Are You Making Your Cold Worse?
A lot of what we believe about the common cold is myth. No, you won't get a cold because you went outside with a wet head or slept in a drafty room. But here's what is true. When you're sick, some common mistakes can make your cold symptoms worse -- or prevent you from getting better.
If you're feeling crummy and stuffed up, here are 7 things that could make your cold worse.
Pretending you're not sick.
This never works. You can't ignore a cold. When you get sick, you need to take care of yourself. Your body needs extra energy when it's fighting an infection. If you try to push through a cold, especially if you have a fever, you'll exhaust yourself. That could make your cold worse.
Not sleeping enough.
Getting enough sleep is key for a healthy immune system. One study found that sleeping less than 7 hours a night almost triples your risk of getting a cold in the first place. If your cold symptoms keep you up at night, try to go to bed earlier or take naps during the day. You need extra rest, however you get it.
Getting stressed.
It turns out that stress can make you more likely to get a cold. Over time, high levels of stress hormones can stop your immune system from working normally. The result: More sick days.
Drinking too little.
You need to drink a lot of fluid when you're sick. Why? Fluids will help thin your mucus, making your sinuses drain better. Just about any fluid will help. Water, juice, hot tea, and soup are all good. Contrary to what you've heard, even milk is OK -- the notion that it causes mucus build-up is a myth.
Drinking alcohol.
Too much alcohol can leave you dehydrated and worsen cold symptoms such as congestion. It can also suppress your immune system and -- potentially -- interact with cold medications you're taking. Until you're feeling better, it's best to lay off the booze.
Overusing decongestant sprays.
Be careful with nasal decongestant sprays. They may work well at first. But if you use them for more than three days, your stuffy nose will get worse when you stop.
Smoking.
Smokers get more colds than nonsmokers. They also get worse colds that last longer. Smoking damages cells in the lungs, making it harder for you to fight off a cold. If you're sick with a cold, don't smoke -- and don't let anyone around you smoke either.
WebMD Medical Reference
Colors And Your Appetite And Eating Habits
If you’re trying to lose weight, you know that listening to your internal hunger cues can help you realize when you’re truly hungry and full. However, there may be more subtle, external nudges that could potentially increase or decrease your appetite. One crafty cue is color.
Scientists agree that color has a significant impact on how appealing or unappealing a food is to you. Just seeing food causes all sorts of reactions in your body. Neurons in a part of your brain called the hypothalamus, which regulates appetite, start firing up. The mere sight of food causes glands in your mouth to start increasing saliva production in preparation for eating.
Red
Scientists agree that color has a significant impact on how appealing or unappealing a food is to you. Just seeing food causes all sorts of reactions in your body. Neurons in a part of your brain called the hypothalamus, which regulates appetite, start firing up. The mere sight of food causes glands in your mouth to start increasing saliva production in preparation for eating.
Red
Results of a new study recently published in Appetite, a scientific journal, found that people ate less food when it was served on a red plate. Perhaps people consumed less on a red plate because oftentimes the color red is associated with danger, warnings or stopping (stop signs come to mind). However, most other studies find the opposite result and have shown that red is actually an appetite-stimulating color. In fact, people find red-colored foods to be the most appealing overall. Red activates your appetite so much that it’s often used in restaurant logos, on menus, and on tablecloths and napkins.
Yellow
Yellow
The color yellow has also been found to stimulate your appetite because yellow is associated with happiness. Your brain actually secretes more serotonin, a feel-good hormone, when you see yellow. This is why you may have noticed that many restaurants have yellow flowers on the table because yellow makes you feel optimistic and the more optimistic you feel, the more likely you are to splurge on your meal. Similarly to yellow, foods that are orange often elicit feelings of warmth and comfort.
Green
Green
People tend to think that all green foods are healthy, regardless of if the food itself really is nutritious or not. This habit may be traced back to our ancestors’ eating habits. Green foods were often viewed as being safe and weren’t likely to be poisonous or lethal.
White
White
White foods are often associated with excessive consumption, especially when it comes to snacks. You tend to forget that white foods contain calories and this leads to mindless eating. White foods and foods eaten from white dishware are also less satisfying. Keep your hands away from those white potato chips!
Colors to Curb Your Appetite
Are there certain colors that keep our appetites in check and help limit how much you consume? Research suggests that the color blue suppresses your appetite because there aren’t many naturally-occurring blue-hued foods other than blueberries, gooseberries, eggplant and perhaps bluish-purple potatoes. Long ago when your ancestors were out foraging for sources of food, blue, black and purple signaled that something was poisonous and it’s possible that the behavior of avoiding those colors in food are still with you. Research has found that when foods were dyed blue, people found them much less appealing even if the food tasted good. It’s even been suggested that you put a blue light in your fridge to discourage you from reaching in for more food.
Pink doesn’t stimulate your appetite because it’s somewhat of an unnatural color and often makes people think of raw meat or artificial preservatives.
Gray is another color that people find unappetizing. When was the last time you say a gray food and thought, “Wow, that looks delicious”? Brown foods are also thought to diminish your appetite because brown can be associated with foods that are burnt or overdone.
Source: fitday.com
Colors to Curb Your Appetite
Are there certain colors that keep our appetites in check and help limit how much you consume? Research suggests that the color blue suppresses your appetite because there aren’t many naturally-occurring blue-hued foods other than blueberries, gooseberries, eggplant and perhaps bluish-purple potatoes. Long ago when your ancestors were out foraging for sources of food, blue, black and purple signaled that something was poisonous and it’s possible that the behavior of avoiding those colors in food are still with you. Research has found that when foods were dyed blue, people found them much less appealing even if the food tasted good. It’s even been suggested that you put a blue light in your fridge to discourage you from reaching in for more food.
Pink doesn’t stimulate your appetite because it’s somewhat of an unnatural color and often makes people think of raw meat or artificial preservatives.
Gray is another color that people find unappetizing. When was the last time you say a gray food and thought, “Wow, that looks delicious”? Brown foods are also thought to diminish your appetite because brown can be associated with foods that are burnt or overdone.
Source: fitday.com
8 Benefits of Coconut Water You Didn’t Know About
Coconut water is the ultimate thirst quencher and offers a tasty alternative to water. This pure liquid is packed with nutrients that yield an array of health benefits.
1. Aids in Weight-loss Efforts.
The fat content in coconut water is extremely low, so generous quantities can be consumed without the fear of immediately packing on the pounds. It also suppresses the appetite and makes you feel full because of its rich nature.
2. Picture-Perfect Skin.
For those with acne or other blemishes on the surface of the skin, topical application of coconut water can go a great distance as it has the ability to clear up and subsequently tone the skin. It also moisturizes the skin from within if ingested orally and eliminates large amounts of oil. This explains why products such as facial creams, shampoos, conditioners and lotions that contain traces of coconut extract are more effective.
3. The Ultimate Hangover Remedy.
Next time you overdo it and drink more than your belly can handle, consume coconut water to settle your stomach. It will also replace those essential electrolytes that exit the body if you experience bouts of frequent urination and vomiting.
Next time you overdo it and drink more than your belly can handle, consume coconut water to settle your stomach. It will also replace those essential electrolytes that exit the body if you experience bouts of frequent urination and vomiting.
4. Facilitates Digestion.
If you constantly encounter difficulty during the digestion process, coconut water may provide a source of relief. Because of its high concentration of fiber, it aids in the prevention of indigestion and reduces the occurrence of acid reflux.
If you constantly encounter difficulty during the digestion process, coconut water may provide a source of relief. Because of its high concentration of fiber, it aids in the prevention of indigestion and reduces the occurrence of acid reflux.
5. Boosts Hydration.
The ingredients in coconut water are way more effective at hydrating the human body than those of sports and energy drinks. During rigorous exercise or extended periods of physical activity, the human body loses mineral-rich fluids. However, coconut water serves as an excellent replacement medium with 294 mg of potassium and 5 mg of natural sugar per glass, unlike your favorite sports drink that only contains half of the potassium content and five times the amount of processed sugar. In addition, the sodium count is only 25 mg, which is relatively low compared to the 41 and 20 mg found in sports drinks and energy drinks respectively.
6. Reduces Blood Pressure.
In many instances, a disproportionate level of electrolytes can result in high blood pressure. Because coconut water contains an adequate supply of each, it can be used as a balancing mechanism. In some instances, it is recommended that coconut water be consumed at the start of each day to foster the balance of these electrolytes.
In many instances, a disproportionate level of electrolytes can result in high blood pressure. Because coconut water contains an adequate supply of each, it can be used as a balancing mechanism. In some instances, it is recommended that coconut water be consumed at the start of each day to foster the balance of these electrolytes.
7. Rich in Nutrients.
Unlike any other beverage on the market, coconut water contains five essential electrolytes that are present in the human body. These include: calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and sodium. Because of its unique composition, coconut water can be enjoyed by individuals with varying medical conditions.
Unlike any other beverage on the market, coconut water contains five essential electrolytes that are present in the human body. These include: calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and sodium. Because of its unique composition, coconut water can be enjoyed by individuals with varying medical conditions.
8. Compatible with Human Blood.
Since it is isotonic to human plasma, coconut water can be used in extreme emergencies to quickly rehydrate the human body if administered intravenously. It is not uncommon for the drink to be used in poorer, third-world countries to save human lives.
Since it is isotonic to human plasma, coconut water can be used in extreme emergencies to quickly rehydrate the human body if administered intravenously. It is not uncommon for the drink to be used in poorer, third-world countries to save human lives.
Coconut water can be enjoyed as a stand-alone beverage or combined with another liquid product. There is no hard and fast rule regarding the amount that should be consumed on a daily basis, but experts from the Mayo Clinic strongly suggest that you consider maintaining an active lifestyle if consuming large amounts of coconut water since each eight ounce serving is accompanied by 45 to 60 calories.
When searching for the perfect fresh coconut to enjoy, be sure to steer clear of those that have a hard brown shell as this is an indication that it is mature. Instead, look for those that are young and green on the exterior as they usually contain a large supply of the actual coconut water substance. To test it out, simply shake the coconut up and down to gauge how much liquid it contains.
Soymilk’s Incredible Health Benefits
The health benefits of soy milk are
controversial, in part because (like milk) soy is a common food
allergen. However, it is generally accepted that soy milk is a healthy
alternative to cow’s milk, and many believe that soy milk is healthier
than dairy milk.
Soy milk, which is made from soaking, grinding and boiling soy beans with water, is a very nutritious drink. Soy is naturally high in essential fatty acids, proteins, fiber,vitamins and minerals.
These nutrients provide energy and keep your body functioning at its
optimum level. Below are the six most important health benefits you can
acquire from drinking soy milk.
1. Soy milk contains no lactose
About 75 percent of the world population
cannot tolerate lactose. Some ethnic groups are more affected than
others. For example 75 percent of Africans and 90 percent of Asians have
lactose intolerance. As an additional benefit, soy milk contains the
prebiotic sugars stachyose and raffinose. These prebiotic sugars boost
immunity and help decrease toxic substances in the body.
2. Reduces Cholesterol
The saturated fats in cow’s milk are
unhealthy and increase your cholesterol. The protein in cow’s milk has
no benefits for the cholesterol. Soy protein can decrease cholesterol
levels. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration of US) confirms that soy
protein, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may
significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart. The FDA recommends to
incorporate 25 grams of soy protein in your daily meals.
3. It does not cause Insulin 2 Diabetes
Although no general consensus exists
among scientists, some studies have shown an association between
drinking cow’s milk in early life and the development of insulin
dependent diabetes. This association does not exist with soy milk.
4. Contain Vegetable proteins
Vegetable proteins have the advantage
that they cause less loss of calcium through the kidneys. It is known
that a diet rich in animal (and dairy protein) creates a higher risk for
osteoporosis.
5. Contains no Hormones
Cow’s milk contains natural hormones
(from the cow) but also synthetic hormones, which can influence the good
working of our own body. The synthetic hormone rBGH (recombinant bovine
growth hormone) increase milk production by as much as 20 percent.
6. Contains many Isoflavones
The presence of isoflavones is the most
important and unique benefit of soy milk. Each cup of soy milk contains
about 20 mg isoflavones (mainly genistein and daidzein). Cow’s milk does
not contain isoflavones. Isoflavones have many health benefits
including reduction of cholesterol, easing of menopause symptoms,
prevention of osteoporosis and reduction of risk for certain cancers
(prostate cancer and breast cancer). Incidents of these cancers are very
low in countries with high intake of soy products, including soy milk.
Isoflavones are also antioxidants which protect our cells and DNA
against oxidation.
7. Prevents Prostate Cancer
Phytosterols in soy milk mimics the
function of human estrogen. Studies have shown that men who regularly
eat soy products have significantly lower prostate cancer risks than men who do not.
8. Helps Control Weight
Each cup of plain soy milk contains
about 7 grams of sugar and 80 calories. Soy milk also contains fiber
which is not present in dairy milk. The extra fiber makes soy milk more
filling for natural suppression of your appetite. Additionally, the
monounsaturated fatty acids can inhibit fat absorption during digestion
and reduce the chance of fat storage.
9. Protects our heart
Elderly and heart patients are most suited to
use soy milk as a dairy alternative. Whole milk contains a significant
amount of saturated fat and cholesterol which increase the risk of
plaque formation and heart disease. Skim milk does not have this
problem, but it is watery and much less appetizing.
Soy milk is naturally cholesterol free with an
extra dose of heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty
acids that can effectively reduce your blood cholesterol level. The
phytosterols in soy milk can further improve your heart conditions by
controlling your blood pressure and preventing cholesterol absorption in
your intestines. Studies have shown that drinking soy milk can lower
your risks for atherosclerosis and strokes, making them an effective aid
in prevention and treatment of heart diseases.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)