Good morning. In today’s edition:

• A New Study Shows That Consuming Sweet Drinks is Worse for Your Health Than Any Other Form of Sugar: Drinking More Sweetened Drinks Significantly Increases the Risk of Ischemic Stroke, Heart Failure, Atrial Fibrillation, and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

• People Who Regain Weight After Bariatric Surgery Often Struggle With Following Dietary Guidelines, Mental Health Issues, and Inactive Lifestyles

• Research Found Everyday Physical Activity, Like Going for a Short Walk or Playing With the Kids, May Provide Short-term Benefits for Cognitive Health, Equivalent to Reversing Four Years of Cognitive Aging

• People Who Ate at Least 5 Servings a Week of Dark Chocolate Were 21% Less Likely to Develop Type 2 Diabetes Than People Who Rarely or Never Ate Chocolate, but the Same Wasn't True for Milk Chocolate. It Could Be the Higher Levels of Flavanols, Shown to Reduce the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

A New Study Shows That Consuming Sweet Drinks is Worse for Your Health Than Any Other Form of Sugar: Drinking More Sweetened Drinks Significantly Increases the Risk of Ischemic Stroke, Heart Failure, Atrial Fibrillation, and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

A recent study of over 69,000 Swedish adults found that sweetened drinks, like sodas and fruit-flavored beverages, are very harmful to our health. These drinks greatly raise the risk of serious health issues. These include stroke, heart failure, and severe artery issues, like abdominal aortic aneurysm. Also, heart rhythm problems.

The study tracked the health and dietary habits of men and women aged 45 to 83 for many years. It found that while all added sugars can be bad for our health, the sugars found in drinks are the most dangerous.

Researchers saw a clear pattern. Those who drank sweetened beverages faced higher health risks than those who ate sugary foods like pastries and ice cream, or sugar toppings like honey and jams. The study suggested that eating moderate amounts of these solid sugars may not be as harmful as once thought.

This information is crucial because it underscores the importance of making careful choices about what we drink. The findings could change dietary guidelines and public health advice. They suggest limiting sugary drinks to lower the risk of serious health issues.

The study warns of the dangers of liquid sugars. It urges us to choose healthier drinks to protect our hearts and arteries. Understanding these risks helps us make better health decisions for a longer, healthier life.

Source: frontiersin.org

WEIGHT LOSS

People Who Regain Weight After Bariatric Surgery Often Struggle With Following Dietary Guidelines, Mental Health Issues, and Inactive Lifestyles

Many people who have bariatric surgery hope it will be a lasting solution to severe obesity. However, a significant number find themselves regaining weight down the line. This problem often comes from not following diets, mental health issues, and being inactive.

After surgery, patients need to follow strict eating rules to keep the weight off. This includes eating smaller, more controlled portions and avoiding high-calorie foods. However, sticking to these new habits can be tough. Some people slip back into old ways, indulging in sweets or high-carb foods, which leads to weight gain.

Mental health plays a big role as well. Depression or anxiety can make it hard for people to keep their new lifestyles. Some might seek comfort in food during stress. This is called emotional eating. It can quickly undo the benefits of surgery.

Another issue is inactivity. Many individuals struggle to adopt and maintain a regular exercise routine post-surgery. Without exercise, the body's metabolism slows. It is easier to regain weight, even if eating habits haven't changed.

To address these issues, continuous support from health professionals is crucial. This support should not only focus on diet but also include mental health care and encouragement to stay active. Tailored programs that consider all these factors can help people. They can maintain their weight loss and lead healthier lives.

Source: mdpi.com

HEALTH

Research Found Everyday Physical Activity, Like Going for a Short Walk or Playing With the Kids, May Provide Short-term Benefits for Cognitive Health, Equivalent to Reversing Four Years of Cognitive Aging

New research shows that simple daily activities, like taking short walks or playing with kids, might help keep your mind sharp as you age. These activities could even make your brain work like it’s four years younger! This study was shared in the "Annals of Behavioral Medicine."

The study was led by Jonathan G. Hakun and his team. They looked at 204 adults who were middle-aged. Over nine days, these people used an app on their phones to record how they were feeling, what they ate, and if they were active. They also played quick games that tested how fast they could think and remember things.

The results were interesting. When people were active, they thought faster, even if the activities were easy like walking. The study didn’t find big changes in memory, but being active made a difference in how quickly people could process thoughts.

This is good news because it means you don’t have to do hard workouts to see benefits in brain health. Light activities like walking can help too.

Why does this matter? As we get older, we often slow down both physically and mentally. While hard exercise is known to be good for long-term brain health, this study shows that even easy activities are helpful.

So, the next time you think about going for a walk or playing a bit, remember it's not just fun—it’s also good for keeping your brain young and quick.

Source: psypost.org

People Who Ate at Least 5 Servings a Week of Dark Chocolate Were 21% Less Likely to Develop Type 2 Diabetes Than People Who Rarely or Never Ate Chocolate, but the Same Wasn't True for Milk Chocolate. It Could Be the Higher Levels of Flavanols, Shown to Reduce the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

As the holiday season approaches, you might want to consider choosing dark chocolate. A study suggests that eating five servings of dark chocolate each week could reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by 21%. Unfortunately, milk chocolate doesn't offer the same benefits.

The study involved over 100,000 people and was led by researchers in the U.S. and China. They found that dark chocolate, high in flavanols, might be behind these benefits. Flavanols are a healthy compound in fruits and vegetables. Flavanols are known to help heart health and might also play a role in lowering diabetes risk.

The BMJ published a study. It shows that eating more dark chocolate lowers diabetes risk. However, it doesn't prove that dark chocolate directly causes this reduced risk. Even so, the findings suggest that there could be something special about dark chocolate that helps.

Both dark and milk chocolate have similar amounts of calories and fat. But, the beneficial flavanols in dark chocolate may offset potential health risks. This research mostly involved older white adults. So, the results might not apply to everyone.

More research is needed to fully understand how dark chocolate might protect against diabetes. Meanwhile, a moderate amount of dark chocolate could be a sweet, healthy addition to your diet.

Source: scimex.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.