From magnesium myths to bean debates, this week\u2019s trending stories are all about making smarter choices for your body.\n<\/p>\n
1. No, magnesium isn’t addictive \ud83d\udc8a <\/p>\n
Ever since magnesium supplements exploded in popularity, that’s all everyone talks about on social media. But recently, we saw some Reddit users say that they’re concerned about magnesium being addictive, because they can no longer sleep without it.\n<\/p>\n
Doctors say magnesium isn’t addictive in the way that caffeine or certain controlled substances can be<\/a>. You won’t go through withdrawals if you stop taking the supplement. If you feel like you’re dependent on the supplement, you probably had a magnesium deficiency<\/a>, which is relatively common among U.S. adults. You can also opt for getting magnesium from whole food sources, such as leafy greens and nuts.\n<\/p>\n 2. You can’t go wrong with black beans or pinto beans \ud83e\uded8 <\/p>\n While everyone on BeanTok is scarfing down 2 cups of beans a day, you may not need that much if you’re eating other fruits and vegetables as well. One cup of beans alone offers 15 grams of fiber, almost half of what you need in a day. What kind of beans should you choose?\n<\/p>\n Black beans and pinto beans<\/a> are equally nutritious, but the dark skin on black beans are rich in anti-inflammatory polyphenols<\/a>. Pinto beans offer more potassium, which is good for blood pressure control.\n<\/p>\n 3. Check the label before buying omega-3 supplements <\/p>\n What you want to look for in an omega-3 supplement is DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), according to Jobby John, PharmD<\/a>, a pharmacist and member of UT Austin College of Pharmacy’s Advisory Council.\n<\/p>\n Ignore the dosage on the front label, but look for the actual EPA and DHA per serving. If you rarely eat fish, find one that offers 250-500 mg of combined EPA and DHA daily<\/a>. Read the full Q&A to learn more about the nuances in picking the right omega-3 supplement<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n 4. Add whole-grain bread to your heart-healthy diet <\/p>\n Whole-grain bread is extremely healthy for your heart. It’s high in fiber, but low in sodium and added sugar. It also offers both magnesium and potassium, the two minerals that help relax blood vessels and regulate electrolyte balance.\n<\/p>\n Find out other kinds of breads that can be incorporated into a heart-healthy diet here<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n 5. Get enough nutrients on a vegan diet <\/p>\n