A new study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americashighlights the growing impact of alcohol on cancer mortality. Researchers found that annual alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in the United States more than doubled from about 11,400 in 1990 to over 23,100 in 2023. Alcohol was linked to deaths from several cancers, including breast, colorectal, liver, esophageal, pancreatic, prostate, and head and neck cancers. Among adults aged 20–54, colorectal cancer was the leading alcohol-related cancer death in men, while breast cancer was the leading cause in women. The research also suggests that even about one alcoholic drink per day may increase cancer risk, reinforcing alcohol consumption as an important modifiable risk factor for cancer.
Full text: CNN.
Some foods commonly considered healthy can contain surprisingly high amounts of sodium, according to dietitians. Foods such as whole-wheat bread, cottage cheese, canned beans and vegetables, salted nuts, vegetable juice, frozen shrimp, soups, and salad dressingscan contribute substantially to daily sodium intake. Excess sodium consumption is associated with higher blood pressure and increased strain on the kidneys and cardiovascular system. Rather than avoiding these nutritious foods altogether, experts recommend checking nutrition labels, comparing brands, watching portion sizes, and choosing lower-sodium alternatives whenever possible.
Full text: Prevention.
A study reported by Healio suggests that vaping may impair exercise capacity to a similar degree as cigarette smoking, even in otherwise healthy young adults. Researchers found that both regular e-cigarette users and conventional smokers showed poorer cardiorespiratory fitness and reduced ability to use oxygen during exercise compared with people who neither smoked nor vaped. The findings challenge the perception that vaping is harmless and suggest that regular e-cigarette use may negatively affect cardiovascular and respiratory function even at a young age.
Full text: Healio.
A large study published in the European Heart Journalsuggests that specific ingredients commonly found in ultra-processed foods may contribute to an increased risk of high blood pressure. Researchers followed more than 100,000 adults without hypertension and examined 37 markers of ultra-processing found in foods. Certain ingredients and additive categories showed stronger associations with hypertension than others, suggesting that the health effects of ultra-processed foods may depend partly on their specific formulation rather than simply the degree of processing. The findings support choosing more whole and minimally processed foods, while researchers emphasize that further studies are needed to establish whether individual additives directly cause hypertension.
Full text: Medscape.
A new study highlighted by CNN found that more than half of U.S. teenagers use their phones for at least one hour during the night on school days, with many also checking their devices between midnight and 4 a.m. Overnight phone use was associated with reduced sleep, poorer attention, impaired emotional regulation, and worse mental health. Researchers emphasize that adolescents need 8–10 hours of sleep each night, and limiting nighttime phone use may be an important step in supporting healthy brain development, emotional well-being, and academic performance.
Full text: CNN.