Time To Take Up Bike Riding

If losing weight doesn't convince you, the sheer fun of the wind in your hair surely will

No matter your fitness level, clothing size, age, or litany of aches and pains, you can enjoy the fun, adventure, and health benefits that two wheels can bring. Whether you haven't ridden a bike in years or want to start incorporating it more regularly into your cross-training routine, here's what you need to know to get started.

If you can walk, you can ride.

"Cycling puts very little impact on your joints, so it's kind to your body," says bike fit specialist Andrew Pruitt, EdD, director of Boulder Center for Sports Medicine in Colorado. "Even if you have pain walking, you can still ride a bike, because it isn't weight bearing." In fact, most people find that they are able to cycle comfortably when they're well into their 70s and 80s.

Philadelphia attorney Rick McMenamin, 66, began cycling when a knee injury sidelined him from running. "I still wanted to exercise, and cycling was something I could do without putting stress on my knees," he says. "I started riding with my wife on mountain bikes." Six months later, Joe Wentzell, owner of Breakaway Bikes and a cycling coach, convinced him to buy a road bike and start training more seriously. "I was amazed at how much progress I made in 1 year. I've trained regularly with Breakaway team members and have even done a few time trials in my age-group," McMenamin says.

Cycling is an especially great way to up your activity when you're out of shape, because you can go farther right off the bat than you would walking or running. "If you can walk half a mile, you can ride a bike 5 miles," Dr. Pruitt says. "This boosts your confidence and makes you more likely to stick with the activity." Thanks to technology updates, bikes can take up the slack for any strength or stamina you might lack. "Bikes today have lots of gears for the steepest grades," says Lorri Lee Lown, head coach at Savvy Bike, Redwood City, CA. "You can even ask a bike shop to add special, very small climbing gears that will allow you to spin your way up any hill."

You can pedal off pounds.

Your legs and butt—the largest muscles in your body—are the power drivers for any bicycle, which makes cycling a great lower-body toner, as well as a major calorie burner. In fact, even moderate cycling—riding 12 to 14 mph—burns more than 500 calories in only 60 minutes, and many people (even novices) can easily bike for an hour or two. This makes cycling a great way to slim down, whether you have a little or a lot to lose.

Elizabeth Seifert, 47, a Web designer/IT specialist in Woodstock, GA, took up cycling just before turning 42, because she wanted to shed her last 10 pounds of baby weight and was bored with the gym. "Never once has riding felt like exercise," she says. Not only did she lose the weight, but she found a new love: "There's an indescribable sense of freedom you get while riding a bike. You feel like a kid again—I'm hooked."

Dinah Hannah, 49, a clinical laboratory scientist from Salt Lake City, started cycling when she was at her heaviest, carrying 240 pounds on her 5-foot-6 frame. "I knew I needed to lose weight. I tried running, but I developed arthritis in my feet and knees," says Hannah. "Then I heard about a commuter challenge where you had to get to work without driving for 1 week." Even though she didn't own a bike and lived 15 miles from her job, Hannah decided to go for it. She bought a mountain bike and—after scoping out a route with the lightest traffic—gave it a try. "I made it to work in just under 2 hours, and since there's no weight bearing in cycling, it didn't bother my joints," she says. "I thought, Wow, I can really do this!" Soon Hannah was addicted: "I loved riding so much that I started training for centuries—100-mile rides—and charity rides like the MS 150, which covers 150 miles in 2 days." Within 2 years, she lost 100 pounds, going from a size 20 to a size 6. "Last year, I did Race Across America on a four-woman team. We won first place for our age-group," she says.

You can do it safely.

Like skiing and other outdoor sports, cycling is as risky as you make it. You wouldn't hop off the lift and barrel down a triple diamond run out of the gate, and you shouldn't try riding down supersteep roads or in heavy traffic if you're new and unsure of your skills. "Start small and work up to more challenging routes as you become comfortable," says Lown.

Just as you did when your parents took off those training wheels decades ago, begin by practicing the basics (starting, stopping, shifting gears, and turning) where there's plenty of space and little traffic, like a parking lot or a park. Make sure you're comfortable and able to control your speed—especially on downhills—before taking your bike out for a true spin. When you feel comfortable, you can vary your routes. Talk with your local bike shop or club to find out the best spots to ride, or discover popular routes with the free app MapMyRide. Download it to your mobile phone and it will automatically find routes that other cyclists in your area have ridden. "Women my age say, 'I don't know how you do it. I'd be a nervous wreck,' " says Dede Muhler, 68, a tree pruning specialist from Oakland, CA, who rides an average of 5 to 7 hours a week. "But it's no more dangerous than 100 things you do every day—and there's nothing else like it."

You'll make new friends.

"Cycling is a great way to stay active as you get older, because it's not as isolated as running or other activities," says McMenamin. Looking to make some cycling friends? Consider joining a local club. "Cycling clubs are a wealth of information on how to ride and improve your skills. Plus, you'll be surrounded by other cyclists and make lots of friends to ride with," says Lown.

You see the world differently.

The real beauty of bicycling is all the amazing places it can take you. There's simply nothing in the world like rolling through fields of wildflowers, pedaling along the edge of the ocean, or soaking in the scenery of a mountaintop vista. "Cycling opens up worlds of territory to explore, providing a more intimate understanding of nature and the terrain," says Muhler.

Ruth Andrews, 60, a retired nurse from Simi Valley, CA, agrees: "I love that you're outside and can take in the sights and sounds—it's beautiful." Bicycling also opens the door to a variety of fun vacation possibilities. "I've biked along the Riviera in France and through the mountains of Girona, Spain," says McMenamin. "Challenging yourself on the climbs while taking in the beauty of these areas is quite an experience.”

 

 Choose your bike wisely.

You wouldn't dream of waltzing into a car dealer and plunking down your cash on the first car that caught your fancy. You research, test-drive, and find a dealer who treats you well. Do the same with your bike purchase. First rule: Go to a bike shop rather than a big-box store, says Lown. "Bike-shop employees are more knowledgeable about bike selection and proper fit," she says.

And while there's a dizzying array of bikes to choose from, you can whittle down your choices by considering where you'll ride, says Lown. If that's primarily pavement, go for a road bike or touring bike with comfortable, more upright geometry—as opposed to aerodynamic (very hunched forward) race geometry—which you can buy with flat handlebars (instead of curvy racer handlebars) and wider tires for comfort and stability. If you think you'll just ride to take care of errands, consider a cruiser or town bike, which sits you more upright and may have carrying capacity. Heading for trails and rough paths? A fat-tired off-road bike is in order.

Keep in mind, if the last bike you bought had a banana seat, you will likely have a case of sticker shock. Today's high-end bikes are crafted from feather-light, durable materials like carbon fiber and come equipped with finely tuned components (brakes, gears, and shifters) that provide a dreamy ride but boost prices upward of $1,000. Don't panic—you'll still get a great bike at the lower price points.

A proper fit fights soreness.

The number one thing that keeps many people from cycling is discomfort, especially in the nether regions, says Dr. Pruitt. This is where the right fit comes in. Your bike shop will adjust your position to distribute your weight properly on the saddle (the technical term for the seat) and handlebars and make sure your back isn't too stretched out and your knees track properly.

The shop's experts will also make sure that your saddle fits your sitz bones (the two lowest points on your pelvis that take your weight when you sit), which should support your weight on the rear of the seat. Whether you need a wide saddle or a skinny one has nothing to do with the size of your derriere but, rather, with the width of your sitz bones, says Dr. Pruitt, who helped develop what Specialized Bikes has playfully named the ass-o-meter, a gel-filled cushion that measures your sitz bones. (You sit on it and stand back up, and the imprints of your sitz bones are there for all to see.) If the saddle on your bike isn't immediately comfortable after a proper bike fit, continue to try others till you find one that is.

Seaweed toothpaste 'to stop tooth decay'

Adding enzymes from seaweed microbes to toothpaste and mouthwash could provide better protection against tooth decay, a team of UK scientists have said.

Researchers at Newcastle University had been studying Bacillus licheniformis to see if it could clean ships' hulls.

But the scientists now believe it could protect the areas between teeth where plaque can gather despite brushing.

Their lab tests suggest the microbe's enzyme cuts through plaque, stripping it of bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Dr Nick Jakubovics, of the university's school of dental sciences, said: "Plaque on your teeth is made up of bacteria which join together to colonize an area in a bid to push out any potential competitors.

"Traditional toothpastes work by scrubbing off the plaque containing the bacteria - but that's not always effective - which is why people who religiously clean their teeth can still develop cavities.

"We found this enzyme can remove some of these undesirable bacteria from plaque."

Plaque is made up of lots of different decaying bacteria.

When bacterial cells die, the DNA inside them leaks out and makes a biofilm that sticks to the teeth.

Instead of removing the plaque entirely, Dr Jakubovics believes the treatment could strip away the harmful bacteria, like Streptococcus mutans, that cause tooth decay.

"Ultimately we hope to harness this power into a paste, mouthwash or denture-cleaning solution."

He said more studies are needed to show the technique works and is safe before any products could be brought to market.

He is presenting the latest findings to a meeting of the Society for Applied Microbiology, the organization that is funding the research along with the Newcastle Healthcare Charity.

What You Can Do About Bad Breath

Worried about bad breath? You're not alone. Forty million Americans suffer from bad breath, or halitosis, according to the American Dental Hygienists' Association. Bad breath can get in the way of your social life. It can make you self-conscious and embarrassed. Fortunately, there are simple and effective ways to freshen your breath.

1. Brush and floss more frequently.

One of the prime causes of bad breath is plaque, the sticky build-up on teeth that harbors bacteria. Food left between teeth adds to the problem. All of us should brush at least twice a day and floss daily. If you're worried about your breath, brush and floss a little more often. But don't overdo it. Brushing too aggressively can erode enamel, making your teeth more vulnerable to decay.

2. Scrape your tongue.

The coating that normally forms on the tongue can harbor foul-smelling bacteria. To eliminate them, gently brush your tongue with your toothbrush. Some people find that toothbrushes are too big to comfortably reach the back of the tongue. In that case, try a tongue scraper. Tongue scrapers are an essential tool in a proper oral health care routine. They're designed specifically to apply even pressure across the surface of the tongue area, removing bacteria, food debris, and dead cells that brushing alone can’t remove.

3. Avoid foods that sour your breath.

Onions and garlic are the prime offenders. Unfortunately, brushing after you eat onions or garlic doesn't help. The volatile substances they contain make their way into your blood stream and travel to your lungs, where you breathe them out. The only way to avoid the problem is to avoid eating onions and garlic, especially before social or work occasions when you're concerned about your breath.

4. Kick the habit.

Bad breath is just one of many reasons not to smoke. Smoking damages gum tissue and stains teeth. It also increases your risk of oral cancer. Over-the-counter nicotine patches can help tame the urge to smoke. If you need a little help, make an appointment to talk to your doctor about prescription medications or smoking cessation programs that can help you give up tobacco for good.

5. Rinse your mouth out.

In addition to freshening your breath, anti-bacterial mouthwashes add extra protection by reducing plaque-causing bacteria. After eating, swishing your mouth with plain water also helps freshen your breath by eliminating food particles.

6. Skip after-dinner mints and chew gum instead.

Sugary candies promote the growth of bacteria in your mouth and add to bad breath problems. Instead, chew sugarless gum. Gum stimulates saliva, which is the mouth’s natural defense mechanism against plaque acids which cause tooth decay and bad breath.

7. Keep your gums healthy.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common cause of bad breath. Bacteria accumulate in pockets at the base of teeth, creating bad odors. If you have gum disease, your dentist may recommend a periodontist, who specializes in treating gum disease.

8. Be alert to dry mouth.

Lack of saliva promotes tooth decay and can cause bad breath. If your mouth is dry, drink plenty of water during the day. Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy, which helps stimulate saliva. Use a humidifier at night if the air is dry. If your mouth is still unusually dry, talk to your dentist or doctor. Dry mouth is a side effect of certain medications.

9. See your doctor.

If your bad breath continues despite your best efforts, see your doctor. Bad breath can be a symptom of medical conditions such as a sinus infection, postnasal drip from allergies, lung infections, diabetes, or liver or kidney diseases.

7 Ways to Protect Your Child's Oral Health

When the toddler came to her office, 4 of his 16 teeth were so decayed, they required dental crowns.

Although this case may sound shocking, it's not rare, says Beverly Largent, DMD, the Paducah, Ky., dentist who cared for the child. She tells parents it's crucial to care for baby teeth. "You need to brush from the first tooth," says Largent, past president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

In fact, tooth decay -- although largely preventable with good care -- is one of the most common chronic diseases of children ages 6 to 11 and teens ages 12 to 19. Tooth decay is five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever in children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. By kindergarten age, more than 40% of kids have tooth decay.

Neglecting baby teeth is not the only misstep parents can make when it comes to their child's early oral health.

Here's your 7-step game plan.

Start Oral Care Early

Your child should see a dentist by the time he or she is a year old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Getting preventive care early saves money in the long run, according to a report published by the CDC. The report found that costs for dental care were nearly 40% lower over a five-year period for children who got dental care by age one compared to those who didn't go to the dentist until later.

Teach the Brush & Floss Habit

Dental visits are just part of the plan, of course. Tooth brushing is also crucial from the start. "A lot of people think they don't have to brush baby teeth," Largent says. If your baby has even one tooth, it's time to start tooth brushing. "If there's just one tooth, you can use gauze."

Even before your baby has teeth, you can gently brush the gums, using water on a soft baby toothbrush, or clean them with a soft washcloth.

Once there are additional teeth, Largent tells parents to buy infant toothbrushes that are very soft. Brushing should be done twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste.

Flossing should begin when two teeth touch each other. Ask your dentist to show you the right flossing techniques and schedules, Largent says.

Also ask for your dentist's advice on when to start using mouthwash. "I advise parents to wait until the child can definitely spit the mouthwash out," says Mary Hayes, DDS, a pediatric dentist in Chicago and consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. "Mouthwash is a rinse and not a beverage."

So how long until Junior can be responsible for brushing his own teeth? "[Parents] have to clean the teeth until children are able to tie their shoes or write in cursive," says Largent.

During dental visits, ask your dentist if your child's teeth need fluoride protection or a dental sealant.

And remember, the most important time to brush and floss is just before bedtime. No food or drink, except water, should be permitted until the next morning. This allows clean teeth to re-mineralize during the night, from the minerals in the saliva and toothpaste.

Avoid "Baby Bottle Decay"

For years, pediatricians and dentists have been cautioning parents not to put an infant or older child down for a nap with a bottle of juice, formula, or milk.

Even so, says Largent, many parents don't realize this can wreak havoc with their child's oral health.

The sugary liquids in the bottle cling to baby's teeth, providing food for bacteria that live in the mouth. The bacteria produce acids that can trigger tooth decay. Left unchecked, dental disease can adversely affect a child's growth and learning, and can even affect speech.

If you must give your child a bottle to take to bed, make sure it contains only water, according to American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines.

Control the Sippy Cup Habit

Bottles taken to bed aren't the only beverage problem, says Hayes. The other? "Juice given during the day as a substitute for water and milk," Hayes says.

Often, that juice is in a sippy cup. It's meant as a transition cup when a child is being weaned from a bottle and learning to use a regular cup.

Parents mistakenly think juice is a healthy day-long choice for a beverage, say Hayes and Largent. But that's not the case.

Largent says she often sees children walking around all day drinking juices and other sugary beverages from a sippy cup, and that's hazardous to dental health. "Prolonged use of a sippy cup can cause decay on the back of the front teeth," if the beverages are sugary, she says.

Juice consumption has been linked to childhood obesity and the development of tooth decay, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. In its current policy statement on preventive oral health, the organization advises parents to limit the intake of 100% fruit juice to no more than four ounces a day. Sugary drinks and foods should be limited to mealtimes.

"Pediatricians I know are telling parents to use juice as a treat," Hayes says.

Ditch the Binky by 2 or 3

Pacifiers used in the first year of life may actually help prevent sudden infant death syndrome, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. They suggest using a pacifier when placing the infant to sleep but not to reinsert once baby has drifted off. Long-term use can be hazardous to dental health. Sucking too strongly on a pacifier, for instance, can affect how the top and bottom teeth line up (the "bite") or can affect the shape of the mouth.

Largent tells parents of her young patients: "Pacifiers are for infants, not for toddlers walking around with them in their mouths." She discourages long-term use of even the "orthodontically correct" pacifiers.

Largent says she prefers that pacifiers be dropped by age 2. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests getting a professional evaluation if the pacifier habit continues beyond age 3.

Beware of Mouth-Unfriendly Medicines

Many medications that children take are flavored and sugary, says Hayes. If they stick on the teeth, the risk for tooth decay goes up.

Children on medications for chronic conditions such as asthma and heart problems often have a higher decay rate, she finds.

Antibiotics and some asthma medications can cause an overgrowth of candida (yeast), which can lead to a fungal infection called oral thrush. Suspect thrush if you see creamy, curd-like patches on the tongue or inside the mouth.

"If your child is on chronic medications, ask your child's dentist how often you should brush," Hayes says. You may be advised to help your child brush as often as four times a day.

Stand Firm on Oral Hygiene

Parents often tell Hayes that their children put up a fuss when it comes time to brush, floss, and rinse, so parents relent and don’t keep up with oral care at home as they should.

Hayes strongly advises these parents to let their children know they don't have a choice about taking care of their teeth and gums.

"It has to be done," Hayes says. But she understands that children can get cranky and difficult. She suggests these tips to coax reluctant brushers and flossers to get the job done -- or if they are too young, to allow their parents to help them do it.

·         Plan to help your children longer than you may think necessary. "Children don't have the fine motor skills to brush their own teeth until about age 6," says Hayes. Flossing skills don't get good until later, probably age 10.

·         Schedule the brushing and flossing and rinsing, if advised, at times when your child is not overly tired. You may get more cooperation from a child who isn't fatigued.

·         Get your child involved in a way that's age-appropriate. For instance, you might let a child who is age 5 or older pick his own toothpaste at the store, from options you approve. You could buy two or three different kinds of toothpaste and let the child choose which one to use each time. You may offer him a choice of toothbrushes, including kid-friendly ones that are brightly colored or decorated.

·         Figure out what motivates your child. A younger child may gladly brush for a sticker, for instance, or gold stars on a chart.

10 Ways Toothpaste Can Be Used Around The Home

 

1. Ease the Pain of a Bee Sting

Smear toothpaste onto a bee sting to help soothe the pain. The alkaline paste in your tube of Crest or Colgate will react with the venom and ease the irritation.

 2. Brighten Your Teeth and Nails Too!

Are your nails overworked from constant use of paint and nail polish remover? Rub toothpaste on your nails to help brighten them when they start to turn yellow from being overworked.

3. Remove Grass Stains

Rub some paste on jeans or other denim to remove grass stains.  Use it as a prewash stain remover and then toss the jeans in the wash to get those unsightly stains out.

4. Brighten Piano Keys

If the keys on your piano are starting to look dingy and worn. Clean them with toothpaste. Just like it whitens your teeth, it will help keep your piano keys glistening.

5. Deodorize Your Baby Bottle

If your bottles are starting to retain a sour milk smell, rinse them out with toothpaste.

 6. Fill In Holes In Your Wall

If you're in a pinch and need to fill in nail holes without spackle, use toothpaste. Fill the hole with toothpaste which will harden, and then paint over it.

 7. Overnight Pimple Zapper

Instead of spending all that money on spot treatment creams, try using toothpaste for unexpected pimples.  Leave it on the zit overnight, and rinse away in the morning. The toothpaste will dry it out and help reduce the redness.

8. Clean Jewelry

Polish dull jewelry with toothpaste to restore its shine. Be sure to test this method out with some inexpensive jewelry before using it on any of your valuables or family heirlooms.

9. Scuff Marks

Remove scuff marks on linoleum floors by rubbing them down with toothpaste.

10. Cell Phone Screens

Rub a tiny bit on your touch screen to help remove the scratches and grease marks.

 

Tooth Enamel: What Helps, What Hurts

Tooth Enamel: What Helps, What Hurts

 

The outer surface of teeth, called enamel, is designed to last a lifetime. "Enamel is the hardest substance in the body," says dentist Leslie Seldin, DDS, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. Some wear and tear of tooth enamel is inevitable. But Seldin says there's plenty you can do to keep your enamel strong. Start with these eight steps.

1. Limit Sugary Soft Drinks and Foods

Sugar leads to the production of acids in the mouth, which soften and eventually wear away at enamel. Chewy candies that stick on your teeth are particularly damaging. So are soft drinks. Along with sugar, soft drinks may contain citric acid and phosphoric acid, making them even more acidic. Artificially sweetened soft drinks are a smarter choice than sugary soft drinks. But sugarless sweeteners are acidic and may erode enamel over time. The best choice when you're thirsty: a glass of water.

2. Help Yourself to Foods That Protect Enamel

Calcium in foods neutralizes acids in your mouth. Calcium is also an essential mineral needed to keep bones strong. Milk, cheese, and other dairy products all help protect and strengthen enamel, says Pamela L. Quinones, RDH, president of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy to help keep fat and calories to a minimum. If you frequently drink orange juice, O.J. with added calcium may be the best choice. Calcium buffers the normal acidity of orange and other citrus juices.

3. Avoid Over-brushing

Brushing too vigorously can wear down enamel. "Always use a soft brush and brush gently," says Seldin. Hold the brush at about a 45-degree angle to your gums and move it back and forth in short strokes, about the distance of one tooth. Don't brush immediately after eating sweets or citrus fruits. Acidic foods temporarily soften enamel and may make it more susceptible to damage from brushing. Wait for up to an hour after you eat, giving your enamel time to re-harden. Then brush your teeth.

4. Treat Heartburn and Eating Disorders

With severe heartburn, stomach acids may escape up into the esophagus. If those acids reach your mouth, they can erode enamel. The eating disorder bulimia, in which people vomit food after they eat, is another threat to enamel. If you have symptoms of heartburn or bulimia, talk to your doctor about treatment.

5. Beware of Chlorinated Pools

When swimming pools aren't chlorinated properly, the water may become too acidic. Tooth enamel exposed to pool water can begin to erode. In a study by the Centers for Disease Control, 15% of frequent swimmers showed signs of enamel erosion, compared to only 3% of people who don't swim. Check with the recreation center or gym where you swim to make sure the pool's pH is checked regularly. While swimming, keep your mouth closed to avoid exposing your teeth to chlorinated water.

6. Be Alert to Dry Mouth

Saliva helps wash away food and bacteria that can lead to cavities. Saliva also neutralizes acidic foods. People with xerostomia, or very low salivary levels, often show signs of enamel erosion. Drink water often to keep your mouth clean and moist. If you exercise strenuously, be sure to rehydrate during and after your workout. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless hard candy can stimulate saliva production. Some medical conditions and certain medications can cause dry mouth. If dry mouth persists, talk to your doctor.

7. Avoid Grinding Your Teeth

Some people grind their upper and lower teeth together, especially at night. "Over time, grinding can wear down the enamel surface and destroy teeth," says dentist Richard Price, DMD, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. "If you notice yourself clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth, talk to your dentist." Custom-fitted tooth guards can help protect teeth from damage. 

8. Get Regular Check-ups

To keep your enamel strong, see your dentist every six months for a check-up and teeth cleaning. Your dentist can spot signs of trouble, such as cavities or tooth grinding, before they do extensive damage to your enamel. Your dentist will also make sure that you're getting the right amount of fluoride to protect your teeth. Fluoride hardens and protects tooth enamel. If your water supply is not fluoridated, ask your dentist if you need to take extra steps to protect your teeth. Your dentist may recommend fluoride supplements, mouthwashes, or coatings for your teeth.

 

Neuroscientists prove what we always suspected: the two sexes see the world differently

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If you’ve ever found yourself at a paint store with a member of the opposite sex trying to decide between, say, “laguna blue” and “blue macaw,” chances are you’ve disagreed over which hue is lighter or looks more turquoise.

Take comfort in the fact that the real blame lies with physiology: Neuroscientists have discovered that women are better at distinguishing among subtle distinctions in color, while men appear more sensitive to objects moving across their field of vision.

Scientists have long maintained that the sexes see colors differently. But much of the evidence has been indirect, such as the linguistic research showing that women possess a larger vocabulary than men for describing colors. Experimental evidence for the vision thing has been rare.

That’s why Israel Abramov, a psychologist and behavioral neuroscientist at CUNY’s Brooklyn College, gave a group of men and women a battery of visual tests. Abramov has spent 50 years studying human vision—how our eyes and brain translate light into a representation of the world. He’s curious about the neural mechanisms that determine how we perceive colors.

In one study, Abramov and his research team showed subjects light and dark bars of different widths and degrees of contrast flickering on a computer screen. The effect was akin to how we might view a car moving in the distance. Men were better than women at seeing the bars, and their advantage increased as the bars became narrower and less distinct.

But when the researchers tested color vision in one of two ways—by projecting colors onto frosted glass or beaming them into their subjects’ eyes— women proved slightly better at discriminating among subtle gradations in the middle of the color spectrum, where yellow and green reside. They detected tiny differences between yellows that looked the same to men. The researchers also found that men require a slightly longer wavelength to see the same hue as women; an object that women experience as orange will look slightly more yellowish to men, while green will look more blue-green to men. This last part doesn’t confer an advantage on either sex, but it does demonstrate, Abramov says, that “the nervous system that deals with color cannot be wired in the exact same way in males as in females.” He believes the answer lies in testosterone and other androgens. Evidence from animal studies suggests that male sex hormones can alter development in the visual cortex.

While Abramov has an explanation for how the sexes see differently, he’s less certain about why. One possibility—which he cautions is highly speculative—is that it’s an evolutionary adaptation that benefited hunter-gatherer societies: Males needed to see distant, moving objects, like bison, while females had to be better judges of color when scouring for edible plants.

Someday, further studies could reveal whether these traits could have implications for how men and women perform in fields such as the arts or athletics. At the very least, Abramov says, women probably have an edge nabbing the ripest banana on the shelf.