New Coffee Study & How it Affects the Brain

📚Research Alert!

Sure, the caffeine in coffee helps us feel more alert and focused.

But a new study shows there’s more to coffee’s brain-boosting effects than just caffeine.

In the study, healthy adults were given either coffee or caffeinated water, and researchers measured their brain activity with functional MRI scans.

Both groups showed changes in brain activity related to being more ready to engage in tasks. But coffee also boosted activity in areas of the brain related to working memory, cognitive control, and goal-directed behavior.

☕ Basically, the coffee made people even more ready to be attentive and responsive than caffeine alone.

This is not so different from what we commonly see in studies on whole food or herbs 👉👉👉 The whole is more than the sum of its parts.

Are you a coffee fan? Comment Yes or No! ⬇️

Reference

Picó-Pérez M, Magalhães R, Esteves M, et al. Coffee consumption decreases the connectivity of the posterior Default Mode Network (DMN) at rest. Front Behav Neurosci. 2023;17:1176382. [link]

Research Alert! Microbiome & Weight Loss

🌟 Exciting Research 🌟

One of the most common questions people ask me is: Should I take a probiotic?

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria to populate the gut microbiome, and a general trend we see in research is that a more diverse microbiome (more variety of microorganisms) is associated with better health.

But a new study has found yet another way to improve the microbiome:

Weight loss.

Regardless of whether people followed intermittent fasting or calorie restriction, weight loss led to more diversity of the microbiome AND (another sign of better health) changes in DNA methylation.

Why am I so excited by this?

Because it shows how resilient the body is.

When we make changes in a positive direction toward health, our bodies benefit in ways we cannot even see and may never even know.

Drop me a ❤️ if you agree.

#gutmicrobiome #microbiome #microbiomehealth #metabolichealth #elementsnatmed

Reference

Hill EB, Konigsberg IR, Ir D, Frank DN, Jambal P, Litkowski EM, Lange EM, Lange LA, Ostendorf DM, Scorsone JJ, et al. The Microbiome, Epigenome, and Diet in Adults with Obesity during Behavioral Weight Loss. Nutrients. 2023; 15(16):3588. [link]

[Research Update] Metabolism & Mitochondria

Research Update!

If you’ve been following along my posts about mitochondria, you already know they are essential for energy & metabolism.

Here’s a new research review that links mitochondrial health to insulin resistance, high cholesterol, obesity, and…

☠️ environmental toxins ☠️

It goes like this:

Toxic exposures create free radicals in the body → which damage mitochondria → which disrupts metabolic health.

So, what can we do?

We can start by minimizing our exposure to chemicals in everyday products, like plastics, cosmetics, cleaning supplies, and air fresheners.

Then we can boost up our detox abilities by drinking lots of water, eating lots of veggies, and sweating.

And when you’re ready to really kick metabolic issues to the curb, we’re here to help.

Like if you found this helpful ❤️

Superfoods for Fall 🍂

Fall Superfoods to Stock in Your Kitchen ⬇️

Fall is the time to cozy up with some comfort foods AND start supporting your immune function while you’re at it…

…and what better way than with superfoods? 

🎃 Pumpkins & Squash

Pumpkins are not just for carving! They’re packed with beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fiber. This is also the season for all varieties of squash, like butternut and acorn squash too. 

🍏 Apples & Pears

Also a good source of vitamin C and fiber, these fruits have a lower glycemic index that sweeter fruits, like bananas or grapes.  

🥬 Kale & Greens

Fall is a great time to harvest kale and other dark green leafy vegetables that are rich in vitamin K, vitamin C, and beta-carotene.  

🥣 Turmeric & Ginger

If you’re feeling a chill in the air, warm up with these antioxidant-rich spices. Perfect for soups, stir-fries, and even lattes! 

Are any of these your fall faves? 

3 Things You Can do for Your Mitochondria

3 Things You Can Do to Boost Mitochondrial Function 🙌

Better mitochondrial function means a better metabolism, more energy, clearer focus, and healthier aging. 

How can we give our mitochondria a boost? 

1️⃣ High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT means exercising at high intensity for brief bursts)

2️⃣ Intermittent Fasting (restricting your eating to a timed window each day)

3️⃣ Cold Exposure (like a cold plunge or cold shower)

Do you already do any of these things? Did you know they are improving your health on a deep and cellular level? 

Give me a ❤️if you learned something!