Sustainable future

Have you ever come across a richer and more nutrient-packed fruit than a pomegranate?
The red rich fruit is known to be one of the healthiest for a reason. It is called as a divine fruit because it is the most mentioned fruit in theological books

This may come as no surprise to anyone who's taken on a tough diet before: Calorie-restrictive diets increase stress. As one 2011 study in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine explains, "Restricting calories increased the total output of cortisol, and monitoring calories increased perceived stress." To feel your best, physically and emotionally, forgo calorie-counting and instead focus on eating nutritionally-sound foods in reasonable portions.

Need more of a reason to drink your recommended eight glasses of water a day? Several studies, including this 2016 report in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, have concluded that staying adequately hydrated helps people lose weight, both by curbing appetite and increased lipolysis, or the breakdown of fats. Go ahead and top off your glass!

If you've been going on runs wearing sweat suits or garbage bags, it's time to change your routine. Beyond the risks associated with intentionally raising your temperature while exercising, extreme sweating does very little to help you lose fat. As you exercise, your metabolic system oxidizes triglycerides into usable energy for your muscles, shrinking (though not getting rid of) your fat cells in the process. The 16 percent of weight that is lost through urine and sweat is quickly replenished as soon as you rehydrate.

According to the Mayo Clinic, fat leaves the body mostly via exhaled breath. A 2014 study in the journal Gastrointestinal Tracts found that 84 percent of fat is transformed into carbon dioxide and breathed out, while the remaining 16 percent becomes water, leaving your body through urine and sweat. Some fitness professionals argue that this means that deep breathing with attention to prolonged exhalation can help your body shed fat.

Only the size of a pea, your pituitary gland packs a big punch. Situated at the base of your brain, this "master gland" controls other hormone-secreting glands, and has a huge impact on the regulation of your vital organs. So it may come as a bit of a shock that according to Goldfarb, one in six people has a pituitary tumor or cyst. The good news? "You can remove up to 95 percent [of the gland] and still have complete function," says the endocrinologist.

According to Dr. Melanie Goldfarb, endocrine surgeon and director of the Endocrine Tumor Program at Providence Saint John's Health Center, up to 70 percent of middle-aged women and 40 to 50 percent of middle-aged men suffer from thyroid nodules—whether they know it or not. These are small, often symptomless growths that develop on the thyroid and in some cases cause hypothyroidism. Between 5 and 10 percent of cases are determined to be cancerous, so be sure to schedule an ultrasound if you suspect a problem

If there's one area where most American diets go off the rails, it's sodium. In fact, according to that same report, about 90 percent of Americans eat more salt than they should, consuming an average of 3,400 mg per day, compared with the recommended guideline of less than 2,300 mg per day. Sodium takes a major toll on our health, raising our blood pressure and contributing to heart disease

As Americans, it's time for us all to take a good, hard look at the foods we eat. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the average American consumes a diet that exceeds the recommended intake levels in four key categories: calories from solid fats and added sugars, refined grains, sodium, and saturated fat. Not sure if your diet is on the right track? Check out this helpful guide from the USDA.

A 2017 report in the journal Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease set out to identify compounds in different food groups that help elevate peoples' moods. Looking at carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, the report identified beta-glucans, tryptophan, and Omega-3 fatty acids as the best mood-boosters. Translation? Foods like oatmeal, spinach, eggs, nuts, and salmon should be regular features in your meal plan.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away—or at least it can help keep your liver at its healthiest. A 2017 study in the journal Nutrients revealed that eating more fruit fiber contributed to a healthier liver, especially in overweight and obese people who suffered liver damage, including fatty liver disease