HCE Blog

Pomegranates are immunity boosters! They are packed full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. In fact, studies show pomegranate juice has a higher concentration of antioxidants per cup than wine or green tea, which are also high in antioxidants.    Pomegranates contain three types of antioxidants: tannins, anthocyanins, and ellagic acid. These antioxidants are important in keeping your bo...

If you suffer from stomach ulcers, Crohn’s disease, digestive issues, or an inflammatory bowel disease you may want to consider adding one powerful superfruit to your diet: the pomegranate!   The pomegranate’s powerful antioxidants help prevent gastric ulcers and can aid in soothing upset stomachs. This fruit is packed with B-complex vitamins which help your body convert your food into energy...

We know cancer is linked to smoking, but did you know it can also lead to type 2 diabetes?  Studies show that those who smoke regularly are almost 50% more likely to develop diabetes than those who don’t smoke. The risk jumps even higher for those who are heavy smokers! Smoking makes it harder for your diabetes to stay under control. Smoking causes inflammation in the body which can damage cel...

We mentioned earlier this week how important being active is for those who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  Moving around and working your muscles improve their ability to use insulin and absorb glucose! This puts less strain on your insulin making cells in your pancreas and decreases the likelihood of your body forming insulin resistance. So, trade some of that sit time for fit ti...

We know here in the South sweet tea and sweetened coffee drinks are staples. Neither of these drinks, though, are good for people with diabetes. It may be hard for you to stomach, but unsweetened coffee and tea can help reduce blood sugar levels, increase insulin sensitivity, and reduce the risk of diabetes.   One of the best teas for you is green tea. It can help reduce your blood pressure a...

Skipping out on processed foods is easier said than done. Grocery markets are flooded with them! While some processing is necessary for some foods, like the bacteria-killing pasteurization process for milk, others add in chemicals and other hard to read ingredients to prolong shelf-life. While processed foods are bad for everyone, they can be especially dangerous for those with an increased ris...

Did you know that fiber is an important factor in helping manage or prevent diabetes?  Having a healthy source of fiber at each meal can help prevent spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels. Some fruits that are tasty and rich in fiber are bananas, oranges, apples, mangoes, strawberries, and raspberries! Unfortunately, people with severe diabetes may not be able to eat some of those fruits du...

Physical activity is important for everyone, but it’s especially important for those who are at risk for developing diabetes. Several studies have shown a sedentary lifestyle frighteningly increases the risk of developing diabetes. Those who have desk jobs and come home to just sit on the couch afterward have at least a 90% higher chance of becoming diabetic than someone who leads an active lif...

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse goes into effect on January 6, 2020. The Clearinghouse is a secure online database that gives employers and other authorized users information about commercial driver’s licenses and allows permit holders access to information needed to make informed safety decisions.   Beginning January 6, 2020 employers will be ab...

Hey moms and dads! Want something fun and safe to do with your kids this Halloween? Well, check out these fun Halloween and fall-themed activities this month!  October 17 Drop by the Shreve Memorial Library’s Blanchard Branch for fall-themed storytime! They will be reading books like Nursery Rhymes, Pumpkin Pumpkin, Fall Leaves, It's Pumpkin Time, and Moonlight the Halloween Cat. They will al...