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Your earbuds are in, your shoes are laced up, and you’re ready to exercise — but no need to stretch first, right? Many fitness gurus say you should avoid stretching before a workout. However, skipping pre-workout stretches could lead to an injury. Is it Better to Stretch Before or After a Workout? For maximum benefits, it's crucial to stretch both before and after your workout. Despite online sources suggesting otherwise, this isn’t as clear-cut as it seems. An older study found that static stretching before a workout could reduce athletic performance, potentially leading to the myth that pre-workout stretching isn’t beneficial. However, the reduced performance only lasted a few minutes and didn’t affect long-term strength or endurance. Moreover, newer studies indicate that pre-workout static stretching may not harm performance after all. It’s important to note that this older study only dealt with static stretching — where you extend through your joint and hold the stretch. This i...

Do you enjoy a sweet cup of tea or coffee but have cut out sugar? If you’ve also moved away from artificial sweeteners like saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose, you might be wondering how to satisfy your sweet tooth. An herb called stevia could be your new best friend, bringing sweetness back to your treats. Stevia is a calorie-free sweetener made from the leaves of the stevia plant. Although its use in the U.S. is relatively recent, with approval as a food additive in 2008, it has been used in South America for centuries. The sweetness in stevia comes from steviol glycosides found in the leaves, which are up to 400 times sweeter than sugar. This means you need much less stevia to achieve the same level of sweetness. The Sweetness Spectrum To understand stevia's sweetness, let’s compare it to other sweeteners. Here’s how they measure up against table sugar: Acesulfame Potassium (Sweet One®, Sunett®) is 200 times sweeter. Advantame (Advantame®) is 20,000 times sweeter. Aspartame (Nu...

Imagine this: it's a beautiful summer day, the sky is clear, and the sun is shining brightly. Unfortunately, you're stuck inside with a runny nose, sore throat, and a pounding headache. What gives? Despite popular belief, colds aren't just a wintertime nuisance. Cold viruses circulate all year, meaning you can get sick during any season, including summer. Here’s what you need to know if you find yourself browsing the drugstore aisles for cold remedies in the middle of June. What is a Summer Cold? A summer cold is exactly what it sounds like—a common cold that occurs during the summer months. While winter colds are more frequent due to people spending more time indoors in close quarters, summer colds are still possible and can be just as unpleasant. Causes of Summer Colds Over 200 different viruses can cause colds, and these viruses spread easily through sneezes, coughs, and close contact with infected individuals. Rhinoviruses are typically behind winter colds, bringing on ...

Managing HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer involves juggling numerous tasks, from attending medical appointments to handling treatment side effects and taking care of mental health. It can be overwhelming, but focusing on a healthy diet can play a crucial role in improving overall well-being during this challenging time. While no diet can cure HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer, a nutritious eating plan can complement medical treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy. Proper nutrition helps support the immune system, maintain strength, and sustain energy levels, making it easier to endure and recover from treatments. Essential Components of a Healthy Diet A healthy diet generally includes reducing processed foods and consuming more nutrient-dense options. Key components of such a diet are: - Variety of Fruits and Vegetables: Incorporate fresh produce in different colors to ensure a range of nutrients. - Whole Grains: Choose whole-grain breads,...