You may think you’ve heard all there is to hear about gut health over the past few years. From being a relatively unknown topic, it seems now that everyone knows about fermented foods and the best ways to keep your gut microbiome healthy. But this health topic isn’t going anywhere in 2024, in fact, it’s about to become even bigger news. Want to know why? Here are some of the reasons why it’s sticking around as a trending healthcare topic.

Personalized Healthcare

We are entering an era of personalized healthcare, and doctors hope that soon everything from diet to medication can be adapted and changed to suit the needs of an individual. Nowhere is this more true than your gut microbiome—experts have discovered that whilst some advice is true for everyone (eat your greens), people’s guts can react very differently to the same foods and diets. For this reason, more and more of us will be seeking the services of personalized dieticians and gut monitoring devices in 2024, as the technology becomes available for us to track and monitor how different foods influence and impact our bodies.

The Gut-Brain Axis

There is an increasing body of research on the links between gut and brain health, and in 2024 even more work will be done to discover the ways in which diet can affect mood and cognitive processing. This is huge news for anyone who suffers from anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues because it offers hope that finding the right diet could have a significant impact on mental health symptoms.

Pinpoint Nutrition

As technology and monitoring develop, we will be able to pinpoint the areas of nutrition we are lacking in and adapt our diets or supplement intake accordingly. This will have huge implications for our overall health, but especially our digestive health. It has also got fitness experts excited, as with better nutrition comes more gains on the track or in the gym.

The post Why Gut Health is Going to Keep Trending in 2024 appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

It seems like everyone from Lady Gaga to Kendal Jenner is doing ice baths these days. The cold water immersion practice has gained a lot of popularity. But does it really improve your health? 

Ice baths are typically between 50°F and 59°F. The idea is that you immerse your whole body up to your chest in the icy water for 10 to 20 minutes. Here are the potential benefits. 

Muscle Recovery

One of the primary reasons athletes and fitness enthusiasts turn to ice baths is for muscle recovery. That’s why it also makes sense for performers like Lady Gaga who need to recover after big shows. The cold temperature helps reduce inflammation and muscle soreness.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Found—Space (@found__space)

Improved Circulation

Ice baths can stimulate blood flow and boost circulation, potentially enhancing cardiovascular health.

Stress Reduction

Some people use cold exposure as a stress management tool. The shock of the cold water can release endorphins, creating a sense of relaxation and improved mood. This is the same principle that many people use to justify cold showers. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Morozko Forge, LLC (@morozkoforge)

Bottom Line

Give it a shot and see if you feel any of these benefits. Perhaps it’s worth adding to your routine after hard workouts. Or maybe you’ll find that a cold shower is all you need.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kya Jeub (Connolly) (@itskyajeub)

The post Ice-Baths Explained: Will They Really Improve Your Health appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

When it comes to health and wellness trends, there are a ton of them and many of them are all hype, but they’re not actually worth your time. But edible flowers, the latest wellness trend, is actually proven to improve your health! Not only do they make your food look better, but they also have lots of health benefits. Here are some flowers to incorporate into your routine.

Roses

Roses have become associated with romance, but they also reduce inflammation, relieve menstrual pain, and help with the digestive process. One well-known rose-infused beverage you have to try is rose milk.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by That Food Soul. (@thatfoodsoul)

Dandelions

Dandelions can also fasciliate digestion and they’re an adaptogen, which means they help the body adapt to or resist the effects of stress on the body. The whole dandelion is edible, but their roots taste better than other parts and they’re great brewed in tea.

Chamomile

Chamomile is commonly found in sleepy-time teas and it’s calming and relaxing. It’s been used for centuries for these purposes and it also helps with gastrointestinal problems.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Maryanne Cabrera (@littleepicurean)

Hibiscus

One of the most popular ingredients in floral teas is hibiscus and it’s recommended for people who have pre-diabetes and are at risk for developing type II diabetes due to how it levels blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Hibiscus also prevents inflammation and infection.

Jasmine

The petals from jasmine are used to scent tea and the shrub can reduce anxiety, boost concentration, help digestive issues, and relieve aches and pains.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐚 (@petaletea)

The post Edible Flowers are the Wellness Trend You Need to Try appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

You may not know it, but many of us are suffering from a health issue without even realizing it. We’re talking about eyestrain, the feeling that your eyes are tired and exhausted, often caused by screen time, driving, or other intense focus of the eyes. It’s not a serious concern and can go away, but it’s still unpleasant and worth trying to reduce.

That’s where eye yoga comes in. Yep, we said eye yoga. It’s a practice of eye movements and exercises that has benefits like strengthening the eye muscles, reducing stress, and—most importantly—decreasing eyestrain.

The exercises you’ll do when you practice eye yoga are simple: there’s no need to put on your yoga pants or grab your yoga mats. It’s mostly different combinations of gazing, focusing, rolling your eyes, and shifting your points of focus. Best of all, it can typically be done in just a few minutes.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Improve Eyesight (@improve.eyesight)

So whether you’re a smartphone addict or a desk jockey who works at a computer all day, if your screentime is high, it might be worth it to try out this new health and wellness trend for yourself. After all, you only get one set of peepers. You might as well take care of them.

The post What’s Eye Yoga All About? appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Sure we get the importance of oral hygiene, but what’s with the recent influx of celebrities posting photos of them brushing their teeth? In the age of social media, we’ve never felt more connected to stars and this proves they’re just like us. Well sort of. We’ve seen celebrities post their beauty routines and gym workouts, so naturally brushing teeth was next.

Stepping onboard to the oral hygiene trend by posting videos and photos on Instagram are Miley Cyrus, Emily Ratajkowski, Kaia Gerber, Harry Styles, and Beyoncé with her daughter Blue Ivy. But somehow while they’re posing with their toothbrushes, they still look effortlessly cool with their runway outfits and designer jewelry. We never look this fly when we’re brushing our teeth.

So what’s the explanation for this rise in teeth brushing shots? Well, it may relate to the latest generation’s obsession with being healthy and wanting to show the world how they do so. And like most celebrity trends, it didn’t take long for the toothbrush selfie to become a social media trend. People all around social media have started posting photos while brushing their teeth.

Here’s to good oral hygiene!

The post What’s With Celebrities Posting Toothbrush Selfies? appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

While we’ve been sipping herbal teas for centuries due to their health benefits, the latest teas are blending different trendy ingredients to make their health benefits even more powerful. We’re talking about better sleep and balanced hormones. So what are the hottest wellness teas that you should try and what are some of the health benefits associated with them?

Raspberry Leaf

For hundreds of years, raspberry leaf has been a natural remedy for women’s reproductive issues. It can be used to boost histamine response and reduce inflammation.

Tulsi

This adaptogen tea, also known as holy basil, is sipped for its relaxing properties. Next time you have trouble sleeping, try tulsi tea instead of melatonin.

Rhodiola

Rhodiola tea is another popular adaptogen, but unlike tulsi which is used for stress-relief and sleep, it boosts energy.

Chrysanthemum

Known for its history in Chinese culture and medicine, this tea has a mild, floral flavor, and it boosts the immune system and aid in metabolism and heart health. It also has a lot of minerals like calcium and potassium, which are a great addition to your diet.

CBD

CBD is in tons of teas these days and adding it into teas that promote better sleep, more energy, improved mood, and increased focus, increases the effects of the teas. CBD also reduces inflammation and promotes a sense of calmness.

The post Wellness Teas are the Latest Health Craze appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

You may have already heard of the science of autophagy, a process of cell regeneration that’s believed to help reduce your chances of getting certain diseases. It has become a big trend in recent years after the Japanese scientist Yoshinori Ohsumi received the Nobel Prize for his autophagy discoveries in 2016. Can you really follow the principles of autophagy in order to be healthier or is it dangerous to do so on your own?

Basically, autophagy is the process during which cells degrade and renew. Autophagy is believed to destroy viruses and bacteria after infections. Cells use this process to remove damaged components and stay healthy. People who want to achieve this process intentionally turn to fasting, as that’s what makes the cells rely only on themselves for the healing processes. It’s generally believed that you should fast at least 12-16 hours per day in order to see the health benefits.

Still, if you have any health problems or are pregnant, it’s best to consult a doctor before this lifestyle change. The easiest and healthiest way to not eat for so many hours is to stop eating from lunch until breakfast the next day, effectively skipping dinner.

The post Everyone’s Talking about Autophagy—is it Useful or Dangerous? appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

While wellness has been a term that’s been popular for years, in 2020, wellness and mental health practices are what helped us get through the pandemic. We finally had the time to implement wellness and self-care practices into our daily lives and in 2021, these trends will continue. These are the wellness trends you should start incorporating into your lifestyle.

Mindful Eating

Since you’ve been spending more time at home cooking, you probably noticed that you’ve been paying more attention to what you’re eating. What you eat impacts your mental and physical health, so try and avoid processed foods and rely on foods with nutritional value.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

With more time spent at home, people started trying new healing techniques to promote better health like using essential oils and drinking herbal teas.

Meditation & Breathwork

During the pandemic, people have been trying to find ways to cope and manage stress like meditation and breathwork after other methods like visiting friends and going to the gym were not allowed. Remember when meditating and with breathwork, that they take time and patience, so don’t be judgmental when you have difficulty staying present.

The post Wellness Trends You Should Implement Into Your Lifestyle This Year appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

This year hasn’t been what we expected it to be and many things have been beyond our control. Even though things may seem beyond your control, there’s one thing you can manage and prioritize—self care. Micro habits are the new wellness trend and they’re more sustainable, smaller habits that are easier to follow through with. The easiest micro habits are those that can be tracked daily and these are some you should start implementing into your lifestyle.

Move More

Instead of trying to train for a marathon or doing an intense cardio session, think of small ways that you can move your body more often. Implement physical activity into your schedule three times a week and try not to go two days in a row without any activity.

Make Your Bed

This is a small thing that starts your day on the right foot and gives you a sense of accomplishment. Cleaning your entire house is overwhelming, but making your bed every day is totally doable.

Drink More Water

Drinking more water can help you feel more energized and less groggy. Aim for 90 ounces and carry a water bottle with you wherever you go.

Eat More Greens

Start by adding greens to one of your meals each day like by putting a handful of spinach in your breakfast smoothie. You’ll not only feel better, but you’ll be more motivated to eat healthier throughout the day.

Stay Connected

It’s really easy to feel disconnected during these times and to increase your social activities, go ahead and text or call a friend or family member nightly.

The post Micro Habits: The Latest Wellness Trend That Only Requires 5-Minutes! appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Over the past few years, people have become invested in leading healthier lifestyles, and the newest popular diet is known as flexitarianism. The diets main feature is all in the name—flexibility. It’s less restrictive than conventional diets and it focuses on eating plant-based foods, while not entirely giving up meat. While you’re encouraged to eat more vegetables and nutrient-dense foods, no foods are off-limits. Here’s everything you should know about the flexitatian diet before deciding if it’s right for you.

What’s the Flexitarian Diet?

This diet is a combination of the words flexible and vegetarian. It’s about increasing the amount of plant-based foods in your diet, while decreasing the amount of meat, processed foods, and added sugars.

What Foods Can Flexitarians Eat?

As mentioned, no food group is forbidden, but there’s less emphasis on animal protein and more on plant-proteins. Try basing your meals around plant-based proteins like black beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, white beans, and lentil with whole grains and potatoes, fruits, dairy, healthy fats, and vegetables.

What do Flexitarians Avoid?

Flexitarians create their own meals, and while they don’t cut out foods, they avoid eating chicken, turkey, red meat, pork, white bread, white pasta, white rice, animal fats, and processed/packaged foods. When they do eat meat, they tend to choose quality lean meats like chicken or turkey.

The post Flexitarianism: The Newly Popular Diet Everyone’s Following appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

You may think you’ve heard all there is to hear about gut health over the past few years. From being a relatively unknown topic, it seems now that everyone knows about fermented foods and the best ways to keep your gut microbiome healthy. But this health topic isn’t going anywhere in 2024, in fact, it’s about to become even bigger news. Want to know why? Here are some of the reasons why it’s sticking around as a trending healthcare topic.

Personalized Healthcare

We are entering an era of personalized healthcare, and doctors hope that soon everything from diet to medication can be adapted and changed to suit the needs of an individual. Nowhere is this more true than your gut microbiome—experts have discovered that whilst some advice is true for everyone (eat your greens), people’s guts can react very differently to the same foods and diets. For this reason, more and more of us will be seeking the services of personalized dieticians and gut monitoring devices in 2024, as the technology becomes available for us to track and monitor how different foods influence and impact our bodies.

The Gut-Brain Axis

There is an increasing body of research on the links between gut and brain health, and in 2024 even more work will be done to discover the ways in which diet can affect mood and cognitive processing. This is huge news for anyone who suffers from anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues because it offers hope that finding the right diet could have a significant impact on mental health symptoms.

Pinpoint Nutrition

As technology and monitoring develop, we will be able to pinpoint the areas of nutrition we are lacking in and adapt our diets or supplement intake accordingly. This will have huge implications for our overall health, but especially our digestive health. It has also got fitness experts excited, as with better nutrition comes more gains on the track or in the gym.

The post Why Gut Health is Going to Keep Trending in 2024 appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

It seems like everyone from Lady Gaga to Kendal Jenner is doing ice baths these days. The cold water immersion practice has gained a lot of popularity. But does it really improve your health? 

Ice baths are typically between 50°F and 59°F. The idea is that you immerse your whole body up to your chest in the icy water for 10 to 20 minutes. Here are the potential benefits. 

Muscle Recovery

One of the primary reasons athletes and fitness enthusiasts turn to ice baths is for muscle recovery. That’s why it also makes sense for performers like Lady Gaga who need to recover after big shows. The cold temperature helps reduce inflammation and muscle soreness.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Found—Space (@found__space)

Improved Circulation

Ice baths can stimulate blood flow and boost circulation, potentially enhancing cardiovascular health.

Stress Reduction

Some people use cold exposure as a stress management tool. The shock of the cold water can release endorphins, creating a sense of relaxation and improved mood. This is the same principle that many people use to justify cold showers. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Morozko Forge, LLC (@morozkoforge)

Bottom Line

Give it a shot and see if you feel any of these benefits. Perhaps it’s worth adding to your routine after hard workouts. Or maybe you’ll find that a cold shower is all you need.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kya Jeub (Connolly) (@itskyajeub)

The post Ice-Baths Explained: Will They Really Improve Your Health appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

When it comes to health and wellness trends, there are a ton of them and many of them are all hype, but they’re not actually worth your time. But edible flowers, the latest wellness trend, is actually proven to improve your health! Not only do they make your food look better, but they also have lots of health benefits. Here are some flowers to incorporate into your routine.

Roses

Roses have become associated with romance, but they also reduce inflammation, relieve menstrual pain, and help with the digestive process. One well-known rose-infused beverage you have to try is rose milk.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by That Food Soul. (@thatfoodsoul)

Dandelions

Dandelions can also fasciliate digestion and they’re an adaptogen, which means they help the body adapt to or resist the effects of stress on the body. The whole dandelion is edible, but their roots taste better than other parts and they’re great brewed in tea.

Chamomile

Chamomile is commonly found in sleepy-time teas and it’s calming and relaxing. It’s been used for centuries for these purposes and it also helps with gastrointestinal problems.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Maryanne Cabrera (@littleepicurean)

Hibiscus

One of the most popular ingredients in floral teas is hibiscus and it’s recommended for people who have pre-diabetes and are at risk for developing type II diabetes due to how it levels blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Hibiscus also prevents inflammation and infection.

Jasmine

The petals from jasmine are used to scent tea and the shrub can reduce anxiety, boost concentration, help digestive issues, and relieve aches and pains.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐚 (@petaletea)

The post Edible Flowers are the Wellness Trend You Need to Try appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

You may not know it, but many of us are suffering from a health issue without even realizing it. We’re talking about eyestrain, the feeling that your eyes are tired and exhausted, often caused by screen time, driving, or other intense focus of the eyes. It’s not a serious concern and can go away, but it’s still unpleasant and worth trying to reduce.

That’s where eye yoga comes in. Yep, we said eye yoga. It’s a practice of eye movements and exercises that has benefits like strengthening the eye muscles, reducing stress, and—most importantly—decreasing eyestrain.

The exercises you’ll do when you practice eye yoga are simple: there’s no need to put on your yoga pants or grab your yoga mats. It’s mostly different combinations of gazing, focusing, rolling your eyes, and shifting your points of focus. Best of all, it can typically be done in just a few minutes.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Improve Eyesight (@improve.eyesight)

So whether you’re a smartphone addict or a desk jockey who works at a computer all day, if your screentime is high, it might be worth it to try out this new health and wellness trend for yourself. After all, you only get one set of peepers. You might as well take care of them.

The post What’s Eye Yoga All About? appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Sure we get the importance of oral hygiene, but what’s with the recent influx of celebrities posting photos of them brushing their teeth? In the age of social media, we’ve never felt more connected to stars and this proves they’re just like us. Well sort of. We’ve seen celebrities post their beauty routines and gym workouts, so naturally brushing teeth was next.

Stepping onboard to the oral hygiene trend by posting videos and photos on Instagram are Miley Cyrus, Emily Ratajkowski, Kaia Gerber, Harry Styles, and Beyoncé with her daughter Blue Ivy. But somehow while they’re posing with their toothbrushes, they still look effortlessly cool with their runway outfits and designer jewelry. We never look this fly when we’re brushing our teeth.

So what’s the explanation for this rise in teeth brushing shots? Well, it may relate to the latest generation’s obsession with being healthy and wanting to show the world how they do so. And like most celebrity trends, it didn’t take long for the toothbrush selfie to become a social media trend. People all around social media have started posting photos while brushing their teeth.

Here’s to good oral hygiene!

The post What’s With Celebrities Posting Toothbrush Selfies? appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

While we’ve been sipping herbal teas for centuries due to their health benefits, the latest teas are blending different trendy ingredients to make their health benefits even more powerful. We’re talking about better sleep and balanced hormones. So what are the hottest wellness teas that you should try and what are some of the health benefits associated with them?

Raspberry Leaf

For hundreds of years, raspberry leaf has been a natural remedy for women’s reproductive issues. It can be used to boost histamine response and reduce inflammation.

Tulsi

This adaptogen tea, also known as holy basil, is sipped for its relaxing properties. Next time you have trouble sleeping, try tulsi tea instead of melatonin.

Rhodiola

Rhodiola tea is another popular adaptogen, but unlike tulsi which is used for stress-relief and sleep, it boosts energy.

Chrysanthemum

Known for its history in Chinese culture and medicine, this tea has a mild, floral flavor, and it boosts the immune system and aid in metabolism and heart health. It also has a lot of minerals like calcium and potassium, which are a great addition to your diet.

CBD

CBD is in tons of teas these days and adding it into teas that promote better sleep, more energy, improved mood, and increased focus, increases the effects of the teas. CBD also reduces inflammation and promotes a sense of calmness.

The post Wellness Teas are the Latest Health Craze appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

You may have already heard of the science of autophagy, a process of cell regeneration that’s believed to help reduce your chances of getting certain diseases. It has become a big trend in recent years after the Japanese scientist Yoshinori Ohsumi received the Nobel Prize for his autophagy discoveries in 2016. Can you really follow the principles of autophagy in order to be healthier or is it dangerous to do so on your own?

Basically, autophagy is the process during which cells degrade and renew. Autophagy is believed to destroy viruses and bacteria after infections. Cells use this process to remove damaged components and stay healthy. People who want to achieve this process intentionally turn to fasting, as that’s what makes the cells rely only on themselves for the healing processes. It’s generally believed that you should fast at least 12-16 hours per day in order to see the health benefits.

Still, if you have any health problems or are pregnant, it’s best to consult a doctor before this lifestyle change. The easiest and healthiest way to not eat for so many hours is to stop eating from lunch until breakfast the next day, effectively skipping dinner.

The post Everyone’s Talking about Autophagy—is it Useful or Dangerous? appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

While wellness has been a term that’s been popular for years, in 2020, wellness and mental health practices are what helped us get through the pandemic. We finally had the time to implement wellness and self-care practices into our daily lives and in 2021, these trends will continue. These are the wellness trends you should start incorporating into your lifestyle.

Mindful Eating

Since you’ve been spending more time at home cooking, you probably noticed that you’ve been paying more attention to what you’re eating. What you eat impacts your mental and physical health, so try and avoid processed foods and rely on foods with nutritional value.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

With more time spent at home, people started trying new healing techniques to promote better health like using essential oils and drinking herbal teas.

Meditation & Breathwork

During the pandemic, people have been trying to find ways to cope and manage stress like meditation and breathwork after other methods like visiting friends and going to the gym were not allowed. Remember when meditating and with breathwork, that they take time and patience, so don’t be judgmental when you have difficulty staying present.

The post Wellness Trends You Should Implement Into Your Lifestyle This Year appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

This year hasn’t been what we expected it to be and many things have been beyond our control. Even though things may seem beyond your control, there’s one thing you can manage and prioritize—self care. Micro habits are the new wellness trend and they’re more sustainable, smaller habits that are easier to follow through with. The easiest micro habits are those that can be tracked daily and these are some you should start implementing into your lifestyle.

Move More

Instead of trying to train for a marathon or doing an intense cardio session, think of small ways that you can move your body more often. Implement physical activity into your schedule three times a week and try not to go two days in a row without any activity.

Make Your Bed

This is a small thing that starts your day on the right foot and gives you a sense of accomplishment. Cleaning your entire house is overwhelming, but making your bed every day is totally doable.

Drink More Water

Drinking more water can help you feel more energized and less groggy. Aim for 90 ounces and carry a water bottle with you wherever you go.

Eat More Greens

Start by adding greens to one of your meals each day like by putting a handful of spinach in your breakfast smoothie. You’ll not only feel better, but you’ll be more motivated to eat healthier throughout the day.

Stay Connected

It’s really easy to feel disconnected during these times and to increase your social activities, go ahead and text or call a friend or family member nightly.

The post Micro Habits: The Latest Wellness Trend That Only Requires 5-Minutes! appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Over the past few years, people have become invested in leading healthier lifestyles, and the newest popular diet is known as flexitarianism. The diets main feature is all in the name—flexibility. It’s less restrictive than conventional diets and it focuses on eating plant-based foods, while not entirely giving up meat. While you’re encouraged to eat more vegetables and nutrient-dense foods, no foods are off-limits. Here’s everything you should know about the flexitatian diet before deciding if it’s right for you.

What’s the Flexitarian Diet?

This diet is a combination of the words flexible and vegetarian. It’s about increasing the amount of plant-based foods in your diet, while decreasing the amount of meat, processed foods, and added sugars.

What Foods Can Flexitarians Eat?

As mentioned, no food group is forbidden, but there’s less emphasis on animal protein and more on plant-proteins. Try basing your meals around plant-based proteins like black beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, white beans, and lentil with whole grains and potatoes, fruits, dairy, healthy fats, and vegetables.

What do Flexitarians Avoid?

Flexitarians create their own meals, and while they don’t cut out foods, they avoid eating chicken, turkey, red meat, pork, white bread, white pasta, white rice, animal fats, and processed/packaged foods. When they do eat meat, they tend to choose quality lean meats like chicken or turkey.

The post Flexitarianism: The Newly Popular Diet Everyone’s Following appeared first on toppoptoday.com.