A new study has found that taking aspirin daily can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
The study found that people over 65 who took low-dose aspirin (100 mg daily) were 15% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Experts believe that the common painkiller reduces inflammation, which is one of the main contributors to the disease.
But they warn of an increased risk of bleeding in the elderly from aspirin, which means it should only be taken regularly on the advice of a doctor, as is the case after a heart attack.
The researchers wanted to test the effect of aspirin on diabetes and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels – blood sugar levels after a period without eating – in older people.
The team studied data from more than 16,000 healthy participants at the start of the study period, half of whom received 100 mg of aspirin daily, while the rest received a placebo.
At follow-up, nearly five years later, 995 people were diagnosed with diabetes – 459 of whom were taking aspirin, compared to 536 in the placebo group – a 15% decrease.
They also found a slower rate of increase in fasting plasma glucose levels, according to findings to be presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) annual meeting in Hamburg next month. .
Professor Sophia Zongas, from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, said the findings show that anti-inflammatory agents such as aspirin need further study regarding their role in preventing diabetes.
She added: “Aspirin treatment reduced the incidence of diabetes and slowed the rise in fasting blood sugar over time in initially healthy older adults. Given the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the elderly, the protective ability of anti-inflammatory agents such as aspirin from type 2 diabetes or improving glucose levels require further study.
Professor Zongas noted: “The main prescribing guidelines now recommend that older people take daily aspirin only when there is a medical reason to do so, for example after a heart attack. Although these new findings are interesting, they do not change clinical advice regarding the use of aspirin in the elderly. age at that time.
Healthy living: Three foods during the day keep you up at night
If you have trouble sleeping at night, it may help to think about what you eat during the day.
“To improve sleep patterns, it’s important to review what and when we eat,” says Sheryl Lythgoe of Benenden Health, an award-winning nursing consultant and master’s degree holder with more than two decades of experience. It’s because you’re eating the wrong foods.”
And one of the worst foods you can eat if you’re having trouble sleeping is chocolate, and even dark chocolate, which is a pretty healthy option.
White chocolate and milk chocolate contain a lot of sugar, which can lead to high blood sugar levels and thus disrupt sleep.
Dark chocolate also contains cocoa and often caffeine, a known stimulant.
Another food worth cutting back on if you’re having trouble sleeping is cheese. Strong or aged cheese contains high levels of the amino acid tyramine, which helps create alertness.
Chips, which are usually high in salt, which dehydrate the body and increase water retention, can contribute to lack of sleep.
And those who crave sweet foods, like milk chocolate, might be better off eating cherries instead.
Cherries contain a high level of melatonin, which helps promote sleepiness.
Almonds are also a good choice because they contain a high percentage of magnesium, which helps regulate blood sugar levels so they don’t keep you up at night.
“A regular routine allows the body to recognize bedtime cues that can help promote a restful night,” Lythgoe noted.
Additional tips include not eating too late at night, watching portion sizes, and avoiding sugar and caffeine before bed.
Anyone who has had difficulty sleeping for some time should seek medical help.
Many factors can contribute to insomnia that may not be related to the foods you eat.
