A Cup of Coffee.....

Forget energy drinks - they're no more effective than a cup of coffee

• 'Overwhelming lack of evidence' that ingredients such as guarana enhance physical or cognitive performance
• New research suggests only useful ingredient is a generous dose of caffeine

By Emily Payne
PUBLISHED: 15:18 GMT, 14 December 2012 | UPDATED: 16:13 GMT, 14 December 2012

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New research suggests it is simply caffeine, rather than added ingredients such as guarana or taurine, that make energy drinks effective

With buzz-word ingredients such as guarana and ginseng, energy drinks have been heralded for their mind and body-boosting qualities. 

But according to new research, the only useful ingredient in beverages such as Redbull is caffeine.

The study, published in the Nutrition Reviews journal, found that while energy drinks often contain ingredients such as taurine, guarana and ginseng, there is an ‘overwhelming lack of evidence to substantiate claims that these ingredients boost performance’. 

It has been suggested that these drinks enhance physical and cognitive performance.
But the new research casts doubt over this, suggesting the main benefit is probably down to a generous dose of caffeine. 

Energy drinks often contain taurine, guarana, ginseng, glucuronolactone, B-vitamins, and other compounds. 

The researchers went through dozens of articles that examined the effects of energy ingredients alone and/or in combination with caffeine.

 

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With the exception of some weak evidence for glucose and guarana extract, there was little evidence substantiating claims that components of energy drinks, other than caffeine, contribute to the enhancement of physical or cognitive performance. 

Earlier this year, a study found that energy drinks have up to 14 times more caffeine than other soft drinks.

Furthermore, doctors warned that children given energy drinks could pile on the pounds because they are not active enough to burn off the extra calories.

Research published earlier this year warned children should never be given energy drinks, only fruit juice, milk and water

They say energy drinks – which contain between 10 and 270 calories a serving – should never be given to children.
Instead they should be offered water to quench their thirst, and drink the recommended daily amount of fruit juice and low-fat milk with meals.

A hidden problem with energy drinks is caffeine, which can reach toxic levels up to 14 times greater than in other soft drinks. The stimulant has been linked to seizures, diabetes, heart problems and behavioural disorders.

Children’s doctors renewed warnings about energy drinks, and the potential harm from sports drinks, following an expert report by members of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Nutrition.

Dr Holly Benjamin, a lead author of the report, and a doctor at the Comer Children’s Hospital, part of the University of Chicago, said: ‘For most children engaging in routine physical activity, plain water is best.’

MailOnline has approached Red Bull for comment.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2248138/Forget-energy-drinks--theyre-effective-cup-coffee.html#ixzz2FDzM1a1T
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Cold, flu & fungal feet

Colds, flu... and fungal feet: How going to the gym could actually make you SICK

• Survey found almost three quarters of gym-goers have have witnessed poor hygiene
• Almost half admitted using towels or water bottles that didn't belong to them
• And more than a third admitted to exercising without deodorant or socks

By Anna Hodgekiss
PUBLISHED: 00:12 GMT, 11 December 2012 | UPDATED: 10:42 GMT, 11 December 2012

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Almost half of the gym users admitted using something in the gym that didn't belong to them, including towels, water bottles or toiletries

Going to the gym may not be as beneficial as you think because some fitness fans' poor hygiene could leave you ill, according to a new survey.

Almost three quarters (74%) of people polled by Nuffield Health said they had witnessed 'bad fitness etiquette' in the gym including poor hygiene like failing to clean sweaty equipment.

Almost half of those polled admitted using something in the gym that didn't belong to them, including towels, water bottles or toiletries.

Nuffield warned the behaviour could leave people open to catching colds and flu from other gym users, as well as fungal infections like athletes foot.

Sarah Marsh, the firm's professional head of fitness and wellbeing, said: 'Yes, it's unpleasant when the person before you hasn't wiped their sweat off the machine they've been using, but the health implications of this and the other hygiene issues our study revealed can be more wide ranging than this.

 

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'We encounter disease-causing germs every day, although generally few of us become ill. 

'We know these germs may easily be spread by unwashed hands - through direct contact with someone or indirectly through touching contaminated object.

'So, as the temperature dips outside, there are many more bugs around and our immune systems are challenged by the 'flu seasons' arrival - not wiping down gym equipment can help germs spread. 

Poor hygenie at the gym could leave people open to catching colds and flu from other gym users, as well as fungal infections like athletes foot

'These germs can cause not only vomiting and diarrhoea but also respiratory infections.'
The survey of 2,000 people also found that 22 per cent of people were put off exercise by poor hygiene or excessive nudity in changing rooms.

Eighteen per cent of exercisers admitted going to the gym when suffering from colds, coughing and sneezing.


And more than a third admitted to exercising without deodorant or socks on, while 16 per cent admitted not washing gym clothes between workouts.

As a result, Nuffield Health has produced an online guide with details of how to exercise and stay healthy.
For more information visit www.nuffieldhealth.com/fitnessguide

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2246014/Colds-flu--fungal-feet-How-going-gym-actually-make-SICK.html#ixzz2EkvnRkoJ
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Too much exercise could wear out your heart..

Take it a bit easier in the gym: Too much exercise can wear out your heart

• Moderate, regular exercise is beneficial but it is possible to do too much
• Exercising intensely for more than an hour can cause heart tissue to stretch
• Running between two and five times a week is better than going every day
• And, marathons should not be a regular challenge, rather done occasionally 

By FIONA MACRAE

PUBLISHED: 23:35 GMT, 29 November 2012 | UPDATED: 23:37 GMT, 29 November 2012

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While moderate exercise like jogging is good for you, too much is bad for your heart

It is the news that couch potatoes have been waiting for: too much exercise is bad for your heart.

Doctors have warned that, rather than adding years to their lives, fitness freaks could be working themselves into an early grave.

They say that while regular, moderate exercise, including jogging, is beneficial, it is possible to do too much.

After reviewing various studies on the health of runners, they said: ‘A routine of moderate physical activity will add life to your years, as well as years to your life.

‘In contrast, running too fast, too far and for too many years may speed one’s progress towards the finish line of life.’

In a three-page editorial in the journal Heart, US cardiologists James O’Keefe and Carl Lavie, both keen runners, also advise that those who want to exercise at full pelt should limit themselves to 30 to 50 minutes a day. And marathons should be viewed as something to do occasionally or once in a lifetime, rather than a regular challenge.

They warn that exercising intensely for more than an hour or two can damage the heart, causing its tissue to stretch, tear and scar and raising the odds of dangerous changes in heart rhythm.

Two studies recently presented at major medical conferences back up their argument that exercise, like many other things in life, is best done in moderation.

The first, co-written by one of the editorial’s authors, tracked the health of more than 50,000 people for up to 30 years.

The 14,000 runners in the study were 19 per cent less likely to have died than the others during this time. 

 

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• 
  

However, closer analysis of the results revealed the longevity benefits to be limited to those who ran between five and 20 miles a week.

In contrast, those who ran more than that did not seem to fare any better than non-runners. The same study revealed running quickly to also be of little benefit, with those who fared best doing a ‘comfortable jog’ of 6-7mph.

To be avoided: Marathons should be viewed as something to do occasionally or once in a lifetime rather than a regular challenge

Similarly, running between two and five days a week was better than pounding the pavements daily. The second study, of 20,000 Danes, found slow jogging to add most to life expectancy.

The editorial, by James O’Keefe, of Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City and Carl Lavie, of the John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute in New Orleans, concludes: ‘The unique and potent effects of exercise are best bestowed by moderate physical activity.

‘If one’s goal is to compete in the marathon or triathlon of the Rio Olympics in 2016, this will certainly require high-intensity exercise for hours a day. But for those whose goal is to be alive and well while watching the 2052 Olympics from the stands, then exercise and physical activity at lower intensities would be more ideal.’

Paul Thompson, a sports cardiologist and former elite marathon runner, told the Wall Street Journal the editorial’s authors had manipulated the data because they had an agenda.

Responding to the accusation, Dr O’Keefe called Dr Thompson a ‘chronic exercise addict’.

Ellen Mason, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: ‘Moderate-intensity physical activity can halve the risk of dying from heart disease and every adult should try and get active for at least 30 minutes, five days a week.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2240711/Take-bit-easier-gym-Too-exercise-wear-heart.html#ixzz2DuYOyXMl
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