1. Too much sleep may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease

A new study from the American Heart Association found that people who slept 10 hours or more were 50% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those that slept 7-9 hours, the current recommended amount. The findings show that too much or too little sleep may have negative consequences on health. (AJC)

 

2. Obese and diabetic pregnant women more likely to have kids with autism

A new study out of Sweden found that pregnant women who were both diabetic and obese may be more likely to have kids with autism. Pregnant women who were only obese were also 67% more likely to have a child with “mood and stress disorders.” (Reuters)

 

3. Consuming carbohydrates may increase your risk for osteoarthritis

A study from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation conducted a study on mice and found that increased carbohydrate consumption correlated with an increased incidence of osteoarthritis. (Science Daily)

 

4. The role of body type in world-class runners and swimmers

While endurance runners and sprinters benefit typically maintain specific body types to optimize performance – more muscle for sprinters, less for endurance – a new study found that world class swimmers, regardless of their speciality, all had just one body type. (NYT)

 

5. Your phone may make destroy your eyesight

Researchers at the University of Toledo have discovered that blue light from common devices such as televisions, computers and phones may cause “retinal to trigger reactions that generate poisonous chemical molecules in photoreceptor cells,” a.k.a killer cells  that lead to macular degeneration. (UT News)

 

6. The hidden source of sodium intake

Researchers have found that 71% of dietary sodium does not come from inside one’s kitchen, but rather from restaurants and packaged foods. This means that even if you tried to eliminate all salt from your home cooked meals, if you eat out, it’s likely you may still take in a high amount of sodium. (PopSci)

 

7. Drink more water to focus better

Difficulties concentrating may be from a variety of causes, but one study from the Exercise Physiology Laboratory at Georgia Institute of Technology found that mild dehydration may be one common cause. (NPR)