Good morning. In today’s edition:

• There's a Surprisingly Easy Way to Remove Microplastics From Your Drinking Water

• You're Not Losing Fat Because You're Eating Too Damn Much (Even When You Don't Think You Are)

• Mother’s Gut Microbiome During Pregnancy Shapes Baby’s Brain Development | A Study in Mice Has Found That the Bacteria Bifidobacterium Breve in the Mother’s Gut During Pregnancy Supports Healthy Brain Development in the Fetus

• Constipation Linked to Significantly Elevated Risk of Cardiac Events | Smoking, Obesity, and Stress. They're All Common Causes of Damaging Cardiac Events, New Study Says a New Culprit Should Be Added to the List of the Risks That Can Hurt Our Hearts: Constipation

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

There's a Surprisingly Easy Way to Remove Microplastics From Your Drinking Water

Microplastics are tiny plastic pieces. They can enter our bodies through food and water. Researchers in China have found a simple way to clean these plastics from drinking water using common items from your kitchen.

At Guangzhou Medical University and Jinan University, scientists tested tap water. They added small plastic particles, boiled the water, and then filtered out the leftovers. This method removed up to 90% of the plastics, and it worked better with some types of water than others.

Hard water, which has more minerals, did a better job. When this water is heated, it forms a chalky white substance called limescale, which you might see in a kettle. This limescale captures the microplastics, which can then be caught by a simple filter, like the ones used for tea.

Even in soft water, which has fewer minerals, this method managed to remove about a quarter of the microplastics. After boiling and filtering, the water was much cleaner.

We're still learning how harmful these plastics can be, but we know they're not good for us. They can mess up our gut health and make our bodies less able to fight off infections.

The researchers think boiling and filtering water could reduce microplastics in our drinks. It might improve our health.

Source: sciencealert.com

WEIGHT LOSS

You're Not Losing Fat Because You're Eating Too Damn Much (Even When You Don't Think You Are)

Wondering why you can't seem to lose weight? You might be eating more calories than you realize. Yes, this can happen even if you think you're not eating much or are sticking to healthy foods.

Understanding how many calories are in the foods we eat can be tricky. For instance, a medium-sized tub of popcorn or a tablespoon of peanut butter has more calories than many of us think. These small misjudgments can add up, making us eat more than we need.

Now, let’s talk about a common myth: starvation mode. Some people believe that eating very few calories will stop their bodies from burning fat. However, while your metabolism does slow down a bit when you eat less and lose weight, it doesn't just stop. This is because as you get smaller, your body needs fewer calories to function.

What about having a slow metabolism? Often, it’s not that our metabolism is slow; we just underestimate how much we eat. For example, a study showed a British actress thought she had a slow metabolism, but she was actually eating nearly three times the calories she estimated!

In conclusion, if you're struggling with weight loss, it might not be your metabolism at fault. It's likely that you are eating more calories than you think. Paying attention to the actual calorie content of foods can help you manage your intake better and see the results you want.

Source: physiqonomics.com

HEALTH

Mother’s Gut Microbiome During Pregnancy Shapes Baby’s Brain Development | A Study in Mice Has Found That the Bacteria Bifidobacterium Breve in the Mother’s Gut During Pregnancy Supports Healthy Brain Development in the Fetus

Recent research with mice shows that a special bacteria, Bifidobacterium breve, is crucial for a baby's brain development. It is found in a mother's gut during pregnancy. This good bacteria is also available in some probiotic drinks and supplements.

In the study, scientists looked at two groups of pregnant mice. One group had no bacteria in their guts, while the other was given Bifidobacterium breve. The bacteria given to the mothers improved their babies' brains. The babies had better brain development and nutrient transport to their brains.

This research is important. Obesity and stress in pregnant women can disrupt gut bacteria. This disruption can prevent proper fetal growth. It can cause serious health problems later, like cerebral palsy and mental health issues.

The results suggest that Bifidobacterium breve supplements could help babies develop. This could be a safer option than other treatments with side effects.

Dr. Jorge Lopez-Tello from the University of Cambridge noted the potential of using probiotics to enhance gut health in pregnant women. This is a new way to support baby development. Professor Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri added, "Improving maternal gut health could be the key."

This study was done on mice. More research on humans is needed. It opens up exciting possibilities for future treatments.

Source: cam.ac.uk

Constipation Linked to Significantly Elevated Risk of Cardiac Events | Smoking, Obesity, and Stress. They're All Common Causes of Damaging Cardiac Events, New Study Says a New Culprit Should Be Added to the List of the Risks That Can Hurt Our Hearts: Constipation

Most people know that smoking, being overweight, and stress can hurt our hearts. But there's a new risk to watch out for: constipation.

Researchers at Monash University in Australia studied UK Biobank data on 500,000 people. Constipated people are over twice as likely to have serious heart issues. These include heart attacks, strokes, and hospital care for heart failure.

The risk is even bigger for those who also have high blood pressure. These people are 34% more likely to have heart problems than those with only high blood pressure.

Francine Marques, the lead researcher, said, "Constipation affects about 14% of people all over the world, especially older adults and women. Our study suggests that many of these people might also be at higher risk for heart disease because of their bowel health."

The study found a link between genes that affect heart health and constipation. It suggests that the same genes might be involved in both conditions.

The researchers are exploring if constipation might cause 'leaky gut.' This is a condition where harmful substances leak from the intestines into the bloodstream. They can harm the heart.

This research shows that constipation affects heart health. More studies are needed to understand the link between bowel and heart health.

Source: newatlas.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.