Videos
Mosquitoes: Why You? The Science of Why You're a Magnet for Bites
Have you ever sat outside with a group of friends, only to wake up the next morning...
- Details
- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
Imagine sitting down to a meal that feels both deeply satisfying and quietly good for you — no guilt, no deprivation, just real food that happens to love you back. The Nordic diet is exactly that kind of eating philosophy, rooted in the cold, clean landscapes of Scandinavia and backed by decades of nutritional research. If you have ever wondered whether there is a way to eat that actually works with your body instead of against it, this might be the answer worth exploring.
- Details
- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
Open the cupboard and work out what you could eat tonight if you could not get to the store. Then try tomorrow. Breakfast counts too. You may have plenty of food on the shelves and still find yourself short of actual meals.
- Details
- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
You flip over a package of crackers, squint at the ingredient list, and feel that familiar sinking feeling — the one where you recognize maybe three things out of twenty. You tell yourself it's probably fine, toss it in the cart, and move on. But somewhere in the back of your mind, a quiet question lingers: what exactly are you eating, and why does it matter?
- Details
- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
Fiber doesn't have to come from a pill, powder, or boring bowl of bran. Some of the most delicious foods we already enjoy are naturally rich in fiber. From berries and avocados to lentils, nuts, whole grains, and even popcorn, increasing your fiber intake can be about adding pleasure rather than taking foods away. Here's how to make a high-fiber diet something you actually look forward to eating.
- Details
- Written by: James Brown, Aston University and Rachel Adams, Cardiff Metropolitan University
Recent discussions suggest that frying with vegetable oils may produce harmful aldehydes, potentially linking them to diseases like diabetes and heart disease. However, olive oil, a staple of the Mediterranean diet, shows promise as a safer option. Research indicates it generates fewer aldehydes when heated compared to other oils, making it a preferable choice for frying.
- Details
- Written by: James Brown, Aston University and Rachel Adams, Cardiff Metropolitan University
Recent discussions suggest that frying with vegetable oils may produce harmful aldehydes, potentially linking them to diseases like diabetes and heart disease. However, olive oil, a staple of the Mediterranean diet, shows promise as a safer option. Research indicates it generates fewer aldehydes when heated compared to other oils, making it a preferable choice for frying.
- Details
- Written by: Greg Richter, University of Pennsylvania
Recent research highlights the potential health risks of eating late at night, revealing that it can lead to increased weight, insulin, and cholesterol levels. The study, presented at SLEEP 2017, provides experimental evidence on how delayed eating negatively affects metabolic and hormonal markers associated with heart disease and diabetes.
- Details
- Written by: Trevor George
Brussels sprouts, often misunderstood and maligned, are a nutritious and versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed year-round. With a history dating back to Roman times and a wealth of health benefits, these sprouts deserve a place on the dinner table beyond the holiday season. Innovative cooking methods can transform their flavor and texture.
- Details
- Written by: Ben Desbrow, Griffith University
Despite long-standing beliefs, caffeine is not a significant diuretic and does not necessarily lead to dehydration. Recent studies reveal that regular caffeine intake builds tolerance to its diuretic effects, making caffeinated beverages comparable to water in terms of hydration. Understanding this can help improve fluid intake and health.
- Details
- Written by: Alex Jordan, InnerSelf.com
Here is an inconvenient fact that most grocery shoppers never consider: the tomato sitting in your supermarket cart may have traveled 1,500 miles before it reached you, spending days in refrigerated transit while its nutritional content quietly degraded. The distance your food travels is not just an environmental concern — it is a direct variable in how much nourishment you actually receive. Understanding why local food is healthier means understanding the mechanics of what happens to nutrients between harvest and plate.
- Details
- Written by: Robert Jennings, InnerSelf.com
Pull up a photograph of Disneyland on opening day in 1955 and set it beside one taken last summer. The difference in the crowd's body sizes is not subtle, and it has nothing to do with willpower, laziness, or personal failure. Something happened between then and now, and it wasn't human nature that changed.
- Details
- Written by: David Clayton
With the diet industry booming, intermittent fasting has gained popularity as a weight loss solution. However, recent studies reveal that it may not be more effective than traditional calorie restriction for weight loss and health improvement. Understanding these findings can help individuals choose the best approach for their dietary needs.
- Details
- Written by: Daniel Liang-Dar Hwang
Recent research reveals that genetics play a significant role in determining whether individuals prefer coffee or tea. Specific bitter taste receptor genes influence how people perceive the bitterness of caffeine and other compounds, affecting their consumption habits. This discovery highlights the complex interplay between genetics and dietary choices.
- Details
- Written by: Ali Mobasheri, University of Surrey and Margaret Rayman, University of Surrey
Osteoarthritis affects over 20% of the population, with limited treatment options available. However, recent evidence shows that a combination of weight loss, moderate exercise, and a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and low in saturated fats can significantly alleviate symptoms and improve joint function in affected individuals.
- Details
- Written by: Valerie Segrest (Muckleshoot)
Indigenous wildflowers offer a wealth of healing properties and wisdom, cultivated over centuries. These plants not only enhance our gardens but also provide medicinal benefits that have been cherished by Indigenous cultures. Discover seven remarkable wildflowers that can enrich health and foster a deeper connection with nature.
- Details
- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
You pour yourself a glass of wine after a long week and tell yourself you deserve it. Most of us have been there, and most of us have never stopped to question whether that ritual is as harmless as it feels. The truth about alcohol and safety might surprise you, and it is worth knowing before you refill that glass.
- Details
- Written by: Clare Collins
A review highlights the health benefits of coffee consumption, linking it to a lower risk of various diseases and overall mortality. However, concerns regarding pregnancy and fracture risks in older women persist. Phytonutrients, found in coffee and other foods, play a crucial role in these health effects, warranting further research into their potential benefits.
- Details
- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
You are lying in bed at midnight, staring at the ceiling, watching the minutes tick by like a slow-motion disaster. Someone mentioned melatonin once at a dinner party, or maybe you saw it near the checkout at the pharmacy, and now you are wondering if that little bottle holds the answer. Before you twist off the cap and hope for the best, there is some genuinely useful stuff to understand about what melatonin actually is and how to use it without making your sleep situation worse.
- Details
- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
You switched to a plant-based diet because you wanted to feel better, live more sustainably, and do right by the planet. But somewhere along the way, a quiet deficiency may have crept in, one that affects your nerves, your energy, and even your ability to think clearly. Vitamin B12 is the nutrient almost nobody talks about until something goes wrong, and scientists are now growing the solution in a garden.
- Details
- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
You are standing in the grocery store aisle, staring at what feels like a wall of yellow confusion. Butter, margarine, spreads, blends — and every package claims to be the smart choice. Before you grab whatever your mother used, let's actually figure out what you are putting on your toast every morning.
- Details
- Written by: Beth McDaniel, InnerSelf.com
There is something quietly powerful that happens when you stand at a stove, stirring something real. Home cooking has long been tied to comfort and tradition, but science is now catching up to what grandmothers have known for generations: preparing your own food changes not just what you eat, but how you feel, how you connect, and who you become. If you have been meaning to cook more at home but keep finding reasons to order out, this article is your gentle nudge back to the kitchen.
