Nation IN BRIEF : NATIONWIDE : Artificial Flavoring May Help Health

A new study suggests artificial flavorings in foods may be good for you. They often contain salicylates, chemical cousins of aspirin, which is known to reduce the risk of heart attacks by preventing blood clots. The study found that people consume the equivalent of one baby aspirin a day from the artificial flavorings in foods. Researchers said this may help explain why fewer Americans are dying from heart attacks. “We are presenting what we consider to be a plausible hypothesis, but it needs a lot more exploration,” said Lillian M. Ingster of the National Center for Health Statistics in Hyattsville, Md.