It's no surprise that sugar-sweetened drinks can contribute to weight gain, dental problems, and metabolic impairments. But emerging evidence suggests they can also harm your heart. A recent study found that consuming more than eight sugar-sweetened drinks weekly increases the risk of various cardiovascular diseases by as much as 31%. Researchers investigated links between sugar intake and cardiovascular disease among nearly 70,000 people. They asked participants about their sugar intake from various sugar-sweetened foods and drinks. Then, using national disease registers, they ascertained the... diet sugar sugar-sweetened beverages cardiovascular
Read moreHere’s an interesting report that didn't make it into this issue of the Digest. Micro- and nanoplastics are ubiquitous environmental pollutants. Humans encounter these pollutants through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact, eliciting various harmful health effects. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the effects of micro- and nanoplastic exposure. ... pollution environment Microplastics
Read moreCigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer, the second most common form of cancer and a leading cause of death worldwide. A 2017 study found that heavy smokers' lung cancer risk drops by nearly 40 percent just five years after quitting smoking, The study involved more than 8,900 people enrolled in two large cohort studies. Researchers tracked the participants' health for an average of 30 years and determined their cancer risk based on whether they were current, former, or never smokers. They found that current and former smokers had a higher risk of developing lung cance... cancer mortality addiction tobacco
Read moreAutoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis occur when the immune system mistakes the body's own proteins for t... ... aliquot gut microbiome fasting immune system environment autoimmunity
Listen nowDepression is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Although many factors contribute to a person's risk for developing depression, such as childhood trauma or stressful life events, genetic predisposition for the condition plays a prominent role (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6065213/). Findings from a recent study suggest that air pollution exerts harmful neuropsychiatric effects, especially among people genetically predisposed to depression. Air pollution contains myriad toxic substances, including chemicals, gases, and particulate mat... depression pollution
Read moreInorganic light-emitting diodes – better known as LEDs – are ubiquitous in the modern era. Found in cell phones, televisions, computer screens, and a host of other electronic devices, LEDs emit short-wave, high-energy blue light, which has been linked to a wide range of harmful effects on health and sleep. Findings from a recent study suggest that organic LEDs (OLEDs), which produce less light in the blue-wave spectrum, have fewer harmful effects on human metabolism. Light exposure is one of the primary regulators of the body's circadian rhythms and plays key roles in sleep quantity and quali... metabolism blue light
Read moreThe alcohol increased the number of glutamate receptors at the synapse and this increased the fear response. These findings could have relevance for PTSD if the same holds true for humans. It also suggests that people that binge drink or use alcohol to self-medicate may actually be doing more harm. ... brain alcohol anxiety
Read moreFTA: > Metformin, a commonly used drug for treating type 2 diabetes, is linked to an increased risk of low thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in patients with underactive thyroids, according to a study. Low levels of thyroid stimulating hormone can cause harm, such as cardiovascular conditions and fractures. ... drug metformin
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