Valentine’s Day is actually named for two different Roman saints, both called Valentine and both utterly unconnected to romantic love. Though legend persists that the original St. Valentine was a priest who performed illegal marriages for Emperor Claudius’ soldiers, there’s no evidence to suggest this ever happened.

Valentine's Day and Roman Saints

The first mention of St. Valentine’s Day as a romantic holiday appeared in the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer in 1382. With the medieval period came a new focus on illicit but chaste courtly love, and it is here that we see some of the familiar iconographies begin to appear. Knights would give roses to their maidens and celebrate their beauty in songs from afar. But sugar was still a precious commodity in Europe, so there was no talk of exchanging candy gifts.

The First  Romantic Mention of St. Valentine’s Day

<ul><li>By the 1840s, the notion of Valentine’s Day as a holiday to celebrate romantic love had taken over most of the English-speaking world. </li><li>Into this love-crazed fray came entrepreneur Richard Cadbury (around 1868). Cadbury had recently improved its chocolate-making technique so as to extract pure cocoa butter from whole beans. This process resulted in an excess amount of cocoa butter, which Cadbury used to produce many more varieties of what was then called “eating chocolate.” </li><li>He recognized a great marketing opportunity for the new chocolates and started selling them in beautifully decorate<warningtag>d boxes that he himself designed.</warningtag></li><li><warningtag>From that point, it was a quick jump to taking the familiar images of Cupids and roses and putting them on heart-shaped boxes. </warningtag></li><li><warningtag>﻿While Richard Cadbury didn’t actually patent the heart-shaped box, it’s widely believed that he was the first to produce one.</warningtag><warningtag> </warningtag></li></ul>

The First Valentine's Day Box of Chocolates

The Cadbury chocolate boxes grew increasingly elaborate until the outbreak of World War II, when sugar was rationed and Valentine’s Day celebrations were scaled down. But Victorian-era Cadbury boxes still exist, and many are treasured family heirlooms or valuable items prized by collectors.

Valentine's Day and WW2

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How Chocolate Became a Valentine's Day Staple

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33630505-the-plant-paradox">The Plant Paradox </a>helps you make better food decisions and eat healthier by arguing that some plant foods that we think are healthy can actually be harming us and making it harder to lose weight.

The Plant Paradox - Book Summary 

"Quite simply, plants don't want to be eaten - and who can blame them? Like any living thing, their instinct is to propagate the next generation of their species."-Stecen R. Gundry

Author Quote 

Health foods and <a href="http://fourminutebooks.com/the-bulletproof-diet-summary/">diets </a>are more popular than ever. You’ve probably heard the buzz around so-called superfoods like Kale, blueberries, or acai. And you are probably pretty aware that certain foods, like things deep-fried or full of added sugar, should be avoided. So avoiding the bad and eating plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains is the key to health, why are rates of obesity and inflammation-related diseases higher than ever?

Book Overview 

Look no further than <a href="https://gundrymd.com/gundry-md/">Dr. Steven R. Gundry </a>‘s book, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33630505-the-plant-paradox">The Plant Paradox: The Hidden Dangers in “Healthy” Foods That Cause Disease and Weight Gain </a>. He’s a former professor of cardiothoracic surgery and the director of the Center for Restorative Medicine in California. In his book, he alerts us to the dangers of certain plant foods you have probably deemed healthy.

He lays out which plant foods we should be avoiding, according to his research. He advises what to eat instead to have more energy, help your digestion, reduce inflammation, and maintain optimal weight. <a href="https://gundrymd.com/gundry-md/">Gundry </a>explains how the nutritional value of our fruits and <a href="http://fourminutebooks.com/animal-vegetable-miracle-summary/">vegetables </a>have changed, and what our ancestor’s diets can teach us about what we should consume. I’ll be honest, some of it seems a bit controversial, but I suggest keeping an open mind and you will definitely learn something.

<ol><li>Plants defend themselves with proteins that confuse the human mind and may cause weight gain. </li><li>Whole-grain foods contain a protein known as lectin that can make your body attack itself. </li><li>Start the Plant Paradox Program by cutting out the bad, doing a three-day cleanse, and taking supplements and you will start feeling better.  </li> </ol>

Top 3 Lessons From The Voo

We all know that animals evolve to avoid predators. Think of a Monarch caterpillar, poisonous to birds, or a cuttlefish that can change color to avoid being seen. But did you know that <a href="http://fourminutebooks.com/the-hidden-life-of-trees-summary/">plants </a>also have found ways to protect themselves? One secret weapon that a plant has to defend itself is in the form of the protein lectin.

Lesson 1:  Plants might make you experience mental cloudiness and weight gain because of the proteins they use to defend themselves.

Lectin exists in the seeds, leaves, grains, and skins of most <a href="http://fourminutebooks.com/the-botany-of-desire-summary/">plants </a>. When an animal consumes lectin, the protein binds to sugar molecules in the animal’s brain and nerves, causing them to not function properly.  The result is brain fog, which causes trouble focusing and memory difficulty. The sole purpose of lectin is to teach animals that they shouldn’t eat these plants in the future.

The bad news for humans is that it also causes brain fog and weight issues. One particularly bad culprit is the lectin found in wheat. It causes sugar to enter our fat <a href="http://fourminutebooks.com/the-immortal-life-of-henrietta-lacks-summary/">cells </a>, where it is converted to fat and makes us gain weight. For our ancestors, having a “wheat belly” was an effective way to survive long winters. This made it a valuable part of their diet. For us, the side effects aren’t so welcome.

The side effects of wheat lectin don’t end at weight gain. But first, we need to understand a little about the way digestion works. Your gastrointestinal tract contains trillions of microbes that help you convert food to energy. Without these precious gut bacteria, you would starve to <a href="http://fourminutebooks.com/a-beginners-guide-to-the-end-summary/">death </a>. So your body makes sure to keep them in the intestines. If they are somehow able to escape, your body will see them as a foreign invader and essentially begin attacking itself.

Lesson 2:  Your body can attack itself when you consume whole-grain foods because of the protein lectin.

So where do lectins come in? Lectins increase the permeability of the intestinal tract and allow valuable microbes to spill out . The reason we have this risk today is that <a href="http://fourminutebooks.com/grain-brain-summary/">whole grain </a>has become so popular as a health food. For centuries societies removed the bran, or the part containing the lectin. But now that whole grain is touted as much more healthy, people are consuming more lectin as a result. This increases the risk of developing autoimmune disorders such as diabetes and Crohn’s disease.

Like many diets, the author’s Plant Paradox Program tells you what foods you should cut out of your diet. He believes what you don’t eat is more important than what you do eat because eating the wrong things will lead to a harmful reaction in your body.  The author advises avoiding all legumes, which consist of lentils, peas, and all types of beans. These contain the highest lectin count. Also drop potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, and any fruit not in season. And obviously nothing containing wheat flour. A full list can be found online.

Lesson 3: Avoiding certain foods, doing three-day cleanse, and taking supplements will get you on the right track to full health.

<a href="https://gundrymd.com/gundry-md/">Gundry </a>also says that just like a farmer prepares the soil for planting, you should prepare your <a href="http://fourminutebooks.com/the-4-hour-body-summary/">body </a>for the diet. You can do this by doing a three-day cleanse where you will remove anything with even traces of lectin in it. This will enable your gut to start healing itself.

A report examining the nutrient value of fruits and vegetables since 1940 showed a steady decline in vitamins and minerals. One explanation could be that we are using stronger fertilizers and pesticides. Luckily, nowadays we can supplement to get the vitamins our body desperately needs. The author advises taking vitamin B12 and vitamin D especially as they are so important. This way we can fill in the gaps where our diet can’t.

I’ve been wondering when a book would have me going “what the heck did I just read?!” and this book is it. I don’t know if I believe anything in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33630505-the-plant-paradox">The Plant Paradox </a>! There might be something to the idea that plants defend themselves against predators like us. But why we should discourage things that are known to help with heart disease and cancer such as whole grains, legumes, and some vegetables?! I would definitely do my own research after reading this one.

The Plant Paradox - Book Review

The 52-year-old <a href="http://fourminutebooks.com/deep-nutrition-summary/">nutrition </a>professor who wants a different perspective on plants, the 34-year-old that is curious about leaky gut because they think they might have it, and anyone who wants to try a semi-crazy diet plan to see if it might work.

Who would I recommend The Plant Paradox to?

The Plant Paradox Summary will help you improve your diet and health by learning about plant foods that sound healthy but can actully harm you.

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Personal Development

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The Plant Paradox Summary

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22822903-the-blue-zones-solution">The Blue Zones Solution </a>shows you how to adopt the lifestyle and mindset practices of the healthiest, longest-living people on the planet from the five locations with the highest population of centenarians.

Book Summary 

"Knowing why we get up in the morning is one of the great antidotes to the downs in life."-Dan Buettner

Author Quote

For thousands of years, tales of the Fountain of Youth have been recounted and shared across various generations. This fountain supposedly gave restorative powers to anyone who drinks or bathes in its life-giving waters. To this day, it remains an elusive mystery. <a href="https://www.bluezones.com/dan-buettner/">Dan Buettner’ </a>s book <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22822903-the-blue-zones-solution">The Blue Zones Solution </a> , however, reveals how we can get closer to achieving a healthy, vital and active lifestyle well into our 80s, 90s, and even past age 100.

Book Overv

After more than a decade of gathering research, <a href="https://www.bluezones.com/dan-buettner/">Dan </a>has identified the places where people live the longest. His extensive analysis pinpointed five locations where the highest concentration of 100-year olds grows old without heart problems, obesity, cancer, diabetes, and a host of other related diseases. The places that meet these criteria are in Greece, Japan, Sardinia, California, and Costa Rica, and Dan wrote about them extensively in <a href="https://fourminutebooks.com/the-blue-zones-summary/">The Blue Zones </a>. Now, he follows up with more practical advice.

<ol><li>A 2,500-year-old mantra from Okinawa reminds people to stop eating when they’re 80% full – and it’s a healthy idea.</li><li>Beans, including fava, black, soy and lentil are the cornerstone of most centenarian diets.</li><li>The world’s longest-lived communities live in environments that continuously nudge them into moving naturally.</li></ol>

Here Are 3 Lessons We Can Learn From Centenarians

By making just a few simple lifestyle changes, you too can realize many of the same benefits that Blue Zone communities have literally been living out for centuries. Let’s see what they are!

People in the Blue Zones typically eat their last meal of the day in the late afternoon or the early evening hours. After that, no late-night snacking or sweet nightcap before bedtime! They have also learned to <a href="https://fourminutebooks.com/meditations-summary/">discipline themselves </a>to stop eating before they feel full. But why would walking away from the dinner table feeling less than that be desirable?

Lesson 1: The 20% gap between being satisfied and feeling full could be the difference between losing weight and gaining it.

There’s a good amount of press these days dedicated to what health experts call “intermittent” fasting. This type of caloric restriction prompts a digestive survival mechanism that is proven to promote longevity . In caloric restriction mode, our cells protect themselves by producing less energy, but also generate fewer free radicals.

Free radicals are nasty by-products, oxidizing agents that deteriorate the body from the inside out. It’s not much different from the way oxidation forms as rust on an old car and destroys it over time. If they build up over time in the body, free radicals can ultimately contribute to stiffening arteries, brain shrinkage, and wrinkled skin. The lesson? Eat less, live more.

<a href="https://fourminutebooks.com/the-china-study-summary/">Limiting animal protein in your diet </a>to no more than one small serving per day is a beneficial health practice. While people in four out of five of the Blue Zones eat meat, they do so sparingly. Generally, meat is mostly used for special or celebratory occasions, as more of a side, or to add flavor to a dish. In America and many other industrialized, Western countries, meat is the star of the show in our meal theater, with vegetables and grains acting only as supporting or secondary players. In the Blue Zones, it’s the opposite.

Lesson 2: Load up on plant-based foods, especially beans and lentils.

Typically, two thirds of a plate in a Blue Zone home are filled with beans, greens, sweet potatoes, fruits, nuts, seeds, and other whole grains. They also eat an impressive variety of garden offerings when they are in season. The best longevity foods are leafy greens such as spinach, kale, beet and turnip top, chard and collard greens.

What’s more, many healthy oils are plant-based too and preferable to animal-based fats. Olive oil consumption increases the good kind of cholesterol while lowering the “bad” kind at the same time. In Ikaria, Greece, researchers found that for most middle-aged people, six tablespoons of olive oil daily cut their risk of dying in half.

Not only do Blue Zone people live in places with easy access to fresh and healthy food, but they move all day long too. The average American <a href="http://time.com/5459319/americans-sit-too-much/">sits 9.6 hours a day </a>. For every hour we sit, we lose about 22 minutes of life expectancy. Even after just the first hour, fat-burning hormones in our blood significantly decrease.

Lesson 3: Our society has engineered much of daily movement out of our lives, and we need to get it back.

Interestingly, Blue Zoners do not belong to health clubs, they don’t run marathons, and they don’t spend time on treadmills or exercise bikes. <a href="https://fourminutebooks.com/eat-move-sleep-summary/">Movement is a natural and regular part of their lifestyle </a>. What’s more, their environment frequently <a href="https://fourminutebooks.com/nudge-summary/">nudges </a>them into some form of physical activity, like gardening, food preparation, cleaning, walking, or even just getting up or sitting down every 10 to 15 minutes.

The key is to maintain a high metabolism rate throughout the day, every day.  In Okinawa, for example, houses are almost <a href="https://fourminutebooks.com/the-more-of-less-summary/">devoid of furniture </a>, so Okinawans get up and down from the floor dozens of times every day – even into their 90s and 100s. In Nicoya, women still grind corn and pat tortillas by hand. The women of Ikaria knead bread. There is an irrefutable body of research demonstrating that we can make <a href="https://fourminutebooks.com/atomic-habits-summary/">long-term changes to our personal environment </a>that nudge us into moving more, eating less, and eating better. Let’s start making them today!

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22822903-the-blue-zones-solution">The Blue Zones Solution </a> is an inspiring read on multiple levels. It’s more than just an informational source for healthy living, a journey into the exotic. It provides a glimpse into the habits, lifestyles, and mindsets of people from other cultures around the world. On top of helping us adopt the best of these behaviors, it also contains pages of practical advice, such as delicious and healthful recipes from these amazing places.

The Blue Zones Solution - Book Review

The 22-year-old, who is packing too much <a href="http://fourminutebooks.com/a-history-of-the-world-in-6-glasses-summary/">beer-drinking </a>and junk food in between study time, the 38-year-old logistics manager, who likes to spend all his free time playing The Legend of Zelda , and anyone looking to <a href="http://fourminutebooks.com/cooked-summary/">cook healthier meals </a>.

Who would I recommend The Blue Zones Solution  to?

The Blue Zones Solution summary explains not just where and how the healthiest people in the world live, but what you can do to live longer too.

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Science & Nature

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Longevity

The Blue Zones Solution Summary

Is tea good for you? If this is a question that you often find asking yourself, you don’t need to look any further. In this article, we will learn about the extensive health benefits of tea so that you can incorporate it in your daily routine. Tea has been a part of folklore for time immemorial. Studies have shown that tea provides numerous health benefits, including boosting immune system, and reducing inflammation and chances of contracting chronic diseases like heart disease or cancer. The benefits vary from individual to individual. However, regular tea consumption can leave a lasting impact on your wellness.

If you're wondering whether tea is good for you, here are six health benefits of tea:

Health Benefits of Tea

To answer the question is tea good for you, it's most certainly yes, as tea helps in burning high amounts of fat and boosts metabolic rate. However, these benefits may vary from person to person.

1) Increases Fat Burning

Tea is e a great source of antioxidants, which help improve hair and skin health and protects against oxidative damage caused by chronic inflammation. It also helps in lowering likelihood of breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer.

2) Presence of Antioxidants

Tea helps reduce chances of contracting chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems. Green and black tea can help lower blood sugar level along with improving insulin sensitivity, reducing likelihood of type 2 diabetes. There are teas that help in preventing cardiovascular problems, like boosting antioxidants to lower bad cholesterol.

3) Prevents Chronic Disease

<a href="https://www.sportskeeda.com/health-and-fitness/green-tea-how-much-should-you-drink-per-day">Green tea </a>is good for weight loss and helps with weight management. Tea helps reduce fat and lowers chances of getting obesity. Studies have shown that people who regularly drink green tea have reduced belly fat, waist circumference, and overall fat. However, it varies from person to person.

4) Weight Management

There are several herbal teas available, which come with many benefits, such as: <ul><li>Chamomile tea reduces menstrual pain. </li><li>Peppermint tea provides relief in motion sickness and upset stomach. </li><li>Ginger tea helps reduce chronic indigestion. </li> </ul>

5) Herbal Tea Benefits

Tea has a health benefits. These include helping reduce weight, lower chances of chronic diseases like diabetes 2 and cardiovascular problems, helping <a href="https://www.sportskeeda.com/health-and-fitness/weight-loss-tips">lose weight </a>, and more. It can also help you lead a longer life by protecting against heart and cancer disease. Tea provides a wide range of health benefits already described above, so you should incorporate it in your daily routine. Black and green tea is good for cold, as it helps with sore throat.

6) Overall Health Improvement

However, there are some categories of teas that you should avoid. as they can be harmful for health for a variety of reasons, including high amount of sugar, no nutritional value, and probability of triggering allergies. Teas you avoid include trendy bubble teas, <a href="https://www.sportskeeda.com/health-and-fitness/7-health-benefits-detox-tea">detox teas </a>, fancy teas, and herbal teas, as they can trigger allergies.

Is tea good for you? If this is a question that you often find asking yourself, you don’t need to look any further.

Is Tea Good for You? 6 Reasons You Should Drink It Every Day

The book is about the people living in Okinawa who have found a way to live a happy and long life. The people of Okinawa have found their ikigai and that makes them love whatever they do and love, their lifestyle is active and all of these factors make their life long-lasting. The introduces you to some of the concepts of Japanese culture and the value of “the happiness of always being busy”

Overview:

Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles

Logotherapy is where a person has to keep rediscovering the purpose of life. The search for purpose in life, finding a driving force that helps to achieve goals.

Logotherapy:

This is the soul to live to find a flow, a flow is where there is no future, there is no past and only there is only present. You are dissolved into the experience, with no thinking, no distraction. Your ego dissolves and you become part of what you are doing. How to identify the state of flow, how to discover the flow? They shared interesting stories of Steve Jobs’ Japan visit which brought light to small details and facts and got to know Jobs.

Flow:

A great focus is given to keeping the body in action in various sections of the book, still, a small chapter is added with different techniques and benefits of tai chi, yoga, radio taiso, qigong, and breathing techniques.

Chapter Overview

This was one of the golden nuggets explained over the last few pages. As everyone discovers their ikigai and follows passion no matter what. As they never give up on passion and in case things go wrong then how do you build the ability to persevere and live life and not just keep doing urgent things? I am glad that I read the book till the end and see deep insight into resilience.

Resilience:

<ol><li>The way Book Return is the Next level, they Elaborated everything in the stepwise Processes.</li><li>I liked the part about Diet, where they put in the all needed things, & ways to do it. So I think that part helped me & I liked it.</li></ol>

What I Liked Particularly:

There is nothing Specific that I won't like, but I found that sometimes some chapters/ points may feel a bit, off route but in the end it makes sense.

What I Don’t Like: 

What I Don’t Like: 

It is a must-read for someone who wants to discover the purpose of their life or achieve some great heights in their career. For anyone who looks for longevity, this book is a quick help to bring immediate changes to one’s life.

My Opinion:

So, This was a Book Review of Ikigai, Hope you got some Values & Overview of the book. <a href="https://www.addingvalues.xyz/post/ikigai-book-review">To read the Full Detailed Review click here & you will get free Downladbles on the Website.</a> To Buy the book <a href="https://amzn.to/3ifhNWk">Click here</a>. Thank You. 😊Happy Learnings📚 Article by: <a href="https://www.shivrajpatil.com">Shivraj Patil</a> "<a href="https://www.addingvalues.xyz/1percent">Join the 1Perecent Club for FREE Click here to join </a>"

This is the Book Review of Ikigai, I have Summarised the book in very short form. Hope this will add values to you. If you wish to get free Downladbles you can Visit addingvalues.xyz

This is the Book Review of Ikigai, I have Summarized the book in very short form. 

Shortly We will Provide, all Needed Downladbles here.

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Ikigai Book Review 

Whether you are craving salty chips, sweet gummies, or something else, your desire for that specific flavor or food is likely triggered by either a physical or an emotional factor. Knowing what is causing your craving can empower you to know what to do about them. Ahead, five types of food cravings and what exactly they may be telling you.

What Is Food Craving?

If your inner chocoholic is paying you a visit, your body could be in need of a mood boost.  Since chocolate consumption is linked to <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/pr900607v">improved feelings of calmness and contentment </a>, that chocolate craving can mean so much more than just needing something sweet.  If you are a female, craving chocolate may also be a sign that you are close to getting your period. Changes in hormones during the premenstrual phase can trigger <a href="https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/web.sas.upenn.edu/dist/7/206/files/2016/09/ChocCraveMenopause_App_2009-280jt6p.pdf">blood sugars to dip </a>, resulting in certain cravings. A chocolate craving can simply mean you are close to that time of the month.

Why Chocolate Craving?

While chocolate does offer some nutritional benefit — like being a natural source of magnesium — certain varieties can be loaded with sugar. When tackling the chocolate attack, choose a small serving of dark chocolate or add some natural cacao powder to your smoothie instead of downing a king-size candy bar.

Solution To Chocolate Craving

According to data published in the journal <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8697046/">Obesity Research </a>, larger amounts of carbohydrates consumed is linked to higher levels of serotonin (the happy, feel-good hormone). In other words, your body may need that serotonin boost and knows it will happen after you enjoy that extra-large soft pretzel, loaf of bread or an endless bowl of pasta.

Why Carbohydrate Craving?

If you find yourself craving carbs more often than normal, ask yourself how you are feeling emotionally. What you may actually be craving is a mood boost, which can be accomplished in a healthy way with a sweaty exercise sesh or a chat with a good friend.

Solution To Carbohydrate Craving?

If you have a “salt tooth” instead of a “sugar tooth,” you may be <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3966472/">suffering from an iron deficiency </a>. Iron is an important mineral that plays a role in blood cell production and other important bodily functions. Having a deficiency means that you don’t have enough iron in your body, and you can feel tired and weak. Another cause of salt cravings is good old fashioned dehydration. When you crave salt, your body may be telling you that it needs to restore balance and replenish electrolytes.

Why Salt Craving?

The first step to learning whether you have an iron deficiency is to have your health care provider check your levels. Before you reach for the salt shaker, hydrate yourself first to see if that tames the craving.

Solution To Salt Craving

Sugar cravings are quite common and can strike at any time of the day. If you find yourself reaching for the candy drawer more frequently, it may mean that you are <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24879886/">tired, stressed, or hungry </a>. Essentially, your body is craving sugar for the energy boost.

Why Sugar Craving?

Before you down that box of gummy snacks, recognize if you skipped breakfast this morning, didn’t sleep well, or are experiencing stress in your life. If you say yes to any of these questions, your sugar craving may be telling you that you need to tackle one (or more) of these factors. Go to bed a bit early, have a healthy snack, or incorporate some yoga into your daily life. Your body will thank you for it.

Solution To Sugar Craving

Whether it is melted on a slice of pizza or enjoyed on top of a cracker, cheese is a commonly craved food for many.   If you are craving that ooey goodness, your body may simply be craving some comfort. Since dishes like mac and cheese and grilled cheese are the ultimate comfort food, you may associate the “warm and fuzzies” with these goodies.

Why Cheese Craving?

Cheese and comfort go beyond nostalgic reasons. All varieties contain the amino acid tryptophan, which aids in the production of melatonin and serotonin to help us feel more relaxed or sleepy. A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4728667/">study </a>published in 2016 brought to the forefront that lower levels of tryptophan were linked to a depressed state. So, a boost of tryptophan may mean a more relaxed and better rested self!

Solution To Cheese Craving

Cravings can come out of left field. Some are completely random, and others can be a great indicator of bigger things going on in your body. Understanding why you are craving foods can help you navigate your health more mindfully.

Learn From Your Cravings To Improve Your Health

Food cravings can appear when you least expect them. But, the types of food cravings you may have may be telling you something.

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Mindfulness

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Mental Health

5 Types of Food Cravings Decoded By an RD

The end of <a href="https://www.eatthis.com/unhealthy-food-trends-2022-ranked/">2022 </a>is here, which means many of us are reflecting on the last year. Maybe this means journaling about your adventures, looking through photos on your phone, or setting intentions for the <a href="https://www.eatthis.com/new-cookbooks-2023/">year to come </a>. We've experienced a lot of shocking surprises throughout 2022, from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a rapid uptick in inflation to the heated trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard and Elton John's last live show. Heck, we even got an unexpected "Bennifer" reboot as Ben Affleck and JLo officially tied the knot.

In the realm of health and wellness, there was plenty of shocking news and surprising nutrition discoveries, too.In fact, 2022 was full of so many scientific discoveries directly impacting how we approach food and nutrition, that we thought we might help your retroactive trip down 2022's memory lane with a roundup of the findings we found most shocking. Read on to learn about five of the most significant nutrition discoveries for your health—then, be sure to also check out the <a href="https://www.eatthis.com/foods-better-health-2023/">6 Foods That Will Completely Turn Your Health Around in 2023 </a>.

Beta-carotene, the bright orange pigment found in foods like squash, <a href="https://www.eatthis.com/major-effect-eating-cantaloupe/">cantaloupe </a>, and carrots—has been commonly used as a supplement for eye health, immune health, and skin health. However, recent research published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0735109722071066">Journal of the American College of Cardiology </a> found a shocking truth about this pigment.

Beta-carotene was linked to an increased risk of deadly heart disease

This study looked into the effects of common supplements like omega-3s, magnesium, and beta carotene. Unfortunately, what they found was that supplements made with <a href="https://www.eatthis.com/beta-carotene-supplements-cardiovascular-risk-study/">beta-carotene </a>were actually linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality and all-cause mortality. Even though the reasoning behind this discovery is still largely unknown, experts still suggest steering clear of this one.

Omega-3 fatty acids have widely been known to help with cognitive health, especially when it comes to reducing the risk of <a href="https://www.eatthis.com/news-best-eating-habit-prevent-alzheimers-disease/">Alzheimer's disease </a>or dementia. Although omega-3s are commonly consumed in foods like fatty fish or various nuts and seeds, they can also be taken in supplement form.

Omega-3 supplements were linked to a 49% decrease in Alzheimer's risk

Even though many people are aware that omega-3s can help with cognitive health, some may not have realized just how much this fatty acid can help—until <a href="https://www.eatthis.com/news-supplement-reduce-alzheimers-risk/">new research </a>was released this past year. The study, which was published in <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/12/2408">Nutrients </a>in May 2022, found that people who had higher amounts of omega-3s were a whopping 49% less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. This is certainly a convincing argument for going out and purchasing an omega-3 supplement.

Those who eat a plant-based diet may be shocked to learn that many plant-based meat replacements are considered to be some of the <a href="https://www.eatthis.com/news-lowest-quality-protein/">lowest-quality proteins </a>available.

Plant-based meat products are some of the lowest-quality proteins you can eat

This past year, <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jafc.2c01711">researchers </a>compared regular chicken with a plant-based chicken made of soy. They found that even though the fake chicken was made up of 24% protein, human cells didn't absorb the protein as well as they did with the regular chicken. These findings are significant for those who don't eat meat, because it means that they may need to make more of an effort to get high-quality protein in their diet than those who do eat meat.

It's easy to assume that if you're not eating a healthy diet, you can compensate by getting plenty of exercise. However, this past year, researchers found that eating an unhealthy diet can increase your risk of fatality from cardiovascular disease or cancer, even if you <a href="https://www.eatthis.com/news-low-quality-diet-fatal-disease-risk/">regularly exercise </a>.

Eating an unhealthy diet can increase risk of fatal disease—even if you exercise

The study, which was published in the <a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/56/20/1148">British Journal of Sports Medicine </a> , concluded that maintaining both a healthy diet and regular exercise were equally important to lowering the risk of fatality. This is significant for people who have assumed they needed to focus on just one aspect of their health.

The conversation of whether or not coffee is "healthy" is an ongoing one with much debate. Drinking moderate amounts of coffee has been found to help improve cognitive health and even reduce risk of <a href="https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad01404">dementia and Alzheimer's </a>, as well as potentially help improve the <a href="https://gi.org/media/media-statements/press-release-new-clinical-advances-in-gastroenterology-presented-at-the-american-college-of-gastroenterologys-84th-annual-scientific-meeting/">gut microbiome </a>. But coffee has also been known to <a href="https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.3170">disrupt sleep </a>, induce <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/da.20354">panic attacks </a>, and even lead to heart issues for those with existing <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/what-is-it-about-coffee">blood pressure issues </a>.

Drinking 2–3 cups of coffee a day can help you live longer

Because of the mixed information on coffee and its impact on health, it was rather shocking to learn that <a href="https://www.eatthis.com/drinking-coffee-prevent-heart-disease/">drinking two to three cups of coffee </a>daily may actually reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and increase longevity. <a href="https://academic.oup.com/eurjpc/article-abstract/29/17/2240/6704995?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false">The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition </a> published these findings in September of this year, and not only was it shocking to think coffee may actually help you live longer, but also that an amount as high as two or three cups is what can help.

The <a href="https://www.eatthis.com/mediterranean-diet-dementia-risk/">Mediterranean diet </a>has long been touted as a way to help improve cognitive health and brain functioning because of its high content of healthy fats and high-fiber whole foods, and has also been commonly discussed as a recommendation for reducing the risk of Alzheimer's and dementia.

The Mediterranean diet may not actually reduce the risk of dementia

However, in October of this past year, <a href="https://n.neurology.org/content/100/1/e28">researchers studied </a>the effects of this diet on adults, and they couldn't find a connection between following a Mediterranean diet and lowering the risk of dementia. These findings are just based off of one study, so it's not enough to completely discredit the possible benefits of the Mediterranean diet. But this conclusion was certainly shocking for those who have had high levels of faith in this eating pattern.

6 Shocking Nutrition Discoveries Scientists Made This Past Year

This past year was full of shocking research findings. Here are some of the most shocking nutrition discoveries made by scientists in 2022.

sports

Sports

6 Shocking Nutrition Discoveries Scientists Made This Year

"Sadness is but a wall between two gardens." "There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn't." "Getting better from depression demands a lifelong commitment.

These tips can help you feel better -- starting right now.1. Get in a routine. If you’re depressed, you need a routine, says Ian Cook, MD. He's a psychiatrist and director of the Depression Research and Clinic Program at UCLA.<a href="https://www.webmd.com/depression/understanding-depression-basics">Depression </a>can strip away the structure from your life. One day melts into the next. Setting a gentle daily schedule can help you get back on track.

2. Set goals. When you're depressed, you may feel like you can't accomplish anything. That makes you feel worse about yourself. To push back, set daily goals for yourself."Start very small," Cook says. "Make your goal something that you can succeed at, like doing the dishes every other day." As you start to feel better, you can add more challenging daily goals.

3. Exercise. It temporarily boosts feel-good chemicals called endorphins. It may also have long-term benefits for people with depression. Regular <a href="https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/default.htm">exercise </a>seems to encourage the <a href="https://www.webmd.com/brain/picture-of-the-brain">brain </a>to rewire itself in positive ways, Cook says.How much exercise do you need? You don’t need to run marathons to get a benefit. Just walking a few times a week can help.

4. Eat healthy. There is no magic diet that fixes depression. It's a good idea to watch what you eat, though. If depression tends to make you overeat, getting in control of your eating will help you feel better.Although nothing is definitive, Cook says there's evidence that foods with omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon and tuna) and folic acid (such as spinach and avocado) could help ease depression.

5. Get enough sleep. Depression can make it hard to get enough shut-eye, and too little sleep can make depression worse. What can you do? Start by making some changes to your lifestyle. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Try not to nap. Take all the distractions out of your bedroom -- no computer and no TV. In time, you may find your sleep improves.

6. Take on responsibilities. When you’re depressed, you may want to pull back from life and give up your responsibilities at home and at work. Don't. Staying involved and having daily responsibilities can help you maintain a lifestyle that can help counter depression. They ground you and give you a sense of accomplishment.If you're not up to full-time school or work, that’s fine. Think about part-time. If that seems like too much, consider volunteer work.

7. Challenge negative thoughts. In your fight against depression, a lot of the work is mental -- changing how you think. When you're depressed, you leap to the worst possible conclusions. The next time you're feeling terrible about yourself, use logic as a natural depression treatment. You might feel like no one likes you, but is there real evidence for that? You might feel like the most worthless person on the planet, but is that really likely? It takes practice, but in time you can beat back those negative thoughts before they get out of control.

8. Check with your doctor before using supplements. "There's promising evidence for certain <a href="https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/default.htm">supplements </a>for depression," Cook says. Those include fish oil, folic acid, and SAMe. But more research needs to be done before we'll know for sure. Always check with your doctor before starting any supplement, especially if you’re already taking medications.

9. Do something new. When you’re depressed, you’re in a rut. Push yourself to do something different. Go to a museum. Pick up a used book and read it on a park bench. Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Take a language class. "When we challenge ourselves to do something different, there are chemical changes in the brain," Cook says. "Trying something new alters the levels of [the brain chemical] dopamine, which is associated with pleasure, enjoyment, and learning."

10. Try to have fun. If you’re depressed, make time for things you enjoy. What if nothing seems fun anymore? "That's just a symptom of depression," Cook says. You have to keep trying anyway.As strange as it might sound, you have to work at having fun. Plan things you used to enjoy, even if they feel like a chore. Keep going to the movies. Keep going out with friends for dinner.

11. Avoid alcohol and other drugs. Substance misuse is common in people who have depression. You may be more likely to turn to <a href="https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/rm-quiz-alcohol-myths-facts">alcohol </a>, <a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/marijuana-use-and-its-effects">marijuana </a>, or other drugs to deal with the symptoms of your depression. It’s unclear if drinking and using drugs causes depression. But long-term drug use could change the way your brain works and worsen or lead to <a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/default.htm">mental health </a>problems.When you're depressed, you can lose the knack for enjoying life, Cook says. You have to relearn how to do it. In time, fun things really will feel fun again.

You must have gone or will be going through a phase in your life with some stress, burden.It may lead to depression.But at such times you should remember that it's just a phase.This shall too pass.It's very important to cope up with depression.It can lead to physical as we'll as mental illness.

Being depressed can make you feel helpless. You're not. Along with therapy and sometimes medication, there's a lot you can do on your own to fight back. Changing your behavior -- your physical activity, lifestyle, and even your way of thinking -- are all natural depression treatments.

meditation

Meditation

11 Natural Depression Treatments

Find 100+ Facts about Food - Curated by others from trusted sources like Books, Podcasts & Articles - Genuine Insights from like-minded Users like You!

How Chocolate Became a Valentine's Day Staple

The Plant Paradox Summary

The Blue Zones Solution Summary

Is Tea Good for You? 6 Reasons You Should Drink It Every Day

Ikigai Book Review

5 Types of Food Cravings Decoded By an RD

6 Shocking Nutrition Discoveries Scientists Made This Year

11 Natural Depression Treatments

Habanero - The hottest chili in the world

Ginger Benefits - A Natural Aphrodisiac

It's time to
Read like a Pro.

How Chocolate Became a Valentine's Day Staple

The Plant Paradox Summary

The Blue Zones Solution Summary

Is Tea Good for You? 6 Reasons You Should Drink It Every Day

Ikigai Book Review

5 Types of Food Cravings Decoded By an RD

6 Shocking Nutrition Discoveries Scientists Made This Year

11 Natural Depression Treatments

Habanero - The hottest chili in the world

Ginger Benefits - A Natural Aphrodisiac

It's time to Read like a Pro.

It's time to
Read like a Pro.