People are obsessed with healthy living nowadays more than ever. Before you overwhelm yourself with all the articles, research and journals on how to lead a healthier life, think first about the everyday advice you have heard since your childhood.

Chicken soup: An Rx for the common cold

How many times do people “prescribe” chicken soup to you when you are sick? Turns out they are right. A Reuters article published by CNN.com in 2000 states that scientists at the University of Nebraska Medical Center found that chicken soup contains anti-inflammatory agents that ease cold and flu symptoms. The ingredients in chicken soup (i.e. carrots, parsley, celery, etc.) prevent the spread of certain white blood cells called neutrophils that are given off by viral infections.  Next time you are feeling under the weather, eat a bowl of chicken soup and you may bounce back sooner than you think.

An apple a day does keep the doctor away

This one sounds like a no brainer, right? Eat fruit every day and you won’t get sick. But what’s the hype on apples? Apples are loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants that help reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s and diabetes, according to a 2004 article published in Nutrition Journal. In addition to preventing disease, apples also significantly aid weight loss and will even help keep the dentist away. Apples work as a natural teeth-cleaning agent and prevent plaque buildup, as noted on WebMD. That being said, an apple a day certainly holds true.

Eat your crust

Your mother always told you to eat the crust of your bread. Yes, mom’s right again. In separate studies cited by Discoveryfitandhealth.com and ScienceDaily.com it was found that the crust contained significantly more cancer fighting antioxidants than the soft inside of the bread. So listen to mom on this one and eat your crust.

Sore throat relief in a glass?

Next time you think about heading to the nearest drug store to buy medicine for your sore throat, think again. Gargling warm salt water will do the trick just as well, if not better than over-the-counter medicines. WebMD suggests gargling once an hour to help beat throat inflammation and soreness. However, the benefits of this natural home remedy do not end there. A 2005 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine concludes that gargling salt water can prevent upper respiratory tract infections.  In this case, it really is better to skip the meds.

Pass on the midnight snacks

Here’s something that might scare you. Eating before bed really can cause nightmares. A study published in The Journal of The Mind and Body in 2000 found that eating before bed prompted brain waves that cause nightmares. What’s more, the study found unhealthy foods to be the biggest culprit. Unhealthy foods signal more brain activity than healthy food, thus increasing the likelihood of nightmares. Unless you’re up for some bad dreams, pass up that midnight craving.