FOOD (AND DRINK) FOR THOUGHT

I recently came across an article titled, "Processed Meats Linked to Pancreatic Cancer," on MSN. The article states that the cancer risk is related to how it its prepared (namely processed.) People who consume a large amount of processed meat had a 67 percent increase in risk of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic Cancer is said to be the fourth leading cancerous cause of death. The article also cited a study that showed that people who ate lots of pork and red meat increased their risk about 50 percent. The researchers suggested that "chemical reactions that occur during the preparation of processed meats might be responsible for the cancer link." Bad news for chickens and fishies: There is no association with poultry, fish, dairy products and eggs, and researchers are recommending eating more of them.

Here's to all you drinkers out there: Another study shows that alcohol (though not a specific type) leads to higher in blood pressure. Also, the study noted that beer increased sleeping heart rate by 5 beats per minute, and wine boosted it 4.4 beats; that does not mean wine is better for you than beer, because if one really thinks about it, that really is not that much. However, wine contains compounds that have antioxidant effects in order to help one relax (which beer does not have.)