Could Coffee Help You Live Longer?

HI and welcome to this week’s look at headlines in natural health on iHealthTube.com…

More good news for coffee lovers… it seems that your favorite beverage might not only be good for you but help you live longer as well!

A recent report looked at a study of almost 20 thousand participants who’s average age was just under 38 years old.  Over a ten year period… 337 of those had died… The researchers found that those who consumed at least four cups of coffee per day, had a 64 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality than those who never or almost never drank coffee.

There was a 22 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality for each two additional cups of coffee per day.  After looking at sex, age diet… researchers found a significant connection between age and the amount of coffee consumed.  In those who were at least 45 years old, drinking two additional cups of coffer a day was linked with a 30 percent lower risk of mortality.  But it was not the same with younger participants.

And there’s good news with those of you with a different vice… what if chocolate could actually help prevent and treat diabetes?  Sounds crazy, but…

Research out of BYU indicates certain compounds found in chocolate can actually help your body release more insulin and respond better to increased blood glucose.  At the root of diabetes is the failure of beta cells to produce insulin properly.  And the recent study found those beta cells work better and remain stronger with the presence of epicatechin monomers… which are compounds found in cocoa.

There is a catch though… the lead author cautioned you don’t have to eat a lot of cocoa and of course, you should avoid cocoa that has a lot of sugar added.

We all know that regular exercise is healthy for the body… but one type may have more benefits has we age!

A new study out of Germany studied two different types of exercise in elderly volunteers.  The average age was 68… they were assigned either an 18 month weekly dance routine lesson or endurance and flexibility training.  Both groups showed an increase in the hippocampus region of the brain… which is the area that can be prone to age related decline and conditions like Alzheimer’s.  But the group in the dance lessons had a noticeable difference in improved balance and behavioral changes.  

That’s a look at what’s making headlines in natural health this week… go to ihealthtube dot com and sign up for our free email newsletter to stay connected to the latest in natural health.