New health research comes out every day. That seems like a lot of information to digest — and it is — but if you pay close attention we can get a clear indication of how to change our habits to live healthier, happier lives. Here are the 25 health studies we found most relevant, informative and actionable for women in 2014:
- Feeling too stressed can sabotage your metabolism.
- Your melanoma risk may be closely tied to the sunburns you suffered as a teenager.
- Being physically active in your 20s will keep your brain sharp as you age.
- Already middle-aged? It’s not too late to start to reduce your risk of disease.
- Sleeping in a colder room can boost your metabolism.
- Eating a Mediterranean diet can decrease your type 2 diabetes risk.
- Some dietary fats can actually help you lose body fat.
- High impact exercise increases bone density — which women especially lose as they age.
- Don’t love working out? Running for just five minutes a day is all you need to extend your life.
- A PMS pill could be in the works. (Until then, there’s just chocolate.)
- Working out might increase your risk of cavities.
- There’s hope: You can reverse the damage of sitting all day with one easy activity.
- Artificial sweeteners are messing with your metabolism.
- Soda ages your body as quickly as cigarettes.
- Iced coffee fiends rejoice: Coffee does not actually dehydrate you.
- Working out and seeing no weight loss results is more common than you think.
- An apple a day might actually keep the doctor away …
- … or at least postmenopausal women’s cholesterol levels low.
- The risk of getting skin cancer from manicure lamps is low but unpredictable.
- Low vitamin D levels are tied to a higher Alzheimer’s risk and some pregnancy risks. Go drink some milk!
- How you eat during the week matters most when it comes to weight loss.
- Stress may contribute to fertility problems.
- NSAID pain relievers are the most effective at relieving back pain.
- Light exposure in the morning can help keep BMI low.
- Performing breast self exams may be just as effective in detecting breast cancer as a mammogram.
Check out more 2014 Roundups:
