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Some sweeteners in diet sodas may cause diarrhea, but only if you drink a lot of soda. Image Credit: prakobphoto/iStock/GettyImages Many people think that because diet soda has no sugar or calories, it’s healthy — relative to regular soda. Unfortunately, the artificial sweeteners used to sweeten diet soda aren’t so sweet. Symptoms of drinking too much diet soda may include diarrhea. Advertisement The Sweet Stuff Artificial sweeteners aren’t anything new. The ubiquitous saccharin was discovered at Johns Hopkins University in 1878, according to an older review published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics in December 2011....

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, can be eaten whole or mashed. Image Credit: pashapixel/iStock/GettyImages Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, can be eaten whole or mashed. They are often used in foods like hummus or chickpea salad. These legumes are tasty and filling, but canned varieties often contain a lot of sugar and salt. Advertisement Are Canned Chickpeas Safe? Packing and shipping products across the world allow you to try foods that may not be available in your area....

When to Suspect Almonds for Gas and Bloating Image Credit: Stephen Welstead/Corbis/GettyImages Almonds are often considered one of the healthiest foods you can eat — rich in nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. But some people blame these health-packed nuts for gas and bloating. Here’s how to tell if they could be behind your digestive issues. Advertisement Health Benefits of Almonds Almonds are tree nuts native to the Mediterranean region....

Rich in vitamin C and potassium, bananas have their place in a healthy diet. Image Credit: VitaSerendipity/iStock/Getty Images Trying to avoid foods that cause gas and bloating? In this case, you may want to give up bananas, apples, peaches, apricots and other fruits containing soluble fiber or sugar alcohols. Bananas, for example, can leave you feeling bloated due to their high fiber content. Advertisement Tip Rich in vitamin C and potassium, bananas have their place in a healthy diet....

An assortment of beans on wood table Image Credit: olgakr/iStock/Getty Images Eating a single portion of beans should not cause diarrhea to develop. Any excessive amount of beans may cause loose stools because of consuming too much fiber, but this typically does not cause diarrhea. Diarrhea is a symptom of another medical condition. If you develop diarrhea every time you eat beans or other legumes, you may have an allergy to legumes....

A cyclist wearing road cycling shorts on a forest road. Image Credit: pablo_rodriguez1/iStock/Getty Images While the idea of cycling without underwear may seem strange and foreign at first, most serious cyclists “go commando” while in the saddle. This is to help avoid the rubbing and irritation that can come from unfortunately placed underwear seams. In fact, most bike shorts have padding and use fabric to wick sweat and moisture away from your body, negating the need to wear underwear....

Limit your intake of salt. Image Credit: Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images The human body needs sodium in order to function, making it one of the essential minerals. Sodium supports muscle contraction and nerve function, keeps the heart beating rhythmically and helps balance the amount of fluid in the body. The most common source of sodium is the hidden amount in processed foods, giving you more than 75 percent of your daily intake, according to the American Diabetes Association....

A woman is drinking water. Image Credit: Purestock/Purestock/Getty Images Minerals in the body that carry electrical charges are called electrolytes. Your urine, blood and other bodily fluids carry electrolytes through your body. When electrolyte levels become imbalanced, you can experience a range of symptoms ranging from headaches and nausea to confusion and dehydration. Advertisement Dehydration When you sweat, cry and urinate, you lose water. When you become dehydrated you lose electrolytes contained in the fluids as well....

There are several exercises to help increase the blood flow to the back of your neck. Image Credit: spukkato/iStock/GettyImages If you’ve got horizontal neck lines, you might be anxious to get rid of them. Unfortunately there aren’t any exercises that can tighten up the loose skin that causes these lines, but exercises can increase blood flow to your face and neck for a healthy glow. Advertisement Read more: 4 Exercises to Loosen Up Your Face Muscles and Help You Look Younger Video of the Day Why Aging Causes Neck Lines As a person ages, the skin on their face and neck changes....

Fatigue and lightheadedness during exercise may indicate more serious health problems. Image Credit: Hero Images/Hero Images/GettyImages Fatigue and lightheadedness while exercising are contraindications to exercise. The effort you put into your exercise session may not pay off when you experience these symptoms. They may indicate overexertion or injury. Advertisement Fatigue and lightheadedness may also be signs of serious or life threatening health conditions. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor and keep a journal or log that records information about your symptoms, workout, diet and stressors in your life to determine potential causes and prevention strategies....

Foods That Make Mothers Milk Acidic Image Credit: Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images If you are a nursing mother well-meaning people may warn you to stay away from certain foods – such as spices and acidic ingredients like tomato sauce or citrus – over fears that those foods will increase the acid content in your breast milk. However, these warnings stem from old wives’ tales; in reality, there is no direct link between what you eat and the acidity of your milk supply....

If your glutes aren't firing properly, you're not getting the most from your workout. Image Credit: Khosrork/iStock/GettyImages If you’re not seeing booty gains in the gym, your muscles may not be activating at their full potential during your workouts. Before you begin busting out squats, start with some glute-activation exercises. Advertisement These moves help "switch on" on the muscles in your bum and "improve the conversation between your brain, nerves and muscular contractions," says Holly Perkins, CSCS, author of Lift To Get Lean and creator of The GLUTES Project ACTIVATE....

Ginger supplements may interact with other medications. Image Credit: Brand X Pictures/Stockbyte/Getty Images Ginger has long been used as an anti-inflammatory agent and aid to digestion. Some studies suggest it can reduce the nausea associated with morning sickness, chemotherapy and motion sickness. Ginger in capsule form has few side effects, according to the Mayo Clinic, but dosage should be limited to no more than 4 g per day, no matter what form you use....

The milk aisle can definitely be overwhelming. We give you the lowdown on nine different types of milk. Image Credit: Noel Hendrickson/DigitalVision/Getty Gone are the days of simply knowing the cap color you want in the dairy aisle. Now, you have choices when it comes to what type of milk to buy. A lot of choices. Advertisement Do you really know which type is best for your lifestyle, and does it really matter?...

A mature man and woman are sitting down to breakfast together. Image Credit: Hill Street Studios/Blend Images/Getty Images As you age, it’s important that your daily meals are low in fat, refined sugar and sodium, and high in essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamins and minerals. Doing so may help you avoid gout, stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease arthritis, cancer, respiratory disorders, obesity and type 2 diabetes. A nutrient-rich diet for a moderately active 70-year-old couple should supply a woman with 1,800 calories per day and a man with 2,200 to 2,400 calories, according to Health....

Your kidneys help maintain normal blood concentration by removing wastes, excess fluid and electrolytes such as potassium. Potassium, blood urea nitrogen, or BUN, and creatinine blood tests can monitor kidney function in patients diagnosed with kidney disease. High levels of potassium in the blood, elevated BUN and elevated creatinine are all indicators of some degree of kidney dysfunction. Potassium The most common cause of high potassium in the blood, or hyperkalemia, is kidney disease, according to MedlinePlus....

When dining out, know what your options are. Image Credit: Andrey Armyagov/Hemera/Getty Images Houston’s is a dine-in restaurant chain found throughout the United States. Knowing the nutrition information is a good way to determine which menu items fit your diet. The good news is, Houston’s offers a variety of items on the menu with varying nutrition content. You’ll likely find a meal that works for you, even if you have a limited number of calories in your calorie budget for dining out....

DNA contains the information your cells need to make proteins. Image Credit: anusorn nakdee/iStock/GettyImages Protein is an essential nutrient, and it’s found in food sources, such as chicken breast, meat, seafood, black beans and tofu. It’s often called the building blocks of life because it’s found in every human cell. Advertisement Cells rely heavily on protein to function. They're able to build protein to perform specific functions, but this wouldn't be possible without a process called protein synthesis....

Eye-of-round roast is best when cooked to medium-rare. The lean eye-of-round roast has a mild flavor and little waste. Though similar in shape and compactness to the far more tender tenderloin roast, the eye-of-round roast has a much firmer texture. The lack of marbling makes this roast tough and potentially chewy, especially when it is overcooked. Monitor it carefully when grilling so you don't cook it beyond medium-rare, and cut it into thin slices against the grain to compensate for the potentially tough texture....

How to Avoid Back Injuries While Using a Leg Press Machine Image Credit: kzenon/iStock/GettyImages The leg press is an essential part of a fitness regimen, especially if you have any interest in developing your legs or lower body muscles. While this resistance machine offers a lot of benefits, it poses potential danger if stability is not maintained throughout the workout. In particular, the spinal column can become compromised when the leg press isn’t used appropriately or in an unsafe manner....