May 2015 Health Trends
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1 Cup
Eating just one cup of blueberries daily can significantly improve the health of arteries and prevent high blood pressure from developing, according to an eight-week study of premenopausal women at Florida State University. Those in the study received either a placebo or 22 grams of blueberry powder, equivalent to one cup of fresh berries.
63%
Men who use saunas 4-7 times a week are 63 percent less likely to die of a sudden, fatal heart attack, according to research in Finland (where saunas are popular), published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Researchers followed 2,315 men between the ages of 42 and 60 for nearly 21 years. They also found that compared to one sauna session per week, two to three lowered risk for a sudden, fatal heart attack by 22 percent. Spending 19 minutes or more in a sauna per day produced greater benefits, although the underlying mechanism for the benefit is not known.
12
The number of food additives that the non-profit Environmental Working Group has identified as the “dirty dozen” because they pose serious risks, may be banned in other developed countries, and/or simply don’t belong in food. Here’s the list:
- Nitrites and nitrates
- Potassium bromate
- Propyl paraben
- Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
- Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- Propyl gallate
- Theobromine
- Secret flavor ingredients
- Artificial colors
- Diacetyl
- Phosphate food additives
- Aluminum additives
To download the EWG’s Dirty Dozen Guide to Food Additives, visit ewg.org.