We all have to no choice- we must eat. However, we do not have to eat poorly. From soup to nuts, try the following tasty tips for better health.
Tea for Teeth
“Green” and “teeth” are two words that you meet together very seldom. However, the latest study indicates that green tea may be beneficial for your teeth. In trials, the scientists from the University of Illinois in Chicago discovered that drinking green tea may decrease the number of bacteria in the mouth that result in bad breath. In a separate research, Pace University investigators found out that the compounds known as flavorids in green tea work with the germ killers in toothpaste and mouthwash, which makes them much more effective at fighting viruses and preventing cavities. If that’s not sufficient reason to pour yourself a cup, green tea is also a perfect source of the B vitamin PQQ - the first new vitamin to be discovered in over fifty years.
Bar Exam
If you are currently trying to lose several pounds, be cautious which meal-replacement bar you snack on. The latest research suggests that some energy bars can in fact work to prevent weight loss. The scientists from Ohio State University gave a group of volunteers either a low-, moderate-, or high-carbohydrate energy bar or white bread and observed the volunteers’ insulin levels before and after they consumed. Astonishingly, both the moderate- and the high-carb bars led to larger jumps in insulin levels than the bread did – 35 per cent and 73 per cent greater, respectively. On the contrary, the low-carb bar increased levels of insulin by 26 per cent less than the bread. “The more your insulin level spikes after consuming, the more difficult it is for your body to burn off fat,” explains Steve Hertzler, PhD, the author of the study.
Put Some Meat on Your Bones
Beef is really good for more than just building muscle - it may also help you preserve strong bones. The scientists from Harvard and Tufts Universities analyzed the diets of 600 men and women and discovered that persons with the lowest daily protein intake also had the weakest bones, particularly in the thigh, hip, and spine. In a University of California research, the scientists discovered that for every fifteen grams of protein you add to your diet every day, your bones become significantly stronger.
Prescription Meal Plan
For several years, the physicians have advised a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products (called a DASH diet) as one natural way to decrease blood pressure and fight heart disease. The catch? Nobody knew why the diet was so effective - up till now. According to a latest Japanese research, the DASH diet acts in much the same way as taking a prescription medicines known as a diuretic. Like the medication, the proper diet raises the excretion of salt from the body. The less salt in the blood, the thinner it becomes and the more blood pressure decreases. That is really thrilling news, particularly since a new University of Washington report indicates that diuretics protect the heart more effectively than any other medicines.
Dinner With Seinfeld
If you usually consume meals while watching television, at least flip over to something funny. Japanese scientists discovered that laughing may help decrease spikes in your blood sugar. The investigators had people eat a meal and then either listen to a tedious lecture or watch a popular sitcom. The result? The sitcom viewers had considerably lower blood-sugar levels. The scientists are convinced that thanks to laughing, you may change levels of chemicals in the brain responsible for controlling the amount of sugar in the blood. Moreover, keeping diabetes in check, reduced blood-sugar levels decrease your risk of heart disease and make it easier to keep off unwanted pounds.
A New Whey to Fight Prostate Cancer
That whey-protein shake you chug after a workout does much more than build muscle. The latest research from Ohio State suggests that whey protein can help protect the body from prostate cancer. The reason? Whey is an ideal source of cysteine, one of the crucial building blocks of a prostate-cancer-fighting antioxidant known as glutathione. The scientists claim that by adding even a small amount of whey to your diet, you may be able to raise glutathione levels in your body by up to 60 percent -making it easier for prostate cells to hold off disease.
A Feel-Good Diet
Leafy greens or berries may help you recover from a bad case of the blues. The scientists from Tufts examined three thousand men’s and women’s blood samples and discovered that people suffering from depression frequently do not receive the recommended 400 micrograms of folate each day.
Get Skinny By Sipping
Next time you eat out, don’t butter your bread; dip it in olive oil instead. Not only is the monounsaturated fat in olive oil more favorable for your heart than the saturated fat in butter or the trans fat in margarine, but it is also better for your waistline. The investigators from the University of Illinois gave 341 people eating in an Italian restaurant six slices of bread together with equal amounts of either olive oil or butter. While participants who were given the olive oil consumed much more fat on every slice of bread than those who were given butter, the olive-oil group finally ate almost 25 per cent less bread. Dippers also took in considerably fewer calories over the course of the meal than their butter-eating counterparts.
Swap Meat
If you are willing to lean, low-fat steak or roast that’s still juicy and tender, check your local grocery store for something known as enhanced beef. Don’t be afraid, it is not genetically modified - just treated with a bit of salt. In research of more than one hundred men and women, the investigators discovered that the majority of people regard enhanced steaks and roasts as juicier, tenderer, and better tasting than untreated meats. Improved chicken and pork have been obtainable for many years, however modified beef is still relatively new. Search for the word “enhanced” on the label or check the packaging for any mention of salt or phosphate - both are clear signs the meat has been through the improvement process.
Drink … Wait … Brush
Common sense suggests that you ought to brush your teeth just after drinking a can of sugary soda. However, doing so could do more harm than good. The scientists from Germany’s Goettingen University have discovered that acids in soda are able to weaken tooth enamel. Usually, saliva counteracts the acids and repairs the enamel - but this takes 30 to 60 minutes. Therefore, it’s best to wait until the repair has taken place.
