Photosynthesis is the biological term for how plants make the energy to grow. It means making something (synthesis) from light (photo). Plants take in carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air through small holes in their leaves. They get water from the soil through their roots. Water plus CO2 plus light … Read More
Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Americans are embracing organics like never before. Once scant on supermarket shelves, organic foods have gained coveted space alongside their conventional food counterparts, whether produce, meats, dairy, or packaged foods. Organic food sales grew more than 12% in 2020, to nearly $62 billion—more than double the growth of the year … Read More
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical that has been used since the 1960s in plastics and food containers. [1] Although its use has declined in recent years, it had become so common that a CDC study in 2004 found BPA in 93 percent of urine samples from people over … Read More
Studies in human cells and in animals show that oils from the oregano plant have definite antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These oils can break down the walls of bacterial cells and may help fight infections. As an antioxidant, oregano oil may scavenge free radicals and prevent damage to healthy cells. … Read More
Inflammation is a hot topic these days. With so many people suffering from chronic diseases, we are all looking for ways to reduce our risk. It turns out that diet is a major risk factor for inflammation and chronic disease. This fact has many people asking, “What anti-inflammatory foods should … Read More
It happened just like that. You sat on the couch, spoon in hand, to enjoy a few spoonfuls of your favorite ice cream. Suddenly, you were staring down the barrel of an empty carton, with remnants of Rocky Road splattered on your chin. “Not again,” you cried. As you pondered … Read More
In our post Chocolate Benefits for Your Brain, you learned about the phytochemicals in dark chocolate and cocoa and their impact on your mood and cognitive performance. Here, we’ll continue with an overview of cocoa benefits (from cocoa powder and dark chocolate) on heart health. Chocolate’s polyphenols, particularly its flavanols, … Read More
When it comes to cholesterol-reducing foods, many people think of garlic, salmon, or fresh vegetables; however, research increasingly shows that strawberries rank among the world’s healthiest snacks because of its ability to lower cholesterol naturally. A study published in the medical journal Metabolism reports that strawberries work to lower LDL … Read More
If you’re looking for a food that lowers cholesterol naturally, is exceptionally nutritious, packed with protein and phytochemicals, and will boost your immune system and give you energy all while tackling your cholesterol and triglycerides, Spirulina is it! A rich, deep-green powder, Spirulina is an ancient food source that is … Read More
It can be difficult to find all of the produce you need when shopping in the organic sections at your local grocery store. And when you do find what you need, you might not want to pay the price (sometimes several dollars) for organic vs. non organic. Pesticides and the … Read More
