Short bursts of vigorous exercise for improved cardiovascular health; sugary drinks vs. occasional sweet treats; fiber diets could delay this blood cancer – Morning Medical Update

Short bursts of vigorous physical activity reduce cardiovascular risk in middle-aged women

Researchers from the University of Sydney have found that just four minutes of incidental vigorous physical activity could decrease the risk of major cardiovascular events for middle-aged women who do not regularly exercise by nearly 50%. The research, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, supports vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA) as a healthy and accessible alternative for the over 80% of middle-aged or older U.S. adults that don’t regularly exercise.

Sugary drinks greatly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, but an occasional sweet treat is fine

Although higher sugar intake is known to result in an increased risk of developing certain cardiovascular diseases, researchers have determined that the way that sugar is consumed could determine the extent of that risk. In an article published in Frontiers in Public Health, it was revealed that consumption of sugary drinks is associated with a significantly higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Individuals with extremely low levels of sugar consumption were also found to have poor cardiovascular health. There is a sweet spot, however, as researchers say the lowest risks of cardiovascular diseases were found among those who enjoy occasional sweet treats.

“The most striking finding from our study is the divergent relationship between different sources of added sugar and cardiovascular disease risk,” Suzanne Janzi, PhD candidate at Lund University and corresponding author of the article, said in a news release. “This surprising contrast highlights the importance of considering not just the amount of sugar consumed, but its source and context.”

Fiber diet could delay progression to multiple myeloma

In a clinical trial meant to determine the connection between a fiber diet and progression to multiple myeloma, researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) have discovered that a high fiber, plant-based dietary intervention could delay progression to the rare, incurable blood cancer.

“This study showcases the power of nutrition—specifically a high fiber, plant-based diet—and unlocks a better understanding of how it can lead to improvements in the microbiome and metabolism to build a stronger immune system,” Urvi Shah, MD, myeloma specialist with MSK and study lead, said in an organizational release. “These findings further support how we as physicians can empower patients, especially those with precancerous conditions, with knowledge on reducing their cancer risk through dietary changes.”