But soda isn’t just water, corn syrup and carbonation — a can of Coke or Pepsi also contains chemical additives for coloring and flavoring. And according to one public health group, those additives could increase your chance of getting cancer.

That’s the message from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a Washington-based consumer watchdog group. CSPI has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban the “caramel coloring” that is used in Coke, Pepsi and other sodas, on the grounds that the chemicals are carcinogenic.

CSPI says the artificial brown coloring — which doesn’t have much to do with actual caramel, despite the name — is made by reacting corn sugar with ammonia and sulfites under high pressures and at high temperatures. (Just like Mom used to do it!) Those reactions produce the chemicals 2-methylimidazole and 4-methylimidazole — chemicals that government studies have found to cause lung, liver or thyroid cancer in lab rats or mice. “It’s a small but significant risk, and it’s the kind of thing that government agencies should deal with,” says Michael Jacobson, the executive director of CSPI.

Is Jacobson right? A 2007 study by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) found “clear evidence of carcinogenic activity of 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) in male and
female B6C3F1 mice based on increased incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar neoplasms,” otherwise known as lung tumors. The state of California has also concluded that 4-MEI is a carcinogen, and is in the process of crafting regulations that may require food and drinks containing significant levels of the chemical to bear cancer warnings.

According to California’s regulators, a level of more than 16 micrograms per day would pose a significant risk — meaning it could result in at least one excess case of cancer per 100,000 exposed people. Given that there are roughly 130 micrograms of 4-MI per 12-ounce can of soda — and given that the average American drinks 14 ounces of soda a day, with young men drinking far more — that would mean that most of us would be at some risk.

As a result, CSPI has been petitioning the FDA to change the name or ban the use of the chemicals in soda and other foods, or at least force manufacturers to put warning labels on their packaging. “We think industry can solve this problem,” says Jacobson. “They don’t want to put warning labels on their products.”

The soda industry, however, is fighting back. In a statement the American Beverage Association — an industry group that includes soda makers — denied that 4-MEI posed any danger to human health:

4-MEI is not a threat to human health. There is no evidence that 4-MEI causes cancer in humans. No health regulatory agency around the globe, including the Food and Drug Administration, has said that 4-MEI is a human carcinogen. This petition is nothing more than another attempt to scare consumers by an advocacy group long-dedicated to attacking the food and beverage industry.

In California a number of industry groups — including the American Beverage Association — have filed a lawsuit against state regulators to block efforts to list 4-MEI as a carcinogen:

The state agency’s decision does not reflect sound science and failed to follow its own regulations. Also, it did not take into account all the data available on the subject in this process.

Source: http://healthland.time.com

The finding was based on a review of the literature on energy drinks, researchers at the University of Miami said in the study appearing in the journal Pediatrics.

Many of the energy drinks reviewed contain three times the caffeine of a cola and some of which have five times more, said the study.

The study showed that caffeine in the drinks can exacerbate cardiac conditions, especially in children with eating disorders, and interfere with calcium absorption and bone mineralization in young adolescents.

Energy drinks produce extra calories which can contribute to diabetes, high body mass index and dental problems, according to the study.

Also, energy drinks contain additional ingredients which may boost caffeine levels, said the study.

The study also found that many children and young adults in the United States have tried energy drinks, and some consume them heavily.

A survey of college students reported that 51 percent regularly consumed one or more of the drinks per month, and a majority of those students drank them several times a week.

Insufficient sleep and a desire for more energy were cited as reasons for such consumption, said the study.

The drinks are unregulated in the United States, and the number of overdoses of caffeine from drinking them remains unknown, the study said.

But in Germany, Ireland and New Zealand, officials have reported cases of liver damage, kidney failure, seizures, confusion and arrhythmias associated with energy drink use, according to the study.

A study that was recently published has determined that it would help American lose weight should the tax was large enough.

However, even then the benefits would primarily be accrued by the middle class and be modest at best.

If the United Stated added a 40% tax to the price of sugary drinks such as sports drinks and sodas that were purchased in a retail store, it would reduce approximately 12 calories from the daily intake of beverages for the average person in the United States. This would translate into a person losing approximately 1 1/4 pounds.

Without doing all of the calculations, it turns out that a 20 % tax wouldn’t work as well as a 40% tax for discouraging the drinking of sugary drinks. Also, should the tax cover more kinds of sugary drinks, the reduction in caloric intake would be somewhat increased which would reduce the options for a substitution of a lower tax.

However, if such a tax could become politically palatable, the benefits from such a tax wouldn’t be advantageous for everybody. The study also determined that increasing the taxes on sugary drinks wouldn’t reduce the weight of the poorest of the wealthiest people in the United States significantly.

The idea of taxing junk food and sugary beverages is gaining some support in some political circles. However, it might be impossible to get public support for such taxes. Recently, a survey was conducted in which people in the United States were ask for their opinion a tax increase directed at sugary drinks.

Over 3,000 people or 51% if the people surveyed either opposed or strongly opposed such tax increases. Only about 1/3 of those surveyed were in favor of a tax increase.

However, there is the deficit to consider and one factor might be how much money the increased taxes might raise. It has been estimated that a tax of 40% on a variety of sugary drinks might gather over $2,500,000,000.

There are reasons for optimism about the possibility of renewed double-digit growth in yogurt drinks, including new flavors and packaging, rising interest in pro-biotic health benefits, lower cholesterol, high Omega 3 benefits, and the extension of the category into new forms of hybrids, including combinations with energy drinks.

Yogurt drinks have considerable health benefits, and are beneficial to the digestive system. It may offer the perfect balance of taste, convenience, nutrition and, increasingly, specific functionality to demanding individuals.

Yogurt drinks has benefits that the widely used milk don’t have: people who are moderately lactose-intolerant can’t drink milk but they can enjoy yogurt drinks without ill effects, because the lactose in the milk precursor is converted to lactic acid by the bacterial culture.

Yogurt healthy drinks are known and consumed all over the world. Being rich in potassium, calcium, protein and B vitamins, including B-12, they help stabilize the immune system, digest lactose and dairy products, and are a good source of iodine.

Yogurt drinks have uses for a variety of gastrointestinal conditions, and in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea. They also promotes good gum health because of the pro-biotic effect of lactic acids present in them.

Calcium, which is found in dairy products, needs to enter the body in an acid matrix or your body will not absorb it. So the lactic acid of yogurt, as a part of yogurt drink, is a perfect medium to maximize calcium absorption. Eight ounces of yogurt will equal 400 mg of calcium, 25% more calcium than you would get out of a glass of milk.

Another benefit is helping banish the belly. The same calcium stops the production of the hormone cortisol, which increases your stomach fat. So, if you want to look and be fitter then several tubs of fat-free yogurt drink a day can help you a lot.

As the summer is coming, some good, refreshing, yogurt drink recipes will be helpful. One of the most successful is the Spiced Minty Yogurt Drink. You will need: 1 cup of yogurt, ½ cup water, 12 mint leaves, ½ teaspoon cumin, 8 ice cubes, and some whole fresh mint leaves for garnish.

Firstly blend together all the ingredients except the ice cubes and whole mint leaves for the garnish until smooth in a blender. Then add the ice cubes and continue to blend another 20 to 30 seconds. Pour into glasses and garnish with the mint leaves. Then you can serve this refreshing, stimulating, and healthy yogurt drink.

Another Strawberry Yogurt Drink can be made of 1 cup of sliced strawberries, 1/2 cup of low-fat yogurt, 1/2 banana, 3 ice cubes, and some strawberries for garnish. Combine the sliced strawberries, yogurt, banana, and ice cubes in a blender. Process until smooth. Pour into glasses and garnish each serving with a strawberry. It is very simple and tasty.

And if it’s a really hot day, then you can try this one: Cooler-Than-Cool Yogurt Drink. Blend 2 cups of plain low-fat yogurt, 1 small, diced ripe avocado, 2/3 cup cubes seeded pared cucumber, 5 fresh mint leaves, 1/2 teaspoon celery salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper sauce, and 1 cup of cracked ice, except garnish. This really cool recipe will be good for 4 servings.

Yogurt drink is a healthy drink. It can be bought or made at home. It is a part of modern diets and always appears on the table of people who do care about their heath. It is tasty and useful and accessible in the same time. So what will you choose when looking next time for a drink?

If you are healthy drinking soda, you are more likely to have a lower intake of important nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, magnesium, and calcium. The decrease in calcium can result in reduced bone mass, which can contribute to broken bones in children and can possibly lead to osteoporosis later in life.

Some nutritionists say that healthy drinking high-fructose corn syrup causes weight gain by interfering with the body’s natural ability to suppress hunger feelings. For those who can’t do without their soda pop, natural varieties are growing in popularity and can be found at most health food markets. Many use cane juice to sweeten, because it is less processed but has many of the nutrients found in sugar cane. Others add no sweetener and instead let the real fruit ingredients do the job.

Healthy drinking – water.

Whether it is flat or fizzy, flavored or plain, water is a fundamental component of your family fitness plan and is the perfect beverage for everyone. Over 1 billion people worldwide have no access to safe drinking water. The United States is fortunate to have one of the best supplies of drinking water in the world. Although tap water that meets federal and state standards is generally safe to drink, threats to drinking water quality in the United States still exist. Outbreaks of drinking water-associated illness and water restrictions during droughts demonstrate that we cannot take our drinking water for granted.

Did you know that your tap drinking water may contain a number of contaminants from a range of sources that can make you ill? Some contaminants have an effect on the look, smell and taste of your drinking water, yet some will be unnoticeable and can potentially have more harmful effects on your health.

Healthy drinking – milk.

Low-fat and fat-free milk are healthful beverage alternatives. Next to water, low-fat or fat-free milk and soy milk are the best beverage options for your family healthy drinking. Milk contains calcium, which we often don’t get enough of, as well as protein. Soy milk is a great alternative to cow’s milk, especially if you are lactose intolerant, have problems with chronic upper respiratory infections (sinus infections or ear infections), have asthma, or are just looking to include more soy in your diet. Chocolate milk is healthy drink for an occasional treat; just try to control the amount of chocolate added to keep the sugar under control.

Healthy drinking – vegetable juice.

Healthy drinking of vegetable juice is a great low-calorie choice that offers antioxidants, such as vitamins A and C, and other nutrients such as lycopene, which has been linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Eight ounces of vegetable juice has 2 grams of fiber, is very low in sugar, and has only 50 calories.

Healthy drinking – coffee drinks.

With the rise of the chain coffee houses has come the popularity of creamy coffee drinks that are chock full of sugar and calories You could easily get more than half of your daily calorie allowance from your coffee break. Fortunately, you don’t have to forgo your treat. There are many lower-calorie choices, such as a small café latte or cappuccino made with fat-free milk (about 120 calories). You could also try for healthy drinking a 12-ounce Chai tea with fat-free milk for about 170 calories. Choose from a selection of herbal teas or, of course, plain old zero-calorie black java. And instead of the muffins or cake, try a crunchy biscotti for around 120 calories.

Healthy drinking – 100 percent fruit juice.

100 percent fruit juice is just that — it is made solely from fruit with no sugar added. Healthy drinking of fruit juice has the added benefit of being full of the vitamins that are naturally found in fruit, such as vitamin C and folate. I would suggest limiting the total amount of juice for the day to 4 to 8 ounces.

Bradford and Airedale Community pharmacy development and clinical governance pharmacist from BAtPCT, Rachel Urban, mark out:

Top tips for babies’ healthy drinking

- Breast milk or infant formula should be the main drink for babies aged one and under
- Cooled boiled water is best if extra drinks are needed between meals
- Sugary drinks should never be served in a bottle
- Parents should not allow babies to use a bottle in bed
- Bottles should not be used by babies aged over 12 months
- Pure unsweetened fruit juice is a useful source of vitamin C and should be drunk with main meals or breakfast
- Squash, if given, should be served at mealtimes only and never in a feeding bottle
- Fizzy drinks – including diet drinks – should be discouraged
- Free-flow feeder cups should be used from six months
- Valve cups, anyway up and sip and seal cups are not recommended

Here’s the list of the healthiest drinks in the world:

1. Water
The best and most healthy drink in the world is water. So safe drinking water is another essential. It is the most natural drink in the world yet normal tap water can contain up to 2100 contaminants and if you are consuming these you can be exposed to all means of nasties such as poisons, lead ingestion & even chlorine. So in order to get the full benefits of water you must drink it from a pure source. Pregnant women should drink pure water as impure water can lead to birth defects.

2. Tea
Tea is actually one of the three healthiest drinks in the world. In fact, it is the most commonly consumed beverage after water. The simple tea leaf has conquered the world and has become a beloved drink that billions of people enjoy. However, tea is not just an ordinary beverage. This delicately flavored drink offers numerous important health benefits. It’s therefore not sensible to stop drinking tea in favour of sweetened, artificially flavoured drinks.

The antioxidants that tea contains in abundance can help keep our immune systems healthy and fight infections; they have anti-aging properties, and can even help in the fight against cancer causing cells. The polyphenols in tea can reduce gastric, esophageal and skin cancers. Another health benefit of tea is that it has virtually no calories. Tea is a perfect beverage for people who are trying to reduce weight. It is also a preferred alternative to coffee as it has less caffeine. Tea also contains fluoride for strong teeth. Green tea also seems to help protect the body from autoimmune disorders. As one of the healthiest drinks in the world, green tea aids digestion, boosts the immune system, promotes weight loss, inhibits carcinogens, and lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure.

It’s clear that we should be drinking as much tea as we can. And with a sophisticated black kettle as a part of your stylish black and white kitchen, boiling up that brew can be as fun as it is healthy.

3. Grape Juice
Grape juice is a fruit juice obtained from crushing grapes, and considering all of its benefits it can be named as one of the healthiest drinks in the world. The juice is often fermented and made into wine, brandy, or vinegar.

A recent study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry found that grape juice was among the highest in antioxidants among the juices tested, including pomegranate juice. Red wine and certain types of grape juices have high levels of polyfenol which can stop the production of proteins causing cardiovascular illnesses. Drinking Concord grape juice can be good for the heart – much like red wine. And so, with the link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer causing concern for some women, drinking 100 percent grape juice made from Concord grapes can help your heart and perhaps your breast health. Grape juice can also lower the risk of developing the blood clots that lead to heart attacks.

4. Superjuice
One of the healthiest drinks in the world – is a superjuice that contains 19 different nutrient-rich fruits, and the whole fruit: juice, pulp and skin, so you get all the goodness and antioxidants. The main ingredient is the acai berry from the Amazon rainforest, which has been dubbed The World’s Number One Super Food by Dr Nicholas Perricone. The other fruits include bilberry, goji (wolfberry), pomegranate, acerola, camucamu, red and white grapes, all selected so that the superjuice is packed with health-protecting phytonutrients right across the entire colour spectrum.

Remember it’s important to drink much, but don’t forget about the clean drinking water.

Ever read the ingredients label on that can of soda? Grab one now and read it. Surprising, isn’t it? Most likely the top ingredients are corn syrup or high fructose corn syrup, two very concentrated forms of sweetener, and a whole list of artificial ingredients. Like sugar-free? What does that label say? Anything “natural” in it?

The supermarket has hundreds of delicious, refreshing alternatives to the nutrient-free soda.

1. Club soda mixed with pomegranate juice. 160 calories per cup; still bubbly.2. Tonic water with a squeeze of lemon or lime. Only 80 calories; still bubbly.

3. Light yogurt and fruit smoothie.. Creamy and sweet, high in calcium and only 174 calories per cup.

4. Tomato juice or V8. Packed with flavor; high in vitamins C, A, and potassium and only 50 calories per cup.

5. Flavored seltzer. Carbonated, but zero calories.

6. Energy drink (such as Gatorade). Tastes sweet, 60 calories per cup, contains electrolytes.

7. Apple cider. Has 120 calories per cup, but packs a tangy, substantial flavor.

8. Milk, whole or skim. High in calcium and protein–and you need both. With 145 calories per cup of whole milk; 85 calories for skim.

9. Ovaltine made with skim milk. It’s chocolaty, fortified with vitamins and minerals, high in calcium and protein and 170 calories per cup.

10. Tea or coffee, unsweetened. Get a boost on less than five calories per cup, plus it’s high in antioxidants.

Content provided by Revolution Health Group

Metabolism (pronounced: muh-tah-buh-lih-zum) is a collection of chemical reactions that takes place in the body’s cells to convert the fuel in the food we eat into the energy needed to power everything we do, from moving to thinking to growing. Specific proteins in the body control the chemical reactions of metabolism, and each chemical reaction is coordinated with other body functions. In fact, thousands of metabolic reactions happen at the same time – all regulated by the body – to keep our cells healthy and working.

In a study reported on in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was found that green tea extract resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure (a measure of metabolism), plus also had a significant effect on fat oxidation. While some of the effects were originally theorized to be due to the caffeine content of green tea, the researchers discovered that the tea actually has properties that go beyond those that would be explained by the caffeine.

The same amount of caffeine as was in the green tea, administered alone, failed to change energy expenditure in other studies. This led researchers to believe that there is some interaction going on with the active ingredients of green tea that promotes increased metabolism and fat oxidation.

The researchers indicated that their findings have substantial implications for weight control. A 4% overall increase in 24-hour energy expenditure was attributed to the green tea extract, however, the research found that the extra expenditure took place during the daytime.

Thermogenesis is the process by which the body generates heat, or energy, by increasing the metabolic rate above normal. This rise in metabolic rate is referred to as the thermogenic effect, thermogenic response, or specific dynamic action (SDA). Thermogenesis is activated by a few different mechanisms, including supplements, nutrition, exercise, and exposure to cold.

This led them to conclude that, since thermogenesis (the body’s own rate of burning calories) contributes 8-10% of daily energy expenditure in a typical cubject, that this 4% overall increase in energy expenditure due to the green tea actually translated to a 35-43% increase in daytime thermogenesis.

For more information visit: Avatrim.com

Tomato contains (per 100g):
Calories: 23 kcal
Protein: 0.88g
Carbohydrate: 3.92g
Sugar: 2.58g
Fat: 0.2g

Also Tomato gives you as much as 10% of daily dose of Vitamin A, 13% of Vitamin C, 1% of Iron and 1% Calcium.

And it’s the most wonderful – you can easily prepare different kinds of Tomato Juice at home.

Nothing tastes better then homemade Tomato Juice.

It is a wonderful alternative to store bought juice, and you’ll be surprised at how great it tastes! Low-Fat Tomato Juice fights negative effects of increased fat intake, otherwise rapidly absorbed by the body.

5 Recepies of Low-Fat Tomato Juices:

1. The Gardener

Ingredients:
1 cup tomato juice
1 teaspoon celery juice
Parsley
Salt
Combine all ingredients; stir well.

2. Piquant

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups tomato juice
1 teaspoon grated onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Combine all ingredients; stir well. Chill for several hours; serve in juice glasses.

3. Easy Tomato Juice cocktail

Ingredients:
18 lbs. ripe tomatoes (7 qts. juice)
1/4 c. chopped onion
2 c. chopped celery
1 c. chopped carrots
1/2 c. sugar
4 tbsp. picking salt
1 tbsp. celery seeds

4. Fresh

Ingredients:
3 cups fresh tomato juice
1 cup fresh carrot juice
1 cup fresh red beet juice
Parsley
Salt
Pepper
Combine all ingredients; stir well. Serve in juice-jug with ice.

5. Hospitality

Ingredients:
1 liters fresh tomato juice
Tomato pieces
1 1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
Parsley
Combine all ingredients; stir well. Serve in juice-jug with ice and olives.

The best way to get the most flavor out of your tomatoes is to juice them by themselves. However, there are a lot of options if you would like to flavor your tomato juice. You can add spices, some pure vanilla extract or some stevia to your tomato juice to suit your tastes.

A diet tea with little bit of skimmed milk is a very healthy beverage. It contains carbohydrate, protein minerals like potassium, manganese, calcium, zinc and vitamins B1, B2, and B6. High vitamins level is essential in the body as vitamins help to release energy from fats and carbohydrates, increases body metabolism, provides antioxidants and strengthens the immune system in the body.

Diet tea is rich in phenols and other reducing agents, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants are very useful for maintaining health.

Diet tea come in different forms and varieties and is very popular in countries with different culture. But any long-term studies have not been done to identify the actual effectiveness and the side effects of diet tea. So it is necessary to have a proper study about this matter as more and more people are attracted to the idea of taking diet tea to reduce their weight. Before taking diet tea as a diet supplement it will be better to consult a doctor and make sure that the components of the diet tea will not interfere with the medicines one taking for other health problems .

Tea is an ancient treasure that can be incorporated into your healthy diet plan. However, there are many Diet Tea formulas that have made their place in the ‘weight loss market’ which claim to enhance weight loss. They may also claim that their key ingredients work ‘naturally’ to assist the body in burning calories more efficiently by making fat and blood sugar available for body fuels.

Types of Diet Tea

Most herbal diet teas fall into one of two categories.

The first type contains stimulants that supposedly cause us to burn fat faster, though scientific studies have not yet proven this claim. Since they are stimulants, they may also work as appetite suppressants; these teas also carry the risks of other appetite suppressants, including nervousness, headaches and sleeplessness. Examples of stimulant ingredients include ephedra, ephedrine, ma huang, kola nut, and guarana.

The other major type of “diet tea” produces weight loss by acting as a laxative or diuretic to promote the loss of large amounts of body fluid. Unlike fiber-based “bulk” laxatives, these stimulant laxatives become habit-forming by causing intestinal muscle to lose the ability to function without them. By causing excess water loss, they can also lower levels of important minerals like potassium, which can cause serious health problems. Some of the most common of these stimulant laxatives are senna, locust plant, angustofolia, cassia angustofolia, cascara and buckthorn. These same ingredients can also be found in herbal “cleansing” or “purifying” products. Experts warn that the use of such products is hazardous.

Benefits of Diet Tea

Diet tea helps to keep intestines healthy. It has a beneficial effect in keeping blood sugar level in check by preventing poisonous chemicals from damaging the bet-cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.

Traditionally it is believed that diet tea helps to lose weight. They help to increase the fat burning process by increased metabolism. Also they have laxative and diuretic effect.

Most experts are of opinion that the green tea or the diet tea significantly helps to reduce appetite and thus results in decreased intake of food and weight loss.

Diet-tea significantly increases a person’s metabolic rate and causes increased energy expenditure and oxidation of fat. Chinese green tea or the diet tea contain only very negligible amount of caffeine, so it does not cause increased heart rate and is considered safe. The most beneficial thing about using this tea is the other health improving properties. Green tea or the diet tea has strong anti-oxidant property, even greater than that of vitamin c .More over; diet tea is capable of preventing certain types of cancer.

Diet tea consumption also has many other benefits. Diet-tea or green tea contains fluoride which will help to fight tooth decay. Diet tea may also helps in regulating insulin levels of the body, so it is considered good for diabetic patients.