Category Archives: Studies

Coffee is Far From the Only Source of Caffeine

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Greg Asseff

Along with energy drinks and certain sodas, coffee is one of the most well known and popular sources of caffeine. However, more and more products are coming on the market that include caffeine as well; sometimes this is made clear to consumers, and other times it’s not. Just recently, Wrigley’s introduced a chewing gum with a caffeine jolt called Alert Energy Caffeine Gum, which includes nearly as much caffeine as a half-cup of coffee. Other companies have already brought their own versions of caffeinated gum to the market as well. Perhaps in response to this growing trend, the Food and Drug Administration is about to more closely examine the health implications associated with the consumption of caffeine, especially as it relates to children, teens and young adults.

Posted in Diet, Food, Health, Health Facts, Mental Health, News, Studies | 3,158 Comments

Minimizing Diabetes Risk? One Soda Per Day is One Too Many

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Greg Asseff

A recent study indicates that drinking even a single 12-ounce can of soda each day may significantly increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The study was conducted as part of InterAct, a large, ongoing investigation into how lifestyle and genetic factors influence Type 2 diabetes risk. InterAct is a collaboration between nine countries, including the U.K., Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Finland, Denmark and Germany.

Posted in Diet, Food, Health, Health Facts, Medical, News, Nutrition, Studies, Weight Loss | 1 Comment

Cold Medicines for Kids? Unnecessary and Dangerous – Study

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Greg Asseff

Colds, coughs and sniffles are common at this time of year, and if your child has caught a cold, odds are decent that you gave her some type of cold medication to alleviate the symptoms. In fact, a new study by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital shows that 44% of parents have given their children under 4 years of age a multi-symptom cold or cough medicine. Another 42% admitted to giving their children cough medicine, while 25% gave decongestants. So, what’s wrong with this picture?. Studies dating back to the 1990s proved that over-the-counter cold and cough medicines are ineffective for young children. Studies conducted in the last decade have gone even farther, finding that cold and cough medications may actually be dangerous for youngsters, causing symptoms that could be much worse than a simple cough.

Posted in Health, Health Facts, Medical, News, Parenting, Studies | 1 Comment

Marijuana Pill Better than Smoke for Pain?

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Greg Asseff

A new study conducted by Columbia University indicates that taking a marijuana pill may offer the same pain-relief benefits as smoking marijuana, without the side effects of smoking. The researchers also found that subjects who took a pill form of marijuana, known as dronabinol, experienced relief from pain for about 4.5 hours, while those who smoked felt relief for a relatively brief 2.5 hours. As a trade-off, the pain-reducing effects of smoked marijuana were observed to set in approximately 15 minutes after delivery. The subjects in the study who took dronabinol waited approximately one hour to experience the same effects. During the study, subjects either took dronabinol or smoked marijuana, with both delivery methods designed to provide the same dosage of active ingredients thought to provide pain relief.

Posted in Health, Health Facts, Medical, News, Studies | 1,794 Comments

Lyme Disease Decreasing in South, Increasing in North

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Greg Asseff

A new 15-year study by the University of Toronto indicates that Lyme disease rates are increasing in northern states and decreasing in southern ones. While the researchers found Lyme disease rates to be largely stagnant in 15 states, they found significant declines in 14 states and equally significant increases in 21 other states. The study was conducted from 1992 until 2007. If you live in a state affected by Lyme disease, it’s important to take the proper precautions before (and after) heading outdoors with your family this spring and summer.