Posts Tagged ‘weight’
Health Matters – 5 Foods That Helps Lose Your Weight
July 31st, 2011 | 
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1. Oats
Wait a minute; aren’t oats a carb? Yes and no. Oats are a whole grain, and they’re high on what nutritionists call the “satiety index,” meaning oats have tremendous power to make you feel full. Not only that, they’re also high in soluble fiber, so they cut cholesterol and blood fat. Oats digest slowly, so they don’t raise your blood sugar, and they keep you feeling filled up well into the late morning.
To keep the pounds at bay, eat an apple–or two–a day. Numerous studies have found that eating an apple a half hour to an hour before a meal has the result of cutting the calories of the meal. Why? The fiber in the apple makes you feel full, so you eat less. Recent research suggests eating apples has other benefits, too; the antioxidants in apples appear to prevent metabolic syndrome, the combination of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and prediabetes that tends to accompany thickening around the waist. Also, apples are high in pectin, which binds with water and limits the amount of fat your cells can absorb.
Nutritionists have been trying for some years to restore the reputation of the lowly egg. No longer thought to be a cholesterol-booster (eggs contain a different type of cholesterol than that in humans), eggs are a concentrated form of animal protein without the added fat that comes with meat. Dietary studies have repeatedly found that when people eat an egg every morning in addition to (or instead of) toast or cereal, they lose twice as much weight as those who eat a breakfast that’s dominated by carbs.
This simple spice appears to have the power to help your body metabolize sugar, according to surprising data that came out of a USDA study involving diabetics. Eating as little as 1/4 to 2 teaspoons of cinnamon a day was found to reduce blood sugar levels and cut cholesterol from 10 to 25 percent. So add cinnamon to smoothies, sprinkle it on your cereal, or flavor your coffee with it.
Another counterintuitive choice; aren’t nuts and nut butters supposed to be incredibly fattening? Well, almonds are calorie-dense, but they also pack a huge nutritional punch–and they’re particularly effective in counteracting cholesterol and triglycerides. One study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating almonds was as effective as taking a statin. Spreading almond butter on your morning toast gives you a nice protein boost while preventing the carbs in the toast from spiking your blood sugar.
Compiled by Farrah Wankadia (Bombay)
Health Matters – Benefits of Coconut Water
Overview
The coconut has received a lot of attention as of late due to its perceived health benefits. In particular, coconut water has been touted in some health enthusiast circles as a viable substitute for sports drinks. It is low in calories and contains vitamins and minerals, including electrolytes, much like commercial energy drinks. But is there anything that sets it apart? There are many benefits of coconut water.
What Is Coconut Water?
Coconut water is the clear liquid found in young coconuts. As the fruit matures, the water is gradually replaced by air and solid coconut meat; therefore, it is important to extract the water early. This water should not be confused with coconut oil or coconut milk, which are both processed from the meat and contain a large amount of calories and fat. Coconut water, on the other hand, has a lot of potassium and lesser amounts of electrolytes such as sodium, phosphorus and magnesium, the American Council on Exercise explains.
Low Calorie, Low Sugar Content
These days, many sports and health enthusiasts are drinking coconut water instead of sports drinks after exercise, the Texas Department of State Health Services reports. It has a low caloric content of just 46 calories per cup and 9 grams of carbohydrates. Coconut water also contains less sugar than many energy drinks and fruit juices. However, to ensure that you’re getting these benefits, be certain that you’re drinking plain coconut water and not those that have added sugar, since these are no different from sodas and processed fruit drinks.
Comparison to Sports Drinks
Like many sports drinks, coconut water contains electrolytes, carbohydrates and water, and offers similar benefits, explains All Systems Fitness. The main difference lies in electrolyte content: coconut water contains a lot more potassium, while sports drinks have more sodium. Since athletes engaging in heavy exercise require more sodium than potassium, coconut water may not be a viable replacement for sports drinks in this respect. It is also worth noting, however, that neither sports drinks nor coconut water contain enough sodium to adequately replace that lost through perspiration, “U.S. News & World Report” explains.
Considerations
Coconut water is a good source of potassium and magnesium. There are no known risks from regular consumption of coconut water. However, it can be a relatively expensive habit to maintain. In addition, keep in mind that coconut water has not yet been well-studied. As far as side effects are concerned, coconut water seems to be much like any fruit or vegetable juice. If you have any health conditions or are currently taking supplements or medication, be sure to consult with your doctor before you include coconut water in your regular diet.
Source & link: http://www.livestrong.com/article/366141-why-drink-coconut-water/#ixzz1MPAGCWNs
