Hello, it’s Tuesday, October 24. You’re about to discover 10 items you should wash your hands immediately after touching, 7 surprisingly bad habits for your heart, 6 top benefits of coconut oil for skin, a ONE-ingredient jam recipe, and more…
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Phthalate Exposure in Pregnancy Linked to Smaller Brain Matter in Children
Exposure to a common group of chemicals known as phthalates during pregnancy may be connected to smaller total gray matter in the brain of the child at age 10, according to a recent study. Prenatal phthalate exposure was also associated with lower child IQ at age 14.
These new findings correspond with other research linking phthalates to poorer cognitive function, social development, and motor skills in children as well as possible neurotoxic effects. Gray matter is thought to be linked to intellect, meaning smaller volumes could possibly lead to a lower IQ.
In the study, researchers analyzed data– which included MRI scans, IQ tests, and urine samples to detect phthalates– from 775 mother-child pairs. A link between certain phthalates and smaller gray matter volume was found across the board, while diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) was linked to smaller white matter only in girls.
Phthalates are widely used as plasticizers and solvents in a range of everyday products, including personal care products and food packaging. To avoid them, look for them on the label of cosmetics products, and steer clear of plastic, fragrance, and vinyl. (Also, see the article ‘4 Easy Ways to Limit Your Exposure to Phthalates’ below ↓)
Dark Tea May Improve Blood Sugar, Lower Diabetes Risk
Regularly drinking tea, particularly dark tea, may promote healthier blood sugar levels and improve insulin resistance, some new research has found. This, in turn, can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
The study involved almost 2,000 adults aged 20-80. Their tea drinking habits– no tea, black tea, green tea, dark tea, or other tea– were recorded, and urine samples were collected to determine the amount of glucose excreted. Insulin resistance and any diabetes diagnoses were also recorded.
Overall, the findings showed that people who drank tea daily excreted more glucose in their urine, had a 15% lower risk for prediabetes, and had a 28% reduced risk for type 2 diabetes compared to non tea drinkers. Those who drank dark tea had a 53% lower chance of prediabetes and a 47% lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Dark tea is a type of tea that undergoes microbial fermentation after being oxidized. The most well-known example is Pu-erh tea, which has a distinct earthy flavor. Notably, all tea drinkers in the study took their tea without sugar, which might play a role in the results.
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| Partner of the day |  |
Stop Seasoning Your Food With Plastic
Did you know that salt, even “healthy” sea salt, is a source of plastic in most people’s diet?
As you may be aware, table salt goes through a chemical-laden process before it gets to your home. It gets stripped of all its valuable minerals before anti-caking chemicals are added, making it far from pure. That’s why many people have turned to sea salt instead BUT studies have found that even sea salt is often loaded with potentially harmful microplastics, likely due to the 8 million tons of plastic garbage dumped in the ocean each year. That’s why Ava Jane’s Kitchen went on a search for plastic-free salt and found it in their outstanding Colima Sea Salt. Sourced from Colima, Mexico– one of the only uncontaminated sources of natural mineral salt in the world– this sea salt is rich in natural minerals, incredibly flavorful, and (most importantly) lab-tested to be
free of microplastics.
Find out more about Colima Sea Salt right here and get your first bag for FREE.
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7 Common Habits That Sabotage Your Heart Health
Some of the worst habits for your heart health aren’t the obvious ones. For example, consuming too much sugar can be just as harmful for the heart as other unhealthy foods (like saturated fat), and not taking care of your teeth can actually put a strain on your heart. Taking too many pain relievers, especially NSAIDS, can raise your risk of both a heart attack and a stroke, while neglecting your mental health could contribute to a higher risk of coronary artery disease. (More)
Grapes Provide Antioxidants, May Improve Eye Health
Like most other fruits, grapes contain powerful antioxidants that can combat oxidative stress and the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are a key contributor to multiple eye diseases. Now, for the first time, a small human study has confirmed that consuming grapes daily (the equivalent of 1.5 cups) can increase macular pigment optical density (MPOD)– one marker of eye health– which could specifically benefit retinal health. (More)
10+ Sedentary Hours a Day May Be Worst for Brain Aging
Leading a sedentary lifestyle is currently considered a risk factor for dementia and general cognitive decline, but just how much time spent sitting is too much? Well, according to a recent study, being sedentary for 10 or more hours a day may have the worst effects on the brain. Researchers found that the risk of dementia started significantly rising once the 10-hour mark was hit within a 24-hour period– but keep in mind that sleeping does not count as being sedentary. (More)
Just 3,000 More Steps Per Day Can Lower Blood Pressure
You’ve probably heard that getting in more steps each day is great for your heart, but hitting a number like 10,000 can seem way out of reach. Fortunately, a new study has found that increasing your step count by just 3,000 steps per day can significantly lower blood pressure– something an estimated 80% of older adults in the U.S. deal with. And if you can make it up to 7,000 steps per day, you could get results on par with those of anti-hypertensive medications. (More)
6 Top Benefits of Coconut Oil for Your Skin & Anti-Aging
Coconut oil has been touted as a superfood and DIY skincare superstar for many years. And while it’s not going to cure everything that ails you, research has shown that it can improve skin hydration better than mineral oil and soothes irritation or inflammation. It’s particularly good for dry or mature skin types and shouldn’t trigger sensitive skin. Plus, coconut oil contains antioxidants that may help protect skin against the damaging effects of UV rays and even possesses antimicrobial properties. (More)
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Thinking is something we all do on a daily basis, but scientists have found it difficult to accurately study thought processes. Nevertheless, recent research suggests that humans may have about 6.5 thoughts per minute (on average) or 6000+ thoughts per day.
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| Partner of the day |  |
Flavorful, Uncontaminated Sea Salt
Are you seasoning your food with pure, crunchy, delicious sea salt?
Highly processed table salt often leaves a chemical taste behind in your mouth and most supposedly superior sea salts are frequently contaminated with toxic microplastics. The good news is you can avoid both problems by switching to Colima Sea Salt from Ava Jane’s Kitchen. This salt is sourced from one of the few uncontaminated deposits in the world and is tested to be microplastic-free. Plus, it has a delicious, food-enhancing flavor that puts table salt to shame. Find out more and get a FREE bag of mineral-rich Colima Sea Salt here.
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> What does a baby computer call his father? Data.
> Why did the girl keep getting sick on weekdays? She had a weekend immune system.
> What happens when a pig loses its voice? It becomes disgruntled.
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“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.”
-Pablo Picasso
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