Written by a medical doctor and an award-winning journalist, this reference for general readers in high school and up summarizes research on health claims for 50 common foods, clearly showing which foods have been empirically proven to have positive health benefits and which foods have not. Brief chapters on each food are presented alphabetically, from almonds to walnuts. Each chapter begins with background on the food's history and qualities, then summarizes research on various aspects such as the food's effect on cardiovascular health, its potential role in weight management, prevention of specific diseases, and effects on mood, cognition, and sleep. Each chapter ends with lists of citations, references, and print and online resources for more information. A glossary is included. Myrna Goldstein is a journalist. Mark Goldstein is chief of the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)