Sunday Snippets

Tidbits of information I picked up this week:

• As though you need another reason to watch your cholesterol: according to the July 2011 issue of Self, a recent study found that elevated levels of both "good" and "bad" cholesterol may help viruses grow and contribute to increased illnesses. The fix? Exercise and limiting saturated fats....
• Don't feel bad about your coffee habit - up to 5 cups a day may actually be quite beneficial! Women who drink more than one cup a day are reported to be 22-25% less likely to suffer a stroke, and researchers also suspect it may aid in keepng diabetes in check as well (Self, July 2011)
• Ever wonder whether you are better off eating certain foods raw or cooked? Prevention reccomends eating tomatoes cooked for a higher dose of lycopene (which fights cancer) and for more beta carotene, squash should be eaten cooked too. For bell peppers and garlic it is the other way around: yu'll get higher doses of vitamin B and  antimicrobials respectively if you eat them raw. Spinach, its up to you: raw, it has higher doses of vitamin C, but if you cook it, you'll increase its levels of calcium and zinc! (Prevention, May 2011)