FitSugar

Long Commutes Are Detrimental to Your Health, Study Says

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:14:05 PDT

Working a nine-to-fiver is mandatory for most people, and unfortunately, a long commute often comes with the territory. According to a study published today in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, those who travel 16 or more miles each way weigh more and have higher blood pressures than those with less than 10-mile commutes.

Of the almost 4,300 residents from Dallas and Austin involved in the study, researchers discovered that for every 10-mile increase in driving distance, the commuter's BMI (body mass index) rose .17 units. People with lengthy commutes are nine percent more likely to be obese, either because they didn't exercise as much, are eating fast food while driving, or they're not getting enough sleep because their long commute forces them to wake up early.

Weight isn't the only thing affected by a long drive to work. Spending that much time in the car, especially stuck in traffic, also makes a person tired, moody, and stressed out, which is one reason 52 percent of those in the study with a longer commute suffered from high blood pressure.

So what's a commuter to do? Quitting your job is obviously not an option, and if working at home part-time isn't feasible and neither is finding a job closer to where you live, keep reading to learn what commuters can do to avoid weight gain and other health issues.

Dark Chocolate Lovers Rejoice - It's Still Good For You!

Heather Dale — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 03:05:01 PDT

Well how's this for starting your weekend on a high note - after reviewing 21 different chocolate studies, science is still touting the many health benefits of eating the dark confection.

The studies, which involved 2,575 participants who ate sugar-free dark chocolate rich in cocoa containing polyphenolic flavonoids, found the following health benefits: improved blood pressure levels, a decrease in bad cholesterol for those younger than 50, and a rise in good cholesterol levels. But before you go pig out on chocolate, keep in mind that too much of a good thing can be harmful to your health due to calories; chocolate may help your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but maintaining a healthy weight is even more beneficial. Plus, scientists are still unclear of why chocolate positively affects blood pressure and cholesterol.

"The research looks at the benefits of cocoa and used very specifically prepared cocoa . . . Cocoa is an ingredient of chocolate. How the cocoa is processed makes a difference in whether or not the chocolate drink or bar is contained [and] will have health benefits," says Lona Sandon, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

So on that note, I'm curious why you eat chocolate. Please participate in the poll below!

That Chocolate Bunny Could Lower Your Blood Pressure

FitSugar — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 10:00:25 PDT

Don't be shy about nibbling at the ears of a chocolate bunny this Easter, because researchers have just given us another reason to eat this sweet treat. (Don't you love it when that happens?) Based on a study of 20,000 patients ages 35 to 65, scientists found that those who consumed more chocolate had a lower risk of heart attack and stroke, leading to the conclusion that a small amount of chocolate daily could help control your blood pressure.

We've already heard that dark chocolate has a similar effect, while also reducing stress and boosting the immune system. This study included milk, white, and dark chocolate - though researchers still say dark chocolate probably has the most health benefits. For further details of the study,

It's not entirely clear how the researchers were able to determine that it was chocolate that made the difference; Brian Buijsse of the German Institute of Human Nutrition says that more studies are needed. However, he adds, "a future recommendation could be that if people eat a small amount of chocolate, they can replace it for something else, maybe leaving out a snack or another sweet."

What is a small amount? Based on the study, the benefits were highest when people ate about a quarter of an ounce of chocolate daily - basically, a bite of a chocolate bar. So nibble those bunny ears, but don't eat the whole bunny.

Source: Flickr User SpecialKolin

Another Reason to Get Your Zs: Reduced Blood Pressure

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:00:00 PDT

If you're stressed out or overworked, it's not uncommon to miss an hour or two of sleep each night. It may be doing more harm than you think. Besides making you cranky in the morning, new research shows that missing sleep regularly can lead to high blood pressure. Adults in the study who missed an average of an hour of sleep each night over a five-year span increased their risk for developing hypertension by 37 percent. High blood pressure can put you at risk for cardiovascular problems such as heart attack and stroke.

Adults typically need between seven and nine hours of sleep, but on average, most only get about six hours. Aside from high blood pressure, not getting your quota of Zs has also been associated with weight gain, an increased risk of heart disease, and a compromised immune system, which means you'll get sick more often. So for your health's sake, not just your sanity, make getting a good night's sleep a priority. How many hours do you typically sleep in a night?

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Three Healthy Grains to Add to Your Diet

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:00:00 PDT

We hear the claims that whole grains are good for our hearts all the time. But are all grains created equal? According to RealAge, there are three grains that are especially good a lowering blood pressure: whole wheat, barley, and brown rice. So while it's good to incorporate all types of whole grains into your diet, look for these on labels and in grocery stores to reap the heart healthy benefits.

Have any recipes featuring those grains that you would like to share? Add them to the Lite'n It Up - Healthy Recipe Group.

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It's Never Too Early to Think About Your Blood Pressure

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:00:00 PDT

You probably don't give your blood pressure much thought, except when your doctor wraps that velcro cuff around your arm, and pumps it full of air until you feel like your bicep is about to explode. The the doc will tell you it's low, or normal, or if your blood pressure is high, they'll tell you to keep an eye on it. Then you leave, and don't think about it until the next time you have it checked, right? I am hear to tell you that it is never to early to think about your blood pressure. High blood pressure from your young years 20s, 30s, and 40s can cause a slew of health issues such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure later in life. Since you're all such health-conscious folks, here are so simple things you can do to maintain a healthy blood pressure:

Have your blood pressure checked regularly. Your shooting for the top number (Systolic) to be 120 or less, and the lower number (Diastolic) to be 80 or less. Normal blood pressure is read as 120 over 80, but as soon as those numbers start to increase, you're on your way to high blood pressure.
Think about your diet. I'm with you when it comes to craving salty foods, but too much sodium is no good. Shoot for a total of 2,300 mg or less (that's equal to 1 teaspoon of salt). Be on the lookout for pre-packaged foods, soups, sauces, and cheese (they have obnoxiously high amounts of sodium). Instead of sprinkling mountains of salt on your food, add flavor with herbs, spices, lemon juice, garlic, or ginger instead.

Your heart wants to know what else you should do so

Chill out. Stress and anxiety can contribute to your high blood pressure so if you feel wired on a daily basis, take more walks, do Yoga, take baths, light aromatherapy candles, take some time off, or speak with a therapist to help resolve stress.
One drink is enough. I'm all for letting loose with a glass of wine or cocktail, but too much alcohol consumption may also contribute to high blood pressure.
Step on a scale. Not only will being overweight make you feel tired and self-conscious, but you guessed it - it can also lead to high blood pressure. Make sure you maintain a healthy weight.
Thin isn't the same as fit. A slender figure can be good for your health, but make sure you include cardio workouts that get your heart pumping every week. You know what they say, "Use it or lose it."

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Relax Already: Chill Out With Some Tunes

FitSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:00:00 PDT

When the world is buzzing around you and you feel the tension coming on, it is time to chill out. Stress can adversely affect your health. Aside from deep breathing and heading outside for a walk, new research shows that listening to music for a half hour a day may significantly lower blood pressure, a byproduct of stress. Not just any music will do; I'm afraid Taking Back Sunday's Louder Now is out, as is anything by Arctic Monkeys or System of a Down. The music should be "rhythmically homogeneous," like classical, Celtic, or raga (Indian classical) music, and accompanied by controlled breathing exercises.

Music just may become a drug-free approach to dealing with blood pressure. Next time you feel the stress coming on and your blood pressure rising, put on some tunes and chill out. What music do you listen to when you need to calm down? Tell me in the comment section below.

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Happily Married, Happily Healthy

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:00:00 PDT

If you're looking to lower your blood pressure then you just may want to tie the knot. Just make sure, though, that he's the right one.

Overall, research has found that happily married people scored four points lower on the blood pressure readings than single adults. The study also found that blood pressure among married people - especially those in happy marriages - dipped more during sleep than in single people. Here's the kicker though. The study also found that unhappily married adults have higher blood pressure than both happily married and single adults.

So if you're walking down the aisle in the near future (or if you're already married), keep your marriage healthy by encouraging eating a healthy diet and having regular doctors visits for you and your spouse.

For more wedding planning fun, check out IDoSugar.

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Sleep Tight: Your Health and Your Sleep

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:00:00 PST

If you have ever suffered from lack of sleep, you know how vital getting your Zs can be. It can even affect your ability to lose weight. We know that the quality of your sleep is important to your health, but it looks like more than just having a bad mattress can put your health at risk during slumber.

Ambient light during nighttime sleeping could raise your risk for breast cancer. A new study supports the theory that too much light at night interferes with the production of melatonin and increases the risk of breast cancer. Melatonin is a hormone that helps to control the sleep wake cycle and the exact reason dips in this hormone affect cancer rates is still to be determined. Researchers said that nighttime light is not by any means the sole factor in developing breast cancers, but the breast cancer rate in areas with average night lighting was found to be 37 percent higher than in areas with the lowest amount of light.

To see how noise affects your shut-eye, just

It is not just high levels of light during sleep that can have a negative impact on your health, but noise as well. Noises, from airplanes to motorcycles to snoring, can create "patchy" sleep. While you might stay asleep during these and other noises, your body still experiences the sounds and your blood pressure rises in response. The louder the noise is the higher the rise in blood pressure, too. The researchers shared that it is not that the noise is annoying you (I must say when my husband's snoring wakes me I am annoyed) to raise your blood pressure, but that your body registers the noise as some form of stress.

Sounds like we should all move to the dark and quiet country.

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Beet Juice, Beet Juice, Beet Juice . . .

FitSugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:30:00 PST

New research has found that drinking 500 milliliters of beet juice a day may significantly lower blood pressure.

What's more? The study found that healthy people's blood pressure decreased within an hour of drinking the juice. Honestly, the thought of drinking beet juice seems enough to make my blood pressure rise, but if you're into beets then you may actually enjoy it while getting the benefits. If you're like me, and not a beet fan, then you should know that researchers said the nitrate, which is also found in green, leafy vegetables, appears to be the key blood pressure-lowering ingredient. I'll stick to the leafy greens, thanks.

If you like beet juice, tell me why you do in the comments section below.

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