Top 5 Flat-Belly Foods

Top 5 Foods for a Flat Belly

Dreaming of a flat stomach without hitting the gym? The good news is your dream may not be too far away. Whether you’re hoping to blitz away a muffin top or are battling with bloating, your diet is integral to shaping up this problem area. Start eating your way to a trimmer waistline with these top 5 foods for a flat stomach.

Flax seeds

Flax seeds (often referred to as linseeds) are nutritious seeds packed with monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) - which are actually a lot more diet-friendly than they sound. Monounsaturated fats, unlike saturated fats (the "bad" fats found in junk food), not only lower cholesterol levels but they can also help to reduce body fat. Liz Vaccariello, author of The Flat Belly Diet, advocates these healthy fats for those wanting to specifically target belly fat.

Not only will these super seeds tackle love handles, but they are great for those suffering from bloating. Flax seeds provide high levels of fibre and can help to keep the digestive system running smoothly, helping to banish bloating, constipation and other digestive problems. Try adding a tablespoon of freshly ground flax seeds to your morning cereal, lunchtime salad, or homemade smoothie to start enjoying their belly-flattening benefits.

Berries

Blackberries, blueberries, acai berries... what do these fruits have in common? They could all help you to squeeze back into your skinny jeans. Studies have suggested that those wanting to lose their belly fat should opt for fruit that is blue or red in colour (such as cherries, red grapes and many types of berries). In fact, it is the chemicals that are responsible for giving these fruits their colour (anthocyanins) that, according to recent research, also burn abdominal fat.

Yoghurt

Not only is yoghurt low in fat and calories, so good as a weight loss food, but many yoghurts also contain active cultures (probiotics) which promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut and help with digestion, excess gas and bloating. Yoghurt is luckily easy to fit into any diet plan as part of a meal or a snack between meals. You could also try combining natural yoghurt, berries and flax seeds in a morning smoothie or bowl of cereal, getting you off to a great tummy-trimming start before you even leave the house.

Whole grains

Whole grains are great for weight management and shedding those excess pounds. Not only are they a low-fat source of slow-release energy but, due to their high levels of fibre, they will help to regulate the digestive system and also keep you feeling fuller for longer. Eating whole grains also helps to lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and insulin in the body, both of which encourage fat to be stored around the belly.

Many people, however, instinctively opt for wheat as their primary source of whole grains, which is often not the best choice. Not only is wheat difficult to digest - which can cause bloating in some - but it is better to eat grains in their natural form rather than as a processed flour. Good alternatives to try are brown rice, oats, buckwheat and spelt. Quinoa - although technically a seed - is also a nutritious alternative that can be used in the place of grains such as pasta and couscous.

Water

While it's not technically a food, a lack of water in your diet could be the one thing still standing in your way of a flat stomach. Bloating is something that affects many women and the problem is often worsened - or even instigated - by a lack of fluids in the system. Drinking water will help to flush toxins out of the system, curb hunger, improve the digestive system and reduce fluid retention, all of which will leave your stomach looking flatter.

If you are aiming for a flat belly, it is important to drink a minimum of eight glasses of liquids a day. Although this does not have to be water, it is best to go for liquids that are still (fizzy drinks can cause bloating) and low in calories. If you don't fancy plain water, a good alternative is green tea - which is also rumoured to have fat burning benefits - or fennel, dandelion or peppermint teas, all of which can combat bloating.

5 Health Benefits of Masturbation

5 Health Benefits of Masturbation

A new survey from adult product peddler AdamandEve.com reveals that 27 percent of Americans admit to masturbating once or twice a week. That number seems suspiciously low to us, especially since science has shown that being master of your domain can provide additional feel-great benefits. (Also because the people surveyed were browsing an adult toy website.) “Masturbation is part of a healthy sex life,” says Gloria Brame, Ph.D., a clinical sexologist. “It’s totally safe and harmless. It’s healthier than brushing your teeth every day.”

Given our busy schedules, perhaps the time has come to enjoy solo sex. Remember, 94% men and 89% women still masturbate on a regular basis. Masturbation doesn't cause any harm to your body until and unless you over do it. And just as brushing your teeth should be a regular occurrence, so too should be cleaning your pipes. Here are 5 reasons to take matters into your own hands right now. (You’re welcome.)

It prevents cancer. A 2003 Australian study found that men who ejaculated more than five times a week were a third less likely to develop prostate cancer. Disease-causing toxins build up in your urogenital tract and when you rub one out, you flush the bad guys out of your system, says Brame.

It makes you harder. As you age, you naturally lose muscle tone … even down there. Regular sex or masturbation works out your pelvic floor muscles to prevent erectile dysfunction and incontinence. “It keeps the angle of your dangle perky,” says Brame. Aim to (ahem) arrive 3 to 5 times a week for rock-solid results.

It helps you last longer. Taking yourself to palm prom may help you stretch your sack sessions. “[Masturbating] an hour before a date will give you more control,” says Brame. Train yourself by timing how long it takes you to orgasm, suggests Ava Cadell, Ph.D., founder of loveologyuniversity.com. If it usually takes two minutes solo, try for three next time. Or count how many strokes you need to get to your happy place. If you’re spurting after 50, shoot for 60. “Most men can double the number of strokes and the time within one month,” Cadell says. Practice makes perfect, right?

It ups your immunity. Ejaculation increases levels of the hormone cortisol, says Jennifer Landa, M.D., a specialist in hormone therapy. Cortisol, which usually gets a bad rap as a havoc-wrecking stress hormone, actually helps regulate and maintain your immunity in the small doses. “Masturbation can product the right environment for a strengthened immune system,” she says.

It boosts your mood. Masturbating releases a slew of feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine and oxytocin that lift your spirits, boost your satisfaction, and activate the reward circuits in your brain. “An orgasm is the biggest non-drug blast of dopamine available,” says Brame. “A brain scan of someone having an orgasm looks like a heroin addict’s.”

Blame Your Brain for Eating Junk Food

Blame Your Brain for Eating Junk Food

Brain restrains signals and tells body to consume lip-smacking pizzas and burgers, says a new study.

Panfull of pizza and cheese toppings in actuality can direct your head to munch it all. Yes this is true and now it’s official. This psychologically satisfying study by UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, revealed that fat content from variety of foods such as burgers and ice-cream goes straight to the brain.

It is a process where the brain is prompted by the fat molecules to drive messages to body’s cell- with a word of caution to pay no heed to the hunger-restraining warning signs. It is then instigated by insulin and leptin- the two fundamental hormones which help keeping a check on one’s weight.

Research shows that this process can last up to three days.  Experts suggest that usually our bodies know where to put a stop to when we are consuming food in excessive amount. However, that is not the norm in cases where the food happens to suit our taste palette and is irresistibly good.

Medical reports suggest that an individual’s whole brain working can alter in a considerably small period of time. Their results imply that when one binges on foods high in fat content, their brain tends to catch a ‘hit’ because of the fatty acids present in them. This in result makes body opposed to leptin and insulin. Thus, one is not informed by the brain to put a halt in their eating and is likely to overindulge.

The experts also discovered that a particular variety of fat which is known as palmitic acid- most prominent in beef and dairy products such as butter, milk and cheese- is predominantly successful at initiating this particular mechanism.

This particular study was performed by revealing mice and rats to fat content in many ways. It was done by inserting numerous varieties of fats straight into the brain, either via nourishing the animal through a stomach tube nearly thrice a day or by carotid artery.

Animals were given an equal quantity of fats and calories though the type of fat varied. Palmitic acid, unsaturated oleic acid and monounsaturated fatty acids were the different type of fats given to them which is commonly found in our everyday food such as grapeseed oil and olive oil.

According to Research “There are various centres in the brain that stimulates your appetite. It may increase or decrease. You may have various moods just by looking at the food.”

Many people have food according to their taste and some go by health factor and availability. People are not really guided about the health factor of the food they intake and that is the reason they usually pick the taste pattern ignoring the health perspective. Junk food may impair how your brain responds and can further make it duller. Lack of concentration is another factor that is caused due to continuous intake of junk food.

“Socio-Cultural behaviour is the chief reason that attracts maximum towards the junk food. For instance, people who are vegetarian in school usually become non-vegetarian in college which leads to behavioural change in people. Secondly, they adapt habits such as smoking and drinking. They usually adapt an environment around them ignoring the health perspective thinking it’s "IN and HEP,”

In brief the most observed way to lose weight by researchers is to get in link to the psychosomatic connection of food.

So, now we know what to blame, when you hog tubful of indulgence.

Benefits of Exercising with Dog

Benefits of Exercising with Dog

Lack of physical activity is a fact of modern life for both the humans as well as the canines. Both need to exercise, below mentions are some reasons why you should exercise with your dog.

Why to Exercise With Your Dog

Some recent studies have come up with link between pet ownership and better health. According to researchers pet (such as dogs) become stimulus for exercise. As a result pet owners tend to have better cardiovascular fitness level than individuals without pets. Walking or running with your dog can also:

• give you a thorough cardiovascular workout.
• help you to be in shape.
• help to boost your mood.
• lowers your blood pressure.
• strengthen bond with your pet.
• The best part of exercising with your dog is that, you will be motivated to exercise regularly. Your dog will constantly bug you to stay on your to stay on routine. Can you say no to your adorable pug!

Your dog can add fun element to your exercise regime. Even on the days when you are not feeling to exercise you can play with your dog. Simple games and adventurous walks with your dog can burn many calories.