The Physical Activity Lowers Risk of Death

A study done in Taiwan with 400,000 people in eight years, said that 15 minutes of daily exercise increases life expectancy by up to three years and reduces the risk of death by 14%. According to the report, this benefits all people, regardless of age, physical condition, sex or have a chronic disease. Exercise training reduces chances of heart disease and of cancer.

The research, published in the prestigious British medical journal, The Lancet, says that 15 minutes of exercise six days a week - or 90 minutes of exercise distributed during the week - protects the heart, reduce diabetes and helps prevent cancer development. The research found that for every 15 minutes of physical activity a day the risk of death from heart failure lowers chances by 4% and lowers chances of developing cancer by 1%.

"If sedentary or inactive people do a little exercise every day, one in six deaths from heart disease or cancer could be avoided. This measure has a similar success to snuff control programs", said Chi-Pang Wen in a press release, of the National Institute of Health Research in Taiwan, the study coordinator.

How was it done? Doctors and physical education instructors in Taiwan recruited 416,175 people over 20 years. All participants gave blood samples, were weighed, measured and cholesterol and blood glucose levels were recorded. Participants also completed a questionnaire indicating how much physical activity per day, and how much they drank or smoked. They were divided into five groups according to the level of exercise they do: idle or low (no or little physical activity), medium (you exercise often), high and very high (almost a professional athlete). All were followed for eight years in order to determine the impact of exercise on your health.

"If only 15 minutes of physical activity is needed to give a longer life to a person, governments and health professionals should give more support to the creation of spaces for people to do exercises," said The Lancet magazine in a comment about the study.

Study of the WHO and FAO

A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) indicates that the daily consumption of fruits and vegetables would prevent 1.7 million deaths a year.

According to the document, the minimum intake of 400 grams of fruit and vegetables (five servings) per day helps prevent chronic diseases, diabetes, hypertension and consequent heart disease, including stroke, one of the leading causes of death in the world.

The report said that inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables worldwide causes approximately 19% of gastrointestinal tumors, 31% of more serious heart disease and 11% of cerebrovascular accidents (stroke).

However, potato and cassava, by excess carbohydrates should not be considered in the list for daily consumption.

Costa Ricans do not have this good habit. A study by the Social Security Fund (CCSS) reported that only 20% of people consume fruits, and usually eats only 3.5 servings three times a week.

A Costa Rican Film will participate in Festival Film in New York

The movie, "El Regreso", was selected for the International Latino Film Festival in New York, which will take place from August 15^th thru the 21^st. "El Regreso" will be displayed in the main feature film category, alongside films from several countries in the region, whose names have not yet been announced.

This festival is considered one of the most important Latin cinema activities in the U.S. The festival will include the participation of more than 100 productions in English and Spanish, including feature films, shorts and documentaries.

The festival is an attractive showcase for potential distribution contracts abroad and to catch a production partner.

The New York event is the first event for this new movie to participate in. This event is faster than expected for Hernán Jiménez (director and lead actor of the new film), as the news came before their official release.

There will be many guests at the event, including representatives of several large distributors such as Columbia, Focus, Universal and other independent film. In the past, films that have participated in this event have achieved good contracts.

"El Regreso" will be released on September in Costa Rica.

Chasing a Guinness Record

A Costa Rican town called Naranjo will seek to achieve a Guinness world record this July 30 by making a cup of coffee that is 8,000 liters. They are doing this to promote internationally the coffee of that area.

The goal to break Guinness’ World record is the idea of ​​the Youth Ministry of Naranjo. Until now, the world’s largest coffee cup contained 7608 liters, 392 less than the Naranjo's goal. The coffee holding the current world record was prepared in the U.S. in October 2010.

The coffee cup combines 8,000 liters of boiling water with 400 kilos of coffee. It is unclear how they will prepare a cup of coffee almost three meters high. "We want to promote that we produce one of the best coffees from Costa Rica", said Marco Vinicio Ruiz, the sponsor of the initiative.

The Best Tours and Activities in Jaco

• Catamaran Tours to Tortuga Island with inviting blue waters, warm white sands, green mountains, superb cuisine and excellent personal service at the very low costs of $100.
• The Los Suenos Marina hosts world-Class Sport fishing contests where you can find marlin, roosterfish, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, snapper, sea bass, snook, grouper and more.
• Adventurous ATV tours or if you prefer being in the water, there are many white water rafting options with level 3 &4 rapids.
• The Surfing here in Jaco and Hermosa is world renown and there are fantastic surf lessons, tours and camps around the area.
• And for my personal favorite: The Equestrian Events! Costa Rica´s National pastimes are rodeos and Topes (a traditional horse parade). Costa Rica is also the 2nd largest Spanish horse exporter in the world after Spain. Trail rides along the beach and through the rainforest are a common and much loved activity in the many tourist areas.