Healthy Eating Archive

The gallbladder stores bile from the liver and squeezes it into the small intestine to help digest fats. About 15% of American adults have gallbladder disease, most commonly gallstones. Women are more prone to gallstones because estrogen slows the gallbladder's ability to empty. Serious complications can result from gallbladder disease, including inflammation, infection, and blockages. People can reduce their risk for gallbladder problems by eating more fruits and vegetables, favoring lean proteins, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Prehabilitation, or prehab, involves a wide range of steps to take before surgery to maximize recovery afterward. Prehab components include nutritional support, strength and fitness, blood sugar control, medication management, smoking cessation, pain management, and delirium prevention. Research suggests prehab can increase the odds people will heal faster, experience fewer complications, and recover more smoothly over all.

Fatty liver disease is a condition caused by irritation to the liver, and one specific type is triggered by metabolic risk factors. Following a healthy diet can prevent or possibly even reverse it.

People who follow a combination of healthy diet plans that share similar traits may have a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer.

A 2022 study of 11,000 dementia-free people found that middle-aged participants who ate the most junk food had a faster rate (up to 28%) of cognitive decline, compared with those who ate the least junk food.

A 2023 study found that the DASH diet, rich in whole grains, lean protein, nuts, low-fat dairy, and fruits and vegetables, may dramatically lower the risk of heart problems in women and Black adults.

About 96 million Americans have prediabetes, defined by elevated blood sugar levels that are not high enough to qualify as diabetes. Risk factors include overweight or obesity, family history, and inactivity. People with prediabetes may have more infections and frequent urination or blurry vision after big meals. Lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, eating healthy foods, drinking alcohol moderately, and not smoking may prevent prediabetes from progressing to diabetes.

In addition to raising blood pressure, too much salt in the diet can have other detrimental effects on the heart, including damaging the inner layer of blood vessels and altering the body's hormonal and inflammatory response. Following the DASH diet, choosing lower-sodium versions of commonly eaten foods, and skipping the saltshaker can help people eat less salt. To boost flavor without salt, options include salt-free herb and spice blends, lemon or lime zest or juice, and flavored vinegars.

Healthier eating starts with food shopping, and supermarkets are full of choices that are both nutritious and less so. But trips to a grocery store don't have to feel overwhelming or be budget-blowing; it just takes a little planning, strategy, and thinking ahead.

Making small, gradual changes to your eating habits and patterns is an easy way to incorporate the Mediterranean diet approach into your life.