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- 03/17/25 - #348
03/17/25 - #348
Health Horizon. Herald Staff
March 17, 2025
Good morning. In today’s edition:
A Study Found Maternal Tea Consumption - Especially in Later Pregnancy—was Linked to Better Cognitive Scores in Toddlers. No Effects Were Seen for Coffee
A Third of the World’s Children Will Be Obese or Overweight in the Next 25 Years
Giving Blood Frequently May Make Your Blood Cells Healthier
Top 20% of High-income, College-educated Americans Have Less Heart Disease Risk Than Others, and This Gap Has Widened Over Past Two Decades, Even After Adjusting for Factors Like Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and BMI. Life Expectancy for Richest 1% of Americans is Now 10 Years Higher Than Poorest 1%
…and lots more. Have a great day!
FOOD & NUTRITION
A Study Found Maternal Tea Consumption - Especially in Later Pregnancy—was Linked to Better Cognitive Scores in Toddlers. No Effects Were Seen for Coffee
A recent study examined 1,423 moms and their kids in China. It aimed to find out if drinking tea or coffee during pregnancy impacts children's brains. Kids whose moms drank tea while pregnant did better on brain tests, says a study in Scientific Reports. These tests checked things like thinking, and how well they could use their hands and move around.
The most benefits were seen when moms drank tea in the later part of their pregnancy—during the second and third trimesters. The study ensured accuracy by looking at other factors that could influence a child's brain development. This included the mother’s age and her smoking habits.
The study found no connection between moms drinking coffee and better brain skills in their kids. This might be surprising because both tea and coffee have caffeine, but only tea showed positive effects.
This research adds more proof that what a mom eats and drinks when she’s pregnant can make a big difference in her child's health and brain development. It also points out that when moms drink tea during pregnancy matters.
The study suggests that moms-to-be might want to keep drinking tea, especially later in pregnancy. But remember, it's always best to talk to a doctor about what to eat and drink while pregnant.
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WEIGHT LOSS
A Third of the World’s Children Will Be Obese or Overweight in the Next 25 Years
Researchers from Australia have made a worrying prediction: by 2050, one out of every three children around the world will be obese or overweight. This problem is growing fast, and the effects are serious.
Dr. Jessica Kerr, who helped lead the study, explained the impact. “Obesity will cost billions in healthcare and hurt our economy,” she said. More importantly, it leads to many health problems like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and mental health issues. These could affect not just today's kids but also future generations.
In the U.S., about 20% of young people are already obese. This puts them at risk for conditions like asthma, sleep problems, and bone issues. As they grow up, they face even greater risks like strokes and heart disease.
The study, shared in the journal The Lancet, also shows that over half of all adults might become obese in the same time frame. This highlights the urgent need for action to prevent obesity starting now.
Dr. Kerr emphasized the need for immediate plans to tackle this trend. "If we don’t act soon, the results will be very bad," she warned. Special attention is needed for young women aged 15 to 24.
Despite these challenges, Kerr is hopeful. "We can change this path if we take action quickly," she said. The next few years are critical for improving health for generations to come.
HEALTH
Giving Blood Frequently May Make Your Blood Cells Healthier
Did you know that giving blood regularly might do more than just help others? It could also make your blood cells healthier, possibly lowering your risk of getting blood cancers.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute in London studied blood samples from 217 German men aged 60 to 72 who had given blood over 100 times. They compared these to samples from 212 men who had donated less than 10 times. The men who donated more often had more blood cells with changes in a gene called DNMT3A, which seemed to be good for them.
The scientists did experiments to see what happens when you give blood. They made blood stem cells with the DNMT3A change and added a hormone called EPO, which our bodies make when we lose blood. After a month, these changed cells grew 50% faster than normal cells, but only when EPO was around. This suggests that giving blood causes a burst of EPO that helps these helpful cells grow.
When these changed cells were mixed with other cells that could turn into leukemia, the changed cells grew better and made more red blood cells, thanks to EPO. This shows that the changes might help stop cancer cells from growing.
Experts say this is exciting, but we need more studies to be sure. Giving blood could be helping you as much as it helps others.
Top 20% of High-income, College-educated Americans Have Less Heart Disease Risk Than Others, and This Gap Has Widened Over Past Two Decades, Even After Adjusting for Factors Like Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and BMI. Life Expectancy for Richest 1% of Americans is Now 10 Years Higher Than Poorest 1%
A new study shows that Americans who earn more money and have a college education are less likely to get heart disease compared to others. This gap in health has grown bigger over the last 20 years.
Salma Abdalla, a public health professor at Washington University in St. Louis, led the research. She says that having more money and education leads to better health, not just one single thing.
The study found big differences in health risks:
People with lower incomes and no college degree are 6.3 times more likely to have heart failure from blocked arteries.
They are 3.2 times more likely to have a stroke.
They are 2.3 times more likely to have a heart attack.
They are 2.1 times more likely to have angina (chest pain).
These differences remain even after considering factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, and BMI (a measure of body fat based on height and weight).
Despite the U.S. spending a lot on health care, the health of Americans isn't as good as it should be. The richest 1% of Americans now live about 10 years longer than the poorest 1%.
The study suggests that poorer people might have more stress and less access to healthy lifestyles. Richer people usually take their medicines regularly, face fewer environmental harms, and have better support from friends and family.
Dr. Sandro Galea says to improve public health, we need to help everyone have a chance at a good education and a good job.
✢ 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.