From positive effects on cholesterol levels to reducing the risk of heart disease and even some cancers, nuts are good for you. Ounce for ounce, they are nutrient powerhouses with beneficial fats and plant protein. Many studies recommend eating 1-1/2 ounces of nuts a day, but which are best? High levels of nutrients put these…  read on >

Eight of every 10 American households buys sodas and other sugary drinks each week, adding up to 2,000 calories per household per week, new research shows. To put that in perspective, 2,000 calories is equal to the recommended average caloric intake for an adult for an entire day. With the obesity epidemic continuing for Americans…  read on >

The kind of foods you eat, and even the order in which you eat them can affect your odds of developing type 2 diabetes, three new studies suggest. The studies — being presented to the American Society for Nutrition — found: Switching to a mostly plant-based diet (but one that could still include meat and…  read on >

Juicing nutrient-rich green vegetables like kale, broccoli and spinach gives you a brew of many vitamins and minerals, all in just one cup. But green juices can have an overpowering flavor, so many people want to cut their “bite” with the natural sweetness of fruit and/or a bit of sweetener, such as plant-based stevia or…  read on >

Large meals, carbonated beverages and excitement are some of the many triggers for hiccups, says Mayo Clinic. In most cases, a bout of hiccups will last only a few minutes. To get rid of hiccups, Mayo Clinic suggests: Gargle with ice water. Hold your breath. Sip cold water. For chronic hiccups, lifestyle changes such as…  read on >

Americans are making shifts in the supplements they take — fewer multivitamins and vitamins C and E, more fish oil and vitamin D. Many think of supplements as magic bullets, but studies don’t always support their supposed benefits. Some research is positive. Vitamin D is important for good health and very hard to get naturally…  read on >

People who use common heartburn drugs for months to years may face heightened risks of dying from heart disease, kidney failure or stomach cancer, a new study suggests. The study included more than 200,000 U.S. veterans. It’s the latest to raise concerns over drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). They include prescription and over-the-counter drugs…  read on >

Extremely tiny bits of plastic: They’re in your food and drink, and even in the air around you. Now, new research calculates that the average American consumes more than 70,000 particles of these “microplastics” every year — and even that’s likely an underestimation, the scientists noted. Your microplastic intake might be even higher if you…  read on >

While taking vitamins may be fine for teens and young adults, supplements for weight loss, muscle-building and added energy may trigger severe medical problems, new research suggests. Regulations to keep these potentially harmful products out of the hands of young people are urgently needed, the study authors said. “The [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] has…  read on >

Dentists tend to be overeager when it comes to prescribing antibiotics, new research suggests. The study authors found that antibiotics prescribed to prevent infection during dental procedures weren’t necessary 81% of the time. That’s important because 10% of all antibiotic prescriptions come from dentists, the researchers said. “Preventive antibiotics in these patients gave them risks…  read on >