New thinking about plaque in arteries that feed the brain
Want to prevent shifting teeth? Maybe you need retainers
What you need to know about the new dietary guidelines
Food that’s healthier for people and planet can be cheaper, too
New evidence that polyphenol-rich foods help the heart
8 simple ways to reduce ultra-processed foods in your diet
How to curb your stress eating
How to spot Parkinson’s disease symptoms
Heart failure symptoms in women: How they’re different
GERD diet: Foods to avoid to reduce acid reflux
Nutrition Archive
Articles
Cutting calories offers benefits for normal and overweight adults
Reducing daily calorie intake by 25% may improve health-related quality of life even in people who are not overweight, according to a new study. After two years following a specific diet plan, subjects lost an average of 16.7 pounds, compared with less than a pound in control subjects. They also had better mood, less tension, greater general health, higher sexual drive, and better quality of sleep.
3 trends worth tapping into
Activity trackers, farmers' markets, and mindfulness aren't just passing fancies. They can help you develop beneficial health habits.
Image: julia514/iStock
The word "trendy" has come to refer to a fad or fashion that may have little lasting value, so it can be a turn-off, especially when applied to health practices. But trends can also have lasting health benefits—for example, the trends toward making public places smoke-free or adding calorie counts to fast-food menus. There is increasing evidence that the three trends below fall into the "beneficial" category.
1. Wearing activity trackers
2. Shopping at farmers' markets
In the last 30 years, farmers' markets have moved from the sides of rural roads to the centers of major cities and everywhere in between. Although it may be coincidental, farmers' markets are tailor-made for people who are serious about following the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which advise a gradual shift to a plant-based diet centered around vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. In one recent study conducted by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, when people began to shop at inner-city farmers' markets, they also consumed less sugary soda and more vegetables than they had previously. Farmers' markets offer several other advantages over supermarkets:
Freshness. Just-picked produce is at its peak in flavor and nutrition.
Variety. You may find some fruits or vegetables you haven't seen before or new versions of old standards.
Information. Because the people who sell the produce are likely to have had a hand in growing it, they should be able to tell you the kind of farming methods used and offer suggestions on preparing the food.
Samples. If you're wondering if the cherries are sweet or tart or if the apples are crisp, ask for a sample. Most vendors are happy to comply.
Sustainability. Eating locally or regionally grown produce means less energy is expended bringing it to your table. And supporting regional agriculture is good for your community.
You can find a farmers' market near you by going to the U.S. Department of Agriculture website using the link at www.health.harvard.edu/farmers.
3. Practicing mindfulness
More evidence that a healthy lifestyle might help prevent cancer
It appears that four healthy habits—getting 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, maintaining a body mass index between 18.5 and 27.5, no smoking, and drinking only in moderation—may prevent many cancer cases and death in white people.
Will the food industry ease up on salt?
On June 1, 2016, the FDA proposed voluntary guidelines for short- and long-term goals to cut sodium in commercially processed and prepared food.
Try the hot trend in whole grains
Ancient grains have become the darlings of the culinary world, and they're healthy, too.
Image: marejuliasz/Thinkstock
In recent years, whole wheat has gotten all the glory when it comes to adding grains to your diet. But today's superstars are the staples used long before wheat took center stage. They're called ancient grains.
"Modern wheat, rice, and corn have been processed through hybridization or genetic modification. Ancient grains have not; they've been grown the same way for centuries," says Debbie Krivitsky, a registered dietitian at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.
How much weight loss is cause for concern?
It is normal to lose some weight as a person ages. In fact, an estimated 10% to 20% of men older than age 65 lose 5% or more of their body weight over the rest of their lifetime. However, losing 5% of total weight in one year or 10% over two years warrants some medical testing.
Is body mass index (BMI) still the best measure of body fat?
Body mass index (BMI) is still the best way to assess body fat for most people.
New thinking about plaque in arteries that feed the brain
Want to prevent shifting teeth? Maybe you need retainers
What you need to know about the new dietary guidelines
Food that’s healthier for people and planet can be cheaper, too
New evidence that polyphenol-rich foods help the heart
8 simple ways to reduce ultra-processed foods in your diet
How to curb your stress eating
How to spot Parkinson’s disease symptoms
Heart failure symptoms in women: How they’re different
GERD diet: Foods to avoid to reduce acid reflux
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