Coffee aids cognition; patients pay more attention to texts; aerobics and well-being in youth; tomatoes boost gum health; pet dogs and heart health

Morning Joe can reduce dementia risk

If you enjoy your cup of morning Joe, Harvard researchers say you could be lowering your risk of dementia.

After analyzing 40 years of data, researchers discovered that drinking moderately caffeinated coffee and tea — two to three cups daily — can lower cognitive decline risk. Of the more than 131,000 participants involved in the long-term analysis, just more than 11,000 developed dementia.

However, those who drank the most caffeinated coffee had an 18% lower risk of developing dementia than those who never or rarely drank the brew.

Source: JAMA

Texts resonate more with patients

Patients who receive automated texts about two weeks after they are discharged from the ER are more likely to enroll in assistance programs than if they receive the information on paper.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania enrolled 160 participants in a study. All were given information on assistance programs while at the hospital about qualifying for assistance programs. However, 79 received text messages as well — right away, and then three, seven and 14 days after discharge.

Of those who received text alerts, 25% called to find out more information about the benefits within two weeks, and 18% enrolled in at least one benefit. Within a month, another 18% had called the benefits hotline. In the group that received only the flyer initially, only two participants called the hotline, and that was after they received a text message on day 14 after their ER visit.

Source: JAMA Health

Aerobics boost young adults’ well-being

New research shows aerobic exercise can be used as an initial treatment for mild depression and anxiety.

After analyzing data from 63 published reviews, researchers at James Cook University in Australia found the greatest improvements in mental health in young adults and new mothers. While aerobic exercise was most effective for reducing depression and anxiety, the researchers found that low-intensity programs including yoga helped, as well, but not to the same extent.

Source: British Journal of Sports Medicine

Tomatoes take on severe gum disease

Those who don’t get enough lycopene face a higher risk of severe periodontitis, according to a new study.

Researchers at Connecticut College in New London and other U.S. universities found that the ingredient commonly found in tomatoes and red fruits can help ward off dental diseases such as periodontitis, which is linked to other health conditions including heart disease. Researchers took a closer look at health data from more than 1,200 U.S. adults age 65-79 from 2009-2014 and found nearly 50% showed periodontitis signs. Nearly 78% said they weren’t eating enough lycopene.

After accounting for outside factors including smoking, researchers found how much lycopene a person consumes was linked to overall gum health, with regular lycopene consumers having one-third the odds of severe periodontitis than those who didn’t.

Source: The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging

Put on the dog for heart health

There’s growing evidence that owning a dog can help reduce a person’s risk for dying from heart disease.

Researchers with the American Heart Association recently found that dog ownership lowered a person’s death risk from any cause by 24%, and reduced the risk of death from a heart attack or stroke by 31%. The organization pointed to an uptick in physical activity, reduced stress and overall healthier daily routines as potential reasons behind these findings.

A 2022 study by the organization found that 95% of pet owners say their pets provide stress relief.

Source: Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes