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In a nutshell * Dark chocolate, tea, apples, and grapes can significantly lower blood pressure, especially in people with hypertension, with effects comparable in size to standard medications. * These flavan-3-ol-rich foods also improve blood vessel function, offering heart health benefits beyond just blood pressure reduction. * Whole foods work better than supplements, and they come with minimal side effects, making them a safe, affordable addition to a heart-healthy lifestyle. ================================================================ GUILDFORD, England — Instead of buying the next trendy expensive supplement or exotic superfood, a morning cup of tea could do more for your blood pressure than you realize....

The list of potential benefits of the shingles vaccine continues to grow. Beyond protecting against the viral infection and resulting painful rash, the shot has also been linked to a reduced risk of dementia, as Fox News Digital previously reported. And now, a new study has found that the vaccine could lower the risk of heart disease for up to eight years. DEMENTIA RISK COULD DIP WITH COMMON VACCINE, STUDY SUGGESTS In the long-running study, researchers analyzed up to 12 years of data for more than 1.2 million people aged 50 or older in South Korea, focusing on shingles vaccination...

I'm sitting here reading about "Circular Breathwork" posted by ConservativeMind (another one of his/her great articles about health). It's fascinating how continuous, deep breathing without pauses between inhalation and exhalation may alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD, while enhancing self-awareness and life satisfaction - things we can all use. (See Circular breathwork induces altered states of consciousness linked to improved mental health, Medical Xpress / Communications Psychology ^ | April 28, 2025 | Justin Jackson / Martha N. Havenith et al, Posted on 5/16/2025, 8:50:47 AM by ConservativeMind) Anyway, the article discusses reducing etCO2 (end-tidal CO2) levels from 34.3 mmHg...

Deer ticks, like the one photographed, can carry Lyme disease/ (KPixMining/Shutterstock) In a nutshell * The antibiotic piperacillin has shown remarkable effectiveness against Lyme disease-causing bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, at doses 100 times lower than doxycycline, the current standard treatment. * Unlike doxycycline, which affects beneficial gut bacteria, piperacillin targets only the Lyme bacteria without disrupting the microbiome, making it a safer option, especially for children and pregnant women. * The discovery opens the door for piperacillin to be repurposed as a highly effective treatment for Lyme disease, potentially even as a single-dose preventive therapy after a tick bite. Further research...

In a nutshell * Cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon supplements can potentially interact with medications by affecting drug-processing systems in your body, which may alter how effectively your medications work. * While sprinkling cinnamon on food is likely safe, concentrated supplements might pose risks, especially for people taking blood thinners, NSAIDs, antidepressants, or diabetes medications. * Always discuss any supplements with your healthcare provider before adding them to your regimen, particularly if you take prescription medications. ************************************************************************ OXFORD, Miss. — You might want to think twice before adding that cinnamon supplement to your daily routine. Researchers have found that while a dash...

In a nutshell Vegan diets support muscle protein synthesis at the same rate as omnivorous diets when protein intake is matched (1.1-1.2g per kg of body weight). How you distribute protein throughout the day (evenly across meals vs. mostly at dinner) doesn’t significantly impact muscle growth. Vegan dieters reported higher energy levels and less fatigue, while omnivorous dieters reported greater meal satisfaction. ******************************************************************* CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Forget what you’ve heard at the gym about needing chicken breasts and steaks to build muscle. Science just delivered a win for plant-based eaters everywhere. Researchers found that vegan diets support muscle growth just...

A new UC Davis study shows that having fermented food like sauerkraut could be good for gut health. Credit: Hector Amezcua / UC Davis **************************************************************** Sauerkraut might be doing more than just adding zing to your hot dog — it could be actively defending your gut. New research from UC Davis reveals that fermented cabbage helps protect intestinal cells from inflammation-related damage, unlike raw cabbage or brine alone. The researchers found no difference between homemade and store-bought sauerkraut, suggesting it’s an accessible option for better gut health. By identifying hundreds of fermentation-related metabolites, they’ve opened the door to understanding how...

In a nutshell Potassium can lower blood pressure, even on a salty diet. Simulations showed that increasing potassium intake significantly reduced blood pressure, even when sodium levels stayed high, with drops of up to 14 mmHg in men and 10 mmHg in women. Men and women respond differently to potassium. The models revealed that female kidneys handle sodium differently, offering natural protection against high blood pressure, while men showed a stronger blood pressure response to dietary potassium. Balancing potassium and sodium may matter more than cutting salt alone. The study suggests that boosting potassium-rich foods like leafy greens, beans, and...

After-hours meals have been linked to increased stress and clotting risks — even with the same amount of sleep.Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist with nearly two decades of newsroom experience. She is also the co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Key Points -A new study from Mass General Brigham found that eating only during daytime hours significantly reduces cardiovascular risk factors, such as elevated blood pressure and clotting protein levels. The researchers used a tightly controlled lab setting to eliminate outside influences, making meal timing the only variable and...

Eating lower on the food chain may mean massive nutritional gains for humans.Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner has spent over a decade working as a writer in New York City. She currently covers all aspects of food, dining, travel and lifestyle trends and the intersection of culture, business and politics in these areas. Her work appears in The New York Times, Real Simple, Vogue, Bon Appetit, Glamour, Time Out, Conde Nast Traveler and several more publications. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on March 31, 2024 Thanks to the fatty fish's dense nutritional profile, consuming salmon has generally been considered essential to...

New research reveals how anthocyanin-rich fruits and vegetables could help defend your body against toxic microplastic exposure.If it seems like a weekly occurrence that a new microplastic-filled product is potentially harming your health, you’re right. Between tea bags, lipstick, dishwasher detergent, and gum (among many other things), it’s hard to avoid these tiny toxic particles. But there’s a glimmer of good news: a study published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis found that colorful fruits and vegetables may combat the negative effects of microplastics in the body. Fruits and vegetables are known for their abundant vitamins and minerals, but the...

New study suggests a specialized low-calorie keto diet could reverse biological aging by more than six years A groundbreaking study from Spain has uncovered remarkable evidence that a very low-calorie ketogenic diet might literally turn back the clock on aging at the cellular level. The research, focusing on individuals with obesity, found that this specialized eating approach could reverse biological aging by more than six years—potentially opening new doors for health interventions beyond mere weight loss. Powered By TrackerDistroScale Logo What the research discovered about aging and obesity The Spanish researchers examined two distinct groups: individuals with normal weight and...

A Swedish study found that workplace coffee machines often leave in high levels of cholesterol-raising compounds, unlike drip-filter machines which remove most of them. ==================================================================================== Coffee from workplace machines might be raising your cholesterol more than you think. A new Swedish study reveals that many common office coffee machines fail to filter out cholesterol-elevating compounds found in coffee, sometimes leaving behind even more than espresso or French press. Depending on the machine and brewing method, the amount of harmful diterpenes like cafestol and kahweol can vary widely, and frequent coffee drinkers may be unknowingly boosting their LDL cholesterol levels. Cholesterol-Raising...

Recent research suggests that eating fortified eggs regularly does not negatively impact cholesterol levels or heart health in high-risk individuals, challenging previous beliefs about the risks of egg consumption. ============================================================================================ Subgroup analyses suggest a potential advantage for older adults and individuals with diabetes. Whether you like your eggs sunny-side up, hard boiled or scrambled, many hesitate to eat them amid concerns that eggs may raise cholesterol levels and be bad for heart health. However, results from a prospective, controlled trial presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session show that over a four-month period cholesterol levels were similar...

A jaw-dropping 96% of sufferers were vitamin D deficient—could this simple fix be the key to relief for millions of people? The study titled, Efficacy of vitamin D replacement therapy on 28 cases of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome after COVID-19 vaccination, was recently published in Nutrition: Background Prolonged symptoms have been reported following both COVID-19 infection and vaccination, with some cases leading to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Of 80 patients presenting to our hospital with postvaccination syndrome, 28 met the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. We conducted a retrospective study on these 28 patients. Methods We measured serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D...

In a nutshell * Eating more fruits, consuming dairy products, and moderate caffeine intake could reduce your risk of tinnitus by up to 35%, according to comprehensive research involving over 300,000 participants. * The study challenges conventional advice about caffeine, finding it may actually protect against tinnitus rather than worsen it. * Researchers believe these protective effects may work by improving blood flow to the inner ear, reducing inflammation, and enhancing overall vascular function. ========================================================================== SICHUAN, China — Tinnitus affects millions of people worldwide—that persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing that haunts ears when no external sound exists. While treatments have...

Could introducing seafood to kids early on be the key to sociability? In a nutshell Children who ate the recommended amount of seafood (two servings weekly) showed better prosocial behavior—they were more helpful, sharing, and considerate toward others. Not eating any seafood at age 7 increased the risk of poor prosocial behavior by 35% at age 7 and 43% by age 9, compared to children who ate recommended amounts. The beneficial nutrients in seafood, including omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, and selenium, may contribute to brain development in ways that specifically support social behavior rather than cognitive abilities like IQ. =========================================================================================...

Researchers at the University of Maryland (UMD) found that people with type A blood are more likely to experience an early-onset ischemic stroke — caused by a blockage of blood flow to the brain — while those with blood type O have a lower risk. “The number of people with early strokes is rising,” said Dr. Steven J. Kittner, co-principal investigator of the study and neurologist with the UMD Medical Center. “These people are more likely to die from the life-threatening event, and survivors potentially face decades with disability. Despite this, there is little research on the causes of early...

Groundbreaking research indicates that controlled peanut exposure can help children with certain peanut allergies build lasting tolerance, challenging the traditional avoidance method and offering a new, effective treatment pathway. A study at Mount Sinai has shown that children with a high tolerance for peanuts can significantly increase their resistance to allergic reactions by consuming controlled, increasing amounts of peanut butter over time. This approach, safer and cheaper than current therapies, suggests a major shift towards personalized allergy treatments that could revolutionize how food allergies are managed. Breakthrough in Peanut Allergy Treatment Children with high-threshold peanut allergies who gradually increased their...

From toxic cinnamon powder to powerhouse veggies, we learned a ton about the foods (and drinks) that fuel us.From unexpected health risks in everyday items to new insights about nutrition, the biggest science- and health-related stories of 2024 were packed with surprises. Over the last 12 months, we have learned about plenty of dangers lurking in seemingly innocent foods. But it wasn't all doom and gloom—we also learned more about the ingredients that could fuel us in unexpected ways. This year, Food & Wine readers found themselves enthralled with storytelling that was a mix of curiosity and caution, including everything...