"webmd" news and stories

A recent WebMD article highlights some of the alcohol-related results of a new Gallup Poll, and it looks like beer is back on top as America's alcoholic beverage of choice. In the sampling of 1,007 Americans, 41 percent ranked beer as their top pick and 33 percent chose wine. It's also interesting to note that the sample group is based on Americans that are 18 years of age or older. While the number of Americans who say they drink hasn't really increased much since the '40s, according to Gallup, the amount those Americans drink has risen. The most recent figures show Americans drinking 4.5 drinks per week, compared to the average 2.8 drinks per week people reported having in 1996. Perhaps people are becoming more wine and beer savvy, or perhaps, as WebMD suggests, the increase is related to all the good press wine has received for its health benefits.

[Via Fark]

Last week, Nicole gave us the lowdown on asparagus: its background, nutritional value, and tips for buying and cooking it. Still, some of you asparagus lovers, or haters, may still be wondering, 'why does asparagus make my urine smell funny?' There may be some of you who say that it doesn't make your urine smell funny, and you may be right.  According to an article by WebMD dietitian Elizabeth Somer, asparagus contains a sulfuric compound called mercaptan (asparagus.org lists a few other possible chemical culprits). When your body breaks mercaptan down into other components, the by-products create that distinctive bouquet. The same compound is found in rotten eggs, onions, garlic (asparagus is in the lily family too), and, yes, skunks. Some studies suggest that only certain people possess the gene necessary to break down asparagus and create the smell. Other research found that some people actually weren't capable of detecting the odor in various urine samples. So, maybe some of you are asparagus-proof, or maybe some of you just can't tell the difference.

[Photo: Nick Vagnoni]

CBS News Healthwatch recently featured a list of the top ten trans fat foods, according to WebMD. At the top of the list were spreads such as margarine ("margarine is a twisted sister") and  I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. According to WebMD, margarines that come in tubs tend to have less trans fat per serving than those that come in sticks. Of the stick margarines rated by CBS, Land O'Lakes had the highest amount of trans fat per serving, 2.5 grams. Other items that were high on the list were packaged food mixes like Bisquik, cake mixes and Easy Mac. Ramen soups and fast food also made the roster. Frozen meals, pre-made baked goods, chips, crackers, breakfast foods including some cereals and toaster pastries, cookies, candies and dips rounded out the list.

There's more trans fat info available here.