Smoothy Slim
Photo: Rachel Claire
Caffeine and memory Some studies suggest that caffeine may have a significant positive effect on both short-term and long-term memory ( 12 , 13 ). Other studies report no effects on memory or have even found that caffeine impaired performance on memory tasks ( 13 , 14 , 15 ).
If you do break from the pre-operative diet plan, your liver will not shrink enough to make surgery safe and simple. Your bariatric surgeon would...
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9 Foods to Naturally Detox Asparagus. Asparagus contains glutathione, a well-known antioxidant that promotes detoxification. ... Broccoli. Broccoli...
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This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.
Learn More »Coffee is one of the world’s most popular drinks. The morning beverage (or, for some, afternoon pick-me-up) is most known for its high caffeine content, perking up even the most tired eyes. Given coffee’s popularity, several studies have examined its effects on your health, both immediate and in the long term. As it turns out, moderate coffee consumption is associated with health benefits, including a reduced risk of prediabetes and liver disease. (1, 2 ). Researchers have also looked into caffeine’s effect on your brain — and the findings so far look quite promising when it comes to your cognitive health. Active ingredients in coffee Share on Pinterest Lauren Lee/Stocksy United Coffee contains hundreds of bioactive compounds that contribute to its potentially powerful health benefits. Many of these compounds are antioxidants, which fight the damage caused by harmful free radicals in your cells. Here are coffee’s most important active ingredients ( 3 ): Caffeine. The main active ingredient in coffee, caffeine stimulates the central nervous system. The main active ingredient in coffee, caffeine stimulates the central nervous system. Chlorogenic acids. These polyphenol antioxidants may benefit some biological pathways, such as blood sugar metabolism and high blood pressure. These polyphenol antioxidants may benefit some biological pathways, such as blood sugar metabolism and high blood pressure. Cafestol and kahweol. Present in coffee’s natural oil, these compounds are found in high amounts in unfiltered coffee. Present in coffee’s natural oil, these compounds are found in high amounts in unfiltered coffee. Trigonelline. This alkaloid compound is unstable at high heat, and during roasting it forms nicotinic acid, also known as niacin (vitamin B3). However, the amounts of these substances in a cup of coffee may vary. Summary Coffee can be a healthy beverage, packed with hundreds of biologically active compounds, including caffeine, chlorogenic acid, trigonelline, cafestol, and kahweol. How does coffee affect the brain? Caffeine affects the central nervous system (CNS) in several ways. The effects are mainly believed to stem from the way caffeine interacts with adenosine receptors (4). Adenosine is a neurotransmitter in your brain that promotes sleep. Neurons in your brain have specific receptors that adenosine can attach to. When it binds to those receptors, it inhibits the tendency of neurons to fire. This slows neural activity. Adenosine normally builds up during the day and eventually makes you drowsy when it’s time to go to sleep ( 5 , 6 ). Caffeine and adenosine have a similar molecular structure. So when caffeine is present in the brain, it competes with adenosine to bind to the same receptors. However, caffeine doesn’t slow the firing of your neurons like adenosine does. Instead, it prevents the adenosine from slowing down neural activity. Caffeine promotes CNS stimulation, making you feel alert. Summary Caffeine is the key reason why coffee boosts brain function. This stimulant blocks adenosine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain that makes you sleepy. How caffeine can boost brain function Caffeine can lead to an increase in resting brain entropy. Brain entropy is vital to brain function, and high levels point to high processing abilities. An increase in resting brain entropy suggests higher information-processing capacity ( 7 ). Caffeine also stimulates the CNS by promoting the release of other neurotransmitters, including noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin ( 8 ). Caffeine may improve various aspects of brain function, including ( 9) : mood
Generally, following a 3 day smoothie diet can result in a quick weight loss due to the low calorie content of smoothies. It may be possible to...
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5 harmful food combinations you must avoid Two high protein foods. Eggs and bacon are popular breakfast food items but it is advisable to avoid...
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This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.
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A 35-year-old woman who weighs 150 pounds, is 5 feet 5 inches tall (BMR = 1,437), and walks for 60 minutes at 3.0 mph (3.5 METs) will burn 210...
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These foods are best avoided or eaten only occasionally. Red meat and fried foods. Fried foods and red meat contain high levels of advanced...
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This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.
Learn More »Coffee and Parkinson’s disease Parkinson’s disease is a chronic disorder of the CNS ( 24 ). It’s characterized by the death of nerve cells in the brain that secrete dopamine and are important for muscle movement ( 25 ). Parkinson’s mainly affects movement and often includes tremors. There is no known cure for this condition, which makes prevention particularly important. Interestingly, studies show that coffee may help lower the risk of Parkinson’s disease ( 26 , 27 , 28 ). A large review study reported a 29% lower risk of Parkinson’s disease in people who drank 3 cups of coffee per day. Consuming 5 cups didn’t seem to add much benefit, indicating that more is not necessarily better ( 29 ). The caffeine in coffee appears to be the active ingredient responsible for these protective effects ( 30 , 31 ). However, it should be noted that while the evidence is substantial it is not 100% conclusive ( 32 ). Summary Consuming moderate amounts of coffee may protect against Parkinson’s disease. This effect is attributed to the caffeine.
Drink at least 16 ounces of water or healthy drinks, such as coconut water, green or black tea, and chocolate milk. Or you can choose a low-sugar...
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The liver is very resilient and capable of regenerating itself. Each time your liver filters alcohol, some of the liver cells die. The liver can...
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The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.
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Why use almond milk in smoothies? Almond milk is a dairy free, plant based milk that's made with almonds and water. It's great for using in...
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Made into a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favorite beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.
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Pregnant and nursing women, children and teenagers should avoid energy drinks altogether. Summary: Occasionally drinking one energy drink is...
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