13 seemingly harmless 'health hacks' to watch out for

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Taking care of your health may seem like a normal part of any daily routine, as drinking enough water, eating fruits and vegetables regularly, and taking your multivitamin are all habitual tasks we all seem to follow regularly. However, it’s important to note that there are lots of seemingly harmless health hacks out there that can actually be quite detrimental to our health, as nutrition experts suggest that habits, like drinking diet soda, consuming too many supplements, and skipping meals, may seem innocent, but can actually have negative implications on our health if you aren’t careful.

To determine which other health hacks you’ll want to keep a close eye on, we spoke to dietitians and nutritionists on the topic to make sure you quit any harmful health habits before they wreak havoc on your body. Below are some of the things they recommend keeping tabs on.

You are using apple cider vinegar when you really have stomach issues.

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"Apple cider vinegar was really hot back in the ‘80s, and I am seeing a huge resurgence in it again today with unreasonable health claims," said nutritionist Dr. Elizabeth Trattner.  If you are suffering from gastrointestinal diseases like Crohn's and IBS, Dr. Trattner recommended steering clear of vinegar, as she explained that it’s not FODMAP-friendly for gastrointestinal issues, and can cause more sugar in the lumen of the intestine, which can, therefore, aggravate lower bowel disorders.

You are taking too many supplements instead of eating real food.

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"There is a major trend towards doctors creating supplement lines to promote wellness and health via supplementation and powders in place of real food," said Sharon Brown, a clinical nutritionist, certified GAPS practitioner, and CEO of Bonafide Provisions. You cannot supplement your way to wellness, she suggested, as our body was designed to be fueled and nourished from real food.

You are drinking green tea or coffee right after a meal.

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"Green tea is potent antioxidant and is a great warming beverage to enjoy with many health benefits," said Jenni Bourque and Mirna Sharafeddine, registered holistic nutritionists behind Naughty Nutrition. However, they suggest that drinking green tea (black tea and coffee too) right after a meal may affect iron absorption, meaning if you have an iron deficiency, you may want to space out your warm caffeinated beverage and have it two hours after a meal.

It's worth noting that more research is needed in this area.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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