Fruit Confirmed to Reduce Stroke Risk

The phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” may have more truth to it than ever realized. A study released this week shows that consistent fruit and vegetable intake can significantly reduce the risk for a stroke and many other major heart problems. The Dutch study specifically targeted white flesh style fruits such as apples and pears but the results are expected to carry over to other fruits as well.

By simply eating a single serving every day of these fruits study participants saw a reduction of about 9% in heart disease and stroke risk. It is quite uncommon for such an incredible correlation to be made between healthy foods and health conditions but doctors say it is simply another great reason to make sure you eat properly. Not only does avoiding bad foods make a difference; eating the correct foods will actually benefit you as well.

Overall the information that apples and other similar fruits can significant reduce health problems is great news for everyone; many of these foods are already common for many people so simply increasing the consumption level will be simple and in turn thousands of people will see reduced risk of stroke and heart disease. Follow studies are currently being planned to find out what other fruits and vegetables may have a significant impact on heart health as well; doctors are hopeful that many popular fruits will in fact be deemed helpful in terms of heart health.

NBA Player Auctioning Ring for Charity

This week one very generous NBA player announced that he will be auctioning the ring he won during the 2004 NBA championship. The proceeds from the auction will then go to a charity devoted to raising awareness and money for children dealing with a terminal illness called Batten’s Disease. Batten’s disease affects mainly children and through the years it progresses from minor seizures to blindness and eventually death.

Darko Milicic is the player behind the auction and he has quite a history of being generous when it comes to children’s health. Milicic and his wife first became familiar with Batten’s Disease when they read about a family that was affected by it in his home country of Serbia. Without any hesitation Milicic quickly stepped in and paid for the expensive treatment for the family.

Currently there isn’t much that can be done to fight the disease in many cases; the most popular form of treatment is stem cell treatment that is only available in China. Milicic and the charity he is helping are hoping to raise enough money and enough awareness to someday offer some sort of treatment here in the United States.

The ring auction is not the only money Milicic will be donating to the charity either. Milicic will be hosting a group of parties and NBA events which will donate all proceeds to the charity. Milicic is hoping that some of his NBA friends and teammates will step in and help raise funds for the charity as well, though at this time nothing has been announced.