Rude Health News & Events

The latest news, research and events from the world of natural health

Study reveals mix of activities linked to lower dementia risk

Playing the piano, foreign travel and socialising with friends are among the most powerful ways to reduce the risk of developing dementia, according to new research from Trinity College Dublin.

The research team analysed data from 700 cognitively healthy adults aged 40–59 from across Ireland and the UK who are participating in a 10-year longitudinal study. One third of the participants carry a genetic risk for late-life Alzheimer’s Disease.

Professor Lorina Naci from Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and the Global Brain Health Institute, explained: “We have known for some time that lifestyle activities, such as exercise, can stave off cognitive decline in older adults. We were surprised to see that stimulating everyday activities significantly boost cognition in mid-life, decades before age-related cognitive decline sets in. Crucially, we saw that bigger benefits came from a mix of different activities, rather than one single one. Our results suggest that variety is key and that a combination of physical, social, and mental stimulation is most effective for boosting brain health.”

The findings were published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring.

UPF consumption linked to heart problems

Eating large amounts of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may significantly raise the risk of serious heart problems, according to a major US study.

The researchers found that people who consumed around nine servings per day of ultra-processed foods had a 67% higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, or death from heart disease compared to those eating about one serving. Each additional daily serving increased the likelihood of these events by more than 5%, even after accounting for calories, overall diet quality, and common health conditions. The study analysed data from 6,814 adults aged between 45 and 84 who did not have known heart disease and were part of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Amier Haidar, MD, a cardiology fellow at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the study’s lead author, said: “Ultra-processed foods are associated with an increased risk for heart disease, and while many of these products may seem like convenient on-the-go meal or snack options, our findings suggest they should be consumed in moderation.” The findings were published in JACC Advances.

Timing of meals is key to healthy weight

The timing of your meals may hold the key to maintaining a healthy weight, a major new study has revealed. The research, which was led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), found that people who fast longer overnight and start their day with an early breakfast are more likely to have a lower BMI years later. The findings are based on data from more than 7,000 adults between the ages of 40 and 65.

Luciana Pons-Muzzo, researcher at ISGlobal, said: “We think this may be because eating earlier in the day is more in line with circadian rhythms and allows for better calorie burning and appetite regulation, which can help maintain a healthy weight. However, it is too soon to draw definitive conclusions, so recommendations will have to wait for more robust evidence.” The results were published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.

Irish runners flock to parkrun

Celebrations were in the air for parkrun Ireland as it was revealed that 1 in 10 people in Ireland have registered to take part in the free, weekly timed 5K. Over 500,000 people across the republic now join in with the popular event, which is held on Saturday and Sunday mornings in parks, towns and communities nationwide.

Participants can walk, jog, run or volunteer, and there is no time limit or cost to take part. The milestone marks a significant achievement not only for parkrun Ireland, but for grassroots sport, public health and community wellbeing across the country. If you have not yet registered for your local parkrun, why not give it a go? Find out more at www.parkrun.ie

Increased steps may reduce heart disease risk

Researchers have found that simply increasing your daily step amount can significantly reduce the risk of death and heart disease, even for those who spend long hours sitting down. The study, from the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre in Australia, analysed data from over 72,000 people.

The researchers found that each increase in daily steps, up to about 10,000 steps per day, was associated with a lower risk of death (39%) and cardiovascular disease (21%). These benefits were seen regardless of how much time participants spent sitting.

Lead author and research fellow, Dr Matthew Ahmadi, said: “This is by no means a get-out-of-jail card for people who are sedentary for excessive periods of time; however, it does hold an important public health message that all movement matters and that people can and should try to offset the health consequences of unavoidable sedentary time by upping their daily step count.” The findings were published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

May events

RRestival 2026
8 2–3 May, Mount Congreve Gardens, Kilmeaden, Co Waterford
www.mountcongreve.com

WellFest Dublin
9–10 May, IMMA at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin
www.wellfest.ie

Find more natural health events here...