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Exercise has the ability to increase the levels of serotonin and dopamine in your brain, which is linked to a variety of benefits. Image Credit: Ridofranz/iStock/GettyImages Numerous studies have found that exercise boosts mood, lowers stress levels and even improves cognitive functions like attention, memory and problem solving. These benefits may be rooted, in part, in exercise’s ability to increase our brains’ production of the chemicals dopamine and serotonin, according to a review of studies published in the journal Brain Plasticity in March 2017....

Low carb diets can help you shed fat. Image Credit: porosolka/iStock/GettyImages Diets banishing bread, pasta and other starchy foods are popular with good reason — low-carb weight loss often happens faster than weight loss on other slim-down regimens, at least at first. With so much buzz around low carb you’ll be hoping for rapid results, but it’s best to stay realistic. Advertisement Tip How quickly you start shedding body fat isn’t really affected by the carb content of your diet so much as its overall calorie content....

Gatorade beverages contain sugar in varying amounts. Image Credit: Tetra Images/Tetra images/Getty Images Gatorade is a sports drink marketed to both professional athletes and people who make strenuous exercise a part of their lifestyle. Gatorade’s nutrition facts label boasts two important electrolytes – sodium and potassium – vital to keeping body fluids in balance. However, Gatorade also contains sugar, which makes up the sum total of its carbohydrate count. Advertisement About Gatorade Gatorade sports drinks have been around for an impressive half-century....

Thin chicken breasts are good for a quick meal. Image Credit: gbh007/iStock/GettyImages The versatility and familiarity of chicken makes it a great choice for a healthy and flavorful meal. In fact, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that chicken consumption per person in the United States will be 94.5 pounds per year for 2019, up 14.5 pounds since 2009. Advertisement But depending on how you prepare them, thinly sliced chicken breasts can be a heart-healthy source of protein or a real workout for your jaw....

A bicycle mechanic is working on the rear end of a bike. Image Credit: kadmy/iStock/Getty Images A single speed bike requires you to exert more effort and physical strength to accomplish various courses and routes. Converting your bike to variable speed provides you the advantage of maneuverability and increased efficiency, but it will also require advanced knowledge of parts and how they work together. You can invest in equipment to change your fixed-speed ride into a multi-gear unit yourself....

Rice flour, a gluten-free product that produces many of the same results as wheat flour, possesses its own distinct characteristics. Often used as a thickening agent in cooking, rice flour is also suitable for making crackers, cakes and dumplings. The silky smooth texture and bright white color of rice flour set it apart from other flours. Rice flour is widely available in Asian markets and natural food stores, or you can make your own with the help of a coffee grinder....

Broccoli is a vegetable that is characterized by its vibrant green color, thick stalks and tightly packed florets. Broccoli is nutritionally dense, and plays an important role in any healthy diet. Broccoli is commonly included in meals as a side dish or as an ingredient in soups, salads and casseroles. Steaming broccoli is the preferred preparation method of many people; however, even if you don't have a steamer, you can still cook your broccoli to taste the same....

A slow cooker sirloin tip roast braises in liquid for hours to create a tender, fall-apart texture. Image Credit: Adobe Stock/@douglas-freer If you’re looking for a simple way to prepare juicy meat for dinner, try cooking a sirloin tip roast in a slow cooker and serving it up with a side of vegetables. Using a slow cooking method helps break down this tougher cut of meat so that it comes out tender every time....

Freezing your bread helps it last longer until you're ready to enjoy it. Image Credit: Kanel Bulle/iStock/GettyImages Frozen bread is a convenient way to enjoy the taste of freshly baked bread. You can also make and then freeze the dough to keep it fresh until you are ready to use it. Advertisement Store-bought frozen bread usually comes in two varieties: self-rising dough and ready-to-bake bread. Once baked, you can use the bread for toast topped with melted butter, on sandwiches or as a side to hearty soups....

You can cook packaged sauerkraut on the stove, in the oven or in the microwave. Image Credit: instamatics/iStock/GettyImages Sauerkraut is a fermented food just like yogurt or kimchi. It’s made by fermenting fresh cabbage leaves with lactic acid bacteria for about 5 to 6 weeks, according to Clemson University. Fermented foods are a wonderful source of probiotics, which support digestive and vaginal health, per Harvard Health Publishing. Advertisement One cup of drained, canned sauerkraut contains 27 calories, 1 gram of protein, 6 grams of carbohydrates (4 grams of which are fiber) and 0 grams of fat, per the USDA....

The word weisswurst means "white sausage." Image Credit: kabVisio/iStock/GettyImages Weisswurst is a traditional Bavarian sausage that gets its name — “white sausage” — from its pale appearance. Made from pork and veal and heavily seasoned with parsley, onions, bacon, lemon powder, salt and pepper, weisswurst is sold pre-cooked and needs only to be heated before eating. Advertisement Things You'll Need Weisswurst Saucepan with a tightly fitting lid Water Tongs Instructions...

Take a break from your work day to stretch your hips and shoulders. Image Credit: Movement Vault/LIVESTRONG.com After a long run or a high-intensity workout, it feels ​really​ good to stretch your hips with the standing figure 4 stretch, says Grayson Wickham, PT, DPT, CSCS, founder of Movement Vault. Advertisement "The standing figure 4 stretch is a very effective stretch for improving your hip external rotation on one hip, while improving your ankle dorsiflexion on your other leg," he says....

Let’s debunk a dangerous myth right away: Not all fats are created equal and not all fat is unhealthy. Fat is an important nutrient that gives your body energy, supports cell growth, protects your organs, keeps your body warm and helps your body absorb nutrients and produce certain hormones, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Video of the Day Omega-3 fatty acids, which are a type of polyunsaturated fat, are particularly important in maintaining heart and brain health, per the Harvard T....

Animal sources like steak are good sources of leucine and can be paired with beans or other legumes for an extra amino acid boost. Image Credit: Kanawa_Studio/iStock/GettyImages In This Article What Is L-Leucine? Health Benefits Side Effects and Risks How to Get More Leucine If you'd like to keep your muscles healthy as you age, you'll want to get familiar with leucine (or l-leucine) — especially if you're on a plant-based, vegetarian or vegan diet....

Quick digesting carbs, like a banana, are great before a workout. They'll give you a quick boost of energy and help prevent muscle cramping. Image Credit: Manuta/iStock/GettyImages As the saying goes, you have to eat clean to train mean — or at least to have your best training session. While pre-workout nutrition isn’t the be-all, end-all (your diet as a whole matters much more), fueling your body with proper nutrients can help improve your performance in the gym and promote muscle recovery after your workout....

Eggs, toast and fruit could be breakfast on a 5,000-calorie diet. Image Credit: MSPhotographic/iStock/Getty Images If you’re an athlete trying to gain muscle mass, you’ll need to consume more calories than you burn. However, simply eating more won’t give you the results you want unless your meals provide a balanced proportion of carbohydrates, protein and fats. A 5,000-calorie mass-gaining diet should consist of approximately 60 to 65 percent carbohydrates, 20 to 25 percent fat and 15 to 20 percent protein....

Knowing what causes bunions can help you take steps to reduce your risk of developing one. Image Credit: PeopleImages/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Causes Treatment When to See a Doctor Bunions don't typically pop up on your feet overnight. So if you notice one is starting to form — or want to take steps to steer clear completely — what should you do? Advertisement Bunions are bony bumps that form on the side of the foot, near the base of the big toe....

Tendonitis can be a painful condition requiring rest and immobilization of the wrist joint. Tendonitis in the hand, wrist and forearm occurs when tendons passing though these areas become inflamed. In severe cases of tendonitis the result can be painful and debilitating. Resting the wrist joint and splinting the hand and wrist generally are recognized as the most effective treatment when the condition is diagnosed and treated early. Advertisement Reasons for Splinting Tendonitis is caused by inflammation of the tendon and its sheath....

Be careful with drinking too much aloe vera juice. Image Credit: LarisaBlinova/iStock/GettyImages Aloe vera is packed with health benefits, ranging from treating skin burns to moisturizing skin and stopping inflammation. But it may also cause unwanted side effects that could be serious. It’s important to learn about the potential side effects of aloe vera juice before drinking it. Advertisement Tip While aloe vera juice can have some health benefits, it’s important to be careful when consuming it....

Basic Zumba Moves Image Credit: macniak/iStock/GettyImages The dance moves in Zumba are inspired by some of the most expressive and lively dances from South America. Classic dance styles, like salsa, get a modern revamp with a fitness twist in Zumba routines. Advertisement Your first Zumba dance class might be overwhelming in terms of complexity. The music is fast and the moves are even faster. However, if you break the dances down to their basic roots, you can start to master Zumba....