Author: everbella
The Top 9 Foods That Are Staining Your Teeth
We all like to have a gleaming white smile. But have you been noticing that – no matter how well you brush or floss – that your teeth are losing their vibrant shine?
This could be due to certain foods you’re eating or drinking regularly.
In today’s article, I’ll go over the top 9 foods that could be staining your teeth, along with things you can do to help reduce this discoloration.
1. Red wine
That glass with dinner may be doing more than just helping you relax after a long day. As it turns out, acidic foods and drinks like red wine can roughen and open up the pores that exist within the enamel of your teeth.
As your enamel becomes rougher and the surface area increases, the pigments within the foods and drinks we consume can attach to our teeth, staining them.
Unfortunately, wine contributes to the roughening process, allowing the deep red color of wine to stick to our teeth.
2. Coffee
I know, I know, more bad news. But sadly, when it comes to teeth stains, coffee is one of the biggest culprits.
See, coffee contains tannins. This is a type of chemical compound called a polyphenol. Though beneficial to your health overall, tannins can cause color compounds to stick to your teeth.
3. Tea
Similar to coffee, the tannins that exist in tea – most heavily in black tea – can stain your teeth.
But with this one, I also bring some good news! Research from 2014 found that adding milk to your tea can significantly reduce its staining capabilities. [1]
4. Berries and fruit juices
Organic particles can penetrate the pores in your tooth enamel and remain there.
Pomegranates and dark berries like blueberries and blackberries carry a dark pigmentation that can infiltrate your teeth and cause staining. This is why your teeth may have a bluish hue after eating blueberries.
5. Dark cola
Regular consumption of cola can contribute to the darkening of your teeth. This is because the acidity in cola can erode your tooth enamel.
Not only can this make your teeth more susceptible to staining, but it can begin to expose the dentin of the tooth, a darker inner layer.
6. Energy and sports drinks
A study from 2012 found that both sports drinks and energy drinks contribute to the breakdown of tooth enamel, which puts the teeth at risk of staining. [2]
The study concluded that, when it came to which was worse for enamel degradation, energy drinks take the cake.
7. Tomato-based sauces
Though tomatoes are great for your health, they pose a risk to your teeth.
Not only do they help strip away your enamel due to their acidity level, tomato sauces like those found in pizza and pasta dishes are a deep red. This pigment can stick to your teeth, staining them.
8. Soy sauce and balsamic vinegar
These dark colored sauces also pose a risk to your pearly whites.
Similar to above, this is due to both how dark they are and how acidic they are.
9. Candy
No, not candy!
Actually, if the fact that candy is bad for your teeth comes as a surprise, you might already have some problems.
But this time it isn’t due to the sugar. Many candies can stain your teeth because of the dyes used for their coloring.
How to reduce teeth stains
Well, shoot. A long list of things you probably enjoy, now with another reason you shouldn’t be consuming them.
But don’t worry! I didn’t make this list so you would stop eating these things. It’s just for you to be more mindful about how the things you eat and drink affect your teeth.
Basically, anything that can stain a white t-shirt poses a risk to your teeth.
However, there are ways to mitigate this outside of avoiding these foods.
You can…
- Brush your teeth after consuming stain-causing foods.
- Rinse your teeth after consuming stain-causing foods.
- Drink through a straw.
- Try a dentist-prescribed or over-the-counter whitener.
In short, minimize the direct exposure these foods and drinks have with your teeth, and after consumption, don’t let them sit on your teeth. Even just taking a drink of water, and swishing before swallowing, can be a great help!
Collagen and teeth health
Collagen is a key component of your teeth, found in both the dentin and enamel layers. [3]
Additionally, research shows that collagen can support the health of your gums. [4]
If you want to help the health of your teeth from the inside out, EverBella’s highly absorbable formula can help your teeth stay strong, inhibiting the degradation of your enamel and the staining that can follow.
To learn more about Complete Collagen+, including reviews, ingredients, and how you can save up to 25% CLICK HERE!
References and resources
When Is The Best Time To Take Collagen?
You may have wondered when you should be taking your Complete Collagen Plus. Personally, I take mine in the morning by adding it to my morning coffee. But the truth is, there is no real time that you should be taking collagen.
That’s because when you should take your collagen depends on why you’re taking collagen.
Let’s take a look at some common reasons why people take collagen and the time of day they should take their collagen to best support their goals.
Collagen for weight loss
If you’re taking collagen for the potential weight loss benefits (like discussed in this article) then the best time to take it would be before a meal.
This is because, being a protein, it can help make you feel fuller, allowing you to eat less during mealtime. This can be at the beginning of the day to keep you full through to lunch, or before lunch/dinner so that you have a smaller portion during your meal.
Collagen for muscle growth
To optimize collagen for muscle growth, it’s best to have it 15-20 minutes before your workout. This can help enhance your performance, increase stamina, and prevent muscle breakdown due to collagen’s many amino acids.
Collagen sends signals to the body that trigger the growth and repair of tissue, including muscles. [1]
If you’re looking to use collagen to grow stronger, denser muscles, then it’s best to take it around your workout period.
Collagen for sleep
Some people also take collagen to help get a better sleep at night. Collagen can have this effect due to its high content of the amino acid glycine.
Research has shown that taking glycine before bed can have beneficial effects on falling asleep faster, having a deeper sleep, and feeling well rested the next day. [2, 3, 4]
If you’re taking collagen to get a better sleep, take it about half an hour before hitting the hay.
Also, because the body is recovering at night, collagen may help muscles and other tissue rebuild while you sleep.
Collagen for anything else
Collagen is taken for many other reasons. This can be for the health of your hair, skin, nails, joints, or simply to maintain healthy levels of the crucial protein as you age.
If this is your reason for taking Complete Collagen Plus, then I have good news for you: take it whenever you want.
And as for whether you should take Complete Collagen Plus with food or on an empty stomach – that doesn’t matter either. Our formula is wrapped in micelles and liposomes – lipids that protect the collagen protein and deliver it to the intestinal wall where it can be fully absorbed. As such, it doesn’t rely on other compounds for absorption, nor is it at risk of being broken down by other substances.
Do you have any other questions?
If you have ANY other questions or concerns about how to take EverBella’s Complete Collagen Plus, don’t let them go unanswered!
Please, send us an email anytime to info@everbella.com or call us at +1-855-961-3837 Mon-Fri between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST.
To learn more about Complete Collagen Plus, including reviews, ingredients, and how you can save up to 25% – CLICK HERE.
References and resources
14 Tips For Stronger Nails
How are your nails? Because they’re so small, it can be easy to forget about them sometimes. But keeping these little guys strong and healthy is important!
If your nails are discolored, brittle, contain deep ridges, have weak or broken cuticles, or have dark lines, these can all be signs that their health is suffering.
In today’s article, I’ll cover how to strengthen your nails so that they can become smooth, pink, and resilient again!
If you’re already satisfied with your nail’s health, these tips can help you keep them that way.
1. Take a vitamin B7 supplement
One of the eight B vitamins, B7 helps the body’s nervous system function properly, but it also bolsters the health of the hair and nails. [1, 2, 3]
The problem is that it’s water-soluble, meaning that the body doesn’t store it and you need to ensure you’re consuming it everyday.
2. Minimize their exposure to water
It’s impossible to completely avoid submerging your hands in water, but try and be mindful about it.
Constantly soaking your nails in water – especially warm water – can weaken them over time. Wear gloves when washing the dishes or doing similar tasks, and avoid keeping them beneath the water when in the bath or a hot tub.
3. Stay hydrated
The benefits of keeping your body hydrated seems to be never-ending, and somewhere on that long list is strong nails.
Without enough moisture, your nails can grow brittle and peel easily. Be sure to drink a sufficient amount of water so that your nails can retain moisture and stay strong.
4. Eat well
This one goes without saying, but just in case, I wanted to add it to the list! A range of nutrients can help keep your nails strong and healthy.
B vitamins, iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, and protein are all things that your nails need to keep healthy.
5. Be mindful of your nail products
Nail treatments, including polishes, can contain harmful ingredients that can weaken your nails. For example, nail polish remover – which contains acetone – can damage the nail.
Look for acetone-free nail polish remover and other nail products with gentle ingredients.
6. Avoid using gel or acrylic nails
These are handy if you’re having trouble growing your nails, but continuous and regular use can cause your nail to peel, weakening them. If you’re going to use these, try to do so occasionally.
Additionally, the ultraviolet light used to let the gel set can damage the skin that supports a healthy nail, and has even been identified as a risk factor for cancer. [4]
7. Give your nails a break from the polish
That being said, it’s good to give your nails a break from nail polish altogether, allowing them to breathe. Constant use of polish – no matter how gentle – can weaken the nail.
Try to take breaks from the polish, preferably a week on, week off.
8. Keep your nails short
Though long nails can look nice, they’re at a higher risk of becoming damaged when long. They’re more likely to get caught on things, split, cracked, or chipped. Short nails will stay out of the way, keeping them free from damage.
If you think your nails need a boost, this is one I recommend while they rebuild their strength.
9. Don’t use your nails
This one sounds strange, but if you’re trying to keep your nails free from any stress, don’t use them. Sure, they’re technically our natural tools, but for now use your fingertips or an actual tool to do things like opening cans or digging into small spaces.
10. Use lotions on your nails
When using hand lotion, focus on your nails. Rub the lotion into the cuticles, beneath the nail, and on top. This can help the nail absorb moisture and help it build strength. If you can, do this after each time you wash your hands.
11. Be careful when you file
When you file your nails, using a back-and-forth motion like a saw can actually harm the nail. Instead, file in one direction and be sure to go easy on the sides, as filing here can weaken the nail.
12. Be mindful when cleaning
Many household cleaning products contain ingredients that can diminish your nails. When cleaning, be sure to wear gloves so that your nails aren’t exposed to and absorbing these harsh substances.
13. Check your shampoo
Yes, your shampoo! Especially ones that are made to help dry your air or strip it of oils. When you’re lathering, the ingredients designed to do so may be drying out your nails. Try changing shampoos if you can or lather with gloves on.
14. Collagen
Your nails are made of the protein keratin. In order to create keratin, your body needs the amino acids found in collagen.
It’s no wonder then why research found that collagen supplementation led to a 12% increase in nail growth and 42% decrease in the frequency of broken nails. [5]
And that was done using a conventional collagen supplement that isn’t formulated with a micelle liposomal formula for enhanced absorption.
Just imagine how much more nail growth would occur with a bioavailable collagen like Complete Collagen+!
>>> Click here to see ingredients, reviews, and how you can save up to 25% today!
References and resources
Can Collagen Help With Weight Loss?
Collagen can do many amazing things for your health.
But can it help with weight loss?
Collagen is still the somewhat new supplement on the scene. As such, some areas of research into collagen may be lacking or only have animal studies. This is exacerbated by the fact that most collagen supplements aren’t so easily absorbed by the body.
When it comes to collagen and weight loss, there isn’t an overwhelming amount of research, but what has been done on the subject looks promising!
In today’s article, I’m going to go over this research and the ways that collagen may contribute to healthy weight loss.
What is collagen?
In case you wanted a refresher before diving in, let’s briefly cover what collagen is, along with its main function and benefits.
Collagen is the most abundant protein found in the human body, making up around 30% of your body’s protein!
Due to the amino acids which make it up, and the way that they’re tightly twisted together like a rope, collagen is extremely strong and stable.
As such, collagen gives structure to connective tissue like the skin, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles, bone, and blood vessels. It can help maintain healthy nails, boost hair growth, and plays a major role in the appearance of the skin.
Unfortunately, however, collagen levels deplete with age, starting around the age 25. And the quality of the collagen that your body makes decreases as well.
It’s important to help your body maintain healthy collagen levels because this protein is crucial for the health of your skin, nails, hair, bones, organ tissue, joints, and so much more. Additionally, some evidence is showing that it can even help with weight loss!
How can collagen help with weight loss?
Many of the ways collagen can help with weight loss has to do with how it indirectly affects your efforts. Think of it like drinking a glass of water before singing. The water isn’t magically helping you sing, but it’s hydrating our vocal chords – keeping the tool we use to sing functioning well in order to optimize performance.
Promotes fullness
If you’re looking to manage your weight, one of the most important things is to be mindful of your calorie intake. Anything that can help you either burn calories or take in less calories can be a great help when it comes to weight management.
Interestingly, collagen may be able to increase satiety. This is likely due to it being a protein. Research has shown that protein can help increase hormones that make you feel full while also decreasing hunger hormones. [1]
A study from 2009 found that gelatin, which is made from collagen, was 44% more effective at reducing hunger than other types of proteins. [2]
Additionally, a 2008 study found that increased protein intake can stimulate thermogenesis, a natural heat production process which burns energy, and thus more calories. [3]
While collagen isn’t the only protein your body needs, it certainly increases the amount of protein in the body and can help you with feelings of fullness, lowering the amount of food you need to be satisfied.
Increases muscle mass
Fun fact about muscles – because they’re so metabolically active, they burn calories at rest. This means that the more muscles you have, the more calories you’ll expend while “doing nothing”.
Collagen is the main structural protein that makes up your muscles. So, taking in more can help build muscle mass.
One study had participants with age-related muscle loss undergo a 12-week weight training program. Half of them included a collagen supplement in their regimen, while the other half took a placebo.
The group taking the collagen not only gained more muscle mass than the placebo group, they lost more weight. [4]
This suggests that collagen can help with weight loss by supporting the effects of weight training on muscle mass.
Reduces fat accumulation
Some studies have suggested that collagen may reduce the accumulation of fat cells.
A recent study from 2019 found that collagen reduced body fat in humans. [5]
A 2016 study done on rats found that collagen had an anti-obesity effect, improving fat metabolism and decreasing fat accumulation. The same thing was found again in 2018 on a similar study done on mice. [6, 7]
These findings show that just maintaining adequate levels of collagen can reduce weight gain from fat. Could this be why most people begin to struggle with weight management in their twenties? Because they’re losing their collagen?
Relieves joint pain
Without enough collagen in the body, over time the ligaments and connective tissue around the joints may wear down. This can make it uncomfortable to not just exercise, but move around at all.
Losing your mobility can quickly lead to weight gain, as your ability to burn calories becomes more difficult.
One study which involved athletes found that those who supplemented with collagen saw less pain in the knee joints following workouts. [8]
Maintaining healthy collagen levels can help prevent this from happening in the first place. But even if you’re having joint issues, collagen can help.
A study from 2015 found that collagen can help manage osteoarthritis, a condition which causes pain and discomfort after the connective tissue of the joint wears down. [9]
If your joints are preventing you from getting moving, collagen may be able to help!
Collagen for weight loss
The research suggests that collagen can not only help reduce weight gain, but make it easier for you and your body to do the things which allow you to easily manage your weight.
The studies outlined in this article were done using conventional collagen supplements. Unlike them, EverBella’s Complete Collagen+ is designed with bioavailability in mind. This means that much more of the collagen can get easily absorbed into your bloodstream and used by your body.
If they saw results with the collagen used in the above studies…
Just think how well a highly absorbable collagen would work.
If you think Complete Collagen+ may help you (or a loved one), I want to give you 180-days to try it out!
For more details – including ingredients, reviews, and info on our 180-day money-back guarantee – CLICK HERE!
25 Amazing Fun Facts About Collagen
If you’re like me and you’ve taken collagen only to have amazing results, you may be yearning to learn everything you can about this protein. There’s so much more to it than you may think, and it’s doing wonderful things for your body!
In today’s article, I want you to learn all there is to learn about our favorite protein. That’s why I’ve come up with a list of 25 amazing fun facts about collagen. I bet you don’t know all of them!
Check them out:
1. Collagen is the most abundant type of protein in the human body, making up about 30% of all your body’s protein.
2. Collagen is just as important for animals as it is for humans. For example, collagen also makes up about 30% of the protein found in dogs.
3. The name “collagen” comes from the Greek word kólla, meaning “glue”, with the suffix “-gen”, meaning “producing”.
4. Collagen is found in many critical parts of your body. It’s integral to the structure of the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It’s also a major component of your skin, and is key to the appearance of your skin. On top of this, collagen can be found in blood vessels, the cornea of your eye, teeth, cartilage, discs between your vertebrae, and the digestive tract. It maintains the health and function of all these parts of your body.
5. The strength and fibrous nature of collagen make it a great protective casing for your kidneys and other organs.
6. In addition to connecting large scale things such as bones, ligaments, and tissue, collagen helps keep cells from all over your body connected.
7. Collagen is the perfect structural protein for three reasons: it’s thermally stable, meaning it’s resistant to breaking down from heat; it has a lot of mechanical strength; and it can interact with other biomolecules.
8. The only thing standing in collagen’s way is age. The older you get, the less collagen your body makes. And the collagen it does make is of lower-quality than the collagen of your youth. This impacts the appearance of your skin, function of joints, and much more.
9. Your collagen levels (and quality) starts declining in your mid-twenties.
10. When you break them down, proteins are just groups of amino acids. This is true for collagen as well. It includes the amino acid groups glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
11. The body naturally makes its own collagen by breaking down dietary protein into amino acids.
12. However, vitamin C is needed for the synthesis of collagen. Without enough vitamin C, the body wouldn’t be able to begin this process.
13. The structure of collagen is what gives it its unique strength. It’s a triple helix – three chains which are twisted around each other. Because of this and the different cells which make the protein, it can be stretched without breaking apart.
14. In each of the three chains that make up collagen, there are over 1,050 amino acids. Glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline make up the bulk of these amino acids. These are held together with hydrogens – the smallest atom.
15. Sixteen different types of collagen exist in the body, each with different structures and functions.
16. That being said, most of the collagen that exists in the body is type I, type II, or type III.
17. On a gram-for-gram basis, type I collagen is stronger than steel.
18. Type I collagen makes up about 90% of the collagen in your body.
19. Type I collagen is the strongest collagen because it’s made of fibers densely packed together. It’s a structural component of your bones, tendons, skin, cartilage, teeth, and connective tissue.
20. Your arteries, organs, and muscles rely on type III collagen.
21. Sugar and other refined carbs can inhibit your collagen’s repairing abilities.
22. Another enemy of collagen is the sun. UV rays can diminish the production of collagen.
23. Speaking of – enemy #1 for collagen is smoking. Cigarettes greatly hamper collagen production.
24. Nutrients that can help boost collagen production are vitamin A, vitamin C, copper, and a phytonutrient which gives berries their color called anthocyanidins.
25. Another way to help with collagen production is to load up on the amino acids which help make it up. It’s no guarantee that it can help, but it certainly doesn’t hurt! For glycine, try protein-dense foods like meats, seeds, or beans. When it comes to proline, eat eggs, dairy, mushrooms, or asparagus.
In conclusion…
Now you know 25 new cool things about collagen!
And learning some of the science behind it really helps drive home why it’s such an integral part of our body.
This is why when your levels get low, it can really have a big impact.
UPDATED before and after photos in the link above.
What’s The Connection Between Gut Health And Skin Health?
As research into the gut and the microbiome unfolds, we continue to see more interesting findings that can help us improve our health.
Like, for example, did you know that the health of your gut can affect the health of your skin?
Well, you do now!
Researchers have discovered a clear link between the gut and the skin. As it turns out, the health of the gut can have an impact on inflammation in the skin, along with the many skin conditions which may arise from it. [1]
In today’s article, I’ll go over everything you need to know to understand this connection, as well as how you can help keep your skin clear of rashes, acne, and other inflammatory outbreaks.
What’s the microbiome?
If you need a refresher, don’t worry – I’ve got you covered.
The microbiome is the universe of microorganisms that call our bodies home. Every area of the body has a unique culture of (mostly good) viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
Even your skin has an important microbiome, responsible for regulating inflammation and serving as a barrier between pathogens that are attempting to infiltrate your body on a daily basis. Some of these microorganisms can even help kill certain types of pathogens.
But not all microorganisms that want to live on your skin are good. Some can actively work to eliminate the good bacteria on your skin. When this happens, an imbalance can occur, and this can trigger skin conditions like acne or eczema.
We can help manage this by being easy on our skin so as to not kill off our good bacteria. Another way is through the introduction of probiotics.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are live bacteria that support the good bacteria in your body and help eliminate the bad bacteria.
Research is showing more and more that the introduction of probiotics to one’s diet can help keep the skin healthy. [2]
Exposure to UV rays from the sun – known as photoaging – is a well-known major contributor to aging skin. Certain probiotics have been shown to protect against this damage. For example, L. rhamnosus – one of the most well-studied probiotic strains – was shown to delay skin damage when exposed to UV rays in mice, as well as increase the amount of immune cells important to skin health. [3]
Research is also showing that probiotics can help slow the aging of the skin in other ways. [4]
For example, a higher skin pH can cause the skin to dry out and create an environment in which bad bacteria can easily grow. Research suggests that probiotics can feed healthy bacteria, balancing the skin’s pH levels. [3]
But still, this all may have you wondering…
How is the skin connected to the gut?
As we learned above, the microbiome includes the microorganisms all throughout your body, working in tandem.
What we didn’t learn above is that:
- The body contains tens of trillions of these microorganisms and…
- These microorganisms make up approximately 70% of your immune system.
Your microbiome is a key regulator of the immune system. Its goal is to maintain homeostasis. This occurs by having your organs and tissue all communicate back and forth with each other. When the bacteria in your gut – where most of your body’s microorganisms live – becomes unbalanced with more bad bacteria than good bacteria, it alters the immune response. This allows for skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, acne, dandruff, and more to take place. [5]
What’s more is that an imbalance of the gut microbiome can pose other consequences such as digestive disorders, weight gain, poor immunity, and mental health disorders. [6, 7]
L. rhamnosus
As mentioned above, L.rhamnosus is one of the most studied strains of probiotics out there, with hundreds of studies supporting its health benefits.
Regarding the skin, research has shown that L.rhamnosus can support the function of the skin barrier. This is the layer of the skin which keeps the skin hydrated and blocks against unwanted invaders attempting to penetrate the skin. [8]
It’s also been shown to protect skin cells from disease-causing bacteria. [9]
Additionally, one study from 2016 found that it helped reduce acne in adults. [10]
If you’re thinking of adding probiotics to your regimen, L. rhamnosus is the perfect place to start!