Category: Food as Medicine

Natural Substances to Fight a Big Belly

If a big belly is weighing you down, nature may offer some sensible solutions. From coconut oil and green tea to dark chocolate and vitamin D, there are great natural substances worth looking into. That’s especially true when you consider carrying excess weight around your midsection puts you at increased risk of heart attack, raising…


Can This Natural Sweetener Lower Blood Sugar?

Many people have a sweet tooth. For some, it can become an addiction, fueled by a food industry that continually creates an abundance of highly palatable, inexpensive, ultra-processed foods. As some companies cash in on a market for lab-created, low-calorie sweeteners, one natural sweetener may help curb your sweet tooth without raising your blood sugar….


Raw Honey: A Natural Sweetener With Health Benefits

Consuming honey, nature’s sweet gift freely given through the work and movement of honeybees, gets sweeter in light of its wide-ranging health benefits. If you reach for honey for your cup of freshly brewed tea or to sweeten your homemade desserts, you may already know that science favors honey for its wholesome health benefits versus…


Boost Dopamine Naturally for Better Motivation and Focus

It’s time to get the scoop on dopamine, a substance in your brain that is also known as the motivation molecule. Your body is home to about 60 different molecules known as neurotransmitters that transfer information between your brain cells and your body. We’re writing about dopamine because, well, we were motivated! What Are Neurotransmitters?…


Mothers’ Milk Positive for Chemicals Causing Birth Defects

In the 20th century, scientists developed a group of complex, manmade chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In the past decade, researchers have found these chemicals contaminating drinking water and the environment. Current research measures them at alarming rates in breast milk. The properties of these substances include oil and water repellency, temperature resistance,…


Good Things Can Happen When Your Gut Is Happy

There is an ever-expanding pool of research indicating that your gut health can influence how you think, feel, and function. But if you want the mental and emotional benefits of a healthy gut, you have to give your gut what it needs. The magic that fuels your gut’s psychological impact is bugs—tiny little microorganisms that…


Top 10 Reasons to Eat Organic

Eating organic isn’t a fad. In fact, a 2019 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture stated that sales from U.S. organic farms reached $9.9 billion, a 31 percent increase from 2016 and 2019. Whether you’re avoiding pesticides, looking for a healthier diet, or concerned about the environment, there is no shortage of reasons to eat…


Quercetin: What It Is and Why You Need It

Flavonoids are one of nature’s many therapeutic gifts. Widely found in fruits and vegetables, these phenolic substances have antioxidant properties that protect cells from free radical damage. One of the most well-known and studied flavonoids is quercetin, a flavonol mostly found in onions, berries, citrus fruits, broccoli, and grapes. A potent antioxidant, quercetin boasts anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive,…


Study Links Eating a Diet Rich in Fruit and Vegetables With Less Stress

In today’s world, stress is prevalent. Researchers are currently looking for ways to reduce stress through lifestyle interventions. A new study from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has found that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with less stress. The Australian Diabetes and Lifestyle (AusDiab) Study aimed to find a link between…


Maintain a Healthy Weight With These Natural Antiobesity Agents

Mother Nature is all about balance, but the pace of modern life can cause you to feel a bit tilted at times. If you’re struggling with maintaining a healthy weight—or even if you have only a few pounds to lose—these six natural antiobesity agents can help you shift the scale into equilibrium. 1. Cinnamon This…