Gut Health

Cucumbers are a refreshing and versatile vegetable used in salads, sandwiches, and as a healthy snack. They’re high in water and low in calories, yet some people question whether cucumbers actually provide any significant nutritional benefits. In this article, we explore the truth about cucumbers and their role in a healthy diet.

Hormonal balance affects your longevity, weight, and mood. And new research is telling us that the cornerstone of balanced hormones is your gut microbiome, which — it turns out — depends on fiber. So can eating more fiber really help you to lose weight, live longer, and feel better?

Buckwheat’s earthy and nutty flavor makes it a great addition to both sweet and savory dishes. A nutritious, affordable, and versatile food, buckwheat can be used as a gluten-free substitute for commonly used whole grains or as a way to add diversity to your whole foods, plant-based diet. In this article, we share why buckwheat is a true superstar in the plant kingdom and how to use it to create seven delicious plant-based recipes.

As the earth’s human population tops eight billion, we need to figure out how to feed all those people without destroying the planet itself. In recent years, pea protein has emerged as a promising alternative to animal sources of protein, like meat and dairy. But is pea protein, a processed food, really better for us and the environment?

Feed a cold, and starve a fever. Or is it the other way around? It can be hard to separate fact from well-meaning fiction when it comes to preventing and recovering from colds and flu. But science has been busy, and now we have simple and powerful strategies to keep from catching a cold — and to suffer less and get better faster if we do. Here are five lifestyle strategies and seven superfoods proven to help keep you well during cold and flu season.

When you’re hungry and want something yummy to eat, bitter foods probably don’t spring to mind. With so many sweet, salty, and savory foods to enjoy, why would you opt for bitter? We’re about to share some reasons bitter may be better (and how you’re most likely already consuming some delicious and healthy bitter food and beverages!). With the plethora of nutritious fruits, veggies, and other plants that can be categorized as bitter, you’re sure to find at least a few you enjoy. And, if the thought of bitterness makes you cringe, we have a few suggestions for you! We’ll share helpful tips on balancing bitter flavors and share seven bitter foods recipes to win over even the pickiest eaters!

There are over 50,000 mushroom species in existence. Some are common foods, and others are hallucinogenic or poisonous. But there are also other mushrooms that are highly nutritious and even medicinal. Research into this area is exploding, with findings that now have some doctors recommending certain mushrooms along with their patients’ conventional cancer treatments! Below, we explore five of the most researched and beneficial medicinal mushrooms out there.

Turnips may not be cool like cucumbers or sexy like cauliflower, but they’re humble and hardworking root vegetables that have sustained human civilizations for millennia. And the more we know about turnips, the more impressive their nutritional and health benefits become. So why are turnips so good for us, and how can we prepare them in ways that make us look forward to seeing them on our plates?

Bitterness is the bane of any child (or adult!) told to eat their veggies. And many bitter plants are also poisonous. But it turns out that some bitter foods have a lot going for them — including major health benefits like improved digestion and lower rates of chronic illness. So what is it that makes these foods so special — and how can you learn to love them?

Hazelnuts are a delicious food with a lot of health benefits. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the world’s hazelnuts are grown in ways that degrade the environment, harm farm workers, and end up in unhealthy processed foods. Is there a way to enjoy these fabulous nuts without contributing to harm to ourselves or others?

More and more kids are suffering from food allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, mood imbalances, ADHD, obesity, and a host of other conditions that are profoundly linked to the health of their gut microbiome. This can set them up for a lifetime of compromised health. But there’s also a lot we can do to improve the gut health of the children in our lives. And the sooner we start, the better.

The microbes in your gut impact every aspect of your long-term health, including immunity, energy, metabolism, respiratory function, and so much more. Here’s what the science says about how you can help them thrive and how gut health supplements can help.