What to know about Fourth of July holiday origins and traditions
Those pyrotechnics also make it an especially dangerous holiday, typically resulting in more than 10,000 trips to the emergency room. Yet fireworks remain at the center of Independence Day, a holiday 247 years in the making.
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- Yahoo
The #1 Fruit for a Healthier Brain, Heart, and Gut
Key Takeaways Grapes earn 'superfood' status thanks to their high levels of polyphenols, which fight inflammation and protect overall health. Purple grapes pack the biggest punch—their deep color signals higher antioxidant content compared to red or green varieties. Just a cup a day goes a long way, supporting heart, brain, and gut health. When it comes down to getting an adequate amount of nutrients and minerals per day, fruits play an essential role in meeting these goals. But according to new research published by the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, there's one standout fruit that promotes a healthier brain, heart, and gut: fresh grapes. More specifically, the study claims that grapes can and should be categorized as a 'superfood,' aka nutrient-rich foods that benefit your overall health and well-being. To fully understand the impressive health benefits of grapes, we tapped dietitians to learn more. What Makes Grapes Good for You? The main reason grapes deserve a "superfood" classification is due to their high levels of phytonutrients—specifically polyphenols. 'Polyphenols are a large class of phytonutrients that are known for their antioxidant properties,' explains registered die\titian Avery Zenker, RD, MAN. 'Some of the types of polyphenols found in grapes include phenolic acids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and stilbenes. Many of the health benefits of grapes are attributed to the impact of these compounds on the body, particularly their anti-inflammatory properties.' When these polyphenols enter the body, they focus on neutralizing free radicals—or the molecules that increase oxidative stress—and can improve cardiovascular, brain, immune, and metabolic health over time. Between red, purple, and green grapes, however, you may be wondering which color packs the most nutrients. 'Most of the polyphenols and antioxidants in purple and red grapes are found in the skin,' Zenker says. 'Purple grapes contain more anthocyanins than red grapes, and much more than green grapes. Purple-colored grapes also contain a significantly higher total antioxidant capacity (TAC) than red or green grapes. The vibrant color of purple grapes signifies a potent antioxidant content.' Anthocyanins are what give purple grapes their deep hue—something red and green grapes have significantly low levels of. Zenker also points out that, while grapes are high in nutrient-dense compounds, understanding the food matrix can better explain how these compounds interact with one another. 'The food matrix is the physical and chemical structure of a food, and essentially, how its nutrients interact with each other,' she says. 'Grapes are more than just a collection of isolated compounds like phytonutrients. The food matrix determines how those compounds are digested, absorbed, how they interact with the gut microbiome, and how they impact the body.' That's why you don't need to eat a boatload of grapes to reap their benefits—roughly one or two cups (or 22 to 44 grapes, to be exact) can do a whole lot for your health. 3 Healthy Reasons to Eat More Grapes To further emphasize the message of this study, we asked our experts for some standout reasons to eat more grapes. They Boost Heart Health 'Grapes are rich in resveratrol and proanthocyanidins, compounds that may help to support heart health by helping blood vessels relax, [lowering] blood pressure, and [maintaining] healthy cholesterol levels,' says cardiology dietitian Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD. This can be especially beneficial for those with a high risk of cardiovascular disease; the more grapes you eat, the more you're feeding your body heart-healthy nutrients. They Support Cognitive Health As we age, the brain's cognitive function tends to decline—but with a healthy diet, along with some brain-boosting lifestyle habits, you can curb or delay age-related cognitive decline. 'The variety of antioxidants found in grapes may protect neurons and promote healthy brain function,' Routhenstein says. 'Some research suggests that regular grape consumption may improve cognitive function and potentially lower the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.' They Improve Gut Health Grapes are an anti-inflammatory powerhouse, properties which play a vital role in maintaining the gut microbiome. 'Polyphenols from grapes have been found to improve gut microbiome balance by increasing the quantity and quality of the digestive ecosystem,' Zenker says. 'The microbes in the gut have also been found to improve the bioavailability of polyphenols, potentially increasing their health impacts. The relationship between phytonutrients and the gut microbiome is still largely unexplored, so more research is needed to conclude stronger associations.' What's more, the gut microbiome has a significant impact on other bodily systems, including heart and brain health. Read the original article on Real Simple
Washington Post
41 minutes ago
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Carolyn Hax: Tell busybody sister about diagnosis that could affect her, too?
Hi Carolyn: I am 65 and the oldest of three children. Our parents have both died. We get along pretty well but do not live near each other. My memory is not so great, so I signed up for a study a year ago to test the efficacy of an Alzheimer's drug. They did genetic testing and discovered a 50 percent chance of having a gene that can result in Alzheimer's. Scans showed I do have plaques in my brain; however, it is at an early stage. I was accepted into the study. I am functioning normally and still work, drive and travel as always.
CBS News
41 minutes ago
- CBS News
Chicago rock climber undergoes brain surgery by doctor who's a rock climber too
A Chicago rock climber was grounded by a scary medical issue — a cyst in her brain. But a friendly face in the operating room helped Sophie Lin get to the gym again. Lin is a geologist who loves to analyze rocks — and around seven years ago, she became enamored with navigating and climbing them too. She could regularly be found practicing in gyms like First Ascent in the Loop multiple times a week. Her strength, strategy, and skills were all on the rise, until a strange feeling of weakness crept in. "If I reached for a right, like handhold, I would just miss," Lin said. "I would like circle it, fall." Lin noticed a problem with her grip too. "My right hand, after like maybe five, 10 seconds would just like, unfurl," Lin said, "even though, in my head, I'm telling my hand to like stay there." Then came seizure-like symptoms, which prompted her to get an MRI. It revealed a cyst in her brain — likely caused by a procedure she had as a child. Northwestern Medicine neurosurgeon Dr. Matthew Potts took the case. It turned out Dr. Potts was a rock climber too. "Funny little small world," Lin said. "From the first day we met, like, I think we had that connection and that bond," Potts said. More than anyone, Dr. Potts understood the difficulties his patient was describing. "The symptoms she was having wasn't necessarily preventing her from working, but it was absolutely preventing her from doing this hobby that she loves," said Potts. The treatment they settled on was brain surgery. The operation had to be done while Lin was awake. "Doing a surgery in this part of the brain can be dangerous. We worry that any injury to the brain can permanently affect language or movement," Potts said. "By having her awake, we could ask her to read some words." The 27-year-old Lin was clamoring to climb again, and waited only two weeks after surgery to hit the gym — where she ran right into Dr. Potts. "Oh, wait I know this face. Like, oh no. Like I shouldn't, he shouldn't see me here." But Potts said while it may have been a little early, "If anything, it was great to see her doing so well." Lin's seizures are now under control, and the right side of her body is back in action. "Like a superhero movie moment," she said. "I felt like, oh, I have my strength back."
