There is no one-size-fits-all recommendation for weight loss. Everyone is different, so different approaches work for some, while other methods work better for others. One thing is for sure: you do not need to overhaul your entire lifestyle to lose weight. Big shifts, such as strict diets, can be difficult to maintain, especially when life gets busy or your motivation starts to decline. 

Microhabits can come to your aid in this situation. They are small, manageable actions that require minimal effort, but they create meaningful change when you repeat them consistently over time. Instead of relying on pure willpower, you repeat these microhabits to help you build momentum and make healthier choices. Small shifts in your daily routine can completely reshape your weight loss journey, making it more sustainable and realistic. Experiment with the following microhabits to support your weight loss goals. 

Drink Water Before Your Meals

According to research from 2022, drinking one to two cups of water 30 minutes before you eat a meal can reduce your daily caloric intake by about 170 calories. Since a calorie deficit is necessary for weight loss, this habit can make a difference. One reason this works is because water increases feelings of fullness before you eat. That makes you less likely to overeat, and you also eat less without feeling restricted. Some dietitians believe that this habit can help curb intense hunger and reduce the likelihood of reaching for high-calorie foods. 

Pause Before You Snack

We have all gone to the fridge or pantry and opened the door to see what caught our eye. Before you reach for a snack just to snack out of boredom, take a pause and check in with yourself. A brief pause of 10 to 20 seconds can help you make a more intentional choice. The choice could be to eat an apple instead of a bag of chips, or it could be to wait to eat until you feel hungry. You can also make sure that you have a small treat planned for each day, and that may help you feel less restricted and be smarter with your food choices.

Begin Your Day With Protein

A lot of people rely on a bagel with cream cheese or buttered toast and fruit to start their day. A simple shift to focus on protein-rich foods for breakfast can influence the rest of your day. Protein works to keep you full for longer and stabilize blood sugar, which can help curb mid-morning cravings. The goal with this micro habit is to help you feel more satisfied and less likely to reach for less-nourishing foods. You can eat:

• A smoothie with protein powder
• Oatmeal with nut butter
• Greek yogurt with nuts and berries
• Chia pudding

Focus On Adding, Not Subtracting

Rather than focusing on things you cannot eat, try to add things that are beneficial to your meals. A subtle shift like that can reframe your thinking. “What can’t I eat?” changes to “what can I include?” Over time, that will naturally cause you to weed out those unhealthy options without the mental exhaustion that comes with restrictive eating. Small additions can include:

• Healthy fats (avocados, olive oil)
• Lean protein (wild caught fish or free-range poultry)
• A serving of vegetables
• Nuts and seeds

Incorporate Movement Where You Can

You don’t always have to complete a structured workout to say that you “moved” during the day. You can choose the stairs instead of the elevator or park farther away to walk to where you need to go. Small bursts of activity increase your daily movement, which plays a big role in energy balance. It can also support your weight loss efforts over time. You can also get creative with your movement. For example, you can do squats, jumping jacks, push-ups, or leg lifts during commercials while you watch TV. Perhaps you engage in some light hip mobility for a few minutes every hour at your job. The main thing to remember is to get the blood flowing and break free from the sedentary lifestyle. 

Walk For 10 Minutes After Eating

Research from 2025 found that walking immediately after a meal can help reduce post-meal glucose spikes and lower blood sugar. In fact, a short 10-minute walk was more effective at doing that than a longer walk a while after a meal. The more stable your blood sugar, the more you can regulate appetite and reduce energy crashes. Walking does not have to be something new that you add to your schedule; rather you can walk to the store, run a nearby errand, or do manual chores. Be flexible and keep it brief, which makes it more realistic to your schedule.

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Most people have a love-hate relationship with cardiovascular exercise. On the one hand, they know that it benefits overall health, but on the other hand they do not want to do it because it isn’t as “enjoyable” as other exercises. When people think about it, they think of how long they can run, how quickly their heart rate returns to normal, and whether they can keep up in a high intensity interval class. It’s not often that people associate cardiovascular exercise with mental health. 

Cardiorespiratory fitness is often captured via a person’s VO2 max, which indicates how efficiently the body delivers and uses oxygen. This process does not just power workouts; rather, it touches nearly every system that plays a role in keeping you mentally sharp and emotionally stable. 

Rather than treating exercise as something that helps you maintain physical appearance, researchers are focusing on a new area of interest. Could the way the body handles oxygen have something to do with how the brain functions in the future?

Cardiovascular Fitness And Long-Term Brain Health

In order to explore this idea, researchers gathered data from 27 large cohort studies, which included more than four million people of different age groups and backgrounds. These were not short-term experiments. Researchers observed participants over time, tracking baseline cardiorespiratory fitness levels and then looked at who developed conditions like dementia, depression, or other mental health disorders. 

Study authors used standardized methods to measure cardiorespiratory fitness, often tied to VO2 max. That is the maximum rate of oxygen the body can take in, transport, and utilize during exercise. Following this, participants were grouped into lower and higher fitness categories, creating a clear way to compare outcomes over time. 

The scale of this analysis makes this information very useful. Researchers did not rely on a single study population; rather, it layered multiple datasets together to help smooth out individual variability. That gave researchers a clearer sense of patterns that varied across different groups. It also allowed researchers to to look at dose-response relationships, meaning how subtle changes in fitness could relate to changes in risk of developing mental health conditions. 

Higher Fitness Levels Linked To Lower Risk

What researchers found most compelling was how consistently fitness tracked with mental health outcomes. They noticed that people with higher cardiorespiratory fitness had a 36% lower risk of developing depression, and a 39% lower risk of dementia compared to participants with lower fitness levels. 

What is even more surprising is how little movement it took to reveal a difference. A small bump in fitness resulted in a lower risk of both dementia and depression. Participants did not have to go from walking around the neighborhood to running marathons. It was as simple as nudging up a person’s current baseline just a touch, and continuing to build on that endurance over time. 

A person does not need peak performance to influence long-term brain health. Small, incremental movements count and add up over time. There are several reasons that that makes sense from a biological standpoint. Better cardiorespiratory fitness supports efficient blood flow to the brain, which translates to more consistent oxygen and nutrient delivery. It also leads to lower inflammatory markers and improves how the body regulates stress hormones, such as cortisol. Those things shape brain structure and overall function, especially those tied to memory and emotional regulation. 

The Takeaway

Keep a few things in perspective regarding this research. Although it shows a strong association, it did not guarantee results. Lower fitness does not cause dementia or depression on its own, and higher fitness does not make someone immune to those conditions. Both mental health and neurodegenerative conditions are influenced by lifestyle patterns, environment, genetics, and other things that surpass exercise. 

You do not have to go all out in the gym every day; rather, it is more important to maintain regular exercise. Walking more often, adding in more intervals in your workout regimen, or slowly building endurance over time are the factors that contribute to change.

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A stroke is a medical emergency and a life-altering event. Chances are that you probably know someone who has been affected by one, the most common of which is an ischemic stroke. This type of stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is either reduced or blocked. That prevents the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to brain tissue. As a result, brain cells begin to die in minutes. Another type of stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke, which happens when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or bursts, causing bleeding in the brain. Blood increases pressure on brain cells, causing damage. 

That was a lot of information to begin an article, but there is some light at the end of that seemingly dark tunnel. Nearly 80% of strokes are preventable, and cardiologists suggest several things you can do to reduce the risk of stroke. Stroke risk is something that builds over time through various factors like lifestyle habits, blood pressure, and underlying health conditions. Consider the following four things to help reduce your risk of stroke. 

Control Your Cholesterol

If you have higher levels of “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, you have a higher risk of fatty deposits building up in your arteries. Plaque narrows the arteries that lead to the brain, which can lead to a blood clot that causes an ischemic stroke. By lowering LDL cholesterol levels, you can help slow or reverse plaque buildup in the arteries. Ideally, keep your LDL below 100 mg/dL. For those at higher risk or who have previously had a stroke, new guidelines suggest keeping LDL levels below 70 mg/dL. 

Simple lifestyle changes can help you keep cholesterol levels down. Eating a heart-healthy diet, limiting your sodium intake, and focusing on healthy fats are great first steps. Avoid ultra-processed foods at all costs! Additionally, watch out for condiments and dressings, which can contain trans and saturated fats, excess sodium, and preservatives. Cut back on full-fat dairy and meat, as those are two sources of saturated fats, which contribute to high levels of LDL cholesterol.

Eat A Heart-Healthy Diet

According to dietitians, the Mediterranean diet has proven to significantly reduce the risk of stroke. This diet emphasizes the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, and seeds), and lean proteins, especially fish and poultry. It also calls for you to limit your intake of sugar, processed foods, and red meat. One study followed women who adhered to the Mediterranean diet for over two decades. The results indicated that those who followed it more closely had a 25% lower risk of stroke. 

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is also a heart-healthy eating pattern. It emphasizes potassium-rich foods and a lower intake of high-sodium foods. According to one study, those who followed the DASH diet significantly reduced systolic blood pressure by up to 4.6 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure by up to 1.1. mmHg. Another study found that individuals with high risk of heart disease who followed either the Mediterranean diet or DASH diet had a lower risk of total stroke or ischemic stroke. 

Manage Your Blood Pressure

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the single most important and controllable risk factor for stroke. High blood pressure weakens and damages arteries throughout the body, which increases the likelihood of them rupturing or becoming clogged. You could aim for a target blood pressure of less than 130/80 mmHg to reduce your risk of stroke and other cardiovascular events, such as heart attack. 

Even though high blood pressure is something you can easily control, only 1 in 4 adults with hypertension has it under control. You can easily manage blood pressure through lifestyle changes. Regular exercises, following a low-sodium diet, proper sleep, and stress management techniques can help lower blood pressure. Know your numbers and check your blood pressure at home. Click here to learn how to properly check your blood pressure. 

Exercise Regularly

Movement is one of the easiest, most accessible, and free things you can do to lower your risk of stroke. Physical activity encourages blood vessel health by lowering blood pressure and raising high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol. It also helps you maintain a healthy weight and control blood sugar, all of which are essential to lowering your risk of stroke. According to research, people who are active have a 34% lower risk of hemorrhagic stroke and 21% lower risk of ischemic stroke. Ideally, aim to get 30 minutes of moderate-intense aerobic activity per day, which equates to 150 minutes of total exercise per week.

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Believe it or not, artichokes are one of the top vegetables in terms of antioxidant content. While you may not reap the benefits of artichokes by diving face first into a bowl of spinach artichoke dip, eating artichokes provides you with a lot of vitamin C, A, K, and more. Some artichoke extract supplements, which provide concentration of the vegetable’s protective compounds, include cynarin, chlorogenic acid, cymaroside, and luteolin. 

Due to the high fiber content and rich phytonutrient profile, artichokes are great for overall health. Some research shows that the compounds may help prevent serious conditions such as cancer and heart disease. They have also proven to positively impact digestive function. On top of all that, artichokes taste great, they are low in carbs, and are quite versatile. 

Because some compounds in artichokes have heart-promoting benefits, artichoke extract supplements have risen in popularity in recent years. These supplements are largely derived from the antioxidants and phytonutrients found in the leaves. Leaf extracts of the artichoke plant have liver-protectant properties, in addition to anti-carcinogenic, antioxidant, anti-viral, and antibacterial activity. 

Artichoke Nutrition

Available nutritional data indicates that a one-cup serving of cooked artichoke contains approximately:

• Calories: 90
• Fiber: 9.7 grams (g)
• Total carbohydrates: 20.2 g
• Total fat: 0.6 g
• Sugar: 1.7 g
• Protein: 4.9 g
• Sodium: 299 milligrams (mg)
• Riboflavin: 0.2 mg
• Folate: 151 micrograms (mcg)
• Magnesium: 71.4 mg
• Vitamin K: 25.2 mcg
• Potassium: 124 mg
• Zinc: 0.7 mg
• Calcium: 37.7 mg
• Niacin: 1.9 mg

Artichokes also contain some choline, vitamin A, selenium, beta-carotene, lutein, vitamin E, and zeaxanthin. Although artichokes provide many essential nutrients, they are particularly high in folate and vitamin K. Continue reading to learn more about their health benefits. 

They Protect Heart Health

Research shows that consuming artichokes and artichoke extract may help reduce unhealthy cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. People with high cholesterol have a higher risk of developing heart disease and experiencing stroke. Artichokes contain cynarin, a powerful substance that may help naturally bring cholesterol into a healthy range. Research indicates that the lipidic- and glycemic-reducing action of artichokes also helps protect against coronary heart disease. In a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, researchers observed participants who supplemented with artichoke leaf extract. At the end of the study, participants experienced reductions in total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. 

They Are Rich In Fiber

Fiber is necessary for optimal digestive and heart function. Fiber can help relieve conditions like constipation and diarrhea, and it helps the body detox itself of extra  cholesterol, sugar, and toxins. A high-fiber diet has been associated with maintaining a healthy weight, in addition to reducing the risk of conditions like colon cancer and heart disease, among others. Fiber is the substance that pulls food through the intestines. Without fiber, you can suffer from digestive issues like constipation, energy spikes and dips, weight gain, bloating, mood swings, and feeling overly hungry.

They Provide Iron And May Help Prevent Anemia

The general consensus is that you can only obtain iron from animal foods, such as beef, eggs, and poultry. There are many plant-based foods, such as artichokes, that provide a good amount of iron. Iron deficiency is more common in women, especially premenopausal women, and children. Low levels of iron can cause fatigue, poor concentration, weak immune function, and digestive disorders. Ongoing low iron levels can lead to anemia, which occurs when the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin. As a result, red blood cells are not able to properly distribute oxygen throughout the body. That’s why eating iron-rich foods can help prevent anemia and other symptoms associated with iron deficiency. 

They May Improve Skin Health

If you do not consume enough vitamins C and E, the body cannot produce enough collagen. That may put you at risk for premature aging and other skin-related conditions. Artichokes supply these nutrients, in addition to other skin-nourishing antioxidants, that help fight free radicals that compromise skin health. The positive effects that artichokes have on the digestive tract also mean that they positively influence the immune system, which inadvertently helps the overall health of the skin. 

They May Help With Diabetes

Due to the high fiber levels, artichokes may help regulate blood sugar, which can help you avoid spikes and dips in insulin, which can be problematic for diabetics. The fiber in artichokes helps the body absorb glucose more slowly. Because the body does not digest fiber, it does not require insulin, so your fiber intake doesn’t count toward your total carb or glucose intake for the day. One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated artichoke leaf extract in 80 patients with metabolic syndrome. After 12 weeks of supplementation, participants experienced significant reductions in fasting insulin levels, in addition to improved insulin resistance.

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Craving a little ice cream but want a healthier option that is dairy-free and raw vegan? You clicked on the right recipe! Allow us to introduce you to vanilla banana nice cream, which is a satisfying, easy-to-make alternative to traditional dairy ice cream. It is naturally sweet and uses simple, whole-food ingredients, yielding a creamy texture that rivals its traditional counterpart. Whether you want a clean, plant-based dessert or need to use up some ripe bananas, this recipe ticks every box. It is also fully customizable, should you want to add raw cacao, desiccated coconut, or other raw vegan ingredients.

The reason it is called nice cream is because it is nicer (and healthier) than traditional ice cream. Nice cream is primarily made from frozen fruit, most commonly bananas. Bananas become smooth and creamy when you blend them, almost creating a soft-serve-like texture without the need for dairy. At its core, a nice cream recipe calls for frozen bananas, a blender or food processor, optional flavor add-ins. The simplicity is what makes it so great! When you blend bananas, their natural starch and sugar content yield a creamy consistency. Peaches, nectarines, and mangos have also yield a similar result and offer incredible texture, flavor, and sweetness.

The key to a successful nice cream is frozen bananas. Make sure to peel, slice, and freeze the bananas overnight because you do not want giant pieces of banana. That will create more work for your food processor or high-speed blender. Just make sure to use ripe bananas, as bananas that have a greener peel won’t offer that sweet flavor you want from this nice cream.

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Most people think of inflammation as a temporary thing. It is the immune system’s natural response to a foreign threat to the body. You get sick or your gut flares up, you adjust some habits, and things eventually settle down. That isn’t exactly how biology works, though. Past inflammation may not come and go as you suspect. It’s possible that past inflammation can leave an imprint that can shape your health, specifically gut health, in years to come. 

Recently, this idea has been gaining traction because colorectal cancer rates continue to climb, especially among younger adults who are not normally “high-risk.” Emerging data now reveals a surprising culprit, and that is the “memory” that your cells carry after inflammation seems to have healed. 

How Did Researchers Discover “Memory” In Gut Cells?

A recent study aimed to help scientists understand why inflammation is linked to cancer, especially in the gut. Scientists used an animal model to trigger inflammation in the colon, which is similar to what happens in conditions like chronic colitis. They then allowed the tissue to heal, at least on the surface. Instead of stopping the study there, scientists observed individual cells. They used advanced tools to track active genes and how accessible different parts of the genome were. Additionally, they looked at how cells passed those changes down as they divided.

This level of detail is of particular interest because the body is not solely driven by DNA. The body is influenced by the epigenome, which is a layer of regulation that determines which genes are active and which are quiet. Scientists found that, even after the inflammation resolved and tissue appeared healthy again, some cells carried lasting changes in this epigenetic layer. That suggests that although the gut healed, certain cells “remembered” the inflammation. 

Why Does Past Inflammation Raise Cancer Risk?

Later in the study, researchers introduced a cancer-related mutation. The cells that carried the epigenetic memory behaved differently. In fact, they activated tumor-promoting genes more quickly and developed bigger tumors that grew faster compared to cells without history. That revealed that there is a two-step process taking place. First off, inflammation leaves behind some sort of molecular imprint. Then, if a second trigger shows up later, the primed cells are more ready to respond in a way that encourages tumor growth.

That helps explain why not everyone with cancer has a clear genetic cause. Additionally, not everyone with inflammation develops cancer. The combination of past exposures and later triggers may tip the scales. Scientists note that this reinforces the idea that your past environment, including stress, diet, infections, and gut health, can shape your future risk in ways that are not yet visible. 

How Can You Support Gut Health Right Now?

There is no reason to panic every time you experience inflammation, especially a mild bout. The body is designed to recover from stress, but you should know that chronic inflammation is something to take seriously, even if symptoms are not always present. Your goal should be to reduce unnecessary stress on the gut. Begin by:

• Limiting your intake of ultra-processed foods can help reduce unnecessary inflammatory responses. Pay attention to how your body reacts to certain foods!
• Engaging in regular physical activity, as research shows that it supports gut diversity and reduces systemic inflammation.
• Eating a diverse, fiber-rich diet with a lot of plant-based foods. Fiber encourages the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and helps regulate inflammation over time. 
• Considering a probiotic supplement, which may help support a healthier balance of gut bacteria, especially during periods of stress or illness. 

One bad meal or stressful few days will not be the end of you. This is more about patterns because the body keeps track of what it goes through. Over time, those patterns can either work for you or against you. Keep that in mind as you move forward in life.

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Eating seasonally is not a new concept, but it is a concept that more people should embrace. Many restaurants have seasonal menus, prioritizing the produce they can get during the given season. Most people have access to all sorts of produce items all year long because of importing. The reality is that different foods grow better at different times of the year, which affects its peak harvest season.

Have you ever noticed that strawberries and melons just taste better in the summer? Sweet potatoes and parsnips thrive in the fall and things like asparagus, spinach, turnips, carrots, kiwi, plantains, and more thrive in spring. We believe that you should get your hands on as many seasonal produce items as you can before the season ends. Plus, eating seasonally means that the fruits and vegetables you eat have a higher nutrient content. That is because produce items are richer in nutrients during peak ripeness. 

Eating seasonally is also a more sustainable way to live. It is a small effort you can make to lower the environmental toll associated with food transportation. You can easily purchase seasonal produce locally, either from farmers’ markets or local grocery stores. Lastly, eating seasonally can benefit your wallet, as in-season produce items tend to cost less than when those items are out of season and have to be imported from far away places that can grow them year round. 

Spring Cleansing Green Smoothie

Enhance your spring cleansing efforts by blending up this green smoothie, which contains enzymes that help to enhance digestion.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Seasonal Spring Fruit Salad

Craving a light, sweet fruit salad that’s versatile enough to go with any meal? This combination of seasonal fruit is exactly what you want!

Click here to make the recipe.

Green Goddess Spring Salad

It’s officially spring, which means that it’s time to enjoy as much fresh produce as possible! Indulge in this herbaceous green goddess salad.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Raw Collard Spring Rolls

Fill up on these vibrant, raw vegan collard spring rolls with a deliciously addictive almond butter dipping sauce.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Spring Salad With An Avocado Dressing

Spring into flavor with this crunchy salad that’s tossed in a smooth and deeply rich, vibrant avocado pesto dressing.

Click here to make the recipe.

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If you run to the fridge or pantry when you are upset or feel down, you are not alone. It is very common for people to turn to food for comfort as a way of coping with personal struggles or big, difficult things. When you eat in response to the emotions you experience, that is emotional eating. Almost every person does it at some point. The body needs food to survive, so it makes sense that eating ignites the brain’s reward system and makes you feel better. 

When emotional eating becomes habitual and you have no other ways to cope with feelings, it can become a problem. Eating does not address the core issue, no matter how it makes you feel in certain moments. If you feel stressed, bored, lonely, sad, tired, or anxious, food will not fix those feelings. The unfortunate reality is that the cycle of turning to food to cope can trigger feelings of shame and guilt, which are more difficult feelings to deal with. 

It is hard to get away from food, as it is the center of so many things that you do. Food is celebratory, but you can also make food for someone going through a rough time to show you care. It is only natural to have an emotional relationship or connection with food. But you want to be able to make conscious decisions about when, what, and how you eat.

What Causes Emotional Eating? 

There are numerous reasons that trigger the urge to eat. The most common external reasons for emotional eating can be: 

• Health issues
• Work stress
• Relationship issues
• Financial worry

It is more common for people who follow restrictive diets, or have a history of restrictive eating, to eat emotionally. Other potential causes can include:

• Emotion dysregulation (the inability to manage emotional responses)
• Lack of introspective awareness (realizing how you feel)
• Reversed hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) stress axis (under-active cortisol response to stress)
• Alexithymia (lacking ability to understand, process, or describe emotions)

Is Emotional Eating An Eating Disorder?

On its own, emotional eating is not an eating disorder. That said, it can be an indication of one and potentially lead to the development of an eating disorder. Disordered eating can look like:

• Labeling foods as “bad” or “good”
• Frequent dieting or restrictive eating patterns
• Irregular meal timing
• Being rigid with food choices
• Feelings of guilt or shame after eating foods you view as “unhealthy”
• Eating in response to emotions as opposed to hunger cues
• Obsessive thoughts about food that interfere with your daily life

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics states that eating disorders are diagnosed when a person’s eating behaviors meet certain criteria. A lot of people have irregular eating behaviors, but they don’t meet the criteria for eating disorders. It should be noted that you do not have to develop an eating disorder to seek help. Everyone deserves to have a good relationship with food. If you think that you may have disordered eating behaviors, speak with a mental health expert or dietitian to help your situation. 

Emotional Eating vs. Physical Hunger

You need food to live, so it is very natural to need food and desire certain textures or tastes. How do you tell the difference between emotional and physical hunger cues? It can be tricky because you can occasionally experience a combination of both. Here are some clues to help you tell the difference: 

• Emotional hunger comes on suddenly.
• You may not notice fullness when you eat emotionally. It does not prevent you from wanting to eat more.
• Emotional eating is triggered by the need to comfort yourself. 
• Physical hunger develops slowly over time.
• You feel the sensation of fullness and take that as a cue to stop eating when you are not eating emotionally. 
• Physical hunger is tied to the last time you ate, not how you feel. 

Are You An Emotional Eater?

People who experience emotional eating may feel:

• An urge to eat even when they are not physically hungry
• Out of control around certain foods, especially snacks
• Food is calming or rewarding
• An urge to eat when they experience powerful emotions

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There is no shortage of stressors in today’s day and age. That includes everything from political news segments and social media clips to environmental pollutants and foods and drinks. As a result, the body’s primary stress hormone, cortisol, has become a hot topic of discussion in the health world. 

Cortisol plays a vital role in helping the body respond to stress, but chronic levels increase the risk of weight gain, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance. You can bring cortisol levels down through stress management techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, and gentle exercise, but eating the wrong foods can cause cortisol levels to rise. Stay away from the following foods and drinks because they may trigger cortisol release. 

Refined Grains

Refined grains, just like other carbs, can spike blood sugar, which can potentially raise cortisol levels. These grains have been processed to remove fiber, which the body uses to lower cortisol levels, in addition to improving digestion and heart health. Some examples of refined grains include white rice, cereals, white bread, pasta, and pastries. Control the cortisol response with those foods by switching to their whole grain counterparts, which contain fiber.

High-Calorie Meals

Nutritional guidelines are based on a 2,000-calorie per day diet, but people can easily exceed that many calories in a day, especially if they eat out. A small 2023 study found that participants who consumed a 2,000-calorie meal  within 15 minutes showed significant increases in cortisol. Researchers attributed that response to the strain of processing such a large amount of calories in a short period of time. Most people typically do not mimic that scenario, but it does caution people to be more mindful about portion sizes and how quickly they eat. 

Fatty Foods

These foods are popular in the Standard American Diet. We are talking about red meat, fried foods, and full-fat dairy, all of which have been linked to increased cortisol levels. Eating large amounts of these foods may also increase inflammation in the body. Over time, chronic inflammation can interfere with the body’s stress response, leading to cortisol spikes and unnecessary stress. 

Caffeine

This is the most common drug that people are addicted to, and they drink it at all hours of the day. Be it a double shot of espresso in the morning or an energy drink after lunch, caffeine provides you with both a jolt of energy and a cortisol surge. Caffeine blocks receptors for adenosine, the “fatigue molecule in the brain, making you feel more alert. It also triggers the release of excitatory hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. A 2025 study on the cortisol response from beverages containing caffeine found that coffee had the most significant impact. It actually increased cortisol by up to 50% above baseline levels. Energy drinks and soda followed with a 30% increase, while tea had the lowest impact of a 20% increase. 

Juice

Natural sugars are not nearly as bad as added sugars, but research suggests that there is a sugar-cortisol response in concentrated amounts of natural sugar. A small study from 2020 found significant cortisol responses to people who drank 200 milliliters (6.8 fluid ounces) of grape juice. A quick note about grape juice: it typically contains a higher percentage of natural sugars compared to other juices. 

Ultra Processed Foods

Chips, deli meat, soda, packaged sweets, and soda fall into the category of ultra-processed foods. These foods tend to contain high levels of added sugar, sodium, additives, and preservatives, which may elevate cortisol levels. Ultra-processed foods can also increase inflammation and spike blood sugar, both of which put stress on the body. Some research indicates that people who eat more ultra-processed foods tend to have higher stress levels. 

Alcohol

Wine, beer, and hard liquor are famous for triggering cortisol production. In fact, studies show that having a single drink per day is enough to increase cortisol levels. That effect is even more pronounced in binge drinking, which is defined by having five drinks for men or four for women within two hours. That is because the liver has to work overtime to break down alcohol, putting stress on the body and triggering the release of cortisol.

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If you follow health influencers or find yourself scrolling through wellness trend videos, you have probably heard the term “biohacking.” Think of contrast therapy (cold plunging and saunas), hyperbaric chambers, red light therapy, or any other modality that helps people live longer, perform better, and feel healthier. What does biohacking actually mean, and how medically credible is it?

What Is Biohacking?

Biohacking is a broad, nonspecific lifestyle term for self-improvement. Popularized by tech people and athletes, biohacking is a DIY form of improvement to change aspects of biology. It is by no means a scientific term, nor is it an undertaking. Biohacking includes a range of different non-specific activities that have popular anecdotal evidence. Fitbits, smartwatches, and other related items provide people with a lot of bodily data, such as sleep scores, daily step counts, and so forth. That allows them to alter exercise performance, for example, to improve the data. 

“Hacking” your biology is the ultimate goal to help you feel and perform better. Some changes are straightforward, such as prioritizing sleep, eating a balanced diet, and practicing intermittent fasting. On the other end of the spectrum, biohacking can include things that are not backed by scientific research. 

Examples Of Biohacking And How It Works

Although biohacking is a relatively new term, it does include practices that are already well-established and researched. We will detail some examples below:

Wearable Technology

Technology in biohacking is quite popular because the devices, although costly at times, are accessible. Wearable devices make it easy to monitor heart rate, sleep quality, and physical activity. These devices can serve as motivational tools, offering features like reminders, progress tracking, and goal setting. On the other hand, these devices can cause people to obsess over biometrics, such as calories consumed or burned in a day. That doesn’t always translate to better health habits, and it can cause undue stress in certain instances. 

Nootropics

Nootropics, often referred to as “smart drugs,” are a group of nonprescription supplements, tablets, drinks, and foods. These “cognitive enhancers” aim to enhance memory and boost brain function. Nootropics ostensibly work by protecting neurons in the brain from damage that results from toxins or aging. In theory, nootropics increase blood and oxygen flow to the brain, which supposedly leads to improvements in cognitive performance. Such examples include creatine, caffeine, turmeric, or reishi mushrooms.

Fasting

Fasting is far from new. In fact, people have been fasting for thousands of years. In recent years, fasting has risen to popularity, especially among people who engage in biohacking. They typically do it to improve or completely reset certain metabolic states. Other people engage in intermittent fasting to help encourage weight loss, and research indicates that it does aid weight management and blood sugar control. Although there are evidence-based benefits of fasting, there is no way to confirm that it completely resets metabolic states. 

Cryotherapy Chambers And Exotic Therapies

Perhaps you found out about cold plunging on a podcast or watched a video of Wim Hof swimming in the Arctic Circle with shorts on. It is no secret that cold therapy has received more attention in recent years, especially in regards to enhancing recovery and mental health. Some evidence shows that the cold helps to relieve muscle pain and lower inflammation, but cryo-chambers and expensive cold plunges pools may over-compromise the body. 

Is Biohacking Safe?

In a nutshell, biohacking is a modern term for something that humans have been doing for centuries. People have experimented, and will continue to experiment, with ways to improve health and longevity. Some aspects are scientifically-backed, while others may require more research and testing to confirm positive results. If you are curious about biohacking, start small, such as eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, and practicing stress management. 

Those simple, foundational habits are the most powerful hacks and have years of data and research to back them up. Once you have a solid foundation in place, you can experiment with tools like contrast therapy, mindfulness techniques, and intermittent fasting to fine-tune your health.

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