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According to the study published in Cytokine, people ate 50 grams of chocolate (slightly more than a standard Hershey’s bar) for four days straight (umm, where can we sign up for the next study?). Then, they had their blood cells analyzed after the cells were exposed to bacteria. Researchers ultimately found that the blood cells produced more markers of inflammation following the mini-chocolate binge. So? More inflammation (combined with bacteria) makes it difficult for the skin to keep pores clean, ultimately leading to breakouts....

Even just one sleepless night can interfere with your body’s ability to use insulin (and therefore regulate glucose), according to Dutch researchers. Too little sleep also leads to more weight gain: In a national survey of 87,000 people, one-third of participants who slept less than six hours were obese. And when researchers at Columbia University analyzed 20 years’ worth of data on more than 68,000 women, they found that those who got five hours or less weighed about five pounds more and were 15% more likely to become obese than those who slept seven hours....

[sidebar]Therefore, keep the blush on the cheekbones and away from the eye area, blending the color just on the cheekbones and starting it about one-half inch behind the laugh lines. Some women start the blush no farther into the center of the face than the center of the eye. That can make the blush look very strange. The idea is to blush the entire cheekbone, and that means full across the cheek....

When it comes to losing weight and burning fat, there’s a lot to consider—including that fat serves a purpose in our bodies and can offer health benefits. Some studies show that there may be a benefit to looking more closely at brown fat, specifically. Researchers have long known that many of us have an excess of white fat: The kind that ups the risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and more....

[sidebar]Love killer #1: Following the same routineVariety and surprise thwart adaptation, but that doesn’t mean you have to take up skydiving. Eating at new restaurants, socializing with different couples, and even sleeping on the other side of the bed all count. Love killer #2: Too much screen timeResearch shows that the mere presence of a smartphone can distract us, causing us to disconnect from one another. However, a simple touch can bring us closer, Dr....

After cleaning up your diet, cutting ties with conventional cleaning products, and embracing paraben-free beauty products, you’ve realized what you put on and around your body is as important to your health as what you put in it. But ask yourself this: Does your fragrance collection apply? We’re not saying you should throw away your signature scent, but considering that much of what your skin—your body’s biggest and organ—absorbs ends up in your blood stream, you might want to consider rounding out your routine with a natural fragrance a few days a week, too....

More from Prevention: 2 Minutes to a Happier YouIt’s gratifying for dog owners too. Just ask Janet Cundari, who visits the Westchester Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Unit in Valhalla, NY, with her sheltie, Karly. Cundari’s payoff is knowing she’s making a difference in someone’s life. “When we arrive, the patients look sad,” says Cundari, who is also the treasurer of Heart Pet Programs, a nonprofit that trains therapy teams. “But then they start interacting and asking me questions about Karly and become completely animated....

But exercising all that willpower comes at a cost. Willpower is a finite resource, using up your store of the stuff makes you more prone to temptation. Before you know it, you’ve forsaken the laundry in favor of your best buddy, Netflix. Luckily, you don’t have to feel guilty. Watching a rerun of your favorite show could be just what you need, suggests new research by Jaye Derrick, PhD, research scientist at University at Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions....

Slouching isn’t the only culprit—researchers say it’s also the fact that you stay slouched while you pour over that 20-page report without getting up and walking around. Those long periods of sitting still, repeated day after day, create stress on the back, neck, shoulders, arms, and legs, while putting pressure on the back muscles, spinal disk, and ligaments. And what starts as a crick in the neck can easily turn into a chronic issue....

), Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy Color Comfort Lip Color ($10; drugstores), and Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color ($22; ). Bobbi Brown is a celebrity makeup artist, CEO of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, and the author of four beauty books.

Here at Prevention, no one better understands the healing power of food than Food Director Lori Powell. Lori develops all our recipes, infusing them with great seasonal ingredients that pack serious health benefits. In between her duties for the magazine, Lori runs the Kids Cook program at McKinley Elementary School in Allentown, PA, teaching children how to cook simple, healthy food at home. Here, Lori shares a few things in and out of the kitchen that make her feel beautiful....

Many common kitchen ingredients are just as useful in the bathroom. In fact, L’Oréal hair colorist Christophe Robin turns to vinegar for many DIY hair and skin care remedies, his favorite brand being Santa Maria Novella ($52). But if you don’t have the time to wait for this international beauty product to arrive (or are looking for something a little more practically priced), pick up a bottle of apple cider vinegar at your local grocery store....

Low-fat this and part skim that—chances are, you’ve got a few products in the fridge with those labels. But if you’re banning fat altogether, you’re not doing your diet any favors. In fact, new evidence suggests that one fat in particular merits a spot in your kitchen. Olive oil keeps people feeling fuller longer than other edible fats, including lard, butterfat, and rapeseed oil, according to a study from Technische Universität München and the University of Vienna....

“Our analysis found problems with roughly 31% of omega-3 supplements,” says Tod Cooperman, MD, president of ConsumerLab.com. Among the 35 products tested, four contained 20 to 30% less omega-3 than the label indicated, and one included spoiled fish oil. Another product that claimed just 1 milligram of fat actually contained 1,000 milligrams. And it gets worse. “For the first time, we also found omega-3 products contaminated with PCBs,” says Dr....

Organic food is more expensive, but when it comes to the staples of your diet, organics are a worthwhile investment, with payoffs that might surprise you. The benefits influence your health today—and long-term. Here, why certain foods are worth the splurge, plus tips to save you money while keeping your diet nutritionally and ecologically sound. 3 ways organics benefit your healthThey have more nutrients: Reports of organic food not being better for you are outdated....

Prevention Premium: What Every Woman Knows About Erectile Dysfunction Follow this mix and match diabetic diet meal plan—adapted from The Outsmart Diabetes Diet—for the next five weeks to help fight fat, maintain healthy blood sugar levels, boost energy, and reduce your diabetes risk. BREAKFAST Fruity bagel breakfast: Spread 1 Tbsp light cream cheese and 1 tsp 100% fruit spread on ½ of a whole grain bagel. Serve with 1 c fat-free milk....

There are way better ways to taste the rainbow than a bag of Skittles—and this vibrant salad is definitely one of them. Sturdy peppers and broccoli stand up to the lemony dressing for hours, so it’s the perfect take-along dish for that summer cookout you said you’d bring something to (yeah, remember that?!). Total time: 20 minutesServes 6 Salad 1 med red bell pepper, diced 1 med yellow bell pepper, diced 1 med orange bell pepper, diced 1 can (14 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained 2 c raw mini broccoli florets 3 oz feta cheese, cubed or crumbled Dressing ½ c lemon juice ½ Tbsp agave nectar or honey ½ c roughly chopped parsley ¼ tsp sea salt...

But for some, pore concern can grow into a full-blown fixation nicknamed “porexia.” If your obsession with the way your pores look diverts your attention away from the things you need to get done or otherwise interferes with your daily life, that’s porexic territory, says Josh Zeichner, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Another clue? Causing damage to your skin with excessive use of exfoliating tools like harsh scrubs, home microdermabrasion kits, and other acidic products....