When it comes to weight loss, caffeine can be a mixed bag???and it’s certainly no magic bullet.

First, while some herbal and over-the-counter products say that the caffeine and other ingredients they contain can suppress appetite and increase metabolism, the scientific evidence for such claims is shaky at best. I don???t recommend these so-called ???weight loss enhancers??? because it???s often unclear what ingredients they contain, or at what potency. Worse, they could possibly interact in a negative way with other over-the-counter or prescription medications or cause complications for those with certain health conditions. In short, save your money (and possibly your health) and steer clear of them.

MORE …

Tags: appetite, artificial sweeteners, body composition, body fat, caffeine, coffee, green tea, liquid calories, metabolism, water, weight loss

On the surface, substituting artificial sweeteners for sugar or high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) may seem like a great way to reduce calorie intake. After all, the typical American consumes some 150 pounds of sugar in its various forms per year. That???s a lot of empty calories that could seemingly be eliminated by just switching to an artificial sweetener.

But somehow, it doesn???t seem to work out that way. In fact, as the number of artificial sweeteners and products made from them has increased, so have the obesity rates! If artificial sweeteners could help, one would expect the exact opposite to be true.

MORE …

Tags: appetite, artificial sweeteners, fat, junk food, lifestyle, liquid calories, obesity, water, weight gain, weight loss

A recent study linking sugary drinks like soda pop to an increased risk of gout is just another reason in a long list of why I think what you drink is just as important to your health as what you eat.

And it’s not just soda pop, with its high-fructose corn syrup and long list of artificial chemicals, that’s on my list of beverages to avoid, although it’s certainly at or near the very top. It’s no coincidence that the rising obesity and diabetes rates and the introduction and increase in popularity of soda pop follow a similar path on a graph.

MORE …

Tags: artificial sweeteners, diet soda pop, junk food, lifestyle, liquid calories, water, weight gain, weight loss