6 Health Facts You Probably Didn't Know
#1. Dine in More, Pig out Less
Research on the eating habits of more than 1,200 folks concluded that those who ate out – whether at full-service restaurants or fast food joints – consumed more than 200 additional calories a day (plus more salt, sugar and saturated fat).
#2. Reduce Stroke Risk
Eat a diet rich in potassium – 3,200 mg daily – and your stroke risk drops 12 percent.
– Stroke
#3: Menopausal Bone Health
A new study finds that women who experience hot flashes and night sweats during menopause tend to have higher rates of hip fracture than women who have no symptoms. However, all postmenopausal women face a greater risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weaker and are more likely to break. Women who have hot flashes and want to protect their bones may benefit from healthy lifestyle habits such as exercising and getting enough calcium and vitamin D, and avoiding smoking and alcohol.
– Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
#4: Mouth off to Cancer
Your dentist can do a lot more than check for cavities: He or she can check for cancerous lesions. In fact, a recent study found that general practitioners believe they’re less adept at performing oral-cancer exams than dentists. So at your next checkup, ask your dentist to look for unusual bumps, patches or swelling.
– Journal of American Dental Association
#5: Walking Inspiration
If you want to get creative juices flowing, take a stroll. A recent Stanford study reported that walking improved people’s creative output by an average of 60 percent.
– Journal of Experimental Psychology
- Related: Can I Get in Shape by Walking?
#6: Mom Was Right…
When she admonished us to sit up straight. Subjects who did so were in a better mood and had higher self-esteem than their slumped-over counterparts. Researchers theorize that sitting upright triggers the body’s autonomic nervous system to increase blood flow, making you feel more confident and alert.