Nutrition Corner

The 7 Worst TikTok Food Trends of 2023: TikTok is full of cursed content, but TikTok food trends represent the very worst of the worst.

Healthy food trends drive deal activity in fresh foods sector: Healthy-for-you food trends will drive the next wave of M&A activity, especially in fresh produce.

Recipe for The Day

Mandarin Orange Salad: When it comes to dinner-worthy salads, this one takes the cake.

Lifestyle & Fitness Focus

3 Easy Ways to Lower Blood Sugar Levels Naturally

• Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can help you reach and maintain a moderate weight and increase insulin sensitivity. Increased insulin sensitivity means your cells can more effectively use the available sugar in your bloodstream.

• Manage your carb intake: Your carb intake strongly influences your blood sugar levels. Your body breaks carbs down into sugars, mainly glucose. Then, insulin helps your body use and store it for energy. When you eat too many carbs or have insulin-function problems, this process fails, and blood glucose levels can rise.

• Eat more fiber: Fiber slows carb digestion and sugar absorption, thereby promoting a more gradual rise in blood sugar levels. There are two types of fiber — insoluble and soluble. While both are important, soluble fiber has explicitly been shown to improve blood sugar management, while insoluble fiber hasn’t been shown to have this effect.

4 Amazing Health Benefits of Blueberries

• Promote Heart Health: Heart disease is still the leading cause of death worldwide, followed closely by stroke. Some studies suggest eating blueberries may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Their phytochemicals and fiber may reduce blood pressure, balance cholesterol, and improve heart health.

• Support Brain Function: Eating blueberries may protect against cognitive decline and enhance brain health. Their antioxidants may help protect brain cells from damage and improve memory and mental performance.

• Promote Healthy Digestion: The dietary fiber in blueberries aids digestion. A 2023 review study found blueberries not only suppressed oxidative stress in the digestive system but also reduced gut permeability (“leaky gut”). Blueberries both lowered gut inflammation and improved the structure of the digestive tract. They also changed the gut microbiome to a more favorable balance.

• Support Healthy and Beautiful Skin: One of the most popular blueberry benefits is their potential ability to slow the aging process. The antioxidants in blueberries can protect the skin from damage from UV rays and environmental pollutants.

Are Bell Peppers Good For You? 3 Science-Backed Benefits

• Lycopene in bell peppers may help fight cell damage: Bell peppers contain a natural pigment called lycopene, which can also be found in watermelon, tomatoes, guava, and pink grapefruit. Out of all the colors of bell peppers, the red variety is by far the richest in lycopene. Lycopene is one of a few different plant pigments that has been found to potentially help fight free radicals in the body.

• Their carotenoids may benefit eye health: Yellow and orange bell peppers contain two natural pigments called zeaxanthin and lutein, which are also classified as carotenoids. These carotenoids, which are also found in many naturally yellow and orange foods like cantaloupe, carrots, eggs, and salmon, have been found to benefit your health in numerous ways. Lutein and zeaxanthin are a part of the pigment found in the yellow spot around your eye's retina—a spot known for helping to protect against blue light.

• Red bell peppers are rich in vitamin C: Bell peppers are loaded with vitamin C. In fact, bell peppers actually have more vitamin C than oranges! Something that many people don't know about vitamin C is that aside from its health benefits like building immunity and managing high blood pressure, it has actually been proven to help cognitive function as we age.

The 4 Best Exercises for Stronger Arm Muscles

• Biceps Curl: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a weight in each hand. Starting with the weights by your thighs, palms facing forward, and elbows glued to hips, lift weights toward shoulders, keeping your shoulders stabilized. Release to start; that’s one rep. Lift and lower in a controlled manner — two seconds up, and two seconds down. Repeat.

• Hammer Curl: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms hanging down at your sides, holding a weight in each hand. Keeping your palms facing in toward your body and your elbows pressed to your body, lift the dumbbells to your shoulders. Release to start to complete one rep and repeat. Lift and lower with two-second counts each way.

• Wide Curl: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms hanging at your sides, holding a weight in each hand. Face your palms away from your body so they’re facing the corners of the room. Keeping your elbows pressed to your body, brace your core, and lift the dumbbells to your shoulders. Release to start to complete one rep and repeat.

• Bent-Over Triceps Extension: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand and arms hanging at your sides. Palms should be facing in. Hinging from your hip with your knees slightly bent, lean your torso forward until your body is at a roughly 45-degree angle with the ground. Engage your core and keep your spine straight, and be sure your head is in line with your spine, with your chin tucked in slightly. Keeping your upper arms by your torso with your elbows at your sides, extend your forearms behind you until they are parallel to the floor, then release them to start for one rep. Repeat.

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