Hello and welcome back to the social review.
This will form part of our free weekly newsletter in which we give you an in-depth look into the health and wellness content that we post on social media.
Let’s kick things off.
Monday 29/04/2024 - Is vinegar good for you?
If you’re British, vinegar is a staple with fish and chips.
But is it actually good for you?
Vinegar can have some health benefits when consumed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. For example, certain types of vinegar, like apple cider vinegar, have been associated with potential benefits such as aiding digestion, managing blood sugar levels, and even promoting weight loss. However, it's important to use vinegar in moderation and not rely solely on it for health benefits. Consuming large amounts of vinegar can have negative effects on your health, such as damaging tooth enamel or irritating the throat and stomach lining. As with anything, it's best to enjoy vinegar as part of a varied diet rather than as a cure-all.
Speaker: Barbara O’Neill
Tuesday 30/04/2024 - STOP using shampoo if it contains this ingredient
Ever heard of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)?
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a common ingredient found in many personal care products, including shampoos, soaps, and toothpaste. While SLS is effective at creating lather and removing dirt and oil from the skin and hair, there are several reasons why some people may choose to avoid shampoos containing this ingredient:
Irritation: SLS can be irritating to the skin and scalp, particularly for individuals with sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. It can strip away natural oils from the skin and hair, leading to dryness, itching, and irritation.
Scalp Health: Regular use of shampoos containing SLS may disrupt the natural balance of the scalp, leading to issues such as dry scalp, dandruff, or an overproduction of oil as the scalp tries to compensate for the loss of moisture.
Hair Health: SLS can also strip away natural oils from the hair, leaving it dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. This can be particularly problematic for individuals with dry or damaged hair.
Allergies: Some people may be allergic or sensitive to SLS, experiencing allergic reactions such as redness, itching, or swelling when exposed to products containing this ingredient.
Environmental Concerns: SLS is a surfactant that can be derived from petroleum, and its production and use can have environmental impacts. Additionally, SLS-containing products can contribute to water pollution when they are washed down the drain.
For those looking to avoid SLS in their shampoos, there are many alternative products available that use milder surfactants or natural ingredients to cleanse the hair without causing irritation or dryness. These may be labeled as "sulfate-free" shampoos. It's also important to consider other ingredients in the shampoo formulation and choose products that are suitable for your hair type and specific concerns.
Barbara suggests using coconut oil and despite her controversial takes on some aspects, we agree with this one.
Speaker: Barbara O’Neill
Wednesday 01/05/2024 - The surprising truth about taking a nap - its impact on health and mortality
Everyone’s favourite looks-maxing Doctor is back.
Dr. Matthew Walker, a renowned sleep scientist and author of the book "Why We Sleep," has extensively studied the effects of sleep, including napping, on health and mortality. Here are some ways in which taking a nap can improve health, based on research and Dr. Walker's work:
Cognitive Function: Napping can improve cognitive function, including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Short naps, typically lasting around 10 to 30 minutes, can help boost alertness and performance.
Mood Enhancement: Napping has been shown to improve mood and reduce feelings of stress and irritability. A short nap can help reset your emotional state and improve overall well-being.
Cardiovascular Health: Some studies suggest that regular napping may be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Napping has been linked to lower blood pressure and improved heart health in some individuals.
Immune Function: Adequate sleep, including napping, plays a crucial role in supporting the immune system. Napping can help strengthen immune function, making you less susceptible to infections and illness.
Stress Reduction: Napping can act as a form of relaxation, helping to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Taking a brief nap during a stressful day can provide a much-needed break and help you feel more refreshed and resilient.
Longevity: While the direct link between napping and mortality is still being researched, adequate sleep, which may include napping, is generally associated with better health outcomes and longevity. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of various health conditions that can affect mortality, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
It's important to note that the benefits of napping can vary depending on individual factors such as age, overall health, and sleep needs. Additionally, the timing and duration of naps can impact their effectiveness. Short naps taken earlier in the day are often recommended to avoid interfering with nighttime sleep.
Speaker: Dr. Matthew Walker
Thursday 02/05/2024 - Cold fingers & feet = bad sleep
Body temperature regulation plays a crucial role in sleep quality. Here's how cold feet and hands can disrupt sleep:
Peripheral Vasodilation: As you prepare for sleep, your body undergoes a natural process of vasodilation, where blood vessels in your extremities (such as hands and feet) dilate to release heat and regulate body temperature. This helps signal to your body that it's time for sleep. However, if your extremities are cold, this process may be hindered, leading to difficulty in initiating sleep.
Discomfort: Cold feet and hands can cause discomfort, making it harder to relax and fall asleep. Your body may remain in a state of alertness or tension as it tries to regulate temperature and alleviate discomfort, preventing you from entering deeper stages of sleep.
Sleep Onset Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep, also known as sleep onset insomnia, can be exacerbated by cold feet and hands. The discomfort and distraction caused by cold extremities can prolong the time it takes to fall asleep, leading to frustration and sleep disturbances.
Sleep Fragmentation: Even if you manage to fall asleep initially, cold feet and hands can disrupt sleep continuity. As your body attempts to regulate temperature throughout the night, fluctuations in blood flow to the extremities may cause you to wake up intermittently, leading to fragmented sleep patterns.
Impact on Sleep Architecture: Cold-induced sleep disruptions can interfere with the normal progression of sleep stages, including REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and deep, restorative sleep. This can result in less restful and rejuvenating sleep overall.
To promote better sleep, it's important to ensure that your sleeping environment is conducive to maintaining a comfortable temperature. This may involve wearing socks or using bedding that helps keep your feet warm, adjusting room temperature, and avoiding exposure to cold drafts. Additionally, practicing relaxation techniques before bedtime can help counteract the effects of cold feet and hands on sleep quality.
Speaker: Dr. Matthew Walker
Friday 03/05/2024 - Diet soda wrecks your gut health
We have long advocated not drinking diet soda drinks, or at least drinking them in very limited moderation and there’s solid reasoning behind this?
The impact of diet soda on gut health is a topic of ongoing research, but there are several ways in which it could potentially affect the gut:
Artificial Sweeteners: Many diet sodas contain artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, or saccharin to provide sweetness without calories. These sweeteners are much sweeter than sugar and can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut. Some studies suggest that artificial sweeteners may alter the composition of gut microbiota, potentially leading to dysbiosis, which is an imbalance of beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut.
Gut Barrier Function: The gut lining serves as a barrier that controls what substances are allowed to pass from the intestines into the bloodstream. Disruption of this barrier can lead to increased intestinal permeability, also known as "leaky gut," which allows harmful substances to enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation. Some research suggests that artificial sweeteners may compromise gut barrier function, although more studies are needed to fully understand this relationship.
Metabolic Effects: Although diet sodas are calorie-free, they may still have metabolic effects that impact gut health. For example, some studies have found associations between artificial sweetener consumption and changes in glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and appetite regulation. These metabolic effects could indirectly influence gut health by altering nutrient absorption and gut hormone secretion.
Inflammation: Chronic consumption of diet sodas has been associated with increased inflammation in the body, which can have negative effects on overall health, including gut health. Inflammation in the gut can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria and contribute to conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Effects on Digestive Processes: Some research suggests that artificial sweeteners may interfere with normal digestive processes, such as the secretion of digestive enzymes and the absorption of nutrients. These disruptions could potentially affect gut health over time.
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-Hackyourhealthnow