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Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Health
- Boston Globe
With so many kinds of yogurt available, how do you choose?
Get Winter Soup Club A six-week series featuring soup recipes and cozy vibes, plus side dishes and toppings, to get us all through the winter. Enter Email Sign Up In the United States, dairy yogurt is made primarily from cow's milk, and from any type and combination of whole, low fat, or nonfat milk, cream, and dry milk powder. In many European and Middle Eastern countries, sheep's milk and goat's milk yogurts are also available. Advertisement To make yogurt, milk is heated, then cooled to a warm temperature so bacterial cultures, specifically Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus , can be introduced. The cultured milk is left to sit for several hours in a warm environment, which causes fermentation to take place. The resulting lactic acid sours and thickens the milk and gives yogurt its tangy taste. (Look for recipes online and in cookbooks to make your own dairy and plant milk yogurts.) Advertisement Dairy yogurt is a nutrient-rich food, a good source of naturally occurring protein, calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin, and vitamin B12. Many brands contain added vitamin D. The beneficial bacteria used to ferment milk, as well as any other added strains, are a potential source of probiotics, which have been associated with improved digestive health. The most healthful plant-based yogurts have been fortified with desirable nutrients that the specific plant milks lack. Strawberry yogurt parfaits. Sally Pasley Vargas 'The main reasons why people eat yogurt are the protein, calcium, and live cultures,' says Nancy Oliveira, a registered dietitian and manager of the Nutrition and Wellness Service at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Classic plain yogurt has about 10 grams of protein and 20 percent of the daily value of calcium per serving, says Oliveira. Greek-style yogurt is strained of its liquid whey, which concentrates the protein but removes some calcium; one serving can have as much as 20 grams of protein and 10 percent to 30 percent daily value of calcium. Oliveira says many people All dairy yogurts and most nondairy yogurts are made with live active cultures for fermentation. The Food and Drug Administration's most recent ruling on yogurt labeling is the following: a yogurt product can be (voluntarily) labeled with the phrase 'contains live and active cultures' if the product contains a minimum of 10 million colony forming units per gram at the time of manufacture, with a reasonable expectation of 1 million CFU/g throughout the manufacturer's assigned shelf life of the product. Advertisement It is not guaranteed cultures will be active at the time you consume the yogurt nor in adequate quantities. While there is some evidence that probiotics, like those found in yogurt, can help improve the symptoms of some digestive problems, Oliveira says there are still questions as to how much survive our stomach acids to get into our intestines." She says she wouldn't recommend people eat yogurt just for the cultures. If 'variety is the spice of life,' today's yogurt options will certainly keep breakfasts interesting. You'll find yogurts made from cow, sheep, and goat milk; whole, low-fat, nonfat, lactose-free, and grass-fed cow's milk; and nut, seed, soy, oat, and coconut milk. There are Greek, Icelandic, French, Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Indian styles. Many brand names sound exotic — Noosa, Chobani, Siggi's, Icelandic Provisions, Fage, Oui, Ellenos, and Wallaby — but are made here in the United States. Want a local brand without a catchy name? Try the quality yogurts from Stonyfield Farm of Londonderry, N.H., and Sidehill Farm in Hawley. Homemade yogurt strawberry yogurt parfaits. Michele McDonald for The Boston Yogurt flavors run the gamut from plain (without added flavors or sweeteners), vanilla, coffee, lemon, and berry to the more unusual passion fruit, cloudberry, Key lime, and even Boston cream pie. Containers range from single-serving (about 5.3 ounces) to 2 pounds (32 ounces). You'll find French styles in glass jars. Textures vary widely, from thick Greek- and Icelandic-styles to drinkable yogurt. Labneh, with a texture between strained yogurt and cream cheese, is a staple in Middle Eastern countries, mostly used for dips and spreads. For plant-based yogurts to have a thick and creamy consistency like their dairy counterparts, most contain thickeners and stabilizers, such as starches, gums, and pectin. According to Oliveira, most of these additives have been used for years and are deemed safe, although people with digestive issues might be sensitive to them. Advertisement So what's a yogurt eater to choose? Your first decision is dairy or plant. The reasons for choosing one over the other include allergies, dietary needs and preferences, taste, cost, and environmental concerns. Second, decide what nutrients you're looking to get from 'Consumers should look for properties of yogurt that are important to them, such as protein, calcium, and vitamin D,' says Oliveira. For the industry as a whole, she says, 'Manufacturers are trying to replicate the nutritional profile of what's in old-fashioned dairy yogurt.' Another important consideration is your personal health or dietary issues. Oliveira has patients who must limit saturated fat, others need to reduce carbs and added sugars. 'I would recommend a low or nonfat yogurt if someone needs to control their cholesterol.' But she adds, yogurts with low protein and/or low fat are less likely to keep people satisfied very long. Protein can vary from zero to 20 grams per serving. Non-dairy yogurts containing soy or pea protein have more protein than products made from oats, almonds, or coconut. If adding calcium to your diet is important, look for products with 15 percent or more daily value, DV, of calcium. Fat content is highest in whole milk dairy yogurts, coconut, and some nut-based varieties. All yogurts have carbohydrates from naturally occurring sugar (or starch) in milk, nuts, seeds, soy, fruit, and oats and from any added sugars. Oliveira advises patients to look for products with less than 7 grams of added sugars per serving. 'It's not excessive and very doable,' she says. Be wary of products labeled zero sugar; instead of cane sugar, these contain alternative sweeteners, usually stevia extract, which has an aftertaste you may or may not like. Advertisement Let's compare some nutrition profiles: a ¾-cup serving of Stonyfield plain lowfat yogurt has 90 calories, 1.5 grams of total fat, 10 grams of total carbs (zero added sugars), 7 grams of protein, and 20 percent of the DV of calcium. Cabot Greek plain reduced fat yogurt has 130 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 8 grams of carbs (zero added sugars), and a high 16 grams of protein and 30 percent DV of calcium. The sweetened Dannon blueberry fruit on the bottom yogurt has 120 calories, 2 grams of fat, 19 grams of carbs (11 grams added sugars), only 5 grams of protein, and 15 percent DV of calcium. Plant-based yogurts generally have less protein, calcium, and vitamin D than dairy yogurts unless they're fortified. Most have low levels of fat, except for coconut yogurt, which also has minimal protein and calcium. For those reasons, Oliveira doesn't recommend coconut yogurt, the exception being Siggi's plant-based coconut blend, which has an intriguing combination of coconut milk, pea protein, sugar, coconut oil, macadamia nut butter, starches, and flavorings. A 5.3-ounce container has 190 calories, 11 grams of fat, 12 grams of carbs (8 grams added sugars), 10 grams of protein, and 4 percent DV of calcium. Silk Almondmilk peach yogurt has 180 calories, 11 grams of fat, 19 grams of carbs (13 grams added sugars), 5 grams of protein, and 10 percent DV of calcium. Most non-dairy yogurts are flavored and sweetened. Advertisement A bowl of yogurt with granola and fruit. CHRISTOPHER TESTANI/NYT If you're eating yogurt for a healthful breakfast, lunch, or snack, choose plain yogurt or one with low added sugars. Yes, the tangy, sour flavor is an acquired taste; it's no wonder food companies introduced all kinds of tempting sweetened flavors to appeal to more consumers. But you're better off sweetening plain yogurt to your taste, adding a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or jam, and pairing it with fruit and/or a spoonful of granola or nuts. Sweetened yogurts, particularly those that come with sprinkles, cookie pieces, or fruit purees, end up being a high-calorie, high-carb dessert rather than a healthful meal. With the multitude of yogurts on store shelves and their vastly different nutritional profiles, Oliveira says, 'You've got to be a label reader. People should know what they're eating. That's really what matters if you're eating for health. And find one you like so you'll enjoy it as well.' Lisa Zwirn can be reached at . Lisa Zwirn can be reached at
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
"Maintaining Strong Bones Has Less To Do With Drinking Tons Of Milk": Experts Are Sharing What To Foods May Negatively Impact Your Bone Density
My grandmother has osteoporosis, along with 10 million other Americans diagnosed with the disease and 43 million others with low bone mass. Not wanting to follow in her hobbled footsteps, the rest of the women in the family are taking precautions, including consuming the recommended amount of calcium (more isn't necessarily better), adding weight-bearing exercises to our exercise regimens and attending regular doctor checkups. But according to orthopedic specialists, protecting and maintaining strong bones has less to do with drinking tons of milk (those Got Milk campaigns certainly had their intended effect) and more to do with avoiding foods and beverages that can impact our bone density. Folks concerned about osteoporosis often add calcium and vitamin D to their diets, but these supplements could hurt your bone health rather than help if not taken as needed. Dr. Liz Matzkin, associate professor at Brigham and Women's Hospital in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery in Boston, explained: 'Although calcium and Vitamin D is important to maintain bone health, exceeding the recommended doses per day can backfire and be harmful rather than beneficial. Calcium and vitamin D requirements are age dependent, so make sure you are aware of the optimal dose for you.' She advised that, for ages 50 and over, the recommendations are 1,000 milligrams per day of calcium and 800 to 1000 international units per day of vitamin D. Below, orthopedic surgeons and specialists share the foods they avoid to help lessen their risk of osteoporosis. Alcohol Related: This Picky Eater Showdown Will Be Tough For People Without Refined Palates We don't blame you if you're totally confused about whether alcohol is a healthy or unhealthy addition to your diet. Whether you've heard it's beneficial for heart health or are concerned about its effect on the liver, Matzkin cautions that sipping a few glasses of pinot or chugging lagers can negatively affect bone health. 'An increased consumption of alcohol can alter the body's ability to absorb important nutrients that are actually beneficial to bone health, such as calcium, vitamin D and magnesium,' she explained. While calcium and vitamin D often get the spotlight in this area, our sex hormones, like testosterone in men and estrogen in women, are also critical for ensuring strong bones. Angelina Waller, a physician assistant at Advanced Orthopedics in Denver, explained that alcohol 'slows the bone remodeling cycle and disrupts hormone levels.' If you do like to imbibe, Matzkin recommends no more than one alcoholic beverage per day (which is the maximum amount women should be drinking anyway, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Older folks and those who are at risk of bone breakage should be especially cautious. 'Lastly, if you consume too much alcohol, there is a higher risk of falling and injuring or fracturing a bone,' Matzkin said. A 2018 study found a link between alcohol consumption and hip fractures. Caffeine Related: If Your Fruit And Vegetable Knowledge Is Actually Good, Prove It By Getting 22/27 Of These Questions Right While America runs on coffee, it doesn't fuel our bones. And not just coffee. Add energy drinks, soda, tea and supplements or any product with caffeine to the hit list. Just like alcohol, the idea isn't abstention but moderation. 'Caffeine has been shown to increase calcium loss and decrease calcium absorption, both of which negatively influence bone health,' Matzkin said. 'Consider decaffeinated coffee or tea options if you just need something to warm you up or, even better, a tall glass of water.' The Food and Drug Administration recommends no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day (about 4-5 cups of coffee), which is a good guideline to use for bone health too. The bone builder vitamin D is also affected by caffeine, which can interfere with absorption. 'Caffeine causes decreased calcium absorption and increased calcium loss in the urine,' Waller said. Soda, particularly cola, is also a culprit of bad bone health. A 2006 comparative study found that drinking cola (including diet versions!) was associated with significantly lower bone mineral density in women. The level of consumption is related to the problem: The more cola the women drank, the more significant its impact. 'Soda contains sugars and can also contain phosphoric acid and caffeine,' Matzkin said. 'All of which fail to have any health benefits and, if consumed in large quantities, will result in negative health consequences.' Wheat Bran It may come as a surprise that heart-healthy wheat bran can have a negative effect on bone health. 'Wheat bran has high levels of phytates, which can prevent calcium absorption,' Matzkin explained. Many people eat wheat bran because it's high in dietary fiber, which is essential for keeping you regular, decreasing heart disease and even preventing colon cancer, all important considerations for many Americans. Thankfully, if you're a consumer of oat bran (which is different from wheat bran), it doesn't have the same deleterious effects on bones as wheat bran, according to Matzkin, as it doesn't contain high levels of phytates. Phytates are a type of anti-nutrient naturally found in plants. Many of your favorite veggies and legumes (from kale and cabbage to beans and peanuts) contain compounds that reduce the absorption of other nutrients. Pseudoscience makes a big deal out of avoiding these compounds, but for the most part, there's no reason to avoid these otherwise-healthy foods. Beans, spinach and beets also contain anti-nutrients that can decrease calcium absorption, but soaking (in the case of dried beans) or cooking (for raw spinach and beets) lessens their impact, according to Waller. 'Beans and wheat bran contain phytates, and spinach and beets contain oxalates that decrease calcium absorption as they bind to the calcium,' she said. If you want to reduce the phytates in wheat bran, you can try soaking, sprouting or fermenting it. Since it has tons of other benefits, there's no need to completely remove it from your diet, just moderate your intake. 'As with almost all foods, moderation is key,' Matzkin said. 'No need to completely eliminate wheat bran from the diet, but understanding that it can affect [calcium] absorption should prompt supplementation with other [calcium]-rich foods.' Salt Whether your tastes run salty or sweet or salty-sweet, the white stuff is typically associated with high blood pressure rather than bone loss. But it really should be a consideration for bone health, especially for older and at-risk groups. 'Be aware of salt that can be hidden in meats, snacks and processed foods such as cold cuts,' Matzkin said. 'Consuming excessive amounts of salt (more than 2,300 milligrams per day) can lead to calcium loss from your bones.' According to a 2018 study by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, increased sodium consumption significantly increased the risk of osteoporosis. To put that in perspective, 2,300 milligrams per day is equal to 1 teaspoon of table salt, according to the FDA. On average, Americans are eating 1.5 times that amount. This post originally appeared on HuffPost. Also in Food: I'm Not Calling You Uncultured, But If You Can't Pass This International Food Also in Food: People Are Sharing The "Unneccessary" Cooking Rules They Stopped Following Ages Ago Also in Food: If You Can't Name At Least 10 Of These Fruits, You've Got The Taste Buds Of A Toddler
Otago Daily Times
08-06-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Discovery of genes relevant to disease a ‘eureka moment'
University of Otago microbiologist and immunologist Dr Tony Merriman. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Treatment for calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease — more commonly known as inflammatory arthritis — may soon take a major step forward following a major discovery by a University of Otago researcher. There is an unmet need for treatment of CPPD disease, which focuses on the alleviation of inflammation with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. But University of Otago microbiologist and immunologist Dr Tony Merriman has led an analysis of the genes of 550,000 Americans with the disease, while based at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. It is a first-of-its-kind genome-wide association study into the disease and the research found two genes — RNF144B and ENPP1 — that cause the debilitating calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposits in joints. He said the genes were detected both in people of European ancestry and African ancestry. "The most significant result of our research was the discovery of one of the genes, ENPP1. "The protein encoded by this gene controls the production of chemicals — adenosine monophosphate and inorganic pyrophosphate — that, together with calcium ions, lead to the formation of the CPP crystals," Dr Merriman said. Little is known about the other gene — RNF144B — aside from the possibility it is involved in inflammation. More was known about ENPP1 and of its potential importance to people with CPPD disease. Drugs targeting the protein have been developed in the treatment of infectious disease and cancer and they could now be evaluated for the treatment of CPPD disease. Dr Merriman said the discovery opened up promising new avenues for targeted prevention and treatment of CPPD disease, which were lacking at present. Co-investigator and Brigham and Women's Hospital rheumatology, inflammation and immunity division researcher Dr Sara Tedeschi said the genome-wide association with ENPP1 was "particularly exciting" as a rheumatologist because "it makes sense". "ENPP1 generates inorganic pyrophosphate, one of the components of CPP crystals. "Patients with CPPD disease are desperate for an effective treatment and trials testing ENPP1 inhibitors in CPPD disease would be of great interest." Dr Merriman said the researchers were "thrilled" about the potential impact of their discovery and the possibility of new drugs being developed for the treatment of CPPD disease. "The findings of this study produced a 'eureka moment', which can be rare in a scientist's career."
Buzz Feed
07-06-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
4 Foods And Ingredients That Have A Negative Impact On Bone Density
My grandmother has osteoporosis, along with 10 million other Americans diagnosed with the disease and 43 million others with low bone mass. Not wanting to follow in her hobbled footsteps, the rest of the women in the family are taking precautions, including consuming the recommended amount of calcium (more isn't necessarily better), adding weight-bearing exercises to our exercise regimens and attending regular doctor checkups. But according to orthopedic specialists, protecting and maintaining strong bones has less to do with drinking tons of milk (those Got Milk campaigns certainly had their intended effect) and more to do with avoiding foods and beverages that can impact our bone density. Folks concerned about osteoporosis often add calcium and vitamin D to their diets, but these supplements could hurt your bone health rather than help if not taken as needed. Dr. Liz Matzkin, associate professor at Brigham and Women's Hospital in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery in Boston, explained: 'Although calcium and Vitamin D is important to maintain bone health, exceeding the recommended doses per day can backfire and be harmful rather than beneficial. Calcium and vitamin D requirements are age dependent, so make sure you are aware of the optimal dose for you.' She advised that, for ages 50 and over, the recommendations are 1,000 milligrams per day of calcium and 800 to 1000 international units per day of vitamin D. Below, orthopedic surgeons and specialists share the foods they avoid to help lessen their risk of osteoporosis. We don't blame you if you're totally confused about whether alcohol is a healthy or unhealthy addition to your diet. Whether you've heard it's beneficial for heart health or are concerned about its effect on the liver, Matzkin cautions that sipping a few glasses of pinot or chugging lagers can negatively affect bone health. 'An increased consumption of alcohol can alter the body's ability to absorb important nutrients that are actually beneficial to bone health, such as calcium, vitamin D and magnesium,' she explained. While calcium and vitamin D often get the spotlight in this area, our sex hormones, like testosterone in men and estrogen in women, are also critical for ensuring strong bones. Angelina Waller, a physician assistant at Advanced Orthopedics in Denver, explained that alcohol 'slows the bone remodeling cycle and disrupts hormone levels.' If you do like to imbibe, Matzkin recommends no more than one alcoholic beverage per day (which is the maximum amount women should be drinking anyway, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Older folks and those who are at risk of bone breakage should be especially cautious. 'Lastly, if you consume too much alcohol, there is a higher risk of falling and injuring or fracturing a bone,' Matzkin said. A 2018 study found a link between alcohol consumption and hip fractures. While America runs on coffee, it doesn't fuel our bones. And not just coffee. Add energy drinks, soda, tea and supplements or any product with caffeine to the hit list. Just like alcohol, the idea isn't abstention but moderation. 'Caffeine has been shown to increase calcium loss and decrease calcium absorption, both of which negatively influence bone health,' Matzkin said. 'Consider decaffeinated coffee or tea options if you just need something to warm you up or, even better, a tall glass of water.' The Food and Drug Administration recommends no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day (about 4-5 cups of coffee), which is a good guideline to use for bone health too. The bone builder vitamin D is also affected by caffeine, which can interfere with absorption. 'Caffeine causes decreased calcium absorption and increased calcium loss in the urine,' Waller said. Soda, particularly cola, is also a culprit of bad bone health. A 2006 comparative study found that drinking cola (including diet versions!) was associated with significantly lower bone mineral density in women. The level of consumption is related to the problem: The more cola the women drank, the more significant its impact. 'Soda contains sugars and can also contain phosphoric acid and caffeine,' Matzkin said. 'All of which fail to have any health benefits and, if consumed in large quantities, will result in negative health consequences.' Wheat Bran It may come as a surprise that heart-healthy wheat bran can have a negative effect on bone health. 'Wheat bran has high levels of phytates, which can prevent calcium absorption,' Matzkin explained. Many people eat wheat bran because it's high in dietary fiber, which is essential for keeping you regular, decreasing heart disease and even preventing colon cancer, all important considerations for many Americans. Thankfully, if you're a consumer of oat bran (which is different from wheat bran), it doesn't have the same deleterious effects on bones as wheat bran, according to Matzkin, as it doesn't contain high levels of phytates. Phytates are a type of anti-nutrient naturally found in plants. Many of your favorite veggies and legumes (from kale and cabbage to beans and peanuts) contain compounds that reduce the absorption of other nutrients. Pseudoscience makes a big deal out of avoiding these compounds, but for the most part, there's no reason to avoid these otherwise-healthy foods. Beans, spinach and beets also contain anti-nutrients that can decrease calcium absorption, but soaking (in the case of dried beans) or cooking (for raw spinach and beets) lessens their impact, according to Waller. 'Beans and wheat bran contain phytates, and spinach and beets contain oxalates that decrease calcium absorption as they bind to the calcium,' she said. If you want to reduce the phytates in wheat bran, you can try soaking, sprouting or fermenting it. Since it has tons of other benefits, there's no need to completely remove it from your diet, just moderate your intake. 'As with almost all foods, moderation is key,' Matzkin said. 'No need to completely eliminate wheat bran from the diet, but understanding that it can affect [calcium] absorption should prompt supplementation with other [calcium]-rich foods.' Whether your tastes run salty or sweet or salty-sweet, the white stuff is typically associated with high blood pressure rather than bone loss. But it really should be a consideration for bone health, especially for older and at-risk groups. 'Be aware of salt that can be hidden in meats, snacks and processed foods such as cold cuts,' Matzkin said. 'Consuming excessive amounts of salt (more than 2,300 milligrams per day) can lead to calcium loss from your bones.' According to a 2018 study by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, increased sodium consumption significantly increased the risk of osteoporosis. To put that in perspective, 2,300 milligrams per day is equal to 1 teaspoon of table salt, according to the FDA. On average, Americans are eating 1.5 times that amount.
Boston Globe
02-06-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
Is sunscreen toxic? The UV truthers on the Internet sure think so.
'They told us the sun was the threat,' another said. 'Not the corporations funding both the warning and the cure. I stopped burning when I stopped believing them.' 'People burn because of the seed oils in these processed foods,' read a third reply. 'If you eat clean, you'll be fine.' Wait — what? Wasn't it just yesterday that we were supposed to feel guilty for not using sunscreen? Yes, but forget all that nonsense from your dermatologist. Now it's burn, baby burn. Advertisement Make America Blister Again! Forget Get Love Letters: The Newsletter A weekly dispatch with all the best relationship content and commentary – plus exclusive content for fans of Love Letters, Dinner With Cupid, weddings, therapy talk, and more. Enter Email Sign Up The social media doctors have weighed in, and now a serious portion of the public believes any or all of the following: Sunscreen doesn't prevent cancer, it causes it. Sunscreen is a ploy by big pharma to increase profits by making people sick. Use it, and you'll end up deficient in Vitamin D (most people reportedly don't put on enough for this to be a problem). A 2024 Advertisement Brigham and Women's Hospital dermatologist She learned that firsthand, in 2023, when she posted a TikTok video with what seemed like basic, if perhaps even dull, advice: wear sunscreen on exposed skin and reapply it regularly. The vitriolic responses, and there were hundreds, had a theme: She was a shill for big pharma. She was propagating the lie that sunscreen protects against skin cancer. She was saying this to … somehow … get more patients. 'I had no idea that this was a public sentiment,' she said. 'It had never been discussed in medical school or any of my training.' But the misconception that it's harmful is so common that even educated people believe it, she said. 'I went to play tennis yesterday, and my coach was like, 'I'm not putting chemicals on my body.' He's an engineer.' The skepticism has its roots in reality, if only very tangentially, said Timothy Rebbeck, a professor of cancer prevention at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, whose research focuses in part on false claims connected to cancer. 'This is a phenomenon we see in a lot of cancer misinformation,' he said. 'There is a kernel of truth to a story.' For example, he said: a study is done in a test tube or an animal that shows a compound found in microscopic levels in sunscreen, when exposed to ultraviolet light, could cause DNA damage. Advertisement That result, taken out of context, makes its way to social media, where it's sensationalized and amplified. 'By the time it gets to your social media feed, it doesn't resemble the original piece of information,' he said. 'No one goes back to the original paper and sees that it was in mice.' Even if sunscreen raised your risk for skin cancer — which it doesn't, he emphasized — its well-established cancer-fighting benefits would outweigh any risk. 'If you're trying to make a choice, the choice is pretty clear.' There are two types of sunscreens: physical blockers, which have zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and reflect ultraviolet rays from the sun; and chemical blockers, which contain chemicals that absorb the sun's ultraviolet rays. Fernanda Duarte put sunscreen on Luisa Vilela, 10, of Watertown at the Artesani Playground in Brighton in 2021. Christiana Botic for The Boston Globe Rebbeck said that people who are concerned about the content of sunscreens should choose one that contains zinc oxide or titanium oxide, which are well established as safe and effective without any indication of carcinogenicity or other adverse health effects. As Harvard Health Publishing explained in 'However, there has been no conclusive evidence that oxybenzone is harmful to humans,' it wrote. 'Organizations that have raised concerns about oxybenzone typically cite studies done in rats, where the rats were actually fed oxybenzone. It would take an individual 277 years of sunscreen use to achieve the equivalent systemic dose that produced effects in these rat studies…' Advertisement But what's Harvard Health Publishing compared to the wisdom, or at least the reach, of social media star and 'Anytime I do an interview, I get a lot of s*** when I admit that I don't [wear sunscreen],' she said in a viral 2024 episode of her 'Let's Be Honest' podcast, before prompting her guest to talk 'about the health benefits of the sun and why we maybe don't need sunscreen.' 'We've literally spent our whole existence as humans under the sun all day, until the last, like, 100 years or so, and now we're like shut-ins … and that's really bad for a lot of reasons,' her guest replied. At Castle Island on a recent weekday, the weather app was showing a UV rating of 5, high enough for the website of the National Weather Service to recommend use of a sunscreen of at least SPF-30. But Catherine Civitella, who was hanging out with a friend from college, wasn't wearing any, as she considers it 'toxic.' She formed that opinion from 'the internet,' she said, and also by observing people in Florida, where she used to live. There, she noticed that the better people ate, and the more time they spent in the sun, sans sunscreen, the better their skin looked. 'What you put in your body is more important than what you put on your body,' she said. Over on the beach, Maria Turolska, a Dorchester grandmother watching her 18-month-old grandson, both fair-skinned, said she wouldn't use sunscreen on herself or the little boy, even though his parents wanted her to. Asked if she thought sunscreen could cause cancer, she reflected the widespread skepticism about basically everything these days: 'The companies who sell the products want you to think this, but it's hard to know if it is good or not good.' Advertisement Alas, as is too often the case, you may be doomed no matter what you do. Studies have found that people who use sunscreen tend to stay out in the sun longer, according to Harvard Health Publishing, 'and thus may actually increase their risk of skin cancer.' Beth Teitell can be reached at
