Milk offers a number of health benefits. It's rich in protein, good for your bones and may help keep your blood pressure in check. While some dairy products may benefit digestion, milk itself doesn't offer significant digestive benefits, and it may even cause digestive issues for some people.

Blackberries are quite nutritious, so there are few disadvantages to eating the fruit. In some cases, however, these plump, velvety berries can cause side effects such as changes to urine color.

It can be hard to figure out just which sugar alternative is the best choice, especially if you're trying to limit yourself to more-natural alternatives. Both organic stevia-based products and erythritol have their benefits, but they should only be consumed in limited amounts to limit the risk of side effects.

If you're looking for a healthy alternative to fatty or sugary desserts, stewed apples make an excellent option. Easy to prepare, stewed apples work well as a slightly sweet topping or as a dessert by itself, to be eaten with a spoon like a fruit compote. According to the U.S.

A type of mush made from stone-ground corn or maize, grits are a Southern food staple, often eaten as a breakfast or dinner side dish. As a corn-based food, grits contain carbohydrates, the nutrient in food that digests into sugar and is then released into the bloodstream.

Sugar is bad for you, no doubt about it. High intakes of sugar increase the risk of obesity and early death, according to a report from the Harvard Medical School. While your body processes the sugar in fruit the same way it processes the sugar from your sugar bowl, don't go throwing your fruit out.

Believe it or not, a healthy body needs fats. Getting the right kind and amount of dietary fat, however, can be tricky. If you eat too much of the wrong kind of fat, you increase your risk for health problems. If you don't get enough of the right kind of fats, your body's optimal functioning is compromised.

One way to stay safe against foodborne illnesses is to identify when meat has gone bad before it lands on your plate. Use the sight, smell and touch tests.

One half of a California avocado has about 10 grams of fat, much more than most fruits and vegetables. The good news is that most of the fat is monounsaturated fat.

Sodium is essential for life, but getting too much may be bad for your health. Depending on your specific health needs, dietary sodium recommendations range from 1,500 to 2,300 milligrams a day. Most Americans consume about 3,400 milligrams daily, according to the American Heart Association.

"Older adults tend to need fewer calories as they age because they are not as physically active as they once were and their metabolic rates slow down. Nevertheless, their bodies still require the same or higher levels of nutrients for optimal health outcomes," advises Alice H.

Water is a good diet aid, but it can't magically flush fat from your body. It helps with weight control by maintaining fluid balance, helping you feel full and controlling calorie intake.