Many women enjoy a glass of wine in the evening with dinner or before bed. It can assist with relaxation and helps people unwind after a long day at work. Many women also think that wine helps with heart health, a nice added bonus.
Unfortunately, recent studies have found that there may actually be a risk for women who indulge in a glass of wine on a daily basis. It’s causing women everywhere to reconsider what was once seen as a healthy habit.
Researchers have known for some time that heavy alcohol use and breast cancer were related. The more alcohol a woman drank, the more likely she was to develop this terrible disease. That’s why, for years, doctors recommended that women (and men, too) drink alcohol only in moderation.
The previous recommendation was that women should drink no more than five ounces a day. The benefits included a healthier heart, better skin, and even help in preventing hearing loss. This was welcome news to women everywhere and an invitation to drink for their health.
A recent study, however, is questioning whether any amount of alcohol is actually good for women. It followed 119 women worldwide and examined their alcohol intake and their risk for breast cancer. It examined both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The results were pretty stark.
Drinking just ten grams of alcohol per day (equivalent to a small glass of wine, eight ounces of beer, or one ounce of hard liquor) increased the risk of breast cancer by five percent in premenopausal women and nine percent in postmenopausal women. Naturally, women everywhere were alarmed by these results.
The news wasn’t all bad, however. The researchers also found that increased daily activity led to a decreased risk of breast cancer. This might mean that getting enough exercise could cancel out the health problems caused by drinking wine daily. That’s far from certain, however, so if women want to be as healthy as possible, they may want to cut out alcohol out of their diet altogether while still getting daily exercise.
Critics of the study have argued that the sample size is too small to draw any firm conclusions. With only 119 women studied, more research will be needed before we really know what connection, if any, there is between small amounts of alcohol and breast cancer. This initial study does point to a connection, even if it’s not conclusive.
For women who have a family history of breast cancer, giving up alcohol completely may be the best course of action. If you are a woman who drinks wine for the health benefits, you can simply drink organic grape juice instead of wine. Grape juice contains all of the health benefits of wine without the risk. Just make sure the grape juice you’re drinking doesn’t have added sugar, or it could lead to weight gain.
While more research is needed, women who are extremely concerned about breast cancer should give up alcohol until more research has been done. This way, a woman can be sure she’s doing everything possible to avoid this terrible health condition.
Author: HealthyWay Staff Writer
It’s 2017 and let’s face it: We don’t have much control anymore over the media our children are exposed to when we’re not watching over them. There are many Internet fads that we overhear our kids talking about with their friends, but the names of these fads sometimes don’t make sense and they blow right over our heads. There are “challenges” floating around online and while some of it is harmless fun, such as the bottle flipping challenge, others are more dangerous and pose a threat to our children’s safety. Read on and be aware of what your kids might be trying with their friends.
Backpack Challenge
Two rows of people line up and everyone holds a heavy backpack.
One person tries to run through the rows without getting knocked down, but inevitably he or she is knocked down and can get hurt.
Kylie Lip Challenge
This one has been around for a little while, so you’ve probably heard of it.
To look like Kylie Jenner, kids put shot glasses over their mouths and suck in so that their lips swell up.
This represents the many pressures that girls feel to look like certain women in the media. It might be important to have a talk with your daughter about societal pressures on appearance. And on top of that, the challenge is dangerous. Shot glasses are not made of flexible glass. The glass can break from the pressure and cause dangerous cuts.
Choking/Pass-Out Challenge
The truth is that this game has been around for decades and continues to stay popular with each generation.
If you don’t already know it, the choking game is when children choke each other or press on each other’s chest or hyperventilate until the person feels high or passes out. Children have died while playing this game.
Salt and Ice Challenge
This is a very dangerous challenge. When you put salt and ice together, the temperature of the ice can drop to lower than 2 degrees Fahrenheit.
Kids put the ice and salt on their skin, and the challenge is to see who can withstand the pain of the frostbite for a longer period of time. Doctors say this can cause permanent damage to bone and muscle.
Blue Whale Challenge
This is perhaps the creepiest challenge of them all for the sake of its anonymity and what it asks of your kids.
The blue whale challenge involves an anonymous “administrator” who gives the participant a different challenge every day for 50 days. The challenges typically involve self-harm, such as cutting.
On the 50th day, the participant is supposed to commit suicide. Some people claim there have been suicides linked to this game, but that’s most likely not true. Still, this could be dangerous for at-risk kids who are thinking of harming themselves. Apparently, there have been blue whale challenge apps that appeared but then ultimately were removed. Be on the lookout that your child doesn’t have an app like this on his or her phone.
There is alarm and concern amongst some people about the chemicals found in our kitchen. Some diets exploit this by pushing for a “chemical-free” lifestyle that they claim keep toxins from the body. What these diets fail to recognize is that literally everything in our kitchen, and everything in general, is made of chemicals.
To illustrate the folly of the “chemical-free lifestyle,” people have warned of dihydrogen monoxide, found in every home. This chemical can cause suffocation, accelerates corrosion, and can be fatal if consumed in large doses. Dihydrogen monoxide, of course, is another name for water.
While this is a somewhat comical example, it does illustrate that all chemicals aren’t the same. Some chemicals are perfectly fine for your body, while others are extremely harmful. The trick is to eliminate harmful chemicals. So just what are some of these dangerous chemicals that you should avoid?
One of the biggest chemicals you’ll want to stay away from, or at least cut down on, is sodium chloride. This is more commonly known as salt. Americans eat far, far too much salt. In fact, it’s estimated that as much as 90 percent of Americans eat too much salt. This is truly a staggering statistic!
The daily recommendation for salt consumption for healthy people is 2,300 mg (it’s less in people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or people over 50). On average, Americans actually consume 3,592 mg per day. This amount is 50 percent more than is healthy. This can lead to hypertension, heart damage, and obesity.
Another chemical to avoid is polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE. This is what makes non-stick pans non-stick. While they’re convenient when it comes time to clean, they may also be harmful to your health.
PTFE releases a toxic gas when exposed to high temperatures. This has been shown to cause cancer in certain individuals. It’s also been linked to organ failure and damage to the reproductive system. If you’re going to use these pans, use them at a low heat. It’s probably best, though, just to get rid of them altogether.
When it comes to ingredients in your food, you’ll want to avoid pretty much any chemicals found in processed foods. They contain a laundry list of harmful ingredients that can damage your body. The rule of thumb is that if you can’t pronounce it, it’s probably NOT something that should go into your body.
One example is Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA). This ingredient is added to processed foods to preserve freshness and may be listed in the ingredients as “E320.” It’s also found in cosmetics, rubber, and petroleum products.
While the dosage in food is very low, repeated exposure may be enough to cause cancer. The state of California has listed it as a carcinogen because high doses have been shown to cause cancer in rats and certain types of hamsters.
In general, if you want to eat healthier you should stick to an organic diet of natural foods. This allows you to control exactly what goes into your food instead of relying on food manufacturers who may be looking at their bottom line as opposed to the health of their customers. Being diligent about eating healthy chemicals and avoiding toxic chemicals can potentially lead to better health. Keep in mind, however, that not all chemicals are harmful.
Testosterone is a male sex hormone that plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues. Women’s ovaries also produce a small amount of testosterone, but typically, men possess seven to eight times more testosterone than their female counterparts.
The presence of this hormone is one of the reasons why there are a number of differences between the sexes, but it has been difficult to study how male and females brains respond to the presence of testosterone.
Two new studies, though, show that an increased presence of testosterone in females can literally change the way their brains work.
Dutch researchers with Utrecht University studied the effects of one-time doses on women’s “cognitive-empathetic abilities.”
These scientists studied the changes in their subjects ability to read emotions by administering what’s called the “Reading the Mind in Eyes Test” (RMET). This exam asks subjects to judge the emotions of others just by looking at pictures of those people’s eyes.
The subjects were given the RMET before and after being given a “single administration of testosterone”—using a control group, of course—and the researchers observed the subjects’ brain activity as well.
The scientists observed that the testosterone “significantly altered connectivity” with the parts of the brain in charge of “integration and selection of sensory information, and for action preparation during cognitive empathic behavior.”
Essentially, their research boiled down to the fact that “testosterone can impair emotion-recognition ability.”
Another European study observed the effects of testosterone in patients undergoing female-to-male gender transition
Dr. Kamilla Miskowiak of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology summarized the study:
“It is well-known that language development differs between girls and boys and that this is related to gender-related differences in brain maturation. However, this intriguing neuroimaging study of transsexuals before and after their female-to-male gender reassignment suggests that even adult men and women differ in brain structure within regions involved in language and speech. In particular, female-to-male gender reassignment resulted in local brain matter decrease within language processing regions, which may explain why verbal abilities are often stronger in women.”
In short, giving females testosterone can change the way their brains process language.
Don’t draw too many conclusions from this research, though.
In 2015, Slovakian doctors performed a comprehensive study of studies, “On the effects of testosterone on brain behavioral functions.”
These doctors point out that it’s difficult to draw broad conclusions from these studies, noting, “that it is a hot topic of interest.”
The many and varied studies have administered testosterone differently, have observed various variables, and have examined a wide array of subjects. Essentially, these Slovakian scientists warn that each study may demonstrate an “association or correlation but not a causal relationship of testosterone effect on behavior.”
“Nevertheless…” they concede, “testosterone seems to affect brain functions.”
“Most of the published literature agrees on the fact that testosterone is anxiolytic, antidepressant and improves spatial abilities. But this picture is oversimplified. Many variables add to the complex interactions between testosterone and the brain.”
So, does the presence of testosterone cause men to have a harder time gauging emotions than women? It probably plays a role, yes.
Does a smaller amount of testosterone make women better at developing language and communication skills? Perhaps that is a very real factor.
What the team from Slovakia insists on pointing out, though, is that “small studies can only describe a very small window of the whole complex physiology.”
We’re still learning about human physiology and it will take a long time and more consistent, peer-reviewed and confirmed studies before we have a firm grasp on exactly what role testosterone plays in our brains.
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9 Things You Didn't Know Make You Bloated
Stomach bloating is something we all deal with. While it’s natural, it’s also exacerbated by certain foods or drinks. If you want a bloat-free belly, here are some foods you may want to avoid.
1) Cruciferous vegetables
Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kale are all types of cruciferous vegetables. Although they’re very good for you, they also can cause bloating.
That’s because they contain a carbohydrate called raffinose, which our bodies can’t digest. We lack an enzyme to do so, which results in the raffinose mixing and fermenting with bacteria in our gut. This fermentation leads to bloating.
2) Foods That Are High in Sodium
Most Americans eat too much salt. This is a problem because that excess salt causes our bodies retain water, resulting in bloating. Foods to avoid include deli meats, processed foods, canned soups, and pre-made sauces.
For reference, you should only be eating about 2,300 mg of salt per day. You should eat even less if you have diabetes, have high blood pressure, or are over 50.
3) Alcohol
Unfortunately, alcohol leads to bloating. If you’re trying to look and feel your best, you’ll need to cut out the booze entirely (or severely limit your intake).
Like high-sodium foods, alcohol causes you to retain water, making you look puffy and bloated. It can also lead to constipation, which makes people feel bloated.
4) Watermelon
It seems strange that watermelon could make you feel bloated because it’s mostly water. Unfortunately, it’s true.
That’s because of the fructose found in watermelon—and in all fruits. Our bodies can’t completely absorb fructose, and this leads to bloating. Although any fruit can cause this, watermelon is especially bad. This is disappointing news because it’s so refreshing to eat at the beach or around the pool!
5) Flavored Yogurt
Plain yogurt actually helps fight bloating. The probiotics help with digestion and are good for gut bacteria.
Flavored yogurt, however, contains loads of sugar, which counteracts those probiotics. The sugar ferments in your stomach, making you feel bloated.
6) Carbonated Beverages
Whether it’s regular soda, diet soda, sparkling water, or whatever, if it’s carbonated, it’s going to cause bloating.
The bubbles in these drinks cause your stomach to inflate, making you feel bloated.
7) Onions
Onions cause bloating because they contain a carbohydrate called fructan. The body has trouble digesting this carb. When it’s not digested, it’s stored in the intestines and retains water, or it ferments in the gut. Either way, it’s a recipe for bloating.
8) Artificial Sweetener
Many people love artificial sweeteners because they contain no calories. Sadly, they can lead to bloating because they are difficult for the body to digest.
When they sit in the body, they lead to us retaining water. As noted above with several foods, retained water leads to bloating.
9) Popcorn
Most of us love a good bag (or tub) of popcorn at the movies. That popcorn, though, will leave you feeling bloated.
There’s actually nothing in popcorn that makes you feel bloated, it’s just the sheer volume that we eat that leaves us bloated. Our bodies already have difficulty digesting corn. Throwing a lot of it into your stomach at once is a recipe for bloating.
Each year, the world produces and consumes about 12.8 billion tons of fruit juice.
It’s a more common drink in wealthier parts of the world, and in the United States, fruit juice is actually more profitable for farmers than fruit. It’s especially popular with kids, and why not? After all, fruit juice is delicious and nutritious.
Well, as it turns out, maybe not nutritious.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently issued new recommendations, and it’s troubling news for parents who use fruit juices to keep their kids hydrated (and quiet).
The guidelines seem to push back against an earlier conclusion: that half of a child’s daily fruit intake could come from fruit juices, rather than real fruits. The academy no longer maintains that fruit juices are an adequate substitution in every case, and the new rules note that since juices are “easily overconsumed,” parents should exercise caution when giving them to their children.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the new guidelines.
Babies should not receive fruit juice until they’re a year old.
Instead, they should receive infant formula or breast milk until 6 months of age. They shouldn’t receive fruit juice under any circumstances, as juice could potentially stunt their growth. Parents can give children mashed or pureed fruit past the 6-month marker.
This is a notable change from earlier guidelines, which allowed 6-month-old children to have juice.
From age 1 to 4, children should only receive a maximum of four ounces of juice per day.
They should receive a cup of fruit per day in total, but only 4 ounces can come from fruit juice. That’s an extremely small amount by most parents’ standards; Mott’s Apple Juice, for instance, comes in 6.75-ounce boxes, so toddlers wouldn’t be able to consume an entire box without exceeding the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations.
In fairness to food and beverage companies, their product sizes are largely based on older dietary guidelines, so we may see juice box sizes shrink over the next few years.
“In the past, we’ve always said generally 6 to 8 ounces per day and we weren’t really focusing on the age group,” said clinical dietitian Kristi King in an interview with CBS. “The new recommendations are much more tangible.”
There’s another significant issue to consider: Most fruit juice isn’t really fruit juice.
The academy strongly recommends reading labels (which aren’t always completely accurate) to find 100 percent fruit juices.
As fruit juices are big business, many manufacturers add sugar and other ingredients to make their products more palatable to children. This can increase calorie counts and further reduce the nutritional value of juices.
Parents should also make sure that schools aren’t providing children with juices, as many schools still operate under the old guidelines, offering juice in place of real fruits (and sacrificing nutrition in the process).
Ultimately, the safest practice is to choose whole fruits wherever possible. Juices may be delicious, but they’re hardly nutritious—especially for growing children.
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There’s a pretty good chance that you have a parasite in your brain.
Don’t let it freak you out or anything—after all, you’re not alone. About 30-50 percent of people have been exposed to Toxoplasma
T.
Oh, and some studies have suggested that T.
Nearly any animal can become infected with T. gondii , but only one animal provides the environment that the organism needs to reproduce.
That animal would be the domestic housecat. Yes, the same adorable little creature currently living in your home.
But T.
Here’s what happens: The parasite infects a mouse, then works its way into the rodent’s brain, changing neural pathways to make the mouse seek out cats (or at least show less caution when near felines).
Cats that eat these rodents become infected, allowing T.
Humans often become infected when cleaning up after their housecats. They can pass the parasite on by not properly washing their hands before preparing food. While T.
Various studies show that T. gondii infection can prompt behavioral changes in humans.
Some have even associated the protozoa with neurological disorders like schizophrenia. Studies like “Toxoplasma
Another study showed that T.
If you’re looking for some good news, we’ve got some; an analysis of the massive Dunedin Longitudinal Study showed no notable link between toxoplasmosis and any personality traits, nor with rates of neurological disorders.
This obviously conflicts with the information presented in earlier studies, but as the researchers note, earlier analyses worked with much smaller sample sizes. It’s possible that the protozoa can’t control your brain—unless, of course, you’re a mouse.
Then again, that might just be what the T.
Many people swear by the raw food diet. These people eat fruits and vegetables that have not been cooked. The underlying theory behind this diet is that cooking fruits and vegetables removes essential vitamins and nutrients.
Proponents of a raw food diet also claim that raw food prevents the buildup of toxins in the body, because raw food is eliminated from the body in about 24 hours—much less time than the 72 hours it typically takes for cooked food to pass through our digestive system. They argue this can prevent certain types of cancer and generally keeps our body working more efficiently.
Some adherents to this diet, however, have reported feeling a tingling sensation in their mouth when eating raw food. The sensation is minor, so some people just thought it was in their heads. It turns out that it’s a real medical condition, not just a figment of their imagination.
This tingling is caused by a pollen allergy in the body. It’s called oral allergy syndrome, and it can come on suddenly in people who may have never had a problem eating these foods before.
Raw fruits and vegetables contain proteins that actually look similar to pollen in the body. The immune system mistakes these proteins for pollen and begins fighting them off, causing that tingling sensation.
Some people have reported that the tingling sensation starts on the tongue, then travels into the throat as the person swallows the food. In some cases, the lips may also swell. This swelling and tingling typically passes in a few minutes.
The reaction is frustrating because it’s difficult to diagnose. The allergy won’t show up on tests to detect food allergies, leading to many misdiagnoses from allergists unfamiliar with oral allergy syndrome. Doctors do expect this condition to become more common as more and more people develop allergies to pollen.
The good news is that this condition is typically not serious. Doctors tend to advise people who experience oral allergy syndrome to avoid foods that cause this reaction. The trigger foods will differ in each person, so people will just have to try different fruits and vegetables to see which foods, if any, cause problems.
Doctors do, however, caution that people should contact an allergist if these symptoms get worse or if they notice symptoms while eating nuts. Since a nut allergy can be fatal, further testing should be done to determine what exactly is causing your reaction.
If your symptoms are minor, doctors recommend cooking or baking fruits or veggies to prevent an allergic reaction. If that’s not possible with a raw food diet, try peeling your foods before eating them. Most of the protein that causes these allergic reactions are found in the skin of fruits and vegetables. An oral antihistamine can also relieve minor symptoms caused by oral allergy syndrome.
Although doctors urge people to be cautious, this condition alone will not cause health problems. If you can tolerate some minor tingling while eating your favorite fruits and vegetables, you should be just fine.
Long gone are the days when Amazon was just for buying books. Now you can use the internet superstore to get healthy by buying foam rollers, Fitbits, protein powder, and even exotic tropical fruits.
Yes, you read that correctly. Amazon has officially partnered with Tropical Importers to bring you fresh fruit by the pound. Here are some of the more exotic fruits they offer that are hard to find (even in specialty stores).
1. Mamey Sapote
This fruit resembles a more oval-shaped cantaloupe, but the fruits’ bright salmon-colored flesh hints at how much sweeter it is. This delectable fruit comes from trees in southern Mexico, Central America, and Cuba.
Mamey Sapote is a great source of vitamins B6, C, and E. It also has contains significant amounts of riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), potassium, and manganese. You can get a set of three for $32.49 plus a reasonable $4.49 for shipping. At this price, it’s not an everyday food, but you should try them at least once in your life.
2. Longans
This odd little fruit is related to the more well-known lychee and ackee. To eat it, you have to pop the fruit out of a bark-like shell. The flesh of the fruit is sweet and succulent and resembles a lychee in flavor.
You can eat longan fruit raw (just don’t eat the seed). Chinese cuisine uses the dried fruit in dessert soups and other dishes. This tiny fruit is loaded with vitamin C and also contains riboflavin and potassium.
3. Mangosteen
This purple-husked, white-fleshed fruit reduces inflammation and boosts your immune system. It’s about the size and shape of a tangerine, though its taste is significantly different.
Mangosteens don’t have a ton of nutrients other than vitamin C. One large health benefit they bestow, however, is an antioxidant it contains called xanthones. These substances fight free radicals which cause cancer, making the mangosteen a superfood.
4. Sapodilla
This fruit is also called a sapota in some countries. The flesh has a plum-like texture and toffee-like taste.
Researchers have studied compound extracts from the sapodilla fruit to search for possible medicinal uses. Extracts from the seeds have shown anti-bacterial effects, while extracts from the leaves have shown anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects. The fruit contains significant amounts of iron and pantothenic acid (B5) as well as vitamin C.
5. Guanabana
Westerners may know this fruit better as
Buying fresh fruit from Amazon is pricey, but it gives you access to a huge variety of foods you would not be able to otherwise taste. These fruits contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that may be hard to find elsewhere. For a little taste of everything, we recommend a 5-pound variety box.
On August 21, the United States will be directly in the path of a total solar eclipse. While total solar eclipses have touched portions of the country, the last time a total eclipse crossed the entire country was in 1918. Needless to say, stargazers are extremely excited.
While the whole country will catch a glimpse of the eclipse, some areas will experience total darkness for almost three full minutes. If you’re in that path, you’ll see a true wonder of nature.
Before you go out and observe this eclipse, scientists offer some words of warning so you don’t damage your eyesight. There are some rules that you and your family should follow when viewing this incredible phenomenon.
The path for best viewing will begin just south of Portland, Oregon. From there, the path travels through southern Idaho into the Boise area. It will then travel to Wyoming, go over Nebraska, then travel southeast. It will pass over Kansas City and St. Louis, with the greatest duration of total eclipse (two minutes, 40 seconds) just a few miles southeast of St. Louis in rural Illinois. It will then pass through Tennessee and into South Carolina. If you’re looking to get the best glimpse of the eclipse, travel to any of those places for a great view.
If you do plan on viewing this eclipse, the most important rule, scientists say, is to never stare directly at a partial eclipse. If any part of the sun is visible, you are damaging your eyes just as if you were staring directly at the sun. When the total eclipse is occurring, you can look directly at it. Once the moon begins moving and part of the sun is visible again, look away.
To view the eclipse safely, scientists recommend wearing eclipse glasses. The glasses have extremely powerful filters that are magnitudes darker than your typical sunglasses. This will protect your eyes, giving you a full glimpse of nature’s majesty.
For those who plan to bring binoculars or a camera, it’s important to note that these lenses won’t protect your eyes. You’ll need special filters specifically made for your piece of equipment. Using eclipse sunglasses with a pair of binoculars, a telescope, camera, etc., will ultimately result in eye damage. It is recommended that you speak with an astronomer or safety expert before purchasing a filter for your equipment to ensure safety.
If you don’t want to buy sunglasses to view the eclipse, you can look at it indirectly with a pinhole camera. This is a small hole that is pointed at the sun and reflected on a blank piece of cardboard. You can view the path of the moon over the sun via the reflection against the cardboard, then look at the sun when the reflection is completely blocked. For those who want to see the eclipse directly, the pinhole camera won’t work. You’ll need solar eclipse glasses.
When buying these glasses, make sure they are new glasses that meet the current safety standards of ISO 12312-2. Some older glasses may have different standards that were acceptable at the time they were created but aren’t today. For your safety, be certain that any glasses you buy meet this important standard.
Once you have your glasses, travel to the path of totality mentioned above and enjoy the brilliant spectacle! There won’t be another quite like it for about 100 years.
