Eating For Health

Growing up, many of us started our mornings with a small glass of 100% orange juice. Juice glasses were practically a breakfast table staple. Today, though, most people skip juice entirely, opting for coffee or a smoothie instead. But new research raises an interesting question: Should 100% orange juice make a comeback at your breakfast table? 🍊 🧠 Breakfast OJ and Dementia Risk A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who drank 100% natural juice — like 100% orange juice — had a lower risk of dementia. In contrast, those who drank sugar‑sweetened beverages (e.g. SunnyD, Hi‑C, fruit punch) or artificially sweetened drinks had a higher risk. 🔍 What the Researchers Found The study examined 177,926 adults (average age 56.4) who did not have dementia at the start. They were followed from 2009 to 2012, during which 1,293 participants developed dementia. Key findings: Moderate intake of 100% natural juice (up to 1 cup/day) w...

According to the University of Southern California , almost half of Americans over the age of 20 have high blood pressure.   This means an astounding 122 million Americans.   Unfortunately, as you get older it is more likely to have blood pressure increase.   Many people don’t even know they have high blood pressure or hypertension.   The American Heart Association notes at first there are “no obvious symptoms to indicate something is wrong, but HBP can lead to heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.”    A relative was asking what they could do diet wise to help lower their blood pressure.   We had already discussed the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension).   (See:   Best Diets for Healthy Eating in 2024 .) and physical activity.    Diet wise, they were cutting back on sodium and increasing potassium foods but were wondering if there were anything else like any drinks that could help lower blood pressure?  ...

Are you getting your daily vitamin C?   Growing up everyone had juice glasses in their homes and almost everyone drank some real, 100% juice for breakfast.   This could be orange juice, tomato juice or grapefruit juice.   Now, juice glasses are a rarity in people’s home.   And, rather than real, 100% juice, the people that do drink “juice” often choose a fake juice or a fruit drink that contains little or no juice.   But you do not have to drink juice to get enough vitamin C.   Many fruits and vegetables are rich in C. What is vitamin C?   Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that is also known as ascorbic acid.   What does “essential” mean?   It means your body does not make vitamin C and you need to “eat it to get it”. Since it is water-soluble vitamin, your body does not store it and you should eat some vitamin C rich foods every day.   How does vitamin C help keep you healthy? Some people hear “vitamin C” and they think of colds...

Most people know we need vitamin C daily.   Are you getting the vitamin C you need each day?   Just because a fruit drink is labelled rich in vitamin C, it doesn’t mean it is a healthy choice.   What foods and beverages have vitamin C and why do our bodies need vitamin C? Enjoy some vitamin C rich foods every day. What is vitamin C? You may see “vitamin C” on a label or you may see its scientific name, ascorbic acid, on a label.   Our bodies don’t make vitamin C so we must get this important vitamin from the foods we eat or the juices we drink.   Why do our bodies need vitamin C? Healthy Skin : Vitamin C is important to our bodies in so many ways.   Want healthy skin?   Then eat foods rich in vitamin C as vitamin C helps our bodies boost collage production.   To make collagen, your body needs vitamin C.   Vitamin C not only supports collagen production, it helps stimulates collagen production .   Vitamin C also protects your ...