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Today in Medicine: Sports and energy drinks cause tooth erosion – Metro US

Today in Medicine: Sports and energy drinks cause tooth erosion

Sports and energy drinks cause tooth erosion

Study subjects: Lab study

Location of study: U.S.

Results: New research published in General Dentistry magazine finds that sports and energy drinks cause permanent damage to tooth enamel. The high acidity levels in some of these drinks and increased use, particularly in teens and young adults, is thought to be the cause of a nationwide surge in tooth erosion.

Significance: Although energy drinks caused twice as much damage as sports drinks, researchers concluded that neither is a healthy alternative to soda. Damaged tooth enamel leaves teeth unprotected and prone to cavities and decay.

Busy roads risky for heart attack survivors

Study subjects: 3,547 heart attack survivors

Location of study: U.S.

Results: A recent study published in Circulation — the American Heart Association’s journal — finds that heart attack survivors living near a major U.S. highway had an increased risk of death from various causes. Researchers found that those patients living less than 328 feet away from a roadway increased their risk of dying over 10 years by 27 percent, compared to those who live at least 3,280 feet away.

Significance: Exposure to air pollution, noise and stress near major U.S. roads seems to contribute to declining health and increased risk of death, particularly for those who already have cardiovascular disease.

Mushroom compound helps for breast cancer

Study subjects: Mice

Location of study: U.S.

Results: Researchers at Indiana University’s Cancer Laboratory found that a blend of extracts from medicinal mushrooms, medicinal herbs and purified nutritional compounds hinders human breast cancer growth and the spread of cancer from breast to lung in mice.

Significance: Since many breast cancer patients die from metastasis, the spreading of the disease, the formula has great promise for steadying metastatic breast cancer.