Daily Dose: March 13, 2013

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Your last excuse for smoking just went out the window: New research confirms that the health drawbacks of a little post-cessation weight gain are trivial compared to the benefits of kicking a cigarette habit. [U.S. News]

Now that the European Union has banned the sale of animal-tested cosmetics, celebs like Ke$ ha and Colbie Caillat are pressuring the U.S. to do the same. [USAT]

Who needs a sugary drink ban? Americans now consume more water than soda. [AP]

Dislike:

Feeling burnt out at work makes you nearly 80 percent more likely to suffer from heart disease—and those who are the most burnt out face the highest risk. [The Atlantic]

Use your head—but not too much. Suffering just one concussion can affect brain regions that are vital for memory, executive function, and mood regulation, according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology. [LA Times]

The U.S. is hoarding a new smallpox medicine—enough to treat two million people. You know, just in case terrorists re-engineer the virus in a lab and unleash it on America. [NYT]

Skeptical:

A study from the University of California Riverside claims that sleeping pills can actually improve your memory. Not that being able to remember things is very useful when you’re zonked out. [Daily Mail]

If your man’s not exactly four years and four months older than you, you might want to dump him: A new survey finds that’s the ideal age gap for couples. [Telegraph]

Watch out for 9-month-old babies: Infants enjoy seeing others who are unlike them suffer, according to recent research out of the University of British Colombia. [International Business Times]

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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Daily Dose: March 12, 2013

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Raise your glass: A new study provides the strongest evidence yet that drinking water spiked with fluoride helps prevent tooth decay in adults—even if they didn’t have access to fluoridated drinking water as children. [Science Daily]

Mindy Kaling announced plans to work on a second book while The Mindy Project is on hiatus. Get ready to drop pretty much everything you’re doing on the day it comes out. [Deadline]

More people across the country are hosting birthdays, bachelorette parties, and bridal showers at the gym instead of the bar. Bonus: You can enjoy a post-workout cupcake guilt-free. [Reuters]

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A new study finds that the expiration date on donor blood may come even sooner than previous realized: after just 21 days, the membranes of stored blood cells are stiffer than those of fresh blood, indicating damage (the current limit for blood storage is 42 days). [NYT]

Silicone breast implants are on the rise because they look and feel more like the real thing than the alternatives. Except for, you know, real breasts. [WSJ]

Many companies convey a subtle bias against women in the wording of engineering and programming job postings, according to a paper published recently in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Lame. [Wired]

Skeptical:

The author of a new book called Convert Anything to Calories calculated out exactly how many you burn with each mouse click (1.4). One side effect of the mouse-click workout: carpal tunnel syndrome. [Gizmodo]

E.L. James announced that she’ll be publishing a how-to guide on writing. Because we all read the Fifty Shades trilogy for the writing quality… [Today]

A new app called STD Triage encourages you to snap a picture of your nether regions so a medical professional can offer advice about any suspicious skin conditions down there. No word yet on how many pervy guys have taken advantage of the service. [Fast Company]

photo: iStockPhoto/Thinkstock

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Daily Dose: March 11, 2013

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Good news for citrus lovers: A new hybrid grapefruit developed in Florida doesn’t interact with any drugs you’re taking.

See why a sex therapist thinks Desire, the new scent from Dolce & Gabbana, is such a turn on.

A group of bloggers is defending their right to eat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese without ingesting scary food dyes.

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Today was one of the most dangerous days of the year. The culprit: daylight savings time. At least it’s over now.

Even mummies had heart disease. Researchers have discovered clogged arteries in remains from nearly 4,000 years ago.

Smartphone and tablets are changing our desk posture for the worse. Check out the nine most common positions wreaking havoc on your body, according to a new study from furniture maker Steelcase.

Skeptical:

People are obsessed with zombies right now because the country is in a state of economic crisis and overall cultural dissatisfaction, according to experts at Clemson University. In other news: Clemson University hires zombie experts.

Within the next five years, researchers in Australia want to make and market resveratrol pills to fight aging. Drinking red wine is still more fun, though.

On March 29, LovePalz, a new sex toy for long-distance couples, hits the market. Whatever happened to good, old-fashioned Skype sex?

photo: iStockPhoto/Thinkstock

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Daily Dose: March 8, 2013

Check out the list of links that should be on your radar today:

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Google may know about drug interactions before the FDA does.

Do yourself a favor: Sunday is the seventh annual Good Deeds Day.

Unemployment in the U.S. has dropped to the lowest rate it’s been at since 2008!

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…But wedding prices are the highest they’ve been since 2008 (the average nuptials in 2012 cost more than $ 28,000).

Sarah Jessica Parker may never wear Manolo Blahniks again: The actress recently announced that she has permanent foot damage.

As if energy drinks weren’t weird/scary enough, each stick of a new chewing gum from Wrigley’s contains more caffeine than a can of Coke.

Skeptical:

Recent research says men who prefer bigger breasts are more likely to have sexist views about women. Or at least the ones who volunteered to be a part of a study on boob preferences…

A new study claims that bee venom may kill the HIV virus. So cool if it turns out to be true, but you might want to hold off on the bee keeping until more research confirms the findings.

Cleveland has the country’s worst flossers, according to a new survey. Because dental hygiene and geography are so closely linked…

photo: Creatas/Thinkstock

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The 6 Trendiest Foods of 2013

Call it Fashion Week for Foodies: The Winter Fancy Food Show, an over-the-top marketplace showcasing over 80,000 specialty foods and beverages, was recently held in San Francisco. Missed it? Not a problem. Here are the six hottest food trends debuted at the show. Use this hip insider knowledge to cook up some sensational—and super trendy—dishes.

Trend: Exotic oils
Olive oil’s funky cousin, toasted pumpkin seed oil, is finally getting some well-deserved attention. The variety contains omega-3 fatty acids, which can slash heart disease risk, and can be drizzled on everything from vanilla ice cream to grilled fish.
Try this: Roasted Pumpkin and Pomegranate Salad with Pumpkin Seed Oil Vinaigrette

Trend: All things coconut
The coconut-craze is here to stay, and it’s flavoring everything from jams to ice creams. This tropical treat used to get a bad rap for being high cal, but it actually touts some serious health benefits. Coconut oil, an alternative to the hydrogenated variety, can actually raise good HDL cholesterol levels and is rich in antioxidants similar to those in berries and dark chocolate.
Try this: Pina Colada Popcorn

Trend: Beer-laced foods
Beer lovers rejoice! Not only can you drink your favorite brew but now you can eat it too—in everything from crackers to candy. Despite its bad rap for being less than healthy, beer is actually rich in a number of antioxidants and disease fighting-vitamins. Forget cooking with wine and liquor, stay hip by cranking up the flavor of your favorite dish with hops.
Try this: Mussels in Beer Broth

Trend: Botanical beverages
Herbal drinks are a winter staple, but if this year’s wild flavors—Broccoli Cilantro Tea and Licorice Mint Almond Water—intimidate your taste buds, try hibiscus. Not only is the herb hip and tasty, but it may also lower blood pressure, according to a The Journal of Nutrition study.
Try this: Hibiscus Margarita

Trend: Spicy sweets
Throw your taste buds for a loop with a surprising combination of sugar and heat. Chocolate and Chili is a classic pairing dating back to the Mayans, proving that every great trend makes a comeback. The best news of all is that Capsaicin, the spice responsible for giving chilies their fire, can help aid weight loss. So go ahead, take an extra bite of that chocolate!
Try this: Spicy Brownies

Trend: Go bananas
It’s official…trend spotters have declared the banana the “it” superfruit of the year. The food festival showcased sweet treats like Banana Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter & Banana Milk Chocolate Bars, and Banana Cinnamon Frozen Pops—yum! Need another excuse to chow down? Bananas can actually boost your happiness by releasing serotonin into your bloodstream, lifting your mood and calming your nervous system.
Try this: Grilled Banana Split

photo: Sea Wave/Shutterstock

More from WH:
Cooking For Beginners
Must-Have Cooking Gear
Delicious Beer Recipes

The New Rules of Lifting for WomenTransform your body forever with The New Rules of Lifting for Women, a breakthrough fitness and diet plan for women. Order now!

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The Hottest Fitness Trends of 2013

If you swear by curls, pull-ups, crunches, and other low-maintenance workout routines, consider yourself a trendsetter. Strength training and body-weight training will be among the most popular fitness trends of 2013, according to a new survey released by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

In the seventh annual ACSM survey, 3,346 international health and fitness professional ranked thirty-seven emerging trends in fitness. Their votes culminated in a list of the top 20 fitness trends of 2013—and it included a few surprises:

Body-weight training made the top ten for the first time. Body-weight training involves minimal equipment, and includes classic exercises like pull-ups, pushups, and sit-ups.

Pilates and stability-ball training didn’t make the top twenty. “They’re fads, not trends,” says Walter Thompson, Ph.D., professor of kinesiology and health at Georgia State University and spokesperson for the ACSM American Fitness Index. True trends, like strength training, remain on the list for four or five years.

Spinning didn’t make the cut, either. “I have a theory that it’s tied to the economy,” says Thompson. “Club owners and their clients are getting back to the basics with programs that don’t require specialized training or equipment.” Spinning involves pricey equipment and specialized instructors—that’s a lot of cash to fork over just to work out.

Want to stay trendy while you sweat this year? Tone up with these strength training and body-weight workouts:

STRENGTH TRAINING WORKOUTS:

The Woman’s Guide to Weight Lifting

The Lift More, Lose More Dumbbell Workout


Power Pairs: Two-in-One Strength-Training Exercises

BODY-WEIGHT TRAINING WORKOUTS:

The Do-Anywhere, No-Equipment Workout

Master the Pull Up!

How to Do a Real Pushup

photo: Ron Chapple Studios/Thinkstock

More from WH:
Best Strength-Training Playlist
Strength Training vs. Cardio
Look Better Naked Workout

The Women's Health Big Book of Yoga Get a Sexy Yoga Body! Discover the power of yoga to tighten, tone, and calm. Buy The Women’s Health Big Book of Yoga today!

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