smartfoodrx

fiber

Feed Your Microbes with Fiber    Fiber is one of the most critical yet often overlooked components of a healthy diet. Despite its simplicity, fiber plays a profound role in disease prevention, digestion, and overall wellness. The History of Fiber in Human Diets Ancient Civilizations: Early humans were hunter-gatherers who consumed plenty of fibrous plant […]

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teas

Tea: A Healthy Hot Drink              Legend has it, the ancient Chinese Emperor Shen Nong stumbled upon tea when some leaves from a camellia bush blew into his boiling water.  The aroma and refreshing taste led him to believe that tea had qualities of vitality and healing.  Millenia have passed

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artificial sweeteners

The Truth About Sweeteners      Artificial sweeteners are one of the most debated topics in nutrition and health. Once hailed as miracle ingredients that could satisfy a sweet tooth without the calories, they have become controversial, with concerns over their safety and metabolic effects. Accidental Discoveries 1879: Saccharin, the first artificial sweetener, was discovered

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chocolate

Chocolate and Health: A Sweet Balance It’s a rare person that doesn’t enjoy a bite of creamy milk chocolate or the more bitter taste of semi-sweet. Chocolate’s reputation as a stress-reliever is well founded. There is science behind the little chocolate nibble that helps to melt away your worries. As with most foods though, too

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berries

Berries: Nature’s Nutrition Nuggets Berries are superstars when it comes to nutrition and flavor. These colorful, sweet fruits hold a plethora of health benefits in a convenient little package. We’ll explore the overwhelming benefits, but also some things to keep in mind when consuming berries to benefit your overall wellness. How do Berries Grow? The

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oils

Oils: Beyond Fried Chicken       Oils can be a surprising source of health benefits. Using the right oils, in the right amount and with the right cooking methods can make all the difference.  Oils can be categorized in several different ways. When drilling down the health benefits, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated are the most

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coffee

Is Coffee Good for You?         Few beverages have had a worldwide impact quite like coffee. Millions of people enjoy its energizing qualities and use it to kick start their day.  Coffee has evolved from a magical Ethiopian berry to a global phenomenon. Today, coffee is becoming even more famous as we discover

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honey

Can Honey Be Good for You?        Throughout history, honey has been a staple food and a spiritual symbol. Along with its natural sweetness, it also has medicinal properties. Humanity itself seems to have evolved after honey’s appearance on the scene.  Historical evidence suggests that humans were collecting honey 10,000 years ago and there

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sugar

The Sticky Science of Sugar        Some people may call sugar a gift of nature. Others may believe it to be a sinister destroyer of health.  Raw sugarcane was originally chewed to extract its sweetness. Over 2,500 years ago in India, people learned how to crystallize sugar from the juice of the sugarcane

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