Nutrition Information

What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is defined as an irresistible urge to consume alcohol. People suffering from alcoholism are very well aware of the dangerous effects alcohol could have on their bodies, but still they are unable to resist the urge to consume it. They will usually drink beyond acceptable limits and will be in an inebriated state most often, causing embarrassment and inconvenience to the people with them.

Most people who consume alcohol have more than they can manage. This is seen in alcohol drinkers who lose control of their senses when they have one drink too many. Such an overstepping of limits is called as alcohol abuse. People who abuse alcohol are having more alcohol than their body allows them, but they have not yet come totally under the control of their alcohol habit. However, if they continue drinking for long, then they will not be able to resist alcohol and will become totally addicted to it. This situation is called as alcoholism.

Both alcohol abuse and alcoholism are social vices apart from being detrimental to the person’s health. They can be eliminated only by exercising control and being determined.

Why is Alcoholism dangerous?

Ethyl alcohol – the alcohol which is used in all alcohol products – is a liquid that immediately dissolves in the human blood. Hence when alcohol is consumed, it doesn’t take much time to reach all parts of the human body. Due to this, the nervous system of the person is affected and he/she may lose responsiveness to external stimulus. This is when the person is said to be inebriated.

Constant alcoholism will interfere with the functioning of all the vital organs of the body. The major organs affected are the liver, brain, heart and kidneys.

Liver is perhaps the most seriously affected in the long run. With prolonged alcoholism, the liver may develop cirrhosis, which is scarring of the liver tissue. Once cirrhosis sets in, it is very difficult to return the health back to normal.

In the stomach, alcohol can cause several gastric problems which may interfere with digestion. At the same time, each time a person has alcohol, it numbs his/her nervous system. In due course, the person may lose some or all of the fundamental senses.

What are the Symptoms of Alcoholism?

Generally people who are alcoholics can be easily identified even in a crowd. The habit shows some characteristic symptoms. These are as follows:-

A person with the habit of alcoholism will have all the trademark drunkard’s characteristics – red eyes, unkempt hair, mouth reeking of alcohol, unsteady gait, etc. But there are several people who mask these signs well.

Alcoholics usually set specific times for their drinking sessions. These could be before dinner. If alcohol is not available one particular day, they may become very cantankerous.

Even during the time they are not drinking, alcoholics would not be able to focus on the work at hand. This would sour their business and family life.

Over time, alcoholics build a resistance to alcohol. For this reason, they will keep increasing their intake so as to feel the effects of the alcohol.

How can Alcoholism be avoided?

For an alcoholic, avoiding alcohol could be a very difficult task. The withdrawal symptoms of alcoholism may be very severe. So it is not advisable for a hardcore alcohol to stop drinking entirely. Instead, the alcohol should be carefully phased out.

The following steps can be taken to reduce alcohol intake:-

The person must be made to take interest in constructive hobbies and sports.

Love and affection from family members and friends could strengthen the resolve of the person to give up alcoholism.

Attending meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous will show the alcoholic how people have managed to kick their boozing habits. This will create a very positive outlook in the alcoholic.

Instead of alcohol, other drinks with less alcohol in them can be used, such as wine and cocktails. Eventually even these can be stopped.

How can Alcoholism be controlled with Simple Home Remedies?

There are many home remedies to reduce the effects of alcoholism. The following are some of them:

Fruit juices are very effective in lowering the effects of alcoholism. For removing the effects of a hangover, the juice of a lemon or orange will be very effective. Eating an apple or banana helps to flush out the toxins from the body which collect due to alcoholism.

Both grapes and dates are very beneficial in reducing the urge to consume alcohol. If alcoholics are kept on a diet of only grapes for a couple of weeks, then most likely the temptation to drink will be totally gone.

Introduce many other drinks in the person’s diets so that the craving for the alcoholic drink is reduced.

When the person feels the urge to consume alcohol, having a glass of carrot juice will help to reduce the temptation.

Tom alter
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/alcoholism-herbs-and-ayurvedic-remedies-symptom-of-alcoholism-and-other-treatments-106660.html

What evidence is there that these drinks improve performance?
It there any evidence that is contradictory?

REAl evidence, I already know what they do, so for example any tests that have been carried out?

Over the course of a prolonged session of vigorous intermittent or continuous exercise, the muscles turn over a lot of glycogen (a complex of glucose, water and potassium stored as fuel in the muscles) and the body loses electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium).

Despite being popularly depicted as a great evil, sodium (as obtained from salt) is the most abundant mineral in the human body, and terrestrial herbivores such as elephants (whose natural environment in short on sodium/salt) go to great troubles to manoeuvre their colossal bulks into tight caves at night to obtain "salt licks".

Of course, lots of people are mostly inactive and yet spend large parts of each day ingesting more carbohydrates than their bodies have room for. I can’t be bothered to cite any specific examples right now, but there’s plenty of evidence that repeatedly overconsuming carbohydrates in any form can damage your health, but there’s also plenty of evidence that muscles well stocked with glycogen perform better during vigorous exercise, and that consuming readily utilized carbohydrates (especially glucose) not long after such training (or even during it if it’s prolonged) helps with recovery from exercise and spares skeletal muscle from being broken down (most of the amino acids in skeletal muscle can be converted into glucose when blood sugar levels are dropping too low).

Thus, there is evidence that readily utilized carbohydrates are helpful around vigorous training for those who are not repeatedly overconsuming carbohydrates anyway. That doesn’t mean that any given hypermarketed and excessively expensive "sports drink" is any better than any cheaper and more "natural" concoction (e.g. a bit of milk mixed with water and glucose powder and a pinch of mineral-rich sea salt). Tacky "sports drinks" are not necessary around vigorous training, but glucose and electrolytes are very helpful.

Probably one of the most appealing honeymoons for most people is a trip to a tropical Caribbean island. And one of the easiest ways for the soon to be newlyweds to plan their after wedding trip is to look at all inclusive Caribbean honeymoons. There is one little problem though.

How do you choose which Caribbean island you want to spend your honeymoon on? After all, there are over 7000 Caribbean islands that you can choose from. Well not all 7000, not all of them are inhabited, but that’s still a lot of possible destinations to choose from. And each of these islands, whether big or small, has its own cultural flavor that will have an appeal for just about everyone. And the best part is almost all the islands boast at least one all inclusive resort that is ideal for a honeymoon.

There are three easy steps to follow when it comes to planning an all inclusive Caribbean honeymoon.

1. Choose an Island – As mentioned above there is a lot to choose from but somewhere in that group of islands is one that will be a perfect fit for the newlywed couple. With such a wide diversity of islands available no matter what the couple likes to do they will find one that fits what they are looking for. Of course all of them are great if you like lounging on the beach, enjoying water sports and just plain relaxing.

If you are looking for the total Caribbean honeymoon experience then Jamaica may be the way to go. It is a big island with large cities that offer everything more metropolitan areas are known for, including shopping and clubbing until all hours of the morning. You can also get away from it all by taking hikes in lush tropical forests and climbing warm cascading waterfalls with deep plunge pools for swimming. Jamaica also has an abundance of all inclusive resorts that make honeymoon planning very simple.

If intimacy and seclusion are more of what is needed then any of the number of smaller islands will fit the bill. Culebra and Dominica are two such islands that are off the beaten path. There isn’t a whole lot to do there other than enjoy the warm Caribbean waters and lounge the days away in blissful peace with each other.

2. Choose an All Inclusive Resort – Just as there are many islands to choose from so are there resorts to choose from. One thing to look for is adults only or couples only resorts that cater exclusively to couples getting away for romantic holidays. You can also be assured that if you do choose a couples only resort that you will not have to deal with families and rambunctious kids during this romantic time together.

3. Get packing – Once the reservations are set and the trip is paid for all you have to do is get your bags packed and ready to go. That’s the beauty of all inclusive Caribbean honeymoons; everything is included in the price of the package. This includes meals, drinks, resort activities, beach privileges and water sports, entertainment and a whole lot more.

Taking all inclusive Caribbean honeymoons is easy. The hard part is figuring out which island to go to and then ultimately which resort offers the amenities and activities, or lack thereof, the newlywed couple is interested in. But no matter which island and resort you choose taking a Caribbean honeymoon at an all inclusive resort is one of the most romantic and intimate settings you can find.

Andrew Bicknell
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/all-inclusive-caribbean-honeymoons-122999.html

I know that sports drinks can be good in cases where they are necessary, like exercising, but are they good to drink as a normal drink. Say as a replacement over soda? Is that healthy? I would assume healthier than soda, but is it healthy?

Soda’s carbonation can damage your bones, so for that reason Gatorade is better. But like anything, moderation is key. Because it is a sugary drink, too much Gatorade can be just as unhealthy as soda.

Zero carbs. Fat flush. No dessert. Sound familiar? Losing weight is hard enough as it is, and all the fad diets that come and go make choosing a natural weight loss program much more confusing. There seems to be no consistent source of information. However, you can make real changes without excessive hunger and discomfort. Simply commit to a healthy diet to live by daily.

First, it’s important to understand the basics for good nutrition. The body’s three primary nutrient needs include protein, fats, and carbohydrates. The trick is choosing the right low-fat proteins, unsaturated fats, and whole-grain carbohydrates in reasonable portions. Even if your goal is not natural weight loss, the basics for good nutrition are essential to a healthy diet:

· Enjoy plenty of low-fat protein with every meal. Protein is key to muscle growth and reduces feelings of hunger. As a result, it gives you plenty of mileage to get to the next meal without having to snack. Chicken and fish are leaner than red meat and tend to be good choices. If you take advantage of organic or local farmer sources, the flavor is superior and there are no injected growth hormones. Don’t forget bean dishes, plus vegetarian chicken, burgers and bacon. Those with high cholesterol can obtain protein from egg whites.

· Treat yourself to five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. This sounds like a lot, but a serving is actually fairly small. Also, the closer a fruit or vegetable is to its natural state, the more nutrients are delivered to the body. All-natural juices are also a great way to get more servings in per day. Fruit satisfies your sweet tooth while reducing sugar cravings. Organic fruits and vegetables are much healthier and you will be completely overwhelmed by the difference in flavor.

· Indulge in whole grain carbohydrates. Don’t completely eliminate carbohydrates! Reduce them, yes, but don’t eradicate them. Trade refined flour carbohydrates for whole grains. Once eaten, carbs are metabolized into blood glucose, which every cell uses as a primary energy source. As a matter of fact, glucose is the brain’s only source of fuel! However, if you eat more carbs than your body needs, it converts the leftover glucose into fat. Enjoy whole-grain wraps, multi-grain crackers, hearty breads and long grain, wild or basmati rice.

· Fulfill yourself with reasonable portions. You should never eat until you’re stuffed–nor should you ever get up from the table hungry. Your stomach can hold about one quart of food and beverage, an amount that would fit in your cupped hands. The trick to fulfillment is to slow down! Savor your food, and chew each bite 30 times. Not only is this the first crucial step in digestion, but it allows your stomach and brain to register when you’re full. Don’t interfere with your body’s ability to enjoy food by watching TV, working, or worse yet, driving. Sit down, relax, and enjoy your meal.

· Drink 8 to 16 glasses of water every day. Maintaining hydration is a key component of overall health. Also, water flushes away fat and transports nutrients throughout your body.

· Treat yourself in moderation. Never eating another potato chip or piece of cake again is completely unrealistic. However, they should not be staples in your diet. Figure out what you can’t live without, and treat yourself to it occasionally.

· Take high-quality vitamin and mineral supplements each day. No matter how healthy a diet, our food will not provide 100 percent of all the vital nutrients that our bodies need daily. Ensuring that you have all the bases covered by taking a multivitamin will go a long way toward a long and healthy life.

Maintaining a healthy diet to live by daily is not difficult when the basics of good nutrition are observed. Protein and fruits and vegetables are the cornerstone, with a few whole-grain carbs thrown in. The ratio of protein should always exceed that of carbs. This will stabilize your blood sugar and eliminate snacking between meals. Although you can jump start weight loss on a low-carb diet, you should enjoy at least one serving of whole-grain carbs every day.

“Healthy” food does not mean bland. The problem with the typical American diet is that it consists of highly refined foods full of synthetic ingredients. Also, portion sizes are out of control. When you start enjoying a healthy diet daily, you will regard highly processed foods as poison, boring and bland. Those who are beginning a natural weight loss program should also cut out the following killers.

· Red meat – If you want to enjoy red meat occasionally, that’s ok. However, avoid the fatty cuts such as rib-eyes and go for a lean filet.

· Burger-and-fry fast food – Fast food is absolutely the worst thing you can eat. The buns alone are nothing but high-fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oil, both of which clog arteries. If you have to eat fast food, opt for fresh sandwiches on whole-grain breads or wraps.

· Refined carbohydrates – Any store-bought white food such as doughnuts, bagels, white bread, snack crackers, and potato chips will make you gain weight faster than almost anything.

· Dairy products – Dairy products tend to be very high in fat. If you can’t live without them, limit them to the low-fat and organic varieties. Considers substitutes such as olive oil or natural yogurt.

· High-fructose corn syrup – If you read a few labels, you’ll be amazed to see how often this is a top ingredient. Corn syrup is engineered to be 80 percent fructose and 20 percent glucose -that’s twice the fructose of regular sugar. Fruit’s natural fiber allows a sustainable absorption rate throughout all cells. Alternatively, high-fructose corn syrup is absorbed rapidly, and it must be metabolized in the liver. This excess causes weight gain.

· Alcohol – Limit yourself to three drinks per week. Your liver puts fat metabolism on hold to process alcohol. Also, alcoholic drinks like margaritas and beer are high in caloric content.

Diet is just one factor in the equation for weight loss. The other key element in a successful weight loss program is daily exercise. You should engage in 30 minutes of aerobic activity every day. Choose something that you enjoy such as walking, bicycling, hiking, swimming, or any team sports. It is easier to keep exercising daily if the activities you choose are fun. After all, exercise is a way of life -just like eating a healthy diet.

Looking great is one perk of regular exercise, but the most powerful benefits are to your health. Aerobic activity strengthens the immune system, is the number one stress buster, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, boosts self-confidence, and will even improve your sex life!

These key principles will help you start your successful weight loss program. It’s now up to you – begin a nutritious diet, take a high-quality vitamin and mineral supplement and exercise daily.

Edward Sample
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/a-healthy-daily-diet-for-weight-loss-105774.html

for school im doing a debate and i need to know WHY water is better for you then sports drinks. i cant find anyhting!
please also tell me where you got your sources cause i need to list websites.

well, energy drinks contain sugars and (sometimes, usually) caffine. these are called dieretics. they pretty much make your liver empty all of it’s glucose (energy) into your system to be used up (which is what makes you hyper and so on) when this happens, liquids are being released as well. so pretty much, energy drinks are making you dehydrated.

also all the sugar is unhealthy