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Is the Water You are Drinking Safe?

1/28/2015

Do you know what is in the tap water you drink? There’s an easy way to find out. The Environmental Working Group analyzed water throughout the United States and identified 316 different contaminants. Many of these contaminants are not regulated by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The contaminants included:

Heavy metals
Pesticides
Industrial pollutants

The Environmental Working Group analyzed water throughout the United States and identified 316 different contaminants.

Tap water can be full of polutants

Increased risk of cancer and other diseases is associated with exposure to these pollutants, so it’s important to know if you are being subjected to them.

However, bottled water isn’t necessarily safer. EWG also analyzed 10 different bottled waters and found that many of them contained the same pollutants as tap water. The bottled water not only contained the pollutants, it also contained chemicals that had leached into the water from the plastic bottle. EWG suggests using water pitchers that contain carbon filters or getting a filter that attaches directly to your faucet. To find out how your city rates, visit ewg.org/tap-water

Search by zip code for results of water quality tests in your area.

Eat Your Purples!

1/19/2015

You often hear the advice to “Eat your greens!” However, it’s important to eat food of a variety of colors because they contain different nutrients. Purple and blue are often neglected colors in the average diet. In fact, eighty-eight percent of people don’t get enough purple and blue in their diet. Purple and blue foods only make up three percent of the average diet. These foods are packed with disease-fighting antioxidants. Scientists believe that compounds known as anthocyanins, found in these foods, get rid of free radicals and soothe inflammation.

people who ate blue and purple fruits and vegetables had a lower risk for high blood pressure and were less likely to have low levels of HDL “good” cholesterol. These people are also less likely to be overweight.

Berries are full of antioxidants

A study done by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study found that people who ate blue and purple fruits and vegetables had a lower risk for high blood pressure and were less likely to have low levels of HDL “good” cholesterol. These people are also less likely to be overweight. By reducing three of the five risk factors for metabolic syndrome, it is also believed that eating purple and blue foods will reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Eat Your White Fruits &Veggies

1/14/2015

The white group of fruits and veggies contain healthy compounds that may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol and may help reduce the risk of stomach cancer and heart disease.

Bananas are a good source of potassium, which helps prevent high blood pressure and atherosclerosis. Bananas also ease constipation, protect the stomach against ulcers, reduce depression, reduce the risk of stroke, promote kidney health and help build strong bones.

Bananas are a good source of potassium, which helps prevent high blood pressure and atherosclerosis. Bananas also ease constipation, protect the stomach against ulcers, reduce depression, reduce the risk of stroke, promote kidney health and help build strong bones.

Bananas reduce depression

Potatoes are a good source of vitamins C and B6, manganese, copper, potassium, fiber and tryptophan. The health benefits of potatoes include protection against heart disease, reduction of blood pressure, increased endurance, and maintenance of normal brain cell and nervous system activity.

Cauliflower is full of nutrients such as vitamins C and K, folate, fiber, and the B-complex vitamins. Cauliflower helps to detoxify your body, promotes heart health, and protects against rheumatoid arthritis.

Eat Your Yellows and Oranges!

1/8/2015

Orange and yellow fruits and veggies are usually colored by beta-carotene, which your body turns into vitamin A. These foods help keep your eyes and immune system healthy and can help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease. They also often contain vitamin C and folate as well. Lemons are a good source of vitamin C, which had been found to reduce the risk of death from all causes.

Lemons are a good source of vitamin C, which had been found to reduce the risk of death from all causes.

Lemons are a great source of vitamin C

Eat Your Reds!

1/4/2015

Red fruits and vegetables contain phytonutrients such as ellagic acid, anthocyanins, lycopene and more. These phytonutrients may help regulate blood pressure levels, lower bad cholesterol, and reduce tumor growth. Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants that help prevent cell damage, help keep your heart healthy, and reduce the pain from arthritis and gout. Lycopene may help reduce the risk of some kinds of cancer, such as prostate cancer, breast, colorectal, endometrial, lung and pancreatic. The best way to get your daily dose of lycopene is in cooked tomatoes with a small amount of fat, such as a marinara sauce with a little olive oil in it.

Raspberries have the most antioxidants of all fruits.

Exercise: Timing is Everything

1/1/2015

Its the beginning of a new year. Many are creating resolutions to be more active. Its important to know when is the best time to exercise. It can have a huge impact on your health!

Its important to know the best time to run.

People who exercise outdoors could have impaired lung function due to pollution. A report in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine stated that even young, healthy non-smokers that exercise outdoors are at risk for poor lung functioning. Impaired lung function can occur even when ozone pollution is at levels that are considered safe according to the clean-air laws.

Is the Water You are Drinking Safe?

Eat Your Purples!

Eat Your White Fruits &Veggies

Eat Your Yellows and Oranges!

Eat Your Reds!

Exercise: Timing is Everything

Tonya Cruz

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