Intermittent fasting (IF) means alternating periods of eating with periods of not eating, rather than changing what you eat. It has become popular for weight loss and is often promoted with big claims about longevity and metabolism. The research is promising in some areas but more modest than the hype. Common methods What the research … Read more
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria and other microbes, collectively called the gut microbiome. Research links a diverse microbiome to better digestion and possibly to immunity and metabolism, although many claims online go well beyond what science has shown. The good news is that the foods that feed a healthy gut are the … Read more
There is no single “best” oil, but there are clear patterns. Oils rich in unsaturated fats, used in place of saturated fats like butter and lard, are linked to better heart health according to the American Heart Association and the Dietary Guidelines. Beyond health, each oil has a flavor and a heat range it suits … Read more
Healthy eating has a reputation for being expensive, mostly because of trendy superfoods and specialty products. The foundations of a healthy diet, such as beans, oats, rice, eggs, frozen vegetables and seasonal fruit, are among the cheapest foods in the store. The key is planning and cooking at home. Plan before you shop Cheap, nutritious … Read more
Feeling cold when others are comfortable has many possible causes. Some are nutritional, the most common being low iron and low vitamin B12. Others have nothing to do with vitamins, such as an underactive thyroid. A simple blood test usually sorts it out. Iron deficiency (with or without anemia) Iron is needed to make hemoglobin, … Read more
The well-known “eight glasses a day” is an easy reminder, not a scientific rule. How much you need depends on your size, activity, climate, diet and health. Most healthy people do well by drinking when they are thirsty and with meals. The reference numbers The US National Academies of Sciences set “adequate intakes” for total … Read more
Yes. It is rare in everyday life, but drinking a large amount of water in a short time can be dangerous. The condition is called water intoxication and leads to hyponatremia: the sodium in your blood becomes too diluted. What happens in the body Your kidneys can only get rid of a limited amount of … Read more
Yes, as long as it is fully cooked. Shrimp is one of the lowest-mercury seafoods, and the FDA and EPA list it among the “Best Choices” for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It provides protein, iodine, vitamin B12 and some omega-3 fats, all useful during pregnancy. How much seafood is recommended The FDA/EPA advice … Read more
Yes. Fresh grapes are a safe, healthy snack during pregnancy for most people. They provide water, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium, and they can help with snacking cravings in a way that sweets do not. The internet worries you may have read about are mostly unfounded. The resveratrol question Grape skins contain resveratrol, … Read more
Yes. For most people, eating spicy food during pregnancy is safe for both parent and baby. Chili peppers, hot sauce and curries do not cause miscarriage or birth defects, and there is no good evidence that they trigger labor, despite the popular myth. Many cultures eat spicy food daily throughout pregnancy. The real question is … Read more
