Tuesday, February 17, 2009

The Process Of Carbonation And Its Meaning

Carbonation occurs when carbon dioxide is dissolved in water or an aqueous solution. This process yields the "fizz" to carbonated water and sparkling mineral water, the head to beer, and the cork pop and bubbles to champagne and sparkling wine.

The quality of carbonated beverages including soft drinks, seltzer and beer is affected by the amount of dissolved CO2 (the gas that causes carbonation) and the amount of carbonic acid in the drink.

Carbonation can occur as a result of natural processes: when yeast ferments dissolved sugars sealed in a pressure-tolerant bottle or keg; when underground volcanic carbon dioxide carbonates well water; or when rainwater passes through limestone into a cave and forms a stalactite. Also artificially it can be done through dissolving the carbon dioxide under pressure in the fluid. Sometimes natural carbonation is called conditioning while the term carbonation is reserved for the artificial process.

In many consumer beverages such as soft drinks (well known examples include Coca-Cola, 7 Up, Fanta and Pepsi), carbonation is used to give "bite". Contrary to popular belief, the fizzy taste is caused by dilute carbonic acid inducing a slight burning sensation, and is not caused by the presence of bubbles.It can be shown by taking a fizzy drink in a hyperbaric chamber at an equal pressure as the beverage. This gives much the same taste, but the bubbles are completely absent.

Carbonation is sometimes used for reasons other than consumption for example: to lower the pH (raise the hydrogen ion concentration) of a water solution, and in the cleaning industry (Chem-Dry and Carbonated Solutions both use carbonated cleaning solutions for carpet cleaning)

In homebrewing, overcarbonation can be dangerous; it can result in bottles gushing or even exploding. With malt extract or priming sugar at bottling time to beer that gets its fermentable sugar content totally consumed and leads to carbonation safly. Excess of priming sugar from the level prescribed in a given recipe is not good, also using improper capping methods or inappropriate bottles might turn hazardous. Beer may also be force-carbonated using a keg and special bottling equipment so that the carbonation level can be carefully controlled.

Carbonated water, also known as sparkling water, and seltzer, is plain water into which carbon dioxide gas has been dissolved, and is the major and defining component of most "soft drinks". The process of dissolving carbon dioxide gas is called carbonation. It results in the formation of carbonic acid (which has the chemical formula H2CO3).

In the past, soda water, also known as club soda, was produced in the home by "charging" a refillable seltzer bottleby filling it with water and then adding carbon dioxide. Club soda may be identical to plain carbonated water or it may contain a small amount of table salt, sodium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium sulfate, or disodium phosphate, depending on the bottler. To make the taste slightly salty like the home made soda water these additives are added. The process can also occur naturally to produce carbonated mineral water, such as in Mihalkovo in the Bulgarian Rhodopes.

The Pros And Cons Of Soda Water

Carbonated water, also known as sparkling water, and seltzer, is plain water into which carbon dioxide gas has been dissolved, and is the major and defining component of most "soft drinks". The process of dissolving carbon dioxide gas is called carbonation. It results in the formation of carbonic acid (which has the chemical formula H2CO3).

In the past, soda water, also known as club soda, was produced in the home by "charging" a refillable seltzer bottle by filling it with water and then adding carbon dioxide. Club soda may be similar to plain carbonated water or it may have a few amount of table salt, sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium sulfate, or disodium phosphate, which depends upon the bottler. These additives are included to emulate the slightly salty taste of homemade soda water. The process can also occur naturally to produce carbonated mineral water, such as in Mihalkovo in the Bulgarian Rhodopes.

Sparkling mineral water is a negligible cause of dental erosion. While the dissolution potential of sparkling water is greater than still water, levels remain low: by comparison, soft drinks cause tooth decay at a rate of several hundred times that of regular sparkling water. De-gassing of a sparkling mineral water reduces its dissolution potential, but the total levels are still relatively low, suggesting that carbonation of drinks may not be an important factor per se in causing dental erosion.

Intake of carbonated beverages has not been associated with increased bone fracture risk in observational studies, and the net effect of carbonated beverage constituents on the amount of calcium in the body is negligible, leaving carbonated water as harmless as regular water

Club soda has a higher sodium content. Virtually same thing.


Water that comes from the ground - usually from artesian wells - and passes through layers of minerals containing some form of carbonates may absorb the carbon dioxide gas released by the carbonates. This is the water is which is known as natural sparkling water. If the water also picks up sufficient quantities of various minerals to impart a flavor to the water it becomes sparkling mineral water.

Carbonation can be naturally induced into beverages by fermentation. Fermentation is seen when yeast, either cultivated or wild, is added into a fluid that is rich in dissolved sugar. The yeast converts the sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide gas. When the gas is then absorbed by the liquid a carbonated alcoholic beverage is the result. If the fermentation is done in an airtight container, the carbon dioxide gas will saturate the beverage and it will be carbonated. Many carbonated beverages were originally made through this type of naturally induced carbonation including beer, wine and early types of soda.

Now a days the exclusive technique of making soda and numerous commercial beers is by the introduction of carbon dioxide gas under pressure. The first uses of artificially induced carbonation date back over 250 years and were done to improve the drinking quality and preservation of water.

We have many references to carbonated beverages in our country USA. Oftentimes people request a specific product name, like Pepsi, Coke or 7-UP. Sometimes it is more general, like ginger ale or root beer. Then there are regional nicknames which include soda, pop, soft drink, tonic, seltzer, sweetwater, carbonated beverage, sparkling water and fizzwater.

One thing to remember about adding any carbonated liquids to cocktails: generally they are added last. The only exception is if the drink is topped with a float of spirit. Do not shake a mixture with soda; this will cause the beverage to go flat and lose most of its effervescence. If the drink calls for blending you may chose to shake the other ingredients with ice first then combine in serving glass with seltzer and gently stir.

Basically, it's water and carbon dioxide. As explained on above, Sparkling mineral water is a naturally-occurring carbonated water. Thomas Henry produced the first forced carbonated water using an apparatus that utilized a pump to impregnate water with fixed air. In 1794, a jeweler in Geneva made a similar device to produce a highly carbonated artificial mineral water. Jacob Schweppe was his name.

Cocktail did a side-by-side tasting of numerous carbonated beverages. Among the reviewing criteria were: crispness, flavor, clarity and fizz release. We got Perrier a sparkling natural mineral water, kept its fizz for the long time, especially its lime and lemon flavored varieties. Canada Dry and Schweppes Seltzers came in a close second.

For those who find seltzer to be a bit harsh, club soda is a kinder, gentler fizz water. As part of our tasting we found club soda to be much milder and slightly sweeter tasting than standard carbonated water. The main difference is the introduction of potassium bicarbonate and potassium sulfate, which dulls the sharp burn of effervescence.

Club soda, sparkling mineral water, seltzer and carbonated water have no calories, which make them a dieters alternative for 7-UP, Mellow Yellow, Mountain Dew and tonic water.

Tonic water is a carbonated drink containing water, sugar, carbon dioxide and quinine. Quinine was added to the tonic water to help cure or prevent malaria. It comes from the bark of the Cinchona tree that grows in the rain forest on the eastern slopes of the Andes. To make tonic water more palatable, it was commonly mixed with gin and lemon or lime.

If you run out of tonic water but still have seltzer, 1/4 lemon, 1/4 lime and 2 tbs. sugar you can make a passable substitute.

How To Gain Weight By Eating

Best Foods NOT To eat

People go to the gym for two main purposes: one, they go to the gym to lose weight and two, some people go to the gym to actually gain weight. If you are trying to gain weight to build up your bulk, you are in a small minority because most people are trying to lose weight not gain it.

If you need to gain weight, your body and system needs a whole new different set of foods to eat.  You need to find the best foods to eat to gain weight. This means that you are required to eat more of the "good stuff" but still, you are not allowed to indulge. Some people have very fast metabolism so chances are, even if they eat a lot, they are unable to gain weight.  This would be the best diet for men. While others cannot stuff themselves with plates full of food.  This would be the best diet for women.

Gaining weight is possible if you know which types of foods you are actually required to eat. These foods are those that are high in calories and carbohydrates but not necessarily unhealthy to eat. Instead of eating a half cup of white rice, you should try to eat at least a whole cup, thrice a day. Instead of eating a slice of bread, two to three slices for breakfast is definitely a better option for you.

To gain weight by eating, you need to eat more and have your body be able to absorb all the extra food. Instead of eating junk food like ice cream, cakes, and candies, you should eat lean proteins and energy bars that are high in healthy calories.

Drinking at least three glasses of full cream milk could also help you gain weight not to mention is a good source of calcium and proteins. You could also start adding oats, fiber and protein rich foods to help add on some weight.

When it comes to fruits, eat more mangoes, bananas and strawberries as these fruits are rich in natural sweeteners that could help you gain weight.

What Is Sodastream And Soda Club?

SodaStream came into being in 1903. It was a carbonation system invented by Giles Gilby that made standard water into fizzy water and was originally sold to the upper classes. Flavours were introduced in the 1920Õs, these included cherry ciderette and sarsaparilla. It enjoyed vast success in the 1970Õs and 80Õs, becoming a big hit in countries such as the UK, Germany and Australia.  

The company underwent numerous changes in ownership, even being part of the Cadbury Schweppes empire at one stage. 1998 saw the company change hands for the final time when purchased by Soda Club, at that time, the biggest supplier of SodaStream to Israel. SodaStream remained the name of the brand after Soda Club made an unsuccessful bid to change the brand from SodaStream to Soda-Club. 

More recently Soda Club sought to change the SodaStream brand. SodaStream was relaunched along with a new machine and many more new flavours, concentrating on being a healthy alternative to fizzy, sugar rich drinks such as Cola and Pepsi, focusing on the health and diet issues that are so prevalent in this day and age.


The SodaStream product is essentially a home carbonation kit, which allows you to change water into sparkling water as well as allowing you to add low calorie flavours such as cola and orange. A large assortment calorie free flavours to flavour sparkling water to great taste is sold at http://allfreightfree.com.

The SodaStream machine works by forcing co2 into a bottle suitable for pressurising that is filled with water. The co2 turns the water into sparkling or carbonated water. The procedure of dissolving the gas carbondioxide in water is known as carbonation. After that the carbonated water can be taken on its own as fizzy water, or added with flavours to make a tasty, healthy treat. Once the co2 canisters have been used up they can be sent back to Soda-Club who recycle the canisters, refilling them with co2 then sending them back out.

As far as the actual health and diet benefits gained from drinking SodaStream, it is claimed that all their flavours are completely sugar free and contain a maximum of 2 calories per 100ml, which is good news for parents concerned about their childrenÕs diet.

The SodaStream machine adds only co2 to the water, meaning it does not have the added sugar that some bottled sparkling water contains, so there is little difference between it and normal water.

SodaStream have made much of their environmental and health credentials, even going so far as to say that Ôevery one litre bottle of SodaStream made saves three aluminum cans.Õ Which in turn means that Ôover 3 years, a family of four could slash their soft-drink-related packaging usage by over 90%.Õ This is quite a claim, one that in this environmentally conscious age will stand them in good stead. Sodastream has developed into a truly realistic alternative to the big players in the soft drink world.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

How To Gain Weight By Eating

Best Foods NOT To eat

People go to the gym for two main purposes: one, they go to the gym to lose weight and two, some people go to the gym to actually gain weight. If you are trying to gain weight to build up your bulk, you are in a small minority because most people are trying to lose weight not gain it.

If you want to gain weight, your body needs new healthier and heavier and calorie dense foods to eat.  You need to find the best foods to eat to gain weight. This means that you are required to eat more of the "good stuff" but still, you are not allowed to indulge. Some people have very fast metabolism so chances are, even if they eat a lot, they are unable to gain weight.  This would be the best diet for men. While others cannot stuff themselves with plates full of food.  This would be the best diet for women.

Gaining weight is possible if you know which types of foods you are actually required to eat. These foods are those that are high in calories and carbohydrates but not necessarily unhealthy to eat. Instead of eating a half cup of white rice, you should try to eat at least a whole cup, thrice a day. Instead of eating bread, eat a 2-4 egg omellete with some ham, peppers, and a little bit of cheese for breakfast.

In order for you to actually gain weight, you need to be able to adjust your food intake and serving. Instead of eating junk food like ice cream, cakes, and candies, you should eat lean proteins and energy bars that are high in healthy calories.

Drinking 3 glasses of full cream milk will give you plenty of healthy calories to help you gain weight. You could also start adding oats, fiber and protein rich foods to help add on some weight.

When it comes to fruits, eat more mangoes, bananas and strawberries as these fruits are rich in natural sweeteners that could help you gain weight.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Have You Found Yourself Asking "Why do I Crave Sugar?"

If you're wondering why you crave sugar, the answer to that question is simple, it's because the look, smell and taste of it gives you pleasure.

So many sugary confections taste delicious and look even more scrumptious.

So many people identify their favorite colors, textures, flavors, and temperatures based off of sugary sweets. Sugar gives you a mood boost that makes eating it more pleasurable. The brain finds sugar to be useful for quickly boosting the energy hence it provides signals of pleasure in lieu of providing sugar to the body. The brain in its way recognizes the energy value of sugar, and so, as a reward to the body's owner for ingesting the substance, lavishes chemical agents of pleasure upon itself. It isn't that surprising that sugar is one of the most craved foods. You may be getting mixed signals from your brain. You may be asking yourself "why do I crave sugar" and your brain that needs sugar to get a quick energy boost is asking "why not" ?

Pretty much everyone loves sugar.

Most of the celebrations have their own sweet treats which have an association with that time of the year. There is an abundance of photos, research, and written text pertaining to foods that contain sugar. Ads for sugary foods are all around us-  on the internet, in TV commercials, and on billboards. You don't have to go to your nearby corner store in order to get your fix of candy and chocolate. Did you know that stores near you such as movie rental stores, grocery stores, department stores, hardware stores and many more also have confections for sale?

Of course, sugar cravings don't have to sabotage a good diet plan. Many good diet product are available online to help you plan a successful diet, such as the popular and successful FatLoss4Idiots plan. See the Diet Handbook for diet plan reviews.

Vitamin B Deficiencies

Vitamin B depletion can be caused by eating too much sugar.
If you are deficient in Vitamin B, you tend to lack energy which brings on cravings for anything containing lots of sugar that will boost your energy level quickly. A circular pattern  in your behavior can be created by the two factors towards foods which are rich in sugar. Because naturally nutritious foods that haven't been processed provide your body with longer lasting energy, you won't need to get a quick boost from sugary foods. If you're not sure why you crave sugar then a good diet and a reasonable supplement regime can help.

Health Issues

A craving for sugary foods can also be a symptom of certain medical conditions.  Visit your doctor if you notice that you've developed a craving for sugar. A doctor can help rule out any condition that might be causing your sugar craving. This is really important if you realize that your sugar cravings came out of nowhere. Resistance of insulin which is known as Intolerance to carbohydrates,deficiency in nutrition and other medical conditions are the causes for sugar.

Coping with Stress

Too many times sugary treats can become a comfort food. Eating sweets or "comfort foods" when upset can be a double edged sword. For example, a person having problems coping with a troubled relationship may eat a bowl or two of ice cream after which they feel guilty for eating it. They may assuage their guilt by eating more ice cream and then get depressed about the whole situation. This can devolve into a vicious cycle of denying stress issues, gorging, and putting on weight. Making things worse, the more sweets you eat, the more you want.

Leaving yourself open to boredom, combined with the availability of sugary foods, can often cause you to crave sugar.

If it's freely available to you, you might eat a piece of delicious cake or a sugary soda because it tastes good. Make sure you know why you're grabbing that candy or other sugary food.

Once you know why you crave sugar you can start dealing with those cravings reasonably.

Monday, January 26, 2009

The Dash Diet

A fabulous diet created by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to control hypertension is the DASH diet.  DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Red meats, sugars, sodium and other sweets are out in this diet, while whole grains, nuts, fish and poultry are in. Read on for more information about the DASH diet.

Many studies contributed to the creation of the DASH diet|The DASH diet is the result of hundreds of nutritional studies. The diet not only describes good foods, it lists delicious alternatives for junk foods. This is important because when dieting many people miss the junk foods that they normally eat. Substituting something else for them that satisfies the body, helps avoid cheating and creates the possibility of maintaining a diet in the long-term. The diet also emphasizes fresh as opposed to processed foods – fresh foods often taste better.

There's even a guide book published for the diet called Your Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure with DASH.  This guide shows the nutrition facts of many foods and shows their healthy alternatives. It also explains in details the meal plans of the DASH diet along with nutritional information for those plans. The guide is complete with a list of resources to help people stick to the diet.

The website Yahoo contains a detailed information page about the DASH diet.  This information page includes links to most major sources on the diet including a Wikipedia entry, a Google blog search, videos that show the progress of people who tried the diet, and many others.

One reason the DASH diet discourages the consumption of processed foods is that they contain 75% of the sodium in our diet. Because sodium causes hypertension, cutting it from the diet will reduce the risks.

Many people think the DASH diet is a fad diet, but it isn't. It is endorsed by health organizations and experts around the world.  It's for anyone fighting high blood pressure or who want to eat a healthy diet in general.  Why wait for high blood pressure to start eating right, avoid it now see using the DASH diet.

Acne Treatment For Acne Vulgaris
Acne vulgaris is a type of skin condition that manifests as inflamed skin and blemishes, usually on the face. This skin condition is common to adolescents who are entering puberty but may extend to adulthood. Many individuals seek out the best acne treatment early on to avoid scars and permanent blemishes on the skin on the face, chest and back. The best acne treatment is actually dependent on what works well for each individual suffering from the skin condition. Natural
home made acne treatment.html may also be available although many of these tale time and may not be for the...

The Most Effective Stress Relief Programs
There is a better way to reduce stress in your life than to pop some advil and hope that your headache goes away. Firstly, advil will only help for a few hours, and using it often can reduce its effectiveness. However, such a tactic will only serve to cover up the symptoms, and you won't really be solving the problem. When you continue to use those pills, the problems causing your stress might actually get worse while your solution of choice gets weaker and weaker over time. Eventually, it won't be enough, and then you'll have a really tough adjustment.  Find more information on
stress and anxiety disorder here.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Bottled Drinking Water Explained!

This article will perhaps give you an overview of the bottled drinking water on the market and which is best.

The varieties of drinking wateravailable run a wide range.  On one end, distilled water contains essentially nothing but H2O; minerals, dissolved solids, etc. should all have been removed through the distillation process. On the other end, spa waters are loaded with carbonates and minerals. Selecting a bottled water to meet your needs can be confusing, until you compare your goals with the methods used to produce the water.

First, keep in mind that water is simply one compound, H2O, which, by itself has no taste, repeat, no taste at all and no nutritional value. The taste and any health claims are derived from things added to or present along with the water. And although many claims have been and still are made for the various non-water additives, essentially they have only been shown to affect taste. The health claims are generally exaggerated.  Keep in mind that water, like air, is not a nutrient, although it can carry them.
The other constituents dissolved in water are of utmost importance, though, as distilled water is devoid of any taste, and is undrinkable, these are the minerals that impart some taste to water that we all prefer.  The same is true of pH: the range is very narrow and won't affect safety. Dissolved solids (usually iron oxide [rust] and other inerts, generally only affect appearances and clarity.

First let's look at the types of water you will find on the market: Artesian Well Water, simple drinking water, distilled water, mineral water, purified water, sparkling water, spring water and well water.

Why are you buying bottled water: because it tastes better? To have a cleaner, safer source of water? Or because it's a spa water that will make your healthier?

What harmful things can be in water?  Pathogens, like cryptosporidium, bacteria, heavy metals, pesticides,
This, of course, is highly subjective. It simply depends on what you like. 
If you like bubbles, go for sparkling water.

However, in general, choose artesian waters rather than surface waters.  Artesian supplies are stable, secure underground lakes, isolated from sources of contamination and unlikely to vary.  Surface waters and near surface wells and aquifers (like many springs) can be much more easily contaminated with industrial and agriculture run-off. Artesian waters will usually also have enough dissolved inorganic salts to give a taste that is pleasing.

Mineral waters will tend to have a stronger taste.  Distilled water ought to have no taste. Spring waters can vary considerably.  In general, surface waters would be the last choice, as they are the most variable (from brand to brand) and have the greatest potential for most types of contamination (rainfall, surface run off, soil contamination, etc.).

Discussing the "health" properties of bottled water is a lot like discussing crop circles and astrology.  While there are people who believe that certain water will make them healthier, there is absolutely no credible scientific evidence to suggest that certain water has any properties that will make it healthier than simple clean, purified water and a healthy diet.  In other words, the additives (natural or otherwise) such as carbonates, other minerals, etc. are present in a health diet and have not been shown to have any exceptional health value when present in water beyond that which they provide in other sources.

Put simply, there is no water which is a fountain of youth or health.  But if you want to believe that are certain water will make you healthy, go for it.  And can we also sell you some lucky magnetic Elvis medallions to put in your shoes to improve your health, too?
 
A case can be made for making your own "bottled" water at home. Bottled waters may sit on a shelf or in a warehouse for months and beyond.  If exposed to sunlight, algae and other microorganisms may grow.  Few bottled waters are sterilized and there is no chlorine present to inhibit bacterial growth.  There is typically also less scrutiny of water bottlers than municipal water suppliers.  Anyone receiving water from a municipal water supply can see the most recent test results and any violations by going to this page and entering their zip code, http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/DrWater/drinkingwaterreports.php.  I have not heard of any water bottlers that allow routine public access to their test results.   A relatively inexpensive at home water purification system, ranging from the Britta and Pur brands for the facet or fridge, to the under sink or whole-house reverse-osmosis systems can produce water for you to fill your own clean bottles to take outside the home! 

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Good Fat and Bad Fat - What you need to Know

Everyone has heard the advice to stay away from fatty foods. No one knew that there was a difference between good fat and bad fat. As a result everyone started making food that was fat free but still they could not find out why people were still gaining weight. The truth of the matter is not all fat is terrible, in fact specific types of fat is needed by your body and actually even help you Lose weight. This article reveals what the difference is between good fat and bad fat.

Good Fat and Bad Fat List

Your body needs sources of fat to store energy Also, fat is needed so that your body can absorb the many necessary nutrients. So this is the list of good fats and bad fats

Good Fat

HDL - high-density lipoproteins also known as good cholesterol
Monounsaturated Fat- These are fats found in nuts and plant oils
Polyunsaturated Fat – found in fish and vegetable oils

Bad Fat

LDL – Low density lipoproteins
Saturated Fat – found in red meat
Trans Fat – found in deep fried foods and food cooked in high temperature liquid oils
Animal Fat

How to Increase Good Fats


When you intake less bad fats in your diet and making sure you get plenty of good fats you will be able to not only feel healthier but you will burn fat in the process. You can do this by choosing healthier meats and eating more fish and shell fish. Meat products are one of the major sources of fat. Try and stay away from meat that is marbled with fat, hot dogs and salami. As a substitute, try getting chicken or turkey without the skin. Then, by consuming more fish and shell fish you will not only reduce your levels of cholesterol but increase your metabolism in the process. Now that you know the difference between good fat and bad fat, the next time you are shopping for food remember to pick the stuff that will benefit your health and at the same time help you lose weight.

 

This article is only a summary of the many nutrition tips and secrets at Weekend Weight Loss, visit to find out more.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Important Facts About Fiber Diet.

If you've been looking for a way towards a healthy diet, you'll find fiber to be exactly what you need. Research result has shown a very positive sign of fiber diet, but still this nutrient has not gained popularity among people.

To help you fuel your health with fiber, here are 07 facts to help.

1.  Fiber help our body fight against diseases. Consuming high fiber diet in your meals, helps prevent heart disease and colon cancer. High fiber is known to fight cholesterol by trapping it in the digestive track. For thousands of years, fiber has been used to stop constipation.

2. Fiber rich food actually helps to solve the problem of over-eating. As the fiber rich food take longer time to chew and digest, you don’t feel like eating again and again.

3.  If you are interested in some low fat high fiber diet then you can consider taking Oat bran, Oatmeal and Bran cereals. The plant matters are actually dietary fiber, which can’t be digested. 

4.  High fiber intake requires more water consumption. A lot of water intake is necessary, for fiber to move through the digestive track. On an average 8 to 12 glasses of water should be consumed every day, with your fiber diet.

5.  Fiber cannot be cooked out. So even while cooking your fruits and vegetables, the fiber stay as it does not cook out. The fiber found in fruits and vegetables aren't just in the skin or in the peel.

6.  But don’t get exited and consume more than 50 grams of fiber a day, as it will result in causing problems such as diarrhea and bloating.

7.  Getting the right amount of fiber in your diet doesn't have to be hard. All you have to do is eat the right fiber rich food.

Fiber being one of the key elements of healthy eating, it should not be skiped. Fiber diet can serve many different purposes, which were discussed above. If you aren't getting sufficient fiber in your diet - you should do something about immediately rather than waiting until it's too late.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Why Your Resolution To Diet Won't Work

 

The results of a two-year study have provided pretty conclusive evidence that a low-carbohydrate diet is more effective than other types of diet in helping overweight people lose weight safely. In 2008, a study appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine, with the title, "Weight Loss With a Low-Carbohydrate, Mediterranean, or Low-Fat Diet." The results seem reasonable conclusive, as participants lost more weight on the low-carb diet than on the others, without any sign of the health problems that some people claim are associated with low-carb eating.

So that's cool. Just go on a low-carb diet for a while and you'll soon have the body you want, right? Sorry, but no. Here's why a great diet plan isn't enough to get you the fitness you need.

One major concern is that dieting alone doesn't do anything to help you retain your muscle mass. As you may know, once people reach the age of 30 or so, we tend to lose muscle mass. An average person will lose five to ten pounds of muscle for every decade they age beyond the age of 30. Dieting alone does nothing to change that. It might reduce the amount of fat concealing your shrinking muscles, but it won't do anything to build new muscle, or even retain what you already have.

Secondly, the results cited in this study are lame. The participants were overweight men and women, or people with Type 2 diabetes. They were split up into three groups, one for each of the three diet approaches. They were also given instructions and materials specific to the diet they were to follow. During the two-year study, each group of people got a total of 27 hours worth of meetings with a dietician who helped them stay with the plan. People who were having particular trouble got motivational phone calls as well.

The results of all this? Among the people who stayed in the program for two years, the average weight loss for the low-fat diet was 3.3 kg (7.27 lb), for the Mediterranean diet was 4.6 kg (10.14 lb), and for the low-carb diet was 5.5 kg (12.13 lb). There were also some positive changes in markers of health such as cholesterol levels.

This sounds good at first, but is it really? The best performing type of diet, with more support than most of us would have, resulted in a loss of just over 12 pounds in 24 months. One type of diet (the low-carbohydrate diet) may be better than the others, and for overweight people to lose some weight is surely good. But is losing 12 pounds over 2 years, with a dietician's help and without any consideration for preserving your muscles, really going to get you the body you want?

A healthy diet is surely a good thing, and crucial to achieving the fitness you want. But as this study shows, dieting alone won't get you there. The key to superior health and fitness is a comprehensive fitness program.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Heard of acai berries? Blueberries are a cheaper alternative

1. Blueberries

You might already be aware of blueberries' high antioxidant content, but surprisingly many people are not. Easy to find at most any grocery store or market, blueberries are one of the easiest and most effective ways to increase your antioxidant intake naturally without pills. The ORAC rating of one cup blueberries is very high at 9019.[1] If you can afford to, eating one cup a day is an excellent way to supplement your diet.

2. Blackberries

Although generally more difficult to find than blueberries, blackberries are another well known berry which contains a very high concentration of antioxidants. The ORAC value has officially been listed at 7701 per cup.[1] Most often you will find blackberries in a berry mix along with raspberries and blueberries.

3. Cherries

Everyone's heard of cherries, those unmistakable sweet, shiny red berries. However not everyone realizes what a great source of antioxidants they are. Next time you dive into a cherry pie, you'll be happy to know it's helping to ward off free radicals. One cup of cherries has been determined to have an ORAC rating of 4873 which puts them a few steps below blueberries, but they're so tasty you'll probably end up eating twice as many anyway![1]

4. Wolfberries

Known commercially as goji berries in North America and other regions outside their native China, wolfberries are another berry which has been shown to have high levels of antioxidants. While their ORAC value has not yet been independently confirmed, one could assume their rating is near or even greater than the ORAC value of blueberries. Wolfberries have a unique semi-sweet flavor and the dried berries make a good, healthy snack.

5. Acai berries

All the rage on the internet these days, acai berry is the latest "miracle" berry. There is no doubting the high levels of antioxidants and phytochemicals they contain, the exact ORAC rating has not been determined by an independent organization. It should be assumed the rating for acai berries is somewhere near or above that of blueberries. The acai berry originated from South America, namely Brazil where it has been cultivated for hundreds of years and is consumed in a variety of ways.

6. Noni berries

More commonly known as Indian mulberries in their native region, noni berries are similar to acai and wolberries in the way they have been marketed as health and diet supplements. Sponsored studies have determined the ORAC rating to be leagues ahead of blueberries, blackberries and cherries, but an independent study determined their antioxidant value to be even less than that of oranges.[2]

When thinking about how healthy a berry or fruit might be for you, it would be wise to also consider and research the concentrations of phytochemicals, flavonoids and xanthones. Probably the best decision would be to consume a variety of berries and fruits so you receive all the benefits. Some berries and fruits might even have synergistic effects when eaten together.

Reference:

1. Nutrient Data Laboratory, Agriculture Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of Selected Foods - 2007.

2. Nutrient composition of the blended Noni Juice, a PDF file located on-line at http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scf/out151_en.pdf

10 Best Foods to Eat

Most people could be regarded as food enthusiasts because of their fondness for eating. Most people tend to be exploratory with their choice of foods and are brave enough to try out different foods from other countries. Eating has become a most common leisure activity that friends and family enjoy. Eating continues to be one of the best forms of bonding for people all over the world.

People have become ever more accepting of different tastes when it comes to food. This could probably be one reason why more and more people tend to fall into the obese category. Who could blame them? There are several great dishes that you must try at least once in your lifetime but sometimes because they are so good for the palate, trying these dishes once isn’t enough.

There are several different foods you can consider best depending on your mood and taste. Some people think that the best foods to eat are those inspired by a particular country or genre while others consider foods to be best if they are able to satisfy their cravings for sweets, something sour or salty.

Even though you may be excited to try new spicy dishes and world cuisine, your stomach may not be so aggreable. That is to say, the best types of foods to eat are those that are healthy and could make you feel full for a long time, and are able to satisfy your discriminating taste buds.

Some of the 10 best foods to eat include vegetables, fruits, oats, breads, cereals, fish, rice, nuts, chicken, and beef. All these foods are healthy and nutritious to the body and could help free you from health related illnesses and risks. Eating could be enjoyed if you know how to monitor it and moderate your eating habits. That is to say you have to learn to eat everything in moderation and bear in mind that most foods nowadays are made with the use of healthy ingredients like grains, wheat and low calorie contents.

Avoid junks, sweets, sodas and other fattening foods that can satisfy your craving in the mean time but could risk your health eventually.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Acai Fruit Juice Information

What does Acai Fruit Look Like?

Acai berry looks like a grape or a blueberry but smaller. It is actually a small, round and very dark purple berry.

Commonly acai used for juice, energy drinks, and healthy food. Acai fruit juice is the best way to gain the benefits from the acai berry.

The acai berry is a concentrated source of a type of flavonoids that is known as anthocyanins. These anthocyanins are a phytochemical that is found in red wine. Because of these anthocyanins that are from the acai berry juice in the red wine that they drink so heartily, the French have the lowest occurrence of heart problems in the western world.

 

What Are the Benefits of Taking Acai Fruit Juice?

Acai fruit juice is well-known of having many medicinal qualities. One of these amazing potential effects is treating fibrocystic disease of the breast and diabetic retinopathy. The fatty acid proportion of the acai berry is very similar to olive oil which many explain the low occurrence of heart problems in the Mediterranean regions.

Acai fruit juice also has phytosterols. These sterols are the parts of plant cell membranes that deliver many benefits to the human body and decreases blood plasma cholesterol. Sterols are currently being used to treat symptoms connected to BP.

 

Acai Fruit Juice and Your Health

Acai fruit juice has been used for generations by the natives of Brazil and many researchers feel their longevity and strong immune systems are attributed to the Acai berry. Acai juice has 10 times the antioxidant benefits of grapes and twice that of blueberries.

One of the great health benefits of Acai fruit juice is that it fights cancerous cells and slows down the aging process. It promotes healthier and more youthful looking skin and will alleviate diabetes and regulates cholesterol levels. This juice will minimize inflammation and improve circulation. Acai juice can prevent arthrosclerosis and help you to maintain a healthy heart function.

 

Remember to Consult Your Doctor

Acai fruit juice also improves digestive function and improves mental clarity. It promotes sound sleep and boosts natural energy levels. Acai fruit juice provides all of our vital vitamins and contains many important minerals that are needed in our bodies. It also cleanses and detoxifies the body of infectious toxins, as well as, strengthens the immune system and enhances your sexual desire and performance.

Acai fruit juice is not widely known, however, it is one of the most important berries found to enhance our health systems. You can find it by googling or in health food stores.

Anyhow, this article is for informational use only. If you’d like to consume acai fruit juice for medication purpose, please remember to always consult with your doctor first.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Ways to detox your body

When we’ve had a bit too much to drink or we simply need some time to purify our bodies of the usual stress we need to detox. This word is most associated with someone with an incredible hangover but you can just detox your body over a period of time just to make yourself feel better. The obvious ways to detox your body that we all know is just to drink lots and lots of water, but there are other ways that you detox your mind, for example, you can check yourself into a nearby spa and get a full body wrap which will also help exfoliate your skin and eradicate impurities.  There are plenty of centre’s which offer numerous treatments like ritual body exfoliation, facial therapies and massages. All of these are great ways to get the body to un-wind. If you are working in a city for example and you find it hard to get the time to relax then taking one Saturday down to a spa would be the perfect remedy to cure your mind and body.

Other forms of detoxing the body are just to eat well and get some exsercise. Try not to eat fatty and un-healthy foods like burgers and chips every night for dinner. Instead, you need to eat vegetables and fruit as a substitute for any snack. And, of course drink plenty of water and juices to keep your vitamin intake high.

Carol Vorderman currently has a book all about how to detox the body and it is a very comprehensive and detailed guide to getting your body into shape. The book is well written and is easy to read, with lots of practical advice and useful tips. In the book you can get hold of proper diet ideas, menu plans, recipes, advice and guidelines.

Spa Day London

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Getting an Elite Juicer for the Family

The family of Breville juice extractors is one that includes a number of professional-grade products. None of the similar extractors are as fast as the Breville Juice Fountain Elite, though. This extractor from Breville works at fast speeds to draw out juices with speed and with great efficiency. It is also a dishwasher safe item.

This juice extractor works with one of the quickest and most powerful engines for juice extractors. It can operate at speeds all the way to thirteen thousand revolutions per minute. This is perfect because it gives them the strength to juice the most difficult kinds of fruits and vegetables that can be very demanding to juice at times. Additionally, it may be adjusted for a more measured pace that is close to half the speed of its fast setting. This can be perfect for more dainty ingredients.

One way that the juicer works is that it is perfect for grinding foods with quick results. The Breville Juice Fountain Elite boasts more than a hundred conical knives in the juicer to handle the job of grinding materials. The filter located at the end is especially efficient, as well, in that it has approximately forty thousand pores to prevent solid pieces of fruit or vegetable from getting in the juice .

One example of how quickly this extractor works is that it can create a glass of juice in just a few seconds. When turned on at its maximum speed, an eight-ounce glass of apple juice can be created from apples in only five seconds. Of course, it may take longer for other types of foods that could be juiced, but no matter what ingredient is being used, it does not take long to get the materials to be completely juiced.

The die-castexterior of the extractor is quite strong. This product is cast in excellent aluminum and zinc. The cutting disc is made of titanium. All of these metals are very durable and are meant to be very resistant to wear over time.

It is also an easy job to clean up the entire assembly. There are four components to the juicer, thus making it less trouble to break down and put back together again. It is also a simple task to make sure the extractor is correctly cleaned, as the parts can be safely washed in a dishwasher. Of course, the electrical part should not be put in the dishwasher.

The Breville Juice Fountain Elite is one of the premium Breville juice extractors to select. This extractor is great because it can work with all sorts of foods at an incredibly quick speed. It also is helpful because it can grind foods without letting the pulp get in the juice. It is also a tough extractor. When looking for Breville juice extractors, it is always a good idea to check this one out.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Vitamin Deficiency - What It Is And How it Can Affect You

Vitamins are critical to live a healthy life; they play an important part in keeping our body healthy and functioning correctly, taking a part in bone strength, immune system, and more.  Yet, many people suffer from vitamin deficiency mainly because of a poor nutrition; you see, we get most vitamins from food, except perhaps vitamin D which we get from the rays of the sun.

Common types of vitamin deficiency problems include lack of vitamins K, A, D, and B12.A deficiency of vitamin will do more than just a little harm, the implications of this condition can be pretty serious.Issues caused by a lack of vitamins include depression, bad eyesight problems, skin problems and even anemia. Let’s take a look at the symptoms of some types of vitamin deficiency.

Vitamin A Deficiency Signs. Insomnia, tiredness, lack of appetite, night blindness, poor smell sensitivity, poor steroid synthesis, dry skin problems, increased risk of cancer development.

Signs of Vitamin K Deficiency. Mouth and throat burning, insomnia, diarrhea, eye problems, and poor bone and muscular strength (presenting as rickets, osteomalacia and osteoporosis).

Symptoms of Vitamin B12. Fatigue, memory problems, irritability, anemia, foul body odor, hallucinations, eye disorders, irritability, confusion nervousness, weakness and depression.

It is not required that all signs and symptoms are present to diagnose a problem of vitamin deficiency.

As you can see, these symptoms of a vitamin deficiency can get pretty serious.In accord of the type of vitamin defciency, the doctor will give proper treatment.This usually includes changing your lifestyle, specifically your diet and including in your daily life vitamin supplements.It is extremely important to learn more about vitamin deficiency, to keep us from suffering the different symptoms and signs.

Vitamin Deficiency is something that targets mostly pregnant women and small children so be sure to reduce the risks.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

What Are Acai Berries and Are They Really That Good?

If you haven't heard of the Acai Berries, you are way out of today's loop! These remarkable, power-packed, tiny berries from the Acai Palm tree are native to the swamps and flood lands of Central and Southern America. The berries are dark purple and grow in clusters similar to those of grapes. They look like grapes but are smaller and darker. They have an extremely large seed, not much pulp and were usually made into a wine. The acai have been around for years but were only introduced to the western world in the 1990's.

The natives of the Amazon have eaten these berries for centuries and have realized the excellent health benefits that come from them. The tribes people used the acai berries to provide energy, build the immune system, kill infection, protect the heart and control prostate enlargement. This information was past from generation to generation by their tribal medicine people.

At some point, the Brazilian beach goers found the energy benefits of the Acai Berries and added the acai to smoothies. They say the acai tastes like effervescent berries with a touch of chocolate. The smoothies became very popular among the trendy, beach crowd. Researchers soon discovered the magic little berry and found that, in addition to providing an energy boost, the acai is rich in proteins; fibre; minerals, such as potassium, iron, phosphorus and calcium; Omega 6, also known as linoleic acid; Omega 9, also called as oleic acid; and the following vitamins: B1, B2, B3, C and E. The Acai Berries also have up to thirty-three times as much Anthocyanin as red wine grapes.

Anthocyanin is a Greek word meaning plant blue. Anthocyanin is a very powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are known to defend the body against stressors and help with our cell protection systems. Free radicals in our environment and those made as by products by our bodies are harmful to us. Antioxidants found in the Acai Berries are thought to neutralize them, thus reducing their destructive power and lowering the risk of heart disease and cancer.

In addition to anthocyanin, the Acai Berries are used to produce an antibiotic to help kill Staphylococcus aureus infections. Other uses are to enhance digestion, improve mental focus, aid with sleep, and maintain normal cholesterol levels. Acai is thought to play a role in the maintenance of the vascular system, leading to better circulation. Scientists and doctors are still testing the Acai Berries to determine if they are beneficial in arthritis patients and if they can actually cure or prevent this disease as well as many others.

In summary, although the jury is still out, most will agree that the Acai Berries are definitely excellent for everyone.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Did You Know Cheating (On Your Diet) Is Good For You

 

If you need to lose weight, you're probably trying to work out more. And you're almost surely following some kind of low-calorie eating plan. While you know that this diet is good for you, I bet the thought of going without your favorite foods from now on is not a pleasant one. Luckily, there's hope. It turns out that occasionally cheating on your diet isn't a problem. In fact, cheating may be a key to succeeding on your diet. That probably sounds strange, but it's true. The rest of this article explains why cheating is good when you're trying to get fit at last.

When you're want to lose significant weight, you need to work out more, but you also need to reduce the number of calories you devour. To get into really good shape, you will have to start eating fewer calories than necessary to maintain your current weight. And your body isn't going to like that.

A key reason that any kind of diet doesn't work well is because your body adapts. If you regularly consume fewer calories than you need to maintain your current weight, your body may take this as a sign that there isn't enough food. In short, your body can start to behave as if you are in danger of starving.

When your body is in starvation mode, it behaves differently. It starts storing every calorie it can as fat, since it thinks there isn't enough food to go around. It dials down your metabolic rate, leaving you with less energy. It puts less effort into maintaining and repairing your joints and muscles, since the top priority is to survive until there's more food. If the "famine" last too long, it starts burning your muscle tissue as fuel while preserving the fat for an even more dire emergency.

As you can imagine, the results are ugly. You end up listless, with little energy to work out. If you do manage to work out, your workout will be low quality. You tend to get hurt quickly, and it takes a long time to recover. Any food you do eat seems to instantly turn into belly fat. Your muscles start to fade away. Not the best conditions for working out really hard and getting truly fit. This is where cheating comes in.

Missing a single meal, or even going without food for a few days won't cause your body to go into starvation mode. It takes a sustained reduction in calories for that to happen. If you don't stay a low calorie levels for too long at a stretch, your body will stay in its normal mode and your diet will remain effective. You'll get all the benefits of your diet program without the nasty side effects of your body switching to starvation mode.

So, to get the best results if you go on a strict diet, you need to go off the plan once in a while. Every so often, you need to eat significantly more than you otherwise would, to prevent your body from thinking you are starving. And there's another benefit. If you eat your favorite foods on thedays when you break the diet, it is much easier to stay on your diet the rest of the time. After all, there's a big difference between giving up your favorite foods altogether, and still eating them on your cheating days.

The easiest way to do this is to eat anything you want about once a week. But this approach isn't necessarily the most efficient way to go. If you want to get the best fat loss results possible, without the negative effects of starvation mode, you should get expert advice on all aspects of the way you eat, including whether and how to cheat based on your specific diet, body type and so on.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Is Milk Good For You?

Is milk good for you? Our government says yes, but most scientists who do not work for the dairy industry say no. Why the discrepancy? Let's look at the research.

Though most people still think that milk is good for their bones, there is no evidence for this. The famous Harvard Nurses Study followed more than 77,000 women for over twelve years. Among other things, researchers wanted to see if milk would help prevent or slow the progression of osteoporosis (a disease that makes bones more brittle). Not only was there no evidence of any benefit, researcher Doctor Robert M. Kradjian of Seton Medical Center in California points out that "Fracture rates were higher for those who consumed three or more servings, compared to those who did not drink milk."

Some scientists now believe that the particular types of proteins in milk may lead to bone damage. In addition, most agree that the calcium found in dairy products isn't very absorbable for humans. Calcium found in plants is much easier to absorb. These sources include leafy green vegetables, as well as sesame butter (used in humus), some other seeds, whole grains and nuts.

Milk And Digestion

Lactose intolerance is another problem with milk. I once cared for a little girl who vomited whenever she ate ice cream or drank milk. After a bit of research I found that most Native Americans like her don't have the enzymes necessary to digest lactose, which is a natural milk sugar. Most adults of all races eventually lose their ability to easily digest dairy products, resulting in digestive problems, gas and irritable bowels.

Lactase supplements can help. The enzyme lactase helps you digests lactose. You simply take a capsule whenever you eat dairy products, convincing a two-year-old of that wasn't easy. But lactose intolerance is not the only problem with milk.

Milk Allergies

Some, possibly many people are allergic to the proteins in milk and dairy products. Common symptoms include inflammation in the upper respiratory tract and sometimes throughout the body. People often suffer from this for years before learning why. Milk and dairy allergies are also a common cause of sinusitis, as well as frequent colds and ear infections.

It seems increasingly likely that milk is bad for you. But if you're not allergic to dairy, and not lactose intolerant, it may not do any harm. More good news: yoghurt and soft cheeses may digest more easily, and have beneficial substances not found in milk. Of course, we haven't even touched on the possibility that the hormones fed to cows may pass into humans and have unhealthy effects. We're still waiting for the research on that.

The Bottom Line?

You may wonder why you don't hear more about these issues. Dairy producers spend millions to promote their products as healthy, and have an obvious profit motive to do so. But why does our own government promote the idea that milk is a health food? Perhaps it is because dairy producers are subsidized, and would require more subsidies if sales dropped. Is milk good for you? I guess it is if you're a dairy farmer.