Category: Health Tip

A recently published study from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm looked at the effects of exercise on the part of the brain that is important for learning and memory, the hippocampus. This study is unique in that this is the first time this connection has been studied in individuals that are 60 and older. It…

A recent study looking at over 13 000 participants in the United Kingdom found a relationship between eating fruit and vegetables and mental health. In this study it was seen that the more fruit and vegetables eaten the higher the mental health and the less eaten the lower the mental well being. However, it did…

Much has been said about the risks involved in eating fruits and vegetables that have been treated with chemicals. A recent analysis was conducted to compare the risks verses benefits in regards to cancer of eating non-organic fruits and vegetables. If half the US population would increase its consumption of non-organic fruits and vegetables by…

Drinking 2.5 drinks per day adds 5.7 years of cognitive aging to middle-age men.   Middle-aged men who drink 2.5 alcoholic drinks each day (36 grams of alcohol) are significantly more likely to experience cognitive decline in all areas, especially memory. This association for women was not as strong, but women who drink 19 grams…

Apple peel compound increases “brown fat” deposits in mice.   To peel or not to peel the apple? Research from the University of Iowa, USA suggests that a natural substance found in the peel of apples can partially protect mice fed a high-fat diet from obesity, pre-diabetes, and fatty liver disease. This substance, ursolic acid,…

A mix of strength, aerobic and stretching exercises may reduce diabetes risk.   Walking and running are common aerobic exercises that can reduce diabetes risk. However researchers also found that strength training (weight lifting) or muscle conditioning (stretching, etc) helps too. From a national sample of 99,000 women aged 36-81, they found that at least…

Improved research finds lycopene may reduce risk of some prostate cancers.   Researchers following 50,000 men for 23 years found those who consumed the most lycopene had a 28% lower risk of lethal prostate cancer. This study improves on previous research: it took into account that lycopene is more easily absorbed from cooked rather than…

Dietary fiber from whole grains lowers colorectal cancer risk.   A meta-analysis of 25 studies that involved almost 2 million people revealed that fiber from whole grains reduced the risk of colorectal cancer by 21% compared with fiber from fruits, vegetables, or legumes. Higher intakes showed a greater risk reduction. Dietary fiber shortens stool transit…

Irregular bedtimes could decrease children’s mental performance   UK researchers followed over 11,000 children and found that inconsistent bed times, particularly at age 3, could predict poorer mental skills at age 7. They also found these effects may accumulate over time. Girls who had inconsistent sleep patterns at age 3, 5 and 7 had significantly…

  Pre-workout watermelon juice may reduce post-workout soreness.   Preliminary research has found that I-Citrulline, an amino acid found in watermelon juice, may help reduce muscle soreness. Researchers gave a small group of athletes 500 ml of either natural watermelon juice, enriched watermelon juice (extra quantity of I-Citruline) or a placebo drink one hour before…

  Nut consumption may actually lower death rates.   An analysis of 75,000 women in the Nurses Health Study and more than 40,000 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study revealed those who ate nuts once a week had a lower death rate than those who do not eat nuts. When nut consumption increased even…

Whole grain cereal foods lower the risk of chronic disease and help weight control.   There is consistent scientific evidence that whole grain foods substantially lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer and help in weight management and digestive health. Working together macro- and micronutrients and phytonutrients present in whole grains contribute to…