What makes stevia taste so extremely sweet? And how does the sweetener keep our blood sugar level under control? Researchers at KU Leuven (University of Leuven, Belgium) have discovered that stevia stimulates a protein that is essential for our perception of taste and is involved in the release of insulin after a meal. These results […]
U.S. FDA issues risk of heart inflammation after Novavax COVID vaccine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has raised concerns about a possible risk of heart inflammation from Novavax Inc’s COVID-19 vaccine, even as the company’s data showed it could reduce the chances of mild-to-severe disease. In Novavax’s nearly 30,000 patient trial, conducted between December 2020 and September 2021, there were four cases of a type […]
Are people swapping their cats and goldfish for praying mantises?
Rearing insects at home as pets may sound strange and a bit nerdy, but thousands of people all over the world have already swapped their hamsters for praying mantises or stick insects. These insects, sold at fairs and pet markets, or collected in the wild and then reared by amateurs or professionals, are gaining increased […]
Gut bacteria can make blood pressure medication less effective
A new study from The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences has shown gut bacteria can reduce the effectiveness of certain blood pressure drugs. The research, published this month in the journal Hypertension, offers the first clues to what has been an elusive mystery — why do some people not respond well to medication? […]
How eating eggs can boost heart health
Researchers have shown how moderate egg consumption can increase the amount of heart-healthy metabolites in the blood, publishing their results today in eLife. The findings suggest that eating up to one egg per day may help lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Eggs are a rich source of dietary cholesterol, but they also contain a […]
New research may explain unexpected effects of common painkillers
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin are widely used to treat pain and inflammation. But even at similar doses, different NSAIDs can have unexpected and unexplained effects on many diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Now, a new Yale-led study has uncovered a previously unknown process by which some NSAIDs affect the […]
An aromatic tomato could be looming — a la heirloom varieties
You can scarcely find a tasty, heirloom tomato in the grocery store. But University of Florida scientists helped discover a way to enhance tomato smell and taste. Breeding efforts over the last half century have emphasized traits that are important to producers — yield, disease resistance, appearance and post-harvest shelf life among them. While those […]
How cranberries could improve memory and ward off dementia
Adding cranberries to your diet could help improve memory and brain function, and lower ‘bad’ cholesterol — according to new research from the University of East Anglia (UK). A new study published today highlights the neuroprotective potential of cranberries. The research team studied the benefits of consuming the equivalent of a cup of cranberries a […]
Vitamin D twice a day may keep vertigo away
Taking vitamin D and calcium twice a day may reduce your chances of getting vertigo again, according to a study published in the August 5, 2020, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. “Our study suggests that for people with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, taking a supplement of vitamin D […]
Cutting calories and eating at the right time of day leads to longer life in mice
One recipe for longevity is simple, if not easy to follow: eat less. Studies in a variety of animals have shown that restricting calories can lead to a longer, healthier life. Now, new research suggests that the body’s daily rhythms play a big part in this longevity effect. Eating only during their most active time […]