Hello, it’s Sunday, November 19. You’re about to discover 13 places the cold/flu hides out in your own home, a surprising health benefit of poetry, how to regain your sense of smell after COVID, a hearty & delicious pasta recipe, and more…
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ultra-Processed Foods Can Be as Addictive as Smoking
Health experts and researchers continue to debate whether certain foods could reasonably be labeled as “addictive.” Now, according to a new research analysis, there is evidence that ultra-processed foods high in refined carbs and added fats do display addictive potential that may be comparable to smoking.
The analysis included information from 281 separate studies that took place in 36 different countries. Researchers used the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) – which assesses 11 symptom criteria like diminished control over intake, cravings, and withdrawal – to determine the prevalence of food addiction.
Overall, the findings showed that food addiction was present in an estimated 14% of adults and 12% of children. For adults, these numbers are alarmingly similar to the levels of addiction seen for alcohol and tobacco (14% and 18%, respectively). The level of implied addiction in children was deemed “unprecedented.”
The study authors note that not all food has addictive potential and that the combination of high amounts of refined carbs and fats – commonly found in ultra-processed foods but not natural whole foods – seems to have the biggest effect on brain reward systems, potentially triggering addiction.
Fiber ‘Bioactives’ Linked to Lower Cancer, Heart Disease Risk
Insoluble fiber foods contain unique bioactive compounds that could help combat heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, a recent study has found. This suggests that they have benefits for human health that go far beyond the gut and bowel regularity, making them even more of a priority in the diet.
Dietary fiber is divided into two types: soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber is the type that does not dissolve in water and speeds up the passage of waste to help prevent constipation. It’s found in a variety of plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
The study was a review that looked at a variety of fiber and bioactive research. From this information, researchers determined that plant sources of insoluble fiber are also rich in bioactives that have protective effects against a number of diseases, including cancer.
“People understand the need for fiber and how it relates to gut health,” said Joanne Slavin, study co-author, “...but our research indicates that we need to ensure the other valuable components of fiber-containing plant sources – the bioactives – are also recognized as providing valuable benefits for human health.” (For more, see article ‘Top Foods Highest in Insoluble Fiber’ below ↓)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Partner of the day |  |
Grow Healthy, Full Hair Effortlessly
Biotin is a key nutrient that can be a game changer for healthy-looking hair, skin, and nails.
Unfortunately, it can be challenging for many people – especially plant-based eaters – to consume enough biotin in their diet (it’s found most abundantly in chicken & beef liver) AND many biotin supplements on the market are useless because they are poorly absorbed and get flushed right out of your body. Enter Complete Biotin Plus from Everbella – a top-quality supplement that uses micelle liposomal technology to ensure the biotin is absorbed and utilized effectively. It’s made with a delicious “cinnamon roll” formula that helps to naturally repair thinning hair and is packed with other hair and skin superstars like black cumin seed oil, pumpkin seed oil, and selenium.
Find out more about Complete Biotin Plus and how it promotes fuller, luscious hair here.
|
|
|
|
|
5 Common Environmental Toxins That Damage Your Gut
Research increasingly suggests that poor gut health is linked to a number of conditions, including diabetes, certain types of cancer, and even neurological disorders. Unfortunately, there are a number of common toxins that can damage your gut, including phthalates (plastic chemicals), heavy metals, and pesticides. Antibiotics are another well-known gut disruptor, and common food additives like artificial sweeteners and emulsifiers can cause inflammation and irritate the gut, too. (More)
Poetry Can Help With Loneliness, Improves Mental Health
Feelings of loneliness and isolation contribute to anxiety and depression and can also speed up cognitive decline in older adults. A new study suggests that poetry may be able to partially combat these feelings when getting out of the house isn’t possible. Both reading and writing poetry helped over half of participants to feel less lonely or isolated and also reduced anxiety for some. Sharing poetry online was another way to feel more connected during isolation. (More)
Prenatal Chemical Exposure May Trigger Childhood Weight Gain
Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals can affect health at any point in life, and evidence suggests that their harmful effects start in the womb. In this case, women who had higher levels of endocrine disruptors in their urine and blood during pregnancy were more likely to have a child go through accelerated body mass index (BMI) gain from birth to nine years old. Some specific chemicals of concern were determined to be PFAS (‘forever chemicals’) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). (More)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy May Benefit Chronic Fatigue Patients
There is currently no standard effective treatment for chronic fatigue, but a new study suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of talk therapy, may be beneficial for certain chronic fatigue patients. For some – mainly those who were younger, had less functional impairment, or were still relatively active – it significantly reduced fatigue and helped improve physical limitations. However, CBT may worsen symptoms in other chronic fatigue patients, so expert advice is recommended. (More)
How to Regain Your Sense of Smell After COVID
A lost or distorted sense of smell is one of the more common symptoms to linger after a COVID infection, but it can also come about as the result of other infections. One at-home way to encourage your sense of smell to return by stimulating nerve cells in the nose is commonly called smell training. To do it, choose four essential oils (or strongly scented herbs) and spend about 25 seconds gently sniffing each scent. Repeat this twice a day for three months and expect your sense of smell to return in stages. (More)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Your body contains billions of nerve cells, known as neurons, that are constantly sending signals back and forth between your brain, spinal cord, and the rest of your body. Each neuron has a short antennae-like dendrite to receive signals and a long cable-like axon to send signals.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Partner of the day |  |
Restore Your Hair With This Powerhouse Nutrient
Are you one of many people frustrated with thinning, lackluster hair?
Biotin is one of the most critical nutrients your body needs to grow full, luscious hair, but simply taking large amounts of it won’t help. Your body needs to absorb the biotin you consume for it to go to work, and it can be enhanced by other hair-supportive ingredients. The Complete Biotin Plus supplement from Everbella provides all of this (and more!) with a formula that is up to 800% more absorbable than other supplements and the addition of vitamin D, selenium, pumpkin seed oil, and more to boost the effects of biotin. You can find out more about the delicious Complete Biotin Plus right here.
|
|
|
|
|
> Why is it hard to take pictures of a wheat field? They turn out grainy.
> Which relative was the penguin’s favorite? Aunt Arctica.
> Why can’t pirates recite the alphabet? They get lost at C.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
“Never test the depth of a river with both feet.”
-Unknown
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Why Beat122? A "beat" is a genre of journalism focused on a particular sector. In our case, that sector is concise and unbiased
natural health news that you can take action to live long and live well. The number 122 symbolizes positive change. And there is a double meaning to Beat122. The world's oldest person lived to age 122. Based on the science, we are certain you and many others can beat that, and our mission is to provide you with the best insights to do so!
First time reading? Subscribe completely FREE here.
Interested in reaching smart readers like you? To become a Beat122 partner, apply here. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The resources we share are for informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any type of disease. If you purchase products linked from our emails, we may receive a portion of the proceeds, and these affiliations help to support our work. Here are full terms & conditions. |
Beat122 1144 E State St, Suite A310 Geneva, IL 60134 Copyright 2023, Beat122, All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
|
