Due to the regular publishing of studies on health and fitness, it can be challenging to stay up to date with all of the knowledge that is currently accessible. Some findings are simple reiterations of well-known health advice, but some are a little more unexpected. The following list contains these ten surprising health facts.
- Coffee Drinking May Reduce Depression
Although caffeine is usually said to be bad for human health, it also has some advantages. Harvard School of Public Health research indicates that women who drink at least four cups of coffee daily can reduce their risk of depression by 20%. According to a recent study, women who drank two or more cups daily had a lower risk of suicide.
- Chewing Gum Increases Alertness
If you have a mid-afternoon slump or have difficulties focusing in the morning, try chewing some gum to feel more alert. According to Coventry University researchers, gum with a mint flavor dramatically reduced weariness. Another study on the subject found that chewing gum can improve test results overall, lower levels of tension and anxiety, and improve memory by 35%.
- Sitting at a desk can almost double the risk of dying.
Be careful, office workers. According to University of Sydney research, people who spend more than 10 hours a day sitting at work have a 48% higher risk of passing away than those who sit for four or fewer hours. To lessen this health risk, try to increase your movement by five minutes each hour and take regular breaks from your workstation. Your health will benefit from frequent minor changes, such as using the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Both public restrooms and ATMs are filthy.
Most of us use ATMs frequently to withdraw cash, but how many of us wash our hands afterward? According to British cleaning tests, ATMs are equally as filthy as bathrooms. After being inspected by experts, swab samples from the nearby public restrooms, and the cash machine keyboards were found to carry the same germs that can cause sickness.
- Being optimistic may help you live longer.
According to a Duke University Medical Center study, heart patients with a more positive outlook on their treatment survived longer than those with a more pessimistic view. According to research findings in the European Heart Journal, those with optimism also have a lower risk of acquiring heart disease.
- Avoid Claustrophobia By Smelling An Apple
A daily apple can help you avoid the doctor while reducing your claustrophobia. According to Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation research, a green apple’s aroma may help ease anxiety brought on by cramped spaces. Inhaling the scent of a green apple can also help people avoid headaches and migraines and make a house appear more prominent to potential buyers.
- Exercise if You’re Tired
After a long day at work, going to the gym is usually the last thing on your list of priorities, but studies show that exercise boosts energy. A study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise found that a 30-minute session of moderate-intensity training decreased levels of fatigue and depression. Exercise improves cardiovascular health, improving blood and oxygen flow throughout the body and giving you more energy, which explains why.
- Sit-Ups Won’t Give You A Flat Stomach
Many individuals make the error of thinking that doing crunches will result in a flat stomach. However, since crunches work your abs and not your core muscles, repeating endless repetitions of them won’t give you the belly of your dreams. According to one study, six weeks of ab exercises did not significantly reduce abdominal fat. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research published this study.
- Handwriting Aids That Improve Memory
Research from Indiana University shows handwritten notes have a higher recall rate than typed ones. Writing enhances memory since it calls for distinct cognitive functions than typing does. When taking notes during a lecture, writing down everything the speaker says can be challenging, so you must pay close attention to what they are saying. As a result, by using this method instead of typing words into a laptop, you are listening, processing, and summarising the information more effectively.
- Drink Something Hot to Cool Off
Drink something hot, even if it can appear ineffective, if you want to unwind. According to a study from the Human Kinetics department at the University of Ottawa, drinking something hotter than your body temperature makes you sweat more than enough to compensate for the temperature increase. Even though a hot beverage may initially make you feel more alluring, more sweating will help your body cool down more rapidly.