Wine May Lower incidence of Cataract Surgery. Drinking low to moderate amounts of alcohol, particularly wine, may reduce risk of requiring cataract surgery, according to researchers at University of Cambridge in the U.K. The study included two groups totaling nearly 493,000 participants with a mean age of 56 and 59, respectively, with a follow up of 8 and 16 years, respectively. Versus non-drinkers, the strongest protective association was with wine drinkers, whose risk for needing cataract surgery was 23 percent lower in the first group and 14 percent lower and the second. (Ophthalmology, February 2021)
Turmeric, Pepper May Improve Blood Sugar. Supplementing with curcumin and piperine, the active ingredients in turmeric and black pepper, may improve blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Study participants with type 2 diabetes took a daily supplement of 500 milligrams of curcumin and 5 milligrams piperine or a placebo for four months. Curcumin improved blood sugar levels and reduced triglycerides, versus placebo, supporting the growing body of evidence for the health benefits of turmeric, curcumin, and peperine. (International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, February 2021)
Two Fruit, Three Veg for Longevity. Five daily servings—two fruit and three vegetables—may be the best combination for longer life, says the American Heart Association. Studies of more than two million adults worldwide found that five daily servings of fruits and vegetables was associated with the lowest risk of death, and two fruit and three veg was associated with the greatest longevity. Starchy vegetables, like peas and corn, fruit juices, and potatoes were not linked to reduced risk of death, while leafy greens, like spinach and kale, and fruits and vegetables high in beta carotene and vitamin C, like citrus, berries, and carrots, were associated with benefits. (Circulation, March 2021)
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