With new research and technology coming out each day, we are learning more and more about the surprising health benefits of everyday foods. Here are some great health benefits that come from unexpected places.
A new study from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston will have you feeling better about those full-fat dairy product in your fridge. The research found no significant link between dairy fats and heart disease and stroke, two of the country’s biggest killers. In fact, it suggests that one fatty acid in dairy may help prevent stroke. So go ahead and enjoy that yogurt, milk, or cheese without feeling guilty.
Here’s something worth paying attention to. A study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism showed that couples who ate more omega-3-loaded fish had more frequent sex and higher fertility rates. So if you’re feeling paternal (or just want to have more sex, dial-up your intake of salmon and herring.
A 10-year study of more than half a million people has provided even more incentive to reach for that morning pick-me. Published in JAMA Internal Medicine, it found that people who drank one to eight cups of coffee per day had a lower risk of early death from all causes than people who didn’t drink coffee at all. Same goes for decaf drinkers, so the findings suggest that the benefits here come from the beans rather than the caffeine.
A 2018 review published in The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that, for optimal muscle synthesis, you should spread out your protein intake throughout the day. The results suggest consuming 0.18 gram to 0.25 gram of protein per pound of body weight at least four times per day. So if you weigh 200 pounds, that translates to between 36 grams and 50 grams of protein per meal.
You already know that wine provides a ton of benefits, such as reducing your risk of heart disease. Now there’s a company that’s making it even better for your body. Fit-Vine wines boast less sugar (less than 1 gram per bottle) and fewer carbs and calories than other brands. It’s sort of like the Michelob Ultra of wines.
If you need another reason to choose brown rice over white, researchers in Japan found that brown rice contains nutrients that can protect you from developing cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s. For better absorption and digestibility, the scientists treated the rice with a high-pressure technique, which you probably won’t find at Chipotle. Still, it’s another nod for fiber-rich brown rice.
A recent study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research found that mangoes are a natural laxative. Due to the high amount of fiber and certain polyphenols in the fruit, it can treat chronic constipation and reduce intestinal inflammation. So that’s good to know. And, as a bonus, mangoes taste better than bran muffins.
BY M&F EDITORS