Latest news with #HarvardT.H.ChanSchoolofPublicHealth
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Beat disease with food: Shocking new study links this compound in veg diets to lower diabetes and heart risk
While fitness routines and weight management often dominate conversations around disease prevention , new research presented at the American Society for Nutrition's NUTRITION 2025 event shines a spotlight on a largely overlooked dietary component: phytosterols . These naturally occurring compounds, commonly found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, could be more powerful than previously imagined when it comes to protecting against major chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease . Study Connects Plant-Based Diets with Lower Inflammation and Better Insulin Response According yo The Mirror, the research, as outlined by Fenglei Wang, a research associate at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , is based on data drawn from over 200,000 adults across three large-scale studies. Although the findings have yet to undergo peer review, they were shared at the major nutrition event as a promising lead in understanding diet-disease connections. 'Our findings support the dietary recommendation of adhering to healthy plant-based dietary patterns that are rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts and whole grains,' Wang said in a statement. He added that the results offer practical insights for those looking to make informed choices about their meals. What makes these plant foods especially potent is their phytosterol content. Structurally similar to cholesterol, phytosterols are believed to impact metabolic markers in compelling ways. Researchers found that individuals with higher phytosterol intake showed improved insulin activity, reduced inflammation, and even changes in their gut microbiome—factors intricately tied to better metabolic health . Why it matters? Chronic inflammation and insulin resistance are often invisible until they manifest in serious conditions. Inflammation has long been linked to heart disease, while insulin resistance is a key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. Poor metabolic health, influenced by factors like high blood sugar and obesity, continues to be a growing global concern. You Might Also Like: Leaving meat is not enough: New study reveals the vegetarian diet your heart really needs 'Our clinical biomarker and metabolomic results suggest the involvement of insulin activity, inflammation and the metabolism of metabolites associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease,' Wang explained. 'This suggests that phytosterol might reduce risk by alleviating insulin resistance and inflammation.' Despite the encouraging results, the study has its limitations. The participant group mainly consisted of nurses and healthcare professionals, and nearly 80% were women. This demographic imbalance underscores the need for further, more diverse studies to understand how phytosterols affect different populations. How to Eat Smarter The study suggests, prevention may lie not in trendy diets or expensive supplements but in embracing a more plant-forward plate. As scientists continue to decode the intricate links between food and health, simple daily habits—like swapping out refined snacks for nuts or adding more whole grains to your meals—could quietly reshape your long-term wellbeing. While phytosterols may not yet be a household term, they might soon become a cornerstone in conversations around everyday nutrition and chronic disease prevention. You Might Also Like: Vegan vs. meat: Twin brothers' six-month experiment reveals which diet packs more vitamins
Time of India
7 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Tea or coffee? Harvard researcher's 30-year study on 50,000 women might settle the debate
In a revelation that could reshape your morning routine, a Harvard-backed study spanning over three decades and involving nearly 50,000 women has linked moderate coffee consumption with healthier aging and improved longevity. And no, tea or decaf doesn't make the cut. Led by Dr. Sara Mahdavi, a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the research presented at the American Society of Nutrition's annual meeting suggests that caffeinated coffee—specifically—may play a pivotal role in preserving both mental sharpness and physical vitality well into old age. How Coffee Came Into the Anti-Aging Spotlight Beginning in 1984, the study followed 47,513 women, tracking their health outcomes, lifestyle choices, and daily beverage habits. Fast forward to 2016, and only 3,706 of them qualified as 'healthy agers.' What counted as healthy aging? Reaching age 70 or older without major chronic illnesses, cognitive decline, or physical impairments—and with self-reported good mental health. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Things Women Should NEVER Wear! Undo The standout factor? Coffee consumption. Women who drank at least one cup of caffeinated coffee daily were more likely to fall into the healthy aging group. Even more compelling: for every additional cup consumed per day (up to five), the chances of aging well increased by 2% to 5%. The benefits, however, tapered off after five cups—suggesting moderation is still key. 'Moderate coffee intake may offer some protective benefits when combined with other healthy behaviors,' said Dr. Mahdavi in a press release, adding that the findings reinforce—but don't outweigh—the impact of exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking. You Might Also Like: India's silent epidemic: 6 foods to include in your diet if you have fatty liver Not All Caffeine Is Created Equal Interestingly, the benefits were exclusive to regular coffee. Tea and decaffeinated versions showed no significant impact on healthy aging, while soda—specifically cola—was associated with reduced positive health outcomes. This isn't the first study to give coffee a gold star. A separate study published in May 2024 involving 50,000 American adults found that one to three cups of coffee daily reduced the risk of death within the next decade by 15% compared to non-coffee drinkers. But Dr. Mahdavi cautions that coffee isn't a miracle brew. While it may help tip the scales toward graceful aging, its effects are modest when weighed against broader lifestyle choices. 'The benefits from coffee are relatively modest compared to the impact of overall healthy lifestyle habits and warrant further investigation,' she said. So, Should You Pour Another Cup? If you're healthy, active, and already enjoy your daily brew, science says—go ahead. Your coffee habit may be doing more than waking you up. It might just be helping you age better. But remember, more isn't always better. It's about striking the right balance—just like the perfect cup. You Might Also Like: This 'healthy' breakfast drink may be doing more harm than good for diabetics. Health experts warn
Economic Times
7 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Tea or coffee? Harvard researcher's 30-year study on 50,000 women might settle the debate
How Coffee Came Into the Anti-Aging Spotlight You Might Also Like: India's silent epidemic: 6 foods to include in your diet if you have fatty liver Not All Caffeine Is Created Equal So, Should You Pour Another Cup? You Might Also Like: This 'healthy' breakfast drink may be doing more harm than good for diabetics. Health experts warn In a revelation that could reshape your morning routine, a Harvard-backed study spanning over three decades and involving nearly 50,000 women has linked moderate coffee consumption with healthier aging and improved longevity. And no, tea or decaf doesn't make the by Dr. Sara Mahdavi, a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the research presented at the American Society of Nutrition's annual meeting suggests that caffeinated coffee—specifically—may play a pivotal role in preserving both mental sharpness and physical vitality well into old in 1984, the study followed 47,513 women, tracking their health outcomes, lifestyle choices, and daily beverage habits. Fast forward to 2016, and only 3,706 of them qualified as 'healthy agers.' What counted as healthy aging? Reaching age 70 or older without major chronic illnesses, cognitive decline, or physical impairments—and with self-reported good mental standout factor? Coffee consumption. Women who drank at least one cup of caffeinated coffee daily were more likely to fall into the healthy aging group. Even more compelling: for every additional cup consumed per day (up to five), the chances of aging well increased by 2% to 5%. The benefits, however, tapered off after five cups—suggesting moderation is still key.'Moderate coffee intake may offer some protective benefits when combined with other healthy behaviors,' said Dr. Mahdavi in a press release, adding that the findings reinforce—but don't outweigh—the impact of exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding the benefits were exclusive to regular coffee. Tea and decaffeinated versions showed no significant impact on healthy aging, while soda—specifically cola—was associated with reduced positive health isn't the first study to give coffee a gold star. A separate study published in May 2024 involving 50,000 American adults found that one to three cups of coffee daily reduced the risk of death within the next decade by 15% compared to non-coffee Dr. Mahdavi cautions that coffee isn't a miracle brew. While it may help tip the scales toward graceful aging, its effects are modest when weighed against broader lifestyle choices. 'The benefits from coffee are relatively modest compared to the impact of overall healthy lifestyle habits and warrant further investigation,' she you're healthy, active, and already enjoy your daily brew, science says—go ahead. Your coffee habit may be doing more than waking you up. It might just be helping you age better. But remember, more isn't always better. It's about striking the right balance—just like the perfect cup.
CNBC
20-06-2025
- Health
- CNBC
Harvard study of nearly 50,000 women over 30 years finds coffee drinking linked to healthy aging, longevity: It seems to offer 'protective benefits'
Coffee, and whether or not it's good for you, has been a research focus for decades. A regular cup or two has been linked to better heart health, a longer life, and most recently, a study led by a Harvard researcher, Dr. Sara Mahdavi found that drinking coffee may even aid healthy aging in women. "The findings suggest that caffeinated coffee—not tea or decaf—may uniquely support aging trajectories that preserve both mental and physical function," said Mahdavi, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The paper, which was presented at the American Society of Nutrition's annual meeting, has not yet been published or peer-reviewed. But the findings are robust. Researchers followed 47,513 women over the course of decades, starting in 1984, and analyzed their health data and coffee-drinking habits. By 2016, only 3,706 participants were considered healthy agers. Factors that the researchers considered to define healthy aging were: The researchers considered additional lifestyle factors like smoking, exercise frequency and diet, and adjusted for their contribution to health outcomes. Participants were also asked to share how often they drank coffee, tea and either Coca-Cola or Pepsi, which can all be sources of caffeine. Women who had at least one cup of coffee daily were more likely to be among the healthy agers, the study found. Of the healthy agers, each extra cup of coffee they had each day was associated with a 2% to 5% increased chance of aging well, peaking at about five small cups a day. Drinking tea or decaffeinated coffee didn't have a clear connection to healthy aging in the study, and drinking cola drastically lowered chances of positive health outcomes. How much coffee per day leads to healthy aging is debatable. Mahdavi says drinking up to seven small cups of coffee daily was associated with healthy aging in the study, but whether or not that amount is healthy can shift depending on the person. Other recent studies have pointed to the potential health benefits of drinking coffee. A recent study of nearly 50,000 U.S. adults published this May found that having one to three cups of coffee a day could lower a person's chances of dying by around 15% within the following nine to 11 years, in comparison to those who didn't consume the drink. "Moderate coffee intake may offer some protective benefits when combined with other healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, a healthy diet and avoiding smoking," Mahdavi said in a press release. "While this study adds to prior evidence suggesting coffee intake may be linked with healthy aging, the benefits from coffee are relatively modest compared to the impact of overall healthy lifestyle habits and warrant further investigation."
New York Post
19-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Your DNA could be stopping you from losing weight, new study suggests
Your genetic makeup could be the reason you're not losing weight. New research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Ben Gurion University in Israel found that one-third of people who followed a healthy diet did not lose any weight — although they did experience health benefits. Advertisement Participants exhibited 'significant improvements' in cardio-metabolic markers, including improved cholesterol, lower levels of the hunger hormone leptin and less visceral fat, which is found 'deep inside' the abdominal cavity, according to a press release. The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, analyzed changes in weight and health for 761 individuals in Israel who had abdominal obesity. During three trials, participants were assigned to specific healthy diets — such as low-fat, low-carb, Mediterranean and green-Mediterranean — for 18 to 24 months. 5 A new study suggests DNA could play a role in weight loss. – Advertisement Across all clinical trials, 36% of participants achieved 'clinically significant' weight loss, while 36% achieved moderate weight loss. Another 28% lost no weight or even gained weight. Those who were resistant to weight loss, mostly older individuals and women, showed the same health improvements as participants who lost weight. 'We have been conditioned to equate weight loss with health, and weight-loss-resistant individuals are often labeled as failures,' lead study author Anat Yaskolka Meir, postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Epidemiology at Harvard Chan School, wrote in a statement. Advertisement 5 Research found that one-third of people who followed a healthy diet did not lose any weight. mojo_cp – 5 The study analyzed changes in weight and health for 761 individuals. mojo_cp – The study, funded by the German Research Foundation, did have some limitations. The majority of participants were men, researchers noted, adding that similar studies should focus on women in the future. Advertisement Dr. Philip Rabito, an endocrinologist and weight-loss specialist in New York City, told Fox News Digital in an interview that the study findings support what he's experienced in his own practice. 'There are likely genetic factors that affect an individual's ability to lose weight,' said the doctor, who was not involved in the study. 'Simply stated, despite similar efforts, caloric restriction and lifestyle interventions, some patients lose more weight than others.' Some individuals will not respond 'as robustly' to interventions as others, although this can be overcome with correct guidance, according to Rabito. 5 A woman injects semaglutide. millaf – 'With proper counseling, dedication and adherence to a lifestyle program, all patients should be able to appreciate weight loss,' he said. 'Even if there is minimal or no weight loss, the study shows that there are still improvements in health parameters just from participating in a weight-loss program.' For those who fail to lose weight with traditional weight-loss programs, prescription medications may be an option, he added. Manoel Galvao Neto, M.D., director of bariatric research at Orlando Health Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Institute, agreed that DNA can influence weight loss. Advertisement 'It is a true combination of genetic factors, and it affects the metabolism, appetite, fat storage and response to diet and exercise,' he said in a separate interview with Fox News Digital. Based on emerging research, Neto noted that obesity treatment can be more easily personalized, allowing those with genetic setbacks to reach their fitness goals. 5 A woman weighs herself on a scale. New Africa – 'If you have the marker for 'hungry brain,' and you take the GLP-1, you maximize your weight loss by up to 20%,' the doctor said. Advertisement 'Obesity is a disease that is chronic, it is progressive, and so far, we don't have a cure, but we are getting more and more information to help control it in a personalized way.' Neto encouraged individuals looking to lose weight to 'understand yourself' and seek professional help for the best possible outcome.
