According to a new study, consuming two energy drinks can result in a significant change in the time that the chambers of the heart need to contract and relax. This measure is called the QT interval, and when this number rises, a person’s risk of experiencing life-threatening arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death also increases. American…

Researchers monitored the health and dietary behaviors of over 100,000 adults for five years and identified an association between ultra-processed food consumption and an elevated risk for both heart attack and stroke. BMJ, May 2019

Among a group of more than 16,000 middle age and older adults, those with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains had up to a 41% lower risk for heart failure than participants who consumed a diet low in such foods. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, April 2019

Researchers tracked the health of over 6,500 Americans for about 20 years and found that people who said they never had breakfast had an 87% higher risk of death from heart-related causes than those who always ate breakfast. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, April 2019

The Mediterranean diet focuses on eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, olive oil, and whole grains, while avoiding red and processed meats, dairy, saturated fats, and refined sugars. In a recent study, researchers observed that participants on a Mediterranean-style diet ate fewer calories, had lower body weight, and had less body fat than those who consumed…

The results of a recent study that involved 45 overweight/obese adults suggest that adding walnuts to one’s diet can result in lower central blood pressure, which may reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease. Journal of the American Heart Association, April 2019

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when fat accumulates in the liver from causes other than excessive alcohol consumption. The current research suggests that, due to their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may be an effective treatment for NAFLD early in the course of the disease. Nutrients, April 2019

Regular sugary drink consumption has been linked to many chronic diseases and conditions. If you struggle with reducing your sugary drink intake, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services offers the following suggestions: limit sugary drinks to special occasions; choose water or low-fat milk instead; carry water with you; and make water tasty by…

A study that included data from nearly 200 countries has linked poor diet quality (particularly diets high in sodium and low in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts and seeds) to nearly 11 million of the 55 million deaths recorded each year worldwide. The Lancet, April 2019

A review of data of more than 240,000 telephone surveys conducted between 2005 and 2015 has identified an association between consuming an unhealthy diet and an elevated risk for moderate or severe psychological distress. Researcher Dr. Jim E. Banta writes, “This and other studies like it could have big implications for treatments in behavioral medicine……