Dec 3rd, 2025 - If you are one of the 44% of adults in the U.S. with high blood pressure (hypertension), be mindful that many foods and drinks increase your blood pressure and can counteract the effects of medications. 1. High-Salt Foods Eating too much salt increases blood pressure. High-salt foods cause the body to hold on to (retain) sodium and fluids , which makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the body. These foods also stress the body's renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system  (RAAS), making it less effective at controlling blood pressure . Foods that are high in salt include processed ... [Read More]

Dec 2nd, 2025 - "Many people can experience gas or bloating when they increase fiber too quickly," Michelle Routhenstein, a preventive cardiology dietitian, told Business Insider. Eating too much fiber too quickly can cause more intense symptoms of gastrointestinal distress, like constipation, abdominal pain, and nausea. Here are a few of Routhenstein's tips on how to sneak in more fiber — without any discouraging stomach pains. If you're very new to eating fiber (or have a history of it causing gassiness and bloating), some easy additions include: — like adding fresh fruit to that morning ... [Read More]

Nov 30th, 2025 - As the year ends, our reporting does not slow down. Support the journalists who continue asking questions and telling stories with depth and care. Your membership today helps ensure we start the new year strong. Already a member? Social media tells us we should be doing a lot of things — from (which you're probably already eating enough of, if you eat meat) to taking colostrum supplements to help (there is no proof colostrum does this). It can be hard to know what to do and what not to do for your health. But while lots of social media recommendations aren't true, there's one current ... [Read More]

Nov 29th, 2025 - Sitting for long stretches could be — but researchers say a simple diet tweak, like adding cocoa, berries or apples, may help reduce the damage. A new study from the University of Birmingham found that eating foods rich in flavanols — natural compounds found in cocoa, berries, apples, tea and nuts — can help protect blood vessels from the harmful effects of prolonged sitting, which can induce declines in vascular function and is linked to higher risks of stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular disease. Eating One Type Of Nut Daily Could Lower 'Bad' Cholesterol, Improve ... [Read More]

Nov 28th, 2025 - Even if you're a beginner, these step-by-step instructions from a yoga teacher will keep your blood flowing—and body feeling good. With the country entering the coldest part of the year, you might be looking for ways to warm your body from within. Well, heading to a yoga class (or pulling out a yoga mat in the comfort of your own home) could be just the trick to increasing your blood flow when the temperatures drop. Researchers have looked into the connection between yoga and its effects the body's circulatory system before: A of research published in the confirmed that "specific poses ... [Read More]

Nov 28th, 2025 - It's natural for consumers to want healthier versions of unhealthy things. In theory, I'm swapping out something unhealthy for something that's a little better for me. A number of Americans have been attempting to do the same thing by drinking prebiotic, lower-calorie sodas instead of traditional Coca-Cola and Pepsi products. "Prebiotic soda is a carbonated beverage that contains prebiotics within to help support your microbiome, or gut," says Registered Dietitian Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, creator author of "Read It Before You Eat It: Taking You from Label to Table," told "Prebiotics, known as ... [Read More]

Nov 28th, 2025 - Drinking warm water before bed is a simple habit that many people incorporate into their nightly routine, often for its comforting and soothing effects. While it may seem like just a way to stay hydrated, warm water can influence several aspects of health, from digestion and detoxification to mood and skin appearance. Proper hydration is essential for overall well-being, and sipping warm water in the evening may offer additional benefits, such as supporting relaxation and reducing late-night cravings. However, like any habit, it also comes with potential drawbacks. Drinking too much or ... [Read More]

Nov 28th, 2025 - Growing up, my mom always gave my siblings and me carrots to snack on before dinner. I remember her persuading us to eat them with the promise, "Don't you want to see better than everyone else?" At the time, it sounded like a fun myth to get us to finish our veggies, but she was on to something after all. A new study suggests that one of the key nutrients in carrots, zeaxanthin, may do far more than just support eyesight; it could actually enhance the immune system's ability to fight cancer 1 . The surprising immune power of an eye-health nutrient Zeaxanthin (pronounced zee-uh-zan-thin ) is ... [Read More]