If your taste buds lean toward spicy, you might be doing your heart a favor, new research suggests. Spicy foods may increase salt sensitivity, thereby dampening the desire to consume heart-harming salty food, researchers in China say. “High salt intake increases blood pressure and contributes to cardiovascular disease,” said study author Dr. Zhiming Zhu. “Thus,…  read on >

The Trump administration’s repeated efforts to topple Obamacare have not thwarted the program’s annual enrollment for health insurance. Starting Wednesday, consumers may renew their coverage or join a new plan for 2018, though the ease of enrollment may depend on what state they call home. This year’s open enrollment follows a recent decision by the…  read on >

Acetaminophen is considered the go-to pain medication during pregnancy. But a new study adds to evidence linking the drug to an increased risk of behavioral issues in kids. Researchers in Norway found that among nearly 113,000 children, those whose mothers used acetaminophen during pregnancy were slightly more likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity…  read on >

Currently, people at average risk of colon cancer are told to start screening for the disease at age 50. But a new study raises the question of whether earlier screening could be better. Looking at more than 6,000 patients who underwent colonoscopies, French researchers found the rate of abnormal colon growths started to rise sharply…  read on >

The old image of the “pothead” who’s too blissed out to make it in the bedroom may need revising. New research contends that folks who frequently indulge in marijuana actually have better sex lives. People who report daily pot use have sex more often than either occasional users or those who never touch the stuff,…  read on >

Parents of children struggling with eczema or asthma might think that having a dog would only make it harder to control their child’s condition. But two new studies suggest man’s furry best friend might actually provide some protection against allergic diseases. The first study contends that having a dog in the house before you’re even…  read on >

Early signs suggest that the United States will see a severe flu season, so it’s especially important for Americans to get their shots, health experts say. Australia had its worst flu season on record, and what happens in the southern hemisphere typically predicts what happens in the northern hemisphere, said Kevin Harrod. He is a…  read on >

Gone are the days of hunting through calorie and carbohydrate counting books to find the information you need to plan weight loss menus. Now all that and more is in the palm of your hand — if you have the right smartphone app, that is. There are hundreds of apps for dieters, many of them…  read on >