Frozen OJ More
Healthy than FreshA new study has found
that while fresh orange
juice contains the high-
est concentration of
carotenoids (healthful
plant pigments), freez-
ing and then defrosting
the juice helps them get
absorbed more easily in
the body. Pasteurizing
juice, however, renders
them more difficult to
absorb.Short-Serving
Veterans at Highest
Risk for Self-HarmA University of Glasgow
study found that mili-
tary veterans overall
were 30 percent more
likely than nonveterans
to be admitted to the
hospital for episodes
of self-harm, such as
cutting or biting them-
selves. The risk was
highest—70 percent—
in people who left
the service before
they completed their
initial training, whereas
those who served the
longest actually re-
duced their risk.RETHINKING
THE DAILY ASPIRIN
Many Americans have been popping a
baby aspirin once a day, believing it would
protect them from a heart attack, a stroke,
and even cancer. But several recent
studies have thrown this into question.
One large-scale study followed
more than 19,000 healthy peo-
ple ages 65 and older. Partici-
pants were randomly assigned
to take either 100 mg of aspirin
(slightly more than the 81 mg dose
that most people take) or a placebo
every day for an average of 4.7 years. Not
only did people in the aspirin group not lower
their risk of heart disease, dementia, or disability,
but they were also more likely to suffer from signif-
icant bleeding in the digestive tract or brain. And
they were more likely to die overall, apparently be-
cause of an increased risk of succumbing to cancer.
Similarly, a trial of more than 12,500 people
ages 55 and older deemed to have a moderate
cardiovascular risk found no benefit to taking
aspirin daily. In a study of more than 15,000
people with diabetes, a daily aspirin did prevent
heart attacks and strokes, but it also caused major
bleeding. And according to an analysis of data
from more than 117,000 people, heavier people
needed larger doses of aspirin to help reduce their
risk of heart attack, stroke, and colorectal cancer.
The bottom line: Although there is good
evidence that aspirin can help people who have
already had or are at high risk for heart attacks or
strokes, the drug’s value is not so clear for people,
especially older people, with less risk. Consult
your doctor before starting—or stopping—aspirin.50 may 2019 | rd.com
Reader’s Digest
matthew^cohen