Health and Wellness Headlines: What You Need to Know
There’s an abundance of health and wellness news out there. Here are this week’s top health headlines and the key takeaways to improve your overall health.
Broccoli Sprouts: A Nutritional Powerhouse
A new study published in Redox Biology revealed that broccoli sprouts have a significantly higher concentration of polysulfides — a type of compound with antioxidant properties — when compared with mature broccoli.
Why it matters: Broccoli sprouts are a nutritionally concentrated version of mature broccoli. In addition to the polysulfides, these microgreens boast fiber and calcium, as well vitamins A, K and C. As a versatile addition to your meals, broccoli sprouts can be included in salads, sandwiches, or cooked into various dishes. Growing them at home is also easy and space-efficient.
Activity Beats Sedentary Behavior for Heart Health
Research published in the European Heart Journal analyzed the data of 15,246 people from five countries and found that replacing sedentary behavior with as little as five minutes of moderate-vigorous activity had a positive effect on heart health. Vigorous activity was found to have the quickest impact, and the lower the intensity of the activity, the longer it took individuals to see a positive health benefit.
Why it matters: A January 2023 study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that uninterrupted sitting time can be harmful to health. Even simple activities like walking to a coworker’s desk can reduce the harm caused by sedentary behavior. Short, frequent bursts of activity can be more effective than trying to fit in lengthy workouts.
The Mental Health Benefits of Poetry
A small study of 400 people, published in The Journal of Poetry Therapy, found that using poetry to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic improved certain mental health markers for responders. Reading and/or writing poetry helped manage feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression.
Why it matters: “Poetry therapy” purports many mental health benefits, from alleviating depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms to increasing one’s creativity. Art therapy has been found to reduce feelings of isolation, making it an effective clinical practice.
The Impact of Kindness on Emotional Well-Being
A new poll from the American Psychiatric Association revealed that showing someone an act of kindness made 89% of surveyed adults feel significantly, somewhat, or a little better. Additionally, 90% said receiving an act of kindness made them feel better as well.
Why it matters: Kind behavior has an impact on emotional well-being. Researchers at the Ohio State University found that doing kind things for others can help fight feelings of depression and anxiety, as it fosters and strengthens social connections.
