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Moderate drinking may have a positive effect on your cholesterol levels. Image Credit: Cavan Images/Cavan/GettyImages When it comes to alcohol and its effect on heart health, there’s no question that the information can be confusing. According to the Mayo Clinic, moderate drinking may increase levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, HDL). But heart health risks are associated with drinking too much. Advertisement Read more: The Advantages and Disadvantages of Drinking Alcoholic Beverages Video of the Day Alcohol Benefits vs....

Dark red cherries are filled with antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins — which experts believe have a wide range of health benefits. Image Credit: Svetlana Monyakova/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Nutrition Facts Health Benefits Sour Cherry Benefits Health Risks Preparation, Tips and Recipes Alternatives to Cherries When dark red cherries are in season, it's hard to resist the sweet, healthy fruit. A handful of cherries provides powerful antioxidants and important nutrients that offer many benefits, including digestive support and possibly even help with sleep....

Doing a banded wall sit with hip abduction helps engage your pelvic floor muscles and targets your deep core muscles and glutes. Image Credit: Aja Koska/E+/GettyImages In This Article Instructions Benefits If you're ready to take the classic wall sit to the next level, try adding a resistance band around your thighs while opening and closing your legs. Also known as a banded wall sit with hip abduction, this variation targets more of the smaller muscles in your glutes, and with the right focus, it recruits your pelvic floor muscles....

See a doctor for a diagnosis if you have a burning chest sensation and other symptoms. Image Credit: fstop123/E+/GettyImages According to Medical News Today, 12 to 16 percent of the population will experience chest pain at some point in their lives. Experiencing a burning chest sensation and other symptoms can be alarming, as it can have very serious causes. Fortunately, burning chest pain can also have causes that are not severe and that can be treated easily....

Too much alcohol can leave you with a swollen face, feet or hands, along with a hangover. Image Credit: Prostock-Studio/iStock/GettyImages Most of us have experienced the headache and hangover effects after drinking too much alcohol — but it affects your body in other ways, too. Sometimes, drinking alcohol can cause your body to become swollen, especially your hands, feet or face. Here’s why bloating happens and what to do about it....

Can oatmeal be eaten on the Daniel Fast? Image Credit: @ScarletRE via Twenty20 The concept of the Daniel Fast comes from the biblical account of the Old Testament prophet Daniel when he prayed and fasted to ask for spiritual guidance. There are two biblical scriptures concerning the Daniel Fast, from which we get different guidelines. Since there is no way to know exactly what Daniel ate, the modern-day Daniel Fast may be done two ways: strictly adhering to biblical accounts, or following more general guidelines according to your physical and spiritual needs....

Follow safe thawing practices, such as thawing meat in the fridge or under cold running water, to help prevent foodborne illness from chicken. Image Credit: Ann_Zhuravleva/iStock/GettyImages If you’ve ever thawed chicken on the counter, you’re risking serious illness. Although well-informed cooks are well aware that chicken is highly susceptible to contamination by harmful bacteria, many still follow the high-risk practice of thawing their chicken at room temperature on the counter....

Caffeine withdrawal symptoms can cause headaches. If you try to reduce your caffeine consumption by switching abruptly from several cups of coffee a day to decaffeinated coffee, you may experience caffeine withdrawal headaches. Caffeine withdrawal symptoms normally begin 12 to 48 hours after your last intake of caffeine and are correlated with your average daily consumption of caffeine. Advertisement Caffeine Dependence Consuming more than 100 mg of caffeine a day, which is considerably less than the 280 mg average consumed daily by American adults, can lead to caffeine dependence and withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop consuming caffeine....

Mustard flowers. Image Credit: Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images Your risk for heart disease, kidney disease and stroke increases if you have high blood pressure, or hypertension. No single food can lower your blood pressure, but mustard seed, oil and greens can all contribute to a balanced diet for controlling blood pressure. A nutritionist can help you design a nutritious diet with the essential nutrients for regulating blood pressure. Advertisement Blood Pressure Nutrients Blood pressure....

Pasta doesn't have to make you fat. Image Credit: AnnaPustynnikova/iStock/GettyImages Your average pasta is primarily carbohydrates and is made from refined grains. However, you can buy whole-grain pasta, too. Whether or not pasta is fattening depends on what type of grain it’s made of and the type of sauce or foods it’s being consumed with. Advertisement Read more: 16 Diet-Friendly Healthful Carbs Video of the Day Tip Pasta doesn't have to make you fat....

The Arc Trainer is part of the fitness equipment line offered by Cybex International. Cybex describes the trainer as neither an elliptical nor a stepper. The technology uses a distinctive low-impact motion that engages large muscle groups, such as the thighs, to increase strength and burn calories. You should talk to your doctor before you try any new exercise program. Arc Trainer The motion of an Arc Trainer looks similar to an elliptical machine....

Close-up of two shots of whiskey Image Credit: curraheeshutter/iStock/Getty Images Growing up, you may have heard that a shot of whiskey does wonders for a sore throat. While a glass of this potent drink may feel comforting to some, it can have detrimental effects on the throat as well. These range from relatively rapid changes that take place in the throat after drinking whiskey to gradual changes that take place over years and even decades....

Bunches of ripe lemons growing in Italy. Image Credit: MarisaLia/iStock/Getty Images Electrolytes are minerals that use electric charges in the body to produce reactions such as muscle contraction, nerve movement and a regular heartbeat. Some electrolytes, such as calcium, also have other functions, including a role in bone strength. Lemons don’t provide a significant source of any electrolytes, but they can contribute modestly to your daily electrolyte intake. Advertisement Calcium One cup of lemon sections contains 55 milligrams of calcium, which is 6 percent of the recommended daily intake....

The elliptical trainer is a great low impact exercise for runners. Image Credit: Alexeg84/iStock/GettyImages An elliptical trainer is a stationary exercise machine that combines the motions of cross-country skiing, running and stair climbing. Feet and legs move in an elliptical, or oval, motion. Elliptical workouts for runners give cardiovascular benefits similar to running with reduced impact on muscles and joints. For runners, using an elliptical trainer is a cross-training option to supplement running or replace running, as occurs while rehabbing an injury....

Poor posture can cause numbness and tingling in your legs and arms. Image Credit: Cavan Images/Cavan/GettyImages If your hands feel tight and tingly or you notice numbness in your legs, poor posture could be the culprit. Luckily, making some changes to your work space and performing some key exercises can improve your posture and make a significant difference in your symptoms. Because a host of medical conditions can cause numbness in the extremities, you should also see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis....

Side planks are a great way to work your core. Image Credit: PeopleImages/E+/GettyImages You’ve probably heard the phrase “built like a Greek god.” The Adonis belt, also known as Apollo’s belt, Hercules’ girdle and Aphrodite’s saddle, is named after many deities from Greek mythology, male and female alike. If you’re trying to achieve it, here’s what you need to know. Advertisement The Adonis belt refers to the two V-shaped grooves that some bodybuilders and athletes get on their abdomen....

Good Foods to Eat the Night Before a Swim Meet Image Credit: Caiaimage/Sam Edwards/Caiaimage/GettyImages Training is crucial to achieving your best times in a swimming race, but other factors such as getting plenty of rest and eating right make a big difference also. The best foods to eat the night before a swim meet — or the day of — include favorite foods your body is used to as part of your regular diet....

Warming up your knees before a workout can help prevent them from injury. Image Credit: Jason Homa/Tetra images/GettyImages You may be tempted to jump right into your exercise routine, but doing a short warm-up can be very beneficial. In particular, although it’s often overlooked, a knee warm-up routine before your workout or sport can help reduce your risk of injury, minimize soreness and increase performance. Advertisement "An effective warm-up will also work on improving your joint proprioception (also known as body awareness), prime your nervous system for your workout ahead and increase blood flow to the specific muscles you will be working in your workout," says Grayson Wickham, PT, DPT, CSCS, founder of Movement Vault....

Canned beans are a kitchen pantry staple thanks to their versatility and nutrition content. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages Beans, beans, the magical fruit; the more you eat, the more you — ahem, well, you know the rest of the song. And given the protein and fiber content in these legumes, it’s not surprising this natural phenomenon has its own jingle. Advertisement For starters, these legumes are a great way to increase your protein intake....

A young boy is holding a tennis racket. Image Credit: Mike Watson Images/moodboard/Getty Images If you are a 12-year-old boy who struggles with your weight, you’re not alone. The amount of adolescents from 12 to 19 years old with obesity more than tripled since the early 1980s, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kids start having trouble staying at a healthy weight when they eat too much without getting enough exercise....