Research

Popcorn may be good for you...but hold the butter—

Scientists have found that snack foods like popcorn and many popular breakfast cereals contain a large amount of polyphenols, antioxidant substances.

Polyphenols are a major reason why fruits, vegetables, chocolate, wine, coffee and tea are being investigated rigorously for their potential in reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.

Earlier research explored the benefits of whole grains from the perspective of their fiber content, which plays a role in health. But polyphenols may play a bigger role. And whole grains have been found to have antioxidants comparable per gram to fruits and vegetables.

Read about the study in The Guardian, or read the American Chemical Society summary.

Women + diabetes = increased risk of irregular heart rhythm

Diabetes increases by 26 percent the likelihood that women will develop atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published in Diabetes Care, a journal of the American Diabetes Association.

The study was conducted by the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in Portland.

Lead researcher Greg Nichols says the most important finding is that women with diabetes have this increased risk. Men are also at higher risk, but the biggest risk factors for men with diabetes are obesity and high blood pressure.

Read more in Science Daily or on the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research web site or access the article at Diabetes Care.