World of Medicine

Lifting Lighter Weights Is as Effective as Heavy Ones

Intimidated by heavy weights? For building muscle and gaining strength, lifting light objects many times works just as well as lifting heavier objects fewer times, concluded a recent Canadian study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology. The key is to work the muscles until they’re fatigued. Low-load, high-repetition training is the method of choice for fostering muscular endurance, and a 2015 paper suggested it’s effective for increasing bone density, too.

Fruit and Vegetables Boost Happiness

A study conducted by the University of Queensland’s School of Pharmacy involving more than 12,000 Australians revealed that the benefits of a fresh produce-rich diet extend beyond physical health. With every added daily portion of fruits or vegetables (up to eight), the subjects’ happiness levels rose slightly. The researchers calculated that if someone were to switch from a diet free of fruit and vegetables to eight servings per day, he or she would theoretically gain as much life satisfaction as someone who transitioned from unemployment to a job. The exact reason is unclear, but it may be related to the effect of carotenoid levels in the blood.

Coffee Doesn’t Promote Cancer – Unless It’s Too Hot

Good news for coffee fans: it was stripped of its ‘possibly carcinogenic’ classification during a recent meeting of the International Agency for Research on Cancer. But, the agency warned against any beverage served at a temperature higher than 65°C. Scalding-hot liquids can injure cells in the oesophagus, possibly contributing to oesophageal cancer down the road.