Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Scientists Find Ways to Make Chocolate Healthier

• What Are Your Surprisingly Easy Ways to Cut Out Calories?

• Mental Health Conditions Driving an Alarming Rise in Maternal Mortality Rates

• IBS Treatment With FODMAP or Low-carb Diets Helps More Than Drugs

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Scientists Find Ways to Make Chocolate Healthier

Researchers in Switzerland have found a new method to make chocolate healthier. They are using more parts of the cocoa fruit, which is usually not fully used in traditional chocolate making. The team from ETH Zurich worked with a chocolate company to try different recipes.

Kim Mishra, the lead researcher, explained that the cocoa fruit is similar to a honeydew melon. It has a hard shell and soft flesh inside. By using the flesh of the cocoa fruit in chocolate, they can increase the amount of fiber and decrease the unhealthy fats.

Fiber is good for our digestion and helps keep our blood sugar levels stable after eating sweets. Eating less unhealthy fat is also important because too much can lead to heart problems.

Creating the perfect chocolate was challenging. The researchers tried mixing the cocoa bean with the fruit's pulp to make a sweet gel. This gel could possibly replace the sugar normally used in chocolate. They had to adjust the mixture carefully to keep the chocolate smooth and sweet enough.

After trying different mixes, they did taste tests. It was to make sure the new chocolate tasted good. Although it needs more work before it can be sold everywhere, this new chocolate could be a healthier choice for chocolate lovers.

This change not only makes chocolate healthier but also uses more of the cocoa fruit, which is better for the environment.

Source: newsweek.com

WEIGHT LOSS

What Are Your Surprisingly Easy Ways to Cut Out Calories?

Losing weight boils down to a simple principle: burn more calories than you consume. Besides diet and exercise, here are easy ways to reduce your calorie intake:

1. Cut Out The Condiments: Even small amounts of condiments like mayonnaise or ketchup add calories. A tablespoon of mayonnaise has about 57 calories, and these can add up quickly. Try using less or none at all to reduce the calories in your meals.

2. Drink Your Coffee Black: Cream and sugar in your coffee or tea can add more calories than you might think. For example, one teaspoon of sugar adds 16 calories. If you drink multiple cups a day, these calories increase. Drinking black coffee cuts these extra calories.

3. Take Control of Your Meal Plan: Cooking at home more often helps you know exactly what’s in your food and makes it easier to manage calories. Also, serving your meals on smaller plates can help you eat less without realizing it.

4. Eat Slowly And Without Distractions: Eating slowly helps you feel full faster, which can prevent overeating. Try eating with your non-dominant hand to slow down. Also, avoid watching TV or using your phone during meals to focus on how much you eat.

5. Don’t Drink Your Calories: Avoid sugary drinks like soda, which are high in calories. Choosing water or zero-calorie beverages helps keep your calorie intake low.

These tips can make a significant impact on your calorie intake and support your weight loss efforts. Small changes can lead to big results over time.

Source: Bestie Health

HEALTH

Mental Health Conditions Driving an Alarming Rise in Maternal Mortality Rates

In the United States, a serious issue is rising. More mothers are dying, and mental health is a big reason. The CDC says that mental health issues are the main cause. They cause deaths related to pregnancy. Between 2019 and 2021, these deaths increased by about 60%.

Suicides and drug overdoses make up nearly one-fourth of these deaths. There's also more substance use, depression, anxiety, and other severe mental health conditions. These include suicidal thoughts and postpartum psychosis. They are among pregnant women and new moms.

Even though there was a slight drop in maternal deaths in 2022, experts like Ludmila De Faria from the American Psychiatric Association say we need more data to understand it.

Overall, more people are feeling depressed and anxious, not just pregnant women. A Gallup survey from last year showed that depression rates are the highest they've ever been. Women, especially, are more likely to be diagnosed with depression than men.

One big problem is that many doctors aren't checking on the mental health of pregnant or postpartum women. It's recommended, but they aren't doing it. The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health says few women get checked for mental health issues. This happens during or after pregnancy.

This lack of care can lead to undiagnosed and untreated cases, affecting mothers and their families deeply. However, as more people become aware of these issues, there is hope that things will get better.

Source: thehill.com

IBS Treatment With FODMAP or Low-carb Diets Helps More Than Drugs

A new study shows that diets might help with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) better than medications. Researchers in Sweden found that changing what you eat can ease IBS symptoms more than drugs do.

The study had 294 people with IBS. They were split into three groups. One group ate a low FODMAP diet, which avoids certain carbs that are hard to digest. The second group ate a low-carb diet. The third group took medicine. Both diet groups felt better, with the low FODMAP diet helping 76% and the low-carb diet helping 71%. The medicine group only saw a 58% improvement.

Dr. Sanna Nybacka led the study and was surprised by how well the low-carb diet worked. It was included in the study because some patients said it helped them. Dr. Nybacka thinks eating right might be cheaper and easier than taking expensive drugs.

However, Dr. Lin Chang from UCLA said the study might be a bit biased toward diets. She mentioned that it takes longer than four weeks for some medicines to work. She also noted that the U.S. has some drugs that Sweden doesn’t.

In conclusion, while diets showed promising results in treating IBS, it’s important to remember that what works for one person might not work for everyone. The study supports looking at all options when dealing with IBS.

Source: npr.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.