Photo: Kristin Smith

The gap between the rich and poor is nowhere more evident than in the difference between what each group is able to put on the dinner table. This one thing has a major impact on people's health, in a country where rates of Type II diabetes and heart disease are skyrocketing. Yet many people are unable to afford putting organic food and meat on the table on any sort of regular basis. Why is this?

Is it merely that food produced on an industrial scale can be grown more economically, or rather that organic farms deliberately make their products more expensive in order to increase their profits on the backs of those stupid enough to pay for it? It's neither of these. There are actually two main reasons...

Blueberries, together with broccoli, red peppers and brazil nuts, are often described as a "superfood." Packed with antioxidant anthrocyanins, they have been found to help ward off infection, decrease aging in the brain, and lower cholesterol levels. In fact, blueberries are widely used in herbal medicine for their effectiveness in repairing damaged blood vessels and have been shown to be more effective at lowering cholesterol than some commonly prescribed drugs for this purpose. Blueberries contain a potent chemical called pterostilbene, which has been found to protect against the development of cancer. They are also a good source of manganese, which is important for healthy bone growth. A single serving of 100g of berries contains 25% of your recommended daily amount of vitamin C and only 57 calories.

Guest writer Linda Miller reports on the health benefits of cashews.

University of Montreal doctors have found that cashew extract may be useful in treating diabetic issues.

A new study published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research indicates cashew seed extract may play an important role in both preventing and treating type 2 diabetes.

There is some good news in the fight against breast cancer! Sulforaphane, a compound found in broccoli, may help in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer by targeting cancer stem cells which fuel the growth of tumors, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

This is nuts! (Sorry, couldn't resist)

A recent study has found that eating only 2.4 ounces of nuts every day lowers total cholesterol levels and also improves the ratio of good HDL cholesterol to total cholesterol. Nuts are rich in unsaturated fats, the kind that help to lower cholesterol. They are also a rich source of protein and contain fiber and phytosterols which have been shown to reduce cholesterol.

Bring on the jalapeños! This morning I was greeted by the cheery news that my long-time addiction to hot chile peppers may be good for my waistline.

All I can say about "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" is ... it's about time! The standard American diet filled with processed and fried food, tons of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and huge amounts of sodium is leading us to an early death.

I just love popcorn! And there's nothing quite like watching the latest episode of "Lost" while curled up on the couch with my sweetie and a big bowl of popcorn. Until recently we had been making microwave popcorn because we figured it was quick and easy. Unfortunately, it turns out that our yummy treat may have been hazardous to our health!

I'm afraid this may be the beginning of the end of safe food in Europe. The EU has approved the growth of a GM potato for "industrial use." The GM potato will be used in pharmaceuticals, paper production and other industries, and the skins will be allowed to be fed to cattle. If you ask me, cattle feed is not "industrial". This is part of the food chain, and what our food animals eat, we are basically eating too.