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10 Things You Should Know (if you don’t already)

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Scraped from the Internets, so we are not claiming to be the authors of this, but the sources provide additional info that is worth checking into!

Definitive Answer To 10 of Your Biggest Health Questions

1. Does olive oil prevent heart disease?
Short answer: Yes

The health benefits of olive oil come from the presence of polyphenols and antioxidants that reduce the risk of heart diseases and cancers.  To get these healthy compounds, you should buy good-quality, fresh “extra-virgin” olive oil, which has the highest polyphenol content.

Most commercially available olive oils have low levels of polyphenols associated with poor harvesting methods, improper storage, and heavy processing.

2. Do sugary soft drinks lead to diabetes?
Short answer: Yes

The majority of health research is stacked against sugar-sweetened soda.

A large 2004 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that women who drank one or more sugary drinks per day increased their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 83% compared to those who consumed less than one of these beverages per month.

3. Do nuts make you fat?
Short answer: No

As much as 75% of a nut is fat. But eating fat doesn’t necessarily make you fat. The bigger factor leading to weight gain is portion-size. Luckily, nuts are loaded with healthy fats that keep you full. They’re also a good source of protein and fiber. One study even found that whole almonds have 20% less calories than previously thought because a lot of the fat is excreted from the body.

4. Is walking as effective as running?
Short answer: Yes

Studies have shown that how long you exercise ­ and thus how many calories you burn ­ is more important. Than how hard you exercise. Running is a more efficient form of exercise, but not necessarily better for you.

A six-year study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology in April found that walking at a moderate pace and running produced similar health benefits, so long as the same amount of energy was expended.

5. Is drinking fruit juice as good for you as eating fruit?
Short answer: No

Calorie for calorie, whole fruit provides more nutritional benefits than drinking the pure juice of that fruit. That’s because when you liquefy fruit, stripping away the peel and dumping the pulp, many ingredients like Fiber, calcium, vitamin C, and other antioxidants are lost.

For comparison, a five-ounce glass of orange juice that contains 69 calories has ..3 grams of dietary fiber and 16 milligrams of calcium, whereas an orange with the same number of calories packs 3.1 grams of fiber and 60 milligrams of calcium.

6. Are all wheat breads better for you than white bread?
Short answer: No

Not all wheat breads are created equal. Wheat breads that contain all parts of the grain kernel, Including the nutrient-rich germ and fiber-dense bran, must be labeled “whole grain” or “whole wheat.” Some wheat breads are just white bread with a little bit of caramel coloring to make the bread appear healthier, but don’t be fooled by brown bread.

7. Does coffee cause cancer?
Short answer: No

Coffee got a bad rap in the 1980’s when a study linked drinking coffee to pancreatic cancer, however the preliminary report was later debunked. More recently, health studies have swung in favor of the caffeinated beverage.

Coffee has been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, liver cancer, and even suicide.

8. Do eggs raise cholesterol levels?
Short answer: No

Although egg yolks are a major source of cholesterol ­ a waxy substance that resembles fat ­ researchers have learned that saturated fat has more of an impact on cholesterol in your blood than eating foods that contain cholesterol.

“Healthy individuals with normal blood cholesterol levels should now feel free to enjoy foods like eggs in their diet every day,” the lead researcher from a 25-year University of Arizona study on cholesterol concluded.

9. Can yogurt ease digestive problems?
Short answer: Yes

Our digestive tract is filled with microorganisms ­ some good and some bad. Yogurt contains beneficial bacteria, generically called probiotics, that helps maintain a healthy balance.

Probiotics can relieve several gastrointestinal problems, including constipation and diarrhea. Certain brands of yogurts, like Activa by Dannon, are marketed exclusively to treat tummy issues.

10. Is red wine better for you than white wine?
Short answer: Yes

Red wine contains much more resveratrol than white wine, an antioxidant found in the skin of grapes that has been shown to fight off diseases associated with aging.

Do some additional digging, and have a productive and relaxing March!

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