Stomach-turning sexually transmitted infection is on the rise — and standard medicines are failing

A highly contagious gut infection that can spread during sex is becoming harder to treat as antibiotic-resistant strains become more common.

An April report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracked nearly 17,000 Shigella samples, which causes Shigellosis, which and can bring on diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, collected between 2011 and 2023. In 2023, 8.5% of Shigella samples with resistance data were classified as extensively drug-resistant, or XDR — resistant to all five antibiotics in the CDC’s definition — compared with none from 2011 to 2015.

The findings point to a growing resistance problem, not a surge in overall infections, noted Dr. Tyler Evans, a California-based infectious disease physician and CEO of Wellness Equity Alliance.

HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS STOMACH BUG SPREADS FAST, HITTING CERTAIN PATIENTS HARDEST

"The infection is not surging. The bacteria are changing," Evans told Fox News Digital. "Case counts can hold steady while the treatment options quietly disappear."

There is no FDA-approved oral antibiotic for XDR Shigella, he said.

Shigella bacteria can spread when tiny amounts of stool reach someone's mouth, including through contaminated food or water, unwashed hands or sexual activity.

DANGEROUS DRUG-RESISTANT FUNGUS SPREADS ACROSS US, REACHING 27 STATES

"Shigella is not considered to be a typical sexually transmitted infection," Dr. Andi Toufexis, a Texas-based family medicine physician who specializes in sexual health, told Fox News Digital. "However, this gastrointestinal bacteria can be spread through sex when one partner comes into contact with the other's fecal matter."

Shigella is not new, and sexual transmission has been documented since the 1970s, Toufexis said. What is changing is the growing share of tested samples classified as XDR.

MICHIGAN REPORTS 2 DEATHS IN RARE PARASITE OUTBREAK THAT HAS SICKENED MORE THAN 11,000

The CDC report found that most people with XDR Shigella were adult men. Sexual exposure data were not routinely collected, so the report could not establish exactly how each infection was contracted but previous research has found sexual contact among men who have sex with men as an important transmission route.

Eighty-six percent of XDR patients were men, with a median age of 41, and of those with a known HIV status, nearly half were living with HIV, Evans noted. People experiencing homelessness and those with weakened immune systems may also face heightened risks, he said.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Children younger than 5 are especially likely to get Shigella, according to the CDC, and many outbreaks in the U.S. have been linked to child care and schools. Earlier U.S. outbreaks primarily affected children and involved strains that were susceptible to antibiotics.

According to the CDC report, 37.6% of patients with hospitalization data were hospitalized for the antibiotic-resistant infection. The CDC reported no deaths among the XDR cases analyzed and said infections may be undercounted because not all positive specimens were cultured or tested for resistance. Most patients with available travel histories reported no recent international travel, though travel information was missing for many.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Evans said Americans should be "concerned, not panicked" about the infection.

Most Shigella infections resolve on their own, Toufexis added, but severe illness may need treatment.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Dr. Michael Aziz, an internist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and author of "The Perfect 10 Diet" and "The Ageless Revolution," urged people who suspect Shigella to seek medical advice before taking antidiarrheal medicine such as Imodium. "You want to flush out the bacteria, you want to get it out of your system," Aziz told Fox News Digital.

To reduce the chance of infection, doctors recommend washing hands, genitals and the anal area before and after sex, using condoms or dental dams, and cleaning sex toys after each use. If you or a partner has diarrhea, avoid sex and wait at least two weeks after symptoms end before resuming, Toufexis said.

"Feeling better does not always mean that an infection is completely gone," she said.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/GekAV3P

Read More

One type of sleep linked to dramatically lower risk of dementia, Parkinson's and 81 other diseases

Not all stages of sleep are equal in terms of benefits for the brain.

Greater amounts of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep were associated with lower risks of 83 diseases, including dementia, Parkinson’s disease and heart failure, new research has shown.

Additionally, greater amounts of deep sleep were associated with lower risks of seven conditions.

THIS ONE QUESTION MAY REVEAL WHETHER YOUR BODY IS GETTING THE REST IT NEEDS, STUDY FINDS

That’s according to a study of 95,559 adults who wore wrist accelerometers continuously for seven consecutive days and nights. Researchers in China used deep-learning algorithms to analyze REM sleep, deep sleep, light sleep, total sleep duration, wakefulness after sleep onset and sleep irregularity.

They then looked at health records to assess associations with more than 1,000 diseases over a nearly nine-year follow-up period.

Greater REM sleep was associated with a significantly lower risk of several diseases, including Parkinson’s (80% lower relative risk), dementia (46% lower risk) and heart failure (26% lower risk).

Greater deep sleep was associated with lower risks of seven conditions, including type 2 diabetes and major depressive disorder.

MORE NAPS, HIGHER RISK? RESEARCH LINKS DAYTIME SLEEP TO HEALTH WARNINGS IN AGING ADULTS

Sleep duration was also found to be highly linked to disease outcome. Six to eight hours per night was found to be the "sweet spot" that was associated with the lowest risk for 69 diseases. In contrast, sleeping fewer than five hours per night was linked to an increased risk of 37 health conditions.

The study also found that greater night-to-night sleep irregularity and more wakefulness during the night were associated with higher risks of several conditions, including anxiety and substance use disorders.

The findings were published Sept. 17 in the journal PLOS Medicine.

"I think what is important is the total duration of sleep, and the percentage that REM takes up," Oki Ishikawa, M.D., pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine expert at Northwell’s Northern Westchester Hospital, told Fox News Digital.

"The average percentage of REM sleep in this study population was about 20%, and generally 20-25% is considered normal per sleep cycle."

5-STEP SLEEP RESET COULD PROMOTE HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS, NUTRITIONIST SAYS

Ishikawa, who was not involved in the study, said he does not believe that a higher amount of REM sleep alone will not necessarily lower the risk.

"Normal sleep pattern and duration are associated with aspects like maintenance of good immune function and memory, so I think the important message here is to try and get a sufficient amount of sleep in general."

Disrupted sleep may sometimes be an early warning sign of disease rather than simply a cause, according to Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, head sleep expert at Wesper, a sleep analysis company in New York.

"Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia and heart failure can begin affecting sleep years before they are diagnosed," Rohrscheib, who also was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital.

"At the same time, poor sleep may contribute to disease progression, so the relationship likely works both ways."

DIETITIAN REVEALS SIMPLE EATING STRATEGY FOR BETTER SLEEP — AND ONE HABIT TO AVOID

The researchers noted some limitations of the study. Because it was observational, it could only show an association and could not prove that increasing REM or deep sleep directly prevents disease.

"Sleep was measured for only one week using a wrist device, which is less accurate than a clinical sleep study for identifying sleep stages," Rohrscheib said.

"Some health information was collected years earlier, medications that can affect sleep were not fully considered, and some medical diagnoses may have been missed."

As the participants were all from the UK Biobank, the study population was also less diverse and generally healthier than the overall population, so the findings may not apply equally to everyone, Rohrscheib noted.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"Overall, changes in sleep may provide important clues about underlying health, but this study cannot determine whether poor sleep is a cause, an early symptom, or both," she concluded.

Rohrscheib also cautioned that while wrist-worn sleep trackers are generally good at estimating sleep stages, they are not 100% accurate.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"Without a formal in-lab sleep study, it's impossible to know how much time the participants spent in REM and other sleep stages," she said.

More research is needed to determine whether increasing REM or deep sleep can help prevent certain diseases, the researchers said.

Future studies could also explore whether the relationship between sleep stages and disease risk varies by age, sex, overall health and other individual characteristics.

Both experts recommended following general sleep hygiene practices, such as maintaining an optimal environment (dark, cool and quiet), keeping a consistent sleep schedule, and avoiding sleep-disrupting substances such as alcohol and caffeine.

"If you have other sleep pathologies like sleep apnea … treating that would be a great way to optimize the amount of REM sleep," Ishikawa advised.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

While it can be difficult to measure REM sleep without a wearable, he said the best gauge is whether one feels refreshed upon waking and doesn’t feel sleepy during the day.

"If you get about seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep, you most likely have the opportunity to cycle through REM in a sufficient way."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/qChpgBO

Read More

Man loses 15 stubborn pounds after age 50 without giving up pizza or donuts

Maintaining weight loss in midlife doesn’t necessarily require strict dietary bans or extreme fasting protocols.

Carl Daikeler, co-founder and CEO of the fitness and nutrition company BODi, says a simple routine earlier in the day has helped him manage his weight while allowing more freedom at dinner.

Los Angeles-based Daikeler, 63, who has led the health brand formerly known as Beachbody for 28 years, openly admits that he doesn't have an affinity for healthy foods.

10-MINUTE FITNESS HABIT CAN HELP ADULTS OVER 40 MAINTAIN MUSCLE AND STAY STRONG

"I eat like a third-grader, okay? Pizza's a food group," Daikeler joked in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"I'm just constantly trying to figure out how can I hack my way without having to overturn my life to become one of those diehard health and fitness people, because I'm never going to become that."

When Daikeler turned 57, he found himself unable to lose 15 pounds he had gained around his waistline. Rather than adopting a strict diet, he adjusted two specific meals during the day while leaving his evening schedule unrestricted, he shared.

For breakfast, Daikeler replaced standard options with a nutrient-dense shake containing protein, fiber, prebiotics, probiotics and greens, totaling roughly 250 calories.

NIGHTLY GLASS OF WINE MAY NOT BE AS HARMLESS AS MANY PEOPLE THINK, STUDY SUGGESTS

"I got rid of breakfast, or I changed my breakfast to this shake that we've got called Shakeology," Daikeler said. "I put some spinach in there and I put a banana in there."

For lunch, Daikeler prepares a large salad loaded with baby spinach, carrots and chicken, mixed with toppings that mask the taste of the greens.

"I hide it with some cheese, some nuts, some sliced strawberries, and it's delicious, and I put chicken in there ... I don't feel like I'm eating a bowl of vegetables, but I am."

By keeping breakfast and lunch relatively structured, Daikeler gives himself more flexibility at dinner.

BEER, WINE OR LIQUOR? MASSIVE STUDY REVEALS WHICH WAS LINKED TO LOWER DEATH RISK

"Now I've got a 'day pass' for everything else ... I eat whatever I want at dinner."

He does, however, follow a single guideline regarding alcohol intake. "I'm careful not to drink too much," he said.

"Once I did that — Shakeology for breakfast, a big salad for lunch, total freedom for dinner, limited alcohol — the 15 pounds just got wiped out. And it stayed off."

Daikeler warns that overly restrictive nutrition plans are usually difficult to stick with long-term, leading many to abandon their health goals entirely.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"If you're trying to be too restrictive, I don't think that's life," he said. "The whole point is living ... So if it's too restrictive, it's going to break."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Instead of completely banning indulgence foods, Daikeler recommends using portion control and mindfulness to enjoy without overeating.

"I love pizza. But I've learned that I can enjoy pizza without eating the whole pizza," he said. "I like doughnuts. I've learned that I can have literally a quarter of a doughnut and be like, that was delicious. But I get no additional satisfaction by eating the whole doughnut."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

For Daikeler, that balance is part of a broader focus on "healthspan" — prioritizing quality of life and the ability to stay active as he ages.

"Healthspan versus lifespan is all about quality of life," he said. "I'm all for longevity, but it's really about quality of life — a way to live and enjoy life that is balanced with maximizing your time on earth."

While Daikeler said this approach has worked for him, weight-loss strategies are not one-size-fits-all.

According to the National Institutes of Health, different eating plans can support weight loss, but the most effective approach depends on a person's individual health needs, preferences and ability to maintain the habits long-term. Individuals are generally advised to consult a doctor or registered dietitian for personalized guidance.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/whQMf0J

Read More

Parkinson's patients may protect memory and movement with one simple habit

Weekly physical activity could help to slow down disease progression in Parkinson’s patients, a new study found.

The research, led by the University of Cincinnati, included 294 patients with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease. Their average age was 66.

The participants reported their weekly physical activity via questionnaires.

ALAN ALDA REVEALS UNEXPECTED WEAPON IN HIS BATTLE AGAINST PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Physical activity was assessed through structured interviews covering moderate and vigorous activities at work, at home and during recreation.

Examples of moderate activity included brisk walking, light swimming, doubles tennis and household activities such as washing windows, vacuuming or mowing the lawn, the study release stated.

Vigorous activity included pursuits like jogging, fast bicycling, team sports and singles tennis, along with shoveling and carrying heavy loads.

Participants were divided into three groups based on their amount of weekly physical activity — up to four hours, four to eight hours and more than eight hours.

PARKINSON'S IS BECOMING MORE COMMON; HERE ARE 5 THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW

The researchers then monitored the participants’ cognitive health for up to five years and their motor function for up to seven years.

Each additional hour of physical activity per week was linked to slightly slower declines in memory, thinking and movement abilities over time, even after accounting for factors such as age, sex, education, weight and disease severity.

Patients who were physically active for four to eight hours per week experienced slower declines in memory and thinking abilities than those who exercised less than four hours.

Exercise duration above eight hours per week did not appear to provide additional benefits for memory and thinking.

The study was published Oct. 7 in Neurology, the official medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

PARKINSON’S PATIENT’S YEARSLONG TREMOR VANISHES WITHIN MINUTES OF NEW ULTRASOUND TREATMENT

"Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes movement and cognitive problems that gradually worsen, leading to disability and a loss of independence," study author Dong-Woo Ryu, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Cincinnati and The Catholic University of Korea, said in the press release.

"Previous research has shown associations between physical activity and movement symptoms. Our study found physical activity may have dual benefits, with associations with slower declines in movement and cognition."

Ryu pointed out that the potential benefits of physical activity for Parkinson’s patients may depend on how long they stay active and whether they continue exercising over time.

"While our study found small differences between activity levels, these differences may become more meaningful over time," he said.

The researchers cautioned that most participants had relatively strong thinking and memory skills when the study began, so additional research is needed to confirm the findings.

"Exercise has well-established benefits for physical fitness and mobility, along with potential benefits for brain health through mechanisms that are not yet fully understood," Dr. Vibhash Sharma, a neurologist at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas, who specializes in Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, told Fox News Digital.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

"These findings further emphasize the importance of regular physical activity in managing Parkinson’s disease."

One of the strengths of the study is that patients were followed over several years, with assessments of both motor and cognitive function, noted Sharma, who was not involved in the research.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The study did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged.

Because the study was observational, it could not establish whether exercise directly slows Parkinson's disease progression.

Also, as participants reported their own physical activity, they may not have accurately remembered how much they exercised.

The participants were all located at a single location and were primarily White, which could limit the generalizability of the results, the researchers noted.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"It is also possible that patients with inherently slower-progressing disease are more likely to remain physically active," Sharma added.

Randomized studies are needed to confirm whether exercise directly slows cognitive or motor decline, according to the researchers.

The study was supported by a grant from the Gardner Family Foundation and the Precision Medicine in Neurodegenerative Diseases Fund.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/d23jgVP

Read More

Grandmother of 12 holds plank for 5 hours in record-breaking feat

A 61-year-old Canadian grandmother broke the female abdominal plank world record after holding the position for five hours.

DonnaJean Wilde accomplished the feat at the Huntsman World Senior Games in Utah on Oct. 4, breaking her own record by nearly 30 minutes, Storyful reported.

Wilde’s plank began at 3:03 p.m. and ended at 8:03 p.m., with several judges rotating in and out of shifts during that period, a spokesperson for the World Senior Games told Storyful.

FITNESS INFLUENCER SAYS ONE SIMPLE HABIT CAN HELP ANYONE GET BACK IN SHAPE

Her previous record of 4 hours, 30 minutes and 11 seconds was set on March 21, 2004, at the Canadian high school where she once served as vice principal, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

"To successfully achieve the record, the challenger’s forearms and toes must touch the ground at all times," Guinness states. 

"The remainder of the body must be lifted off the ground and be kept straight throughout," it also says.

FITNESS EXPERT REVEALS 6 THINGS PEOPLE OVER 35 SHOULD DO AFTER WORKOUTS TO STAY STRONG

"My elbows hurt pretty bad," Wilde said after completing the previous record. 

"I was so worried about losing my form, and I think that’s why my quads hurt because I was just really tense."

She shared with Guinness that the first two hours "went by quickly," but the next two hours were much more difficult.

"The last hour was the most challenging, just to stay focused and keep my form," she said.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

During the last 30 minutes, she said she focused on "breathing, staying calm and not shaking."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Wilde first added planking to her daily routine years ago after breaking her wrist because she could perform the exercise while wearing a cast.

"I realized that I could read and do things when I was planking and fell in love with it," she said, according to the report.

Wilde shared some advice for others aiming to hold extended planks.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"Keep trying and keep practicing. When you have to read or work on your computer, just get on the floor and do it on the floor."

Wilde has 12 grandchildren, according to Guinness.

Her new record is pending review and approval by Guinness.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/ElVsvTD

Read More

Doctor reveals 4 hidden health risks of spending too much time indoors

Nearly half of Americans spend less than two hours outdoors in an entire week, according to a new national survey from the Nature & Health Alliance involving researchers at Texas A&M University.

Dr. John La Puma, a California physician and expert in nature-based medicine, has focused on the potential health impacts of spending less time outdoors.

In his book, "Indoor Epidemic," he discusses how humans spend about 93% of their lives inside, which comes with a "hidden health tax." He claims the remedy is a simple 7% outdoor prescription.

NEARLY 3 IN 4 AMERICANS ARE BATTLING THE SAME EXHAUSTING HEALTH PROBLEM, CDC REVEALS

"Many people don't realize that they're inhibited from feeling as good as they can, because they're exhausted even after a full night's sleep," La Puma told Fox News Digital. "They need coffee to feel normal. They crash at two in the afternoon. They're wired at night. They can't go to sleep, but their labs are normal."

"And they come into the office saying, ‘Why do I feel so exhausted?’ It's the four Bs," he said.

Outdoor light can be many times brighter than typical indoor lighting, La Puma noted, making it a powerful signal for setting the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm.

"If you don't set your body clock, your body doesn't know what time it is, and it just goes to sleep whenever you can get to sleep instead of on time," he told Fox News Digital.

SCIENTISTS REVEAL SURPRISINGLY EASY EXERCISE THAT MAY BOOST YOUR MOOD IN JUST 10 MINUTES

Getting bright outdoor light soon after waking can help synchronize the body's sleep-wake cycle and support the natural rise in melatonin later in the evening, according to La Puma.

He recommends spending about 10 minutes outdoors within the first hour of waking, without sunglasses.

La Puma uses the term "ultraprocessed time" to describe hours lost to screens, scrolling and other digital distractions.

"Ultraprocessed time is kind of like ultraprocessed food," he said. "It’s not nutritious. It’s synthetic. It’s artificial. It’s ubiquitous."

That includes time spent endlessly scrolling, he said, which can seem to simply "evaporate."

La Puma argues that a person’s environment can contribute to burnout, rather than viewing it solely as a matter of willpower.

AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS COULD ADD YEARS TO YOUR LIFE — HERE'S HOW THEY BOOST HEALTH

Spending excessive time indoors can lead to an overload of screen exposure, he said, as people often turn to the same devices for work, entertainment and relaxation. He noted that the body may not interpret screen time as true rest or escape.

"And equally important, no horizon. We are horizon-deprived as a species because indoors, we can't see more than 20 feet in front of us," La Puma said.

To combat burnout, he recommends getting up and going to the window and looking outside for a minute every hour.

"It relaxes your eyes, relaxes the muscles around your temples, reduces headache if you have it, improves energy and reduces fatigue," he said. "That's the beginning of being able to reverse burnout."

DOCTORS SAY 8 FORGOTTEN HABITS COULD HELP FIGHT STRESS, OBESITY AND CHRONIC DISEASE

Simply going outside during the workday can help to reverse burnout, LaPuma said.

"Your eyes need distance like your lungs need air."

People who spend the day indoors may notice that they feel mentally foggy by the afternoon, La Puma said, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces where carbon dioxide can build up.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Indoor CO₂ levels can climb above 1,000 parts per million in poorly ventilated spaces, and some research has linked elevated levels with reduced cognitive performance.

"So it's not that you're just making bad decisions in the afternoons — there's a biologic reason for it," La Puma said.

"What you need to do is cross-ventilate, but that's tough to do in an office or conference room."

The doctor said that getting outdoors gives the eyes a chance to focus at greater distances while providing a break from potentially stuffy indoor air. The EPA notes that concentrations of some pollutants can be two to five times higher indoors than outdoors.

When someone’s body clock is out of sync, it can disrupt the body’s normal cortisol rhythm, La Puma said.

Cortisol, often called the stress hormone, naturally rises and falls throughout the day. Research has linked altered cortisol activity with greater abdominal and visceral fat, although the relationship is complex.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"Again, the way to improve your metabolism is to get daylight at the right time, in the right place, for the right duration — early in the morning especially," La Puma advised.

"This will give you a bump in cortisol, which you want early in morning to feel awake, and then it drops appropriately."

Most people spend about an hour outdoors each day as they walk from the car to the office, for example — but that's what LaPuma calls "incidental time," not "biologically active time."

To combat the four Bs, he recommends spending "intentional time" outdoors, "in a blue or green space," for a minimum effective dose of 17 minutes a day.

"Be intentional with your time — look at the sky in the morning … to reset your body clock and watch the clouds," the doctor advised.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

For those who live in a big city and can’t see the sky, La Puma recommends looking at a distant rooftop, or looking through an open window when going outside isn’t possible. The goal is to focus beyond the confines of an indoor space.

"So 17 minutes a day is the minimum effective dose — that's all it takes to begin to bend the curve on the four Bs," he said.

"You can turn those minutes into medicine."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/J23LY5k

Read More

Diet soda vs water: Study reveals which beverage is better for weight loss

Diet drinks containing sugar substitutes were found to be as effective as water for supporting weight loss in overweight or obese adults, according to a two-year randomized trial.

The study, led by the University of Liverpool, England, included 493 participants ranging from 18 to 65 years old, all of whom had a body mass index (BMI) between 27 and 35 (overweight or obese).

Half of them received 22.3 ounces of water each day, and the other half received the same amount of soda with non-nutritive sweeteners (about two cans) for a 104-week period.

YOUR BRAIN MAY BE TRICKING YOU INTO LIKING ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS, STUDY FINDS

The group assigned to NNS drinks could choose from a variety of diet sodas, low-calorie fruit drinks and flavored waters. The primary sweeteners used were aspartame, acesulfame potassium and sucralose.

After two years, people drinking diet beverages had lost about 10.6 pounds, while those drinking water lost about 8.2 pounds.

People in both groups kept off a meaningful amount of weight for two years, even during the last year when they no longer had regular weight-management support, the researchers stated.

Both groups lost inches around their waists and hips and reduced body fat, but there was no meaningful difference between people drinking diet beverages and those drinking water.

POPULAR ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER LINKED TO POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS HEART RISK

Additionally, total cholesterol remained within the healthy range in both groups.

The findings were published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

"The study does not show that diet beverages themselves caused the weight loss," Alix Turoff, a registered dietitian in New York City, told Fox News Digital.

"Everyone in the study was participating in a structured weight-management program that included nutrition counseling, behavioral support and physical activity recommendations."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

Turoff, who was not involved in the study, noted that the main value of including diet beverages comes down to substitution, "not that these beverages have a magical metabolic effect."

Notably, the study compared diet beverages with water — rather than with sugar-sweetened drinks — making it a test of whether the sugar substitutes themselves appeared to hinder weight loss efforts.

"If someone normally drinks 250 calories of regular soda and switches to zero-calorie soda, then they’re saving calories," she added.

The dietitian emphasized that these findings don’t mean water and diet soda are nutritionally identical.

"The study did not find significant between-group differences in hunger or sugar intake at the end of the trial, which is relevant because one common concern is that artificial sweeteners may increase appetite or lead to compensatory eating," Turoff said.

"I would still recommend water as the primary hydration choice, but I don’t think people need to be afraid of diet drinks because they think they will automatically prevent fat loss or cause weight gain."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

There were some limitations with the research, including that it was conducted at one location in England. Race and ethnicity data were not collected, which limits the generalizability of the findings.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Only 220 of the 493 participants who started treatment completed the 104-week assessment. The second-year extension was also voluntary, meaning those who continued may have been more motivated or more likely to stick with the program, Turoff noted.

While the trial was funded by the American Beverage Association, the study authors stated that the association did not participate in the study design, data analysis or interpretation of the results.

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/2MXPqve

Read More