Welcome to our Friday newsletter for Friday, February 14, 2025.

Simply Dished is back with more eye-opening health news! 🍔💡 Highly processed foods might actually be a Happy Meal—but not in the way you think. We’re breaking down the dark side of sugar, how to get back on track, and why your mood and metabolism could use a boost from light therapy. 

Health & Wellness

Your Brain is on Lockdown: How Highly Processed Foods Hold You Emotionally Hostage

“Why do I keep eating this when I know it’s bad for me?” Sound familiar? If you’ve ever reached for fast food or a sugary drink after a long day, you’re not alone. But here’s the real problem—highly processed foods don’t just taste good; they hijack your brain, making you feel emotionally dependent on them.

A study published in PubMed Central found that consuming sugary, high-fat, and fast foods led to immediate increases in positive emotions. Participants felt better in real time—and the expected crash didn’t hit as fast or as hard as expected. Researchers initially believed that processed foods would worsen mood, but the data showed the opposite: short-term emotional rewards far outweighed the negatives. 

How Highly Processed Foods Hijack Your Brain’s Reward System

These foods aren’t just engineered for taste—they’re designed to manipulate your brain’s reward pathways. Sugar and fat flood your brain with dopamine, the same neurotransmitter linked to addiction.

The study revealed that participants reported sustained emotional relief even an hour after eating sugary, high-fat foods. This creates a powerful reinforcement loop—each bite conditions your brain to crave more.

But if sugar was purely rewarding, we wouldn’t be trapped in this cycle. There’s another factor that makes breaking free even harder.

The Hidden Hostage Situation: How Sugar Delays Negative Emotions

Normally, when we experience stress, our hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis kicks in, releasing cortisol to help us manage it. But here’s the trick—sugar temporarily suppresses cortisol, delaying negative emotions.

According to the study, sugary drinks in particular acted as a buffer, preventing an immediate mood dip. In other words, sugar keeps you feeling good just long enough to make sure you come back for more.

It’s a brilliant but dangerous biological trick—one that food companies understand all too well.

How to Fight Back and Break Free

Understanding the trap is the first step. The next step? Escaping it.

• Pause before you eat. Ask yourself: Am I really hungry, or am I looking for emotional relief?

• Balance your blood sugar. Eating protein and fiber stabilizes energy levels and prevents the highs and crashes that trigger cravings.

• Find alternative stress relief. Movement, deep breathing, and even cold exposure activate similar reward pathways—without the long-term downsides.

The Bottom Line

Highly processed foods aren’t just addictive—they’re emotionally reinforcing, keeping your brain in lockdown. But once you recognize the cycle, you can start making choices that serve you, not just your dopamine receptors.

Next time you crave that sugary snack, ask yourself: Do I really want the food—or just the feeling it gives me?

Fitness

The Secret Muscle That Keeps You Young

How Strengthening the Soleus Boosts Heart Health, Balance & Brain Function

Ever heard of the soleus muscle? It takes its name from the Latin word "solea," meaning sandal or flatfish—because of its broad, flat shape running along the lower leg. This hidden powerhouse stretches from just below the knee to the Achilles tendon, working alongside the larger gastrocnemius muscle to support standing, walking, and circulation.

And here’s the surprising part: this overlooked muscle might be the key to better heart health, stronger balance, and even sharper thinking.

This isn’t just about fitness—it’s about longevity.

Why the Soleus Matters (Aging’s Best-Kept Secret)

As we age, the soleus weakens from inactivity, leading to:
❌ Poor circulation & swelling
❌ Dizziness & lightheadedness
❌ Increased risk of falls
❌ Declining cognitive function

But here’s the kicker: Research shows the soleus acts as a "second heart"—pumping blood back up to the heart, preventing dangerous blood pooling and helping regulate blood pressure.

If this muscle weakens, you could develop Delayed Orthostatic Hypotension (DOH)—a condition where blood pressure drops after sitting or standing. DOH has a 50% 10-year mortality rate.

Sounds serious? It is. But there’s an easy fix: daily soleus activation.

How to Strengthen the Soleus (Simple & Safe Exercises!)

Seniors: Improve Circulation & Prevent Falls
For Seated Soleus Raises

1. Sit in a chair with feet flat on the floor.

2. Slowly lift your heels while keeping your toes on the ground.

3. Lower back down slowly (count to 3).

4. Repeat 15-20 times, 3-4 sets.

💡 Pro tip: Do this while watching TV to boost blood flow effortlessly!

Active Adults: Build Strength & Endurance
Wall Sit Soleus Raises

1. Get into a wall sit (knees at 90°).

2. Lift your heels, pressing onto the balls of your feet.

3. Hold for 2-3 seconds, then lower slowly.

4. Perform 3 sets of 15 reps.

Bonus Benefits:
✔️ Strengthens knees
✔️ Boosts endurance
✔️ Supports heart health

The Science Is Clear

In a pilot study, daily soleus activation:
✅ Improved cognitive function after just 3 months
✅ Raised dangerously low diastolic blood pressure from 55 mmHg to 75 mmHg
✅ Helped maintain healthy cardiac output even during rest

Try It Now & Future-Proof Your Health!

No fancy equipment. No gym needed. Just a few minutes a day to keep your heart strong, your balance sharp, and your mind clear.

🚀 Start now! Do 3 minutes of seated soleus raises—you’ll feel the difference.

👉 Want to see these in action? Check out a few helpful videos:

Watch here:
🔗 Seated Soleus Exercise

🔗 Wall Sit Soleus Raises 

london_fitness_guy

View more on Instagram

Source: PubMed Study, Reversal of Soleus Muscle Atrophy in Older Adults: A Non-Volitional Exercise Intervention for a Changing Climate, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11093118/#s0004

Tech

Illuminate Your Health💡The Science Behind Light Therapy’s Impact on Sleep and Metabolism

Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, is a simple and non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to address various health concerns. It's like bringing a bit of sunshine into your daily routine, especially beneficial during those gloomy months or in places with limited natural light.

Why Consider Light Therapy?

• Boosting Your Mood: Feeling down during the darker months? Light therapy has been shown to help alleviate symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and certain types of non-seasonal depression. It's a natural way to lift your spirits without relying solely on medications.

  Sources: health.harvard.edu

• Improving Sleep Patterns: Struggling with sleep? Morning exposure to bright light can help regulate your internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep at night and wake up feeling refreshed. This is particularly helpful for those dealing with insomnia or irregular sleep schedules.

  Sources: cerebral.com

How Does It Work?

When you expose yourself to bright light, especially in the morning, it influences your brain's chemistry. This exposure can enhance alertness and cognitive performance, helping you feel more awake and focused throughout the day. Additionally, light therapy can help regulate your circadian rhythms, which play a significant role in metabolic processes, potentially improving your overall metabolic health.

Source: health.harvard.edu

Is Light Therapy Right for You?

If you find yourself feeling sluggish, moody, or out of sync during times with limited sunlight, light therapy might be worth exploring. It's a straightforward approach that can make a noticeable difference in how you feel. However, it's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best approach for your individual needs.

Incorporating light therapy into your daily routine could be the bright spot you've been looking for to enhance your mood, improve your sleep, and boost your overall well-being.

Here are some options for SAD/Bright Light Therapy lights:

😎 Amazon.com: Verilux HappyLight Lumi Plus - Light Therapy Lamp with 10,000 Lux, UV-Free, LED Bright White Light with Adjustable Brightness, Countdown Timer, & Detachable Stand - Boost Mood, Sleep, and Focus

😎 Lumie Vitamin L Lamp - Slim, Portable Light Therapy Lamp - 10,000 Lux Daylight Lamp - with Detachable Stand, Cool White LEDs & Rippled Diffuser - Portrait or Landscape Orientation

Sources: cerebral.com/blog/what-is-light-therapy-for-mental-health

Food

🚨 MadeGood Recall Alert!

If you snack on MadeGood granola bars, check your pantry now! The company has issued a voluntary recall on select bars produced between January and November 2024 due to potential metal contamination. While no injuries have been reported, MadeGood is acting swiftly to ensure consumer safety.

Why This Matters:

This recall highlights MadeGood’s commitment to transparency and consumer protection. Even though no regulatory action was required, the company is proactively working with the FDA to resolve the issue, prioritizing safety above all.

Where Were These Products Sold?

The affected granola bars were distributed across the U.S. and Canada, available at major retailers and online.

What You Need to Do:

✅ Check Your Bars: Review product codes to see if yours are affected.
✅ Get Your Refund: Return recalled products for a full refund.
✅ Have Questions? Call MadeGood at 855-215-5695 (8 AM – 5 PM EST) for assistance.

🔗 For the full list of recalled products, visit: MadeGood’s official recall page

MadeGood is handling this with responsibility and transparency—take a moment to check your snacks and spread the word! 🚨

💰Olipop Pops to a $1.85B Valuation, Leaving Rivals Flat

Olipop, the gut-friendly soda brand, just secured a $1.85 billion valuation after a fresh $50 million funding round. While skeptics question the health claims, the brand’s rapid rise is undeniable—1 in 4 Gen Zers now reach for its prebiotic fizz. Meanwhile, competitor Poppi faces backlash over a Super Bowl stunt, giving Olipop another edge in the battle for better-for-you bubbles. 🚀🥤

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That’s it for today. Enjoy the weekend. As always let us know how you like the newsletter . Bye!

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