Martha Edwards

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The Skinny on Tastebuds, Better Dead Than Fat and More

Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Here's a scary statistic -- Apparently, 54 percent of women would rather be hit by a truck than be fat.

Are energy drinks the right way to fuel your workout? The National Post looks into the impact they can have on your exercise routine.

Can you taste the fat in your food? Research shows that people who are overweight have taste buds that are desensitized to fatty foods.

Got grand culinary ambitions? Here are must-have kitchen gadgets and staples to make your cooking space a chef's haven.

Don't be so quick to assume that it's healthy -- studies have shown that eating too much sugary fruit can actually pad your waistline.

Curvy Figures Are Like Drugs To Men

Happiness, Health

Worried about that few extra pounds you've gained in the last little while? Don't be -- your curves are sexy and there's scientific evidence to prove it.

Recent research out of the States has found that a curvy figure can have the same effect on a man's brain as alcohol and drugs, with the classic hourglass shape being the most exciting for guys.

To figure this out, Dr. Steve Platek and colleagues ran brain scans on 14 men with an average age of 25 as they looked at before and after photos of women who had undergone plastic surgery to enhance their hips. The results showed that looking at the after photos activated parts of the brain associated with rewards, the same areas activated by drugs and alcohol.

But Dr. Platek isn't surprised by the findings; "Hugh Hefner could have told us that by showing us how many zeroes are in his bank account. The Caucasian, westernized female has somehow been duped into thinking men like very skinny, waify, Kate Moss-type girls. Curviness is the trump card. It's worth it's reproductive weight in gold," he said to Live Science.

And reproduction is thought to be the culprit behind these findings. "Curvy looks in a woman mean that she is good at reproduction, and so the man gets the message that this is someone they could procreate with," psychotherapist Karol Ward told the New York Daily News. "The attraction has a lot to do with fertility." Curves are also a sign of good health.

Don't get down on yourself if you don't fit into a size two -- when you picture your ideal size, think more Christina Hendricks than Nicole Richie.

Be Sushi Savvy, Eggs for Weight Loss and More

Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Sushi is a favourite meal choice for people everywhere. Yes, it's low in fat and full of healthy nutrients, but it's also associated with health risks -- so is it healthy or not?

Want to trim off a few pounds? Apparently, an egg a day might just be what it takes to keep the numbers on the scale tipping in the right direction.

While you're at it, want some more easy tips for slimming down? Here are a few simple changes that can make an impact on your dress size.

Well, this just isn't fair -- surveys show that men have an extra hour and a half leisure time per day that women are missing out on.

According to experts, there should be a tax on things like pizza, soda and other bad-for-you items. Do you agree?

Happy Aging, The Skinny on Skin and More

Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

When it comes to eating fruit, is all the good nutritional stuff in the skin? Experts weigh in on which part of your apple is the most important.

Running a marathon? If you're a woman, studies show that you'll be more affected by air pollution than the guy beside you.

Want to grow old gracefully? Here are some tips from leading experts on how to avoid the normal pitfalls of aging.

Travel lots? Make sure stay in shape on the road -- now you can pick the hotel with the best gym facilities using this new website.

Love your salt? Here's a good reason to lose it -- slashing the sodium on food could potentially prevent half a million heart attacks!

Fizzy Hangover Cure, Your Best Diet and More

Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Will noshing at night pack on the pounds? Here's an honest look at how much when you eat affects what you weigh.

Had a little too much fun over the weekend? Grab some sparkling water -- bubble drinks will help ease the pain.

Don't fear the frozen foods aisle -- studies show that some frozen veggies are actually healthier than fresh ones.

What's the best diet plan for you? Researchers say it all depends on genetics.

Now that spring is on the way, it's probably a good idea to clean out your bathroom drawers and medicine cabinet.

Hangover-Free Drinking, Superwoman Syndrome and More

Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Trying to do it all? Slow down, Superwoman -- stretching yourself too far is dangerous for your health.

Apparently scientists have discovered a kind of booze that won't give you a hangover. Hello, what!? Sign me up.

Your weight, potential health risks, diseases ... new studies are showing all these things might be down to the kind of bacteria lurking in your gut.

Want to help your significant other slim down without insulting them? Here's some advice on helping your loved one get healthy with a few gentle nudges in the right direction.

Got puffy, sleepy eyes? Here's some expert advice on how to look bright-eyed at all times.

Is Cold Weather Good For Us?

Happiness, Health, Worrywart

As we struggle through the final few weeks of scraping ice off our windshields and shovelling heavy snow off our driveways, the question on the minds of most Canadians is probably this: Why do we live in this winter-dominated frozen land? And, more importantly, is it good for our health to endure months of chilly temperatures, bitter winds and dehydrating indoor heating?

As the Harvard Medical School reports, the answer to that last question is both yes and no
. While winter is generally regarded as the the season for illness, living in a cold climate really isn't that bad for our health. In fact, it's kind of good for us. Studies out of Finland conducted a few years ago found that daily exposure to cold increased levels of Norepinephrine, a vital hormone that plays a role in pain suppression.

Chicken McNuggets Deemed Healthy, Fish Oil Warnings and More

Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Swear by fish oil supplements? You might want take a look at the label -- a recent lawsuit is claiming that some fish oil supplements have dangerous PCBs in them.

Think you're unable to go vegan? Big Love star Ginnifer Goodwin assures you that you can in fact give up cheese.

Speaking of going meatless, here's some advice for veggie moms-to-be on how to have a happy, healthy vegetarian pregnancy.

According to Weight Watchers, Chicken McNuggets have been labelled 'healthy.' Um, yeah.

We all know being overweight is risky, but is being too skinny equally dangerous? Unless you're anorexic, most likely not, say experts.

Small Changes Useless, The Case For Fad Diets and More

Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Keep you teens away from the computer and television -- studies show too much exposure to screens can affect how they deal with people.

Fad diets are typically regarded as dangerous, but according to recent research, they can actually help reverse artery damage in obese people.

Do small changes in your diet add up to big results? Actually, the evidence is pointing to 'no,' but good effort I guess ... ?

The Government wants to keep you safe ... that's why they've announced an Environmental Health guide to help make Canadians aware of environmental dangers around them.

Ever been told to quit biting your nails? Here's a look into why you do it ... and how you can stop.

Women are the Stronger Sex When it Come to Health Matters

Health, Fitness, Healthy Eating

While the women from the Canadian Olympic team definitely kicked butt this year, it was still pretty evident that on the whole, men tend to be able to jump higher and ski faster than women. But while they might be able to lift more than us at the gym, recent studies from Harvard Medical School have found that in fact, men are the weaker sex. When it comes to health matters, anyway.

The researchers concluded that this is down to a number of factors. Firstly, excess weight tends to be more of a problem for men than it does for women, since men usually carry it around their waist, where fat is most dangerous and can lead to heart attack and stroke. Women, as you may have guessed, tend to carry it around their thighs and hips, where it poses less of a threat -- even if it isn't very welcome. Secondly, women have higher levels of HDL -- the "good" cholesterol -- than men. And on average, women tend to eat a healthier diet than men.
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