It’s the cold and flu season, which means that more people will hopefully be paying attention to their health in order to avoid getting sick and being forced to miss school or work. Although there are flu shots that can help to prevent the flu each season, there is no cure for the common cold. Fortunately, there are ways to fight colds, including through the way one eats. The following are the best foods for fighting colds:

• Chicken Soup – Chicken soup has been eaten as a remedy for a cold for hundreds of years. It turns out that chicken soup does in fact have healing effects. It can help to loosen up the mucus in one’s throat, thereby relieving the symptoms of a cold.
• Garlic – Garlic contains allicin, which is an active compound with antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Numerous studies have revealed that people that use garlic supplements experience fewer colds.
• Tumeric – Tumeric is a spice that has been designated as a superfood. It’s often used in curry dishes and is high in antioxidents. It’s also naturally anti-inflammatory. By consuming tumeric every day, a person can relieve their body of toxins, thereby becoming less susceptible to colds.
• Fish – Fish that are particularly oily are generally rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These compounds help reduce harmful inflammation within the body, which in turn helps to ensure that the immune system works properly. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids not only help lower inflammation levels, but that they also help lower anxiety, which is a condition known for weakening immune function. Fish that are full of omega-3 fatty acids include mackerel, salmon, and tuna.
• Dark Leafy Greens – Citrus fruit isn’t the only food packed with vitamin C. Dark leafy greens, such as kale or spinach, boast a large amount of vitamin C as well. By adding plenty of dark leafy greens to one’s diet, a person can help reduce the duration of a cold.

These are a few popular foods for fighting colds. To stay up to date with all the latest health news and information, visit The Benefits Store today.

Deciding on losing weight in the new year is a common New Year’s resolution that many people share. However, it’s a resolution that can be difficult to accomplish. In fact, few people who make such a resolution actually go through with it. This is in part because losing weight in the new year is a lot easier said than done. Many people will begin exercising regularly following the new year in order to lose weight. However, for many, this exercise will become less and less frequent – especially if they don’t see results soon.

Why Losing Weight in the New Year is Difficult

Some people may scoff at those that are unable to lose weight as part of their resolution. They may think that those that have failed do so because of a lack of willpower. They believe that if someone has enough willpower, they will keep exercising no matter how difficult until they begin losing weight.

However, willpower may not be the only reason that a lot of people have difficulty keeping up a regular exercise routine. A recent study on cell metabolism revealed that willpower is not the only factor. The study involved feeding two different diets to two groups of mice. One was a standard diet while the other was a high-fat diet. Researchers observed both groups of mice over a period of 18 weeks.

The group of mice that consumed the high-fat diet spent less time moving – and when they did move, it was at a much slower rate than the other group of mice. However, researchers noticed that this lack of movement occurred before any weight gain set in. It was only afterwards that they gained substantial weight. Upon closer examination, it was discovered that altered dopamine receptors were the cause of the slowdown in movement.

The study reveals that if anyone is planning on losing weight as part of their New Year’s resolution, they need to make sure they’re on a healthy diet. An unhealthy diet can be just as damaging as a lack of willpower. For more health news, visit The Benefits Store today.

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions that people share is to become healthier. One of the popular ways to do this – besides exercising more regularly – is to go through a dry January. A dry January refers to a month of sobriety. Abstaining from alcohol for an entire month is more difficult for some than it is for others, but it can have a tremendous impact on one’s health.

How a Dry January Can Benefit One’s Health

The following are just a few ways in which abstaining from alcohol consumption over the period of a month can help improve a person’s overall health:

• Drink less long-term – Health Psychology published a study in which they discovered that people who took part in a dry January ended up drinking less than they normally would have over the following six months.
• Reduce potential heart problems – Excessive alcohol consumption can cause an increase in the levels of fats in the heart. These levels of fats are known as triglycerides, which contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries. When this occurs, there’s an increased risk of stroke and heart attack. Drinking too much alcohol can also lead to high blood pressure, arrhythmia, and cardiomyopathy.
• Reduce the risk of liver damage – By drinking too much over a period of time, one risks causing damage to the liver. Heavy alcohol consumption can lead to a buildup of fat in the arteries, known as alcohol hepatitis or, in more severe cases, alcohol cirrhosis.
• Reduce the risk of pancreas issues – Heavy alcohol consumption can disrupt one’s pancreatic function, which can lead to pancreatitis.
• Lose weight – Alcoholic beverages contain a lot of calories. Almost half of those who participate in dry January end up losing weight, according to a survey performed by Alcohol Concern.
• Improve sleep – Alcohol consumption disrupts sleep and can lead to insomnia. Cutting down on alcohol can lead to better sleep, allowing the body to restore itself more fully.

Take part in dry January to enjoy these health benefits. Be sure to keep up with The Benefits Store for more health news and advice.