Latest news with #LauraParada
Vogue
27-06-2025
- Health
- Vogue
Is Oat or Cow's Milk Less Inflammatory? A Nutritionist Weighs In
Milk can be a hot-button topic. And with so many new alternative forms of milk out there (alternative meaning non-cow's milk), it may make you feel like the OG milk is simply bad for you. At least, that's what I thought. Everybody around me was ordering their coffee with oat milk, so I thought they must know something that I didn't and started ordering it, too. So, what really is the deal? I turned to nutritionist Laura Parada to find out more. Cow's milk: Is it healthy? First things first: Cow's milk isn't actually bad for you, according to Parada. 'Organic cow's milk and organic dairy products are good for you as long as you aren't lactose intolerant,' she says. 'Dairy products provide us with much-needed calcium to keep bones and teeth healthy, as well as minerals like magnesium and phosphorus, as well as vitamins A and B, and protein.' Cow's milk is one of the only complete proteins, which means it contains all nine essential amino acids that we are unable to produce on our own. Although cow's milk is not an essential part of the human diet (other complete proteins include eggs, meat, tofu, and other soy products), it's an easy way to hit a lot of dietary necessities. Now, to discuss some of the concerns and potential misconceptions about cow's milk: It's loaded with antibiotics and hormones, or can cause inflammation. A 2024 study specifically looked at three types of milk—homogenized milk, pasturized milk, and raw milk—and how consumption would affect the gut. The biggest takeaway? 'These new findings suggest that consumption of raw milk can be potentially inflammatory due to its vast microbiota, in addition to the well-known risks of its consumption, and that processed milk can prevent or promote inflammation according to the type of processing to which it was submitted.' Out of the three, it was found that only pasteurized milk decreased the inflammatory reaction. So when it comes to cow's milk, the way it's processed matters. Oat milk: Is it healthy? We all know where cow's milk comes from, but what about oat milk? It starts with just combining oats and milk and then potentially adding in ingredients like enzymes, minerals and vitamins to fortify, oils and sugars to help with texture, and potential flavors.
Vogue
25-06-2025
- Health
- Vogue
This Summer Stone Fruit Is Surprisingly Good For the Gut, Skin, and Brain
Summer means swimming, afternoon naps, and apricots—at least as far as I'm concerned. With a juicy-sweet flavor, the stone fruit is a quintessential seasonal treat. But the appeal goes far beyond taste; apricots are delightfully healthy, too. 'They're wonderful, they're all goodness,' agrees nutritionist Itziar Digón. Here's a peek at what makes apricots the summer fruit you shouldn't skip. Apricots are high in fiber One of the great advantages of apricots? 'They are rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber, so they are good for intestinal transit,' says Digón. 'In addition, they serve as food for our microbiota.' Nutritionist Laura Parada agrees that apricots improve digestion and intestinal motility, and adds that this can have the added benefit of reducing a certain rather unpleasant condition: 'Especially in their dried form, apricots can help relieve constipation thanks to their high fiber content,' she says. Foods rich in fiber offer a potential beauty benefit, too—especially in terms of reducing stomach bloating, which is often exacerbated in the summer thanks to heat-induced fluid retention. (Just be sure not to eat too much fiber as an excess can actually cause abdominal bloating.) Apricots ease fluid retention It's not just the fiber that helps eliminate bloating, either. 'Apricots also provide potassium, which has a diuretic effect and improves fluid retention,' Parada points out, noting that the natural acids present—such as malic and citric acid—can help improve digestion, intestinal health, and nutrient absorption, too. 'Although it should be noted that with ripening, the amount of these acids decreases,' she says. Apricots are low in sugar Digón says apricots usually contain around 20 calories per whole fruit, so eating three apricots would only count for one serving of fruit. 'Compared to other fruits, their calorie count is quite low thanks to their high amount of water and modest amount of carbohydrates,' Digón explains. In addition, apricots are low in fructose, which means they are often recommended as a way to alleviate intestinal inflammation problems—including a bloated belly. Apricots are good for the brain As mentioned, apricots are beneficial for gut microbiota—which, in turn, is good for the brain. 'When we consume foods rich in fiber, our intestinal microbiota is supported in a fermentation process responsible for the release of short-chain fatty acids,' Irache Alonso, pharmacist and founder of Well-feeling Club, explains. 'Those short-chain fatty acids contribute to the reduction of neuroinflammation and favor both emotional balance and the prevention of neurodegenerative disorders.' Apricots are high in beta-carotene Apricots are rich in beta-carotene, which is transformed into vitamin A in our body, which then contributes to healthy skin. Thus, apricots are often recommended by dermatologists and skin experts. For example, Dr. Mar Mira of Clínica Mira + Cueto says she always includes them in her antioxidant-rich food plans. 'Apricots are another main food source of pro-vitamin A, which is essential for the skin,' she explains. Dr. María José Crispín of Clínica Menorca also refers to their high beta-carotene content, noting that the natural pigments and antioxidants support melanin production making apricots helpful for preparing the skin for sun exposure. Looks like apricots really are the quintessential summer fruit.
