Results: Good On Their Own, But Not Together Part 1

Black tea is rich in antioxidants that work to decrease inflammation that's linked to many chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. However, adding even a little milk (cow or soy) into your cup short-circuits those benefits. Milk proteins bind to antioxidants in tea and prevent them from being absorbed. What's more, milk doesn't even offer a calcium boost in this situation. The caffeine in tea can decrease calcium absorption. If you really want to add something good to your tea, squeeze some lemon in there instead. It'll actually increase the amount of antioxidants that your body can absorb. Do you add milk to your tea?

When you avoid fat on your salad, you put up a roadblock to your absorption of nutrients. In fact, a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that carotenoids—plant pigments linked to a reduced risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and macular degeneration—are more readily absorbed when paired with full-fat dressing as opposed to low-fat or fat-free varieties. If you want to reap the benefits of salad, without a fatty dressing, skip the ranch and creamy dressings and use olive oil and vinegar. Do you eat salad every day?

Red wines contain compounds called tannins. When tannins intermingle with plant-based sources of iron, like those found in lentils and soybeans, it seriously hinders your body's ability to absorb the mineral. This issue is particularly relevant to vegans and vegetarians, as plant-based iron is already more difficult to absorb than meat-based iron. Add tannins to the mix and it's that much harder to get the iron you need. Do you eat plant-based sources of iron in your diet?

A lot of people won't be happy about this one! When you consume alcohol and a high-fat food together, both are processed by the liver, and your body naturally prioritizes breaking down the alcohol first, since it recognizes alcohol as a toxin. This leaves fat floating in your bloodstream, where it can then be stored in fat tissue. Moreover, you'll feel especially gross afterward. Fat causes food to digest more slowly, which is why a high-fat meal can leave you feeling stuffed and bloated long after you eat it. Do you enjoy this type of combo -- such as a burger and a beer?