From eNewsletter 10/14/2019
DID YOU KNOW that a new study in Food and Function purports that yerba mate aqueous extract improves the oxidative and inflammatory states of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis?
Yerba mate showed lower reactive oxygen levels in the liver and brain, decreased oxidative protein and lipid damage in liver and brain, increased the plasma antioxidant capacity, and increased glutathione levels, showing not just antioxidant, but anti-inflammatory actions.
The authors suggest daily ingestion of traditional yerba mate beverages may be effective in attenuating the symptoms of inflammatory diseases, especially in older adults.
FALL, WINTER WELLNESS PEARLS
Handwashing
Simple handwashing, even without soap, is more effective than many hand disinfectants for killing influenza A virus (IAV), according to new data in mSphere.
The researchers say the key factor that determines the effectiveness of alcohol-based disinfectants is whether there is wet mucus surrounding the virus. Wet mucus prevents the disinfectant from reaching the virus, which means the virus remained active after 120 seconds of alcohol-based disinfectants exposure.
By contrast, washing hands under plain water for 30 seconds inactivated the virus, regardless of whether it was initially surrounded by wet or dry mucus. Given these results, the authors recommend actually washing hands and not simply rubbing them with hand disinfectant.
Inulin
Inulin supplementation modified the composition of the intestinal microbiota and resulted in softer stools in kindergarten-aged children, according to a new study in The Journal of Nutrition.
More importantly, the incidence of fever episodes requiring medical attention, infections, and sinusitis were significantly lower in the inulin versus maltodextrin group. The abundance of the beneficial probiotic species Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were also higher.
Mindfulness
Two new studies from MIT suggest that mindfulness, the practice of focusing one's awareness on the present moment, can enhance academic performance and mental health in middle schoolers. The Behavioral Neuroscience and Mind, Brain, and Education studies conclude that more mindfulness correlates with better academic performance, fewer suspensions from school, and less stress. Less stress also reduces the susceptibility to infection.
Sauna
Your blood pressure does not drop during a sauna visit. It rises, as well as your heart rate. This increase is even comparable to the effect of a short, moderate workout.
In the new study from Complementary Therapies in Medicine, researchers placed participants both in a sauna and on a bicycle ergometer. Participants' blood pressure and heart rate reached the same levels during the sauna session as they did with a load of about 100 watts during the exercise test. Its long-term positive effects are similar to sports activities.
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