🌿 A Look Back At 2017!

It’s been a buzzing 2017 on the health front. Some old trends gained steam this year, like one-bowl meals, while others took a bit of a backseat, like green tea. [Web Version]( [Curejoy] Follow us: [instagram]( [twitter]( [facebook]( Friday, December 22, 2017  [alt_text]( Do this. Do that. Oh wait...not that! It’s been a buzzing 2017 on the health front. Some old trends gained steam this year, like one-bowl meals, while others took a bit of a backseat, like green tea. Scanning through the information overload, we’ve listed health trends that hogged the limelight. In some cases good publicity, in others bad. Worth Remembering... 1. Yoga: Yoga, particularly [mindful yoga]( flooded the media this year. Some studies were definitely not a one-size-fits-all like those done on convicts. Nonetheless, it is relieving to know that people are finally [coming to terms with]( this ancient practice. This is one place, you’ll never go wrong. 2. Acupuncture: Coming a close second to yoga, acupuncture proved its worth for [genital pain](  [diabetes]( and [low back pain](. This, too, is here to stay. 3. The Mediterranean diet: Slowly but surely, the high-fat Mediterranean diet [gained attention](. All good publicity. Well, you can’t really go very wrong with a diet that includes stuff nutritionists speak about in their sleep. 4. Intermittent fasting: Something that still sounds a little dicey, intermittent fasting got quite a few supportive “it really works” [studies]( under its belt, particularly for weight loss. We were also reminded that [intermittent fasting needs breaks](. So, yes you can try it and see if it works for you. But don’t make it your normal. 5. Probiotics: Gut bacteria shot to fame like none other! So many aspects of health have been traced back to it from diet to [exercise](. That brings us to the much-justified frenzy over probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, and kombucha. We were also made to realize that [prebiotics are just as important](. Try backing your probiotics with prebiotics. 6. Cheese and cinnamon: When we got the green light to eat [cheese for better heart health]( how we conveniently forgot to focus on the 40 gm/a day clause! We need to pay more heed to such crucial instructions. And when cinnamon was “declared” a [fat burner]( that was it! The cinnamon latte sales probably went up faster than the bitcoin value. But we need to remember that this spice may have side effects before we go overboard. Moderation sounds good. 7. Wearable technology: Remember the [smart undergarment]( for lower back pain? Or the [skin sensors]( to tell you when you need more water? Health technology took a promising turn this year. Though right now it seems to target smaller issues, we can’t deny how genius the ideation is. 2018 is looking up! What Confused Us... 8. The ketogenic diet: 2017 was a good year for those [speaking up for fats]( in the diet. It goes without saying that we mean the good fats. Though not something new, the high-fat, low-carb keto diet naturally grabbed the spotlight. [Here]( [here]( and [here](. That said, it’s [not really an easy-to-follow]( diet, so we recommend other more sustainable options. 9. Soy: Soy products came with a whole lot of disclaimers. Soy oil may cause a [fatty liver]( or soy products may not be good for [breast cancer]( patients. Then soy’s [hypertension-reducing effects]( saved part of its reputation. And the preview of [tofu alcohol]( was the cherry on the cake. The takeaway? Soy’s effects will depend on your health and the form in which you consume it. 10. Too much exercise became a thing: This was when it seemed like researchers were plain messing with us. After drilling it into our heads that exercise is a must to be [healthy]( they put limits on it. Too much [may be harmful]( they said. Like seriously, give us a break! 11. Pregnancy instructionals: If you were pregnant this year, we’re sure it’s been a rollercoaster of “I didn’t know I was harming my baby” to “I am so scared about that one gene in my baby.” [Eating peanuts]( when pregnant became a concern. So did [sleep positions]( and the [flu vaccine](. While these concerns are legit, they have “overhyped” written all over them. 12. The illegals: There was quite the fight to [support the use]( of medical MJ this year. It finally bore fruit this December with medical marijuana being [declared safe by WHO](. Magic mushrooms tried to grab some of the drug attention, too. They’ve turned out to be [good for the depressed](. But they continue to remain illegal in a lot of countries. Okay To Forget... 13. Activated charcoal food: Early on this year, the black food trend was in vogue, from black ice creams to black cocktails. But here’s the catch. Activated charcoal is not really discretional when it comes to absorbing stuff in the stomach (it’s supposed to absorb only toxins). So, we [wouldn’t really encourage you]( to eat it on a regular basis. 14. One-bowl meals: The trend of power-packed bowls like acai bowls and buddha bowls that started in 2016 took off this year. We think the colorful pictures they make are responsible for their popularity (think Instagram). Not too much essence there. 15. Apps for everything: The number of health apps! For loneliness, for weight loss, for birth control, [for depression]( for everything! Though seen to [be useful]( in random surveys, we think it may be wiser to spend less time on your phone and really get on with living a healthier life! 16. The smoke debate: The debate over the types of cigarettes grew mind-numbing – which ones are [less harmful]( and [so on]( and so forth. Not interested. Smoking will always kill. 17. Mindful drinking: Alcohol managed to [redeem itself]( quite a bit this year. We smell “[excuses]( from drinkers. (We’re not really complaining.) 18. What seemed like news fillers: The pettiest connections made the headlines and stayed there. Like [pollution and weak bones]( [dentures and malnutrition]( and [couple arguments and bad parenting](. A lot of it we already knew and a lot we can’t really do much about. [Tattoo parlors]( [salons]( dentists – all came under scrutiny. All we can say is, soak up the good stuff and don’t get too attached to the rest. "When the why is clear, the how is easy." Don't let your friends lose out. Share today's newsletter! [invite]( 650 2nd Street, Unit 402, San Francisco, CA 94107 We're all ears - news@curejoy.com Want to get rid of us? [Unsubscribe]( :( Copyright - 2017 CureJoy