Episode 134. The Hope Molecule & The Australian Health Star Rating System.
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Episode 134. The Hope Molecule & The Australian Health Star Rating System.
In this episode, we discuss a recent article highlighting that our bodies can produce "hope molecules" that help us cope with stress and anxiety. These molecules, called neuropeptides, are produced in response to positive experiences and thoughts. The article cites several studies showing that neuropeptides can have a variety of beneficial effects on the body, including reducing inflammation and improving mood. The author suggests that by focusing on positive experiences and thoughts, we can help our bodies produce more of these hope molecules and improve our overall well-being. The article concludes by highlighting the importance of exercise and muscle contraction in maintaining good physical and mental health.
Lastly, we discuss the Australian health star rating system is a front-of-pack labelling scheme designed to help consumers make more informed choices about the nutritional value of packaged foods. The rating is calculated based on the amount of energy, saturated fat, sugars, sodium, protein, fibre, and other nutrients present in the food—the more favourable the nutrient composition, the higher the rating. The Australian government developed the system in collaboration with the food industry, consumer groups, and public health experts. It aims to encourage food manufacturers to reformulate their products to improve their nutritional quality and make it easier for consumers to make healthier choices.
However, it's important to note that the health star rating system has limitations. For instance, it doesn't consider some factors that may impact the healthfulness of a food product, such as the presence of preservatives, colours, and flavours. Additionally, the system is voluntary, and not all manufacturers choose to use it. Additionally, the system compares foods in the same categories, meaning that plain yogurt might receive a lower rating than a sugary, artificially-flavoured milk drink as they are in different categories, therefore not compared against one another. Given these limitations, it's understandable that some people have questions about the effectiveness and accuracy of the health star system.
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Episode Relevant Links:
Hope Molecule Article: https://medium.com/curious/your-body-can-produce-hope-molecules-9b015ce088e1
Substack Article: https://open.substack.com/pub/neuroathletics/p/why-the-processed-food-industry-has?r=1gqycs&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
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