🍷 Light Drinking Raises Blood Pressure
Another reason to limit your drinking...
Health Squeeze
August 04, 2023
In This Newsletter
🍺 Another reason to limit your drinking...
😕 1 in 2 people will experience this in their lifetime…
🫖 A beverage that could help control type 2 diabetes.
Health Q and A
What is the hormone most responsible for hairloss?
Answer at the bottom
🍷 Light Drinking Raises Blood Pressure
Light drinking can raise a person's systolic blood pressure, according to a meta-analysis of 19,000 people published in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal.
The study found that consuming an average of 12 grams of alcohol daily resulted in a 1.25 mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure, the top number in a blood pressure reading. And this rose to 4.9 mm Hg with an average of 48 grams of alcohol consumed daily.
According to the AHA, 12 grams of alcohol is considered less than a standard drink in the United States.
Furthermore, the study observed that diastolic blood pressure, the bottom number in a blood pressure reading, also increased in response to alcohol consumption but only in men. When men consumed an average of 12 grams daily, their diastolic blood pressure rose by 1.14 mm Hg, and it increased by 3.1 mm Hg when consumption averaged 48 grams daily.
Lead author of the study, Marco Vinceti, MD, PhD, a professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy, expressed surprise at the findings.
According to Vinceti, there were no discernible beneficial effects for adults who drank alcohol at a low level compared to those who abstained from alcohol altogether. Even light drinking was associated with higher blood pressure changes over time, although significantly less than what was observed in heavy drinkers.
🧠 50% of the Population Will Experience a Mental Health Disorder
A global study published in The Lancet Psychiatry reveals that one in two people will experience a mental health disorder during their lifetime.
The research analyzed data from over 150,000 adults across 29 countries between 2001 and 2022, the largest-ever coordinated series of face-to-face interviews, known as the World Mental Health Survey initiative by the World Health Organization.
It found that 50% of the population will develop at least one mental health disorder by the age of 75. The most common disorders were mood-related, such as major depression or anxiety.
The research also revealed differences in the prevalence of certain mental disorders based on sex.
Among women, the three most common mental health disorders were depression, specific phobia (anxiety interfering with daily life), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Among men, the top three were alcohol abuse, depression, and specific phobia.
The findings also highlighted that mental health disorders typically first appear in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood. The peak age of first onset was found to be around 15 years old, with a median age of onset at 19 for men and 20 for women.
The researchers underscored the importance of investing in mental health services, mainly focusing on young people. They emphasized the significance of promptly detecting and treating common mental disorders and optimizing services to cater to individuals during these critical stages of life.
By understanding when these disorders commonly arise, public health interventions can be tailored, and resources can be allocated to provide appropriate and timely support to those at risk.
🫖 Kombucha May Control Blood Sugar
A pilot study conducted by Georgetown University reveals that drinking kombucha, a fermented tea beverage, for a month can significantly lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
The study, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, involved 12 participants who consumed 8 ounces of ginger-flavored kombucha daily for four weeks, and their blood sugar levels were compared to those during another four weeks when they drank a similar-tasting placebo.
On average, the participants' fasting blood glucose levels decreased from 164 milligrams to 116 milligrams per deciliter after consuming kombucha.
Notably, the study did not require participants to change their diets during the research period. The American Diabetes Association recommends blood sugar levels before meals to be between 70 and 130 milligrams per deciliter.
The kombucha used in the study was from Craft Kombucha, now known as Brindle Boxer Kombucha, based in Washington, DC. The researchers believe that kombucha's major bacteria and yeasts are likely to be similar across different brands and batches.
Previous studies in laboratories and rodents have shown the potential benefits of kombucha, and one small study in people without diabetes also demonstrated its ability to lower blood sugar levels.
Researcher Dan Merenstein, MD, a professor of human science and family medicine at Georgetown, emphasized that more research is needed, but the results are promising.
📝 Health Snippets
Acne Drug Comes Out on Top. A review of over 200 studies suggests that among various acne treatments, oral isotretinoin, commonly known as Accutane, emerges as the most effective option. Isotretinoin targets the main causes of acne by reducing oil-producing sebaceous glands, eliminating acne-causing bacteria, preventing clogged pores, and reducing inflammation. Isotretinoin comes with potential side effects, such as severe birth defects, liver concerns, and depression.
Leprosy Endemic in Central Florida. According to a new study, leprosy, a disease known from ancient civilizations, may have become permanently established in Florida. The researchers reported a case of a 54-year-old man diagnosed with leprosy who had no known risk factors and had never traveled outside Florida. Similar unexplained infections in others suggest that leprosy is now endemic in the state.
Lead Exposure and Criminal Behavior. A systematic review of 17 previously published studies suggests that exposure to lead during prenatal development or early childhood may be linked to an increased risk of engaging in criminal behavior in adulthood. The review reports a wide range of findings among the studies, with some showing no statistical links between lead exposure and later delinquent behavior, while others found associations with arrests, including drug-related arrests.
Daily Aspirin May Be Risky. New research published in JAMA Network Open suggests that daily low-dose aspirin may increase the risk of brain bleeding in older adults, potentially leading to hemorrhagic stroke. The study also indicates that low-dose aspirin does not significantly lower the risk of ischemic stroke. While daily low-dose aspirin is a common strategy for preventing heart attacks and strokes in individuals with a previous cardiovascular event, taking aspirin for prevention without previous cardiovascular disease may carry more risk than benefit.
In partnership with Apollo
Apollo’s Wearable Technology. Achieve Optimal Well-being: Apollo's Wearable Trains Your Body for Better Sleep and Stress Relief. Get 40% off Today by Clicking here.
Please support our sponsors!
Answer
DHT, a byproduct of testosterone, poses a threat to the hair follicles on your scalp. Under specific conditions, DHT targets and destroys these follicles, leading to hairloss.
If you enjoy this newsletter, please consider sharing a short message of love! It will get added to our living, scrolling wall of testimonials on the homepage
Prefer to not see any ads? Support our team with our premium membership
How did you like today's newsletter |
Was this forwarded to you? Sign up here.
Want to advertise in The Health Squeeze? Go here.