Drinking sodas and other sugar-based beverages may be very dangerous. A new study reports that too much sugar creates a significant amount of visceral fat in the body over time. “Visceral fat emerges deep within organs; it’s embedded in the liver, pancreas and intestines…In the current study, Caroline Fox…and her colleagues tracked changes in visceral fat concentrations in a group of about 1,000 people over six years. They found that people who drank the most sugared beverages had the highest increases in visceral fat over that time. The scientists also showed that the visceral fat was biologically more likely to cause health problems.” Health issues such as diabetes and heart disease were some of the mentioned problems that could develop over time. 

If you have shingles you may also develop a stroke or heart attack. A recent study found that older adults who develop shingles could be twice as likely to suffer a stroke or heart attack within a week of diagnosis or the onset of symptoms. “There are two possible causes, they said. The virus may be replicating inside the walls of the arteries, causing fatty buildups to break off and cause a stroke or heart attack. Or it might be the pain causing stress that sends the blood pressure up, they said.” The study suggested that prescribed antiviral drugs could help lessen the chances but that it is important to monitor older people that develop this condition.