Did you know cavities are the second most common disease, after the common cold? Xylitol is a natural sweetener found in fruits and veggies. It's great for your teeth. This sugar alcohol is known for boosting oral hygiene and stopping tooth decay. Xylitol is a special sugar alcohol. It's good for your teeth because it stops bad bacteria in the mouth. Unlike regular sugar, xylitol can't be eaten by harmful bacteria, which helps prevent plaque. Our bodies produce a small amount of xylitol every day. But eating more xylitol through gum or other products is better for your teeth. Xylitol can reduce harmful oral bacteria by 27-75% while maintaining good bacteria levels. This helps stop tooth decay and gum disease. Adults can usually handle 10-30 g of xylitol a day but can go up to 70g after getting used to it. Xylitol Is Not Pet-Friendly—Keep Away From Pets—Thank You
The benefits of lavender Lavender has long been considered a jack-of-all-trades in the world of herbal health treatments. That’s because the plant’s parts contain different chemical compounds that can positively affect your body. From its ability to boost your mood to reducing colic symptoms, Dr. Lin shares lavender’s eclectic list of potential benefits: Supports sleep Because of its calming scent, many people find benefits from using lavender-infused fragrances before bed as a form of aromatherapy. A 2019 study even suggests lavender can improve your body’s melatonin levels, supporting a better night’s rest. Reduces pain and inflammation Another benefit of lavender that has been explored is its anti-inflammatory properties. “One of the chemical compounds in lavender include flavonoids, which are also found in vegetables and fruits, and coumarin. Both have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions,” explains Dr. Lin. Lavender may also help ease aches and pains. A 2012 study found that inhaling lavender essential oil for 15 minutes can help reduce migraine headache pain. Helps with mood, anxiety and depression There’s a reason that lavender has a reputation as a calming plant. “Lavender is known for its ability to calm your nervous system, lift your mood and even lower blood pressure,” Dr. Lin points out. “For example, lavender essential oil contains important compounds such as linalool, which has been shown to reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure. “Research links lavender usage to less anxiety and depression,” she adds. One randomized trial from 2020 found that breathing in lavender essential oil for 30 minutes helped improve levels of anxiety, depression and stress in older adults. A 2023 study also found that people felt less anxiety before going through an MRI test after inhaling lavender aromatherapy. Relieves menstrual pain Another possible benefit of lavender is helping reduce menstrual pain. In one 2016 study, women who smelled lavender for 30 minutes a day during the first three days of their period reported less pain after two months. Other research has also linked applying lavender essential oil to the abdomen with less menstrual pain. Kills harmful viruses and bacteria Lavender can also be used as a natural cleaner. “Before we had antiseptics, people used lavender to clean hospital wards,” shares Dr. Lin. “It’s still used for its antimicrobial and antiviral properties.” Additionally, one nonhuman study found that lavender oil aided wound healing by improving the skin’s ability to produce collagen post-surgery. Reduces colic symptoms A 2012 study found that aromatherapy massage using lavender oil was effective in reducing colic symptoms in infants, including lessening how long they cried
The benefits of resveratrol Like other antioxidants, resveratrol contains various protective qualities that may help your body carry on a number of daily processes and fight off illness. And while there’ve been numerous studies documenting a wide array of antioxidants’ potential benefits that include anti-aging effects, anti-cancer effects and more, many more studies need to be done on resveratrol alone. However, there are several properties of resveratrol that might make these benefits possible. Positively impacts brain and heart health We know resveratrol is an anti-inflammatory because it’s an antioxidant, so it affects cells in your body by protecting them from damage. Most notably, it helps with brain and heart inflammation by providing a protective lining for your blood vessels and preventing insult or injury. This means it could have neuroprotective qualities and help preserve memory and brain function, as well as prevent heart disease and strokes. “Resveratrol and other antioxidants are kind of like Saran wrap for your cells,” says Zumpano. “They wrap around the cell like a nice layer, so when you have compounds floating around your bloodstream and the environment that are trying to attack and damage that cell, you have this extra layer of protection.” Assists with increasing HDL and reducing LDL cholesterol Zumpano says antioxidants help with multiple systems in your body. A diet high in antioxidant-rich foods promotes high levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and low levels of LDL (bad cholesterol). “The foods that you eat affect your entire body — your cells, bones, blood and organs. The higher the antioxidant content, the greater the entire body is protected from disease and suppresses inflammation,” says Zumpano. Helps reduce blood clotting Polyphenols also appear to improve the function of blood vessels and may help slow down the formation of blood clots. Alcohol can also act as a blood thinner, so red wine, when consumed responsibly, can help reduce clot formation. Therefore, if you combine polyphenols and alcohol, you have an even greater blood-thinning effect. Potential side effects of resveratrol Resveratrol has a fairly low toxicity level. It’s reasonably well tolerated up to 5 grams per day. Studies have indicated nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and other gastrointestinal issues can occur when consuming higher doses. But these higher doses cannot be reached by diet alone and are usually reached when you consume supplements. Should you take resveratrol? To benefit from resveratrol, Zumpano suggests working 1 gram of resveratrol into your diet each day, and that it’s important this comes from natural sources. A glass of wine or grape juice is OK, but turning to resveratrol supplements may not be the right path to take, as too much of a good thing can sometimes present negative effects. Supplements aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so you can never be certain you are getting the amount of resveratrol that a product claims it provides. Plus, anytime you can tap a natural source, you’re bound to benefit from it. “There is a certain amount of resveratrol that your body cannot absorb and it’s difficult to determine that amount,” says Zumpano. “The case with most supplements is you’re certainly going to absorb it and utilize it much better from a real dietary source.”
