The Best of Harvard Health
10+ most popular Harvard Health articles, as voted by our community.
Knowledge is the best medicine. Providing you with trustworthy health information from the halls of @Harvardmed and world-famous affiliated hospitals.
Harvard Health on Fasting
Intermittent fasting: Surprising update
There is good evidence that intermittent fasting can be as effective for weight loss as simply eating less. But many people find it too hard to get through the fasting interval. New research suggests that eating only during a limited part of the day is more manageable and provides significant metabolic benefits.
Harvard Health on Fitness
Harvard Health on Health
What’s the connection between the gut and brain health?
Gut bacteria may affect brain health. Bacteria can send substances or signals to the brain that influence one's mood or vulnerability to certain brain diseases....
Low-carb diet helps cut blood sugar levels in people with prediabetes
A recent study suggests that following a low-carb diet may quickly reduce the level of A1C in a person with prediabetes. Such a rigorous approach to eating may not be realistic, but cutting even so...
Harvard Health on Hormones
Understanding the stress response
A stressful situation can trigger a cascade of stress hormones that produce well-orchestrated physiological changes. A stressful incident can make the heart pound and breathing quicken. Muscles tense…
Harvard Health on Kindness
The heart and science of kindness
Acts of kindness -- to loved ones, to strangers, to ourselves -- make the world a warmer place. And seeking ways to be kind can make you happier, too.
Harvard Health on Neurodiversity
What is neurodiversity?
The term neurodiversity conveys the idea that there is no single right way of thinking, learning, or behaving, and is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder. A growing self-ad...
Harvard Health on Nutrition
21 spices for healthy holiday foods
The holiday season is probably the hardest time of year to resist rich, indulgent foods, but too many salty, fatty, sugary choices can harm your health. Instead, try adding natural flavor to...
Anti-inflammatory food superstars for every season
Inflammation is part of the body’s healing process, but chronic inflammation can contribute to a range of health issues. In every season, regularly eating a variety of anti-inflammatory foods...
Harvard Health on Pain
Do we feel pain more at night?
Chronic pain typically fluctuates during the day and some research suggests that it worsens at night, potentially interfering with sleep. If pain keeps you awake at night, trying these strat...
Harvard Health on Psychiatry
Nutritional psychiatry: Your brain on food
The emerging field of nutritional psychiatry is finding that the food you eat directly affects the structure of your digestive tract, the function of your brain, and, ultimately, your mood.
Harvard Health on Tai Chi
A sharper mind: tai chi can improve cognitive function
There are lots of jokes about forgetting where you put your keys, but as you get older, changes in your mental function are no laughing matter. Changes in your brain that start around age 50 can…
Protect your bones with tai chi
Tai chi is a gentle exercise that helps prevent falls and may reduce the chance of a bone fracture. Those who perform tai chi see a 20% to 40% reduction in fall risk. In addition, there is some…
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How to break a bad habit
We all have habits we’d like to break, but the brain doesn’t make changes easily. Breaking an unhealthy habit can be done; to do so, it helps to understand what’s happening...
Legume of the month: Peanuts
Peanuts (which are technically legumes and not nuts) are rich in healthy unsaturated fats, fiber, and several vitamins and minerals. People who eat them regularly tend to have lower rates of heart…
Does cracking knuckles cause arthritis?
Cracking your knuckles may aggravate the people around you, but it probably won’t raise your risk for arthritis....
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