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Anti-inflammatory food superstars for every season

Inflammation is part of the body's healing process, but chronic inflammation can contribute to a range of health issues. In every season, regularly eating a variety of anti-inflammatory foods can benefit your health.

Walnuts: A worthy addition to your daily diet?

Research has found that people who eat nuts regularly are less likely to have heart disease. While all varieties of nuts are full of important nutrients, a two-year randomized trial shows a daily dose of walnuts lowered levels of harmful blood lipids that affect cardiovascular health -- and without adding extra pounds.

Healthy eating through the holidays

At this time of year, with parties and food gifts it's extremely easy to give in to temptation and overindulge. If you have been trying to make healthier eating choices (or want to start), here are some suggestions for how to get through the holiday season and still enjoy yourself.

What are postbiotics?

Postbiotics are created by digestion. Like probiotics and prebiotics, they may contribute to gut health and overall health.

Nationwide sugar reductions projected to save health and lives

A study published Aug. 27, 2021, in Circulation suggests that reducing sugar from packaged foods and sweetened drinks would prevent about 2.5 million heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac arrests, and prevent half a million cardiovascular deaths.

Are these "healthier" choices really better for you?

Foods promoted as healthier options to traditional favorites are sometimes nutritional winners and sometimes not. Chicken sausage does have advantages over traditional pork sausage, but processed veggie chips are often no better than potato chips. People shouldn’t assume that a product is nutritionally superior until they read the label. Things to compare include calories, saturated fat, added sugars, sodium, and fiber.

Keep ultra-processed foods off the menu

A study published online July 14, 2021, by the BMJ suggests that eating ultra-processed foods is associated with substantially increased risks of developing inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

Pumpkins aren’t just for carving

Pumpkins are a good source of nutrition and can be used like a vegetable in many meals, even though they are technically a fruit. The soft flesh of the pumpkin is high in vitamin A and potassium, and contains 3 grams of fiber per cup when cooked. It’s also low in calories, has no fat and no sodium, and is high in beta carotene, an antioxidant that is converted by the body into vitamin A. Foods that act as antioxidants may bring health benefits.

Confused about eating soy?

The FDA wants to pull its support of the health claim that eating soy protein may help reduce the risk of heart disease. The agency proposed the change last fall, citing evidence that questions whether there's any real benefit to heart health. If the FDA goes through with the move, then food makers will no longer be allowed to market soy products with the claim that they can help your heart. But soy won't hurt your heart, and soy does have other benefits.

Sugar: How sweet it is... or is it?

As more Americans are considered obese, including children, a study examined what effect a voluntary reduction in the sugar content of foods would have on rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and health care costs. But in the absence of such a change, there are ways you can reduce your sugar intake without having to give up sweet treats entirely.

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