nutrition

A U.S. health and wellness expert says an easy way to boost immunity is to eat more fruits and vegetables in different colors. Amy Hendel says says a study published in the Phytonutrient Report found eight in 10 Americans are missing out on the health benefits of a diet rich in colorful fruits and veggies -- resulting in a phytonutrient gap. The report looked at fruit and vegetable Read more...

A side of fries today, a large soda tomorrow. Next year, a surplus of 15 pounds. When a downward economy minimizes splurges on restaurant meals and pricey supermarket foods, fast food isn't the only answer. In the long run, fast eating, whether from vending machines or drive-thrus, is neither cheap nor healthful. Recognizing the hidden benefits of affordable foods can prove your most thrifty Read more...

Aging can be tough. Ailments like osteoporosis, diabetes and memory loss plague many individuals' golden years. While there is nothing any of us can do to turn back the hands of time, maintaining a proper diet can help to make life better for senior citizens. Jackie Carr, a registered dietician at the Brunswick hospital of Southeast Georgia Health System, points out that, as we age, many Read more...

Diets rich in strawberries, other berries, nuts, and certain spices may lower age-related cognitive declines and the risk of neurodegenerative disease, according to James Joseph, Ph.D., of the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston. Dr. Joseph describes his breakthrough work on the everyday foods that promote brain health during a presentation at Read more...

Dark and bitter or milky and sweet ... there's nothing quite like chocolate to make a bad day better. Luckily there are loads of reasons to enjoy the stuff, especially as this is National Chocolate Week. Swedish scientists say people eating chocolate after a heart attack may be less likely to have another one. And the fact that chocolate boosts brain power and lifts depression can Read more...

Most people know that there are many benefits to maintaining a healthy diet. Longer lives, disease prevention and an ideal weight are all results of eating healthy. But how can you know which foods to buy -- let alone which foods to eat? Now it may be easier than ever to decide. Color is the key. If you know what you want to prevent or improve, there is probably a color associated with Read more...

It has been known grapes provide health benefits, but U.S. researchers say they are learning more about exactly how the fruit's chemicals work. The links between grape consumption and prevention of diseases are the subject of a Grape and Health workshop described in a supplement published in the Journal of Nutrition. "Within grapes and grape products, there are chemical classes of Read more...

Instead of overdosing on coffee or jittery energy drinks, here are some fresh foods to help keep your brain in top shape. Spinach and other leafy greens: Green leafy veggies -- spinach, kale, arugula, romaine lettuce and Swiss chard -- are packed with vitamins A, C, calcium, iron and many disease-battling phytochemicals. According to a recent study, men and women who chow down on three Read more...

In the United States, high blood pressure is a big problem. Almost 74 million people -- one of every three adults -- have it, and it occurs significantly more often in African- Americans. Having high blood pressure increases the risk for heart attacks, strokes and various types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. While chronic conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes and Read more...

Not so long ago, whole-wheat pasta tasted too much like the boxes it came in. Much has changed. At many grocers, the whole-wheat or multigrain pasta selection can take up more than a quarter of the section, and the quality and taste have improved considerably. This is good news because whole-grain pastas, compared to their white-flour equivalents, are a much better source of the fiber and Read more...