Diets

High blood pressure is one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide. Medication can help manage the condition, but most hypertension drugs come with unpleasant side effects that make people not want to take them regularly. Dietary interventions, on the other hand, can actually prevent and reverse hypertension in many cases, and they come with only positive side effects. In this article, we’ll look at the compounds in food that can lower blood pressure, and identify 9 specific foods that have been shown to fight hypertension.

We hear about superfoods all the time — amazing, exotic berries harvested from over 17,000 feet up in the Himalayas, or rare roots found only on Tuesdays three days before a full moon. I’m exaggerating, of course, but the functional food industry loves to sell us extremely expensive products that they claim contain health-promoting powers that don’t exist in “ordinary” foods. It turns out, though, that many of the inexpensive, readily available foods right under our noses are unappreciated “superfoods” in their own right.

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?

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.

Adopting and maintaining a plant-based diet is one of the most powerful things we can do for our health, the environment, and the animals who share our planet. But it’s not always easy. And there are plenty of societal forces encouraging us to keep eating the modern industrialized diet. To help you get started on, or stick with a plant-powered path, we’ve put together a list of potent plant-based diet books from trusted allies that can guide, support, and educate you on your journey.

Research has shown that a colorful diet is a great way to boost your health and vitality. But how can you be sure that you’re getting all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that your body needs to thrive? In this article, we’ll look at the whole spectrum of rainbow nutrition to show how adding color to your plate could add years to your life (and life to your years!). There’s also a shareable rainbow foods infographic that can help you choose a diversity of colorful fruits and vegetables.

In our overview of vegan statistics from around the world, see why so many people are going vegan and eating plant-based — from athletes to celebrities to everyday people. Plant-based diets are here to stay.

When some people think of fresh veggies, they picture summer gardens full of tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumbers. Summer and fall are definitely good times in the garden, the farmers market, and the grocery store, but the fun keeps going when the thermometer drops, as many winter vegetables provide their own special flavor, energy, and nutrition. In this article, we’ll look at why you might want to add more winter veggies to your year, and show you how to go about storing and preparing them.

Nitrates and nitrites are in some of the healthiest and unhealthiest foods around. So what’s the deal? Are nitrates bad? Should we avoid nitrates and nitrites whenever possible? Does the source matter? This article summarizes what you need to know to get the good out of these compounds while avoiding the bad.

IBS is a widely diagnosed, yet often misunderstood, digestive condition. While living with IBS can be difficult and frustrating, a number of steps can help sufferers alleviate symptoms and continue to lead healthy lifestyles.

Water is an essential part of every form of life on Earth. But by 2025, two-thirds of the world's population may be facing freshwater shortages, and ecosystems around the world may suffer even more. So what can we do to save water so future generations can drink and grow food? A lot! And it can all start with the food on our plates.

Unless you live in, or are from, the southern United States, East Africa, Brazil, or the Iberian peninsula, you may not be a collard green fanatic. But once you discover the powerful nutrition and health benefits they can offer, you may join the cheering section and look for ways to get them onto your plate.