Food and Health

Coconut has gained popularity in recent years, but does that mean we should all be eating it? Here’s what to know about coconut and coconut oil.

We live in a culture that associates having fun with drinking. For many of us, beer, wine, and cocktail drinks loosen our inhibitions and allow us to relax with friends, and even more so in rooms full of strangers. We like politicians that “we could have a beer with.” But there are serious downsides to alcohol consumption — for individuals and for society as a whole. What can we do if we want to participate in the social life around us while limiting or avoiding alcohol? Enter the “mocktail.”

Buying fresh produce is great (and healthy), but it won’t do you any good if you’re not storing it properly — and if it goes bad before you eat it. This article covers the do’s and don’ts of how to store fresh fruit and vegetables in your home, so you can get the maximum nutritious and delicious bang for your produce bucks.

Cholesterol is a hot topic in the nutrition world, with headlines presenting mixed messages around whether it’s good or bad — and if it’s required or you should avoid it in your diet. Here’s what you need to know about cholesterol guidelines, your diet, and your health.

Bananas are one of the most commonly eaten fruits in the world. But are bananas good for you? How do you know if they are ethically and sustainably produced? Here’s what you need to know about the benefits and downsides of eating bananas. Plus, some creative ways to incorporate them into your diet — and a bunch of awesome recipes, too.

Just about every thoughtful researcher recommends eating lots of vegetables — especially the green ones. But what about people who just don’t like veggies? In this article, we’ll briefly recap the many benefits of veggies and explain how to overcome any “veggie-phobia” you might have developed so that you can start enjoying these powerful plants today.

Name a spice that’s equally at home in Mexican, Indian, and Middle Eastern food. If you said “cumin,” bingo! There’s a good chance that you’ll find ground or whole cumin seeds in your pantry right now, but do you know everything this spice has to offer?

What are grains, and are they good for you? Are there certain grains you should avoid? How can you incorporate grain alternatives into your diet, and why would you want to? This article answers these questions and more.

Lectins are a type of protein found in certain types of plants. There are thousands of kinds of lectins, and some of them are now blamed for digestive problems, obesity, brain fog, and a slew of autoimmune diseases. But many of the plants that contain lectins could be among the healthiest foods in the modern diet. So what’s the truth? Should you eat them or not?

The Impossible Burger and its parent company, Impossible Foods, are taking the plant-based meat alternative world by storm. Their products are helping to cut down on factory-farmed meat consumption, which is good for fans of animal rights and of the planet. But is there a hidden dark side to the Impossible Burger’s environmental impact?

When the EPIC-Oxford Study came out in 2019, headlines in the media focused on a small increase in a subtype of stroke seen among the included vegans and vegetarians. But what does the data actually say about the incidence of ischemic heart disease and stroke in vegans and vegetarians as compared to meat-eaters? Dr. Joel Kahn presents the evidence along with his comments on the results.

When we hear “soul food,” we might think of fried fish, chicken and waffles, pig’s feet, and pies full of butter and sugar. Tasty, perhaps, though not exactly the pinnacle of healthy eating. But are there healthier variations of this popular cuisine? Is it possible to enjoy soul food that doesn’t clog your arteries and shorten your life? Yes!