The Latest updates on Health & Nutrition

Caffeine

Coffee drinkers, beware!! A new study suggests that women who drink more than four cups daily may be putting themselves at risk for urinary continence. These women may be twice more likely than non-coffee drinkers to suffer from weakened bladder muscles.

Experts advise that women who show symptoms of uncontrolled urine leakage when laughing or coughing should cut down on their caffeine intake. Based on a five ounce cup, brewed coffee contains the most caffeine with 128mg worth. Instant coffee contains 66mg; non-herbal tea contains 38mg while hot chocolate only 4mg.

Seasonal Periods

Forgetting to take the pill could result in unintended pregnancies for women on long-term birth control. But in a few years' time, women may be taking a birth control pill that could not only cut the number of unintended pregnancies but could also cut the number of menstrual periods to just four a year.

The pill combines two hormones which are currently used in conventional oral contraceptives, and preliminary studies reveal an excellent safety profile.

BBQ Pitfalls

Barbecues may be fun but watch out for carcinogens. Experts warm that high-heat grilling of meat; fish and poultry can produce cancer-causing substances. Fat from the meats that drip onto hot coals form a class of carcinogens that is reabsorbed by the food when the smoke or flames char the meat.

For a safer barbecue trim off the fats and skin before grilling, and remove the charred portions after grilling to reduce risk. Avoid piercing the meat with forks while grilling as this allows the juice and fat to drip into the coals and turn the food with tongs or spatulas instead.

Carcinogenic substances only form on high-protein foods such as meat, so grilling vegetables is fine. Marinating foods with vinegar, citrus juice, herbs and spices also help reduce the development of other carcinogens.

Washout!

The best way to cut the risk of getting and passing infections is to wash hands. But what about drying preferences? Some people prefer paper towels or cloth towels on a roll dispenser while others favour using mechanical hand dryers, or simply leaving evaporation to run its course. If you are wondering if your drying choice will get your hands dirty all over again, dont fret. Reserchers have found that whatever the drying method, it makes no difference in germ killing because hand washing gets rid of the same amount of germs anyway.

Hearty Pips

There is more to a tomato than just sauce and the next time you cut those scrumptious tomatoes for your salads; keep the seeds. Researches from Scotland have discovered that the yellow jelly around the tomato seeds keeps platelets in the blood from clumping together and thus eliminates dangerous clots that clog blood vessels and cause heart disease and strokes.

The jelly could be used as an alternative anti-platelet therapy to Aspirin, which causes side effects such as bleeding and tummy upsets. Others sources of anti-platelet chemicals include strawberries, melons and grapefruits.