ESSENTIAL 6 Surprising Benefits of Beta Glucan While insoluble fiber often steals the spotlight for its role in digestion, soluble fiber—especially beta glucan—deserves much more recognition. Found in foods like oats, barley, rye, shiitake mushrooms, and yeast, beta glucan doesn’t break down in your gut. Instead, it forms a gel-like substance that slows digestion and offers a range of health benefits. Research shows beta glucan can boost your immune system, lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar levels, support healthy bones, and even aid in weight loss. Yet, despite these impressive benefits, most people are getting just a fraction of the beta glucan they need. (More) Is It a Concussion? Watch for This Little-Known Symptom If you’ve ever hit your head and wondered if it may be a concussion, you’re not alone—signs of a concussion are often invisible. Yet, a recent study has found that a spontaneous headshake (SHAAKE) after an impact may be a reliable predictor. When researchers looked at 347 athletes with head injuries, they found that 85% of those who spontaneously shook their head after their injury had a concussion. Plus, the results showed that SHAAKE could help detect concussions with a 92% accuracy rate in football players. Recognizing this sign in yourself or someone you love can be an important reminder to seek medical attention after any head injury. (More) 5 Minutes of This May Lower Your Blood Pressure You know that exercise is important for your health and your heart. Now, a recent study found that even small amounts of exercise, such as an extra 5 minutes of cycling or running, were linked to a meaningful reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. While longer exercise sessions typically result in greater reductions, these small changes still offer health benefits. So, if you're short on time, tacking on a few extra minutes of activity could make a real difference in your heart health. (More) (Also see the 1 Simple Mistake that Often Inflates Blood Pressure below!) |