Ethnobotany

Oct 29th, 2020 - Diet is an important factor—actually the most important factor in preventing heart disease. According to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology , adding omega-3 fatty acids to the diet can be especially heart-healthy.  The research found a combination of foods rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) omega-3s and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) omega-3s lowered the risk of death for up to three years in heart attack patients.  What did the research find? The study looked at 944 adults who were 61 years old on average. While in the hospital, each participant had ... [Read More]

Oct 27th, 2020 - This seed is small, but it's packed with fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Here are the health benefits and risks of flaxseeds you should know, plus how to add them to your diet. Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. A superseed Packed with vitamins and nutrients, flaxseeds are a nutritional powerhouse with many benefits. They have been linked to helping with digestive issues and weight loss , as well as possibly reducing the risk of heart disease , cancer , and type 2 diabetes in ... [Read More]

Oct 26th, 2020 - Can Fenugreek Seeds Help Hair Growth? Here's what to know about the potential benefits of fenugreek seeds when it comes to hair growth. What are fenugreek seeds? Fenugreek is a small green, leafy herb originally from southern parts of Asia and the Mediterranean. The tiny seeds from this plant have many potential health benefits, including healthy hair and hair growth. Here’s the scoop on these healthful seeds and what they can mean for your hair. Are fenugreek seeds good for your hair? Fenugreek seeds are high in protein and nicotinic acid content, which are known to help combat dandruff ... [Read More]

Aug 12th, 2020 - ‘I’m a Gastroenterologist, and This Is How To Make a Cup of Gut-Healthy Coffee’ Just in case you were having doubts about your morning coffee habit, rest assured that  coffee is, in fact, good for you . And chances are, your doctor is brewing a cup of gut-healthy coffee every morning, too. "Coffee itself isn’t the problem, but rather, it’s the garbage we add to it," says Will Bulsiewicz, MD , a gastroenterologist and the author of Fiber Fueled . While you might have heard that coffee is good for your brain and heart because it’s full of antioxidants , Dr. Bulsiewicz says it’s ... [Read More]

Jul 5th, 2020 - Of all the things to worry about in the world right now, you’d be forgiven if dementia—aka the loss of cognitive function—failed to make the top of your list. However, dementia is on the rise in the U.S; its most prevalent form, Alzheimer’s disease, is now the sixth-leading cause of death . So while you shouldn’t add this to an increasingly ceaseless inventory of things-which-prevent-sleep, it can’t hurt to ever-so-slightly tweak your diet to be more brain health-centric. Simply put, this means eating more plants , and that includes spices and herbs for brain health. While ... [Read More]

Jun 26th, 2020 - With millions of people around the world still confined to their homes due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, many have reported over-indulging in home-baking, snacks and sugary treats, potentially leading to increases in body weight. But researchers at Massey University may have found a solution by investigating a plant compound that showed a statistically significant reduction in sugar cravings . Associate Professor Ajmol Ali of the School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition was approached by Harley Pasternak, a celebrity personal trainer in the United States and co-founder of the company ... [Read More]

Jun 26th, 2020 - 7 Great Foods to Lower High Blood Pressure Rich in potassium and fiber, these healthy foods help lower blood pressure. Blood pressure refers to the force of your blood as it moves through the blood vessel walls of the body. A normal blood pressure for most people is around 120/80 millimeters of mercury, or mm Hg. Systolic, or the measurement on top, refers to the force of the blood pumped out of the heart and into the arteries. Diastolic, the measurement on the bottom, refers to the pressure as the heart relaxes between beats. The American Academy of Cardiology and the American Heart ... [Read More]

Jun 26th, 2020 - This Is the Best Time of Day to Drink Coffee (It’s Not When You Wake Up) A morning cuppa could be more effective if you have it at this specific time. If you are like so many caffeine lovers, you drink coffee every day , probably making a beeline for the coffee machine as soon as you wake up. In fact, 90 percent of adults in the U.S. consume caffeine almost daily, with  coffee being the most popular way to get that caffeine fix. Although you might be in the habit of getting that first blast of java right after you get out of bed, some research shows that’s not the ideal time to get the ... [Read More]

Jun 26th, 2020 - Warm water with lemon is a popular morning drink for supporting digestion, hydration, and healthy skin. Some people will even add honey to this morning beverage for an added sweetness. It turns out, though, warm water with honey—hold the lemon—may also have some beneficial properties.  Most commonly, people reach for honey water when a cold is coming on. Though it may be soothing for sore throats and other cold-like symptoms, is it an actual remedy? Registered dietitians and Ayurvedic experts share their opinions on the topic.  What are the benefits of honey water?  Honey has ... [Read More]

Jun 26th, 2020 - It's delicious -- that's the first thing you need to know. Boba tea (also called bubble tea, pearl milk teak, or simply boba) is a cold tea drink typically involving black or green tea, sugar or syrup, ice, and tapioca pearls. If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you either love boba and want to learn more about it, or are curious what this new craze is. Well, it’s definitely not a new craze, and yes, there is a lot you don’t know about boba. Yet. Contents The Boba Boom The word ‘boba’ itself can refer to many different things. It can be a rather loosely defined category ... [Read More]

Jun 24th, 2020 - Whether you favor creamy or crunchy, it’s hard to deny the satisfaction of a salty-sweet nut butter. Peanut butter is a classic, but almond butter has also gained popularity over the last few years. Both are tasty and versatile, but where do they stand in terms of nutrition? Is one better than the other, or is it just a matter of preference? Here's what registered dietitians have to say about the similarities and differences between almond butter and peanut butter.   Almond and peanut butter benefits.  "Both almond butter and peanut butter start with a naturally wholesome seed that’s ... [Read More]