01/07/25 - #299

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Good morning. In today’s edition:

  • Soda Manufacturers Push to Keep Sugary Drinks on SNAP List

  • I’ve Officially Lost 70lbs!

  • New Study Finds Cigarettes Shorten Life More Than Previous Research

  • The Link Between Poor Sleep and Mental Health Problems Could Be Related to Deficits in Brain Regions That Keep Unwanted Thoughts Out of Mind

…and lots more. Have a great day!

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FOOD & NUTRITION

Soda Manufacturers Push to Keep Sugary Drinks on SNAP List

Millions of Americans use SNAP, or food stamps, to buy groceries. Many buy popular sodas like Coke, Pepsi, and Mountain Dew with SNAP benefits. But changes might be coming with the new government.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was picked by President-elect Trump to head the Department of Health and Human Services. He wants to promote healthier eating. His plan, called "Make Americans Healthy," aims to stop people from buying sugary drinks and processed foods with SNAP benefits. He believes this will help improve the health of low-income Americans.

However, soda companies are fighting these changes. They say their drinks, even the sugar-free ones, have clear calorie labels. They want to help people make good choices. They argue that limiting these options won't really help people be healthier or save money.

The American Beverage Association thinks these limits could restrict personal freedom. They say that blocking SNAP purchases of certain foods won't make America healthier.

As the debate continues, Coca-Cola plans to step up its efforts to influence government decisions. They have announced they will donate money to Donald Trump's inauguration, showing they want to be a part of the policy-making process. This shows the conflict between health policies and the food and beverage industry.

WEIGHT LOSS

I’ve Officially Lost 70lbs!

At 69, retired judge Henry was really struggling with his weight and health problems like high blood pressure and bad cholesterol. Despite taking a lot of medicines, his health was getting worse. That’s when he decided to try something new at Barbara O’Neal’s health retreat.

Henry started his transformation by drinking Hawthorne berry tea, which is good for lowering blood pressure. But the biggest change was in his diet. He began eating more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, and he cut way down on carbs.

Henry didn't rely on tough workouts. Instead, he changed what he ate every day. For breakfast, he had a big bowl of whole grain cereal with fruits and coconut cream. Lunch was full of veggies and protein, and he kept dinner light or skipped it.

The results were amazing. Henry lost about 70 pounds and his health got a lot better. He didn’t need his old medicines anymore and he even dodged knee surgery because he lost so much weight.

Henry’s story shows that changing what we eat and living healthier can really make a difference. It’s not just about losing weight fast; it’s about making changes that make us feel better in the long run. Henry proves that with the right food and habits, we can take control of our health and be happier.

HEALTH

New Study Finds Cigarettes Shorten Life More Than Previous Research

A recent study by University College London shows that smoking cigarettes cuts your life shorter than old studies said. Each cigarette takes about 20 minutes off your life. This means smoking one pack (20 cigarettes) cuts nearly seven hours off your lifespan.

The study, shown in the Journal of Addiction, says this new number is almost twice as much as before. Previously, scientists thought a cigarette took away 11 minutes of life, but now it’s up to 20.

Dr. Sarah Jackson, who led the study, says smoking hurts the healthy middle years of life, not just the end. For example, a smoker who is 60 years old might have health problems like someone who is 70 and doesn’t smoke.

There's good news if you stop smoking. Quitting a 10-cigarette-a-day habit by New Year's Day adds a whole day to your life by January 8. If you quit until February 5, you gain a week. Staying off cigarettes until August 5 adds a month to your life. If you quit for the whole year, you could get back 50 days.

Health experts say the best way to avoid smoking's damage is to quit completely. Just smoking less doesn’t really help avoid serious health problems like heart disease and stroke.

For help quitting, check out health websites that offer support and tools to help you stop smoking.

The Link Between Poor Sleep and Mental Health Problems Could Be Related to Deficits in Brain Regions That Keep Unwanted Thoughts Out of Mind

A new study from the University of East Anglia (UEA) shows a strong connection between bad sleep and mental health issues. The research suggests that problems in certain brain areas may make it hard to keep unwanted memories away.

Dr. Marcus Harrington and his team studied adults who tried to block out unwanted memories. The participants were divided into two groups: one had a good night's sleep, and the other stayed up all night. The results showed that those who slept well had more activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This brain area controls thoughts and emotions. They also had less activity in the hippocampus, which handles memory retrieval.

The study found that more REM sleep improved memory control. REM sleep is the kind with rapid eye movements.

Dr. Harrington explained that lack of sleep harms the brain's control over memory intrusions. This can worsen mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. These unwanted memories can come up often and be very upsetting.

This research helps us understand how sleep affects our brain's ability to manage our thoughts and feelings. It shows why sleep is crucial not just for our bodies but also for keeping our minds healthy.

✢ A Note From Hem Hero

The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.