Live Better Now August 2008

photo by David Damer

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Live Better Now

coffee: the new sunscreen
Here’s something to raise your cup to: Researcher Allan Conney of Rutgers University found in recent studies on mice that caffeine kills skin cells damaged by the sun before they become cancerous. This doesn’t mean you can swap your Coppertone for a cappuccino—just that you may get more than a mere buzz from your morning beverage. Good news for decaf drinkers, too: Creams containing caffeine seem to do the same thing. Look for formulas with 4% caffeine at your local drugstore.­­ —VKD

quitters: a no-cal way to curb cravings
For former smokers who need an oral fix, Dr. David Simon, medical director of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing, suggests this solution: When the urge to smoke strikes, suck on a cinnamon stick instead. Cinnamon sticks not only allow you to mimic the motion of smoking, says Simon, author of Freedom From Addiction, “but tobacco is spicy, bitter, and sweet, and cinnamon has those flavors as well.”

fresher produce: it’s in the bag
Make your farmers’ market goodies last three to four days longer by creating your own produce storage bags. Use a pin to poke holes in a zip-top bag (about 20 holes per medium-size bag). When air flows through, it prevents the build-up of carbon dioxide, which in turn, slows the ripening process, says nutritionist Cathi Lamp of the University of California-Davis. Another stay-fresh tip: Don’t peel or wash your produce until just before eating or cooking—the outer layer offers extra protection against spoilage.­­ —Valerie Kramer Davis

laughter: good medicine—and a good workout?
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: A new combo of laughter and stretching is cracking up yoga classes across the country. The practice—called hasya yoga—is said to improve digestion and reduce stress. And studies have shown that a good 20-second belly laugh equals 3 minutes on the rowing machine, says Barb Fisher, yoga instructor at the University of Michigan. Details: www.laughteryoga.org.

a must-have for your medicine cabinet
Even if you don’t need them (yet, anyway) to get you through the latest beach read without squinting, a pair of inexpensive reading glasses might help keep you from taking—or giving a family member—the wrong dose of an over-the-counter or prescription drug. Stash them in your medicine cabinet along with the aspirin so they’ll be right there when you need them. Readers typically come in strengths from 1.0 to 4.0. To choose the right pair, take a bottle of medication with you and try out several before you buy.