Coffee Lessen the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis

Here's another reason to enjoy your cup of coffee, researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine conduct a study about coffee consumption effects to MS risk. According to the study, consuming four or more cups of coffee per day may reduce your risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS).

They conducted the study since caffeine in coffee has been linked with a reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s, they speculate that it may also be true for other neurological disorders like MS.

They will be presenting the their study at the 67th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Washington, D.C., that will be held on April 18 to 25, 2015.

Dr. Ellen Mowry, assistant professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins University let the team which examine two studies, from Sweden and another from the United States. Included in both study are people with MS and people without MS.

The study from Sweden is composed of 1,629 people with MS and 2,807 those without MS. While the U.S. counterpart is composed of 1,159 people with MS and 1,172 without.

The results of the study from Sweden, the people who didn't consume coffee had 1 and a half times increased risk of developing MS compared to people who regularly drinks coffee of at least 6 cups a day during the year before symptoms appeared. Drinking large amounts of coffee 5 or 10 years before symptoms started was similarly protective.

while in the US study, those who don't drink coffee were also about 1 and a half times more likely to develop MS compared to those who drink four or more cups of coffee a day in the year before symptoms started to develop MS.

You can view the study here

Plant Flavored H2O

For me drinking plain water is still the best way to quench your thirst but if you want some flavor and spice up your water there choices now.

They say there are health benefits in drinking plant based water like vitamins, antioxidant, and minerals.

Coconut water - water that you can find inside young green coconuts. It is a natural energy/sports drink since it has high potassium and mineral content. It is also good for your figure since it has low levels of fat, carbohydrates, and calories. It has cytokinins, L-arginine, ascorbic acid and magnesium.

Artichoke Water - it contain antioxidants and agents that restrain cholesterol synthesis and raise bile production that reduce the overall blood cholesterol. It also contain fiber, folate, potassium, manganese, copper, and iron.

Maple Water - yep, it's not just for pancakes anymore. Maple syrup is popular to athletes since it has no additives, preservatives, and bleaching agents. It is also not fructose. Maple Water contains antioxidants, manganese, and zinc that enhance your immune system.

Prickly Pear Cactus Water - water that comes from a cacti fruit. It has high amount of fiber called pectin. It also contains high amount of antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Expert say that cactus water promotes healthy skin and act as a hangover remedy.

Aloe Vera Water - aloe vera contains a lot of nutrients, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and enzymes that are good for you. It also has antioxidant.

Aloe vera is also used traditionally as a multipurpose skin treatment. In Ayurvedic medicine it is called kathalai, as are extracts from agave.

Just to warn you, Aloe vera has potential toxicity with side effects occurring at some dose levels both when ingested or applied topically.

Tobacco is the Deadliest Substance in the US

It might surprise you but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data Tobacco is the deadliest substance in the United States followed by Alcohol, opioid-based prescription painkillers, cocaine, and heroin. Both tobacco and alcohol are easily available which makes them deadly, while Heroin-linked deaths though illegal is shooting up topping 8,200 in 2013.
   
According to CDC tobacco is linked to one in five (5) deaths in the US each year, about 42,000 of the 480,000 deaths are caused by secondhand smoke. Even though data shows that tobacco use has declined over the years because of information campaigns, mandatory warning labels, public and workplace smoking bans, and higher taxes on tobacco products.

Alcohol related deaths which is at over 26,000 deaths in 2011 are mostly caused by liver failure and other health problems. However, if you include deaths due to drunk driving it will shoot up to 88,000 per year.

Excessive drinking also accounts to other problems like alcohol-induced aggression and erratic behavior. 40% of violent crimes are done by people who are in the influence of alcohol, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Experts says that to lessen this, alcohol should be regulated and taxed higher to reduce consumption.

Opioid-based prescription painkillers is directly linked to overdose deaths, CDC said that 31% of prescription painkiller-linked overdose deaths in 2011 are due to benzodiazepines, which is an anti-anxiety drug.