Two small helpings of purple potatoes a day decreases blood pressure by about four percent without causing weight gain, according to a new study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. While four percent may sound small, researchers say it’s big enough to potentially reduce the risk of several forms of heart disease. I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly. [The New York Times] One writer’s first-person account of being diagnosed with Asperger’s—when he was really just an awkward teen. How common is this kind of misdiagnosis? Decaf Coffee May Protect Your Brain [Medical Daily] Drinking a daily cup of decaffeinated coffee may help protect brain function, according to a recent animal study from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Researchers say this is the first evidence to show the potential benefits of decaf coffee for both preventing and treating cognitive decline caused by type 2 diabetes, aging, and neurodegenerative disorders. Have You Cried Yet Today? Go Ahead, Your Health Will Thank You [The Huffington Post] Crying feels good—okay, maybe not while in the midst of a shoulder-heaving sob session—and research suggests crying may help flush toxins out of your body. The health benefits could also extend to reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and being able to make better connections with people. Tubby Tabby Gets A New Knee [USA Today] Cyrano, a 10-year-old cat from Virginia, received a total knee replacement on Thursday in what doctors believe is the first feline total knee replacement in the US. Cyrano—whose full name is Mr. Cyrano L. Catte II—weighs more than 20 pounds, which made amputating his cancer-weakened leg impossible, so his owners turned to this groundbreaking procedure. Join the Yoga Challenge [Greatist] For total mind and body fitness, one blogger is vowing to do 30 minutes of yoga everyday not only for the physical challenge, but to learn how to carve out daily time just for herself. Are you up for it?
