Latest news with #HPFS
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Just Discovered a Surprising Health Benefit of Tea
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RDA new study suggests that eating more flavonoids may help improve quality of life as we age. Berries, apples, red wine, oranges and black tea had the strongest associations. Adding more plant-based foods to your day can support healthier are living longer than ever. From 1900 to now, we've increased our longevity by over 30 years. But living longer doesn't necessarily equate to being healthy and having a high quality of life, especially as we age. That means it's important to focus on both lifespan (number of years lived) and healthspan (number of years with good health). Reasons for the increase in longevity have a lot to do with medical advances, including diagnosing, treatments, surgical options and research. While these things may improve quality of life, they often only cure or improve the disease state. This means that ultimately, your quality of life depends on your habits. Though some may think these habits are more important in midlife and older age, the younger you are when you establish healthy habits—even in childhood—the more likely you are to continue them throughout your lifetime. And let's face it: The more established habits become, the more difficult they are to change. Diet plays a large role in how well our bodies and brains function, as well as how quickly they age. Researchers from Australia and the U.S. teamed up to take a closer look at a powerful plant compound—flavonoids—aiming to establish relationships between them and healthy aging. They recently published their findings in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Let's break them down. Related: 6 Habits Women in Their 20s Should Start for Healthy Aging, According to Experts Researchers drew data from two long-term U.S. studies—the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS). The NHS began in 1976 with 121,701 female nurses between the ages of 30 and 55 at baseline; the HPFS included 51,529 male health professionals aged 40 to 75 at baseline and started in 1986. Researchers included 62,743 females and 23,687 males from these studies for this current analysis. This study aimed to examine relationships between flavonoid intake and three indicators of healthy aging: frailty levels, physical function and mental health. Flavonoids are plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Foods high in flavonoids include berries, oranges, apples, dark chocolate and tea. For this study, researchers looked at several angles, including a 'flavodiet' score based on the number of flavonoid servings per day, flavonoid subclasses and more. To examine flavonoid intakes, researchers used participants' food frequency questionnaires, which were completed at baseline and every four years. Frailty is defined as having three or more of these self-reported criteria: fatigue, poor strength, reduced aerobic capacity (i.e., getting short of breath more easily with activity), five or more chronic illnesses, and 5% or greater loss of body weight. Frailty was determined based on answers to a questionnaire every four years. Physical impairment was assessed throughout the study period based on a 10-question survey about physical limitations in performing various moderate and vigorous activities. Participants were given a score, calculated on a 100-point scale. Those scoring under 80 were considered physically impaired. Mental health was assessed using three different scales at various times throughout the study period. Poor mental health was determined based on the scores. Related: How Poor Gut Health Can Increase Anxiety and Depression Risk & What to Eat to Help Because researchers were looking at so many aspects of flavonoids and various factors, many results surfaced from this study. The researchers observed the clearest associations between flavonoids and healthy aging in the Nurses' Health Study, which included only female participants. For female participants, those who ate the most flavonoids had a 15% lower risk of developing frailty, a 12% lower risk of developing impaired physical function and a 12% lower risk of developing poor mental health compared to those who ate the least flavonoids. The researchers also broke down those findings for female participants food by food. The findings included that when comparing highest to lowest intakes: Tea, red wine, blueberries, apples and oranges were associated with an 11% to 21% lower risk of frailty. Red wine, blueberries, apples, strawberries and oranges were associated with 4% to 14% lower risk of physical impairment. Apples, strawberries, oranges and grapefruit were associated with 10% to 15% lower risk of poor mental health. The findings for citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit also included their juice, so even a morning glass of OJ may have beneficial effects. Related: Is Orange Juice Good for You? Here's What Dietitians Say There were few strong associations for male participants, but they largely had to do with high amounts of flavonols supporting better mental health with age. For instance, female participants who increased their intake of flavonoid-rich foods by three servings a day were at a lower risk for all three aging outcomes, while male participants only experienced a lower risk for poor mental health. Researchers aren't entirely sure why men didn't show the same level of risk reduction as women. While there may be some sex differences, they surmise that it might also be due to the shorter follow-up time in the male study compared to the female study. Less follow-up time means less data to work with, so more research needs to be done to gain clarity in this area. One limitation of this study is that it depended on self-reporting on diet, which opens up the possibility of bias and incorrect estimation. The participants of this study were largely white professional men and women, so it is unknown whether the results extend to other populations. Related: Scientists Just Discovered a New Health Benefit of Coffee While we often focus on living longer, the same habits contributing to longevity can also help improve quality of life. If this is your goal, this study suggests including plenty of foods rich in flavonoids—and that includes drinks like black tea. While all tea leaves are loaded with antioxidants, this study primarily considered black tea. But other teas rank right up there, too, including green, hibiscus, oolong, white and rooibos. This study did not note whether the tea was consumed plain or was embellished with sugar or cream, but if you're going to become a regular tea sipper, we suggest drinking it plain most of the time to avoid consuming too much added sugar and saturated fat. If you want the extra flavoring, consider sweetening your tea with allulose or stevia and using a touch of milk or nondairy milk for creaminess. Of course, those recommended flavanol-rich foods also include berries, apples and citrus fruits and juices. Eat the fruits whole or use them in tasty recipes, including smoothies and our Lemon-Blueberry Overnight Oats, Spring Pea Salad with Strawberries or Slow-Cooker Chile-Orange Chicken Tacos. Moderate red wine intake was linked to healthier aging in this study. It's important to emphasize that the benefits were exclusively related to red wine. Plus, research is mixed regarding alcohol and health. If you stick to just one 5-ounce serving with dinner, there is evidence that you might experience health benefits to your heart and brain. Beyond these limits—and for some, with any amount of alcohol—health benefits diminish. Related: 5 Fruits with More Fiber Than a Bowl of Oatmeal, According to a Dietitian This study didn't include dark chocolate in the analysis, but that, too, is rich in flavonoids. If you're looking for creative ways to add dark chocolate to your food lineup, give some of our highly rated recipes a try, including our Crispy Peanut Butter Balls and Chocolate Nut Bark. This study suggests that eating foods rich in flavonoids may reduce your risk of frailty, physical impairment and poor mental health as you age, especially for women. The foods they found had the greatest influence in these areas are black tea, berries, apples and citrus fruits and juices. Assess how many of these foods you're currently including in your diet and start by adding a serving each day, gradually increasing over time. Other lifestyle areas that influence healthspan include physical activity, stress, sleep and time spent with loved ones. Take a big-picture view of your health and start with any area you feel you'll have the most success in. This will make it easier to build on that success, as small steps lead to big changes over time. Related: Scientists Just Discovered a Heart-Healthy Benefit of Pecans Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Red meat could raise dementia risk, researchers claim, yet some doctors have questions
While red meat is a rich source of protein, iron and other nutrients, a recent study linked it to an increased risk of dementia — but some doctors are casting doubt on the claim. Researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Mass General Brigham found that daily consumption of certain amounts of processed red meats increased dementia risk by 13%, according to a press release. It was also tied to a 14% higher risk of developing subjective cognitive decline and faster brain aging. Brain And Memory Are Boosted By Eating One Particular Diet, Study Finds "The findings did not really surprise us," lead study author Yuhan Li, a researcher from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, told Fox News Digital. "The results are generally in line with our hypothesis, showing that a higher intake of red meat, particularly processed red meat, is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia and worse cognition." Read On The Fox News App The increased risk was seen in people who ate at least one-quarter of a serving of unprocessed meats per day, according to the research article. This equates to around one hot dog, two slices of bacon, or one and a half slices of bologna. Nutritionists React To The Red Food Dye Ban: 'Took Far Too Long' The researchers also suggested that replacing one serving of processed red meat per day with a serving of nuts and legumes could reduce dementia risk by 19% — and that replacing it with fish could reduce the risk by 28%. The study included 133,771 individuals, 11,173 of whom received a dementia diagnosis over a four-decade span. The data came from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS), which tracked participants' dietary choices and health status. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the study was published on Jan. 15 in the journal Neurology. The findings were first presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) earlier in 2024. "There are many reasons to believe that too much red meat is linked to dementia," Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital. "In the case of processed meat like bacon and ham, the chemicals added may also lead to dementia via inflammation and neuroinflammation," added Siegel, who was not involved in the new research. The doctor also warned of red meat potentially leading to weight gain and obesity, which can cause inflammation and in turn raise the risk of dementia. "Red meat may also lead to heart disease, which increases dementia risk," Siegel noted. Theresa Gentile, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in New York, noted that previous research has found an association between red meat — especially processed red meat — and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which are both related to impaired cognitive health. "This was a large study conducted over a long period of time and was adjusted for confounding factors and still found that, in three different groups, eating more processed red meat was associated with cognitive decline than eating less," Gentile, who did not work on the study, told Fox News Digital. Some experts suggested that the risk is linked more to ultraprocessed foods in general rather than specific meats. Heather M. Snyder, Ph.D., senior vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer's Association in Chicago, pointed out that a number of studies have suggested that diets with more ultraprocessed foods are bad for brain health. "For example, a report at the AAIC 2022 found that people who eat large amounts of ultraprocessed foods have a faster decline in cognition," Snyder, who was not involved in the new study, told Fox News Digital. Diabetes, Heart Disease Cases Skyrocket — And Scientists Suggest A Key Reason "More than 20% of daily intake of ultraprocessed foods led to a 28% faster decline in global cognitive scores, including memory and verbal fluency." It is "unlikely" that one food will have a "significant beneficial or detrimental effect on a disease as complex as Alzheimer's," according to Snyder. "There isn't a single food or ingredient that, through rigorous scientific research, has been shown to cause, increase risk, prevent, treat or cure Alzheimer's or other dementias," she stated. Siegel noted that the study was observational, which means that "no strict conclusions can be drawn." "We still need double-blinded, randomized trials to draw more definite conclusions," he said. Lead study author Yuhan also acknowledged the potential limitations. "The Nurses' Health Study enrolled female registered nurses, and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study enrolled U.S. male health professionals," she told Fox News Digital. Cooking Oil Linked To Colon Cancer In Early Study, Tied To Inflammation "These participants tend to have higher educational attainment and income levels, and therefore, the study's generalizability may be limited. In addition, because this study is an observational study, residual confounding remains a possibility." Dr. Ken Berry, a family physician and diabetes specialist in Tennessee, was not involved in the study but shared his thoughts on "healthy user bias" potentially skewing the results. "The people who are eating the least amount of processed meat and the least amount of red meat in these studies — they were also exercising every day," he said in a video posted on his YouTube channel last week. "They absolutely did not smoke. They did not drink to excess. They were trying their best to live a healthy life." Research has shown that exercising regularly and eating whole, unprocessed foods can decrease the risk of dementia, Berry noted. "I don't think any nutrition expert would argue with that," he said, but added that there is "no evidence whatsoever" that red meat is linked to higher dementia risk. Gentile recommended limiting servings of processed red meats like bacon, sausage, hot dogs and deli meats to less than a quarter of a serving per day, and to consider healthier protein alternatives like fish, nuts, legumes and chicken. "A balanced diet with moderation in terms of protein sources and serving size is key," Gentile said. "If your diet is heavy in processed red meats, try swapping one of those servings out for beans, fish or chicken." The nutritionist also suggested including brain-boosting foods each day, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats. The Alzheimer's Association has long encouraged eating a balanced diet to help prevent Alzheimer's disease and all other dementia types, Snyder noted. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "That includes foods that are less processed to ensure that our bodies get the needed nutrients, because they've been associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline," she told Fox News Digital. "As research continues, we may uncover other dietary patterns that increase or decrease our risk." Berry pointed out that while he is a self-described "carnivore," he is not completely "anti-plant." "I'm a proponent of a proper human diet, which ranges from low-carb with vegetables and berries and nuts, to keto with a few berries and vegetables and nuts, to 'ketovore' with just a little veg for flavor and garnish, all the way to carnivore," he said in his video. For more Health articles, visit The best diet for any individual should depend on multiple factors, he said, including their overall metabolic health, age, weight, genetics and gut microbiome. Added Berry, "That's the proper human diet spectrum."Original article source: Red meat could raise dementia risk, researchers claim, yet some doctors have questions
Fox News
27-01-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Red meat could raise dementia risk, researchers claim, yet some doctors have questions
While red meat is a rich source of protein, iron and other nutrients, a recent study linked it to an increased risk of dementia — but some doctors are casting doubt on the claim. Researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Mass General Brigham found that daily consumption of certain amounts of processed red meats increased dementia risk by 13%, according to a press release. It was also tied to a 14% higher risk of developing subjective cognitive decline and faster brain aging. "The findings did not really surprise us," lead study author Yuhan Li, a researcher from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, told Fox News Digital. "The results are generally in line with our hypothesis, showing that a higher intake of red meat, particularly processed red meat, is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia and worse cognition." The increased risk was seen in people who ate at least one-quarter of a serving of unprocessed meats per day, according to the research article. This equates to around one hot dog, two slices of bacon, or one and a half slices of bologna. The researchers also suggested that replacing one serving of processed red meat per day with a serving of nuts and legumes could reduce dementia risk by 19% — and that replacing it with fish could reduce the risk by 28%. The study included 133,771 individuals, 11,173 of whom received a dementia diagnosis over a four-decade span. The data came from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS), which tracked participants' dietary choices and health status. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the study was published on Jan. 15 in the journal Neurology. The findings were first presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) earlier in 2024. "There are many reasons to believe that too much red meat is linked to dementia," Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital. "In the case of processed meat like bacon and ham, the chemicals added may also lead to dementia via inflammation and neuroinflammation," added Siegel, who was not involved in the new research. The doctor also warned of red meat potentially leading to weight gain and obesity, which can cause inflammation and in turn raise the risk of dementia. "Red meat may also lead to heart disease, which increases dementia risk," Siegel noted. Theresa Gentile, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in New York, noted that previous research has found an association between red meat — especially processed red meat — and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which are both related to impaired cognitive health. "There isn't a single food or ingredient that … has been shown to cause, increase risk, prevent, treat or cure Alzheimer's or other dementias." "This was a large study conducted over a long period of time and was adjusted for confounding factors and still found that, in three different groups, eating more processed red meat was associated with cognitive decline than eating less," Gentile, who did not work on the study, told Fox News Digital. Some experts suggested that the risk is linked more to ultraprocessed foods in general rather than specific meats. Heather M. Snyder, Ph.D., senior vice president of medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer's Association in Chicago, pointed out that a number of studies have suggested that diets with more ultraprocessed foods are bad for brain health. "For example, a report at the AAIC 2022 found that people who eat large amounts of ultraprocessed foods have a faster decline in cognition," Snyder, who was not involved in the new study, told Fox News Digital. "More than 20% of daily intake of ultraprocessed foods led to a 28% faster decline in global cognitive scores, including memory and verbal fluency." It is "unlikely" that one food will have a "significant beneficial or detrimental effect on a disease as complex as Alzheimer's," according to Snyder. "There isn't a single food or ingredient that, through rigorous scientific research, has been shown to cause, increase risk, prevent, treat or cure Alzheimer's or other dementias," she stated. Siegel noted that the study was observational, which means that "no strict conclusions can be drawn." "We still need double-blinded, randomized trials to draw more definite conclusions," he said. Lead study author Yuhan also acknowledged the potential limitations. "The Nurses' Health Study enrolled female registered nurses, and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study enrolled U.S. male health professionals," she told Fox News Digital. "These participants tend to have higher educational attainment and income levels, and therefore, the study's generalizability may be limited. In addition, because this study is an observational study, residual confounding remains a possibility." Dr. Ken Berry, a family physician and diabetes specialist in Tennessee, was not involved in the study but shared his thoughts on "healthy user bias" potentially skewing the results. "The people who are eating the least amount of processed meat and the least amount of red meat in these studies — they were also exercising every day," he said in a video posted on his YouTube channel last week. "They absolutely did not smoke. They did not drink to excess. They were trying their best to live a healthy life." "We still need double-blinded, randomized trials to draw more definite conclusions." Research has shown that exercising regularly and eating whole, unprocessed foods can decrease the risk of dementia, Berry noted. "I don't think any nutrition expert would argue with that," he said, but added that there is "no evidence whatsoever" that red meat is linked to higher dementia risk. Gentile recommended limiting servings of processed red meats like bacon, sausage, hot dogs and deli meats to less than a quarter of a serving per day, and to consider healthier protein alternatives like fish, nuts, legumes and chicken. "A balanced diet with moderation in terms of protein sources and serving size is key," Gentile said. "If your diet is heavy in processed red meats, try swapping one of those servings out for beans, fish or chicken." The nutritionist also suggested including brain-boosting foods each day, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats. The Alzheimer's Association has long encouraged eating a balanced diet to help prevent Alzheimer's disease and all other dementia types, Snyder noted. "That includes foods that are less processed to ensure that our bodies get the needed nutrients, because they've been associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline," she told Fox News Digital. "As research continues, we may uncover other dietary patterns that increase or decrease our risk." Berry pointed out that while he is a self-described "carnivore," he is not completely "anti-plant." "I'm a proponent of a proper human diet, which ranges from low-carb with vegetables and berries and nuts, to keto with a few berries and vegetables and nuts, to 'ketovore' with just a little veg for flavor and garnish, all the way to carnivore," he said in his video. For more Health articles, visit The best diet for any individual should depend on multiple factors, he said, including their overall metabolic health, age, weight, genetics and gut microbiome. Added Berry, "That's the proper human diet spectrum."
