Pumpkin Seeds Relieve Symptoms Of Prostate Enlargement

Waking up several times at night to use the bathroom, an urge to run to the toilet all the time or a feeling of not being able to hold it in for long are all common experiences for the millions of men affected by lower urinary tract symptoms.

Lower urinary tract symptoms can affect and reduce the quality of life and are associated with various health conditions, including depression. It refers to the symptoms of problems in the lower urinary tract, including the bladder, prostate and urethra.

Urinary frequency, which is a well-known symptom of lower urinary tract problems, becomes more common with age, during the day and over the night, with nearly a half of the people over the age of 60 waking up more than once during the night to urinate due to conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis.

BPH is an age-related condition in men in which the prostate gland is enlarged. According to the Urology Care Foundation, BPH is the most common prostate problem in men over the age of 50, affecting every second man between the ages of 51 and 60 and up to 90 per cent of those over the age of 80.

Medicinal plants have traditionally been used to support urinary tract symptoms. Clinical researchers demonstrate an increasing benefit from the use of phytomedicine therapies, without the side effects associated with medical therapy.

A new study from the University of Graz, Austria showed supplementation with pumpkin seed extract could help relieve the symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

The study found that 500 mg daily supplementation with the pumpkin seed extract supplement significantly reduced every BPH related symptom after four weeks of intake. They took it before going to bed for three months.

In the study, 58 male subjects between the ages of 50 and 75 suffering from symptoms of BPH for at least six months before screening were given 500 mg of pumpkin seed extract daily for three months. They were monitored every four weeks.

At baseline 76.8 per cent of subjects showed moderate symptoms while 23.2 per cent showed severe symptoms. Results showed that there was a highly significant reduction of symptoms after 12 weeks of intervention with the pumpkin seed extract.

The results showed that 35.7 per cent of men reported an improvement of symptoms from ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’ to ‘mild’ and nocturia and post-void residual urine volume was significantly reduced.

The researchers in the Journal of Medicinal Food said the results may have implications for the way mild to moderate cases are treated in the future.

According to them, “pumpkin seed extract seems to be a very well tolerable, appropriate plant extract to support health benefits in collective suffering from BPH related symptoms without the need for medical treatment.”

Before now, there is some evidence and traditional recognition for pumpkin seed extract and other plants like pineapple and bitter kola in improving urinary symptoms.

A survey identified 31 plants, including recipes, used in the treatment of benign prostate enlargement in Ijebu – North Local Government Area, Ogun State.

This survey that involved a total of 150 respondents, including herb sellers, traditional healers, herbalists, patients, and other individuals with deep knowledge about BPH was published in the 2018 edition of PHYTOLOGIA BALCANICA.

List of plant species used for the traditional management of BPH included Abrus precatorius (Oju ologbo); Adenopus breviflorus (Tagiri); alligator Pepper (Atare); pineapple; bamboo leaves; giant milkweed (Bomubomu); chilli pepper; pawpaw; African star apple (Agbalumo); lime; coconut; kola nut; sandpaper leaf (Epin) and bitter kola.

Others are Grewia pubescens (Afoforo); Heliotropium indicum (Ogberi-akuko); Ipomoea involucrate (Alukerese); Jatropha curcas (physic nut, Botuje or lapalapa); Jatropha gossypiifolia (wild cassava or Botuje pupa); Musanga cecreopioides (umbrella tree or Aga); Opuntia dillenii (prickly pear or Oro agogo); leaves of Portulaca oleraceae (Esinsan-Omode) and sugarcane.

It also includes Securidaca longepedunculata (violet tree or Ipeta); Senna alata (candle bush or Asurun oyinbo); Senna podocarpa (Asurun ijebu); Sida acuta (broomweed or Isekotu); leaves of Spondias mombin (hog plum or Iyeye); Uvaria chamae (Eruju); bitter leaf; and Xylopia aethiopica (Ethiopian pepper or Eeru).

The various recipes were also documented. Leaves of bamboo, unripe pineapple, leaves of Spondias mombin and leaves of Portulaca oleraceae are put together in a pot, trona (kaun –Yoruba) is also added and the mixture is then boiled with water for about 35 minutes. Half a glass is to be taken once daily.

The second recipe involved grinding dried seed of bitter kola into powder and mixing it with the latex from Opuntia dillenii. This is moulded into pills and air-dried. One pill is to be taken once in five days.

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How African Walnut, Beetroot Protect Against Salt-Induced Hypertension

High blood pressure is a symptomless “silent killer” that quietly damages blood vessels and leads to serious health problems. While there is no cure, making small changes like daily intake of African walnuts can make a difference in lowering blood pressure.

In a study, experts found that African walnuts possess a blood pressure-lowering effect in hypertensive rats. It caused a significant reduction in the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate and blood cholesterol levels.

There was no significant difference in SBP, DBP, MAP, heart rate and body weights of experimental animals with salt-induced high blood pressure that was treated with water extract of African walnut and those treated with lisinopril, a conventional hypertensive medication.

This 2018 study, designed to investigate the potentials of Africa walnuts as an anti-hypertensive agent on blood pressure, heart rate, lipid profile, and body weight was published in the American Journal of Hypertension Research.

A total of 30 male Wistar rats were used for this study. The rats were randomly divided into six groups of five rats each. Hypertension was induced in the rats except for the group one which served as the normotensive control group.

The rats induced with hypertension were treated with 70 mg/kg, 140 mg/kg, 210 mg/kg body weight of water extract of African walnut and lisinopril 5 mg/kg respectively for additional 21 days. Measurement of blood pressure and body weights were taken weekly during treatment while lipid profile was analyzed at the end of treatment.

To prepare the extract, the researchers boil the nuts for two hours and allowed to cool. The shells were removed and the white coloured nuts washed thoroughly. The nuts were grounded with an electric blender, macerated with water and filtered.

The researchers suggested that the significant decrease in blood pressure may be due to the action of flavonoids and saponins contained in the water extract of African walnut.

According to them, African walnuts have been proven effective for keeping the blood vessels that supply the heart flexible and reducing the damage caused by fatty food due to its high content of Omega-3 fatty acids, phytosterols and antioxidants.

The researchers, who said that the consumption of African walnuts should be encouraged, declared that there was the need to research on its possible preservation as the plant is seasonal.

Further studies, they said are required to ascertain the mechanism of action through which it also reduces blood pressure.

African walnut is known as Ukpa by Igbos, Awusa by Yoruba, and Gawudi bairi by Hausas. The plants is cultivated principally for the nuts, which are cooked and consumed as snacks. It has been proven to have nutritive, medicinal, agricultural and industrial values over the years.

In traditional Chinese medicine, African walnuts are said to tone kidneys, strengthen the back and knees, moisten the intestines and move stool.

African walnut is known to be rich in protein, fat, carbohydrate but low in fibre and ash content. The nut has also been found to be very good source of Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, E, folate, potassium, sodium, manganese, copper, chloride, iron and ascorbic acid.

It also contains plant-based polyunsaturated fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid. Furthermore, these nuts contain Omega-3 essential fatty acids and since it cannot be manufactured within our bodies and must, therefore, be ingested.

Previously, researchers have revealed African walnut to be useful in ulcer treatment as well as in tackling male fertility by boosting sperm productions in testicles.

Chronic salt – loading has been reported to increase blood pressure in rats. But incorporating flavourful herbs and spices into a daily diet can also help to cut back on salt intake. Examples of herbs and spices to take include basil, cinnamon, ginger, thyme and garlic.

Garlic can help reduce hypertension by increasing the amount of nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide helps promote vasodilation, or the widening of arteries, to reduce blood pressure.

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables, which are rich in potassium, can help lower blood pressure. Such fruits and vegetables include leafy greens, tomatoes, potatoes and sweet potatoes, bananas, avocados and oranges.

Small amounts of beetroot or dietary nitrates added to salty foods may help to also protect against increases in blood pressure. Researchers in a study reported that beetroot juice and nitrate supplements were more than 100 times more potent than potassium in protecting salt-sensitive rats against blood pressure rises.

Writing in the journal Hypertension, scientists found that fortifying salty foods with “surprisingly small amounts” of nitrate-rich vegetable products prevented increases in blood pressure in male Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

They declared: “given that leafy green and root vegetables contain large amounts of inorganic nitrate, these findings raise the possibility that fortification of salty food products with small amounts of a nitrate-rich vegetable concentrate may provide a simple method for reducing the risk for salt-induced hypertension.”

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10 Top Health & Wellness Trends This 2019

Article By Justine Lopez

This year has been a year when most of the world focused on health and wellness in a more holistic manner: both physical and mental wellness. And it is beginning to look like 2019 will be a glorious continuation of what we have been opening our minds up to in 2018. So what can we expect to see in the health and wellness sphere in 2019?

1. Ayurveda

The 5,000-year-old health system, Ayurveda (in Sanskrit means “knowledge of life”) is responsible for a lot of health movements in 2018. Perhaps the most familiar of which would be the ketogenic diet. Ayurveda is an old system of medicine that incorporates plants and animal products, particularly fats. The practice of Ayurveda involves using fats both for consumption, meaning eating fats like ghee, and external use, like oils for the skin. The practice connects both mind and body in bringing about wellness.

2. More Plant Based Alternatives

2018 has seen the rise of plant based food, a whopping 23% rise in sales. Gone are the days when the choices we had regarding plant based food were TVP and tofu. Now it is beginning to look like there will be a huge movement in the plant based fish sector. Expect your local Whole Foods aisles to have more plant based fish meat choices. The plant based fish movement stemmed from the awareness of people of the negative impact of overfishing has on our environment.

3. More Sleep

A lot of people, students and workers alike, are severely lacking in sleep. In the coming year, we will have a better understanding of our circadian rhythm and the effects of melatonin and cortisol on our sleep patterns. If these two hormones get out of whack, our circadian rhythm will be thrown out of its cycle and our sleep gets messed up.

4. CBD Oil

This year has seen a massive rise in popularity of CBD oil. Despite its being taboo in certain circles, Whole Foods Market’s projection predicts that CBD oil will have an even higher spike in popularity in 2019.

Expect that in the coming year, we will be learning more about the endocannabinoid system or the ECS. This is a major bodily system which compounds like CBD and other cannabinoids interact with. We have seen how CBD oil has helped manage anxiety and we’ve marveled at its anti-inflammatory and anti-seizure effects. Cannabis might also help with setting our sleep pattern straight. It most certainly helps with keeping a lid on anxiety and stress.

5. Eco-consciousness

More and more people are becoming aware of global warming and the dire situation the Earth is currently in. Expect that in 2019, the strong rise of the eco-friendly movement will continue. It is predicted that the use of single use plastics and other single use items will see a further decline and the BYOB (bring your own bag) movement will continue to become more popular. 

6. Mental Health

This year, mental health continues to be given its due importance. People are now realizing that in order to be physically healthy, you need to think about your mental health as well. Hemp based products (like CBD oil) has become a more popular alternative to the usual stress medications. It is predicted that 2019 will see the continuation of this mental health trend.

7. Oat milk

Is oat milk the new soy? This year, sales have grown by an impressive 45%. Lactose averse people have found a good alternative to dairy and soy milk and the rise of its popularity does not seem to be ending soon. Grab yourself a bottle of oat milk this 2019 because it looks like they will be flying off the shelves still.

8. MCT oil

Aside from CBD, 2018 brought MCT (medium chain triglycerides) oil into the spotlight. This oil is odorless and colorless and stays liquid at room temperature. Putting MCT oil into your coffee, making it “bulletproof” is a good way of boosting your energy. Expect to see MCT become even more popular in 2019 as more people become aware of its benefits.

9. Body Positivity

Thanks to Rihanna and her Fenty brand, body positivity moved from the fringes to mainstream. Body positivity saw a rise in popularity in 2018 as more and more people focus on loving their bodies instead of shrinking them to fit into the mold that society wanted them to look. As more people shift their focus to mental health, this 2019 will see an even bigger rise in the body positivity movement.

10. Hemp based products

Aside from CBD oil, hemp based products have found their way into our lives from our beauty products, to our food. With the 2018 Farm Bill already signed into law, hemp based farming will be legal nationwide. Expect that in 2019, there will be more choices in hemp based products.

This article was originally published at madebyhemp.com

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Cashew Leaf Promises Cure For Urinary Tract Infections

Antibiotics can be lifesaving, but using them over a long period might raise the odds of heart disease and stroke in older women with respiratory infections, urinary tract infections and dental problems. Now, experts say that cashew leaf is a natural solution to urinary tract infections.

In a new study, researchers found extracts of cashew leaf is able to kill germs that cause urinary tract infections like Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Ethanol and water fraction of the extract respectively have the highest activity against Staphylococcus aureus, while Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae during the antibacterial screening.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system — the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra.

A bladder infection may cause pelvic pain, increased urge to urinate, pain with urination and blood in the urine. A kidney infection may cause back pain, nausea, vomiting and fever.

In a study to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in Okada, a rural community in Nigeria, women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than men.

This study also indicated that Escherichia coli was the most prevalent isolate generally. In females, while Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant isolate causing urinary tract infection in males.

The study reported that the resulting extracts were active against the entire three selected microorganisms. The extracts killed the Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae at 2.0, 1.0, 0.5, 0.25, and 0.125 g/l except Klebsiella pneumoniae at 0.125 g/l. However, the two extracts inhibited the growth of the entire three selected organisms at 0.0625 g/l.

The 2019 study in the Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research involved I. A. Hassan, I. Abdulraheem, H. O. Emun and O. M. Shonowo at the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Based on the findings of this work, the researchers said the leaf extract of cashew tree dissolved in distilled water and ethanol with estimated concentration have good potential for the development of antibacterial drugs.

However, they said more research is needed to fully establish the usefulness of cashew tree to humanity as a source of drugs for the alleviation of illness caused by microorganisms so as to fully harness its potentials.

The cashew leaf and other plants are extensively used in traditional and Ayurvedic medicines for the treatment of various diseases such as malaria, asthma, diarrhoea, dysentery, leprosy, internal worm infections, constipation, wart and sore throat.

The shell of the cashew seed yields derivatives that can be used in many applications including lubricants, waterproofing, paints, and arms production, starting in World War II. The cashew pulp can be processed into a sweet fruit drink or distilled into liquor.

Previously, researchers suggested that UTIs can be affected by one’s diet. In fact, most researchers say diet directly making the pH of urine slightly acidic can be beneficial for fighting off a UTI.

Diet is important in treating urinary tract infection. It supports the body’s immune system, reduce irritation in the healing process and help the body shed bacteria

For instance, garlic is a potent remedy for urinary tract infections. It has a variety of antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties and immune-modulatory effects. Crush five to six cloves of fresh garlic. Soak them in warm water for five to 10 minutes and drink the water throughout the day.

Eating cucumber throughout the day will encourage urine production to flush out harmful bacteria from the bladder and urethra. Researchers in 2012 Journal of European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology said cucumber is a juicy fruit and its seeds have diuretic properties,

Studies have found that holding urine for a long time allows bacteria to multiply within the urinary tract, resulting in a urinary tract infection.

Eating fermented foods also helps to restore the body’s natural flora and recolonise the bladder with helpful bacteria. Some of the healthiest fermented foods include probiotic yoghurt and raw cheese.

Research published in the Indian Journal of Urology explains that benign bacterial flora is crucial for preventing the overgrowth of microorganisms that lead to illness.

Some lifestyle measures that may help, including drinking more water to flush out bacteria, or drinking green tea to ward off infection. Studies show that green tea can have an antimicrobial effect on E. coli bacteria that cause UTIs.

In addition, research shows that green tea contains certain antioxidants that can reduce bladder inflammation

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Why Snail Slime Works For Diabetes

By Sade Oguntola

For long, researchers have known that some herbal remedies for diabetes which reduce blood glucose levels are similar to synthetic diabetes medications like metformin and sulfonylurea.

Now experts in a study said that Costus afer and African snail slime are herbal anti-diabetic remedies that can be used for the purpose of treatment, control and management of varieties of diabetes.

The investigations carried out to determine the long term effects of Costus afer leaf methanol extract, snail slime and the combined Costus afer and snail slime extracts on blood glucose levels of alloxan-induced diabetic Swiss albino rats were done at the University of Jos.

The rats that showed diabetic and healthy were randomly selected and distributed into nine groups of five animals each. Animals in the different groups received either distilled water, left untreated or graded doses of the extracts and standard diabetes drug (Glibenclamide). The extract was administered for a period of 21 days.

Costus afer is traditionally well known for its blood sugar-lowering effect and insulin-secretory activity.  It is commonly called Ginger lily or Bush cane in English. The Igbo people call it “Okpete” or “Okpoto”, whereas the Hausa of northern Nigeria and Yoruba of Western Nigeria refer it as “Kakizawa” and “Tete-egun” respectively.

Ginger lily is used in folk medicine and phytomedicine for the treatment and management of a variety of human ailments, like diabetes mellitus and abdominal problems.

In Nigeria, the Hausa tribe calls African giant snail Dodon Kodiin Hausa, while the Igbo community and Yorubas call it Ejula and Igbin respectively.

Snail has a lot of slimy substances known as snail slime which it drops along its path as it moves. It also uses this slime to regenerate its shell and skin when damaged.

From the study, the snail slime showed positive effect on blood glucose-lowering level but less effective when compared with a similar dose of the Costus afer leaf methanol extract.

The study indicated that there was 103 mg/dL and 87 mg/dL blood glucose reduction for the low dose of Costus afer and Snail slime respectively while the standard hypoglycemic drug (Glibenclamide, 5 mg/kg) used for comparison yielded a blood glucose level reduction of 103 mg/dL.

Similarly, the high dose used in the study gave a blood glucose reduction of 99 mg/dL and 95 mg/dL for Costus afer leaf methanol extract and snail slime respectively.

The results obtained when alloxan induced rats were treated with C. afer leaf methanol extract, Snail slime extract, and combined C. afer and snail slime extracts showed a dose-dependent fashion and without any significant side effect.

This 2018 study to investigate the anti-diabetic potential of bioactive crude Costus afer methanol leaf extract, giant African land snail slime and their combination was published in the Open Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

The researchers said that this regenerative capacity of snail slime and the fact that diabetes is characterised by damage of the pancreatic beta cells may give credit to the blood sugar-lowering (hypoglycaemic) effect observed in Costus afer methanol leaf extract and snail slime for possible drug formulation for anti-diabetic remedy.

They added that the result supports the views of other researchers that some herbal anti-diabetic remedies which reduce blood glucose levels were similar to those of synthetic oral hypoglycemic drugs like metformin and sulfonylurea.

Moreover, based on the discovered therapeutic potential prior to, during and after the 19th century, plant medicines such as Gum Arabic, bitter melon, Bitter leaf, onion, garlic, okra, Aloe vera and Artemisia afra (African wormwood) has been used for the treatment of diabetes.

Diabetes is a widespread disorder affecting the blood sugar and insulin levels in the body. Managing the long-term consequences and complications of diabetes are as much of a challenge as the disease itself.

There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is where the pancreas produces no insulin. Type 2 diabetes is more common. With type 2, the body either does not produce enough insulin or produces insulin that the body does not use properly.

Growing research, however, suggests that some herbs and supplements could be combined with more traditional methods to find relief from many type 2 diabetes symptoms.

The search for new antidiabetic therapies has become increasingly urgent due to the development of adverse effects and resistance by the chemically synthesized drugs on one hand and effectiveness with low cost of the plant materials on the other hand.

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Weight Loss Drinks For A Successful Diet (1)

Article From Abigail Perez

You’re about to embark on a weight loss journey. You’ve been through your kitchen and thrown all the junk food into the trash. You’ve got a diet plan and you’ve taken those awkward "before" selfies. What is the one thing you might have missed?

Have you made the common mistake of underestimating the caloric content of your favorite drinks?

The majority of beverages consumed by the American public are packed with hidden calories. The drinks you might gulp down could be responsible for weight loss plateaus or lack of progress toward your weight loss goals.

The “healthy” smoothie from the organic store? It contains more calories than a double cheeseburger (a large Strawberry Surf Rider from Jamba Juice has 640 calories, a McDonald’s Double Cheeseburger has 440 calories). The coffee on your morning commute? It has the same amount of calories as two glazed donuts (a Venti Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino has 550 calories, while two Dunkin Donuts Glazed Donut have 520 calories). Having a beer with dinner? That’s more calories than a candy bar (a Lagunita’s IPA has 220 calories, while a Hershey bar has 214 calories).

The calories consumed from beverages may be adding hundreds of calories to your daily intake.

Whether it's juices, flavored coffees, sodas, beers, or even those popular “healthy” smoothies, they all contain high amounts of calories.

Instead of changing your diet, try rethinking your lifestyle. Don’t count calories, make calories count. The importance of getting the best nutrition out of every calorie will help you reach your goals. Here are a few of the best weight loss drinks to help you get there.

Drinking Your Weight

Most diets place emphasis solely on food—neglected is the significant nutritional value of what you drink. It’s vital to be aware of liquid calories and large quantities of sugar in drinks you're consuming.

Beverages do not trigger the same satiation responses compared to their solid food counterparts. Studies have shown that meals with solid foods provide better sensations of fullness compared to liquid meal replacements alone. When dietary calories are drastically reduced to kick-start weight loss, it becomes crucial that satiation is maximized. Every calorie counts when sticking to a healthy diet.

A typical 16oz bottle of soda has around 200 calories; that’s approximately equal to six ounces of chicken breast. An average juice smoothie from a national chain has around 300 calories; that’s the equivalent to four whole eggs. Most beer has at least 150 calories, equivalent to five pieces of turkey bacon. As you can see, choosing the non-beverage option in each of these scenarios will not only provide more nutritional value, but will also help you feel satiated.

There are several drinks that also tout themselves as diet or zero-calorie options. These drinks have a similar taste but are sugarless. Once sugar is removed, artificial sweeteners are often incorporated into the new drink for taste purposes. These added ingredients mimic the taste of sugar without the added calories.

There is controversy surrounding these sweeteners due to their potential side effects.

Studies have shown body weight, fat mass, and blood pressure may all be negatively affected by the consumption of sweeteners. Two of the most commonly added artificial sweeteners are aspartame and saccharin. Some research has indicated that with sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin, there’s a potential risk of adverse metabolic effects and type 2 diabetes. Monitor your intake of artificial sweeteners as they are often used in zero-calorie drinks.

Try to pick natural, non-processed drink choices that contain minimal artificial sweeteners to be safe.

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Everyday Drinks

Losing weight doesn’t have to mean sacrificing all beverage-based enjoyment. There are plenty of lower calorie, healthy options that can satisfy your taste buds and battle the bulge.

Green Tea

Green tea contains valuable antioxidants that supercharge weight loss benefits—extract from green tea is one of the most common ingredients added to fat burning supplements. Tea leaves contain many antioxidants such as catechins, which may help decrease body weight. In research on people drinking green tea along with caffeine, they lost an average of 0.2kg - 3.5kg compared to the control group.5

Matcha is a Japanese green tea with higher concentrations of catechins. It contains up to 137x the amount of catechins compared to standard green tea; this higher dose has the potential to further enhance fat oxidation.Caffeine, also in many green teas, may also help support weight loss. In one study, people who were able to maintain weight loss consumed more caffeine.

So, if you’re feeling "hangry," brew yourself a healthy green tea to help you stay on track.

Black Tea

Another type of tea, black tea, may help reduce body weight. Black tea contains polyphenols, which are micronutrients from plant-based foods. Mounting evidence suggests these antioxidants may help prevent obesity.

The polyphenols in black tea promote weight loss through calorie reduction, increased fat breakdown, and increasing friendly gut bacteria.9 Who would have thought the humble cup of tea could be a health drink?

Coffee

Coffee is synonymous with caffeine. Caffeine is the most widely-used nootropic in the world, with millions using coffee as a way to increase energy and potentially increase productivity. At one point people believed coffee was linked to heart disease and high blood pressure, but in fact recent studies have suggested coffee may actually help prevent chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and liver disease.

Coffee may also have positive metabolic effects for both obese individuals and people of healthy weight.

Coffee can boost metabolism. A study found metabolic rate increased significantly three hours after drinking coffee. Furthermore, fat oxidation improved after consumption compared to a control group.

Not only does coffee help with weight loss, it also may help with weight maintenance. Studies have shown caffeine users are able to better maintain weight loss.

Coffee can also reduce energy intake as an appetite suppressant. One study suggests overweight adults who drank coffee were more likely to consume fewer calories. As a result energy expenditure is reduced.

Water

Water—the Earth is made up of it, your body is made up of it, you need it to survive. Puzzlingly, most people do not get the recommended daily amount. Drinking adequate amounts of water will improve overall health.

Besides the health benefits of proper hydration, water can also help with weight loss. Many people mistake thirst for hunger. There’s a chance you may be overeating if not properly hydrated.

A study performed on overweight adults found those drinking seventeen ounces of water before a meal lost 44% more weight compared to a control group. Having a glass of water before each meal can help control appetite resulting in fewer consumed calories.

Drinking water can also increase resting energy expenditure (REE). REE is the amount of calories consumed at rest over the course of a day. In a study performed on overweight children, REE was increased up to 25% for around 40 minutes after the drink. Consuming the daily recommended amount of water may result in weight loss due to increased expenditure. The results may be true in adults as well.

Some people think drinking regular old water is boring. If you need to spice it up a bit, try adding mint leaves or citrus to hot water or cold water to give it a flavor boost.

Out of the Box Options

Outside of those everyday drinks, there's a group of less common beverage options for potential weight loss.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar probably hides out in your condiments cupboard, but you maybe should bring it out more often. Emerging science suggests that it could be a great extra addition to your weight loss regime. It contains acetic acid, a compound linked to decreased belly fat and reduced accumulation of fat in the liver. In a study performed on rats, apple cider vinegar helped prevent obesity in those with type 2 diabetes. In another animal study, it also reduced body weight in obese mice.

The research on apple cider vinegar performed in humans is limited, but some research suggests it may improve metabolic health in humans. Consuming two tablespoons of ACV per day resulted in decreased body weight, waist circumference, and body fat compared to a control group.

Drinking apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach may help improve digestion; consuming it after meals may improve insulin sensitivity and help lower blood sugar levels.

The versatility of apple cider vinegar makes it a valuable tool for overall wellness.

Electrolyte Drinks

You may think athletes are the only ones who need to supplement with electrolytes, but everyone needs them to function properly. Drinking enough electrolytes is important to maintain proper fluid balance throughout the body. Sports drinks often have added electrolytes to counteract their loss in sweat as you workout. Unfortunately, many of these products contain high sugar contents, making them calorically dense. Every calorie counts on a diet. Luckily today, there are low-calorie electrolyte drink options available to provide proper electrolyte balance.

Staying properly hydrated is essential for overall health, and is important for weight loss.

While it seems counter intuitive, the body may retain extra water if not properly hydrated. This water weight can add extra pounds on the scale... (To be concluded on Friday)

This article is from HVMN, an organization that researches and presents articles discussing health, nutrition and diet, among other topics related to human optimization.

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