Fewer people in the United States report having an unhealthy diet, but researchers say that number still represents more than a third of adults nationwide. Improvements in diet were spread out unevenly, with wealthier and more educated people making greater strides than lower-income, less-educated adults. Healthy diets are high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in processed foods, salt, and saturated fats. The number of people in the United States with an unhealthy diet has...

For people with certain genetic heart conditions, drinking energy drinks might pose a small risk of heart attack. Further research is needed to prove this association and determine whether similar risks apply to a general population. Energy drinks might be “arrhythmogenic foods” that include not only high amounts of caffeine as well as compounds such as taurine and guarana that could have adverse effects on heart health Drinking energy drinks could pose a small but significant risk of...

Researchers report that as many as 70% of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma could be undiagnosed. They say that receiving a diagnosis and treatment can dramatically improve health and quality of life for a person with one of those conditions. They add the people should take respiratory symptoms seriously and consult a physician and request a spirometry test if they’re concerned. Next time you go to the doctor, maybe ask them to check your breathing —...

Zinc supplements might help shorten cold symptoms but are not likely to prevent them, a new analysis suggests. Existing studies on zinc’s effectiveness are somewhat inconclusive due to different designs, different drug delivery systems, and lack of a single definition of which cold viruses are being targeted. Experts say people can still take zinc as long as they’re aware of side effects and should consult their physician before doing so. Taking zinc when you have the sniffles could reduce...

Even brief moments of anger can cause your blood vessels to constrict, raising cardiovascular disease risk, according to a new study. Researchers reported that other emotions such as sadness and anxiety did not provoke a similar response in blood vessels. Experts say mindfulness practice and meditation could help manage anger responses and mitigate the negative health risks of frequent anger episodes. Getting briefly angry — but not other emotions such as sadness or anxiety — can raise your...