Eating a large breakfast could burn twice the calories
Research from The Endocrine Society suggests that eating a larger meal at breakfast, rather than at dinner, could see the individual burn twice the number of calories. According to the researchers, diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT), which is the measure of how well our metabolism is working, can differ depending on the time of day a meal is consumed. A meal eaten for breakfast creates twice as high DIT than it does if the same meal is consumed at dinner time.
The findings suggest that weight management and blood sugar can be better controlled by paying attention to the time we eat meals and frontloading larger meals, consuming them at the start of the day.
Juliane Richter, M.Sc., Ph.D., author of the study, said, “this finding is significant for all people as it underlines the value of eating enough at breakfast.”
The health benefits of mastic gum
Mastic Gum is the resin, sap-like substance that is obtained from the mastic tree. It has been harvested for over 2,500 years and has a strong history in Greece, frequently referred to as the “Tears of Chios”, named after the Greek island to which the tree is native.
Despite this long history, studies and research on the substance is ongoing, with new findings discovered frequently on the health benefits of mastic gum.
One such study, reported by Medical News Today, found that it could have benefits in aiding digestion. Another study, referenced in the article, alludes to the potential benefits it holds in reducing Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the stomach that has links with stomach ulcers.
Despite being an ancient food supplement, Mastic Gum continues to offer nutritional support that is very much still of use today, as much as it was in ancient Greece.
Could fruit and veg lessening menopause symptoms?
A recent study, published by The North American Menopause Society, reported by Science Daily suggests that, as well as having a positive impact on health in general, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables could have specific benefits in relation to menopause symptoms.
The study goes a step further than previous studies that linked a Mediterranean-style diet with reduced severity of menopause and, instead, looked at specific fruits and vegetables and their effect on particular menopause symptoms. It was concluded that citrus fruits were particularly of note for having adverse effects on menopausal symptoms when compared to other fruits and the same was noted of green leafy or dark yellow vegetables.
Speaking of the study, Dr. Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director, said, “here is ample evidence that a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables has a beneficial effect on health in a myriad of ways, but additional study is needed to determine whether various menopause symptoms may be affected by dietary choices.”
These types of studies suggest that nutrition plays a very important role in the severity of menopause systems and that food and food supplements can play a part in menopause support.
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Alison is Director and Founder of Metabolics who writes about Metabolics updates, events and natural healthcare. Her experience and passion for natural supplements and healthcare comes from her years of experience as a practising osteopath, having founded Metabolics in her search for high quality, natural products in her own work. Alison has been a qualified and practising Osteopath since 1981 and regularly gives seminars on a range of healthcare subjects to the wider practitioner community helping share her knowledge and experience.