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5 Natural Fixes for Hyperpigmentation

For those who may not be familiar with hyperpigmentation, it is a condition that causes patches of skin to appear darker than other areas of your skin. There are 3 main types of hyperpigmentation, including age spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. These all have different causes.

Also, treatment options can vary when it comes to resolving hyperpigmentation-related skin problems. Some of the more common treatments include creams and cosmetic procedures.

While hyperpigmentation-related skin problems are not life-threatening, they can be a source of insecurity for some people. It causes an unnatural skin appearance, which can become more pronounced with sun exposure.

In this article, we will take a look at the three different types of hyperpigmentation-related skin problems and five proven hyperpigmentation remedies.

TYPES OF HYPERPIGMENTATION-RELATED SKIN PROBLEMS

Because hyperpigmentation-related skin problems can be a byproduct of different things, let’s take a moment to detail the 3 most common forms of this skin condition:

Age spots:

Commonly referred to as liver spots or solar lentigines, age spots are a fairly common form of hyperpigmentation. They are characterized by dark spots that appear on parts of the skin regularly exposed to the sun such as the face, hands, shoulders, and arms, for example.

This condition is quite common amongst older adults, particularly those who spend a lot of time in the sun. Those who have a fair complexion will likely be more prone to this condition.

Melasma:

This hyperpigmentation-related skin problem is characterized by the formation of brown to gray-brown patches of skin. It primarily affects the face – namely the forehead, cheeks, and bridge of the nose. However, melasma can also occur on the forearms and other areas of the skin regularly exposed to sunlight.

It is also important to note that melasma is quite common amongst those with naturally darker skin, women who are pregnant, and women on birth control.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation:

This hyperpigmentation-related skin problem is generally the byproduct of an injury or inflammation, which causes an increase in skin pigment production. This condition is especially common amongst those with acne, eczema, and psoriasis. However, it can also be a byproduct of burns and skin injuries as well. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation generally develops on the face or neck.

The reason for hyperpigmentation:

Regardless of the specific hyperpigmentation-related skin problem, the end result is the same in one sense; the skin produces more melanin than usual. Melanin is the pigment responsible for skin color.

This increased melanin production causes some patches of skin to grow noticeably darker when compared to other areas of the skin. Also worth noting, sun exposure can make hyperpigmentation-related skin problems worse. Why? It triggers an increase in melanin that makes age spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation even more pronounced.

MEDICATION ALLERGIES

Along with sun exposure, age, and underlying health conditions, hyperpigmentation-related skin problems can also be brought on by certain medications. Antimalarial drugs and tricyclic antidepressants, for example, may cause this condition.

In some cases, these medications can cause dark patches of skin to take on a grayish appearance. If you notice a change in your pigmentation as a result of taking these types of medications, speak with your physician. The same applies to over-the-counter topical treatments as they can cause similar skin reactions as well.

HEALTH PROBLEMS AND DISCOLORED SKIN

In addition to prescription and over-the-counter medications, certain illnesses like Addison’s disease and hemochromatosis can result in hyperpigmentation-related skin problems.

That said, let’s take a closer look at how these two diseases contribute to skin discoloration:

Addison’s disease – Because of the effect that Addison’s disease has on the adrenal glands, it can cause hyperpigmentation-related skin problems on various parts of the body, including:

  • Knuckles
  • Elbows
  • Knees
  • Toes
  • Lips and inside of the cheek
  • Certain folds of skin

It is important to note that skin discoloration is in addition to other physical symptoms commonly associated with Addison’s disease, which include weak muscles, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, vertigo, and weight loss.

While skin discoloration may not seem like a big deal in the grand scheme of things, it is still one of the many symptoms of the disease and certainly one worth noting.

Hemochromatosis – This genetically inherited disease is characterized by having excessive amounts of iron in the body. This not only causes all skin surfaces to appear tanned but also contributes to hyperpigmentation-related skin problems as well. It affects many of the same skin surfaces commonly associated with Addison’s disease.

Some of the more common symptoms of hemochromatosis include joint pain, stomach pain, chronic fatigue, and weight loss.

HOW ARE HYPERPIGMENTATION-RELATED SKIN PROBLEMS DIAGNOSED?

While signs of hyperpigmentation-related skin problems are obvious, it is still a good idea to be seen by a physician who can confirm the skin disorder. Additionally, your physician will be able to determine the etiology and also the specific type of hyperpigmentation-related skin problem that you are experiencing.

Most general physicians and dermatologists can identify the type of hyperpigmentation-related skin problem you have by just looking at your skin. However, in some cases, they may need to use a special light to make a more accurate diagnosis.

Also, your physician may perform additional tests to determine if an underlying health problem is contributing to the skin problem.

CAN HYPERPIGMENTATION-RELATED SKIN PROBLEMS BE PREVENTED?

While hyperpigmentation-skin problems do not pose a risk to one’s health, they are considered unsightly by most people. That said, there are things that you can do to prevent developing the skin condition in the first place:

Avoiding excessive sun exposure – Although sunlight is an excellent source of vitamin D, too much sunlight exposure can cause hyperpigmentation-skin problems or make the condition worse if it already exists. Of course, if you choose to bask in the sunshine, you should use sunscreen to protect your skin. Preferably, choose a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher.

Hyperpigmentation - sun exposure

Do not pick at your skin – To avoid hyperpigmentation-skin problems or to keep the skin condition from getting worse, avoid picking at acne and other scars on your skin.

5 COMMON HYPERPIGMENTATION REMEDIES

If you have developed hyperpigmentation-skin problems, there are cosmetic procedures and at-home treatments that can help minimize the appearance of dark patches of skin or even eliminate them entirely.

Some of the more common treatments include:

1. Aloe Vera

This species of succulent plants contain aloesin, a compound proven to lighten the dark patches of skin synonymous with hyperpigmentation-skin problems. According to a 2018 study published by the National Institute of Health, the aloesin compound in the Aloe Vera plant impedes the production of melanin in the skin. This can make pigmentation problems worse.

2. Green tea

Because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, green tea extract can go a long way toward preventing and also treating hyperpigmentation-skin problems.

3. Licorice

Similar to Aloe Vera, licorice extracts contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent and treat hyperpigmentation-skin problems. Additionally, licorice extracts also contain glabridin. This compound can block pigment production and also help lighten dark patches of skin if discoloration has already occurred.

4. Non-prescription retinoid skin creams

Most retinoid-based creams are effective in reducing the appearance of dark patches of skin caused by hyperpigmentation-skin problems. Beyond that, the vitamin A in these products can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as other skin imperfections.

Along with retinoid, topical treatments that contain azelaic acid, kojic acid, corticosteroids, and vitamin C prove effective in treating hyperpigmentation-skin problems.

5. Seeking medical treatment

Although the at-home treatments detailed in this article are effective, they may not work for everyone. As such, some people may need to schedule an appointment with a physician or dermatologist to explore other treatment options. Some of the cosmetic procedures used to treat hyperpigmentation-skin problems include intense pulsed light therapy, laser therapy, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels.

CLOSING THOUGHTS ON HYPERPIGMENTATION OF THE SKIN

Generally speaking, the severity of your skin discoloration will determine what treatment will work best for you. In some cases, physicians may recommend combining these treatments with some of the at-home hyperpigmentation remedies detailed in this article for best results.

In summation, there are a variety of treatments available for those with hyperpigmentation-skin problems. Fortunately, the condition does not jeopardize your health in any way. However, if your skin discoloration is a byproduct of an underlying health problem, you should see a physician as soon as possible.

41 Loneliness Quotes to Remember Next Time You Feel Alone

Loneliness quotes bring you comfort. Feeling alone can come about at the most inopportune times. Whether you miss hanging out with friends or on the commute to work, loneliness can still strike!

Loneliness is an emotion that’s been with us since the dawn of mankind. Therefore, many great loneliness quotes have been penned throughout the years. Loneliness quotes can be found in a variety of media, from poetry to novels, cinema, and even theatre; great loneliness quotes are bountiful. If you’re feeling down and out, they can be a great way to put things in perspective.

We all feel lonely sometimes. To help remind you that you aren’t alone in reality, only in feeling, we’ve brought together some truly great loneliness quotes for you to sift through:

41 Loneliness Quotes:

1. F. Scott Fitzgerald

“The loneliest moment in someone’s life is when they are watching their whole world fall apart, and all they can do is stare blankly.”

2. Arthur C. Clarke

“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.”

3. Douglas Coupland

“Remember: the time you feel lonely is the time you most need to be by yourself. Life’s cruelest irony.”

4. Maya Angelou

“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.”

5. Haruki Murakami

“Why do people have to be this lonely? What’s the point of it all? Millions of people in this world, all of them yearning, looking to others to satisfy them, yet isolating themselves. Why? Was the earth put here just to nourish human loneliness?”

6. Lois Lowry

“The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It’s the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.”

7. Elizabeth Gilbert

“I’m here. I love you. I don’t care if you need to stay up crying all night long, I will stay with you. If you need the medication again, go ahead and take it—I will love you through that, as well. If you don’t need the medication, I will love you, too. There’s nothing you can ever do to lose my love. I will protect you until you die, and after your death I will still protect you. I am h3er than Depression and I am braver than Loneliness and nothing will ever exhaust me.”

8. Haruki Murakami

“Nobody likes being alone that much. I don’t go out of my way to make friends, that’s all. It just leads to disappointment. ”

9. Tahereh Mafi

“All I ever wanted was to reach out and touch another human being not just with my hands but with my heart.”

10. Honoré de Balzac

“Solitude is fine but you need someone to tell that solitude is fine.”

11. John Steinbeck

“Maybe ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of each other.”

12. Jean-Paul Sartre

“If you’re lonely when you’re alone, you’re in bad company.”

13. Edgar Allan Poe

“I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so madly indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom.”

14. John Steinbeck

“All great and precious things are lonely.”

15. Charles Bukowski

“Being alone never felt right. Sometimes it felt good, but it never felt right.”

16. George Eliot

“What loneliness is more lonely than distrust?”

17. Elizabeth Gilbert

“When I get lonely these days, I think: So BE lonely, Liz. Learn your way around loneliness. Make a map of it. Sit with it, for once in your life. Welcome to the human experience. But never again use another person’s body or emotions as a scratching post for your own unfulfilled yearnings.”

18. Edna St. Vincent Millay

“Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night. I miss you like hell.”

19. Charlotte Brontë

“The trouble is not that I am single and likely to stay single, but that I am lonely and likely to stay lonely.”

20. Janet Fitch

“Loneliness is the human condition. Cultivate it. The way it tunnels into you allows your soul room to grow. Never expect to outgrow loneliness. Never hope to find people who will understand you, someone to fill that space. An intelligent, sensitive person is the exception, the very great exception. If you expect to find people who will understand you, you will grow murderous with disappointment. The best you’ll ever do is to understand yourself, know what it is that you want, and not let the cattle stand in your way.”

21. Mother Teresa

“The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.”

22. George R.R. Martin

“When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives.”

23. Sylvia Plath

“God, but life is loneliness, despite all the opiates, despite the shrill tinsel gaiety of “parties” with no purpose, despite the false grinning faces we all wear. And when at last you find someone to whom you feel you can pour out your soul, you stop in shock at the words you utter – they are so rusty, so ugly, so meaningless and feeble from being kept in the small cramped dark inside you so long. Yes, there is joy, fulfillment and companionship – but the loneliness of the soul in its appalling self-consciousness is horrible and overpowering.”

24. Jonathan Safran Foer

“I feel too much. That’s what’s going on.’ ‘Do you think one can feel too much? Or just feel in the wrong ways?’ ‘My insides don’t match up with my outsides.’ ‘Do anyone’s insides and outsides match up?’ ‘I don’t know. I’m only me.’ ‘Maybe that’s what a person’s personality is: the difference between the inside and outside.’ ‘But it’s worse for me.’ ‘I wonder if everyone thinks it’s worse for him.’ ‘Probably. But it really is worse for me.”

25. Gabriel García Márquez

“Sex is the consolation you have when you can’t have love.”

26. Joseph Conrad

“We live as we dream–alone …”

27. Simone de Beauvoir

“I am awfully greedy [and] I want everything from life. I want to be a woman and to be a man, to have many friends and to have loneliness, to work much and write good books, to travel and enjoy myself, to be selfish and to be unselfish … You see, it is difficult to get all which I want. And then when I do not succeed I get mad with anger.”

28. Fiona Apple

“When you’re surrounded by all these people, it can be lonelier than when you’re by yourself. You can be in a huge crowd, but if you don’t feel like you can trust anyone or talk to anybody, you feel like you’re really alone.”

29. F. Scott Fitzgerald

“The loneliest moment in someone’s life is when they are watching their whole world fall apart, and all they can do is stare blankly.”

30. Lois Lowry

“The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It’s the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.”

31. Albert Schweitzer

“We are all so much together, but we are all dying of loneliness.”

32. Norman Cousins

“The eternal quest of the individual human being is to shatter his loneliness.”

33. Majorie Holmes

“We are so dumb and lonely and anxious and inept when we try to communicate.”

34. Pauline Phillips

“Loneliness is the ultimate poverty.”

35. Germaine Greer

“Loneliness is never more cruel than when it is felt in close propinquity with someone who has ceased to communicate.”

36. Gretchen Rubin

“Keep in mind that to avoid loneliness, many people need both a social circle and an intimate attachment. Having just one of two may still leave you feeling lonely.”

37. Charlotte Brontë

“The trouble is not that I am single and likely to stay single, but that I am lonely and likely to stay lonely.”

38. Alexander Theroux

“There is no loneliness like that of a failed marriage.”

39. Edna St. Vincent Millay

“Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night. I miss you like hell.”

Loneliness Quotes

40. Augusten Burroughs

“I’m lonely. And I’m lonely in some horribly deep way and for a flash of an instant, I can see just how lonely, and how deep this feeling runs. And it scares the shit out of me to be this lonely because it seems catastrophic.”

41. Janet Fitch

“Loneliness is the human condition. No one is ever going to fill that space. The best you can do is know yourself; know what you want.”

Find Comfort in these Loneliness Quotes

When loneliness strikes, it can often be overwhelming. If these loneliness quotes attest to anything, it is that although it may feel that way, we really aren’t alone. Everyone feels lonely from time to time. Sometimes, all you need to cheer you up is to read a few loneliness quotes in order to bring you some perspective.

Rose Water and 5 Proven Skin Benefits

Rose water is a time-proven beauty treatment that is6.25.19 making a comeback. Many of today’s consumers are turning to all-natural products to resolve many health concerns. One of these natural products is rose water.

For those who may not be familiar with rose water, it is a liquid derived from the petals of roses, hence the name. This flower-scented water also contains anywhere from 10 to 50 percent of rose oil. It offers a myriad of health benefits.

In addition to being used in perfumes, rose water has proven effective in resolving skin irritation, breathing problems, mental illnesses, healing wounds, and much more. While the benefits of rose water may have only now started being praised, it has a history that dates back to the 7th century. Back then, it was routinely used throughout the Middle East for medicinal purposes.

Studies show that rose water was also used by North American Indian tribes to treat a variety of health problems. In this article, we will take a look at some of the modern-day uses for rose water and why it seems to be growing in popularity.

ROSEWATER TO HELP SOOTHE SKIN IRRITATION

Because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, rose water is an excellent and all-natural way to soothe irritated skin, especially for those with eczema, a condition that makes the skin red and itchy.

It is also an effective way to treat rosacea, which causes red and puss-filled bumps to appear on facial skin.

Furthermore, rose-based water can protect the skin against elastase and collagenase that can contribute to fine lines and wrinkles. Rose water can help keep skin hydrated, making it a great anti-aging product as well.

Beyond that, it protects against harmful UV radiation as well as chemicals and environmental pollutants. All these can wreak havoc on the skin.

rose water

EYE HEALTH

In addition to improving skin health, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties in rosewater makes it a great eye drop. It has been proven effective in treating a variety of eye problems, including conjunctivitis (pink eye), acute dacryocystitis, cataracts, and conjunctival xerosis (dry eye).

Rose water-based eye drops can also help with degenerative eye conditions like pterygium or pinguecula, for example. Both these conditions can lead to a fleshy tissue growth on the conjunctiva of the eyes.

DIGESTIVE HEALTH

Rose water benefits also extend to digestive health. Yes, it is not only safe to drink but also helps increase bile production, which can help with bloating and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Beyond that, it has shown to help combat nausea and vomiting.

Lastly, the properties in rose-based water can work as an all-natural laxative for those struggling with constipation. When consumed, rosewater acts as a stool softener.

MENTAL HEALTH

Rose-based water can be used in a diffuser as aromatherapy or taken orally to help treat certain mental health disorders.

Along with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can benefit physical health, rose-based water contains antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties. It can help treat insomnia and produces a hypnotic effect on par with commonly prescribed benzodiazepines such as diazepam.

Current research shows that you can use rose-based water to help combat stress, grief, depression, and tension. Evidence also suggests it may help effectively treat dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

HEALING WOUNDS

Along with its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help alleviate pain, rose water benefits extend to wound healing. It contains antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

In fact, studies show that the ingredients in rose-based water not only help wounds heal faster but also protect against infections. Rose-based water is commonly used to treat burns, minor cuts, and scars.

SIDE EFFECTS

Although rose water benefits are plentiful, it can trigger an allergic skin reaction in some individuals, some of which include redness and a burning or stinging sensation when applied topically. However, there have been no reports of an allergic reaction in response to using rose water-based products orally or as an eye drop.

When using these products on your skin, you should apply a small amount on your arm first to see how you respond to a specific rose water-based product. Assuming you don’t have an adverse or allergic reaction, you can then apply it to other areas of the body as needed.

However, if you have an adverse reaction to a rose water-based product, stop using it and contact a physician as soon as possible.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN ROSE WATER BASED PRODUCTS AT HOME

If you have made it this far into this article, you’re probably intrigued by the many benefits rose water-based products have to offer. If so, you will be happy to know that it is possible to make rose water-based products at home.

Along with health benefits, rose water serves as a base for some great all-natural beauty products. It can be used in facial toners, hair perfumes, and cooling mists.

Additionally, many people have found them to be an excellent substitute for mainstream soaps, hair rinses, and hair detangling sprays.

Let’s focus our attention on how to make rosewater products at home:

CHOOSING THE RIGHT ROSE PETALS

While fresh and dried rose petals can both be used to make rosewater, freshly picked ones are always better. However, you will want to pick them first thing in the morning when they are the most fragrant.

Of course, if you don’t have your very own rose garden, you can purchase them from a flower shop. However, you will want to choose organically-grown roses; they will contain the least amount of pesticides and other potentially harmful chemicals.

SIMMERING OR DISTILLING

When it comes to making rosewater at home, the process requires either first simmering or distilling a batch of rose petals.

If you opt to simmer them, place the petals in a water-filled pot and allow them to simmer on low heat until the water has become rose-colored. It is important to note, however, that the relatively short shelf life of simmered rosewater. Therefore, you will want to use it as soon as possible.

The distilling process is very similar to simmering; however, it will yield a clear rose hydrosol that can last for as long as six months.

Depending on how you plan to use rosewater, the directions can vary slightly. For the remainder of this article, we will detail how to use rosewater for a few specific beauty treatments.

SKIN CARE

Whether you’re using rosewater to relieve sunburn, as a facial toner, or a cooling mist, the benefits are tremendous:

Sunburn – For best results, mix an equal amount of rosewater with apple cider vinegar and pour it into a spray bottle. Shake well and spray liberally onto the sunburned areas of your skin for maximum relief.

Rose water for sunburn

Cooling mist – A rose water-based cooling mist can be a godsend during the hot days of summer. To get the most out of this all-natural cooling mist, you will want to store it in the refrigerator to keep it cool and then use it on your face, arms, chest, and other parts of your body as needed.

Facial toner – To use rosewater as a facial toner, pour it into a glass bottle and add 2 drops of rose essential oil. Next, shake the bottle until you have mixed both ingredients thoroughly. Apply a small amount to a soft cloth or cotton ball before applying it to your face, preferably after washing your face or taking a shower.

MENTAL HEALTH

The fragrance associated with rosewater makes it a great form of aromatherapy. To help ease anxiety and depression, you can combine rosewater with rose essential oil in a diffuser. Breathe in the fragrant scent to help boost your mood.

Additionally, you can add 1 to 2 cups of rosewater to bathwater. Soak in the bath for several minutes. This not only helps relieve mental health symptoms but also relaxes tense muscles.

HAIR PERFUME

If you’re interested in improving the health of your hair while also adding a sweet, floral scent to it, rosewater may be the answer. For hair that smells great, consider mixing 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract with rose essential oil and rosewater.

Next, pour all of the ingredients into a spray bottle and spray a small amount of this sweet-smelling combination onto your hair before styling it.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON ROSE WATER FOR BEAUTY

In summary, rose water benefits nearly all aspects of your health and is generally safe to use in most applications. Best of all, it is relatively inexpensive. If you’re looking for a versatile and all-natural product, rose water should not be overlooked.

Zinc Deficiency? Eat These 10 Foods

Zinc is a mineral that plays a role in more than three hundred enzyme reactions in your body. It is also involved in many processes that are essential in your body. Hence, it is vital to good health.

Currently, zinc deficiency has become a significant issue in the world due to the low consumption of foods that are rich in the mineral. The people that are highly at risk to suffer from this deficiency include infants, pregnant and lactating women, adolescents, and children. Vegans, vegetarians, alcoholics, and endurance athletes also fall under the same category.

Thus, these groups of people have an increased zinc requirement. Since your body does not store the mineral, you are required to eat significantly with the aim of meeting your daily zinc intake requirements. The recommendations vary according to gender and other specific conditions.

For instance, men and pregnant women should consume eleven milligrams, women eight milligrams, and breastfeeding mothers require twelve milligrams of the mineral every day. This consumption will help in metabolizing nutrients, growing and repairing body tissues as well as maintaining the immune system.

Here are the ten foods that you should incorporate into your diet to combat zinc deficiency.

1. Vegetables

You probably eat a lot of fruits and vegetables every day. However, vegetables, as well as fruits, are generally a poor source of zinc. Regardless, some vegetables will provide you with very reasonable amounts of the mineral that is sufficient enough to sustain your daily needs.

If you are a vegetarian especially, these are the vegetables that you should consider having in your diet. They include regular and sweet potatoes, kale, mushrooms, broccoli, garlic, spinach, and green beans.

In every large potato is one gram of the mineral which makes up nine percent of the daily requirement for a man. The rest of the vegetables contain a lesser amount of the mineral. The green beans, mushrooms, kale, and raw vegetables contain three percent of the daily recommended intake for a man.

Therefore, by eating a diet that is rich in vegetables, you will be alleviating your deficiency. Additionally, vegetables help in combating the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

2. Dark Chocolate

This is an exciting choice of food that you can use to get rid of your Zinc deficiency. Dark chocolate is a source of the mineral.

In every one hundred gram of the chocolate bar, you will receive about thirty percent of the amount that is recommended for a man’s daily intake of the mineral. This is true for chocolates that are between seventy and eighty-five percent dark.

Thus, the darker your choice of chocolate the better it will be for you. However, remember that while dark chocolate is right for your health, it also contains a lot of calories. One hundred grams of the dark chocolate is said to provide up to six hundred calories.

Hence, this is not a food that you should use as your primary source of mineral for your deficiency. Eat it in moderation.

3. Whole Grains

Whole grains consist of rice, wheat, oats, and quinoa. All these contain some amount of the mineral. These grains provide many benefits to the body.

Apart from the mineral, they are also filled with vitamins, iron, magnesium, selenium, manganese, phosphorus, and fiber. In every cooked half a cup of steel-cut oats, you will be consuming six percent of the daily amount of the mineral needed.

The same portion of brown rice contains four percent of the mineral while a slice of whole wheat bread contains three percent of the mineral needed every day. Besides, consuming whole grains is also associated with longevity as well as other health benefits.

These health benefits include a reduction of type two diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. However, whole grains also contain phytates. Phytates bind the mineral which reduces its absorption in the body. Hence, you might not absorb as much of the mineral as you would with other foods.

4. Meat and Poultry

Meat is a perfect solution for taking care of your deficiency. Red meat especially is an excellent source of the mineral. You can also find significant amounts of the mineral in chicken, pork, and lamb.

In every one hundred gram of raw ground beef that you consume, you will intake 4.8 milligrams of the mineral. This is forty-three percent of the required daily consumption of the mineral for men. The same amount of beef will also provide you with twenty grams of protein, ten grams of fats, and one hundred and seventy-six grams of calories.

Other essential nutrients found in beef include creatine, iron and vitamin B. In every three ounces of chicken breasts you will get six percent of the daily recommended amount of the mineral.

Also, remember to select lean meats that have visible fats removed and skinless poultry. Such meats will give you the most nutrition.

However, remember that eating significant amounts of red meat can increase heart diseases and other forms of cancer. This is especially true with processed meat.

5. Legumes

Different types of legumes such as beans, lentils, hummus, edamame, and chickpeas contain sufficient amounts of zinc. In one hundred grams of cooked lentils, you will consume twelve percent of the daily intake recommended.

And, a quarter cup of hummus, you will consume seven percent of the daily intake. Additionally, each pack of lentils and chickpeas, you eat contains four percent of the daily intake. There is three percent of the recommended daily intake in both beans and edamame.

Moreover, legumes have low calories, low fat, high protein, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. However, legumes contain phytates as well. Thus the absorption of the mineral is not as effective as in animal products.

Regardless, they are a good source of the mineral for vegans and vegetarians.

6. Milk and Dairy Products

Dairy foods have many nutrients. Milk and cheese are two of the products that are effective in combating zinc deficiency. This is because they contain a large amount of the bioavailable mineral and most of them can be absorbed in the body.

For instance, in every one hundred grams of cheddar cheese, you will consume twenty-eight percent of the recommended daily mineral intake, and in every single cup of full-fat milk, you will consume nine percent of the daily recommendation.

Also, dairy products and milk will give you nutrients such as vitamin D, calcium, and protein that are good for your bone health.

7. Shellfish

This is not just a portion of food that will give you significant amounts of the mineral; it is also low in calories. Oysters especially have sufficient quantities of the mineral. Six oysters of medium sizes have thirty-two milligrams of the mineral.

This amounts to two hundred and ninety percent of the daily recommendations for a man. The other types of shellfish contain fewer amounts of the mineral, but they are still useful sources.

For instance, the Alaskan crab has slightly greater than seven milligrams of the mineral in every one hundred grams. This amounts to sixty-seven percent of the recommended daily intake.

Other types of shellfish such as mussels and shrimp contain fourteen percent of the recommended daily intake for a man in each one hundred grams. Hence, they are also good sources for the mineral.

However, if you are pregnant, you run the risk of food poisoning. Thus, ensure that you cook your shellfish entirely.

8. Eggs

Like poultry, eggs contain moderate amounts of zinc that can help you attain your daily intake target. One large egg contains five percent of the daily recommendation.

One egg also comes with six grams of protein, seventy-seven calories, and five grams of healthy fats. It also contains other minerals and vitamins such as selenium and B vitamins.

Whole eggs also contain choline. This is a nutrient that is growing in popularity today because of its health benefits.

9. Nuts

You can deal with your Zinc deficiency by eating nuts such as peanuts, almonds, pine nuts, and cashews. Nuts also contain other nutrients that are healthy for your body. These nutrients include fiber and healthy fats.

They also contain other minerals and vitamins. However, if you want the nut that will give you the most significant amounts of the mineral, you can consider having cashews. One ounce serving will provide you with fourteen percent of the recommended daily intake for a man.

Besides, nuts are very convenient, and you can have them as an easy snack. Also, you are going to benefit by reducing the risk of the factors that cause certain diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

Moreover, it is believed that nuts increase longevity for people that consume them.

10. Seeds

It is healthy to add seeds to your diet. You can also increase the amount of zinc in your body by consuming seeds. Regardless, some seeds are better than others.

zinc deficiency - chia seeds

Three tablespoons of seeds amount to thirty grams. Thirty grams of hemp seeds carry thirty-one percent and forty-three percent of the recommended daily mineral intake for men and women respectively.

Other seeds that contain sufficient amounts of the mineral include sesame, pumpkin, and squash seeds. Seeds also contain minerals, vitamins, healthy fats, and fiber.

Other health benefits that you will enjoy by consuming seeds include a reduction of your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Add these seeds to your soups, salads, yogurts or other foods.

Conclusion

Zinc is vital for maintaining proper health. Hence, eat a variety of foods that are good sources of the mineral to ensure that you have enough. After all, these are delicious foods that you will enjoy.

 

Vegan Recipes: 31 Delicious, Nutritious Dishes

Who says vegan recipes are just rabbit food? Yeah right! Nutrient, flavorful vegan recipes are so much more than just salads. (Though there are definitely some of those too, and they’re amazing.) Keep reading below for plenty of incredible vegan recipes that will get your mouth watering!

Delicious and Nutritious Vegan Recipes

1) Hummus Quesadillas

This simple dish is a no-brainer when it comes to whipping up a healthy lunch for on-the-go, or quartered into snack-sized triangles for an after-school bite. Try it with a variety of hummus flavors in order to find the one you like best.

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole wheat tortilla
  • 1/4 cup of hummus
  • 1 cup fresh baby spinach
  • 1/4 cup of other fillings of your choice, such as roasted red peppers, sun dried tomatoes, or sliced olives
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • hot sauce or salsa (optional)

Instructions:
1) Start by wilting spinach in a pan with a bit of olive oil.

2) Remove spinach, and to that same pan, add in the remaining olive oil at medium-high heat. Spread hummus over one half of the tortilla, along with spinach and any additional toppings. Fold tortilla in half, and add to skillet.

3) Cook one side for about a minute, then flip. Cook for another minute, and then continue this process until both sides are a crisp, golden brown.

4) Transfer quesadilla to a cutting board and allow to rest for a few minutes before cutting into halves or fourths. Serve with hot sauce or salsa, or even an extra garnish of vegan sour cream or avocado slices, if desired.

2. Tomato and White Bean Salad

This light and refreshing salad is the perfect summer side for making use of all those tomatoes getting ripe in your garden!

Ingredients:

  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tbsp pickled onions
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (about 2 tbsp)
  • 2 cups cooked cannellini beans
  • freshly ground salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1) Combine tomatoes, onions, and parsley in a bowl. Stir. Add beans and stir again, gently, so as not to mush the beans.

2) In a separate bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, and freshly ground salt and pepper to taste. Whisk together before pouring over salad.

3) Orange Cauliflower

This dish is so good, you’ll hardly miss the takeout you’re accustomed to! If you need to make it gluten-free, tamari is a no-hassle substitute for soy sauce.

Ingredients:

  • 1 head of cauliflower
  • 1/4 cup red onion, diced
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh squeezed orange juice
  • 4 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted

Instructions:
1) Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

2) Break the cauliflower into bite-size florets. Add to a bowl, and toss with 1 tbsp orange juice. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, or until florets just start to brown at edges.

3) While the cauliflower roasts, create the sauce by whisking together the remaining orange juice, soy sauce, maple syrup, and vinegar. In a separate bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch. Set aside.

4) Add vegetable broth to a pan over medium heat and saute onions, peppers, and garlic until softened. Once soft, add in the orange sauce to the pan and turn up the heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the cornstarch mixture. Turn the heat back down to medium, and simmer until the sauce has reduced to a sticky, thick consistency.

5) Last, add the roasted cauliflower to the pan and toss. Top with toasted sesame seeds.

4) Easy Vegan Breakfast Burrito

This tofu scramble filling is quick and satisfying for those days when you need to scramble out the door. Get it? No? Okay, onward to the recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 1 8-inch flour or wheat tortilla
  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1 small carrot, diced
  • 5 grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 ounces medium firm tofu, pressed and crumbled
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • freshly ground salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1) Place a pan over medium heat. Warm tortilla for about 30 seconds, then set aside.

2) To that same pan, add in the oil and saute the veggies until softened. Once softened, add in the tofu and garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and cook until warm through.

3) Add scramble to the center of tortilla, and roll like a burrito. Add in cilantro, salsa, or avocado if desired.

6) No-Bake Energy Bites

Skip the sugary energy drinks and pack these in your bag for that midday pickup instead.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup whole grain gluten-free rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened peanut butter
  • 8-12 medjool dates

Instructions:
1) Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until totally mixed.

2) Test the consistency of the mixture. If it feels too crumbly to roll, add a bit more peanut butter and blend again. Once the mixture has reached the proper consistency, scoop out and roll into balls. This amount should render roughly 10-12 energy bites. Store in a refrigerator until snack time.

7) Protein Boost Avocado Toast

Whoever said that vegans don’t get their protein? This fuel-packed twist on a trendy favorite offers healthy fats as well as a formidable dose of plant-based protein with the spinach and chickpeas.
Ingredients:

  • 1 avocado
  • 1/4 cup chickpeas
  • 1/2 cup fresh spinach
  • 2 slices of sourdough or your other favorite vegan bread
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp sriracha
  • freshly ground salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1) Toast bread. While bread toasts, add olive oil in a pan over medium heat and wilt spinach leaves.

2) Halve, pit, peel, and scoop avocado into a bowl. Sprinkle with freshly ground salt and pepper to taste and mash with a fork.

3) Top pieces of toast with avocado, followed by wilted spinach, a generous handful of chickpeas, a drizzle of sriracha, and more salt and pepper if desired.

8) Cold Peanut Noodle Salad

If you’ve been looking for a dish that packs a savory punch without packing that post-meal bloat, this might just be the dish for you. The peanut flavor of the dish is sure to make this entree one of the vegan recipes your kids will request again and again.

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces rice noodles (about half of a standard size pack)
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1/3 cup peanuts, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup peanut butter (crunchy or creamy, your preference)
  • 3 tbsp sriracha
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp hot water
  • 1 tsp black sesame seeds

Instructions:
1) Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water in a colander until cool. Set aside.

2) While the noodles are cooking, combine the peanut butter, sriracha, rice vinegar, garlic cloves, and hot water in a bowl. Mix until smooth and set aside.

3) Thoroughly toss noodles with peanut sauce, peppers, and green onion. Top with sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, and red pepper flakes.

9) Maple Tahini Fudge

This sweet treat is melt-in-your-mouth goodness and only requires three ingredients. What? You didn’t think there were vegan recipes were fudge? Decadence awaits!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup vegan dark chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup tahini
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

Instructions:
1) Melt chocolate chips in a greased, microwave-safe bowl, heating in the microwave at 30-second intervals and stirring in between.

2) Once the chocolate is smooth, add in the tahini and maple syrup. Mix until well incorporated.

3) Scrape the mixture into a baking dish lined with wax paper. Place another sheet of wax paper over the top of the fudge, pressing down lightly to smooth. Transfer covered fudge to the freezer to harden for at least an hour before slicing.

10) Vegan Queso

Your Super Bowl snacks just got a whole lot more health conscious. Not that you’ll notice, with one of the most deceptively delicious vegan recipes around.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup cashews
  • 1 cup chunky salsa
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • pinch of salt

Instructions:
1) Place cashews in a bowl with warm water. Leave to soak for five minutes. While cashews soak, chop up the pepper.

2) Drain and rinse the cashews. Toss all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Serve as is with veggies and tortilla chips, or heat in a saucepan.

11) Fajita Bowl

If you’re feeling extra decadent, try this dish topped off with the vegan queso recipe from above.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • One red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 cup baby Bella mushrooms, sliced
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 4 tbsp of lime juice
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp cilantro, chopped
  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 1 avocado, sliced

Instructions:
1) Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add in onions and peppers and saute until softened. Once softened, add in the mushrooms, as well as the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and 2 tbsp lime juice.

2) Saute until mushrooms are tender, then remove from heat and set aside.

3) Toss cooked rice with remaining lime juice and cilantro until well incorporated.

4) Divide rice into serving bowls and top with sliced avocado and saute mixture. Garnish with lime wedges and extra cilantro if desired.

12) Greek Chickpea Salad

Vegan recipes aren’t just all about salads and pasta. But when they are, they sure do get it right!

Ingredients:

  • 9 oz penne
  • 2 cups chickpeas
  • 1 can artichoke hearts
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup black olives
  • 1/2 red onion, diced
  • 2 cucumbers, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:
1) Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2) In a bowl, combine the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, and salt to make a vinaigrette.

3) Toss pasta with remaining ingredients and vinaigrette.

13) Vegan Crepes

These light and delicate crepes are the perfect vessels for holding all of your favorite breakfast or dessert cravings.

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups of your favorite plant-based milk
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • toppings of your choice (fruit, chocolate chips, powdered sugar, etc.)

vegan recipes

Instructions:
1) Combine all the ingredients (except for your toppings) in a blender and blend until bubbly.

2) Heat a pan over medium-high heat, and evenly drizzle a bit of olive oil until it coats the bottom of the pan. Place a small ladle of batter into the pan, and swirl until batter thinly and evenly coats the bottom of the pan. Cook until the top of the crepe is dry and the edges start to lift. Using a spatula, gently flip. Cook until golden brown on both sides.

3) Transfer to a plate and dress with desired toppings.

14) Pita Pizzas

Even the pickiest of eaters won’t be able to resist the calling of pizza. While many vegan recipes for pizza simply call for the use of vegan cheese, this recipe gets a little creative (and a little healthier too).

Ingredients:

  • 6 whole wheat pitas
  • tomato sauce of your choice
  • 1 cup black olives, halved
  • 12 pickled peperoncino, halved
  • 1/2 zucchini, shaved or thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup smoked tofu, diced
  • 4 tbsp vegan Parmesan
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • fresh basil

Instructions:
1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2) Arrange pitas on a baking sheet. Top with sauce, olives, peperoncino, zucchini, and tofu. Evenly sprinkle oregano on top. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

3) Serve with a helping of vegan Parmesan and fresh basil on top.

15) Berry Brimming With Protein Smoothie

It’s all in the title. This smoothie is chockful of berries and brimming with natural protein from almond milk and chia seeds.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
  • 1/4 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
  • One cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 scoop vegan chocolate protein powder
  • One tsp chia seeds

Instructions:
1) Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into a cup and enjoy!

A Doctor Explains: Is Coffee Good For You?

For most of us, the day doesn’t start until we’ve had that first cup of coffee. The caffeine wakes you up and prepares you to tackle each day. Plus, it’s just comforting to cradle a steaming cup of joe. But, is it good for you? The good news is that it can be when you drink the right amount of it.

Studies Prove Coffee Benefits

Study after study show that people gain more from this stimulating beverage than researchers used to think. For instance, the caffeinated beverage is filled with substances that work to guard against conditions that develop more often in women than in men such as heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Diane Vizthum, M.S., R.D., a research nutritionist who works for Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said, “Caffeine is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about coffee. But the drink also contains antioxidants and other active substances that may reduce internal inflammation and protect against disease.”

Decreasing the Risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

Some studies have found that the beverage can protect your brain as you age. When it comes to neurodegenerative diseases, people develop Alzheimer’s more than any other. In prospective studies, people who drink coffee have a 60 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. It occurs due to the death of dopamine-generating neurons in people’s brains. Drinking the caffeinated beverage can decrease your risk of Parkinson’s by 32 percent to 60 percent.

Help for Those at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a disease that is quickly becoming an epidemic. It is a lifestyle-related disease, and during the last few decades, it has increased at a rapid pace. Today, about 300 million people suffer from the condition. Characterized by high blood glucose levels because of insulin resistance or the inability to produce insulin, some people can cure the disease with diet and exercise.

According to one large observational study, those who have a daily cup of joe have a lower risk of dying from any cause. The effect of the drink is especially profound for those who have type 2 diabetes. One study found that type 2 diabetes sufferers who drink the caffeinated drink had a 30 percent lower risk of death over a 20-year period. One big review article assessed 18 different studies with more than 455,000 participants. The article determined that each additional cup of the beverage that people drink decreases their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 7 percent. The more people drink, the lower their risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

Good for the Liver

The drink is also good for your liver. This is a particularly remarkable body part, one that performs hundreds of functions. The organ is vulnerable to a number of dietary pitfalls including consuming too much fructose or alcohol. Cirrhosis is a condition in which liver tissue is mainly replaced with scar tissue. It occurs when people suffer from diseases like alcoholism and hepatitis. When people develop cirrhosis, they have the last stage of liver damage. Several studies have found that drinking coffee can decrease your risk of developing cirrhosis by as much as 80 percent. People who enjoyed four or more cups of the beverage each day experience the strongest effect. In general, the beverage can lower your risk of developing liver cancer by about 40 percent.

Lower Risk of Heart Failure

If you drink one to two cups each day, you could be warding off heart failure, stroke and coronary heart disease. Every extra cup of joe consumed each day decreases these heart conditions by 8 percent, 7 percent and 5 percent respectively according to one of the country’s biggest and longest-running studies.

A research team from the University of Colorado assessed the data from the Framingham Heart Study. This study has been tracking the eating patterns and heart health of more than 15,000 participants since the 1940s. As the team assessed the data, coffee stood out as a substance that could potentially lower the risk of heart failure.

Lowering the Chance of Dying from Colon Cancer

Statistics show that one in 23 women develop colon cancer. But, research has determined that those who drink either decaf or regular were 26 percent less likely to develop it. Harvard University published a report stating that people who had colorectal cancer, or CRC, who drank a minimum of four cups of the caffeinated beverage each day following their diagnosis had a significantly lower risk of dying early than those who didn’t drink it. Yang Hu, a Harvard Chan School doctor of science candidate and lead study author, said, “Until now, very few dietary factors have been linked with colorectal cancer prognosis. Our new study suggests that the beverage may potentially improve survival of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer.”

The American Cancer Society reports that CRC is the second leading cause of cancer death in the country. Earlier evidence has suggested that the drink works to lower the risk of mortality in general. Researches believe that it is because coffee benefits include its ability to counteract inflammation and insulin resistance since it contains anti-carcinogenic compounds.

Moving Past the Medical Benefits

Coffee benefits include the number of antioxidants and nutrients it has in it. Many of the nutrients that are in the beans make their way into your cup. When you brew that cup of joe, you’ll be ingesting plenty of vitamins and nutrients. One cup contains:

  • 3 percent of the recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for potassium and manganese
  • 6 percent of the RDA for vitamin B5
  • 2 percent of the RDA for B1 and B3
  • 11 percent of the RDA for vitamin B2

While these percentages may seem on the low side, if you drink several cups each day, they add up. Along with the nutrients, the beverage also has huge amounts of antioxidants. It is one of the biggest sources of them in the Western diet, containing even more of them than many vegetables and fruits.

Enhance Physical Performance and Burn Fat

Caffeine is often an included substance in commercial fat-burning supplements. The reason for this is that it has a stimulating effect on your central nervous system. Caffeine raises your metabolism and increases the oxidation of fatty acids. Coffee benefits also include improving your athletic performance by mobilizing fatty acids from their tissues. Two separate meta-analyses found that caffeine increased a person’s exercise performance by about 11 percent to 12 percent on average.

It Might Even Make You Smarter

The caffeine in the beverage can make you smarter. How does it do this? Caffeine is the beverage’s active ingredient. It is a stimulant, and it is the most commonly ingested psychoactive substance in the world. Caffeine affects your brain by blocking the impact of an inhibitory neurotransmitter known as adenosine. When it does this, caffeine increases your brain’s neuronal firing. It also releases other neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine.

coffee makes your smarter

Several controlled studies have looked into the effects of caffeine on people’s brains. These studies have determined that caffeine can improve your mood, memory, vigilance, reaction time and overall brain function.

How Much Can You Drink?

When it comes to a strong cup of joe, you can drink too much. If you overdo it on the beverage, then you could experience:

  • Loss of sleep or insomnia
  • Anxiety or nervousness
  • Increased heart rate
  • Elevation in blood pressure

So, how much is safe to drink? According to reports, up to 400 milligrams of caffeine, each day is a safe allowance. This is about four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of a cola soda and two energy drinks. But, check the amount of caffeine when drinking anything that contains it because the actual caffeine content in drinks varies widely.

Caffeine is safe for most adults, but it’s not so great for adolescents. Also, some medications and herbal supplements can interact with the substance. Use caution if you’re taking ephedrine. Combining it with caffeine can increase your risk of high blood pressure, stroke or seizure. Theophylline also interacts negatively with caffeine. If you take this medication, which opens up the bronchial airways, with caffeine, you may experience nausea or heart palpitations. Echinacea is another substance that doesn’t go so well with caffeine. In this case, the supplement tends to increase caffeine’s common negative effects.

Also, remember that adding stuff to your drink can change how healthy it is. For instance, if you drink yours with a bunch of cream and sugar, then it won’t be as beneficial. To keep it at its healthiest and enhance it, drink a cup with two tablespoons of milk, a milk substitute or half-and-half along with a naturally sweet spice or flavoring. Try adding a ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract, cinnamon, cardamom or cocoa powder.

Expert Advice

“The bottom line is that coffee is one part of your lifestyle,” says Diane Vizthum. “Some of the factors that make a bigger impact on your health are eating a balanced diet, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight.”

The Thing to Keep in Mind

Many of the mentioned studies were observational only, which means that they can only show an association and are unable to prove that the substance was the only cause of the beneficial results. Also, while moderate amounts of the beverage are considered good for you, drinking an excessive amount of it can be harmful. So, the thing to keep in mind with the beverage is to enjoy it in moderation.

To gain the most benefits from it, drink the beverage without sugar, and if caffeine tends to affect your sleep, be sure to stop drinking it by early afternoon. Despite the downsides, coffee appears to be one of today’s healthiest drinks.

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