Medical Watch Digest for Sept 24
Sugary drinks increase depression risk
Don’t let sugary drinks get you down — they could impact mental health.
The German Center for Diabetes Research found strong evidence sugary drinks affect metabolic and mental health.
Women are impacted in a more profound way than men.
Scientists found sugary drinks alter the gut microbiome.
Regular consumption leads to obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
And now, studying 1000 people ages 18-65, doctors found evidence sugary drinks increase the risk for mental health challenges including depression.
Study authors say their analysis revealed soft drink consumption was linked to both the diagnosis and severity of depression symptoms.
Bring a ‘health buddy’
Bring a health buddy to doctor’s appointments once you hit a certain age.
A new Michigan Medicine study reveals nearly 40-percent of people older than 50 choose to have a family member or friend accompany them to doctor’s visits.
And virtually all who did reported feeling better.
The health care companion helped patients ask questions, understand the concepts, and recall advice and the need for follow up.
Health buddies also aided with transportation, emotional support and physical support to navigate office buildings and hospital settings.
AI Therapy Helps with Greif
The latest role for artificial intelligence: helping people work through their grief.
The AI therapy chatbot, called Amanda, does help according to researchers writing in the Journal Plos One.
Amanda offered relationship support as helpful as evidence based journaling to help with conflict resolution.
Researchers from Switzerland and the UK say the chatbot can be an alternative to traditional talk therapy.
Study participants engaged the chatbot with at least 20 back and forth conversational interactions.
The reported Amanda acted as an empathetic relationship therapist improving personal well being and relationship quality.
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