In recent years, oil pulling has become a trendy method for improving oral health. At its core, it involves swishing oil in the mouth to promote detoxification and maintain oral hygiene. With increasing interest in holistic wellness, many people are turning to oil pulling as an alternative or complementary practice to traditional dental care. So if you’d like to add another step to your oral care, keep reading to learn more.

What Is Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling is a fairly straightforward habit to adopt. All you have to do is swish a tablespoon of oil in your mouth for a period of time, usually between 5 and 20 minutes, before spitting it out. The oil acts as a cleansing agent, helping to draw out toxins, bacteria, and other impurities from the mouth. Oil-pulling advocates believe this can improve oral health, freshen breath, and even lead to whiter teeth.

The concept of oil pulling is based on the principle that oil can bind to harmful substances in the mouth, removing them before they can cause problems such as cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. This natural method is believed to reduce plaque formation and bacterial growth, while the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of one’s chosen oil can help with overall oral care.

It’s worth noting, however, that the American Dental Association doesn’t endorse this method. “Currently, there are no reliable scientific studies to show that oil pulling reduces cavities, whitens teeth or improves oral health and well-being,” the ADA notes in a post about oil pulling. “Based on the lack of scientific evidence, the American Dental Association does not recommend oil pulling as a dental hygiene practice.”

How Do You Oil Pull?

Oil pulling is a simple process that can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. Below are the basic steps to begin oiling pulling. 

Choose Your Oil: Select a high-quality organic oil, such as coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil. All of these are well-researched as the most effective options. You will also want one that is cold-pressed, as some studies have shown that direct heat during the pressing process could affect the overall benefits of the oil.

Measure the Oil: Take about one tablespoon of the oil and put it into your mouth. If you’re new to oil pulling, start with a smaller amount and gradually work your way up to a tablespoon.

Swish the Oil: Begin swishing the oil around your mouth, making sure to move it through your teeth and gums. Do this for about 5 minutes when you begin and gradually increase to upwards of 20 minutes. 

Rinse and Brush: Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water and brush your teeth as usual with toothpaste. This will help remove the excess oil, and brushing will eliminate any impurities brought out from the pulling itself.

Best Oils

Choosing the right oil is crucial for effective oil pulling. Here are some of the oils recommended for this practice:

Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is the most popular choice for oil pulling due to its pleasant taste and powerful antibacterial properties. Rich in lauric acid, coconut oil effectively kills harmful bacteria in the mouth and reduces inflammation.

Sesame Oil: Sesame oil is another excellent option, known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce plaque and gingivitis.

Sunflower Oil: Sunflower oil is another commonly used oil for this practice. It has a neutral taste and provides a range of oral health benefits, including reducing bacteria and promoting fresher breath. While not as popular as coconut or sesame oil, sunflower oil is still an effective option for oil pulling.

As mentioned above, when choosing an oil, opt for organic and cold-pressed varieties to ensure you use a high-quality product free from harmful additives and chemicals.

Does it Replace a Dentist?

Oil pulling can complement regular dental care but is not a substitute for it. Regular visits to the dentist and traditional oral hygiene practices are still essential for optimal dental health. Oil pulling should be seen as an additional step in maintaining oral hygiene rather than a replacement for professional dental care.

A healthy, long life is a goal we all share. That’s why fad diets, crazy workout regimens, dietary supplements, and other health-boosting products and practices seem to crop up daily. Though there are benefits to some of these trends, there might be an even easier way to improve longevity: take a shower. Okay, not just any shower, a cold shower, but still, the idea is simple enough that anyone can do it — even if it sounds rather unpleasant. Can taking a cold shower every day really help you live longer? Before we go any further, however, we must mention that you should talk to your doctor if you have preexisting conditions that cold showers, including circulatory disorders, a heart condition, or arthritis, might aggravate.

Why You Should Try Cold Showers

Not only can a cold shower feel refreshing on a hot summer day, but it can also be a beneficial part of a daily routine with proven health benefits. While there is no guarantee that taking a cold shower will add years to your life, it likely won’t do any harm. The most significant disadvantage is feeling uncomfortably cold. However, it also has many health benefits, directly and indirectly impacting longevity. 

For some people, cold showers are a go-to in the mornings because they give you a jolt and wake you up, but to others, cold showers are much more than that — they’re a form of preventative healthcare. According to scientific research, submerging in cold water, whether a shower, bath, or even a cold-water swim, has both mental and physical health benefits. Cold water can reduce inflammation, ease mental health symptoms, boost your mood, and even improve circulation. It can also have noticeable physical impacts. Many people notice tightened pores and reduced skin puffiness, while others claim their hair is shinier and healthier than ever before. When combined with a good diet and exercise, cold water showers are a healthy part of a balanced lifestyle.

Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation can lead to all sorts of chronic diseases, from gastrointestinal disorders to cardiovascular issues. Submerging your body in cold water can help reduce inflammation all over the body, bettering your chance of warding off disease or at least keeping symptoms at bay. Cold temperatures cause your blood vessels to constrict, which moves blood out of the extremities and towards the core. As you heat up again after your shower, oxygenated blood flows back into tissues and flushes out inflammation.

Improve Mood

Mental health is as important to longevity as physical health — the two directly correlate. Exposure to cold temperatures releases endorphins by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Studies also show that cold water submersion can be an effective treatment to reduce the symptoms of depression. In one study, participants who took one or two cold showers daily for a few weeks to a few months experienced relief of depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the cold showers didn’t appear to have any adverse side effects.

Improve Circulation

Heart health directly impacts aging; cold water can bolster circulatory system health. Your body goes into “survival mode” in cold water, and your body kicks your circulatory system into high gear to increase blood flow. Regular exposure to cold temperatures can make your circulatory system more efficient by improving its reactivity. Improved circulation can help with other health issues like high blood pressure or diabetes.

Boost Immune System

You could boost your immune system if you’re willing to brave the cold water for a few minutes longer. Long cold showers and cold water submersion have positively affected immunity. Cold temperatures can stimulate the production of white blood cells, which fight off germs and diseases inside the body.

Promote Weight Loss

Maintaining a healthy weight is a key component of longevity. Long cold showers (and cold water submersion, such as ice baths) can promote weight loss. The body raises its metabolism to keep warm, which burns calories. This is why you might feel extra hungry after a long day of swimming at the pool or beach. Cold water also activates “brown fat,” which also burns calories to keep you warm.

How to Get Started

Don’t worry; you don’t have to sud up and take a full shower in ice-cold water. Instead, take a warm shower as you usually would, washing your hair and body. After scrubbing and rinsing, turn the dial to cold and give yourself an icy, 30-second blast. According to UCLA Health, a cold shower is anything less than 60 degrees.

This might feel shocking at first, but with practice, your body will become used to it, and you can make your cold sessions last longer and longer. “Take deep breaths and move under the shower to distribute the water evenly across your body,” suggests internal medicine specialist Dr. Majdoline Jayoushe. A good goal to aim for is two minutes, then add time until you reach around five minutes.

There is also no “right” time to take a cold shower. Some enjoy the energy boost in the morning or before a big event, while others find the practice soothing in the evenings. However, as Dr. Jayoushe reminds us, “Since our core body temperature fluctuates throughout the day, we are most sensitive to the cold in the morning when the core body temperature is at its lowest.” Keeping all of this in mind, allow yourself to start slowly and at the most comfortable time. Hopefully, you feel well-informed and ready to plunge into cold showers.

While today’s robust pharmaceutical industry can easily relieve ailments, you may want to visit the supermarket to reduce inflammation, keep your heart healthy, and even help with brain function (no, really!). Keep reading to see for yourself how adding a few herbs and spices won’t just make your food taste great — but make you feel great, too!

Anti-Inflammation: Turmeric

Turmeric is celebrated for its anti-inflammatory properties thanks to curcumin, an active compound found in the spice. Curcumin effectively reduces inflammation, making it useful in managing arthritis and digestive inflammation. Turmeric is commonly added to curries, soups, or even smoothies. A common way to enjoy its benefits is by making golden milk, a mix of turmeric, warm milk, and honey.

Antioxidant: Cinnamon

A diet high in antioxidants may reduce the risk of many diseases, including cancer and heart disease. It does so by preventing further damage caused to cells by oxidation. Cinnamon is a great — and easy — way to incorporate some antioxidants into your diet. Just sprinkle it in or over your morning oatmeal or toast, and you’re good to go!

Better Digestion: Ginger

Ginger aids digestion by stimulating digestive enzymes, easing nausea and indigestion. One study highlighted ginger’s effectiveness in reducing nausea, particularly in pregnancy and postoperative care. Add ginger to a curry (along with your turmeric above) for a one-two punch of efficacy. Fresh ginger tea can be made by steeping the root in hot water, providing a soothing remedy for digestive discomfort.

Enhanced Metabolism: Chili Peppers

Chili peppers contain capsaicin, which boosts metabolism by increasing thermogenesis, aiding in calorie burning and fat loss. Chili peppers are incredibly easy to incorporate into one’s diet — from salads to meat to tacos — making them a delicious and effective way to boost your metabolism.

Heart Health: Garlic

You’ve probably heard this one already, but it bears repeating. Garlic promotes heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Many people with heart issues are often told to take pills derived from garlic, but eating the “real thing” is just as easy.

Better Brain Function: Sage

Sage is known for boosting brain function by enhancing memory and concentration. Certain compounds in sage help to maintain acetylcholine, neurotransmitters that play a role in memory, learning, and attention. Studies also show it has a noticeable positive effect on mood regulation. In turn, the medicinal nature of sage may have a small, but not altogether negligible, effect on those at risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s. 

Sage is great in several savory dishes, such as roast chicken and creamy pasta. Adding a little to hot water along with your ginger, as shown above, is also a great way to get some concentrated benefits from the herb.

Antimicrobial Effects: Thyme

Flu season is just around the corner, and while you’re stocking up on tissues and cough drops, maybe add some thyme to your grocery list. Thyme has antimicrobial properties that can effectively fight viruses like the common cold and flu. Its peppery and sweet taste goes great with soups and foods served around Thanksgiving — think turkey, roast chicken, and herbed potatoes.

It seems like there are more varieties of milk today than there are stars in the universe. Still, one of the most popular types is skim milk, which you can find almost anywhere. But despite the fact you’ve likely tried skim milk before, you may still be wondering why it’s called that and what “skim” actually means in this context. We’re here to tell you that it all has to do with how skim milk is produced, so let’s take a closer look at the etymology behind this popular variety.

What Is Skim Milk?

Skim milk is an alternative name for nonfat milk and offers the thinnest consistency of any of the most common dairy-based milks. Each cup of skim milk contains a negligible amount of fat, if any at all. Whole milk, by comparison, has a fat content of no less than 3.25%, making it a far creamier option. Then there’s reduced-fat milk — also known as 2% milk — right in the middle, with a fat content around 2%. These types are just the tip of the milky iceberg, as there are many other common varieties as well.

The History of Skim Milk

Skim milk first became widely popular during the 1980s, at a time when dieters grew far more conscious about the fatty foods and beverages they consumed. But the product was around long before then, even in the pre-World War II days. At that time, skim milk was simply a byproduct of butter production that was largely used to fatten pigs. But during World War II, demand for powdered skim milk grew as it was shelf stable and could be provided to those fighting overseas. After the war, milk manufacturers found themselves saddled with tons of leftover product, and so they came up with a plan. They successfully lobbied doctors to recommend skim milk as a healthier fat-free milk option, and public interest in this variety only grew from there.

The Etymology of Skim Milk

The term “skim milk” comes from milk manufacturers’ actual skimming process to remove the fat. Originally, this involved allowing milk to sit and let gravity work. Over time, the creamier chunks would settle at the top, allowing the manufacturer to skim the fat off the top and remove it physically. As technology evolved, so too has the skimming process. 

Today, many milk manufacturers produce skim using a centrifuge, which rapidly spins and uses force to separate liquids of different densities. This results in two different byproducts — heavy cream and skimmed milk. Interestingly enough, this process occurs regardless of the desired fat content, as whole milk, 2% milk, and skim milk all undergo the same skimming procedure. This is done so that manufacturers can measure the exact amount of fat they need to add back at the very end of the production process.

Skim Milk Still Contains Vitamins

Despite the vitamin-rich fat being removed, skim milk is full of helpful vitamins that are eventually added back in, thus making it a nutrient-packed yet low-calorie option versus whole milk. Some of the vitamins added back in include vitamins A and D, both of which provide calcium to keep your bones strong. This may surprise you, but an average cup of skim milk contains around 325 mg of calcium, which is actually 19 mg more than the same measure of whole milk. Skim milk also has around the same amount of protein per cup as whole milk, which provides essential energy to the body.

Sometimes, it feels like taking a shower could fix anything. It’s a place to cool down after a day at the beach, relieve congestion while fighting a cold, or enjoy peace and quiet after a stressful day. However, for all the millions of times (probably, we’re estimating here) when you should shower, there are a few times when you shouldn’t. You might be shocked and somewhat disgusted after reading that last sentence, but don’t worry; these reasons are plenty good. Here’s why you should hold off on scrubbing down in certain situations.

When Your Skin Is Irritated

This sounds counterintuitive because water should soothe irritated skin, right? Wrong. Water, especially hot water, can actually irritate many skin conditions, including dry skin, hives, eczema, and sunburn. Hot water strips the natural oils from the skin, which act as a protective barrier to help ease skin problems. If you can, wait an extra day to shower, and skip every other day until your skin improves. If you must shower daily during a skin flare-up, opt for shorter showers (five to 15 minutes) in lukewarm water. Then, hydrate your skin immediately — we’re talking within three minutes, according to the National Eczema Association — after drying off using appropriate moisturizers for your skin condition.

After Waxing

To mitigate skin irritation following a wax, you should avoid showering for 24 hours after your treatment. When hair is pulled off your body from the root, what is left behind is the hair follicle, a large, open pore on your skin that is susceptible to inflammation and irritation. As previously mentioned, hot water can irritate the skin, and showering after a wax can leave you with inflamed, burning bumps. What’s more, certain body washes and shower gels can cause even more inflammation in sensitive areas. For this reason, get a wax a few days before vacation or a special event so that your skin returns to normal with plenty of time to shower.

During a Thunderstorm

Unfortunately, this isn’t a myth. Showering during a thunderstorm can be dangerous. Water conducts electricity, so even if you have plastic pipes in your home, a lightning strike can travel through the water and cause injury. According to the Cleveland Clinic, around one-third of all lightning injuries occur indoors. “The current can easily travel along those pipes, and when it’s looking for a way out at the end of the line, it can jump and strike a person from the showerhead or faucet,” explains Dr. Bazzoli, an emergency physician. Play it safe and wait for the storm to pass.

After a Cosmetic Appointment

Don’t let a shower ruin your preparations for a big event. Hold off on showering if you’ve just gotten a spray tan, manicure, pedicure, facial, or other cosmetic service. For spray tans, follow the salon’s guidelines, which typically tell you to shower within eight hours. As for manicures and pedicures, usually, six hours is long enough for the paint to dry entirely but beware: hot water can chip paint faster. And if you’re familiar with the film Legally Blonde, you know that you should never shower for a few days after getting a perm — you know the scene.

After a Meal

Wait at least 30 minutes after a meal to shower. According to nutritionist and holistic wellness coach Eshanka Wahi, showering immediately after eating can disrupt digestion “by diverting blood flow away from the stomach and intestines to the skin’s surface.” This can even lead to indigestion, which can be very uncomfortable. Instead, try showering before meals, which relaxes the body and promotes digestion and nutrition absorption.

Immediately After a Workout

There is an ideal time to shower following a workout. It’s best not to do it too soon or wait too long. Give your body time to sweat and cool before jumping into a hot shower. This helps normalize heart rate and body temperature, which is imperative to good health. After 20 to 30 minutes following a workout, it’s time to shower. However, don’t wait too long to clean up — staying in sweaty clothes is not good. Dermatologist Neal Schultz explains, “They trap moisture that encourages the growth of germs, bacteria, fungus, and yeast, which could invite a skin infection or cause breakout.” So, while it’s important to shower after a workout, it’s equally important to do it at the right time to avoid these potential risks.