Study Finds Coffee, Red Wine Reduce Inflammation, Heart Disease
My heart is singing "these are a few of my favorite things..."
This year, I'm soaking up all of the good news I can find and this is definitely on the list. Some of my favorite things in this life can actually be good for me? Yes, please.
A recent study has found that coffee, red wine, and yellow vegetables can reduce inflammation in your body and actually decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Harvard researchers studied 30 years worth of data from more than 200,000 Americans. Those who ate a lot of inflammatory foods like refined carbs, red meat and drinks loaded with sugar. They found foods like this can actually increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. They determined it had to do with the added stress placed on the body by eating these foods. In fact, those diets led to a 44 percent higher risk of heart disease and a 28 percent higher risk of stroke.
On the other hand, those who ate diets rich in things like coffee, tea, red wine, whole grains, leafy greens and veggies like carrots and peppers, they found the opposite. These people actually had their risk of heart disease and stroke reduced. They credited the high antioxidant and vitamin levels found in these foods with this outcome.
Ultimately researchers determined that those who enjoy a diet with coffee, wine and leafy greens have longer lifespans.
I'm already regretting the food delivery order I just placed. Ok, not really. This year has opened my eyes to taking care of myself. These bodies are our only ones so we need to pay attention to them and treat them with respect. I try to do this consistently, but one order of wings ain't gonna hurt... right?