In a study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, thirsty people had significantly faster reaction times after drinking just 500 mL or 2 cups of water than that of those who had drank nothing at all. People who did not consider themselves thirsty, however, had about the same reaction times with or without a drink. More surprisingly, both thirsty and not thirsty individuals seemed to adapt to new problems slower with water than they did without it....

A: Relaxation drinks with names like Just Chill and Neuro Bliss sound like they must be Valium in a can, and the truth is, many people do say they feel more relaxed or calm about half an hour after drinking them. A likely reason: the blend of herbs, supplements, botanicals, and amino acids they contain, which previously have been used individually as calming agents. Chances are you’ve already tried to drink away stress—perhaps with a beer, a glass of wine, or a martini....

Researchers at Cairo University found that women who were experiencing hair loss also had lower levels of iron and vitamin D2—and hair loss only got worse as the levels dropped. “This is the first time vitamin D’s possible role in hair loss has been highlighted,” explains Rania Mounir Abdel Hay, MD, a dermatologist at Cairo University, and co-author of the study. “It might regulate the expression of genes that promote normal hair follicle growth....

According to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE, people who eat out with friends in the middle of the day have more trouble concentrating when they come back to work than those who stayed put for lunch. To come to that conclusion, researchers took a group of 32 women and had half grab a meal with friends at a nearby restaurant, while the other half ate lunch alone at their desks....

The results were astonishing: One tester lost 12.8 pounds (9 were gone after only 11 days!), another trimmed her hips by more than 2 inches and whittled her waist by 3 inches, and tough-to-change upper arms shrank by up to 1.5 inches! The group also saw improvements in posture, grace, and balance—even lower-back pain! Lose weight and tone up like our testers by following this healthy eating plan. Hot-Body Eating Tip No....

Oats (1 cup cooked) High in fiber and protein, oats eaten for breakfast help stabilize blood sugar all day. MORE: Almost-Instant Dessert-Worthy Gingersnap Oatmeal Salmon (3 oz) This fish’s hefty dose of protein speeds metabolism, which increases energy. (Try these 20 delicious salmon recipes.) Almonds (⅓ cup) They’re packed with magnesium, which helps convert sugar into energy. Protein and fiber provide sustained energy without a crash. Quinoa (½ cup cooked) Protein and amino acids in this gluten-free grain aid in muscle repair and post-workout recovery....

You’ve probably heard that pre-cutting vegetables, like celery and pepper strips, and keeping them at eye level in the fridge makes you more likely to grab them. That’s true, and a great tip. But when it comes to maximizing the nutritional value of your produce, other rules come into play. “In general, the longer food is stored in the fridge, freezer or cupboard, the greater the nutrient loss,” says registered dietititan Patricia Bannan, RDN, author of Eat Right When Time Is Tight....

This week, contributing fitness editor Chris Freytag has mixed it up with a new strength-training routine to keep your muscles challenged and to prevent you from getting bored. Remember that both components of the program (cardio and strength-training) are equally important. “It’s the combination that is key to getting in shape,” says Chris, “Strength-training will firm and tone your muscles, as well as boost your metabolism. Cardio exercise burns up calories, conditions you heart and helps you shed body fat....

Well, we’re super proud of you. But hey, the 90s called and they want their eco-conscious consumer back. Today, sustainability-minded shoppers bring their own mason jars to the market, fill them from bulk bins, and buy toothpaste only in tablet form. Or at least that’s the direction in which things could be headed. Denver’s ZERO market, set to open this summer, is the latest of a small, but growing contingent of shops offering shoppers the ability to shop for products without any packaging—meaning all your food is sold in bulk (you bring your own containers), liquids, juices, and even household cleaners are available on tap, and household necessities like toilet paper and soap don’t come wrapped in anything for your convenience (the store provides tongs, tools, and tips to prevent cross-contamination)....

MORE: Get More Out Of Your Coffee The Roast In the universe of coffee beans, lighter roasts are the dark horses. “The antioxidant effects of coffee are related to compounds called chlorogenic acids,” says Peter Martin, director of the Vanderbilt University Institute for Coffee Studies. “Roasting green coffee beans transforms these acids into better antioxidants—but if you keep on roasting them, they break down again.” So buy light-brown beans. And when you’re on the go, ask for Original Blend at Dunkin’ Donuts or Blonde at Starbucks....

America’s favorite snack? If you ask most of us, indulgent items like French fries, potato chips, and chocolate would probably be the top bets. Turns out, we’ve got it all wrong: The most popular nibble among noshers across the country is…fruit. That’s according to a new report from market research firm NPD Group. The report also notes that fresh fruit is chowed as a snack 10 times more per year than chocolate, which held down second place in the rankings....

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If you pop a prescription pill every morning, be careful when you’re washing it down: A refreshing glass of grapefruit juice can have serious consequences when mixed with common meds, finds a new analysis. The review of 161 earlier studies, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, warns that the number of drugs known to interact with grapefruit is higher than previous estimates suggest: A total of 43 medications—many of them quite common—can cause severe side effects like blood clots, breathing problems, kidney damage, and even death, when mixed with grapefruit....

We’re talking about “thank you.” And according to a study published in Emotion, it could be the key to a stronger, lasting relationship. Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of California, Santa Barbara, examined to what extent a person’s gratitude influenced the other person in a relationship. They asked members of 77 heterosexual couples—who had been together anywhere from six months to 35 years—to choose something their partner did for them recently and thank them for it while their partner rated the integrity of their reaction during the conversation....

These women, just like you, decided to walk a Team Prevention race. After they crossed the finish line, they haven’t stopped walking. Now, they are here to guide you every step of the way as you complete your first (or second or third!) Team Prevention event. Here, you can read their bios, look for their screen names on the Prevention.com discussion forums, and find out what events they’ll be attending....

The 2014 edition of the AACR’s annual report—released earlier today—attributes about one-third of next year’s cancer deaths to tobacco use (that’s almost 200,000 people). Despite being more informed than ever about the dangers of smoking, nearly 800,000 Americans still pick up the habit every year, according to the AACR. And about another third of next year’s cancer deaths will stem from obesity (being overweight or obese has been linked to 7 different kinds of cancer, including postmenopausal breast cancer), unhealthy eating habits, or a lack of physical activity....

The Coca-Cola company – which, along with PepsiCo., owns an almost two-thirds share of America’s orange juice market – alerted the FDA that it had found traces of an unapproved fungicide in some of its products grown in Brazil. Woman Coughs Up Tumor, Is Now Cancer-Free [ABC News] Remarkable story of the day: A UK mom coughed up a three-quarter-inch tumor while driving. It was shown to be cancerous – but after further tests, doctors could find no trace of any remaining cancer....

Turns out, sugar is still sugar, regardless of the source. “Too much of any sugar can cause problems and lead to increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and fatty liver,” says Despina Hyde, RD, diabetes educator at NYU Langone Medical Center. That’s why the American Heart Association recommends that most women consume no more than 6 teaspoons—about 25 g or 100 calories worth—of added sugar per day. That aside, natural sweeteners still differ in subtle ways....

TIME: 45 minutes SERVINGS: 4 1/4 c olive oil (MUFA), divided 2 lg egg whites 3/4 c plain trans-free panko bread crumbs 3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese 3/4 tsp salt-free Italian herb seasoning 1/4 tsp salt 2 med zucchini (about 12 oz total), halved crosswise and then cut lengthwise into 1" wedges (16 total) 1/2 c marinara sauce, warmed PREHEAT oven to 425°F. Brush 17" x 14" jelly roll pan with 1 tablespoon of the oil (or use 2 smaller rimmed baking sheets, brushing each with 1/2 tablespoon of the oil, and switch positions of pans halfway through baking)....