Gut Health

Kale is one of those so-called “superfoods” that totally lives up to the hype. And when you discover all the ways kale can support your health and prevent disease, you may want to double down on your efforts to bring it into your diet on a regular basis. In this article, we’ll review the science around kale and share easy and delicious ways to get more kale into your life.

Lentils are unassuming culinary heroes, featured in dishes from a wide variety of culinary traditions. Not only are they delicious, versatile, easy to cook, and nutrient-rich powerhouses, lentils also feature prominently in efforts to mitigate climate change and engage in sustainable food production. So what can lentils do for you and how can you get more of them into your life?

Wellness influencers and supplement companies promote green powders as miracle supplements, able to do everything from increasing energy to improving digestion to boosting brain function. But what does the science say? Are these expensive green powders the real deal, or are they another fad to separate us from our money?

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?

Prunes and plums have vastly different reputations, despite being the very same fruit. Many people associate prunes and prune juice with constipation, which doesn’t exactly bring captivating culinary delights to mind. And considering how delicious fresh plums are, they’re surprisingly not nearly as popular as many other fruits. In this article, we'll answer common questions about plums vs prunes: What are prunes? Where do prunes come from? What are the benefits of eating plums and prunes? Plus, we’ll look at whether prunes and plums deserve to be part of your diet and some ways to enjoy them that you may not have considered.

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.

In a world of expensive medical diagnostic tests, there’s a free and convenient way to gain insight into your digestive (and possibly overall) health — paying attention to the frequency, size, consistency, and color of your poop. If your poop wouldn’t currently win any “best in show” awards, certain diet and lifestyle changes could make a world of difference — and give you healthier and more pleasurable bowel movements.

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”?

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.

Food allergies are becoming more and more common in both adults and children. We don’t fully understand what causes a person to develop an allergy to an otherwise harmless food, but we do know enough to prevent some allergies from arising. And if you or someone you know already suffers from a food allergy, there are things you can do to stay safe while enjoyin your food — and your life.

GMOs — or genetically modified organisms — are a lightning-rod issue. For some, GMO crops represent the height of human ingenuity, and anyone who says otherwise is a science denier. For others, GMOs represent an unprecedented and irreversible experiment on the entirety of life on earth, as we place the power to create life into the hands of transnational corporations whose agenda is monopolistic control of the global food supply. But what is a GMO, where are they found, and how concerned should you be?