Over the years, gut health has become an obsession for people who want to live healthily. And this is something that definitely deserves attention if you want your body and brain functioning optimally. Essentially, your gut is made of a host of microbes, both good and bad ones. While you cannot completely get rid of the bad ones, a balance between the good and bad bacteria is the key to good gut health. Conversely, a wrong mix inside your gut can wreak havoc on your digestive system and cause a series of health issues. From bouts of constipation and

When people think about their immune system, they usually consider its role in fighting a cold or infection. But there is a direct connection between the immune system and nutrition. Our immune system is one of the most effective forms of defense against viral infections. There are two categories of immune functions in everyone’s body – the innate immunity which prevents diseases from entering the body and adaptive immunity which eliminates or prevents the growth of pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, in our body. In a person who is malnourished, the immune system shuts down. In people who are

One of the best ways to make sure your family is eating healthy is having meals at home. This way, you know exactly what goes into every dish, and can also have more control over the portions served. However, it’s important to think about how you’re going to go about it. It’s all about planning, and where does healthy eating really begin? In the grocery store. What Kind of Grocery Shopper Are You? There are different personality types when it comes to grocery shopping. Some shoppers take the “business as usual approach.”  They buy and

You probably know someone who’s undergoing a stressful situation. Perhaps you’re dealing with one right now and are looking for ways to cope and manage. Stress affects everyone; it’s actually a natural response for how our brains and bodies react to demands or stressors. But learning to manage stress is important to our overall wellbeing. According to the annual Stress in America report by the American Psychological Association, money and work continued to be a significant stressor in 2018. One interesting finding, however, was an increased tolerance for stress across all generations. Truth be told, not all stress is bad. In

What should you eat if you want to keep a healthy brain? We’ve all heard about different kinds of brain foods, but which ones actually provide nutrients that boost memory, attention, and mood? Nutrition affects brain health in many ways. What we eat not only fuels our brain cells, but it brings us great pleasure in life, which can support a stable mood. However, nutritional scientists have noted that the foods we eat can have much more complex effects on our mood and temperament. How to Keep Your Brain Healthy with Nutrient-Rich Foods

Rich in ceremony and steeped in tradition, drinking and serving tea is a daily practice for individuals worldwide. The benefits of drinking tea go beyond the art of preparation and taking in the aroma. Green, black and herbal teas contain phytonutrients, compounds that not only give plants their color, flavor, and aroma but can also benefit human health. Some tea companies even infuse already good-for-you tea with vitamins and functional herbs. Consider them a different school of functional tea. From fruit-infused green tea to “energy” and “bedtime” blends, there are dozens of functional teas to choose from. Here are a few

We are what we drink—and in the case of most adults, water makes up 60-70% of our body weight. Water is vital for the proper function of virtually every cell, tissue, and organ in the body, and is needed for proper digestion and delivery of nutrients to your cells, and to help regulate body temperature. Water also acts as a “shock absorber” for the brain and spinal cord, and it lubricates joints, organs, and tissues. And adequate water intake may even help you manage your weight. How Much Water Should I Drink? Of course, your age, size, gender, and