Why is it that everything that’s a little naughty holds infinitely more appeal? Case in point: when you’re at a party it’s near impossible to resist digging into a bowl of potato chips, while a plate of chopped carrots, celery and capsicum goes virtually untouched.
Here is some great news for everyone who indulges in the odd guilty pleasure; it may actually be helping to keep us healthy!
GIVE INTO TEMPTATION
THE OLD THEORY: Eating foods you crave, such as chocolate, on a regular basis is a sure-fire way of adding extra kilos.
THE GOOD NEWS: Occasionally giving in to your cravings may actually stop you from gaining too much weight! US dietitian Jane Kirby says by trying not to eat the one thing you crave, it’s possible to add extra kilojoules by eating around and avoiding the one food you really want. ‘Instead, have a small portion of the food you crave and get over it,’ she says.
A WORD OF ADVICE: Chocolate is energy rich and packed with kilojoules, which is what makes portion control so incredibly important to prevent gaining weight.
ENJOY YOUR MORNING COFFEE
THE OLD THEORY: Coffee was thought to increase blood pressure, cause heart palpitations and increase anxiety.
THE GOOD NEWS: Spanish researchers have found long-term drinking as many as six cups of coffee a day may cut a person’s risk of dying from heart disease. Research from the US also shows, at least in mice, drinking the equivalent of five cups of coffee a day may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. And although the research was done on mice, there are real similarities between mice and human brains! The lead researcher says if his family had a history of Alzheimer’s, he would add a daily coffee to his diet.
A WORD OF ADVICE: Most recent large studies show caffeine has no significant adverse effects on most healthy people, though pregnant women, heart patients and those at risk of osteoporosis may still be advised to limit or avoid coffee.
A SLURP OF CHILLED WHITE WINE
(for people who are not religiously forbidden to drink wine)
THE OLD THEORY: Plenty of studies have shown a drop of red wine is good for the health of our heart, but the same couldn’t be said for white wine. This was because science used to say white wine – white because the grape skins have been removed – lacks the powerful antioxidant resveratrol, which is found in grape skins. And it’s the resveratrol, which is a powerful weapon against disease-causing free radicals, that protects the heart and reduces cancer.
THE GOOD NEWS: US researchers at the University Of Connecticut say white wine may be just as good for the heart as red. This is because the flesh of the grape, and not just the skin as was previously thought, contains the plant chemical tyrosol, which stimulates the making of resveratrol, making white as healthful as red. Cheers!
A WORD OF ADVICE: While there’s no safe limit of drinking for everyone, guidelines suggest to minimise your risk of ill health both men and women should have two standard drinks or fewer a day, and have one or more alcohol-free days a week. Moderation is the key.
SWEARING IN COMPANY
THE OLD THEORY: Swearing in front of others is quite simply not polite and generally not accepted by society.
THE GOOD NEWS: Letting a curse word slip when you, say, hit your thumb with a hammer, may actually help you tolerate pain by up to 50 per cent longer than those who don’t swear, according to UK researchers. They found the accelerated heart rates of the volunteers repeating the swear word may indicate an increase in aggression, in a classic fight-or-flight response of downplaying a weakness or threat in order to deal with it.
A WORD OF ADVICE: If you want to use this pain-lessening effect to your advantage, you need to do less casual swearing. Swearing is emotional language but if you overuse it, it loses its emotional attachment.
SPRINT AHEAD
THE OLD THEORY: Jogging might keep you moving, but you may pay the price with a marked increase in deterioration of the hip and knee joints by osteoarthritis.
THE GOOD NEWS: A new report from Stanford University in the US says this is simply not true and suggests people from ages 50 to 72 who engage in vigorous running have a slower development of disabilities than a couch potato.
Joggers are less likely to smoke and runners have been associated with fewer deaths from cancer. The studies show runners are less likely to need surgical operations and need knee or hip replacements. Exercise is important for maintaining good balance. As we age and become less active, we lose muscle strength in the legs, which is needed for maintaining balancing skills and to prevent falls.
A WORD OF ADVICE: If you’re going for a jog, don’t run during the hottest part of the day, and drink plenty of water before, during and after your run. If you injure yourself while running, stop and seek medical advice.
INDULGE IN DAIRY
THE OLD THEORY: A lot of people are concerned full-fat milk contains saturated fat, which is heart unhealthy and increases weight.
THE GOOD NEWS: In fact, milk contains on average 3.8 per cent fat (3.8g fat per 100ml milk), much less than some people think. Reduced-fat milk typically contains 1.4 per cent fat, and skim milk has a tiny amount – less than 0.1 per cent fat.
To make milk matters even healthier, a study found dairy may even go to the other extreme and protect against heart conditions and type 2 diabetes. Dairy foods are also a good source of calcium, protein and vitamins A and B12.
A WORD OF ADVICE: While at least three serves of dairy should be eaten each day as part of a nutritious diet, the Cancer Council encourages people to choose reduced-fat dairy foods where appropriate.
Yahoo!7 News, Lifestyle
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