1.

BE MORE POSITIVE
Dark Chocolate
Research shows that dark chocolate can improve heart health, lower blood pressure, reduce LDL cholesterol, and increase the flow of blood to the
brain. It also boosts serotonin and endorphin levels, which are associated with improved mood and greater concentration. Look for chocolate that is 60
percent cocoa or higher.

2. REDUCE ANXIETY
Garlic
Tuck a few extra cloves into your next stir-fry or pasta sauce: Research has found that enzymes in garlic can help increase the release of serotonin, a
neurochemical that makes you feel relaxed.

3. FIRE UP YOUR MORNING METABOLISM

Caffeinated Coffee
A study published in the journal Physiology & Behavior found that the average metabolic rate of people who drank caffeinated coffee increased 16
percent over those who drank decaf. Caffeine stimulates your central nervous system by increasing your heart rate and breathing. (Want to know what
else coffee is good for? Read 25 Best Nutrition Secrets Ever to find out.)

4. FIRE UP YOUR EVENING METABOLISM

Chile Peppers
It turns out that capsaicin, the compound that gives chile peppers their mouth-searing quality, can also jumpstart your fat-burning, muscle-building
engines. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, eating 1 tablespoon of chopped red or green chiles
boosts metabolism by 23 percent.

5. LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

Fried Eggs
Go ahead, crack under pressure: Eating fried eggs may help reduce high blood pressure. In a test-tube study, scientists in Canada discovered that the
breakfast standby produced the highest levels of ACE inhibitory peptides, amino acids that dilate blood vessels and allow blood to flow more easily.
(For up-to-the-minute tips like these, be sure to follow me on Twitter here. You can lose weight effortlessly and look, feel and live better than ever!)
6. REDUCE STRESS
Gum
When you find yourself feeling overwhelmed at work, reach for the Wrigleys: Chewing gum can help tame your tension, according to Australian
researchers. People who chewed gum while taking multitasking tests experienced a 17 percent drop in self-reported stress. This might have to do with
the fact that we associate chewing with positive social interactions, like mealtimes.

7. STAVE OFF DEPRESSION

Salmon

Omega-3s may calm your neurotic side, according to a study in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine. Researchers found that adults with the lowest
blood levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were more likely to have neuroses, which are symptoms for depression.
Salmon is loaded with EPA and DHA, as are walnuts, flaxseeds, and even cauliflower.
8. SPEED WEIGHT LOSS
Yogurt
The probiotics in yogurt may help you drop pounds. British scientists found that these active organisms boost the breakdown of fat molecules in mice,
preventing the rodents from gaining weight. Try the Horizon brand of yogurtit contains the probiotic L. casei, the same organism used in the study.

Bonus Tip: Don't let all of your hard work go down the drain: Avoid this shocking list of the 20 Scariest Food Creations of 2010!
9. AMP UP YOUR ENERGY
Grilled Chicken Breast
The protein in lean meat like chicken, fish, or pork loin isn't just good at squashing hunger and boosting metabolismit's also a top source of energy.
University of Illinois researchers found that people who ate higher amounts of protein had higher energy levels and didn't feel as tired as people with
proportionally higher amounts of carbs in their diet.

10. BE MORE EFFICIENT

Kidney Beans
These legumes are an excellent source of thiamin and riboflavin. Both vitamins help your body use energy efficiently, so you won't be nodding off midPowerpoint.
11. STABILIZE YOUR BLOOD SUGAR
Barley
Swedish researchers found that if you eat barleya key ingredient in whole-grain cerealsfor breakfast, the fibrous grain cuts blood sugar response
by 44 percent at lunch and 14 percent at dinner.

12. IMPROVE YOUR ENDURANCE

Clams
Clams stock your body with magnesium, which is important in metabolism, nerve function, and muscle function. When magnesium levels are low, your
body produces more lactic acidthe same fatigue-inducing substance that you feel at the end of a long workout.
13. BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY
Rooibos Tea
Animal research suggests that this South African tea, also known as bush or redbush tea, may provide potent immunity-boosting benefits. In addition,
Japanese researchers found that it may help prevent allergies and even cancer. Adagio offers a wide range of great-tasting rooibos teas.
14. STOP COUGHING

Honey
Penn State scientists have discovered that honey is a powerful cough suppressantso next time youre hacking up a lung, head for the kitchen. When
parents of 105 sick children doled out honey or dextromethorphan (the active ingredient in over-the-counter cough medicines like Robitussin), the
honey was better at lessening cough frequency and severity. Try a drizzle in a cup of rooibos tea.

15.TAME A COLD
Kiwi
The vitamin C in kiwi wont prevent the onslaught of a cold, but it might decrease the duration of your symptoms. One kiwifruit provides 117 percent of
your daily recommended intake of vitamin C.
16. SOOTHE A MIGRAINE
Olives
Foods rich in healthy monounsaturated fats help reduce inflammation, a catalyst for migraines. One study found that the anti-inflammatory compounds
in olive oil suppress the enzymes involved in inflammation in the same manner as ibuprofen. Avocados and almonds are also high in monounsaturated
fats.

17. LOWER YOUR CHOLESTEROL

Margarine
Not just any margarine, mind youthose containing plant sterols. In a Tufts University study, people who ate a butter substitute containing plant sterols
with three meals each day saw their LDL (bad) cholesterol drop by 6 percent. How? The researchers say that plant sterols prevent cholesterol from
being absorbed by the intestine. Promise Active and Smart Balance HeartRight are two great options.
18. REPAIR MUSCLE
Spinach
Popeye was onto something, it seems. Rutgers researchers discovered that treating human muscle cells with a compound found in spinach increased
protein synthesis by 20 percent. The compound allows muscle tissue to repair itself faster, the researchers say. One thing to keep in mind, however:
Spinach doesn't automatically make any salad a healthy option. Check out 20 Salads Worse Than a Whopper to see what I mean. You'll be absolutely
shocked!
19. RECOVER FROM A WORKOUT
Green Tea
Brazilian scientists found that participants who consumed three cups of the beverage every day for a week had fewer markers of the cell damage
caused by resistance to exercise. That means that green tea can help you recover faster after an intense workout.

20. REPLENISH YOUR BODY POST-WORKOUT

Low-Fat Chocolate Milk
Nothing like a little dessert after a long workout. British researchers found that low-fat chocolate milk does a better job than sports drinks at replenishing
the body after a workout. Why? Because it has more electrolytes and higher fat content. And scientists at James Madison University found that the
balance of fat, protein, and carbs in chocolate milk makes it nearly one-third more effective at replenishing muscles than other recovery beverages.

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21. IMPROVE FOCUS AND CONCENTRATION

Sardines
According to research published in Nutrition Journal, fish oil can help increase your ability to concentrate. Credit EPA and DHA, fatty acids that bolster
communication among brain cells and help regulate neurotransmitters responsible for mental focus. Salmon, trout, halibut, and tuna are also great
sources of EPA and DHA.
22. AVOID ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
Bananas
The antioxidants in bananas, apples, and oranges may help protect you from Alzheimer's, report Korean scientists. The researchers discovered that
plant chemicals known as polyphenols helped shield brain cells from oxidative stress, a key cause of the disease.
23. PROTECT YOUR BRAIN
Steak
Vitamin B12, an essential nutrient found in meat, milk, and fish, may help protect you against brain loss, say British scientists. The researchers found
that older people with the highest blood levels of the vitamin were six times less likely to have brain shrinkage than those with the lowest levels.
24. BUILD LONG-LASTING BRAINPOWER
Carrots
Researchers from Harvard found that men who consumed more beta-carotene over 18 years had significantly delayed cognitive aging. Carrots are a
tremendous source of the antioxidant, as are other orange foods like butternut squash, pumpkin, and bell peppers.
25. SHARPEN YOUR SENSES
Ground Flaxseed
Flax is the best source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)a healthy fat that improves the workings of the cerebral cortex, the area of the brain that
processes sensory information, including that of pleasure. To meet your quota, sprinkle 1 tablespoon flaxseed on salads or oatmeal once a day, or mix
it into a smoothie or shake.