Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Salad Recall in Five States Over Allergen Fears

• Fruit for Weight Loss

• Why Do We Feel Better After a "Good Cry"? An Expert Explains the Science Behind It

• Stress Can Disrupt Memory and Lead to Needless Anxiety

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Salad Recall in Five States Over Allergen Fears

A lot of seafood salads have been taken off shelves in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York. This recall happened because the salads might have soy, which wasn't listed on the label. For people with serious soy allergies, this could be very dangerous.

The affected salads are from Hannaford and come in 12 oz containers. They were sold between October 25 and October 29, 2024. The salads that are part of this recall have "use-by" dates of November 13 and 14, 2024. Thankfully, no one has reported getting sick from these salads yet.

The mistake happened because the company that makes the salad labels sent the wrong ones. These incorrect labels were meant for a different recipe that hasn’t been used yet. That’s why the label didn’t mention soy.

If you bought one of these salads, you shouldn’t eat it. You can take it back to the store where you bought it and get your money back.

The FDA says this recall is important because eating soy can cause reactions in people who are allergic to it. These reactions can be mild like stomach aches or severe like trouble breathing and anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is very serious and can be life-threatening. It needs to be treated right away with an EpiPen, which helps stop the bad reaction until you can get more help.

If you have severe allergies, always carry an EpiPen with you.

Source: newsweek.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Fruit for Weight Loss

You’ve probably been told to eat your fruits and vegetables. But when it comes to losing weight, it’s important to know that fruits and vegetables are not the same.

Fruits have a lot more sugar than vegetables. Most of this sugar is called fructose, which is different because only your liver can handle it. Fructose doesn’t make you feel full like other sugars, so you might end up eating more.

However, some fruits are better for you if you're watching your sugar. Berries like raspberries and blackberries have less sugar—only about 5 grams per small serving. Strawberries and blueberries have a bit more, but they’re still okay in small amounts.

Other fruits, like kiwis, have more sugar and substances that might not be good for everyone, especially if you get kidney stones easily. Kiwis do have a lot of vitamin C, but because they’re high in sugar, you should only have them sometimes.

If you want to lose weight, it's better to eat more vegetables than fruits. Vegetables have the nutrients and fiber your body needs but with less sugar.

In short, choose your fruits carefully. Go for ones with less sugar and eat them in small amounts. This will help you manage your weight better and keep you healthy. Remember, balance is key in a healthy diet.

Source: Dr. Eric Berg DC

HEALTH

Why Do We Feel Better After a "Good Cry"? An Expert Explains the Science Behind It

Have you ever wondered why you feel so much lighter after crying? Dr. Gail Saltz, a professor at New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine, explains that there's a real reason behind it.

There are different kinds of tears. Some keep your eyes clean and moist, but the tears from emotions—like sadness, stress, or joy—are special. These tears help us handle strong feelings. They have chemicals called cortisol and endorphins, which make us feel better after we cry.

When we cry because we're upset, our body is actually working to lower the stress hormones that make us feel overwhelmed. This is why we often feel calmer after a good cry. It’s like a natural way for our body to help us relax.

Crying also shows others that we need support. It can bring people closer to us, giving comfort and help when we really need it. Long ago, showing that we’re vulnerable through tears could help keep us safe in our group.

Dr. Saltz also says it’s important not to stop children from crying. It’s good for them to let out their feelings and talk about them. This helps them grow up knowing how to handle their emotions better.

Sometimes, though, we need to control our tears, like at work. Dr. Saltz suggests ways to calm down, like distracting yourself or stepping away to cry in private. This lets us deal with our feelings without holding them in.

Source: cbsnews.com

Stress Can Disrupt Memory and Lead to Needless Anxiety

Stress does more than just make us feel uneasy; it can mess with our brains. Research shows that stress can change how memories form, making people feel scared in safe situations.

For example, someone might start avoiding cooking just because they once burned their finger. This kind of overreaction is common in people who are very anxious or have gone through a lot of stress, like those with PTSD.

Scientists did a study with mice to learn more about this. First, they stressed the mice by giving them a stress hormone or putting them in a tight space. Then, they played sounds and gave a small shock with one of the sounds. Later, when the sounds were played again, the stressed mice were scared of both sounds, not just the one with the shock. This showed they couldn’t tell the harmless sound from the scary one.

The reason is that stress caused the mice’s brains to form large groups of neurons that reacted to both sounds. This shows that stress makes the brain too sensitive, turning a specific fear into a general one.

Researchers are looking at treatments that might fix this problem in memory formation. They found some drugs that work in mice but might not be best for humans due to side effects.

Understanding how stress messes with memory could help treat anxiety and PTSD better, making it easier for people to react properly to what’s around them.

Source: nature.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.