Bananas improve endurance

Eating bananas during endurance sports training proved to be more beneficial than consuming sports drinks in a recent study. Trained cyclists consumed either a cup of a carbohydrate drink of a half of a banana every 15 minutes during 75 - kilometer simulated road race lasting up to three hours.

We found that not only was performance the same whether bananas or sports drinks were consumed there was several advantages to consuming bananas Bananas area a favorite source of energy for endurance recreational athletes. They're rich sources of potassium, fiber vitamin B6, and other nutrients. They also have a healthier blend of sugars compared to sports drinks.

Did You Know

Physically fit, healthy middle aged adults have substantially lower healthcare costs as they age compared to their less fit counterparts, according to the American Heart Association. Researchers tracked medicare coverage in more than 20,000 healthy people from 1999 to 2009. For those who began the study in the highest fitness categories, average annual healthcare costs after age 65 were $3,277 for men and $2,755 for women. For those who began at the lowest fitness levels average costs were $5,134 for men and $4,565 for women.

Mediterranean diet + CoQ10 = beter benefits

The Mediterranean diet - rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats from fish, nuts, and seeds - is well known as a healthy way of eating. Now a Spanish study of 20 people over the age of 65 has found that it can be even more beneficial with the addition of 200 mg of CoQ10 daily. The study published in the journals of germitology series a found that C0Q10 enhanced the inflammatory effect of the diet and produced more stable levels of blood sugar thereby.lowering the risk for diabetes and heart disease.

chemicalls in cosmetics increase DIABETES RISK

Chemicals that are commonly found in personal care products such as moisturizers, nail polishes, hair sprays, and perfumes have been linked to an increased risk of diabetes in women. The risk occurs when the chemicals - known as phithalates -  become concentrated in the body. In a recent study women with the highest levels of certain phithalates had almost twice the risk of diabetes.

The chemicals are also used in adhesives, electronics, and other products. Phithalates - free personal care products can be found in most health food stores.

FOOD JOURNALS keep weight on track

Keeping a food journal can be a valuable part of a weight - loss regimen, according to a new study. That kind of self - monitoring led to greater loss of about six pounds over the course of the year. It is difficult to make changes to your diet when you are not paying close attention to what you are eating What you need to do when you are starting to use a food journal is to log down everything that you eat during the course of the day.

• Be honest - record everything that you eat
• Be accurate - measure portions read labels
• Be complete - include details such as how the food was prepared and the addition of any toppings or condiments
• Be consistent - always carry your food journal with you or use a diet tracking application on your phone

 Interestingly participants who often skipped meals lost nearly eight fewer pounds then those who did not. Those who ate out for lunch at least once a week also lost fewer pounds.

YOGA aids balance

Yoga in a group environment appears to improve motor function and balance in stroke survivors, according to a new study. Participants - who were mostly male veterans - were placed into one of three groups for eight weeks. The first group did group yoga for twice a week , the second did the yoga and listened to a relaxation tape three times a week, and the third had standard medical care but no yoga or relaxation. The yoga classes grew more challenging each week.

Compared with patients in the standard - care group , those in the two yoga groups significantly improved their balance. Participants in both yoga groups also had improved scores for Independence and quality of life and were less afraid of failing. Balance problems often last long after a person has had a stroke and are related to greater disability and higher risk of falls.

More Dairy Less Stroke

Besides the fact that its one of the only beverages that naturally contains protein. Here's another good reason to drink milk: it may help reduce the risk of of stroke and other heart related diseases. A recent study out of the Kerensky institute in Stockholm found that adults (both men and woman) who consumed the most low fat dairy in a 10 year study were 12 percent less likely to suffer from stroke then those at the opposite end of the spectrum.The key reason behind this could be the presence of vitamin D which helps lower blood pressure, a major risk factor for stroke.