Our healthy lifestyle tips reports on emerging health news focusing on research, new treatments, diet, exercise, and trending topics in health and wellness. We focus on breaking news that you can implement in everyday life, with focus on lifestyle, diet and natural health treatment solutions. We update these news items on a regular basis so please check back to make sure that you don’t miss our latest content.
Do Sugary Drinks in Childhood Impact Heart Health?
How frequently you drink sugary drinks as a child increase your risk of developing high blood pressure later in life, according to new analyses by the American Heart Association. The study following participants over the course of 25 years, tracking what kinds of drinks participants drank daily. Those who drank soda, fruit juice, or other sugary drinks, like sports drinks, daily had much higher rates of developing high blood pressure. For sugar-sweetened drinks, the risk went up 52 percent.
When those sugary drinks were swapped for whole fruit, milk, or water, risk of high blood pressure went down significantly. This research emphasizes the importance of quality nutrition and a healthy diet from childhood. Additionally, it backs up the understanding that the way sugar is consumed is important for health. Eating fruit does not have the same negative health risks as drinking either fruit juice or sugar-sweetened beverages.
“As has been seen in adults, the total amount of fructose seems less important for the development of hypertension than the type of food where it is consumed, so sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juice relate to increased risk, while whole fruit does not,” says American Heart Association volunteer expert Amit Khera, M.D., FAHA, vice-chair of the dietary guidance writing committee.
This research was provided by the American Heart Association.
Foods to Lower Blood Pressure: Nitrate-rich Foods and Sugar Gum
A recent study published by British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology discovered something you’d be surprised to hear from your doctor: chewing sugar gum can lower your blood pressure. It only lowers blood pressure temporarily, and you also need to eat nitrate-rich foods, like beets or kale, beforehand to benefit.
Study writers note that chewing sugar gum is not a long-term solution or recommendation for people with high blood pressure. However, this interesting finding leads researchers to explore how to harness this for a more long-term solution that brings down blood pressure and doesn’t lead to metabolic health issues. Nitrate rich foods include leafy greens, like spinach and kale, and root vegetables, like beets and carrots.
This study was published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
Can Flavanols Reduce the Risk of Developing Heart Disease?
Researchers have observed that most people are not consuming enough flavanols and consequently increasing their risk of developing heart disease.
Scientists at the University of Reading, Harvard Medical School, and the University of California Davis revealed that less than 20% of people fulfill their daily allotted flavanol intake. Flavanols are compounds found in plant-based foods and are responsible for producing the vibrant colors of certain fruits and vegetables. They are most prominent in blueberries, plums, cherries, blackberries, cranberries, and green tea.
According to the study’s lead author, Dr. Javier Ottaviani, “Flavanols can significantly reduce the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, but only if you consume enough of them. Most people assume that eating plenty of fruit and vegetables covers this, but what this research shows is that the specific choices you make matter far more than the total amount. Including a handful of blackberries, a whole apple or having a cup of green tea alongside your meal could make a real difference to how much of these beneficial compounds you actually consume and absorb from the diet.”
This study was published in Food and Function by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Creatine and Depression
, a popular supplement for energy and muscle growth, may also benefit those with depression. According to research, taking creatine supplements could improve the effectiveness of antidepressants or cognitive behavioral therapy for those with depression. A study published in Genomic Press, looked at a number of studies on creatine and its impact on the brain. While the evidence is not consistent, creatine did lower depression symptoms alongside medication and therapy. Factors such as underlying condition and response to antidepressants may affect how well creatine works.
Creatine is most well-known for helping muscles regenerate and providing energy to cells. However, the brain also is dependent on creatine for energy. Additionally, the brain needs immense amounts of energy to function well. Research also shows that creatine impacts both dopamine and serotonin, mood-regulating transmitters, although the relationship is not understood. All of this points to creatine’s potential for benefiting those with depression when used along other treatment plans.
This study was published in Genomic Press.
Cut Back on Sugary Drinks to Decrease Risk of High Bood Pressure
A recent study reveals that drinking less juice and soda at a younger age can decrease the risk of developing high blood pressure in adulthood.
A new American Heart Association study has found that participants who consumed 2+ daily servings of beverages sweetened with added sugar had a 52% higher risk of developing high blood pressure later in life when compared to those who drank fewer than 3 servings of sugar-sweetened beverages per week. The study found that substituting even just one serving of sugary beverages per day with whole fruit, milk or water revealed a 19-22% lower risk of high blood pressure.
“Sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soda and sports drinks, which are often marketed as somewhat healthy, should be limited,” said senior study author Vasanti Malik, Sc.D., M.Sc. “Fruit juice intake may be harmless at low levels yet harmful at higher intake levels. They should always be 100% fruit juice, and even so, consumed only in moderation. Whole fruit should be emphasized over sugary beverages.”
She states, “High blood pressure is also emerging earlier in life, with growing rates being seen in younger adults, in children and adolescents, which highlights the importance of early detection and prevention.”
Monitor you and your family’s consumed amount of sugary beverages and see if you can’t swap out servings for whole fruit, milk, or water to decrease your risk of incurring high blood pressure.
This study was published by the American Heart Association.
Green Tea for Longevity
A recent study published took a comprehensive look at the benefits found by drinking green tea. The research showed that drinking green tea has a long list of benefits for your health and led to longer lives. The polyphenols in green tea support heart health, brain health, muscle strength, and a healthy metabolism. By drinking green tea regularly, you can lower your risk of heart diseases, obesity, diabetes, dementia, and certain types of cancer.
However, drinking bottled or bubble teas were significantly less beneficial. These drinks usually contain sugar, artificial sweeteners, and other additives that are detrimental to your health and cancel out many of the benefits of green tea.
The study was published by Beverage Plant Research.
Treating Hair Loss
A recent scientific review has revealed that a medicinal Chinese herb, Polygonum Multiflorum, or He Shou Wu, can treat androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) and trigger hair regrowth at the same time. This herb has been used in Eastern Medicine for over 1,000 years and can prevent hair follicles from dying early, trigger hair growth signals, preserve follicles, and stimulate more blood flow to the scalp.
“What surprised us was how consistently historical texts – described effects that align perfectly with today’s understanding of hair biology. Modern studies now confirm that this isn’t folklore; it’s pharmacology,” said Han Bixian, first author of the review.
More western medicine clinical testing still needs to be done, but according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is over 1,000 years of evidence showing that this herb is beneficial for hair loss. He Shou Wu is most commonly found as an oral supplement or capsule, but please talk to your doctor before starting to take this herb.
The study was provided by KeAi Chinese Roots Global Impact.
Vitamin B12 Benefits
As you get older, certain factors may make it so your body needs a little extra help getting the vitamins necessary to thrive. Older adults often eat less, avoid certain foods because of issues with their teeth, or take medicines that impact their ability to absorb nutrients.
Vitamin B12 is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies in older adults. You need enough stomach acid to get B12 from the food that you eat, and as you get older your stomach may not produce as much acid. A couple very common medications hinder this: metformin and proton pump inhibitors. Low B12 can lead to anemia, fatigue, problems with nerves, including numbness and tingling.
Other common vitamin deficiencies in older adults include folate, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium. If you are over 40, check your vitamin levels to see if you would benefit from taking supplements
This information came from an article by The Conversation.
Taking Omega-3 for Diabetes
A recent study shows that taking omega-3 supplements may improve insulin resistance, the hallmark of type 2 diabetes. This was the case in both people with obesity, who make up about 80-90 percent of those with type 2 diabetes, and people who are not obese but have type 2 diabetes.
Insulin resistance is not only an issue with blood sugar, but also one that is connected to inflammation. Chronic inflammation can disrupt insulin signaling and production. This research develops the idea that addressing inflammation can treat and control chronic diseases like diabetes.
Using omega-3 to tamp down inflammatory responses encourages your immune system to move from attack to protect and to get out of a cycle of inflammation. Omega-3 supplementation has a whole host of beneficial effects, lowering insulin resistance, improving blood sugar control, lowering inflammation, and reducing bad cholesterol and triglycerides.
This study was published by the Nutrients.
Magnesium for Type 2 Diabetes
Magnesium deficiency can lead to a set of symptoms and conditions, but it can also impact type 2 diabetes. Research shows that issues with insulin production is connected to low levels of magnesium. On the other hand, high levels of magnesium is connected to better insulin sensitivity.
Additionally, magnesium can support blood sugar regulation, insulin sensitivity, and break down glucose in the blood, moving out of the blood and into cells. For some, magnesium may even lead to better hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) numbers.
Consider taking magnesium oxide or chloride to help manage blood sugar. However, the best way to gain the benefits of magnesium is by eating foods rich in magnesium, like spinach, bean, or nuts.
Information from Health.
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