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9 News
4 hours ago
- Health
- 9 News
Your coffee habit could be a key to a healthy old age
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Want to reach older age with a sharp mind and healthy body? Part of the answer may be in your coffee cup, according to new research. "Women who drank one to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day in their 50s were more likely to reach older age free from major chronic diseases and with good cognitive, physical, and mental health," said lead study author Dr Sara Mahdavi, adjunct professor in the faculty of medicine and department of nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto. Researchers analysed dietary data from more than 47,000 women who were part of the Nurses' Health Study, according to the research released at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition in Orlando. Part of the answer may be in your coffee cup, according to new research. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) The study was presented as an abstract, but a more in-depth manuscript of the investigation will be submitted for peer review in the coming months, Mahdavi said. The women were surveyed in middle age and followed for 30 years to understand their rates of death and disease. "In this study, we found that moderate caffeinated coffee consumption during midlife was associated with a higher likelihood of healthy aging 30 years later," Mahdavi said. Drinking one to three cups of coffee daily was associated with lower disease and better cognition is older age, a study showed. (Jacob Wackerhausen/iStockphoto/Getty/CNN) The effects were found in caffeinated coffee in particular, according to the research. The same link was not found for tea or decaffeinated coffee – and drinking more cola or other caffeinated sodas was tied to a lower chance of healthy aging. "This would imply that coffee in particular has health preserving or promoting effects," said Dr David Kao, Jacqueline Marie Schauble Leaffer Endowed Chair in Women's Heart Disease and associate professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School in an email. "As with other studies , they also appear to have found that coffee has a particular benefit over other caffeinated drinks." Other caffeinated beverages like cola didn't demonstrate the same benefits. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) That said, the research is high quality, added Kao, who was not involved in the research. The study is also observational, meaning it is limited in its ability to examine direct cause and effect. The new research can only show that a behaviour and an outcome are more likely to occur together. Researchers did take that into account and adjusted for other factors that could link coffee drinking and healthy aging such as lifestyle, demographic and other dietary differences, but it is still possible there is another variable at play, Mahdavi said. But the link between coffee and healthy aging isn't surprising – it is consistent with prior research, Kao said. Moderate coffee drinking has been linked before to lower risks of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, he added. Does this mean you should take on a coffee habit if you don't have one already? Not necessarily, Mahdavi said. "Coffee may support longevity, but it's not a universal prescription – especially for women. Hormonal shifts influence how caffeine is metabolised, so the benefits depend on timing, biology, and individual health," she said in an email. Estrogen inhibits a liver enzyme that is crucial for breaking down caffeine, which means that caffeine may last longer in the body of some people, especially those going through hormonal transitions such as menopause or pregnancy or those using oral contraception, Mahdavi said. The study particularly emphasised potential benefits for women. (Getty) Midlife, the time period examined in this study, is a life stage marked by hormonal and metabolic shifts for women, she added. "Moderate caffeinated coffee consumption – typically one to three cups per day – can be part of a healthy diet for many adults," Mahdavi said. "However, this should not be taken as a blanket recommendation for everyone to begin or increase coffee intake with the goal of longevity." For one thing, the data can't say whether increasing coffee consumption would help to preserve health, Kao said. "In other words, although women who drink three cups of coffee/day might have better long-term functioning than non-coffee drinkers, we don't know if non-coffee drinkers started drinking three cups a day, whether they would have better functioning than if they remained non-coffee drinkers," he said in an email. The findings do suggest that people don't necessarily need to decrease their coffee consumption in the name of healthy aging, Kao said. "Coffee is an important and positive part of daily life in many cultures around the world, he said. "For many … the knowledge that a daily coffee or three is probably not harmful is welcome news." That said, some people do need to watch their coffee consumption, including those with high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety and sleep disorders, said Dr Lu Qi, HCA Regents Distinguished Chair and professor at Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans. Qi was not involved in the research but was involved in another recent study showing that having coffee in the morning had a better impact on lowering death rates than drinking it throughout the day. Although coffee may be an enjoyable aspect of good health, it does not replace other healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods, exercising and getting good sleep, Mahdavi added. CONTACT US Property News: He was evicted. Then he saw his home on Airbnb.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Wales Online
The four precautions Blue Badge holders must take when parking to avoid £130 fine
The four precautions Blue Badge holders must take when parking to avoid £130 fine Experts say that, contrary to popular belief, the blue badge scheme does not allow drivers to park anywhere There are a wide range of conditions and restrictions (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto ) Blue badge holders have been warned that they could potentially be fined £130 when parking if four proper precautions aren't taken. Experts say that, contrary to popular belief, the blue badge scheme does not allow drivers to park anywhere. There are a wide range of conditions and restrictions and these can vary by factors such as the location you are parking in or the time of day. Drivers also need to use the badge correctly to be entitled to accessible locations or payment-free parking. Matt Fieldhouse, group managing director and accessible car expert at Mobility in Motion , explained that badge holders need to check these four things before parking to avoid a potential £130 fine. Acknowledge regional parking differences Mr Fieldhouse said: 'While the Blue Badge scheme is valid for parking across the whole of the UK, it is important to note that not every area will have the same rules. "For example, if you are travelling to London, there are different local regulations to follow when it comes to specific boroughs, including: City of London, e.g. Blue Badge holders cannot park on double yellow lines in this area. City of Westminster - the blue badge scheme doesn't apply here due to huge amounts of congestion and high parking demand. Kensington and Chelsea - again, the scheme isn't upheld here due to large amounts of congestion. "Outside of London, there are also different regulations that blue badge holders must check before parking at popular holiday destinations: "While Lake District car parks do have Blue Badge holder spaces, their charges apply to all vehicles - including those with Blue Badges. However, they do also allow an extra hour for blue badge holders. "When visiting the Cotswolds, valid Blue Badge holders may park free of charge in most of the Cotswold District Council car parks up to the maximum stay of that car park. The one car park they must pay to park in, however, is the Market Square car park in Chipping Campden. "It is crucial that you check first where you can park with a Blue Badge on the government website to prevent a parking ticket, or on the local council's website if you're parking in Scotland.' Never assume you can park anywhere Mr Fieldhouse said: 'Private land (like airports or hospital car parks) often have their own rules. Some car parks or town centres may offer free parking for badge holders, but you should always check local signage or the council website before relying on this. "Ultimately, you still have to abide by the Highway Code. For example, Blue Badge holders cannot park in loading bays, where parking is only for certain people, e.g. the people who live or work there, bus stops, school 'keep clear' areas, bus, tram or cycle lanes - Blue Badge holders cannot drive in bus lanes during their hours of operation, where there are double white lines in the middle of the road, or where there is a parking meter, but it is out of use." Parking on double yellow lines without the clock can cost you £80 The expert explained: 'Blue Badge holders can park on double yellow lines for up to 3 hours if there are no other restrictions, such as a loading ban. However, you should never forget to display your parking clock clearly showing your 15-minute arrival time. Once drivers leave the spot, they must wait at least one hour before parking in the same place again. Failing to do these things can result in fines of up to £80.' Always remember to display the badge properly - or risk £130 He added: 'Make sure that the blue badge is clearly visible from outside the vehicle. It is important to remember that the front-side of the badge should permanently be on show, not the photo side. An incorrectly displayed badge can result in a parking fine, even if the driver is entitled to be there - costing UK drivers up to £130, if they're parking in London. "Important note: Police officers, traffic wardens and some other people may ask to see your blue badge at any point. This also includes civil enforcement officers, who may be in plain clothes. Article continues below While you do have to show your blue badge to these members of authority upon request, you do also have the right to ask them for their ID first.'
New York Post
4 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
61.7% of insomniacs have this personality trait — and what that means for treatment
Exhausted all options for better sleep? You're not alone. About 12% of Americans experience chronic insomnia, defined as trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or returning to sleep after waking up in the night. Another 30% report occasionally struggling with insomnia. Researchers have identified the '3 Ps' of insomnia — factors believed to trigger and prolong habitual sleeplessness. Advertisement 4 About 12% of Americans experience chronic insomnia, defined as trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or returning to sleep after waking up in the night. Getty Images/iStockphoto These include predisposing factors like medical conditions, age and family history, precipitating factors like stressful events and mental health challenges and perpetuating factors like poor sleep habits, which feed the cycle of insomnia. A new study from the University of São Paulo in Brazil explored how personality traits influence insomnia, tying one trait in particular to 61.7% of cases. Advertisement 'We decided to study the influence of personality traits on insomnia because it's an extremely common disorder that has negative health consequences, such as an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, anxiety and depression,' said sleep psychologist Bárbara Araújo Conway. 'These different physical and mental health conditions lead to a poorer quality of life in general.' Conway's team utilized the Big Five theory, which describes personality as consisting of openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism. Advertisement Researchers divided 595 participants, 18 to 59 years old, into two groups — insomniacs and a control group of people who didn't have trouble sleeping. Each participant filled out a 60-question survey to determine their personality type. 4 Researchers can't say that insomniacs are more introverted or extroverted. Getty Images/iStockphoto The analysis found that: Advertisement 61.7% of insomniacs had high levels of neuroticism versus 32% of the control group. 40.7% of insomniacs had low levels of openness versus 23% of the control group. 37.7% of insomniacs had low levels of conscientiousness versus 24.1% of the control group. 31.5% of insomniacs had low levels of agreeableness versus 23.2% of the control group. Extroversion didn't show a significant difference. 'Neuroticism was the trait that stood out the most, with insomniacs having a much higher rate,' Conway said. 'But we can't say that insomniacs are more introverted.' The link between neuroticism and insomnia seems to be anxiety. 4 Anxiety may be fueling your insomnia, so researchers recommend seeking treatment for anxiety and insomnia. Getty Images/iStockphoto Neurotics are more likely to experience anxiety, worry, fear and irritability. Anxiety can trigger racing thoughts, an elevated heart rate and muscle tension, making it hard to fall asleep. Depression did not seem to fit into this relationship, Conway said. The findings, recently published in the Journal of Sleep Research, suggest the need for treating anxiety along with insomnia. Advertisement 'We know that most insomniacs are highly neurotic,' Conway said. 'These patients deserve to have their anxiety assessed and treated so that their insomnia also improves,' she continued. 'Sometimes this involves different therapies and medications, so it's important to take a broader look at each individual's history and specifics.' 4 'These results contribute to the development of new, more personalized psychological and behavioral protocols for the treatment of insomnia,' the study author said. Getty Images Insomnia treatment can include prescription sleep meds and non-drug options such as relaxation techniques and better sleep routines. Advertisement One popular route is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which involves identifying and modifying negative patterns that interfere with sleep. 'We already have a non-pharmacological treatment for insomnia, but just as we don't have a drug that will be effective for all patients, a single therapy approach may not work for everyone,' Conway said. 'These results contribute to the development of new, more personalized psychological and behavioral protocols for the treatment of insomnia.'
New York Post
6 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Nearly half of US homebuyers say they have regrets — their common complaints revealed
There are no regrets in life, they say, just lessons. And homeownership comes with many lessons. No fewer than 45% of current homeowners say they have at least one regret about the purchase of their home, according to a new Bankrate survey. From runaway repair costs to untenable mortgage payments, the burdens of homeownership can lead some unfortunate homebuyers to think twice about the biggest financial decision of their lives. More than two-fifths of regretful owners pointed to maintenance and other hidden costs as a source of their regret, reporting that post-purchase homeownership was more expensive than they expected. Advertisement 4 Frustrated homebuyers reported repairs, space issues and mortgage rates among their chief complaints. Getty Images/iStockphoto 'For most folks, buying a home is the most expensive transaction of their lifetime,' said Bankrate senior economic analyst Mark Hamrick. 'After the purchase is complete, we find that affordability issues rank high on the list of regrets. While homeownership is still associated with the proverbial American dream, it is prudent to consider and plan for many ongoing costs of ownership, not just getting over the threshold of the down payment and settlement.' Buying too small of a house was the second most common regret, at 21%. Advertisement A 2024 survey by Talker Research found that space complaints arise relatively quickly among Americans — nearly half reported feeling cramped in their home within a year of living there. 4 Some buyers expressed regret over their spending. Getty Images Too-high mortgage payments (16%) and overpaying for the house (15%) followed the top complaints. More than a third of buyers who purchased homes during the red-hot post-pandemic market reported believing they had overpaid, according to a 2022 survey by Money and Morning Consult, and there's evidence of whiplash in today's market. Overvalued home prices and reluctant buyers are slowing the pace of sales across the country. Advertisement Lesser regrets surveyed, according to Bankrate, included buying a house in a bad location, at 14%, and buying too big of a house, at 11%. 4 Regrets varied among age groups, with older owners more likely to bemoan repair costs. Getty Images Homeownership regrets varied by generation, the Bankrate survey found. Baby boomer homeowners were more likely to regret high maintenance costs — a potential consequence of older people owning older homes. Younger generations of homeowners, like millennials, were more likely to regret taking on high mortgage payments and rates. Despite the shadow of regret, the survey has a big bright spot — 55% of homeowners reported having zero regrets about purchasing their current home, particularly baby boomers. Nearly 60% of homeowners between the ages of 61 and 79 said they had no second thoughts. Advertisement 'While some homeowners have a regret about the purchase of some kind, it is telling that the vast majority would do it all over again if they had the chance,' Hamrick said. 4 Despite some gloomy respondents, a majority still believe that owning a home is a part of the American dream. Getty Images/iStockphoto Respondents widely agreed that homeownership remains a part of the American dream, and 70% said they would buy their current home again if they had a do-over. 'For those who might yet purchase a replacement home in future years, whether buying larger or downsizing, some of these would-be lessons learned can prove useful,' Hamrick said.
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
These 10 lottery players tried their luck — and won big. See their stories
National These 10 lottery players tried their luck — and won big. See their stories Surprising lottery wins change lives across the country. In Missouri, a man believed he won $50,000 but was stunned when his ticket was actually worth $2 million. Meanwhile, a North Carolina player discovered a Lucky for Life ticket bought at a Winston-Salem convenience store would bring $25,000 a year for life. Take a look at the stories below. A Maryland woman took home a game's top prize after an 'unusual' instant lottery ticket caught her eye, lottery officials said. Getty Images/iStockphoto NO. 1: MOM'S 'ADVENTUROUS NATURE' PAYS OFF BIG IN MARYLAND LOTTERY. 'IT JUST STOOD OUT TO ME' The woman took home the game's top prize. | Published May 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniella Segura A Maryland man won a scratch-off game's top prize. Getty Images/iStockphoto NO. 2: MAN FINDS $10 IN POCKET AND SPENDS IT ON WINNING LOTTERY TICKET. 'DIDN'T BELIEVE IT' The Maryland man stopped for gas when he found extra cash. | Published May 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner A Maryland daughter's $5 gifted lottery ticket to her mom turned out to be a $50,000 winner, but her mom thought it was a joke. Getty Images/iStockphoto NO. 3: MOM 'FLABBERGASTED' AS GIFTED LOTTERY TICKET FROM DAUGHTER WINS BIG. 'SHE DESERVES IT' The Maryland daughter's $5 gift turned out to be much, much bigger. | Published June 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kate Linderman A Maryland man won $50,000 when he made a stop on his way home from work. Pepi Stojanovski via Unsplash NO. 4: LOTTERY PLAYER IN SHOCK OVER BIG WIN CALLS HIS DAUGHTER, THEN LOCKS TICKET IN SAFE 'I wasn't expecting to win anything big,' the Maryland winner said. | Published July 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Julia Daye A Lakeland man won a $2 million lottery prize after he visited a Marathon gas station in central Florida, officials said. Getty Images/iStockphoto NO. 5: LOTTERY PLAYER WINS $2 MILLION JACKPOT PRIZE IN FLORIDA. WHERE WAS THE TICKET SOLD? The player beat the 1-in-2,692,215 odds of winning the top prize, according to the Florida Lottery. | Published October 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Olivia Lloyd A big lottery win 'came at the perfect time' for a pair of best friends, Maryland officials said. Getty Images/iStockphoto NO. 6: FRIENDS BUY SCRATCH-OFFS TOGETHER IN MARYLAND. THEN CAME PRIZE THEY 'NEVER EXPECTED' The men said the win 'came at the perfect time.' | Published October 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Paloma Chavez A lottery player scored a huge windfall in North Carolina. N.C. Education Lottery NO. 7: LOTTERY TICKET SOLD IN NC IS WORTH $25,000 A YEAR FOR LIFE. WHERE DID WINNER BUY IT? Here's what we know about the big win. | Published November 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper A North Carolina man won $8 million in a scratch-off lottery game that debuted in December, officials said. Getty Images/iStockphoto NO. 8: LOTTERY PLAYER 'ON A ROLL' BECOMES MULTI-MILLIONAIRE IN NC. 'I HIT THE BIG ONE' He spent $50 on the ticket and won a much bigger prize. | Published January 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Olivia Lloyd A Missouri man thought he won $50,000, but his prize was worth much more. Getty Images/iStockphoto NO. 9: LOTTERY PLAYER THINKS HE WON $50K. THEN HE LEARNS MISSOURI TICKET IS WORTH A LOT MORE He turned out to be 40 times as lucky. | Published January 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rhiannon Saegert A Missouri woman considered the number 23 unlucky until she passed on a winning lottery ticket with that number to her husband. GETTY IMAGES NO. 10: WIFE SAW 'UNLUCKY' NUMBER ON LOTTERY TICKET AND GAVE IT TO HUSBAND — BUT THEY WON BIG 'What I've learned is that there is no unlucky number!' the Missouri woman said. | Published March 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rhiannon Saegert The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
