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Nov 30

Alzheimers Q&A: Is there a link between smoking and dementia? – The Advocate

According to the American Lung Association, smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. and causes over 480,000 deaths every year.

Smoking damages the heart, lungs and the vascular system, and causes or worsens numerous diseases and conditions.

The link between smoking and the risk of Alzheimer's disease or dementia has long been controversial, yet, most studies show that the brain is not immune to the long-term consequences of heavy smoking. The impact is likely to become even greater as the population ages and the prevalence of Alzheimer's and dementia continues to rise.

Some earlier studies exploring the risk of dementia among smokers concluded that smoking decreased the likelihood of developing Alzheimers disease. However, reviews suggested these studies were biased because of the researchers connections to the tobacco industry. The conclusion reasoned that if smoking reduces the risk of dementia in later years, it accomplishes that by shortening life.

According to a World Health Organizations report Tobacco and Dementia in 2014, smoking is a risk factor for dementia and current smokers have a 30% to 75% greater risk for developing dementia when compared to nonsmokers.

Additionally, as mentioned in the same report, secondhand smoke exposure may also increase the risk of dementia by more than 25%. Further, data from a Barnes and Yaffe study posted in The Lancet Neurology in 2011 suggested that 14% of Alzheimers disease cases could be attributed to smoking.

Additionally, research compiled at the University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital in Finland showed that smoking more than two packs of cigarettes daily from age 50 to 60 doubles the risk of dementia later in later life. For example, 25.4% of the participants in the study were diagnosed with dementia an average of 23 years later. Additionally, of the individuals in that group of over 20,000 who had dementia, 1,136 were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and 416 of the participants later developed vascular dementia.

Since smoking is a well-established risk factor for strokes, it also can contribute to the risk of vascular dementia through similar means.

The studies also found that smoking contributes to the oxidative stress and inflammation, two components believed to be significant in the development of Alzheimer's disease, and that smoking affects the development of dementia through vascular and neurodegenerative pathways.

Researchers also probed former smokers to gather data on increased risk of dementia. Findings concluded that former smokers or individuals who smoked less than half a pack per day did not appear to be at an increased risk for developing dementia. Further, associations between dementia and smoking did not vary by race or gender.

Smoking is a modifiable risk factor. Smoking cessation is of potential benefit to brain health and is a risk reducer for developing dementia. Various stop-smoking programs are available through the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society and other local health care entities and community organizations.

Questions about Alzheimer's disease or related disorders can be sent to Dana Territo, the Memory Whisperer, owner of Dana Territo Consulting, LLC, at thememorywhisperer@gmail.com.

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Nov 30

Fitness watch: If you are short on gym time, supersets may help you reach fitness goals faster – Scroll.in

Resistance training is an increasingly popular way to build strength, lose weight and get in shape. But despite its many benefits, it can also be time consuming which is why many fitness enthusiasts have started incorporating supersets into gym routines. When done properly, supersets have the potential to help you build strength and muscle all while spending less time in the gym.

Sometimes called paired sets, supersets are a form of strength training in which you perform a set of repetitions of usually two exercises, back-to-back with minimal or no rest between them. The exercises should also target opposing muscle groups namely the agonists (the force-generating muscles) and the antagonists (the muscle that relaxes when the agonist contracts). For example, leg curls (where the hamstrings are the agonists and the quadriceps the antagonists) would typically be followed by leg extensions (where the quadriceps are the agonists and the hamstrings the antagonists) to make up a superset.

However, many people perform supersets incorrectly. Many believe supersets to be the same as compound sets, in which two exercises engaging the same muscle group are performed back-to-back. Or they get confused with contrast training, in which two similar exercises are paired to increase power, the first performed with a heavier load, while the second is performed explosively with a lighter load such as heavy squats followed by vertical jumps. Many also think supersets comprise upper and lower body exercises performed in succession.

Based on current research, it appears that supersets can be a time-efficient way to develop muscle size and strength in the short-term when done properly.

Researchers have compared the effect of performing exercises in a traditional sequence (for example, completing four sets of bench presses before moving onto the next exercise) and as supersets. They found superset workouts are faster (completed in 31 minutes as opposed to 40) because the superset exercises were done in pairs, instead of pausing after each individual exercise.

They also found supersets required the body to use more stored energy (such as fat and carbohydrates) during exercise and for an hour afterwards. This could ultimately increase fat burning, and may even lead to more muscle gain as supersets mean more work is performed.

A similar study also found that supersets required a person to work 8% harder than traditional sets. This means that you can use supersets to complete more resistance training in the same or less time and this may be as effective as traditional routines. Working harder may also burn more calories during and after exercise.

Another study had participants perform a pair of pull-push exercises (bench pull and bench press) in both traditional format and as supersets. Rest periods for all types of exercise were controlled to two minutes, so that each training session only lasted ten minutes. They found that supersets allowed participants to work harder as they were able to complete more reps in ten minutes compared to the traditional format. More work completed in the same time demands greater effort, which could result in greater strength and muscle gains (although this hasnt yet been proven).

Not only that, but the order superset exercises are performed in could also impact performance. One study found that performing a leg curl followed by a leg extension allowed participants to perform more reps while feeling less difficult to perform than doing the exercises in separate sets. The researchers werent sure why this was the case, but it could be due to the large quadriceps muscles being activated during the leg curl, making the leg extension easier to perform.

Supersets may also be slightly less exhausting than traditional sets. One study compared a superset (bent over row followed by a bench press), with two versions of compound exercises (either a dumbbell bench press followed by a regular bench press, or a back squat followed by a bench press). Participants also completed a control session of three sets of bench presses.

All pairings comprised three sets of ten repetitions at 65% of the maximum load a person was able to lift in one repetition, with two minutes rest in between sets. Participants found all paired exercises felt difficult to perform and resulted in loss of speed and power compared to the control session. However, the superset felt less difficult to perform than the control or the compound exercises and resulted in less speed loss overall so was likely to be more effective when time was limited compared to the other formats.

Its worth noting, however, that many of the above superset studies used different exercise intensities, and had people lift different volumes of weights, making it hard to properly compare results. For example, reducing intensity (with lighter weights), while increasing volume (with more repetitions) might enhance muscle gains over the long-term, while low volume, high-intensity supersets might be better for developing maximal strength and power.

Most superset studies have only looked at the effects in the short-term, during a single exercise session so its uncertain whether theyre more effective than traditional resistance training for building strength, muscle size, or both. Results will likely depend on the combination of the number of sets, reps, load and rest periods performed.

But in the short-term, current evidence shows supersets allow you to complete more work in less time because of their intensity. This has the potential to burn more calories, both during and after the training session. But the intensity (loads lifted), volume (number of sets and reps) and order of the exercises within the superset are potentially important for maximising these benefits.

David R Clark, Senior Lecturer, Strength and Conditioning, Liverpool John Moores University

Carl Langan-Evans, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Strength and Conditioning, Liverpool John Moores University

Robert M. Erskine, Reader in Neuromuscular Physiology, Liverpool John Moores University

The article was first published on The Conversation.

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Nov 30

This Is What You Need to Eat to Lose Weight, Experts Say – Yahoo Lifestyle

Obesity has never been a bigger problem in the U.S. than it is right now. At the same time, a recent study indicates that more Americans are on diets than ever before. Could it be that notwithstanding our best intentions, we've been dieting wrong?

As a matter of fact, that's precisely what a team of scientists out of the Alberta Diabetes Institute at the University of Alberta is suggesting. Their new study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggests that while we've been busy struggling to subsist on the high-fat keto diet and shunning meat to go plant-based, what we really need to eat if we want to lose weight is more protein. (Related: 15 Underrated Weight Loss Tips That Actually Work.)

The scientists, led by University of Alberta professor, Carla M. Prado, Ph.D., were aware that "total diet replacements" (short-term diets consisting solely of nutritionally complete meal replacements) can be an effective weight-loss strategy for people with obesity and obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes. They also knew that diets emphasizing protein can support weight management through increased energy and feelings of satiety. What they didn't know was how these two diet concepts might work together for healthy normal-weight adults.

The scientists recruited 44 healthy normal-weight adults between the ages of 18 and 35 (19 females and 24 males) to spend 32 hours in a metabolic chamber (a sealed room that measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen, among other things, to provide a highly detailed look at metabolism). The scientists then randomized the subjects into two groups, and fed them as follows:

Half were fed a high-protein total diet replacement (35 percent carbohydrates, 40 percent protein, and 25 percent fat).

Half were fed a diet meant to approximate what the study authors referred to as the "standard North American dietary pattern" (55 percent carbohydrates, 15 percent protein, and 30 percent fat).

Perhaps most importantly, however, both groups were fed the same number of calories.

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As it turned out, despite having consumed the same number of calories, the two groups differed significantly in terms of how what they consumed impacted their metabolism. The high-protein group's metabolic readings showed higher levels of energy expenditure and fat oxidation (two indicators of weight loss) than the other group. In other words, it appears the high-protein diet was more effective at inducing weight loss.

And so it appears that eating more protein could be the key to unlocking weight loss, at least among healthy, non-obese adults. More research is needed as to the long-term effects of high-protein diets and how these results might translate to adults with obesity, Dr. Prado told Science Daily. However, this study should help scientists to better understand the effects of high-protein diets while adding to the discussion that "a calorie is not just a calorie."

Here are 29 of the best sources of protein for weight loss. In case you've gone plant-based, here are 26 of the best vegetarian sources of protein.

To get all the latest diet and weight loss news delivered directly to your inbox every day, be sure to sign up for our newsletter.

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Nov 30

The #1 Weight Loss Lie You Need to Stop Believing – msnNOW

Provided by Eat This, Not That! weight loss

One of the most common falsehoods about losing weight is the older you get, the harder it will be. However, believing this lie can be a huge mistake, considering that age may not make it harder to lose weight after all, according to a new study.

This research on age and weight loss was published in October 2020 in the journal Clinical Endocrinology and examined the correlation between obese patients and their ages. The study authors found that patients over the age of 60 were able to make lifestyle changes to lose weight just as effectively as their younger counterparts.

Between 2005 and 2016, researchers in the UK worked with a group of 242 randomly selected obese patients who participated in a hospital-based obesity service. They were put on a plan that only utilized lifestyle changes for weight loss, which included dietary and psychological support. Patients were split into two groups: those aged 60 and older and those under 60. (Related: 100 Unhealthiest Foods on the Planet.)

Weight-loss intervention in the patients ranged anywhere from one month to 143 months, but the results showed that the group of patients aged 60 and older lost weight just as effectively as the under-60 group. Doctors and researchers measured both weight and BMI and noticed no significant difference in either metric between the groups.

The study authors concluded that in a lifestyle-change weight-loss plan, age should not play a factor. That said, they also noted that this study is hospital-based, which means it could be different for those seeking to lose weight on their own.

So, yes, it's a mistake to believe the lie that the older you get, the harder it will be to lose weight. Weight loss for older adults might simply mean going about it in a different manner to achieve the same results as someone half their age. Remember, the patients in this study were matched up with doctors to help them through the process, which ultimately proved successful. If you're setting out on a weight-loss journey of your own, it may not be a bad idea to also seek out the help of medical professionals (such as your primary care doctor, personal trainer, registered dietitian, or nutritionist) who can tailor specific lifestyle changes to you.

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Nov 30

The One Breakfast You Should Never Have If You Want To Lose Weight By 2021: Pre-Packaged Oatmeal – SheFinds

When planning out your meals to fit within your weight loss plan, there are tried and true options which are known to help cut back on calories while nourishing your body. Oatmeal is a fantastic breakfast with a multitude of health benefits, but as with everything, preparation is key in determining how healthy each meal actually turns out to be. If youre looking to lose weight by 2021, keep pre-packaged oats out of the lineup.

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While steel cut oats on their own can be a healthy, filling breakfast for weight loss, registered dietitian Trista Best explains why the pre-packaged variation takes away the benefits. Pre-packaged oatmeal that comes in a variety of flavors is packed with calories and sugar. To achieve their unique flavors, manufacturers will use an exorbitant amount of added ingredients that lead to inflammation and weight gain.

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The predetermined serving sizes may seem like a quick fix for breakfast on a busy morning, but the sugar content alone will leave you feeling lethargic throughout the day. Overtime, the hidden calories will add to weight gain, negating all the other healthy habits youve been putting in place. If you choose to opt for pre-packaged for its clear serving size, consider plain oats instead of the more tasty sounding variations--you can always dress them up yourself!

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Plain oats may not sound incredibly appetizing, but you can make them more delicious by adding a scoop of peanut butter, a sprinkle of cinnamon or even a handful of fruit on top for some natural sweetener and wonderful flavor. There are so many different ways to prepare oatmeal on your own that you shouldnt feel confined to the pre-packaged variation.

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Oatmeal is a great breakfast for weight loss due to the vitamins and minerals which come with a whole grain food. The meal can keep you full and satisfied and still be an easy breakfast, even without purchasing it pre-packaged. Try overnight oats or heat them up on the stovetop with a little bit of almond milk for some delicious, creamy flavor that helps you work towards your 2021 weight loss goals, instead of against them.

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Nov 30

7 Easy Nutritional Changes that Will Help You Lose Belly Fat – BOXROX

By knowing what to and what not to eat, you will maximize your efforts trying to lose belly fat. The seven tips below will guide you on your way to proper nutrition and efficient weight loss.

The most crucial part to cut off in your diet when trying to lose weight is carbohydrates (starches). To give you a little bit of a background, insulin is responsible for storing your fat. Insulin-release is also stimulated when you eat too much sugar that comes from starch or carbohydrates.

The more sugar you eat, the more your body releases insulin, and the more it stores fat. But when insulin goes down, you dont give your body a lot of chance to store up on fat, making it burn more to fuel your body instead.

Another benefit of lowered your insulin level is that it allows your kidneys to do what they are supposed to do and that is to get rid of excess sodium and water in your body. Excess sodium causes you to bloat up and store the water as weight exces. As soon as you get rid of carbohydrates on the first few weeks of your diet, you will notice you are losing more weight than expected.

Nutrition for performance

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Nov 30

#MondayMotivation: Here Are A Few Home Workouts That You Can Try Today – NDTV

#MondayMotivation: All of these workouts can be done at home without equipment

It is another Monday, and we're sure you all must be looking for some #MondayMotivation! This week also marks the beginners of a new month, so its kind of the ideal day to start working out if you haven't already, or resume working out if you have been on a break for too long. And no, you don't need to spend money on gym subscription. There are several workouts that can be done effectively at home. Whether you want to lose weight, improve your body strength, elevate back pain or build muscles, a lot can be done to meet your health concerns.

Body weight exercises and cardio can both be done, without any hefty gym equipment. From nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar to Pooja Makhija, and Sweat trainer Kayla Itsines, health and fitness experts have constantly made the effort to share a variety workouts that you can do at home without much hassle.

Also read:#MondayMotivation: Fitness Trainer Shares Workout Tips That Can Help You Feel More Confident As A Beginner

Makhija for instance, took to Instagram to share easy and simple exercises that you can do at home. Exercises like full planks with shoulder taps, planks, squat and jump, reverse crunches, duck walk and mountain climbers can make for a complete workout that you can do at home. The exercises require no equipment and take very less space as well.

Similarly, Diwekar shared yoga asanas that target your lower body, on her recent IGTV. With work from home continuing for many months, many have become lesser physically active than usual. Asanas shared in the video below, can help with concerns like constipation, bloating, leg and lower back pain, restless leg syndrome and poor sleep. What's more, they can help in strengthening your lower body.

Also read:Weight Loss: This 15-Minute Workout Overcomes All Hurdles Of Exercising At Home- Watch Video

Lastly, if you are looking to push your limits further and want to level up your workouts, then this glute finisher workout is the one for you! A finisher workout is one which uses that last bit of energy and determination you have. It gives your muscles that one final push, says Itsines.

This workout can be done at the end of your day's workout. So you need to do just one lap of it. It can definitely help in building your strength and challenge yourself, all without any equipment!

Also read:Weight Loss: Lose Belly Fat With This Quick Lower Abs Workout That Can Be Done In Just 20 Minutes

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Nov 30

Ginger tea side effects: What are the risks and benefits? – Medical News Today

People can make ginger tea using fresh ginger or a store-bought tea bag. Although ginger is generally safe, some people may experience mild side effects such as heartburn, diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain after consuming it.

This article will discuss the potential side effects of ginger tea, alongside some possible benefits.

It will also look at the safety of consuming ginger tea during pregnancy.

According to one 2019 systematic review, ginger can cause mild side effects. However, this is rare.

Some side effects such as heartburn, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort might occur when a person consumes more than 5 grams (g) of it per day.

The sections below will look at these potential side effects in more detail.

Heartburn occurs due to acid reflux causing a burning sensation in the lower chest.

In one 2020 systematic review, 16 out of the 109 studies and reviews the researchers examined reported heartburn as an adverse side effect.

However, a 2014 article notes that consuming 1 g to 1.5 g of dried ginger per day can actually help treat heartburn.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) note that ginger may cause:

However, according to one 2016 article, ginger can increase gastric emptying. This, in turn, can help relieve the symptoms of abdominal pain.

Also, a 2019 article states that ginger can decrease the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, which can work to reduce gas and bloating.

Ginger may encourage bleeding. This is because it inhibits platelet thromboxane. This is a substance that platelets make that causes the blood to clot and constricts the blood vessels.

There are also concerns that ginger may interact with blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin, according to the NCCIH.

For this reason, people should avoid consuming ginger before undergoing surgery. Those with bleeding disorders should also talk with a doctor before consuming any form of ginger.

Although ginger tea can cause some side effects, it also has some potential health benefits.

The sections below will look at these in more detail.

Gingerols and shogaols, which are active compounds in ginger, may help relieve nausea and vomiting.

In one 2015 review, the researchers found that ginger extracts may help relieve pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting, as well as chemotherapy-induced nausea.

A 2016 article suggests that using ginger may be an inexpensive, effective, and safe way to help relieve nausea and vomiting in those who are pregnant or undergoing chemotherapy.

Ginger may also help relieve pain and have an anti-inflammatory effect.

One study involved 60 adults with acute migraine. They reported relief after using 400 milligrams of ginger extract alongside nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

A 2020 systematic review suggests that ginger may also be able to relieve menstrual pain, as well as pain that occurs due to osteoarthritis.

Ginger may also help relieve muscle pain. A small study involving 49 participants found that ginger decreased muscle soreness in athletes.

Ginger tea may help a person lose weight. For example, one 2018 review suggests that ginger may aid weight loss by:

Ginger tea may also help people with type 2 diabetes achieve better blood sugar control.

Researchers saw that consuming 2 g of ginger per day reduced fasting blood sugar and other vital indicators of diabetes.

For this reason, ginger may have a role in helping control blood sugar levels.

Ginger tea may help improve heart health and lower blood pressure.

Some research suggests that a daily intake of ginger may help lower the risk of chronic heart conditions by:

Ginger tea is safe to drink. However, people should avoid consuming more than 5 g of it per day.

The NCCIH suggest that those with gallstone disease should be cautious when using ginger. This is because it may increase the flow of bile.

One study examined 1,020 people who used ginger during pregnancy. The researchers conclude that using ginger during pregnancy did not increase the chance of:

However, pregnant people should still consult a healthcare provider before consuming ginger.

A person can make ginger tea using store-bought tea bags. However, if they want to make their own ginger tea, they can do so using:

The side effects of ginger tea may vary from person to person. It may cause heartburn, stomach upset, diarrhea, and bloating.

Although ginger tea comes with several side effects, it may also offer a wide range of benefits, including:

However, pregnant people and those with gallstone disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure should talk with their healthcare provider before incorporating ginger tea into their wellness regimen.

Other than warfarin and some other blood-thinning drugs, can ginger tea interact with any medications?

Ginger tea is generally safe when a person consumes it in moderation, but people should consult their healthcare provider before adding it to their diet if they have any medical condition or take any prescription or over-the-counter blood-thinning medication, any diabetes medication, any blood pressure medication, or metronidazole (Flagyl).

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Nov 30

Eating dried fruit linked to better overall diet and health – Medical News Today

Encouraging people to eat more dried fruit without added sugar could be an effective way to boost their intake of vital nutrients, researchers have concluded.

Low consumption of fruit in the United States and other countries is a major contributor to diet-related disease and disability, according to a recent analysis.

Fruit is a good source of nutrients, such as fiber and potassium, that many people lack in their diet. It also contains bioactive nutrients that provide extra health benefits, including polyphenols and carotenoids.

Research suggests that eating fruit is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

However, only about 24% of females and 14% of males in the U.S. eat the recommended daily amount of fruit, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Several factors might contribute to peoples low intake of fresh fruit, including limited availability, high cost, and perishability.

Recommending that people eat more dried fruit could be one solution.

Dried fruit offers several advantages over fresh fruit in terms of cost, availability, and ease of storage and transport. It could also replace more unhealthful snack food that is high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat.

At the same time, however, there are concerns about overconsumption leading to excess calorie intake because dried fruit is such an energy dense form of fruit.

Previous observational studies have found that eating dried fruit is associated with health benefits. However, the evidence is inconclusive because people who eat more dried fruit may tend to have a more healthful diet and lifestyle overall.

The new study by researchers at Pennsylvania (Penn) State University in University Park aimed to get around this difficulty by comparing days when particular participants reported eating dried fruit with days when they ate none.

They found that people tended to consume more key nutrients on the days they ate dried fruit, including dietary fiber and potassium. However, they also consumed more calories.

Dried fruit can be a great choice for a nutritious snack, but consumers might want to be sure theyre choosing unsweetened versions without added sugar, says Valerie Sullivan of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, MD, who was a grad student at Penn State when she led the study.

Portion sizes can also be tricky because a serving of dried fruit is smaller than a serving of fresh since the water has been taken out. But the positive is that dried fruit can help people potentially consume more fruit because its portable, its shelf-stable, and can even be cheaper.

The research appears in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

For their analysis, the scientists drew on survey responses from 25,590 individuals who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 20072016.

The respondents provided information about the food they had consumed in the past 24 hours (called dietary recalls).

Dried fruit accounted for only 3.7% of all the fruit consumed. However, a total of 1,233 participants reported consuming dried fruit on one out of two dietary recalls, allowing the scientists to compare their intake on these days.

Data were also available on the participants health, including their body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and seated resting blood pressure.

Even after adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors, the participants who ate significant amounts of dried fruit tended to have better diets, a lower BMI, a smaller waist circumference, and lower systolic blood pressure compared with those who did not.

When the researchers compared the days when a participant ate dried fruit with those when they did not, they found that the average intake of total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, potassium, and polyunsaturated fat was greater on the days they ate dried fruit.

Taken together, the findings suggest that people who ate dried fruit expended more energy, compensating for the extra calories.

In our study, people who consumed dried fruits had a higher calorie intake but a lower BMI and waist circumference, which suggests they were more physically active, says co-author Penny Kris-Etherton, Evan Pugh University Professor of Nutritional Sciences at Penn State.

So, when incorporating dried fruits, pay attention to calories and be sure to substitute out calories from low nutrient foods for dried fruits to get the greatest benefit of eating dried fruits, she adds.

The researchers write that eating dried fruit tended to increase total fruit consumption, rather than replacing other forms of fruit. Thus, increasing dried fruit consumption might help Americans achieve greater fruit intakes.

The authors acknowledge that their study did not prove that eating dried fruit improves health, only that there seems to be an association. People who are likely to eat dried fruit may have better health for other reasons, such as taking more exercise or leading less stressful lives.

In addition, they note that the survey relied on the participants recollection of what they had eaten over the past 24 hours and their ability to estimate quantities accurately.

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Nov 30

Chandra Grahan 2020: Is it safe to eat food during Lunar eclipse? What do traditional beliefs say? Explai – Times of India

A lunar eclipse is a big celestial event for skygazers. The year's last lunar eclipse will be visible on Novemeber 30, 2020, coinciding with Kartik Purnima. Much like the last eclipse, this lunar eclipse will also be a penumbral one, i.e. when the earth comes between the moon and the sun.The eclipse will be visible in our country between the hours of 1:04 PM and 5:22 PM, reaching its peak at 3:13 PM. Those who believe in astrology know that eclipses garner special significance in traditional texts and there are a lot of customs and rituals followed on the day too. In some communities, it is even advised that a person does not eat, or work during the hours of the eclipse. There are also some dietary beliefs which are broadly followed on the day.Is it safe to eat on the day of the eclipse?According to modern science, there is no real fear if a person eats or carries out certain tasks on the day of an eclipse. However, lunar eclipses are considered to be a harbinger of changes and a representative of bad omen. Hence, precautions are followed. Pregnant women are advised to be very cautious and avoid contact with harmful objects.Effect of the lunar cycle on the human body, according to beliefsAccording to beliefs, moon's cycles impact our body scientifically, psychologically and our energy chakras as well. Some scriptures suggest that any food we consume on the day, takes a longer while to digest, as our body's vital energies age by approximately twenty eight days. This is one of the primary reasons why traditionally, eating raw food is avoided on the day of the eclipse.

That being said, there are certain preventive tips which you can definitely follow to safeguard your health.

Diet do's and don'tsSome of the most commonly believed diet myths surround the food which should be consumed and the ones which should be avoided. Religious texts suggest that the moon's powerful rays may hamper or ruin the nutritive properties of the food and make it unfit for consumption.

We tell you some of the most prevalent dietary customs followed on the day:

Raw food must be avoidedIn traditional communities, consumption of raw food, certain fruits and vegetables is not advised. It is assumed that the rays of the moon can ruin its properties and make it unfit for eating. The same extends to alcohol, non-vegetarian produce or any items which take a long time to digest.

No pre-cooked food in the kitchenJust like some people follow the practice of bathing after the eclipse ends, no pre-cooked food is made available in the house during the duration of the eclipse. Traditional beliefs dictate that the strong emissions which are emitted from the moon can contaminate or decay the food. Hence, as a measure, many families do not cook anything or prepare food in advance on the day of the eclipse, and instead, choose to have something light and fresh once the eclipse ends. Again, there is no scientific claim behind this happening.

Adding Tulsi leaves to prepared food is a mustSome people prefer adding some tulsi (holy basil) seeds to the food while preparing it to cut out the radiation which might tamper the food's taste or quality. While there is no conclusive proof behind this custom, adding tulsi seeds to your food, or simply increasing its intake is good to fight certain infections and keep the body healthy.

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