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An assortment of vegetable juices on a countertop. Image Credit: karandaev/iStock/Getty Images Environmental toxins are unavoidable. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets acceptable levels of dozens of compounds and chemicals, including arsenic and lead, that can be present in the air we breathe and the water we drink. Preservatives and artificial colors and flavors made from petrochemicals are present in many of the foods we eat every day. The 21-day juice diet is designed to help your body rid itself of these environmental toxins....

Lettuce wraps are a great option for lunch and dinner on the 5:2 fasting diet. Image Credit: freeskyline/iStock/GettyImages The 5:2 intermittent fasting diet isn’t for everyone, but the way of eating — which includes five days of regular eating and two days of fasting — is having a moment. Here’s the draw: By restricting calories down to 500 or 600 on fasting days, followers don’t have to worry about counting calories or macronutrients on the other days....

You should continue wearing a mask and social distancing until you're fully vaccinated. Image Credit: Choreograph/iStock/GettyImages Now that all U.S. adults are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, it’s time to make sure you have your first appointment set up. Advertisement While you wait, it helps to have a game plan for what to do in the minutes, days and months after receiving the vaccine to continue to keep yourself and others safe....

You can use your ankle weights for an excellent upper-body workout. Image Credit: GettyImages/mirzamlk Glute kickbacks, fire hydrants and lunges are just a few of the common lower-body ankle-weight exercises that may be in your workout repertoire. And while ankle weights are a great way to train your bottom half, they don’t necessarily have to go around your ankles. Advertisement With a little creativity, you can use your ankle weights to give your arms, back, chest and core an excellent workout....

Mushroom allergies will affect your intestines. Image Credit: Dave King/Dorling Kindersley RF/Getty Images Gastrointestinal symptoms from eating mushrooms may be a sign of a mushroom allergy. Although mushrooms are not considered a common food allergy, the Cleveland Clinic states that if you’re allergic to mold you may experience a food allergy when eating mushrooms. If mushrooms trigger an allergic reaction, the lining of the intestines can become inflamed and swell from increased levels of histamine....

Vitamin D is good for your liver. Image Credit: Eziutka/iStock/GettyImages There’s a lot of buzz about the liver in the nutrition world and the role it plays in so many areas of health — the number of liver cleanse and liver detox programs and supplements on the market is evidence of that. Advertisement Vitamin deficiencies can cause myriad problems, so it's important to eat a well-balanced diet to improve liver function, but there's currently no sound scientific proof that any vitamins for the liver play a well-defined role in preventing or treating diseases....

There are several cable machine workouts you can do for your biceps. Image Credit: microgen/iStock/GettyImages Bicep exercises with dumbbells and barbells aren’t for everyone. You might have an injury that limits your range of motion or simply find that free weights are cumbersome. You can still get bigger biceps by working out with the cable pull machine. Advertisement Benefits of Cable Machines The American Council on Exercise states that one major benefit of weight machines is that they allow you to target and grow specific muscles....

Black and brown rice are both low-calorie sources of complex carbohydrates and plant-based protein. Image Credit: chanuth/iStock/GettyImages Black and brown rice are just two types among the more than 40,000 varieties of rice believed to exist, according to the Rice Association. Both are whole grains with plenty of nutrients. Advertisement When it comes to brown rice versus black rice nutrition, black rice offers more bang for your buck. Video of the Day Brown Rice Nutrition Info The calories in brown rice come mostly from carbs....

Ground ginger is not a substitute for minced ginger. Image Credit: tycoon751/iStock/Getty Images When you come across a recipe that calls for either ground or fresh ginger, know that ground ginger is not a substitute for minced ginger or fresh ginger. But either one can provide health benefits, which include guarding against the flu and holding nausea at bay. Advertisement Tip You shouldn’t substitute ground ginger for fresh ginger. They don’t match in flavor and can compromise a dish when interchanged....

Resistance bands are a portable tool for building muscle. Image Credit: Maria Fuchs/Cultura/GettyImages Looking to start building your muscles without the hassle of going to the gym? Look no further — resistance bands are a cheap option that can be used at home. For good health, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that all adults do strength training exercises two times a week. Advertisement That exercise can take many forms, including using resistance tubing or bands....

Kickboxing can help you lose weight. Image Credit: ArtistGNDphotography/E+/GettyImages There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned kickboxing session to get your heart rate up and blow off some steam! Whether you’re into music-driven cardio kickboxing classes or have a one-on-one date with the heavy punching bag, there are many kickboxing benefits for females and males alike. Advertisement Tip Kickboxing can most definitely help you lose weight. This full-body, intense form of exercise provides a great calorie burn while toning your arms, legs and abs....

The white potato and the sweet potato each have about 21 grams of carbs per 100-gram serving. Image Credit: DNY59/iStock/GettyImages People who are following a low-carb diet tend to avoid potatoes because they’re starchy vegetables. But you may be wondering if sweet potatoes make a better choice, carb-wise, than white potatoes. We’re here to break it down. Advertisement Carbs in Potatoes Potatoes aren’t low-carb foods, but as it turns out, both sweet potatoes and white potatoes have about the same number of carbs per serving....

Carbonic acid doesn't erode your teeth. Image Credit: shironosov/iStock/Getty Images Carbonated beverages contain an acidic molecule called carbonic acid that decomposes when you open a bottle or can of a fizzy drink. The decomposition of carbonic acid produces the characteristic soda fizz. Despite its acidic properties, there’s no evidence to suggest that carbonic acid in beverages does you any harm. Advertisement Carbonic Acid The compound carbonic acid has the chemical formula H2CO3....

Include short sprints as part of your netball circuit training. Image Credit: Gary Faber/Photodisc/Getty Images Circuit training, a kind of physical workout in which you cycle between different exercises or activities, is a good way to improve general fitness and also work on specific techniques that are useful in a netball game. Circuit training is beneficial in improving anaerobic endurance and sprint agility, both of which are helpful to netball players....

There’s no definitive evidence that cod liver oil benefits skin. Image Credit: tagenu/iStock/GettyImages Cod liver oil, a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, is touted by some people as a must-have dietary supplement to tackle skin issues. There’s little scientific evidence that dietary cod liver oil benefits your skin, but it likely won’t harm it. Advertisement If you have specific skin concerns, you can consult a dermatologist about the best course of action to resolve them....

If your muscle soreness worsens instead of getting better or doesn't improve within several days of a workout, something may be wrong. Image Credit: PeopleImages/iStock/GettyImages While it’s normal to feel some mild soreness in the day or two following a tough workout, ​extreme muscle soreness​ is an indication that something is wrong. If your post-workout soreness keeps you from continuing to work out or pursue everyday activities, it’s a big, flashing signal that you need to either dial back your workout intensity, double-check your workout form, change some lifestyle factors that affect your exercise recovery or perhaps all of the above....

Hip stretches are great for the groin. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages You might not think much about your groin muscles until they start to bother you. Tissues and muscles in your deep inner thighs and groin can become tight and stiff from poor posture and inactivity. This can lead to weakness in your hips, which can cause pain in your lower back, hips and knees. Advertisement Groin stretches can help reduce pain and improve hip mobility, allowing more freedom to move in your hip joints....

Coffee beans naturally contain caffeine. Image Credit: Scvos/iStock/Getty Images Chocolate-covered coffee beans contain caffeine that may help boost your energy. The caffeine boost comes not just from the coffee bean, but also from the cocoa bean found in chocolate. Advertisement Tip A single ounce of chocolate coffee beans contains more than twice the amount of caffeine found in a cup of black coffee. The caffeine can offer an energy boost. Chocolate-Covered Coffee Beans Both chocolate and coffee beans contain caffeine, so the specific amount of caffeine in coffee beans per gram varies depending on the brand and type of chocolate coffee bean....

A treadmill provides information on your speed and distance. Treadmills provide a measurement of the distance covered in a workout, typically in either kilometers or miles. If your treadmill isn't displaying properly, modify the display to show the correct measurement. However, be aware that the distance measured may not correlate exactly to the distance you've actually run or walked. Advertisement Finding the Distance Measurement Most treadmills provide a monitor that displays information about your workout....

A hamburger, french fries and onion ring. Image Credit: KrzysztofJANCZURA/iStock/Getty Images Fast food may seem like a convenient, inexpensive meal option, but it often contains excess calories, fat, salt, refined carbohydrates and cholesterol. Interest has grown in determining the health implications of fast-food consumption. So far, scientists are unable to say unequivocally that fast food causes heart disease. Population studies, however, have identified a link between fast-food consumption and an increased risk of developing or dying from heart disease....