Top 5 news making foods 2008

December 29, 11:56 AMBoston Fitness ExaminerSarah Dussault

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South Los Angeles Aug 8, 2008 (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Here are the top 5 foods as seen in the news headlines for the year 2008. Let's hope to see more and less of the following growing trends that entered our living rooms on the evening news this past year in review.

5. Acai Berry

The most recent and buzzed or rather spammed about superfood is the acai berry which has powerful and potent levels of antioxidants (supposedly unrivaled by other known fruits). Specifically it has a reported 7 times the amount of antioxidants as in blueberries. In November alone, more than 1.5 million people searched for the term on Google. The average search for acai berry has grown 4 times in under a year. But don't become a victim to your spam box. Acai is good for you but in regards to it's weight loss superpowers, diet and exercise still triumphs all.

4. Olive Oil + Healthy Omega 3's

You know it's short for EVOO but did you know that this year multiple studies found more evidence to prove that olive oil not only helps prevent heart disease but also reduce blood pressure, protect against colon cancer and diabetes, lessen severtiy of asthma and arthritis in addition to helping maintain and lower weight! If you're still on the low fat diet, it's time to welcome a little EVOO into your life. Expect to see more products like Hellmen's Mayonaise made with Olive oil on the shelves this year.

3. Fast Food

Fast food made the news in more ways than one. No longer are they being sued for causing the obesity epidemic but the government is actually seeking to put an end to the fast food nation generalization. This past year, New York City and California intervened. NYC fast food joints were required by law to post nutritional information on menus visible for all to quiver. LA placed a ban on new fast food restaurants from opening up in South Central Los Angeles due to higher than average obesity rates and number of chains in he area. It caused a racial stir and proved once again that the government doesn't think we are smart enough to make our own decisions on what we should eat. Ironically a study just came out suggesting that portions are smaller at fast food joint and consequently lower in calories than sit down restaurants.

2. High Fructose Corn Syrup

It may or may not have helped contribute to the obesity epidemic. Confused? So are we. One study said the increased consumption of HFCS has led to leptin resistance or rather turned off our "belly is full" indicator leading to overeating. In another study, it was concluded that the study was flawed and HFCS was safe. Many products out this year are labeled HFCS Free! A market trend to watch out for, and also a study to keep your eyes open for further developments. Diet drinks are also bad for you if you didn't know and have been linked to chemically changing your body signals as well.

1. Tomatoes - Jalapenos

Number one is Tomatoes but it should be Jalapenos. Remember when you were scared to have tomato slices on your sandwiches? In June, the Food and Drug Administration reported that at least 145 people had become sick from consuming a rare strain of salmonella and warned consumers to avoid eating raw tomatoes. Millions of Americans stopped buying the fruit and estimates suggest that tomato growers lost as much as $250 million. Yet the outbreak continued — more than 1,400 people got sick before it ended — and FDA officials eventually concluded that tainted jalapeno and Serrano peppers, not tomatoes, were spreading the salmonella. They also said the offending peppers probably came from Mexico, not the U.S.