Trend No. 1: Bitter foods are here to stay. If you’re noticing a bump in bitter food options at restaurants across the country, get used to it, says Ashley Koff, RD, a dietitian in Washington, DC. “Bitter was once a flavor even foodies avoided,” she says. “Now, dark chocolate, fermented foods, and greens like escarole, endive, and frisee have solidified their place in the limelight.” Haven’t yet embraced the bitter?...

Six years ago is when Mullen, 39, was first diagnosed with RA. “I was working like an animal, 100 hours a week, and I felt really terrible,” says Mullen. “I remember telling my mom, ‘I just wish I could trade my body in. I need an upgrade.’ Everything hurt.” Initially, no one could diagnose Mullen’s pain. He was swollen and stiff, but not a single specialist knew why. It wasn’t until a hospital chief of rheumatology took a look at Mullen’s medical records that his inflammation was identified as RA....

The move feels like a massage for the front of your body, opens your chest, and strengthens your backside, explains Pilates expert Brooke Siler. Watch as Siler demos the move in the video above—you only need to do 5 or 6 reps to get the benefit. Add it to your nightly routine for a soothing way to end the day. ​ ​ More from Prevention: Arm-toning Pilates Move

Whole-grain cereal with fat-free milk and a small sliced banana Fat-free Greek-style yogurt with sliced fruit and a handful of rolled oats Whole grain toast with low-fat cheese and tomato slices

In a study of more than three million people, those who were hospitalized for an autoimmune disease were 45% more likely to develop a mood disorder later on. The risk jumps to 62% if they were hospitalized for an infection, and it increases even further if they were hospitalized for both. So why, if an infection is wiped away with antibiotics and if an autoimmune disease is stabilized, do they haunt us?...

And these are not just running watches. They quantify your workout-to-work behavior in an all-encompassing way, tracking calories burned, how many steps you take, how many minutes you sit without getting up, and how many times a day you daydream about pizza. (Okay, I made that last one up, but it’ll probably be released next year.) The question is: Do wearers even know what the numbers mean? And if they do, will the quantification of their behavior help them live healthier, happier lives?...

The turkey is gobbled, the pumpkin pie inhaled…and you’re way past overstuffed. Ready to detox? We figured as much! But beyond the usual detox suspects, like juices or salads, sit oft-ignored cleansing tools: your spices. A mere sprinkle can push out the bad stuff, retain the good stuff, and add a boost of flavor that will make healthy eating a joy—rather than a chore. Two powerhouse spices, ginger and cinnamon, boast a wealth of antioxidant properties....

“Over the last year or two, we’ve seen an explosion in the number of contact dermatitis cases caused by MI,” says Matthew Zirwas, MD, director of the contact dermatitis center at Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center. “It’s unbelievable, and it’s by far the most significant allergen I’ve ever seen.” In fact, MI was named the 2013 allergen of the year by the American Contact Dermatitis Society. The preservative was approved for use in cosmetic and personal care products in 2005, and almost immediately, companies began subbing it in for possibly-risky preservatives like parabens and formaldehyde-related compounds....

For the study, published in the August 15 issue of Cancer Research, researchers looked at data from 1,207 men who were diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1982 and 2004 and determined their Gleason grade—an assessment that looks at tumors at the cellular level and is one of the best predictors of prostate cancer prognosis. It differs from cancer stage, which measures roughly how much cancer has spread, and how large and invasive a tumor is, says study author Kathryn L....

Dubbed the “O-Shot,” this non-surgical method harvests a woman’s own healing agents (also known as platelets) and applies them to two areas, one near the clitoris and the other inside the vagina. “Because [these cells] increase blood flow and improve the integrity of the clitoral and vaginal tissue, the shot improves sexual arousal, the likelihood of orgasm, and the quality of that orgasm,” says Samuel Wood, MD, PhD, founder and medical director of The La Jolla Centre for Sexual Health in La Jolla, California, where the clinical trials are taking place....

Chair Pose and Warior III are two of my favorites for firming the lower body. (Transform the rest of your body in just 10 minutes a day with Prevention’s Fit in 10 DVD!) Because you’re not using weights, which require a recovery day, you can do these poses as often as you like. Daily practice will help you develop strong, sexy yoga buns and boost your serenity and balance. Chair Pose With knees and feet together, squat down several inches, like you’re about to sit in a chair....

You heard us: arsenic—that potent poison worthy of murder mysteries. So what’s going on? Evidently, the alcohol in beer can impair the body’s ability to metabolize the arsenic that’s naturally present in the grains used in brewing. Believe it or not, researchers discovered this by testing toenail clippings—markers of prolonged exposure to arsenic—and found that other foods, including fish, rice, and brussels sprouts, are culprits, too. MORE: The Incredibly Awesome Way Beer Can Lower Your Cancer Risk Arsenic occurs naturally in the environment, so it can end up in groundwater, which is how it works its way into your brussels sprouts and beer....

Given the choice, you’d probably opt for the first apple. But new research from Wellesley University shows that the second apple—yes, the one dangling in dirty city air—is actually more nutritious than the one in the store. How ‘bout them apples? (Sorry—had to.) The finding is a result of a recent collaboration between Wellesley researchers and the League of Urban Canners (LUrC), a fruit foraging organization based in the city of Somerville, MA....

Stick Nothing In Your Ear That old cliché, “Never put anything smaller than your elbow into your ear,” is one that ear doctors swear by. Never stick anything sharp—a bobby pin, a pencil tip, a paper clip—into your ear, because you could tear your eardrum. Don’t use a cotton swab or finger either, says George W. Facer, MD. Even though you think you’re cleaning out your ear and removing earwax, you are actually ramming the wax deeper so that it acts like a cap over your eardrum....

Your Toning Program Do two sets of 10 repetitions of each exercise, allowing 30 to 60 seconds of rest between sets. Your movements should be slow and controlled, with a 1-second pause at the top. Do two or three sessions per week, with 1 day of rest in between. Shoulder Shaper/Bun Blaster Chest/Arm/Thigh Firmer

Ashley’s answer: We all feel your pain—holiday colds are the worst! There’s so much to do (and so little time to do it) without even factoring in travel. And, of course, you want to be your best self with your friends and family. Here are some tried-and-true tips and advice to keep you healthy for the holidays. Stop stressing and slow down. If you’ve got the sniffles, an itch in your throat, or the unshakeable desire to nod off mid-day, your body is sending you a warning....

Smaller companies like Coconut Bliss and Raw Ice Cream Company have been churning out dairy-free alternatives to ice cream for years. If you’re vegan, lactose-intolerant, or have dairy allergies (an immune response triggered by the protein in milk), the upside of these dairy-free alternatives is clear. But for those of us who can handle—and love—dairy, does it make a difference? It depends on what you’re looking for. Vegan and dairy versions have about the same amount of fat and sugar, so you can’t cheat the system by picking one over the other....

Pesto Ingredients: 2 loosely packed cups stemmed fresh basil3 medium-sized garlic cloves3 tablespoons pine nuts1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese1/4 to 3/8 cup olive oil What to Do: Mince the garlic as finely as possible in a food processor, using the steel blade. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Alternatively, finely mince the garlic on a chopping board before adding to the bowl.Add the basil leaves, pine nuts, and cheese to the bowl....