It seems that science has another great news for all lovers of a hot, flavorful and tart popular drink. Of course, we are talking about coffee. Drinking this unsweetened beverage can be on your side when it comes to weight control.

Many people around the world drink coffee every day. In addition to its pleasant aroma and taste, coffee has a number of health benefits. It is believed to reduce the likelihood of developing a number of diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. In addition, coffee helps to increase energy levels, which allows you to burn more calories.

But here’s the catch: while coffee itself is healthy, the things we often add to it, such as sugar and cream, can simply negate all of its benefits. Some studies conducted in the past have suggested that if we add these additives to coffee, we may be reducing the health benefits of this drink.

The researchers decided to look into this issue further. They used data from three large studies involving medical professionals and nurses. Participants filled out questionnaires about their diet, including their coffee drinking habits, over several years. By analyzing this data, the researchers were able to find out how changes in coffee drinking habits could be related to weight changes.

Based on data from more than 150,000 participants, the following conclusions can be drawn:

• On average, the participants gained a little weight over the four years, but this varied slightly depending on which group they were in.
• Drinking one cup of unsweetened coffee daily, regardless of whether it contains caffeine or not, was associated with a slightly lower weight gain over the four years – about 0.12 kg.
• On the other hand, adding just one teaspoon of sugar to food or drink daily led to a weight gain of about 0.09 kg over the same period. At the same time, cream does not seem to have a significant impact on weight gain and loss.
• This association between unsweetened coffee and less weight gain was even more pronounced in overweight people or in younger participants.
• Interestingly, if we consider caffeine alone, the daily consumption of an additional 100 mg of caffeine (about the amount contained in an average cup of coffee) leads to a weight loss of 0.08 kg over four years. The researchers took additional steps to ensure that these results were not a coincidence or influenced by other dietary habits.

If you are trying to control your weight, increasing your consumption of unsweetened coffee, both regular and decaffeinated, can help. However, you need to remember that sugar is added not only to coffee, but also to other foods and drinks. Although the difference in weight may seem insignificant, it can increase over time. So the next time you make coffee, think twice before taking out the container of sugar, the scientists advise.

The post A sip of lightness. Scientists have found that a popular sugar-free drink helps to lose weight appeared first on Lies The Know.

Every year, about 150 thousand people in the United States alone learn that they have colon or rectal cancer. Although regular screenings have somewhat reduced this figure, it is still a serious health problem. For example, if you take a group of 23 men or 26 women, then, according to statistics, one of them is likely to develop this type of cancer at some point in their lives. But it seems that for the first time, scientists have managed to lay out a roadmap to fight this disease, writes New Atlas.

One of the problems associated with this type of cancer is its resistance to common treatments. Only about 10% of patients benefit from them. Thus, the main method of treatment remains surgery, which involves removing the cancerous tumor. While it can help a patient live longer, it is also not without drawbacks that affect aspects such as daily life and comfort.

But scientists at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute at La Trobe University, Australia, have found a clue that could fundamentally change the way we fight bowel cancer. They found that the body’s response to this cancer largely depends on a specific set of immune cells in the large intestine.

Dr. Lisa Mielke, one of the study’s authors, explained that these gamma-delta T cells are like the body’s guardians in the gut. These cells constantly monitor and protect the inner lining of our intestines, always ready to fight the potential threat of cancer. A group of researchers noticed that patients with bowel cancer whose tumors had more of these protective cells fared better.

But there’s another side to the story that the scientists discovered in their research. A study of a huge community of microbes in the large intestine showed that these special T cells contain a molecule called TCF-1 in greater numbers. It turned out that this molecule acts as a brake, keeping our gamma-delta T cells from effectively fighting bowel cancer. Marina Yakou, who was also involved in this study, explained that when they removed this molecular brake in laboratory models, the immune cells became more active, resulting in significantly smaller cancer tumors.

This groundbreaking discovery gives scientists a new direction for creating specialized treatments for bowel cancer. Understanding the interactions between our immune cells, microbes in the gut, and molecules such as TCF-1 will allow us to find more effective ways to diagnose this disease, and in the long run, more effective treatments.

This study sheds light on the intricate relationship between microbes, immune cells and cancer in the intestine. It opens up possibilities for potentially reducing the risk of developing bowel cancer and improving the effectiveness of treatment, which is certainly a beacon of hope for many millions of people.

The post Scientists have discovered a way to defeat a deadly disease appeared first on Lies The Know.

We constantly hear about the benefits of good sleep. From a boost in productivity for the whole day to improved psychological and physical health, the reasons seem to be endless. And it seems that we can add another significant benefit to this growing list. A good night’s sleep can also play a crucial role in preventing memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

In a recent study, a team of researchers from several US universities followed 62 older adults who were known for their high mental performance. They found that those with early brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease tended to perform better on memory tests if they slept better and better. In the scientific world, this is called the deep sleep phase.

This was not influenced by other factors such as education, physical activity, or social connections, which are generally considered to be protective against memory decline in old age. People with mild brain changes characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease showed no significant differences in memory performance, regardless of how well they slept.

Matthew Walker, a neuroscientist at the University of California, Berkeley, and senior author of the study, called deep sleep a potential “life raft” for memory. What is also encouraging about the results of this study is that it appears that we can improve our sleep patterns regardless of age.

Previous studies have shown that sleep disorders may be associated with the accumulation of certain proteins in the brain, which is often seen in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. This accumulation can affect deep sleep and memory. However, the cause-and-effect relationship between sleep and these proteins is not yet fully understood.

It is also important to note that although these proteins are markers of Alzheimer’s disease, their presence alone does not guarantee the development of the disease. Some people with high levels of these proteins do not develop the disease. To find out why, Walker and his colleagues measured the sleep levels of the study participants and then tested their memory. They found that deep sleep, in particular, provides cognitive growth in those with higher levels of these same proteins.

An important takeaway from this study is that sleep may be something we can regulate on our own to potentially reduce our risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Quality sleep not only gives the brain a break, but also allows it to cleanse itself of harmful compounds. Moreover, this method of preventive control of potential diseases is available to everyone, regardless of age or social status.

Zsofia Zavech, one of the study’s authors, noted that while some people may show early signs of Alzheimer’s progression, certain lifestyle factors, including quality sleep, can serve as a buffer.

Finally, while sleeping pills may seem like a simple solution to some, they may not be the ideal option. Some evidence suggests that they do not promote deep sleep, which is beneficial for memory. Instead, it is more beneficial to follow natural sleep-promoting habits, such as reducing caffeine intake in the evening, exercising, limiting time spent with gadget screens, and perhaps making it a habit to take a warm shower before bed.

The post The key to a healthy old age. Scientists tell what to do to avoid developing dementia appeared first on Lies The Know.

Our bodies have their own army to protect us from invaders and it seems that our white blood cells have a particularly clever way of fighting some fungi. A recent study conducted at Umeå University has provided a better understanding of this amazing defense mechanism, Tech Explorist writes.

The most common fungal pathogen is a fungus known as C. albicans. When it becomes too predominant, it can lead to nasty infections that can develop into sepsis in severe cases. White blood cells, in particular neutrophils, are our line of defense against this fungus. But sometimes simply killing fungi is not enough. Then a special trick of our white blood cells comes into play.

Neutrophils can secrete so-called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Imagine a web created to catch and hold these fungi. In fact, this is an ETP, but with an additional effect. They contain sticky proteins that fight bacteria, which not only trap fungi but also actively fight them.

The study showed that when leukocytes come into contact with a certain toxin secreted by C. albicans, called candalisin, they begin to produce these NPs. But it is not just the toxin itself that causes this reaction. The cells have to recognize the fungus, then be exposed to the toxin – only then do they start releasing their nets in full force. Konstantin Urban, one of the researchers, expressed surprise at how effective these white blood cells were even after encountering the toxin.

But the scientists went even further in their study of this unique mechanism. They altered the shape of the C. albicans fungus and created a version that does not secrete the toxin candalisin. As a result of this manipulation, leukocytes did not secrete their special NPs. This shows how well tuned our body’s defense system is – it only uses its weapons when it reliably recognizes a serious threat.

So, how does this complex defense mechanism work? When candalisin interacts with white blood cells, it causes a reaction involving calcium. This reaction triggers a chain of events inside the cell. Eventually, this chain leads to the release of these NK cells, ready to capture and fight the invading fungus.

This study is the culmination of work by teams from Sweden, the UK and Germany. It offers valuable insights into our body’s defense mechanisms, which may lead to a better understanding and treatment of fungal infections in the future.

The post A unique way for our body to protect itself from fungus has been discovered appeared first on Lies The Know.