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This kind of carbonated water is sold across the globe as plain, ready-to-drink sparkling water (think San Pellegrino), as part of pre-flavored soft drinks (everything from La Croix to Lemonade), and can also be made at home via special appliances, the most common being Soda Stream. A study undertaken by researchers from Birzeit University in Palestine, published in the peer-reviewed Obesity Research and Clinical Practice Journal, put carbonation under the microscope for a period of six months....

You may have heard about keto crotch and keto breath, but what about keto rash? To better understand the skin condition, mbg consulted registered dietitians and integrative medicine doctors to find out how the diet can interfere with skin health. Symptoms of the disorder include red bumps or patches on the skin, most commonly on the stomach, chest, or back. Following the inflammatory phase, some people experience skin hyperpigmentation2, meaning the patches darken beyond the natural skin tone....

But does it even work? We admit the old-time trick isn’t so far-fetched—but it’s also not, um, great for your hair. So is there is a way to do it safely, and if so, how? Here’s what hairstylists have to say about the all-natural dye job. But, sigh, there are a few caveats. First up: While lemons can provide some brightening properties (similar to a natural hair toner, we’d say), you shouldn’t expect a drastic dye job....

Needless to say, regardless of your current eye prescription (or lack thereof), the need for proactive eye care is very real. This involves habits like taking regular screen breaks, getting enough sleep (yes, really!), and fortifying your diet and supplementation routine with targeted eye health nutrients—such as lutein and zeaxanthin, two of the star carotenoids in mbg’s eye health+. Carotenoids are sorted into two categories: xanthophylls and carotenes. The main difference lies within their molecular structure; xanthophylls contain oxygen, while carotenes do not....

Below, mental health experts share how to spot and how to cope with the Machiavellian in your life. “Machiavellianism, while not an actual clinical term, is used to describe an individual with manipulative tendencies,” says therapist Anim Aweh, LCSW. According to Chaye McIntosh, M.S., LCADC, an addictions counselor and clinical director of outpatient services at ChoicePoint, Machiavellians are “deeply centered on cunningness, selfish behavior, manipulativeness, and indifference to morality.” She says that at their worst, Machiavellians are attracted to power, money, and control and would do anything to gain all three....

“While it can maybe help people fall asleep, it disturbs sleep—especially in the second part of the night. It’s not an effective sleep aid to turn to,” Fiona Baker, Ph.D., the director of the Human Sleep Research Program at SRI International, says of alcohol. That’s because as alcohol gets metabolized in the night, it disrupts essential deep sleep stages like REM sleep1. Baker adds that it can also increase body temperature and heart rate, contribute to inadequate hydration, and lead us to need to use the bathroom—all things that will further disrupt sleep quality....

Essential oils are famous for their pleasant aromas, but they’re also functional and fun for wellness. Using pure and plant-based essential oils, like Nature’s Truth Essential Oils, is a simple way to stimulate mind, body, and soul. Used with intention, aromatherapy and mindset go hand-in-hand. And when we say ancient, we mean it: Aromatherapy has been traced1 to the Ancient Egyptian era in 4500 B.C. Extracted from flowers, herbs, and spices, aromas have long been used to work with body, mind, and soul....

One thing’s for certain: This devil on our shoulder does not serve us, and it certainly doesn’t benefit our mood and energy. Luckily, there are ways to change the inner dialogue within ourselves, shift our attitude, and love ourselves with stronger intention—and it can start with a yoga practice. Connecting to your body is key, but before we find purpose through practice, we’ve got to put on a motivating look from Athleta, designed with all of our unique shapes in mind....

It’s easy to make excuses about why we can’t achieve our dreams, but we have an easier time succeeding when we focus on our goals rather than our challenges. Saying this mantra is a way to do just that. Chant it rhythmically before or after a yoga class, during meditation with mala beads, or just when you’re driving in your car to align yourself with the energy of action. It’s easy and uplifting, with the potential for great results....

Another point of note: research shows4 that vitamin C can help improve collagen production in the skin, which isn’t necessarily related to acne, but is related to overall skin health. As board-certified dermatologist Whitney Bowe, M.D., tells us, “It not only promotes fibroblast proliferation4 (fibroblasts are the cells that produce collagen and other fibers), but it also acts as an assistant in enzymatic activity that relates directly to skin health and function....

There’s a lot to know about these plants, as shown by the countless hobby groups and specialty retailers dedicated to studying them. But consider this your quick introduction to what pitcher plants are, what makes them special, and how to grow lower-maintenance varieties indoors at home. What makes both types of Nepenthes special is the way they have adapted to survive in their native habitats. These plants have long grown in nutrient-poor soil, so they’ve needed to devise other methods for getting valuable minerals....

Let’s talk about what a praise kink really is, how to know if you have a praise kink, and how to incorporate it into your sex life if it piques your interest. In general, a kink is anything that is particularly arousing for a person, particularly things or sexual behaviors that are considered nonnormative. Praise kinks are reasonably common, says Zrenchik, since “praise as a mechanism for pleasure” is widespread....

So, how do you actually use it at home? We investigated. What does this have to do with ACV rinses? Well, it can explain the mechanisms behind the benefits. Since ACV is more acidic (around 2-3 on the pH scale), it can help lower the hair fiber’s pH back to normal levels after rinsing. So the idea is that when you rinse it with something acidic—hello, apple cider vinegar!—it brings the pH back down and seals the cuticle shut, leading to shiny, soft strands....

She’s not alone—rosehip seed oil is beloved by natural beauty experts because of its versatility. With a wide range of uses and benefits, it may be effective and gentle enough to replace your current go-to, if it hasn’t already. “It’s quite an arduous process to sustainably extract the oil from the small rosehip seeds,” said aromatherapist and essential oil expert Leigh Winters. As a result, high-quality rosehip oil can be pretty pricey....

If you have acne-prone skin, a simple toner made from witch hazel, rosewater, and rosemary can soothe inflammation and stop breakouts. To attempt to get a similar benefit from rosemary essential oil that you’d get from minoxidil, replicate the concentration used in the 2015 study by making a 2% dilution of rosemary essential oil in a base of jojoba oil or aloe vera gel. Apply the mixture to your scalp every night, and stick with this regimen for at least six months—that’s how long it took for study participants to achieve results....

When the midday slump arrives, nothing hits quite like these Midday Mocha Crinkle Cookies. Not only is this recipe full of decadent chocolate and lightly spiked with espresso, but it also uses the All-Purpose In The Raw Zero Calorie Sweetener Blend instead of refined sugar. This plant-based substitute tastes, bakes, looks, and even crunches like sugar—but has benefits to boot, including zero calories, zero net carbs, and a low glycemic value....

Sex and relationship therapist Courtney Geter, LMFT, CST, says this nonverbal response is similar to “erection or engorging of the labia or the vulva, [where] the blood vessels open up to allow blood to flow in to cause engorgement, which then causes the nerves to become a bit more sensitive.” Just like your skin can’t help but tingle when the person you like touches you, your pupils will dilate as they process attraction....

According to Leavy, smoky quartz is commonly found in places like Brazil, parts of Africa, Scotland, and the state of Colorado. It’s actually the national gem of Scotland, with “Cairngorm” quartz, from the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland, being particularly sought after. “Some ancient Celtic people used it for personal adornment and jewelry, as well as in ceremonial pieces like weapons,” she says. And as spiritual health expert and meditation teacher Kara Ladd previously wrote for mbg, “It was the Druid’s first choice in sacred ceremonies and rituals [and was] believed to guide souls to the afterlife and keep evil spirits away....

Using scented sprays instead of burning herbs is another way to clear energy that’s easier on the environment and potentially less appropriative than smudging. Here are the best palo-santo- and sage-scented sprays to waft around your space—most of which come from and give back to Indigenous companies. Native Botanicals Liquid Smudge with White Sage, Sweetgrass + Cedar($19) Pacha Indigenous Arts Collection Smudge Spray ($25) Juniper Mist White Sage Smudge Spray ($16....

Somewhat largely misunderstood, soul ties aren’t just about sex—though sex certainly can strengthen or enhance a soul tie. So what is it, really? We asked the experts, plus got the lowdown on how to break a soul tie if you feel stuck in one. The idea that intercourse causes a soul tie has roots in the Christian tradition, “to perpetuate the idea that if you have sex outside of marriage, you’ll be connected to someone,” Blaylock-Johnson explains....