Inflammation

Lycopene is a nutrient that has only recently received the attention it deserves. One of the most potent anti-inflammatory antioxidants, lycopene appears to protect against a staggering array of chronic conditions, including cancer, heart disease, male infertility, and cognitive decline. But there are precious few dietary sources of this wonderful nutrient, and there are questions about its bioavailability. How much lycopene do you need, and what are the best sources?

Peppers, from sweet to wickedly hot, became staples of cuisines around the world almost as soon as they arrived from their original homes in South America. Both mild bell peppers and 5-alarm chili peppers provide significant health benefits. In this article, we’ll look at what those benefits are, whether the hottest of peppers are safe, and how to prepare peppers to please the palates of the people you love.

If you believe the hype, CoQ10 is a wonder supplement that can do everything from helping athletes recover faster to giving tired people more energy to slowing down the aging process. But how much science is there to back up these claims? What does CoQ10 do in the body, and what happens when it’s in short supply? And can we get it from food, or is supplementation the way to go?

Okra isn’t one of the most popular vegetables around, thanks largely to some bad press about its slimy interior texture. But the bright green pods offer amazing flavor, powerful nutritional health benefits, and opportunities for culinary adventure and creativity. Let’s explore the past and future of this unique plant food.

Most plants manufacture compounds to protect themselves from predators. Some of these chemicals act by limiting the plant eater’s ability to fully absorb the rest of the plant’s nutrients. Called “antinutrients,” they’re the subject of heated controversy. Should we avoid foods that contain antinutrients, or do those foods offer more and greater health benefits than potential downsides?

If we played a word association game and I said “vegetable,” chances are your response wouldn’t be “artichoke.” That’s a pity because the beautiful globes are not only glamorous but delicious and very healthy as well. Once you get to know artichokes and discover how easy they are to prepare, you might just wonder how you ever got along without them.

Research has shown that a colorful diet is a great way to boost your health and vitality. But how can you be sure that you’re getting all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that your body needs to thrive? In this article, we’ll look at the whole spectrum of rainbow nutrition to show how adding color to your plate could add years to your life (and life to your years!). There’s also a shareable rainbow foods infographic that can help you choose a diversity of colorful fruits and vegetables.

Berries are berry delicious — and they also have stunning health benefits, from helping to prevent cancer to protecting your brain from dementia. Just make sure that you aren’t subverting their inherent goodness by drowning them in sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. In this article, we’ll look at how to love berries in ways that love you back.

Pineapples can be a delicious part of a health-promoting diet. They’re sweet, flavorful, and versatile, and they contain a powerful enzyme that’s attracted the interest of the nutritional sciences. But are there ethical or environmental downsides to the “King of Fruits”?

We all want healthy-looking skin, but many of the “anti-aging” products on the market give you a temporary youthful appearance while actually compromising the health of your skin. Some could even be carcinogenic! A popular anti-wrinkle compound, retinol, shows great promise, but also comes with significant risks and side effects. Is there a natural and plant-based approach that actually works?

Sesame seeds have gone from bun-decorating garnish to culinary stardom, as the Asian and Middle Eastern cultures that feature them have gone global. But are they good for you? And what can you do with them, aside from putting them on burger or sushi rolls? In this article, we’ll say “open sesame” to a cave of seed-based goodness.

Cabbage is an underappreciated vegetable with a reputation for a strong smell and a pedestrian taste. Which is a pity because cabbage has a lot to offer in terms of health, nutrition, and flavor. Plus, there are plenty of delicious ways to prepare cabbage for maximal enjoyment.