FitSugar

Apple Cider Vinegar Fires Up the Cylinders

Michele Bell — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 09:00:48 PDT

Did you know that more than 50 percent of Americans drink at least one cup of coffee a day? That statistic may not be too surprising if you're one of them. While the dark drink certainly has its benefits, there are other ways to get a boost of energy - and I'm not talking 'bout sodas.

The next time you need a jolt of energy, try sipping on apple cider vinegar. The tart liquid is known to boost one's immunity and help with digestive issues, but it's also credited for adding some pep to one's step. A couple of tablespoons of the golden liquid mixed with a full glass of water can make the difference between a productive energy driven day and an afternoon snooze fest doozy. Before you run to the pantry to make yourself the concoction, heed these two tips: Drink it with a straw to protect your pearly whites and if you're prone to heartburn, you might want to try adding some baking soda to the mix.

Is Kombucha Tea Worth All the Hype?

FitSugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 03:00:00 PST

You're asking and I'm answering . . .
Dear FitSugar,
Kombucha tea seems to be all the rage at my local grocery store. There are
many purported health benefits such as improved digestion and circulation.
Can you please let us know if there is substance behind the Kombucha hype?
Many thanks!!
– Kombucha Betty

I know many folks, Cameron Diaz for one, that love, love, LOVE this tea. It is true that the benefits listed on the bottles are endless – Kombucha seems to cure just about everything but bunions. All that aside, clinical studies in humans are seriously lacking so there is no direct scientific evidence to back up the health claims found on the bottle. However, researchers have found potent antioxidant effects as well as stimulation of the immune system in animal populations with limited toxicity. That is good news. Kombucha is prepared by fermenting sweetened black tea with a symbiotic culture of yeasts and bacteria, creating a slightly carbonated "tea" thus earning the nickname "champagne of life." It could be the high caffeine and sugar content that provide drinkers of this "Manchurian mushroom" (that isn't really a mushroom) a boost in energy.

Bottom line: None of the purported health benefits of Kombucha tea can be backed with scientific evidence in human populations, so hopefully someone will study this soon. The fact that a not-so-pleasant tasting, slightly acidic drink has been around since 221 B.C. suggests some folks truly find it beneficial. So drinking it can't really hurt you, but do be wary of homemade brew because it is easily contaminated.

Source

"Cocaine" Pulled From Shelves

FitSugar — Tue, 08 May 2007 03:00:00 PDT

The energy drink called Cocaine was pulled from shelves because of nationwide concerns about its name.

The FDA issued a warning letter last month to the distributer, Redux Beverages LLC of Las Vegas, saying that they were illegally marketing the drink as a "legal alternative" to the street drug and as a dietary supplement." On the company's website, the drink is advertised as “Speed in a Can,” “Liquid Cocaine” and “Cocaine - Instant Rush.”

The company argued that their energy drink has NO cocaine in it and nobody thinks it does. The drink provides a cocaine-like energy boost because it contains more caffeine than any other energy drink (and twice as much as coffee). The FDA is just concerned that although it's not actually "cocaine," the drink is glorifying the use of this illegal drug.

So the energy drink has been pulled from shelves until they come up with a new name for it (chances are low that they will name it Meth, but you never know). I guess we will just have to stick to Red Bull spiked with espresso.

Coke and Pepsi Jump on the Energy Drink Bandwagon

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:15:00 PST

The fact that more and more consumers are choosing bottled water, both sparkling or non, as well as green tea beverages instigated the two cola giants, Coke and Pepsi, to rethink their products. Even though the soda business remains a $68 billion industry, profits dipped in 2005 and the big TWO are looking for new ways into consumer pockets.

Enter Diet Coke Plus and Tava, Pepsi's stab at a healthy non-soda alternative. Both companies will be releasing their new carbonated, vitamin and mineral fortified beverages in upcoming months. Diet Coke Plus will be enhanced with niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, magnesium and zinc, while Tava will contain B3, B6 and E, and chromium. The companies will not be labeling the drinks "soda," since folks are starting to realize that diet sodas, while low in calories, are not exactly healthy.

The CEO of Coca-Cola’s asserts that "“Diet and light brands are actually health and wellness brands.” Yet, other players in the beverage industry feel it is a joke to market artificially sweetened soft drinks as healthy even if they are fortified with vitamins and minerals.

I guess we will all have to wait and see what they actually taste like and how many artificial ingredients they contain.

Fit's Tip: Since more and more research suggests that the best way to reap the benefits of vitamins and minerals is to eat them in real food, I say stick to water, fruit juice and tea.

Big Ballers Drink Hi-Ball

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 09:30:00 PST

Wanna be a baller? I recently came across this new energy sparkling water called Hi-Ball because rumor has is that A-listers like Lindsay Lohan and Mischa Barton drink it as a healthier alternative to the other energy drinks, which are often loaded with sugar. So I'm intrigued.

You guys probably already know how I feel about energy drinks, but I was intrigued with the no sugar, no carbs, no artificial additives or sweeteners and only 10 calories per bottle claim. The energy in Hi-Ball comes from a strong cocktail of: caffeine 75mg, guarana 32mg, ginseng 32mg, 1250mg of taurine and B-vitamins.

In case you're wondering, guarana, the ingredient found in most Brazilian soft drinks, promotes health and weight loss. What about taurine? Well, interestingly enough, high intake of alcohol may cause the body not to be able to use taurine fully but in Asia, they use taurine for the prevention of the side effects from excess alcohol consumption. I think I know why LL has been sipping Hi-Ball. When it comes to energy drinks, Hi-Ball sits high on my list, Red Bull being at the bottom, in terms of the ingredients and how I feel after drinking it.

Again, if you're feeling low in energy I think you should re-evaluate why you're feeling so tired all of the time before turning to energy drinks. Visit hiballer.com to find out where to buy it and Yum did a great post about all of the different waters and energy waters out there so you should check it out if you're interested.

Source

Insanity's Shaun T's Last-Minute Diet and Exercise Tips

Leta Shy — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:34:46 PDT

Shaun T, the personal trainer who's motivated millions with his at-home workouts, knows how to get people in shape in a short amount of time. After all, his Insanity workout program promises incredible results in just 60 days of sweating and jumping in front of your TV.

With Summer a mere few weeks away, we spoke with Shaun about how to get in shape for anything - whether it's a beach holiday, wedding, or event - when you've only got a little time. Find out his recommendations below!

Watch your drink calories: "Don't drink your calories. That's the number one rule of thumb: not to drink your calories. It will eliminate so many calories in your body. Everybody knows that sugar that's not burnt off eventually turns into fat," says Shaun, who's also holding live workouts nationwide to promote his partnership with Powerade Zero. Shaun recommends portion control and cutting the amount of sugars and carbs in your diet in half, but "still ensure you have enough energy during the day," he says.

Kick it up a notch: "If you're a person who works out at the gym, try to take [fewer] breaks," Shaun recommends. "If you're a weight lifter, while you're not doing weights, try to do some different cardio exercise in between to try to ramp up the calorie burn."

Keep reading for more of Shaun T's last-minute diet and exercise advice!

Cannes Minireview: On the Road

Allie Merriam — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:50:15 PDT

Required reading for teenagers in America, Jack Kerouac's On the Road is now a big-screen film, and the finished product just debuted at Cannes. It's one of the most anticipated movies to be screened at the Grand Palais - read on to see what we thought.

Who's behind it? Walter Salles, of The Motorcycle Diaries, was tasked with directing the picture, which is of course based on the Kerouac classic. Salles has a long list of stars - at one point, I wondered who isn't in this movie. Sam Riley, who had a star-making role in 2007's Control, plays the lead role of Sal Paradise, and Garrett Hedlund is his pal Dean Moriarty. Kristen Stewart and Kirsten Dunst have smaller parts as Dean's love interests, and Amy Adams, Viggo Mortensen, Tom Sturridge, Steve Buscemi, Elisabeth Moss, and many more have other cameos. The production has been in the works for decades. Francis Ford Coppola secured the movie rights back in 1980.
What's it about? It's the beat generation in the USA during the 1940s, but Sal Paradise can't seem to get past his writer's block. Sal takes up with a group of friends who love drinking, talking, dancing, and moving. Dean Moriarty enters the picture and offers adventure. He likes to move around the country, not caring where the money comes from or which hearts he breaks. Sal's a devoted friend to Dean, and they travel the country meeting up with friends, family, strangers, and going wherever the road takes them.

To read what I thought, just read more

4 Coffee Break Tips to Boost Your Energy (It's Not Just About Caffeine!)

Self — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:15:34 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Are the words "coffee break" kind of an oxymoron to you? Probably so if you are just guzzling your grande while you are still at your desk and barely even looking up from your work. While it's true that caffeine can provide you with a jolt of energy, taking an actual break to enjoy your coffee could be the key to getting a better energy buzz from your cup of joe.

The folks at Gevalia introduced me to the idea of fika, the traditional Swedish coffee break that Swedes take two times per day to enjoy a cup of coffee and a snack. Self has reported that taking a true coffee break can leave you feeling happier and more sociable. I thought the idea sounded interesting and I gave it a try for myself and found that I felt more energized from the combination of stepping away from my work and drinking the coffee than I normally do from just downing my java on the go. Read on for some ways you can enjoy a fika of your own.

Thinking About a Juice Cleanse? 4 Ways It Can Cause Weight Gain

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:19:17 PDT

Whether it's to improve energy, clear acne, Spring clean the digestive system, or shed a few pounds, juice cleansing is all the rage now. Even celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow and Nicole Richie are buzzing about the benefits of liquid detoxing. Before you splurge on a juicer or lay down the dough for a liquid detox program, learn how a juice cleanse may lead to weight gain.

Hard-to-measure liquid calories: Since all the calories you're consuming are liquid, if you're not watching your intake, it's easy to consume well over the daily limit. (A pressed juice averages between 100-350 calories per 16-ounce bottle.) Make sure you have a plan to follow and an accurate way to determine how many calories are in each glass or bottle you're drinking. Most retail juicing programs provide calorie counts, but are also pricey to join.
Messes with metabolism: A typical juice cleanse lasts anywhere from three to seven days (or sometimes longer), where you drink 32 to 64 ounces of freshly pressed fruit and vegetable juice each day. When your body doesn't get the all the nutrients (or the amount of calories) it's used to, it stresses out because it thinks it's starving. Often the body reacts to this by slowing down its metabolism, which can make losing weight harder in the future. And while juicing is an easy way to deliver phytonutrients to the body, the fruit-based juices tend to be high in sugar, which can negatively affect insulin levels in the body.

Continue reading for more ways a juice cleanse can cause weight gain.

Wake Up! Pre-Workout Beverages to Boost Your Energy

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:39:43 PDT

Whether they're working out first thing in the morning or after work, many people may feel a little drowsy and sluggish. Rather than heading to the gym with only one eye open, prepare by drinking one of these energy-boosting beverages to help you feel more focused, energized, and ready to push your body to do more.

Coffee or Green Tea
Caffeine increases your endurance because it changes how your body uses fat. Caffeine helps your body convert fat into readily accessible energy, so you can work out for longer. As an added bonus, studies have also shown that caffeine consumption helps reduce postworkout DOMS.

Green Juice
Rich in natural sugars, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, a homemade green juice is a glass full of easily absorbable nutrients, especially iron, which can combat your sleepy slump. And because green juice recipes are high in carbs but low in fiber, it helps give the body energy while also being easy to digest. Perfect if you need something on the way into the gym.

Apple Cider Vinegar
If you are a fan of kombucha, then you'll love the tart flavor of apple cider vinegar, which is rich in minerals, vitamins, and beneficial acids. For an energy booster sans caffeine, mix a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water and drink prior to a workout. Look for raw and unfiltered varieties to get the most nutrients possible. A small study also links apple cider vinegar to improved weight loss.

Preworkout Sports Beverages
Gatorade, Vega Sport, and Biosteel High Performance offer sports drinks that are developed specifically for before workouts. Each drink is formulated with ingredients to help stimulate and energize the body. We recommend these drinks for more intense or longer workouts.