take it easy

Did you know that people who work 51 hours or more a week are 30% more likely to have high blood pressure than those who work less than 40? (This was reported by University of California, Irvine). Plus, those with chronic job stress are up to 5x more likely to get metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors that can lead to heart disease and diabetes. The message here: INCLUDE MORE REST & RELAXATION INTO YOUR SCHEDULE and ENJOY LIFE MORE! Happy holidays to all.

soda & bone density

I have already written about the connection of soda and heartburn. Now the Framingham Osteoporosis Study has concluded that women who consumed just one soda a day had 4-5% lower hip bone density than women who drank soda less than once a month.

The soda they are talking about is cola, both diet and regular. Other types of soft drinks did not have the same bone density-lowering effect as cola.

The message: reach for water (which everyone could use just a little bit more of) or try hot and/or iced tea instead of a nutrition-free, benefit-free drink like cola.