Health food

When do leftovers turn lethal? The best part about preparing and cooking a big feast is having enough delicious leftovers to last you the next few nights. But there's one crucial step when it comes to eating leftovers never to skip: storing them in the fridge. One young man who dined on leftover pasta didn't do that, and it appears to have cost him his life. The case of the 20-year-old from Belgium was originally reported in 2008 in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. Recently, however, a YouTuber who goes by the name Dr. Bernard posted a video on the case, putting it back in the headlines and making the story go viral. Here's the case in a nutshell: After returning home from school one day, the man (identified as AJ in the YouTube video) heated some leftover pasta left on the kitchen counter in his microwave, had it for dinner, and then headed out to play sports. Just half an hour later, he returned home complaining of headaches, abdominal pain, and nau...

How to Use Honey to Help Your Eyes Originally seen in healthline.com — Written by Kathryn Watson Honey is a wonderful natural sweetener and sugar replacement. It’s also used all over the world for its antimicrobial, wound-healing, and soothing properties. While not as popular in Western cultures, Ayurveda and other natural healing traditions have been using honey for centuries to treat health conditions of the eye. Topically applied honey can reduce inflammation and irritation in your eye. It can also kill harmful bacteria that could be causing an eye infection. Some people even use honey to try to gradually change the color of their eyes, although there isn’t any research to prove that it works. Keep reading to find out what we know so far about using honey as a treatment for your eyes. Benefits of using honey for your eyes Honey’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, combined with its soothing abilities, make it a surprisingly effective treatment...

Is Honey Good for You, or Bad?  This article was originally seen in healthline.com Written by Rachael Link, MS, RD Honey is often marketed as a healthy alternative to regular sugar. This is largely due to the numerous health benefits associated with it and its antioxidant content. However, while some claim that honey can be a delicious and nutritious way to help satisfy your sweet tooth, others dismiss it as little more than a high-sugar indulgence. This article tells you whether honey is good or bad for you. What Is Honey? Honey is a sweet, syrup-like substance that bees produce from the nectar of flowering plants. The bees collect the nectar and then consume, digest, and regurgitate it inside the beehive to produce honey. Honey is stored in wax-like structures called honeycombs, which are gathered by humans through the practice of beekeeping (1). Many types of honey are available, differing based on the plant source, the extraction method, and whethe...

First seen on eating well.com As if you needed another reason to indulge your chocolate cravings, we took a look at the science of why dark chocolate is healthy.  Heart Journal found that three to six 1-ounce servings of chocolate a week reduces the risk of heart failure by 18 percent. And another study published in the journal BMJ suggests the treat may help prevent atrial fibrillation (or a-fib), a condition characterized by irregular heartbeat. People eating two to six servings a week had a 20 percent lower risk of developing a-fib compared to those consuming it less than once a month. Researchers believe cocoa's anti­oxidant properties and magnesium content may help improve blood vessel function, reduce inflammation and regulate platelet formation—factors that contribute to a healthy heart. Lowers Blood Pressure Speaking of your heart, among people with hypertension, daily chocolate consumption helps lower systolic blood pressure (the top number of the reading) b...

This article first appeared on www.healthline.com Beverages like green tea, coffee and high-protein drinks have been shown to boost metabolism, promote fullness and decrease hunger, all of which may encourage weight loss. Here are eight drinks that are some of the best to include in your diet when trying to lose weight and get healthy. 1. Green Tea Green tea is often associated with health, and for good reason. Not only is it packed with beneficial antioxidants and other powerful nutrients, it’s also one of the most effective drinks for weight loss. Drinking green tea has been shown to decrease body weight and body fat in several studies. A review of 14 studies found that people who drank high-concentration green tea for 12 weeks lost an average of 0.44 to 7.7 pounds (0.2 to 3.5 kg) more than those who did not drink green tea (1). It should be noted that this benefit is linked to green tea preparations that contain high amounts of catechins, antioxidants that ...

This article first appeared on healthline.com Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Though people primarily enjoy it for its unique look and taste, evidence suggests it may provide health benefits as well. This article takes a look at dragon fruit, including its nutrition, benefits, and how to eat it. What Is Dragon Fruit? Dragon fruit grows on the Hylocereus cactus, also known as the Honolulu queen, whose flowers only open at night. The plant is native to southern Mexico and Central America. Today, it is grown all over the world. It goes by many names, including pitaya, pitahaya, and strawberry pear. The two most common types have bright red skin with green scales that resemble a dragon — hence the name. The most widely available variety has white pulp with black seeds, though a less common type with red pulp and black seeds exists as well. Another variety — referred to as yellow dragon fruit — has yellow ...

NUTRITIONAL AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF OAT MILK AND HOW TO MAKE IT. This article first appeared on www.healthline.com Particularly, oat milk is a good choice for people with allergies or intolerances. It’s naturally free of lactose, nuts, soy, and gluten if made from certified gluten-free oats. Not to mention, it’s delicious and may benefit bone and heart health. This article explores oat milk, its nutrition, benefits, and how to make your own. What Is Oat Milk? Oat milk is a popular dairy-free, vegan-friendly milk substitute. It’s made by soaking and blending steel-cut or rolled oats with water and then straining them through cheesecloth to separate the milk from the oats. Naturally, oat milk isn’t as nutritious as whole oats. As a result, it’s often enriched with nutrients — including calcium, potassium, iron, and vitamins A and D. Oat milk is unique in that it’s free of many of the allergens found in other types of milk. Plus, it contains beta-glucans — a solub...

Health Benefits of Drinking Win This article first appeared on eating well.com Science says you should raise your glass. Here's why wine is actually good for you. You've probably heard that wine is good for you, but maybe you've also heard that you shouldn't be drinking too much. How can anything so delightful be good for you? Well, the science says we should crack open a bottle of pinot—and who are we to argue with science? Here are all of the healthy reasons to pick up a bottle of the good stuff 1. Keep Your Heart Strong Red wine is everyone's favorite source of powerful plant antioxidants, and while they might be more abundant in broccoli, they're way more fun with a bit of a buzz. The most notable disease-fighting compounds in red wine are resveratrol and proanthocyanidins. Research has found that people who drink red wine tend to have lower risk of heart disease, although other lifestyle factors may play a role. It does seem that the powerful anti...

Flu-Fighting Foods You Already Have in Your Kitchen Look no further than your pantry when you start feeling telltale symptoms of the flu coming on.  The seasonal flu is a contagious illness of the respiratory system. When something as potentially serious as the flu is involved, the yearly vaccine and everyday preventive actions, like handwashing and avoiding close contact with sick people, are the best lines of defense. Still, a select few healthy foods can also be helpful when you're fighting this common, cold-like illness. Remember: since the flu is a virus, these foods won't cure the actual flu itself—but they may be able to lessen symptoms such as a sore throat, aches and pains, weakness and nausea. 1. Ginger Soothing Ginger-Lemon Tea When you're experiencing aches and pains induced by the flu (and potentially by an accompanying high fever), reach for ginger. Research suggests that the sweet spice can reduce joint swelling and pain intensity. These perks ca...

The Changes You Need to Make to Have Your Healthiest Year Get healthy with small, practical and research-backed solutions from the experts. This article first appeared on eating well cooking nosh. 1. Moderation—Not Elimination Chipotle Ranch Chicken Casserole Pictured Recipe: Chipotle Ranch Chicken Casserole The Expert: Richard D. Mattes, Ph.D., R.D., is a distinguished professor of nutrition science at Purdue University. He's currently researching the health effects of low-calorie sweeteners and whether fat may be a taste just like sweet, salty and umami. "My advice is simple in concept, difficult to implement: practice moderation. I wish I could make it more exciting than a bag of nails, but I can't. A long time ago, if you wanted to lose weight, our dietary advice was to just eat less of everything and that should work. But it didn't, because people didn't want to follow that advice, so then the search was on to find gimmicks that would help them l...

15 Heart-Healthy Foods Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the word., claiming one out of every four lives. And while you might think it won't happen to you (you've got great genes, right?), over time, poor eating habits—those venti flavored lattes, desk-side snacks and late-night pizza runs—can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and inflammation, raising your risk for heart attack and stroke. So do your heart a favor. Swap those old diet choices for the heart-healthy foods below. Here's why they can help keep your ticker going strong—plus delicious ways to enjoy them. 1. Whole Grains It's no secret that whole grains are a healthier choice than their overly processed, refined-grain cousins. A recent analysis of 45 studies found that eating at least three servings a day of whole grains was linked with a 22 percent lower risk of heart disease. That's because whole grains are rich in antioxidants, phytoestrogens and phy...