1. Almonds, avocados and arugula (the three ‘A’s) can boost your sex drive and improve fertility.
Almonds also contain lots of sleep-inducing nutrients, making them one of the best foods for slumber.
2. Tea can lower the risk of heart attack, certain cancers, type 2 Diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Just make sure your tea isn’t too sweet!
Teas can also act as natural remedies for many different health conditions, for example there are a number of teas great for anxiety.
Menstrual cramps and chronic pain can also be eased by choosing the right blend.
3. Although it only takes you a few minutes to eat a meal, it takes your body hours to completely digest the food.
4. Women below the age of 50 need twice the amount of iron per day as men of the same age.
5. Vitamin D is as important as calcium in determining bone health, and most people don’t get enough of it.
6. A lack of water can cause a range of problems, such as constipation, asthma, allergy and migraines.
Staying hydrated is an important aspect of our overall wellbeing.
If you want to learn other reasons why drinking enough water is so important, take a look at our health facts.
7. Wild-caught fish, grass-fed meats and free-range eggs are simple ways to inject healthy changes to your diet without drastically altering what you eat.
8. Water can aid in weight loss because it helps to remove the by-products of fat and if consumed before a meal can make you more satisfied and eat less.
Dietitians recommend drinking 16 ounces of water before every meal. When combined with cutting back portions, more water can help you lose weight and keep it off for at least a year.[1]
Not only that, but a study by the Endocrine Society found that drinking 500ml of water increased the metabolic rate (in both men and women) by 30% within 10-40 minutes.[2]
9. Chocolate is good for your skin; its antioxidants improve blood flow and protect against UV damage.
10. Eating oatmeal provides a serotonin boost to calm the brain and improve your mood.
11. An apple a day does keep the doctor away. Apples can reduce high levels of cholesterol to keep your heart healthy.
12. The amino acid found in eggs can help improve your reflexes.
13. Extra virgin olive oil is the healthiest fat on the planet.
Packed with antioxidants, extra virgin olive oil contains compounds and anti-inflammatory compounds that could reduce incidents of certain types of cancer.[3]
This oil is also packed with monounsaturated fats that can help lower cholesterol and control insulin levels.
Not all olive oils were created equal though. Make sure to look for the extra virgin varieties, which are cold-pressed and aren’t diluted with other types of oil.
14. A troubled gut can send signals to the brain, just like a troubled brain can send signals to the gut.
Experts used to believe that conditions such as anxiety and depression caused digestion problems.
However more recent learnings revealed that the connection goes both ways.[4]
There are many surprising things that can impact on your mood, read the latest mental health facts to find out more.
15. People with high blood sugar levels are more likely to experience cognitive decline.
16. Lemon is the most nutritionally powerful fruit on the planet.
17. Eating eggshell can help you increase your calcium intake.
Though you might discard them, eating an egg’s shell is actually good for your health!
One eggshell contains about 2.2 grams of calcium, so perfect if you’re trying to boost your calcium levels.[5]
18. Cooking in a cast iron skillet can add significant amounts of iron to your food.
Treating the whole person…
Choosing a healthier diet is just one aspect of your wellbeing.
Sleep, posture and meditation can also contribute to a better you, read our wellness facts and prepare to have your eyes opened!
References
- Mann, D. (2010). Trying to lose weight? Drink more water [Online]. CNN. Available from: https://edition.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/08/23/drink.water.lose.weight/index.html [Accessed 27 July 2023]. ↩
- Boschmann, M. et al (2003). Water-Induced Thermogenesis [Online]. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/88/12/6015/2661518 [Accessed 27 July 2023]. ↩
- Tripoli, E. et al (2005). The phenolic compounds of olive oil: structure, biological activity and beneficial effects on human health [Online]. Nutrition Research Reviews. Available from: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/nutrition-research-reviews/article/phenolic-compounds-of-olive-oil-structure-biological-activity-and-beneficial-effects-on-human-health/EE4FA28B6CD751AA15B278589A447A3D [Accessed 27 July 2023]. ↩
- Harvard Health Publishing (2019). The gut-brain connection [Online]. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-gut-brain-connection [Accessed 27 July 2023]. ↩
- Builder, M. (2018). Can You Eat Eggshells? [Online]. MyRecipes. Available from: https://www.myrecipes.com/extracrispy/can-you-eat-eggshells [Accessed 27 July 2023]. ↩