 |
Source:
www.hpb.gov.sg |
Singaporeans not eating enough
fruit and vegetables have lower body antioxidant readings |
|
From 13 March to 3 April 2005, 285 shoppers at 4
Cold Storage supermarkets were assessed for their fruit and vegetables intake
and had their body antioxidant levels measured. |
Antioxidants in our body help to slow down the
process of aging and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as
certain cancers and heart disease. |
The findings were that most (60%) of these
shoppers did not eat enough fruit and vegetables daily. (The recommendation is
to eat 2 servings of fruit and 2 servings of vegetables daily). These
individuals have 30% lower mean body antioxidant levels than those meeting the
※2+2§ fruit and vegetables recommendation. |
The antioxidant level was measured by shining a
light beam on the palm and taking readings produced as a result of the
interaction of the light beam with the antioxidants . Higher readings indicate
higher antioxidant levels |
A factor influencing the antioxidant level is the
amount of fruit and vegetables consumed, especially those varieties that are
brightly coloured. Higher amounts of dietary fruit and vegetables have been
associated with higher levels of antioxidant. Many colour pigments in fruit
and vegetables function as powerful antioxidants in our body. |
Programme Outline |
HPB will be working in partnership with Pharmanex
and Cold Storage Supermarkets to encourage shoppers to buy enough fruit and
vegetables for their family as a measure to boost body antioxidant levels. |
Palm scanning of antioxidant levels will be
carried out in 10 Cold Storage outlets (see list attached) from 14 May to 17
July 2005 on every Saturday and Sunday. |
Members of the public can qualify for the palm
scanning with a minimum purchase of $5 worth of any products on the same day
of purchase at the participating supermarket. |
Dr Annie Ling, Head of HPB's Nutrition Department
said, ※Many Singaporeans have given feedback that they find it difficult to
meet the recommended level of fruit and vegetables intake. Scientific evidence
has suggested that even if individuals fall short of the recommended level of
intake, modest increases in fruit and vegetable intake by an additional
serving which is equivalent to a piece of fruit or ¾ mug of vegetables confer
health benefits.§ |
Fruit & vegetables promotion by Cold Storage |
Shoppers can look out for special fruit and
vegetable promotions by Cold Storage during this period, especially for those
varieties of fruit and vegetables which are brightly coloured. These include
the green leafy vegetables and red or orange-coloured fruit (e.g. papaya,
rockmelon) and vegetables (e.g. carrots, pumpkin, tomatoes) |
Mr Choo Peng Chee, CEO of Cold Storage
Supermarkets said, ※As Singapore's leading Fresh Food People, Cold Storage
strongly supports the government's efforts to maintain high levels of good
health among Singaporeans. The free antioxidant scanning will educate our
shoppers on the merits of choosing to eat more fruits and vegetables to boost
their antioxidant levels to protect their health." |
Fuss free scanning |
Ms Charlene Chiang, President of Pharmanex
Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei, said, ※Previous methods of measuring
antioxidant levels were consumer unfriendly, required blood samples and a long
waiting period for results. The Pharmanex® BioPhotonic Scanner provides a
quick measurement for Singaporeans to self-evaluate the benefits of modifying
their diets to raise their antioxidant levels, and overall good health through
healthy eating habits.§ |
About the Pharmanex®BioPhotonic Scanner |
Developed in partnership with the University of
Utah, US, the Pharmanex® BioPhotonic Scanner is the world*s first patented,
immediate and non-invasive measurement of carotenoid antioxidants in human
tissue. |
It uses a low-energy laser light to shine on the
palm, and antioxidant levels are measured based on the interaction of light
energy with the antioxidants in the palm detected by the machine. The machine
uses technology based on Raman Spectroscopy discovered by 1930 Nobel Prize
winner, Sir C. V. Raman.Participating Supermarkets |
Date |
Time |
Venue |
14 & 15 May
|
11.00am 每
3.00pm |
Great World
City, Cold Storage Outlet |
21 & 22 May |
11.00am 每
3.00pm |
Jelita, Cold
Storage Outlet |
28 & 29 May |
11.00am 每
3.00pm |
Causeway Point,
Cold Storage Outlet |
4 & 5 June |
11.30am 每
3.00pm |
Compass Point,
Cold Storage Outlet |
11 & 12 June |
11.00am 每
3.00pm |
Hougang, Cold
Storage Outlet |
18 & 19 June |
11.00am 每
3.00pm |
Novena, Cold
Storage Outlet |
25 & 26 June |
11.00am 每
3.00pm |
Guthrie House,
Level 1 Atrium |
2 & 3 July |
11.00am 每
3.00pm |
Centre Point,
Cold Storage Outlet |
9 & 10 July |
11.00am 每
3.00pm |
Venue to be
confirmed |
16 & 17 July |
11.00am 每
3.00pm |
North Point,
Cold Storage Outlet |
|
The public can refer to the weekly press
advertisements for the updated details of the antioxidant scans at selected
Cold Storage supermarkets from 14 May - 17 July. They can also log on to
www.coldstorage.com.sg for more
information from 14 May 2005. |
Source: Excerpted from
Health Promotion Board Press Release 13
May 2005 |