Ocean Robbins

The cutting edge of medicine is largely focused on longevity through genetic manipulation, nanotechnology, and advances in cellular science. While most of this is still in the realm of science fiction, the good news is that we already know a great deal about how to extend human life and health. There are several societies that produce far more than their expected share of centenarians and other healthy long-lived people. What can we learn from the Blue Zones, and how can we apply their wisdom to our lives?

The restaurant industry has some big problems. The pandemic, inflation, and a shortage of workers have all taken their toll. But a growing number of restaurants are taking bold and innovative steps to not only stay afloat — but to also contribute to healthy people and a healthy planet. Here’s what you need to know about sustainable and socially responsible restaurants, and how you can enjoy a night out (or a night of takeout), with a clean conscience and a happy tummy.

Cashews are incredibly versatile nuts (well, drupes), providing creaminess and flavor to Indian and other Asian dishes, commercial dairy analogs, and homemade nut cheeses and “nice” creams. They’re also quite nutritious. Unfortunately, the cashew industry is known for mistreating its workers. So is there a way to enjoy the taste and health benefits of cashews while not contributing to horrible working conditions?

Nutritional yeast, aka “nooch,” has gone from weird hippie health supplement to culinary darling in recent years. Some vegans and plant-based eaters view it as an essential condiment, without which life itself would be too bland to contemplate. Others are still getting to know this amazing ingredient. Regardless of your current state of nooch savviness, here are some nutritional yeast recipes and ideas to help you make the most of this healthy, flavorful food.

Peppers, from sweet to wickedly hot, became staples of cuisines around the world almost as soon as they arrived from their original homes in South America. Both mild bell peppers and 5-alarm chili peppers provide significant health benefits. In this article, we’ll look at what those benefits are, whether the hottest of peppers are safe, and how to prepare peppers to please the palates of the people you love.

Wellness influencers and supplement companies promote green powders as miracle supplements, able to do everything from increasing energy to improving digestion to boosting brain function. But what does the science say? Are these expensive green powders the real deal, or are they another fad to separate us from our money?

Over the past couple of decades, insect populations around the globe have plummeted. While that might sound lovely if you’re thinking about mosquitoes and no-see-ums, it’s actually putting us on a collision course with an environmental catastrophe. Without pollinating insects, our food supply is at risk. And without insects in general, the entire web of terrestrial life would likely collapse. So what’s causing the insect die-off, and what can we do to reverse it?

If you’re looking for the healthiest foods to include in your diet on a regular basis, memorize one acronym — GBOMBS. When you stack up all the foods you could eat by how many nutrients they provide per calorie, greens, beans, onions, mushrooms, berries, and seeds top the charts. But how do you get them onto your plate and into your belly on a regular basis? This article shares tips and a GBOMBS meal plan that includes yummy recipes and a shopping list.

If you believe the hype, CoQ10 is a wonder supplement that can do everything from helping athletes recover faster to giving tired people more energy to slowing down the aging process. But how much science is there to back up these claims? What does CoQ10 do in the body, and what happens when it’s in short supply? And can we get it from food, or is supplementation the way to go?

Granola is known both as the ultimate hippie food, and as an expensive upscale breakfast found in fancy supermarkets. But you might be surprised to learn where this classic food got its start. And you might be surprised by the truth about granola, too. So is granola good for you? And how can you make your own granola with healthy and high-quality ingredients?

When the conversation turns to weight loss, calories often take center stage. But is counting calories the only — or best — way to balance energy intake and expenditure? Or can focusing on calories confuse or disempower you, and distract you from what really matters when it comes to food choices?

Vegan comedian Myq Kaplan’s podcast is called “Broccoli and Ice Cream,” because he wants his output to be as good for you as broccoli and as enjoyable as ice cream. While it’s true that broccoli delivers a powerful health punch, it’s also a delicious vegetable in its own right. But what is so darn healthy about broccoli? And how can we prepare it to make people forget about being forced to eat mushy, discolored broccoli when they were little?