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Plain sparkling water is a healthier beverage option than diet soda. Image Credit: Aviavlad/iStock/GettyImages When it comes to diet soda and diabetes, there are pros and cons. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) says it’s best to drink zero or low-calorie drinks, and includes diet soda on the list. But the Mayo Clinic says there are a lot of low-calorie drinks that are better for you than diet soda. Advertisement "Research on soda versus diet soda has a lot of conflicting evidence," says Hillary Hart, RDN, LD, registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist at the Cleveland Clinic....

Some foods and drinks can aggravate heartburn symptoms. Image Credit: Golffywatt/iStock/GettyImages When you start feeling that nagging, burning pain of heartburn creeping up your chest and into your throat, you just want acid reflux relief fast. Would chugging a glass of water ease that burning sensation or make it even worse? Advertisement It can vary from person to person, says Elie Abemayor, MD, chair of gastroenterology at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, New York....

A fitness program that includes strength training three times a week with 24 to 48 hours of rest between sessions can help you build muscle. Image Credit: nortonrsx/iStock/GettyImages If your fitness plans include building muscle, you might be wondering how often you need to work out. While daily gym-goers may think they have an advantage, the reality is, working out every other day builds muscle more efficiently than taxing your body on a daily basis....

Concentrated sweets like gelatin are allowed on the diabetic clear liquid diet. Image Credit: Antonio Balaguer soler/Hemera/Getty Images If you’re scheduled to have surgery, recovering from surgery or if you are having digestive problems such as diarrhea or vomiting, your doctor may recommend you follow a clear liquid diet. The clear liquid diet consists of foods that are easy to digest and leave very little residue in your gastrointestinal tract. It is a very low-calorie diet and is not meant to be followed for more than a few days....

These tasty cold soup recipes sneak in nutrient-dense veggies while saving you some time. Image Credit: AnnaPustynnikova/iStock/GettyImages Cold soups aren’t just for summer days. They’re a great way to sneak in veggies while saving you some time. Simply chop, blend and serve — you’ll be amazed by the flavor, satisfaction and nourishment a cold soup can provide. Advertisement Ready to try some delicious cold soup combos? Read on for some fresh ways build a more plant-based diet — no cooking required!...

1 of 12 Overview Summer is the ultimate excuse to gather outside with friends, crack open a cold one and grill an abundance of burgers and kebabs. But if those grilled meats and cold drinks leave you and your guests feeling heavy, lethargic and bloated, then what's the point? The trick to a successful summer barbecue is quality food — and lots of it — which is where wholesale stores like Costco come in....

Some whole-wheat loaves can have a bitter taste and dense texture. Image Credit: masaltof/iStock/Getty Images The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that you get at least half your daily servings of grain from whole grains, of which whole wheat is one of the most common. Whole-wheat bread, buns, tortillas and other products line grocery store shelves in hopes of enticing health-conscious buyers, and they do have a number of benefits. However, such products aren’t perfect, and they also occasionally showcase the downsides of whole wheat....

Feeling overwhelmed before taking a test can increase your heart rate. But does it burn calories? Image Credit: Kobus Louw/E+/GettyImages Life has a way of serving up mental and emotional experiences that take a lot out of you. After meeting a tight work deadline, cramming for an important exam or coming out of an hours-long period of intense anxiety, rage or crying, you might feel as though you’ve run a marathon....

Carbs are better for energy during exercise. Image Credit: Comstock Images/Stockbyte/Getty Images You can get energy from protein, but it’s not your best choice. Protein has other jobs to fill that take priority over using it as an energy source, such as building muscles and producing the protein-based substances that make muscles contract. It also takes your body longer to turn protein into energy compared to the quick boost you can get from carbohydrates....

Historically, some health care professionals have advised gout-prone people to minimize consumption of tofu and soy. Image Credit: juliedeshaies/iStock/GettyImages Tofu, or soy bean curd, has long been a popular food in China. And with the growing popularity of plant-based vegetarian and vegan diets, it’s showing up more often on western menus too. However there’s been some confusion over whether tofu is good or bad for people with gout. Advertisement Historically, some health care professionals have advised gout-prone people to minimize consumption of tofu and soy....

Fish, like salmon, are the best food sources of vitamin D3. Image Credit: Claudia Totir/Moment/GettyImages Living in a cold climate teaches you to appreciate the feeling of warm sunlight on your skin. The first time the sun hits your face, arms and legs after a long winter feels incredible. A boost in vitamin D3 is partially to thank for your happiness. If you don’t want to wait for a sunny day to get your vitamin D fix, try eating foods that contain it....

A woman is talking to her doctor. Image Credit: Zinkevych/iStock/Getty Images Premature ventricular contractions, or PVCs, are extra heartbeats. They can arise from an irritable area in one of the ventricles. PVCs are usually felt as a missed beat or a fluttering in the chest. PVCs are relatively common and can occur during exercise because of the increased adrenaline in your system. According to the American Heart Association, PVCs are often harmless but can signal a more serious heart problem....

Does Greasy Food Cause Bloating? Image Credit: Rawpixel/iStock/GettyImages You just ate a few slices of pizza from your favorite pizza place and now your belly feels swollen. What gives? Does greasy food really cause bloating? From a salad to a sandwich, turns out that the list of foods that can cause this effect is long and surprising. Advertisement Foods That Cause Bloating “Any food can cause bloating if the stomach is emptying poorly, [given] that the food ferments there,” explains Patricia Raymond, MD, gastroenterologist with Sentara Princess Anne Hospital in Virginia Beach....

Alkaline water is all the rage right now, but its benefits are largely unproven. Image Credit: urbazon/E+/GettyImages Of all the things to consider about hydration, the health effects of pH on drinking water probably don’t cross your mind. However, alkaline water has a host of supposed health benefits, from helping the body clear toxins to improving metabolism. Advertisement The Basics of pH If you remember those blue litmus strip experiments from high school chemistry, you might recall that pH refers to how acidic or alkaline a substance is....

Balsamic vinegar is thick, syrupy, slightly sweet and smoky. Image Credit: tenzinsherab/iStock/Getty Images Balsamic vinegar is associated with only two potential health problems. It could erode dental enamel due to its acidity, and it may contain some lead. While the amount of lead is considered to be too small to affect adults, there’s a chance it might raise lead levels in children. If you have any concerns about lead, talk to your health care provider to be sure you’re safe....

The 30-Day Shred's intensity and convenience, combined with Michaels' one-of-a-kind motivational style, can help you lose weight. Image Credit: PeopleImages/E+/GettyImages If you’re a fan of superstar fitness trainer Jillian Michaels’ tough love approach, then her 2008 “30-Day Shred” DVD does not disappoint. This classic fitness DVD offers three different workouts based around Michaels’ trademark 3-2-1 interval plan, which she continues to employ in more recent workout DVDs, such as her 2012 “Ripped in 30....

Thyroxine or T4 is a hormone made by your thyroid. L-thyroxine, also known as levothyroxine, is a synthetic T4 thyroid replacement hormone. The generic name for this medication is levothyroxine and it’s sold under the brand names Sythroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid or Tirosint. Levothyroxine is the most common drug used to treat hypothyroidism – an underactive thyroid. Because your thyroid produces the hormones that control metabolism, hypothyroidism can often cause weight gain....

How Soon Will You Feel the Effects of Taking Multivitamins? Image Credit: gregory_lee/iStock/GettyImages One-third of Americans take multivitamins, according to a 2012 article published in Mother Jones magazine. Unless you’re deficient in a specific nutrient, however, it’s highly unlikely you’ll feel any different when you add a multivitamin supplement to your diet, unless you’re experiencing an adverse reaction, in which case you should consult your doctor immediately. Advertisement Multivitamins are available in a variety of combinations, based on age, gender and activity level....

Swimming is a great way to tone and build muscles. Image Credit: Patrik Giardino/The Image Bank/GettyImages Besides being fun, swimming has incredible health benefits like toning muscles and building strength. It’s a great workout because it requires your whole body to move against the resistance of the water. Advertisement According to the Arthritis Foundation, the buoyancy of water reduces the stress on weight-bearing joints, making it an excellent low-impact exercise for people with arthritis....

Pinhead oatmeal makes a healthy breakfast. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images A bowl of pinhead oatmeal is a healthy and hearty breakfast choice. With 150 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 3 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein in each quarter-cup serving, it provides the fuel your body needs to start the day. Pinhead oatmeal cooks differently than rolled oats and you need to plan if you want to include it in a quick breakfast on busy mornings....