Good morning. In today’s edition:

• A New Study Has Discovered a Correlation Between the Level of Microplastics in the Inner Lining of the Uterus (Endometrium), and the Consumption of Chewing Gum, Carbonated Beverages, and Tea Drinks

• A New Study Highlights the Negative Interpersonal and Psychological Consequences Associated With “yo-yo Dieting,” Also Known as Weight Cycling. The Work Underscores How Toxic Yo-yo Dieting Can Be and How Difficult It Can Be for People to Break the Cycle

• Study Suggests That Colors Fade as People Age, as the Brain of Older People is Less Responsive to the Saturation Levels of Colors Within the Primary Visual Cortex

• Community Health Centers Serve 1 in 11 Americans. They're a Safety Net Under Stress

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

A New Study Has Discovered a Correlation Between the Level of Microplastics in the Inner Lining of the Uterus (Endometrium), and the Consumption of Chewing Gum, Carbonated Beverages, and Tea Drinks

Scientists have discovered something surprising. People who often chew gum, drink soda, and tea might have more tiny plastic pieces, called microplastics, in their uterus. This is the first time researchers found these plastics inside the uterus. The uterus is an important part of a woman's body for having babies.

The study used a special laser to see and count the microplastics, finding 13 different kinds. The amount of microplastics wasn't because of how old someone is or their weight but from what they eat and drink. Mainly, too much gum, certain drinks, and tea were linked to more microplastics.

Microplastics are very small bits of plastic that come from bigger plastic items breaking down. They can get into our bodies through what we eat, drink, and even the air. This research is one of the first to look at how everyday choices, like our snacks and drinks, can make us take in more microplastics.

The scientists say it's important to learn more about how microplastics affect our health. They're especially concerned about women's ability to have babies. This study is just a beginning. It shows that microplastics are not just bad for the planet. They might also be bad for our health.

The study suggests paying attention to what we eat and drink could help us avoid microplastics. Caring about microplastics isn't just about keeping the environment clean. It's also about keeping ourselves healthy.

Source: sciencedirect.com

WEIGHT LOSS

A New Study Highlights the Negative Interpersonal and Psychological Consequences Associated With “yo-yo Dieting,” Also Known as Weight Cycling. The Work Underscores How Toxic Yo-yo Dieting Can Be and How Difficult It Can Be for People to Break the Cycle

A new study tells us that "yo-yo dieting" (when you lose weight, gain it back, and diet again) can make you feel bad about yourself and hurt your social life. Lynsey Romo from North Carolina State University led the study. She found that dieting over and over again isn't just bad for your body; it's also bad for your mind.

The study talked to 36 people who tried many diets. They found that people didn't start dieting for their health but because they felt pressure from friends or famous people. When they gained weight back, they felt ashamed and tried even harder to lose weight, often in unhealthy ways. This made them feel worse than before.

Some people managed to stop this cycle by caring more about being healthy than just losing weight. They found fun ways to exercise and ate without strict rules. This helped them feel better and stop worrying so much about their weight.

But, it's tough to break free from this cycle. The study shows that society's rules and the constant talk about dieting make it hard for people to stop thinking about their weight all the time.

The main message is: dieting without a good health reason can lead to a lot of stress and unhappiness. It's better to focus on being healthy rather than just trying to lose weight.

Source: news.ncsu.edu

HEALTH

Study Suggests That Colors Fade as People Age, as the Brain of Older People is Less Responsive to the Saturation Levels of Colors Within the Primary Visual Cortex

Have you ever wondered if your grandparents see colors the same way you do? A recent study by scientists at UCL has discovered that as people get older, colors might not look as bright and vivid to them as they do to younger folks.

In this study, researchers tested two groups of people: young adults around 28 years old and older adults around 64 years old. They were shown different colors in a dark room while a special camera watched how their pupils changed. Young people's eyes reacted strongly to bright and colorful things, making their pupils smaller. However, the older adults' eyes didn't shrink as much, especially when looking at green and magenta colors. This suggests that their brains don't pick up on the brightness of colors as well.

Dr. Janneke van Leeuwen, a lead researcher, explained that this finding is surprising. It shows that our ability to see colors as really bright might fade as we get older. This could be why some older people like wearing brighter clothes.

This research is not just about colors. It helps us understand more about the aging brain. It can guide us in making better choices in designing and decorating spaces for older adults. It's a reminder that as we all get older, the world might look a little different, but it can still be full of color.

Source: ucl.ac.uk

Community Health Centers Serve 1 in 11 Americans. They're a Safety Net Under Stress

In the United States, there's a special kind of place called a community health center that helps 1 out of every 11 people. Think of it like a super school, but instead of learning math or science, you can get doctor's check-ups, help with health insurance, and sometimes even free food. These centers are super important for people who don't have a lot of money or access to doctors.

One of these places is called Plaza Del Sol in New York. People love it because it feels like a second home. Take Elisa Reyes, for example. She travels far just to visit because the people there speak her language and really care about her family's health.

But these centers are facing some big challenges. More people need help than ever before, but there aren't enough doctors and nurses to go around. Money is also tight, making it hard for these centers to plan for the future.

Even with these problems, community health centers are doing their best to keep everyone healthy. They know that being healthy is about more than just medicine; it's also about having enough food, a safe place to live, and clean air to breathe.

These centers are really important, especially in places where it's hard to find a doctor or hospital. They need more support and money to keep helping everyone. It's all about making sure no one is left behind when it comes to staying healthy.

Source: abcnews.go.com

✢ 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.