Dealing With High-blood Pressure? Eat More Melons

Eat Better, Get Off the Salt, Exercise… and Get Off the Meds!

Summer is the time to chill out with cool summer fruits.

So, why not lower your blood pressure at the same time?

Nutrition experts at UT Southwestern Medical Center say there's no better way to lower your blood pressure than by indulging in some of the season's potassium-rich fruit and vegetables.

"Melons like cantaloupe and watermelon are particularly high in potassium," says Lona Sandon, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "One fourth a cantaloupe contains 800 to 900 milligrams of potassium, roughly 20 percent of the recommended daily value."

Two cups of watermelon contains nearly 10 percent of the daily recommended value.

Ms. Sandon said that dried apricots, avocados, figs, kiwi, oranges, raisins, dates, beans, potatoes, tomatoes and even grapefruit are other good sources of potassium.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that most adults get 4,044 milligrams of potassium from food and beverages each day.
Source: UT Southwestern Medical Center

Posted: True Health Is True Wealth

4 Habits to Make You Younger

There are four key habits that can give you an extra 14 years of life. Know what they are? 

Here's the list: Don't smoke; drink in moderation; exercise regularly; and pack your diet with fruit and veggies. Missing any? No sweat. We've got some simple tips and tools to kick-start you. 

14 Years and Life to Go
Grabbing those extra 14 years doesn't have to be hard! Try this:

• Kick the smoking habit.
• Set aside 20 minutes of your day for this fast and easy workout.
• Count the colors on your plate. You want at least three -- and white and brown don't count! - add more fruits and veggies.
• Be heart smart in your approach to alcohol. 

Four Score
When healthy, middle-aged men and women in a study scored high on all four of these important health behaviors, the combined effect was a four-fold reduction in mortality risk -- an outcome equal to being 14 years younger!

Source: RealAge