Cooking Fish and What You Drink With It May Influence Mercury Exposure Wild fish are well known for providing beneficial omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. At the same time, certain larger predatory fish (like tuna, shark, and mackerel) may contain measurable levels of mercury. Balancing omega-3 benefits with mercury exposure is an important consideration for long-term health. What the Research Suggests A study published in Environmental Research examined how cooking methods and certain beverages affected mercury bioaccessibility meaning the amount potentially available for absorption during digestion. Using laboratory models simulating digestion, researchers found: Boiling reduced mercury bioaccessibility compared to raw fish. Frying reduced bioaccessibility even further in the experimental model. Consuming fish alongside black coffee, black tea, or green tea further reduced measured bioaccessibility. Combining cooking and tea or coffee had an additive effect in the lab…

. . . it could double your risk for macular degeneration A European study on nearly 4,700 men and women over 65 found that daily aspirin users more than doubled their risk of late stage, "wet" macular degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness resulting in loss of independence among older Americans. The macula is a tiny, highly sensitive region in the center of the retina that allows you to see fine details and colors. Without it, you aren't totally blind, but all you see is shapes and movement in shades of black and white. With age, the macula can deteriorate in one of two ways. It can become thin and sprinkled with debris called drusen (the dry form), or blood vessels beneath the retina may push up into the macula and leak blood and fluids (the wet form). The wet form, which is considered the more serious, was the form associated with aspirin use in the above study. (Aspirin is known to cause small hemorrhages under the retina.) Other…