Lycopene, found in fruits and vegetables that are red, may help post-menopausal women’s bones. A recent study has shown that lycopene may have the ability to increase bone mass and density. “Markers of bone breakdown, called bone resorption, were significantly decreased after lycopene treatment compared with untreated controls. Bone resorption contributes to accelerated bone loss, especially after menopause, the study said. Lycopene appears to shift the balance slightly toward osteogenic, or bone-building, activity, the researchers suggested.” The researchers have not yet tested this theory on humans, but encourage older women to eat red foods—such as tomato sauce—more frequently.

If you’re approaching 45-years-old, you have a high risk of developing diabetes. A research study found that half of all 45-year-olds may develop pre-diabetes symptoms and then one in three of those 45-year-olds might become diabetic in some point in their lives. “Over about 15 years, 1,148 people developed elevated blood-sugar levels, 828 developed diabetes and 237 started taking insulin to control their diabetes. The study team translated these results into population risk levels at age 45 and found that about half of people would develop pre-diabetic blood-sugar levels before their death, 30 percent would develop full-blown diabetes and 9 percent would start taking insulin.” The study was not conclusive in the scientific reasoning behind this risk but urged everyone to maintain a healthy diet and exercise to lower the risk.