At any age, building stronger bones yields obvious advantages—but especially because national data have suggested that bone breaks in older age can be associated with earlier death, being intentional about strengthening your bones as you age can be one of the best ways to ensure a long life.
Getting plenty of bone-fortifying minerals, like calcium, along with strength-training a few times a week, are two strategies for making your bones stronger. Now, new research suggests that walking outside for a certain amount of time each day can also protect you from years of back pain, poor posture, and brittle bones.
Colorectal cancer was once seen as a disease that predominantly affected older adults, but that trend has been generally declining among older populations in recent decades thanks to public education on colon cancer screening recommendations and prevention methods. In fact, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that overall colon cancer rates have been falling since the 1980s.
However, new research suggests a wave of colon cancer is emerging among younger populations. According to the ACS, since the mid-1990s, colon cancer rates have been rising by 1-2% each year among people under 55—and now, doctors have found that the younger you are, the more at-risk you may be.
A study presented this week at Digestive Disease Week 2024, which is hosted in Washington D.C. by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, revealed that between 1999 and 2020, colon cancer rates increased by 500% among children ages 10 to 14 years, 333% among teenagers between 15 and 19, and 185% among young adults between 20 and 24.
The study, led by Islam Mohamed, MD, an internal medicine resident physician at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, used data gathered from the Centers for Disease Control Wonder Database. CDC WONDER is an open system for public health information, which Dr. Mohamed’s team used to calculate trends in colon cancer rates for people between ages 10 and 44.
What they found is that “colorectal cancer is no longer considered just a disease of the elderly population,” says Dr. Mohamed in a press release. “It’s important that the public is aware of signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer.”
The press release reports that the most common symptoms observed in young patients diagnosed with colon cancer were “changes in bowel habits in terms of either constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and signs of iron deficiency anemia.”
Though Dr. Mohamed says this rise among young people is not high enough to suggest widespread colonoscopy screening, he recommends “more tailored approaches” to screening. Researchers also noted an increase in colon cancer rates in the other age groups they analyzed, with rates rising by 71% in ages 30 to 34, 58% in ages 35 to 39, and 37% in ages 40 to 44. As of 2024, the recommended age for an initial colonoscopy is 45 years old, unless a patient has an immediate relative who’s been diagnosed with the disease.
Increased awareness of colorectal cancer symptoms, proactive discussions about family medical history, and lifestyle modifications are crucial to combating this alarming rise. By staying informed and proactive, we can work toward reversing these trends and protecting future generations.
For more wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:
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- New Data: 80% of Americans Don’t Know This Colon Cancer Risk
As someone who’s been in and out of talk therapy for a decade, I have a pretty good idea of what works for me and what doesn’t: I’m more of a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) person than a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) person, I like a therapist who has experience with Internal Family Systems (IFS), and I’m endlessly curious about eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
But with so many treatments for my twin mental health struggles of depression and anxiety—and with the culturally growing awareness that integrative modalities can add complementary impact to more traditional psychotherapeutic approaches—I’m open to trying anything once. Recently, that meant giving hypnotherapy a try.
I recently visited the beautiful Rancho de los Caballeros in Wickenburg, AZ. While browsing which activities I could explore at this dude ranch resort, I discovered a hidden gem available at its spa: A hypnotherapy session with a certified clinical hypnotherapist.
I’d heard that hypnotherapy can help with smoking cessation and other health-related issues, and I found some research that seemed to suggest there’s science to supports its effectiveness for anxiety. A 2019 study published in the Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences found hypnotherapy helped study participants with anxiety who don’t use medication, like me.
A clinical trial published in 2023 in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis studied 34 participants over eight weeks, randomly placing some in weekly therapy sessions with daily mindful hypnosis tapes to listen to while others were placed in a waitlist control group. Researchers noted “clinically significant differences” over time between the two groups, indicating that “hypnotherapy is an effective intervention for treating depression as well as reducing psychological inflexibility and improving self-compassion for patients with major depressive disorder.”
Fascinated—and hopeful—I signed up. Ahead, I share what this powerful experience taught me about hypnotherapy for anxiety.
How hypnotherapy works
When I showed up for my hypnotherapy session, I was nervous that I was walking into something that would make me feel vulnerable and sensitive. My worries were quickly squashed, though.
My hypnotherapist, Cathy Higgins-Peterson, CCHt, greeted me warmly, offering me tea and ushering me into a dimly lit room with a flickering candle, quietly humming music, and an elevated massage bed for me to recline on. She encouraged me to take my shoes off and get cozy under a blanket. Already, this was the most comfortable therapy session I’d ever experienced.
We began with Higgins-Peterson getting to know me by asking me a series of personal questions, including what I hoped to work on that afternoon. According to Dr. Sera Levelle, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist who owns and practices hypnotherapy at NY Health Hypnosis, it is important for your hypnotherapist to have a “complex understanding” of any issues you’re facing before incorporating hypnosis. Afterward, “the therapist would lure you into a relaxed state and work with you on a specific goal using a technique similar to guided mediation, but very specific to you and your issue,” Dr. Levelle explains, adding: “Hypnotherapy works by tapping directly into your unconscious mind and removing blocks so that you get in touch with your internal motivation for change.”
“Similar to guided meditation” is exactly how I would describe my experience of hypnotherapy. After sharing about my mental health issues, it was time for me to stop talking and start listening. Higgins-Peterson slowly began to draw me deeper and deeper into my subconscious.
I could feel myself sinking into a sleepy, barely-aware state, my limbs getting heavier and my breathing getting slower. As I relaxed, Higgins-Peterson narrated visuals for me to imagine, with one in particular that stands out: She described stars falling over the top of my head, slowly trickling down my body and into my hands, where she told me I could hold them tightly every time I needed to center myself. As she walked me through different moments of my life and waves of emotion washed over me, I felt myself clinging to those stars.
What are the benefits of hypnotherapy for anxiety?
In my experience, the benefits of hypnotherapy for anxiety have been significant. Throughout my session, my hypnotherapist spoke about forgiving myself for things my anxiety was fixating on, reframing mistakes or past choices as lessons that I learned and internalized.
This sounds so simple but felt so profound, as my deeply relaxed state helped it sink in. I thought of past relationships, career decisions, and other major life choices that I’ve since questioned or been tough on myself about. Embracing the decisions I make as lessons has helped me let go of the self-judgment I often rehash on a daily basis, and instead see myself as a person on a lifelong journey of growth and learning.
A lasting effect from the hypnotherapy experience has been the star visual Cathy gave me, which has helped me manage my anxiety in real moments of crisis. On an evening bike ride a few weeks ago, I was suddenly overcome with an intense panic attack that made me pull over and try every breathing technique and counting strategy I know to calm myself down.
The stars! I remembered.
It wasn’t until I tightly gripped those stars in my hands that I was pulled right back to that extreme relaxation of my hypnotherapy session and finally felt some relief. It seemed like a real psychological association had happened in that deeply relaxed state.
“There is a vast amount of literature proving the effectiveness of incorporating hypnosis into the treatment of anxiety,” Dr. Levelle says. “Hypnosis without the complement of other methods, however, can be limited if you don’t address the roots of the anxiety through other therapy methods. For instance, several studies have shown that the addition can cut the number of therapy sessions in half when added to CBT, and that the effects tend to be twice as powerful.”
Noted. I know better than to cancel any of my regular therapy sessions, but knowing that I have those stars when I need them has been a comfort in itself.
Who should try hypnotherapy, and who should avoid it?
If you’re curious about hypnotherapy and think it could help you, based on my experience, I suggest giving it a try. From just one session, I unlocked a level of self-reflection and connectedness with myself that I’ve struggled to reach for a long time. Like Dr. Levelle said, by tapping into my unconscious mind and examining the mental blocks I was facing in a calm and supportive setting, I learned a practical and evidently effective tool that helps me manage my anxiety in realtime.
“Nearly everyone can benefit from hypnotherapy, the same as most people can benefit from meditation,” Dr. Levelle agrees, with one exception: “The caveat would be working with psychosis, which is contraindicated for the use of hypnosis due to suggestibility. However, there is also research that suggests that with the proper training and guidelines in place, it could be beneficial even for this population.”
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It’s no accident that often near the entry and the exit of a supercenter department store, there’s a wide display of sweets that are usually calling out to you from clear plastic containers. Those rice crispy treats with sprinkles and the sugar cookies with colored icing so sweet it makes your cheeks sting are meant to catch you in those weak, fast-moving moments as you’re coming or going. In many cases they aren’t made in-house at Walmart, Target or at your grocery store—instead they’re shipped in by a business that partners with these stores at the corporate level and produces these goodies in mass quantities to sell in multiple retail locations.
One of those suppliers is the Sioux City, Iowa-based Palmer Candy, a family-owned confectionary and private label candy manufacturer originally founded in 1878. Among their products, Palmer’s website lists chocolates, homestyle candies, coated pretzels, brittle, snack mixes, specialty barks, toffees, and more, coming in “tubs, trays and canisters,” they say, plus other packaging that customers around the country would be likely to recognize.
In early May 2024, Palmer’s recalled approximately 30 products for contamination concerns. This weekend on May 18, the US Food and Drug Administration announced that the recall had been extended to include two more products and to provide more details for the products recalled earlier in the month. (The full list of recalled products runs below.)
The FDA’s recall announcement reads: “The recalled confectionary items were distributed nationwide in Walmart, HyVee, Target, Dollar General, and to distributors in Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.”
The sources state that no illnesses had been reported at the time of the recall alert, but that “Palmer Candy was notified by its liquid coating supplier that there was a potential for contamination with Salmonella from an ingredient that was potentially contaminated from one of their suppliers.” On its site, Palmer touts its food safety and quality systems, “including allergen control practices, master sanitation schedules, supplier audits, product and raw material traceability, label compliance verification,” and more.
The company urges customers to return the items to the place of purchase for a full refund or contact the company at 1-800-831-0828.
The recalled products come in a variety of packages, “like bags, pouches and tubs,” the recall announcement states. The company adds that the recalled Palmer products may be branded under any of these names: Freshness Guaranteed, Palmer, Sweet Smiles, Snackin’ With The Crew, Casey’s, Sconza Chocolates, Favorite Day Bakery, Sunny Select, Urge!, Kwik Trip Inc.
Product details are as follows, in the order of product name or description, size details, and best-by dates:
- CARAMEL SWIRL PRETZELS 4oz 12/18/24-12/28/24
- CARAMEL SWIRL PRETZELS 6oz 12/19/24, 12/20/24 and 1/19/25
- CLASSIC YOGURT PRETZELS 28# 12/11/24 – 1/8/25
- COOKIES & CREAM YUMMY CHOW 14# 12/6/24 – 1/23/25
- ENROBED PRETZEL RODS 8oz 1/22/2025
- FAVORITE DAY BAKERY WHITE FUDGE MINI COOKIES 7oz 4/4/25, 4/5/25, 4/15/25 – 4/18/25
- FROSTED MUNCHY MEDLEY BOWL 15oz 1/3/2025
- FROSTED PATRIOT FROSTED PRETZELS 28# 1/2/25, 1/3/25
- FROSTED PRETZELS 6oz 1/23/2025
- MUNCHY MEDLEY 15# 12/14/24, 1/3/25
- MUNCHY MEDLEY 4oz 12/25/24 – 12/28/24 and 1/19/25
- MUNCHY MEDLEY TO GO 4oz 12/25/24 – 1/19/25
- MUNCHY MEDLEY 6oz 12/20/24, 4/25/25
- PATRIOTIC MUNCHY MEDLEY BOWL 15oz 1/19/2025
- PATRIOTIC PRETZELS 14oz 1/25/25, 1/26/25
- PATRIOTIC PRETZELS 6oz 1/19/2025
- PATRIOTIC RED, WHITE & BLUE PRETZEL TWISTS 14oz 12/13/24 – 1/15/25
- PATRIOTIC SNACK MIX 13oz 1/19/25 – 2/1/25
- PATRIOTIC WHITE FUDGE COOKIES 13.5oz 4/22/2025
- PATRIOTIC WHITE FUDGE COOKIES 7oz 4/23/25, 4/24/25
- PEANUT BUTTER SNACK MIX 12oz 11/13/24 – 12/22/24
- PEANUT BUTTER SNACK MIX TO GO 4.5oz 1/18/2025
- SNACKIN’ WITH THE CREW! MIZZOU MUNCHY MEDLEY 7oz 12/18/24, 12/19/24
- SNACKIN’ WITH THE CREW! TIGER TREATS 7oz 12/18/24, 12/19/24
- STAR SNACKS CHOW DOWN 25# 12/6/24, 12/7/24
- STRAWBERRY YOGURT COATED PRETZELS 10oz 1/5/25, 1/23/25
- SWEET SMILES YOGURT COVERED PRETZELS 3.25oz 12/18/24 – 1/4/25
- VANILLA YOGURT COVERED PRETZELS 10oz 12/18/24, 1/5/25, 1/22/25
- YOGURT PRETZEL 14# 12/14/24 – 12/21/24
- ZEBRA FUDGE COOKIES 7oz 3/20/25 – 4/30/25
- DRIZZLED CARAMEL CORN 5oz 1/22/2025
- DRIZZLED CARAMEL CORN SNACK MIX BOWL 12oz 1/22/2025
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- Walmart Just Recalled a Great Value Health Food Distributed Nationwide
- More Than 300 Bags of Name-Brand Pet Food Recalled in 4 States
- 7,000 Smoke & CO2 Detectors Recalled Nationwide
- What Is a Recall, and Why Do They Happen? An Expert Explains
It’s agonizing to see our pets sick or in pain, and even worse when it’s due to something we gave them. That’s why this weekend a major pet food brand issued a voluntary limited recall on 315 bags of dog food “due to the potential presence of loose metal pieces in the bag.”
On Saturday, March 18, the US Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, published a recall announcement on behalf of Mars Petcare US, Inc., maker of PEDIGREE dog food. Mars has recalled PEDIGREE Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food “in the 44 lb. bag size only,” the announcement reads, due to the possible presence of foreign materials that the recall states could pose a health hazard to pets.
The recalled PEDIGREE Adult Complete Nutrition food reportedly can be identified by the lot code 410B2TXT02 and was sold at Walmart locations in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. The maker says it is working with Walmart “to ensure that the affected products are no longer sold and have been removed from inventory.” The FDA’s announcement advises that consumers who purchased the product should “please stop using it,” adding: “If you believe your pet has consumed the affected product, you should monitor for unusual behavior and contact a veterinarian in the event of any concerns.”
The sources say no injuries or illnesses had yet been reported. Customers who believe they may have bought the recalled PEDIGREE food may “contact Mars Petcare US consumer care to initiate a return or with any questions at 1-800-525-5273 from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST) Monday through Friday and 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (CST) Saturday and Sunday or visit https://www.pedigree.com/update.”
Get updates that help keep you well when you subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:
- Walmart Just Recalled a Great Value Health Food Distributed Nationwide
- 7,000 Smoke & CO2 Detectors Recalled Nationwide
- Research Shows Owning This Type of Pet Could Extend Your Lifespan
- A List of Foods Dogs Can’t Eat—and How to React If They Do, from Experts
The Blue Zones, Harvard happiness data: These days there’s a wealth of thoroughly researched advice on lifestyle choices to promote a long life and enjoy good health through most of it. But to hear from a doctor who helped pioneer the functional medicine movement, as well as a path for women in medicine…who also happens to be a centenarian? That takes enlightenment to a new level.
In April 2024, Gladys McGarey, MD, celebrated the release of her latest book, The Well-Lived Life: A 103-Year-Old Doctor’s 6 Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age. In some circles, Dr. McGarey is known as “the mother of holistic medicine.” She’s uniquely generous in sharing the habits and beliefs that have helped her live that long, as well as the life lessons she wishes she’d learned sooner. One major point she makes? Our generation perceives ourselves as the masters of self-care—but Dr. McGarey says there’s a lot we need to learn about what that really means.
The Healthy by Reader’s Digest spoke with Dr. McGarey to tap some of her biggest takeaways. Here’s what she shared on living well, and wisely.
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The Healthy by Reader’s Digest: Dr. McGarey, you’ve suggested our modern-day understanding of self-care may be fundamentally flawed. We’re intrigued. How do you view self-care?
Dr. Gladys McGarey: To truly care for ourselves, we need to look deeper than the latest diet or exercise craze. Effective self-care is not just physical; it includes our mind and emotions as well as our spirit.
Fortunately these days, most people are aware that our mind and emotions have a profound effect on our physical health. That was not the case when I began my medical practice in 1948. My colleagues and I in the American Holistic Medical Association worked hard to help expand public understanding about the role of the mind and emotions in health, and today most people are aware of that. However, the role of our spirit is still often overlooked.
When I talk about spirit I’m not just talking about religion, though that can be part of our spiritual journey. I’m talking about understanding what we’re here for and what our purpose is. These are essential components of self-care. My personal mission and purpose is a major reason that I’m still here on this planet at 103.
When caring for our spirit, we also need to tap into that potent spark we call Love. My third secret for health and happiness at every age is “Love Is the Most Powerful Medicine.” For our self-care to really work, it simply has to include love. And I’m talking about an expansive love, which includes love for others, love from others, and love for ourselves.
So reach beyond diet and exercise when you think of self-care, and pay attention to your mind, your emotions, and your life’s purpose. And make sure you fill your life with a rich helping of giving and receiving love.
The Healthy: You say aging can be an enriching experience, both emotionally and physically. Could you speak to why you believe this specifically in terms of physical health?
Dr. Gladys McGarey: My sixth secret for health and happiness at every age is “Spend Your Energy Wildly.” As I have grown older, I have been able to get much clearer about what gives me energy and makes me delighted to be alive. My age helps me identify the things that enrich my life and the things that don’t, so now I know which projects to invest my energy in. I call this Aging Into Health. It enables me to confidently spend my energy on the things that are genuinely meaningful for me, rather than trying to rein my energy in and conserve it out of fear.
In this way, aging stops being equivalent to dwindling energy and diminished enthusiasm about life. Instead, it gives me the clarity I need to live a life wholeheartedly focused on activities that make my life worthwhile. I believe you will find the same thing is true for you if you start looking for the things that give you “juice.”
Try it! Speak up! Try things you’ve never tried before! Go places you’ve never been! Volunteer for a nonprofit that needs you! Have a deep belly-laugh that makes your heart sing! Spending your energy wildly like this makes you feel better emotionally and spiritually, and you’ll discover that your body can’t help but respond with more energy.
The Healthy: What kind of diet have you followed throughout your life?
Dr. Gladys McGarey: I’ve had many different diets during my life. A lot has depended on what was available. When I was in India, I ate curry and rice. When I was in medical school and broke, I came close to serving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Thanksgiving dinner. But when we moved to Phoenix in the 1950s and I started becoming aware of the profound effect nutrition has on health, I began to focus on feeding my family lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with the meatloaf and baked chicken and hamburgers and occasional KFC that growing kids demand.
Growing up in India made me open to trying unusual foods to improve my family’s health. For example, in the 1950s, all that was available in the grocery store was white bread, so every week, I asked the grocery store clerks for whole wheat bread until it finally showed up on the shelves. I also heard about the value of vegetable juices, and I juiced so many carrots that my son Bob started happily showing off his orange palms on the playground from all the carrot juice my kids drank.
Once, I read an article about the nutritional value of organ meats, so for dinner, I cooked up some pig brains for the family and disguised them in scrambled eggs. That did not go well at all. My daughter Analea figured it out, and we ended up at McDonald’s that night.
The main idea, though, is to consume healthy foods and be flexible and have fun with it. Don’t be so bent on finding the perfect diet that you make yourself sick. Remember, I still have a piece of chocolate cake every now and then.
The Healthy: How have you thought of exercise in your 103 years?
Dr. Gladys McGarey: I think of exercise in terms of activity and movement. In fact, “All Life Needs to Move” is my second secret for health and happiness at every age.
When I was a kid growing up in the high Himalayas, I clambered up and down the trail that led from my home to my school every day. It was a mile long with a thousand-foot climb in elevation. I didn’t need any extra exercise.
Then when I was the first and only woman in my medical residency at Deaconess Hospital in Cincinnati, and the head resident was trying to make it so hard for me that I would resign because he thought women should never be doctors, I was running so hard that I hardly had a moment to take a breath. Those were days when I didn’t need any extra exercise either.
I also didn’t need any extra exercise when I had a full-time medical practice with six active kids to take care of, or when I was caring for women and children in India and Tibet and Afghanistan, or even during this last year when I’ve done over 250 online interviews about The Well-Lived Life.
OK, that’s not exactly true. These days, sometimes, I have had to talk myself into getting up out of my chair and going for a walk or riding my adult tricycle. The main thing is that I aim to be active during the day doing what needs to be done. I choose to live an active lifestyle. That’s my idea of exercise.
The Healthy: If you had to attribute your remarkable longevity to any one thing, what would it be?
Dr. Gladys McGarey: Years ago when I was giving a lecture to a group of doctors in Hawaii, someone asked me what helped me have as much energy as I have. I stumbled around for a bit, mumbling something incoherent. But then my daughter Analea said, “Oh, come on, Mom. You know that. It’s because you live your life in a state of constant gratitude.”
And it’s true. I’m grateful because I love life. There’s always something more to learn; it’s an ongoing living process. Who knows what amazing thing will happen today? And I’m grateful because there is love in my life and that there are people to whom I can send that love. And I’m grateful because I have a purpose and a mission for my life, and that makes it exciting to wake up each morning, looking forward to what I can do today to make the world better. And I’m grateful that I have a 10-year plan, which is to create a Village for Living Medicine.
The Healthy: We know you’re a foremost pioneer of holistic medicine. What do you make of how mainstream wellness and mindfulness are today?
Dr. Gladys McGarey: It has been thrilling to watch while words like mindfulness and wellness have become household words. It was not like that at all in the 1950s when my husband and I started exploring meditation, the role of emotions and the power of our mind. We began by trying things out ourselves, and then using them in our practice and eventually lecturing about them around the world.
Mindfulness, wellness, stress management, acupuncture, self-care, and the role of emotions in physical health were unheard of back then, but they are popular now because we can see their effects in our everyday lives. It makes me happy to think how many people have access these days to ideas like this that can make their lives healthier and more satisfying.
The Healthy: Recent research has suggested that our relationships are critical to a long life. What’s your take on this?
Dr. Gladys McGarey: As I was growing up, I watched as my parents brought their life-saving medical training to the villages in the jungles of northern India. As crucial as the medicines they administered were, I came to realize that the relationships they built were just as important, sometimes even more so.
When I was 84 I taught safer birthing practices to women in the villages in Afghanistan. At the time Afghan women died during childbirth at a higher rate than anywhere else in the world. My work helped that rate plummet by nearly half. But it wasn’t the vital information I offered by itself that made the difference; it was the fact that the women reached out to their families and other women from neighboring villages and spread the word. It was their relationships that saved those lives.
Personally, my family relationships and my mission in life together give me the juice that keeps me going every day. We all heal each other by our connections. That’s my fourth secret for health and happiness at every age—You are Never Truly Alone.
The Healthy: What’s one lesson about staying well you wish you had learned sooner in your life than you did?
Dr. Gladys McGarey: The importance of laughter. Parts of my life have been hard—my divorce after almost 40 years in particular—and laughter saved me many, many times.
Laughter is one of my 5 L’s. The first L is Life. You can’t start this journey without life. The second L is Love, the Great Healer. The third L is Laughter, which is delightful when blended with love. The fourth L is Labor; when we’re doing what we love it is profoundly fulfilling. And the fifth L is Listening. When we listen with love, it provides the connections we all long for.
Laughter when combined with love can turn a tense situation around and make painful circumstances easier to bear. A big laugh can also calm us down because it “tickles” the adrenals. The diaphragm bounces the adrenals up and down, and that movement makes them relax. So I make it a point to have a belly-laugh as often as I can.
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Skin cancer remains the most common type of cancer in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. While melanoma accounts for only a fraction of skin cancer cases, it causes the majority of deaths related to the disease. In 2024, it’s estimated that around 100,640 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed, and approximately 8,290 people will die from it.
These statistics serve as a crucial wake-up call about the importance of proper skin care. You probably already know sunscreen is a crucial part of maintaining your skin’s health and preventing cancer, but there are clear recommendations from skin health experts and consistent research about how often sunscreen needs to be reapplied.
The reason you need sunscreen at all starts with this: When human skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, these rays can damage the DNA inside skin cells. Both chemical and mineral sunscreen formulas work by absorbing UV light and converting that energy into small amounts of heat.
To set the stage for how often to reapply sunscreen, Susan Y. Chon, MD, dermatologist and assistant professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s department of dermatology, points out: “Most people don’t apply enough sunscreen.” To ensure that your sunscreen is working, it’s essential to apply a sufficient amount and reapply it often, which Dr. Chon says “can greatly curb your chances for sunburns and skin cancer.”
Ahead, we share instructions from dermatologists related to how often you should reapply sunscreen.
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Here’s how often you should reapply sunscreen, a dermatologist says
As a general rule, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours.
This timeframe can vary depending on your activities and exposure conditions. Dr. Chon says if you’re using a spray sunscreen, or if you’re swimming or sweating, you must reapply every 60 to 90 minutes. Water, snow, and sand can intensify the sun’s rays, leading to a greater risk of sunburn, so make sure to take extra precautions in these environments.
It’s also important to remember that your skin can take up to 30 minutes to absorb sunscreen fully, so be sure to apply it at least half an hour before heading outdoors.
Here’s how long sunscreen lasts on skin, dermatology experts say
Sunscreen typically lasts only two hours on your skin, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states. This is the case even though many sunscreens are marketed to provide “all-day protection.”
However, how long your sunscreen remains effective is typically influenced by several factors: For example, if you’re swimming or sweating heavily, your sunscreen can wash off or break down more quickly, requiring more frequent reapplication.
The type of sunscreen formula you use also plays a role—water-resistant varieties offer longer-lasting protection under wet conditions than regular formulas.
Ultimately, as Johns Hopkins dermatologist Anna Lien-Lun Chien, MD, states, “The best sunscreen is the one you’ll reach for every day.”
To ensure that you’re choosing a sunscreen that provides the best possible protection, the AAD recommends looking for products with the following features:
- Broad-spectrum protection
- SPF 30 or higher
- Water resistance
Your lips are also susceptible to sun damage and skin cancer, so apply a lip balm or lipstick that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
How much sunscreen should I use when reapplying?
When reapplying sunscreen, ensure you use the same amount as your initial application—about one ounce, roughly the amount needed to fill a shot glass. This should equate to two milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter of skin.
Dr. Chon advises not to overlook any exposed skin, including often-forgotten areas such as the ears, the back of the neck, and the tops of the feet. Apply an even layer across all these areas, ensuring no patches are missed to maintain the best possible protection.
What happens if I don’t reapply sunscreen?
If you don’t reapply sunscreen, your skin becomes more vulnerable to UV damage. This accelerates skin aging (wrinkles and sunspots) and increases your risk of developing skin cancer.
The cumulative effects of sporadic sunscreen use can lead to significant skin damage. Each instance of sunburn or tanning increases the likelihood of malignant changes in skin cells. Sunscreen isn’t just about preventing a painful sunburn—it’s a vital tool in your long-term strategy to maintain healthy—and healthy-looking—skin.
Remember, UV rays can penetrate windows, affecting you indoors at work or while driving. It’s important to apply sunscreen even in these scenarios to ensure continuous protection. Other helpful tips include wearing wide-brimmed hats and protective clothing and seeking shade whenever possible, especially when the sun’s rays are strongest, usually between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
For more wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:
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- 8 Ways Your Body Changes After Just One Sunburn
- 10 Sunscreen Myths You Believe That Make Dermatologists Cringe
- 11 Signs You Just Bought the Wrong Sunscreen
Smoke detectors exist to provide confidence you’ll be alerted at the first sign of danger—but by the time you learn this critical safety device isn’t functioning correctly, it’s often too late to do anything about it. That’s especially true when you consider most sources say there are greater than 350,000 house fires in the US each year.
A newly announced recall has sounded the alarm that this may be the case for nearly 7,000 smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that were sold on Amazon between August 2023 and January 2024, according to the recall alert.
On May 16, 2024, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that “about 6,800” CHZHVAN brand Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors are being recalled because the detectors “can fail to activate.” The recall announcement states there have been five reports of the detectors “failing to alarm in the presence of smoke” as of press time. So far it’s said no injuries have been reported.
The recall includes the combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with the model number JKD-512. According to the recall announcement, the affected combination detectors can be identified by these features:
- Made of white plastic
- Measure about four inches in diameter
- The front of the detectors contains a black plastic circle with a digital display in the center, with “CHZHVAN” printed above the display
- The back of the detectors has three slots for AAA batteries, in addition to a printed label with the model number, battery specifications of the product, and instructions
The affected combination detectors were priced between $18 and $59, according to the CPSC. The detectors were reportedly imported by Haikouhuidishangmaoyouxiangongsi, of China.
The Healthy: Damar, our team at Reader’s Digest adored the chance to mention your story last fall in our Nicest Places issue of the magazine. You mentioned how sharing stories and being surrounded by community can provide strength in recovery. So many heart patients can probably relate to that.
Damar Hamlin: Having a community around you when you are going through something like a cardiovascular event is critical. It’s what helped me in my recovery and why I’m partnering with Abbott on the HeartMates program to make sure everyone has that supportive community there for them so they know they are not alone when they’re going through these situations. For me, having a support system around me is what made a big difference. I had the love and support from my family, especially my parents. I’m also grateful to my team members who helped lift me up and get back to where I am today.
The Healthy: You’ve also mentioned your faith, which is powerful both when we’re up and when we’re down in life. How has that helped you?
Damar Hamlin: I lean on my faith with everything I do, with everything that happens in my life. Being deeply rooted in my faith allows me to have a foundation and direction in my life. I can weather any storm through my Lord and Savior.
The Healthy: What’s one topic in life you look at differently today than you did a couple years ago?
Damar Hamlin: I’ve always known how important it is to have a team around you, but now more than ever I understand the importance a team can play both on and off the field. Having that community that is there for you through the highs and the lows is really a special thing.
I started playing football when I was five, so I know the importance of a team, but when you need people there for you when things are dark, that’s when you really see the importance of having that support. I know firsthand the importance of having a strong team behind you. That’s why the Abbott HeartMates team is such a powerful tool to help people make strong comebacks.
The Healthy: You’re still in your twenties. What do you hope your future holds?
Damar Hamlin: I don’t know what my future holds, but what I can say is that I pray for health and wellness upon my loved ones and I know that I will continue to pursue all of my passions and continue to show how well diversified and in-depth of an individual that I am. I have a lot of plans and tricks up my sleeve. Right now I’m just focused on living everyday as the best version of myself and trying to impact as many people as possible while I’m at it. A few things that are getting all my energy right now are my family, my career, continuing to build a legacy, my foundations and using my platform for heart health advocacy work with the Abbott HeartMates team.
The Healthy: What do you want to be remembered for one day?
Damar Hamlin: I want to leave a legacy of perseverance behind. Never allowing my situation or any odds to define me and always putting the work in to accomplish what I want in life. I want to be looked at as an example of positivity for the youth behind me. Showing them what to do and what not to do. A true neighborhood hero.
The Healthy: What’s one self-care routine you refuse to skip?
Damar Hamlin: Honestly, self-care is everything for me. It’s not one thing specifically, but a culmination of things. My new favorite has been yoga and Pilates. I refuse to skip a day!
Data have shown that intermittent fasting, also called time-restricted eating (TRE), can be a highly reliable way for some people to lose weight that also comes with complementary health benefits. For example, one October 2023 study suggested that eating within an eight-hour window was shown to help people with type-2 diabetes lose more weight than calorie counting alone. In a November 2023 study, a 14-hour fast, or a 10-hour eating window, improved mood, reduced hunger, and enhanced sleep.
However, a recent study on purported cardiovascular effects of fasting was presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions 2024, held in Chicago between March 18 to 21. An analysis of more than 20,000 participants with an average age of 49 revealed that those who consumed most of their food within an eight-hour window had a 91% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Additionally, fasting didn’t reduce the risk of death from any cause compared to eating within a more typical 12- to 16-hour window.
Victor Wenze Zhong, PhD, the lead author of the study and chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China, stated: “We were surprised to find that people who followed an 8-hour, time-restricted eating schedule were more likely to die from cardiovascular disease. Even though this type of diet has been popular due to its potential short-term benefits, our research clearly shows that, compared with a typical eating time range of 12-16 hours per day, a shorter eating duration was not associated with living longer.”
One caveat was that people living with cancer showed the greatest benefits and lower death rates with a 16-hour eating window. Dr. Zhong commented, “It’s crucial for patients, particularly those with existing heart conditions or cancer, to be aware of the association between an 8-hour eating window and increased risk of cardiovascular death.”
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Dr. Zhong emphasized that while the study’s broader findings sound stark, they don’t actually indicate that intermittent fasting causes death. His research team also acknowledged that further research is necessary because the study had some limitations.
Dr. Mindy Pelz is a functional medicine practitioner, bestselling author of books such as Fast Like a Girl, and a longtime fasting researcher who is calling some of those limitations out. We spoke with Dr. Pelz, who highlighted: “Correlation is not causation … In other words, all this study says is that there’s some link between fasting and heart disease. It doesn’t say why that link exists, or prove any cause-and-effect relationship.”
So, why would that link exist? “A possible explanation is that people with higher heart disease risk are more likely to try fasting,” Dr. Pelz says.
In a March 23, 2024 Instagram post, she added that Dr. Zhong’s team’s research “isn’t a peer-reviewed journal study—it has not been vetted for being an acceptable study.”
Furthermore, Dr. Pelz stresses that 27% of study participants were smokers. “[Smoking] seems like a little more of a cardiovascular problem” compared to fasting, she said.
She reinforces a limitation that Dr. Zhong and his team had stated: that they’d only asked for participants to fill out a questionnaire two days out of the year, not to report their eating habits reflectively, or in realtime. “They didn’t even ask them what they were eating,” Dr. Pelz said. “It’s what you eat and it’s when you eat—both of those matter for your health.”
She notes that the researchers didn’t take into consideration age and demographics and other aspects that play a huge part in health.
Dr. Pelz cites other experimental research, which does have better chance of establishing cause and effect. This research shows that heart health may benefit from fasting:
“In a 2018 study,” Dr. Pelz says, “men with prediabetes did either 18-hour fasting or normal eating every day for five weeks. The study found that fasting significantly improved both cardiovascular and metabolic health—including blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, vascular inflammation, and appetite regulation—and that the benefits occurred even in subjects who didn’t lose weight. That means fasting itself caused the benefits; they weren’t a side effect of weight loss.”
She also cited the following research:
“A 2020 study had people with metabolic syndrome fast 14 hours a day for 12 weeks. Participants showed a significant improvement in cardiovascular health, including decreased blood pressure and atherogenic blood lipids.
A 2014 study found that several kinds of fasting all decreased cardiovascular risk and helped participants lose weight.
A 2020 review covers close to a dozen other studies showing that fasting decreases risk of cardiovascular disease.
Based on all the other research, it’s very unlikely that fasting doubles heart disease risk.”
Dr. Pelz offers the following conditions as those “who might be drawn to fasting, after seeing all that beneficial coverage on how good it is for your health”:
- Overweight people
- People with high blood pressure
- Older people whose doctors have told them they need to change their diet
- People with chronic inflammation
- People with diabetes, prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, or insulin resistance
While the AHA study suggested potential long-term negative effects of certain timeframes of restricted eating, Dr. Zhong emphasized that this isn’t universally true. “Our study’s findings encourage a more cautious, personalized approach to dietary recommendations, ensuring that they are aligned with an individual’s health status and the latest scientific evidence,” he said.
In any case, research consistently suggests that obesity is associated with other illnesses that can impact longevity. Also, any individual’s diet should be determined by their licensed healthcare provider.
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There’s something calming, reassuring, and therapeutic about sitting down with a cup of tea. Years of research have shown that tea has the potential to fight certain diseases and amplify health, and herbal teas in particular can provide that cozy self-investment feeling.
Apparently first reported by Eating Well, we’ve learned that one very recognizable tea company recently recalled one of their products because it may contain an ingredient that serves as a reminder of the nature of herbal tea.
Originating on March 12, 2024 Yogi Tea—whose website boasts “a selection of over 40 certified organic teas”—recalled 54,846 boxes of one tea variety because, as the US Food and Drug Administration has reported, “pesticide residues were detected above action levels.” The FDA’s announcement calls this a class III recall effective May 10, 2024 and says the product was distributed nationwide.
It’s not clear which pesticide chemicals may have been detected, but some horticulture experts suggest echinacea is in a unique position not to need pesticide treatment because it is its own natural insecticide and antimicrobial (in fact, its ability to fend off invaders may be why echinacea is known for immunity). One 2020 Portuguese pharmaceutical study stated that “there is still scarce information on its cytotoxic activity.” In other words, there’s not much existing research on how toxic some species of echinacea may be to cells. Based on the limited recall details, it’s also possible that the pesticide levels in the Yogi echinacea tea were naturally occurring.
The Yogi Tea product that’s affected is their Organic Yogi Echinacea Immune Support, Caffeine Herbal Supplement. The FDA lists the following product details for the recalled Yogi Tea, which appears to have been sold in two packaging configurations:
- Serving Size 1 tea bag, 16 tea bags per pack, 4 packs per box
- UPC on box: 0 76950 45010 3
- CASE GTIN (“global trade item number“): 60076950450105
- East West Tea Company, LLC, Eugene, Oregon
- 16 tea bags per pack, 6 Packs per box
- UPC on box: 0 76950 45010 3
- CASE GTIN: 20076950450107
Lot numbers:
0000184330
0000184853
0000185098
0000185100
0000185383
0000185385
0000185387
0000185389
0000185434
0000185436
0000185828
0000185830
0000185832
0000186519
0000186521
000184062
0000186900
0000186902
0000186904
0000187357
0000187359
0000187400
0000187402
0000187769
0000188028
0000188030
0000188045
0000188114
0000186600
0000186910
0000187155
0000184691
0000184963
0000185381
0000185518
It does not appear from Yogi Tea’s website or Instagram that they have announced the recall, and the FDA says no press release was issued. Yogi Tea says their customer service line is reachable at 1-800-964-4832, and they offer a customer service contact form on their site.
For more wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:
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- More Than 2,000 Cases of a Popular Cooking Oil Have Been Recalled
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Summer is high time for hitting the beach, hopping on a boat, and cooling off by the pool. While we expect a child will need close monitoring in or near the water, national experts are speaking to how common it is for even adults not to have swimming mastered, or not to be aware of critical water safety tips.
In fact, about 4,000 Americans die each year—around 11 per day—due to drowning, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). As part of its May 14, 2024 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the CDC is highlighting increases in drowning deaths over the past few years—and interestingly, they appear to have ties to the COVID-19 pandemic. As community pools closed and people were locked down in homes, it seems fewer people learned swimming and basic water safety. The data suggest this made some groups most vulnerable.
Drowning continues to be the largest cause of injury-related death for children between the ages of one and four years old. It is also proportionately higher in Black Americans, American Indians, and Alaska Natives and continues to increase in adults over the age of 65.
The report notes that the populations who seem to be more likely to drown are also those who don’t have significant access to programs and services that could benefit them. “Addressing system-level barriers to accessing basic swimming and water safety skills training could curb increasing drowning rates and reduce inequities,” says the report.
The rates for all of these groups increased in the years after the pandemic, particularly in 2021 and 2022 as communities began to open up. Statistics point to reduced water safety programs that several groups missed because they weren’t available during the pandemic. Rates for people aged 15 to 44 years increased in 2020, possibly due to a combination of increased alcohol use around water (which is responsible for about one-third of drowning deaths in this age group) and a lack of knowledge about swimming safety.
The report says that access to swimming lessons and basic water safety possibly could have saved lives in these cases. According to a national survey conducted between October and November 2023, while over half of respondents reported being near water six months prior, 54.7% also shared that they’d never had a formal swimming lesson.
While only 15% said they didn’t know how to swim, this still means they might have missed out on the essential lessons from formal water safety education. This includes:
- how to secure home pools
- when to use life jackets
- how to correctly supervise people in the water
- when to start swimming lessons for young children.
Another key point that has emerged in the past couple years is how important it is to dress young people in bright-colored swimsuits that are distinct from the water or pool—like bright yellow or hot pink—in an effort to make it easier to visually locate a child who may be submerged. This may also be a wise choice for anyone of any age.
The hope is to change this with the U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan (2023–2032), which will serve as a “roadmap for reducing drowning and provides a framework for communities to use to develop and implement local action plans.” Finding a safe and effective swim program is a good step for anyone who hasn’t done it yet.
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When you shop with an upmarket furniture brand, you don’t expect that your piece will come with safety concerns. However, a brand that says it’s “delivered quality furniture to more than half a million North American homes and businesses” has announced a voluntary recall of a product that they report was sold in the US and Canada between July 2021 and June 2023.
Article is a furniture and home goods brand that’s been in operation since 2013. On May 9, 2024, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published an announcement that “about 4,500” Article brand “spin swivel chairs” had been recalled because “the swivel chair’s base can break, posing a fall hazard.” It’s also reported that approximately 140 units were sold in Canada. The product importer is noted as Trademango Solutions Inc., doing business as Article of Canada. It’s reported all products had been sold through Article.com.
According to the recall announcement, the upholstered swivel chair’s specifications and dimensions are:
- The swivel chairs measure approximately 32.5 inches tall, 32 inches deep, and 30.5 inches wide
- They have gold-colored stainless steel swivel legs
- They were sold in ivory, gray, orange, and blue upholstery
- The product was priced at “about $700,” according to the CPSC
The CPSC states that the firm has received 190 reports of the base of the swivel chair breaking, though to date no injuries have been reported.
The alert recommends that consumers “should immediately stop using the recalled swivel chairs.” It’s said Article is contacting all known purchasers of the item and offering a free replacement chair base that can be self-installed with installation instructions the brand will provide.
If this applies to you, go here for more information. Article also published this information for purchasers of the chair:
If you have questions about this voluntary recall, please contact Article customer service by emailing [email protected] or calling +1-888-746-3455 Monday through Friday, 6am–5pm PDT, Sat–Sun 7am–5pm PDT.
For more wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:
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If you are what you eat, this might make you hungrier for foods that are bright in every sense. Research has shown that living, vibrant foods can slow down aging at a cellular level; while fruits and vegetables in particular have been associated with lower incidence of cognitive decline as individuals age.
However, research has been relatively lacking on just how much of these brain-healthy foods you really need and which fruits and vegetables are best for the job.
In collaboration with public health experts at Harvard University, medical researchers at China’s Zhejiang University School of Medicine conducted a meta-analysis that’s slated to be published in the June 2024 issue of The Journal of Nutrition, Health, and Aging. They combined data from two large-scale population-representative studies that analyzed the diets and cognitive function of more than 10,000 participants ages 55 and older from China and the U.S.
The data included diet questionnaires that honed in on the average of participants’ total daily intake of several different types of foods, including fruits and vegetables, and also broke them down into sub-types like green leafy vegetables and berries. Over a period of five years, the participants also took part in activities designed to assess their cognitive function and the average rate of cognitive decline.
Overall, participants who included the most fruits and vegetables in their daily diets performed best on the brain tests and maintained those results over time. This suggested that both fruits and vegetables had protective elements that slowed cognitive decline.
Interestingly, certain types of vegetables appeared to be more beneficial than others—say the researchers: “Our findings support the potential beneficial roles of VF, especially cruciferous vegetables, green leafy vegetables, and red and yellow vegetables, in maintaining cognitive function and slowing cognitive decline in middle-aged and older adults.”
The researchers pointed to several reasons these particular vegetables might have shown a substantial impact, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidation nutrients like flavonoids and various vitamins or even gut improvements that have been shown to help improve or protect cognition.
While beans didn’t figure prominently in both studies, they showed a protective element in the U.S. study, so they are also worth keeping on your plate. (Beans are also thought to be one of the top foods for longevity.)
As for fruits, while some didn’t show as much of a protective effect across the board, berries and apples are two examples of fruits that experts have previously said provide major polyphenol and antioxidant effect.
Participants whose brains maintained performance were shown to have eaten three or more servings of vegetables and two or more servings of fruit per day. This is on par with the two to three cups of vegetables and one to two cups of fruit that are recommended for Americans over the age of 60.
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Eating organic and choosing healthier ingredients can be important, but let’s face it; the better choice is often more expensive. That’s likely why some people turn to Walmart, whose Great Value Organic products are typically just as good as the well-known brands but significantly cheaper. If you’re a fan of Great Value’s Organic line you need to check your pantry for a product that is urgently being recalled due to the potential presence of dangerous bacteria.
What Great Value products are being recalled?
On May 13, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) sent an alert that Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds sold nationwide at Walmart locations are being recalled. The chia seeds have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. Natural Sourcing International, the company that produces the chia seeds for Walmart, has issued a voluntary recall. The alert doesn’t mention how the potential contamination was discovered but states that it was initiated “out of an abundance of caution” to protect customers. It also notes that no injuries or illnesses have been reported to date.
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The products in question are all 32-ounce Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds packages expiring October 30, 2026, with the lot code 24095 C018 and the UPC 078742300665. They were sold at these Walmart locations. Packages of the product cost about $9 online. The lot number is printed on the bottom of the package’s back panel.
What should I do if I purchased an affected product?
People who have purchased the affected product should throw it away but maintain proof of purchase to request a replacement. To obtain a replacement or to have any additional questions answered, contact Natural Sourcing International at 1-818-405-9705 Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST, or via email at [email protected].
What do I do if I have eaten an affected product?
Salmonella is often associated with chicken and eggs, and proper cooking can kill the organism. However, chia seeds are often eaten raw as chia seed pudding or in overnight oats, potentially allowing the bacteria to thrive to levels that will make a person sick. If you have eaten the affected product, be alert for symptoms like fever, stomach pains, and diarrhea that can start several hours to a few days after exposure. Be sure to contact a healthcare provider if your symptoms are concerning or if you have a compromised immune system.
Blood pressure checks are crucial during healthcare visits. Even moderately elevated blood pressure, often asymptomatic, earns the ominous title of “silent killer” due to its potential dangers. A hypertension diagnosis heightens the risk of heart attacks, dementia, and other complications if not managed through diet and medication. However, waiting for healthcare professionals to express concern about readings isn’t necessary. The best time to prevent high blood pressure is before it becomes problematic.
New research, published on May 3, 2024, in the International Journal of Hypertension suggests that incorporating yogurt into one’s diet could potentially help maintain healthy blood pressure levels. The study, conducted by researchers from the Jilin University’s Department of Cardiology in China, examined the relationship between yogurt consumption and blood pressure among individuals with and without a high blood pressure diagnosis. Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a comprehensive database tracking the health statistics of Americans over time, they analyzed how varying levels of yogurt consumption impacted blood pressure.
In their examination of over 3,000 adults aged 18–85, the researchers discovered that those who consumed yogurt at least once a month, up to several times per week, were less prone to developing high blood pressure as they aged. However, individuals already diagnosed with high blood pressure did not experience the same benefits.
Regular yogurt consumption among participants correlated with improvements in various blood pressure readings, including systolic and diastolic numbers, and mean arterial pressure. Notably, systolic numbers decreased by 1-2 mmHg in yogurt-eating individuals, a reduction that could potentially translate to a 10% lower risk of stroke and cardiovascular mortality across the population, said researchers.
“Based on these findings, we suggest that yogurt consumption may have a preventive effect on the development of high blood pressure among the general population,” stated the researchers. However, they acknowledge that yogurt may not be the sole contributing factor, as individuals who included it in their diets were more likely to be younger, female, and have higher levels of education. Plus, yogurt appeared to have a minimal effect on blood pressure in those who had already been diagnosed, suggesting it couldn’t reverse any damage already done.
Yogurt’s positive impact on blood pressure isn’t entirely novel. Previous studies have shown that yogurt can help control blood pressure. It also isn’t the only food with heart-protective benefits. Incorporating yogurt and other nutritious foods like bananas, oats, beans, and salmon could contribute to maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. The American Heart Association has long cautioned against seeing any one food as a “miracle cure” for blood pressure at the expense of a heart-healthy diet supplemented with adequate physical activity, stress management, and medication as necessary. Continuous communication with healthcare providers remains essential for the long-term management of the condition.
