PERSPIRE

For stronger bones, it’s often advised to consume calcium and vitamin D-rich foods and drinks. And regular weight-bearing exercises such as walking, hiking, weight training, jogging, and dancing can help tremendously. According to a recent new study in Advanced in Nutrition, prunes can also boost bone health.

Read on to find out more.

Study

A sample of postmenopausal women took part in a year-long study as they are more susceptible to bone loss. Researchers found that eating around 10 prunes each day led to reduced symptoms of bone loss. Moreover, frequent prune intake over six months showed a reduced loss of combined mineral density compared to those who did not eat prunes.

They explained that a likely reason for this is the positive changes in the gut microbiome caused by prunes, leading to reduced inflammation. Eating prunes can reduce oxidative damage to cells that affect bone density.

Other Prune Findings

Prunes can also help burn belly fat. Generally, dried fruits like prunes are not advised for dieting due to their high-calorie density. However, a 2014 study on obesity presented at the European Congress about daily prune consumption had promising results.

The 12-week study of obese and overweight participants found that prunes were helpful for weight loss over time. Results showed that the participants who consumed approximately one cup of prunes a day lost almost an inch of their waists and about four pounds. By the end of the study, the researchers found that weight loss continued due to the participants staying fuller for longer.

Consider This Before Adding Prunes to Your Diet

Always examine the nutrition information. Prunes are high in calories because of their concentration in natural sugars. And some manufacturers will add more sugar, which can lessen or counteract its anti-inflammation influences. For the best results, combine prunes with fresh fruit and vegetables.

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A new word game called “Wordle” is taking the internet by storm. Wordle is being used by millions of people each day, with many of them posting their daily Wordle inspirations on social networks.

In a recent tweet, Jimmy Fallon said he’s “addicted” to Wordle. In addition to the game’s popularity, it is a perfect and exciting training method for your brain.

How to Play It?

You only get six chances to solve the five-letter word of the day in Wordle. The color of each letter picked indicates one of three clues. Correct letter placement is indicated by a green checkmark, whereas yellow checkmarks indicate misspelled letters.

What Are the Benefits?

Playing a game like Wordle might enhance your brain power, even if you don’t get a trophy. Researchers found that puzzles involving words and numbers can improve and stimulate cognitive capacities in those over the age of 65. According to Harvard Health, to keep your brain in top physical shape, you need to engage it often. Your chances of having dementia will be reduced as well as the overall decline of cognitive functions as a result.

Keeping in Touch

The social aspect of the game is also a significant benefit. Players have a Wordle chat room for the whole family to share their results. And it’s especially useful during the coronavirus pandemic as it allows individuals to stay in touch with friends and relatives they otherwise wouldn’t be able to see. The Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health at Cleveland Clinic says that being sociable has several health advantages, including lowering stress and stimulating the brain.

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While you can store cooked meats as leftovers, they don’t last forever. It’s also necessary to keep them properly as meat spoils quickly.

Before you put meat in your fridge, consider the tips outlined below. You don’t want to waste food or allow it to go bad.

Cut Before Storing

No matter the type of meat, the CDC warns everyone not to put anything in the fridge without thinking first. Cutting your meat into smaller portions is best to store large cuts, such as beef roasts or whole chickens. Doing so also frees up some space in the freezer to avoid wasting any room.

Chill Quickly

After cooking a meat dish, you should place it in the fridge within two hours. The temperature should be 40 degrees Fahrenheit, though going lower is also acceptable. If the food has been exposed to heat above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, however, it must be chilled in the fridge within an hour.

Bacteria thrive in warmer environments, and large meat cuts take more time to reach temperatures low enough to stop microbial reproduction. Therefore, slicing it into smaller portions will ensure nothing harmful can develop.

Avoid Risks of Infection

Consuming meat tainted by harmful bacteria can result in food poisoning, respiratory illnesses, and even bloodstream infections. Meat should also be consumed quickly. Thus, proper storage habits and techniques will keep you safe from potential harm.

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The average life expectancy in the U.S. is 78 years – that’s six years above the worldwide average. Still, there are numerous things we could improve to achieve even higher life expectancy levels, as seen in Hong Kong, Japan, Greece, Macao, or Switzerland. One such thing is our diet.

Here, we’ll share nine foods the longest-living people in the world eat regularly.

Avocados

Avocados are known for lowering cholesterol and helping people manage their weight, thus decreasing diabetes and obesity risk. Furthermore, avocados are extremely high in potassium, necessary for the correct hydra balance and nerve system functioning.

Beans

Beans contain plenty of fiber and nutrients that help fight cancer, prevent heart disease, and control blood sugar levels. Beans are a vital part of the Greek and Costa Rican diet – countries with some of the longest life expectancies in the world.

Garlic

Garlic bread lovers can rejoice, as regular garlic intake is linked with a lower risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.

Potatoes

Japanese purple potatoes are rich in anthocyanins linked with a lower risk of cancer and are rich in vitamins, fiber, and potassium. And while regular white potatoes are high in carbohydrates, they are effective at preventing diabetes.

Olive Oil

Consider replacing your sunflower seed oil with olive oil. It helps in weight management, blood pressure control, and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Salmon

Salmon is an excellent source of fatty omega-3 acids necessary for our heart and nerve health. Furthermore, salmon is proven to have anti-inflammatory properties and reduces cardiovascular disease risk.

Sourdough Bread

While a high intake of white bread can cause hypertension and diabetes, sourdough bread is known to lower the glycemic index, reducing the risk of diabetes and keeping you full for longer.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain antioxidants that help to balance blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular disease. Cherry tomatoes are high in beta carotene, reducing the risk of tumor development.

Wine

Moderate wine consumption is beneficial for your health – a glass or two of red wine each day improves heart health due to its high antioxidant and polyphenol content.

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Donuts and coffee are a great snack or breakfast combination, but now you can have both in the same package. Hostess, the famous snack brand, just launched its Boost Jumbo Donettes. These donuts contain 50-70 milligrams of caffeine each.

Compared to a regular eight-ounce cup of coffee, it has around 30 milligrams less caffeine. Read on to learn more about these tasty new treats.

What Are These Donettes?

Smaller than a typical donut, these donettes contain the coffee bean extract that provides the caffeine people want. In addition, Hostess glazes them with a light coating.

There are currently two flavors – chocolate mocha and caramel macchiato. Chocolate mocha combines espresso coffee with chocolate. In contrast, the second flavor contains caramel and espresso coffee.

A New Way of Consuming Caffeine

The world is slowly increasing its caffeine intake as time passes. While most people drink coffee for their daily buzz, the recent trend is eating foods containing more caffeine than coffee.

Companies have released foods such as granola bars, beef jerky, and even maple syrup containing caffeine to cater to the demand. You can grab these donuts and feel a buzz after a few minutes.

Caffeine From Food

Coffee remains a popular choice for those who want to stay awake, but you can also eat these donettes from Hostess. By combining two great foods, the brand has an excellent product for those always on the go.

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Milkshakes are sweet treats that are loved by children and adults alike. It’s no surprise that many fast-food outlets have them on their menus. But with such a vast choice of milkshakes available, where can you get the best one?

We’ve selected five of the most popular fast-food milkshakes in the U.S. from the Technomic’s 2021 consumer survey to help you out.

5. In-N-Out Burger

The simplicity of In-N-Out-Burger is one of its strongest suits. Customers can order a Neapolitan milkshake and add a unique flavor to their drinks. Participants of the above poll were particularly complimentary about the “three-flavored shake” In vanilla, Chocolate, and strawberry.

4. Sonic

Customers may select from six traditional milkshake varieties at Sonic. It’s possible to add ingredients like Oreos and M&M’s, among others. All of which are crammed into the maestro shake or blast. In the survey, consumers praised the Butterfingers and Nerds-flavored shakes the most.

3. Five Guys

There is no limit to the number of combinations customers may add to the vanilla base, and the base pricing remains the same. Among the favorites are strawberry, peanut, and even bacon.

2. Shake Shack

A social media poll showed that the Black & White Shake is the most popular flavor. Some of Shake Shack’s were included in the survey like the hot cocoa shakes with cookies and cream, chocolate, and brownie batter. Shake Shack provides “concretes” and also six hand-spun milkshake varieties to choose from.

1. Steak ‘n Shake

The milkshakes at Steak ’n Shake were rated the best in the business. In addition to the usual chocolate and vanilla, there are more unusual tastes like peppermint chocolate and chip cotton candy milkshakes on the menu.

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Oreos, Ritz Crackers, and Sour Patch Kids are all made by Mondelez International. In November, the company raised its prices due to employee shortages and rising commodity costs.

In a recent article, The Wall Street Journal predicted that Mondelez’s expenditure is expected to rise again. As a result, customers should brace themselves for another price hike this year.

Why Are the Prices Rising?

Expenses for labor and shipping have taken a heavy toll on food producers of all kinds. High consumer demand for staples such as sugar and wheat has driven up raw material costs and resulted in a nationwide scarcity of these items.

The pandemic didn’t help. Limits on employee migration, changes in consumer demand, the shutdown of food production plants, and restrictions on food trade regulations all came along with the coronavirus. Ultimately, this situation may lead to a rise in food prices if the proper economic measures are not taken.

What to Expect?

Mondelez has announced no specific price increases for this year. Still, Van de Put thinks that the business needs to monitor supply chain difficulties. This is especially true in the United States, where the interruptions have been most noticeable.

Almost 1,000 union members went on a strike at the company’s plants over labor contract problems less than six months ago, prompting Mondelez to make the aforementioned price hikes. The company’s inventory was depleted due to these labor issues and the rising demand.

According to Van de Put, Mondelez can’t spend a lot of money promoting their snacks because of these difficulties. Additionally, there are “stimulated customers’ demand for comfort and indulgence,” two themes that have boosted Mondelez’s snack sales even as the epidemic continues to disrupt the supply chain.

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Your eating habits and diet can harm your skin. According to functional dietitian Paulina Lee, RD LD, problem skin is often linked to inflammation, imbalanced hormones, and poor gut health. Read on to find out three unhealthy eating practices that can cause breakouts and what to eat for healthier skin.

Yo-Yo Dieting

A pattern of losing weight, regaining it, then losing it again can cause skin and general health problems. Research shows a considerable link between disordered eating and acne. Registered dietitian Rachel Fine RDN advises reducing stress for clearer skin. Allostatic load (stress) increases with yo-yo diets and restrictive eating habits. So no-no to yo-yo.

A High Diet in Refined Carbs

Are you a lover of white bread, pasta, and packaged sweets? By removing these very nice to have but extremely unhealthy foods from your diet, your skin will thank you for it. Food like rice, white bread, baked goods, sweetened drinks, and sweets rate highly on the Glycemic Index (GI) and raises your blood sugar quicker. Researchers found that food that raises blood sugar levels can worsen acne due to significant insulin response.

Westernized Diets

Many of us love the taste of processed foods, but unfortunately, our skin hates them. According to research, a westernized diet is usually high in processed foods and refined carbohydrates, which lead to inflammation. And inflammation can lead to skin breakouts and acne. An anti-inflammatory diet could be beneficial for your skin.

Eat Your Way to Better Skin

As much as possible, stick to an anti-inflammatory diet consisting of whole food-based and nutrient-dense meals. Focus on omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and avocado and antioxidants like grapes and berries. Your skin will glow as a thank you.

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Whether you use a family or cookbook chocolate chip recipe, the nostalgic scent of cookies from the oven can take you back to fond memories. If you’re on the hunt for a new chocolate chip recipe, we’ve tried the recipes from three popular celebrity chefs and found the best. We judged the recipes based on taste (using a small panel of tasters), ease of making, and aesthetic.

Read on to find out who won.

Joanna Gaines

Joanna Gaines’s “Chocolate Chip Cookies” will give you traditional chocolate chip cookies. Her recipe is based on tinkered classic chocolate chip recipes. They are easy to make and use common ingredients. A downside of this recipe is that the individual cookies are dished out using a spoon instead of a cookie scoop. This resulted in different-sized cookies, some a little crisper, and some undercooked ones.

Verdict: If you’re a classic crispy chocolate cookie fan, you may love the sweet, rich, and deep caramelized flavor that this recipe offers.

Ina Garten

This “Giant Crinkled Chocolate Chip Cookies” recipe is pretty unique. They turn out flat and crispy and include all the typical cookie ingredients. The proportions make these cookies so enjoyable. Their richness stems from two sticks of butter. Also, you get to decide on the size of the chocolate pieces as you chop them yourself instead of using chips.

Verdict: These are perfect if you love a thin, crispy cookie that’s slightly elevated from the typical cookie.

Winner: Alton Brown

Alton’s “The Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie” recipe uses bread flour instead of all-purpose flour to get them chewy. Typically, you can find the bread flour in the same aisle as the regular flour in your local supermarket. Also, to save time, he melts the butter instead of waiting for butter to soften at room temperature.

Verdict: This cookie recipe has a crispy edge with a deep buttery flavor and a soft and gooey center. With just the right amount of chocolate, it’s everything you’d want from a chocolate chip cookie.

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Cabbages are a central ingredient in many popular dishes, such as kimchi and coleslaw. Other than being tasty, the vegetable is also rich in vitamin C, fiber, and polyphenols. All of which contribute to good health. However, there’s another positive effect when you eat cabbage.

As a cruciferous vegetable, cabbages can prevent some forms of cancer and reduce inflammation. Read on to find out why.

Hidden Benefits

Vitamin C and polyphenols are antioxidants, substances that can help reduce the level of free radicals in your body. Excessive levels of free radicals have been linked to cancer, macular degeneration, and even heart disease.

This condition is called oxidative stress and may cause chronic diseases. You’ll need to consume foods rich in antioxidants to counteract this condition, and cabbage is an excellent source.

Cabbage is particularly effective against colon cancer. A 2018 study found that feeding mice cabbage boosted their immune systems significantly. These genetically-modified rodents were safe from inflammation and cancer as a result.

Healthy and Affordable

Besides being a healthy choice, cabbages are also affordable in grocery stores. You can always find some large heads of cabbage there. Cabbages are also easy to prepare for meals, with one example being stir-fry.

Try Eating More Cabbages

A diet containing cabbage is good for your health and your wallet, as you’re safer from cancer and the vegetable is relatively cheap. The nutrients cabbages contain are similar to kale, another popular cruciferous vegetable. Make sure you also practice healthy sleeping habits to reduce inflammation further.

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