healthbeat
Keeping You Up to Date on the Latest Health News
WHIPLASHPREVENTING CARS?
Fast, backward movement of the head that
causes strain to the neck, or whiplash, often
occurs when a vehicle is in a rear-end collision.
Anengineering team at Loughborough
University in the United Kingdom has developed
a new car seat system to protect drivers' and
passengers' spines. If the car is hit from behind,
the newly designed seat rotates backward while
the headrest rises and moves closer to the head,
reducing whiplash-causing movement.
SLEEP HABITS MAY REFLECT HEART HEALTH
Going to sleep on time and making sure you get enough — but not
too much — sleep may be signs that you practice other heart-healthy
habits. The research came from a new study prepared by a multi-
university team that analyzed the habits of more than 435,000 adults.
Of those surveyed, people who slept fewer than six or more than
nine hours each night, as well as those who considered themselves
night owls, were more likely to smoke, maintain poor diets and get
less physical activity than their bodies need. While eatinghealthfully,
exercising and not smoking are keys to preventing heart problems,
the researchers weren't ready to say that there's a certain length of
sleep or bedtime that is best for your heart.
REWARDS KEY TO OVERCOMING JUNK FOOD
Research from Cornell University shows that hungry shoppers
were more likely to choose nutritious snack options when there
was something tangible in it for them. By oering healthy treats
that came with discount points redeemable on customers' next
visits, the researchers persuaded people who tend to
choose junk food to treat their bodies better. They
just needed to see an added benet.
MERCY MEDICAL CENTERCENTERVILLE /// www.mercycenterville.org 2