Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/474241
were also more likely to have high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and, rather ironically, larger waistlines than those who abstained from diet drinks. Other studies link daily diet soda consumption to a 67 percent jump in diabetes risk and a 53 percent rise in risk for metabolic syndrome. Which beverages are heart-healthy? We recommend drinking one half your weight in ounces of water daily. Rich Rewards coffee also has a remarkable array of health perks, including reduced risk for heart disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, gallstones, several forms of cancer and even superbug infections like MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Caffeine is a powerful natural antioxidant that has proven beneficial in several cardiovascular studies. Another delicious and invigorating beverage is green tea, which not only improves the health of your blood vessel lining and fights inflammation, but also lowers risk for gum disease and at least nine forms of cancer. Green and black teas both come from the same plant, but green tea has three times more catechins, a type of disease-fighting antioxidant. Hibiscus tea is another thirst-quencher with cardiovascular benefits, since it's been shown to lower blood pressure significantly. Feast on fiber Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet could add years to your life, suggests a recent nine-year study of nearly 400,000 adults ages 50 and older. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health reported that men who ate the most fiber were up to 56 percent less likely to die from CVD, infectious diseases, or respiratory disorders, compared to men who ate the least fiber. In women, a high-fiber diet cut risk for mortality from those causes by 58 percent. Among the most beneficial sources of fiber are sprouted whole grains, flax, chia, and hemp seeds, fruits and vegetables. In fact, for each additional serving of fruits and vegetables people eat daily, their risk of fatal cardiovascular disease drops by 4 percent, another large study found. ose who consumed at least eight • It's usually safe for patients with stable CVD to have sex. e AHA encourages healthcare providers to evaluate patients aer a CVD diagnosis and let them know if they're healthy enough to resume sexual activity. • Contrary to urban legend, the rate of cardiovascular event, such as chest pain or a heart attack, during sex is "miniscule," even among people with known CVD, the AHA emphasizes. • Drugs to treat erectile dysfunction (such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis) are usually safe for men with stable CVD. Men who are receiving nitrate therapy for angina (chest pan due to coronary artery disease) however should not use these medications because of potentially harmful drug interactions. • It's usually safe for postmenopausal women with CVD to use topical estrogen cream to treat vaginal symptoms, such as dryness or pain during intercourse. Relatively little estrogen from topical vaginal cream absorbed into the bloodstream, compared to taking estrogen orally in pill form. Avoid sugary drinks A long-term study of more than 42,000 men, ages 40-75, found that those who swilled sugar- sweetened beverages the most oen were 20 percent more likely to suffer heart attacks. e researchers also calculated that having just one 12-ounce sweet drink daily boosted the relative risk of developing CVD by 19 percent – and was also linked to adverse changes in levels of HDL, triglycerides, and the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein. Another large study reported similar harm in women who consumed sugary beverages. Nor are diet so drinks a healthy alternative. Drinking these beverages daily was linked to a 45 percent rise in heart attack, stroke, and death from vascular disease during the 10-year study of 2,500 adults older than age 40. e diet-soda drinkers Page 42 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysMag.com