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The drink that's linked to higher rates of diabetes than candy bars

The drink that's linked to higher rates of diabetes than candy bars

Independent6 hours ago

A study by Brigham Young University and German institutions indicates that drinking sugary beverages, like soda, may be more harmful for your health than eating sugary foods.
The research found a consistent link between drinking sugar and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, with each additional 12-ounce serving of soda or sugary drinks increasing the risk by 25%.
The lead author, Karen Della Corte, suggests that liquid sugars overwhelm and disrupt liver metabolism due to their isolated nature, leading to increased liver fat and insulin resistance.
Unlike sugary drinks, dietary sugars found in nutrient-rich foods like fruits and whole grains do not cause metabolic overload due to the presence of fiber, fats, and other beneficial nutrients.
The study suggests that dietary guidelines should differentiate between sugar sources, with more stringent recommendations for liquid sugars found in sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juice.

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Beth, review: a baffling and muddled sci-fi drama about race and IVF
Beth, review: a baffling and muddled sci-fi drama about race and IVF

Telegraph

time34 minutes ago

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Beth, review: a baffling and muddled sci-fi drama about race and IVF

Beth is Channel 4's first 'digital original drama'. What does this mean? Your guess is as good as mine. But it's being shown as a 45-minute programme on regular television and in 15-minute mini-episodes on YouTube. 'Truly groundbreaking,' says the man from Channel 4. Hmm. The thinking seems to be that young people with chronically short attention spans watch YouTube, and Channel 4 needs young people. In which case, they've made a baffling choice of subject, because does anyone under the age of 30 want to watch a stifling drama about a couple going through IVF? It's billed as a sci-fi thriller, which piques the interest a bit. Think of it as an undercooked episode of Black Mirror. Joe and Molly (Nicholas Pinnock and Abbey Lee) have been trying for a baby. They've had multiple rounds of fertility treatment and multiple miscarriages. Now at the end of the road, they're told by their doctor that there is a chance they could conceive naturally. 'Once you remove the stress and strain, miracles can happen. That's the irony with IVF,' he explains. He also puts his hand on Molly's knee in the consulting room, which we are invited to find a bit suspicious. Is there something going on between those two? When Molly does get pregnant, and the baby arrives – white and bearing no resemblance to Joe – the question hanging in the air is: who's the father? We skip from the labour room to a few years later. You may be wondering where the sci-fi element kicks in, and the answer is about five minutes from the end. The big reveal is bizarre. Until then, though, it is just a little bit odd. Molly's mother becomes unnaturally freaked out by a child's drawing. There is some business with a wall clock. As for the title, I still have no idea who Beth is. Film-maker Uzo Oleh has a background in high-end fashion photography and he has crafted something that looks beautiful, not least because Lee is a model who has appeared on the cover of Vogue. As an entry into television writing and directing, it's a promising start, but too hung up on the visuals. The tone is arty. The casting is a problem, because while the talented Pinnock acts like a regular guy invested with a full range of human emotions, Lee is at an icy remove even in scenes where she's supposed to be full of warmth. At times, as Molly and Joe wear their expensive clothes in a tasteful apartment, a couple supposedly in love but displaying about as much emotional connection as Nick Robinson and Emma Barnett on the Today programme, it reminded me of Eyes Wide Shut. It helps to watch it twice, once you've seen the twist. But when the emphasis is on the convenience of 15-minute instalments, will anybody have the time to do that?

Tech stampede to the exit: British brilliance born of our great universities is being plundered daily, says ALEX BRUMMER
Tech stampede to the exit: British brilliance born of our great universities is being plundered daily, says ALEX BRUMMER

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Tech stampede to the exit: British brilliance born of our great universities is being plundered daily, says ALEX BRUMMER

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My painful restless legs are stopping me from relaxing & nothing seems to work – I'm desperate for help
My painful restless legs are stopping me from relaxing & nothing seems to work – I'm desperate for help

The Sun

time2 hours ago

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My painful restless legs are stopping me from relaxing & nothing seems to work – I'm desperate for help

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It's not understood why people get it and there's no known cure unless it's linked to an underlying, reversible condition. Iron deficiency or low iron levels can cause it, so it's worth your GP checking these if they haven't already. It can also be caused by certain medications, including some anti-nausea drugs, antidepressants, antipsychotics and antihistamines – so again, if you take any other meds, it's worth checking if there could be a link. Ropinirole used to be recommended as a first-line treatment, but the guidelines have changed and now gabapentin (and similar drugs) are advised. Some people are unable to take this due to potential interactions. Some people have side-effects, especially older adults. So your GP might have opted away from this, but it is worth asking them. You can always download the NICE guidelines yourself or attach the link in an e-consult request for them to consider. Just search 'NICE' and 'restless legs syndrome' and you'll reach the right webpage. It may also help if you reduce caffeine and alcohol, don't smoke, sleep well and be physically active. To relieve an attack, relaxation, stretching, walking or massage can help. RLS-UK ( has useful advice and resources. My doctor said it was pointless having an X-ray, but I have had corticosteroid injections, which did nothing to ease the pain. 3 I am a 63-year-old type 2 diabetic, and I have also been having physiotherapy, which has noticeably improved my range of movement. My physiotherapist is not entirely convinced that it IS a frozen shoulder, though, and has suggested it could potentially be a form of arthritis or another condition. He has written to my doctor recommending that X-rays be carried out. I have started experiencing upper back pain, too. I am unsure whether this is connected. How do I approach my doctor on this? A) Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition that causes pain, stiffness and reduced range of movement of the shoulder joint. 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A) It sounds like the 'fight or flight' part of your nervous system may be in overdrive and also that you have a lot of negative thoughts and emotions surrounding what has happened to your body. This statement, 'my body has become my enemy', is a clue that you are most likely to benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is available on the NHS. CBT could help you rebuild the relationship with your body. Please don't delay – self-refer on the NHS talking therapies webpage, or explore insurance or private options if these are available to you. Regarding the foot drop, in addition to physio and orthotics (which help prevent tripping and dragging of the toes), you should ask about whether electrical nerve stimulation would be an option for you. A device sends small electrical impulses to stimulate nerves that lift the foot and is sometimes used if the foot drop is caused by damage to the brain or spinal cord (eg from stroke or MS – multiple sclerosis). Research is ongoing into using stem cells or nerve growth factors to regenerate damaged nerves that cause foot drop. See if any trials are recruiting by asking your specialist team, exploring the NIHR Be Part of Research webpage, or by visiting

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