Fruit and veg – how much is enough?

Researchers have more evidence linking a diet with lots of fruits and vegetables to better health outcomes.

The idea that fruits and veggies are good for you isn't new, of course. What's new in this study is that researchers saw a dose-response relationship: the more fruits and veggies people ate, the less likely they were to have heart problems or die while researchers were studying them.

Protective effects

The protective effects of fruits and veggies leveled out at five servings per day, which supports current dietary recommendations, senior author Dr. Frank B. Hu, of the departments of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, told Reuters Health by email.

The findings are from a fresh analysis of 16 existing studies that involved more than 800,000 people. The studies lasted at least four years, and sometimes up to 26 years. Around 56,000 participants died during the studies.

Six studies included data on vegetables in the diet over time, six examined fruits, and four included both. The studies were conducted in the U.S., Asia and Europe.

Pallo Jordan and his PhD still missing

                                                                      Pallo Jordan

 

Johannesburg - ANC stalwart Pallo Jordan appears to have gone to ground following revelations that he does not hold a PhD as claimed on his CV.

According to the Sunday Times, Jordan, who has long gone by the title "Dr", is nowhere to be found following revelations last Sunday that he does not hold any degree.

The newspaper reports that Business Day has also dropped him as a columnist after he failed to meet his deadline and that close friends, comrades and neighbours have not seen nor heard from him these past few days.

Spying, 'double-agents' part of Sars probe

Johannesburg - The SA Revenue Service (Sars) confirmed reports on Sunday that a Pretoria lawyer had laid a complaint against the revenue service's group executive Johann van Loggenberg after their relationship ended.

"Whenever Sars receives a complaint of unbecoming behaviour on the part of any of its officials, [it] always seeks to verify the facts surrounding the complaint to determine whether or not a complaint warrants further action," spokesperson Adrian Lackay said.

During the course of this year, advocate Belinda Walter had sent a series of emails to Sars officials complaining about Van Loggenberg. "To put it mildly her allegations were alarmist and possibly defamatory," Lackay said.

Reiger Park body not yet identified - police

                                                                                          Reiger Park

Johannesburg - Gauteng police were on Sunday trying to identify the partially burnt body of a child found in a mine dump in Reiger Park. "We are still busy with the process of identifying the body," said Colonial Noxolo Kweza.

It was not known yet if it was the body of Cuburne Lavone van Wyk, who disappeared on 6 August while playing outside with siblings.

Charges laid against top NPA officials

                                                                     Nomgcobo Jiba (Lisa Hnatowicz, Beeld)

Johannesburg - Criminal charges have been laid against three NPA senior officials, the prosecuting authority confirmed on Sunday. "Yes, it is indeed correct," National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Nathi Mncube said in reply to an SMS from Sapa.

Former acting NPA head Nomgcobo Jiba, director of public prosecutions for north Gauteng Sibongile Mzinyathi and head of the NPA's specialised commercial crimes unit Lawrence Mrwebi were facing charges of perjury. City Press newspaper reported that the charges followed court findings made about the NPA's leadership last year.