42+ min ago (346+ words) Scientists from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences and several partnering institutions have found that drinking tart cherry juice may support healthier blood sugar levels. Tart cherries'also known as sour cherries'are well known as a classic ingredient in desserts, especially cherry pie. But they are also used in preserves, main dishes, salads, side dishes, and beverages. Compared to sweet cherries, tart cherries are juicier, more acidic, and generally better suited for cooking. Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments from the phenolic group responsible for the red, purple, and blue colors found in many fruits and vegetables. They are abundant in berries, currants, grapes, and certain tropical fruits. In the current study, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of tart cherry juice on heart and metabolic health. They examined 10 published studies. The analysis showed that tart cherry juice intake…...

44+ min ago (433+ words) Turmeric is an Indian spice that is widely used in many Asian countries. The active ingredient in turmeric is called curcumin, which is known for its anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and antitumor activities. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that not only helps our bodies absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus for strong bones but also reduces cancer cell growth, helps control infections, and reduces inflammation. Scientists from Urmia University of Medical Sciences have found that curcumin from turmeric and vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes. In the study, 80 people with type 2 diabetes were divided into four groups. Over 12 weeks, one group received 500 mg/day of curcuminoids, another received 50,000 IU/week of vitamin D3, the third group received both curcuminoids and vitamin D3, and the last group received placebos. The researchers measured the blood pressure of the participants before…...

47+ min ago (395+ words) Scientists from the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University and other institutions have found that vitamin D supplementation may strongly reduce the risk of cancer-related death. The study was conducted by Yu Zhang and colleagues and published in The BMJ. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for overall health. It helps the body absorb calcium, which is crucial for building and maintaining strong bones. Together with calcium, vitamin D helps prevent osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and increases fracture risk. Beyond bone health, vitamin D plays many other important roles. It supports muscle function, helps nerves carry messages between the brain and body, and strengthens the immune system, helping it fight infections. There are two main forms of vitamin D: vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 is mostly human-made and added to foods, while vitamin D3 is naturally produced in the skin when exposed…...

50+ min ago (505+ words) Before diving into the specifics, let's first understand some basics. In our body, there's a thing called "inflammation'. It's usually our body's response to an injury or an infection. When it stays for a short period, it's okay, but when it becomes a long-term thing, it's not so good. This type of long-lasting or "low-grade' inflammation can impact our muscles' health. It can interfere with the way our muscles renew and repair themselves, a process known as "proteostasis'. Given this, a group of scientists wanted to find out if certain types of protein could help. They were particularly interested in two kinds of proteins: "whey' and "soy'. They wanted to see if these proteins could reduce some inflammation markers in the blood. These markers are substances that increase when there's inflammation. To answer this question, the scientists didn't start from…...

52+ min ago (382+ words) Scientists from the University of South Australia and other institutions have found that vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of heart disease. The study was conducted by Ang Zhou and colleagues and published in The European Heart Journal. Vitamin D is both a nutrient obtained from food and a hormone produced by the body. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus, minerals essential for maintaining strong bones. Laboratory studies also suggest that vitamin D may slow cancer cell growth, help control infections, and reduce inflammation. Because many organs and tissues have vitamin D receptors, researchers believe the vitamin plays important roles beyond bone health. Scientists are actively exploring these additional functions. Low vitamin D levels have long been linked to a higher risk of heart disease, but the exact nature of…...

55+ min ago (350+ words) Scientists from the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital have found that vitamin B3 may help improve symptoms in people with glaucoma. The study was conducted by Flora Hui and colleagues and published in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which is essential for vision. This damage can lead to vision loss or blindness. Because symptoms often develop slowly and without noticeable warning signs, the only reliable way to detect glaucoma early is through a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Although there is currently no cure, early treatment can slow or prevent further vision damage. Retinal ganglion cells are the neurons that transmit visual information from the retina to the brain. In glaucoma, these cells experience strong metabolic stress but still retain some ability to recover function. Nicotinamide, a water-soluble form of vitamin…...

56+ min ago (454+ words) A study conducted by researchers at the University of Bonn suggests that a natural extract from red onion skin, called quercetin, may help reduce high blood pressure in overweight and obese individuals. Quercetin is a flavonol'a type of polyphenol'commonly found in fruits, vegetables, seeds, grains, and other plant-based foods. Foods such as capers, red onions, and kale are especially rich in this compound. Previous research has shown that quercetin has anti-hypertensive properties, meaning it can help lower blood pressure and potentially reduce the risk of heart disease. The current study aimed to determine whether regular quercetin intake could reduce blood pressure in overweight and obese individuals with pre-hypertension or Stage I hypertension. The researchers tested 70 participants who were randomly assigned to receive either 162 mg per day of quercetin from onion skin extract powder or a placebo for six weeks. They…...

57+ min ago (456+ words) Scientists from Shifa College of Medicine have found that prunes may help control high blood pressure. A prune is simply a dried plum with no added sugar. It contains vitamin B6, manganese, and copper'nutrients that support the body's normal release of energy from food. Eating a daily serving of prunes also provides a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants, which help support immune function and promote healthy cellular activity. Previous research has shown that fruits and vegetables can help reduce blood pressure. These benefits come not only from the antioxidants they contain but also from their overall nutrient composition, which contributes to lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: In the new study, the research team aimed to examine the protective effects of prunes on heart health. They enrolled 259 participants whose systolic blood pressure ranged…...

4+ hour, 30+ min ago (504+ words) The same mRNA technology used in COVID-19 vaccines may offer a powerful new way to prevent long-term muscle damage caused by snakebites. A new study published in Trends in Biotechnology shows that mRNA-based treatments could protect muscle tissue from the venom of Bothrops asper, a snake commonly found in Central and South America. Its venom destroys muscle cells so severely that many survivors are left with permanent disabilities, even after receiving standard antivenom. Researchers from the University of Reading and the Technical University of Denmark tested whether mRNA molecules could help the body produce fast-acting antibodies that defend muscle cells from venom toxins. They packaged specially designed mRNA inside tiny fat droplets, similar to the method used in COVID-19 vaccines. When injected into muscle, the mRNA teaches cells to make protective antibodies that block venom damage. Professor Sakthi Vaiyapuri from…...

4+ hour, 32+ min ago (539+ words) Scientists have uncovered surprising evidence that humans living thousands of years ago may have kept wolves close by'long before dogs became our loyal companions. The discovery comes from two ancient wolf remains found on Stora Karls, a tiny island in the Baltic Sea. The findings suggest that people during the Stone Age and Bronze Age may have managed or cared for wolves in ways researchers never expected. The wolf bones, dated between 3,000 and 5,000 years old, were unearthed in Stora Frvar cave, a well-known archaeological site. This island is very small, only 2.5 square kilometres, and has no land mammals of its own. Because wolves could not reach the island by themselves, they must have been brought there by humans, likely by boat. The island was heavily used by seal hunters and fishers, meaning that humans lived there for long periods and…...