Should you track steps or minutes? What about splurging on experiences or things? Here's what this week's health headlines tell us.
Hello, health and wellness enthusiasts. My name is Kaitlin, your weekly guide to understanding the latest health news that can impact your life. It’s Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer, so remember to …
Wear sunscreen! As Rachel Grumman Bender reported, more than 30% of U.S. adults say they never do … and that’s bad news. Experts explain why it’s so risky not to use sun protection — and it goes way beyond just a sunburn. Check out our sunscreen guide for all you need to know.
The summer is one of the busiest travel times of the year. How do you avoid getting sick … and how can you make sure you’re able to keep illness at bay? Freelancer Priscilla Blossom says to keep these health tips in mind before taking off to enjoy your vacation.
Heat-related illnesses send thousands to the E.R., reports freelancer Korin Miller. Know the signs and symptoms to look out for to keep yourself safe.
Barbecuing this summer season? Keep these grilling safety tips from freelancer and dietitian Maxine Yeung handy.
Severe storms are in the forecast for a lot of the country. Natalie Rahhal explains how you and your loved ones can stay safe out there.
Poor air quality can dampen your outdoor time this summer, Chanelle Chandler writes. Fortunately, there are ways to stay safe and breathe easy.
Here are some other tips to improve your well-being this week:
💸 Is it better to spend money on experiences or things?
Would you rather splurge on concert tickets or pricey shoes? New research from the University of Texas in Austin says that spending money on experiences enhances social connections and happiness more than buying material goods, which can actually lead to negative feelings like envy in others.
👟 Should you track steps or minutes spent exercising?
Do you track your workouts with a pedometer … or a timer? It might not matter much, according to a study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, which found that both are equally effective in lowering the risk of early death and cardiovascular disease. Researchers found that higher activity levels overall reduced health risks, no matter how they're tracked.
🍪 Ultra-processed foods: Friend or foe?
A new study, which looked at more than 9,000 adults over an average of 11 years, found that those who consumed more ultra-processed foods had a higher risk of memory problems and stroke. Those who regularly ate unprocessed or minimally processed foods had a 12% lower risk of cognitive impairment and a 9% decreased risk of stroke.
Still, it’s worth noting that not all ultra-processed foods are created equal: Dietitian Maxine Yeung wrote for Yahoo Life that some ultra-processed foods can play a part in a healthy diet. In some cases, food processing can enhance its nutritional profile by adding vitamins and minerals into the mix, such as with fortified breakfast cereals.
🐟 Should you consider ditching your fish oil supplement?
A recent study published in BMJ found that fish oil supplements may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke in people without a history of heart problems, despite their known benefits for those with existing heart disease. If you pop a fish oil supplement daily, this may be a scary headline — but experts aren’t so sure you should toss your supplements just yet. Since the research couldn’t account for variables like the health of the individual before the study, the results may be skewed.
👂 Listen to a mental health podcast
Going on a long drive? Download some mental health podcasts — it may be great for your well-being. Researchers at the University College Cork in Ireland studied regular listeners of mental health podcasts and found listening to these programs positively influenced their mental health by reducing stigma and encouraging help-seeking behaviors. Regular listeners also became better able to understand their own mental health in a more self-reflective manner.
🚶♀️Walkers: Be extra careful crossing roads
Electric or hybrid cars may be more likely to strike a pedestrian, a new study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found. After analyzing Great Britain casualty data from 2013 to 2017, the researchers discovered that electric and hybrid vehicles pose a greater risk to pedestrians — and believe it may have to do with the fact that these vehicles are quieter than their fossil fuel counterparts. Accidents with electric or hybrid vehicles were more likely to occur in urban areas than rural ones, potentially because background noise in cities made these cars harder to detect.
🍵 Use matcha mouthwash
Matcha, a green tea powder, has been shown to inhibit the growth of the harmful oral bacteria P. gingivalis, which is linked to periodontitis, a severe gum infection. Now, Japanese researchers are testing it as mouthwash: The new study found that those who swapped their regular mouthwash for matcha mouthwash had significantly lower levels of the bacteria.
🧠 Remember to be F.A.S.T
May is Stroke Awareness Month. Do you know the signs? Remember this acronym and you won’t forget them: F.A.S.T. It stands for Face, Arms, Speech, Time. If someone's face droops on one side, they can't lift both arms or their speech is slurred, it's time to call emergency services. Acting quickly is crucial when you have a stroke and can prevent long-term damage.
