About: Alan Carpenter

Recent Posts by Alan Carpenter

Food Form, Texture, and Matrix Matter

Food Form, Texture, and Matrix Matter
What does “food matrix” mean? French researchers Anthony Fardet and Edmond Rock lament the public confusion about the health value of foods. Much of the confusion arises from the focus on specific nutrients to emphasize or avoid. The nutrient-based recommendations, Fardet and Rock opine, reflect a reductionist approach to nutrition that's gone overboard, while ignoring…
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How Can Positive Self-Perceptions of Aging Boost Your Health?

How Can Positive Self-Perceptions of Aging Boost Your Health?
Embodied positive and negative age stereotypes Positive and negative age-related stereotypes held by older people predict beneficial and detrimental effects on health and well-being, respectively. Becca Levy’s research over the past two decades led to a theory of stereotype embodiment. According to Levy, stereotypes from the surrounding culture become embodied when individuals accept the stereotypes…
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The Broad Reach of Ageism and Its Adverse Effects

The Broad Reach of Ageism and Its Adverse Effects
What is ageism? Ageism refers to stereotype, prejudice and discrimination against people based on their age. Unlike racial or sexual stereotypes that are typically frowned upon, ageism is socially condoned and institutionalized in the US and other countries. The combination of negative age-related stereotypes and discrimination can make ageism a chronic stressor for older people.…
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How Much Alcohol Is Too Much?

How Much Alcohol Is Too Much?
Current guidelines may be too high The relationships between alcohol consumption and aspects of health are sometimes controversial. In fact, many longitudinal studies show that low to moderate alcohol intake predicts reduced risk of premature death and cardiovascular disease. Governmental agencies and other organizations recommend upper limits for weekly or daily alcohol consumption. Recent studies…
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