11/18/25 - #524

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Caffeine Appears to Do the Opposite of What You Might Think When It Comes to the Heart. Scientists Have Found That a Cup of Coffee a Day Actually Protects the Heart From Atrial Fibrillation – a Condition That Can Lead to Stroke and Heart Failure

• GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Dramatically Lower Death Rates in Colon Cancer Patients

• Hospital Patients Who Feel Short of Breath Are Six Times More Likely to Die, While Those in Pain Are Not, Study Finds

• Skipping Breakfast is Significantly Linked to a Higher Risk of Metabolic Syndrome, Including Having More Belly Fat, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, and High Blood Sugar

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Caffeine Appears to Do the Opposite of What You Might Think When It Comes to the Heart. Scientists Have Found That a Cup of Coffee a Day Actually Protects the Heart From Atrial Fibrillation – a Condition That Can Lead to Stroke and Heart Failure

Many people think coffee is bad for the heart, but a new study says the opposite might be true.

Researchers from the University of Adelaide and the University of California, San Francisco studied 200 adults with atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is a heart problem that causes an irregular heartbeat. It can lead to stroke, heart failure, and other serious health problems.

In the study, half the group drank at least one cup of coffee a day for six months. The other half avoided all coffee and caffeine. Doctors used heart tests to check for AF episodes.

The results were surprising. People who drank coffee had 39% fewer AF episodes than those who avoided it.

Doctors think coffee might help because it increases movement, lowers blood pressure, and may reduce swelling in the body. All of these may lower the risk of AF.

More than 10 million U.S. adults have AF. It becomes more common as people get older. Many have been told to avoid coffee, but this study shows it may be safe—and even helpful—for some.

Coffee is not a cure, and it won’t work for everyone. But if you enjoy a daily cup, this study suggests it might be fine to keep drinking it.

As always, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Everyone’s heart is different, and your doctor can help you decide what’s best for your health.

Enjoy your coffee—but check with your doctor first.

Source: newatlas.com

WEIGHT LOSS

GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Dramatically Lower Death Rates in Colon Cancer Patients

A new study from the University of California San Diego shows that GLP-1 drugs—like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro—may help people with colon cancer live longer. These drugs are usually used to lower blood sugar and support weight loss. But now, scientists say they may also lower the risk of death in colon cancer patients.

The study looked at over 6,800 colon cancer patients. It found that only 15.5% of people taking GLP-1 drugs died within five years, compared to 37.1% of those not taking the drugs.

Even when researchers considered other factors like age, weight, and cancer stage, people on GLP-1 drugs still had better survival. The biggest benefit was seen in people with a body mass index (BMI) over 35.

GLP-1 drugs may work by lowering inflammation, improving insulin use, and helping with weight loss. These changes can make the body less friendly to cancer. Some lab studies even suggest the drugs may stop cancer cells from growing or help kill them.

This study does not prove that GLP-1 drugs cure cancer. But the results are strong enough that researchers say more studies are needed. They hope future trials will show whether GLP-1 drugs can be used as part of colon cancer care—especially for people who also have obesity or diabetes.

If you have colon cancer, talk to your doctor before making any changes to your treatment.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Always speak with your doctor.

Source: today.ucsd.edu

HEALTH

Hospital Patients Who Feel Short of Breath Are Six Times More Likely to Die, While Those in Pain Are Not, Study Finds

A new study shows that hospital patients who feel short of breath are six times more likely to die than those who don’t. The research looked at nearly 10,000 adults and found that feeling out of breath was a stronger warning sign than pain.

Doctors and nurses often ask patients to rate their pain from 0 to 10. In this study, nurses also asked patients to rate their shortness of breath, or “dyspnoea,” using the same scale. Asking the question took less than one minute.

The study found that the worse the shortness of breath, the higher the chance of death. People who had breathing trouble were more likely to need emergency care or be moved to the ICU. About 25% of patients who were still short of breath at rest when leaving the hospital died within six months. That’s compared to only 7% who had no trouble breathing.

Pain did not show the same risk. While pain can be very uncomfortable, it usually does not mean your life is in danger. But trouble breathing can be a sign that the body isn’t getting enough oxygen.

Doctors say shortness of breath should be checked often, just like pain. It’s a simple and fast way to spot patients who may need more help.

Even though most patients with breathing trouble survive, asking this one question could save lives by helping doctors act sooner. It’s a warning sign that should not be ignored.

Source: eurekalert.org

Skipping Breakfast is Significantly Linked to a Higher Risk of Metabolic Syndrome, Including Having More Belly Fat, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, and High Blood Sugar

New research shows that skipping breakfast may raise your risk for serious health problems. People who don’t eat breakfast are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome—a group of conditions that raise the risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

This study looked at health data from over 118,000 adults. It found that people who skipped breakfast had:

• 17% higher risk of belly fat

• 21% higher risk of high blood pressure

• 13% higher risk of high cholesterol

• 26% higher risk of high blood sugar

People who skip breakfast may end up eating more later in the day. This can lead to weight gain, blood sugar problems, and stress on the heart. It may also throw off the body’s natural rhythm, making it harder to stay healthy.

Metabolic syndrome means having at least three of the following: extra belly fat, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, or low “good” cholesterol. These problems often occur together and raise the risk of heart problems.

Eating breakfast every day may help lower your risk. A healthy breakfast can give your body energy and keep your blood sugar steady.

This study was published in Nutrients in October 2025. The findings suggest that eating breakfast is a simple, low-cost way to help protect your health.

“Note: This article is for informational purposes only. Talk to your doctor before making changes to your diet.”

Source: mdpi.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.