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Say 'No' to Diet Foods For a Lasting Weightloss
 A
wealth of new scientific evidence shines a critical light on the importance of
natural foods and nutritional compounds in the fight against
overweight,
obesity
and
weight maintenance.
A number of independent studies have
concluded that blueberries, watermelon, red grapes, green tea cocoa flavanols
and many more foods exert a potent effect on fat cell formation that can aid in
weight loss
and management goals when included as part of your daily
diet.
-
 Blueberries-Researchers
reporting the results of a study to the Experimental Biology 2011 conference
have found that blueberries may hold the key to resolving one of the largest
threats to human health this century - overweight and obesity. According to
them, extracts of the berry compound inhibit the formation of new baby fat
cells (adipocytes) in a dose-dependent manner. Less adipocytes mean there
are fewer `containers` to store triglycerides from the blood, and this is an
ultimately powerful mechanism to lower or help maintain body
weight.
It was found that blueberry extract supplementation helped in reducing the
number of adipocytes up to 73 percent, and at the same time assisted in the
breakdown of lipids and
fats for removal from the body.
-
 Red
Grapes - Resveratrol, the bioactive compound found most commonly in the
skins of red grapes, is shown to reduce
body fat
formation by preventing the formation of fat tissue in a study published in
the journal Nutrition and Metabolism. The compound is known to positively
affect cognitive functions and extend natural lifespan by regulating the
longevity gene SIRT1. Researchers explain that ingesting resveratrol at
supplemental doses (50 mg per day) for a period of six weeks caused a
significant reduction in the activity of enzymes linked to fat production in the
body.
-
Cocoa- Research published in the Journal of Agricultural and
Food Chemistry provide evidence that extracts of the cacao bean,
particularly the flavanol epicatechin, are potent inhibitors of enzymes
that break down
carbohydrates during
digestion. Study authors determined the compound exerted an effect
in a dose-dependent fashion, noting "the more consumed, the greater the
effect." They were also careful to conclude that chocolate and cocoa are two
very different terms with the distinction that cocoa is the non-fat
component of cocoa liquor, and the carbohydrate-inhibiting effect is not
seen when sugar-infused milk chocolate sources are used. A minimum cocoa
content of 55% is necessary for health and weight management concerns.
-
 Watermelon:
Researchers from the University of Kentucky have demonstrated that consuming
watermelon juice can have a significant impact on artery-clogging plaque
deposition by modifying blood lipids and lowering dangerous
belly fat
accumulation. Regular consumption of the red fruit can help manage fat
deposition and weight management goals while lowering the risks associated with
coronary artery plaque accumulation and
heart disease. Researchers using mice with diet-induced high cholesterol
were given supplemental watermelon juice while a control group was fed a typical
diet with plain water. After a study period of eight weeks, the animals given
watermelon juice had lower body weight than the control group, due to decreased
fat mass. They experienced no decrease in
lean mass, an important finding: muscle tissue remained viable and weight
loss was due to loss of abdominal body fat.
-
Curcumin- a natural polyphenol extracted from curry powder has
powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
It helps to prevent
obesity and assists natural weight loss by inhibiting the
formation of new blood vessels which are required to form new baby
fat cells. This polyphenol also influences how the body regulates
triglycerides (blood fats) which are then stored as body fat or burned
as a source of energy. A study published in The Journal of Nutrition
details how curcumin prevents excessive accumulation of triglycerides in
the blood and shifts our
metabolism away from fat storage. The study authors conclude that
curcumin `may have a potential benefit in preventing obesity.`
Go on to replace commercially prepared foods with natural whole foods. The diet
foods that seems like a "calorie bargain" -- promising to satisfy your
hunger
while still remaining under a set calorie limit -- may harbor hidden
dangers. Many of these foods contain MSG and other chemicals that affect the
nervous system in a way which can over-stimulate the appetite, leaving you with
the desire to overeat. The same is true for many snack foods advertised as "healthy"r
"natural." Diet sodas pose a similar danger, offering the lure of zero/low
calories but causing a spike in
blood
sugar levels.
Dated 24 January 2012
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