9 Healthy Habits You Can Stop Right Now!
Reader's Digest US|September 2017

Some allegedly healthy habits may not be so helpful after all. Here are nine you can stop right now.

Charlotte Hilton Andersen
9 Healthy Habits You Can Stop Right Now!

A FIRM MATTRESS

People have been told that sleeping on a firm mattress can prevent or reduce back pain, but in reality, if the mattress is too firm, it puts more pressure on heavy points like the hips and shoulders. Conversely, a mattress that is too soft could lack the support necessary to allow proper movement. In both cases, the person wakes up stiff and in pain. Studies show thata medium-firm mattress offers an ideal amount of support to help prevent further injury.

NEEL ANAND, MD, clinical professor of surgery and director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

ORGANIC JUICING

Juicing has an undeserved health halo. Sure, you can drink your vitamins and minerals, but you also get a lot of sugar. The worst aspect of juicing is that it strips fruits and vegetables of their fiber, which mediates blood sugar response, contributes to satiety, and promotes bowel regularity. Just eat the produce.

EMILY BRAATEN, MS, RD, LD, a registered dietitian in Washington, DC

ANTACIDS AFTER MOST MEALS

This story is from the September 2017 edition of Reader's Digest US.

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This story is from the September 2017 edition of Reader's Digest US.

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