Many of us know the importance physical activity—better sleep, weight loss, longevity, elevated mood—these are the only the beginnings of a long and diverse list. For all that action junkies know about the benefits that being active can bring, however, how many of us practice the other half of the equation?… Mental stamina. What It’s […] More

We could all use COVID-19 travel tips. The country is slowly reopening (finally!), which means people who’ve been stuck in their houses for the last few months are itching to get out and travel again—even if that just means booking a flight to see family. With COVID-19 numbers still rising in certain cities, though, social distancing […] More

We’ve all read stories about the guy who dropped dead while running his first marathon, or the athlete who almost crossed the finish line of his triathlon—but had a heart attack instead. Sounds alarming, but the number of fatalities in endurance sports is still relatively low, according to new research by the American Heart Association.

“The 50-year-old former college athlete with known or hidden heart disease who’s been sedentary for years and decides to do a triathlon is at the greatest risk,” says lead study author Barry A. Franklin, Ph.D. Some more facts: Almost half the people who have a heart attack during a triathlon are first-timers. Men are four to six times more likely to have a heart attack (and die from it) during an endurance event than women, possibly because, on average, they may be older and running at a faster pace, stressing their hearts more, suggests Franklin. And half of all exercise-related cardiac events occur during the last mile of the marathon.

“There’s a huge temptation to think, ‘I’m almost done, let me sprint as hard as I can and beat my best time,’ ” he notes. This major increase in heart rate and blood pressure increases the likelihood of a heart attack either because the heart isn’t getting adequate blood flow, or plaque in the arteries can rupture.
Franklin’s advice: Train progressively and don’t sprint to the finish.
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A hot cup of tea can soothe your throat and sinuses when you’re battling a cold, but emerging research shows the health benefits of the beverage actually go much deeper. A new study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology has found that drinking tea at least three times a week is linked with a […] More

When it comes to cooking oils, you have lots of options. But narrowing down the list by what’s healthiest gets tricky. It boils down to specific types of fats, the amounts of those fats, and their benefits. If you’re unfamiliar, here’s our primer on the healthiest oils.
There are three major groups of fats: polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and saturated fats. Polyunsaturated fat is the most heart-healthy and provides several benefits. More specifically, the omega-3 fats within provide the most benefits, including support for healthy inflammation levels, cholesterol levels, and overall heart health (an added bonus—they also help burn fat). Monounsaturated fat provides some health benefits, but not as many. And saturated fat, which you may have heard is “bad,” can lead to unhealthy cholesterol levels if it’s the main source of fat in your diet. That said, including a diet rich in omega-3s while eating a diet consisting of some saturated fats may not produce any unhealthy outcomes.

When it comes to choosing the healthiest oils, and figuring out which are the best, there are a couple things to consider:
Which types of oils are highest in polyunsaturated (omega-3) fats?
Which is best for the type of cooking or preparation (frying vs. using as a dressing)?
Jordan Mazur, M.S., R.D., is the coordinator of nutrition and team sports dietitian for the San Francisco 49ers.
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