5 Strange Healthy Eating Facts you Didn't Know

September 28, 2020

Person heating up a bowl of healthy vegetable based pasta for weight loss

Eat your vegetables, don’t consume too much sugar, have treats in moderation. Sound familiar? You’re probably aware of these common healthy eating tips. But have you heard these weird health facts? New studies on different trends appear everyday, and here are some strange, yet proven healthy eating facts you may not have heard about.

Healthy diets increases sperm count

In a University of Murcia School of Medicine study, men who consumed high levels of fruits and vegetables had 65% more sperm compared to men who had mostly processed food, salt, and sugary drinks. Although the study had its limitations, the research clearly suggested that a healthy and active lifestyle is not only important for health, but reproductive systems as well!

Yellow pea fiber and weight loss

Fiber can be found in a variety of foods, but an up and coming source of fiber stems from yellow peas. So, what makes yellow pea fiber so special? Yellow peas contain 95.6% total dietary fiber, and 7.7% of that is soluble fiber. This means that yellow peas are better able to promote stable glucose levels, significant weight loss, and generally, better metabolism. You can check out more information about yellow pea fiber here.

Eating right to protect your memory

Unfortunately, getting older means mental and physical decline. If it wasn’t obvious, healthy eating and an active lifestyle can help in slowing this process down. Some studies have shown that people who follow a “MIND” diet (Short for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by up to 53%, along with cognitive decline, and better verbal memory.

What exactly does “MIND” eating involve? Basically, consuming more natural plant-based foods, while limiting red meat, saturated fats, and sweets. High on the list of this diet includes leafy green vegetables, berries, beans, nuts, olive oil, and fish - similar to traditional Mediterranean meals.

Chocolate can be as healthy as fruit

Don’t be afraid of chocolate! Well, dark chocolate to be precise. Because a couple of its many health benefits include better weight management, increased blood flow (for better skin!), energy boosting properties, and happier moods. So yes, consuming small amounts of dark chocolate everyday won’t hurt you - it’ll likely help your body and mind in the long run!

Microwaved foods offer better nutrients

There’s been an ongoing debate between those for microwaves and those against. We looked at the data and found that microwaves are actually one of the most efficient cooking methods that better seals in nutrients. This is because when we properly microwave vegetables, we are sealing in the nutrients in the container and the food itself. Whereas boiling and steaming result in evaporation of some nutritious components. If you’ve been eyeing a microwave, there’s nothing to be afraid of.

When it comes to eating, your safest bet is to do your research and pay close attention to what works for your body. Diet fads will come and go, so be sure to listen to clinically sound research when choosing a lifestyle that’s right for you.

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