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Like most other sane human beings, I can’t start my morning without at least 1 cup of coffee. Meaning, my PJs aren’t coming off until I feel that glorious caffeine buzz give rush through my veins. I only have 1-2 cups in the morning before I head out the door, which I guess isn’t TOO bad, but some other more intense coffee-addicts are sucking it down all-day long, which really isn’t too healthy. Why? According to TheDietchannel.com, here are a few reasons:

• Increases stomach acid production for more than an hour after ingestion and can lead in some cases to stomach ulcers or acid reflux symptoms.
• Has a stimulating effect on the large intestine, which can cause diarrhea.
• Has been shown to interfere with the repair of chromosomes in cells which can lead to cancer.
• Can cause high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms in sensitive people

How could something that makes you feel so good, be so bad for you? I don’t know, but there are plenty of other, healthier alternatives out there:

• Chai. Spiced concoctions of black and green, which contain caffeine, and red tea, which does not.
• Rooibos tea. Also known as Redbush tea from South Africa. Like black tea, it is good with milk, but it’s caffeine-free and full of antioxidants.
• Carob powder. From the pods of the carob tree, tastes similar to cocoa. Soothes the digestive tract.

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Oprah and probably your doctor swear by them. Antioxidant foods are taking over—as they very well should be. To clarify, antioxidants are the collective term for the vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and polyphenols that protect your body. Some of the best-known antioxidants are vitamins A (found in daily and fish), C (found in citrus fruits), E (found in seeds, oils and nuts) and the mineral selenium (found in meats and plant foods).

Antioxidants basically help prevent disease because they protect your body from free radicals (radicals are believed to be involved in degenerative diseases and cancers). So now that you know what antioxidants are and how they can greatly and vastly improve and protect your health, I’m sure you want to know which types of food are high in antioxidants.

Fruits—basically all your berries (blueberry, strawberry, blackberry) are all high in antioxidants. Try eating a cup of plain yogurt with some fresh berries on top each day to incorporate them into your diet.

Vegetables—no meal is complete with vegetables. Leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale are high in antioxidants as well as peppers, cabbage, artichokes and brussels sprouts.

Nuts and seeds—pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts and sunflower seeds all tossed together make a great high antioxidant trail mix

Legumes—broad beans, pinto beans, and soybeans are filling, easy to prepare and healthy.

Cereals—barley, millet, oats and corn are easy to find and high in antioxidants

Don’t be afraid to mix these foods together. Combine oats, nuts and seeds with some fresh berries for new breakfast ideas. Or try make a soup with different legumes and vegetables for a Fall time favorite.

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“Although irresponsible sunbathing is unquestionably harmful and precautions need to be taken, regular, moderate, unprotected sun exposure is essential for good health. It is free, easy to get and good for you when used intelligently. It is the only reliable way to generate Vitamin D in your own body, which we now know to be an essential ingredient for optimizing health and preventing disease.?”

This quote comes from an article on Vitamin D Deficiency by Frank Lipman, MD, guest columnist on Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle blog, GOOP.com.

The GOOP scoop is this: our favorite extremely health conscious, fair-skinned actress has been diagnosed with osteopenia, a precursor to osteoperosis, because of very low levels of Vitamin D. She’s avoided the sun for ages, following the general wisdom like many of us, but it turns out this was not very good advice.

Vitamin D is incredibly important. New studies show that some 15-20 minutes every few days should be spent in bright sun without sunscreen or cover. Huh? We were as confused as Gwyneth when these studies came out. But science marches on, and we don’t want to be left behind, developing bone disease, heart disease and low fertility rates. Now that we know, we’re ready to start making some Vitamin D, and you should be, too.

Check out the GOOP article for more information here.

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A new study has revealed a connection between diet and the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease, WebMD reports.

The data tracked more than 2,000 respondents over four years, and people who regularly ate butter, red meat, organic meat, and fatty diary products were less likely to develop the disease. Specific foods that these people consumed include:

• Salad dressing
• Poultry
• Fish
• Fruit
• Tomatoes
• Nuts
• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, etc.)
• Dark/green vegetables

Researchers are interested in studying this diet pattern further, as it is unclear whether the nutrients involved work individually or collectively to help prevent Alzheimer’s.

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Running is great way to boost your health — and it doesn’t even require any special equipment! The exercise is especially beneficial to the heart and lungs, as it promotes healthy oxygen and blood flow.

Studies have linked running to reducing the risk of contracting a cold and even developing cancer. It also provides excellent stress relief and can soothe mild forms of depression as well.

(And it’s good for dogs, too!)

Photo via richard.heeks on Flickr.

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We were happy to see an article on glutathione in The Huffington Post, as this powerful antioxidant is instrumental in removing toxins from the body.

Humans actually produce glutathione naturally. It serves as a sort of internal fly paper for toxins and free radicals — absorbing them so they can’t do harm elsewhere in the body. Ideally, everything goes smoothly, and the body recycles glutathione so it can keep on fly-papering, however an excess of pollutants can actually halt this process, thus leaving dangerous toxins inside our bodies.

Part of the problem, HuffPost reports, is that humans evolved in a much less toxin-filled environment, leaving our species rather unprepared for the pollutants of the 20th and 21st centuries. About one half of all people lack something called a GSTM1 function, leaving their bodies unable to fully remove toxins.

To bulk up on glutathione, HuffPost recommends ingesting sulfur-loaded foods such as onions, garlic, broccoli, and cabbage, in addition to exercising regularly. For more tips, check out the full article here.

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WebMD has a neat slideshow featuring 12 things not to do while trying to shed some pounds:

Crash dieting. Patience is a virtue – especially when dieting. When you decrease your food intake to under 1,000 calories, your metabolism dramatically decreases, so that even if you lose weight, it’ll be hard to keep off (and probably come back).

Missing breakfast. D’oh! It’s hard to stick to your diet when you’re hungry to the point of distraction. To keep your cravings in check, start the day with a healthy, low-calorie breakfast like sugar-free cereal, granola, or oatmeal.

Snacking. A lot. There’s nothing wrong with snacking, but people have a way of letting themselves snack without even thinking about it – or without even being hungry. Don’t just eat food because it’s in front of you.

Snacking. Too little. Like Goldilocks, it’s up to you to find the perfect balance between over- and under-snacking. Having a healthy snack of nuts or dried fruit can help manage your hunger and make it easier to eat smaller meals.

Trusting the label. Low-fat and sugar-free foods aren’t always as healthy as they seem – these products are often loaded with calories or high in sodium, both of which can sabotage your diet. To make sure your food is as healthy as you think it is, be sure to read the label.

For the full list, click here!

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We’re temporarily renaming our Eat This feature to Eat These, because you can never have just one grape. And with all the health benefits these tiny fruits have to offer, you never should!

So, what can grapes do for you?

Grapes are full of good stuff, including potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, and selenium – all very important minerals – and vitamins A, B6, C, and folate. Plus, the flavonoids in grapes are loaded with valuable antioxidants.

Plus, grapes have been shown to improve a number of conditions, including:

• Asthma
• Migraine
• Indigestion
• Kidney problems
• Alzheimer’s
• Cataracts and macular degeneration
• Infection
• Certain cancers
• Heart disease
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Bad cholesterol

What’s not to love?

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Representing over 5,000 years old of posing in seemingly impossible positions, yoga isn’t just fun to look at — it’s good for you, too.

Yoga can improve your flexibility, strength, and posture, and the breathing methods can actually increase lung capacity. The activity is also associated with better heart health (it reduces blood pressure and slows your heart rate), in addition to combating a number of different conditions, including asthma, back pain, and multiple sclerosis. Plus, yoga has been shown to boost concentration and instill a sense of calm.

And isn’t that worth standing on your head?

Photo via 75mondays on Flickr.

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Varicose veins are painful, unsightly, and sometimes require surgical intervention. They are most common in women and frequently brought on by pregnancy, however genetics and lifestyle factors are also relevant.

Veins pump blood back to the heart, which means that leg veins are tasked with pumping blood upward, against gravity. Veins have natural leaflet valves to keep the blood moving in the right direction; in varicose veins, however, problems with the leaflets allow some of the blood to flow backwards, resulting in discomfort.

Let’s take a look at some of the lifestyle changes you can make to prevent varicose veins:

Sit and stand with care. To promote better circulation, maintain good posture and avoid crossing your legs when seated. Your circulation suffers when you sit or stand for a long time, so take frequent breaks to stretch your legs.

Invest in compression hose. Compression hose and socks are available both over-the-counter and by a doctor’s prescription. They apply pressure to the lower legs to help your veins pump blood upward toward the heart.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Easier said than done, we know, but keeping your weight down and activity level up have been shown to decrease your risk of developing varicose veins. Doctors recommend low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, and walking.

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