- The hidden health risk of fizzy drinks
- Why this health problem could rocket in 2022…
- The freezing herb that could beat stress
It’s not often I shout ‘Look out Lara, your life’s in danger!’ when she walks into a newsagent.
In fact, I’ve never done it. And not just because I’m too busy deciding between a Wispa and a Double Decker.
But maybe I SHOULD think about protecting Lara a little more, because there’s something lurking in newsagents, supermarkets, pubs and bars, even children’s parties that can seriously affect women’s health.
I’m talking about the dreaded fizzy drink.
Now as you probably know, I’m no fan of fizzy drinks especially ones loaded with the dreaded aspartame.
- A) I think they taste horrible and
- B) The list of side effects attributed to aspartame is as long as my arm. Well it would be, if I held the record for Longest Arms in Britain.
Headaches, vertigo, nausea, insomnia, numbness, blurred vision, memory loss, depression, rashes, panic attacks… really, I’d use up a month’s worth of letters if I wanted to list them all.
So I’ve never been a fan of fizzy drinks.
But now I’m even MORE set against them, because of this hidden threat they pose to the ladies…
The hidden health risk of fizzy drinks
A recent study suggests that fizzy drinks can promote a greater risk of high blood pressure – but only in women.
Scientists are at a loss to explain why women seem to be the ones affected.
And if scientists can’t explain it, I’m certainly not going to have a go.
But here are the results of the study:
‘Those who drank at least four cans of sugared cola drinks daily had a 28% to 44% increased risk of high blood pressure, compared with women who drank few or none.’
Hard to believe isn’t it? They don’t put THAT on the cans do they?
But here’s the bit that REALLY made me laugh…
‘Diet sodas also increased the risk, although slightly less than the non-diet drinks.’
As you can imagine, my laugh was a short, sour one.
Diet drinks – the drinks that the diet industry wants us to believe are good for us – can actually increase the risk of high blood pressure in women.
And yet they’re constantly trying to make us believe that diet drinks are harmless.
Honestly – if cigarettes have to spell out the health warnings on their packets, I think fizzy drinks manufacturers should be forced to do the same, because some people drink this sort of stuff by the gallon.
And there’s no way they’re getting off scot free – especially women.
However, it is not just the fairer sex ho are at risk from these drinks, reading through the British Heart Foundations website recently I found a story from 2015 which highlights further risks.
They cite research which showed just one can of sugary cola a day increases the deposition of harmful body fat by 30%.
So here’s one bit of health advice that doesn’t need to come from a doctor – don’t make fizzy drinks an everyday drink. If you really like them (and each to his own) then limit yourself to one a day maximum.
Clearly this research has shown what are the health risks of fizzy drinks, but it is up to you to decide what you do with this information.
Personally, I think they’re so bad I’d like to empty every can down the sink. But I know I can’t change the habits of a nation, so instead I just flap my arms about and moan about things while my family sneakliy raise the volume on the Eastenders omnibus.
Which brings me to another point…
Why this common health problem could rocket in 2022…
Fizzy drinks may make my blood boil, but a lot of people are going to have a lot more to worry about than the evils of cola in the coming months.
And because I’ve heard so many people talking about how much the current fuel price crisis is bothering them, I thought I’d run through some powerful stress remedies again.
With the increase in fuel prices, food prices and the prospect of huge increases in the costs of heating our homes over the colder months ahead of us it is no wonder that people are getting worried.
It doesn’t look like the Government are about to help the situation by dropping the taxes we pay on these items any time soon either…
…and it looks likely that this week’s rise in the bank interest rate won’t be the last we see.
Anyway, with the problems we’re facing, people are bound to be feeling under pressure, which means our old enemy – stress – is going to be on the rise.
Maybe the current troubles don’t affect you… or maybe you’re the calmest person on Earth, but if you’re feeling at all under pressure here are a few natural ways to stop stress getting a grip:
The freezing herb that could beat stress
Rhodiola (Actric Root) is a Siberian herb, which falls into category known as ‘adaptogens’.
I know it sounds a bit like a transformer, or the name of a comic book character…. (Adaptogen Batman’s arch enemy!), but adaptogens actually help your body regain a normal balance when it’s experiencing stress.
According to a report on CNN, in a recent test ten sufferers were given rhodiola for ten weeks. At the end of the trial, five of them said they felt less stressed, with a significant reduction of symptoms like headaches, fatigue and hot flushes.
Now, a study of ten people is a touch on the low side, and it wasn’t ‘double blind’ (where one group of people are given the remedy while the other are given a placebo, with neither group knowing what they’re taking).
But it looks like this herb could have a part to play in stress reduction.
Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm) is indigenous to the Mediterranean, but is widespread throughout the world. It is often used as a general nervous system restorative, digestive calmative and to reduce blood pressure. Its active ingredients include volatile oil, tannins, flavinoids, tocopherols and choline.
Lavender (Lavandula) is famous for its calming properties and as a tonic for the nervous system. It contains the active ingredients tannins, coumarins, flavinoids, triterpenoids and volatile oil. Use a little lavender oil in the bath, or add a few drops to a bowl of boiling water, drape a towel over your head and inhale deeply and slowly.
Passion Flower (Passiiflora ) is used for insomnia and can relieve anxiety and nervousness. Active ingredients include flavinoids, cyanogenic glycosides, alkaloids and saparin. It helps to calm and soothe and is also thought to reduce high blood pressure and nervous tremors.
Okay. That’s enough from me today.
Enjoy the rest of your day, don’t let the woes and troubles get you down.
