I never know what to think when I see a Diet Coke or jar of jam labeled as sugar-free. On the one hand, I know that consuming sugar leads to weight gain, among other problems. But on the other hand, I’m suspicious of low-calorie sweeteners. What exactly are they made of, and how do they affect the body? [Read more…]
Artificial sweeteners: Better than sugar?
November 11, 2015 By 3 Comments
Investigating Daylight Savings: The data on springing forward and falling back
November 3, 2015 By Leave a Comment
The vast majority of U.S. residents shifted their clocks back to standard time last weekend, effectively “gaining” an hour of time on Sunday. In my house, it meant that my early-rising daughter was up at 4:30 a.m.
instead of 5:30 a.m.! [Read more…]
Tea: It’s good for you!
October 19, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Here at EBL, we’ve covered the health benefits of coffee pretty extensively. (Surprise: It’s really good for you!) But — although it’s hard for this coffee-drinker to believe — there are some people who prefer tea. And in some parts of the world, tea is the primary beverage. But is tea as healthy for you? [Read more…]
A tough pill to swallow? The evidence on taking medicine
October 7, 2015 By Leave a Comment
There are all sorts of medicines on the market today that help us to feel our best, prevent illness and treat disease. The vast majority of them come in pill form. But some people struggle — for a variety of reasons —to swallow pills. [Read more…]
Weight-control: The size of your plate matters!
September 24, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Here at EBL, we’ve written regularly about the data available on obesity for two reasons. First, obesity is a major health problem in the U.S. affecting millions of adults and children. Second, there is a lot of new evidence on innovative approaches to tackling this health problem. [Read more…]
What we know about kids and car seats
September 22, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Car seat technology has certainly come a long way in the past three decades. I have clear memories sitting in the front seat of my mom’s car (and playing with the radio buttons!) at age five — a practice that is now against the law in most states. [Read more…]
How to test for concussion in athletes
September 15, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Along with the start of school comes a busy season for youth recreational sports. Soccer leagues, small fry football and lacrosse are all popular fall sports. This year, my 7-year-old opted to play flag football through our local recreation department. [Read more…]
Eight glasses of water a day? No way!
September 8, 2015 By Leave a Comment
If you’re at all interested in fitness or nutrition, you’ve no doubt heard about the importance of drinking eight glasses of water a day. Popular media and even many medical professionals tell us that drinking 64 ounces of water each day is essential for our skin, weight loss, kidney function and more. [Read more…]
Which painkiller works best?
August 26, 2015 By Leave a Comment
We’ve all woken up with a pounding headache, or overdone it at the gym and strained a muscle. Some amount of pain is a normal part of life. Over-the-counter pain relievers can make a big difference in helping to get through a painful day. But which one is best? [Read more…]
The evidence-based solution for choosing running shoes
August 11, 2015 By 6 Comments
There are hundreds of running shoes on the market and new models introduced each year. Whether you’re a casual jogger or a competitive marathon runner, there’s a plethora of advice about how to choose the best shoe for you. [Read more…]
High-intensity training: The holy grail of fitness?
August 4, 2015 By 1 Comment
Lately, I have found it difficult to find time to work out. Even though I really like to exercise, commitments to work and family take up most of my time, leaving little time for a long run or a trip to the gym. The data show I’m not alone. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, less than half of Americans meet the guidelines for aerobic exercise and less than a third complete the recommended amount of strengthening exercises. [Read more…]
The evidence on arthroscopic knee surgery
July 30, 2015 By 2 Comments
Across the globe, more than 4 million people get arthroscopic knee surgery every year to help relieve the pain associated with arthritis and torn cartilage. But a new systematic review questions the benefits of minimally-invasive knee surgery. [Read more…]
