High fat food items are the biggest culprits when it comes to stomach bloating. Fried items, most dairy products including milk, most baked goods and desserts are all very high in their fat content and should be avoided if you want to feel less bloated. Carbonated fizzy drinks including diet sodas and beer as well as soft drinks can also cause bloating. In addition, while most fruits and vegetables are healthy for you, sometimes they are also responsible for bloating. Vegetables that are known to cause bloating include beans, cabbage and onions while fruits that generally cause bloating are apples, peaches and pears.

Foods to cure bloating

In addition to avoiding the food items that cause bloating, there are also foods that you can specifically include in your diet to get rid of the feeling. In general, protein rich foods like fish, eggs, nuts and meat are good options. You should also drink plenty of fruit juice and water. You can try replacing milk and milk based products with soya milk and tofu, both of which are good sources of protein. Vegetables like spinach, broccoli, cauliflower and fruits like papaya and kiwi can also help you feel less bloated. If you still feel bloated after making these dietary changes, then you might be intolerant to certain food groups. In that case, you should consult your doctor to discuss the possibility of availing medication.

Don't be going around scaring the children now!

Caffeine is one of the best ways by which we can wake up fresh every morning, but beyond that the side effects are something that we need to look into very closely. Caffeine is basically a substance that is present in coffee, chocolates and many natural plants. Caffeine may cause a lot of after effects in the body and are pretty severe in a few cases especially in persons predisposed to caffeine sensitivity. let’s take an inside look at  what and the most common side effects of caffeine so that we could avoid them or keep them minimal should they occur. Starting your day by introducing caffeine leads to drastic problems in the later years, To begin with:

Insomnia:

Ongoing usage of caffeine leads to a syndrome of insomnia. While caffeine intake is normally started to eliminate the problem of sleepiness, eventually it gets rid of it forever. So better keep a keen eye out for that.

Blood pressure rise:

Many sources around says that caffeine reduces blood pressure. Well that be the case they are all undoubtedly wrong. Caffeine increases blood pressure in the body, and may eventually cause heart disease in prone individuals. If you’d want your heart, better keep your mind away from caffeine.

Dehydration:

This is a very serious condition resulting from intake of caffeine, since even in small doses it is known to act as a diuretic (promoting urination).  To compensate for this change, water intake must be increased, not only to quench thirst and replace lost fluids, but also to help cool the body. Some people even experience heat stroke following an outing after drinking their morning ritual. Use of alcohol exacerbates this effect, so it is a must that you avoid alcohol if you insist on caffeinated drinks.

Headaches:

For those who have generally seen people heading to coffee shops to get rid of headaches, congrats! you will understand this nicely. Caffeine creates headaches too. You go to a coffee shop for reducing your headache continuously, but what you don’t realize is that caffeine caused a rebound headache. Yes, indeed it helps to relieve spasm of blood vessels, buy after that is achieved, it dilates again, leading you back to square one.

Addiction: this is the best and the worst side effects, I’ve seen people who’ve lived without food, but once you get addicted to caffeine it’s hardly possible to run away from it. People who get addicted to caffeine might have started drinking or taking caffeine for the sake of headaches or body pains or maybe even sleepiness. Caffeine causes changes to body chemistry which signals inability to function without it. This is how addiction to drugs develops. Not because you want to use it, but changes have occurred to the body. It’s like providing a remedy for a problem, and when you remove the remedy. Tadaa! That becomes a problem.

Conclusion:Side Effects of Caffeine

Used judiciously, Caffeine can be an effective short term weapon. But following repeated use, only the side effects of caffeine are noticed.

We often hear about diets which cause rapid weight loss by getting rid of the water weight in the body. Such diets are usually considered fads and not recommended for long term weight loss. In general, if a diet causes you to lose a drastic amount of weight within a short period of time, you can safely assume that most of it is water weight and will come back soon. So, why is water weight loss considered so bad anyway? Read on to find out.

Weight loss is weight loss, right?

Not really. There are different ways in which you could lose weight and the type of diet you choose determines the type of weight you lose. Broadly speaking, you can lose weight by burning fat or by getting rid of the water in your body. Fad diets are usually very low in calories and carbohydrates. When the body does not get all the carbohydrates it needs, it starts tapping into its carbohydrate “reserves” for its energy needs. Now, turns out that these carbohydrates are bound to the water stores in the body. So, when the carbohydrates stores are emptied, you also lose the accompanying reserves of water. This is what causes those drastic weight losses.

Why is it a bad thing?

It is a bad thing because your body needs that water, as simple as that. Losing excess amounts of water can lead to several problems like dehydration, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, low blood pressure and fever. Even after all these problems, the minute you stop dieting, the water weight comes back anyway. In contrast, fat loss occurs when you really start using up more calories than you consume through exercise and activities. The body taps into its fat reserves when this happens and hence not only is the weight loss more healthy but also permanent.

have you had yours?

Everyone keeps talking about the advantages but many of us overlook the side effects of green tea extract. In this article we are going to brush through the side effects of green tea extract.  Green tea as you may know is an herbal product which is produced via extraction of the principles from the leaves, and being devoid of unwanted elements. It is absolutely herbal. This is one of the reasons why people consume it so rapidly, but nevertheless things may still go wrong. Let’s look at the possible side effects green tea extract:

Loss of appetite:

People think that because green tea is herbal, is safe to keep drinking it all the time. Well, congratulations you’re on the verge of losing your appetite. Of course it is true green has a few nutrients, but it doesn’t mean it has all the nutrients possible. It would’ve been called super tea and not green tea if that was the case. It slowly makes you lose your weight, by among other things, killing your appetite.

Sleeping troubles:

Every now and then it happens that people are unable to sleep while consuming green tea extract. This is indeed one of the more common effects of green tea extract, and it is for this reason it is not advised that you consume green tea extract five to six hours before bed.

Stomach upset:

For people who love green tea this is going to really upset you (literally). Green tea causes stomach upset. People have repeatedly noted that green tea extract causes rise in the stimulation of the stomach’s gastric juice.  This increased secretion of stomach juices leads to indigestion, gas and may even interfere with sleep if bad enough.

Caffeine withdrawal

The caffeine content in the green tea is pretty high which upon cessation may cause various syndromes such as:

Headaches

Sleeping problems

Aches

Psychiatric issues

These problems arise more often than not due to the relative amount of caffeine consumed, not to green tea itself.

Allergies

If we take a look at the allergies that are healed by the green tea, we tend to miss the allergy it causes to people who are not used to it. For some people it may be a reaction to a component of the leaf, or a compound contained in green tea. Other rarer cases involve an allergy to caffeine.

Liver issues: low dosage of green tea extract is pretty much harmless, but high dosages cause depletion of liver enzymes which are cumulative over time. There are a few low grade extracts that cause immense problems to the body with associated questionable manufacture practices. It is best to purchase green tea capsules which state the amount of standardized drug you are getting, or purchasing recognized brands of tea.

Conclusion: Side Effects of Green Tea Extract

Green tea when it is consumed in low doses it does not pose problems, but when the dosages become bigger the side effects of green tea extract become more pronounced.

The rules of calorie counting

Generally speaking, the rules of calorie counting are pretty simple. You consume a certain amount of calories when you eat which is then used up by your body for its various activities. Whatever is not used up gets stored as fat. If your calorie intake is more than your needs, you get fat and if it is less, you lose weight. So, to lose weight, all you need to do is to ensure that you are consuming fewer calories than what your body needs so that it is forced to use up the stored fat. Most calorie counting diets try to make you adhere to this principle by calculating your body’s calorie needs and then counting the calories you consume to make sure you remain below the limit. Overall, when you consume 3500 calories less than your body’s needs, you lose a pound. It’s that simple.

How good is calorie counting

The answer to this question is annoyingly similar to most diet related answers – it depends. If you are really conscientious about counting every calorie that goes into your mouth, record everything sincerely and remain within the allocated limits, then calorie counting will definitely lead to weight loss. The problem is that every single bite of food and sip of coffee counts here. Most people tend to underestimate the amount of calories they consume in a day as it is difficult to keep track of every single thing they eat. There are tools and websites to help you keep track of your calories and if you really have the patience to do it, it is definitely worth a try.

What is intermittent fasting?

Simply put, the intermittent fasting method is an eating cycle in which you alternate periods of fasting with those of normal eating. The duration of fasting and eating periods vary from a few hours to a few days depending on the plan that you choose. The idea behind this eating pattern is to avail the benefits of fasting without making drastic lifestyle changes or feeling exhausted. The plan is flexible enough to incorporate into your regular lifestyle and can indeed be a good option if you are unable to stick to a diet due to your lifestyle.

Advantages of intermittent fasting

The intermittent fasting pattern is believed to prevent the body from going into the starvation mode by avoiding prolonged periods of hunger. A bout of fasting is always followed by eating and so the body does not slow down its metabolism in this method. Also, you are unlikely to feel cranky or weak as the fasting periods generally do not last very long. By not eating anything for certain periods, you will automatically reduce your calorie consumption and lose weight. Since the body’s metabolism is intact, the weight loss will be in terms of fat and not water weight. This will ensure that the weight you lost stays away for good.

hmm..that plate sure looks yummy

Go nuts

These are substances that are enhanced with fiber, good fat and amazing taste. Nuts not only leave you with a sense of fulfilment, but a small serving can go a far way. A few grams of nuts in the day go a far way in helping you achieve your goals.

Whole grains

Grains are dry and fibrous, and provide you with both taste and nutrients.  Coupled with the fact that grains are capable of absorbing quite an amount of water, the effects on satiety are pronounced. Try some at breakfast and what your appetite plummet.

Apple all day

It provides a tasty source of fiber, and not only gives you a sense of satisfaction, but also gives you an option where you can get a cholesterol free meal option. It has been proven in surveys that a person who consumes three apples a day, is more likely to stick to a reduced calorie diet since hunger pangs are suppressed.

Eggs

Eggs are fantastic weight gainers. If you’re a lean person and if you would want a diet plan which involves gaining weight, then undoubtedly this is the food for you. Ensure you eat breakfast which has eggs and look at your weight shoot up. They also act as extremely effective fillers. Eggs can be added to any side of the weight spectrum, being weight loss or weight gain. Eggs are also very filling and rank as one of the top 5 foods to keep you full. Eggs have both proteins as well as fats in them.  If you require a diet high in protein and low in fat, it is advisable to stick to the egg whites alone.

Tomato, tomato

Vegetables are a source of vitamins but tomatoes are a special vegetable. It is a great snack for filling you up. If you’re eating food that makes you feel like there’s nothing in your stomach, it is always suggested to grab a tomato and stuff it up. In these times of highly stringent diet plans, its role is very important and becoming inevitably unavoidable.

We dare you; try any of these top 5 foods to keep you full and watch your weight melt away.

Hoodithin is a natural weight loss supplement available in the form of a liquid extract. It is made from the roots of a plant called Hoodia Gordonii which has been used as an appetite suppressant for several hundred years. Hoodithin is not only clinically tested in an independent lab but is also certified as pure Hoodia extract. It is considered to be one of the best Hoodia based dietary supplements available in the market. Since Hoodithin is made up of completely natural ingredients, the side effects of using it are remarkably low.

What does Hoodithin do?

Hoodithin helps in controlling hunger pangs by tricking the mind into an illusion of being full. The compounds in Hoodithin work directly on the part of the brain that controls hunger and thirst. By releasing a glucose like substance into this part, Hoodithin leads the brain to believe that the body is satiated. This, in turn reduces the desire for food and consequently, the calorie consumption is also reduced. In effect, Hoodithin suppresses the appetite without causing any discomfort or side effects. Since the calorie intake is reduced, weight loss automatically follows after a few days.

Advantages of Hoodithin

Hoodithin has several advantages over traditional diet pills and supplements. First of all, since it is in liquid form, it is absorbed and digested more easily by the body leading to faster results. It is a good option for those who do not like to consume too many pills. Due to its faster absorption and effects, Hoodithin can be consumed whenever needed instead of meticulously planning for it. Finally, most people find the taste of Hoodithin quite pleasant and since it is in liquid form, it can be mixed with a glass of juice or water for consumption. Overall, Hoodithin is a fast acting, effective, fuss-free dietary supplement which can make dieting a lot easier and less painful.

Wound healer

As we can see, when we get hurt or burned or we attain some form of damage to our body, the affected tissues regenerate on its own. The factor that plays a large role for this to happen is arginine to a large extent, which promotes normal secretion of healing hormones. This is one of the advantages of having your arginine levels optimally regulated. Think about a wound that would take days to get cured. It promotes blood flow to the affected area.

Blood pressure reduction

Pressure in the body is regulated to some extent with the help of arginine. When blood pressure is low it regulates the flow of blood to the body, and in cases when blood pressure is high it reduces it. This causes the blood pressure to remain constant and allows for improved quality of life.

Hormone secretion

Arginine promotes uniform secretion of hormones. The body is tuned up such that the hormones are secreted at the right time and in the right manner. The hormonal problems that arise at older ages are in large part due to a syndrome of arginine depletion in the body. The body is subjected to the rise of hormonal issues only after the age where the arginine gets reduced.

Increased Cardio vascular efficiency

Arginine has been shown to be a very effective agent if used for cardiovascular problems that may arise in the body. Arginine supports direct relaxation of coronary arteries, leading to reduction in angina pains and promoting healthy cardiac output. It was also demonstrated that in persons suffering with ischemic conditions relating to atherosclerosis, arginine supplementation led to a greater reduction in cholesterol levels as opposed to using weak ant-hyperlipidemic drugs.

Erectile dysfunction

One of the most researched uses of arginine relates to its ability to potentiate erection. It has been shown that erectile dysfunction is in large part due to restricted blood flood to the penis (specifically in an area called the corpus cavernosum). Supplementation with arginine increased the ability to copulate successfully, and current studies demonstrate collective effects with prolonged use. It is good to know that arginine and the wonder drug Viagra are related. Got your attention now?

Even though arginine is only considered as a semi-essential amino acid, the varied uses of this compound would benefit anyone. And the best part? Side effects resulting from the many uses of arginine are low.

What is the volumetric diet?

The volumetric diet is a weight-loss plan which is based on the idea that including low calorie density foods in your diet will allow you to eat more without gaining weight. The idea behind this is that people need to feel satisfied with the amount of food they have consumed before they can stop eating. By allowing you to eat large quantities of food, the diet ensures that you do not feel deprived. At the same time, since the calorie density per gram of the foods is quite low, they do not cause weight gain, despite being consumed in large quantities.

The volumetric diet plan

The volumetric diet provides a base plan of around 1600 calories per day which can be adjusted according to the weight loss needs of the individual. The meals in the diet are mainly planned around fibrous foods like fruits and vegetables. Whole grains, brown bread and brown rice are also included in the meals. The diet also recommends drinking plenty of water through the day. No food item is completely banned but the diet tries to reduce the intake of calorie rich, processed foods like desserts and chocolates. The main strength of the diet is that it does not try to provide any instant weight loss solution but rather tries to enforce lifestyle changes which can lead to long-term, permanent weight loss.