A Wide Variety of Vegetables
Vegetables are a prime example of opting for food that comes with benefits beyond “lacking purines.” For many years, gout patients were cautioned against eating vegetables that contain purines. And while there are several vegetables that contain them, a 2012 study found that purines in vegetables do not seem to be as troublesome as the purines in meat.
Admittedly, this means you want to approach these vegetables—mushrooms, asparagus, and spinach, in particular—with caution if you know you’re prone to gout attacks. However, the study potentially suggests that the additional benefits contained within vegetables outweigh the level of purines, which are considerably less than in meats.
While it can get old trying to base a meal off of vegetables all the time, it certainly isn’t impossible. And it’s going to offer a lot of additional benefits to your body as well. To mix things up, try using veggies as the base for meals like a casserole, rather than relying on meat to fill you up. Brightly colored salads, soups, and even vegetable smoothies make great options for introducing more vegetables into your diet.
Did you know...
- Have you ever told your husband something and he promptly forgets it? It's not his fault, actually. It really is because he's a man. The hippocampus (the part of the brain that deals with memory) begins to shrink with age faster in men than it does in women. That's why you can remember everything, and he can't!
- A hearty laugh is good for the heart. Laughing can increase blood flow by 20%. Additionally, looking on the bright side can help you live longer. Studies have shown that a more optimistic outlook is linked to a healthier heart, lower blood pressure, and a lower risk for coronary artery disease.
- Just saying the words "thank you" can measurably improve your mood. Researchers can actually measure happiness and changes in brain structure when people practiced regular "grateful thinking." This included things like writing thank you notes, writing gratitude journal entries, mindfully counting their blessings, and thanking friends. It may be helpful in overcoming depression!
- Does your job make you stressed? We all know that stress is psychologically bad for you, but it also has an effect on…your allergies? A Harvard Medical School study has shown that stress causes your allergies to become worse because your body's defense response loses efficacy when repeatedly triggered by stress. Then, when you really need to physically fight something off, you're less able to!
- Starting to feel claustrophobic? The smells of apples may help keep your claustrophobic feelings at bay according to a 1995 study by Dr. Alan Hirsch. Green apples, specifically, helped people change their perception of their space. Maybe they thought of expansive apple orchards? Cucumbers and barbecue made the feelings worse.