Recent Blog Posts
Grapes: A Primer on the Different Varieties, Healthiest Types & Other Important Grape Facts
Grapes: A Primer on the Different Varieties, Healthiest Types & Other Important Grape Facts Grapes have been a part of human civilization since ancient times. They're mentioned in biblical stories as "the fruit of the vine," are featured in Egyptian hieroglyphics, and were treasured for winemaking in ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. Grapes contain healthy compounds that can fight heart disease and cancer and even extend your lifespan. Today, grapes are the sixth most popular fruit in the United States (after bananas, apples, watermelon, oranges and cantaloupe). Though there are thousands of different grape varieties, about 20 of them represent the majority of table grapes consumed. Table Grapes Vs. Wine Grapes Table grapes refer to those that are traditionally eaten as is, as a snack, in salads or entrees. Wine grapes are the varieties used to make wine, and there are also raisin grapes, which are primarily used to make the dried fruit. Grapes are classified as either American or European, with American grapes having skins that are looser than European varieties, which are known for their tight [...]
Stretching and Exercise: Is Stretching Before Exercise Dangerous? When Should You Stretch?
Stretching and Exercise: Is Stretching Before Exercise Dangerous? When Should You Stretch? Most everyone who exercises (even those among us who may not have exercised since our high school gym class) has heard the advice to stretch. Doing so before, after and during your workout, we were told, would help to prevent injuries, reduce sore muscles and help us get a better overall workout. As it turns out, this advice is a bit outdated. It seems that the advice was being given before anyone really knew for sure if, and when, stretching was beneficial for exercisers. So here we've all been, stretching to our hearts' content, and possibly causing more harm than good. If, that is, you've been stretching incorrectly. Why it's Important to Stretch When You Exercise Stretching before you've warmed up is NOT recommended because your body hasn't had a chance to loosen up yet -- and stretching could actually lead to injury. The notion that stretching is important for anyone who does aerobic or strength-training exercise (or even for those who don't) still holds true. [...]
The 11 Signals Your Nails are Giving You About Your Health
The 11 Signals Your Nails are Giving You About Your Health Many people put a lot of effort into keeping their nails perfectly trimmed, cleaned and manicured. If the nails aren't perfect, the solution is often to cover them up with fake nails or polish. But ignoring such signs and viewing them as only an aesthetic problem could be dangerous to your health. Like your skin, your nails are excellent indicators of what's going on inside your body. If your nails are healthy (smooth and pink with a slightly curved surface), your body is probably pretty healthy too. But if your nails are discolored, brittle or otherwise appear unhealthy, it may be because of an underlying health problem. "The nails can be windows to a patient's overall health, and while the nail itself is dead tissue, the areas under the cuticle and beneath the nail are alive," said dermatologist Richard K. Scher, M.D., professor of clinical dermatology at Columbia University in New York City. Here are 11 signals your nails may be giving you about your health. 1. [...]
Cancer Mistakes: Fixing Them Before Affected or Fatal
Cancer Mistakes: Fixing Them Before Affected or Fatal Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death around the globe. In the United States, men have just under a one in two chance of developing cancer in their lifetime, while women have a little more than one in three risk, according to the American Cancer Society's (ACS) Cancer Facts & Figures 2009. At least one-third of annual cancer deaths could be prevented by healthier lifestyle choices. While about 5 percent of cancers are thought to be hereditary, a far greater amount are influenced by factors within your control. As ACS states: "Increasingly, researchers agree that poor diets and sedentary lifestyles are among the most important contributors to cancer risk ... Except for quitting smoking, one of the most important ways to help reduce your cancer risk is to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, to be physically active on a regular basis, and to make healthy food choices. The evidence for this is strong: Each year, about 550,000 Americans die of cancer; fully one-third of these deaths are linked [...]
Surprising Facts About Air Pollution and How to Protect Yourself
Surprising Facts About Air Pollution and How to Protect Yourself Everyday you breathe in about 15,000 liters of air. If that air is polluted, the toxins are transported to all the organs in your body -- not just your lungs. In fact, polluted air gets carried, via your bloodstream, from your lungs to your heart, liver, brain and other organs. You can check the daily air quality in your area at AirNow.gov. Sadly, air pollution is now a widespread problem in the United States. It comes from multiple sources -- factories, power plants, dry cleaners, cars and trucks, wildfires and even from materials in your home. Two out of every five people, or 42 percent of the U.S. population, actually live in counties that have unhealthful levels of ozone or particle pollution -- two types of air pollution -- according to the American Lung Association's "State of the Air". Outdoor Air is Only Part of the Problem The air inside of your home may actually be an even bigger threat to your health than outdoor air. According to [...]
9 Rapid Mind-Body Benefits of Meditation
9 Rapid Mind-Body Benefits of Meditation Meditation, which originated in ancient religious and spiritual traditions, is now a part of many Americans’ daily lives. Used for physical relaxation, psychological balance, and to improve health and well-being, studies show that varying techniques used during meditation offer very real, very significant benefits. About 10 million people in the West meditate every day. Will you join them … once you learn the benefits? How does it work? There are many different types of meditation, but most involve taking a specific posture, such as sitting or lying down, in a quiet location. Your attention is then focused on a mantra, an object, your breathing or even your mind. If your attention wanders, you show no judgment, just gently guide your attention back to your focal point. For instance, during mindfulness meditation, which Buddhists call vipassana or insight meditation, the purpose is to clear your mind of worry and be in the present moment. You do this by focusing on your breathing, and paying attention to its passage through your body. When thoughts come [...]