Try This –3 Studies and 3 Products I’m Loving This Week

Today, I want to share three studies and three products that I’m loving this week. I think you’re really going to love them too. 

Let’s get into it…

Study: Can Exercise Reverse Heart Aging?

The short answer is yes!

As we age, sedentary behavior really takes a toll. Those who have deprioritized fitness are at a greater risk for heart failure. 

Researchers of this study aimed to see if they could reverse the effects of sedentary behavior in middle-aged adults over a two-year period. Sixty-one healthy but sedentary participants were assigned to two years of exercise training or a control group. 

The exercise group trained for 5–6 hours a week, including interval training, aerobics, strength training, and endurance building. Using echocardiography and other heart tests, the researchers examined the effects of exercise on the heart over this period of time. In the exercise group, VO₂ max increased by 18 percent, and there was a substantial reduction in heart stiffness. The control group had none of these changes. 

Essentially, they were able to reverse heart aging with a vigorous and continual training program, even though the adults were sedentary before! 

That means it’s never too late. The right dose and protocol can protect your heart, even if you’ve been sedentary for years. Listen to Dr. Rhonda Patrick and Dr. Ben Levine talk about this study here. 

Study: Blueberries Make You Smarter

I’ve been really upping my fiber intake lately, and one of my favorite ways to do that is to eat about a cup of blueberries a day. Not only are blueberries a great source of fiber, but they also contain powerful flavonoids that tackle oxidative stress and improve heart and brain health. 

In this double-blind, randomized control trial, participants took 26 grams of freeze-dried blueberry powder or a placebo for 12 weeks. The blueberry group not only experienced improvements in blood pressure, but they also had improvements in memory processes and executive function. 

Yet another reason to enjoy this delicious fruit. 

Product: The Best Blueberries Ever

Speaking of blueberries, I recently discovered this incredible blueberry farm in Florida and got a chance to try their fresh, organic blueberries, and I’m not joking when I say that these are the best blueberries I’ve ever had in my life. 

Most blueberries are grown hydroponically, in plastic containers. But King Grove Organic Farm grows their blueberries in healthy, fertile soil without toxic chemicals. They allow their fruit and flowers to grow at a natural pace, which means less stress on the plant and better-tasting berries. These berries are treated with so much care and harvested at peak ripeness. 

I’ve sent them to my friends and podcast hosts, Max Lugavere and Shawn Stevenson, and to my friend Dr. Casey Means, and they all agree that these are hands down the freshest and most tasty blueberries on the planet. 

Their fresh blueberries are sold out right now, but be sure to get on their waitlist (scroll to the bottom of the page) if you want to order them when they become available again!

Note: They don’t ship to California at the moment, but hopefully that will change in the future.

Study: Squat 10 Times to Improve Blood Sugar

One of the best ways to improve your blood sugar is movement. You might have heard that taking a walk after meals can help regulate your blood sugar, and it is also one of the best ways to beat the slump that comes with eating heavier meals. This is a really cool study that made the rounds a few months ago showing that 10 squats every 45 minutes improves blood sugar more than a longer walk! 

If you sit all day in front of a computer, like I often have to do, taking frequent breaks to walk or squat can improve glycemic control. It’s all about frequent breaks versus taking one or two longer walks a day. 

Try getting up every 45 minutes and squatting 10 times next time you have to sit for longer periods of time. I’m definitely going to try it! 

Product: Alta Soda

I love the trend of nonalcoholic beverages popping up, but so many of these drink alternatives have preservatives and loads of sugar—yuck!

Last week I got a chance to try Alta Soda and was blown away. Not only is this soda lower in sugar, but it has some other really nice ingredients like clove, anise, sea salt, lemon juice, and allspice berry. It was one of the best nonalcoholic drinks I’ve ever tasted.

In full transparency, my wife, Yasmin, was not a huge fan. But I think that’s because I tend to like subtle complex flavors and bitters, but that’s not her jam. I’m not trying to blow up her spot, I’m just saying that if you are like me and you like gentle bitter flavors, this soda is 100 percent for you!

I’m definitely going to be bringing it to parties when I want to enjoy a beverage and skip the alcohol.

Podcast: Parenting & You with Dr. Shefali

This one isn’t a product, but I highly recommend it to anyone who has kids in their life. My friend Dr. Shefali launched a new podcast where she dives into real-time, heartfelt discussions with parents who are navigating parenting struggles. 

Personally, I love any podcast that showcases live coaching and addresses challenges that others can relate to. 

Dr. Shefali offers tools and insights for navigating bumps in the road when it comes to connecting and growing with children. I’m not a parent yet, but I love listening to this podcast and learning about these tools for the future. If you’re a parent, caregiver of children, aunt or uncle, or grandparent, you’ll definitely get a lot out of these conversations. 

See you next week,
Dhru Purohit