Health standards are unique for every individual, but magazines and websites love to lump us into groups based on trends. I have to consciously stop myself whenever I feel like I’m letting these trends define what I consider healthy. For example, since heart disease kills more men than women, it’s been branded a “male problem” in a lot of health media. But heart disease, an eventual result of uncontrolled cholesterol levels, is the number one killer of men and women. It should be on everybody’s radar. Even though there are different kinds of cholesterol and everyone’s risk for developing heart disease is different, we can all benefit from the easiest change we can make – our diets – to lower our cholesterol and prevent it from becoming a problem. Here are 5 healthy foods that can do just that.   1. Oats and Cereal             The harmful, artery-clogging kind of cholesterol is called LDL. LDL responds well to soluble fiber, which is why eating oats or even high-fiber cereals is one of the first recommendations that a heart specialist will make to a worried patient. We all know about Cheerios’ reputation for being the “heart-healthy breakfast.” Soluble fiber is the reason. A breakfast of freshly cooked oats, a snack of oats and yogurt, or even an oat-based muffin or bread can have a positive effect on bad cholesterol.   2. Nuts                 One mistake that people make when they’re new to health-focused eating is to assume that all fats are equal. Actually, healthy fats, like those found in nuts, help us increase the good cholesterol and reduce the bad. Nuts are high in calories but make a healthy snack in moderation, a good topping for oatmeal, or a great basis for yummy desserts if you’re feeling indulgent. Walnuts and almonds are the stars of the show, but most nuts have similar health benefits.   3. Avocado             Yet another “fatty” food that helps improve bad cholesterol levels; avocados are a great source of healthy fatty acids that help reduce LDL in overweight people. Plus, they taste delicious in a great guacamole. Here’s the trick to avocados though. They might be a great source of healthy fats, but we’re all tempted to put them on chips loaded with trans fats or in meaty tacos. In order to ensure that eating avocados is a net benefit for you, especially if you’re overweight, consider slicing them onto a salad or sandwich instead.   4. Fish             Fish are commonly known as a heart-healthy alternative to red meat and this is because they contain so much Omega-3 fatty acid. Omega-3 lowers your blood pressure and reduces the chance of blood clots. This is good news both for people who have already had heart trouble and those that want to make sure to avoid it. Many people turn [...]

Turmeric is one of those spices that you may have heard of but never really paid attention to. I’ve even heard people confuse it with curry but trust me – turmeric is more than a food flavoring. For thousands of years, Asian cultures have been using turmeric (or more specifically, a compound it contains called curcumin), as an all-purpose antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-allergy, and anti-cancer supplement. Turmeric has an impressive repertoire of benefits that I’m going to narrow down to these 8 reasons you should be taking it every day. I know that being busy and always on the run is a big deal, but turmeric can be taken as a vitamin supplement or a powder. You can find time to squeeze it in.   1. Nutrients               All-natural turmeric has a ton of vitamins in it, including Vitamin C, B-1, B-2, B-3, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, manganese, and zinc. The health benefits of these minerals are indispensable to a balanced diet and turmeric covers them all.   2. Antioxidants             I doubt anyone takes turmeric solely for the vitamins. It’s most famous as an antioxidant and its fame is well-deserved. Oxidative damage refers to how free radicals in our bodies damage our systems by creating patterns of inflammation that lead to chronic illnesses, including cancer. Curcumin is the powerful antioxidant in turmeric that prevents free radicals from forming and jumpstarts your body’s natural inflammation-fighting systems. This means that turmeric can not only provide antioxidants, but it can stimulate your body’s natural antioxidation processes too.   3. Improve Brain Health             Brain health used to be considered a one-way journey where you peak young and then lose cells as you age. We now know that creating new neural connections and new brain cells is possible, which has huge implications for people with depression, Alzheimer’s, and other brain disorders. The curcumin in turmeric can actively decrease depressive symptoms and delay the onset of brain disorders by accelerating the formation of new brain cells.   4. Anti-Inflammatory Benefits             I already talked about antioxidants in turmeric and their effect on long-term oxidative stress and chronic illness. The anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric go beyond that, however. The curcumin in turmeric is like nature’s aspirin: it can have a direct inflammation-reducing effect on your joints. By reducing inflammation and swelling, those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune conditions should consider turmeric as a possible alternative to NSAIDs, which are fine in the short-term but shouldn’t be taken forever.   5. Weight Loss             The ability to reduce obesity-related inflammation, as well as control cholesterol and blood sugar, makes turmeric a natural fat-fighting supplement. It’s not an automatic weight loss solution, but it can make obesity less harmful to your body and improve the rate at which your healthy diet helps you lose weight.   [...]

I know that “spirulina” sounds like a potion ingredient in Harry Potter. I also know that being fresh and saltwater cyanobacteria, which is a colony of single-cell microscopic organisms that collect into algae, isn’t much better. But the truth is that spirulina actually might be useful in a real-life potion, if the intended effect is to give your body and brain a natural boost in function. Japanese nutritionists have known about this strain of algae for a long time. As with a lot of Eastern whole foods, we’ve been slow on the uptake. But since spirulina has started getting attention from Western health practices, we’ve seen all kinds of benefits ranging from anti-inflammatory to anti-cancer properties. Here are 7 health benefits you need to know:   1. Dietary Nutrients             Busy workweeks and long hours mean that I don’t always have the luxury of nutrient-rich dinners. Sometimes, saving time takes priority. That means that if you’re anything like me, a natural multi-vitamin source could be a lifesaver (or maybe a “life extender”). Spirulina is packed with protein, Vitamin B, Iron, and Copper and contains almost no calories. This means that you can use this superfood to get a heavy dose of nutrients without worrying about the side effects.   2. Anti-Inflammatory Effects             Spirulina is full of antioxidants, which is a way of saying that it can stop cell and DNA damage that causes inflammation and eventually leads to cancer. Oxidative damage ages your cells, increases free radicals, and can lead to all kinds of problems. The main antioxidant in Spirulina is called phycocyanin, but you don’t need to know that. All you need to know is that the inflammation at the root of tons of chronic illnesses can be slowed with antioxidant-rich foods like spirulina.   3. Lower Cholesterol             “Bad” cholesterol, as your doctor will call it, is called LDL. LDL buildup eventually leads to heart disease, which is the number one killer of both genders in the United States. Just a gram of spirulina per day has been shown to reduce levels of LDL in the body by 10% over time.   4. Lower Blood Pressure               Your blood pressure can occasionally go up during the busy week – I’d be shocked if it didn’t at some point! But chronically high blood pressure is a killer that causes heart attacks, strokes, and chronic kidney disease. Taking spirulina regularly can drastically improve blood pressure, which can indirectly prevent debilitating health conditions.   5. Anemia Prevention             Anemia is a condition characterized by blood cells that don’t have enough hemoglobin. Its effects include chronic fatigue and weakness, which can derail a busy workweek and make your life impossible. Spirulina’s ability to increase hemoglobin content means that anemia sufferers, especially older ones, can boost their immune system and reduce [...]

When we talk about “superfoods,” I’m sure you’re like me and think of people scooping multicolored powders out of tubs and mixing it into smoothies. Not all of us have time during the busy week to identify as nutrition nuts or buy into the idea of spooning powdered algae into drink mixes. But I’m going to tell you honestly that you could be missing out on some amazing health benefits. One of these superfoods is called “chlorella.” Yes, I’ll save you the Google search – it’s powdered freshwater algae. Once you read the benefits it offers, though, you may be sold on its ability to prevent disease and slow the symptoms of aging. You may forget that you’re eating dehydrated seaweed, as I’ve learned to. Here are 8 amazing health benefits of this aquatic superfood.   1. Removing Toxins             Chlorella can slow down the toxic buildup in your body that leads to diseases and chronic conditions if left unchecked. Metal toxicity can poison your blood and cells and over time lead to degradation. It’s one of the reasons diets are always talking about detoxing to heal your body from the metal and chemicals that it absorbs in modern daily life. Chlorella could be part of a great detox regimen.   2. Immune System Benefits             Cold and flu season is coming up and you and I both know that if you get sick or the kids get sick then everyone is getting sick. It can throw off your whole week. Knowing that chlorella boosts immune cell numbers may be enough to convince you to start taking it before the sick season hits. There’s a chemical in it called interferon that’s like nature’s pick-me-up for a tired immune system.   3. Better Brain Function           Vitamin B-12 is a crucial vitamin for brain health. A healthy supply has been shown to increase concentration and recall memory, which will be sure to help you focus during the busy week. The issue is that our bodies have trouble absorbing most dietary B-12. We can absorb the specific type of B-12 in Chlorella, though, which gives you all its health benefits. This includes improved brain function.   4. Higher Heart Health             The same B-12 that keeps your brain going will also help your heart function better, which includes clearing up your arteries by pumping harder and increasing your healthy blood cell count. Your heart needs healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels to last a lifetime and chlorella can give you both.   5. Reducing Pain             Aches and pains get more common as we get older. And juggling a job and kids doesn’t do any favors for your back at any age. But chronic stiffness or achiness doesn’t have to be your new normal. Taking chlorella is one way to reduce aches and [...]

Apples are amazing to have around. You can grab one on a busy morning, shove it in a purse or lunch bag, eat it on the way out the door, or munch on it at night when you’re feeling a little snacky. They’re packed with vitamins and fiber and they satisfy a sweet tooth without the downsides of processed sugars. We’ve all heard the saying, “an apple a day …” and there’s actually some truth to it. All apples carry some benefits, but green apples are the ones you should be obsessed with (I know I am). Whether you cook with them or save one every day for a lunchtime snack, green apples provide a ton of benefits. Here are the 10 big ones you should know.   1. Immune System Boost             Since green apples are packed with Vitamin C, they can get your immune system going. This is great news for cold and flu season sufferers, who know the worst time of the year is coming up soon. Keep an apple on hand to prevent your busy week from being waylaid by the sniffles.   2. Disease Prevention             Fancy words for chemical compounds found in green apples like flavonoid, polyphenol, and antioxidant all add up to this little fruit’s ability to help you fight diseases. Since these compounds can prevent free radicals from forming, a diet that regularly includes apples could prevent some cancers, prevent liver and DNA damage, or even improve brain function.   3. Digestive Benefits             Apples are a great natural source of fiber to help with digestion. They also contain tartaric and maleic acid, two compounds that can help prevent indigestion at the source. If you suffer from constipation or diarrhea regularly, green apples offer multi-purpose defenses.   4. Inflammation Reduction         Antioxidants prevent oxidative stress, which is the bodily process that contributes to chronic inflammatory conditions. People who suffer from arthritis, rheumatism, or other autoimmune disorders may benefit from natural green apple products as a way to control symptoms, or even reverse inflammatory damage.   5. Skin Health             We all know that aging is inevitable, but skin health is partly in our control. Skin elasticity, moisture content, and inflammation levels can contribute to looking older or younger. These things can be improved by eating more green apples. The vitamins and antioxidants prevent skin cell damage too, which can reduce your risk of skin cancer.   6. Fiber Content                 I mentioned that the fiber content in green apples helps with digestion. But did you know that high fiber diets can also prevent certain cancers, like colon cancer? Green apples can be both regulatory and preventative because of their high natural fiber content.   7. Stronger Bones             Green apple juice is [...]

While snacking may be tasty and satisfying, it’s a great way to gain weight if you’re not careful. Furthermore, the wrong snacks don’t fill you up with the vitamins you need to get through the day. If you have a hectic morning like two-thirds of all my mornings, you know how hard it is to prepare to eat well for the rest of the day. The right snacks can give you energy when you need it and keep you full, without making your figure fuller. Many people make the mistake of thinking a healthy snack has zero fat. The reason this isn’t true is that with no fat or protein, snacks aren’t filling. They can make you susceptible to craving junk in addition to your healthy snack. That’s why getting as many nutrients as possible from a healthy snack is the best thing for you. Even if you’re in a hurry, try these 5 healthy snacks that taste great, give you the energy you need during the busy day, and might even help you lose weight.   1. Nuts             For a lot of nutritionists, nuts are the number one healthy snack recommendation because of their many benefits. Nuts are healthy, taste great, fill you up, and are easy to take on the go. They’re also packed with healthy fats that help you reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease, lift your mood, and as long as you eat them in reasonable servings, they can even help you lose weight. If you like the taste of nuts, almonds are the best health choice. In addition to supplying you with fiber and protein, almonds are loaded with anti-oxidants, vitamin E, Magnesium, and Manganese. Cashews are another healthy nut. They are also rich in anti-oxidants and vitamins such as A, D, E, and K.   2. Yogurt               Yogurt is packed with flavor and nutrients, especially if you add to it. Even by itself, it makes a great healthy snack for people on the go. It’s the easiest way to get calcium, protein, and potassium all at once. Greek yogurt also contains probiotics, which help with digestion and immune system regulation. If you have a little extra time, add some granola and berries for even more flavor and nutrients. I always have blueberries on hand to make my yogurt more enticing, both as a healthy snack or even as a quick lunch.   3. Cottage cheese             Cottage cheese is another great healthy snack that contains enough protein to fill you up. Buy full-fat cottage cheese to get the full benefits of its fatty acids and vitamins. Remember that healthy bodies need good fats to regulate the bad. I would recommend topping your cottage cheese with flax seeds, cinnamon, or both to get some added benefits and make it taste better too. They both help control blood sugar and improve [...]

Like me, you may have noticed when you’re at the store that the biggest food brands dominate the shelf space. If you are rushing through errands and don’t have time to look at labels or be choosy about fruits and vegetables, most people end up buying the food that’s the cheapest and easiest to pick up. However, after I learned about the benefits of organic foods, both to the environment and to my family, I started being a lot pickier at the store. Turns out, the cheap and easy options are also usually the least healthy. Here are 4 reasons why putting aside a little extra money to buy organic is worth it and which foods are must-buys.   1. Organic is the Safer Choice             Below I’m going to tell you about how buying organic food helps the environment, but I know not all of us have money to spare to prioritize the environment, even if we’d like to. That’s why I’m starting with something that you will have the money to spare for: you and your family’s health. I’m not talking about nutrition – I want to be clear that organic foods are safer in terms of production, not just nutrients. Non-organic foods are often grown with hormones and sprayed with pesticides that can hurt our bodies over time. They can cause immediate sickness in young kids and lead to neurological problems or even cancer. Organic foods are treated with natural pesticides, aren’t fed with hormones, and aren’t fertilized with chemicals. If you wouldn’t let your kids eat pesticide from the bottle, why let them eat it in their food?   2. Organic is Healthier             Now I am talking about nutrition because organic foods have that going for them as well. Organic foods don’t contain preservatives, making them fresher and more flavorful. They retain their natural nutrients because they aren’t treated with chemicals. In return, they help our bodies retain nutrients as well. Our body’s ability to absorb vitamins and minerals depends on the quality of our digestion and our overall health. Organic foods improve this ability while non-organic foods hinder it. This means that your family’s health can be improved in the long run with an organic diet.   3. Organic Foods Protect the Environment               Whether protecting the environment is a priority for you or a luxury, it’s a big reason to buy organic. The same pesticides that get in our bodies when we eat non-organic foods are dumped by the gallons on the crops themselves. They run off when it rains and end up in the soil and water, polluting the ocean and our own underground reservoirs. Organic farms treat their animals better as well. They receive certification based on how they feed and medically treat them. Look for labels from environmental and animal welfare protection agencies to ensure that your products support [...]

We live in a wonderland of food choices where we can find something to eat no matter where we are. But if we’re always picking the quickest and easiest options during the busy week (or following a strict diet or lifestyle choice), we may be missing out on certain essentials. Protein is one of the easiest to miss, which is unfortunate because it’s also one of the most important. Now you may be wondering: how do I know if I need more? Here are 4 signs that you aren’t eating enough protein. Not only can you use this information to eat more protein before it’s too late, but it may even explain some of the problems you’re already having.   1. You’re losing muscle mass             Protein fuels your muscles. It helps them grow and stay large and healthy. When you’re not getting enough protein from your food, your body tends to take the protein it needs from your large muscle groups. You’ll lose muscle mass as a result. Since muscles already lose mass naturally as we get older, this can contribute to fatigue and age-related physical problems. With enough dietary protein, you can not only prevent muscle loss – you can even build new muscle at the same time.   2. You’re losing your hair, bones, nails, or skin             The health of your hair, bones, nails, and skin are great indicators of your overall health, especially when it comes to your diet. These body parts share certain proteins in common like collagen and keratin and they’re all affected by nutrient-absorption related to digestion. If you’ve broken bones lately, noticed that your hair is thinning more rapidly, felt like your skin is unusually dry, or noticed that your nails break more easily, you could have a serious protein deficiency. Since these things are also related to aging, they may not be related to protein. But you should pay attention to the signs.   3. You’re hungry all the time             We started with identifiable problems like losing muscle and hair because those are better signs that you aren’t eating enough protein. These next two are less specific. They could be caused by something else, but you should pay extra attention if you experience either of the first two and one of these. That heavily implies a protein deficiency. If you’re not eating enough protein, your body has trouble regulating your appetite. Protein is one of the main supporters of that “full” feeling you get after eating. Getting enough protein at breakfast will prevent you from feeling hungry throughout the day. If you’re always feeling like you need a snack, it may be because you’re not eating enough protein.   4. You’re always tired             This is another symptom that could be explained by a lot of things. However, fatigue is a good sign that [...]

Magic mushrooms (psilocybin mushrooms) have flourished on the Earth for centuries. They are also known by names like shrooms, liberty caps, Amani, and agaric. These shrooms are grown in the wild or cultivated for their hallucinogenic and medicinal uses. People have used these fascinating elements for their powerful psychedelic effects. They offer various mental and physical benefits, as well. People consume magic mushrooms by mixing it into food and drinks. Some people also consume freshly picked magic mushrooms. The most popular way of consuming magic mushrooms is in the form of tea. The shrooms are dehydrated and are available as the raw materials for tea. You can create different flavors of magic mushroom tea by adding your choice of spice. Let's have a look at the various ways magic mushrooms help to maintain good health.   1. Soothes Anxiety Today's busy lifestyle and especially the global pandemic, creates a lot of anxiety in people. Everyone goes through some fear in their day to day life, but chronic stress can be severe and cause panic attacks. It can lead to an increase in heart attack and chest tightness. Magic mushrooms can help in getting relief from anxiety. As per a Sciencedaily article, magic mushrooms have psilocybin that helps in alleviating stress and anxiety, especially in cancer patients. Consuming magic mushrooms canada shows a significant improvement in the mental state. Cancer patients feel hopeless, and taking magic mushrooms helps them gain confidence. Shrooms alleviate suicidal and depressing thoughts in people, and they do not feel lost anymore.   2. Improve Gut Health Lack of proper sleep, unhealthy eating habits, and high-stress levels can cause stomach issues like bloating, and abdominal pain. Frequent occurrences of these symptoms can harm health and affect your brain, lungs, skin, and hormones. Magic mushrooms can support in maintaining a healthy gut. Chaga mushrooms, a type of magic mushroom is famous for its gut-healing properties. It has high amounts of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory qualities that help protect the digestive system from infectious diseases. It promotes bile secretion that aids in a smooth digestibility.   3. Reduces Pain from Social Rejection The fear and pain of social rejection are natural, and with time we all get over it. But some people find it challenging to deal with rejection. Consuming magic mushrooms can aid in diminishing the pain of rejection. According to a study, scientists gave a small dose of psilocybin to 21 people and allowed them to play an online game to enable them to face social rejection. It was amazing to see that everyone felt less social pain after taking psilocybin than after taking over-the-counter medications. People showed less brain activity in pain sensor regions after taking psilocybin.   4. Promotes Immunity Building a robust immunity is the utmost priority, especially during these COVID times. A strong immunity helps in shielding our body from diseases and infections. Most people with a weak immune system fall ill frequently and depend on antibiotics and [...]

When I’m on the go in the morning, I don’t always have time for a full breakfast, even though I know that breakfast gives me the energy to get through the busy day. When I find myself having trouble focusing at the end of a long day at work or with the kids, I can often point to a bad breakfast to figure out why. If we had time, we could all create our perfect breakfast every day (mine would be homemade pancakes with fresh berries). But even when time is short, we still need options for a healthy breakfast that gives us the energy and nutrients we need. Here are the 5 best things to eat when you’re in a hurry in the morning (in my opinion). These are foods that you can grab quickly but which still taste great and give you that important energy boost as you’re heading out the door.   1. Poached Egg on Toast             A poached egg takes less than 4 minutes to cook and you don’t even have to watch it. Of all the egg breakfasts I’ve tried to piece together in a busy morning, this is by far the most rewarding. All you have to do is get water boiling, swirl it, and drop in your egg. It can cook while your toast is in the toaster. Since eggs are packed with protein and vitamins, they make perfect breakfast food. The only problem is time and a poached egg on toast is the best compromise I’ve found. Try it with freshly sliced avocado for an even more delicious makeshift breakfast.   2. Oatmeal             Oatmeal is a fantastic breakfast in general: the fiber relaxes and regulates your digestion while the antioxidants help control inflammation. Adding nuts, berries, and cinnamon can make it taste great and provide additional health benefits too. My go-to oatmeal has blueberries and a little brown sugar in it. We don’t always have time to make fresh oatmeal, so the instant kind is always an option too. While it’s not as healthy, it’s still filling. If you add your fresh toppings, it’ll do well in a pinch.   3. Smoothie             Smoothies have several advantages when it comes to making healthy breakfasts for busy people. The first is that you can easily take it on the go for mornings that are really rushed, but the second is more personal. Smoothies give you the ability to make the breakfast you need, which can be helpful for those that know what foods work best to get them through the day. Some nutrient-packed options include using frozen organic fruit, oatmeal, almond milk, and protein powder to make an energy-boosting and filling smoothie that will hold you until lunch. Cashew butter is a great ingredient to get morning protein when eggs aren’t an option.   4. Yogurt and Granola       [...]

Even if you have a busy schedule, you still need to think about you and your family’s diet. You probably associate quick meals with fats and oils. We have the processed food industry to thank for that. As a result, “oil” has become a hot-button term for “unhealthy.” We might think that eliminating anything with oil in it will result in losing weight and increasing our overall health. However, some oils contain healthy fats and a host of vitamins that we don’t want to lose. Coconut oil is rapidly breaking the stigma by becoming integral to health food, despite being high in fat and calories like any oil. “Alternative oils,” as they’re being called, can encourage a host of health effects. Consider these 5 surprising health benefits of eating coconut oil so you can see why health food diets everywhere are reopening the book on oils.   1. Thyroid Health             Coconut oil can be used as a replacement for corn and soybean oil, both of which have been linked to thyroid issues. Switching to coconut saves you from its alternatives’ adverse effects, but it also benefits your thyroid on its own merits. Inflammatory diseases of the thyroid, including hyper- and hypothyroidism can be reduced with a diet that includes raw coconut oil. Its antibacterial properties can also reduce stresses that lead to thyroid issues.   2. Weight Loss             Even though the best direct benefits come from eating coconut oil raw, using it as a substitute for fattier cooking oils can have all the indirect benefits of no longer eating those as well. This will save you from unhealthy fats. Your waistline will thank you. Coconut oil doesn’t stop there – it also contains MCTs or Medium-Chain Triglycerides, which are known to help people burn fat and lose weight more efficiently.   3. Immune Health             Microorganisms can give you and your family’s bodies a hard time during a busy week, especially with cold and flu season coming up. Building up your defenses makes you stand a much better chance of having a smooth work and school week while navigating a minefield of germs. Coconut oil has a complex mix of compounds that help you do that. It contains lauric acid, antimicrobial lipids, capric acid, and caprylic acid. You don’t need to know what those are, just what they do: they’re a cocktail of anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial compounds that keep you and your family’s immune defenses high.   4. Avoiding Dietary Toxins             If you’re like me, you take every care in the world to shield you and your family from consuming toxins. Some are more prevalent than you realize, however – they come out in common cooking oils when exposed to heat. Oxidized cholesterol and cyclic aldehydes are byproducts of cooking with common vegetable oil and they’re not good for our bodies. [...]

Tomatoes may be best known for being confused as a vegetable, but they’re among the healthiest produce you can buy! Among fruit, they’re some of the most versatile and most eaten ingredients in the world. Since you probably consume them weekly in a soup or salad anyway, it would help to know what they’re doing for you. After reading these 3 ways tomatoes can actually extend your life, you’ll be adding tomatoes to your regular diet on purpose. The only downside is that the best way to eat them also takes more time out of your already busy schedule. How to Eat Tomatoes             Before I get into the nutrition content, it helps to know how to eat tomatoes to get the maximum benefits from them. Preparation can have a huge impact on the nutrient content of your produce. It has a particularly significant impact on tomatoes because of compounds called lectins. Even though lectins aren’t exactly nutritious, don’t worry! They’re far from being “bad” for you. They’re just not the best part about eating tomatoes. So, what should you do? By cooking tomatoes in soups or sauces, you can reduce their lectin content and free up vital nutrients and phytochemicals for your body to use them. In addition, cooking them with olive oil or other sources of healthy fats can help your body absorb the beneficial nutrients already in the tomatoes. Usually, cooking produce takes its nutrients away. Tomatoes are one example where you actually want to limit how much of it you eat raw, such as in a salad. However, no matter how you slice them, tomatoes come with a host of health benefits.   1. A Source of Lycopene               Now for the life-extending benefits you get from tomatoes. Lycopene is a phytochemical in tomatoes that comes with a host of health benefits that will help you live longer. A healthy source of lycopene has been shown to help you maintain bone health, reduce your risk of stroke, treat lung cancer, and improve your gut health. Your probiotics will be more effective in the presence of lycopene as well, which improves your immune system. Lycopene is even a powerful antioxidant, which improves your inflammation response and lowers your risk for chronic ailments across the board.   2. Tomatoes Improve your Breathing             Improved lung function is not a common side effect of eating produce. But tomatoes share with apples an ability to help smokers maintain or recover their healthy lung function. Even people who have never smoked can reduce the natural effects of aging in their lungs with a healthy dose of tomatoes. If you need to breathe easier, tomatoes could be a great supplement.   3. Cardiovascular Health             The last life-extending benefit of eating tomatoes involves inflammation, which we now know is the source of most chronic diseases. By [...]