Healthy

Starchy snacks, especially those made from white potatoes—like potato chips—can shorten your life by putting you at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers looked at just over 21,000 participants in a large nutrition survey in the U.S., from 2003 to 2014. Categorizing their dietary patterns, they analyzed what type of food was consumed at each meal and subsequent health outcomes at the end of the survey period. Those who ate…

When it comes to your gut, it's imperative that you treat it right because it can have a direct impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. The processes that your gut microbiome (aka the microorganisms that inhabit your intestines) carry out are thought to influence several diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and even autism. However, research indicates that fueling your gut with healthy foods that contain probiotics and prebiotics, among other nutrients, and steering clear of processed foods as much as…

It's hard to imagine a more versatile fruit than a banana—they're great on top of yogurt or cereal, can be baked into a delicious bread, and are often tossed into a smoothie for an added boost of sweetness and creaminess. According to the International Trade Centre, which is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations, bananas are actually the world's undisputed favorite fruit. In 2017, an estimated 21.54 billion tons of bananas were traded across the world, worth $14.45 billion. This accounts for…

If organic food plays a major role in your diet, you're not alone. According to a 2021 report from the Organic Trade Association, organic food sales in the U.S. topped $56 billion in 2021, up 12.8% from the year prior. However, it's not just your body that may benefit from eating organic foods—a new study suggests that organic food consumption in childhood may have a positive impact on cognitive development as well. A study conducted by researchers at the Barcelona Institute for Global and the Pere Virgili Health Research…

Gas pains are truly underrated—gas can cause bloating, pressure, and sharp pains in the abdomen. Did you know about 5% of emergency room visits are due to abdominal pain? Sometimes, people are sent home with the diagnosis of trapped gas. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, most people produce about 1 to 4 pints of gas a day and pass gas about 14 times a day. Some people may even pass gas up to 21 times a day. However, if you find that you're constantly relieving gas or not passing enough gas, there could be a few other…

From gumbo to grits, Southern food is a staple in countless U.S. homes. However, eating this type of regional cuisine could have serious consequences for your health, according to a new study published in the June 30, 2021 volume of the Journal of the American Heart Association. Keep reading to find out the study's key findings about eating too much Southern food—and what you can be adding to your diet instead to improve your health. And for more, check out The 50 Foods That Have Been Linked to Heart Disease.…

Weight loss isn't the only reason to eat healthily. While it's commonly conceived that the reason to eat a healthy diet is weight loss alone, in all actuality, there are many other reasons to factor in when it comes to eating healthier. Longevity is one of those factors connected to a healthier diet, especially because of the decreased risk of chronic diseases. That's right, your diet can play a role in your body's health and ability to ward off certain diseases—heart disease included. This is why it's important to know the…

A balanced, nourishing diet is key to losing weight, but when it comes to stubborn belly fat, there's one specific food group that can be particularly troublesome: Refined carbohydrates. Also known as "simple carbs," these foods have been stripped of their fiber and nutrients—so they do very little good, but can do a lot of harm. "When your body takes in carbohydrates in general, it needs vitamins and minerals to break down the food and digest it," says Kate Turner, MA, RD, founder of Live Well with Kate. "The issue is, when…

Commonly found slathered in peanut butter or nestled alongside carrots in crudités platters, celery often plays a supporting role when it comes to snacks and meals. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride! But if you stop to think about it, it does kind of make sense—on the surface level, there really isn't that much to celery. For example, one celery stick contains just half a calorie. To put that in perspective, the same amount of carrot contains three times that amount. How is it that a food can be so low in calories? It's…

When people are trying to lose weight, it's not just a few pounds that they are usually looking for - achieving a flat stomach is often part of the finished product they are aiming for. While exercising and eating a healthy, portion-controlled meal plan are important for achieving both weight loss and a narrower midsection, many people also turn to flat stomach supplements in the hopes that they can help them lose weight and slim their waists faster. However, it…