Tag: Nutrition science

According to research, consuming food causes a temporary increase in your metabolic rate known as the thermic effect of food. This process typically makes you feel warmer, but various factors can alter this sensation. So, does eating make you feel colder or warmer? It's more complex than you might think.

According to a 2017 Texas A&M study, some health professionals consider sleep the most critical factor for overall health, even more so than diet or exercise. The debate over whether **is rest or food more important** has long fascinated health enthusiasts, but the truth is a complex and symbiotic relationship.

For decades, the notion of moderate drinking, particularly red wine, being beneficial for heart health was widely discussed, fueled by the 'French Paradox.' Yet, as modern science evolves, so does our understanding of the risks versus the benefits. So, does a glass of wine a day keep the doctor away?

According to the FDA, about 400 milligrams of caffeine per day—the amount in four or five cups of coffee—is generally safe for healthy adults. Despite caffeine's widespread consumption, many people wonder: **Is caffeine bad for your liver and kidneys?** For most, moderate caffeine intake poses no major threat and may even offer benefits, but excessive consumption and pre-existing conditions warrant caution.

When a consistent negative energy balance occurs, meaning your energy expenditure (output) is greater than your energy intake, your body is in a state known as a calorie deficit. The initial effects include using stored energy for fuel, but long-term imbalance can trigger a series of profound metabolic and physiological adaptations.

Fact: The simple act of digesting and metabolizing food requires energy, a process that naturally generates heat. This is the underlying principle answering the question: **Does food provide the body with heat**? Understanding this process reveals a core aspect of your body's energy expenditure.

The human body is a marvel of metabolic flexibility, yet there's a unique and persistent metabolic quirk: the brain's strict preference for glucose as its primary fuel. This distinct characteristic answers the question of **Which organ cannot use fatty acids** directly for energy under normal conditions.

Based on biological factors alone, men typically have a higher daily caloric requirement than women, often needing 500 or more calories extra per day to maintain their weight. This is a key factor in understanding which gender tends to eat more, but the full story is far more complex.

Did you know that on an empty stomach, water can begin entering your bloodstream in as little as 5 minutes? This rapid absorption is crucial for hydration, but the process is more complex and affected by several factors that determine **how quickly does water get into your bloodstream**.

Contrary to some misconceptions, cornstarch is a naturally neutral substance, with a pH of approximately 7—the same as pure water. This means it does not inherently alter your body's delicate acid-base equilibrium. So, what does cornstarch do to your pH balance, and should you be concerned about its effects?