Here you can find a selection of the latest research news stories and medical breakthroughs. Take a look below to learn more!
2 Antioxidants Found in Dark Leafy Greens Linked to Slower Memory Decline
Evidence suggests that a higher intake of flavanols found in green tea may protect against Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Flavanols are a class of antioxidant compounds found in tea, red wine, broccoli, and leeks that possess anti-inflammatory properties.
The study included data from 961 participants residing in retirement communities and senior public housing. Those that consumed the highest level of flavanols, (an average of 7 servings of dark leafy greens/week), versus the lowest had a 32% decrease in their rate of cognitive decline.
Read more about the study here:
Best Diet for Diabetes: Animal vs Plant-Based Protein
A new study has found that by eating a plant-based low carbohydrate diet, a person might decrease their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
In a study of 203,541 individuals over more than 30 years, it was found that those who included mostly vegetable protein in their diet had a 6% reduced risk of T2D over the 30 years.
In contrast, those on a low-carbohydrate diet who ate mainly animal protein had a 35% higher risk of T2D, which increased to 39% in those who also ate a diet that was low in whole grains.
Diabetes is becoming more common and over 95% of people with diabetes have type 2, which often results from excess body mass and inactivity.
To read more on this study and how to improve your diet, click below:
Drinking Too Much Coffee May Double Mortality Risk
A recent study in Japan found a connection between drinking 2 or more cups of coffee per day and increased mortality rates in people with severe hypertension.
Although 2 or more cups of coffee raised the risk, they did not find any risks associated with 1 cup of coffee or green tea for people with severe hypertension. Just 1 cup of coffee can contain nearly 3 times the amount of caffeine as 1 cup of green tea, but the researchers did not detect issues with green tea regardless of the amount consumed.
The study included 18,000 men and women and lasted nearly 2 decades.
To read more about the connection between coffee and mortality rates in people with severe hypertension, click the link below:
Type 2 Diabetes: Consuming High Levels of Nitrites May Increase Risk
A recent study found that exposure to nitrites through food and water sources may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Nitrates and nitrites are found in food and water and are sometimes added to foods like processed meats to improve shelf life.
Researchers followed over 100,000 participants for an average of 7.3 years, doing regular follow-ups. The study found that nitrite consumption may carry a risk for type two diabetes, however, researchers found no association between nitrates and disease risk.
The results indicate the need to reevaluate adding nitrites to foods and for individuals to be mindful of consuming too many foods containing controversial additives.
Read more here:
Dementia: Could Poor Mental Health in Middle Age Increase Risk?
Researchers found that psychological distress symptoms are associated with up to a 24% increased dementia risk.
The study followed 67,688 individuals over an average period of 25 years to better understand the link between symptoms of dementia and psychological distress (stress, depressive mood, exhaustion, and nervousness).
The conclusions of the study highlight that mental health issues and feelings of distress are associated with premature death and dementia. These findings illustrate the need to focus on mental health at all ages and to identify causes and triggers.
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Artificial Sweetener Aspartame, Linked to Anxiety
A new study finds that the consumption of aspartame, a widely used artificial sweetener, produces anxiety-like behaviour in mice, along with epigenetic changes in the amygdala.
The anxiety in the mice was the result of consuming the equivalent of just 15% of the FDA’s maximum recommendation. These changes were also seen to persist for up to two subsequent generations.
Aspartame is a widely consumed artificial sweetener found in thousands of drinks and food products globally. It is around 200 times sweeter than sucrose or table sugar and is found in many diet sodas.
The data suggests that the concerning results of the study may also be obtained in humans and could significantly impact individuals’ mental health.
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Heart Failure: Strengthening Social Bonds Could Improve Recovery Rates
A recent study of 310 heart failure patients found that people who are socially disconnected are more likely to experience a cardiovascular event or die within 2 years of heart failure.
The study involved 310 heart failure patients and followed them for 2 years. The statistics highlighted that the patients with social frailty are twice as likely than those without to have experienced a cardiovascular event or died within two years of heart failure.
“Individuals who report loneliness, for example, tend to engage in poor health-related behaviours such as sedentary behaviour and substance use,” explains Dr. Angelina Sutin, professor of behavioural sciences.
Learn more about the link between heart failure and social interaction here:
Poor Sleep During Teen Years May Raise Risk of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
A recent study found that not getting enough sleep and low sleep quality in adolescence may increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis later in life.
The study found that sleeping less than seven hours a night during adolescence was associated with an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis and low sleep quality offered a similar associated risk.
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder which damages the central nervous system and can cause symptoms such as muscle weakness, dizziness and vision problems.
Getting high quality sleep is essential to healthy growth and development in teenagers, as well as improving mental function.
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Type 2 diabetes: Could poor sleep increase your risk?
Data from a recent study found that poor sleep can contribute to diabetes risk factors, thus also increasing the risk for people to develop type 2 diabetes.
In a study of 1000 participants researchers found that both the subjective and objective measurements of sleep may influence cardiometabolic health and thus potentially increase the risk for the development of type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes impacts an estimated 462 million individuals all over the world. While people can take steps to manage their diabetes and practice good health habits, some people can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the first place.
Sleep is an essential component of health and the duration and quality of sleep can greatly impact someone’s health.
Learn more about the links between sleep and Type 2 diabetes: