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Thursday, 23 July 2026

The Budget-Friendly Legume a Cardiologist Wants You to Start Eating Once a Day to Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a real health issue in the U.S., with nearly half of adults living with it. While factors like genetics and weight certainly increase risk, lifestyle factors, including diet, play a major role in keeping blood pressure under control. Diets high in sodium and low in potassium can especially contribute to high blood pressure, making your daily food choices especially important. And that's exactly where lentils come into play.

"Lentils are good for lowering blood pressure, as they're packed with nutrients that help your arteries relax and clear out excess salt," says Nadim Geloo, MD, cardiologist and medical director for Abbott. "A single cup of cooked lentils provides more potassium than a banana, which helps your body flush out sodium. Lentils also contain magnesium, which naturally relaxes your blood vessels."

Compared to a medium-sized banana, which contains about 420 milligrams of potassium, one cup of cooked lentils has 730 milligrams. They also make for an excellent source of plant-based protein and fiber, with the same one-cup serving providing roughly 230 calories, 18 grams of protein, and 15 grams of fiber. Not to mention, lentils are one of the most budget-friendly pantry staples, as a one-pound bag won't cost you more than a few dollars.

One recent study found that people who regularly ate legumes like lentils, beans, and chickpeas, as well as soy foods, were less likely to develop hypertension. The strongest benefits were seen among those consuming about 170 grams of legumes per day. Compared with those who ate the least, study subjects with the highest legume intake had a 16 percent lower risk of developing high blood pressure.

During digestion, lentils also release unique proteins that can block angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which is an enzyme that causes blood vessels to narrow. By helping limit ACE activity, these naturally occurring peptides may allow blood vessels to stay more relaxed and make it easier for the heart to pump blood, supporting healthier blood pressure levels.

"Ultimately, this combination of sodium elimination, active arterial relaxation, and vascular benefits makes lentils a highly effective, natural defense against hypertension," Geloo says.

Experts

Nadim Geloo, MD, cardiologist and medical director for Abbott

Sources

CDC, High Blood Pressure Facts
Legume and soy consumption and the risk of hypertension: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of prospective studies. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. 2026.

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Wednesday, 22 July 2026

Citizen's 'Handsome' Solar-Powered Titanium Watch Is Nearly 50% Off

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Why We Love This Deal

Watch enthusiasts will be the first to tell you that Citizen, Seiko, and Casio are some of the best brands for entry-level watches under $500. That said, collecting watches is still an expensive hobby. For deals, it's a smart idea to turn to Amazon, especially right now: This titanium Eco-Drive Citizen watch is nearly half off.

The $450 Citizen Eco-Drive Super Titanium Field Watch is on sale for $241 at Amazon, a 46% discount off the retail price. There are two colors listed on sale, but the option with the silver bracelet and black dial is currently the best value, whereas the one with the tan leather strap and green dial is marked at $280. It may actually be the best price on this watch online at the moment when you compare Amazon’s deal to the sale happening through Citizen directly ($380).

Citizen Eco-Drive Super Titanium Field Watch, $241 (was $450) at Amazon

The Citizen Eco-Drive Super Titanium Field Watch.

Courtesy of Amazon

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What Shoppers Should Know

Movement: Eco-Drive solar-powered quartz
Case and Build: Super Titanium with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Dial: Field watch layout with a day/date display and luminous hands
Water Resistance: 100 meters

This is a clean, no-nonsense field watch that’s practical, durable, and a great starting point for those looking to get into watches. The Super Titanium case keeps it lightweight yet durable, bolstered by the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal (something you don’t always see at this price point). Citizen’s solar-powered Eco-Drive movement keeps powering it low-maintenance—just allow it to soak up any light, even artificial—and the 100 meters of water resistance means you can go for a swim without worrying about damage.

When it comes to price, this is kind of the sweet spot for getting into a “real” watch. For military-inspired timepieces similar to the field watch, brands like Bulova often land in the $300 to $400 range, while something from Shinola (like the Detrola Watch) lands closer to $500. At around $250, this feels like a really solid entry point because it’s premium enough to get you quality materials and movement, but still reasonable if you’re just getting started on your collection.

What Shoppers Are Saying

If you’re surprised to see such a high-quality watch at a price this low, you’re not alone. One shopper said, “This is a killer deal for a titanium case and sapphire crystal,” and that it’s “handsome, tough, and easy to read at a glance.” Don’t let the utilitarian angle fool you, because it’s still a looker, too: “I just fell in love with this watch after seeing it live for the first time. The pictures do not do it justice.”

The Citizen Eco-Drive Super Titanium Field Watch is an incredible choice for both seasoned collectors and those looking to pick up their first serious watch, especially for under $250. Just be sure to take advantage of this deal soon, because prices are known to fluctuate.

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Tuesday, 21 July 2026

A Certified Nutritionist Says Using This Centuries-Old Kitchen Utensil Is the Secret to Better Digestion and Less Overeating

If you're the type of guy that's able to scarf down a whole plate of food before everyone else around you has even taken a few bites, this one's for you. Eating too quickly can lead to a slew of problems, from unintentional weight gain to digestive issues. And maybe you've already tried plenty of tricks to attempt slower eating habits, like eating with your non-dominant hand or taking sips of water in between bites. If those habits never seem to stick long-term, one health coach recommends a centuries-old alternative: eating with chopsticks.

"I recommend using chopsticks to support better digestion as it forces you to slow down and eat mindfully," says Olivia Van Guyse, PT, DPT, and certified nutritionist of Viva Pelvic Health and Wellness. "Eating quickly and distracted can contribute to already existing digestive issues. It's not always about what you eat, but how you eat."

When you rush through a meal, you're more likely to swallow excess air, which can cause bloating, gas, and stomach discomfort. Eating quickly can also mean chewing your food less sufficiently, which forces your stomach to work harder to break down larger pieces of food, increasing the chances of indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux.

Using chopsticks helps slow down your eating through smaller bites and an increased mindfulness factor, allowing your body to digest food more comfortably and reducing the tendency to overeat. Van Guyse has used the chopstick strategy herself and as a client recommendation, with reports of less bloating and stomach aches alike.

"The slower you eat, the more time you give your body to register its fullness cues. Since your body gives the fullness cue on a 10 to 15 minute 'delay,' you can easily blow past this and end up overeating if you eat too fast, leading to both digestive discomfort and unwanted weight gain," she adds.

One study even suggests that eating with chopsticks may influence how your body processes a meal. The study, published in Physiology & Behavior, compared the glycemic response of eating rice with chopsticks, a spoon, or fingers. Glycemic index measures how quickly a carbohydrate-containing food raises blood sugar. Foods with a lower glycemic index produce a slower, steadier rise in blood glucose, which helps prevent sharp spikes and crashes in energy. Participants who ate rice with chopsticks had a lower glycemic index (68) than when they ate with a spoon (81).

Now if you've been using chopsticks your whole life, you're probably already highly skilled and can plow through a meal just as quickly as you would with a fork. The strategy is most helpful for people who aren't as proficient, since the learning curve of eating with chopsticks naturally slows the pace of eating. Ultimately, any habit that helps you eat more mindfully makes it easier to recognize fullness cues, support digestion, and actually enjoy your meals.

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Monday, 20 July 2026

80 Years After Bon Scott’s Birth, Fans Are Discovering Why AC/DC Nearly Overlooked Him at 27

Bon Scott would have turned 80 this month, and rock royalty is still celebrating the singer AC/DC nearly rejected as too old.

Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, and Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready were among the musicians honoring Scott on his July 9 birthday, according to Rolling Stone. The tributes reveal why his legacy reaches beyond his gravelly voice: Scott gave AC/DC its personality just as his own career appeared to be running out of road.

Bon Scott Was the “Old Man” AC/DC Nearly Overlooked

HOLLYWOOD - CIRCA 1977: Singer Bon Scott, who died in early 1980, belts out a number circa 1977 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Photo by Getty Images

Born Ronald Belford Scott on July 9, 1946, the future frontman had bounced through several bands and survived a serious motorcycle accident when AC/DC needed a new singer in 1974. Scott was 27; Angus and Malcolm Young were still teenagers. The brothers reportedly worried that he was too old.

According to a MusicRadar retrospective, Scott wasn’t immediately impressed with AC/DC, either. He dismissed them as “a gimmick band,” but changed his mind after watching the group perform.

Scott later joked that he “took the opportunity to explain to them how much better [he] was than the drongo they had singing for them,” according to MusicRadar.

One rehearsal settled it. At 28, Scott joined AC/DC and helped turn its stripped-down rock into something dangerous, funny, and unmistakable.

Angus Young Says Scott Was AC/DC’s “Lightning Bolt”

Photo by Getty Images

Marking the milestone, Angus Young recalled Scott’s perfect answer when asked whether he was “AC or DC.”

“I’m the lightning bolt in the middle,” Scott said.

“In my mind he was, and always will be the lightning bolt in the middle,” Young said in a statement published by Rolling Stone Australia. “He gifted us with great Rock ’n’ Roll lyrics delivered in an impish manner.”

Scott died on February 19, 1980, at 33, shortly before AC/DC released Back in Black. His wild reputation sometimes obscures his real gift: writing lyrics that sounded lived rather than manufactured.

Bon Scott Left Behind the Ultimate Workout Soundtrack

Scott also helped create a catalog of gym anthems built on pounding riffs, driving rhythms, and enough swagger to push a workout into a higher gear.

Highway to Hell adds urgency to a hard run, while T.N.T. and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap can sharpen the edge of a heavy lifting session. It’s a Long Way to the Top may be the perfect training anthem: Progress requires patience, consistency, and uncomfortable work.

When motivation fades, Scott’s raw energy can help you find another rep, finish the interval, or attack the final set harder.

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Sunday, 19 July 2026

The No. 1 Comedy Movie of All Time Was Based on TV Show That Flopped

There have been plenty of films adapted from beloved television shows, but you wouldn't think a series that ran for six episodes--with only four being aired--would inspire a hit movie.

That's what happened with 1988's The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!," which was based on Police Squad!, a failed police spoof that ran on ABC from March 4 to July 8, 1982.

Police Squad! was a mega-flop, but The Naked Gun, with Leslie Nielsen reprising his TV role as police lieutenant Frank Drebin became a box-office smash and a critical success.

'A badge of honor'

Despite the abject failure of Police Squad!, the series' three creators--David and Jerry Zucker and their longtime buddy Jim Abrahams--were undeterred. After all, this is the same trio that came up with the 1980 comedy smash Airplane!, so there was some proof of concept.

“I refer to it as a failed TV show, but in a way, it’s a backhanded compliment,” said Robert Weiss, who produced both the series and the movie, to the Los Angeles Times in 1988.

“This is the best revenge a failed TV show could have: a loyal following that persists over six years. This is just desserts for us, to be able to do a movie of it,” Weiss added.

The Naked Gun, which was equipped with a $14.5 million budget, made that back greater than tenfold at the box office, pulling in a reported $152.4 million. It also drew positive critical reviews, and spawned three sequels.

The best comedy movie of all time?

That's what Variety argued in 2025 when it ranked The Naked Gun ahead atop its list of The 100 Best Comedy Movies of All Time.

"The glory of “The Naked Gun” is that it’s a shamelessly uninhibited, anarchically observational drive-by comedy that will make fun of anything: global autocrats, stodgy film noir dialogue, safe sex, a professional baseball game, food left in the refrigerator for too long," Variety wrote. "The entire movie is staged with a bombs-away joy, a sense of exaggeration so clever it’s nearly diabolical."

The outlet also offered high praise for Nielsen, who portrayed Drebin "as if he were channeling Jack Webb, Ronald Reagan and Moe Howard at the same time."

"He’s not trying to be outrageous; the inanity, and insanity, and calamity just drip right off him," Variety said. "In Frank, the destruction of all social norms, not to mention a fair amount of property, mingles with a fearlessly inept bravura."

If you want to watch The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, it is currently available for free on Pluto TV. You can also watch it as a subscriber on YouTube and Paramount+ and as a subscribers with an add-on on fuboTV, Hulu, Sling TV, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube TV.

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REI's Cavernous 18-Liter Hiking Pack Is 50% Off in 3 Colors Right Now

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

In This Story

REI Co-op Ruckpack 18 Pack, From $40 (was $80)

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Why We Love This Deal

REI Co-op is running a sale that’s offering up to 50% off a ton of gear from big dogs like Patagonia and The North Face. Some of REI’s own gear is also part of the sale, making the already budget-friendly lineup of outdoor gear and apparel even more enticing. Thanks to this event, you can grab the retailer's own Ruckpack 18 for 50% off right now.

Normally priced at $80, the REI Co-op Ruckpack 18 Pack is down to $40 in the Iron Oxide, Jasper Green, and Raisin colorways. There are also two size options: XS-XL and XXL-4XL.

REI Co-op Ruckpack 18 Pack, From $40 (was $80) at REI

The REI Co-op Ruckpack 18 Pack.

Courtesy of REI

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What Shoppers Should Know

Material: 100% recycled nylon shell, recycled polyester lining, PFAS-free DWR finish
Capacity: 18 liters, 15-inch laptop sleeve (or hydration reservoir)
Features: Padded shoulder straps, air-mesh back panel, removable waist belt, adjustable sternum strap
Best For: Campus, day hikes, air travel, everyday commuting

This pack earns the “go-anywhere” label because it has most of the same features that serious hiking backpacks have. You get a padded, air-mesh back panel, adjustable shoulder straps (also padded), and a laptop sleeve that doubles as a hydration reservoir. It weighs about a pound and fits most airlines’ carry-on limits, making it a great travel and commuter backpack on top of its outdoor-ready capabilities.

One of the clearest comparisons here is Arc’teryx’s Mantis 16, which is admittedly a super cool pack, but it’s also triple the price of REI’s at $40, and has essentially the same baseline features. This is a hard gap to justify unless the branding and more technical fabric are what you’re after.

What Shoppers Are Saying

One helpful shopper wrote a lengthy review and opened it by saying, “If you're in the market for a sturdy, adaptable daypack, this is a good pick.” They ended the review by saying they’d “be happy using this for everything from air travel and around town commuting to day hikes and cragging.”

As for the comfort and carrying capacity, another reviewer said, “You can comfortably carry it for a long time. It has plenty of room for a snack, drink, extra layer, and binoculars or something.” A second shopper wrote, “Two years of use and this is the best pack I have ever owned.”

REI’s Ruckpack 18 Pack was already an incredibly solid basic hiking pack, but this sale makes it one of the best in the price range. So if you’re interested, you should grab one soon before the sale ends.

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Saturday, 18 July 2026

Merrell's 'Sturdy' Waterproof Tactical Hiking Shoes Are Nearly 50% Off Right Now

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

In This Story

Merrell Moab 3 Tactical Hiking Shoe, $70 (was $135)

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Why We Love This Deal

Merrell makes comfortable, durable footwear, everything from hiking boots and hiking shoes to rugged sandals. If you've ever wanted to try a pair, now is the time to do it: During Merrell’s Summer Sale, running through July 21, some of the brand’s absolute best shoes are available with huge discounts (if you know the secret code). The Moab 3 hiking shoe, the brand’s undisputed champion, is one of the most popular hiking shoes on the planet—and right now you can score a sturdy tactical version of that iconic model for nearly half off.

The Merrell Moab 3 Tactical is on sale for $70—that’s an amazing 48% discount from its normal price of $135. It has an initial markdown to $116; use code EXTRA40 at checkout to unlock the full deal. It’s available in a sleek blacked-out colorway, and there’s a huge size range in stock. This shoe also comes in a taller boot version, which is also on sale and eligible for the same discount code.

Merrell Moab 3 Tactical Hiking Shoe, $70 (was $135) at Merrell

Courtesy of Merrell

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What Shoppers Should Know

Colorways: 1
Upper: Synthetic mesh, leather
Midsole: Super Rebound Compound, Air Cushion
Outsole: Vibram TC5+ rubber

The Moab 3 Tactical is very similar to the beloved Moab 3. Both shoes feature the same basic upper design, with leather overlays across a synthetic mesh base, and the same midsole setup, with Super Rebound Compound cushioning, an Air Cushion heel, and a molded nylon shank. The midsole delivers good shock absorption and support; it’s not overly plush or soft, but it’ll protect your feet from rough ground. Both shoes also feature a lugged Vibram rubber outsole, which is the gold standard for off-road traction.

So what’s the difference? Well, first off, there’s the colorway: The Tactical’s all-black look makes it suitable for wearing with law enforcement uniforms and other work outfits. The Tactical’s upper also has a waterproof treatment (likely a DWR coating) that the regular Moab lacks. Finally, the Tactical also has an anti-odor treatment on the footbed—a welcome addition for those who’ll spend long days wearing these shoes for work.

What Shoppers Are Saying

Shoppers have left some high praise for this shoe. Many reviewers work in law enforcement or other jobs that require a lot of standing and walking, and they trust the Moab 3 Tactical to keep their feet comfortable and protected. Shoppers praised the shoe’s “very comfortable and sturdy” design, and one called it “the perfect tactical shoe for demanding work environments.” In fact, one longtime Merrell wearer said it’s “better built than the regular Moab.”

Anything with “Moab” in the product name is a hot seller at Merrell, and with this steep 48% discount in effect, this tactical version is going to sell even faster. Score yours now while there are still lots of sizes in stock.

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