Good morning. In today’s edition:

• New Research Led by the University of New South Wales Scientists Supports a Role for Fruit — but Not Vegetable — Intake in Protecting Against Depression. Higher Intakes of Fruit Are Associated With a Reduced Risk of Incident Depression

• A Study on Mice Found That High-intensity Exercise Disrupts Circadian Rhythm, Reducing Activity and Body Temperature Leading to Weight Gain, Regardless of Food Intake

• More U.S. Hospitals Than Ever Require Staff to Get Flu Shots: 96% of Hospitals Serving Veterans and 74% of Hospitals Serving the General Public Now Require Staff to Get Vaccinated Against Influenza or Seek an Exemption

• Simply Paying Visual Attention to Greenery, as Opposed to Human-made Structures, Can Alleviate Anxiety and Enhance Restorative Feelings

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

New Research Led by the University of New South Wales Scientists Supports a Role for Fruit — but Not Vegetable — Intake in Protecting Against Depression. Higher Intakes of Fruit Are Associated With a Reduced Risk of Incident Depression

Scientists at the University of New South Wales did a new study. They found that people over 45 who eat more fruit might lower their chances of getting depressed. This research is different. It shows that eating fruits helps, but eating vegetables lacks this clear benefit.

Depression is a big health problem around the world, especially for older people. It can make physical health worse and lower the quality of life. Studies have shown that what we eat can really affect our mood and mental health. This new study looked at adults 45 and older from many parts of the world. It included the United States, Sweden, Brazil, Nigeria, Malaysia, and Australia. Over nine years, they found that those who ate more fruit were less likely to feel depressed.

Dr. Annabel Matison, who led the study, thinks fruits help more because we usually eat them raw, which keeps their healthy nutrients. Vegetables are often cooked, which might lessen their benefits.

The study used food surveys and health checks to track depression, making the findings trustworthy. However, more research is needed to understand better which fruits help the most and why. This is especially important for countries where people don't have as much money.

This research shows that a simple change can help. For example, eating more fruit could improve mental health for older adults.

Source: sci.news

WEIGHT LOSS

A Study on Mice Found That High-intensity Exercise Disrupts Circadian Rhythm, Reducing Activity and Body Temperature Leading to Weight Gain, Regardless of Food Intake

Exercise is usually recommended for health and weight. But, intense workouts might have unexpected outcomes. Researchers from the University of Tsukuba in Japan found that hard exercise can make people less active. It also lowers their body temperature. This can lead to weight gain, even if they don’t eat more food.

The study looked at how hard workouts can disrupt our body’s natural clock. The clock controls when we sleep, how our hormones work, and how warm we are. One key hormone, called corticosterone, usually goes up in the morning and down at night. It helps keep our bodies active. But, a hard workout can upset this rhythm.

In the study, mice were put into three groups: one did really intense workouts, one did moderate workouts, and one didn’t exercise. The scientists watched how much the mice moved and their body temperature before and after working out. They noticed that the mice that did intense workouts were less active and colder afterwards, which made them gain weight.

This shows that really tough exercise might not always help with weight loss. It could be more about finding the right balance in how we exercise. Understanding our body’s natural rhythms affects our health. It might help us manage our exercise and weight.

This research suggests that not all workouts fit everyone. Personalizing exercise might be key to better health.

Source: tsukuba.ac.jp

HEALTH

More U.S. Hospitals Than Ever Require Staff to Get Flu Shots: 96% of Hospitals Serving Veterans and 74% of Hospitals Serving the General Public Now Require Staff to Get Vaccinated Against Influenza or Seek an Exemption

Hospitals across the United States are taking stronger steps to fight the flu. A new study shows that more hospitals than ever are asking their staff to get a flu shot or have a valid reason not to. This helps keep patients safe from getting the flu.

Research in JAMA Network Open says 96% of veterans' hospitals and 74% of other hospitals now make it a rule for staff to get vaccinated. This is a big change. It's especially for veterans' hospitals. Their rate jumped from only 1% in 2013 to almost 100% today.

Besides these rules, about 23% of other hospitals strongly suggest their staff get a flu shot, though it's not required. If staff choose not to vaccinate, 81% of these hospitals require them to wear a mask during flu season to keep patients safe.

This increase in vaccination rules started with a new policy in 2020 from the Veterans Health Administration. Todd Greene, a lead researcher, said this policy is based on the simple principle of doing no harm.

The study also looked at what exemptions hospitals allow. Most hospitals accept medical reasons, and many allow religious reasons.

The rules show hospitals' strong commitment to protecting patients and healthcare workers from the flu. This is important due to ongoing worries about vaccine hesitancy and the flu shot's varying success.

Source: ihpi.umich.edu

Simply Paying Visual Attention to Greenery, as Opposed to Human-made Structures, Can Alleviate Anxiety and Enhance Restorative Feelings

A study from Bangor University and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology shows that looking at nature in cities can help people feel less anxious and more relaxed. The research was published in the journal People and Nature. It included 117 city dwellers. They went on a 45-minute walk. They wore special glasses that tracked their eye movements. They were asked to focus on things like trees, plants, and flowers. They could also focus on buildings and other man-made structures.

The findings were clear. People who looked more at greenery felt a big drop in anxiety. This was especially true when they looked at trees. This shows that even short moments with nature can make you feel better mentally.

Dr. Whitney Fleming, a teacher at Bangor University, said these results are important for city planning. She believes that adding more natural elements to cities isn’t just about beauty—it’s crucial for the mental well-being of the people living there.

The study, called "The Nature Gaze," offers important advice for those who design cities and buildings. By making sure cities have places where people can see and enjoy nature, we can help improve mental health. This simple idea proves that having access to green spaces in cities can have a big impact on how we feel every day.

Source: bangor.ac.uk

✢ 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.