Loneliness linked to junk food cravings, kids might be exposing grandparents to pneumonia and more health news
Welcome to your weekly check-in on the latest health news you might have missed. This week, Yahoo Life fell down the wormhole of insect protein — and whether or not you should be adding bugs to your diet. Then there’s our look at the recent headlines about bird flu, delving into concerns about the virus that’s spread to dairy cows and one Texas farm worker.
In other health news, a new study finds that AEDs — those portable defibrillators you see in public buildings, gyms, sports fields, etc. — are seldom used during cardiac attacks that occur away from a hospital, despite their impact on a person’s survival rate. There’s also new research on new moms being mistreated during childbirth and whether or not four common medications could boost longevity.
Finally, consider this your final reminder to buy approved glasses that’ll protect your eyes during Monday’s solar eclipse. Now, onto the other big health lessons we learned this week.
🏃♀️ Active workstations can be a game-changer
A recent study by Mayo Clinic found that participants who used an active workstation, such as a standing desk or a space with a walking pad, reduced their sedentary time and improved their cognitive function without disrupting their job performance. This is important, given the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle — such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and musculoskeletal problems — which is often associated with long work hours sitting behind a desk.
🍫 Can loneliness make you crave unhealthy food?
A new study from UCLA Health found that lonely women were more likely to have activity in the parts of their brain associated with cravings. This activity increased when they were shown photos of sugary foods. At the same time, these women also had decreased activation in the parts of the brain that are associated with more controlled eating habits. The study authors suggest that loneliness may affect how often we reach for less healthy food options.
🧂 Watch your sodium intake
A new study found that 89% of its study participants with heart disease consumed, on average, twice the recommended 1,500 mg daily maximum of sodium. (The average recommended daily maximum for individuals without heart disease is 2,300 mg.) While sodium is considered an essential nutrient, in excess it can cause high blood pressure and put strain on the heart. The study’s authors suggest making meals at home, where it’s easier to control salt content, and call upon the food industry to more clearly label sodium content.
⏰ An erratic work schedule is bad for your health
Working 9 to 5 is the way to make a living — and keep your health in check, according to a new study published this week in the journal PLOS One. The research discovered that individuals who had irregular work schedules during their younger years experienced shorter sleep duration, poorer sleep quality and a higher likelihood of depressive symptoms by the age of 50. The outcomes were even worse for people who had traditional hours in their 20s but moved to more erratic ones in their 30s.
👵🏼 Grandparents may be more susceptible to pneumonia
A new study from the Yale School of Public Health found that older adults (such as grandparents) who spent time with kids daily or every few days were six times more likely to carry pneumococcal bacteria than those who did not interact with children. This is because children have between a 20% and 60% chance of being asymptomatic carriers of this bacteria, and are more likely to pass it on to adults than adults are to one another.
