Latest news with #HeartandStrokeFoundationSouthAfrica
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Sipping smart: can non-alcoholic beer lead to a beer belly? Science weighs in
Researchers caution that excessive intake, even of the non-alcoholic kind, can still tip the scale. Image: Artem Podrez/pexels There's this running joke on social media: once you hit your 30s, the cold ones start making way for cold-pressed juices, marathons become your new clubbing, and that Sunday Castle Lager slowly gets replaced by a non-alcoholic version. Blame it on adulthood, health goals, or the rising popularity of the sober-curious movement, it's a shift that's both refreshing and necessary. But here's the real question no one's really asking out loud: Can non-alcoholic beer still give you a beer belly? Or put differently, are you still at risk of that low-key "taxi driver belly" even if you're sipping the alcohol-free stuff? Let's get into the frothy facts and flatten the fiction. Belly Fat 101: Why that midsection matters Belly fat isn't just a cosmetic concern; it's often linked to serious health issues like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and inflammation. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, excess visceral fat (fat that wraps around your organs) can silently increase your health risks, even if your weight seems 'normal". Alcohol, especially beer, is known to contribute to this. It's not just about the drink itself; it's the habits around it. Think late-night munchies, lack of physical activity, and frequent drinking that add up over time. So, if you've cut out alcohol to stay on the healthy path, good for you, but is your belly really in the clear? Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Alcohol, especially beer, is known to contribute to this. It's not just about the drink itself, it's the habits around it. Image: Mel Audelo Alcohol vs non-alcoholic: Calorie comparison Here's a quick look at what you're actually consuming: Beer (350ml): ± 430kJ / 103 calories Red Wine (250ml): ± 836kJ / 200 calories White Wine (250ml): ± 815kJ / 195 calories Non-Alcoholic Beer (330ml): ± 293kJ / 70 calories To answer that question, yes, non-alcoholic beer has significantly fewer calories than regular beer, primarily because alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, according to the South African Food Data System and SAB Brewery Data. But there's a catch: some non-alcoholic beers compensate for lost flavour with added sugars and carbs, which means that calories can sneak back in through the side door. Can you still get belly fat from non-alcoholic beer? The short answer? Yes, if you're not mindful. The long answer is more nuanced. A 2022 study published in the Nutrients Journal found that moderate consumption of non-alcoholic beer had no significant impact on belly fat and even showed potential benefits in waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratios, especially among women. Why? Likely due to the polyphenols in hops, plant-based compounds that have antioxidant effects. However, researchers caution that excessive intake, even of the non-alcoholic kind, can still tip the scale. Calories are calories, and when paired with a sedentary lifestyle or high-carb diet, they can still lead to that dreaded bloat. So … should you stop drinking it? Not necessarily. Non-alcoholic beer can be a smart alternative if: You're trying to cut alcohol for health, religious, or personal reasons. You're managing calorie intake but still want the social experience of "having a beer". You enjoy the taste without the buzz. The key is moderation and awareness. Just because it says "non-alcoholic" doesn't mean it's guilt-free. Read the label. Choose options that are ultra-low in sugar and calories. And don't forget that physical activity and balanced eating matter more than any single drink.
TimesLIVE
30-05-2025
- Health
- TimesLIVE
How many times do you eat out in a typical month?
As South Africa faces growing health challenges linked to lifestyle choices, new data highlights how often many are turning to takeaways. According to the Euromonitor Consumer Lifestyle Survey, 32% of South Africans order takeout at least once a week. This trend is raising concern among health experts. The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa warns lifestyle-related diseases are taking a heavy toll: an estimated 225 people die from heart disease every day, with high blood pressure one of the major contributors. With convenience food becoming a regular part of life for many, we want to hear from you:
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Heart and Stroke Foundation hosts free screening
SHOPPERS at Montclair Mall received more than a dose of retail therapy on April 30, when the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) brought its free community health screening programme to the centre in a bid to raise awareness of cardiovascular health. Also read: Add an avo for your heart's sake The outreach formed part of the foundation's mission to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in South Africa through education, screening and referral. Sister Juandre Watson from the HSFSA said the public welcomed the initiative. The free services offered included blood pressure screenings, blood glucose and cholesterol tests and body mass index assessments. Additionally, medical examinations and women's health screening were offered to identify other risk factors that may lead to heart disease or stroke. 'We were pleased to have seen so many clients and were able to refer quite a number of these clients for high-risk values. We also provided advice on healthy behaviours that ensure long-term good health,' said Watson. The HSFSA continues to advocate early detection and lifestyle change to combat heart disease, one of the globe's largest killers. The organisation encourages the public to attend similar screenings and take early action towards a healthier tomorrow. For more information on upcoming screenings or heart tips, visit For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Mail & Guardian
05-05-2025
- Health
- Mail & Guardian
Health Campaigns: Salt awareness week and world hypertension day
The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa is sounding the alarm on the devastating impact of excessive salt consumption on the nation's heart and brain health. This year's theme, ' Your Brain and Heart Cannot Take the Pressure! ' highlights the importance of maintaining a stable blood pressure for good overall health, and specifically for heart and brain health. Understanding the critical link between excessive salt consumption, hypertension, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ill-health is crucial. The Foundation's theme was carefully crafted to align with World Hypertension Day on May 17th and draws inspiration from global public health initiatives, including those driven by the World Action on Salt, Sugar and Health (WASSH). This synergy is reflected in the global theme for Salt Awareness Week (12-18 May 2025), '5 Ways to 5 Grams', and the World Hypertension League's theme, 'Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer'. Both themes emphasize the importance of managing blood pressure through informed choices. The causes of hypertension are complex, involving behavioral factors like unhealthy diets, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption, as well as genetic predispositions. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is identified as a condition in which the blood pressure is over 140/90 mmhg on multiple occasions. Blood pressure is the pressure that is exerted by the blood on the interior arterial walls. It is measured and recorded as a systolic pressure over a diastolic pressure. Systolic (the top number) is the pressure exerted on the arterial walls when the heart contracts or beats and the diastolic pressure (the bottom number) is the pressure exerted between heart beats or when the heart muscles relax. Elevated blood pressure can cause significant damage to both blood vessels and organs like the kidneys, heart, and brain. The longer and higher the pressure remains elevated, the greater the risk of damage. This can lead to conditions such as arteriosclerosis (hardening and thickening of arteries) and aneurysms (bulges or weakening of blood vessels), which can have severe consequences. A ruptured aneurysm can be life-threatening, while arteriosclerosis can reduce blood flow, straining organs and blood vessels, and potentially causing heart failure, kidney damage, vision loss, cognitive issues, and dementia. Your brain and heart literally cannot handle the increased pressure! The strain on the body from these conditions is significant, and the risks associated with hypertension don't stop there. Hypertension during pregnancy can have severe consequences for both the mother and baby, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life. Conditions like gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia affect up to 10% of pregnancies and can program long-term cardiovascular health risks. The critical first 1000 days of a child's life, from conception to age two, shape cardiovascular development and future hypertension risk. Maternal health and nutrition during this period play a crucial role in fetal development, influencing the child's cardiovascular system and potentially setting the stage for lifelong blood pressure trends. This early life foundation can be further compounded by genetic factors, as seen in familial hypertension. Knowing your family medical history is essential, as individuals with a family history of hypertension are more likely to develop high blood pressure due to the interaction of multiple genetic variants and environmental factors. A study by Li et al., (2021) revealed that individuals with a family history of hypertension are four times more likely to develop high blood pressure compared to those without. Building on this, a recent South African study by Katsukunya et al., (2024) further explored the genetic aspect, finding that certain genes may influence an individual's response to antihypertensive medication, potentially making some people more resistant to treatment. Managing hypertension requires a comprehensive approach that includes medication adherence and behavior modifications. Unfortunately, medication non-adherence remains a significant challenge, particularly in low- to middle-income countries. A recent study (2024) in Sub-Saharan Africa found that 43.5% of adults treated for hypertension were non-adherent, translating to two out of every five adults struggling with their treatment plans. The challenges are multifaceted, including other health issues, side effects, and complex medication regimens, often exacerbated by limited resources or inadequate healthcare access. Socioeconomic factors like unemployment, poverty, and lack of social support further compound the issue. According to the American Heart Association, 12% of patients never fill their initial prescriptions, and non-persistence rates range from 30% to 80% in the first year. To address these challenges, prioritizing social support and patient-centered care is crucial. Systemic issues like lack of health insurance and high medication costs must also be tackled to improve treatment adherence and reduce hypertension-related morbidity and mortality. As mentioned, excessive salt consumption is a significant risk factor for high blood pressure, and reducing salt intake to less than 5g per day is recommended by the World Health Organization. Seasoning smart involves gradually reducing salt in favorite recipes and exploring flavorful alternatives like herbs, raw spices, garlic, ginger, chilli, and lemon. When shopping, reading labels and opting for low-sodium options is a good idea – consider joining the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa webinar to learn how to decode food labels and spot the Heart Mark logo, a seal of approval. Breaking the salt habit means ditching the salt shaker and encouraging others to do the same. It's also important to be mindful of hidden salt in everyday foods like bread, cereals, and processed meats. Cooking meals at home using fresh ingredients can help control salt intake. A diet rich in nutrient-dense foods like fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lentils, beans, and low-fat dairy can support healthy blood pressure. In conclusion, prioritizing heart and brain health is crucial in the fight against hypertension. By adopting simple yet powerful habits – reducing salt intake, increasing physical activity, getting regular blood pressure checks, adhering to medication regimens, and knowing your family medical history – individuals can significantly reduce their risk of developing heart, brain, and other circulatory conditions. Given that CVD remains a leading cause of death in South Africa, claiming one in every seven lives, collective action can drive meaningful change. By supporting one another in embracing healthier habits, we can save thousands of lives, reduce CVD morbidity and mortality, and improve overall well-being.
