Category Archives: Healthy eating

Diet, disease, Fitness, Health, Healthy eating, Public health

Would you like to hear that a new study links coffee consumption to a lower risk of death?

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During the trial period, individuals who had moderate quantities of coffee, even with a little sugar, were 30 percent less likely to die than those who did not consume coffee.

Aileen Son for The New York Times

Researchers analyzed coffee consumption data obtained from the U.K. Biobank, a vast medical database including health information on the whole nation’s population. Three to five cups of unsweetened coffee per day was associated with the lowest mortality risk. Inconclusive were the data for persons who consumed coffee with artificial sweeteners. Other lifestyle factors, such as a healthy diet and frequent exercise, may also contribute to a reduced risk of death.

Coffee users may pick cold brew or drip coffee over less healthy caffeine sources, such as energy drinks or soda. Coffee beans have high quantities of antioxidants, which may help neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. Over time, an accumulation of free radicals may induce inflammation in the body, which can contribute to the formation of plaque associated with heart disease. Those who drank more than 4.5 cups of coffee each day had diminishing benefits.

Diet, disease, environmental, Fitness, Health, Healthy eating, Public health

Do you know that contaminated raw oysters was connected to the norovirus?

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Restaurants and shops are being warned not to serve or sell possibly contaminated raw oysters connected to a norovirus epidemic that has affected at least 91 people in more than a dozen states in the United States and 279 more in Canada.

Raw oysters linked to multi-state outbreak of norovirus illnesses.U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

Raw oysters collected in British Columbia, Canada, were distributed in California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, according to a report published Wednesday by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Raw oysters have been connected to a multi-state norovirus epidemic. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 91 norovirus cases have been recorded from those 13 states. The CDC stated that several of the ill persons admitted to eating raw oysters during interviews with state and local public health authorities. 29 Minnesota residents were sick after eating raw oysters at Travail Kitchen on March 20. Since then, the restaurant has discontinued selling Stellar Bay Gold oysters. Officials in Washington state stated Tuesday that 26 persons have reported norovirus-like symptoms after eating British Columbia oysters since March 7. The FDA notes that if these oysters were shipped to other states, they may have been transmitted to other states as well. Officials at the federal and state levels are attempting to eradicate them from the food supply. According to Canadian public health experts, 279 instances of norovirus and gastrointestinal disease have been connected to British Columbia oysters, as well as those from Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. Between mid-January and late January, those affected fell ill, with no fatalities recorded. Oysters eaten raw may induce disease, particularly in persons with weakened immune systems. Norovirus-contaminated food may seem, smell, and taste normal. Norovirus infects and sickens humans 12 to 48 hours after infection, with symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach discomfort, fever, headache, and body pains. While the majority of individuals recover without treatment, norovirus infection may cause severe dehydration and even death in certain people—the very young, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. Norovirus is the most common cause of food-borne disease in the United States, accounting for over 2,500 outbreaks each year. Apart from ingesting contaminated food or drink, individuals may get the norovirus through coming into contact with other sick individuals, touching contaminated surfaces, or putting unwashed hands in their mouths. The stomach flu is sometimes referred to as the stomach norovirus, despite the fact that the sickness has nothing to do with the flu, which is caused by the influenza virus.

Diet, disease, Health, Healthy eating, Public health

Did you know that the top produce was tainted by pesticides?

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Strawberries, spinach, and leafy greens once again topped a list of produce tainted by pesticides, according to an analysis from the Environmental Working Group.

Kwangmoozaa/Getty Images


The Dirty Dozen includes the 12 fruits and vegetables that retain the most pesticide contamination, even after they’re washed and peeled as consumers would prepare them. Updated every year as part of EWG’s Shopper’s Guide, which is based on tests by the USDA and the FDA. Almost 70% of the non-organic produce tested had detectable pesticide residue, usually at levels that fell within the legal limits in the US.
However, just because pesticides are legal does not mean that they are safe. More than a quarter of pesticide use in the US has been linked to chemicals that are illegal in Europe, according to a 2019 study. Those chemicals have been banned due to probable or proven health risks. Because the testers wash and prepare the produce samples before scanning for pesticides, these fruits and vegetables require more than an extra rinse to be rid of toxins. Strawberries and greens topped the Dirty Dozen again. The USDA and FDA do not repeat tests of produce every year, so not much has changed since last year’s Shopper’s Guide was published. For the seventh year in a row, strawberries were found to have the most pesticide contamination of any fruit or vegetable tested. Spinach came in second, followed by kale, collard greens, and mustard greens in third. The rest of the Dirty Dozen includes nectarines, apples, grapes, peppers (bell and hot), cherries, peaches, pears, celery, and tomatoes. The Peppers moved up a couple spots on the list, but aside from that, the standings are the same as last year. Whenever possible, the EWG recommends that people buy organic versions of Dirty Dozen produce, analyst Sydney Swanson said in a press release. Organic farming practices ban the use of most synthetic pesticides, so organic produce is less likely to be contaminated with known toxins. However, not everyone can afford organic produce or have an environmentally-conscious market nearby. If you can’t afford to buy cleaner versions of the Dirty Dozen, EWG experts say that the Clean Fifteen might be a better choice. Avocados, sweetcorn, and pineapple ruled the Clean Fifteen. The Clean Fifteen fruits and vegetables were found to have the lowest levels of pesticide residue of the bunch, with nearly 70 percent of the samples from the list found to be completely pesticide-free. The list includes avocados, sweet corn, and pineapple as the top three “cleanest” fruits and vegetables. Onions, papaya, and frozen sweet peas were next, followed by asparagus, honeydew melon, kiwi, and cabbage. Mushrooms, cantaloupe, mangoes, watermelon, and sweet potatoes also made the list of the least pesticide-contaminated produce. Since last year’s list, the EWG removed broccoli, cauliflower, and eggplant from the Clean Fifteen — not because of new contaminants, but because they hadn’t been tested in six or more years.

Diet, disease, Health, Healthy eating, Public health

Did you know that getting protein from a wide variety of sources may lower the risk of high blood pressure?

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According to a new study, getting protein from a broad range of sources may help individuals reduce their chance of developing high blood pressure.

Dinner table spread of dishes containing different types of protein: fish, shrimp, chicken and pork
CREDIT: GETTY / BRETT STEVENS

According to the results, eating a well-balanced and diverse diet may assist in maintaining good cardiovascular health. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. Hypertension is one of the most critical risk factors. A study found that those who consumed four or more protein sources each week had a 66 percent decreased chance of having high blood pressure. However, people who consumed the least quantity of total protein were likewise at a higher risk of developing cancer.

This is not the first time that protein intake has been related to an increased risk of hypertension. The American Heart Association suggests consuming one to two servings (about 5.5 ounces) of protein each day to maintain a healthy weight. Plant proteins, fish or shellfish, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, and lean meats are all excellent choices for protein sources. There are a few basic actions you can take to help you increase the variety of proteins in your diet. Unfortunately, hypertension comes with a higher chance of acquiring various medical disorders like heart disease and stroke.

Incorporating new protein sources into your diet may help lower your chance of developing hypertension, but it is not the only approach to achieving this goal. Various other dietary and lifestyle adjustments have been demonstrated to effectively delay the onset of a hypertension diagnosis.

Diet, disease, drugs, environmental, Health, Healthy eating, Public health

Di you know that study finds microplastics in blood?

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It is possible that microplastics are present in food. We have all heard about how micro-plastics are becoming more prevalent in the food that we consume. Those microscopic particles have now made their way into our bloodstreams.

Photo credit pcess609/Getty Images

The bloodstream of an individual may include microplastics. Scientists from the Netherlands claim to have discovered microplastics in the blood, and they believe that they are on their way to human organs as well.

Several studies have been conducted on various types of drinking bottles. According to the findings of the study, which was published in the Journal Environmental International, the researchers discovered the plastics in 80 percent of the participants who participated in the study. Approximately half of them had polymers used in beverage bottles and a third contained polystyrene, which is used in Styrofoam.

According to them, this is the first time this has ever occurred during their testing. These plastic particles, according to the researchers, might enter our systems via food, air, water, toothpaste, or even lip gloss products.

Diet, disease, Health, Healthy eating, mental health, Public health

What is Your Opinion on the Benefits of Coffee for Alzheimer’s Disease? Here’s What the Latest Research Says About the Link.

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In a study evaluating the relationship between coffee and tea consumption and the risk of dementia and stroke, the researchers revealed that a certain number of cups consumed per day had the highest association with a decreased risk.

That is the message from recent research that is generating much attention. The research, published in the journal PLOS Medicine on November 16, assessed data from 365,682 adults aged 50 to 74 who took part in the UK Biobank. (If you are not acquainted with the UK Biobank, it is a large-scale biomedical database and research resource.) The health of the individuals and their coffee and tea consumption habits were monitored for 10 to 14 years.

During the research, 5,079 people got dementia, and 10,053 people had at least one stroke. The researchers examined persons who did not drink coffee or tea to those who did and discovered that those who enjoyed their brewed beverages had a reduced risk of stroke and dementia than abstainers. Those who drank two to three cups of coffee or three to five cups of tea per day had a decreased risk of dementia and stroke. Those who drank two to three cups of coffee and two to three cups of tea per day—so four to six cups of coffee and tea per day—had the most outstanding outcomes, with a 32% reduced risk of stroke and a 28% lower risk of dementia.

“We discovered that consuming coffee and tea individually or together was connected with a decreased risk of stroke and dementia,” the researchers concluded. “Consumption of coffee alone or in conjunction with tea was linked to a decreased incidence of poststroke dementia.”

It is worth noting that the research discovered merely a relationship, not causality. That is, the researchers did not discover that drinking coffee or tea reduces a person’s chance of dementia or stroke; instead, they discovered that persons who consume coffee and tea had a decreased risk of these primary health conditions. Scott Kaiser, MD, a geriatrician and the director of Geriatric Cognitive Health at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, tells health that the correlation vs. causation component is critical. He emphasizes that the research “does not establish that consuming coffee or tea caused this decrease in risk.”

Doctors are still interested. “He is delighted that coffee drinking may reduce my own risk of dementia,” Amit Sachdev, MD, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University, tells health.

This is not the first research to discover a correlation between coffee, in particular, and good health. For example, one research of over 468,000 adults, presented in August at the European Society of Cardiology, showed that drinking up to three cups of coffee per day is associated with a decreased risk of stroke and heart disease. In addition, a meta-analysis of 34,282 people’s data published in the journal Clinical Nutrition in 2016 discovered that drinking one or two cups of coffee per day is associated with a decreased risk of dementia.

Of course, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. For example, research published earlier this year in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience discovered that consuming more than six cups of coffee each day increases your chance of developing dementia.

The “considerable disagreement” around the link between coffee and tea intake and stroke and dementia is one of the reasons the researchers claim they undertook this most recent study.

It is unclear why there could be a relationship between coffee and tea use and dementia and stroke risk—and the new research did not look into this. “While caffeine is undoubtedly a crucial shared denominator,” Dr. Kaiser explains, “coffee and tea are both derived from plants with many, many potentially beneficial chemical components, including strong antioxidants.” Any of these phytonutrients—chemicals produced by plants to maintain their health—”can really lower inflammation in our brains, protect brain cells from damage, improve learning and memory, and give other obvious advantages for brain health,” he continues.

All of this begs the question: Should the individual start drinking coffee or tea if the individuals are not already? Dr. Sachdev does not recommend it. “He is a little doubtful that this research will affect behavior,” he adds. “He would be more interested if a specific chemical in coffee or tea could be discovered.”

However, if one is already a coffee or tea user, individuals will be relieved to discover that the daily habit may be linked to a decreased risk of dementia and stroke.

Reference:

Korin Miller, Can Drinking Coffee Lower Your Dementia Risk? Here’s What New Research Says About the Association, November 17,Health. 2021.https://www.health.com/condition/neurological-disorders/coffee-and-dementia?fbclid=IwAR2DVl54rZI4I3zAbn17ZsGZxWaVD1CbzGXeTZl2e4qmFfIivm83a10yQj0

Diet, disease, Health, Healthy eating

Big chunks of cantaloupe

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A perfectly ripe fruit cup—especially one that has big chunks of cantaloupe—is one of the most delicious and satisfying quick-and-easy breakfasts you’ll ever discover, and it takes just a few minutes to prepare. The enormous volume and high water content of cantaloupe, which has just 150 calories per small melon, have long been praised as a weight-loss superfood since it may keep individuals who eat it happily and focused for many hours.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

For their part, even the most enthusiastic cantaloupe fans may be completely ignorant of one of the most important benefits they’re getting from every delicious mouthful of this exquisite fruit: protection against eye health.

“Despite the fact that canned cantaloupe is a very nutritious melon, it does not get quite the amount of attention that it deserves when it comes to the health benefits it provides. When you discover that cantaloupe is a rich source of beta-carotene, a vitamin that is important for maintaining excellent eye health, you may be pleasantly surprised.” A registered dietitian from Balance One Supplements, Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, describes how she came up with the concept for the campaign.

According to a study published in JAMA, among 5,836 adults aged 55 and older, those who consumed higher amounts of beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, and zinc — all of which can be found in cantaloupe — had significantly lower rates of age-related macular degeneration than those who consumed lower amounts of antioxidants.

Furthermore, according to Best, cantaloupe is a naturally occurring source of folate, which is not only well-known for its potential to prevent neural tube disorders and enhance cognitive function, but it may also be helpful to your eye health in certain instances.

According to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology in 2014, increasing folate intake was linked with a lower incidence of exfoliation glaucoma and exfoliation glaucoma suspect among individuals over 40 who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study.

This delectable melon is an excellent option for individuals looking for a simple approach to preserve their vision or just a healthy way to satisfy their sweet tooth.

Reference
One Major Side Effect of Eating Cantaloupe, Says Dietitian. https://sg.style.yahoo.com/one-major-side-effect-eating-113555289.html

Baltimore Ravens still awaiting word on possible Ray Rice …. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/11249399/baltimore-ravens-awaiting-word-possible-ray-rice-discipline

Risk Factors, Outcomes of Infective Endocarditis after …. https://healthmanagement.org/c/cardio/news/risk-factors-outcomes-of-infective-endocarditis-after-tavr

The right ‘5-a-day’ mix of fruits and vegetables can boost …. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/the-right-5-a-day-mix-of-fruits-and-vegetables-can-boost-longevity/.

Diet, drugs, Health, Healthy eating, medications

Magnesium is a perplexing vitamin

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Because of the difficulty of maintaining a balanced diet, it is commonplace for individuals to take supplements to ensure their bodies get the nutrients they need. While supplements might help correct specific significant vitamin deficits, they may also cause complications. Magnesium is a perplexing vitamin because this supplement is involved in an array of body activities. It may be harmful to have too little or too much magnesium in your system, so achieving the optimal balance is critical. Continue reading to learn about some unexpected adverse effects of magnesium supplements, as reported by dietitians, and for more information on eating healthy, be sure to check out 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now. Magnesium, as an electrolyte, interacts with sodium levels in the body, resulting in some significant effects. Gastric motility refers to the flow of food from the mouth to the intestines; hence, supplementing with magnesium may speed up digestion to the point of experiencing loose bowel movements. If you are taking drugs, antibiotics, Wirtz advises against taking magnesium supplements since they may interact with the medicine. According to 2019 research, magnesium may impair the absorption of some medications, reducing their effectiveness. To be cautious, you may always supplement your diet with magnesium-rich foods.
Reference:
Surprising Side Effects of Taking Magnesium Supplements, Say, Dietitians.https://www.eatthis.com/side-effects-taking-magnesium-supplements/?fbclid=IwAR3bNHpJcFq8yj2vo8R2kr8ouV84acgTrsXhwAb67BhmGX-TnjnUS7mcv7I

Diet, disease, Fitness, Health, Healthy eating

Drinking green tea

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Researchers note, in healthy people, drinking green tea has been shown to increase brain function. Many researchers are trying to discover if the calming and energizing effects of tea directly result from the various compounds or whether they result from the place where it is consumed. Antioxidants such as epigallocatechin gallate (found in tea leaves) and L-theanine (found in tea leaves) are most essential. These two antioxidants are accompanied by caffeine, an alkaloid found in tea leaves. People drink 100 million cups of tea every day. Tea remains part of the national psyche even though the popularity of other hot beverages in the U.K. Coffee has long been the dominant beverage, tea consumption is increasing, with Americans drinking about 14 ounces of tea leaves per year compared to 12.7 ounces in 2007, according to the United Nations.


It has a wide range of benefits on mental health, anxiety, attention, and memory symptoms. We do not yet know which specific compounds in green tea are culpable for the wide range of positive changes in our mental health. Another benefit of tea for those who suffer from depression, dementia, and Down syndrome is reducing symptoms. The research looks at the potential benefits of tea, and its bioactive compounds are often observational, which uses people’s perceptions as a primary source of evidence. Professor Gunter Kuhnle studies the health benefits of flavanols, which are present in tea.


His previous study, which was released last year, showed that flavanol-rich foods, such as berries, apples, and tea, can help reduce blood pressure. It is a popular working-class drink; It is a status symbol in the U.K. There is no real downside to drinking a cup of tea, and certain types of tea can benefit one’s health and overall well-being – which relates to both physical health and physical well-being, as noted by Dr. Benefits of drinking hot tea include weight loss, better heart health, and reduced risk of heart attack and stroke. Green tea is likely a combination of caffeine and L-theanine rather than the other, acting as the sole ingredient. Researchers state that drinking green tea has been shown to increase brain function in healthy people.

The evidence comprises smaller studies, although the results are modest. It is less clear which compounds are efficient for the observed cognitive enhancements, although there is general agreement on the effectiveness of the compounds in tea. Tea is associated with a longer life and can help to minimize cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Reference

Here’s how drinking tea helps improve your mental and physical health. https://www.wtae.com/article/drinking-tea-helps-improve-your-mental-and-physical-health/36516958#

Diet, disease, Fitness, Health, Healthy eating

Diet for Longevity and Good Health

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The American Heart Association recommends a diet such as this for longevity and good health. The American Heart Association is certain that these days are the perfect conditions for cultivating a healthy diet and exercise routine. The research determined that getting enough food and exercise during your middle age is vital for long-life to maintain heart protection when you age approaches a golden years. Metabolic syndrome seems to be greatly reduced in individuals who followed these two eating habits in their forties. Additionally, Dr. Kris-Ether says to add plant-based ingredients including almond and sunflower seed butters It’s much easier to maintain a plant-based diet while you eat meals. When dining out, there could be less healthy food on display that is not covered with excess oil or sugar.

Reference

This One Diet Can Help You Live Longer, Says American Heart Association. https://www.eatthis.com/news-one-diet-help-you-live-longer/