FitSugar

Health Benefits of Wine: Red vs. White

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:00:41 -0700

Have you been wondering, while sipping on your Chardonnay, if white wine offers all the benefits of red? You're in good company, for the New York Times has been wondering this as well.

If you prefer a light Pinot Grigio, you are missing out on many of the antioxidants found in grape skin, like resveratrol, which may help keep you get slim as well as protect your heart. There are less flavonoids, beneficial micro-nutrients found in the skins as well. All that being said, there have been few studies comparing the two. The whites with the highest amounts of flavonoids are made from granache blanc grapes in the Mediterranean regions: Spain, southern France, and Sardinia. Regardless of the shade of wine you prefer, to reap the health benefits of the wine, women should limit their intake of wine to one glass a day.

What are you drinking these days?

Flaxseeds: More Than Omega-3s

FitSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Flaxseeds are not taking any flack. Even though the omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseeds might not be as easy for your body to utilize as the omega-3s from fish and fish oil, there are still plenty of reasons to eat flaxseeds.

There are a couple of reasons that this little seed can help with weight loss and one big reason is fiber. Flaxseeds are a good mix of insoluble and soluble fiber, which combined help to aid digestion and contribute to a sensation of fullness post meal. If you prefer flaxseed oil, it ranks highest on the satiety scale as well and it promotes fat burning not fat storage.

To check out the health reasons to eat flax just read more.

The health reasons to add flax to your diet are quite convincing as well. Flaxseeds contain lingans, a phytoestrogen (hormone-like chemicals found in plants) that have been shown to lower the risk of developing hormone-related cancers like breast and prostate cancer. Flaxseeds also help lower the dangerous LDL cholesterol and may help lower blood pressure, two risk factors for heart disease. Not to mention that 50 grams of flaxseed have been shown to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics by 30 percent.

My suggestions for adding flax to your diet are simple. Add ground flaxseeds (I use an extra coffee grinder) to oatmeal, yogurt, and fruit, or smoothie. I like to use flax oil in salad dressing or instead of butter on whole grain toast. How do you work flaxseeds into your diet? Share with us in the comment section below.

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The Dark Side of Chocolate

FitSugar — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 02:00:00 -0800

I have reported all the good news on chocolate: it is full of heart protecting flavonoids, it lowers blood pressure, and it increases blood flow. I reported the good news, so it is only fair that I share with you the bad news as well. Unfortunately, its reputation as the new healthy food is being called into question.

A top Medical Journal says that many of the health claims are misleading. While it is true that plain chocolate is high in antioxidants, these plant chemicals also impart the chocolate with a bitter taste and are often removed during the manufacturing process. With the flavonoids removed, chocolate is just a decadent treat. The majority of chocolatiers do not list the antioxidant content of their chocolate. So, once again I remind you. Chocolate may or not may not be beneficial to your health, so please enjoy it in moderation.

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Just Put One Foot In Front of the Other: Walking

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 02:00:00 -0700

There is no doubt about it - walking is good for you! If you are perpetually flummoxed by fitness news and terms like fartlek, gyrotonics and plyometrics make you a bit anxious, you need to know that walking is good for you. Here are a few reasons why:

It is free: You don't need to join a gym to walk.
It is easy: Walking requires no lessons, since you have been doing it all your life
It is beneficial: Walking can help with weight control, lowering blood pressure, decreases your risk for cardio-vascular disease and stroke.
It is uncomplicated: You can walk anytime, anywhere. It doesn't require special equipment or conditions.

If you are intimidated by exercising, start walking. It is a great form of exercise and it is a great form of conditioning for other forms of exercise from step aerobics to running.

So like Giggle says you got to walk, walk, walk, walk it out.

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Pistachios Lower Cholesterol

FitSugar — Wed, 02 May 2007 11:00:00 -0700

Not only are pistachios fun to eat, but new research has found that these little nuts can also lower the LDL (bad) levels of cholesterol in your body. You know what that means - you can reduce your risk for developing cardiovascular disease.

Eating just one or two handfuls (1.5 - 3 oz) of pistachios is all it takes. Researchers also found that these tasty nuts contain antioxidants normally found in dark leafy vegetables like kale. Pistachios also contain more beta carotene (vitamin A) than other nuts.

Reap the health benefits of pistachios by adding them into your diet. Eat them plain (shelling them has got to burn a few calories) or add them to muffins, granola, salads, or try making pesto made with pistachios (instead of pine nuts).

Interested in how pistachios compare nutritionally with other nuts? Check out this nut break down.

Fit's Tips: Look for the nuts with white shells, since the red ones are dyed and you don't need to be eating weird chemicals. Plus they stain your fingers all pink.

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Learn to Love: Shiitake Mushrooms

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 17:15:00 -0700

Shiitake Mushrooms, aside from the phrase being my new favorite expletive substitute (it is up there with dang and crud), are fast becoming known as a new super food. Since they have been used medicinally in Asia for over 6,000 years, I'd really have to admit their status as a super food is "new" to me. And possibly you, too?

Did you know that they contain protein? I, for one had no idea that 8 ounces of shiitakes contain almost 5 grams of protein. Although mushrooms are often treated like veggies, they are a fungus and have no roots, leaves, flowers or seeds. Shiitakes contain lentinan and L-ergothioneine. If you have never heard of those substances before, neither had I, since they don't come up all that often in casual conversation. Lentinan helps bolster the immune system, strengthening its ability to fight infection and disease. That is why this compound is being researched for its ability to fight cancer and AIDS. Some researches think it might even help with allergies. L-ergothioneine is a powerful antioxidant, which fortunately is not destroyed when the mushrooms are cooked.

Shiitakes make a great addition to stir-fries. I enjoy them sautéed with asparagus and ginger. Or you might enjoy them, like YumSugar does, on a mushroom pizza. Since these mushrooms are becoming increasingly popular, they are easy to find in most grocery stores. If you can't find them there, you should try an Asian market.

Learn to love them - they are good for you and tasty!!!

Chrysanthemum Tea

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 02:04:17 -0800

So I just told you about some houseplants that could be toxic to some people and animals. Chrysanthemum was on the list, but someone asked, "What about Chrysanthemum Tea?"

Allow me to clear this up. The reason it was on the list is because some people can have a reaction to the plant. It produces mild to moderate stomach upset or dermatitis. The juice, sap, or thorns may cause a skin rash or irritation.

Traditionally and medicinally used in China for tea only the yellow or white flowers are boiled down to make this sweet drink. The tea is prescribed in Chinese medicine for influenza, and it has a cooling effect on the body, so it is used for treating heatstroke.

Chrysanthemum tea also detoxifies the blood; helps with sinus congestion, high blood pressure, and can also calm the nerves. Chrysanthemum Tea can also be used to sharpen vision and hearing, and clear the brain.

So while touching the actual plant's juices may give you a rash, sipping hot tea made from Chrysanthemum flowers has many health benefits.

How To Cook with Garlic To Reap All Its Goodness

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 16:20:00 -0800

Garlic is so very good for you, but it needs to be prepared a special way if you are to reap all its healthful benefits.

Web MD is reporting that when you are cooking garlic it needs to be crushed in order to conserve its healthy anti-clotting compounds. Seems that most studies on garlic have been performed on raw, but the majority of folks cook it. So press it with a garlic press and only cook it for between 3 and 6 minutes. Sounds like we all might have to alter some recipes a bit to save those garlic compounds.

The Big "O" is not a ZERO

FitSugar — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 15:45:00 -0800

Not only does the big O feel amazing, it's good for you too. Check out the health benefits for having orgasms...

Burns calories (can you think of a more fun way to work out?).
Helps you sleep. Orgasms act as a natural tranquilizer, because the release of endorphins is very calming.
Those endorphins kick in as well if you're dealing with pain from a headache or cramps. They help to increase your tolerance to pain. Guess that puts an end to the age old "headache" excuse.
Relieves stress and tension. Your increased heartbeat and blood flow and flexed muscles comes to a relaxing conclusion when you orgasm.
Calms your cravings for junk food. Sexual stimulation triggers production of a natural amphetamine in your body called phenetylamine, which regulates your appetite.

Well there you have it, in case you needed some more reasons to get it on.

Fit's Tip: Researchers believe that when a women orgasms, those muscular contractions you feel actually are working to pull sperm up into your cervix, so it has a better chance of reaching the egg. Use this info and apply it where needed girls. If you're trying to get pregnant, I'd shoot for the big O.

7 Health Benefits of Having Sex

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:50:00 -0700

There are only so many hours in the day for getting physical. Skipping the gym for a little romp isn't something you should do every day, but when you do choose getting sweaty in bed over the exercise bike, you're still burning calories and benefiting your health.

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