食べていたグループは、残りのグループに比べて２型糖尿病にかかるリスクが１０％低いことが分かった。

さらにチョコの種類別に調べたところ、ミルクチョコを食べるグループは糖尿病リスクに変化がなく、長期的な体重増加がみられたのに対し、ダークチョコを食べるグループではリスクが２１％も下がったうえ、体重は増えていなかったという。

ダークチョコはミルクチョコに比べ、カカオの含有率が高い。カカオには抗酸化物質のフラボノイドが多く含まれ、これが糖尿病予防の効果をもたらしている可能性がある。

ただし専門家によれば、チョコには砂糖が入っていて、血糖値への影響が懸念される。最近の研究では、カカオを原料とする食品に重金属の鉛とカドミウムが含まれていると報告された。また昨年１２月の大規模な研究では、カカオの摂取で糖尿病のリスクは下がらないとの結果が出た。

とはいえ、研究チームの責任者は「チョコが好きな人ならば、ミルクでなくダークにするなどのちょっとした選択で健康への効果が期待できる」と話している。

Translation

Dark chocolate may be effective in preventing type 2 diabetes: "Five pieces a week could reduce risk by 20%"

 (CNN) Research results had been reported that eating five or more pieces of dark chocolate a week could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes which was a lifestyle-related disease by 21%.

A team of doctoral students studying nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health announced their findings in the British medical journal BMU on the 4th. Based on a large-scale observational study in which white adults were surveyed about their diet every four years for 25 years, the team investigated how much dark and milk chocolate the 111,000 chocolate lovers had eaten.

After adjusting for dietary and lifestyle factors, the group that ate one ounce (about 28 grams) of chocolate five or more times a week was found to have a 10% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to other groups.

Furthermore, when the type of chocolate was examined, the group that ate milk chocolate did not change their risk of diabetes and experienced long-term weight gain, while the group that ate dark chocolate saw a 21% reduction in risk and no weight gain.

Dark chocolate had a higher cacao content than milk chocolate. Cacao contained a lot of flavonoids, an antioxidant, which might have a preventive effect on diabetes.

However, experts said that chocolate contained sugar, which raised concerns about its effect on blood sugar levels. Recent studies had reported that foods made from cacao contain the heavy metals lead and cadmium. A large-scale study in December last year also found that consuming cacao did not reduce the risk of diabetes.

However, the head of the research team said, "If you like chocolate, you can expect health benefits by making small choices such as choosing dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate."

              So, according to this report, dark chocolate has a higher cacao content than milk chocolate. Cacao contains a lot of flavonoids, an antioxidant, which may have a preventive effect on diabetes. It seems that if you must buy chocolate, it is better to eat dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate for health reasons.

Note:

Flavonoids come from fruits, vegetables, tea, wine, seeds or roots. Although they are not considered vitamins, they are considered to have nutritional functions in biological reactions and were once called "vitamin P": for example, they have antioxidant or anti-inflammatory effects. It is also thought to resist or slow down the formation of tumors. Cocoa, especially some dark chocolate, contains the flavonoid epicatechin, whose antioxidant capacity is 2-3 times that of red wine or green tea. (Wikipedia)

Ultra-processed foods increase risk of premature death, a 30-year study finds

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

超加工食品で早死にリスク増大、３０年間の研究で判明

2024.05.10 Fri posted at 18:50 JST

（ＣＮＮ） 米国の専門家を対象とする３０年間の調査を経て、超加工食品の摂取と早死にリスクとの関係を指摘する研究が発表された。ただし影響の大きさは食品によって異なっている。

国連食糧農業機関（ＦＡＯ）は超加工食品について「台所では全くもしくはほとんど使われない原材料、あるいは出来上がった製品を食べやすく、もっとおいしそうに見せるための各種添加物」を含む食品と定義している。

そうした原材料には、かびや細菌の発生を防ぐ防腐剤、人工着色料、分離を防ぐ乳化剤、加工した砂糖や塩、油脂などがあり、ソーダやポテトチップ、インスタントスープ、ナゲット、アイスクリームといった製品に添加されている。

ハーバード大学公衆衛生大学院などの研究チームは、がんや心血管系疾患、糖尿病の病歴がない米国内の健康医療専門家１０万人以上のデータを分析した。参加者は１９８６～２０１８年の３０年以上にわたり、２年ごとに自分の健康とライフスタイルに関する情報を提供。４年ごとに食事に関する詳しいアンケートに回答した。

８日の医学誌ＢＭＪに掲載された論文によると、超加工食品の摂取が最も少なかったグループは１日平均３回食べていたのに対し、最も多いグループは１日平均７回だった。

調査の結果、超加工食品の摂取が最も多いグループは、早死にリスクが４％高いことが判明。中でも神経変性による死亡リスクは９％高かった。

ただし、早死にリスクと超加工食品との相関関係は一律ではなかった。加工肉や砂糖または人工甘味料を使った飲料は、特に死亡リスクに与える影響が大きいことが判明。「加工肉や砂糖入りの飲料、人工甘味料入りの可能性がある飲料は、避けるか制限に務めるべきだと思う」と研究者は助言する。

ただし「全般的に健康的な食生活を維持していれば、それほど恐れる必要はない」とも言い添えた。

Translation

(CNN) After 30 years of research among U.S. experts, a new study had been published that linked the consumption of ultra-processed foods to the risk of premature death. However, the magnitude of the effect differed depending on the food.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) defined ultra-processed foods as foods that contained "ingredients that are never or rarely used in the kitchen, or various additives that make the finished product easier to eat or look more appetizing."

These ingredients included preservatives to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria, artificial colors, emulsifiers to prevent separation, processed sugar and salt, and oils and fats, which had been added in products such as soda, potato chips, instant soup, nuggets, and ice cream.

A research team from Harvard School of Public Health and others analyzed data from more than 100,000 health care professionals in the United States who had no history of cancer, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. Participants provided information about their health and lifestyle every two years for more than 30 years, from 1986 to 2018. They completed a detailed questionnaire about their diet every four years.

According to a paper published in the medical journal BMJ on the 8th, the group that took the least amount of ultra-processed foods ate an average of three times a day, while the group that took the most ate them on an average of seven times a day.

The study found that those who consumed the most ultra-processed foods had a 4% higher risk of premature death. Among them, the risk of death due to neurodegeneration was 9% higher.

However, the correlation between the risk of premature death and ultra-processed foods was not uniform. Processed meats and drinks with sugar or artificial sweeteners were found to have a particularly large impact on mortality risk. The researchers advised that "Processed meats and sugary drinks and drinks that may contain artificial sweeteners should be avoided or limited".

However, they added, "If you maintain an overall healthy diet, you don't have to be so afraid."

              So, a new study links the consumption of ultra-processed foods to the risk of premature death. Basically, processed meats and sugary drinks, or drinks that may contain artificial sweeteners should be avoided or limited.

Fake extra virgin olive oil is rampant, contains low-quality oil, and may pose a health hazard

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

偽エクストラバージンオリーブオイル横行　低品質オイル混入、健康被害の恐れも

2023.12.11 Mon posted at 15:06 JST

 （ＣＮＮ） 「液体の金」とも呼ばれ、地中海料理には欠かせないオリーブオイル。エクストラバージンやバージンオリーブオイルは輸出価格が上昇し、オリーブオイル市場は今後１０年で飛躍的な拡大が予想されている。

一方で、人気の高いイタリア、スペイン、ギリシャ産のエクストラバージンオリーブオイルをめぐっては、ヒマワリ油やキャノーラ油、さらには灯油までを使い、米国でリットル当たり３０ドル（約４３００円）もの高値で売れる商品を製造して不正に利益を稼ぐ業者も横行している。

１１月下旬、スペインとイタリアは欧州連合（ＥＵ）の欧州刑事警察機構（ユーロポール）と連携して、そうした犯罪にかかわった１１人を逮捕したと発表した。当局が差し押さえた１２樽（たる）には、バージンオリーブオイルでもエクストラバージンオリーブオイルでもない粗悪品約２６万リットルが入っていた。

当局はさらに、輸出準備が整った市販用の製品５２００リットルも差し押さえた。ラベルには１００％イタリア産またはスペイン産という虚偽が記載されていたが、実際には「消費に適さない」商品だった。

当局は現金９万１０００ユーロ（約１４００万円）と高級車４台、偽ラベル、スペイン産およびイタリア産オイルと記載された書類も発見した。抜き取り検査の結果、このオイルはオリーブオイルの副産物を別のオイルと混ぜて作った商品だったことが分かった。

着色料の使用も

こうした不正商品の温床を生み出したのは、インフレや物価の高騰、オリーブオイル生産量の減少、需要の増大だった。

「残念ながらエクストラバージンオリーブオイルの偽造は普通に行われており、特に生産国では捜査当局が優先的に摘発している」とユーロポールは指摘する。

イタリアの農業団体コルディレッティによると、地中海産オリーブオイルの需要が高まる一方で、天候の過酷化によって生産量は減少し、高品質のオリーブオイルに質の低いオイルを混入する行為が横行するようになった。

オリーブオイルに特徴的な緑がかった黄色を出すために、クロロフィルやベータカロチンを使って着色する業者も増えている。

コルディレッティによると、２０２３年は地中海のオイル生産が４１％減少した。春の降雨量が極端に多かったことからオリーブの開花が減り、成長したオリーブの実も夏の猛暑で干からびた。

このため生産者が市場の需要に対応できなくなり、地中海のオイル産地にいわゆる「農業マフィア」が入り込んで、偽エクストラバージンオリーブ生産業を発展させた。

「消費用のオリーブオイルに質の低い代替品を混ぜることで、犯罪組織が合法的なサプライチェーン（供給網）に入り込んで価格競争力を高めた」とユーロポールは解説する。「こうした不正は健康リスクを生じさせるだけでなく、消費者の信頼を失墜させ、さらなる経済的反動を招く」

チェーンソー窃盗

犯罪組織が不正品を製造するためには質の高いオリーブオイルを必要とする。

そのためオリーブオイルの木や枝が丸ごと盗まれる事件も増加した。ギリシャやイタリアでは、オリーブの実をいっぱいにつけた木や枝がチェーンソーで切り落とされ、丸ごと盗まれる事件が頻発している。

ギリシャ、スペイン、イタリアでは、オリーブ倉庫への侵入事件や、収穫機を破壊して収穫を遅らせ、その間にオリーブを盗もうとする手口も増加した。

欧州委員会の２２年の報告によると、オリーブオイルは欧州でラベルの偽装が最も多い食品の一つとされている。

Translation

(CNN) Olive oil, also known as "liquid gold," was essential to Mediterranean cuisine. Export prices for extra virgin and virgin olive oil were rising, and the olive oil market was expected to expand dramatically over the next 10 years.

On the other hand, the popular extra virgin olive oils from Italy, Spain, and Greece were made using sunflower oil, canola oil, and even lamp oil, and could sell for as high as $30 per liter in the United States; and there were also many companies that manufactured them and made profits Illegally.

In late November, Spain and Italy, in collaboration with the European Union's Europol, announced the arrest of 11 people involved in such crimes. The 12 barrels seized by authorities contained approximately 260,000 liters of inferior quality products that were neither virgin oil nor extra virgin olive oil.

Authorities also seized 5,200 liters of commercially available product ready for export. The labels falsely stated that they were 100% Italian or Spanish products, but in reality, they were "unfit for consumption."

Authorities also found 91,000 euros (approximately 14 million yen) in cash, four luxury cars, false labels, and documents stating the oil was Spanish and Italian product. A sampling inspection revealed that the oil was made by mixing olive oil byproducts with other oils.

The use of coloring agents

Inflation, soaring prices, declining olive oil production coupled with increasing demand created a breeding ground for these fraudulent products.

Europol said that "Unfortunately, counterfeiting of extra virgin olive oil is common and is a priority for law enforcement authorities, especially in producing countries."

According to the Italian agricultural organization Coldiretti, demand for Mediterranean olive oil was increasing, but production was decreasing due to harsher weather, and the practice of mixing high-quality olive oil with low-quality oil is becoming rampant.

In order to give olive oil its characteristic greenish-yellow color, an increasing number of producers were using chlorophyll and beta-carotene to color their olive oil.

According to Coldiretti, Mediterranean oil production fell by 41% in 2023. Extremely high rainfall in spring reduced the number of olive trees blooming, and the intense heat of summer caused the grown-up olives to dry up.

This left producers unable to meet market demand and led to the infiltration of the so-called "Agricultural Mafia" in the oil-producing regions of the Mediterranean, developing a fake extra virgin olive production industry.

Europol said, "Criminal organizations have penetrated legitimate supply chains, and by mixing olive oil for consumption with lower-quality substitutes it increases price competitiveness". "These frauds not only pose health risks, but also undermine consumer confidence and lead to further economic backlash."

Chainsaw theft

Criminal organizations need high-quality olive oil to manufacture counterfeit products.

As a result, cases of whole olive oil trees and branches being stolen had also increased. In Greece and Italy, trees and branches full of olives were frequently cut down with chainsaws and incidents of whole tree being stolen were occurring frequently.

In Greece, Spain and Italy, there was also an increase in break-ins into olive warehouses, and attempts to destroy harvesting machines to delay the harvest so as to steal olives during that time.

According to a 2022 European Commission report, olive oil was one of the most common foods in Europe with label falsification.

              So, in Europe the export price for virgin olive oil is rising as oil production falls by 41% in 2023. Extremely high rainfall in spring and intense heat in summer has caused olive production to drop. This left producers unable to meet market demand and led to the development of a fake extra virgin olive production. Be careful when you are going to buy extra virgin olive oil next time.

只是飲兩瓶啤酒？ 飲酒現在已成為文化戰爭的一部分

Recently Yahoo News on-line reported the following:

Only 2 beers? Drinking is now part of the culture wars

Experts say that any amount of alcohol is dangerous, a reversal of earlier advice about moderation

Alexander Nazaryan

Updated Thu, August 31, 2023 at 12:57 p.m. PDT

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is usually not part of the nation’s seemingly endless culture wars. But that changed earlier this month, when the federal agency’s director, George Koob, said that the United States could, in the future, adapt Canada’s new drinking guidelines, which stipulate that adults should restrict themselves to only two drinks per week.

Sobriety has gained popularity in recent years, with the advent of Dry January and even alcohol-free bars. But the (somewhat exaggerated) prospect of Prohibition 2.0, which had been mounting for some time, suddenly seemed more real, at least to some. To others, the new Canadian guidance only conforms to new findings about the ill effects of alcohol on the human body.

“We cannot talk about a so-called safe level of alcohol use. It doesn’t matter how much you drink — the risk to the drinker’s health starts from the first drop of any alcoholic beverage,” an official with the World Health Organization said in a statement issued early this year.

So far, however, no new recommendations have been proposed, let alone endorsed. But the controversy is evidence that the intersection of public health, personal choice and politics is as fraught as it has ever been.

What the Canadians did

Earlier this year, Canadian officials recommended that adults limit themselves to two drinks per week — that is, if they are unable to avoid drinking altogether. The main message from this new guidance is that "any amount of alcohol is not good for your health,” an Ontario public health official said at the time.

Some criticized the new guidelines for not considering the social connections that drinking culture can foster. Such connections are especially important, those critics argued, at a time of increased isolation.

What the science says

For many years, it was conventional wisdom that moderate drinking was beneficial, especially if red wine was involved.

That conventional wisdom turned out to be wrong, new research says. Any amount of alcohol, some studies have said, is toxic to various systems of the body. “Risk starts to go up well below levels where people would think, 'Oh, that person has an alcohol problem,'" a Canadian substance abuse researcher told The Week.

Drinking spiked during the pandemic, but many Americans appear to be rethinking their relationship to alcohol. Younger Americans in particular are embracing the anti-alcohol message, opting instead to use cannabis, which is becoming more widely available across the country for both medicinal and recreational purposes.

The political controversy

Speaking to the Daily Mail last week, Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, offered that the federal government could eventually issue guidelines similar to Canada’s. “If there's health benefits, I think people will start to re-evaluate where we're at,” he said.

Those guidelines would not keep anyone from guzzling martinis at lunch, Mad Men-style, forcing them to drink mocktails instead. Still, Koob’s suggestion outraged some conservatives, who saw it as the latest move by the Biden administration to restrict personal freedoms.

Members of the conservative media in recent years have falsely charged that Democrats want to end all meat consumption and force people to eat bugs. And now they were coming for alcohol, too? “I am a nondrinker, but this is ridiculous,” Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., told Fox News.

Earlier this week, the White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, was asked about Koob’s apparent praise of the Canadian guidelines.

"I will leave it to the experts," she said.

President Biden does not drink. Neither did his predecessor, Donald Trump. George W. Bush also abstained from alcohol, having struggled with substance abuse as a younger man. Jimmy Carter avoided alcohol as well. Many other occupants of the Oval Office, however, loved their wine or scotch.

Translation

專家表示，任何數量的飲酒都是危險的，這與之前關於適度飲酒的建議相反

國家酒精濫用和酒精中毒研究所通常不參與國家的看似無休無止的文化戰爭。 但這種情況在本月早些時候發生了變化，當時聯邦機構主管 George Koob 表示，美國未來可以根隨加拿大的新飲酒指南，該指南規定成年人應限制自己每週只喝兩杯。

近年來，隨著戒酒一月甚至無酒精酒吧的出現，清醒越來越受歡迎。 但一段時間以來，禁酒令 2.0 的（有點誇張的）前景突然變得更加真實，至少對某些人來說是這樣。 對於其他人來說，加拿大的新指南僅配合有關酒精對人體不良影響的新發現。

世界衛生組織的一位官員在今年早些時候發布的一份聲明中表示: “我們不能談論所謂的安全飲酒水平。 喝多少並不重要 - 對飲酒者健康的風險從第一滴酒精飲料就開始了”。

然而，到目前為止，還沒有提出新的建議，更不用說得到認可。 但這場爭議證明，公共衛生、個人選擇和政治之間的交叉點一如以往充滿問題。

加拿大人做了什麼

今年早些時候，加拿大官員建議成年人每週限制飲酒兩次 - 也就是說，如果他們無法完全避免飲酒的話。 安大略省公共衛生官員當時表示，這項新指南的主要信息是 “任何數量的酒精都不利於健康”。

一些人批評新指南沒有考慮飲酒文化可以促進的社會聯繫。 這些批評者認為，在日益孤立的時期，這種聯繫尤其重要。

科學怎麼說

多年來，人們普遍認為適量飲酒是有益的，尤其是在喝紅酒的情況下。

新的研究表明，這種傳統觀念被證明是錯誤的。 一些研究表明，任何數量的酒精都會對身體的各個系統產生毒性。 一位加拿大藥物濫用研究人員告訴《The Week》： “風險遠低於人們認為的水平, 說‘哦，那個人有酗酒問題’ 的門檻下降了。”

疫情期間飲酒量激增，但許多美國人似乎正在重新思考他們與酒精的關係。 尤其是年輕的美國人正在接受反酒精的信息，他們選擇使用大麻，大麻在全國范圍內越來越廣泛地用於醫療和娛樂目的。

政治爭議

國家酒精濫用和酒精中毒研究所所長 Koob 上週在接受 Daily Mail 採訪時表示，聯邦政府最終可能會發布類似於加拿大的指導方針。他說: “如果對健康有好處，我認為人們會開始重新評估我們所處的位置” 。

這些指導方針不會阻止任何人在午餐時像《廣告狂人》那樣狂飲馬提尼酒，而是強迫他們喝無酒精雞尾酒。 儘管如此，Koob 的建議還是激怒了一些保守派，他們認為這是拜登政府限制個人自由的最新舉措。

近年來，保守派媒體錯誤地指責民主黨希望結束所有肉類消費並強迫人們吃蟲子。 現在他們也來干涉喝酒？田納西州共和黨眾議員 Tim Burchett 告訴霍士福新聞: “我不喝酒，但這太荒謬了” 。

本週早些時候，白宮新聞秘書Karine Jean-Pierre被問及Koob對加拿大指導方針的明顯讚揚。

她說: “我會把它留給專家” 。

拜登總統不喝酒。 他的前任特朗普也沒有。 喬治·W·布殊年輕時曾與藥物濫用作過掙扎，因此也戒了酒。 卡特也避免飲酒。 然而，橢圓形辦公室的許多其他入主人士都喜歡他們的葡萄酒或蘇格蘭威士忌。

       So, the United States could, in the future, adapt Canada’s new drinking guidelines, which stipulate that adults should restrict themselves to only two drinks per week. I am wondering whether such an advice will change people’s drinking habit.

Note:

Mad Men《廣告狂人》 is an American period drama television series created by Matthew Weiner and produced by Lionsgate Television. It ran on the cable network AMC from July 19, 2007, to May 17, 2015, lasting for seven seasons and 92 episodes. The show is set from March 1960 to November 1970. According to the pilot episode, the phrase "Mad men" was a slang term coined in the 1950s by advertisers working on Madison Avenue to refer to themselves, "Mad" being short for "Madison”. (Wikipedia)

Is anisakiasis common in Japan? What is the reason? (2/2)

 Recently NHK News on-line carries the following investigative report:

アニサキス症 日本で多い？その理由とは？ (2/2)

2022年12月5日 18時07分

(continue)

一方で、韓国でも生で魚介類を食べる習慣があるためアニサキス症が起きてはいるものの、日本海側でとれた魚介類であることが多いため、日本と比べて発生件数は少ないとしている。

ということは日本海側の魚は安心して食べられるということなのだろうか。

国立感染症研究所 杉山客員研究員

「実はそうでもありません。最近になって日本海側の魚からもS型が発見されるようになりました。海洋環境の変化で回遊する魚が変わったことが原因と考えられています。今後の海洋環境の変化によってはアニサキスの生息地域が変わってくる可能性はあると思います。といってもP型やシュードテラノバでもアニサキス食中毒にはなりますので、やはり注意が必要です」

アニサキスの寄生が少ない魚は？

では、アニサキスの寄生が少ない魚はいるのか、杉山客員研究員にきいたところ、内海にいる魚種はアニサキスの寄生が少ないと言われているということだった。

取材を進めると、実際にブランド魚の「関さば」にアニサキスの寄生率が少ないという研究が発表されていたことが分かった。

大分県沖の豊後水道で1本釣りされる「関さば」は、元々、地元の漁業関係者や料理人の間では、アニサキスの寄生が少ないと言われてきたという。

しかし、科学的なデータがないため、その実態は不明だった。

そこで立ち上がったのが、大分大学の小林隆志教授の研究チームだ。

2014年から2016年にかけて、地元の漁協などの協力を得て、「関さば」74匹、九州西部でとれたさば40匹、そして九州南部の40匹を解剖して寄生するアニサキスをすべて取り出し、それぞれの寄生率について調査をした。

その結果、

▼関さばのアニサキスの寄生率が6.8％だったのに対し、

▼九州西部は75％、

▼九州南部は38％だったというのだ。

大分大学 小林隆志教授

「今回の調査で、関さばのアニサキス寄生率が少ないことが実証されました。ただ、その理由はまだわかりません。ほかの海域の群れとほとんど交わらず、独立している群れのことを『系群』といいますが、関さばも『系群』を形成していると言われています。これは推測の域を出ていませんが、関さばは瀬戸内海を周遊してアニサキスの寄生が少ない独特の『系群』を作っているのではないかと言えます」

では、関さばは生で食べても安全ということなのか。

大分大学 小林隆志教授

「残念ながら『安全』とは言い切れません。実際に寄生率6.8％という低い数値ながらアニサキスは寄生しています。生で食べるときには通常通り注意が必要です」

また、大分県漁業協同組合佐賀関支店は、「もともと寄生率が少ないとはきいていましたが、全国的にアニサキス症が増加する中で、今回実証してもらったことでより安心を得られた」と話している。

生の魚に瞬間的に電気を流してアニサキスを殺虫する技術も開発されたが、本格的な導入はまだ先で、残念ながら生の魚を食べるときには注意しなければならないのが現状のようだ。

アニサキスは、健康診断の際などに無症状のまま胃に刺さっていることが偶然見つかることもある。

こうしたことからアニサキス症は、刺さったことの痛みだけで生ずるのではなく、アレルギー反応もあるのではないかと言われているが、その発症のメカニズムもまだ解明されていない。

アニサキスで苦しむ人が1人でも少なくなるよう、私は、引き続き取材を続けていきたい。

アニサキスに注意するために

魚に脂がのってよりおいしくなる時期だが、生で食べる際には、

▼購入前や調理前には必ずアニサキスがいないかを確認し、見つけたら必ず取り除くこと

▼新鮮な魚を購入し、釣った魚の内臓はすぐ取り除くことを忘れずに

▼塩やわさび、醤油や食酢をかけても通常の量では死なないので注意が必要

Translation

(continue)

On the other hand, even though anisakiasis also occurred in South Korea where there was a custom of eating raw seafood, the incidence of anisakiasis was lower than in Japan because most of the seafood was caught on the Sea of Japan coast.

Does that mean that fish from the Sea of Japan side could be safely eaten?

National Institute of Infectious Diseases Visiting Researcher Sugiyama

"Actually, that's not the case. Recently, S-types have also been found in fish on the Sea of Japan coast. It is believed that this is due to changes in migratory fish because of changes in the marine environment. I think that the habitat of Anisakis may change depending on changes in the marine environment. However, even P-type and Pseudoterranova can cause Anisakis food poisoning, so we still need to be careful.”

Which fish had less Anisakis parasite?

Then, when I asked visiting researcher Sugiyama, whether there were any fish had less Anisakis parasite, I was told that fish species in the inland sea were said to be with less Anisakis parasite.

As I proceeded with the interview, I learned that a study had been published showing that the rate of Anisakis parasitism was actually low in the brand name fish "Seki mackerel".

“Seki mackerel” which was caught by single line fishing in Bungo Channel off the coast of Oita Prefecture originally had been said among local fishermen and chefs that they were less parasitized by Anisakis.

However, due to lack of scientific data, the actual situation was not known.

That was why the research team led by Professor Takashi Kobayashi of Oita University was set up.

From 2014 to 2016, with the cooperation of local fishermen's cooperatives etc., 74 "Seki mackerel", 40 mackerel caught in western Kyushu, and 40 mackerel caught in southern Kyushu were dissected and all Anisakis parasites were taken out. Respectively their parasitic rate was investigated.

The results were,

▼While the overall Anisakis parasitic rate of in Seki mackerel was 6.8%,

▼ In Western Kyushu it was 75%,

▼ In Southern Kyushu it was 38%.

 Professor Takashi Kobayashi, Oita University

"This study demonstrates that the rate of Anisakis parasitism in the Seki mackerel is low, but we still don't know why. Schools that rarely intersect with other sea areas and are independent are called "system groups", but it is said that Seki mackerel also form "system groups". This is only speculation, but it can be said that Seki mackerel may have circumnavigated the Seto Inland Sea to create a unique 'system group' that has less Anisakis parasites."

So, is Seki mackerel safe to eat raw?

Professor Takashi Kobayashi, Oita University

"Unfortunately, it cannot be said that it is 'safe'. In fact, Anisakis is parasitic even though the parasitic rate is as low as 6.8%. As usual, caution is required when eating raw."

In addition, the Saganoseki branch of the Oita Prefectural Fisheries Cooperative was saying that, ``While had heard that the parasitic rate was originally low, yet anisakiasis is on the rise nationwide now, we have gained more peace of mind with this actual proof.”

While a technology had been developed to kill Anisakis instantaneously by passing electricity through raw fish, its full-scale introduction was still a long way off; it was unfortunately as it seemed that the current situation was that people had to be careful when eating raw fish.

Anisakis was sometimes found by chance to be stuck in the stomach without any symptoms, such as during a health checkup.

For these reasons, anisakiasis was thought to cause not only a pain by a sting, but also by an allergic reaction, but the mechanism of its onset had not yet been elucidated.

I would like to continue reporting so that the number of people suffering from Anisakis could decrease even by one.

To be beware of Anisakis

While it was the time to eat as the fish became more oily and tastier, yet when eating it raw,

▼ Before purchasing or cooking, be sure to check for Anisakis, and if you found it, be sure to remove it.

▼ To buy fresh fish; and didn't forget removing the internal organs immediately after you caught it.

▼Be aware that even if you put in salt, wasabi, soy sauce, or vinegar, with the normal amount the Anisakis would not die.

              So, one of the main reasons why Anisakis is so common in Japan is its food culture of eating raw fish, such as sashimi and sushi. There are several ways to avoid Anisakis: 1. Before purchasing or cooking, be sure to check for anisakis, and if you find it, be sure to remove it. 2. To buy fresh fish, and don't forget removing the internal organs immediately after you catch it. 3.Be aware that even if you put in salt, wasabi, soy sauce, or vinegar, the normal amount used will not be enough to kill Anisakis.

Is anisakiasis common in Japan? What is the reason? (1/2)

Recently NHK News on-line carried the following investigative report:

アニサキス症 日本で多い？その理由とは？ (1/2)

2022年12月5日 18時07分

鮮魚店で買った刺身を食べてアニサキスによる食中毒になった私は、こんな激痛を誰にも経験してほしくないという思いで取材を続けている。

サバやアジなどの魚介類に寄生するアニサキス。

生きたままヒトの体内に入ると、胃や腸などに刺さり、激しい痛みやおう吐を引き起こす。

このアニサキスの世界の症例のほとんどが、実は日本で起きているのをご存じだろうか？

アニサキスをめぐる最新の研究動向を調べてみた。

 （ラジオセンター記者 瀬古久美子）

 アニサキス症とは

アニサキスの幼虫の長さは2、3センチ、糸くずのようにも見える。

これが生きたままヒトの体内に入ると、胃や腸などに刺さり、激しい痛みやおう吐を引き起こす。

私は鮮魚店で買ったアジの刺身を食べた3日後に経験のない痛みに苦しめられた。

人の体内に入ったアニサキスは1週間ほどで死ぬとはいえ、みぞおちを太い針で何度も刺されているかのようで、まっすぐ立っていることもできない状態だった。

アニサキス症にはアニサキスの種類が関係している！？

このアニサキス症。

日本で診断された人の数は年間2万人と推計されるが、世界の症例のうち95％が日本で起きていると言われている。

これほどまでに日本で多い理由は刺し身や寿司など魚を生のまま食べる食文化が大きな要因の一つ。

ただ、それだけではなく私たちの周囲の海にその理由があることが今回、新たにわかったという。

新たな発見をした国立感染症研究所の杉山広客員研究員に話をうかがった。

国立感染症研究所 杉山広客員研究員

「実はアニサキスといっても、種類があり、体内からアニサキスが見つかった人のおよそ90％から太平洋側の魚介類に多く寄生しているシンプレックス＝通称S型のアニサキスが発見されたんです」

アニサキスは種類があり、日本の近海では、

▼太平洋側にシンプレックス＝通称S型、

▼日本海側にペグレフィ＝通称P型、

そして、

▼アニサキスによる食中毒と同じ症状を引き起こすシュードテラノバが存在している。

写真で見るようにS型とP型は見た目では違いは分からず、ともに白い糸くずのようにも見える一方で、シュードテラノバは茶褐色であることが分かる。

杉山さんは、2018年から2019年にかけて30都道府県の181人から取り除いたアニサキスの幼虫189匹を入手し、DNAのサンプルを抽出してアニサキスの種類を特定した。

その結果、88.9％にあたる168匹がS型だった一方で、P型は5.3％、シュードテラノバは5.8％だったというのだ。

これは何を指し示しているのか。

国立感染症研究所 杉山客員研究員

「アニサキスというのは一般的に内臓に多く寄生していて、魚が死ぬと内臓から筋肉、つまり身の部分に移動します。釣りをする人などには、釣った直後に内臓を取り除くよう呼びかけてきました。ただ、S型というのは魚種によっては魚が生きているうちから身の部分に寄生しているんです。身の部分を生のまま刺し身やおすしなどで食べた結果、アニサキスの食中毒になるおそれがあります」

 「今回S型がおよそ90％だったことから日本人が魚をたくさん食べるという理由だけではなく、日本の太平洋側にS型が多いことがアニサキス症の発生につながっていることが裏付けられたといえます」

さらに杉山さんは流通網が発達して太平洋側の魚を全国各地で食べられるようになっていることから、アニサキス症になる人も全国で増加していると指摘している。

(to be continued)

Translation

I got food poisoning from Anisakis after eating sashimi I bought at a fresh fish store, I continued to collect information because I didn't want anyone to experience such severe pain.

Anisakis parasitized on fish and shellfish such as mackerel and horse mackerel.

If they entered the human body alive, they could pierce the stomach and intestines, causing severe pain and vomiting.

Anisakis cases were many in this world; did you know what was actually occurring in Japan?

We investigated the latest trends in research on Anisakis.

(Radio Center Reporter Kumiko Seko)

What is Anisakiasis

Anisakis larvae were 2-3 centimeters long and looked like short threads.

If it entered the human body while alive, it could pierce the stomach and intestines, causing severe pain and vomiting.

Three days after eating horse mackerel sashimi I bought at a fresh fish store, I was tormented by pain I had never experienced before.

Although Anisakis would die in about a week after entering the human body, it was as if the solar plexus had been pierced many times with a thick needle, making it impossible to stand up straight.

Types of Anisakis that are related to Anisakiasis!?

The anisakiasis.

It was estimated that 20,000 people had been diagnosed annually in Japan, and 95% of the world's cases were said to occur in Japan.

One of the main reasons so far why it was so common in Japan was the food culture of eating raw fish, such as sashimi and sushi.

However, this time, it was newly discovered that the reason for this was not only that, but also the sea around us.

I spoke with Hiromu Sugiyama, a visiting researcher at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases who made the new discovery.

National Institute of Infectious Diseases Visiting Researcher Sugiyama Hiromu

``Actually, there are different types of Anisakis, and in about 90% of the people who had Anisakis in their bodies were found to be Simplex, commonly known as S-type Anisakis, which is parasitic on fish and shellfish on the Pacific coast.''

There were different types of Anisakis, and in the waters near Japan,

▼ Simplex on the Pacific Ocean side = commonly known as S type,

▼Pegrefy on the Sea of Japan side = commonly known as P type,

and,

▼ Pseudoterranova, which causes the same symptoms as food poisoning caused by Anisakis, exists.

As you could see in photos, there were no visible difference between the S type and the P type, and both looked like a white short thread, while the Pseudoterranova was dark brown.

Sugiyama obtained 189 Anisakis larvae removed from 181 people in 30 prefectures from 2018 to 2019, extracted DNA samples, and identified the type of Anisakis.

As a result, 168 of them, or 88.9%, were S-type, while 5.3% were P-type and 5.8% were Pseudoterranova.

What does this point to?

National Institute of Infectious Diseases Visiting Researcher Sugiyama

“Generally, Anisakis is parasitic on the internal organs, and when the fish dies, it moves from the internal organs to the muscle, that is, the body part. We advise anglers and others to remove the internal organs immediately after catching. However, depending on the fish species, the S type is parasitic on the body of the fish while it is alive. As a result of eating the body part raw as sashimi or sushi, you may get food poisoning from Anisakis."

"This time, about 90% of them were S-type, which is not only because Japanese people eat a lot of fish, but it can be said that it corroborated that S-type is abundant on the Pacific side of Japan links to the occurrence of anisakiasis."

Furthermore, Sugiyama pointed out that the number of people suffering from anisakiasis was increasing nationwide as the distribution network had developed and thus fish from the Pacific coast could be eaten all over the country.

(to be continued)

Note:

Pseudoterranova is a genus within the family Anisakidae of parasitic nematodes with an aquatic life cycle. The lifecycle of Pseudoterranova spp. involves marine mammals, pinnipeds (sea lions, seals and walruses) as definitive hosts, planktonic or benthic crustaceans as intermediate hosts and fish which act as second intermediate or paratenic hosts. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudoterranova)

1 in 5 deaths aged between 20 and 49 due to overdrinking - US survey

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

２０～４９歳の死亡、５人に１人は飲みすぎが原因　米調査

2022.11.02 Wed posted at 12:47 JST

  （ＣＮＮ） 米国で２０～４９歳で死亡した人のうち、推定５人に１人は飲みすぎが原因だったという調査結果が、１日の米医学誌ＪＡＭＡネットワーク・オープンに発表された。２０～６４歳の年齢層では、飲酒に関係する死亡は８人に１人だった。

論文の筆頭筆者で米疾病対策センター（ＣＤＣ）専門家のマリッサ・エッサー氏によると、州によって違いはあるものの、全国的に見ると飲酒が関係する死亡は予防できる死の筆頭だった。

研究チームは２０１５～１９年にかけての死者に関する全米と州ごとの統計を参照し、過剰な飲酒が部分的または全面的に関係する死亡について調べた。この中には自動車事故やアルコール中毒、肝臓病などによる死亡が含まれる。

今回の調査では、飲酒が全面的な原因だったとされる死者が過去１０年で増えていることも分かった。

エッサー氏によると、飲酒が関係している可能性がありながら、死亡と飲酒との関係が確認できないなどの理由で統計から除外したケースもあった。また、病死した人が、過去に過剰な飲酒をしていて断酒した経緯があるのかどうか判断できないケースもあった。

この調査についてボストン大学のデービッド・ジャーニガン教授は、アルコールが関係する死者は実際にはもっと多いはずだと指摘。「飲みすぎは米国の大問題だということが改めて示された」としている。

Translation

  (CNN) According to a study published on the 1st in the JAMA Network Open, an estimated 1 in 5 deaths in the United States between the ages of 20 and 49 were due to over drinking. In the age group between 20-64, 1 in 8 were alcohol-related deaths.

According to lead author Marissa Esser, an expert at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while there were variations from state to state, nationally, alcohol-related deaths top the list of preventable deaths.

The researchers looked at national as well as state-by-state statistics on deaths from 2015 to 2019 to see which deaths were partially or wholly related to excessive drinking. This included deaths from car accidents, alcohol poisoning and liver disease.

The study also found that the number of deaths attributed entirely to alcohol consumption had risen over the past decade.

Esser said that some cases were excluded from the statistics because they could not confirm the relationship between death and alcohol consumption, although they might have connection with alcohol consumption. In some cases, she was also unable to determine whether the person who died had a history of excessive drinking and then quitting.

Boston University professor David Jernigan said the actual number of alcohol-related deaths was much higher. He said, "It shows once again that excessive drinking is a big problem in America."

              So, excessive drinking is a big problem in the US. I heard that some health experts even said that alcohol drinking had no safety level, even a small amount could be harmful to your health.

An English study - Drinking alcohol has a negative effect on the brain regardless of amount

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

量にかかわらず飲酒は脳に悪影響　英研究

2021.05.20 Thu posted at 16:55 JST

ロンドン（ＣＮＮ） 飲酒に「安全な」レベルというものは存在せず、アルコールの摂取が増えればそれに関連して脳の健康は悪化するとの新たな研究結果がこのほど発表された。

この未査読の観察研究では、英オックスフォード大学の研究者らが英国内の２万５０００人からアルコールの摂取量を申告してもらい、各自の脳の断層写真との関連を調べた。

オックスフォードの上級臨床研究者で論文の筆頭著者を務めたアニヤ・トピワラ氏によれば、調査の結果、飲酒が脳の灰白質に影響を及ぼしていることが分かった。灰白質とは、脳の中で情報を処理する重要な部位を構成する領域を指す。

トピワラ氏は電子メールで「酒量が増えるほど、灰白質の容量は小さくなる」「脳容量は年齢とともに縮小するが、その度合いは認知症でより深刻化する。脳が小さくなれば、記憶に関するパフォーマンスの低下にもつながる」と説明した。

研究チームは特定の飲酒パターンや酒の種類、その他の健康条件によってアルコールが脳に及ぼす影響が変化するかどうかも検証した。

その結果、飲酒に「安全な」レベルは存在せず、どれだけ少量でもアルコールを摂取すればその分脳の健康は悪化することが分かった。また酒の種類で悪化の度合いが変わる証拠は見つからなかったとした。

一方で高血圧や肥満、大量飲酒といった特定の条件が加わることでリスクがより高まる可能性はあると付け加えた。

「飲酒は『適量』なら無害もしくは何らかの予防効果さえあると考える人があまりに多い」「認知症のような神経変性疾患の『治療法』がまだ見つかっていない以上、脳損傷を防ぎ得る要因について知ることは公衆衛生にとって重要だ」（トピワラ氏）

量にかかわらずアルコールの摂取には健康リスクがあることは過去の研究でも指摘されてきた。

ロンドン大学キングス・カレッジの客員臨床研究員で高齢者の精神医学を専攻するトニー・ラオ氏はＣＮＮの取材に答え、今回の研究結果について、サンプルの多さから偶然表れたものとは考えにくいとの見方を示した。

同氏は過去の研究にも共通する傾向がみられるとしたうえで、たとえリスクの低い飲み方であってもアルコール摂取は脳への悪影響という意味で従来の想定以上の役割を果たしていることが証明されたと分析。その度合いは喫煙など他の多くのリスク要因を上回ると述べた。

Translation

London (CNN) - There eas no "safe" level of drinking, and a new research had recently announced that increased alcohol intake had resulted in associated deterioration of brain health.

In this unpeer-reviewed observational study, researchers at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom asked 25,000 people in the country to report their alcohol intake and examined their connection with tomographic photographs of their brains.

According to Anya Topiwala, senior clinical researcher at Oxford and the lead author of the treatise, the study found that drinking affected the gray matter of the brain. Gray matter referred to the areas of the brain that made up important parts of the body that process information.

Topiwala said in an email explained that, "As the amount of alcohol increases, the volume of gray matter decreases”; "Brain capacity decreases with age, but the degree is more serious in dementia. When the brain become smaller, it leads to poor memory performance. "

The team also examined whether certain drinking patterns, types of alcohol, and other health conditions would change the influence of alcohol on the brain.

They found that there was no "safe" level of drinking, and that drinking alcohol in any small amount would worsen brain health. No evidence was found that the degree of deterioration woul vary in relation  to the type of liquor.

He added that certain conditions, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and heavy drinking, could increase the risk.

"Too many people think that drinking is harmless, or even has some preventive effect if it is at the 'appropriate amount'." "Because no 'cure' for neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia has not been found yet, knowing the factors that can prevent brain damage is important for public health. " (Mr. Topiwala)

Past studies had pointed out that alcohol consumption, regardless of amount, poses a health risk.

Tony Rao, a visiting clinical researcher at London University King's College who was majoring in psychiatry for the elderly, in responded to CNN's interview showed a point of view that it was unlikely that the research result appeared by chance as there were large number of samples.

On top of seeing a common tendency with past research, in analysis he proved that even if it was a low-risk way of drinking, there was an implication that alcohol consumption had play a negative role in affecting the brain beyond conventional expectations. He said the negative degree exceeded many other risk factors such as smoking.

              So, this study points out that alcohol consumption, regardless of amount, can pose a health risk. But I think that the habit for human to drink alcohol will probably continue regardless of this report.  The German will continue to drink beer, the Russian consume vodka, the Japanese enjoy sake, and the French love cognac.

新年吃年糕

我家在農曆新年有吃糕的習慣, 取其步步高升之喻意. 除了年糕外, 還有蘿蔔糕. 我不懂得做糕, 這些都是親友送的. 今年的年糕有兩種, 淺咖啡色的蒸了接近兩小時才完成, 所以特別柔軟好吃. 鮮橙色的也是年糕, 看來好似南瓜糕. 今次的蘿蔔糕, 親友說沒有添加蝦米, 叫我吃後給一些意見.

本地新鮮水果

我對面鄰居的兒子今年九月開始到卑詩省內陸一個叫 Okanagan 的地方讀大學. 它是位於溫哥華東面,大約四小時多車程距離. 最近他在那裡陪伴兒子逗留了十多天後回來. 送給我相片中的生果. 計有布林,葡萄和蘋果, 都是在當地果園摘取, 物輕情意重. 因為是本地出產. 額外有親切感. 有關 Okangan 這個地方的資料, 我在一些旅行雜誌看到以下的描述:

"Canada's best known fruit belt is the Okanagan Valley. Lake water is used for irrigation and combined with huge amounts of sunshine, creates a lush garden. Apple, peaches, plums, grapes, cherries, apricots and pears, are all grown here in abundance. The area is also known for its wine-making, sandy beaches and lakes . . . It is a popular resort area."

家裏造麵包

幾日前女兒的造麵包興致大發, 不知在那裡弄到一張食譜, 依樣葫蘆, 烘了多個用肉桂 (cinnanon) 造餡的麵包, 作為飯後甜品. 雖然在製造過程中把廚房弄得一片凌亂, 但是當麵包由烤爐拿出來即時吃, 那種香味和柔軟新鮮感覺, 亦足夠令內心感覺到一陣暖意.

Fresh Figs

Yesterday my friend picked figs from trees in his front-yard garden and gave some to me. Fig tree was often mentioned in the Bible and was said to grow in the Garden of Eden. Figs have different varieties, the one I received is green in color. Fresh figs are at their best when just picked from trees as they begin to ripe. Ripen fig is very sweet and could be eaten out of hand. You could smell the freshness of the fruit while eating, and the feeling is very unique. When ripen its skin is very thin and is very soft to touch. But it could soon lose its good quality, probably within 24 hours. It could spoil quickly even if stored in a refrigerator. According to some saying, figs are rich in fibre, magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron.

節瓜

昨天到友人家中作客, 見到他後院的迷你田裡種了一些瓜菜, 例如日本南瓜, 節瓜, 扁豆, 蕃茄. 近日天氣十分炎熱, 對瓜類生長很有幫助, 節瓜能在一星期內由大約二英寸生長到一呎多. 老友從瓜棚摘了兩個給我回家做瓜湯, 因為新鮮, 所以十分清甜. 瓜邊的顏色很翠綠, 簡直是一種視覺享受. 一樂也.

Blueberries

Recently blueberries are in great supply, the quality is good and the price is reasonable. According to some sayings, blueberries are a good source of dietary fiber, they have vitamin C and iron. Dried blueberries have long been a popular folk remedy for diarrhea and other intestinal problems. Although they are sweet and tasty, they are not high in calories. Some people eat them as snack or dessert because they are low in calories, some people add blueberries to muffins.

大肉蟹 (Dungeness crab)

幾天前我和朋友到一間十分大眾化的酒家吃了大肉蟹. 它是盛產於北美洲西岸由阿拉斯加到加州的Dungeness crab. 本地中國人多數叫它做大肉蟹. Dungeness 是一個地方名字. 它位於美國華盛頓州西岸. 捕捉大肉蟹已經是當地一個重要商業活動. 當外地有朋友來探訪我時, 我通常都會請他們吃. 因為它都算是一地道美食. 我喜歡上湯薑蔥煮蟹加雲吞麵底. 兩隻蟹總共五磅多, 加了麵底, 看來好似一座小山, 十分壯觀. 加上有黃綠橙三色, 因此色香味齊全, 食慾大增.

士多啤梨

Strawberry is now in season. I like those from the US because they are relatively sweet, big and good looking. They are low in calories and high in vitamin. As far as vitamin source is concerned, they are better than oranges. They also provide us with potassium and iron. Their seeds, although can be irritating to some people with problems such as intestinal disorders, are good source of insoluble fibre.