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If you're dining outside with friends, it's OK to leave your mask at home. Image Credit: ViewApart/iStock/GettyImages While the novel coronavirus pandemic has affected just about every facet of our lives in some way, we Americans are starting to regain a sense of normal that feels at least somewhat familiar to our pre-pandemic days. Advertisement But even if you're fully vaccinated, there's still good reason to be cautious. Video of the Day There are the COVID variants, for one....

Magnesium and potassium go hand-in-hand in regulating blood pressure. But that’s not all these minerals do. Magnesium is vital for managing nerve and muscle function, regulating blood pressure and blood sugar, and making protein and DNA, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Potassium helps contract muscles, relax blood vessels, keep the heart and kidneys healthy and support cell function, according to the NIH. Advertisement Video of the Day How Much Magnesium and Potassium Do You Need?...

A plate with two pieces of grilled chicken breast. Image Credit: Vaivirga/iStock/Getty Images Like all meats, lamb and chicken are rich in protein. While the two foods share this characteristic, other nutritional aspects of lamb and chicken differ. Lamb and chicken can both be components of a healthy diet, but you may find that one is better suited to your nutritional needs than the other. Note that cooking lamb or chicken in oil or other ingredients will alter the nutritional characteristics of the meat....

There are several exercises you can do with exercise bands to work your hip. Image Credit: pixelfit/E+/GettyImages Hip abductor and adductor exercises with bands can help strengthen muscles needed to perform daily activities, and abduction helps build the muscles of your glutes. Strengthening these muscles can improve athletic performance and help mitigate strength declines in older people. Advertisement The hip joint, like the shoulder joint, is a ball-and-socket that can act in a number of ways....

Grits are rich in iron, which is an essential mineral, especially for menstruating women, but they're also processed and high in carbs. Image Credit: Lee Walters/iStock/GettyImages Corn, also known as maize in many parts of the world, is one of the most-produced cereal crops because it’s so diverse, but not all corn products are created equally. When looking at grits nutrition, it’s hard to give them such a black and white classification as “healthy” or “not healthy....

Friends toasting wine glasses. Image Credit: XiXinXing/XiXinXing/Getty Images Vodka and wine are two alcoholic beverages that you might be able to consume without wrecking your diet, as both are fairly low in calories. Remember, though, that moderation is the key, particularly when it comes to alcohol, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture warns can have harmful effects if consumed heavily. Advertisement Wine Types The calories in wine can vary depending on type and brand....

Baskets of fruits and vegetables at an outdoor market. Image Credit: Dereje Belachew/iStock/Getty Images A fruit and vegetable diet may not always focus exclusively on those two food groups, but it does use them to make up the majority of what you eat every day. While there are plenty of advantages to eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, gaining weight is not one of them, unless you’ve been instructed to gain weight by your doctor....

A large bowl of fresh chickpea flour. Image Credit: Eva Gruendemann/iStock/Getty Images Many recipes call for some type of wheat-based flour, whether whole-wheat, all-purpose or cake flour, but you can successfully replace wheat flour with chickpea flour. It adds a nutty taste and a boost of protein, and it works well in any dish, from baked goods to soups and sauces. Chickpea flour also makes a good alternative if you’re following a wheat-free or gluten-free diet....

Vanilla beans tied together with twine. Image Credit: dianazh/iStock/Getty Images Pastry making was a very different proposition just a few centuries ago. Sugar was known, but rare until European planters built their great estates in the Caribbean and South America. Heavy cream for whipping came in the late 19th century, with milk-separating machines. Even chocolate and vanilla, those two staples of the pastry chef’s art, were New World plants that came into their own in the 18th century....

Deal-A-Meal helps you with portion control. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images Deal-A-Meal is meant to help you get a handle on your diet, including portion sizes. It’s not a quick fix, but rather a method for slow and steady weight loss. In general, slow weight loss trounces fast weight loss when it comes to long-term success. Always consult a health care provider before trying a new diet plan. Advertisement History Richard Simmons....

Juicing isn't a healthy way to lose weight. Image Credit: DenizA/iStock/Getty Images Juice fasting typically involves subsisting on just fruit and vegetable juices for the length of the fast, although in some versions people add some cashew or almond milk to slightly increase the protein content of their fasting diet. While drinking juice may help you fit in more servings of fruits and vegetables, trying to live on juice alone to lose weight isn’t recommended and might actually backfire and lead to weight gain after you go back to eating normally....

Some proteins may increase your sperm volume or quality, but some may deplete it. Protein-rich foods, particularly red meat, have gained a reputation for being "masculine" foods that add to male potency and vitality. However, when it comes to sperm count, volume and motility, not all proteins are advisable. According to the American Dietetic Association, foods in all major food groups that can improve male fertility — making a healthy, varied diet ideal....

Some of the ingredients in Hydroxycut may help you lose weight. Image Credit: Moussa81/iStock/GettyImages As one of the most ubiquitous weight loss supplements, Hydroxycut claims to help you lose weight fast. However, even though the manufacturer touts Hydroxycut’s body-slendering abilities through commercials, paid advertisements and celebrity endorsements, the manufacturer has caused harm to users. Advertisement Tip No scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of Hydroxycut, and the product can do more harm than good....

Stretch your wrists to help with elbow bursitis. Image Credit: shironosov/iStock/GettyImages Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that cushions and protects your joints. The olecranon bursa at the tip of your elbow lies between the bone and skin. Bursitis can occur from trauma to your elbow, infection, prolonged periods of pressure or repetitive activities. Advertisement Your elbow may become swollen, painful, red or difficult to move, explains Mayo Clinic....

The sap of the fig tree can cause an allergic reaction. Image Credit: alicjane/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Causes Symptoms Treatment Cross Allergies Figs are a delicious and nutritious fruit. But for some, this sweet summer snack may cause a reaction if you have a fig allergy. Advertisement Here's everything you need to know about allergic reactions to figs, including what causes them and how to deal with it. Video of the Day Tip Visit your doctor if you regularly react to figs (or any other food, for that matter)....

Vinegar may cause frequent urination. Image Credit: Victoria Kondysenko / 500px/500Px Plus/GettyImages Is drinking vinegar a cure-all for what ails your urinary tract? Not necessarily. In fact, medical experts warn that drinking vinegar might actually irritate your bladder. Advertisement Causes of Frequent Urination If you’re experiencing frequent urination (peeing more than usual) or urgent urination (a sudden and strong need to pee, whether at night or during the day), any number of causes might be to blame....

A hollowed out papaya. Image Credit: LeoWolfert/iStock/Getty Images There are some alternative health practitioners and popular nutrition sources that suggest taking enzymes can help relieve a variety of symptoms and help prevent or treat a number of disease processes. In fact, however, true enzyme deficiencies are rare, and most enzyme supplements neither help nor hurt you. In some cases, though, you might react badly to an enzyme. Advertisement Enzymes Enzymes are proteins that help to regulate the chemical reactions that take place in the body, ensuring that your cells don’t waste energy by running needless or competing reactions....

Whether it's breakfast or dessert, try these healthy banana recipes to sweeten your week. Image Credit: EE-PHOTO/iStock/GettyImages Talk about going bananas: Americans peel back about 90 bananas each year, per the Mayo Clinic. Whether you love pairing the fruit with peanut butter or baking it into a sweet bread, it’s time to level up your repertoire of banana recipes. Advertisement Bananas are high in carbohydrates, making them a great breakfast food or pre-workout snack for a quick boost of energy, according to the Mayo Clinic....

Electrolyte drinks replace more than lost fluid. Image Credit: RealPeopleGroup/E+/GettyImages After a long workout in the heat, the first thing you should do is chug some water or electrolyte drinks to replenish your fluids. But many store-bought electrolyte beverages are packed with sugar and other additions. Here’s how to choose the healthiest drinks and foods to balance your electrolytes. Advertisement Why Do You Need Electrolytes? When you think of electrolytes, you may immediately imagine gulping down a bottle of bright-colored Gatorade after a sweaty workout....

Ask your doctor to explain the results of your spinal tap. If your doctor orders a lumbar puncture test for you, he does so based on your symptoms. Something has led him to believe you have a disease or condition in your brain or spinal column. An examination of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) reveals enough information to make a diagnosis and implement a treatment plan. Advertisement Anatomy/Physiology A continuous membranous sac surrounds your brain and spinal cord....