In drinking lore, it’s said that having beer before wine, instead of the other way around, can help prevent a hangover. Well, it’s not true, a new study finds.

You’ll suffer the next day if you drink too much, regardless of how you sequence your drinks, according to researchers at Witten/Herdecke University in Germany and the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

“Using white wine and lager beer, we didn’t find any truth in the idea that drinking beer before wine gives you a milder hangover than the other way around,” said study first author Joran Kochling, of Witten/Herdecke University.

“The truth is that drinking too much of any alcoholic drink is likely to result in a hangover. The only reliable way of predicting how miserable you’ll feel the next day is by how drunk you feel and whether you are sick. We should all pay attention to these red flags when drinking,” Kochling said in a Cambridge news release.

Wonder if you’re drinking too much? Take this QUIZand find out.

For the study, the researchers divided 90 volunteers, aged 19 to 40, into three groups. One group drank about two-and-a-half pints of beer followed by four large glasses of wine. The second group drank the same amounts, but in reverse order. The third (“control”) group drank only beer or only wine.

Participants were monitored while drinking. They were also asked to rate their level of drunkenness on a scale of 0 to 10. All remained under medical supervision the night after their drinking sessions.

After interviews the following day, each participant received a hangover score based on factors such as thirst, fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, stomach ache, increased heart rate and loss of appetite.

Although women tended to have slightly worse hangovers than men, none of the groups had significantly different hangover scores, the findings showed.

Blood and urine tests, and factors such as age, sex, weight, drinking habits and hangover frequency did not help to predict hangover intensity either. However, vomiting and perceived drunkenness were associated with more severe hangover, the study authors said.

According to study senior author Kai Hensel, a senior clinical fellow at the University of Cambridge, “Unpleasant as hangovers are, we should remember that they do have one important benefit, at least: They are a protective warning sign that will certainly have aided humans over the ages to change their future behaviour. In other words, they can help us learn from our mistakes.”

The study was published February 7 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Research suggests screening for 35 to 39-year-olds with a family history can reveal the disease early.

On National Wear Red Day in 2018, few people at the Nashville law firm Lewis, Thomason, King, Krieg & Waldrop took notice of the occasion, which calls attention to heart disease being the number one killer of women.

“I think we had forgotten about it being that day,” said Tania Freeman, the firm’s business development officer.

Still, 2 February 2018 turned out to be a day many of them would never forget, especially Tania and John Lewis.

His heart stopped

A 70-year-old partner in the firm, John came to work thinking not about hearts, but about flu season. He’d been achy and congested all week and his wife, Barbara, was home with the flu and a 39-degree fever.

He headed home early, promising colleagues he would go to the doctor. While waiting for the elevator to take him down from the 25th floor, he stopped to talk with two colleagues, including his son.

Then his heart stopped.

Tania was in her office when a colleague said John passed out in the lobby. Tania grabbed her cellphone and went to assess the situation, thinking she would call 911 if needed. She arrived on the scene to find staff members Ellen Black, Christin Bryant and Tasra Lumpkin performing CPR. Someone had already called 911.

Someone else retrieved the office’s AED – an automated external defibrillator – and brought it to John’s side. Tania noticed it wasn’t being used yet, so she turned it on, just in case.

John was in cardiac arrest, which essentially means his heart’s power went out.

A heart attack as well

Christin and Tasra took turns performing CPR. Tania put the AED pads on John and everyone backed away. She followed the AED prompts and pushed the shock button.

The shock didn’t work.

They resumed giving CPR until the machine said it was okay to try again. Tania did.

Soon after, John reached up and grabbed her hand. He started talking and tried to stand up. Everyone was surprised, especially the paramedics who arrived soon after.

In addition to the cardiac arrest, John suffered a heart attack – one so severe it’s called the “widow maker”. The difference is that a cardiac arrest is a glitch in the heart’s electrical system, while the heart attack is more like a plumbing problem. Something is blocked. In this case, it was the left anterior descending artery, a major pathway supplying blood to the heart.

John was rushed to the hospital. Within 26 minutes of the paramedics arriving at the office, John received two stents to prop open narrowed pathways in his heart.

AEDS on every floor

“If we did not have that AED, this story probably would have a different ending,” Tania said.

The AED was purchased years earlier, after another lawyer’s life was saved by CPR, albeit away from the office.

Twelve people were trained in CPR and AED usage – attorneys, secretaries, paralegals and administrative staff – so that at least one trained person would likely be in the office in case of emergency.

John’s cardiac event was the first in that office building. Building management responded by adding AEDs on every floor and in their own office. They also offered training to the 1 000 office workers. More than half the staff of John’s law firm attended.

John returned to work three weeks later, with news cameras greeting him at the door.

“I’m very thankful for what everyone did for me,” said John, who has spoken to many of his clients about the experience, encouraging them to get AEDs and to train their staff.

The law firm staff didn’t want to wait for the next National Wear Red Day. Weeks after the office drama, staff members took it upon themselves to organise their own Wear Red Day.

And on 1 February, they’ll again wear red, in celebration of the first anniversary of John’s life being saved.

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Social media and school pressures are often blamed for a rise in young people saying they need help.

The family of a nurse who died after a hospital failed to spot her condition fear more are affected.

A failure to identify those patients not entitled to free NHS care is costing Scotland’s health boards dear, say MSPs.

Quick question: How are your New Year’s resolutions coming on? If your answer is a shifty, awkward silence, chances are the goals you set weren’t designed to set you up for success in the first place. Goal-setting can be a powerful tool, but it’s also a specific science. Get it wrong and that dress you’re aiming to fit into is going to stay at the back of your wardrobe. But get it right and prepare to tap into a force of motivation that will help you achieve anything you set your mind to. The best part? It’s not hard.

Know your motivation

On the surface, this sounds pretty straightforward, but it’s super important to narrow down what actually motivates you. Understanding the benefits of your goals will help you achieve them, says Raeesa Seedat, dietitian and spokesperson for the Association for Dietetics in South Africa. The key to finding those benefits is asking yourself “why?” So, if you want to lose weight, ask yourself why. Is it because you want to know what it’s like to walk up a flight of stairs and not be out of breath? Do you want to lower your blood pressure? Or are you just keen to see yourself with a six pack of abs?

Whatever your reason, make sure it’s something that has meaning to you; somehow it should better your life and there should be real value in achieving it. If you’re not excited about – and even slightly scared of – your goal, there’s a good chance you won’t stick to it. Once you’ve found your “why”, write it down and look at it whenever you feel like slacking off.

Read more: The best way to achieve your fitness goals – without joining a gym

Get smart

Ever heard the saying, “Work smarter, not harder”? Surprise, surprise, it’s also the ultimate motto on the road map to being your own #goals. SMART is an acronym of the attributes that your winning goal should have. By ticking each one off, you’ll create a clear target to work towards – and achieve. Time to smarten up…

Be specific

When it comes to planning, you can’t be unsure or vague. “A practical way to do this is to change desire into a clear goal,” says Dr Craig Nossel, head of Vitality Wellness at The Vitality Institute. The first crucial step in setting goals is knowing exactly what you want to achieve. Saying, “I want to lose weight” is not good enough. “Your goal needs to be well defined. Instead, identify a specific amount of weight you want to lose, like, “I want to lose five kilos” or “I want to lose 10% body fat,” he says.

Read more: 6 reasons your weight loss has plateaued – and how to fix them

Measure up

“There are a number of mistakes people make when goal-setting – mainly setting goals that are vague, unmeasurable or impractical,” says Nossel. It’s important that your goals are able to be measured, so choose your number, whether it’s a weight on the scale, a mark on a measuring tape or a distance you want to run. It could even be a move you want to master, like a pull-up. As long as you can measure your success.

Make it attainable

Making sure your goals are attainable is as important as knowing exactly what you want to achieve. “If your goals are too difficult to attain, then not fully achieving them is most likely going to demotivate you,” says psychologist Jogini Packery. Never run further than a Parkrun? Soweto marathon probably shouldn’t be your first race. You have to hit that sweet spot of doable, but challenging. The Soweto 10km will still be twice as far as you’ve ever run (challenging), but with training, it’s totally possible. Remember that goals are there to challenge you to be better than you already are, so don’t be afraid to aim for something high, but break that lofty long-term goal up into smaller short-term goals – like running 10km, then 21, then 42. Or losing 1.2% body fat per month until, four months later, you’ve almost hit your goal of losing 5%! Setting smaller, achievable targets is a great way to keep you motivated because you see results almost constantly.

Read more: “Sticking by my weight-loss goals helped me lose over 20 kilos”

Keep it real(istic)

It’s one thing to dream big, but you also need to be sensible. A 2016 study by Harvard psychologist Amy Cuddy found that unrealistic and poorly planned goals are the number one reason people become demotivated. “If, for example, you haven’t trained in months and suddenly go back to training at high intensity five days a week, the exhaustion and DOMS alone will be demotivating,” says personal trainer Aneeka Buys. You may find you skip a day because you’re tired and sore. That day becomes two and next thing you know, you’re back at square one. Instead, start with HIIT two days a week and plan to build up steadily from there.

It’s about time

If your goal doesn’t have a cut-off date, you’re less likely to stick to it. A timeline keeps your eye on the prize. “You have to set a date by which you want to achieve your goal,” says Buys. Not having a time frame makes your goal seem less urgent – and then it becomes something you can put off. Hold yourself accountable by making a commitment, like signing up for a race. If you feel accountable, you’re less likely to become demotivated, says Buys.

Read more: Exactly how to find the right exercise for your goals

And action!

By now your weight-loss goal should look something like this: I will lose 5% of my body fat by 1 April. What you want to achieve is clear: you’ve set a time frame, it’s measurable, totally achievable and realistic. Now it’s time to map out your plan of action. How are you going to make this a reality? That’s where mini targets come in – things that may be different to your main goal, but will help you achieve it. For example, you may aim to get in four 30-minute workouts per week or meal prep every evening so you avoid the office canteen.

A week’s worth of exercise and healthy eating? That’s an achievement within itself. But it’s also going to get you closer to that 5% fat loss. “It may seem trivial, but each step counts,” says dietitian Raeesa Seedat. By taking the mini steps, you’re making progress that will ultimately lead to your end goal. In her study, Cuddy found that focusing on little bits of improvement was the secret to successful goal planning. By switching your focus to the little achievements you make daily, you’ll keep yourself motivated and before you know it, you’ll be your very own #goals.

^{This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com}

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Few things sting as much as the betrayal of a beloved food. You bite into a sandwich or a piece of fruit and just as you’re poised to swallow, you realise it’s covered in mould.

Do you immediately spit it out? Rinse out your mouth? Call your mom?

Well, according to Dr Rudolph Bedford, a gastroenterologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, you’re probably fine. But there are a few things worth noting about eating mould, one being the rare occasion when mouldy food can actually make you sick.

What will happen if I eat mould?

“Well, you’re not going to die from it,” says Dr Bedford, “and you can digest it like any other food,” as long as your immune system is in good shape.

Moulds, or microscopic fungi, creep up on plant and animal products after being transported by air, water, or insects. They can be dangerous, but usually aren’t. They’re even meant to be on some foods, including dry-cured country hams and cheeses such as blue, Gorgonzola, Brie, and Camembert – and they’re totally safe to eat, according to the USDA.

But what about the fuzzy green or white stuff on vegetables? It might make you feel sick, but Dr Bedford says this is most likely because the mould tastes bad, not because of any particular toxin.

Before you rush to call the doctor, Dr Bedford says to wait and see if your symptoms escalate beyond nausea. “The stomach is a harsh environment, so, for the most part, most bacteria and fungi won’t survive,” he explains.

Read more: Which veggies have more nutrients: fresh or frozen?

But what do I do if I do get sick?

“It’s very uncommon that you’re going to get [really] sick from mould,” says Dr Bedford. And in the rare instance you do, it will most likely be from large amounts of moulds that are nontoxic. Your symptoms will include persistent nausea and vomiting, at which point, you should definitely call the doctor. And in other cases, “you may have an allergic reaction to some moulds, and you may develop some respiratory problems,” which Dr Bedford says are temporary and treatable.

“I may force patients to have diarrhoea to try to flush the system out,” says Dr Bedford. Or, he’ll prescribe anti-nausea medication or induce vomiting.

But don’t worry: In his 30 years of practice, Dr Bedford says he has never seen anyone die or require more intense treatment due to mould (though that doesn’t mean it’s impossible).

Just take mould as a sign that your food’s gone bad and move on.

Read more: 7 healthy lunchbox alternatives to processed meat

But what if I just cut around the mould?

Depends on the food.

All moulds have “roots” that invade foods, according to the USDA, though we only see their fuzzy discoloured tops. These roots allow toxins (if there are any) to spread all over the inside, so the best move, according to Dr Bedford, is to throw the food out regardless of where you see the mouldy patch.

Some hard cheeses, hard salami, firm fruits, and vegetables, for example, can still be eaten since it’s more difficult for the mould to penetrate them deeply, according to the USDA. Though their moulds aren’t any “safer”, you are free to “cut off at least 1 inch [2.5cm] around and below the mould spot.” Just make sure to keep the knife out of the mould and wrap the “good” part of the food in a new covering.

Foods that are okay to eat once you cut off mould:

• Hard cheeses
• Hard salami
• Firm fruits
• Vegetables

Foods to throw away if you spy mould:

• Soft cheeses (that are not meant to be mouldy)
• Soft fruits
• Baked goods
• Legumes
• Nuts
• Yogurt
• Jams
• Meat

How can I prevent mould from forming?

Refrigerate, refrigerate, refrigerate.

“Mould growth is encouraged by warm and humid conditions,” according to the USDA (though they can grow in the refrigerator too, just more slowly), and when the mould spores dry, they float through the air and find conditions in which to grow some more mouldy friends. So, the USDA recommends keeping your refrigerator clean, keeping your home’s humidity level below 40%, examining food for mould before you buy it, purchasing food in small amounts so mould doesn’t have time to grow, covering food with plastic wrap, and eating leftovers within three to four days.

^{This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com} 

^{Image credit: iStock}

Early last week, news broke that the Trump administration had issued an information blackout for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agency was directed to stop issuing press releases, posting to their social media pages, and speaking to members of the press or directly to the public.

The Boston Globe reported on Tuesday that EPA transition-team member Doug Ericksen expected the communications ban to be lifted by the end of last week. “We’re just trying to get a handle on everything and make sure what goes out reflects the priorities of the new administration,” he said.   

On Thursday, however, USA Today reported that—although a temporary freeze on EPA research grants had been lifted—the “tight control on how the agency communicates with the public through social media and news outlets will remain in place for now.” The EPA has not published any press releases, or updated its Facebook or Twitter pages, since January 20. Calls and emails from Health to the agency’s press office were not immediately returned.

The EPA’s not the only science agency that’s been in the news, either: The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture were both given temporary gag orders last week, which have since been lifted. It also came to light last week that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had canceled or postponed two conferences planned around the topics of climate change and LGBT youth. (These decisions were made before President Trump took office, the agency says.) 

So what does this mean for our day-to-day health and safety?

RELATED: What Trump's Presidency Might Really Mean for Public Health

The answer isn’t entirely clear, but public health experts are concerned about the messages being sent to the scientific community—and to American citizens—so far.

“The worry is generated by the administration’s willingness to censor information for what appears to be political purposes,” says Arthur Caplan, PhD, professor of bioethics at NYU Langone Medical Center. “There’s hinting that there could be requirements to clear things through political operatives before they get released to the public, and this type of thing hasn’t really been done before.” 

Experts have serious concerns about the EPA’s uncertain future, and its policies regarding clean air, clean water, and climate change—all things that inevitably affect human health. But in addition to its research and environmental clean-up efforts, the EPA also communicates with the public about issues directly related to health and safety. For example, its Facebook page includes posts (pre-January 20) about the dangers of wood-smoke inhalation, carbon monoxide poisoning, and radon—a gas that’s present in many homes and causes lung cancer.

If these types of media bans were to extend to other science agencies, the impacts on our health would likely be even greater. The CDC, for example, monitors the spread of illness and disease all over the world. “But this information really only matters to the extent that they are able to communicate it,” says Tara McKay, PhD, assistant professor of medicine, health, and society at Vanderbilt University.

“If the CDC notices a big spike in flu hospitalizations, but isn’t able to provide any public messaging or prevention around this because of a gag order, then some people will die from infections that might have been avoided,” she says. “Resources will not be directed to the appropriate prevention, identification, and treatment activities.”

The CDC also plays an important role in decreasing panic around issues that really aren’t as scary as they seem. When Ebola virus was diagnosed in the United States in 2014, for example, the agency provided reassurance that treatment and prevention of transmission were top priorities.

At that time, Donald Trump criticized the government’s approach to the Ebola scare, advocating on Twitter for quarantines and travel bans not supported by scientific research. It's not outlandish to think that, as President, he might similarly go against—or try to change—the CDC’s recommendations in the event of another major health scare, says Caplan.

“If these agencies are seen as untrustworthy or censored, or they can’t get in a fast enough response, it can lead to widespread panic,” he says. That could mean unfair treatment of  people seen as disease risks, he adds, or to a misallocation of resources that would make the situation worse.

“Nobody ever called up Steve Bannon or Sean Spicer or Kellyanne Conway to find out what to do about Zika; they want to know what the CDC says and they want to know fast,” Caplan continues. “These agencies shouldn’t have to wait to find out what the administration thinks in order to answer factual questions.”

RELATED: Thinking of Getting an IUD? Here's What to Expect

Similar concerns would apply to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is tasked with warning the public about dangers posed by foods and medicines currently on store shelves. “We don’t want to worry about whether an E. coli outbreak is being covered up because you don’t want to see certain businesses being damaged, or exaggerated because it comes from a country you don’t like, like Mexico,” says Caplan. 

The good news is, the CDC and FDA still appear to be functioning normally; both organizations are updating their social media sites, and the FDA put out a press release just Friday. And not everyone thinks the existing blackouts are cause for alarm: Last week the New York Times quoted several agency staff members who viewed the Trump directives as a normal part of a presidential transition.

Vox.com also points out that these agencies are protected by scientific integrity policies put in place by the Obama administration. The FDA’s policy, for example, states that staff is allowed to “communicate their personal scientific or policy views to the public, even when those views differ from official Agency opinions.” (As FiveThirtyEight reports, however, there’s also no legal consequence for violating these protections.) 

With the exception of the EPA, there’s been no indication that government agencies won’t be able to continue studying and monitoring imminent health threats, including disease outbreaks and foodborne illnesses. (The EPA's research projects will reportedly be approved by the administration on a case-by-case basis.)

McKay is more concerned about the second part of both the FDA's and CDC's mission: to inform decision-makers about how to address these health concerns, and provide people with information so they can take responsibility for their own health.

“That second part is just as important, if not more so, than the first,” she says. “It does the agency little to know these things are happening and not be able to do or say anything about them.” 

I grew up in a time where social media didn’t exist and the use of cellphones was limited. Instead of endlessly browsing health tips and recipes on Pinterest, my vice was buying magazines – especially wellness and fashion magazines.

Print media often got (and still get) a bad rap for the way social standards are portrayed, especially when it comes to weight and wellness. My idea of a healthy weight was determined by the models who graced the front covers. As a young teen at the turn of the century, anything skinny and grungy was considered beautiful, and I wanted to follow suit.

In lieu of at-home YouTube workout videos, I had a collection of Tae Bo DVDs, torn out workout pages from magazines (does anyone remember those?), a CD-wallet with mixed CDs labelled “workout tunes” and an old stationary bike I inherited from my mom. Even though I despised school sport, I wanted to stay in shape. Exercise and wellness was my escape, my control, my relaxation. 

Body image on a screen

Imagine that mindset in the current age where we’re inundated with wellness and health influences (bloggers, YouTubers, Instagrammers), all spewing conflicting (and sometimes unattainable or false) information to someone young and impressionable.

Suddenly I am glad my visual inspiration was limited to the two or three glossy magazines my monthly allowance could provide.

As I move to a more balanced concept of what a “healthy” lifestyle entails, I find myself unfollowing more and more accounts as I go along. I now refuse to believe that I am less healthy simply because I don’t have activated almonds, bunches of kale and scoops of powdered collagen in my morning smoothies.

I am now an adult with a firm grasp of who I am and what is good for me. This took some time for me to achieve. Yet I sometimes still have nagging doubts and wonder if the fish and non-organic vegetables I lovingly prepare at home are “clean” and healthy enough, or if my HIIT workout was gruelling enough.

Too much of a good thing?

I do, however, worry about the teenage girl scrolling through her Instagram, believing she is too fat or that the meals she is served at home are bad for her simply because they’re not from some fancy vegan café or online organic store.

Or what about the teenage boy who admires his body-building heroes but simply can’t afford expensive supplements or access to an exclusive gym? 

While the health and wellness industry has exploded exponentially over the past decade in terms of superfood, fitness and calorie-tracking apps, and more accessible information via different social media platforms, one can’t help but wonder if this isn’t too much of a good thing. Are we being guilted by an overdose of kale smoothies and burpees?

I’m not the only one who’s concerned. Research has suggested that the mere act of scrolling through a fitspiration (a term coined to describe content aimed at inspiring others to be fit) post can trigger unhealthy eating and exercise behaviour.

In a study, 130 female undergraduate students were exposed to either fitspiration or neutral travel images. The scientists found that, unlike the more neutral images, the fitspiration pictures had a negative impact on the students’ overall mood, body-image and self-esteem. 

Pro-ana and other ugly triggers

I asked Dewald Louw, a counselling psychologist at Montrose Manor, an eating disorder treatment facility in Cape Town, how they deal with patients undergoing eating disorder recovery in terms of exposure to social media. As a part of their recovery process, a social media block-out is recommended in order to avoid negative triggers.

This includes the negative effects of the numerous pro-ana (anything that promotes or encourages anorexia) websites – where people with eating disorders give each other tips and advice on how to starve themselves, with pictures of extremely thin women serving as inspiration. (I was 19 when I stumbled across these, well before the arrival of Instagram.)

These websites are sometimes shut down and banned, but the type of imagery has found a loophole via Instagram. Unfortunately the lines are blurred, because while one hashtag (#proana) may be banned, others (#thinspiration, #fitspiration, etc.) slip through.

It has, however, been argued that an online community may provide valuable support for those recovering from eating disorders.

An unfollowing-spree

The presence of what is attractive and what not can indeed be problematic in an era of influencers and social media. We are led to believe that only expensive superfoods are healthy and only thigh gaps and collarbones are deemed attractive. Fortunately, however, there is a lot more body positivity and balanced eating material appearing on the internet these days.

My only tip? I unfollowed accounts that I couldn’t relate to and that failed to influence me in a positive way. I only kept influencers who have a realistic approach to health, who make recipes from ingredients I can afford and obtain, and who post workouts that I can do in the gym or on my bedroom floor in 30 minutes. Social media doesn’t have to dictate how I should eat and exercise, but it can surely have a positive effect if utilised correctly. Calorie-tracking apps have their place, as long as they’re used sensibly.

Protect your teenagers

How can you ensure that your teenager retains a healthy body image in a sea of influencers? Eating Disorder Hope has some tips:

• Encourage your teenager to block or unfollow anyone that partakes in bullying and body-shaming. Tell them not to tolerate it if this is what they’re experiencing.
• Make them aware of the fact that social media can often be unrealistic and that many influencers make use of filters and enhancers to produce an image that can sell a product or be visually enticing. Tell your teenager that they shouldn’t compare themselves to “perfect” Instagram images.
• Enable mindful, balanced eating at home. Make eating about fuelling your body and enjoyment. Don’t ever use food to punish or reward. Encourage them to eat enough nutritious fruit and vegetables, but allow them to incorporate their own dietary choices.
• Encourage them to limit their screen-time and engage in other activities.
• Encourage the following of body-positive accounts they can relate to.
• Don’t ignore warning signs that may signal an eating disorder, whether it’s limiting food or eating too much (binge eating).
• Be available to listen to your teenager if they complain about their body while being supportive and uplifting.

*Disclaimer. The purpose of this article is not to bash a vegan diet, an organic lifestyle, or any wellness products, but to point out how social media can warp our understanding of what is truly healthy. Each individual has their own approach to what constitutes a balanced lifestyle.

If you are struggling with an eating disorder, don’t hesitate to seek help. Visit Eating Disorders South Africa (EDSA) for information about treatment facilities, information and support groups. 

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Marelize Wilke