Monthly Archives: September 2014

Water- how much we really need and health benefits

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river-71639_1280Water. The most essential, yet overlooked, nutrient. Some people tout that water increases our metabolism; especially when it is cold water and our body has to spend energy warming it up. People believe that water helps constipation. Some believe water “flushes” our body out and removes toxins. Some say that water decreases hunger and we should drink water to stay full. Some, although few, even say that water intake is related to the occurrence of certain cancers. So, how many of these beliefs are fact, and how many are myth? Let’s find out!

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Do artificial sweeteners cause diabetes, cancer and weight gain?

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chocolates-270022_1280 (2)The first artificial sweetener was discovered over 100 years ago. It was first marketed as a sugar alternative for those with diabetes. Later, companies likely saw the potential for huge profits and started marketing these sweeteners as “calorie free” alternatives to sugar to aid in weight loss and suitable for all.

It is pretty much accepted that refined sugar intake is linked to the onset of obesity and diabetes. Refined sugar is not filling and consumption of soda with high levels of sugar has been shown to induce significant weight gain. Because of these reasons many people turn to artificial sweeteners.

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Creation of the Superbug- How Bacteria are Outsmarting Antibiotics and the Long Term Repercussions

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bacteria-67659_1280In 1900 the three leading causes of death were: pneumonia (viral or bacterial), tuberculosis (bacterial), and diarrhea and enteritis (bacteria or viral). Children under 5 years of age accounted for 40% of the total deaths caused by the aforementioned illnesses. By this time bacterial infections had already wiped out millions of people. Simple cuts could cause blood poisoning and there was nothing doctors could do about it. It was a scary time to be living indeed!

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Can our expectations about how full a food will make us influence how full we get?

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salad-374173_1280[1]Can our expectations about how full a food will make us influence how full we actually get? The idea seems plausible enough. There are many known cases of mind over matter. One well known case is the use of placebos. Placebos are given during studies to subjects who believe they are actually taking medication and they often experience relief of symptoms from whatever is being studied even though they are taking a sugar pill.

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