February 14, 2018
You may have always loved chocolate for its decadent, creamy flavor and celebrated the news that chocolate may be good for you. You may not know, thought, that the bacteria living in your gut also enjoy chocolate and actually help you reap all the health benefits some of the chemicals in chocolate have to offer. Cocoa beans contain about 380 chemicals, ten of which are those psychoactive compounds that make you feel so good when you eat chocolate. Cocoa beans also contain polyphenols, which are healthy micronutrients in certain plant-based foods. Cocoa beans are chock full of polyphenols – and.... [Read More...]
The post Who Loves Chocolate More – You or the Beneficial Bacteria Living in Your Gut? appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
October 23, 2017
When October hits, everything from your coffee to the air freshener products seems to feature that fabulous orange pumpkin, usually with a little spice. If you’re a fan of this seasonal pumpkin phenomenon then take it a step further with some DIY magic. Few food choices do so much for the body as the basic smoothie. In one drink, you can meet the daily allowance for many vitamins and minerals. The problem is not all smoothies are created equally. There are just as many unhealthy recipes out there for pumpkin smoothies as there are healthy ones. A recipe that calls.... [Read More...]
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April 17, 2017
Celiac disease and other gluten sensitivities can mean a lifetime of avoiding wheat and gluten. Exposure to even the smallest amount of gluten can trigger a damaging and sometimes painful gastrointestinal reaction in people who are sensitive to the stuff. Avoiding gluten altogether can be very difficult, and the quest to avoid it can disrupt the lives of those suffering from the sensitivity. The inevitable dietary changes that come can also disrupt the lives of family members. About Gluten Sensitivity Symptoms of gluten sensitivities include abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating and fatigue after eating wheat. Researchers are still working to understand.... [Read More...]
The post New Research Connects Gut Microbiota & Gluten Sensitivities appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
October 03, 2016
With fall comes Halloween candy and Thanksgiving Day desserts, and then soon after it’s the season of holiday cookies and New Years Eve smorgasbords – does all this add up to extra pounds during the winter months? While it is true most people do see the number on the scale rise thanks to binge eating during the holidays, it’s not the five or 10 pounds you might think. What is the real story behind winter weight gain and what can you do about it? What You Need to Know About Obesity Americans are overweight and it’s not all about winter.... [Read More...]
The post Do Americans Really Pack on the Pounds During the Winter? And What You Can Do About It appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
April 11, 2016
Your diet choices today could affect members of your family who have not even been born yet. A recent study suggests that, while changing your diet today can help your body recover, a poor diet over the course of several generations can forever alter the digestive tract of your descendants within three or four generations. This means your great-grandchildren can suffer negative effects from what you eat today. Results from a Stanford University School of Medicine study suggest low-fiber diets, like those commonly consumed in the United States and other industrial societies, can result in health problems that you can.... [Read More...]
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August 17, 2015
Next time you have a craving for a donut or cookie, don’t blame it on a lack of will power, but on your gut bacteria. Inside the walls of your intestinal tract lie trillions of bacteria that need nutrients and energy to survive and that energy comes from the food you eat. Some research suggests these bacteria, which have their own interests in mind, play a role in the type of foods you select. It’s not so far-fetched when you consider your gut is paved with nerves, as many as 100 million nerve cells, which feedback to your brain, and.... [Read More...]
The post Can Our Gut Microbiota Affect What We Choose To Eat? appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
August 10, 2015
Yogurt is one of the most well known functional foods and often associated with probiotics, but unfortunately, not all yogurts will give you probiotic benefits. Many yogurt manufacturers pasteurize (heat) the yogurt after the cultures are added; they do this to kill potentially bad bacteria, but unfortunately it kills the good bacteria as well. In addition, many of them contain more sugar and artificial preservatives than a Twinkie (!!), and then there’s the problem with all the sweeteners and flavors that have been added. You’ll be happy to know there is a healthier and easy alternative – you can make.... [Read More...]
The post Fun with Homemade Yogurt: Our Favorite Toppings, Tips & Recipes! appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
June 22, 2015
America is one of the most powerful and successful countries in the world, yet when it comes to diet, we rank among the worst for eating habits. It’s no surprise to learn that there are more fast food restaurants in the U.S. than any other country in the world. Even when we do cook at home, we’re still not eating the right kind of meals despite having access to affordable healthy food. The American diet, laden with saturated fats, carbohydrates and refined sugars, is definitely bad for our health and while we’re starting to become a lot more health conscience,.... [Read More...]
The post Is Poor Diet Killing Your Digestion? appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
January 19, 2015
You can’t entirely avoid toxins in food or the ones from the environment, but like most people you want to limit the amount of toxins you’re exposed to. A growing number of websites claim that colon cleansing helps the body eliminate toxins or “detox.” Search the web and you’ll find colon cleansing teas, fiber supplements, herbal concoctions, enemas and even complete colon cleansing kits that claim to clean out your colon and reduce toxins. To get the so-called benefits of colon cleansing, you could use one of these colon cleansing products or enlist the help of a colon cleansing specialist.... [Read More...]
The post The Surprising Truth about Colon Cleansing appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
March 17, 2014
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! A day of hazy celebration that also brings one of the most unlikely vegetable heroes to the dinner table – the humble cabbage. Often ignored, the cabbage is not always the most popular vegetable in the produce isle. However, it is one of the most nutritious vegetables you will find. Did you know that: Cabbage is an incredibly rich source of Vitamin C and Vitamin K. In fact, one cup of this veggie provides you with around 90% of your recommended daily intake of Vitamin C and Vitamin K. It is also a great source of.... [Read More...]
The post In Defense of the Cabbage: Nature’s Underrated Super-Food appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.
November 11, 2013
Do you know what’s in the food you’re eating? We’re not talking about food additives like salt and sugar – but bacteria. Foodborne illness due to harmful bacteria in food is on the rise in the United States. Here are some eye-opening statistics. The Environmental Working Group found that government tests of supermarket meat revealed antibiotic-resistant bacteria, often referred to as “superbugs”, in 81% of ground turkey, 69% of pork chops, 55% of ground beef and 39% of chicken breast, wings and thighs. That’s a hefty percentage of the meat found in supermarkets! Foodborne illness can be fatal, especially in.... [Read More...]
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May 27, 2013
In our last blog post, we discussed the role of food in your healthy lifestyle. What you eat has everything to do with your energy levels throughout the day, the efficiency and well-being of your organs, and the way you burn fat. However, sometimes no matter what your diet, you may experience discomfort in the upper abdomen. This is commonly called indigestion, and can have a number of different causes. In some cases the cause may be a medical condition, and prolonged bouts of indigestion should certainly be checked out by a medical professional. At Natren, we believe in wellness.... [Read More...]
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