Blog Posts by The Editors at Sharecare

Love your coffee? Turns out, it loves you, too.Starbucks may be about to hike their prices for coffee, but we don't think that will put a damper on the worldwide love of java. As far as we can tell, America would grind to a halt without the stuff. Americans average about 1.5 cups per person, per year (and 3.4 cups per coffee-drinker, per year).

And that's a-ok, says RealAge cofounder Michael F. Roizen, M.D. In recent months, researchers have found coffee and caffeine offers a variety of health benefits. From preventing heart disease to fending off cancer, here are five ways coffee does your body good:

Related: Not a coffee drinker? Here are 12 ways tea boosts your health.

1. Preserves your memory. Three or more cups of coffee a day can slash your threat of Alzheimer's and dementia by up to 65%. Coffee releases a substance called GCSF that helps sweep the plaque build-ups seen in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

2. Protects your heart. "One to two cups daily makes your blood vessels limber," says Roizen. "They'll

Spinach and other leafy greens are among the top anti-aging foods for women.Did you resolve to eat better in 2012? Good! Harvard Medical School researchers found that women who routinely nibble nutritious foods slash their risk of dying from the usual culprits, including heart disease and cancer. From berries and nuts to salmon and spinach, make sure to include these seven anti-aging powerhouses in your diet.

"They're the cream of the healthy-foods crop," says Elizabeth Somer, R.D., author of Eat Your Way Sexy: Reignite Your Passion, Look Ten Years Younger, and Feel Happier Than Ever (Harlequin) and Age-Proof Your Body (McGraw-Hill).

Related: Discover Dr. Oz's 5 favorite anti-aging foods.

1. Berries. Ounce for ounce, berries have more protective anti-aging plant antioxidants than almost any other food. "These compounds not only lower your disease risks, they help prevent memory loss," says Somer. Aim for a cup of berries -- any kind, fresh or frozen -- at least three times a week. Since berries are high in filling fiber, they may also help curb

Spending more time here than you'd like?Feel like you're spending more time in the bathroom than any other room in your house?

You're not alone. The average adult spends 8 to 16 days a year in the bathroom! That's 30 to 60 minutes a day -- way too long if you're among the millions of adults doing overtime throne duty thanks to gastrointestinal troubles ranging from constipation to diarrhea, belly cramps, and irregularity known as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Related: Check out these surprising signs of constipation.

Bowel troubles aren't new, of course, but modern life makes constipation and other gastrointestinal woes worse. "Stress, debt, and overprocessed and low-fiber foods all combine to keep you behind that closed door," says RealAge cofounder Michael F. Roizen, M.D.

Need to get things moving again? Roizen offers these strategies to help you find relief:

Take a breather. Hard stools and straining could be a sign that you're stressed out. "There's evidence that anxiety directly affects blood flow

Want to add 8 years to your life? Quit smoking.Nearly all of us make some kind of resolution at the start of the New Year, especially if it's on the heels of an indulgent holiday season. But which resolutions are the best?

"I look at what gets you a big bang in terms of your health," says Keith Roach, M.D., RealAge's chief medical officer. Anything that helps lower your blood pressure or cholesterol -- or helps keep them on an even keel if they're healthy - will make the biggest difference, Roach says. For example, keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level can make your body feel up to 12 years younger.

Keep your heart strong -- and add years to your life -- with this 10-step plan.

You may feel like your whole life needs an overhaul, but Roach advises starting small. "Pick one thing that you want to change, and focus on making that one change," he says. "You'll feel great and want to build on that success." Try one of these four resolutions to revolutionize your health in 2012.

Exercise Consistently

Your health will prosper with black-eyed peas on New Year's Day.Do your New Year's resolutions include eating better? You can begin on New Year's Day with these 5 traditional lucky foods. From black-eyed peas and greens to fish and pomegranates, these eats will get 2012 off to an auspicious -- and healthy -- start.

Legumes

Black-eyed peas, beans, and other legumes swell as they cook, so they represent good fortune in cultures around the world. Southerners dig into a bowl of hoppin' John made with black-eyed peas, while lentils are traditional in Italy, Germany, and Brazil.

Health perk: Legumes are high in soluble fiber, which helps chase away belly fat, stabilize blood sugar, prevent heart disease, and fend off colon cancer.

Carrying a spare tire? 10 things you should know about belly fat.

Greens

Could the prosperity connection be more obvious? Folks around the globe will gobble plates of greens on New Year's Day, from collard greens in the Deep South to kale in Denmark and cabbage in Germany.

Health perk: Hearty

Sugar isn't the only reason soda is bad for your teeth.Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body, but some foods are tougher. You know hard candy does a number on your teeth, and these seven are just as bad. You may be surprised by some of the worst offenders.

Soft drinks. Sugar isn't the biggest culprit when it comes to soda's impact on teeth. These beverages -- including diet sodas -- strip minerals from tooth enamel because of their high acid content. We're talking corrosive acids like phosphoric, malic, citric, and tartaric. And the flavor of the fizz matters. They all have an impact, but clear, citrus-flavored bubbly beverages dissolve enamel two to five times more than colas do.

Do this: Love the fizz? Swap soda for plain sparkling water. Giving up soft drinks benefits more than your teeth because even a modest one-can-a-day habit can boost your risk of heart disease.

5 surprising things your smile says about your health.

Sports drinks. In a study comparing the erosive effects of five different

Can munching carrots really sharpen your vision?Did your parents tell you that eating carrots would save you from wearing glasses? Or that sitting too close to the TV is bad for your eyes? Did Mother really know best when it comes to your peepers? Here, we reveal the truth behind these six eye-health myths.

Eating carrots will improve your vision.
False! But don't skip the rabbit food. Although no studies to date show that your eyesight will get sharper just by eating more carrots, the root veggies do contain vitamin A, a nutrient your eyes need to function properly. Be sure to eat a varied diet with lots of different fruits, vegetables, and nuts for vitamins C and E, beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc. All these nutrients can help ward off age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Is blurry vision a normal part of aging or a sign of something more serious?

Working on a computer is bad for your eyes.
False! Computer eyestrain has less to do with computers and more to do with the way you work on them. Most of

Want to grow younger in 2012? Pump iron a few times a week.Wouldn't it be nice to feel younger as you get older? You can, and it isn't the stuff of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." From taking vitamin D to watching your blood pressure and managing stress, these 12 anti-aging strategies will help you live younger in 2012.

1. Take vitamin D. YOU Docs Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., and Michael F. Roizen, M.D., call vitamin D "the ultimate anti-ager." That's because it nourishes your memory, skin, heart, bones, and arteries, and it helps fight off cancer. Getting enough vitamin D daily (1,000 mg; 1,200 mg after age 60) can make your body think it's 9.4 years younger.

Here's the best time of day to take your vitamin D.

2. Care for your teeth and gums. A healthy smile looks lovely -- and helps keep your arteries and immune system in top shape. Flossing and brushing daily can prevent periodontal disease and tooth loss, which can make you feel 6.1 years younger.

3. Watch your numbers. Keeping your waist size, blood pressure, blood sugar, and