Health briefs: A little java's OK, study says

Caffeine has long been suspected to be a trigger for atrial fibrillation, an all-too-common problem that turns the steady, coordinated beat of the heart's upper chambers into a fast, erratic churn. While it is possible that drinking eight cups of espresso in an afternoon could spark atrial fibrillation, moderate caffeine consumption has little effect on its development, according to a large Harvard-based study. How you respond to caffeine depends on how your body handles it and how accustomed you are to it.

- Harvard Heart Letter

Holiday fitness

The holidays mean busy schedules, work parties and on-the-go travel. Staying on track with your exercise program becomes more of a challenge with all the extra commitments. Here are some strategies: n When you are short on time, opt for high-intensity interval sessions. You need only 20 minutes for a quality workout.

- Livestrong.com