Eating foods rich in amino acids could be as good for your heart as stopping smoking or getting more exercise -- according to new research from the University of East Anglia (UEA). A new study published today reveals that people who eat high levels of certain amino acids found in meat and plant-based protein have lower blood pressure and arterial stiffness. And the magnitude of the association is similar to those previously reported for lifestyle risk factors including salt intake, physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking. Researchers investigated the effect of seven … [Read more...] about High protein foods boost cardiovascular health, as much as quitting smoking or getting exercise
A bottle of water before mealtimes could aid weight loss
Obesity is a growing health concern in the US, affecting more than a third of American adults. But according to a new study, losing weight does not have to be a mammoth task; simply drinking 500 ml of water 30 minutes before each meal can help. Published in the journal Obesity, the study found drinking 500 ml of water half an hour before eating breakfast, lunch and dinner led to greater weight loss among obese adults compared with those who did not drink water before mealtimes. "The beauty of these findings is in the simplicity. Just drinking a pint of water, three times a day, before your … [Read more...] about A bottle of water before mealtimes could aid weight loss
Intelligence linked to physical performance in middle age, study shows
A study published in the Journal of Aging and Health that followed 3,000 men reveals a link between intelligence and midlife physical performance. Previous research suggests the better our physical performance in middle age, the more likely we are to retain our independence and cope with everyday activities in old age, such as carrying our shopping and getting dressed. Researchers who study this area usually employ a number of tests - such as handgrip strength, balance, chair rises, jumping height (a measure of leg strength), and back strength - when measuring physical performance. For … [Read more...] about Intelligence linked to physical performance in middle age, study shows
Sleep Fights Colds, Study Finds
If you're loading up on vitamin C and zinc to stave off the sniffles, you should try an earlier bedtime instead. People who regularly sleep six hours or less each night are four times more likely to get a cold than people who sleep just an hour longer, a new study finds. Short sleep was more important than any other factor in predicting who would get sick after exposure to the cold virus, researchers say. "It's almost alarming how strong the effects are," says Aric Prather, an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco and lead author … [Read more...] about Sleep Fights Colds, Study Finds