Blog Posts by Reader's Digest Magazine

News flash: It's not just sugar that makes you dumb, as new research proves. We found the science to back up more foods that drain your brain.

Sugar
In case you missed it: It's no secret excess sugar isn't exactly sweet where your health is concerned, but now new research indicates it may take a toll on your brain as well as your waistline. In a recent animal study, UCLA researchers found that rats fed a solution of fructose had a harder time navigating a maze, a sign of slowed learning and memory loss, compared to a second group of rats who were given the fructose solution as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to have a brain-boosting effect. The researchers suspect that the fructose-only diet decreased brain activity because it affected insulin's ability to help brain cells use sugar to process thoughts and emotions. Certain omega-3 fatty acids may buffer the brain from the harmful effects of fructose.
Use the news: While this research is preliminary, it's just general

According to one study, people eat 37 more calories per meal on the weekends than on weekdays, which can add up to more than a few unwanted pounds. Watch for these common weight-loss landmines and swap in healthier activities instead.

Instead of drinking at happy hour...

Try: Pouring seltzer in a champagne glass, or having a glass of red wine

Here's Why: A sneaky source of calories (it's just liquid after all, right?), alcohol in excess can really slow down weight loss. Did you know that margaritas and mojitos pack over 150 calories a drink? Multiply that by two or three and you've got a recipe for fat creep. To get in a festive spirit, go for seltzer in a champagne glass and add a fun garnish like a pineapple chunk or a maraschino cherry.

Vino lover? Happily, wine and weight loss can go hand in hand. Red wine contains resveratrol, an age-fighting nutrient that may improve exercise endurance and shield against weight gain. Women should stick to a four-ounce glass, where

Eat your way thin.Weight-loss expert and 'The Biggest Loser' star Bob Harper's eating tips and tricks help you get slim and healthy, whether you want to lose 10 pounds or 100.

After 13 seasons on the hit show The Biggest Loser helping contestants shed thousands of pounds, Bob Harper realized that his most effective advice came from his own healthy habits. His new book, The Skinny Rules: The Simple, Non-Negotiable Principles for Getting to Thin, outlines 20 of his must-do tips for better eating, including recipes and meal plans. "They're not meant to be liked, they're meant to be followed," Harper says of the rules. Some, like going to bed hungry, are still challenging even for Harper. "But in order to lose weight and keep it off, you have to have a routine to live by." You can also find the book here.

1. Drink Water Before Every Meal
"Let me put this plainly: drinking water helps you lose weight," Harper writes. Getting enough water improves digestion, helps you feel full, and can make your workouts

workA recent survey conducted by Braun Research found that 71% of 500 recent four-year college graduates would have done something differently to prepare for the job market. "When you're not familiar with the job market or job seeking, you really don't know how much effort it will take," said Kathy Kane, senior vice president of talent management for Adecco NA, To find out what students can do to better prepare for the current job market, we spoke with career coaches, recruiters and recent graduates.

1. "I would have started looking for jobs earlier."
Putting off your job hunt isn't a wise move. Among the Adecco survey's respondents, 26% said they would have started looking for potential positions earlier. "It's easy to fall into 'my weekend starts on Thursday' mode, rather than 'I've got to put my job search into full gear today' mode," said Kane, "but procrastinators will have fewer choices." Most students don't start thinking about their careers until they have to, said Lindsey

NewlywedsDon't go from lovey dovey to angry birds: Here's your guide to a having a long, happy marriage right from the start.

What to watch for: When University of Oklahoma researchers studied newlyweds, they found that expressions of love and affection between a wife and husband drop by half in the first two years of marriage, and researchers find that most couples experience a significant drop in happiness about 18 months after the wedding. Perhaps that's the reason why national divorce statistics show that most marital splits occur in the first five years-and that couples married for about three years are especially vulnerable. This early, important stage can seem scary, marriage experts say, because we see our own shortcomings reflected in our spouses' actions now, just as we saw our own sterling qualities reflected in our partners before. Now: It's time to make love happen instead of waiting for it to happen to you.

1. 
Uncover your hidden marriage expectations.
 We all come into

cotton ballsThese bathroom mainstays make your manicure -- and makeup removal -- a breeze, but guess what else they can do!

Scent the room
Saturate a cotton ball with your favorite cologne and drop it into your vacuum cleaner bag. Now, as you vacuum, the scent will be expressed and gently permeate the room.

Deodorize the refrigerator
Sometimes the refrigerator just doesn't smell fresh. Dampen a cotton ball with vanilla extract and place it on a shelf. You'll find it acts as a deodorizer, offering its own pleasant scent.

Fight mildew
There are always hard-to-reach spots in the bathroom, usually around the fixtures, where mildew may breed in the grout between tiles. Forget about becoming a contortionist to return the sparkle to those areas. Soak a few cotton balls in bleach and place them in those difficult spots. Leave them to work their magic for a few hours. When you remove them, you'll find your job has been done. Finish by rinsing with a warm-water wash.

More you

Sweet treat.Don't want to give up favorite summer foods to slim down? Good news: You don't have to! The trick is to include fat-releasing foods unveiled in our new book The Digest Diet. Science shows that these power ingredients, from red wine to honey, promote weight loss, so we used them to redo seasonal staples (recipes each serve six).

Two-Minute Sorbet
For this creamy treat: Combine 1 bag frozen fruit (like strawberries or raspberries) with ½ cup yogurt and ¼ cup sugar in a food processor until uniformly mixed and creamy (stop before it turns to a liquid or smoothie); serve immediately, or freeze until dessert.
Fat releasers: fruit (fiber), yogurt (dairy)

Skinny Potato Salad
Mix 2 pounds cooled and chopped boiled red potatoes; 5 chopped hard-boiled eggs; ¾ cup 2% plain Greek yogurt; 3 stalks celery, chopped; ½ red onion, diced; 1 tbs. Dijon mustard; 1 tbs. apple cider or white wine vinegar; 1 cup chopped herbs (like dill or parsley); 1 tsp. each salt and pepper.
Fat releasers: eggs and

SunscreenIt wouldn't be summer without hot dogs, fireworks, and sunscreen-or perhaps guilt over skipping sunscreen (studies show as many as 40 percent of adults don't use it). But it's never too late to start. Reader's Digest combed the latest product reviews from Consumer Reports, Prevention, Good Housekeeping, and more to find the best sunscreens for any scenario. Before you buy: Remember that only products with SPF 15 or higher can say they prevent burns and skin cancer, according to new FDA rules.

1. Excuse: I hate reapplying when I'm at the beach.
Choose: Broad-spectrum products with at least SPF 30. sprays and foams make applying less annoying.
Try: Aveeno Continuous Protection sunblock Lotion Spray SPF 70 ($11.99 for 3 oz., target), Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray SPF 30 ($9.50 for 5 oz., drugstores), Coppertone Oil Free Foaming Sunscreen Lotion SPF 75+ ($9.99 for 6 oz., drugstores).

2. Excuse: Sunscreen irritates my skin.
Choose: Broad-spectrum products free of dyes, fragrances,