Rushville Republican

News

February 8, 2010

Can carbonated sodas hurt your health?

Q. I drink several cups of my own carbonated beverage throughout the day, which I make from carbonated water, fresh-squeezed lime juice, pomegranate juice and grated ginger. But a friend told me that drinking lots of carbonated water leaches calcium from my bones and will cause osteoporosis. I've also heard that carbonated drinks could be bad for my heart. Is this true? – Anonymous

A. Your friend probably remembers studies that found people who drank carbonated sodas excreted more calcium in their urine and were more prone to fractures related to osteoporosis than people who drank other things. But the culprit wasn't the bubbles; it was the phosphoric acid in colas.

Carbonated sodas have been linked to obesity and diabetes, too, but again, it's not the fizz that's at fault; it's the sugar. Similarly, drinking a daily can of soda is associated with heart disease, but the bubbles even get a pass on this one. People who linger in the soda aisle may spend too much time in the snack aisle as well. So your homemade carbonated drink is largely benign, with one caution: The citric acid in it can erode the enamel on your teeth. Use a straw, and then enjoy.

Q. I crave sweets. I get the same kind of longing for them as I did for cigarettes when I stopped smoking. Is there a physical reason for this? – Susanne, Sacramento, Calif.

A. Some people call themselves sugar addicts, with good reason: Sugar seems to tickle the pleasure centers of the brain just the way narcotics do, though it's not addictive in exactly the same way. Lab rats who get a kick from cocaine, morphine and nicotine get that same high when they nibble sugar. And the meds that quash narcotic cravings also knock out the need for a sugar fix.

There's also a biological answer for your need for sweets: Since the body requires sugar as fuel, we may all be hard-wired to crave it, a tendency that's exacerbated when you're tired, stressed, overly hungry or when your blood sugar is low.

You don't have to be ruled by your need for a fix. Try these tips:

Eat regularly and enough. Skipping meals or starving yourself can send you on a manic hunt for cookies because you crave the quick energy sugar brings.

Munch on complex carbohydrates. Fruits, veggies and whole grains contain sugar, too, but it's absorbed slowly and steadily, so you don't get a "sugar crash." Refined carbs (the sweets you love) cause a rapid rise in blood sugar that gives way to an equally rapid plunge. That sends a "more, more, more" message to your brain.

Reduce stress. Yes, that's a tall order. But even this can help: A few times a day, focus on taking some slow, deep breaths. That's no-frills meditation, and it has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress.

Chew sugar-free mint gum. Studies show that chewing gum can help stifle cravings, and that the scent of peppermint helps boost energy.

Q. I work in a busy radiology breast imaging center. My co-workers and I all seem to be gaining weight as we age. Our jobs have become less physical, and we always seem to be nibbling. How can we lose some of the pounds we've put on and become more conscious of our eating habits, without feeling deprived? – Joan C., via e-mail

A. Your solution is right there in your letter: Form your own support group. People who diet together lose more weight than people who go it alone. One reason: Less stress. In one study, women dieters who attended a weekly support group had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol – which can mess with your waist – than solo dieters did. In another study, big losers who never stopped going to bimonthly support meetings kept off more than 30 pounds for more than a year, while those who didn't gained half of it back. Make a pact with your co-workers to follow a diet (you can choose your own), meet weekly to talk about how you're doing, and plan healthy snacks to bring to the office. On morning and afternoon breaks and at lunchtime, take walks together. There's strength in numbers; use it.



The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: On a Diet."

Text Only
News
  • Timber buyer charged with Corrupt Business Influence

    RIPLEY COUNTY — A Milan man has been charged with corrupt business influence by the Ripley County Prosecutor’s Office.

    July 30, 2010

  • RCHS info

    Here are some important dates for RCHS parents and students.

    July 30, 2010

  • Two new schools, one main goal: Success

    On Aug. 16, students will step foot for the first time into the fully-operational new elementary schools in Arlington and Milroy. It will mark the completion of a building project that began in the fall of 2008.

    July 29, 2010

  • Youth Outdoors

    A “Youth Outdoor Experience” day will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Rushville Conservation Club on SR 44 east of Rushville.

    July 29, 2010

  • Backpacks

    K-12 clients of the Blue River Community Harvest, Inc. of Carthage and other qualified individuals can receive backpacks and school supplies from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Harvest building.

    July 29, 2010

  • Joy ride results in flight to trauma center

    A report of a motorcycle accident resulted in multiple county and city law enforcement personnel and other responding units being dispatched to Rushville Road south of CR 200N shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday.

    July 29, 2010

  • Training facility nearing completion

    The Rushville Fire Department recently added a piece to what fire chief Chuck Jenkins and others say will be a state of the art firefighting training facility located on Smiley Avenue near the Rushville Animal Shelter.

    July 29, 2010

  • GIS info to be accessible online

    In an anticipated 2 to 3 months, Rushville will have access to an online Geographic Information System that will, among other things, aid those who are in the process of buying a home.

    July 29, 2010

  • 30 mph limit remains in place on Fort Wayne Road

    The Rush County Commissioners recently conducted a public meeting regarding an earlier decision to reduce the speed limit on Fort Wayne Road north from the city limits to CR 300N and on CR 200N between SR 3 and Fort Wayne Road.

    July 28, 2010

  • Occupants escape houseboat fire

    Brookville — Indiana Conservation Officers responded to a boat fire on Brookville Reservoir Saturday afternoon.

    July 28, 2010

AP Video
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Featured Ads
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.