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🍎 Today’s Health Tip ~ Figs are a Healthy Food

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Figs Provide Many Health Benefits

Figs have been associated with health and prosperity since ancient times. Figs are technically a collection of inverted flowers that, if left alone, would bloom from the inside out. They grow commonly in the Mediterranean and the Middle East — locations that are hot, sunny, and dry for a large portion of the year. 

Health Benefits

.Here are some of the health benefits you can expect to enjoy when you eat figs. 

Reduce High Blood Pressure – One factor that leads to high blood pressure is a potassium imbalance caused by eating too much sodium and not enough potassium. Figs are a potassium-rich food and can help correct that imbalance. Meanwhile, high levels of fiber in figs can help to flush excess sodium from the system. 

Improve Digestion – In addition to their high fiber content, however, figs aid digestion in another way. They are an excellent source of prebiotics, which improve overall gut health.

Increase Bone Density – Figs are a good source of both calcium and potassium. These minerals can work together to improve bone density, which can, in turn, prevent conditions like osteoporosis. 

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Note: I planted a fig tree several years ago and it provides fresh figs throughout the summer for the me and the birds as well. Freshly picked figs have a great taste that will knock your socks off.

🍎 Today’s Health Tip ~ Watercress, A Nutritional Powerhouse

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TheHealth Benefits of Watercress

This nutrient-dense hydrating leafy green is a great source of:

  • calcium
  • potassium
  • manganese
  • phosphorus
  • vitamins A, C, K, B-1, and B-2

Watercress acts as an internal skin antiseptic and increases the circulation and delivery of mineralsTrusted Source to all cells of the body, resulting in enhanced oxygenation of the skin. Packed with vitamins A and C, the antioxidants in watercressTrusted Source may neutralize harmful free radicals, helping to keep fine lines and wrinkles away. Add a handful of this flavorful green to your salad today for glowing skin and overall improved health!

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🍎 Today’s Health Tip ~ Pay Attention to Your Mental Health

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Mental Health Matters

Being happy and keeping your stress down goes a long way in helping you live and age well. To keep your mood elevated:

  • Spend time with friends and loved ones. Meaningful relationships and a strong social network improve mental and physical well-being and longevity. Don’t forget your furry loved ones as having a pet has been linked to lower stress and blood pressure, reduced loneliness, and better moods.

  • Accept your age. There is evidence that people who maintain a positive attitude about aging live longer and may recover better from a disability. Aging is inevitable and learning to embrace it can make all the difference.

  • Do things you enjoy. Taking the time to engage in activities you enjoy will only fuel your happiness. Spend time in nature, pursue a new hobby, volunteer — whatever brings you joy.

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🍎 Today’s Health Tip ~ Healthier Mouth, Healthier You

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Take Care of Your Mouth

Not taking care of your teeth not only ages your smile, but also puts you at risk for gum disease, which has been linked to heart disease, stroke, and bacterial pneumonia. Along with proper oral care, it’s important to see a dentist regularly.

According to the American Dental Association, a dentist can spot signs of nutritional deficiencies, infection, cancer, and other illnesses, such as diabetes. They recommend brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and using a mouth rinse.

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🍎 Today’s Health Tip ~ Want to Keep Your Face Looking Youthful?

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Seriously, don’t smoke

Add this to the already-long list of reasons to quit. While less serious than reducing your chances of getting lung cancer or heart disease, smoking also damages your looks. The habit takes a major toll on your appearance, contributing to premature skin aging, wrinkles, stained teeth, and even increased psoriasis risk. “Smoking increases wrinkles due to facial motion, and it also has a vasoconstricting effect, which means it chokes off blood vessel circulation,” says dermatologist David Stoll, MD, author of A Woman’s Skin.

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🍎 Today’s Health Tip ~ Should You Eat Hummus?

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Hummus is a Healthy Choice

Basic hummus recipes contain six healthy ingredients: chickpeas, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, sea salt and tahini. Flavored types of hummus — for example, popular types like roasted red pepper or Kalamata olive hummus, which you may have seen in supermarkets — have additional ingredients that are mixed into the basic hummus recipe described above.

So what is hummus good for? Here are the top eight hummus benefits:

  1. Good Source of Plant-Based Protein
  2. Fights Illness and Disease
  3. Decreases Inflammation
  4. Helps Digestion and Intestinal Health
  5. High in Vitamins and Minerals
  6. Supports Bone Health
  7. Protects Heart Health
  8. Boosts Your Energy

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🍎 Today’s Health Tip ~ There is a Relationship Between Gratitude & Good Health

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Research shows that expressing gratitude offers several physical, mental, social and emotional benefits.  Here are just some of the benefits of expressing gratitude:

  1. It helps you combat mental health issues. When you are grateful, you feel positive emotions that release dopamine, the feel-good chemicals in your brain. This helps ward off mental health issues like stress, anxiety and depression.
  2. It may improve your physical health. Studies show that people of all ages who consider themselves to be grateful have fewer health issues than those who don’t. . . . Those who express gratitude had fewer headaches, respiratory infections and gastrointestinal issues, along with healthier hearts.
  3. It can help you sleep better. If positive, grateful thoughts are running through your head as you try to fall asleep rather than a replay of stressful events, you’re more likely to fall asleep and sleep more soundly.
  4. It may increase your self-esteem. When you feel grateful, you’re more likely to think of yourself in a more positive light because you’re less likely to compare yourself to others.
  5. It helps you build and nurture strong relationships. When you express feelings of gratitude to other people, you’re also more empowered to talk about any concerns you may have about your relationship. All of this may result in stronger and more trusting relationships, with both participants feeling valued.

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🍎 Today’s Health Tip ~ Are the Foods Your Eating Causing Inflammation?

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Foods that cause Inflammation

Try to avoid or limit these foods as much as possible:

      • refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and pastries
      • French fries and other fried foods
      • soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages
      • red meat (burgers, steaks) and processed meat (hot dogs, sausage)
      • margarine, shortening, and lard

Anti-inflammatory foods

An anti-inflammatory diet should include these foods:

      • tomatoes
      • olive oil
      • green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards
      • nuts like almonds and walnuts
      • fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines
      • fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges.

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🍎 Today’s Health Tip ~ What Foods Should You Eat When You Crave Sugar?

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Foods to Eat When You Get the Sugar Cravings

  1. Fruit. Fruit is a great source of fiber, which can help balance blood sugar levels. . . .The type of sugar in fruits is called fructose, and fructose has shown to have little effect on blood sugar levels when taken in moderation. . . .And while it won’t cause a huge spike in blood sugar levels because of the fiber, the natural sugars will still give you your sweet fix. . . .Consider berries like raspberries, blackberries and blueberries.
  2. Protein. The key is to pair fruits with protein. Combining the two into one meal can help you keep your blood sugar balanced. Research shows that eating more protein can reduce food cravings.
  3. Drinking Water. If you’ve gone a long time without drinking water, you may start craving something sweet, even if you’re not hungry. Thirst and dehydration are often confused as hunger and may lead to sugar cravings. Drinking more water has been associated with fewer food cravings and feelings of hunger, per October 2018 research in ​Physiology and Behavior​.

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🍎 Today’s Health Tip ~ Lace up the Sneakers and Go for a Walk

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Walking’s Benefits

1. It counteracts the effects of weight-promoting genes. Harvard researchers looked at 32 obesity-promoting genes in over 12,000 people to determine how much these genes actually contribute to body weight. They then discovered that, among the study participants who walked briskly for about an hour a day, the effects of those genes were cut in half.

2. It helps tame a sweet tooth. A pair of studies from the University of Exeter found that a 15-minute walk can curb cravings for chocolate and even reduce the amount of chocolate you eat in stressful situations. 

3. It reduces the risk of developing breast cancer. Researchers already know that any kind of physical activity blunts the risk of breast cancer. But an American Cancer Society study that zeroed in on walking found that women who walked seven or more hours a week had a 14% lower risk of breast cancer than those who walked three hours or fewer per week. 

4. It eases joint pain. Several studies have found that walking reduces arthritis-related pain, and that walking five to six miles a week can even prevent arthritis from forming in the first place. Walking protects the joints — especially the knees and hips, which are most susceptible to osteoarthritis — by lubricating them and strengthening the muscles that support them.

5. It boosts immune function. Walking can help protect you during cold and flu season. A study of over 1,000 men and women found that those who walked at least 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, had 43% fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less. And if they did get sick, it was for a shorter duration, and their symptoms were milder.

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