Most raw vegetables retain more nutrients than their cooked counterparts, but some, such as broccoli and cauliflower, may be more difficult to digest when eaten raw.
If you suffer from bloating, gas, or stomach discomfort after eating these vegetables, it may be better to cook them to facilitate the digestion process, according to the “Health” website.
1. Broccoli
Broccoli is a rich source of vitamins A, C, K, and B6, in addition to antioxidants.
It also contains a high percentage of fiber, as well as a sugar known as “raffinose,” which is a type of sugar that the body cannot fully digest in the small intestine.
When this sugar reaches the large intestine, intestinal bacteria break it down, leading to the production of gases that may cause a feeling of bloating.
2. Cauliflower
Similar to broccoli, cauliflower contains large amounts of fiber and raffinose, which the body may have difficulty digesting.
Cauliflower also contains sulfur compounds that may lead to the formation of gases with a pungent smell.
When these compounds reach the large intestine, intestinal bacteria break them down, resulting in gases that may cause bloating and abdominal discomfort, especially when eating large amounts of cauliflower.
3. Cabbage
Raw cabbage contains a complex sugar known as raffinose, along with sulfur-containing compounds, which may increase gas production during the digestion process.
Cabbage is also rich in fiber, as one cup of it, after cutting it, provides about 2.2 grams of fiber.
If you are not accustomed to eating a high-fiber diet, gradually introducing raw cabbage to your meals may help reduce discomfort.
4. Onions and garlic
Eating onions and garlic may lead to gas and bloating, because they contain compounds known as fructans, which are a type of carbohydrate that is difficult for the body to digest, especially in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Fructans dissolve in water, so removing onion or garlic pieces from soups or sauces after cooking them may not be enough to prevent symptoms.
But these compounds do not dissolve in oil, so cooking onions or garlic in oil, then removing them before eating, may help impart the desired flavor while reducing discomfort.
5. Sweet pepper
Sweet peppers are a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants, including vitamin C and carotenoids, which support eye health and help reduce inflammation.
However, its thick outer skin and insoluble fiber can be difficult for your digestive system to handle.
Although sweet peppers are generally well digested, some people may suffer from bloating or stomach upset after eating them raw.
Sweet peppers also belong to the nightshade family, and limited studies indicate that some people who suffer from digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome, may be more sensitive to certain types of nightshade vegetables.
New research indicates that there is a link between the consumption of caffeinated energy drinks and stimulant nutritional supplements, and a significant increase in the risk of serious heart problems, including heart attack and heart attack, in young people, according to the “Healthline” website.
These results, which are scheduled to be presented during the 2026 American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions, which will be held in Chicago between November 6 and 9, are preliminary and do not prove that energy drinks directly cause these heart problems.
However, the results highlight potentially worrying effects of these common products on cardiovascular health, especially in adults under 35 who consume them regularly.
“These products are promoted as a way to boost daily activity and are sold alongside soft drinks and bottled water,” Sai Samayamanthula, a fourth-year student at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville and an author on the study, said in a press release. “So most people assume it doesn't pose any real risks.”
“For many healthy people, the risk may be minimal when consuming these products on rare occasions,” Samayamanthula added. But people who regularly take energy drinks or other supplements containing stimulants may quickly exceed the recommended daily limit of caffeine; “So it is important for people to be aware that these products may carry cardiovascular risks.”
Energy drinks linked to a 4.5-fold increase in heart attack reports
Researchers from the University of Virginia School of Medicine analyzed 28,345 reports submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during the period from 2017 to 2025.
Of these reports, 854 reports were related to energy drinks containing caffeine or stimulant nutritional supplements, while the other reports related to products that did not contain stimulants.
A comparison with non-stimulant products showed that cardiac arrest reports associated with energy drinks and stimulant supplements were approximately 11 times higher.
The rate of reports of heart attacks increased by 4.5 times, while reports of ventricular arrhythmias and heart palpitations were reported at a rate approximately four times higher.
It was found that about 45 percent of reports related to heart problems concern adults between the ages of 18 and 34 years.
“Our findings support the need for more systematic safety monitoring of products containing caffeine and stimulants,” Samayamanthula said. “In addition, healthcare professionals should be careful to ask their younger patients who experience heart palpitations, chest pain, or fainting spells whether they have recently consumed these products or take them regularly.”
Experts warn of the risks and stress the need for more research
For his part, Dr. Gregory M. Marcus, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, who led the preparation of the American Heart Association's 2026 Scientific Statement on Caffeine and Cardiovascular Disease, noted that the research, in which he was not involved, "raises concerns that products containing very high amounts of caffeine may be harmful to the cardiovascular system."
Marcus said in a press release: “Although there are biological reasons that may make this association possible, the study does not prove that caffeine-containing products caused these cases; “There may be other factors that influenced the results of this analysis.”
He added: “More research is needed to understand whether these stimulant products are actually responsible for the reported heart cases.”
As for Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, a board-certified interventional cardiologist, he explained that the results, although worrying, were not surprising to him.
“We know that energy drinks can have significant effects on the cardiovascular system, mainly due to their stimulant properties,” he told Healthline.
He added: “Caffeine can raise blood pressure and increase heart rate, while other ingredients, such as guarana and taurine, may contribute to further stimulating the cardiovascular system and raising levels of stress hormones. “What is particularly concerning is the potential for these products to lead to serious complications, including heart arrhythmias, especially in people who already have underlying cardiovascular problems.”
Chen noted that consuming energy drinks on rare occasions is unlikely to lead to long-term consequences on heart health in most healthy people, but warned that “frequent or excessive consumption may increase the risk of high blood pressure and heart rhythm disturbances.”
Magnesium helps the body regulate blood sugar and supports muscle and nerve functions and energy production, but does taking it before sleep help the body’s cells respond better to insulin, which is the hormone that helps bring sugar into the cells for use in energy production?
Suma Gondi, an endocrinologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in the United States, explains in an interview with the Very Well Health website that the available clinical evidence does not prove that taking it at night is more effective than taking it at other times.
What is its relationship to insulin?
Magnesium participates in processes that help insulin perform its function, including the entry of glucose into cells and the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Its deficiency may negatively affect insulin sensitivity, that is, the extent to which cells respond to this hormone.
But the results of studies on supplements are mixed; Some of them observed an improvement in indicators of insulin resistance, while others did not find a noticeable improvement. There is not enough evidence to conclude that supplements protect against type 2 diabetes.
Does it matter when you take it?
Any potential improvement in insulin sensitivity may be related to maintaining adequate magnesium levels over weeks or months, with no proven advantage of taking it before bed. The evidence that it improves sleep quality is still inconclusive.
Food first
Nuts, seeds, leafy green vegetables, and whole grains provide magnesium, and it's best to get most of it from food.
Gundy stresses the importance of consulting a doctor before taking supplements, especially for kidney patients and users of certain medications. Supplements may cause diarrhea, while very high doses may lead to low blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms.
