Every week we discover inspiring, informative, and sometimes shocking health-related news. From new studies to insightful analysis, here is what you need to know this week:
- Coffee works to keep kidneys healthy. A new study of 80,000 participants from The Netherlands shows that each additional cup of coffee per day (up to four cups) helps to reduce kidney damage. This study applies to drinking black coffee, without sugar or other additives. Wageningen University
- Acupuncture supports healing and heart health following heart valve surgery. A recent study in the United States shows that acupuncture immediately after surgery reduces atrial fibrillation, discharges on amiodarone, and hours in the intensive care unit. No adverse side effects were reported, showing promising potential for this historic medical practice. JTCVS
- Walking 7,000 to 8,000 per day has been found to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Faster speed of walking was also linked to better health. Journal of the American College of Cardiology
- Higher exposure to fluoride in drinking water has been linked to cognitive impairment in children. A new study shows children who drank more fluoridated water exhibited worse scores on standardized memory tests. Neurotoxicology and Teratology