Benefits of Chewing Gum

Image via Wikipedia

It has been a good week in the news for gum chewers.  I have read of two different studies this week about the benefits of chewing gum.

Earlier this week, a study came out that showed that chewing gum may help to reduce the craving for snacks between meals.  This would be a tremendous benefit for anybody trying to lose weight.  It is similar to another study that came out two years ago that I posted about here that stated that chewing sugar free gum could help reduce caloric intake and increase energy expenditures.

Today, I found another article that stated that chewing gum could help teenagers to increase their math scores.  This will certainly pose a dilemma for teachers and schools across the country who have always told students they can't chew gum during class.  There has been anecdotal evidence that gum chewing helps some folks stay focused on a task, and now there may be scientific evidence to that end.

There is one caveat that I would want to add about these studies.  Both studies were backed in part by the Wrigley Science Istitute.  One would think that they would have a vested interested in having a positive outcome regarding the benefits of chewing gum.  Consequently, I always tend to be a bit skeptical of some of these studies.  Isn't amazing how often the organizations backing a study manager to get their desired results?

Related articles

• Study: Chewing Gum Raises Teens' Math Scores (foxnews.com)
• Chewing Gum Fights Stress? (fitsugar.com)
• Got Heartburn? Try Chewing Gum (fitsugar.com)

Cut Calories: Chew Gum

Image by Lboogiepeace via Flickr

New Year's Day is fast approaching, so it is time to make those New Year's Resolutions.  For a lot of us, one of the more popular resolutions is to try to lose weight.  If you are trying to lose weight, any helpful tips are worth looking at.

A nutrition professor at the University of Rhode Island has just completed a study that suggests that chewing sugar free gum can help you reduce your calorie intake and increase your energy expenditures.  A winning combination to be sure in the battle of the bulge.

Participants in the study who chewed gum for three 20-minute sessions in the morning consumed about 67 less calories at lunch, and did not "make up" those calories later in the day.  Those same participants also expended about 5% more energy when chewing gum than when not chewing.

From personal experience, I feel like chewing gum helps me to curb my appetite somewhat.  Though, I have to admit that I do look at the results of the study with a bit of healthy skepticism.  The study was supported by a grant from the Wrigley Science Institute, part of the Wm Wrigley Gum Company.

Related articles by Zemanta

• 5 Keys to Successful New Year's Resolutions (naturalbias.com)
• Hungry....Happy New Year! (momblognetwork.com)

Red Meat & Prostate Cancer

Image by sean dreilinger via Flickr

A few weeks ago, I made the decision to try to eat better and lose some weight.  I am eating a lot more fruit and salads.  For breakfast, I usually have a few pieces of fruit.  Lunch consists of a salad and a can of tuna.  My snacks have gone from candy bars, chips, and cheez its to granola bars or nuts.  I have even cut way back on my alcohol consumption, because I found that if I had more than a couple glasses of wine I would find myself chowing down on junk food.  So far, it has been working as I have dropped about 10 pounds in three weeks.

Another thing that I have to be concerned about is prostate health.  I am currently taking Avodart for an enlarged prostate.  My father has also suffered from an enlarged prostate, elevated PSA levels, but thankfully no prostate cancer. 

So it was a little disconcerting to see the news the other day that the American Journal of Epidemiology has released a study linking consumption of red meat and processed meat products with an increased risk of prostate cancer in men. They also found an increased risk when the meat was prepared on a grill. Red meat has also been linked with an increased risk of colon cancer. 

Now, I like a good steak as much as the next guy, but in light of this study, I should really should cut back on the amount of red meat I eat.  Currently, I probably have red meat at least twice a week.  I don't think I could ever completely give it up, but I should cut back to no more than once a week.  Another new dietary goal to shoot for. 

Related articles by Zemanta

• Red Meat Raises Death Risk (warkah.com)
• Millions unaware of red meat cancer risk (telegraph.co.uk)
• How Many Times a Week Do You Eat Red Meat? (fitsugar.com)
• Can Red Meat Have a Place in a Healthy Diet? (health.usnews.com)

Welcome To My Blog

Image via Wikipedia

Diet.  The very word conjures up negative images.  While most people associate the word diet with denying yourself of some food and drink for the purpose of losing weight, in reality, diet really is more about the food and drink you consume on a regular basis.

I am a man in my late 40's.  Currently, I am not the heaviest I have ever been, but I am perilously close.  For a few weeks I have been telling myself that I really do need to lose some weight.  About a week ago, two things took place that made me finally start my quest to shed some tonnage.  First and foremost, I got tired of feeling crappy all the time.  Second was when I split the seat out of a pair of pants.  I am pretty sure that I caught my pants on something and that caused the tear, but the thought that it just might be my big behind was a concern.

Earlier this week, I weighed in at 226 lbs, about four pounds shy of my previous high.  In the past, I have always felt pretty good at around 200 lbs.  According to the weight charts and body mass index, I should weigh between 155-175lbs.  I have two goals right now.  There are currently 15 weeks left in 2009.  If I could lose 1.5 lbs per week, I could be at 200 lbs by the end of the year.  If I can make that, then I want to shoot for around 180 lbs by summer and try to maintain that weight.

While I do intend to touch on my weight loss adventure on this blog, the title of the blog is Dickster's Food & Diet Blog so I intend more to focus on the food aspect.  I have spent most of my life in the retail food industry.  I intend to review food items that I find that I particularly have enjoyed, recipes that I like, and any food and nutrition news that I come across in my travels.  Feel free to join in the journey.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Late-night munchies lead to weight-gain: study (nationalpost.com)
• Is BMI Accurate Or Not As Regards Health (losethattyre.co.uk)
• Ideal Body Weight - Fantasy vs. Reality (FatManUnleashed.com)