Turn over a new leaf: Leafy greens can improve your health
Ever wondered why a dish prepared with spinach is said to be “Florentine”? Well, it’s because Catherine de Medici, who was from Florence, was a super fan of this super green. She liked it so much that in 1533, after she had married Henry II and become queen of France, she decreed that every meal in the palace be served with spinach.
In the 1500s, anyone who survived childhood (around 40 percent did not) might live to be 50 or even 60. But clever Catherine lived to the age of 70 — and you can bet the spinach helped!
Recent research published in Neurology reveals that eating a serving of leafy greens a day is associated with a sharper memory and a slower rate of cognitive decline. The other benefits are equally impressive: Greens like spinach are rich in fiber, which is linked to a lower risk of coronary heart disease. They also help fight certain cancers. In a study that tested eight common vegetables for their anticancer properties, a nutrient found in leafy greens was the strongest when it came to inhibiting human cancer cell proliferation. A diet rich in collards, kale and other greens also is associated with a reduced risk for Type 2 diabetes. Plus, those leafy powerhouses are low-cal, but keep you feeling full.
So turn over a new leaf! Try arugula, Swiss chard or spicy mustard greens tossed into a salad, mixed into a smoothie or sauteed with garlic and lemon juice. You’ll be royally rewarded with better health.
The authentic risks of fake pot
ProCon.org says that 1,246,170 people are cardcarrying medical marijuana users. A 2017 Yahoo News/Marist poll found that 52 percent of Americans over 18 have tried marijuana. Furthermore, 44 percent of those who tried it once still use it today.
So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that with the cost of 1 ounce of legal pot in Colorado going for around $160, synthetic weed costing around $30 an ounce is becoming increasingly popular.
Unfortunately, we don’t know exactly what’s in artificial pot (the toxic
“get you high” chemicals put on random vegetation change all the time) — and nothing proves that more than the recent rash of medical emergencies in Illinois, including bleeding from the eyes and ears, and deaths that are associated with smoking a batch of the synthetic stuff.
Add to that a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that says kids who use synthetic marijuana are far more likely to inflict or become victims of violence, engage in risky sex and have mental health issues than kids who use just marijuana or neither. And if teens vape the fake weed, they also may have three times more evidence of toxic chemicals like acrylonitrile, acrolein, propylene oxide and crotonaldehyde in their system than non-users.
Question: My friend recently came back from visiting family overseas. A day later, she became really sick and ended up in the hospital. She’s convinced that she caught something on the plane. Is there any way to guard against that? — Spiros A., Hull, Massachusetts
Answer: Weflya lot, and yes, there are precautions that trans-Atlantic — and any other air travelers — can take to guard against some of the pathogens you come into contact with on airplanes.
Your first defense against germs on a long flight is always your own immune system. There’s nothing wrong with training for a 24-hour trip from Boston to Australia. Seriously. More walks, less red meat, vitamins, more sleep — you know the drill. It can strengthen your immune system.
As for whether airplanes or air travel is a health risk, well, a recent New York Times article about healthy flying mentioned an interesting thing: Customer satisfaction with cabin cleanliness is up over the past few years. However, there are still health risks associated with being in a closed environment with hundreds of people. So here are some tips for dodging trouble:
■ A recent study published in the journal Proceedings of the
Natural Academy of Sciences of the United States of America — which has been cited a lot in recent publications — found that people who sit in the window seat, away from in-cabin traffic, are least likely to come into contact with contaminated droplets (germs) in the air.
■ Bring a disinfectant wipe for your tray table, and use it on your hands after visiting the restroom. Environmental Protection Agency tests frequently have found that most airline water has unwanted bacteria in it.
■ Lastly, point your overhead air vent directly at yourself. While the cabin air filters reportedly remove 99.9 percent of bacteria, fungus and viruses from the air, the current itself will deflect germs away from you.
So, the next time you fly, buckle up and have a healthy flight.