GO BANANAS FOR ENERGY
It turns out that a banana is effective fuel to get you through a training session. Researchers had one group of cyclists drink a cup of a sports drink and the other eat a banana and a cup of water every 15 minutes during a 46-mile ride. Both groups finished in the same amount of time and had about the same levels of glucose. Study authors say bananas seem to have a near-perfect mix of carbs, potassium, vitamins, and antioxidants and it’s NATURAL!
SLEEP DEPRIVATION AND FAT
Multiple studies are verifying that sleep deprivation makes you fat! Four consecutive nights of reduced sleep (about 4.5 hours nightly) can increase insulin resistance by 16%, and reduce insulin sensitivity in fat cells by 30%, mimicking resistance seen in diabetics. Two consecutive 4-hour sleep nights increase the hunger hormone ghrelin by 28%, and decrease the satiety hormone leptin by 18%. Sleep is vital to fat cells, and they get droopy when they don’t get enough. To maximize health and minimize insulin resistance, make sleeping 7-8 hours nightly a high priority!
GOT A COUGH? TRY THIS
One possible home remedy to stop a cough naturally (without over the counter medications) is to dissolve ice cubes in the mouth. To make the taste more palatable for children, consider freezing a nutritious homemade vegetable or fruit juice cube, or blend low sugar juices with ice to make an icy smoothie. The ice numbs the nerves in the throat to reduce coughing naturally.