Check back each week for the latest health news you may have missed. The World Health Organization recently announced that one in eight people is obese, underscoring the need to prevent and manage what is being considered a global pandemic. Meanwhile, whole-body deodorant products from brands like Dove are on the rise, and experts are debating whether they're safe for you (and your teens) to use. (Tip: Be careful not to spray on sensitive areas.)
On the exercise front, new research suggests you might want to take the much-debated 10,000-step goal seriously, at least if you want to improve your heart health. Taking your weekly get-together with friends from happy hour to a walk in the park may also improve your overall health, as combining leisure time with physical activity may reduce your risk of stroke. there is. Read on to learn more about this week's health headlines.
👟 Reasons to increase your step count
There has been a lot of discussion about how many steps you need to take to improve your overall health. A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine shows that, regardless of how much you spend sitting the rest of the day, each additional step you take, up to around 10,000 steps per day, increases your risk of death and cardiovascular disease (CVD). suggests that it will decrease. your day. If you're looking for a step goal, aim for at least 9,000 steps. Studies show that walking 9,000 to 10,000 steps a day reduces your risk of death by 39% and your risk of heart disease by 21%.
🌳 Green spaces may be good for your bones
Living in areas with lots of green space, such as gardens and parks, may benefit bone health and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, according to a study published in the Annual Report on Rheumatic Diseases. Data from more than 391,000 people in the UK Biobank showed a consistent link between the amount of green space and bone health. Although more research is needed, the study authors suggest that this relationship may be related to lower air pollution levels in green spaces.
🚴♀️ Have fun moving to reduce your risk of stroke
For those who think having fun means walking, cycling, playing sports or doing other physical activities, new research suggests that's good news for stroke risk. A new study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry that looked at data from more than 751,000 adults found that engaging in some form of physical activity during leisure time is associated with a lower risk of stroke. Weekly activity guidelines. This includes at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes or more of vigorous exercise per week.
💄 To improve your skin, remove your makeup before going to the gym
If you often go straight from the office to the gym, you might be interested in this new study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology that looked at the effects of makeup on your skin during aerobic exercise. The small study involved 43 healthy college students who applied foundation to one side of their faces before exercise, leaving the other side bare. The results show that makeup, especially skin-covering makeup such as foundation, affects aspects of the skin such as hydration, elasticity, pore size, and oil levels, both during and after exercise. It shows that it is possible. verdict? If you sweat a lot, we recommend going with no make-up skin.
🥤 Fake sweets may be bad for your heart
Artificially sweetened beverages such as diet soda may be harmful to your heart, according to new research. Research suggests that people who drink two or more liters of artificially sweetened beverages a week have a 20% higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) (irregular, fast heartbeat) than those who don't drink at all. ing. Atrial fibrillation is an abnormality in which blood can pool in the heart and form blood clots that can travel to the brain and cause a stroke, and can contribute to other heart complications. Therefore, it can be dangerous.
