Cup O' Joe Decreases Stroke Risk

With the time change, we're all finding it a bit more difficult to get up in the morning. Even though our brains might not be awake when consuming that first cup of coffee, we're actully doing our brains some good! It was found in 2011 study that consumption of 1-6 cups of coffee a day cut stroke risk by 17%¹! Coffee has antioxidants that reduce oxidation of LDL cholesterol and reduce inflammation markers.

For the women readers, drinking 2-3 cups of coffee has also shown a 15% decrease risk of depression. And if you drink 4 or more cups, a 20% decrease risk was seen²! So, go ahead and pour yourself another cup o' joe!

Of course, just make sure you limit the frequency of your drinking to reduce the amount of coffee that your teeth come in touch with. In other words, it's better if you drink a cup of coffee in one sitting than to sip a little bit at a time over a longer period of time. Coffee contains acids and sugars that is harmful to to your enamel, leading to a higher cavity risk. Although coffee has its health benefits, we want to make sure you take advantage of those benefits while being cavity free!

Here's to another cup,
Dr. Lynda Tran

¹ http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/752712

² http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/750420

Secondhand Smoking Linked to Gum Disease

We've known for years that smoking increases an individual's risk of getting gum disease but a recent study finds that secondhand smoking can also increase one's risk. At the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, researchers found that "exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke for a few hours each day can double a person's risk of severe periodontal disease".

For the full article, please visit this site.

Please think before lighting up,
Dr. Lynda Tran