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Steam bag frozen vegetables are a healthy addition to your diet. Image Credit: Mark_KA/iStock/Getty Images The USDA’s 2010 report, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, recommends increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables we eat each day. The report notes that it is particularly important to increase our consumption of dark green, red and orange vegetables. According to the Eating Well website, Americans only eat about one third of the amount of vegetables they should....

Sparkling water has several health benefits. Image Credit: yipengge/iStock/GettyImages Sparkling water is delicious, and with the popularity of brands like La Croix and Spindrift, there are more seltzer options available than ever before. But what are the disadvantages of sparkling water, and does carbonation cause health effects? Advertisement ​Read more:​ Is Carbonated Water Bad for You? Video of the Day Tip There are no serious health disadvantages of seltzer water, but sparkling water may cause gas or heartburn....

If you're tempted to look to supplements to boost your immune system, here's what you should really know. Image Credit: vm/E+/GettyImages As the novel coronavirus spreads around the globe, one way you might be preparing is by shoring up your immune system. One popular strategy? Stocking up on dietary supplements that promise to fend off infection. Advertisement Some common ones you might have heard about include Echinacea, elderberry, colloidal silver, chaga mushroom and probiotics — plus old-school standbys like vitamin C and zinc....

Running on a track can aid in shock absorption and protect your back. Image Credit: gruizza/E+/GettyImages If you’ve had back spasms while running, you know how painful this condition can be. Spasms usually are the result of previous trauma, inflammation or muscular weakness in the region. Advertisement Many instances of back spasms can be prevented with proper running techniques, stretching, strengthening and other anticipatory measures. If you frequently get back cramps while running, talk to your doctor to rule out a more serious condition....

If you have a UTI, you should avoid beverages like alcohol, soft drinks, citrus fruit juices and drinks containing caffeine. Image Credit: saquizeta/iStock/Getty Images When you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), finding relief from the pain and irritation you experience when urinating is often a top priority. Your doctor will likely clue you in on ways to prevent a UTI, but you should also ask about what you should avoid when you have a UTI....

Give your baby a good start with a healthy breakfast. Image Credit: BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images Breakfast is often dubbed “the most important meal of the day,” and with good reason. As Kids Health explains, your infant’s body needs refueling after hours of fasting during sleep. Kids who skip breakfast may be cranky later in the day, and do not function at their best. Start your 11-month-old off right with a nutritious and appealing meal in the morning....

CoQ10 is only used in children suffering from certain conditions. Image Credit: Image Source White/Image Source/Getty Images Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10 for short, is a naturally occurring substance in the energy-producing centers of cell mitochondria. CoQ10 is involved in the production of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP for short, which is the cell’s major source of energy and which drives a number of biological processes, including muscle contraction and the production of protein....

Chickpeas pack a protein and fiber punch, making them a smart and satiating addition to any meal. Image Credit: bit245/iStock/GettyImages Whether you call them “chickpeas,” “garbanzo beans” or the “beans that make hummus,” you’re probably familiar with chickpeas. And their versatility is becoming as popular as cauliflower (well, almost). Advertisement And now's the perfect time to get on the chickpea bandwagon: One cup of cooked chickpeas gives you around 265 calories, 15 grams of plant protein and 13 grams of fiber....

Keep your liver healthy by eating high-fiber fruits and veggies. Image Credit: marucyan/iStock/Getty Images Stress, overexertion and going too long without eating can all bring on the symptoms of Gilbert’s syndrome. This condition is a common inherited illness that affects how the liver processes bilirubin – a yellowish pigment made in the liver and a component of bile – and causes yellowing of the skin and eyes. Other than the resulting change in skin color, Gilbert’s syndrome is relatively benign....

Heavy drinking can either increase or reduce your iron levels. Image Credit: PavelKant/iStock/GettyImages Anemia and alcohol abuse go hand in hand. Heavy alcohol consumption affects iron metabolism, leading to deficiencies. Low iron levels in the bloodstream may increase your risk of developing anemia, a condition that causes extreme fatigue, dizziness and shortness of breath, among other symptoms. Advertisement Tip Heavy drinking can either increase or reduce your iron levels. In some cases, alcohol may affect the body’s ability to absorb this mineral, leading to iron deficiency anemia....

Green tea with lemon is filled with phytochemicals and other nutrients that support health. Image Credit: isa-7777/iStock/Getty Images You may be considering adding green tea to your diet to improve your health, lose weight or manage a specific medical condition. While green tea may aid weight loss efforts, it is not a magic bullet, and it needs to be combined with other lifestyle changes. Advertisement If you are concerned about excess belly fat, talk to your doctor, who can make recommendations on the best weight-loss program for you specifically and can also advise whether consuming green tea is safe for you....

Walking to lose belly fat is an effective activity for total-body fat loss, too. Image Credit: kali9/E+/GettyImages Any form of exercise can help you burn calories and shed fat, including walking. Walking at a moderate pace for about 30 to 60 minutes per day can help you start to lose belly fat, according to Harvard Health Publishing. When you picture walking, you probably don’t imagine the most sweat-drenched activity. So, you might be surprised to learn how effective of a fat-buster it can be....

Carefully working the muscles in your neck and upper back can help speed your recovery after a cervical fusion. Image Credit: crossstudio/iStock/Getty Images A cervical fusion at the C5 to C6 level is a significant surgery that permanently alters the movement in your neck. Despite this, individuals who undergo this procedure are not precluded from strengthening the muscles in their neck and upper back. Advertisement Exercising these muscle groups can help improve posture and decrease the strain on the other cervical levels....

There are several facial exercises you can do to help fight the effects of aging. Image Credit: Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision/GettyImages When you exercise your mouth, you can potentially fight some of the effects of aging. Mouth exercises can work the muscles around the mouth, creating a stronger jawline and cheeks and reducing the appearance of sagging skin. All you need is a mirror and a few minutes a day. Advertisement Benefits of Jawline Exercises As you age, your face begins to change....

A bowl of fresh spinach. Spinach has a place on the table for every meal. You can enjoy breakfast omelets stuffed with spinach, sandwiches topped with fresh spinach instead of lettuce and creamed spinach as an accompaniment to a steak dinner. You may be surprised to find, though, that frozen spinach compares favorably with fresh spinach in some nutritional regards. Make the most of healthful spinach by enjoying it fresh or after it has been frozen....

What comes to mind when you think about upper body workouts? Lots and lots of push-ups? Men flexing for selfies in the gym mirror? But there’s a lot more to targeting your arms, chest and upper back than just showing off your “guns.” One way of looking at these workouts is dividing them into two main parts — push and pull. The “push” involves exercises like the bench press and chest fly, as you’re pushing the weights away from your body....

Candy corn spilling out of a bag. Image Credit: Marie Fields/iStock/Getty Images Yellow 5 is also known as tartrazine or E102. Yellow 5 is widely used in the making of potato chips, jams, candy, drinks and even pet food. It is also added to shampoo and other cosmetic products, as well as vitamins and certain medications. Yellow 5 is banned in Austria and Norway, and other European countries have issued warnings about their possible side effects....

All sorts of changes occur in your body in the moments leading up to the onset of tears. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative What Really Happens to Your Body When examines the head-to-toe effects of common behaviors, actions and habits in your everyday life. Whether it’s a sweet veteran-returns-home-to-elated-dog video or a bad fight with your partner, all sorts of everyday events can trigger the urge to cry, says James Rodriguez, PhD, LCSW, director of trauma-informed services at the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research....

Your options for getting 200 g of protein a day depend on what type of vegetarian diet you follow. Image Credit: Bartosz Luczak/iStock/GettyImages Beef, chicken, fish and dairy products aren’t the only sources of protein. Plenty of plant foods, including beans, nuts and grains, provide protein — just not as much as animal sources — so, as a vegetarian, you’ll need to make smart food choices to get 200 grams of protein a day....

How Much Cardio Should I Do to Reduce Saddle Bags? Image Credit: Demkat/iStock/GettyImages The term “saddle bags” is a not-so-nice way to describe the accumulation of fat around the hips and thighs. It’s an undesired yet common feature of the female form, especially for those who tend to carry weight in their lower body. Luckily, regular cardiovascular exercise can help reduce the appearance of saddle bags, when combined with a calorie-controlled diet....