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Share on Pinterest New research finds that previous studies may have underestimated how effective the Mediterranean diet is for lowering your risk of type 2 diabetes. Davide Illini/StocksyThe risk of type 2 diabetes can be significantly reduced by eating a Mediterranean diet.In a first study of its kind, researchers developed a blood test to determine the impact of eating a Mediterranean diet on type 2 diabetes risk.This test identified a stronger link between the Mediterranean diet and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes than previous tests, which were based on self-reporting.

The Mediterranean diet may reduce type 2 diabetes risk even more than previously thought.

Thats according to new evidence from researchers at the University of Cambridge, UK who have developed a novel blood test to determine the impact of eating a Mediterranean diet on type 2 diabetes risk.

This is the first study of its kind to use a blood test to measure levels of certain molecules and calculate a biomarker score in the blood. Previous research has been limited by self-reporting.

To compare the difference, the study authors also asked participants to self-report food consumed.

Researchers found that using the biomarker score identified a stronger link between the Mediterranean diet and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes than self-reporting.

This may suggest previous self-report-based studies may have underestimated the association between following a Mediterranean diet and type 2 diabetes risk.

The study ultimately examined the biomarker scores of 340,234 people living in eight European countries.

The study authors also note that more research is needed to confirm the new findings since it is currently unknown to what extent the biomarker score is specific to the Mediterranean diet. Nutrition experts agree that the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest

There are many reasons the Mediterranean diet keeps taking the top spot in the U.S. News and World Report annual ranking of best diets year after year.

Experts clearly agree it is one of the most sustainable eating patterns with significant health benefits, including helping to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RDN, a nutritionist and the author of Skinny Liver, who was not involved in the study, says shes not surprised to see this study yield similar results that other studies on the Mediterranean have previously concluded, but what is interesting here is the addition of the link between measured adherence to the diet and health benefit.

Rahaf Al Bochi, RDN, LD Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and owner of Olive Tree Nutrition LLC was also not involved in the study. She says this new research provides a promising association between adhering to a Mediterranean diet and reducing the risk for type 2 diabetes.

Al Bochi also echoes the researchers in saying that more research is required, especially since the sample size is based on only participants living in European countries. What makes the Mediterranean diet healthy?

The American Heart Association has included the Mediterranean-style diet in their most recent update of an American Heart Association tool for evaluating heart health and for good reason.

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, fish, herbs, and olive oil, with some meat, poultry, and dairy incorporated, says Al Bochi. This means it is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and unsaturated fats that have been associated with health benefits, she explains.

Kirkpatrick agrees saying the diet is very high in nutrient density and contains many foods that, on their own, have been found to decrease mortality and reduce the risk of several chronic conditions. The diet also is limited in added sugars, refined grains, and saturated fats, explains Kirkpatrick.

The American Heart Association explains this Mediterranean-style of eating can help you achieve a healthy eating pattern which plays a big role in preventing heart disease and stroke and reducing risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. How to successfully switch to a Mediterranean diet

Whether youre considering switching to a Mediterranean diet or you simply want to incorporate more foods in this category, health experts say there are a few simple tips to keep in mind that can help you make sustainable changes.Start slowly to begin

Take a baby steps approach, says Kirkpatrick. To do this, she suggests people may want to start with a particular area of their existing or current diet or eating habits.

For example, if you are used to utilizing high amounts of saturated fats, then limiting those and adding in more unsaturated fats like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats might help, she says. This looks like having nuts and seeds as snacks or utilizing more extra virgin olive oil in cooking, Kirkpatrick adds.

Al Bochi suggests shifting toward a more Mediterranean-style diet by adding an extra serving of vegetables and fruits to your current meals. Prioritize your primary protein

Kirkpatrick says you can also assess your primary protein sources and add some Mediterranean factors here, focusing more on beans, legumes, and fatty fish.

Al Bochi agrees, suggesting adding more plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, nuts and seeds to the menu.

The American Heart Association offers the following serving size tips for people who prefer eating meat:a piece of meat about the size of a deck of cardsone small chicken drumstick or thigh3/4 cup of fish, flaked2 thin slices of lean roast beef (sliced 3? x 3? x 1/4?)Focus on what to add rather than subtract

Focus on what you can add to your diet, instead of limit, says Al Bochi. Kirkpatrick says you cant go wrong with simply adding more fruits and vegetables into your existing diet.

She says this will be a step towards a more Mediterranean approach that can be maintained over time.

Al Bochi also suggests adding more Mediterranean foods to the diet by using olive oil as your main fat. Its a lifestyle, not a diet

While following a Mediterranean eating plan is about what you do and do not consume, Al Bochi says its important to keep in mind that it is more a lifestyle than a diet.

The Mediterranean diet is a lifestyle that encourages mindful eating, socializing over food, and adding daily movement, she says. The American Heart Association echoes this by saying diet isnt the only part of Mediterranean living thats important for heart health.

According to the AHA, its an eating pattern that is historically associated with lifestyles that include exercise and social activity.

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Crypto stocks down, IPOs punted amid tariff tumult

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Crypto stocks down, IPOs punted amid tariff tumult

Crypto stocks down, IPOs punted amid tariff tumult

Cryptocurrency firms felt the heat from US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff rollout this week as market turbulence sent share prices tumbling and foiled initial public offering (IPO) plans. 

From exchanges to Bitcoin (BTC) miners, crypto stocks suffered as much, if not more, than shares of other companies — despite the industry’s warm relationship with the US president. 

On April 2, Trump announced he was placing tariffs of at least 10% on practically all imports into the United States and adding additional “reciprocal” tariffs on some 57 countries. 

Since then, major US stock indices — including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq — tumbled by roughly 10% as traders braced for a looming trade war. 

Crypto stocks down, IPOs punted amid tariff tumult

Bitcoin miners sold off on Trump’s tariff news. Source: Morningstar

Related: Bitcoin ‘decouples,’ stocks lose $3.5T amid Trump tariff war and Fed warning of ‘higher inflation’

Sharp selloffs

Crypto exchange Coinbase — a prominent ally of Trump during the November US elections — experienced a similarly severe sell-off, with its stock price dropping by roughly 12% during the same period, according to data from Google Finance.

Bitcoin miners are also taking a hit. The CoinShares Crypto Miners ETF (WGMI) — which tracks a diverse basket of Bitcoin mining stocks — has lost roughly 13% of its value since immediately prior to Trump’s April 2 announcement, according to data from Morningstar. 

Even Strategy, one of the best-performing stocks of 2024, wasn’t immune. Its share price has fallen by around 6% on the news, Google Finance data showed.

According to Reuters, investment bank JPMorgan has raised its estimated odds of a global economic recession in 2025 to 60% from 40% previously. 

“Disruptive U.S. policies have been recognized as the biggest risk to the global outlook all year,” JP Morgan reportedly said.

“The effect … is likely to be magnified through (tariff) retaliation, a slide in U.S. business sentiment and supply-chain disruptions.”

Crypto stocks down, IPOs punted amid tariff tumult

Strategy’s shares also dropped this week. Source: Google Finance

IPO delays

The impact of US tariffs hasn’t been limited to stock price volatility. Stablecoin issuer Circle has reportedly paused plans for a 2025 IPO, citing market turbulence. 

According to The Wall Street Journal, Circle is “waiting anxiously” before taking further steps after filing to take the company public on April 1. 

It is among several companies — including fintech Klarna and ticketing service StubHub — reportedly considering altering or shelving IPO plans. 

One exception may be Bitcoin itself, which some analysts say is finally “decoupling” from the broader market.

Bitcoin’s spot price has held above $82,000 this week, even as US equities markets collapsed.

Magazine: Unstablecoins: Depegging, bank runs and other risks loom

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Brazilian court authorizes crypto seizure for debt collection — Report

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Brazilian court authorizes crypto seizure for debt collection — Report

Brazilian court authorizes crypto seizure for debt collection — Report

Brazilian judges have been authorized to seize cryptocurrency assets from debtors who owe money and are behind on their payments, signaling a growing recognition that digital assets can be both a form of payment and a store of value.

According to local media reports, the Third Panel of Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice unanimously authorized judges to send letters to cryptocurrency brokers informing them about their intent to seize an account holder’s assets to repay creditors.

The report was confirmed by the Superior Court of Justice, which issued a notice on its website.

The decision was reached unanimously by the Third Panel, which reviewed a case brought forward by a creditor.

“Although they are not legal tender, crypto assets can be used as a form of payment and as a store of value,” a translated version of the Superior Court of Justice’s memo read.

Brazilian court authorizes crypto seizure for debt collection — Report

Source: STJnoticias

Under existing rules, Brazilian judges are allowed to freeze bank accounts and order fund withdrawals, even without a debtor’s knowledge, should they rule that a creditor is owed money.

Following the recent decision, crypto assets now fall under the same purview. 

Minister Ricardo Villas Bôas Cueva, who voted in the five-person panel, said cryptocurrencies still lack formal regulation in Brazil but noted certain bills have recognized the asset class as “a digital representation of value.” 

Related: Brazil’s data watchdog upholds ban on World crypto payments

Despite regulatory uncertainty, Brazil is a major hub for crypto

Although Brazil still lacks an overarching framework for digital assets, with the country’s central bank divvying up the regulatory processes into phases, crypto adoption is surging across the country.

Brazil ranks second among all Latin American countries in terms of “crypto value received,” which is a key benchmark for adoption, according to an October report by Chainalysis. 

Brazilian court authorizes crypto seizure for debt collection — Report

In Latin America, only Argentina has higher crypto penetration in terms of value received as of June 2024. Source: Chainalysis

Earlier this year, crypto exchange Binance was granted approval to operate in the country after it acquired a São Paulo-based investment company. 

A Binance executive told Cointelegraph at the time that Brazil was making “significant strides” in regulating the industry and expects a comprehensive framework to be finalized “by mid-year.”

Nevertheless, not all of Brazil’s regulatory proposals have been favorable for the industry.

In December, the country’s central bank proposed banning stablecoin transactions on self-custodial wallets at a time when more locals were using dollar-pegged tokens to hedge against the devaluation of the Brazilian real.

Industry observers told Cointelegraph at the time that such a ban would be difficult to enforce.

“Governments can regulate centralized exchanges, but P2P transactions and decentralized platforms are much harder to control, which means the ban would likely only affect part of the ecosystem,” said Lucien Bourdon, an analyst with Trezor. 

Related: Brazilian lawmaker introduces bill to regulate Bitcoin salaries

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Environment

EcoFlow members can save up to 65% on power stations while supporting disaster relief during the 2025 Member’s Festival

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EcoFlow members can save up to 65% on power stations while supporting disaster relief during the 2025 Member's Festival

Portable power station specialist EcoFlow is kicking off its third annual Member’s Festival this month and is offering a unique new rewards program to those who become EcoFlow members. The 2025 EcoFlow Member’s Festival will offer savings of up to 65% for its participating customers, and a portion of those funds will be allocated toward rescue power solutions for communities around the globe through the company’s “Power for All” fund.

EcoFlow remains one of the industry leaders in portable power solutions and continues to trek forward in its vision to power a new tech-driven, eco-conscious future. Per its website:

Our mission from day one is to provide smart and eco-friendly energy solutions for individuals, families, and society at large. We are, were, and will continue to be a reliable and trusted energy companion for users around the world.

To achieve such goals, EcoFlow has continued to expand its portfolio of sustainable energy solutions to its community members, including portable power stations, solar generators, and mountable solar panels. While EcoFlow is doing plenty to support its growing customer base, it has expanded its reach by giving back to disaster-affected communities by helping bolster global disaster response efforts the best way it knows how– with portable power solutions.

EcoFlow Member
Source: EcoFlow

EcoFlow and its members look to provide “Power for All”

Since 2023, EcoFlow has collaborated with organizations worldwide as part of its “Power for All” mission. This initiative aims to ensure access to reliable and timely power to disaster-affected communities across the globe, including rescue agencies, affected hospitals, and shelters, to support rescue and recovery efforts.

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This fund most recently provided aid for communities affected by the recent Los Angeles wildfires, assistance to the Special Forces Charitable Trust (SFCT) in North Carolina following severe hurricanes, and support for non-profits engaged in hurricane preparedness in Florida and the Gulf Coast. Per Jodi Burns, CEO of the Special Forces Charitable Trust:

In the wake of devastating storms in Western North Carolina, reliable power was a critical need for the families we serve. Thanks to EcoFlow’s generous donation of generators, we were able to provide immediate relief, ensuring these families and their communities had access to power when they needed it most. We are so impressed with EcoFlow’s commitment to disaster response through their ‘Power for All’ program. It has made a tangible impact, and we are deeply grateful for their support and partnership in helping these families recover and rebuild.

In 2024, the US experienced 27 weather and climate events, each causing losses exceeding $1 billion, marking the second-highest annual total on record, according to National Centers for Environmental Information. The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters underscore the critical need for reliable and timely power solutions during emergencies, much like EcoFlow and its members are helping provide through the “Power For All” initiative.

To support new and existing EcoFlow members, the company is celebrating its third annual Member’s Festival throughout April to offer a do-not-miss discount on its products and donate a portion of all sales to the “Power for All” fund to provide rescue power to those in need in the future. Learn how it all works below.

Source: EcoFlow

Save big and give back during the 2025 Member’s Festival

As of April 1st, you can now sign up to become an EcoFlow member to participate in the company’s exclusive 2025 Member Festival.

As a member, you can earn “EcoFlow Power Points” by completing tasks like registration, referrals, and product purchases and tracking your individual efforts toward disaster preparedness and recovery.

Beginning April 4, EcoFlow members will also be able to take advantage of exclusive discounts of up to 65% off select portable power stations, including the DELTA Pro Ultra, DELTA Pro 3, DELTA 2 Max, DELTA 3 Plus, RIVER 3 Plus, and more. However, these sale prices only last through April 25, so you’ll want to move quickly!

Click here to learn more about EcoFlow’s “Power for All” campaign. To register for EcoFlow’s 2025 Member Festival in the US, visit the EcoFlow website. To register as a member in Canada, visit here.

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