Eating pizza most certainly carries psychological benefits as a comfort food, but a new study out of Italy suggests that it might help with rheumatoid arthritis, too.
Published in the journalNutrients, the study — conducted by researchers from several Italian cities as well as Providence, Rhode Island, which purports to have the largestper capita Italian diasporic community in the US — appears to be the first of its kind, as researchers looked at whether pizza could have beneficial effects for folks with rheumatoid arthritis, which causes uncomfortable or painful swelling in the joints.
While pizza is considered a junk food in the US, the way they do it in Italy — with fresh mozzarella, basil, cherry tomatoes, and more healthy ingredients — does indeed make these delicious pies more nutritious than the average greasy slice or frozen pie in the US.
In the study, the consortium of scientists examined data from a prior survey on the dietary habits of 365 Italians aged 18 and 65 who were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
Using results from the survey, which was conducted between 2018 and 2019, the scientists found that those who ate half a pizza at least once per week experienced a reduction in their arthritis symptoms compared to those who only ate pizza twice a month or less. Interestingly, those with more severe rheumatoid arthritis seemed to fare better when eating more pizza, too.
"These beneficial effects were likely driven by mozzarella cheese and, to a lesser extent, by olive oil," the study's authors noted in its text, "even though we were unable to assess the possible contribution of tomato sauce."
While it's awesome that pizza is making its way out of the cultural borderlands of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and fare for collegiate drunkards, this study does have one glaring loophole: it doesn't take into account lactose intolerance, which likely affects as many Italiansas it does Americans, and which may be associated with the kind of inflammation dairy causes in some folks with rheumatoid arthritis.
Like with pizza itself, context is probably everything. It feels safe to say that eating a fresh Neopolitan-style pizza is going to be better for you than, say, a cheap slice purchased on the street or at a fast food counter.
Italian Scientists Research Whether Eating Pizza Carries Health Benefits. Eating pizza most certainly carries psychological benefits as a comfort food, but a new study out of Italy suggests that it might help with rheumatoid arthritis, too.
While pizza is considered a junk food in the US, the way they do it in Italy — with fresh mozzarella, basil, cherry tomatoes, and more healthy ingredients — does indeed make these delicious pies more nutritious than the average greasy slice or frozen pie in the US.
Improved Digestion. Surprisingly, certain types of pizza can actually promote better digestion. When you opt for pizzas with whole-grain crusts, you're incorporating dietary fiber into your meal. Fiber, found in abundance in whole grains and some vegetable toppings, plays a crucial role in maintaining digestive health.
Opt for a thin-crust pizza instead of a deep-dish. Skip the stuffed pizza crusts and dipping sauces. Enjoy your slice of pizza with a side salad or cooked vegetables. Top your pizza with lean protein, like chicken strips, instead of processed meat, like pepperoni.
Have you ever wondered why the Italian do not get fat despite an abundance of pizza, pasta, and dairy? Well, it is because of the Mediterranean diet! People in Italy enjoy a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, beans, tomatoes, poultry, whole grains, olive oil, red wine, dairy ― and they consume very little red meat.
“Just about everything can be enjoyed as part of a healthy lifestyle in moderation,” Dr. Cederquist says. Adding lots of vegetables to your pizza, pairing it with a side salad, and drinking plenty of water in between bites will help you avoid eating too many slices, she adds.
While it's okay to eat a piece of frozen, fast-food or pizzeria-style pizza occasionally, it's best to limit consumption to no more than a few times per month. However, for true pizza lovers who want to enjoy this food more frequently, there are ways to make this cheesy dish a whole lot healthier.
Aside from being a great source of protein, eggs are a natural source of vitamin D and some are fortified with omega-3's. Both omega-3's and vitamin D have been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Consuming two eggs per week as part of a well-balanced diet is recommended for most adults.
Pizza can be a delicious meal to share with family or friends — but it can also cause or worsen constipation. Try eating pizza with whole grains and natural ingredients or combine it with other high-fiber foods and exercise to make sure you can enjoy a slice without slowing down your gut.
Pasta is made from grain, one of the basic food groups in a healthy diet that also can include vegetables, fruits, fish, and poultry. It's a good source of energy and can give you fiber, too, if it's made from whole grain. That can help with stomach problems and may help lower cholesterol.
Both pizzas are tasty, but the Italian variety is more delicious. The Italian version has a more fresh and flavorful sauce than the American version. Italians have a distinctive mozzarella di Bufala cheese, a mozzarella cheese created from buffalo's milk.
Keeping this in mind, Italians are able to benefit from the properties of olive oil. Olive oil contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which can increase good HDL (high density lipoprotein). The function of HDL is to transport cholesterol out of cells and clear it from circulation for excretion in the urine.
Pizza Marinara, for example, contains no cheese. This is without doubt the healthiest pizza around! It is also one of the 2 most traditional Neapolitan pizzas, the other being the Pizza Margherita.
As the debate between Italian and American pasta spans, there are several reasons why Italian is believed to be healthier than its counterparts in America. It involves consuming high-quality ingredients, cooking cautiously and having a cultural inclination towards moderation.
Introduction: My name is Margart Wisoky, I am a gorgeous, shiny, successful, beautiful, adventurous, excited, pleasant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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