Optimal blood pressure can help our brains to stay at least six months younger than our actual age. People with high blood pressure can be at risk of accelerated brain ageing, according to new research. The study from the Australian National University found that keeping blood pressure at an optimal level (110/70 mmHg), a bit lower than the level considered normal (120/80 mmHg), will keep your brain at least six months younger than your chronological age. The research further found that participants with high blood pressure had older and comparatively less healthy brains, which further elevated the risk of heart disease, stroke, and dementia. Thus, keeping your blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg may help slow the ageing of your brain.
Eat Your Greens, Save Your Heart
A new study reveals eating 60mg of nitrate-rich vegetables per day can reduce the risk of heart disease. The study found that the optimum amount of nitrate-rich vegetables was one cup a day. A 60mg of vegetable nitrate is about 1 cup of raw greens. Nitrates are compounds naturally produced in certain foods, predominantly in greens like spinach, arugula, and celery. Foods that contain vegetable nitrates like spinach, bok choy, and beetroot, should be included in a healthy lifestyle. Non-leafy vegetables with strong nitrate content include radishes, fennel, and beet. Hacks such as including a cup of spinach in a banana or berry smoothie might be an easy way to top up your daily leafy greens.
Beware of Vintage Ceramic Dishware
Check out if you eat from vintage, cheap, or imported ceramic dishware. Ceramic dishware and pottery can contain high amounts of lead and can be a source of lead poisoning when used to serve or store food. Lead is present in dishware which is used as decorations with colourful glazes. Old pieces of chinaware made in the United States before 1971 are found to have high levels of lead that can seep into food and beverages.
Different forms of ceramics, either handmade, antique, chipped or damaged ones have been causing concern as they pose serious health risks. About 15 cases of lead poisoning, with levels of lead reaching as high as 53 microgrammes per decilitre of blood, have been recorded. Lead poisoning can affect children with learning and behavioural problem, while in adults it can cause high blood pressure and affect several organ systems. In pregnant women, a significant exposure can increase the risk of miscarriages.
Probiotic Coffee for Your Guts
Now you have got good reasons to start the day with a cup of coffee. Food scientists have created new probiotic coffee and tea drinks that are packed with over 1 billion units of gut-friendly live probiotics. These non-dairy and plant-based beverages are can be stored chilled or at room temperature for more than 14 weeks. Fermented coffee could be a way for people following a dairy-free diet to get probiotics.
Researchers from the National University of Singapore recently published data on a new fermented coffee beverage an alternative to dairy-based probiotic products. The research team noted that most people currently get probiotics from dairy products. They wanted to create a product that didn’t have to be refrigerated and could be consumed by people who follow a non-dairy diet. This new probiotic coffee product isn’t currently available on the market.
Robotic Pets Good for Dementia Patients
Robotic pets can be the next big thing in dementia care to bring comfort, companionship, and lower stress for older adults. A new study has found that adults with dementia when given their own robotic pets have shown improvement in their mood scores, including reduced depression over time. Each participant was given an interactive robotic cat and encouraged to name. They were informed their pet was a robot and not a live animal, but they helped to relax them and calm their anxiety. It has been reported that animal-assisted therapy can help individuals cope with stress, reduce depression, prevent loneliness and improve socialisation.
