01/13/25 - #303

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Drinking Coffee in the Morning May Be Better Than All-day Drinking for Heart Health. Compared With People Who Did Not Drink Coffee, Morning Coffee Drinkers Were 16% Less Likely to Die of Any Cause and 31% Less Likely to Die of Heart Disease. There Was No Risk Reduction for All-day Coffee Drinkers

• Fitness Matters More Than Weight for Longevity. Research Found Being Fit Cut the Risk of Premature Death by Half for People With Obesity, Compared to Those of Normal Weight Who Were Unfit

• World's First Blood Test for Endometriosis Step Closer Following Trial Success

• Cold-water Immersion Found to Boost Cognitive Function and Reduce Sleep Disturbances - Immersing Participants in 10°C Water for 10 Minutes, Three Times a Week Over Four Weeks, Improved Certain Aspects of Cognitive Function and Sleep Quality

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Drinking Coffee in the Morning May Be Better Than All-day Drinking for Heart Health. Compared With People Who Did Not Drink Coffee, Morning Coffee Drinkers Were 16% Less Likely to Die of Any Cause and 31% Less Likely to Die of Heart Disease. There Was No Risk Reduction for All-day Coffee Drinkers

If you love your morning cup of coffee, you might be doing more than just waking up your brain—you could also be boosting your heart health. A study in the European Heart Journal found that morning coffee drinkers have a lower risk of dying from heart disease than those who sip coffee all day.

The study, led by Dr. Lu Qi from Tulane University, analyzed the habits of over 40,000 U.S. adults. Participants reported their food and drink intake. Researchers then compared this with health outcomes over nearly a decade. About 36% of participants drank coffee only in the morning, 16% drank coffee throughout the day, and 48% did not drink coffee at all.

The findings were eye-opening. Coffee drinkers were 16% less likely to die from any cause and 31% less likely to die from heart disease than non-coffee drinkers. Interestingly, this benefit was not seen in people who drank coffee throughout the day.

Why does the timing of your coffee matter? Drinking coffee later in the day might disrupt your body's internal clock and affect your sleep, which can impact heart health. Dr. Qi's team suggests that morning activity may rise naturally. A timely caffeine boost could enhance its health benefits.

This groundbreaking study doesn't just suggest that drinking coffee is healthy; it highlights when you drink it matters too. So, enjoy your morning brew, knowing it might just be the best time for your heart!

Source: scimex.org

WEIGHT LOSS

Fitness Matters More Than Weight for Longevity. Research Found Being Fit Cut the Risk of Premature Death by Half for People With Obesity, Compared to Those of Normal Weight Who Were Unfit

Recent research shows that being fit is very important for your health, maybe even more important than how much you weigh. A big study looked at health data from nearly 400,000 people. It compared how fit people are with their Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a way to measure if someone is a healthy weight.

The results were clear: people who are more fit have a lower risk of heart disease and dying early, no matter their BMI. Even those who are considered obese but are fit have a much lower risk of death compared to those who are not overweight but are unfit.

Fitness is measured by something called VO2 max, which tells us how well the heart and lungs work to get oxygen to the muscles during exercise. Siddhartha Angadi, Ph.D., who led the study, says being unfit is much more dangerous than being overweight.

Although doctors still use BMI to check health, this study shows that being fit is more crucial. Angadi suggests that how much you can exercise should be considered as important as your blood pressure or heart rate.

It's hard to measure fitness perfectly. Special tests are needed to find out your VO2 max. Even smartwatches that try to guess your fitness level aren't always right.

To get fitter, experts recommend doing moderate exercise for 150 minutes or intense exercise for 75 minutes every week. Always talk to your doctor before starting a new workout plan, especially if you have health issues.

Source: yahoo.com

HEALTH

World's First Blood Test for Endometriosis Step Closer Following Trial Success

An Australian company, Proteomics International, is close to releasing the world's first blood test for a disease called endometriosis, or 'endo' for short. This test, called PromarkerEndo, could be available by the middle of this year.

Recent trials showed the test to be 99.7% accurate in finding severe cases of endo. It was even 85% accurate in detecting early stages of the disease. These impressive results came from a study of 749 people, confirmed by a surgical procedure known as laparoscopy. This surgery has been the only sure way to diagnose endo so far.

Endometriosis is a painful condition where tissue like the lining of the uterus grows outside it. People often suffer for up to seven years before getting a correct diagnosis. The symptoms are hard to notice and sometimes ignored by doctors.

Laparoscopy, the current method for diagnosing endo, is invasive, expensive, and risky. PromarkerEndo promises a simpler, faster, and safer way to find out if someone has endo without surgery.

Richard Lipscombe, head of Proteomics International, is excited. The test could change how doctors handle this tough condition.

Everyone is now waiting to see if the Australian health authorities will approve this test. If they do, it could make a big difference for many people suffering from endometriosis.

Source: sciencealert.com

Cold-water Immersion Found to Boost Cognitive Function and Reduce Sleep Disturbances - Immersing Participants in 10°C Water for 10 Minutes, Three Times a Week Over Four Weeks, Improved Certain Aspects of Cognitive Function and Sleep Quality

Did you know that a quick dip in cold water might make your brain sharper and help you sleep better? A recent study shows that soaking in 10°C water for 10 minutes, three times a week, can improve your thinking skills and sleep quality over four weeks.

For a long time, athletes have used cold-water soaks to recover faster. Now, researchers are finding out that it can also help anyone's mind and sleep. Before, studies thought that being in very cold water for too long could make it hard to think clearly. But this new research uses shorter, more common cold-water baths that many people try to relax and feel better after a busy day.

In this study by the University of Central Lancashire, 13 people followed the cold-water routine. They found they could think faster and more flexibly. They also slept more soundly, with fewer interruptions at night.

However, the study doesn’t answer everything. While people felt less worried and slept better, they weren’t necessarily happier overall. Also, the study was done inside a lab, not outside in nature, which might change how people feel.

Lead researcher Robert Allan suggests being careful, especially for those with health issues or swimming alone, as cold water can be shocking and increase drowning risk.

This study opens doors to more research, suggesting that regular, short cold-water dips might just be the mental and sleep boost you need.

Source: psypost.org

✢ 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.