Archive 2008 2009 2010 2011

Q: A recent study about things that can trigger a heart attack included coffee. I thought coffee was good for you. What’s up?A: Caffeine can raise blood pressure and heart rate briefly, especially in those not used to it, and thus may trigger a heart attack. But in the great majority of people, especially those used to caffeine, the transient boost in blood pressure isn’t a danger…
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Q: Should I use those paper toilet-seat covers in public rest rooms?
A: They serve no hygienic purpose. If the seat is clean and dry, you don’t need a paper cover…
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Q: Does i-flex really help relieve arthritis pain?
A: Maybe. Several small studies suggest that i-flex, a standardized extract made from rose hips and seeds, may provide some relief from chronic pain, at least in the short term…
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Q: Sometimes my yogurt container bulges at top even though it’s not past its expiration date. Is it safe to eat?
A: Expiration dates on packages assume the food has been stored properly. If the yogurt is a fruit-on-the-bottom type, it may have been inadequately refrigerated, perhaps at the grocery store or in transit, causing the fruit to ferment and release gases…
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UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, June 2011