May 29, 2025
Did you know tomatoes, avocados, and bell peppers are fruits, while strawberries aren't actually berries—but bananas are? And to match the calcium in an 8-ounce glass of milk, you'd need 4.5 servings of broccoli or 16 servings of spinach. Interesting, right?
Snacking is a daily habit for most, accounting for about 20% of adults’ energy intake. But when those snacks aren’t nutritious, they can do more harm than good. Since June is Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month, here are four low-calorie, nutrient-packed options to reach for when hunger strikes.
- Apples: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” may hold some truth. WebMD notes that apples are rich in antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid, which research links to lower diabetes risk, and catechins, which may reduce heart disease and cancer risk. Their fiber keeps you full, especially when eaten with the skin.
- Bananas: A convenient, nutrient-packed snack. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health states that a medium ripe banana has just 110 calories and no fat. Its potassium supports heart health by maintaining a regular heartbeat, and it’s also beneficial for digestion.
- Broccoli: Not a typical snack, but a powerhouse of nutrients. The USDA notes that a cup of cooked broccoli at just 55 calories provides 134% of daily vitamin A, 112% of vitamin C, and 92% of vitamin K needs.
- Carrots: “Low in calories but high in vitamins,” WebMD notes. A single serving has only 25 calories yet offers 73% of the daily value for vitamin A, 9% for vitamin K, and 5% for vitamin C. Their fiber aids digestion, and their antioxidants, including carotenoids and anthocyanins, help combat disease risk.
Snacks are a part of many people’s daily routines. Finding the right foods to snack on can make a world of difference for people aspiring to live healthier.
Preventive health care helps reduce the risk of diseases that impact quality of life. Regular exercise and a nutritious diet support long-term health, while education empowers individuals to assess risks based on family history and other factors.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that one in five people worldwide develop cancer, with prostate cancer ranking as the second most common cancer in men. Understanding this threat can encourage men to learn more about the disease, its risks, and potential preventive measures. Data does not tell the whole story of prostate cancer, but some fast facts about the disease can serve as a springboard to learning more about it and what, if anything, can be done to prevent it.
Prostate Cancer Prevalence:
- One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
- Black men face higher rates, with one in six developing prostate cancer.
- Black men are more than twice as likely to die from the disease.
2024 Prostate Cancer Estimates (PCF):
- Just under 300,000 men expected to be diagnosed.
- Roughly 35,000 men are projected to die from the disease.
Family History & Risk:
- Men with first-degree relatives (father, brother, or son) who had prostate cancer may be twice as likely to develop the disease.
- Understanding family medical history helps identify individual risk.
Age Factor (ACS):
- About six in 10 prostate cancers occur in men older than 65.
- Risk rises significantly after age 50.
- Although rare, men under 40 can still develop prostate cancer.
Survival Rate:
- 99% five-year survival rate when detected in localized or regional stages (cancer remains within the prostate or spreads nearby).
Prostate cancer poses a notable threat to men. Understanding that threat and what can be done to mitigate it is an integral component of preventive health care.
Usage of over-the-counter headache medicines might be widely associated with adults, but children get headaches as well, and parents may wonder if youngsters can lean on the same remedies their parents look to when seeking relief.
Nationwide Children's Hospital notes rest and relaxation is the best way to treat a headache, but parents also can utilize OTC medications like ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®), acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or naproxen (Aleve®) to help mitigate the symptoms of headache in children. Children's versions of popular OTC headache medicines such as Motrin® can be utilized.
Parents are urged to read all product labels and speak with their children's pediatricians before administering children's headache medicines. Such discussions are particularly important before giving older kids and adolescents OTC medications that are not designated as children's remedies.
The Skin Cancer Foundation warns that skin damage accumulates from the first sunburn, increasing the risk of skin cancer with each burn. UV rays alter a tumor-suppressing gene, reducing cells' ability to repair before turning cancerous. Just five sunburns in a lifetime doubles the risk of deadly melanoma. Protecting skin with sunscreen and avoiding peak sun exposure (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) is crucial.
Alzheimer's disease is often associated with aging, but early-onset Alzheimer's, affecting those under 65, challenges that assumption. The Alzheimer's Association notes that early-onset AD typically occurs in people in their 40s and 50s and is the leading cause of early-onset neurodegenerative dementia, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Its exact cause remains uncertain, though Johns Hopkins Medicine points to two proteins—beta-amyloid and tau—that damage nerve cells by forming plaques and tangles in the brain. While everyone develops these over time, individuals with AD accumulate them in greater numbers, impairing memory and other functions.
Unlike late-onset AD, early-onset cases often begin with atypical symptoms. Indiana University School of Medicine notes that visual impairments like "tunnel vision," difficulty recognizing faces, and speech issues may precede memory loss, leading to misdiagnosis and delayed care. Early-onset AD also progresses more rapidly, making timely diagnosis critical.
Limited single-site studies hinder efforts to identify specific at-risk populations, though family history remains the only confirmed risk factor. While an AD diagnosis is life-altering, early detection allows healthcare providers to help manage symptoms and slow disease progression. Any concerns related to memory, vision, speech, or behavior should be promptly evaluated by a doctor.
