The Top 250 Players of All-Time: 100-91

In February 2013 up in the attic bedroom of our student house, Gareth Thomas, Ben Jones and Ollie Jackson after another prolonged football debate decided it was time we did something about the question, 'Who is the best player in the World?'. Housemate Liam suggested setting out to find the greatest 50 players of all time, this swiftly grew to 100, 150 and 200 before we settled on 250. Our original website www.top250.webs.com is still there to answer the debate but we furthered our work to blogging about the beautiful game starting up www.thefootballhistoryboys.blogspot.com.

Missed the last installment? Here it is!

100. Claude MAKELELE

POSITION: Midfielder; 

NATION: France (71/0); 

CLUB(s): Stade Brestois (FRA), Nantes (FRA), Marseille (FRA), Celta Vigo (SPA), Real Madrid (SPA), Chelsea (ENG), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)

CLUB HONOURS: 1x Ligue 1, 2x La Liga, 2x Supercopa de Espana, 1x UEFA Champions League, 1x UEFA Super Cup, 1x Intercontinental Cup, 2x Premier League, 1x FA Cup, 2x Football League Cup, 1x FA Community Shield, 1x Coupe de France

"Very rarely are football terms named after the footballers themselves, one example is of course the famous Cruyff turn, but the most famous of our generation is “The Makelele Role”.  The Cruyff turn epitomizes the skill and the footballing brain of its inventor, but total football’s most famous man has an unlikely successor. Claude Makelele’s role at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho when they won the Premier League title was named after its inventor." www.thefalse9.com

99. Edwin VAN DER SAR

POSITION: Goalkeeper; 

NATION: Netherlands (130/0); 

CLUB(s): Ajax (NED), Juventus (ITA), Fulham (ENG), Manchester United (ENG)

CLUB HONOURS: 4x Eredivisie, 3x KVNB Cup, 3x Johan Cruijff Shield, 2x UEFA Champions League, 1x UEFA Cup, 1x UEFA Super Cup, 2x UEFA Intertoto Cup, 4x Premier League, 2x Football League Cup, 3x FA Community Shield, 2x FIFA Club World Cup

"Schmeichel was a warrior you know? He lambasted every defender in front of him, so aggressive. But Edwin was so calm, which was fantastic for our defenders, but he was very different in the dressing room... There was a magnificence and calmness about him and he was great for our players... I just wish I'd got him when Schmeichel decided to leave." Sir Alex Ferguson

98. Samuel ETO'O

POSITION: Forward; 

NATION: Cameroon (112/55) (As of March 2014); 

CLUB(s): Real Madrid (SPA), Real Mallorca (SPA), Barcelona (SPA), Inter Milan (ITA), Anzhi Makhachkala (RUS), Chelsea (ENG)

 CLUB HONOURS: 3x La Liga, 2x Copa Del Ray, 2x Supercopa de Espana, 3x Champions League, 1x Serie A, 2x Coppa Italia, 1x Supercoppa Italia, 1x FIFA World Club Cup

 INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 2x Africa Cup of Nations, 1x Olympic Gold Medal

"Whatever you say about Samuel Eto'o, he knows where the goal is. Cameroon's record marksman, Eto'o was a serial scorer for Mallorca and Barcelona before joining Inter Milan in the summer of 2009. Work rate, aggression and an eye for goal are the key attributes of a player not afraid to voice his opinion and speak out against perceived injustices. Eto'o is the only African to have scored in two Champions League finals, having lifted the trophy with Barcelona in 2006 and 2009." Stewart Coggin, www.worldsoccer.about.com

97. Pat JENNINGS

POSITION: Goalkeeper; 

NATION: Northern Ireland (119/0); 

CLUB(s): Watford, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal (All ENG)

 CLUB HONOURS: 2x FA Cup, 2x Football League Cup, 1x UEFA Cup

"Northern Ireland have always had a reputation of producing first class goalkeepers, but very few people would dispute that Pat Jennings is the probably the finest of them all. Jennings glittering career spanned an amazing 22 years during which time he built up a reputation of not only being the best goalkeeper in Britain but undoubtedly in the world." Northern Irish Football Association

96. Jimmy GREAVES

POSITION: Forward; 

NATION: England (57/44); 

CLUB(s): Chelsea (ENG), Milan (ITA), Tottenham Hotspur (ENG), West Ham United (ENG), Brentwood (ENG), Chelmsford City (ENG), Barnet (ENG), Woodford Town (ENG)

CLUB HONOURS: 2x FA CUP, 2x FA Charity Shield, 1x European Cup Winners Cup

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x FIFA World Cup, 2x British Home Championships

"When Greaves played for England, he usually scored, amassing a hugely impressive tally of 44 goals in 57 games, including six hat-tricks – a record that stands to this day. In one five-game streak in 1960/61, he scored eleven goals. He was famous for always scoring on his debut, and his first national team appearance was no exception; he notched England’s only goal during a 4-1 defeat by Peru in May 1959." The Football Association

95. Guiseppe MEAZZA

POSITION: Forward;

 NATION: Italy (53/33); 

CLUB(s): Internazionale, Milan, Juventus, Varese, Atalanta (All ITA)

CLUB HONOURS: 3x Serie A, 1x Coppa Italia 

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 2x FIFA World Cup, 2x Central European International Cup

"Regarded as the greatest Italian player of all time, Giuseppe Meazza was much more than a football genius. With his triumphs on the pitch and his excesses off it, he was long seen as a symbol of social success in Italy, rising from a modest background to become a two-time world champion and legend of the game before giving his name to Milan’s famous football stadium. "Having him in your team meant you started every game 1-0 up,” his Italy team coach Vittorio Pozzo once said. “He was a born striker. He could read the game, understand situations and make the whole attack work by applying a concept of the game that was based entirely on technique.” www.Fifa.com

94. Roberto RIVELINO

POSITION: Midfielder;

 NATION: Brazil (92/26); 

CLUB(s): Corinthians (BRA), Fluminense (BRA), Al-Hilal (SAU)

CLUB HONOURS: 1x Torneio Rio-São Paulo, 2x Campeonato Carioca, 1x Saudi Premier League, 1x Saudi King's Cup

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x FIFA World Cup

"The legendary and iconic Roberto Rivelino, born 1946 in Sao Paolo, featured in three World Cups for Brazil, including their third and most celebrated success in Mexico in 1970. Lining up alongside the likes of Pele, Carlos Alberto, Gérson, Tostao and Jairzinho, he played a key role in what is widely acknowledged as being the greatest football squad of all time. Lauded for his grace and style, Rivelino's dazzling array of moves, thunderous shooting and free-kicks, effortless distribution, quick-thinking and distinct control, secured his status not only as one of the best midfielders of his generation, but in the history of Brazilian football. He is credited with the invention of the 'elastico' (‘flip-flap’)." www.goalsoul.net

93. Ruud VAN NISTELROOY

POSITION: Forward;

 NATION: Netherlands (70/35); 

CLUB(s): Den Bosch (NED),  Heerenveen (NED), PSV Eindhoven (NED), Manchester United (ENG), Real Madrid (SPA), Hamburger SV (GER), Málaga (SPA)

CLUB HONOURS: 2x Eredivisie, 2x Johan Cruijff Shield, 1x Premier League, 1x FA Cup, 1x Football league Cup, 1x FA Community Shield, 2x La Liga, 1x Supercopa de España 

"A prolific goal-getter, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s scoring exploits at Old Trafford have safeguarded his place in United folklore. The Dutchman struck 100 goals in his first three seasons in Manchester. He overtook United legend Denis Law’s title as the club's all-time top scorer in European competition in his fourth term, and by the end of his fifth year at Old Trafford he’d reached 150 goals in fewer than 200 starts." Manchester United "Legends"

92. Lilian THURAM

POSITION: Defender;

 NATION: France (142/2); 

CLUB(s): Monaco (FRA), Parma (ITA), Juventus (ITA), Barcelona (SPA)

CLUB HONOURS: 1x Coupe de France, 1x Coppa Italia, 3x Supercoppa Italiana, 1x UEFA Cup, 2x Serie A, 1x Supercopa de España

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x FIFA World Cup, 1x UEFA European Championship, 1x FIFA Confederations Cup

"For all the years spent refining his defensive technique with Monaco, Parma, Juventus and Barcelona, and his part in France's European Championship win in 2000, Thuram is probably best known for the two goals he scored in the 2-1 win over Croatia in the 1998 World Cup semi-final. These are commonly described as the 'most famous goals in the history of French football'." The Guardian

91. Roy KEANE

POSITION: Midfielder; 

NATION: Republic of Ireland (67/9); 

CLUB(s): Cobh Ramblers (IRE), Nottingham Forest (ENG), Manchester United (ENG), Celtic (SCO) 

CLUB HONOURS: 1x Full Members Cup, 7x Premier League, 4x FA Cup, 4x FA Community Shield, 1x UEFA Champions League, 1x Intercontinental Cup, 1x Scottish Premier League, 1x Scottish League Cup

"Sir Alex Ferguson labelled him the best he's ever worked with, aspiring footballers and Reds everywhere worshipped the ground he walked on: Roy Keane epitomised the unwavering spirit and desire to succeed Manchester United stands for. Few sportsmen lead from the front in the way Keane did, on and off the pitch - and the fact that more than 70,000 United and Celtic fans paid their tributes to him at his testimonial before he retired in June 2006 says it all. Images of him rallying the troops, covering every blade of grass in the process define the 1990s for United. He was not afraid to speak his mind in front of the media, particularly if he felt his colleagues were not reaching the high standards he expected." Manchester United "Legends"

By: Unknown On 07.17

Continue Reading

The Top 250 Players of All-Time: 110-101

In February 2013 up in the attic bedroom of our student house, Gareth Thomas, Ben Jones and Ollie Jackson after another prolonged football debate decided it was time we did something about the question, 'Who is the best player in the World?'. Housemate Liam suggested setting out to find the greatest 50 players of all time, this swiftly grew to 100, 150 and 200 before we settled on 250. Our original website www.top250.webs.com is still there to answer the debate but we furthered our work to blogging about the beautiful game starting up www.thefootballhistoryboys.blogspot.com.

110. Diego FORLAN

POSITION: Forward;

NATION: Uruguay (107/36); 

CLUB(s): Independiente (ARG), Manchester United (ENG), Vilarreal (SPA), Atletico Madrid (SPA), Inter Milan (ITA) Internacional (BRA), Cerezo Osaka (JAP); 

CLUB HONOURS: 1x Premier League, 1x FA Cup, 1x Europa League, 1x Super Cup, 1x Rio Grande do Sul State League;

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x Copa America

"The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the highlight of Diego Forlan’s very successful career. At the age of 31, the striker from Uruguay was elected the best player of the tournament in South Africa. “It was unexpected and is very impressive”, said Forlan, when he became the fourth South American after Argentine Diego Maradona (1986) and Brazilians Romario (1994) and Ronaldo (1998) to receive the award."

Conti Soccer World

109. Mauro TASSOTI

POSITION: Defender;

NATION: Italy (7/0);

CLUB(s): Lazio, Milan (Both ITA)

CLUB HONOURS: 5x Serie A, 3x UEFA Champions League, 3x UEFA Super Cup, 2x Intercontinental, 4x Supercoppa Italia

"Mauro Tassotti debuted with the Rossoneri shirt during the 1980/1981 season, after playing two years with SS Lazio. Tassotti was a great tenacious player. He shortly became a modern wing player, he was an important element for the attack and along with Baresi, Maldini and Costacurta he played a pivotal role in the AC Milan defence that was considered one of the best in the world. He got the nickname "Dijalma Santos" and “the professor” that accompanied him throughout his career, even when he was called to play with the national team at the age of thirty-two and the following title of Vice Champion of the World after the American FIFA World Cup in the 1994."

AcMilan.com

108. Ashley COLE

POSITION: Defender; 

NATION: England (106/0); 

CLUB(s): Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Chelsea (All ENG); 

CLUB HONOURS: 3x Premier League, 7x FA Cup, 3x FA Community Shield, 1x Football League Cup, 1x UEFA Champions League, 1x Europa League;

"I think he deserves to be in there,[England's Greatest Ever Players] I look at the players I played with throughout my career and I think he's been one of the most consistent."

Steven Gerrard

107. Neville SOUTHALL

POSITION: Goalkeeper;

NATION: Wales (92/0);

CLUB(s): Bury, Everton, Port Vale, Southend United, Stoke City, Doncaster Rovers, Torquay United, Huddersfield Town, Bradford City, York City (All ENG), Rhyl (WAL), Shrewsbury Town, Dover Athletic, Dagenham and Redbridge (All ENG);

CLUB HONOURS: 2x Football League First Division, 2x FA Cup, 4x FA Charity Shield, 1x UEFA Cup Winner's Cup;

To be the best player in your position is the target most professional footballers aim towards. At his best, which was most of the time throughout the 1980s, Neville Southall was the best goalkeeper in the world. He has played more matches for the club than any other player in 121 years of Everton history. But it is his enduring excellence in those matches which have established him as an Everton legend. "I am a firm believer that you never win trophies without an outstanding goalkeeper," said Howard Kendall.

Everton FC

106. Arjen ROBBEN

POSITION: Forward;

NATION: Holland (73/22);

CLUB(s): Groningen, PSV Eindhoven (Both NED), Chelsea (ENG), Real Madrid (ESP), Bayern Munich (GER);

CLUB HONOURS: 1x Eredivise, 1x Johan Cruyff Shield, 2x Premier League, 1x FA Cup, 2x League Cup, 1x FA Community Shield, 1x La Liga, 1x Supercopa Espana, 2x Bundesliga, 2x DFB-Pokal, 2x DFL-Supercup, 1x UEFA Champions League, 1x UEFA Super Cup

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x FIFA World Cup - Runner Up

"2013 was been an odd year for Arjen Robben. But then again, it's been an odd career for the Dutch winger, too. Forever polarizing one fan to the next, the Bayern forward has always been just as infamous for his inconsistency as he has been famous for his brilliance. The year began with a blistering heat of attention and adoration as his Bayern side marched to the Champions League final and eventually won thanks to his last-minute goal."

Bleacher Report

105. Alan HANSEN

POSITION: Defender; 

NATION: Scotland (26/0);

CLUB(s): Partick Thistle (SCO), Liverpool (ENG); 

CLUB HONOURS: 1x Scottish First Division, 8x Football League First Division, 2x FA Cup, 4x League Cup, 1x UEFA Super Cup, 6x FA Charity Shield, 3x UEFA European Cup

"Cool on the ball, calm under pressure and an integral member of the meanest defence in Liverpool history, Alan Hansen in a red shirt was class personified. Rated by many as this club's finest ever central defender, Hansen can boast one of the most impressive medal collections in football. He was at the heart of the Liverpool back four for 13 years and during that time it's difficult to remember him turning in a poor performance."

Liverpool FC - Players Who Shook The Kop: #12

104.Kevin KEEGAN

POSITION: Forward; 

NATION: England (63/21); 

CLUB(s): Scunthorpe United (ENG), Liverpool (ENG), Hamburger SV (GER), Southampton (ENG), Newcastle United (ENG), Blacktown City FC (AUS); 

CLUB HONOURS: 3x Football League First Division, 1x FA Cup, 1x FA Charity Shield, 1x UEFA European Cup, 2x UEFA Cup, 1x Bundesliga; 

"Kevin Keegan, superstar of the seventies, owner of the most famous 'bubble' perm of his day and a dynamic attacking force that helped inspire Liverpool to success during a glorious period in Anfield history. In the six years he wore a red shirt, Keegan went from unknown rookie to an internationally renowned star, attracting a type of hero-worship that was almost pop idol-esque at times. Like Michael Owen two decades later, he became not only a Kop hero but also the golden boy of English football and a player who shouldered the hopes of a nation."

Liverpool FC - Players Who Shook The Kop: #8

103.Valentino MAZZOLA

POSITION: Forward;

NATION: Italy (12/4);

CLUB(s): Alfa Romeo, Venezia, Torino (All ITA);

CLUB HONOURS: 5x Serie A, 2x Coppa Italia

"Sometimes, the figures tell only a half the story. In the case of Valentino Mazzola, they relate an even cruder fraction, the Torino legend having earned himself a place in the pantheon of Italian football in the space of seven short seasons and 12 international appearances. Revered in the same hushed tones as Giuseppe Meazza and Silvio Piola, Mazzola’s reputation is even more remarkable given that he achieved immortality despite never appearing in a FIFA World Cup™ due to the Second World War.

Mazzola’s was a talent of the purest kind. Captain of the Grande Torino side that excelled in the 1940s and provided the backbone of the Italy team, he could take up any position on the pitch and still perform to the same rarefied standard. “If I had to choose one indispensable player for my team, I wouldn’t choose Pele, [Alfredo] Di Stefano, [Johan] Cruyff, [Michel] Platini or [Diego] Maradona – I’d only go for those players after choosing Mazzola,” commented former Juventus President Giampiero Boniperti.

Nine years before Manchester United lost eight players in the Munich Air Disaster, however, Mazzola’s life was ended in similarly tragic circumstances. Torino’s superlative array of international stars was wiped out in the Superga catastrophe on 4 May 1949, with Mazzola one of 18 players killed that day. Taken from the game in his prime, his impact has nonetheless never been forgotten, and his son Sandro later went on to bring even more honour to the family name."

FIFA 

102. Uwe SEELER

POSITION: Striker;

NATION: West Germany (72/43);

CLUB(s): Hamburg (GER), Cork Celtic (IRL);

CLUB HONOURS: 1x Bundesliga, 1x DFB-Pokal;

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x FIFA World Cup - Runner Up

"Diminutive even by the standards of the day at just 1.68 m tall, he scored 43 goals in 72 appearances for his country and earned a reputation as one of their best centre-forwards of all time. There was to be no trophy for the German national team during his era, but Seeler still finished with the impressive record of coming runner-up, third and fourth at the FIFA World Cup."FIFA

101. Hugo SANCHEZ

POSITION: Striker;

NATION: Mexico (58/29);

CLUB(s): UNAM (Mex), San Diego Sockers (USA), Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid (Both ESP), Club America (MEX), Rayo Vallecano (ESP), Atlante (MEX), Linz (AUT), FC Dallas (USA), Celaya (MEX);

CLUB HONOURS: 2x Mexican League, 2x CONCACAF Champions Cup, 1x Copa Interamericana, 5x La Liga, 2x Copa Del Rey, 4x Supercopa de Espana, 1x UEFA Cup, 1x Austrian League;

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS: 1x CONCACAF Gold Cup;

"There are few centre-forwards in the history of the game who can match Hugo Sanchez’s record. The top scorer in the Spanish league in five separate seasons and the leading marksman in Mexico once, he also won a European Golden Shoe, represented his country at three FIFA World Cup™ finals, and was named in Real Madrid’s all-time greatest XI. And as if that were not enough, his unique version of the overhead-kick also has its very own name."

FIFA

By: Unknown On 16.55

Continue Reading

Alfamart official partner merchandise fifa piala dunia brazil 2014

Alfamart official partner merchandise fifa piala dunia brazil 2014

Alfamart official partner merchandise fifa piala dunia brazil 2014 - FIFA World Cup 2014 FIFA World Cup to - 20 , the international football tournament to be held in 2014 in Brazil .

This is the second time Brazil hosted the tournament ( after 1950) , Brazil will become the fifth country to ever menyeleggarai World Cup FIFA World Cup more than once , after Mexico , Italy , France and Germany . The tournament is also the first FIFA World Cup held in South America since Argentina in 1978 . Previously there was no South American country hosted the FIFA World Cup more than once .

Alfamart official partner merchandise fifa piala dunia brazil 2014

National football team from 31 countries have qualified through a qualifying competition which started in June 2011 to participate with the host nation Brazil in the final tournament . A total of 64 matches will be played in twelve cities in Brazil either a new stadium or rebuilt , with the tournament which begins with the group stage . For the first time in the World Cup Final , the game will use goal-line technology .

Alfamart official partner merchandise fifa piala dunia brazil 2014 - Spain are the defending champions , after defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in the 2010 World Cup Final to win his first World title . Previous four World Cup being held in South America , all of them won by the South Americans .

In Indonesia , the 2014 FIFA World Cup was broadcast live by the quiz , AFP & Viva SKY . Wikipedia

By: Unknown On 01.56

Continue Reading

Software point of sales online omega pos cloud

Software point of sales online omega
pos cloud

Software point of sales online omega pos cloud - Point of sale (also called POS or checkout, during computerization later becoming electronic point of sale or EPOS) is the place where a retail transaction is completed. It is the point at which a customer makes a payment to the merchant in exchange for goods or services. At the point of sale the retailer would calculate the amount owed by the customer and provide options for the customer to make payment. The merchant will also normally issue a receipt for the transaction.

Software point of sales online omega pos cloud

The POS in various retail industries uses customized hardware and software as per their requirements. Retailers may utilize weighing scales, scanners, electronic and manual cash registers, EFTPOS terminals, touch screens and any other wide variety of hardware and software available for use with POS. For example, a grocery or candy store uses a scale at the point of sale, while bars and restaurants use software to customize the item or service sold when a customer has a special meal or drink request.

Software point of sales online The modern point of sale is often referred to as the point of service because it is not just a point of sale but also a point of return or customer order. Additionally it includes advanced features to cater to different functionality, such as inventory management, CRM, financials, warehousing, etc., all built into the POS software. Prior to the modern POS, all of these functions were done independently and required the manual re-keying of information, which can lead to entry errors.

By: Unknown On 01.50

Continue Reading

Selling Sex in Tokovirgin.com Tools

Selling Sex in Tokovirgin.com Tools

Daily Mirror Online - Selling Sex in Tokovirgin.com Tools - Tokovirgin.com is one of the distributor websites Sex Aids reliable and safest. we have been serving customers from all over Indonesia with a variety of products sold.

Alat Bantu Sex - Sex aids are useful to you the couples who are not married can relate because your wife is pregnant old. nah, to maintain harmonious family relations, and mencengah infidelity. Sex Aid this guy is ready to accompany you. such as stuffed full body, etc..

Alat Bantu Sex - Sex Women's Aid is also available on this website. as well as men, it is of course to prevent you from cheating. with the help of a tool that has been designed by the experts, you will achieve greater satisfaction again. for it, immediately use Sex Aids cheap and quality we offer.

By: Unknown On 01.45

Continue Reading

Sugar not only makes you fat, it may make you sick

 Sugar not only makes you fat, it may make you sick

Daily Mirror Online - In recent years, sugar - more so than fat - has been receiving the bulk of the blame for our deteriorating health.

Most of us know we consume more sugar than we should.  Let's be honest, it's hard not to.

The (new) bad news is that sugar does more damage to our bodies than we originally thought.  It was once considered to be just another marker for an unhealthy diet and obesity.  Now sugar is considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, as well as many other chronic diseases, according a study published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine.

“Sugar has adverse health effects above any purported role as ‘empty calories’ promoting obesity,” writes Laura Schmidt, a professor of health policy in the School of Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco, in an accompanying editorial. “Too much sugar doesn’t just make us fat; it can also make us sick.”

But how much is too much? Turns out not nearly as much as you may think.  As a few doctors and scientists have been screaming for a while now, a little bit of sugar goes a long way.

Added sugars, according to most experts, are far more harmful to our bodies than naturally-occurring sugars.  We're talking about the sugars used in processed or prepared foods like sugar-sweetened beverages, grain-based desserts, fruit drinks, dairy desserts, candy, ready-to-eat cereal and yeast breads. Your fruits and (natural) fruit juices are safe.

Recommendations for your daily allotment of added sugar vary widely:

– The Institute of Medicine recommends that added sugars make up less than 25% of your total calories
– The World Health Organization recommends less than 10%
– The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to less than 100 calories daily for women and 150 calories daily for men

The U.S. government hasn't issued a dietary limit for added sugars, like it has for calories, fats, sodium, etc.  Furthermore, sugar is classified by the Food and Drug administration as "generally safe," which allows manufacturers to add unlimited amounts to any food.

"There is a difference between setting the limit for nutrients or other substances in food and setting limits for what people should be consuming," an FDA spokesperson wrote in an e-mail to CNN. "FDA does not set limits for what people should be eating."

"With regard to setting a regulatory limit for added sugar in food, FDA would carefully consider scientific evidence in determining whether regulatory limits are needed, as it would for other substances in food."

There is some good news. While the mean percentage of calories consumed from added sugars increased from 15.7% in 1988-1994 to 16.8% in 1999-2004, it actually decreased to 14.9% between 2005 and 2010. But most adults still consumed 10% or more of their calories from added sugar and about 1 in 10 people consumed 25% or more of their calories from sugar during the same time period.

Participants in the study who consumed approximately 17 to 21% of their calories from added sugar had a 38% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, compared with those who consumed approximately 8% of calories from added sugar, the study authors concluded.

“This relative risk was more than double for those who consumed 21% or more of calories from added sugar,” they wrote.

The Sugar Association said in a statement there "are a number of major flaws with this new study and the sensationalism associated with targeting sugar is fueling the media." The authors conclude that "an observational study like theirs is not proof of cause and effect," the association noted, and "extensive knowledge gaps exist."

"Bottom line: All-natural sugar has been consumed safely for centuries, and when consumed in moderation, has been and should continue to be part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle," the statement said.

Schmidt writes in the study that these new findings “provide physicians and consumers with actionable guidance. Until federal guidelines are forthcoming, physicians may want to caution patients that, to support cardiovascular health, it’s safest to consume less than 15% of their daily calories from added sugar.”

That’s the equivalent, Schmidt points out, of drinking one 20-ounce Mountain Dew soda in a 2,000-calorie diet.

“From there, the risk rises exponentially as a function of increased sugar intake,” she writes.

In a statement, the American Beverage Association said the study "shows that adult consumption of added sugars has actually declined, as recently reported by the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

"A significant part of that reduction is from decreased added sugars from beverages due, in part, to our member companies' ongoing innovation in providing more low- and no-calorie options. Furthermore, this is an observational study which cannot - and does not - show that cardiovascular disease is caused by drinking sugar-sweetened beverages."

Despite our changing scientific understanding and a growing body of evidence on sugar overconsumption as an independent risk factor in chronic disease, sugar regulation remains an uphill battle in the United States.  This is contrasted by the increased frequency of regulation abroad, where 15 countries now have taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages.

“‘Sin taxes,’ whether on tobacco, alcohol, or sugar-laden products, are popular because they are easy to enforce and generate revenue, with a well-documented evidence base supporting their effectiveness for lowering consumption,” writes Schmidt.

But forget about the short-term monetary cost.  Before you reach for that next sugary treat, think long and hard about the long-term cost to your health.

By: Unknown On 01.42

Continue Reading

Relax, weekend weight gain won't kill your diet

 Relax, weekend weight gain won't kill your diet

Daily Mirror Online - You've been eating well all week: oatmeal for breakfast, a salad for lunch and grilled chicken with vegetables for dinner. Then the weekend hits. Suddenly your taste buds want French fries at the bar and Mom's cheesy lasagna is calling your name during Sunday dinner.

Not to worry. A new study suggests small weight gains on weekends are normal, and as long as you can compensate during the week, indulging a bit may even help you lose weight long-term.

“There is a clear weekly rhythm to weight variation for most people,” says one of the study authors, Anna-Leena Orsama, a research scientist with VTT Technical Research Center of Finland. “On the weekends there is more variability and unpredictability in what we eat.”

The study, “Weight Rhythms: Weight Increases during Weekends and Decreases during Weekdays,” was published this week in the journal Obesity Facts.

The study

Researchers analyzed data from 80 adults, ranging in age from 25 to 62 years old, who recorded their weight each day after waking up.

The participants were grouped according to their weight changes over the study period: weight losers who lost at least 3% of their body weight; weight gainers who put on at least 1%; and weight maintainers who stayed in between those minimums.

The results

All three groups, the losers, gainers and maintainers, recorded higher weights on Sundays and Mondays than other days of the week. But those who successfully lost weight had lower weights during the week, with their lowest generally recorded on Friday.

This shows they managed to compensate for the weekend gain during the work week, researchers say.

Limitations

The sample size for this study was relatively small. Only 10 people were in the gain group; only 18 were in the loss group. The data was also all self-reported, meaning the study participants could have made a mistake or purposefully altered their recorded weights.

Also important to note is that the researchers are talking about slight caloric increases. This is not a free pass to eat your weight in cookie dough.

The takeaway

Long-term habits may make more of a difference than short-term splurges, the study authors say. And a flexible eating pattern - i.e., allowing yourself that brownie or beer on Friday night - may help you sustain overall healthy eating habits over time. Weight loss success depends primarily on your ability to compensate for those splurges on other days of the week.

“The big difference between those who gain weight over time and those who lose or maintain weight is directly related to the way they eat from Monday to Friday," said Cornell University behavioral economist Brian Wansink, one of the study authors.

"Some indulging during weekends makes no harm but for successful weight loss it is important to notice these rhythms and take steps to reverse the upward trends."

By: Unknown On 01.41

Continue Reading

Vegetarian diet may lower your blood pressure

 Vegetarian diet may lower your blood pressure

Daily Mirror Online - Nearly a third of American adults have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. Often called the "silent killer" because it provides few warning signs, hypertension increases a patient's risk for heart attack and stroke.

New research suggests eating a vegetarian diet could help combat this deadly disease.

A healthy blood pressure is 120/80 mm HG. Previous studies have shown that each increase of 20/10 mm Hg in that number doubles the patient's risk of cardiovascular disease. But lowering that top number just 5 mm HG can reduce your chances of dying from cardiovascular disease by about 7%. And eating more fruits and vegetables may be a good way to do that, according to the new study, published Monday in the scientific journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

Terms to know

Systolic blood pressure - the top number on your BP reading - measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart muscle contracts, or beats.

Diastolic blood pressure - the bottom number on your BP reading - measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart is still and refilling with blood.

The study

Researchers analyzed data from seven previously published clinical trials and 32 observational studies. A total of 311 participants were involved in the clinical trials. More than 21,000 participants were assessed in the observational studies.

The researchers only used data from studies that examined the association between a vegetarian diet and blood pressure. A range of diets were studied, including semivegetarian, vegan, lacto-vegetarian, ovo-vegetarian and pesco-vegetarian.

The results

In the seven clinical trials, participants following a vegetarian diet had a systolic blood pressure that was 4.8 mm Hg lower on average than their omnivore counterparts'. The vegetarians' diastolic blood pressure was lower by an average of 2.2 mm Hg.

In the observational studies, the difference was slightly bigger. A vegetarian diet was associated with an average decrease of 6.9 mm Hg for systolic blood pressure and 4.7 mm HG for diastolic blood pressure.

Why?

Many factors could be affecting the vegetarians' blood pressure. Vegetarian diets are often lower in sodium and saturated fats, while being higher in fiber and potassium.

Vegetarians also tend to have lower body mass indexes because fruits and vegetables are less energy dense - meaning you can eat more of them for fewer calories.

Study limitations

The definition of a "vegetarian diet" differs from person to person, so the researchers can't tell you how much meat is too much. Some of the observational studies also did not adjust for lifestyle factors such as exercise or alcohol intake that could have affected the results.

Two of the researchers are affiliated with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, which advocates for plant-based diets.

Takeaway

Eating more fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet could help lower your blood pressure, says study author Dr. Neal Barnard. You should also try to limit your sodium intake, exercise regularly and avoid drinking alcohol excessively.

By: Unknown On 01.39

Continue Reading

Mysterious cluster of birth defects stumps doctors

Mysterious cluster of birth defects stumps doctors

Daily Mirror Online - In her 30-year career as a nurse, Sara Barron had seen only two babies with anencephaly, a tragic birth defect in which infants are born missing parts of their brain and skull.

Then in 2012, while working at a hospital in rural Washington state, she saw two cases in two months.

To see that many in such a small hospital seemed bizarre to her.

Barron mentioned the unusual spike to an obstetrician friend working at another hospital 30 miles away. That doctor had just seen a case of anencephaly, too.

That's it, Barron thought to herself. She called the state Department of Health and made a report.

Barron's phone call spurred epidemiologists into action. They went through hospital and doctors' records in a three-county area and found 23 cases of anencephaly from January 2010 to January 2013. Such a finding meant a rate of 8.4 cases per 10,000 live births -- four times higher than the national average of 2.1 cases per 10,000 live births.
Photos: Olivia\'s story Photos: Olivia's story

But the next part of the investigation has come under fire with accusations that state epidemiologists haven't looked hard enough for the cause of a birth defect that's always fatal.

'What are you researching?'

For months, Andrea Jackman has been expecting a call from the Department of Health.

While pregnant, Jackman lived in the Yakima Valley, an agricultural area in south-central Washington. Her daughter, Olivia, was born in September with spina bifida, which, like anencephaly, is a neural tube defect the state is also tracking. Unlike anencephaly, however, spina bifida is usually not fatal.

She says she's incredulous and outraged that state researchers haven't called to ask questions: What did she eat while she was pregnant? Did she spend time near farms that sprayed pesticides? Did she take any herbs or supplements? How about Olivia's father? Was he exposed to any toxic chemicals?

But no one has called.

Mandy Stahre, the state epidemiologist who's investigating the cluster of birth defects, says it might be upsetting for mothers to get a call with such questions. Most of the women were pregnant with babies who had anencephaly, and the outcome is always horrible. If a woman didn't miscarry, she had to make a decision whether to terminate her pregnancy or go ahead and have a baby sure to die soon after birth.

Stahre and her colleagues asked themselves: Would a phone call traumatize these women?

"We have to weigh that heavily. This is a devastating diagnosis, and we know that for a lot of these women they had to make some hard choices," Stahre says. "We have to weigh how invasive we want to be with these types of interviews."

Jackman says that attitude is paternalistic and condescending. She says she would do anything to help prevent another family from having a baby with a severe birth defect. State epidemiologists should have made those phone calls a long time ago, she says, since every day that passes, her memory, and those of other mothers, start to fade about what their habits were during pregnancy.

"What are you researching if you haven't physically called the families to find out?" she asks.

'Very bad research'

Stahre has an answer to Jackman's question: The state examined the mothers' medical records, which revealed, among other things, the women's home addresses.

By the address, epidemiologists can learn a mother's water source, whether she lives near an agricultural area and whether she took folic acid early in pregnancy, which helps prevent neural tube defects.

"(Medical records) give us a lot of information about all of the known risk factors," the epidemiologist says.

The state's rigorous search of the women's medical records, along with birth and death certificates, found nothing linking the families who had babies with birth defects.

That finding doesn't surprise Dr. Beate Ritz, who's done several studies on birth defects.

Ritz, vice chair of the epidemiology department at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, says medical records are notoriously unreliable: One doctor, for example, might note whether a woman smokes, but another doctor might not.

"From a research point of view, this is very bad research," she says.

She says medical records reveal whether a woman has been prescribed any drugs, or diagnosed with a certain condition, but they don't contain detailed information about a mother's diet or possible toxins she might have been exposed to in the environment.

"The data quality on medical records is so low that it's not really research," she says.

Even the state Department of Health admits that medical records are limited, writing in a press release: "Medical record reviews might not have captured all information, preventing a cause from being identified."

But doing the research the right way, Ritz says, costs hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars, and state health departments often don't have those funds.

'I wish they would take it more seriously'

In a few months, Washington state's Department of Health plans to report how many babies were born with neural tube defects in 2013 to see if the cluster has continued, Stahre says, adding that it may interview the mothers at some point in the future.

"We're still investigating this," she says. "This is nowhere near finished."

In the meantime, she says pregnant women in the area should not be nervous.

But Barron, the nurse who found the original cases of birth defects, isn't so sure.

"I think it's very scary. I think there's absolutely something going on that needs to be investigated more thoroughly," she says. "I wish they would take it more seriously."

By: Unknown On 01.37

Continue Reading