Christmas pudding, logs and trinkets will grace the tables of households across the country on December 25.
Although not typically known for their health benefits, scientists say eating certain types of puddings can protect against an early death.
American researchers examined dozens of recipes on the Great British Bake Off website and examined the link between their ingredients and health effects.
Fruit, nuts and coffee had the strongest association with disease prevention, while products containing alcohol increased the risk of the opposite effect.
This meant that a recipe from presenter Paul Hollywood could reduce the risk of dying young because it was high in dried fruit and nuts, while Prue Leith’s chocolate bar, made with Irish cream liqueur, could increase the risk of premature death.
This meant that a recipe from presenter Paul Hollywood (left) could reduce the risk of early death because it contained lots of dried fruit and nuts, while Prue Leith’s chocolate bar (right), made with Irish cream liqueur, could reduce the risk of premature birth Death may increase.
Paul’s Stollen, made from dried fruit and marzipan, has been linked to a lower risk of death due to ingredients such as almonds, dried fruit and milk (stock photo)
However, Prue’s Chocolate Yule Log, described as a Swiss roll “subtly infused with Irish cream liqueur to enhance the festive spirit,” has been linked to an increased risk of liver cancer, stomach cancer and colon cancer because it contains alcohol (stock). image)
Researchers from Yale School of Medicine and Emory University found that Christmas desserts have been eaten in Britain since the Middle Ages.
These puddings are “actually quite healthy” and full of prunes, raisins, nuts, herbs and grains, they said.
However, people’s tastes have evolved over time and festive desserts have become more decadent and sweet, raising concerns that they are harmful to health, the team wrote.
To find out if modern sweet Christmas treats still have the health benefits they were once associated with, they delved into 48 Christmas recipes. Cakes, cookies, pastries, puddings and desserts on the baking show website.
In total, they contained 178 ingredients divided into 17 groups, including alcohol, chocolate, eggs, fruit, nuts and coffee.
The scientists then examined the links between these groups of ingredients and the risk of death, as shown in previous research.
The results, published in the Christmas issue of the BMJ, showed that 44 studies found a link between eating fruit and avoiding an early grave.
The studies also provided evidence that coffee (17) and nuts (14) reduce the risk of death.
However, there have also been numerous studies warning that alcohol and sugar increase the risk of disease and death.
This means fruit and nut-filled desserts such as Paul’s Stollen, which are made from dried fruit and marzipan, are associated with a lower risk of death due to ingredients such as almonds, dried fruit and milk.
The researchers wrote: “All in all, without eggs, butter and sugar, this dessert is essentially a fruit salad with nuts. ‘Yum!’
However, Prue’s chocolate Christmas bread, described as a Swiss roll “subtly infused with Irish cream liqueur to boost the festive spirit”, has been linked to an increased risk of liver cancer, stomach cancer and bowel cancer because it contains alcohol .
They concluded: “The health benefits of most of the ingredients in The Great British Bake Off’s Christmas desserts outweigh the cons.”
“However, all Christmas desserts can be made even healthier by replacing alcohol with milk or coffee.”
The team noted that their study was observational only and that in many cases the alcohol content of baked goods evaporated in the oven. In addition, the amount of ingredients in each dessert was not taken into account.
They added that it is best to analyze the risk of food intake based on a person’s entire diet rather than each individual ingredient in a meal.
Health experts recommend eating sweet treats in moderation to keep calorie and sugar intake under control.
What should a balanced diet look like?
According to the NHS, meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, preferably whole grains
• Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruits and vegetables count
• Basic meals with potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, preferably whole grains
• 30 grams of fiber per day: This is equivalent to eating all of the following: 5 servings of fruit and vegetables, 2 whole grain cereal crackers, 2 thick slices of whole grain bread, and a large baked potato with the skin still on
• Provide some dairy products or milk alternatives (eg soya drinks) and opt for lower fat and lower sugar options
• Eat beans, legumes, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish per week, one portion fatty).
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consume them in small amounts
• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water a day
• Adults should consume less than 6 grams of salt and 20 grams of saturated fat for women and 30 grams for men per day
Source: NHS Eatwell Guide
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
