Soda - Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products https://www.dherbs.com/tag/soda/ Buy the best herbal supplements, natural remedies, and herbal remedies from Dherbs. We're the #1 alternative medicine store online. ✓ Visit and shop now! Wed, 26 Mar 2025 23:26:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner https://www.dherbs.com/articles/diy-toilet-bowl-cleaner/ Thu, 27 Mar 2025 09:12:00 +0000 https://www.dherbs.com/?p=175477

Looking for an all-natural alternative that cleans your toilet bowl effectively? Make this DIY cleaner and get to scrubbing!

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Get those harsh chemicals out of your home with a natural alternative to a classic toilet bowl gel cleaner. This homemade scrub is nearly as effective as store bought cleaners and it doesn’t plague your home with harsh chemicals. Made with borax and baking soda, this scrub may help you remove stains from a dirty toilet bowl. 

Cleaning a toilet is not necessarily the first thing on everyone’s to-do list. In fact, nobody wants to do it, but nobody wants to look into a stained porcelain bowl either. You want to keep that porcelain looking polished and as good as new. Many chemical cleaning products promise that they can keep your bowl looking as sparkly as ever, but seldom do they do the trick. The difference between those products and the DIY toilet bowl cleaner in this article lies in the ingredients. 

Borax

Borax, not to be confused with boric acid, is composed of oxygen, sodium, and boron. It is commonly used as a cleaner, mildew remover, flame retardant, and handful of other things. Because borax has a 9.5 pH, it is alkaline and forms a basic solution when combined with water. A basic solution has an easier time breaking down acidic, fatty, and oily substances. For example, borax can loosen the accumulated grime in a toilet bowl, but just know that it does not disinfect. 

Baking Soda

Baking soda has a lot of uses, both in and out of the kitchen. Due to its mildly abrasive nature, baking soda has an innate ability to clean and remove stains. Baking soda reacts with the grease in stains to form glycerol, a common ingredient in soaps. When you mix baking soda with vinegar, it creates carbonic acid, which is a weak base that boosts vinegar’s corrosive nature. Additionally, baking soda is a weak alkali, meaning it can neutralize acids in odor molecules, which can help eliminate strong smells

Castile Soap

The genius of castile soap is the fact that it is equally gentle and powerful at the same time. Created from saponified oils with moisturizing properties, castile oil is commonly used as a gentle, natural soap for the skin. That said, it is capable of fighting tough stains. In fact, you can use castile soap to clean just about anything. Just do not mix castile soap with acidic ingredients, such as vinegar, or else it may leave behind a sticky film on the surface you’re cleaning. 

DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups distilled water 
  • 1/2 cup borax
  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1 cup castile soap
  • 25 drops essential oil of choice (optional)

Instructions:

  • Add all of the ingredients to a medium-sized mixing bowl and still until the borax and baking soda are dissolved. 
  • Pour the mixture into a squirt bottle and use when ready. 
  • Make sure to shake well before each use. Spray a generous amount of the cleaning solution on the toilet bowl and use a scrub brush to clean. Let it sit for 15 minutes before flushing.

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Eliminating Sugar Could Be The Ticket To Longevity https://www.dherbs.com/articles/eliminating-sugar-could-be-the-ticket-to-longevity/ Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:17:49 +0000 https://www.dherbs.com/?p=175372

Sweets are everywhere and can be particularly hard to resist. Learn how eliminating sugar could help slow aging and promote longevity.

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By now, it should not be a secret that diet influences many aspects of your health. From digestion and brain function to athletic performance and aging, the foods you eat either boost or take away from your health. In fact, science-backed evidence continues to prove this, especially in recent years. New research indicates that sugar may be a big contributing factor that accelerates cellular aging. 

Not everyone is a big sugar consumer, but it lures in people with its sweet, addictive deliciousness every day. If donuts are out, it’s very difficult to resist grabbing one. You don’t want one. You’re full, actually, and yet you still reach into that box and allow the power of sugar to take over. Some people feel that way about saltier snacks, but many succumb to sugar’s addictive quality. 

A new cutting-edge measure, known as the “epigenetic clock,” helps scientists better understand the link between added sugar consumption and how quickly cells age. Continue reading to learn more about that. 

What Is An Epigenetic Clock?

Before delving into the definition, you must first understand that aging is characterized by different changes that occur at the cellular, sub-cellular, and nuclear levels. One of those levels is epigenetic aging. Scientists understand that epigenetic alterations affect aging. For this reason DNA methylation patterns have been used as a measure of biological age. This is currently referred to as an epigenetic clock

An epigenetic clock is essentially a biomarker of age, and various clocks continue to emerge. DNA PhenoAge, DNA GrimAge, and Horvath’s clock are just a few in existence. It’s not a science fiction gadget; rather, it is an advanced marker that helps scientists evaluate changes to DNA to estimate biological age. The study that detected how quickly sugar ages cells involved 342 women at midlife. Researchers collected DNA from saliva in order to measure their epigenetic age, in addition to analyzing participants’ diets.

The Findings

The researchers noted a measurable acceleration in biological aging for every gram of added sugar that participants consumed. Even the individuals who followed an otherwise healthy diet experienced this accelerated aging. That said, people who consumed nutrient-dense, low-sugar diets were linked to slower aging. Let’s examine the key takeaways from this research:

  1. Cut back on sugar and you may just turn back the hands of time. In fact, reducing your added sugar intake by just 10 grams per day could potentially reverse biological aging by up to 2.4 months. 
  2. Stick to a nutrient-dense diet that focuses on foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E. Additionally, consume foods that contain magnesium and fiber, as all of these nutrients have been linked to a younger biological age. 
  3. According to researchers, a Mediterranean-style diet is a smart choice to help slow cellular aging. Most blue zones, which are areas with a high concentration of centenarians, exist in the Mediterranean. The consensus is that these people consume a lot of foods rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

How Does Sugar Impact Your Health?

According to many studies, excess sugar consumption contributes to elevated inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. What does all of that mean for your cellular health? As you can imagine, it’s not good news. It’s perfectly fine if you decide to indulge in a sugary treat every so often and maintain a nutrient-dense diet the rest of the time. Consistent overconsumption, though, can take a toll on the body’s natural repair processes, which affects your epigenetic age. 

Looking for simple ways to cut back on added sugars without surrendering flavor? There are a variety of sugar swaps that help you satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthier way. They are:

  • Opt for oatmeal topped with nut butter and fresh berries for a healthier, sweet breakfast treat. You can also enjoy a fruit and vegetable smoothie in place of sugary processed cereals. Chia pudding is another great option, especially if you need to take breakfast on the go. 
  • Indulge in some antioxidant-rich dark chocolate instead of packaged candy bars. Aim for 70% cacao or higher in order to reap the health benefits. 
  • It can be difficult to stop drinking soda, as it is highly addictive and overly sweet. Grab a sparkling water or healthy soda alternative instead of reaching for sugar-laden energy drinks or standard sodas. 

The Takeaway

Sugar influences cellular health and longevity, as was proven clear during this recent study. If you shift your focus to consume less sugar and more antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory foods, then your body and health, including your biological clock, will benefit. 

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6 Beverage Dos And Don’ts For Diabetics https://www.dherbs.com/articles/6-beverage-dos-and-donts-for-diabetics/ Thu, 09 May 2024 09:31:00 +0000 https://www.dherbs.com/?p=170485

Diabetics should stay hydrated and refreshed with healthy drink choices and skip the drinks that cause blood sugar levels to spike.

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If you have type 2 diabetes, monitoring what you drink is just as important as what you eat. A single drink can affect your blood sugar more than you realize. For example, think of the sugar content in a can of cola or sweetened juice. Drinks with carbohydrates (sugar) affect blood sugar more than zero-carb, zero-sugar drinks. Ultimately, any liquid with carbohydrates will digest faster than something you have to chew. 

Having type 2 diabetes doesn’t mean that you have to avoid every single beverage. Taking sugary drinks, such as regular soda, sweet tea, and some juices, off the table and replacing them for low-sugar or sugar-free options is much better. That isn’t to say that you should replace those drinks with diet beverages, as those contain copious amounts of aspartame and other unhealthy artificial sweeteners that lead to other health complications

If you enjoy bottled drinks, how do you stay hydrated if you have to avoid so many beverages? Most people have an aversion to water, despite the fact that it is the most important liquid to consume. It keeps you alive and helps your body function optimally. Besides water, consider the following drinking dos and don’ts if you have diabetes. 

Don’t Drink Sugar-Sweetened Sodas Or Teas

They are very tempting to drink, but they wreck your body in so many ways. According to one study, middle-aged adults who drank more than three sugar-sweetened beverages per day had a 46% higher risk of developing prediabetes than people who did not drink those beverages. An earlier study found that people who consumed just two sugar-sweetened sodas or juices per week increased their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. That was even truer if they gained more than six pounds over a five-year period. Get in the habit of consuming water or unsweetened teas because a typical 12-ounce can of soda contains about 38.5 grams of sugar.

Drink Unsweetened Coffee And Tea (In Small Amounts)

Diabetics can enjoy tea or coffee (hot or iced) in moderation. It’s best to enjoy them unsweetened, although you may use monk fruit sweetener or stevia to aid the flavor. Just don’t go overboard with these natural low-calorie sweeteners. If you add milk, cream, or creamer to your coffee or tea, make sure to look at the ingredient label. Coffee creamers are very dangerous, especially because some people use more creamer than coffee! Adding organic cream isn’t the worst thing for you, but sugary hazelnut, vanilla, or caramel creamers won’t do you any good. If you want to drink iced tea, consider adding some freshly squeezed lemon juice to add more depth of flavor. Green tea, in particular, may help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to research. 

Don’t Drink Energy Drinks

Energy drinks, or other canned caffeinated beverages, typically contain an ungodly amount of sugar, which is where most of the energy comes from. All of that sugar, in addition to the caffeine, can disturb your heart rhythm, increase heart rate, and lead to high blood pressure. One 8.4-ounce Red Bull energy drink contains more than 26 grams of sugar and 75 milligrams of caffeine. Even the sugar-free version has the same amount of caffeine. Don’t rely on liquid energy to keep you going! Fight that fatigue in other ways, for example, by getting quality sleep every night or engaging in regular exercise. And if you need a little energy boost, consider healthy options like unsweetened tea or coffee. 

Drink Plain Water

We shouldn’t have to tell you to drink plain water, but so many people add powders or liquid flavors to water these days. Some people just don’t like the taste of water! Water is neutral, so it doesn’t raise or lower your blood sugar. Drinking water helps you stay hydrated and helps dilute your blood, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels. If you want to add a little more flavor and pizzazz to your water, consider adding fresh fruit and herbs to make detox waters

Don’t Drink Sports Drinks

A lot of people drink nuclear-colored sports drinks on the regular because they think they are healthy. That is 100% false, unless the person is a super endurance athlete and burns calories quicker than they can consume them. A eight-ounce serving of Powerade, for example, nets about 19 grams of carbs, which doesn’t account for the entire bottle. Dietitians only recommend these sports drinks to endurance athletes, who go through strenuous workouts and need the salt and nutrient replenishment. Water will keep you hydrated if you engage in moderate-intensity exercise, and it won’t spike your blood sugar either. 

Drink Tomato Juice Instead Of Sugary Fruit Juice

Do you enjoy drinking juice? Well, it’s best to avoid sugary fruit juices if you have diabetes and opt for smaller portions of vegetable juices instead. 100% tomato juice that doesn’t contain added salt or sugar can provide impressive health benefits. If you drink 1.5 cups of pure tomato juice daily for a month, you may reduce inflammatory markers. Tomato juice has about 10 grams of carbs per cup, so just keep that in mind. It’s better to eat whole fruits and vegetables because it takes quite a lot of them to make fresh juice. Eating a whole tomato per day may reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease. 

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5 Foods To Avoid If You Get Migraines https://www.dherbs.com/articles/5-foods-to-avoid-if-you-get-migraines/ Sat, 27 Apr 2024 09:03:00 +0000 https://www.dherbs.com/?p=170375

A pain creeping across your forehead or up the back of your neck indicates a migraine. Could it be because you ate the wrong foods?

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If you experience migraines, you know when one is about to occur. You feel the pain creep across your forehead or up the back of your neck. People have different triggers for migraines, and determining what your trigger is can be a big obstacle to overcome. Once you identify your trigger, you can do your best to avoid it and reduce the frequency of migraines

Not a lot of people suspect their diet to trigger migraines, but certain foods can easily cause your head pain. According to research, a variety of foods and beverages contribute to nausea, throbbing, pounding, and some visual symptoms of migraines. If you want to experiment with your diet to be free of migraines, consider eliminating the following foods, which have been known to set off pain. 

Alcohol

This is a beverage that’ll give you a headache whether you get migraines or not. An evening cocktail is relaxing while you casually sip it, but it can contribute to migraine tension. The Association of Migraine Disorders lists alcohol as one of the most common dietary triggers. There are certain compounds in alcohol, such as histamine and congeners, which may be to blame. Alcohol is also a diuretic, which can cause dehydration (another migraine trigger). Regardless of what the research says, it may be a good idea to avoid beer, wine, and spirits if alcohol is your trigger. 

Foods With Phenylalanine

What is this compound? Well, it is an essential amino acid that exists in myriad protein sources. You can find it in meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, seeds, and legumes. High doses of this amino acid have been linked to headaches, including migraines. Because phenylalanine exists in many healthy protein sources, avoiding it completely may prove difficult, not to mention a questionable decision for your overall health. Avoiding all foods that contain phenylalanine creates a highly restrictive eating pattern. If you suspect this to be your migraine trigger, just consider cutting down on these foods, or make sure that you don’t overeat them. 

Caffeine

Caffeine is a mixed bag for migraines. It is a common trigger food for migraines, but some people drink a cup of coffee or soda and know relief is on the way. Unfortunately, there is not a sufficient amount of research on this matter, so scientists cannot give a definitive recommendation on caffeine consumption or avoidance for migraine relief. That said, if you experience migraines and know that drinking caffeine negatively affects you, avoid it to the best of your ability. If you exceed 200 milligrams of caffeine daily and you suddenly stop drinking caffeine, you may experience a migraine as a withdrawal symptom. 

Food Intolerances

Occasionally, headaches can stem from certain food intolerances. According to research, migraines are very common in the setting of gluten, soy, and other food intolerances. If you have a food intolerance, be it to gluten, soy, or something else, you will usually experience symptoms within 12 to 24 hours after eating. 

Foods With Tyramine

If you have never heard of this compound, don’t be hard on yourself because you won’t see it on ingredient lists. It exists in both plant and animal foods and is a byproduct of the breakdown of tyrosine, an amino acid. Some people experience headaches from foods that contain tyramine, such as red wine, figs, aged cheese, and smoked fish. Whether or not you get a headache depends on how much of these foods you eat or drink, according to health experts. Preliminary research shows that people who are prescribed monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) may experience migraines after eating tyramine-containing foods because of the chemical interaction that occurs.

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Do Soda Fountains Contain Fecal Bacteria? https://www.dherbs.com/dhtv/the-shocking-truth/do-soda-fountains-contain-fecal-bacteria/ Wed, 13 Mar 2024 19:00:16 +0000 https://www.dherbs.com/uncategorized/do-soda-fountains-contain-fecal-bacteria/

E. Coli, mold, and bugs are all things that may be found in soda fountains.

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E. Coli, mold, and bugs are all things that may be found in soda fountains. Soda fountains are supposed to be cleaned daily but unfortunately places are understaffed which means soda fountains are probably not being cleaned as often as they should be.

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Can You Use Coke As An All-Purpose Cleaner?! https://www.dherbs.com/dhtv/the-shocking-truth/can-you-use-coke-as-an-all-purpose-cleaner/ Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:23 +0000 https://www.dherbs.com/uncategorized/can-you-use-coke-as-an-all-purpose-cleaner/

Putting that into perspective can make you realize the effects it has in your health as well.

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It’s been shown that coca-cola could be used as an all-purpose cleaner. Putting that into perspective can make you realize the effects it has in your health as well. Be aware what you put into your body please!

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Stop Drinking Soda! Here’s How! https://www.dherbs.com/dhtv/health-videos/stop-drinking-soda-heres-how/ Thu, 08 Feb 2024 21:13:47 +0000 https://www.dherbs.com/uncategorized/stop-drinking-soda-heres-how/

If your NY resolution is to cut back on soda, try these tips out!

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If your NY resolution is to cut back on soda, try these tips out!

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5 Nightly Habits For Better Thyroid Health https://www.dherbs.com/articles/5-nightly-habits-for-better-thyroid-health/ Mon, 16 Oct 2023 09:19:00 +0000 https://www.dherbs.com/?p=164165

The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland, is essential to your overall health, and these nightly habits may promote better thyroid health.

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Everyone has their own bedtime routine. Some people pamper themselves by lathering on the skin care products, while others prefer to read in bed for 30 minutes. Maybe you draw a warm bath, light some candles, and enjoy a cup of herbal tea to help relax the mind and body. What you may not know is that your bedtime routine can affect your thyroid gland. 

That little butterfly-shaped endocrine gland in your neck is vital to your overall health. It works to control your metabolism and aids other bodily functions like digestion, breathing, brain development, and fertility. You thrive when your thyroid does! That said, certain habits can either benefit or inhibit optimal thyroid function. The following nightly practices can help your thyroid function at its best. 

Skip Soda

Soda is tempting because of its fizzy deliciousness, but soda and other sugary-sweetened beverages contribute to inflammation. Harvard Health Publishing explains that added sugars trigger inflammation, and chronic inflammation affects the thyroid. Additionally, sipping on these types of sugary beverages can increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other metabolic conditions. Added sugar should only contribute to 10% of your daily total calories. The problem is that sodas and other sugary beverages make up the majority of added sugar consumption in the American diet. Give your thyroid some love and skip the nighttime soda (and anytime, really). Stick to water and herbal teas. 

Go For A Walk

A post-supper stroll is a simple yet effective strategy that can both benefit your thyroid and your digestive system. Moderate exercise, such as a 20-minute walk, helps all your systems and organs function their best. Not only does walking reduce your risk of certain chronic illnesses, but it also strengthens your bones and muscles, helping you maintain a healthy weight. Walking is a great way to reduce stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, and it helps to boost endorphin production. Managing stress is essential if you want to keep your thyroid healthy.

Make Meditation A Habit

As previously stated, reducing stress can benefit your thyroid. Researchers note that a nightly meditation routine, especially mindful meditation, is a great approach to reduce the body’s response to stress. Focus on the present moment and engage in breath work to improve both anxiety and depression. You don’t have to become a full-blown monk, but taking a few minutes to meditate every night can help you clear your mind and wind down before bed. Meditation may also contribute to better quality sleep. 

Eat Plenty Of Vegetables With Dinner

The general recommendation from dietitians is to fill at least half your plate with vegetables. Eating more vegetables means that you’ll consume more antioxidants, which work to fight free radicals and inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation can potentially affect your thyroid over time, contributing to illnesses like heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and more. Research shows that there is a direct connection between eating more anti-inflammatory foods and better thyroid health. For reference, the average adult should consume at least two to three cups of vegetables per day, but a couple more cups won’t hurt you!

Prioritize Sleep

It’s safe to say that sleep qualifies as a nightly habit, but a lot of people experience sleep difficulties. If you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t function at your best. A July-September 2021 study found that people with sleep problems experienced an increase in certain hormones on thyroid function tests. This concluded that poor sleep quality may affect thyroid hormones. Researchers believe that the connection between sleep and thyroid health has something to do with stress. To experience better thyroid health, try to sleep between seven and eight hours every night.

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These Things Can Damage Your Liver https://www.dherbs.com/articles/these-things-can-damage-your-liver/ Wed, 27 Sep 2023 09:37:00 +0000 https://www.dherbs.com/?p=162516

Alcohol isn’t the only thing that is ruining your liver. Many lifestyle choices, health conditions, and foods can also damage your liver.

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Second only to the skin, the liver is the largest organ in the human body. It has quite a few responsibilities, some of which are more well-known than others. Some of the liver’s primary jobs include filtering the body’s blood, storing energy, and processing nutrients. Due to the liver’s many responsibilities, it is highly vulnerable to scarring (cirrhosis) and complete failure, which can lead to cancer. 

Although most people associate liver damage with alcohol abuse or misuse, other factors can play a role. In this article, we aim to highlight the various health conditions, drugs, and lifestyle habits that can damage your liver. 

Health Conditions That Damage The Liver

Various health conditions, one of the more notable ones being hepatitis, can directly damage the liver, or increase the risk of liver complications. Some of the primary health conditions include genetic diseases, obesity, and certain autoimmune disorders. 

Hepatitis

Chronic hepatitis B and C are the root cause of most liver cancer cases worldwide. Hepatitis C is the more common cause in the United States, while hepatitis B is less common because of vaccine availability. Hepatitis C is spread via contact with infected blood, e.g. sharing needles, unprotected sex, and (rarely) blood transfusions. Chronic hepatitis C is a silent killer because most people don’t know they have it. If left untreated, the condition can cause liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure, and even death. 

Autoimmune Disorders

There are certain autoimmune disorders that can harm the liver. Autoimmune hepatitis is characterized by the immune system mistakenly attacking the liver. Medical experts don’t fully understand why the body turns on itself, but genetic factors may play a role. This disease usually affects people assigned female at birth, and it is more common in people with existing autoimmune disorders. Even people with autoimmune diseases can keep things under control and live a normal life if they have the right treatment and lifestyle habits. 

Lifestyle Factors That Damage The Liver

When it comes to genetics and autoimmune disorders, you may not have complete control of your risk of liver damage. What you do have control over, however, is how you live your life. Certain lifestyle habits, including the medications you take, the foods you eat, and exercise you do or don’t do, can influence liver health

Alcohol

Alcohol remains a major cause of cirrhosis and other forms of liver disease. Roughly 10-15% of heavy drinkers will develop liver scarring, but those with liver damage should abstain from alcohol. Drinking in moderation, or not at all, goes a long way in keeping the liver healthy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommend no more than one alcoholic beverage a day for women and no more than two for men. One drink is considered to be 12 ounces of beer or five ounces of wine. 

Sugary Beverages And Sodas

Popular in the Standard American Diet, sugary beverages and sodas can cause weight gain and liver damage. A 2015 study found that people who drank one or more sugar-sweetened beverages per day had increased markers of fatty liver disease than those who didn’t drink any sugary drinks. That isn’t to say that diet drinks are healthier; rather, it highlights that sugary beverages do more damage than you think. Additional research found that people who consumed two sugary drinks a day for six months showed signs of fatty liver disease. 

Smoking

Yet another reason to quit, smoking can increase the risk of liver cancer and cirrhosis. According to a 2013 study, smoking was linked to an increased risk of liver cirrhosis independent of alcohol intake. Additionally, the toxins in cigarettes can cause inflammation, which can eventually lead to cirrhosis. If you have hepatitis B or C and you smoke, the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma increases drastically. 

Medications That Damage The Liver

If you have ever read the “Directions” section on certain cold and flu medications, you know not to take too much. Some ingredients, like acetaminophen, in these medications can be harmful in high doses. There are many other medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, that can damage the liver. 

Acetaminophen 

Acetaminophen exists in many medications, including DayQuil and NyQuil, Tylenol, and prescription medications like Vicodin or Percocet. In high doses, acetaminophen can cause liver failure and even death. Never take more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen, or any medication for that matter. Acetaminophen is a common ingredient in over-the-counter cold and flu medications, so always check the ingredient labels and directions to ensure that you don’t exceed the recommended dose.

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How To Eliminate Sugar From Your Diet In 3 Weeks https://www.dherbs.com/articles/how-to-eliminate-sugar-from-your-diet-in-3-weeks/ Thu, 26 Jan 2023 09:25:00 +0000 https://www.dherbs.com/?p=151960

Looking to feel better and overcome your cravings? Spend the next three weeks ditching the sweet stuff so you can feel better every day.

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The average person in the United States exceeds the recommended daily amount of sugar. And the reality is that the average person is aware of their excess sugar consumption. In fact, eight out of 10 Americans are trying to cut back on the amount of sugar they consume. The unfortunate reality is that reducing your sugar intake is easier said than done. It’s confusing to establish a plan that helps you cut back on sugar. 

Natural Sugar vs. Added Sugar

Before we get into how to eliminate sugar from your diet, you have to understand the difference between natural and added sugars. Natural sugar exists in whole foods, for example, fructose in fruit. These naturally occurring sugars tend to be healthy because the foods that contain them also have micronutrients, antioxidants, and fiber. Added sugars, which are sweeteners put into food for extra flavor, have no benefits. These are the sugars you want to eliminate from your diet. 

The Benefits Of Eliminating Sugar From Your Diet

Sugar isn’t necessarily a bad thing because the body needs sugar. The problem is the amount of added sugars you consume. Studies have shown that consuming excessive amounts of added sugars can lead to chronic health issues, such as: 

  • Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Colon and pancreatic cancer
  • High cholesterol
  • Kidney and liver disease

By reducing added sugars in your diet, you may reduce the risk of these chronic health issues. The Department of Agriculture encourages you to limit your added sugar intake to less than 10% of your daily calories. Unfortunately, the average American consumes three times that recommendation, averaging 17 teaspoons of added sugars per day. Reducing your consumption of sugary beverages is one of the easiest ways to decrease your sugar intake, but the following three-week plan will be of great assistance for completely eliminating sugar from your diet. 

Week One

  • Purge the kitchen: The more sugar you have in the house, the more you crave it. Additionally, the more sugar you eat, the more you want it! Purge sugary foods and beverages you have in your house, checking the nutrition labels for how much added sugar is in each food/drink. If the product says 5% daily value (DV) or less of added sugars, it has a lower sugar content. If the product has a 20% DV of added sugars, toss it out!
  • Sticker your sweeteners: Put a label or sticky note on items like brown sugar or honey as a cautionary sign when you open the cabinet. 
  • Learn sugar lingo: In order to avoid sugar, you need to be able to identify the many names it goes by. Sound the alarm when you see syrup, cane, nectar, and words that end in “ose.” Watch out for fruit juice concentrate and skip glazed, honey-dipped, sticky, and BBQ options when dining out, as those are sneaky sources of sugar.
  • Have a backup plan: Carry an emergency snack, for example, a banana or dehydrated fruit, to get a healthy dose of sugar when you crave it.

Week Two

  • Slash your sugar: It’s best to make incremental changes in your sugar habits because you can train yourself to lower your taste for sweets within two weeks. 
  • Focus on water: For a full week, try to only consume water in place of fruit juices and sodas, including diet sodas. Should you need some bubbles, unflavored seltzer water is an acceptable option. 
  • Measure carefully: When you need to include sugar, honey, maple syrup, or agave in a recipe, scale back the amount you need. For safe measure, put about half the amount of a serving because that is most likely sweeter than necessary. 

Week Three

  • Play the long game: Now that you’ve upgraded your sugar knowledge and neutralized your sweet tooth, plan for long-term success. This new diet overhaul will become your new norm in about three months. Stick to what you’re doing and continue on to live a healthier lifestyle. 
  • Increase healthy fat intake: The name of the game here is good fats. We don’t want hydrogenated oils, trans fats, or saturated fats. Good fats help shut off receptors in the brain that cause sugar cravings. Focus on avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, and other sources of healthy fats
  • Stick to a schedule: Ideally, you should eat your meals and snacks at the same time every day. Having a routine keeps you on schedule and prevents you from getting caught off guard by hunger. You’ll be less likely to give in to something unhealthy if you stick to a regular eating schedule.

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The post How To Eliminate Sugar From Your Diet In 3 Weeks appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

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