Real trends and Real Beneftis: Green Tea and Gluten Free

Science and food. Health and food. Functional benefits. Disease prevention. Disease avoidance. These are all key phrases with food today. Today's post quickly focuses on two big ones in this arena: Green Tea and Gluten Free.

My green tea obsession continues to get validated

I've written in the past of my obsession with green tea. Studies keep coming out around the benefits....I'm not stopping my 3-4 cups a day as green tea can:

• Help prevent cancer as it is packed with antioxidants. A study based in Arizona is being conducted to see if a certain green tea extract can prevent cervical cancer (June 2009;

• Lead to weight loss;

• Promote healthy skin;

• Enhance mental focus (I'm putting this to the test as I just downed cup before engaging on writing today);

• Boost immune systems and destroys the bacteria that cause strep throat and cavities; and

• and much more...

Gluten free is here to stay for the long run

I've also touched on gluten free (GF) in the past as I live in a gluten free house and continue to learn about more and more gluten free (GF) people. These trends are also real.

• A new study released last week says that Celiac disease may now impact 1 in 100 people in the US -- a quadrupling since the 1950s.

• Also last week, Betty Crocker (General Mills) announced a new gluten free line of mixes (see WSJ article). Wow.

Here are my thoughts on some of the best gluten free brands/products out there:

• Pizza crusts: Hands down, the winner is Rustic Crust. These are fabulous -- two to a pack, shelf stable, affordable and taste great. You can buy them direct on Rustic's website and at more and more retailers across the country.

• Cake/Cookie Mixes: Cherrybrook Kitchen takes the top spot here. This company has premium products that are both allergen-free and gluten-free. When it comes time to make cookies or a cake for a birth day party (in school or at home), every parent -- whether they have a GF child or one with a food allergy -- should be using a product like Cherrybrook. How is it fair for someone to bring in cupcakes from home that some kids in the class can not eat? Be inclusive and fair and use a product like Cherrybrook.

• General baking mix: Pamela's gets high marks here. We use it to replace flour and it works well.

• Other interesting brands and products out there include: Kind Bars (while not marketed primarily as gluten free, they are...and they are a huge hit in my house -- also a very high-profile recent investment by the private equity group VMG Partners-- a very competitive deal that earned a hefty valuation -- I bet they do well on the deal); Mary's Gone Crackers (the crackers and 'twigs" are great with hummus and salsa -- funded by the venture capital fund Greenmont Capital Partners); Arico Foods has had a nice growth story - see "40 Under 40" story in the Natural Foods Merchandiser; Sami's Bakery has the best gluten free bread in the market -- frozen all the way from Florida (9/9/09 UPDATE: I am sad to report that Sami's bread is not gluten free; although it is sold in the gluten free sections of many retailers, it is clearly not gluten free and people with gluten sensitivities may be best served by staying way form this bread)....; Bakery on Main has the best cereal -- their granola is far and away the best on the market -- even my 1-year old likes it.

• There are obviously many more gluten free brands out there: Gluten Free Pantry -- can't get a better URL (they are funded by the Claridge Food Group) ....., and Kinnikinnick from Canada is a clear leader in the space -- although their overall branding/packaging could use some upgrading. Their recent frozen doughnuts are a huge improvement (and taste great). If you think I've missed some big ones, please let me know.