All posts tagged: Reduce

The pantry staples that reduce blood sugar rises and lower cholesterol

The pantry staples that reduce blood sugar rises and lower cholesterol

Published by Daniella Wilson

Lentils, beans and chickpeas have been feeding people for thousands of years. Lentils are among the world’s earliest cultivated crops, with archaeological evidence tracing them back to the beginnings of agriculture. Yet scientists are still learning what happens inside our bodies when we eat them. A 2026 review of the research examined the evidence on pulses and their effects on the gut and metabolism. Pulses are the dried edible seeds of legume plants, including lentils, chickpeas, dried beans and dried peas. Legumes are the wider plant family and also include foods such as soya and fresh peas. The researchers brought together evidence from human studies with laboratory and animal research. So what does the science suggest pulses actually do once we eat them? Lentils, beans and chickpeas have been feeding people for thousands of years (Getty Images) 1. They feed microbes in your gut Pulses provide plant protein and fibre, along with carbohydrates that are not always completely broken down before they reach the large intestine. There, gut microbes get involved. When some bacteria break …

Wales to reduce professional franchises from four to three

Wales to reduce professional franchises from four to three

Published by Sam Flores

CARDIFF, July 29 : Wales are to go ahead with plans to cut their number of professional franchises from four to three, spelling the end for either the Ospreys or Scarlets. The Welsh Rugby Union on Wednesday confirmed the proposed change to the professional game and plans to establish three men’s teams from the 2028/29 season – one based in the capital, one in west Wales and one in east Wales. Cardiff, owned by the Welsh Rugby Union, and Dragons, an independently backed business, are set to be given licences, leaving Swansea-based Ospreys and Llanelli-based Scarlets to compete for the remaining spot. “The WRU Board has examined in detail a range of factors when determining the three future licence areas and has confirmed that only incumbent teams will be considered eligible for a licence. This means, contingent on the agreement of the final licensing terms, Dragons and Cardiff Rugby would be offered the respective east and capital licences,” it said in a statement. The licensing process is scheduled to begin in December and conclude by …

A Pilates instructor says this inexpensive piece of equipment can encourage better posture and reduce neck tension

A Pilates instructor says this inexpensive piece of equipment can encourage better posture and reduce neck tension

Published by Jenni Sidey

Pilates balls are a small tool that can have a large impact. They tend to be around nine inches in diameter—the size of a soccer ball—and are soft and malleable. They also happen to be the favourite piece of equipment of veteran Pilates instructor and Balanced Body educator, Portia Page. Latest Videos From “This deceptively simple piece of equipment is versatile as a modifier, prop or to add challenge,” she tells Fit&Well. Page, whose Pilates ball of choice is the nine-inch TOGU ball from Balanced Body, explains why Pilates balls work differently to the large inflatable exercise balls often found in gyms. You may like “Unlike the traditional exercise ball, the TOGU ball is small, lightweight and unstable—yet able to provide some support. “That instability is exactly what makes it so effective. It helps awaken deep stabilizing muscles while providing support where many people need it most.” Start your week with achievable workout ideas, health tips and wellbeing advice in your inbox. She adds that she favours the TOGU ball specifically because “while standard generic …

Rousing Retrospective Refuses to Reduce Ana Mendieta to Tragic Figure

Rousing Retrospective Refuses to Reduce Ana Mendieta to Tragic Figure

Published by Jenni Sidey

In 1980, Ana Mendieta returned to her homeland of Cuba for the first time, having fled as a child refugee in 1961. She would make another six trips between 1980 and 1983, and the works she made during these visits open Tate Modern’s new major retrospective of her work. “Esculturas Repuestras”(1981)is a series of sculptures carved into limestone caves, cliffs, and valleys in La Escaleras de Jaruco, a nature reserve in Cuba. They combine so much of what animated Mendieta’s work throughout her career: the yonic, organic shape of her abstracted body; the manipulation of earth; the influence of intersecting Caribbean mythologies and cosmologies. Source link

A Trick That Can Help Reduce Our Frustration and Suffering

A Trick That Can Help Reduce Our Frustration and Suffering

Published by Jenni Sidey

My patient Henry Imagine you are 53, working a job that you mastered, paying bills, and enjoying your family life. One day, you start to notice a tremor in your hands. You are stiffer and slower to walk. You attribute this to middle age but mention this to your primary care physician. The next thing you know, you are sitting in a neurologist’s office and are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Henry (his name has been changed) suffered this fate, but what tortured him most over the course of the next few years were not the symptoms of Parkinson’s. “I should be working. I am still young. I should not have to go on disability.” Losing his identity as a provider for the family was the biggest blow. He started to suffer from depression and anxiety. A few months ago, Henry strained his back, which led to multiple emergency room visits and a setback for his mental health. In a follow-up clinic visit, Henry’s wife, who always accompanied him to his visits and was supportive throughout …

Is it true that … saunas can reduce your sperm count?

Is it true that … saunas can reduce your sperm count?

Published by Sam Flores

Could your post-gym spa habit affect your ability to have a baby? It’s a belief that gets repeated regularly online. But Prof Colin Duncan, a fertility expert at the University of Edinburgh, says things aren’t as clearcut as people make out. Cisgender men produce sperm in the testicles. It’s from here that these male reproductive cells are released to inseminate the eggs women produce. Duncan says that repeated exposure to higher temperatures, such as those found in saunas, do inevitably have some effect on how much sperm is made by them. “Testicles are located outside the body because they work better when they’re cooler. If you’re incubating them in a sauna then they don’t work quite as well.” double quotation mark If you’re having extreme saunas for a long time every day, it will reduce your sperm count Most of the time this is nothing to worry about, says Duncan. “The testicles are designed to produce way more sperm than is actually required for fertility. If you go for the odd sauna, it’s going to make absolutely no difference.” What about if you’re a daily visitor? “If you’re having extreme saunas for a long time every day, it will reduce your sperm count.” Most people will still have plenty of sperm, he says, so this decreased sperm count shouldn’t have a noticeable …

A dietitian says this is the most overlooked hack to reduce bloating after meals

A dietitian says this is the most overlooked hack to reduce bloating after meals

Published by Jenni Sidey

Whether you’re on a weight loss journey or just looking to improve your wellbeing through nutrition, you might find yourself spending a lot of time thinking about what you should eat and when to eat it. But, according to registered dietitian Clementine Vaughan, considering how you eat is also important. “On social media, you will see everyone trying to convince you to focus on what you should eat or drink, and which supplements to take—but rarely do they discuss how you’re eating,” Vaughan tells Fit&Well. Article continues below You may like According to Vaughan, eating too quickly is one of the most common causes of bloating after meals and is often overlooked. While what you put on your plate is important, rushing through a meal can increase the amount of air you swallow with each bite, leaving you feeling bloated. It also means you’re less likely to chew properly, which is an essential way your body prepares your digestive system for food. “Eating too fast doesn’t give your digestive system time to prepare and process, …

Parkinson’s disease may reduce enjoyment of pleasant smells

Parkinson’s disease may reduce enjoyment of pleasant smells

Published by Miika Tikkanen

People with Parkinson’s disease seem less able to enjoy pleasant smells, such as lemon. The discovery has led scientists to conclude that “the world smells different” with the condition. Utilising this could help doctors cheaply and non-invasively diagnose Parkinson’s disease, a process that usually takes several years and involves a raft of assessments. Loss of the sense of smell is a core symptom of Parkinson’s, affecting 75 to 90 per cent of cases and often preceding the tremors commonly associated with the condition by years or even decades. There have been many efforts to use the loss of smell as a diagnostic tool, but these have been complicated by the fact that this sense also declines with healthy ageing. Now, Noam Sobel at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, and his colleagues have tried a different approach: testing smell perception. The team recruited 94 people, most of whom were in their late 50s to late 60s. Thirty-three of them had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, while another 33 had no known medical conditions, and …

Proximal Goals : 5-Minute Steps That Reduce Procrastination

Proximal Goals : 5-Minute Steps That Reduce Procrastination

Published by Miika Tikkanen

Building willpower and tackling difficult tasks often feels like an uphill battle, but Andy Stapleton explores practical strategies to make the process more manageable. One key approach he highlights is the use of “proximal goals,” which involves breaking large, intimidating tasks into smaller, actionable steps. For example, instead of attempting to complete an entire project in one sitting, you might start by drafting an outline or focusing on a single section. This method not only reduces overwhelm but also provides a clear sense of direction, making it easier to stay engaged and productive. In this hands-on walkthrough, you’ll learn how to reframe negative self-talk to foster resilience, implement mental contrasting to balance aspirations with realistic planning and establish routines that minimize decision fatigue. These techniques are designed to help you build momentum and maintain focus, even when motivation wanes. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how to approach challenging tasks with confidence and discipline. Overcoming Procrastination Strategies TL;DR Key Takeaways : Reframe negative self-talk into positive, growth-oriented dialogue to reduce fear of …

The Engineering Method That Helps Reduce Cognitive Overload

The Engineering Method That Helps Reduce Cognitive Overload

Published by Jenni Sidey

Every month, Molly has to write a large report that takes around five hours. Every month, she dreads it. Recently, she learned a technique that has helped her no longer feel like the task hangs over her. The task is still exhausting, but the anticipation of it doesn’t add an extra layer of fatigue like it used to. The Technique “Pair programming” is a social, collaborative way of working where two people sit at one workstation and solve a single problem together. The core technique is incredibly valuable for many types of work, far beyond just programming or computer work. You can strip the word “programming” and think of it as any paired work. The Roles Pair programming (or paired work) involves one person taking on the driver role and one the navigator role. The driver is focused on the mechanical work. They’re the hands and the close-in brain. The navigator is watching, spotting errors, and thinking about the big picture. Imagine “pair cooking,” where the navigator reads the recipe and the driver assembles it. …