There are many unanswered questions about the long-term safety and impacts of artificial sweeteners in children, a new American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement says. The AAP statement also recommends that the amount of artificial sweeteners should be listed on product labels to help parents and researchers better understand how much children are consuming,… read on >
Debating whether or not you should have that second cup of coffee? New research that links caffeine consumption to a healthy gut microbiome — the trillions of microorganisms that live in your digestive tract and affect your overall health– may prompt you to pour generously. In recent years, numerous studies have demonstrated associations between coffee… read on >
With pumpkin spice lattes already hitting coffee shops, it’s never too soon to rethink favorite seasonal sips and cut calories without sacrificing flavor. Here are four to try from now until the holidays really begin! Each recipe makes two drinks. Pear Bellini: Pears make the perfect puree to add to champagne, Prosecco or sparking rose.… read on >
Charging your laptop and plugging in the coffeemaker may be second nature. But when dealing with electricity, the National Fire Protection Association urges people to keep safety in mind. The NFPA provides electrical safety advice for consumers: Have all electrical work done by a qualified electrician. Only use one heat-producing appliance plugged into the same… read on >
Weight-loss surgery should be more widely used to treat severely obese children and teens, a leading pediatricians’ group says. Severe obesity is a serious and worsening public health crisis among U.S. youngsters, and weight-loss surgery is one of the few effective ways of treating it, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in its… read on >
Allergies and asthma can turn Halloween into fright night, so parents must be vigilant. Some fun-sized candy bars have no labels to alert about possible food allergens, such as peanuts, said Dr. Todd Mahr, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. But food allergens aren’t the only potential concerns. “Halloween happens in… read on >
Children should be at least 12 years old before they’re left home alone for four hours or more, a majority of U.S. social workers surveyed say. Also, social workers are more likely to consider it neglect if a child is injured while home alone. The email survey asked 485 members of the National Association of… read on >
Quality over quantity is an approach that can lead to a better sex life. Studies show that feeling satisfied with the sexual aspect of their relationship is more important to many people than how often they have sex. How can you start to enhance the quality of your sex life? You may be surprised to… read on >
This Halloween, don’t deny yourself tempting treats or throw your healthy eating plan out of whack when the kids indulge. The answer is chocolate-covered fruit — all the sweetness of candy with nutrients you won’t find in the Trick or Treat bag. Fresh berries and fruit wedges, like apples and pears, are super high in… read on >
Winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding are a great way to get kids active, but new research suggests extra safety measures may be in order for younger children. The study found that grade-schoolers had almost three times the odds of having a serious skull or facial fracture while skiing or snowboarding, compared to older… read on >
