HEALTH NEWS Review finds blueberry and grape polyphenols may improve vascular healthPlant compound shows promise for treating rheumatoid arthritis at its source, study findsScreen Time at Ages 1 and 6 Linked to Lasting Learning and Memory EffectsSome caffeinated drinks are linked to poorer memoryStudy: Morning Exercise Linked to Lower Daily Calorie Intake Compared to Evening Workouts Review finds blueberry and grape polyphenols may improve vascular healthUniversidad Católica de Murcia (Spain), July 27 2026 (News-Medical)A recent review published in the journal Nutrients examined the evidence on the effects of blueberries, grapes, and their bioactive compounds on cardiovascular risk markers.In the present study, a comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published from January 2015 through April 2026. Two systematic reviews and meta-analyses reported that grape polyphenols at doses exceeding 500 mg/day for at least 12 weeks significantly reduced C-reactive protein levels, while the other reported improvements in vascular function or BP in 84% of the human studies it assessed, including a significant reduction in systolic BP.One found a modest reduction in BP and improvement in endothelial function with flavan-3-ol foods, such as tea, apples, cocoa, and grape-derived products.Moderate- and high-quality RCTs reported improvements in lipid peroxidation, lipid profiles, flow-mediated dilation, diastolic BP, and paraoxonase activity.Resveratrol and blueberry RCTs mainly reported endothelial and vascular benefits, such as improved nitric oxide production and flow-mediated dilation and reduced BP and inflammatory markers. One high-quality RCT involving older men with metabolic syndrome showed significant improvements in arterial stiffness and endothelial function after six months of daily blueberry consumption.  Plant compound shows promise for treating rheumatoid arthritis at its source, study findsGuangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, July 27 2026 (Natural News)A plant-derived compound called obakulactone (OL) reduced swelling, inflammation and joint damage in rats with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study published in Engineering. The compound, a tetracyclic triterpenoid from the bark of Phellodendri cortex, also rebalanced immune activity and corrected disrupted fatty acid metabolismd. P. cortex has been used in traditional medicine and contains OL along with other constituents,Researchers tested OL in rats with rheumatoid arthritis, administering low, medium and high doses for 21 days. Treatment significantly reduced joint swelling and helped restore the normal structure of cartilage and the synovium, the tissue lining the joints, according to the report. Blood tests showed dose-dependent decreases in inflammatory molecules including IL-1, IL-6, IL-17 and TNF, as well as rheumatoid arthritis markers RF, CCP-Ab, CRP and MMP-3, officials said. The compound also reduced abnormally high levels of CD3+ T cells and CD68+ macrophages within the joints and shifted macrophages from a proinflammatory M1 state toward an anti-inflammatory M2 state. Screen Time at Ages 1 and 6 Linked to Lasting Learning and Memory EffectsNational University of Singapore & Zhejiang University (China), July 28, 2026 (SciTech Daily)A study that tracked children from age 1 through age 8 found that greater screen viewing time, especially during infancy and near the start of school, was associated with lower academic performance at age 9 and weaker working memory at age 10.5. The results indicate that when children use screens may matter as much as how long they spend using them.The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics advise avoiding screens before 18 to 24 months and limiting viewing to less than one hour per day between ages 2 and 5. Many child