Category Archives: nutrition

Most Americans get less than half the recommended minimum daily fiber intake, which is problematic as the benefits of fiber go way beyond bowel regularity. “Hippocrates, the father of western medicine, believed that all disease begins in the gut.” Of course, he also thought women were hysterical because of their “wandering uterus.” So much forContinue reading “Fiber: An Effective Anti-Inflammatory?”

Avocados, greens, and lutein and zeaxanthin supplements are put to the test for improving cognitive function. Dark green leafy vegetables are packed with a brain antioxidant called lutein, so increasing our greens intake “could be an important public health strategy for reducing the risk of visual or cognitive impairment.” Lutein is the dominant dietary pigmentContinue reading “Can Lutein Supplements Benefit Our Brain Function?”

What is the best source of lutein, the primary carotenoid antioxidant in the brain? “An extensive [scientific] literature describes the positive impact of dietary phytochemicals [plant compounds] on overall health and longevity…However, it is now becoming clear that the consumption of diets rich in phytochemicals can influence neuro-inflammation”—that is, brain inflammation—“and mediate the activation ofContinue reading “Fight Aging with Brain-Healthy Foods”

How do contamination rates for antibiotic-resistant E. coli and ExPEC bacteria that cause urinary tract infections compare in kosher chicken versus organic chicken? Millions of Americans come down with bladder infections or urinary tract infections every year, including more than a million children. Most cases stay in the bladder, but when the bacteria creep upContinue reading “Bacteria and Kosher and Organic Chicken”

What is low-acid coffee? Does it help those who suffer from acid reflux, heartburn, and indigestion? “Dark roast coffee is more effective than light roast coffee in reducing body weight,” but what is the effect of different roasts on heartburn and stomach upset? I discuss this in my video Does Low-Acid Coffee Cause Less AcidContinue reading “Less Acid Reflux from Low-Acid Coffee?”

When it comes to reducing body weight, dark roast coffee is more effective than light roast coffee. If you drink non-paper-filtered coffee, such as boiled, French press, or Turkish coffee, you should know that the amount of cholesterol-raising compounds in the lightest roast coffee beans may be twice as high as in very dark roastContinue reading “Is Light or Dark Roast Coffee Healthier?”

Every month, we publish around eight new videos, four Friday Favorites, eight blogs, and four podcasts on NutritionFacts.org. We are bursting at the seams with health and nutrition information! Starting now, we are taking all of that information and wrapping up the juiciest bits into a nice, bite-sized blog as an end-of-month recap in caseContinue reading “Dr. Greger’s Top Takeaways on Parkinson’s, Fibromyalgia, and Tea Tree Oil”

Meet Chef Marie Kacouchia. We had the pleasure of interviewing her about food history, health, culture, and her cookbook, Vegan Africa. Read on and enjoy her recipe for Sautéed Spinach and Mushrooms with Plantains.     In your experience, how have you found food to tell a story and shape culture? Food is both createdContinue reading “Explore African Cuisines with Chef Marie Kacouchia”

Randomized controlled trials put plant-based eating to the test for athletic performance. Historical examples of successful plant-based athletes range from the gladiators in ancient Rome to the Tarahumara Indians who run 160-mile races for the fun of it. That’s six back-to-back marathons. But, they weren’t put to the test until the last century or soContinue reading “The Muscle Power, Strength, and Endurance of Vegetarians”

Meat-eating athletes are put to the test against vegetarian athletes and even sedentary plant-eaters in feats of endurance. “In 1896, the aptly named James Parsley led the Vegetarian Cycling Club to easy victory over two regular clubs. A week later, he won the most prestigious hill-climbing race in England….Other members of the club also turnedContinue reading “The First Studies on Vegetarian vs. Meat-Eating Athletes”