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Fitness Myth: “Diets Make You Slim” – is it True or Not?

When people want to lose weight, many go on a diet. And there are quite a few of them. But do the diets actually live up to their promises? Do we actually get slim with the help of a diet?

What does a diet actually do to the body?

When dieting, food intake is drastically restricted. This has consequences: How does our body react due to evolution? Unfazed by the currently popular ideal of beauty, he interprets a falling calorie intake as an emergency: red alert. He initiates three emergency measures. First: He throttles his metabolism. Energy consumption is on the back burner. Secondly: From now on, even the smallest food intake is exhausted to the last, so as not to waste any of the calories that have become scarce. Third: The desire to eat increases. Sure: We should kindly take care of compensating for the loss. One reason diet junkies are all about food.

Consequence: yo-yo effect

So that we don’t misunderstand each other. With a one-sided diet, you always lose weight. But the main goal of my participants in the “Moves” course is different: lose weight and then hold it, hold it, hold it. Why can’t the body stabilize the new weight on a long-term diet? Quite simply: losing weight is undesirable by nature. Our body can get by with less energy over a longer period of time and thus lose a significant amount of weight. But this loss is usually at the expense of fat-burning muscle mass. The rest is water and a little bit of fat. The body tries to quickly replenish the lost energy after the diet and maintains its optimized utilization strategy for food long after the prescribed lean diet – with wise foresight so that there are sufficient reserves in the stomach, legs and hips in the event of the next drastic famine. The internal regulation is also set in such a way that at least the starting weight is reached again. This model has the beautiful name “Jo-Jo-Effect” and means “diet makes you fat”.

boost metabolism

“Eat regularly throughout the day, and if you can manage it, eat the right thing.” At the latest with this tip, most people who want to lose weight rebel. You’re struggling with a lean diet and now you have to hear that your metabolism would be really happy if it got a little more. Especially people who tend to be overweight often do not eat as much as they are told. On the contrary: they often eat less for days than would correspond to their energy requirements. The strategy: Small or big sins at the weekend or at celebrations should be compensated for by meager menus. But are these “sins” really compensated by eating less? Obviously not, otherwise most of the population would be slim.

store fat? Not necessary!

Incidentally, a “naturally slim person” with an increased metabolism often tends to such a meal frequency fully automatically. Over time, the body learns that with regular intake, excess calories can simply be excreted and do not have to be stored in the fat cells. Four to five smaller meals every three hours show the organism that it is regularly receiving energy in the form of food. So there’s no compelling reason to stock up on fat. Eating five meals a day is one of the biggest metabolic boosters in body reshaping. However, regular strength training is required. If the exercise and sport part is rather low, a three-time meal intake is recommended.

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Expert Refutes Diet Myth: That’s Why Thin People Just Don’t Gain Weight

Why can slim people eat whatever they want and still not gain weight? Expert Holger Klemm, head trainer at the fitness club, knows the answer. He reveals what this has to do with good insulation on the one hand and the sheer waste of energy on the other.

Lose weight successfully: Energy utilization is crucial

I explain the secret of these “turbo burners” as follows: The answer to the riddle lies in the so-called thermogenesis – also called energy utilization. Let’s compare two people, one slim and one overweight.

Secret of thin people: large heat losses

Lean people have poor energy utilization. This means that up to 40 percent of the energy consumed when eating is released into the environment as heat via the body. So people with little subcutaneous fat lose a lot of heat. They are ruthless “energy wasters”.

Heating costs are the biggest chunk in the calorie balance. This means that it has to be refilled as quickly as possible so that the core temperature of the body does not drop. If you compare it figuratively with a house, with today’s energy costs it would fall victim to the wrecking ball, at best it would be re-insulated and insulated.

With this type of metabolism, almost half of the calories consumed are lost to the atmosphere. These turbo combustors can usually keep their weight for life because they can hardly store any energy and have trouble not getting thinner. Unlike many overweight people.

Good insulation for fat people

Fat people are well insulated, which allows the body to store calories in depots in the body, even when eating less. If the supply becomes scarce, the body reduces the blood flow to the external areas. Cold hands and feet are typical signs and a permanent freezing. So he has enough energy left over to better isolate the vital rest, namely the body.

Calorie reduction often gives unwanted impetus

So it’s no wonder that skinny people with poor energy utilization can eat so often and so much. You simply don’t gain weight because the calories are burned off immediately. Attention: If you tend to be obese and simply reduce the number of calories you take in, you are teaching your body to store fat.

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health

Carbon Dioxide is Unhealthy: What is The Truth About Health Myth?

Still water or sparkling water – what is healthier? Many people ask themselves this question again and again, after all there are many myths surrounding the harmfulness of sparkling water. But what about the arguments against carbonic acid in the water?

Carbonated Water Has Lower pH: What Does That Mean?

A special feature of carbonated water: it has a lower pH value. According to Stiftung Warentest, its pH value is around 5.3, while still water has a neutral pH value of 7. So carbonated water is slightly acidic – that’s one of the reasons why it’s said to be unhealthier and has numerous effects on the body could have.

#1. Carbonic acid is bad for your teeth: What’s behind the myth?

A common belief is that carbon dioxide damages teeth. According to Stefan Zimmer, Head of the Department of Tooth Preservation and Preventive Dentistry at the University of Witten/Herdecke, this accusation is completely unjustified. There are no disadvantages for the teeth when drinking sparkling water, since the carbon dioxide in it breaks down immediately.

A sip of sparkling water after a meal can even help to remove tooth decay-promoting substrates. The rinsing effect can also dilute acids that attack the teeth and cause tooth erosion.

The American Dental Association also disagrees with this argument – ​​it considers carbonated mineral water to be harmless. She cites a study

#2. Sparkling water makes you fat: Does carbonic acid increase your appetite?

Fizzy water may promote weight gain, according to a 2017 study. Researchers observed that rats given fizzy drinks gained weight faster than rats fed the same non-fizzy drinks. Apparently the carbonic acid raised the ghrelin level. Ghrelin is an appetite-stimulating hormone

However, the scientists only used rats and 20 students for their study. The results are therefore not meaningful, says Stiftung Warentest. So far there is no reliable evidence that sparkling water can actually make you fat.

#3. Carbonated water makes you acidic: Does the drink disturb our acid-base balance?

As already mentioned, sparkling water actually has a higher pH value than still water and is therefore more acidic. With this reason, carbonated drinks are sometimes discouraged in naturopathy.

However, the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) gives the all-clear: “The carbon dioxide it contains is quite unstable and quickly breaks down into its components CO2 and water”. When the bottle is opened, the carbonic acid escapes with a hiss (in the form of CO2). “The rest of it breaks down in the stomach. This means that you have to belch or part gets into the blood via the digestive tract and is exhaled unnoticed through the lungs. This means that carbonated water does not contribute to acidification in the body.”

But even in this case, according to the Center for Health, there is no clear answer. So it means here too: observe oneself. For some people, carbonic acid can affect pH balance. This can lead to heartburn or digestive problems. For others, the sparkling water can even have the opposite effect. In the case of constipation, carbonated water could even be more advisable than still water.

#4. Carbonic acid damages the stomach: does sparkling water cause heartburn?

The fact is: Anyone who drinks carbonated drinks absorbs gas (CO2) – and this also finds its way out again. According to NDR experts, part of it enters the blood via the digestive tract and is then exhaled via the lungs.

The rest then escapes through belching and annoying flatulence. As a rule, however, this is not a problem – according to the experts, sparkling water is not automatically unhealthier because of this.

But be careful: If you are prone to heartburn, you may well have problems if you drink carbonic acid. When you belch, stomach acid can get into the esophagus and cause heartburn. Therefore, people with sensitive stomachs should drink water that is still or only slightly carbonated.

Conclusion: Carbonated water is not necessarily unhealthier – the effect is individual

In summary, it can be said that carbonated water is not nearly as bad as its reputation suggests. In most points it depends on the individual sensitivities of a person. So if you don’t notice any negative effects on yourself when you drink sparkling water, you can confidently continue to do so.

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Cheese Closes Rhe Stomach: What’s The Truth Behind Grandma’s Myth?

Cheese is supposed to close the stomach: Grandma already knew that. But we have found out for you whether that is actually true and what health benefits cheese has.

The saying that cheese closes the stomach probably comes from the Roman writer and scholar Pliny, who around 2,000 years ago rounded off cheese with every meal. He must have thought cheese was good for his digestion. And to this day it is still the case that cheese platters are served at the end of a meal or at celebrations. So what’s up with Grandma’s rumor that cheese closes the stomach? We know it and have found out all the facts on the subject for you.

Cheese closes the stomach: true or false?

Contrary to the cheese myth, cheese does not promote digestion. In fact, eating high-calorie cheese makes you feel full faster. This is due to the fatty acids and proteins contained in cheese. These delay the emptying of the stomach. So you could say that the cheese does not close the stomach, but rather clogs it up.

The high-calorie cheese triggers a long-lasting, strong feeling of satiety. This is probably the reason why the saying came about in a figurative sense that cheese closes the stomach. Gouda or Camembert are said to be particularly filling, while hard cheeses such as Parmesan or mountain cheese are particularly healthy. Cheeses like these provide the most minerals, such as calcium.

Cheese also stimulates saliva production and, depending on the variety, which contains a lot of phosphorus and calcium, can prevent tooth decay and maintain healthy tooth enamel in the long term.

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health

If You Fast During The Day, You Can Dig in in The Evening: Is This Nutritional Myth True?

The tactic is common among people trying to lose weight: starve during the day and eat at night. Not a good idea, says nutritionist Holger Klemm. He reveals how to do it better and how to ensure that the “candy tsunami” doesn’t even roll in the evening.

Starvation diet has the opposite effect

At the latest with this tip, most people who want to lose weight rebel. They torment themselves with a meager fasting diet during the day and then hear from me that their metabolism would actually be really happy if it got a little more food. Instead, the starvation diet that many are struggling with conveys a very different message. With this behavior they put their bodies on the alert and signal: There is a shortage of food!

The metabolism is drastically slowed down and fat burning slows down. A rude awakening in the evening when the body finally gets energy supplies: practically every calorie consumed ends up in the fat depot.

How Many Meals Should You Eat Daily? There are many different recommendations: three, five or eight? Several smaller meals are better because you’re less hungry throughout the day. The blood sugar level remains constant – and the choice of food is simply more varied. My tip: Eat a low-carbohydrate diet with high-quality protein and healthy fats. Five meals a day are ideal – provided you exercise regularly.

Five meals

Five meals every three hours show the body that it is getting energy on a regular basis. So there is no pressing reason for him to store fat. This regularity also brings structure back to our eating habits. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, with two snacks in between. Eat every three hours, even if you don’t feel directly hungry. After some time, your metabolism will automatically become more active and adjust to your new rate.

Avoid cravings

Regular small meals not only boost your metabolism, but also avoid the infamous food cravings. Hypoglycaemia and thus an uncontrolled “candy tsunami” in the evening is unlikely if you eat regularly. The blood sugar level remains relatively constant and the fattening hormone insulin is put in its place. Due to the more frequent meals during the day, it is necessary that you make the main meals smaller than usual so that your total energy intake does not exceed the required level.

The conclusion

Conclusion: Starving during the day to be able to eat what you want for dinner is not a good idea and can lead to health problems and obesity. The body senses some kind of threat and switches over because it doesn’t get enough energy during the day. Especially during the day, when we have to be efficient, we need high-quality nutrients and vital substances from food. My tip: Eat regularly and in moderation – not in bulk – and you will gradually become slimmer. Guaranteed!

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Cherries and Water Make Your Stomach Ache: That’s Really The Point of Grandma’s Myth

Many people know this nutritional advice from grandma: cherries and water don’t go together. The myth that the combination of fruit and liquid causes stomach pains is even said to go so far that the stomach can burst. But is that really true? We got to the bottom of this legend and we have the answer for you.

Controversial Myth: Stomach Pain from Eating Cherries and Drinking Water?

There are no medical studies that the Federal Center for Nutrition refers to as to whether cherries actually cause stomach pains when combined with water. However, there are various theories as to how the severe abdominal pain can occur after eating the cherries along with drinking water. The nutritionist Claus Leitzmann speculates that the origin of the grandparent myth probably comes from the war and post-war period.

Clean water was scarce at that time. The abdominal pain was probably caused by contaminated water that was drunk along with the cherries that were eaten. Other causes of abdominal pain can be yeast or bacteria on the cherries. In the stomach, they can start to ferment together with the drunk water and the fructose of the cherries and cause severe stomach pains. The water you drink also dilutes the stomach acid, which loses its protective effect.

The harmful bacteria can therefore continue to work unhindered on the fermentation process in the stomach. People who suffer from fructose intolerance should therefore be particularly careful when consuming foods containing fructose. A doctor’s recommendation is not to overdo it with the consumption of cherries and to drink liters of water afterwards. If you stick to a halfway normal consumption amount, there will probably be no stomach ache. By the way: Apricots (apricots), damsons (plums) and other stone fruit, as well as gooseberries, can cause stomach ache for the reasons mentioned above if you eat too much of them and drink too much water afterwards.

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Coffee and Cigarettes Stimulate Digestion: What’s The Truth Behind Grandma’s Myth?

Coffee and cigarettes stimulate digestion. At least that’s what Grandma used to say. Is there something to it or is it just a myth?

1. Effect of coffee on digestion

Coffee contains about 80-100 mg of caffeine per cup. On the one hand, caffeine has a stimulating effect, but on the other hand it should also help to digest faster.

Definitely: Coffee increases the ability to contract in the small intestine, but regardless of its caffeine content. Ingredients that promote the effect include acids, tannins and bitter substances. In a study with mice, the researcher Xuan-Zheng P. Shi discovered that coffee stimulates digestion by feeding them coffee. After only three days, he was able to determine an increased contractility, i.e. a contraction of the muscles, in the small intestine of the four-legged friend. As a result, the food pulp was mixed faster and digested just as quickly.

So we can definitely speak of an effect on digestion with coffee – whether with or without caffeine. However, how strong the effect is in the end is individual. But what about cigarettes?

2. Effect of nicotine on digestion

Cigarettes are also said to boost digestion. However, they have less of a direct influence on our intestines and much more on our brain and the autonomic nervous system.

So this part of Grandma’s myth is also true. However, it should be borne in mind that other foods can also have a digestive effect without the body having to be supplied with toxic nicotine. The health aspect should not be disregarded – cigarettes can endanger your health and promote diseases.

3. Health aspects

In order to boost your digestion, it is not necessarily advisable to reach for a cigarette. The contained nicotine and other harmful substances can endanger your health and, for example, lung diseases
However, coffee has more benefits than just boosting digestion.

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Food

Carbon Dioxide is Unhealthy: What is The Truth About The Health Myth?

Still water or sparkling water – what is healthier? Many people ask themselves this question again and again, after all there are many myths surrounding the harmfulness of sparkling water. But what about the arguments against carbonic acid in the water?

Carbonated Water Has Lower pH: What Does That Mean?

A special feature of carbonated water: it has a lower pH value. According to Stiftung Warentest, its pH value is around 5.3, while still water has a neutral pH value of 7. So carbonated water is slightly acidic – that’s one of the reasons why it’s said to be unhealthier and has numerous effects on the body could have.

#1. Carbonic acid is bad for your teeth: What’s behind the myth?

A common belief is that carbon dioxide damages teeth. According to Stefan Zimmer, Head of the Department of Tooth Preservation and Preventive Dentistry at the University of Witten/Herdecke, this accusation is completely unjustified. There are no disadvantages for the teeth when drinking sparkling water, since the carbon dioxide in it breaks down immediately.

A sip of sparkling water after a meal can even help to remove tooth decay-promoting substrates. The rinsing effect can also dilute acids that attack the teeth and tooth erosion

The American Dental Association also disagrees with this argument – ​​it considers carbonated mineral water to be safe. She cites a study

#2. Sparkling water makes you fat: Does carbonic acid increase your appetite?

Fizzy water may promote weight gain, according to a 2017 study. Researchers observed that rats given fizzy drinks gained weight faster than rats fed the same non-fizzy drinks. Apparently the carbonic acid raised the ghrelin level. Ghrelin is an appetite-stimulating hormone

However, the scientists only used rats and 20 students for their study. The results are therefore not meaningful, says Stiftung Warentest. So far there is no reliable evidence that sparkling water can actually make you fat.
Experts advise your own appetite in connection with sparkling water

#3. Carbonated water makes you acidic: Does the drink disturb our acid-base balance?

As already mentioned, sparkling water actually has a higher pH value than still water and is therefore more acidic. With this reason, carbonated drinks are sometimes discouraged in naturopathy.

However, the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) gives the all-clear: “The carbon dioxide it contains is quite unstable and quickly breaks down into its components CO2 and water”. When the bottle is opened, the carbonic acid escapes with a hiss (in the form of CO2). “The rest breaks down in the stomach. This means that you have to belch or a part gets into the blood via the digestive tract and is exhaled unnoticed through the lungs. So carbonated water does not contribute to acidification of the body.”

But even in this case, according to the Center for Health, there is no clear answer. So it means here too: observe oneself. For some people, carbonic acid can affect pH balance. This can lead to heartburn or digestive problems. For others, the sparkling water can even have the opposite effect. In the case of constipation, carbonated water could even be more advisable than still water.

#4. Carbonic acid damages the stomach: does sparkling water cause heartburn?

The fact is: Anyone who drinks carbonated drinks absorbs gas (CO2) – and this also finds its way out again. According to NDR experts, part of it enters the blood via the digestive tract and is then exhaled via the lungs.

The rest then escapes through belching and annoying flatulence. As a rule, however, this is not a problem – according to the experts, sparkling water is not automatically unhealthier because of this.

But be careful: If you are prone to heartburn, you may well have problems if you drink carbonic acid. When you belch, stomach acid can get into the esophagus and cause heartburn. Therefore, people with sensitive stomachs should drink water that is still or only slightly carbonated.

Conclusion: Carbonated water is not necessarily unhealthier – the effect is individual

In summary, it can be said that carbonated water is not nearly as bad as its reputation suggests. In most points it depends on the individual sensitivities of a person. So if you don’t notice any negative effects on yourself when you drink sparkling water, you can confidently continue to do so.

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Cooking Tips

Myth or Fact? Reheated Pasta Has Fewer Calories

Noodles can be combined in many ways and are a popular food; the problem for many: They are relatively calorie-dense. Warmed up noodles should have fewer calories.

Things worth knowing about pasta

Noodles come in many different forms. There are also numerous ways of preparing it: whether casseroles, one-pot dishes or a soup, noodles can be used in many different ways. According to extras, around 9.5 kilograms of pasta were consumed per capita in 2020.

According to surveys, spaghetti is one of the most popular types of pasta in Germany. Around 33% said spaghetti was their favorite type of pasta. This is followed by gnocchi, cannelloni, tortellini, rigatoni, tagliatelle, ravioli and, in 8th place, penne.

Noodles are often associated with the reputation that they are thick eaters. Noodles can certainly lead to weight gain if you eat them too often and in large quantities, if you eat an unbalanced and unhealthy diet and if you don’t exercise enough. Cooked white flour pasta has an average of 150 calories per 100 grams, wholemeal pasta around 140 calories. So it’s the quantity that counts: If you choose 150 grams of cooked pasta as a side dish with a vegetable dish, for example, this is just around 220 calories. In addition, there are now numerous alternatives to white flour pasta on the market, which often also provide more nutrients and fiber. These include, for example, corn noodles, spelled noodles, noodles made from lentils or chickpeas as well as gluten- and calorie-free konjac noodles.

Saving calories when reheating pasta

The statement that noodles have fewer calories when warmed up is basically true; however, it must always be borne in mind that the “savings” show up to a very small extent. The reason for the reduced number of calories lies in the so-called resistant starch: This is produced when heated, starchy foods such as pasta, but also potatoes, for example, cool down. The resistant starch is one of the dietary fibers and ensures that we stay full longer, but also that the calorie content drops.

The so-called resistant starch has only about half the calorie content of the “normal” starch it contains. This is because not all of the starch it contains is converted to resistant starch; this only happens with a relatively small amount of starch.

Caution is advised with resistant starch: it passes through the small intestine undigested. If you otherwise eat little fiber and now very large amounts of indigestible starch, you may experience abdominal pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. It is therefore important to include high-fiber foods in the diet in everyday life and to increase the intake slowly and in a controlled manner.

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Food

Myth: Pasta Water Without Salt Boils Faster

Does salt belong in the pasta water? If so, when and how much? There are many myths circulating on the subject. We explain to you what really matters when it comes to salt in pasta water.

Preparing noodles is very easy: Boil water in a pot, put noodles in, cook noodles. But many wonder how much salt is needed and when to add it – right at the beginning in the cold water or as soon as it boils? All in all, the salt in the pasta water can affect three factors: the taste of the pasta, the boiling point of the pasta water and the cooking time. Let’s take a closer look at each factor.

Salt in the pasta water: why the timing is still interesting

Nevertheless, it makes a difference whether you add the salt to the cold or boiling pasta water. Salt dissolves better in hot than in cold water. Therefore, when you add the salt to the cold water, a larger amount that doesn’t immediately dissolve will sink to the bottom of the pot. There the salt causes stains and can damage the pot in the long run.

Tip: Stainless steel pots are much more robust than aluminum pots. Salt doesn’t do much harm to the former.

Pasta water: salt and its effect on cooking time and taste

The Max Planck Institute says: No, salt in the pasta water does not significantly affect the cooking time. So why would you salt the pasta water at all? The answer is: for the taste.

Salt in the pasta water ensures that the pasta retains its flavor. Behind this is a relatively complex physical phenomenon called osmosis. Put simply, you can imagine it like this with pasta water: If the water is completely unsalted, the salt concentration in the pasta is higher than in the pasta water (pasta naturally contain minerals such as sodium). The system wants to compensate for this concentration gradient. This is why minerals from the pasta go into the cooking water. The result: the noodles lose their taste. On the other hand, if you salt the pasta water well, the pasta can even absorb salt.

A matter of taste: How much salt in the pasta water?

You can decide how much salt you add to the pasta water according to your taste. A simple rule of thumb is: ten grams of salt for 100 grams of pasta and one liter of water.

Another tip comes from chef Sami Nosrat (author of the book Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat): salt the water until it tastes like sea water.

Salt in Pasta Water: Does It Affect Nutrient Content?

Unfortunately, the question of whether salt in the pasta water influences the nutrient content of the pasta has not been conclusively answered. Intuitively, the section on osmosis would tell us that salted pasta water is beneficial because less of the material in the pasta migrates into the water. However, the difference may be insignificant or other factors that have not previously been considered play a role.

But with these tips you will have a nutrient-rich meal in any case:
Use whole wheat pasta instead of white flour pasta. The former contain more fiber, minerals and vitamins.
Whether with or without salt: when cooking, water-soluble nutrients are transferred from the pasta to the pasta water. This applies, for example, to B vitamins. You can save part of it by enriching the pasta sauce with the pasta water. The pasta water also contains starch from the pasta, which binds your sauce. And since you salted the pasta water well, it also adds flavor.

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