Healthy aging and longevity Archive

Studies have shown that both coffee and tea drinkers may experience health benefits compared to people who don't consume these beverages. Experts point to the high amounts of caffeine and inflammation-fighting polyphenols in these drinks as possible reasons.

Exercising outdoors in winter can offer different health benefits from summer. Cold weather may improve endurance, and the lower temperatures may help transform some white fat, including belly fat, into calorie-burning brown fat. Winter is also an opportunity to take up seasonal sports and activities like fat biking, cross-country skiing, and running or hiking new trails. For safety, exercisers should bundle up, protect their extremities, use sunscreen, and drink enough water.

According to a 2024 study, people who engage in exercise (such as running or cycling) instead of less active behavior (such as sitting, standing, or slow walking) for just five minutes per day may slightly lower their blood pressure.

A 2024 study found that eating more fruit during middle age may be linked with a lower risk of developing depression later in life.

A 2024 study found that excess abdominal fat is associated with widespread, chronic pain, especially in women.

In October 2024, the CDC lowered the age for healthy adults to receive a pneumococcal vaccine to 50 from 65. It also recommends a second dose of the 2024-25 COVID vaccine for people 65 and older and immunocompromised people six months after their last dose.

Muscles that support the knee-primarily in the legs and hips-need a certain amount of elasticity to work properly. That "give" allows the joints to move through their range of motion easily. If the muscles are tight, they might cause chronic knee pain. Stretching leg muscles can improve flexibility and reduce knee discomfort. Experts recommend doing dynamic stretching before workouts and static stretching afterward. One should consult a doctor if pain persists after a few weeks.

Scientists can't say for sure yet if tea is good for health. However, the overall evidence on tea consumption indicates a potential benefit. Drinking tea is linked to reduced risks for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, dementia, stress, and early death. The health benefits of tea come with drinking two to four daily cups of green, black, or oolong tea. Other types of tea, such as the fermented tea known as pu-erh, might also be good for health, though the supporting evidence is more limited.

When New Year's resolutions aren't working, other strategies can help improve health habits. For example, people can set February goals instead of January goals, focusing on small changes in diet, exercise, or stress management. Another idea is including friends for added motivation and support, or working with an expert such as a personal trainer or dietitian. It might also help to follow eco-friendly habits that improve health, such as driving less and walking or cycling more and adopting a plant-based diet.

A 2024 Harvard study of 90,000 people (average age 62), followed for about 10 years, found that getting 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was tied to improved health, particularly heart health. But among people who got the recommended amount of exercise, those who were the most sedentary the rest of the time had a greater risk of developing heart failure and dying from heart disease, compared with those who were the least sedentary.