These Are the Only 2 Supplements That Help You Live Longer, Study Finds

 When it comes to a healthy heart and long life, these are the only supplements proven to work.

According to a 2019 poll by the American Osteopathic Association, 86 percent of Americans take vitamins or dietary supplements on a daily basis. With the COVID pandemic triggering anxiety and more health awareness in people across the U.S., you may have added a few more supplements to your regimen. But if you're trying to live a longer life or want to avoid a heart attack-related death, a recent Johns Hopkins meta-analysis has some good and bad news. After looking at studies of 16 vitamins, the researchers found that only two supplements actually work to help you live longer and stay healthy.

Folic acid and omega-3 supplements are the only ones linked to improved heart health and a longer life.

Taking omega-3 fatty acids supplements and folic acid are the only two supplements linked to living a longer life and improved heart heath, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers say. According to a 2019 analysis published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, which looked into 277 clinical trials with 24 various interventions, most supplements have no effect when it comes to improving health in most people.In a statement, Safi U. Khan, MD, the lead author of the analysis and an assistant professor of medicine at West Virginia University, said the analysis "carries a simple message that although there may be some evidence that a few interventions have an impact on death and cardiovascular health, the vast majority of multivitamins, minerals and different types of diets had no measurable effect on survival or cardiovascular disease risk reduction."

Researchers suggest folic acid can successfully reduce stroke risk by 20 percent.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins analyzed data from 25 studies in 25,580 healthy people and noticed that folic acid supplements were connected to a 20 percent decrease of stroke.Folic acid—a synthetic from of folate, better known as vitamin B9—assists in the production of new red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body, notes Medical News Today. In its natural form, folate is also found in whole grains, dark leafy vegetables, peanuts, and beans, among other foods, according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Omega-3 supplements can decrease your risk of heart attack by almost 10 percent.

According to the Johns Hopkins analysis, the possible impact of omega-3 supplements, a form of unsaturated fatty acid, was evaluated in 41 studies, totaling 134,032 participants. The findings suggest that the fatty acid supplement was connected to an eight percent decrease in heart attack risk. It also saw a seven percent reduction in coronary heart disease.Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to minimize inflammation in the body, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. The Mayo Clinic explains that omega-3 fatty acid also has the ability to slightly lower blood pressure, decrease triglycerides, reduce blood clotting, and make heartbeats more regular.

Many popular supplements showed no affect on heart health or longevity.

"Multivitamins, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D alone, calcium alone and iron showed no link to increased or decreased risk of death or heart health," the Johns Hopkins analysis explained.In fact, the analysis found that taking calcium and vitamin D at the same time increase a person's risk of stroke by 17 percent.

The research proves it's best to get your key nutrients from foods instead of supplements.

Ultimately, the Johns Hopkins researchers remind people to listen to their doctor's recommendations and try to get nutrients from natural resources. "The panacea or magic bullet that people keep searching for in dietary supplements isn't there," senior author Erin D. Michos, MD, associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said in a statement. "People should focus on getting their nutrients from a heart-healthy diet, because the data increasingly show that the majority of healthy adults don't need to take supplements."

Danielle Cinone

21 Tips to Maintain a Good Relationship with Your Girlfriend

 Maintaining a good relationship with your girlfriend takes more work than just a feeling. It requires a remarkable amount of focus and heaps of effort. If you want to take a proactive approach to create and build a good relationship with her, here are 21 tips that might help you.

1. Leave no doubts.

Simply, make sure that she knows you’re 100% into her and not just because of her physical features. Let her feel how much you love her every day, encourage her to achieve her goals, and lend support whenever she needs it most.

2. Never go to sleep angry.

Don’t let the day pass by without fixing your problem. Instead, continue until both sides have had enough, and decide together that the argument has ended, then forget the issue. Just learn to forgive each other, if you want to maintain a good relationship with her.

3. Spend quality time together.

Take a relaxing walk around, have a drink together, go for a weekend drive to a cafe or restaurant, disconnect from the internet, laugh, relax, and have fun together.

4. Appreciate her.

If she prepares a meal for you, tell her outright that you appreciate the things she does. Always express gratitude and acknowledge her sacrifices when she helps you out even in the smallest things.

5. Listen to her.

If you just keep on talking instead of listening, your girl will feel unwanted. Put down what you’re doing, give her your full attention, listen carefully, and try to give her advice if she needs it.

6. Talk about the future.

This will not only let your relationship feel stable, but this act also shows commitment from each other.

7. Give your support.

Encourage her to reach her dreams, let her know that you are happy and proud of her achievements, applaud her success, always be present at important events, boost her confidence when she’s struggling, and don’t forget to compliment her.

8. Avoid using words that might hurt her.

Try not to say something painful that you will regret in the end. It may be difficult for you, especially when you’re extremely angry but always remind yourself that it can ruin your relationship. You can walk away or stay silent from the argument until you cool down, this will help you keep your relationship intact.

9. Stay positive.

If you’re in a bad mood, chances are your crappy mood will rub off on everyone around you, including your girlfriend. It may be unavoidable, but try to do your best to stay positive. Let go of negative thoughts, accept and find solutions, let her see that you are approaching each challenge with a positive and happy attitude.

10. Include her in your life.

Include her in every decision you make, ask her opinion, invite her when you want to spend time with your friends and family, or offer to spend time with her friends.

11. Always be kind to her.

Always do random nice things for your girlfriend. It could be as simple as helping her with one thing on her weekend to-do list, bring her things she loves or get the ingredients to make her favorite dish. Whatever the situation is, always show her kindness. Love is kind, thus, being kind to her all the time will make her feel more loved.

12. Compliment her.

Take time to notice different things like the outfit she picked out, the way she does her makeup, or tell her you like her new haircut. However, compliments also don’t have to be purely physical. You can also compliment her on getting good grades at school, on her promotion at work, or tell her how much you admire her emotional bravery.

13. Work as a team.

You are not just a couple but you are a “team”. Think of your joint success and use it to motivate each other, support each other through discipline, and pull each other through the hard stuff.

14. Be honest.

More severe actions like being unfaithful can end a relationship, so as much as possible be honest and upfront even if you think it will make you look bad. If you did something wrong, it’s best if you let your girl know it sooner or later. And if she doesn’t trust you because of your previous acts, make an effort to show her your sincere apology and that you’ve changed.

15. Exercise together.

Work out together to stay fit, will not only beneficial for your own health and well-being but will boost happiness in your relationship. This will also help you push yourselves, motivate each other and have some quality time together.

16. Don’t play the blame game.

Assigning blame when having an argument will only ruin your relationship. So as much as possible, avoid blaming each other and work through the situation like partners.

17. Leave her sweet notes.

Writing notes for your most special girl strengthens your relationship, but you should put your feelings in writing, too, which is a great way to express yourself.

18. Be aware.

Be mindful of your own role in your relationship. When a difference arises, try becoming an observer of your thoughts, your emotions, your needs, and your ego.

19. Talk about the tough times.

Do not ignore serious issues in your relationship, as much as possible, acknowledge that tough times exist. Sit down and have a hard conversation with your girlfriend about how things have been and are willing to fix them.

20. Treat her with respect.

Value your girlfriend as a woman and as a human. Respect her opinions, emotions, principles and beliefs which may be different from yours. Show your girlfriend that you are mature and open-minded. Be considerate and learn to accept new things and be humble enough to adjust yourself for the happiness and growth of your relationship with her.

21. Show your affection.

There are actually a lot of ways to show love to your girlfriend, either through your actions, words and behavior. Send her flowers, cook her favorite dinner, take her out, surprise her, and tell her you love her while looking into her eyes, are only a few ways on how to be affectionate to your girl.

Just start with one strategy and build your way up!

Marydel Mitch Flores

People Who Live Past 105 Have This in Common, New Study Says

 This may just be the key to living a long life, according to reseasrchers.

People always wonder what the key to living a long life is. While your diet, exercise, attitude, stress level, and sleep may play a part, a recent study identified another factor that could determine your longevity. According to the new study, a majority of people who live past 105 years old have this one thing in common.

People who live past 105 years old have genetic similarities, the researchers found.

A May 4 study published in the journal eLife took blood samples of 81 people who were 105 years or older from all over Italy. Then they did the same with 36 healthy people from the same regions who were an average of 68 years old. With their samples collected, the researchers conducted a whole genome sequencing in search of differences in the genes between the older and younger group."We chose to study the genetics of a group of people who lived beyond 105 years old and compare them with a group of younger adults from the same area in Italy, as people in this younger age group tend to avoid many age-related diseases and therefore represent the best example of healthy aging," one of the authors of the study, Paolo Garagnani, PhD, said in the statement.What they found was that people who live beyond 105 years tend to have some genetic similarities.

These genetic similarities are linked to reduced age-related disease.

The researchers identified a handful of genetic variances that were more often seen in people who lived past 105. The most common were linked to heightened activity of the STK17A gene, which is responsible for "coordinating the cell's response to DNA damage, encouraging damaged cells to undergo programmed cell death, and managing the amount of dangerous reactive oxygen species within a cell," the authors explained. This highly active STK17A gene helps combat the initiation and growth of various diseases, including cancer.The researchers also found an increased presence of BLVRA among people 105 years old and older—that gene plays an important role in the health of cells.The final common genetic trait was in the COA1 gene, which plays an essential role in your cells' functionality, specifically how the nucleus and mitochondria communicate. Other research has shown that your mitochondria plays a key part in age-related diseases, specifically neurodegenerative ones, meaning the COA1 gene helps stave off this kind of deterioration.

People who live past 105 had accumulated fewer harmful genetic mutations.

The researchers found that people older than 105 had fewer mutations in the genes they tested. Mutations tend to negatively affect how your genes function in terms of stress and DNA repair. The researchers said the subjects they studied "appeared to avoid the age-related increase in disruptive mutations, and this may have contributed in protecting them against diseases such as heart disease."Other studies pinpointed DNA repair as one of the factors that promotes longevity in other species, senior author of the study Cristina Giuliani, PhD, said in a statement. "We showed that this is true also within humans," she explained."Our results suggest that DNA repair mechanisms and a low burden of mutations in specific genes are two central mechanisms that have protected people who have reached extreme longevity from age-related diseases," senior author of the study, Claudio Franceschi, PhD, said in a statement.

Previous research has shown that social and environmental factors can also play a part in whether you live to 100.

Genetics may be one element of your longevity, but your social life and environment can play a role, too. April 2020 research out of Washington State University's (WSU) Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine found that living in highly walkable, mixed-age communities can help you reach that 100-year mark. "Aging has been attributed to be only 20–35 percent heritable. Social and environmental factors, such as high educational attainment and socioeconomic status, also significantly contribute to longevity," the authors wrote in the study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.According to the study, people with a high probability of living to 100 tended to live in geographic clusters in urban areas and smaller towns with a "higher percentage of working age population," defined as those between the ages of 15 and 64. In a statement, study author Rajan Bhardwaj, a WSU medical student, said, "These findings indicate that mixed-age communities are very beneficial for everyone involved. They also support the big push in growing urban centers toward making streets more walkable, which makes exercise more accessible to older adults and makes it easier for them to access medical care and grocery stores." Urban areas also tend to help older adults feel less isolated and offer more community support.So if you're worried you're lacking the genes to help ring in your 100th birthday, you might want to consider a location that could enhance the quality and length of your life.

Allie Hogan

Drinking This Much Coffee Every Day Adds Years to Your Life, Study Says

 Research shows that a few cups of joe could keep you alive a little longer.

A morning cup of coffee can be just the thing to shake off your sleepiness and give you the energy to take on the day. But it turns out that your daily java ritual might be doing more for you than helping you wake up. That's because a study has found that drinking a certain amount of coffee each day can actually add years to your life and improve your health. Read on to see how much joe you should be getting in on the regular.

Drinking three to five cups of coffee per day reduces your early death risk by 15 percent.

The research comes by way of an analysis published in the American Heart Association's (AHA) journal Circulation in 2015. A team used data from three large studies totaling 208,501 participants that were followed up with for up to 30 years. This included a food questionnaire that tracked each person's coffee consumption.Researchers found a direct correlation between the amount of coffee consumed—including decaffeinated coffee—and mortality, with those who drank three to five cups a day witnessing a 15 percent drop in early death for any reason. The study authors wrote that "significant inverse associations were observed between coffee consumption and deaths attributed to cardiovascular disease, neurologic diseases, and suicide."

Another recent study found that coffee can also help boost your heart health.

Mounting research also shows that partaking in some daily java can help keep some of your most vital organs healthy. A study published on June 14 in the AHA's journal Circulation: Heart Failure also analyzed three major studies that collected data on more than 21,000 adults over the span of at least a decade.Participants self-reported their coffee intake by indicating they had zero, one, two, or three or more cups daily. Results showed that anyone with daily caffeinated coffee intake saw a drop in their risk of long-term heart failure. But those who drank at least two cups a day saw a 30 percent decrease in heart failure compared to those who reported drinking no coffee or only one cup.

The study's findings reverse some previous thinking that caffeine could cause heart problems.

The team concluded that while there were some limitations, the study results could reverse some public misconceptions about coffee and cardiovascular health. "The association between caffeine and heart failure risk reduction was surprising," David P. Kao, MD, the study's senior author, assistant professor of cardiology, and medical director at the Colorado Center for Personalized Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said in a statement. "Coffee and caffeine are often considered by the general population to be 'bad' for the heart because people associate them with palpitations, high blood pressure, etc. The consistent relationship between increasing caffeine consumption and decreasing heart failure risk turns that assumption on its head."But he said that more research needed to be done to find out exactly how coffee factored into improved heart health when it came to the bigger picture. "There is not yet enough clear evidence to recommend increasing coffee consumption to decrease risk of heart disease with the same strength and certainty as stopping smoking, losing weight, or exercising," he said.

One expert says coffee should be considered a part of a "heart-healthy dietary pattern."

Another expert weighing in on the study said that even though the researchers could claim no concrete proof of coffee's health benefits, drinking a daily cup of coffee could boost cardiovascular health under the right circumstances. "While unable to prove causality, it is intriguing that these three studies suggest that drinking coffee is associated with a decreased risk of heart failure and that coffee can be part of a healthy dietary pattern if consumed plain, without added sugar and high-fat dairy products such as cream," Penny M. Kris-Etherton, PhD, Evan Pugh University Professor of Nutritional Sciences and distinguished professor of nutrition at The Pennsylvania State University, College of Health and Human Development, said in a statement.Besides warning that overconsumption of coffee could lead to jitteriness and sleep problems, Kris-Etherton said that java has its place in a well-balanced diet. "The bottom line: enjoy coffee in moderation as part of an overall heart-healthy dietary pattern that meets recommendations for fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat [or] non-fat dairy products, and that also is low in sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars," she concluded.

Zachary Mack

21 Terrific Ways to Make Him Obsessed with You

 Do you want your boyfriend to be head over heels with you? They say that for a relationship to last, the guy should be more in love than the girl. While it is not the best formula since a healthy relationship must involve two committed individuals, having a doting boyfriend is not really bad.  So, are you curious about how you can make him obsessed with you?

Here are some of the steps you can take to keep your man loyal and devoted to you:

Be Your Best

1. Take Good Care of Yourself.

Beautiful girls are every guy’s weakness. So, if you do not want him swayed by other pretty girls, stay attractive yourself. Stay fit and healthy all the time. In addition, have a skincare routine to stay flawless and glowing.

2. Dress to Impress.

Another way to be a head-turner is by being fashionable. Do not settle for being neat and presentable. Instead, invest in nice clothes and shoes. You do not have to buy expensive apparel and footwear, though. If you are on a tight budget, you can visit thrift shops for preloved items or remodel your old clothes.

3. Be Confident.

Guys are attracted to confident women—those who are not intimidated by others because they know their worth. For this reason, work on boosting your self-esteem. When you must talk to others, face them professionally with a smile and speak your thoughts without inhibitions.

4. Be Passionate About What You Do.

Men also admire women who excel in their fields. That is why give your best at work. Let your boyfriend see how you enjoy your job, no matter how stressed or tired you are. Once he sees how sold out you are to your cause, especially if it helps others, he will realize that you are a woman of purpose. Nowadays, it is rare to find someone who knows what they are living for is rare.

5. Have a Classy Character.

Guys are enchanted by classy ladies. If you want your boyfriend to treat you like a jewel all the time, embrace sophistication. No matter what your personality is, you can always walk, talk, and act gracefully.

6. Be a Goal-Getter.

Men are enamored by strong women who know what they want.  Therefore, set goals and focus on getting them. For instance, you can pursue post-graduate studies and persevere in finishing them. Or you can work hard on your promotion or business expansion.

Make Him Feel Special

7. Look Him Sweetly in the Eyes When You Talk.

Like girls, guys are also drawn to people who treat them with value. That is why let your boyfriend feel that he is special to you. One way to do this is by maintaining eye contact with him whenever you talk. And when you look at him, let your eyes speak with sparkles.

8. Admire Him Infront of Other People.

Your partner will surely adore you all the more if you are consistent in praising him in public. When you introduce him to others, let everyone know how proud you are of your boyfriend. Highlight his skills, talents, character traits, or even accomplishments.

9. Tell Him What You Like About Him.

And in private, let your boyfriend know what you love about him. This will increase his self-esteem and motivate him to improve himself. Your genuine appreciation will attach your boyfriend to you all the more. Guys are after women who can see their worth. So, expect him to shower you with appreciation as well.

10. Give Him Presents, Especially Personalized Ones.

Another way to make your boyfriend devoted to you is by giving him presents. Bring your thoughtfulness to a higher level by giving him DIY or personal gifts, especially on a special occasion.

11. Let Him Know Your Unique Experiences with Him.

Your boyfriend would surely love to hear how special he is to you. Do this by talking about your unforgettable experiences with him, such as your memorable trips together or your “firsts” with him. Once he hears about these, he will be more doting to you.

12. Allow Yourself to be Vulnerable with Him.

Another way to keep your boyfriend obsessed with you is by allowing him to witness your weaknesses. Men like to feel knights-in-shining-armor. So if you show your partner your vulnerable side, he will feel needed for protection—and he likes that.

13. Open Up About Your Secrets.

Aside from letting him know your vulnerability, you can also tell him your innermost secrets. Tell him that you have not shared it with anyone else. This will make him feel super special. Also, it would make him feel trusted, so he will do his best to stay that way.

Challenge Him

14. Do Not be a Pushover.

Men like challenges. They can easily lose interest in girls who follow everything they say. On the other hand, women who know when to say “no” and are hard to influence are like adventures to them. These are the girlfriends who can keep the interest of their partners for a long time.

15. Be Miss Independent.

Men are used to being superheroes and providers in a relationship. However, this is also why some are confident about cheating on their partners. Thinking women are weaker beings who cannot live without them, they are not afraid to commit mistakes. Meanwhile, empowered women who are financially, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually stable are more challenging for them. These guys know that these girls will not think twice about leaving them once they do something stupid.

16. Set Boundaries in the Relationship.

Do not be all out with him. Set limitations to avoid overfamiliarity and disrespect. Let him understand that he cannot own you, and you still have your individual personal lives. These boundaries will also help maintain your discipline and self-control. Once he sees that you are consistent with the rules you set, you will gain more of his respect.

17. Be Firm with Your Principles.

In connection to no. 16, your boyfriend will take you more seriously if he sees how serious you are with your principles. Demand respect for your beliefs, opinions, and principles. This will make you more attractive in his eyes.

18. Let Him Know You Will Not Settle for Less.

Be a woman of standards. Make your partner see that you value excellence. So, if he wants to spend a lifetime with you, he needs to upgrade himself too. If he takes this positively, he will be motivated to work hard and set goals for himself. The positive influence is enough to make him obsessed with you.

19. Do Not Show Him You are Jealous.

Guys are thrilled when their girlfriends are jealous of other women. It makes them think that these ladies are afraid of losing them. While this could be good, sometimes it because a setback since some guys misuse this weakness. Therefore, avoid being too territorial with your boyfriend. Do not stop him from talking to other girls. If your partner sees that you are not afraid to lose him, he will work harder to please you.

20. Tell Him about the Other Guys Who Like You.

Men are proud to have girlfriends whom other men like too. It makes them feel like winners, and they will do everything to keep their girls. So, if you want them to be obsessed with you, let them know about those guys who keep showing interest in you. Just be careful not to put anyone in danger.

21. Never Beg Him to Stay.

Show your boyfriend that you are not afraid to lose him. If you keep insisting yourself on him, he will take you for granted easily. On the other hand, if he sees that your happiness and self-worth are not dependent on him, he will be drawn to you all the more. He knows that you are an asset, not a liability.

Start with Self-Love

If you want your boyfriend to be obsessed with you, love yourself first. Without self-love, it would be hard for others to see your worth. If you are in love with yourself, you glow all the more. And other people, including your partner, will find you more attractive.

Cyril Abello

Walking Exactly This Much a Week Adds Years to Your Life, Study Says

 Taking a brisk walk for at least this much time can help ward off early death.

To some, walking may not seem as efficient of an exercise as a hard sweat session at the gym or in a fitness class. But mounting research is showing that hitting the pavement can have excellent benefits for your health. Now, a new study has found that walking for a certain amount of time each week adds years to your life by reducing numerous health risks. Read on to see exactly how long you should be striving to make strides.

Walking briskly for 2.5 hours each week lowers the risk of early death.

Going for your morning walk may not be quite the same as training for a marathon, but it's still giving you a health boost. A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine tracked 380,055 people with an average age of 56 over the course of 11 years to study the relationship between physical activity and lack of sleep. Participants then had their activity levels designated as high, medium, low, or none, while their sleep patterns were categorized as healthy, intermediate, or poor.Follow up with participants found that those who got in at least 600 metabolic equivalent minutes (MET) of physical activity a week —which is equivalent to 2.5 hours of brisk walking or 75 minutes of strenuous running—"eliminated most of the deleterious associations of poor sleep" and early death. Conversely, those who didn't get in their exercise and slept poorly were 57 percent more likely to die an early death than those who managed to stay active.

The likelihood of being diagnosed with cancer or heart disease was also decreased by walking.

The researchers also found that poor sleep and lack of exercise could lead to other bad health outcomes. By the end of the study, 15,503 participants had died, including 4,095 who succumbed to cardiovascular diseases, 9,064 of cancer, 1,932 of coronary heart disease, 359 from hemorrhagic stroke, 450 from ischemic stroke, and 1,595 from lung cancer. The study's authors excluded participants who died of COVID-19 from the results.These results showed that those who got poor sleep and who did only low levels of exercise were 67 percent more likely to develop heart disease. The same group was also 45 percent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than those in the higher exercise group.

The study authors concluded that exercise and sleep together could help improve your health.

The research team also noted that certain differences in lifestyle also affected the likelihood of early death, including eating a vegetarian diet, getting plenty of sleep, being less sedentary, not being overweight, not being socioeconomically disadvantaged, and not holding a job that required shift work. And while they pointed out that further research was needed on the topic to cement any links between exercise, sleep, and early death, they ultimately concluded that physical activity and sleep are keys to improving health.

Other recent studies have found links between walking and brain health benefits.

Other recent studies have shown that walking enough each week can do even more to help jog your health. In one, researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) used 70 participants between the ages of 55 and 80 who had been diagnosed with memory loss and split them randomly into two groups. Researchers then instructed one set of participants to complete stretching exercises three to five times each week for 30 to 40 minutes, while the other group was instructed to take a brisk walk three to five times weekly for the same duration of time.After a year, MRIs showed that those who were in the group prescribed aerobic exercise had increased blood flow to their brains and that the blood vessels in their necks were less stiff. Participants in the stretching group did not display the same results. While there wasn't enough evidence to draw a concrete link between walking and dementia, the researchers concluded that the results warranted more study on the relationship, Eating Well reported.

"There is still a lot we don't know about the effects of exercise on cognitive decline later in life," C. Munro Cullum, PhD, professor of psychiatry at UTSW and co-senior author of the study, said in a statement. "MCI [mild cognitive impairment] and dementia are likely to be influenced by a complex interplay of many factors, and we think that, at least for some people, exercise is one of those factors."

Zachary Mack

If You Drink This Every Day, Your Heart Could Be in Danger, Study Finds

 Research has found a link between this popular beverage and heart failure.

From sitting too long every day to not working out enough, our behavior can play a significant role in our heart health. That also goes for the things we put in our bodies, including some of our favorite beverages. A new study has found that one drink in particular could be putting your heart in danger, especially if you are regularly and heavily consuming it.

Researchers say heavy energy drink consumption could lead to heart failure.

Researchers from St Thomas' Hospital in London recently published a study concluding that heavy energy drink consumption may be linked to heart failure. According to the study, which was published April 15 in the BMJ Case Reports journal, there are a few reasons regular energy drink consumption could trigger heart failure.While the researchers contend that caffeine can overstimulate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to heart failure, "energy drinks are also known to increase blood pressure, and can precipitate a number of arrhythmias," which are problems with the rate of the heartbeat. Both of these can lead to heart failure as well. "Clear warnings should be provided about the potential cardiovascular dangers of energy drink consumption in large amounts," the study authors note.

A young man experienced heart failure after drinking energy drinks every day.

The researchers for this study reported on a case study of a 21-year-old man who suffered from heart failure but had no significant past medical or family history of heart disease. However, the man had a regular history of drinking energy drinks, consuming an average of four 500 milliliter cans every day for nearly two years. According to the study, his heart failure was severe enough that he was considered for an organ transplant. Thankfully, his heart symptoms and function began to improve significantly with treatment once he cut out energy drinks completely. "However, it is difficult to predict the clinical course of recovery or potential for relapse," the authors warned.

You should be aware of the signs of heart failure if you consume energy drinks.

The 21-year-old patient ended up in the ICU after experiencing four months of progressive shortness of breath during exertion, breathlessness while lying down, and weight loss. According to the National Health Service (NHS), these are all symptoms of heart failure. Other symptoms such as fatigue, swollen ankles or feet, and a persistent cough could also arise with heart failure."When I was drinking up to four energy drinks per day, I suffered from tremors and heart palpitations, which interfered with my ability to concentrate on daily tasks and my studies at university. I also suffered from severe migraine headaches which would often occur during the periods when I did not drink energy drinks; this also restricted my ability to perform day-to-day tasks and even leisurely activities such as going to the park or taking a walk," the 21-year-old man recalled, as reported in the study.

Heart failure kills hundreds of thousands people in the U.S. every year.

Heart failure is a very serious condition. According to the Emory Healthcare system, nearly 5 million people currently have congestive heart failure in the U.S., and around 550,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Notably, it can affect people of every age: Almost 1.4 million of those diagnosed are under the age of 60. Heart failure can also progress very quickly. Nearly 287,000 people die from the condition each year, and more than half of those who develop congestive heart failure die within five years of diagnosis.

Kali Coleman