Top Three “Sneaky” Health Foods That Maybe Sugar-Jacking Your Diet

Sugar hides in almost every element of our diet. For a number of individuals, healthy eating is nothing more than a myth given the high concentration of sugar found in some of the “healthiest” foods. Apart from the occasional binge, we might think that we consume sugar-free and healthy items in our day-to-day life. The truth is that some of the so-called nutritious food items too contain high sugar content. According to a new study published by the University of California, San Francisco, the health effects of sugar are alarming and there exists a dire need to educate the masses regarding the increasing levels of sugar consumption. The risks associated with high sugar consumption include Type 2 Diabetes, cardiac disease risks and liver diseases.

According to WHO (world Health Organization), the daily recommended dosage of sugar for an adult should be limited to six teaspoons per day which is equivalent to 25 grams. However, on an average, a single adult American consumes more than 19 teaspoons of sugar per day, which is roughly thrice the daily recommended dose. The top sneaky foods which contain high sugar levels and yet are considered healthy by many are listed below:

Yogurt

Flavored and low fat yogurt contains surprisingly high amounts of sugar and according to one study may pack as high as 29 grams per serving. While many individuals think they are making the healthy choice by opting for the low-fat version, they are in fact substituting for a sugar-packed, chemical enriched product that does sufficient damage to the health. One simple way to avoid this is to shop for brands that pack less than 20 grams per serving. The best solution however is to opt for plain yogurt and add your own flavor such as a handful of nuts or half a teaspoon of honey.

Sports Drinks

If you think you are doing your body a favor by hydrating through sports drinks, think again. A single drink can contain as high as five teaspoons of sugar. The case for fruit juices is even worse. Next time, opt for simpler hydrating options. Drink plenty of water and add flavor through lemon or cucumber slices.

Granola

Half a cup of granola contains more than 12 grams of sugar. Not only is this unhealthy but when paired with additives such as yogurt or milk, adds a powerful punch of calories. If you really crave your crunch, opt for sweet vegetables such as carrot sticks. Replacing granola with handful of almonds is also a good choice.

How Peaches Can Help Improve Health

Peaches are an ideal summertime fruit, packed with multiple vitamins, minerals and loads of fiber. The fruit is known for its velvety texture and sweet flavor that allows abundant use in a number of recipes as well. On an average, a single peach contains about 37 calories and a plethora of healthy nutrients. Peaches contain at least ten different types of vitamins. Apart from being a good source of vitamin C, they also contain antioxidants which help protect the body against a host of infections. In addition, peaches also contain Vitamin A and beta-carotene, two essential ingredients for maintaining healthy mucus membrane, fighting various eye diseases and for keeping the skin healthy and vibrant.

Other essential nutrients include Vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting, Vitamin E, which is considered as an important antioxidant and B complex vitamins.

The presence of minerals such as iron, fluoride and potassium also adds to the nutritional value of this fruit. Potassium is considered as an essential mineral that helps regulate blood pressure among individuals while iron helps keep the blood healthy and is responsible for the oxygenation of body cells. For individuals who wish to lose weight, peaches make a nutrition-packed low calorie treat, that contains high concentration of fiber. The high fiber content aids in digestion, lowers cholesterol levels through blood sugar level regulation and is essential for colon health.

According to recent study published in the “Journal of Medicinal Food”, peaches are a major source of antioxidants, owing to the high levels of chlorogenic acid found in the same. This ingredient is found in the flesh and skin of the fruit and helps fight free radicals to slow the aging process and to reduce risks associated with chronic diseases. A major benefit of peaches is that they can help reduce inflammation in the body and can help fight cancer to a certain extent.

Given the numerous health benefits of peaches, one may include the same in their diet in order to enhance their health and eating habits.

The Addictive Drawbacks of Sugar

Sugar is addictive. For many, this may hardly be considered as important news but what if we told you that sugar is more addicting than drugs including cocaine? The capability and functionality of the brain and the human body are greatly reduced when on high doses of sugar. Not only does it give us a rush but it also leaves us wanting more.

According to a 2012 study, the detrimental impacts associated with sugar are not merely limited to obesity. Too much sugar consumption results in addiction which tends to wreck havoc on our liver and detrimentally damages the functionality of the brain. In addition, the impact of the same is eventually felt via various diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases and cancer. What is surprising and unfortunate however; is that until now no federal action has been taken in order to impose regulations on the amount of sugar that may be permissible for consumption for the masses. Currently, more than eighty percent of the food we consume contains sugar. This, combined with the fast food culture that we have become so accustomed to, is creating further stress for the healthcare industry.

Some of the most common sugar-induced effects include stress eating, weight gain and aging skin. Even for young women and men, these effects are so prominent that they tend to binge at least once or twice during the day. Similarly, obesity too arises as a major epidemic worldwide. While most individuals assume artificial sweeteners will provide the cure for the same, the reality is, the impact on the insulin levels of both sugar types is the same. The best way to deal with these drawbacks is to consume a balanced and healthy diet based on fresh fruits and vegetables. Follow a regular exercise regime and avoid artificial sweeteners.

Is Air Pollution The Missing Link In Alarming ADHD Incidence Increase Among Children?

Air pollution is a widely discussed issue across the globe, particularly in developed countries where given the access of advanced sampling techniques, a more critical analysis and understanding of air quality and environmental pollution is possible. We already know that air pollution is a majorly growing problem for us and for future generations, as it is slowly but surely increasing the levels of environmental contaminants and impacting the quality of life on earth. Now according to latest research, it may be more harmful than from what we originally perceived. Researchers from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health have found that air pollution might be associated to rising incidence of ADHD among children.

The study suggests that for expecting mothers, exposure to air pollution before birth maybe the key to the problem. This was established after close examination of the prenatal levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). This is the same compound that is also found in children suffering from ADHD during the later stages of their life.

The study warns that mothers that were exposed to high PAH level during their pregnancies had five times greater risks of having kids suffering from inattentive ADHD at age 9. Te research is the first of its kind to look into the impact of prenatal PAH levels and its impact on children and their behavior development overtime. Although the study is at its initial stages and has been able to establish strong links between the two, it does not imply that exposure to pollution will cause ADHD among children for sure.

The study may however serve as the missing link in our quest to understand the reason for the unexplained increased in ADHD among children. Among the many sources of PAH, car exhaust and power plants account as the chief ones that are also linked to a host of respiratory diseases and heart conditions.

How To Write a Professional Resume

Writing a professional resume is considered as the hardest part of one’s life, especially for one who wants to step into the professional world. The reason is that professional resume is an important tool that highlights what you are and tells your capabilities to the employer. It plays a very significant role in giving first impression about you to the hiring personnel.

Usually, recruiters spend less than two minutes on reading a resume. Therefore, it is highly recommended that professional resumes should be developed in a way that is very clear and easily understandable by the recruiter. It should be created in a way that all your strengths can be quickly noticed by the recruiter and he finds a good reason to contact you for an interview. Here are some useful tips to create a professional resume:

• Review your college transcripts and mention the exact information in your resume as written over your transcripts. Always be careful about the marks as well as the appearance of your name that should be matched with your transcripts and resume.

• Use professional email address in the header and avoid using a personal one.

• Write brief objective that should be as precise as possible.

• Review your education, experience and skills sections and try to highlight those things that are required
for a particular job.

Last but not the least always proofread your resume for typos or any grammatical mistakes. It is also suggested to individuals to ask a professional who can review your resume. In case, if any addition or correction is needed then that can be done before the submission. Remember that a resume with typos and grammatical errors sounds quite unprofessional and the recruiter will never consider such a candidate irrespective of the mistakes in the formatting of the resume.