Sugar isn’t necessarily a boogeyman that should be avoided at all costs. It’s perfectly fine to have something sweet now and again. The real trouble can arise when sugar sneaks into our diets without us even realizing it. One common Trojan horse? Condiments. Something as simple as ketchup or barbecue sauce can pack in a surprising amount of added sugar. But that doesn’t mean you have to swear off condiments entirely. We pulled together 7 of the best options for adding plenty of flavor without sending your blood sugar soaring.
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Fitness
Can 6 Flights a Day Protect Your Heart?
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The Long Way Up: Physical activity is important for preventing heart disease, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it can be as simple as taking the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator. New research has found that people who regularly climb stairs are significantly less likely to develop and die from cardiovascular disease.
The Study: The researchers reviewed nearly 1,900 studies and then analyzed nine high-quality studies (closely reviewing five of them) including more than 480,000 people, both with and without a history of heart disease. The participants ranged in age from 35 to 84, and most were women (53%). Those who regularly climbed stairs were less likely to have major cardiovascular issues, like stroke or heart attack. They were 39% less likely to die from cardiovascular problems and 24% less likely to die from any cause.
The Takeaway: Climbing at least six flights a day yielded the most benefit. Stair-climbing is a quick, free way to work in more activity, as you can find stairs virtually anywhere. Still, this activity could be challenging for people with joint and mobility issues.
Keep In Mind: The researchers found an association between regular stair-climbing and lower cardiovascular risk, not causation.
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Sponsored
The 10 Minutes Your Family Will Be Glad You Spent
Courtesy: Ethos
Life insurance is one of those things many people mean to handle, but keep putting off. The process can sound complicated, especially when you imagine medical exams, agent calls, and weeks of waiting.
Ethos takes a different approach. You can answer a few health questions online, skip the medical exam, and most people are approved the same day. Policies start around $54 a month** and include a free will, making it worth a closer look.
Thank you for supporting our sponsors! They help us keep All Healthy free.
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Nutrition
How to Actually Stop Heartburn Before It Starts
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Burn Baby Burn: Here’s something we can probably all agree on: heartburn sucks. It’s not a big deal if that burning feeling (caused by stomach acid flowing back up into your esophagus) only creeps up in your chest once in a while (like after scarfing down spicy takeout and flopping on the couch). But something bigger (like GERD) could be happening if it’s two or more times a week. Luckily, beating heartburn is a very achievable goal.
How To Do It: Start with how you eat. Pay attention to and avoid your personal trigger foods (common ones include citrus, coffee, and rich or fatty meals). Eating smaller meals throughout the day means less acid production overall, and skipping late-night eating and sleeping propped up can help, too. If those steps don’t work, there’s also a full range of OTC and prescription options to discuss with a doctor.
The Benefits: Addressing heartburn can do more than ease discomfort. Left untreated, that repeated exposure can inflame the esophagus and cause scarring and narrowing. In rare cases, it can even lead to Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer.
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Fitness
What’s Actually Happening When Your Back Cracks?
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You Should Know: If you experience a dramatic crack when you twist or stretch your back, there’s no need to be alarmed (as long as you’re not experiencing pain). The noise typically comes from your facet joints — the small joints connecting the vertebrae — as pressure changes inside their synovial fluid, creating a gas-filled cavity. Scientists still debate the precise mechanics, but the phenomenon is generally considered harmless.
Going Deeper: So why does back-cracking feel so good? Research suggests people can experience a sense of relief from the cracking sensation or even the sound itself, potentially because we associate that pop with releasing tension.
Why some people crack more than others isn’t completely understood. Joint anatomy, mobility and individual differences in the tissues surrounding a joint may all play a role. And once a joint cracks, it enters a temporary “refractory period” during which it can’t immediately crack again, likely because the gas needs time to redistribute or dissolve.
Takeaway: When your back cracks and makes a sound, it’s usually harmless. (And research hasn’t established that cracking joints leads to arthritis).
Bottom Line: You can safely enjoy back-cracking when it comes easy and occasionally, but don’t force painful or extreme movements to chase a pop.
Serves: 6-8 | Cook Time: 10-11 hours
This slow-cooker Carolina pulled pork is tangy, smoky, and almost entirely hands-off. Pork shoulder cooks low and slow until fork-tender, then gets shredded and tossed with a vinegar-forward barbecue sauce. Pile it onto buns with slaw, serve it over greens, or save the leftovers for tacos, bowls, or sandwiches later in the week.
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This, Not That
Set Yourself Up For Success
THIS
NOT THAT
Getty Images/Unsplash, Daniel Martinez/Unsplash
This: Put your running shoes where you trip over them Not That: Hiding your good intentions in the closet
You’re more likely to move when the cue is obvious. Leave your shoes by the door, put a resistance band near your desk, or set your gym bag where you can’t ignore it. A visible reminder is not magic, but it beats relying on motivation to make a formal appearance.
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Sponsored
What Most People Miss About Life Insurance
Life insurance can feel complicated, but Ethos has made the process much simpler. You can answer a few health questions online, skip the medical exam, and in many cases get a decision the same day. Coverage starts around $54 a month** and every new policy includes a free will.
Thank you for supporting our sponsors! They help us keep All Healthy free.
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HEALTHY HABIT
Make Water More Interesting
If plain water bores you, stop making hydration a character test. Add lemon, cucumber, mint, frozen fruit, a splash of juice, or bubbles. The goal is not purity. The goal is drinking enough water to feel like a reasonably maintained houseplant.
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Final Thought
Balance your thoughts with action. If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.”
