GI Health

Dating back millennia, fermented foods are among humanity's oldest attempts to preserve food. But today these foods are newly popular for their purported health benefits. Fermented foods, ranging from sauerkraut to yogurt, are increasingly being seen as a boon to the gut - and in turn to benefits not only for digestive health but possibly also for allergies and even weight loss.

If youve heard of the glycemic index (GI for short) but arent quite sure whether you need to pay attention to it-or exactly what it means-youre hardly alone. Scientists have been debating the merits of measuring the glycemic index since its introduction in 1981. The glycemic index uses a 100-point scale to measure how rapidly the carbohydrates in a food cause blood sugar to rise. Glycemic load (GL) adjusts this figure by taking into account serving sizes and the amount of carbohydrates per serving.

A new study suggests that legumes could also lower cardiovascular risk by reducing blood pressure, along with improving glycemic control.

Long the object of jokes, prunes may now have the last laugh. New research demonstrates that prunes (dried plums) are more effective than psyllium fiber in combating constipation