Health Bites

Milk Dud

Contrary to popular folklore, mothers who drink a glass of wine or beer before breast-feeding won't boost their milk production. In fact, a tipple before nursing may actually diminish breast milk, according to research in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

No Migraine Miracle

Think acupuncture helps prevent headaches? It may be a placebo effect, according to a large study of migraine sufferers. Patients treated with sham acupuncture—in which needles are inserted in the body, but not at acupuncture pressure points—see the same reduction in headaches as those treated with the real thing. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Not-So-Skinny Dips?

University of Florida researchers have confirmed what avid swimmers already know: A dip in the pool works up an appetite. Swimming in cold water spurs swimmers to consume almost 50 percent more calories after exercising than people who swim in warm water. The
difference may explain why people trying to lose weight have less success with swimming than with cycling or jogging.

Fish Find

Older folks shouldn't worry about eating too much fish. Mercury pollution found in many species, such as tuna, doesn't pose the same danger for an older person's brain as it does for a child's developing brain, according to a Johns Hopkins study. Aging adults are often advised to eat fish for its cardiovascular benefits and to ward off depression.

Doctor's Orders

For Expectant Moms, a Push for Baby's Sake

Just one counseling session with a doctor or nurse can prompt a pregnant woman to reduce her alcohol consumption. Experts say drinking by expectant mothers is never safe for a developing fetus. Still, studies show many women drink during pregnancy.

No Fear Batters

"Clutch" hitters—baseball players who deliver at crucial moments in a game—aren't just sports-casting myths. An analysis of 1,000 hitters found some players rise to big occasions, while others choke. Just what clutch batters do differently is unclear: They may be impervious to pressure or take advantage of opponents' jitters.