Nutrition Corner

There Are No Good Foods or Bad Foods. Only Tacos: Broadly labeling a certain cuisine as “unhealthy” is not only wrong—it's also harmful.

Does the Mediterranean diet meet nutritional requirements during pregnancy?

Recipe for The Day

No-Churn Watermelon Ice Cream: Even if you typically buy smaller watermelons, it's nice to find different ways to enjoy what you don't eat sliced up. Enter this no-churn four-ingredient watermelon ice cream.

Lifestyle & Fitness Focus

The Six Unlikely Health Benefits of Coffee

• It gives you energy: Although it’s no surprise to the millions of people worldwide, coffee can boost your energy levels. Studies have shown that caffeine can also enhance exercise performance, especially in endurance activities. This is because of caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant that’s found in more than 60 types of plants, including coffee.

• It might protect against heart disease: Coffee is more than just an energy-giving savior. According to the American College of Cardiology, research suggests drinking two to three cups of coffee a day may lower your risk of heart disease and stroke by up to 15-percent.

• It increases longevity: Coffee could help you live longer. A study published in the European Society of Cardiology found that drinking a few cups a day could extend your life, regardless of whether or not the coffee is caffeinated, decaf, instant, or ground. It also bolsters previous research about coffee and heart health.

• It’s linked to a lower risk of type-2 diabetes: Even decaf coffee comes with benefits. A study published in the journal Nutrition Reviews suggests that a cup or two of caffeine-free coffee a day can protect against type-2 diabetes.

• It may lower the risk of depression: A meta-analysis of seven studies published between 1980 and 2015 suggests that the risk of depression goes down by eight-percent per every cup of coffee consumed.

• Lower risk of liver disease: Decaf, instant, or ground … No matter what type of coffee you drink, it might be good for your liver. A 2021 study published in the journal BMC Medical Health suggests that coffee protects against chronic liver disease, known as steatosis.

5 Full-Body Walking Benefits, According to Doctors and Trainers

• Improve your mood: A glass of wine or a square (or three) of dark chocolate can blunt the edge of a rough day—but going for a walk is a zero-calorie strategy that offers the same perk. In fact, research shows that just 10 minutes of walking can lift your spirits.

• Burn calories and maintain a healthy weight: As you continue to walk, you may notice your pants begin to fit more loosely around your midsection, even if the number on the scale isn’t moving much. That’s because regular walking can help reduce fat and, as a result, improve your body’s response to insulin, according to research.

• Improve heart health: One of the major ways that walking can improve your heart health is by lowering your blood pressure. Some research shows that for every 1,000 daily steps you take, you could lower your systolic blood pressure by .45 points.

• Reduce your risk of chronic diseases: A 2022 study published in Nature Medicine has shown that walking can reduce your risk for a variety of chronic diseases. One study showed that walking 8,200 steps effectively reduced the risk of chronic conditions, including: obesity, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), major depressive disorder (MDD), diabetes, and hypertension.

• Reduce your stress: If you’re feeling frazzled or overwhelmed, walking can help lower your stress. Walking reduces the stress hormone cortisol, which helps you feel less stressed and more relaxed.

How to Speed Up Your Metabolism: 4 Easy Ways

• Eat plenty of protein at every meal: Eating food can temporarily increase your metabolism for a few hours. This is called the thermic effect of food (TEF). It’s caused by the extra calories required to digest, absorb, and process the nutrients in your meal.

• Do a high-intensity workout: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) involves quick and very intense bursts of activity. If this type of exercise is safe for you, it can help indirectly speed up your metabolism. Your muscle cells will burn energy at rest, which helps you burn fat and build muscle.

• Lift heavy things: Muscle is more metabolically active than fat. Building muscle can help increase your metabolism to help you burn more calories each day, even at rest. Lifting weights can also help you retain muscle and counter the drop in metabolism that can occur during weight loss.

• Stand up more: Sitting too much can have negative effects on your health, partly because long periods of sitting burn fewer calories and can lead to weight gain.

6 Arm Stretches to Ease Sore Muscles in 2023

• Pat on the back: Hold for 20 seconds and repeat two to three times.

• Bent over chest stretch: Hold for 20 seconds and repeat two to three times.

• Wrist flip Reps: Hold for 20 seconds and repeat two to three times.

• Turn away and open: Hold for 20 seconds and repeat two to three times.

• L Stretch Reps: Hold for 20 seconds and repeat two to three times.

• Table top: Hold for 20 seconds and repeat two to three times.

Get In The Inbox of 100K+ American Health Readers

Advertise with American Health to get your brand in front of thousands of Americans who are always looking for their next interesting product.

Why American Health? American Health is your go-to source for all things related to health and wellness. Our newsletter is dedicated to keeping you informed about the latest developments in healthcare, fitness, nutrition, and overall well-being. Whether you're looking for tips on leading a healthier lifestyle, staying up-to-date with healthcare policy changes, or exploring the latest trends in wellness, we've got you covered.

Help Share American Health

Wouldn’t the world be a better place if more people read fact-focused, health news? Take a minute to share this digest with your friends–they’ll thank you for it!

Send us your feedback at [email protected]. We’re ready to listen.