Here's a little tidbit I learned while perusing the September 2008 issue of National Geographic -- an article titled Shopping By The Numbers talks about a a food rating system called the Overall Nutritional Quality Index. Developed by researchers at Yale University and coming soon to a grocery store near you, the qualification system will rate foods on a scale of one to 100 -- one being the least nutritious and 100 being the most nutritious.

In NG's list of common foods, only four items scored 100 -- blueberries, oranges, green beans and broccoli. Here are some other ratings:

• Banana - 91
• Non-fat milk - 91
• Oatmeal - 88
• Raw almonds - 82
• Pasta - 50
• Vanilla yogurt - 43
• Skinless chicken breasts - 39
• Bagel - 23
• Hot Dog - 5
• Soda - 1
  
  

Interesting, huh? See if you can get your hands on the issue for the full list.

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Everyone has their exercise preference. Some people like to run, others enjoy swimming, and others still like to lift weights. Some people do all three or something entirely different. Whatever the choice, I'm sure it's a healthy one. But as as far blood pressure reduction goes, it seems that yoga may be among the best choices.

In a review of several studies comparing the effects of yoga and meditation on high blood pressure (hypertension), Yale researchers found that yoga seems to work better. While both calming activities decreased systolic pressure to just about the same degree, yoga lowered diastolic pressure to a much greater degree.

So, if your current workout -- whatever it may be -- is becoming a bit routine, yoga can be a great way to mix things up and lower your blood pressure in the process. If you are already performing yoga ... I guess all I can say is keep it up!!

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