Lose Weight with Chocolate – How it works

For many people, dark chocolate’s benefits extend to the suppression of appetite and weight control. This may also help to elevate mood in the long term, as excess weight and obesity are often causes of depression. Several theories explain how chocolate might aid in weight loss.

• It provides the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals the body needs, thus decreasing the urges for added “fuel.”
• It stabilizes blood sugar levels, reducing hypoglycemic episodes and binge eating behaviors
• It blocks the appetite center, tricking the mind into believing something sweet has been consumed, elevating one’s mood.
• It’s raw sugar and theobromine content offer the increased energy needed for exercising
• It’s MAO-inhibitor effects have been associated with decreased appetite and weight loss
• It increases the body’s endorphin levels, naturally decreasing our urge to eat high-sugar, high-fat foods. The “high” one gets from the chocolate supersedes any enjoyment one would get from eating, so the focus shifts to eating for nutrition rather than pleasure.
• Phenylethylamine (PEA) improves mood, which in turn decreases food cravings. Food addiction is like drug addiction; consequently, cocoa can minimize food cravings and addictions by delivering the right chemicals.
• Some research suggests that bacteria in your stomach may play a role in obesity. For centuries, cocoa has been used as an antibacterial agent.
• Cocoa’s flavonoid content can relieve inflammation. Chronic inflammation is associated with low leptin levels, which increases appetite. In addition, cortisol levels increase with elevated inflammatory chemicals that start to break down muscles, deposit fat in cells, and fuel the appetite.

A recent study from Japanese researchers supports the idea of chocolate being a weight control tool, finding that regular consumption of cocoa was able to prevent obesity and weight gain in animal subjects. The study also showed that the body weight and blood-lipid levels were significantly lower in the cocoa-fed group than in the control group. Analysis also showed that in the cocoa-diet group, metabolism and storage of fats was restricted and the fat burning mechanism was increased.

The latest information is now also showing an even bigger reason that cold pressed cocoa or unalkalized dark chocolate is so good for helping people not only lose weight, but keep it off. Cold pressed dark chocolate is very high in antioxidants. It seems that very high regular daily doses of antioxidants (over 100,000 ORACfn daily) may help the body get rid of fat by repairing the free radical damage. This requires very high daily antioxidant levels. Very hard (and expensive) to do with the typical food items in the average person’s diet, but now possible (and affordable) with a cold pressed dark chocolate high-antioxidant protein meal replacement. Turns out free radicals may damage fat cells (as well as your other cells) and the high antioxidants may not only prevent current damage, but may also repair past damage. More studies need to be done to see why it works, but according to recent clinical trials, it is working very well.

They were looking at the effects of quercetin on certain cells in the prostate. More specifically: cancer cells. Too early to make health benefit claims, but this study evaluating the effects of the dietary flavonoid quercetin certainly look promising. Quercetin inhibited cell proliferation and modulated the expression of genes involved in DNA repair, matrix degradation and tumor invasion, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell cycle, metabolism and glycolysis.

Uh, that’s good for quercetin, bad for cancer.

In fact, they said that this may be an “efficacious anticancer agent” …. “to be used in the future nutritional transcriptomic investigations and multi-target therapy to overcome the therapeutic impediments against prostate cancer.” Basically, it should be used in future studies of genes (RNA) to help with the killing of cancer cells (in the prostate.) Notice: you have to say in the prostate, because no one knows if it works on other cancer cells, because only prostate cancer cells were used in the study. That’s because they are scientists. I’m not.

So if it works on one, I say why not try it? It’s not like you need a prescription for quercetin. It occurs naturally in some fruits and vegetables and is also in energy drinks. What could it hurt? (Please do ask your doctor first, I am making no medical claims, because besides not being a scientist, I am also not a doctor. What do I know? Maybe it could hurt. But I’m guessing it may help.)

“Caffeine-loaded energy drinks have now crossed the line from beverages to drugs delivered as tasty syrups,” the Canadian Medical Association Journal says in an editorial that calls for prominent labels listing total caffeine content and an end to advertising targeting children. They are calling for much stricter guidelines in Canada for the higher caffeine energy drinks.

Maca is in some natural healthy smart energy drinks, such as Xe.

Mostly used for its energy properties, maca may also help with fertility in women, increased sex drive and helping with lubrication as well as increased libido in men. Other studies have shown treatment with maca resulted in increased seminal volume, sperm count per ejaculation, and sperm motility. Serum hormone levels were not altered.

Maca  is a root-like vegetable shaped like a turnip that grows at 12,000 feet and is only found in the high Andes of Peru and Ecuador. For more than two thousand years, native Peruvians have used maca root as food and medicine, to promote endurance and improve energy, vitality, sexual virility and fertility.

Maca is also rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and iron, and contains trace minerals, including zinc, iodine, copper, selenium, bismuth,
manganese and silica, as well as B vitamins.

The first is green tea. Studies have shown that tea is healthier than coffee because it can help regulate your blood sugar and blood pressure, prevent certain cancers, fight plaque on your teeth, lower your cholesterol and slow down the aging process.

To make green tea, you will need one tea bag and then put this either in the kettle filled with warm water or straight to the cup. After letting it stand for about 3 minutes or so, you can already drink it. If you want to add flavor to your tea, you can try adding raw cane sugar crystals, honey and even a lemon wedge.

The next drink is the fruit smoothie. The mixture itself is similar to making milkshake but instead of the added calories, this is replaced with vitamins and nutrients. To do that, you have to buy some fruit, low fat yogurt, some crushed ice and water. All the ingredients are then mixed in the blended and when it is ready, this is poured into a tall glass.

Aside from those you can make, there are those that can be poured straight from the container. These health drinks are your basic fruit juices and you can find these in different variations such as apple juice, grape juice, orange juice, pineapple juice and a lot more. Watch out for the canned or container juices as many also add refined sugars and other non-healthful ingredients.

Although these health drinks have certain benefits, you have to remember that these products are highly processed which means these are high in sugar. These will surely cause your blood sugar to go up and drinking too much of these may cause damage to your heart and kidney over time.

There are also health drinks from vegetables which are better known as functional beverages. These are great to have since many of us don’t eat a salad daily. The only problem is that you get essential nutrients from various vegetables so you have to buy different products and take it alternately.

A newer health drink is called the cell renewal formula because it is a combination of fruit and vegetable extracts mixed with herbs and other plant compounds. There are only a few of these products so far in the market and a most of these don’t taste that good so it takes time for someone to get used to it.

Among all the different health drinks available, the one thing that you don’t see included in this group is energy drinks. If you read the ingredients on the label, these consists of artificial sweeteners, caffeine or ephedra and in some cases a combination of all three.

You have probably drank a few of these in the past and although they taste good, the reality is that it may replenish your electrolytes after a workout but it does not have give you any vitamins and nutrients which are good for your health. This does not mean you should give up drinking energy drinks but consume very little, unless you can find healthy energy drinks.

So are there healthy alternatives for energy drinks? Yes.

If you read the free report The Truth About Smart Energy Drinks (look to your right column and you can get it emailed right to you), you’ll discover that in the history of smart healthy energy drinks, there have recently been new developments which can keep a drink healthy AND give you natural energy. If you drink some of these once or twice a day, you will have amazing long lasting energy as well as feeling noticeably healthier after only a week or two of regular drinking. One high antioxidant drink is even tested for ORAC levels.

There are some very healthy energy drink choices and several that may not be so good for us. Use the guide to decide for yourself how healthy you want to be.

Into healthy practice

Nowadays, more and more of people are getting into diets that lower down the excessive intake of fats and other chemicals that may cause illness. Many are also those who get into workouts to keep their bodies fit and healthy. And there are also those who use products such as vitamins, dark cocoa and other health supplements to improve their bodies’ resistance to illnesses.

But many are not aware that drinking commercial healthy drinks don’t always guarantee a healthy body. In fact, many of the so-called “healthy drinks” in the market contain chemicals and additional substances that may be harmful to the body. Also, make sure that you buy these from reputable stores and manufacturers to ensure your body’s safety. Check the label. If there are chemical names you can’t pronounce, it’s probably not good for you.

The wonders of coconut water

If you are one of those who are into healthy drinks, the best way to ensure that you are getting vitamins and minerals with harmful chemicals is to drink natural-based drinks such as coconut water.

For the uninitiated, coconut water is the natural juice found inside the coconut, as opposed to coconut milk, which is made by boiling equal amounts of water and shredded coconut together until foamy, then straining, or coconut cream, which is made in the same manner with a ratio of four parts of shredded coconut to one part water. Milk can also be used in place of the water for a richer mix.

In tropical islands such as those in the Caribbean, Southern Asia, Pacific Islands, South America, and Central America, coconut water is considered as the most popular drink not only during summer but also for the whole-year. Aside from being abundant, people in these areas drink lots of it not only because it is the purest natural drink available but also because of its health benefits.

When freshly obtained from unripe coconuts, coconut water is a rich source many organic compounds that are good for a person’s total well being. Experts agree that this is one of the best health drinks out there because it is basically 99 percent free from fat, have low amounts of sugar content and low in carbohydrates which is among the major culprit in gaining weight.

For people who are on-the-go or those who undergo rigorous workout, this is an ideal health drink because it maintains the body’s normal temperature, re-hydrates the body well, and easily replenishes the lost fluids in the body after a series of exercise.

Considered as a natural isotonic beverage, coconut water is considered as one of the best natural health drinks out there aids fast but healthy metabolism, it improves the body’s immune system, while cleansing the your digestive tract very well.

For those who are into maintaining physical beauty, coconut water is a healthy drink because it greatly helps in the rejuvenation of body cells and maintaining the pH levels of the body while acting as an effective natural detoxifying supplement.

Doctors and other professionals in the medical field will also agree that coconut water is very effective in keeping a healthy body. People who want to protect their bodies from various illness, coconut water is a very effective healthy drink because it contains anti-viral properties which protects the body from diseases such as flu, herpes, and others.

It is also useful in maintaining sugar counts for diabetics, effective for those with kidney stones and other urethral conditions, and can reduce the risks of having cancer as well as in the enhancement of the blood’s proper circulation. Although it has lots of health benefits, coconut water is usually not classified as an energy drink.

If you don’t like drinking coconut water, try using it to cook in. It can be delicious!

Harvard researchers are saying that coffee, when you drink regularly, can be a cure for diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and colon cancer. It could even improve your mood and treat daily headache problems. You could even drink it to lower risk of cavities.

Research shows that regular coffee drinkers are 80 percent less likely to have Parkinson’s disease. While 2-cups-a-day drinkers can reduce the risk of colon cancer by 25 percent and 80 percent in liver cirrhosis risk. It can even slash the risk of gallstones by half. There are even studies showing that people who smoke and drink heavily, have less heart and liver damage because of their coffee intake.

So, what causes these benefits? It is the antioxidants, and surprisingly perhaps from the caffeine also. Caffeine does have some other effects, too that may not be so good. Read the Truth about Smart Energy Drinks report (see right) to find out more. Currently, drugs for curing Parkinson’s disease are being developed. These drugs have a derivative of caffeine as their component. Coffee also has chlorogenic acid and tocophenols which are antioxidants. These mineral components can improve insulin sensitivity. When we talk about insulin sensitivity, it is the body’s response to insulin.

There were studies conducted in Europe citing that the trigonelline, the compound which is why coffee smells good and has bitter taste, also has benefits. It can be both antibacterial and anti-adhesive. These prevent the formation of dental cavities.

But can everybody drink coffee?

Unfortunately, not everybody can drink coffee. People with bladder and kidney problems, existing diabetes, gallstones, heart problems, high cholesterol levels, hypoglycemia and generalized panic and /or anxiety attacks should avoid drinking coffee altogether. Avoiding drinking coffee is also advised to pregnant women and those with high risk of osteoporosis.

For pregnant women, if coffee cannot be avoided, then it is recommended just to drink one to two cups a day. Infertility, miscarriages and low birth weight among babies are the primary reason why pregnant women are recommended against drinking coffee.

Excessive caffeine intake can also lead to nervousness, anxiety and rapid heartbeat. The caffeine overstimulates the nervous system, making the adrenal glands work overboard. Osteoporosis patients are also advised against coffee. Coffee reduces the capability of bones to absorb the necessary minerals, making the bones weak and in risk of osteoporosis. But the effects can be reduced if milk is mixed with coffee.

For some people, coffee can also be addictive. People who have stopped drinking coffee experience withdrawal symptoms. They would get headaches, less energy and alertness, difficulty in being focused, get irritated easily and sometimes even get depressed.

Over caffeine consumption can also have an impact on your skin, since it increases the risk of developing stretch marks. Caffeine may also play a role in weight gain. Although, it is mentioned that coffee drinkers may lose weight in the short-term, but in a longer period of time, coffee can lead to weight gain.

Coffee both has good and bad effects. Similar to other beverages and food, once it is taken in big amounts, then it is likely that they may have undesirable effects to your body. Whether coffee can be considered as a health drink, it is up to you to make the choice. Also be sure that, like everything, before you try it talk to your doctor.

This is because Green tea and Black tea come from the same plant. In fact, there are two other teas that can also be made namely oolong and white tea. What makes these teas different from one another is simply how it is processed.

If you drink Black tea regularly, you will have healthy arteries and increase your blood flow because it has antioxidants known as flavonoids that also give the tea this rich flavor. Your cholesterol levels will also drop, you can protect yourself from certain cancers, develop stronger bones, have fresher breath and fewer cavities.

Just like coffee, Black Tea contains caffeine. The difference between the two is the fact that a cup of Black Tea or any other only contains 30 to 40 mg. of caffeine while coffee contains about 135 mg.

Another benefit of Black Tea is the fact that it is calorie free. However, this will only stay that way as long as you don’t add any sweeteners or milk which can’t be helped since tea tastes bland without these additives. Try adding a little lemon (which also has antioxidants.)

Heating is important to get the most of a sachet of Black tea. This is because the heat helps the tea leaves impart their taste to the water. To do that, you have to set the sachet in the kettle for 2 to 3 minutes before pouring it into the cup.

For those who decide to put the sachet straight into the cup, take out the bag first before drinking to prevent it from sinking to the bottom. Nothing bad will happen if you don’t except that when you are almost finished with the cup, the tea bag will probably land on your face.

If you don’t like the taste of Black Tea and want to sweeten it a bit, try putting in some sugar, honey or a slice of lemon. You may even add milk similar to those who drink coffee.

You can have a snack whenever you feel like drinking Black Tea. This is great to have with biscuits, cake or cookies. This will even be better if you decide to have this before you go to work, as you are relaxing in the house or when you are entertaining visitors.

Black Tea does not always have to be served with hot water. You can enjoy a cold glass by adding some ice and honey. One alcoholic concoction is punch and for that, you will need to add some orange juice, apple juice, mint, ginger ale and some rum.

It is also great to serve with egg nog by mixing some eggs, ground nutmeg, milk, vanilla extract, salt and whip cream.

Aside from these three drinks, there are other mixtures you can make with Black Tea. All you have to do is read up on it and try out a few experiments on your own. That way, you have something healthier to offer yourself and guests whenever you have someone over.

Black Tea is very popular which is why a lot of people drink it. While some prefer this over coffee, little do they know that doctors and other health professionals consider it as health drink.

Hoppy Brewing Sacramento Brew Pub 5 Tips To Drinking Beer Responsibly

Being the most popular alcoholic beverage in existence, beer is everywhere. In certain situations, it is readily available and may present a problem for anyone who is not familiar with its side effects or being responsible in this situation. Beer is not an energy drink, although hops found in beers may have high antioxidant properties.

Drink minimal quantities. If you find yourself drinking more than would be used in a social situation, alcoholism may be a lurking illness. The best way to avoid addiction is to drink minimal quantities and know when to stop.

Drink beer at home. The best way to drink beer responsibly is to simply drink it at home. This will eliminate the danger associated with driving or getting into a confrontation with others. Buy it at the Sacramento brew pub and take it home to drink.

Do not drive. If you have consumed beer, it is best not to drive. Not only may it be illegal, but also dangerous. If you need to go somewhere, walk or have someone to take you.

If you are away from home and have been drinking, give your keys to a friend, designated driver or call someone to pick you up. If you need a ride home, you can call a friend, family member of even a taxi. Anytime that you are under the influence of alcohol, it is pertinent that you not attempt to operate an automobile. This could not only endanger your life, but those of others as well.

Never leave your drink unattended in a public place. This is especially true of restaurants, bars and/or anywhere that alcohol is served. Leaving your drink unattended may leave you susceptible to someone placing a substance in your drink. If you get up to dance or go to the restroom, order a new glass of beer when you return. If you are just mingling, take your drink with you.

In the United States, an individual must be 21 years of age to purchase and/or legally consume beer. When purchasing alcohol, photo identification is required. This can be in the form of a driver’s license or other similar form of identification, which features a photo and birth date of the customer. A number of retail grocers, in the United States, prohibit the sale of beer before 12 p.m. in the afternoon.

If you, or someone that you know, is believed to have a drinking problem, consult a local treatment center for diagnosis and therapy to help overcome the illness. Alcoholism is a disease that often requires professional medical care, which is why proper treatment is critical to its cure.