Diet
High-fiber diet brings beneficial changes to human gut microbiome
A short-term intervention in daily fiber consumption can significantly alter the gut microbiome and nutrient intake, according to a study led by University of California, Irvine researchers. The research was recently published by the American Society for Microbiology. Dietary fiber consists of resistant carbohydrates found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fiber persists in our digestion system, and while not digestible by humans, our gut bacteria can metabolize fiber into short-chain fatty acids and other byproducts critical to human health. Currently, the average person i...
Very frequent consumption (two meals or more per day) of meals prepared away from home is significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality,
Dining out is a popular activity worldwide, but there has been little research into its association with health outcomes. Investigators looked at the association between eating out and risk of death and concluded that eating out very frequently is significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause death, which warrants further investigation. Their results appear in the *Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics*, published by Elsevier. Eating out is a popular activity. The US Department of Agriculture recently estimated that Americans' daily energy intake from f...
Preservative used in hundreds of popular foods may harm the immune system
Research News A food preservative used to prolong the shelf life of Pop-Tarts, Rice Krispies Treats, Cheez-Its and almost 1,250 other popular processed foods may harm the immune system, according to a new peer-reviewed study by Environmental Working Group. For the study, published this week in the *International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health*, EWG researchers used data from the Environmental Protection Agency's Toxicity Forecaster, or ToxCast, to assess the health hazards of the most common chemicals added to food, as well as the "forever chemicals" known as...
Moderate daily caffeine intake during pregnancy may lead to smaller birth size
Research News Pregnant women who consumed the caffeine equivalent of as little as half a cup of coffee a day on average had slightly smaller babies than pregnant women who did not consume caffeinated beverages, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health. The researchers found corresponding reductions in size and lean body mass for infants whose mothers consumed below the 200 milligrams of caffeine per day--about two cups of coffee--believed to increase risks to the fetus. Smaller birth size can place infants at higher risk of obesity, heart disease an...
No evidence that eating a high-protein diet increased strength or muscle mass
A 10-week muscle-building and dietary program involving 50 middle-aged adults found no evidence that eating a high-protein diet increased strength or muscle mass more than consuming a moderate amount of protein while training. The intervention involved a standard strength-training protocol with sessions three times per week. None of the participants had previous weightlifting experience. Published in the *American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism*, the study is one of the most comprehensive investigations of the health effects of diet and resistance training in...
Green leafy vegetables essential for muscle strength
Eating just one cup of leafy green vegetables every day could boost muscle function, according to new Edith Cowan University (ECU) research. The study, published today in the *Journal of Nutrition*, found that people who consumed a nitrate-rich diet, predominantly from vegetables, had significantly better muscle function of their lower limb. P...
Association found between consumption of ultra-processed foods and drinks and colorectal cancer risk
Consumption of ultra-processed foods and drink could increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer. This was the conclusion of a large study undertaken by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by the "la Caixa" Foundation, based on questionnaires about food behaviours completed by around 8,000 people in Spain. The study, the first of its kind in the country, also analysed the relationship between ultra-processed food and drink products and two other cancers; while no association was observed with prostate cancer, in the case ...
Eating processed meat could increase dementia risk
Research News Scientists from the University of Leeds's Nutritional Epidemiology Group used data from 500,000 people, discovering that consuming a 25g serving of processed meat a day, the equivalent to one rasher of bacon, is associated with a 44% increased risk of developing the disease. But their findings also show eating some unprocessed red meat, such as beef, pork or veal, could be protective, as people who consumed 50g a day were 19% less likely to develop dementia. The researchers were exploring a potential link between consumption of meat and the development of dementia,...
A strong coffee half an hour before exercising increases fat-burning
Drinking a strong coffee half an hour before exercising increases fat-burning, new study finds Scientists from the Department of Physiology of the University of Granada (UGR) have shown that caffeine (about 3 mg/kg, the equivalent of a strong coffee) ingested half an hour before aerobic exercise significantly increases the rate of fat-burning. They also found that if the exercise is performed in the afternoon, the effects of the caffeine are more marked than in the morning. In their study, published in the *Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition*, the researche...
Drinking a strong coffee half an hour before exercising increases fat-burning, new study finds Scientists from the Department of Physiology of the University of Granada (UGR) have shown that caffeine (about 3 mg/kg, the equivalent of a strong coffee) ingested half an hour before aerobic exercise significantly increases the rate of fat-burning. They also found that if the exercise is performed in the afternoon, the effects of the caffeine are more marked than in the morning. In their study, published in the *Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition*, the researche...
Eating before 8:30 a.m. could reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes
Intermittent fasting study finds eating earlier was associated with lower blood sugar levels and insulin resistance People who start eating before 8:30 a.m. had lower blood sugar levels and less insulin resistance, which could reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a study presented virtually at ENDO 2021, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting. "We found people who started eating earlier in the day had lower blood sugar levels and less insulin resistance, regardless of whether they restricted their food intake to less than 10 hours a day or their food int...
Muscle cramp? Drink electrolytes, not water
If you reach for water when a muscle cramp strikes, you might want to think again. New research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has revealed drinking electrolytes instead of pure water can help prevent muscle cramps. The study, published in the *Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition*, found that people who drank electrolyte enhanced water during and after exercise were less susceptible to muscle cramps than those who drank pure water. Muscle cramps are a common painful condition affecting many people, including around 39 per cent of marathon runners, 52 per c...
Environmental Working Group’s 2021 Dirty Dozen™ list of the most pesticide-contaminated fresh produce
Collard and mustard greens join kale among the most pesticide-contaminated fresh produce on the Environmental Working Group’s 2021 Dirty Dozen™ list. For the first time, bell peppers and hot peppers have made the list. The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen™ together make up EWG’s annual Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™, which analyzes Department of Agriculture test data to identify which fresh fruits and vegetables are most and least contaminated with pesticide residues. “Whether organic or conventionally grown, fruits and vegetables are critical components of a health...
Nearly 70 percent of the non-organic fresh produce sold in the U.S. contains residues of potentially harmful chemical pesticides, according to EWG’s analysis of the latest test data from the federal Department of Agriculture. This year, along with the items on our Dirty Dozen™ and Clean Fifteen™ lists, EWG is highlighting harmful fungicides detected on citrus fruits tested by USDA, as well as in tests we commissioned. Imazalil, a fungicide that can change hormone levels and is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a likely human carcinogen, was detected on nearly...
General Health
Wisdom, loneliness and microbial diversity of the gut
The evolving science of wisdom rests on the idea that wisdom's defined traits correspond to distinct regions of the brain, and that greater wisdom translates into greater happiness and life satisfaction while being less wise results in opposite, negative consequences. Scientists have found in multiple studies that persons deemed to be wiser are less prone to feel lonely while those who are lonelier also tend to be less wise. In a new study, published in the March 25, 2021 issue of the journal *Frontiers in Psychiatry*, researchers at University of California San Diego School of M...
The evolving science of wisdom rests on the idea that wisdom's defined traits correspond to distinct regions of the brain, and that greater wisdom translates into greater happiness and life satisfaction while being less wise results in opposite, negative consequences. Scientists have found in multiple studies that persons deemed to be wiser are less prone to feel lonely while those who are lonelier also tend to be less wise. In a new study, published in the March 25, 2021 issue of the journal *Frontiers in Psychiatry*, researchers at University of California San Diego School of M...
Want a longer, healthier life? Resolve your arguments by day's end
A recent Oregon State University study found that when people feel they have resolved an argument, the emotional response associated with that disagreement is significantly reduced and, in some situations, almost entirely erased. That reduction in stress may have a major impact on overall health, researchers say. "Everyone experiences stress in their daily lives. You aren't going to stop stressful things from happening. But the extent to which you can tie them off, bring them to an end and resolve them is definitely going to pay dividends in terms of your well-being," said Robe...
Midlife loneliness is a risk factor for Dementia and Alzheimer's disease
Recovery from temporary loneliness may provide reduction in dementia risk Being persistently lonely during midlife (ages 45-64) appears to make people more likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) later in life. However, people who recover from loneliness, appear to be less likely to suffer from dementia, compared to people who have never felt lonely. Loneliness is a subjective feeling resulting from a perceived discrepancy between desired and actual social relationships. Although loneliness does not itself have the status of a clinical disease, it is associated wi...
Recovery from temporary loneliness may provide reduction in dementia risk Being persistently lonely during midlife (ages 45-64) appears to make people more likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) later in life. However, people who recover from loneliness, appear to be less likely to suffer from dementia, compared to people who have never felt lonely. Loneliness is a subjective feeling resulting from a perceived discrepancy between desired and actual social relationships. Although loneliness does not itself have the status of a clinical disease, it is associated wi...
Replacing an old couch with a new one free of flame retardants reduces harmful exposures in the home
A new study shows that when people replace their old couch with a new one that has no added flame retardants, levels of the harmful chemicals in household dust drop significantly. Replacing the foam inside the couch cushions is also just as effective. The findings confirm that choosing healthier furniture without flame retardants can make a big difference in people's--especially children's--everyday exposures to these toxic chemicals. "We've long suspected that couches are a major source of toxic chemicals in dust. Now, for the first time, we have evidence demonstrating the positi...
Want to improve your health? Head to a national park, and absorb the sounds
Wolves howling, birds singing, rain falling - natural sounds inspire us and connect us to nature. New research by a team of scientists shows that natural sounds are also good for our health. Researchers from Carleton University, Michigan State University, Colorado State University and the National Park Service analyzed studies on the outcomes of listening to natural sounds and found striking human health benefits. The team found people experienced decreased pain, lower stress, improved mood and enhanced cognitive performance. The sounds of water were most effectiv...
Wolves howling, birds singing, rain falling - natural sounds inspire us and connect us to nature. New research by a team of scientists shows that natural sounds are also good for our health. Researchers from Carleton University, Michigan State University, Colorado State University and the National Park Service analyzed studies on the outcomes of listening to natural sounds and found striking human health benefits. The team found people experienced decreased pain, lower stress, improved mood and enhanced cognitive performance. The sounds of water were most effectiv...
Having a single personal doctor may sometimes lead to unnecessary PSA tests
Research News Patient care by a single primary care physician is associated with many health benefits, including increased treatment adherence and decreased hospital admissions and mortality risk. But can the relationship built between doctor and patient also lead to unnecessary care? A new University of Florida study finds that male patients who have a single general physician were more likely to receive a prostate cancer screening test during a period when the test was not recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force. The study, which appears in *Frontiers in Medicin...
Don't let the small stuff get you down--your well-being may depend on it
A new study led by University of Miami psychologists suggests that the longer negativity lingers in your brain, the unhappier you may be. Suppose you drop your morning coffee and it splatters everywhere. Later a colleague drops by to say hello. Do you grumble a testy acknowledgment, or cheerfully greet her? In a new study on brain activity led by University of Miami psychologists, researchers found that how a person's brain evaluates fleeting negative stimuli--such as that dropped cup--may influence their long-term psychological well-being. "One way to think about it is the long...
A new study led by University of Miami psychologists suggests that the longer negativity lingers in your brain, the unhappier you may be. Suppose you drop your morning coffee and it splatters everywhere. Later a colleague drops by to say hello. Do you grumble a testy acknowledgment, or cheerfully greet her? In a new study on brain activity led by University of Miami psychologists, researchers found that how a person's brain evaluates fleeting negative stimuli--such as that dropped cup--may influence their long-term psychological well-being. "One way to think about it is the long...
High speed air hand dryers spread contamination more than paper towels
Experiment shows air dryers spread bacteria from poorly washed hands to clothing and surfaces beyond the restroom High speed air dryers not only leave more contamination on poorly washed hands compared to paper towels, but during hand drying, they can also spread germs onto clothing, ultimately transferring more bacteria to other surfaces, according to a study published today in *Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology*, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. Past research has shown recommended handwashing practices for healthcare workers are ofte...
Experiment shows air dryers spread bacteria from poorly washed hands to clothing and surfaces beyond the restroom High speed air dryers not only leave more contamination on poorly washed hands compared to paper towels, but during hand drying, they can also spread germs onto clothing, ultimately transferring more bacteria to other surfaces, according to a study published today in *Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology*, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. Past research has shown recommended handwashing practices for healthcare workers are ofte...
Exercise
Exercise can improve sleep quality even when you don't perceive a difference
Physical exercise has long been prescribed as a way to improve the quality of sleep. But now, researchers from Japan have found that even when exercise causes objectively measured changes in sleep quality, these changes may not be subjectively perceptible. In a study published this month in *Scientific Reports*, researchers from the University of Tsukuba have revealed that vigorous exercise was able to modulate various sleep parameters associated with improved sleep, without affecting subjective reports regarding sleep quality. Exercise is known to improve overall sleep quality b...
Exercise boosts blood flow to the brain, study finds
The results add to growing evidence that exercise programs may help older adults slow the onset of memory loss and dementia It's not just your legs and heart that get a workout when you walk briskly; exercise affects your brain as well. A new study by researchers at UT Southwestern shows that when older adults with mild memory loss followed an exercise program for a year, the blood flow to their brains increased. The results were published online today in the *Journal of Alzheimer's Disease*. "This is part of a growing body of evidence linking exercise with brain health," says st...
The results add to growing evidence that exercise programs may help older adults slow the onset of memory loss and dementia It's not just your legs and heart that get a workout when you walk briskly; exercise affects your brain as well. A new study by researchers at UT Southwestern shows that when older adults with mild memory loss followed an exercise program for a year, the blood flow to their brains increased. The results were published online today in the *Journal of Alzheimer's Disease*. "This is part of a growing body of evidence linking exercise with brain health," says st...
Cells burn more calories after just one bout of moderate aerobic exercise
In a recent study testing the effects of exercise on overall metabolism, researchers at Oregon State University found that even a single session of moderate aerobic exercise makes a difference in the cells of otherwise sedentary people. Mitochondria are the part of the cell responsible for the biological process of respiration, which turns fuels such as sugars and fats into energy, so the researchers focused only on mitochondria function. "What we found is that, regardless of what fuel the mitochondria were using, there were mild increases in the ability to burn off the fuels," ...
In a recent study testing the effects of exercise on overall metabolism, researchers at Oregon State University found that even a single session of moderate aerobic exercise makes a difference in the cells of otherwise sedentary people. Mitochondria are the part of the cell responsible for the biological process of respiration, which turns fuels such as sugars and fats into energy, so the researchers focused only on mitochondria function. "What we found is that, regardless of what fuel the mitochondria were using, there were mild increases in the ability to burn off the fuels," ...
Move your body for five minutes every hour to counteract lockdown inactivity
Research News A study which looked at activity levels before and during the COVID-19 pandemic has found lockdown restrictions significantly reduced light activity associated with socialising and work. The study, published recently in *BMJ Neurology* and led by King's College London, examined how activity levels changed in study participants with muscular dystrophy and other inheritable myopathies. The sample included people with a range of physical abilities, from highly independent to assisted mobility, including 41 wheelchair users, who are often underrepresented in research. ...
Research News A study which looked at activity levels before and during the COVID-19 pandemic has found lockdown restrictions significantly reduced light activity associated with socialising and work. The study, published recently in *BMJ Neurology* and led by King's College London, examined how activity levels changed in study participants with muscular dystrophy and other inheritable myopathies. The sample included people with a range of physical abilities, from highly independent to assisted mobility, including 41 wheelchair users, who are often underrepresented in research. ...
A strong coffee half an hour before exercising increases fat-burning
Drinking a strong coffee half an hour before exercising increases fat-burning, new study finds Scientists from the Department of Physiology of the University of Granada (UGR) have shown that caffeine (about 3 mg/kg, the equivalent of a strong coffee) ingested half an hour before aerobic exercise significantly increases the rate of fat-burning. They also found that if the exercise is performed in the afternoon, the effects of the caffeine are more marked than in the morning. In their study, published in the *Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition*, the researche...
Drinking a strong coffee half an hour before exercising increases fat-burning, new study finds Scientists from the Department of Physiology of the University of Granada (UGR) have shown that caffeine (about 3 mg/kg, the equivalent of a strong coffee) ingested half an hour before aerobic exercise significantly increases the rate of fat-burning. They also found that if the exercise is performed in the afternoon, the effects of the caffeine are more marked than in the morning. In their study, published in the *Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition*, the researche...
If you reach for water when a muscle cramp strikes, you might want to think again. New research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has revealed drinking electrolytes instead of pure water can help prevent muscle cramps. The study, published in the *Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition*, found that people who drank electrolyte enhanced water during and after exercise were less susceptible to muscle cramps than those who drank pure water. Muscle cramps are a common painful condition affecting many people, including around 39 per cent of marathon runners, 52 per c...
Supplements and Medicine
Researchers are urging consumers to avoid using weight loss or sports supplements that list deterenol as an ingredient. Scientists at NSF International (NSF), Harvard Medical School and Cambridge Health Alliance recently tested 17 brands of supplements listing deterenol as an ingredient and found nine potentially harmful, experimental stimulants in the products. Researchers at the Netherlands' National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and Belgium's Sciensano also participated in the study. Supplements containing deterenol have not been approved for use in hu...
Flu shot associated with fewer, less severe COVID cases
*There's robust data that the flu shot prevents heart attack and hospitalizations for heart failure, which is an additional reason to get your vaccine every flu season* People who received a flu shot last flu season were significantly less likely to test positive for a COVID-19 infection when the pandemic hit, according to a new study. And those who did test positive for COVID-19 had fewer complications if they received their flu shot. These new findings mean senior author Marion Hofmann Bowman, M.D., is continuing to recommend the flu shot to her patients even as the flu season ...
*There's robust data that the flu shot prevents heart attack and hospitalizations for heart failure, which is an additional reason to get your vaccine every flu season* People who received a flu shot last flu season were significantly less likely to test positive for a COVID-19 infection when the pandemic hit, according to a new study. And those who did test positive for COVID-19 had fewer complications if they received their flu shot. These new findings mean senior author Marion Hofmann Bowman, M.D., is continuing to recommend the flu shot to her patients even as the flu season ...
Aging
Exercise boosts blood flow to the brain, study finds
The results add to growing evidence that exercise programs may help older adults slow the onset of memory loss and dementia It's not just your legs and heart that get a workout when you walk briskly; exercise affects your brain as well. A new study by researchers at UT Southwestern shows that when older adults with mild memory loss followed an exercise program for a year, the blood flow to their brains increased. The results were published online today in the *Journal of Alzheimer's Disease*. "This is part of a growing body of evidence linking exercise with brain health," says st...
Eating processed meat could increase dementia risk
Research News Scientists from the University of Leeds's Nutritional Epidemiology Group used data from 500,000 people, discovering that consuming a 25g serving of processed meat a day, the equivalent to one rasher of bacon, is associated with a 44% increased risk of developing the disease. But their findings also show eating some unprocessed red meat, such as beef, pork or veal, could be protective, as people who consumed 50g a day were 19% less likely to develop dementia. The researchers were exploring a potential link between consumption of meat and the development of dementia,...
One in 10 older adults have gotten a "pandemic pet," poll finds
*Prior poll showed health and wellness benefits of pet ownership for people over 50* According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging, 10% of all people between the ages of 50 and 80 got a new pet between March 2020 and January 2021. All told, 59% of people age 50 to 80 who completed the poll in January 2021 are pet owners. Among those who said in January that they are pet owners, 17% had gotten at least one pet since the pandemic began. The poll did not ask if this was their first pet or an additional pet. The poll is based at the University of Michigan's Institute for Healthcare ...
To live independently longer, look to inexpensive home hacks
Raised toilets, grab bars, shower seats improve quality of life for elders, but millions go without Research News The pandemic has exposed weaknesses in nursing homes, causing many families to rethink whether to keep an aging parent at home instead. Now a new study by UC San Francisco has found that many elderly Americans lack the basic self-care equipment that could enable them to live at home longer, postponing the need to move into residential care facilities. In the study, researchers focused on three inexpensive, low-tech assistive devices: grab bars around the toilet and i...
A strong coffee half an hour before exercising increases fat-burning
Drinking a strong coffee half an hour before exercising increases fat-burning, new study finds Scientists from the Department of Physiology of the University of Granada (UGR) have shown that caffeine (about 3 mg/kg, the equivalent of a strong coffee) ingested half an hour before aerobic exercise significantly increases the rate of fat-burning. They also found that if the exercise is performed in the afternoon, the effects of the caffeine are more marked than in the morning. In their study, published in the *Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition*, the researche...
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