Do Diet Sodas Make You Fat?

Here is a great article for you to enjoy, courtesy of my friend Jon Benson at Fit Over 40.

I stumbled across this study today and, to be honest, the results did not surprise me. As a "diet sodaholic", something I still struggle with from time to time, I can testify that diet sodas will make you fat.

This study does not cover the metabolic reasons why, so let me give you just a few. First, the body is not easily fooled. Artificial "anything", especially sweeteners, can trigger the exact hormonal mechanisms as the real deal. In this case, the hormone insulin is often spiked by aspartame and Splenda. This leads to a greater amount of fat being stored.

That's not all. The resulting biochemical reactions stimulates appetite. Just as any spike in insulin (or in adrenaline from caffeine) can do, these reactions will cause you to desire more food. They also blunt the appetite mechanisms that signal the brain that you are full. In short, you eat more food than you normally would.

I have seen this in myself first-hand and I discuss it in detail in my book. No doubt about it -- if you want to get leaner, can the sodas. Diet, non-diet, and anything in-between. Water is your best bet, just as this study concludes.

FROM: San Antonio Express-News

The prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions and many Americans are making efforts to side-step extra calories. They are turning to diet soft drinks -- Diet Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper and Sprite -- as their beverage of choice.

But is this a wise health choice?

Perhaps not, for according to a study by researchers at the University of Texas San Antonio, middle-aged adults who drink diet soft drinks may be drastically increasing their risks of gaining weight later on.

Diet Soda Discovery
The study monitored the weight and soda-drinking habits of more than 600 normal-weight patients aged 25-64. When researchers followed up on the patients some eight years later, they discovered:

- - Participants were 65 percent more likely to be overweight if they consumed one diet soda a day compared to if they drank none.

- - Two or more low- or no-calorie soft drinks raised the odds of becoming obese or overweight even higher.

-- Those who drank diet soda had a greater chance of becoming overweight than participants who drank regular soda.

The solution? Simply drink more water!

-- Jon Benson "Fit over 40"

Click here for more info on "Fit over 40"

Benefits of Tea- More Than A Drink

Tea can do a lot more than taste good. Green, black, and oolong teas contain antioxidants called polyphenols which research has shown to help in preventing several forms of cancer, possible reduction in heart attack and stroke, and aides in overall health and well-being. Herbal teas do not usually carry the same polyphenols, but do contain other beneficial nutrients and antioxidants that can help in a variety of ways. Seems for every ailment there's an herb, and it all boils down to a good cup of tea.

Here is a few other ways to use specific herbal teas to our benefit. Enjoy!

• Ginger tea - promotes enzymes that promotes digestion and helps with nausea and upset stomachs.
  

• Thyme - is a natural antihistamine and helps fight infections. Breathe over a warm cup to help clear your sinuses or use in hot bath.
  

• Rosehips - is rich in vitamin K, bioflavanoids, and citrics. Age defiance at it's best!
  
  
• Shiny horsetail grass - richest in silica, an element in tissue repair. Sipping on this tea is great for your hair, nails, and skin.
  
  
• Rosemary tea - a great hair rinse that promotes hair growth a gentle removing of hair build up.
  
  
• Oatstraw tea - great for weight loss due to it's high fiber content and richness in vitamins A,D, B1, and B2.
  
  
• Chicory and dandelion tea - natural appetite suppressants.
  
  
• Chamomile - helps you sleep and relax.
  
  
• Apple peels - brew some in with your regular tea. much of the apples nutrition value lies in the peel.
  
  
• Red clover - in large amounts emulates female hormone which may help ease menopause symptoms.
  
  
• Lemongrass - mild diuretic.
  
  
• Sassafras - helps prevent bronchitis.
  
  
• Birch tea - helps with rheumatism and headaches.
  

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Chambers
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Improve Your Eating Habits

1. Water. If you’re thirsty you’re already dehydrated. The majority of us don’t tend to drink enough during the day. If you drink a lot of tea and coffee to keep you going then these have a diuretic effect so you should be drinking water to compensate.

Have a glass of water first thing in the morning and last thing at night – your body loses a lot of water while you’re asleep – not only if it’s warm and you sweat a lot but just going 8 hours (if you’re so lucky) without food or drink it’s going to be dehydrated.

Dehydration can also be mistaken for hunger – have a glass of water first before reaching for a snack or eating a meal.

2. Fruit & Veg. Fruit and vegetables provide you with vitamins, minerals and fibre to help keep your body healthy. Eat a piece of fruit or drink fresh juice for breakfast. Fresh berries on muesli or porridge or cereal. Have fruit as a snack during the day and salad and vegetables with your main meals.

If you can, buy organic and wash fruit and vegetables before eating unless your peeling them. Pesticide residues are more likely to remain on the skin and fruits such as apples are often treated in storage.

To read more of this article click here!

Detox Diet: Juice Fasting Recipes

Juice fasting is gaining popularity as a great way to detoxify. Many people are interested in getting toxins out of their system so they can live a healthier life. When toxins accumulate in the body, they feel sluggish and also have a poor immune system. Juice fasting, as a cleansing method, can help to people to achieve better health and more energy. It is quite easy to do as fruits are readily obtainable and all that is required additionally is a juicer.

For a beginner to juice fasting, it is important to start out slow and to try it out for one day. By juice fasting, you are limiting your intake to juices only. Fruit juice is high in sugar, so if you are a diabetic or otherwise in need of monitoring your sugar intake you should be cautious of trying a juice fast with fruit juices. Anyone just starting out with fasting should always speak with their doctor first. Also, do not juice fast for prolonged periods like more than 3 days, not unless your doctor agrees that it is safe for you to do so.

The following are sample recipes that can help give you an idea of combinations of fruits and vegetables to use together:

Recipe 1: Vegetable Juice Combo
2 Swiss chard leaves
1/2 beetroot
2 or 3 sprigs of watercress
3 carrots
1 celery stalk
Wash with filtered or distilled water, cut and put in juicer.

Recipe 2: Carrot-Apple Juice
2-3 Green Apples
1 carrot
Fresh basil leaves
Wash with filtered or distilled water, cut and put in juicer.

Recipe 3: Carrot-Vegetable Juice
A handful of dandelion leaves
1 kale leaf
4 carrots
Fresh mint, basil or coriander leaves
Wash with filtered or distilled water, cut and put in juicer.

Recipe 4: Peach Juice
2 or 3 peaches
Wash with filtered or distilled water, cut and put in juicer.

There are many different types of juice fasts. Some diets call for fruit juices while others used less sugary vegetable juices. You can always come up with your own unique combination of fruit and vegetable juice diet recipes.

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About the Author:Sandra Kim Leong posts information on colon cleansing, liver cleansing, kidney cleansing, detox diet , juice fasting and alcohol detox on her site. For updates and more articles, please visit http://www.Detox-Cleansing.com.

Source: www.isnare.com
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What Really Creates Health And Wellbeing?

Most of us know that eating well and exercising is important for good health. Yet often we hear about people100 years old and older that are still vital and have not eaten perfectly or exercised much. What is the secret of their good health?

Research indicates that a major factor in good health – more important than genes, food, or exercise – is how we handle stress.

Our bodies are equipped with a “fight or flight” mechanism that enables us to mobilize our strength when necessary. This mechanism allows us to fight or flee from real and present danger. However, this mechanism is also activated when we BELIEVE there is danger, even when no actual survival danger exists.

For example, it is appropriate for the fight or flight mechanism to activate if you are being physically attacked. When the stress response is activated, blood is taken from our brain and organs and put into our arms and legs to enable us to fight or flee. Our immune system shuts down to give us more energy to physically protect ourselves and ensure our survival in the moment. Once the danger is over and we have discharged the stress through fighting or running, our bodies go back to normal and blood again flows to our brain and organs.

However, what if your thoughts are creating the stress? What if you are imagining being attacked, or being rejected, or losing money, or losing your job, or losing a loved one? In this case, there is no actual real and present danger occurring in the moment. Yet the body does not know the difference between something that is really happening and something that you are thinking about. The body goes into the stress response the moment you think scary thoughts. But instead of being able to fight or flee, you are stuck with the anxiety caused by your thoughts. The blood is in your arms and legs with no way to be released. You can’t think very well due to as lack of blood in your brain, your organs are being robbed of necessary nutrients, and your immune system is not functioning properly. Strenuous exercise may release the stress response, but if you keep thinking the scary thoughts, it will just come right back.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do for your health and wellbeing is to become conscious of your thoughts that create stress and become adept at changing your thoughts. People who have learned how to let challenging things roll off their back generally have good health. People who allow the challenges of life to constantly stress them out often have health problems, even when they eat well and get exercise.

Our minds have been programmed from infancy with many untrue thoughts – many false beliefs. It is when we think these untrue thoughts that we cause ourselves anxiety and our bodies go into the stress response. However, we all have a “Wise Self” that knows truth from lies. When we move “out of our minds” and into our knowing, we will stop thinking the thoughts that cause anxiety and instead operate from the truth of our knowing.

Thoughts that are untrue cause anxiety. The truth brings peace. If you have a thought that you cannot survive being rejected or being alone, you will feel anxious. However, while this might have been true as a child, it is not true as an adult. Your anxious feeling is letting you know that your thought is untrue. If you then think – from your Wise Self rather than from your programmed mind: “I can handle rejection. I’ve been rejected many times and I have not died. I’ve been alone many times and I have not died,” your body will release the anxiety and you will feel peaceful. Your peaceful feeling is telling you that you are now thinking the truth.

The very best thing you can do for your health and wellbeing is to become aware of the thoughts from your programmed mind that create anxiety, and practice thinking the truth from your Wise Self that creates inner peace.

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About the Author: Margaret Paul, Ph.D., best-selling author of eight books, including "Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You” and co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding healing process. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: http://www.innerbonding.com/ or email her at mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com. Phone Sessions.

Source: www.isnare.com
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Dark Side Of Soy Bean

Infants are most vulnerable to damage from soy phytoestrogens Soy has been promoted as a miracle food that can prevent heart disease, fight cancer, and build strong bodies. Sales were in the $4 BILLIONS in 2004.

Respected scientists warn that its benefits should be weighed against proven risks. Even researchers working for the soy industry admit that the “marketing is way ahead of the science.”

Yet the FDA approved a health claim for the soy and heart disease in 1999. I disregarded warnings from independent and government scientist and ignored hundreds of peer-reviewed studies link soy to malnutrition, digestive distress, thyroid disorders, allergies, ADD/ADHD, reproductive problems, infertility, cognitive decline, cancer, and heart disease.

The FDA ruling proved such a financial boon that sales increased 200% between 2000 and 2004. The truth is now starting to appear. Late July, The Israeli Health Ministry warned that children under 16 should eat soy foods no more that once per day and a maximum of 3 times a week, that babies never receive soy formula, and that adults exercise caution when consuming soy products...

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