Belly fat? Hit the treadmill, not the weights

New research finds that your best bet for trimming belly fat is vigorous aerobic activity, such as jogging or brisk walking, rather than lifting weights.

1."If you are overweight or mildly obese and want to lose fat -- belly fat, visceral fat, liver fat -- vigorous aerobic training was better than resistance training," said researcher Cris Slentz, an exercise physiologist at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. The study, announced last week, appears in the American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology and Metabolism.

2.Participants in the eight-month study were assigned to one of three groups. One group walked on a treadmill on an incline for 12 miles (19 km) at 80 percent of their maximum heart rate each week; another group lifted weights, doing three sets of eight to 12 repetitions, three times a week. A third group did both workouts.

3.The focus on the study was on visceral fat, or "inside fat" located deep within the body around the stomach as opposed to subcutaneous fat (aka "muffin top" fat), which lies directly under the skin. Although any kind of extra padding around your waistline is considered unhealthy, too much subcutaneous fat is much more dangerous, researchers said.

4. Slentz stated the aerobic training group was the most successful in reducing their visceral fat, and the reason behind that is simple: intense aerobic training burns up more calories

5. Another research-backed way to trim your waistline? A new study published last week suggests that a diet high in protein and dairy is an effective way to trim fat -- specifically, belly fat. That study, funded in part by the Dairy Farmers of Canada and published in the September issue of The Journal of Nutrition, compared three groups of overweight, premenopausal women who were put on different diets: low, medium and high amounts of dairy, coupled with high or low amounts of proteins and carbohydrates.

Power Foods Men Should Eat

Nuts, green tea, garlic, tomato, broccoli will help nourish your body to make it powerful

True manhood lies in your strength.

On the outside all of you look shiny (thanks to the cosmetic products) and muscular (Gods bless those protein shakes). Nevertheless, how strong are you from inside? How good are you when it comes to stamina? Smoking is not necessarily the only reason that you start panting after climbing three flights. Read on as we tell you how can you improve your stamina and work towards improving your power to fight diseases:

Green tea

Leafy tea is best for your body. It improves your metabolism and contains antioxidants that fight almost all major illness. Green tea is best amongst them all as it contains potent flavonoids that improve the antioxidant action. It also prevents the block cells from getting damaged, reducing chances of cancer.

Garlic

You might not be able to help the smell and run away from it, but you must accept the fact that it is amazing for your health. Men should have at least two chunks of garlic every day as it works wonders on your health. Your immune system will improve drastically and minor issues like cough and cold never bother you. The antibacterial properties it has, will help you fight viral fevers and any kind of infections. Men with high cholesterol should swear by garlic as it helps in lowering the cholesterol level and prevents the blood from clotting.

Tomato

Eat tomato to stay young. Tomato helps prevent your skin from getting wrinkles. It also improves your memory and other signs of aging. Tomato contains lycopene that keeps prostate cancer at bay. You might want to start enjoying tomato sauce as it has more lycopene. Cooked tomato works much better on your body that raw ones. So start adding it to your vegetables and salads.


Broccoli

Broccoli contains folic acid that men need extensively. Folic acid reduces the level of homocysteine that is amino acid in blood. The increased level of homocysteine increases the risk of heart attack. Broccoli also contains vitamin C and potassium that reduces the risk of cancer.


Nuts

 Nuts contain protein, Vitamins and fibres and are extremely good for your heart, skin and even the digestive system. The omega-3 fats that they contain nourish your heart. Nuts, when eaten, also help slow down the assimilation process so that the fats and sugar in your body are processed effectively.
Including these items in your diet will nourish your body and make it healthy. It will also improve your immune system and make your body powerful enough to fight against not just viral fever and flew but health risks like prostate cancer and heart attack.

10 Foods That Boost Memory

Chocolate, spinach, blackberries olive oil and many more are foods that help you boost your memory

 Do you feel that you have a memory of a goldfish? Do you have to try too hard to remember your meeting and dates?
You probably need the right food to make your grey cells healthy. How you ask? Here is what we have for you: we tell you about 10 easily available foods that will help you fight against that memory loss problem you've been battling for sometime.


Chocolate

How can anyone go wrong with a diet that includes chocolate? Research has proved that chocolate will help you increase your brainpower. Eating chocolate everyday helps, you fight against memory loss due to ageing. Chocolate contains polyphenols, which increases your blood flow towards the brain. However, do not eat an entire slab every day. 10 grams of sinful chocolate is enough bribe for your brain to function better.

Greens

Back in your wonder years, everyone pestered you to eat your greens with a grin. Do you know why? They are packed with vitamins and folate. These nutrients protect you from dementia. Spinach is one of the best green leafy vegetable that you can count on. Half a cup of cooked spinach will provide you with the required amount of folate and Vitamin E and K. Cook your greens in olive oil and eat it for lunch. It is very important that you do not overcook your delicate greens as they lose their nutrients easily if over cooked, and in an open pan.

Blackberries

No, we are not talking about your smart phone here. When it comes to remembering appointments, it sure will help you mark the date, but what if the battery dies? That is why you should eat Blackberries and stop being dependent on your smart phone for tiny things. Every cell of your body is an individual in itself and they talk to each other. This how information is processed and sent to your brain. The older you get, this communication takes longer to establish and this is why kids learn much faster and more easily. Blackberries contain antioxidants that enhance this communication between the neurons and help you grasp information easily. Munch on blackberries for your afternoon snack to keep the data flowing.

Olive oil

Olive oil works wonders on your skin and health; it does the same with your brain. Virgin olive oil contains oleocanthal. This compound can fight against ADDLs that cause Alzheimer's and are toxic for the brain cells. ADDL attacks the brain cells and disrupt the communication between them causing memory loss. So stay protected from ADDL and replace your cooking oil right away.

Salmon

Fish can make you smart, and this fish will make you smart and sharp! Salmon contains DHA, an omega-3 fat, Vitamin D and other nutrients that keep your brain safe from mental disorders. Vitamin D in salmon is one of the main ingredients that you can bank on for improving your mental health. We suggest you marinate the salmon with extra virgin olive oil and herbs and eat it for dinner once a week.

Beet

 Not many of you would want to eat beet to increase your memory. However, let us tell you that this bright red vegetable will work wonders for you. It also contains nitrates that open up your blood vessels and allow more oxygen and blood to flow towards the brain. Eat this naturally sweet beet in the form of juice in the morning or add it to the salad to improve your brain performance. If you hate the taste, add lime and pepper to your juice and salad, which will instantly improve the taste.


Whole grains

 When buying bread, remember to ask for whole grain option. Whole grain contains antioxidants and is a great source of fibre. It also contains vitamins B and E that help you maintain the blood sugar level in the body. This eventually protects you from memory loss.
Coffee

All you java lovers turn around and tell the world that you'll never quit your coffee because it is making you sharp. Recent studies have proved that the caffeine in coffee helps you increase your productivity. It also helps you fight Alzheimer’s disease. Nevertheless, we suggest you stick to two cups of coffee a day coupled with other foods that help you boost memory.

Apple

Apple is a completely ‘goody two-shoe’ fruit. It contains quercetin, that helps protect your brain cells. Quercetin is an antioxidant that keeps the flow of your mental juices adequate. They also keep your brain cells safe from the free radicals that cause cognitive decline. Remember to eat the skin of the apple, as this is where quercetin is found.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is like whiskey. One needs to develop a taste for it. We suggest you start adding some cinnamon to your food right away because it will help you stay safe from Alzheimer’s disease. Proanthocyanidins and cinnamaldehyde are two components found in cinnamon which help deactivate tau proteins (Proteins that cause your brain cells to die). So, sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon in your juice or cereal every morning to stay smart.

These 10 foods, when consumed on a regular basis, will help you enhance your memory and fight against mental disorders. Most of them improve the blood and oxygen flow towards the brain and also help fight fatigue, making you more active. If you have been forgetting your anniversary very year, then it is high time you print this article and paste it on your kitchen wall until you improve your memory

6 'Bad' Foods That Are Good For You

Have you been depriving yourself of eggs, pasta...or chocolate? Well, maybe you shouldn't be. Research reveals that some foods we typically think of as "bad" really aren't. And nutritionists tell us that there's room for more of these in our everyday diets. The trick is knowing how much of them to eat--and how often. By Leslie Quander Wooldridge | U.S.News & World Report LP.

1. Eggs This breakfast staple gets a bad rap because of the cholesterol content in yolks. But eggs--and yolks in particular--are a good source of protein and vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin A and iron), says Laura Cipullo, a New York-based registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. Plus, a 2011 study from the University of Alberta found that eggs' antioxidant properties may help prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer. If you're generally healthy, and don't have high cholesterol, there's no need to only eat egg-whites--or to avoid eggs altogether. "My suggestion is always to have one whole egg and then add an egg white," Cipullo says. That way you're getting the nutrient-rich yolk but not overdoing the cholesterol.

2. Popcorn Yep, this popular snack is good for you. In fact, it contains more healthful antioxidant substances called "polyphenols" than fruits and vegetables, finds 2012 research presented at the American Chemical Society's annual meeting. Just don't pile on the butter or the salt. And be careful with microwave popcorn, as it can pack in trans fats and sodium. "If you buy your own kernels or get your own air popper, you can have a healthy snack," says Cipullo. Try topping popcorn with almonds, which promote fullness.

 3. Chocolate Dark chocolate contains antioxidants, and it's been shown in studies to be associated with lower blood pressure and a lower risk of heart disease. Plus, regular chocolate-eaters were shown to be slightly skinnier than those who ate the sweet treat less often, according to 2012 research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. That study doesn't mean that chocolate consumption can help you lose weight, but it does mean that you shouldn't feel guilty about small indulgences. If you have a healthy diet, eating about 20 grams of chocolate (about half of a regular-size bar) is okay, says Monica Bearden, a registered dietitian and author of Chocolate--A Healthy Passion. And as long as the chocolate is at least 60 percent cocoa, as little as 5 grams (the size of one Hershey's kiss) can be beneficial. "It's so important to eat those foods that you enjoy so you don't feel deprived," Bearden says. Just don't overdo it.

 4. Pasta Just makes sure it's a whole-grain variety, says Jessica Shapiro, a registered dietitian at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel, while refined grains have been milled, which improves their shelf life but also strips out nutrients. "You're going to be getting the B vitamins from the whole grains and the fiber from the whole grains," Shapiro explains. Plus, you'll be helping yourself meet federal dietary guidelines, which recommend that at least half of the grains you eat each day are whole.

5.White potatoes  Don't be afraid of this American favorite. White potatoes are the biggest and most affordable sources of potassium when compared to other vegetables and fruits, finds a 2011 study from the University of Washington (and funded by the United States Potato Board). The skins of these spuds are full of fiber, says Cipullo, so keep them on when you cook. (Baking or steaming are great options.) One more hint: Potatoes are best in their natural state, says Cipullo, so avoid the fatty toppings. If you need to whip them up with something, try skim milk or Greek yogurt.

6.Alcohol Research suggests that resveratrol--found in small quantities in red wine and grapes--may protect against a range of illnesses including heart disease. But moderate consumption of other types of alcohol, such as beer, may also have health benefits, probably by way of increasing HDL ("good") cholesterol. The key is not to overindulge, according to the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). That's because heavy drinking can damage your liver and heart, contribute to depression, and increase the risk of developing some cancers. So women should have no more than one drink per day, and men should have no more than two. Of course, if you don't drink already, you don't need to start. You can get similar cardiovascular benefits from exercise and a healthy diet, the HSPH notes.

Stay Hydrated this Summer

With the weather warming up, it's more important than ever to stay hydrated. But if the idea of downing 8 glasses of water doesn't appeal to you, have no fear: Although it's recommended that women over 19 get at least 2.7 liters of fluids per day, that includes all fluids, not just water--and food can provide a significant chunk of that. So if you're trying to increase your intake of fluids, add these hydrating 

foods to your diet to get a boost:

1. Cucumbers: 


The flesh of cucumbers is primarily composed of water but also contains vitamin C and caffeic acid, both of which help soothe skin irritations and reduce swelling-which is why cucumbers are often used to help swollen eyes and sunburn.

Tomato sauce: 

It may vary depending on the brand, but most store-bought tomato sauces are about 90 percent water. Plus, one half-cup serving of tomato sauce has only 50 calories and zero grams of fat, while the same amount of creamy Alfredo sauce weighs in around 200 calories and 18 grams of fat. 

3. Eggplant:

 Eggplants have all the qualities of an excellent weight-loss food: They're high in fiber and water but low in calories . Just avoid recipes that involve frying. Eggplant's spongy texture means it will absorb a lot of oil and as a result, negate the calorie advantage.

4. Watermelon: 

A 2009 study at the University of Aberdeen Medical School found that the combination of salts, minerals and natural sugars in some fruits and vegetables can actually hydrate people more effectively than water or even sports drinks. Watermelon was on top of the list, thanks to its 92 percent water content and essential rehydration salts calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium.

5. Pineapple: 

This exceptionally juicy fruit is packed with bromelain, a mixture of compounds with potent anti-inflammatory powers. In other words, eat pineapple now and you may avoid pain meds in the future.

6. Apples:


You've heard it before: An apple a day keeps the doctor away. But this juicy superfood has also been linked to lower cholesterol levels, weight loss and preventing a host of chronic health woes—cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes, and even certain cancers.

7. Celery: 

Crunchy celery is 96 percent water, but it also provides a combination of mineral salts, amino acids and vitamins that research shows may hydrate your body twice as effectively as a glass of water.

 8. Chicken noodle soup: 


This flu-fighting formula can seriously hydrate you when you need it. Each cup has about 840 milligrams of sodium to help you retain the broth and 14 grams of carbohydrates to help you absorb it.

9. Mango:


 Mangoes provide a lot of bang for your caloric buck (only 135 calories per mango), and they're a good source of vitamins A, B6, and C, plus fiber.

 10. Mixed green salads: 


Most lettuce greens contain 94 percent water, making it a low-energy density food. In other words, you'll feel fuller on fewer calories and lose weight faster