1. Sport specialization in youth may lead to burnout, injury and disinterest in sports
In a prospective study of 12,000 children, an increased risk of injury was found amongst those that only focused on one sport. In addition, other studies have found losing interest in the sport or staying active altogether in those kids that only focused on one sport. (NYT)
2. Spending more time in parks can reduce healthcare costs
New research by Fields in Trust in the UK suggests that spending more time in green parks saves the NHS over £111m per year. Why? The Duke of Cambridge, the president of Fields in Trust, said parks “quite simply make us happier”. Fields in Trust’s 5-year plan is to ensure that 75% of the UK’s population is within a 10-minute walk of a park or green space. (The Guardian)
3. These five lifestyle factors will help you live 12-14 years longer
A new study in the journal Circulation found five lifestyle factors that increase the chances of men and women living past 50: “Maintain a healthy body weight, eat a high-quality diet, abstain from smoking, and exercise at a moderate-to-vigorous pace (think a brisk walk, at least) for 30 minutes or more a day.” (Popular Science)
4. Eating eggs will not increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Eat your eggs! New research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found no increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease for people that ate up to 12 eggs per week compared to those that ate less than two. The people in the study were those with pre-diabetes or Type II diabetes, who typically have higher levels of blood cholesterol. (ScienceDaily)
5. Alcohol consumption linked to more bad bacteria in mouth
A new study published in the journal, Microbiome, found that people who drank alcohol had less of the good types of mouth bacteria and more of the bad. The proliferation of bad bad bacteria not only contributes to dental issues like bad breath, cavities, tooth decay, plaque buildup and gum disease – but research has shown an imbalance oral bacteria to be connected to gastrointestinal cancer and cardiovascular disease as well. (Healthline)