November 12, 2007

Is there a health danger lurking in your soda habit? Besides the possible health risks associated with consuming sugar substitutes, no other health risk had been associated with drinking diet sodas of any flavor or brand, until now. Recent research shows that the sugar substitutes used in diet sodas may actually disable your appetite control center, making you feel hungrier than you actually are and causing you to overeat. Even though the basic thought process behind switching from sugar-laden sodas to sugar-free sodas makes sense, the research shows otherwise. That’s not to say that you should switch back to regular sodas, which will cause your blood sugar levels to soar and then crash, increasing hunger levels and contributing to feelings of daytime fatigue and decreased mental clarity. If you are concerned about a persistent appetite and are watching your waistline, drinking water is always your best option for both appetite control and better overall health. A good rule of thumb is: If you’re thirsty, stick with water! (LifeScript)

DID YOU KNOW that you can increase your energy by eating fresh, pure foods? By contrast, foods that lack freshness and are highly processed deplete the body of energy. Some foods that are rich in natural energy include: fresh fruits and lightly cooked vegetables, wheat, rice, barley and other whole grains; nonmeat sources of protein such as dried beans (fish and poultry are acceptable substitutes) and honey instead of refined sugar.

FASTING is the deliberate abstinence from food. Fasting has long been touted as a healthy process with many benefits such as cleaning the system, ridding the body of so-called toxins, benefiting the intestinal track, boosting metabolism, and jumpstarting weight loss. However none of these notions are true, nor are they backed up by medical research. While a short-term fast probably won’t harm most people, it could be quite dangerous for others, depending on their medical conditions, health histories, and medication use. I strongly urge you to talk to your physician before ever starting a fast. (SPARKPEOPLE)

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