WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF DRINKING COFFEE?

What is good about drinking coffee? According to studies, people who drink coffee are less likely to have the following health problems (but of course there is no proof in most studies because other factors may be involved):

1. Type 2 diabetes if you drink at least cups per day up to 6-7 cups.

2.  Parkinson's disease.

3.  Dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

4.  Certain types of cancers.

5.  Strokes.

6.  Heart rhythm problems.

A University of British Columbia showed that dark roasted coffee is the richest in antioxidents which help to eliminate free radicals in the blood. Free radicals can cause premature aging.

The benefits appear to occur with regular or decaffeinated coffee. Some caution is due though because coffee can raise blood pressure and levels of adrenaline. Excess caffienated coffee can make you "wired" and you will feel nervous and possibly cause to make errors in judgement. One study showed that cafeine can cause disruption of brain cell operation. So be careful,but enjoy your cup of coffee!

THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF TEAS

A lot of studies have been done on various kinds of teas including green, white, and black teas. Of these, green and white teas seem to have the most healthful effects. Green teas have been reported to inhibit a range of cancers such as lung cancer, prostate, and breast cancer. One study indicated that people who drink at least 1 cup of green tea a day are 5 times less likely to develop lung cancer. Green and white teas are reported to fight bacteria and fungi. Two studies have shown that green tea speeds up the metabolism, fat oxidation, and improves glucose tolerance. It is also thought to increase endurance during exercise due to improving fat metabolism. This makes green tea another way to fight weight gain. Other evidence shows that green tea may fight diabetes, boost the immune system, lower chances of cognitive impairment, and lower stress hormone levels. Other healthful effects indicated by reports are help with inflammatory bowel disease, iron overload, venom exposure, strokes, cardiovascular health, and genital warts. Many other beneficial effects of teas have been reported over the years, but more scientific studies are needed to confirm or disprove the claims that have been made. In any case, teas are a good beverage that can enjoyed, without any fear because of its safety proven by many years of usage by many different people. So enjoy it!

HOW CAN YOU LOSE WEIGTH AND CONTROL IT?

The first thing to do to lose excess weight (and I do emphasize excess) is to forget about all of the quick weight loss diets, fad diets, and pills that are all of varying degrees of danger to your health.

The "secret formula" is to follow my five basic rules to lose weight and control it:

1) Eat only what is good for you, low fat meats, vegetables, grains, fruits, clean water, certain spices, some oils, and some teas and coffees. Also eat a variety of these foods, and vary your food from day to day. In later articles I will discuss details of what specific foods, spices, oils, teas, and coffees are "good."

2) Stay away from the "junk foods" such as sweets, chips, and refined foods such as white bread and white rice.

3) Eat only reasonable helpings of each food, not too much of any one food, and don't take extra or "second helpings." Especially high glycemic carbohydrate foods such as breads, and certain vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and beets (small portions are ok.) High glycemic means foods that will rapidly load your blood with too much glucose which will lead to fat gain. (You need glucose in your blood but a normal metabolism regulates it to the correct level.) You can fill a regular 12 inch dinner plate with your breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as long as you follow rule 1 and rule 2 above, but again, no second helpings. But don't cheat and pile up your plate over 2 inches high! Its better to leave the table a little hungry than stuffed to the limit.

4) Always try to eat a balanced meal that has protein and carbohydrates. Don't eat more than 50 grams of protein a day as your body will excrete the excess and it will put an extra load on your kidneys. When I say carbohydrates this includes oils. Don't eliminate oils from your diet as your body needs oils to maintain health. Eating a balanced meal two or three times a day will help to control your appetite so that you will not overeat at one meal. Overeating is the worst thing you can do and will lead to excessive weight gain over time.

5) Decide on what and how you are going to eat long term, following my five rules, and decide that this is how you are going to eat for the rest of your life! Of course, you may have to make adjustments from time-to-time if you are still gaining too much or loosing too much weight.