Even More Reasons to Drink Coffee

Plus: Sleep HealthCenters abruptly close; graphic tobacco labels are working; and more health news.

Coffee drinkers are less likely to be depressed, according to a new study presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s Annual Meeting. People that drink regular or diet soda, fruit punch, or iced tea are more likely to suffer depression. People who drank more than four daily servings of regular soda or fruit punch were up to 38 percent more vulnerable to depression. Researchers have not linked the sugar in these drinks to depression, but research suggests it could be the culprit. According to researchers, the caffeine in coffee stimulates the brain, and coffee is also and rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, which could help fight depression. [Women’s Health]

Graphic tobacco warnings may help smokers quit, according to a new study by Harvard School of Public Health. The study provides further evidence that those bold pictorial cigarette warning labels with a corpse or tar-filled lungs that visually depict the health consequences of smoking are actually working. More than 400,000 Americans die each year as a result of tobacco-related diseases, which include heart disease, cancers, emphysema, and stroke. [Harvard]

All 19 Sleep HealthCenters with locations mostly in New England, including 11 in Massachusetts, abruptly closed this weekend. The Boston-based for profit company left notes of the doors saying “circumstances beyond our control.” While the facts about why this happened are still being figured out, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) put out a statement  Sunday encouraging patients who have been affected by the closings to contact a local AASM accredited sleep disorders center to make arrangements for the immediate transition of their medical care. [Globe]

A 101-year-old marathoner is finally hanging up his sneakers. Fauja Singh, also known as the “turbaned tornado” didn’t start running marathons until he was 89-years-old and has been credited with running the marathons in London, New York, and  Hong Kong. So it seems age is not an excuse for never trying a marathon.  [Discovery]