12/18/25 - #546

Good morning. In today’s edition:

• In a Decade-long Study of Older Women, Tea Consumption Was Associated With Slightly Stronger Bones—possibly via Catechins—while Moderate Coffee Intake Had No Negative Effect. Heavy Coffee Drinking (5 Cups/day), Particularly Among Women With Higher Alcohol Intake, Was Linked to Lower Bone Density

• Can You Cheat Your Way to Fitness? Here’s What the Experts Say

• U.S. Vaccine Advisers Say Not All Babies Need a Hepatitis B Shot at Birth

• Breastfeeding While Taking Antidepressants Does Not Affect a Child's IQ, a Long-term Study Finds. Tracking 97 Mother–child Pairs for Nearly Two Decades — All Exposed to SSRIs in Utero — Researchers Saw No Difference in Verbal or Performance IQ. Breastfed Children Scored Similarly to Those Unexposed

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

In a Decade-long Study of Older Women, Tea Consumption Was Associated With Slightly Stronger Bones—possibly via Catechins—while Moderate Coffee Intake Had No Negative Effect. Heavy Coffee Drinking (5 Cups/day), Particularly Among Women With Higher Alcohol Intake, Was Linked to Lower Bone Density

A 10-year study looked at tea and coffee habits in over 9,700 women aged 65 and older. It found that drinking tea may help keep bones strong, while drinking too much coffee might harm them.

Women who drank tea every day had slightly stronger bones in their hips. Experts think this may be due to healthy plant compounds in tea called catechins. The benefit was small, but it could still matter over time.

Coffee did not harm bone health when people drank it in small to moderate amounts—up to about 3 to 4 cups a day. But women who drank more than 5 cups a day had lower bone density, especially if they also drank alcohol often. Weaker bones can raise the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.

The study shows that a few cups of coffee a day are likely safe for bone health. But drinking tea may be a better choice, especially for older women.

As we age, bone strength becomes more important. Women lose bone faster after menopause, so healthy habits—like eating enough calcium, staying active, and avoiding smoking—can make a big difference. This new research adds tea and coffee habits to that list.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before making changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Source: mdpi.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Can You Cheat Your Way to Fitness? Here’s What the Experts Say

Staying fit doesn’t have to mean long workouts or expensive gym gear. Experts say even small changes in your daily routine can make a big difference.

Most adults spend hours sitting—at work, watching TV, or in the car. Only 1 in 4 people get the recommended amount of weekly exercise. But you don’t need hours at the gym to improve your health.

Even short bursts of movement help. Just five minutes of jumping rope, vacuuming, or gardening can burn calories. Using hand or ankle weights can build strength and support your bones.

Short workouts can work as well as long ones if you move with energy. Experts say 15 minutes of fast walking, dancing, or jumping rope can help your heart and muscles.

Some people try fancy tools like sauna blankets or AI yoga mats, but they can be pricey. Experts warn these may not be worth the cost and might not work for everyone.

The good news? You can get results with simple tools. A $15 jump rope or a $25 push-up pad can help you get stronger. Even a $100 vibration plate may improve balance and muscle strength.

Want to make it more fun? Watch a show while walking on a treadmill or talk with a friend on a walk. The goal is to move more—and do it often.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise plan.

Source: the-independent.com

HEALTH

U.S. Vaccine Advisers Say Not All Babies Need a Hepatitis B Shot at Birth

A government vaccine panel recently voted to change the rule that all babies should get the hepatitis B shot at birth. Now, the shot will only be strongly recommended for babies whose mothers have hepatitis B or weren’t tested during pregnancy.

For other babies, parents and doctors will decide if the shot should be given at birth. If not, the vaccine should be given starting at two months old.

Many health experts are worried about this change. For over 30 years, giving the shot at birth helped prevent babies from getting a serious liver disease. Hepatitis B can lead to liver failure or cancer later in life. It spreads through blood and body fluids, and a baby can get it from their mother during birth.

Some new panel members say most babies are not at risk and claim the safety studies from the past are not strong enough. Others say there is no proof the shot causes harm and are upset about the change.

The final decision is now up to the acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Doctors warn that changing the rule could confuse families and lead to more infections. They also worry that the panel is no longer focusing on protecting the public and instead is thinking too much about personal choice.

The hepatitis B shot at birth has been a key part of keeping children safe for decades.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Please consult a doctor.

Source: ctvnews.ca

Breastfeeding While Taking Antidepressants Does Not Affect a Child's IQ, a Long-term Study Finds. Tracking 97 Mother–child Pairs for Nearly Two Decades — All Exposed to SSRIs in Utero — Researchers Saw No Difference in Verbal or Performance IQ. Breastfed Children Scored Similarly to Those Unexposed

A new study has good news for mothers who take antidepressants while breastfeeding. The study found that babies who were exposed to antidepressants in breast milk grew up with the same IQ as other children.

The study followed 97 mother–child pairs for nearly 20 years. All the mothers took a type of antidepressant called an SSRI during pregnancy. Some continued taking it while breastfeeding. Later, when the children were about 5 years old, researchers tested their IQ.

The results showed no major differences in IQ. Kids who were breastfed while their mothers took SSRIs scored just as well as kids who were not exposed to the medicine during breastfeeding. In fact, breastfed children—whether exposed to SSRIs or not—sometimes had slightly higher IQ scores than children who were not breastfed. But this small difference may be because of other factors, like the mother’s mental health during pregnancy.

Experts say this is helpful for new mothers. Many women worry about taking antidepressants while breastfeeding. But stopping treatment can also be harmful to the mother’s health, which can affect the child too.

This study suggests that breastfeeding while on SSRIs is likely safe and does not harm a baby’s brain development.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before starting or stopping any medication.

Source: jamanetwork.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.