Diet Soda Leads to Depression, and other Weekend Reads

Here are this week's reading diversions for your personal enlightenment. Have an awesome weekend!

Prune Skin: Why Does Our Skin Get Wrinkly In Water?

We may be, oh, millions of years into evolution, but science has finally figured out why fingers and toes look like raisins after a long shower — and why it's actually useful.

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* Diet soda leads to depression, new study shows

Researchers went back a decade later to learn of the participants' mental health and whether or not they had been diagnosed with depression since 2000.

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Flu Or Cold?: The Difference Between The Common Cold And Flu

The common cold and flu are caused by different viruses but can have some similar symptoms, making them tough to tell apart. In general, the flu is worse and symptoms are more intense.

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12 Signs of Depression in Men - Health.com

Clinical depression—in women or men—can cause sadness and a loss of interest in once pleasurable activities. But depression can sometimes manifest in different ways in different people.

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Link Between Passive Smoking And Dementia

Passive smoking, also known as 'second-hand' smoke or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is known to cause serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including coronary heart disease and lung cancer. However, until now it has been uncertain whether ETS increases the risk of dementia, mainly due to lack of research. Previous studies have shown an association between ETS and cognitive impairment, but this is the first to find a significant link with dementia syndromes.

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What Is Alzheimer's Disease? What Causes Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurologic disease of the brain leading to the irreversible loss of neurons and the loss of intellectual abilities, including memory and reasoning, which become severe enough to impede social or occupational functioning. Alzheimer's disease is also known as simply Alzheimer's, and Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (SDAT)

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What is Dementia? What Causes Dementia? Symptoms of Dementia

The word dementia comes from the Latin de meaning "apart" and mens from the genitive mentis meaning "mind". Dementia is the progressive deterioration in cognitive function - the ability to process thought (intelligence).

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6 best foods you’re not eating

We all know about superfoods like salmon and blueberries that benefit your diet and your life. But what about those nutrition superstars that, despite being so good for you, remain under the radar? WebMD asked nutrition experts to name their top underrated foods. Here are their top six.

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Fathers Can Teach Their Children Persistence: Study - Health - MSN Healthy Living

Children learn persistence from their fathers, according to a new study, and this skill can lead to better performance at school and a reduced risk of criminal behavior.

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Do This, Shave Years Off Your Brain - Aging Well - MSN Healthy Living

Consider this, doing word games regularly has been shown to promote the kind of brain growth that strengthens memory and concentration, as well as helping keep dementia and Alzheimer's at bay.

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How to Improve Your Workout - What to Do Before the Gym - Oprah.com

Rethink the 15 minutes before you jump on the treadmill and you're guaranteed to have a better, more efficient, more fun workout.

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