A Virginia Commonwealth University study found that the risk of pneumonia was 86 percent higher for those who didn’t get dental checkups than for people who saw their dentist twice a year. Lead author Michelle Doll, M.D., says that regular cleanings keep a lid on oral bacterial that contribute to pneumonia.

In a study of 90 people recovering from surgery, half recovered in rooms with houseplants, and half did not. People in rooms with plants had lower systolic blood pressure and lower rating of pain, anxiety and fatigue than did those who were recovering in rooms without plants.

Researchers surveyed nearly 450 office workers about their job satisfaction and physical work environment, including the presence of live plants or window views of exterior green spaces. Workers with plants in their offices or with window views reported higher job satisfaction and better overall quality of life than did their peers who had no plants in their offices or window views.

In Norway, researchers surveyed 385 office workers about their office environment, perceived stress, sick days taken and job productivity. They found that the more indoor plants a worker had close to his or her desk, the more productive he or she was and the fewer sick days he or she took.

-Mayo Clinic-

Antioxidants in whole grain energize the brain’s hippocampus, cutting your risk of memory lapses 50% when eaten daily

“The old way of thinking about fruit and vegetables is ‘the more, the better,’ regardless of what you choose,” says wild food expert Jo Robinson. “Unfortunately, the most popular ones are the least nutritious, like Golden Delicious apples and super-sweet corn.” In eating on the Wild Side, Robinson cites considerable research that shows we can make better choice within each food category by simply selecting varieties closer to their wild ancestors. Generally, the most phytonutrient rich options include Kale, lettuces, asparagus and artichokes. Here are the top tips from the literature.

Tart apples such as Granny Smith, Braeburn, Honey crisp and Liberty boost phytonutrients and fiber while reducing fructose content.

Hass avocados deliver more vitamin E and other antioxidants to support smooth skin and shiny hair than smaller Mexican avocados.

Red finger bananas, when fully ripen to a deep magenta, are higher in vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium and fiber than the common Cavendish banana.

Canned beans (which have been dried and then cooked) are better than home-cooked beans because the heat required for the canning process enhances their nutritional content.

Grass fed beef is higher in vitamin E, beta-carotene and omega-3 essential fatty acids than corn fed beef.

Dried currants made from Black Corinth grapes (sold as “Zante currants”) have more antioxidants than either brown or golden raisins.

Red grapefruit is preferred to yellow the darker the red, the more beneficial the fruit. Red grapefruit but not yellow has been shown to lower triglycerides.

Raw Kale is both the most bitter and beneficial of all the cruciferous vegetables.

Dark orange-hued mangos are superior to other tropical fruits, possessing five times the vitamin C of oranges and the fiber of pineapples.

Cherry, grape and currant tomatoes deliver more cancer preventing lycopene than beefsteak tomatoes.