Phytochemical Update

cooking

Jan 8

What’s New at the University of IllinoisClare Hasler, Ph.D., heads the Functional Foods for Health Program at offices in Urbana and Chicago. It is devoted to the study of phytochemicals (naturally occuring chemicals found in plants) with a faculty of 75 working on different programs. She summarizes three of their most recent and ongoing studies:Cruciferous vegetables are being analyzed to identify new compounds. Chinese cabbage has been found to contain brassinin which inhibits growth of breast cancer cells. Brussels sprouts, studied by the Urbana campus, contain cyanohydroxybutene (CHB) which detoxifies cancer-causing chemicals in the liver and pancreas. CHB is found exclusively in cruciferous vegetables and is being studied by Matthew Wallig, D.V.M., Ph.D., and Elizabeth Jeffery, Ph.D. They are now trying to determine how food processing affects CHB.Rosemary has an extract called carnosol, an antioxidant, which inhibits tumor formation in animals with skin cancer and breast cancer. Keith Singletary, Ph.D., at the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Urbana campus, says this herb has a number of phytochemicals, some of which aren’t even known yet.Mary Smith, Ph.D., at the Urbana Campus is studying lingonberries, bilberries and cranberries; these contain anthocyanin (a red pigment) and are in the cranberry family. There are two new types of phytochemicals found in these berries; one prevents the initiation of tumor growth and another inhibits growth once it is started.Phytochemicals act synergistically with each other to help prevent cancer. The specific amount to eat is unknown but your best bet is a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

HTN

Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Judy’s passion for cooking began with helping her grandmother make raisin oatmeal for breakfast. From there, she earned her first food service job at 15, was accepted to the world-famous Culinary Institute of America at 18 (where she graduated second in her class), and went on to the Fachschule Richemont in Switzerland, where she focused on pastry arts and baking. After a decade in food service for Hyatt Hotels, Judy launched Food and Health Communications to focus on flavor and health. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude distinction from Johnson and Wales University with a BS in Culinary Arts, holds a master’s degree in Food Business from the Culinary Institute of America, two art certificates from UC Berkeley Extension, and runs a food photography & motion studio where her love is creating fun recipes and content.

Judy received The Culinary Institute of America’s Pro Chef II certification, the American Culinary Federation Bronze Medal, Gold Medal, and ACF Chef of the Year. Her enthusiasm for eating nutritiously and deliciously leads her to constantly innovate and use the latest nutritional science and Dietary Guidelines to guide her creativity, from putting new twists on fajitas to adapting Italian brownies to include ingredients like toasted nuts and cooked honey. Judy’s publishing company, Food and Health Communications, is dedicated to her vision that everyone can make food that tastes as good as it is for you.

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