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Top Ten Booziest Towns

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700

This might be the understatement of the year, but hard drinking is just not good for your health. While Americans may be drinking less beer and more wine, some cities still party on by drinking more of everything. Binge drinking is a public health problem leading to injuries from drunk driving a well as violent assaults, not to mention the damage it can do to the liver.

Forbes compiled a list of America's hard-drinking cities. Based on a 2007 survey by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Forbes ranked the cities according to how their residents answer these three questions: whether they had at least one drink of alcohol within the past 30 days; whether men had more than two drinks per day or women one drink per day; and whether they had five or more drinks on one occasion — this is the question that indicates binge drinking. The cities were ranked on the percentage of their population responding affirmatively to all the questions.

To see the list,

Americans Are Drinking Less Beer — How About You?

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0700

In a recent study conducted over a 50-year span, scientists discovered that people's drinking habits have changed in the US. According to the new study published in the American Journal of Medicine, Americans drink less beer and more wine. I guess they've realized that beer isn't chock full of beneficial antioxidants like wine. It was also reported that hard liquor use hasn't really changed, but more people said they don't drink at all. Overall, the study found that people born later in the 20th century are drinking more moderately than people born earlier. People are beginning to see that there are horrible health issues associated with heavy alcohol consumption (such as breast cancer), and since drinking a little alcohol has actually been shown to improve cardiovascular health and may fight aging, people are adopting healthier drinking habits. I'm ready to conduct a little study of my own now. When it comes to alcohol consumption . . .Source

Americans Are Drinking Less Beer — How About You?

I'm usually a beer drinker.

Wine is fine.

I'm into cocktails and hard liquor is my choice.

I like to mix it up between beer, wine, and liquor.

I rarely drink.

I don't drink at all.

You Asked: Why Do Hangovers Make Me Hungry?

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:30:00 -0700

You're asking, and I'm answering.

Dear Fit,

I've noticed that on a day after a night of heavy drinking, whether I'm hungover or not, I tend to be ravenously hungry. I know that people joke about "hangover foods," but for me, it's not just craving greasy treats. I actually just feel insatiably hungry. Why is this?

— Hungry and Hungover

To see the answer,

Beer Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:00:00 -0700

The warm weather of Spring seems to say "Miller time." It's perfect for BBQs and cold beverages. I sometimes call beer "liquid bread" because of all the carbs, so it's good to know that not all beers are created equally, especially when it comes to calories.

If you're watching your waistline and enjoy an ice cold brew, you'll probably want see how they compare. The numbers may surprise you. To see the breakdown

Lighter Options For Hard Liquor

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:30:00 -0800

We all know that beer, wine, and cocktails can pack some serious calories, not to mention get you tipsy. But you can definitely make smarter choices at the bar to avoid consuming unnecessary calories and fat. How well do you know the nutritional stats on your hard alcohol drinks? Take my little quiz to find out.

Source

Drinking and Dieting

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 11:45:00 -0800

It is party season, and parties usually mean drinking. There are a few things you should know about alcohol, especially if you are dieting. So take this little three question quiz to test your smarts about drinking and dieting.

Holiday Fit Tip: Avoid the Egg Nog

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:45:00 -0800

The holiday season is full of parties, and parties are full of various types of grog. Sugary fruit punches laced with rum and eggnog that should really just be called a saturated-fat bomb. One cup of eggnog contains over 11 g. of saturated fat, as well as 343 calories.

Here are two suggestions to try as alternative to those standard Winter party drinks.

Spritz it: Simply add seltzer water to your glass of wine. This works with any color of wine — red, white, or rosé. Not only does it cut your caloric intake in half, but it also helps you avoid the dreaded hangover.
Go bubbly: Champagne is actually rather low in calories. One serving of this sparkling wine contains 91 calories. To make the drink more festive, add a cranberry, strawberry, or raspberry for color.

If wine is not your thing, check out Vital Juice Daily's low-cal cocktail ideas.

Source

Great Workout, Now How About a Beer?

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 02:00:00 -0800

After exercising (and during) I always crave some gulps of cool, crisp H2O, but a new study shows that having a beer after a workout could do more good than regular water. Hmmm. I'm listening...

In my opinion, the study doesn't hold too much weight since it involved only 25 participants, and they were all college students. Over several months, they were asked to do strenuous exercise in 104° temperatures. Then they were split into two groups, one was given beer and the other was given water.

The study's leader, professor Manuel Garzon of Granada University, said that the hydrating effects of those who guzzled beer were "slightly better" than those who drank water. The only problem is that previous studies show that drinking alcoholic beverages increases the amount of liquid lost through urination, so that won't really help if you're dehydrated. A nutrition expert from Bath University in Britain, said that a moderate amount of beer might be just as quenching as water, but it's unlikely that it's any better.

Want to hear the rest? Then

The Alcohol and Breast Cancer Connection

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Since it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought you'd like to know that drinking any type of alcohol adds to the risk of developing breast cancer. We're talking, wine (even red), beer, and liquor. It has nothing to do with the kind of beverage you choose, it's the amount of alcohol you consume that could pose a problem.

Previous studies made a connection to alcohol and breast cancer risk, but there were conflicting views about what kinds of alcohol had this effect.

This new study analyzed 70,033 women of different races, from 1978 to 1985. By 2004, 2,829 of the participants were diagnosed with breast cancer. Researchers discovered that it didn't matter what kind of alcoholic drinks these women consumed, but the women that drank one to two servings of alcohol a day increased their risk of developing the disease by 10%. Women kicking back more than three drinks a day increased their risk by 30%.

I know that we've all been drilled to think that having a glass of red wine a day is healthy for our heart, but when it comes to breast cancer the same is not true. It's not clear why alcohol increases breast cancer risk, but some experts think it raises hormone levels in the blood, which could potentially cause cancer.

Fit's Tips: As with everything, moderation is the key. Enjoying an occasional drink is fine, but know that pounding a 6-pack every night may increase your risk for developing breast cancer.

Source

How Much Booze is Healthy?

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 10:15:00 -0700

Drinking in moderation is considered to be healthy for your heart. Before you get spirited away on the spirits about this good news, how much alcohol is considered healthy? Take this quiz and test your booze knowledge straight up.

What Causes Hiccups?

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Everyone and their mother seems to have a unique cure for a bad case of the hiccups, but what I want to know is, what causes them in the first place?

A hiccup is an unintentional contraction of your diaphragm, the muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen. It plays an important role in breathing, and when it contracts, it makes your vocal cords close briefly and that's what causes the sound of a hiccup.

Hiccups are actually triggered by many things:

Eating spicy foods - It can cause irritation to the nerves that control normal contractions of your diaphragm.
Eating a large meal, eating too fast (swallowing air), or drinking carbonated beverages - These can cause your stomach to expand, which pushes up your diaphragm, making hiccups more likely.
Drinking alcohol - Alcohol can relax your diaphragm and vocal cords, making it easier for other factors to trigger hiccups.
Tobacco use - Tobacco use may irritate the nerves that control the diaphragm.

Want to know what else can cause hiccups? Then

Cool or Not: Fit-a-Rita?

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Fit-a-Rita is a sugar-free, instant margarita mix with added minerals, vitamins and herbal extracts designed to buffer the toxic effects of alcohol. The average margarita has over 200 calories, while a Fit-a-Rita margarita has just six calories (without tequila of course - it markets better that way). No sugar. No carbs. And it contains as much anti-oxidants as two glasses of red wine. Interested? Visit Fit-A-Rita.com to order it for yourself.In theory, I like the idea. However, when it comes down to it if I am going to splurge on a margarita, I am going to splurge on a real margarita. Though I will say I have not tried it, and it could be wonderful, though I am skeptical. What do you guys think? Does the Fit-a-Rita fit your idea of a good time?

Cool or Not: Fit-a-Rita?

Cool!

Not Cool!

Undecided.

Other. Tell us Below!

Breast Cancer Linked to Grapefruit !?!

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 03:30:00 -0700

I just found out some horrible news about a study involving vitamin C packed grapefruit. Eating this refreshing citrus fruit could raise your risk of developing breast cancer, particularly if you are a post-menopausal woman.

How is that possible? I thought all fruits and veggies were considered healthy. Here's the deal. Oestrogen is the hormone associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. An enzyme in your body called Cytochrome P450 3A4 (or CYP3A4) is involved in metabolizing oestrogen. Grapefruit may inhibit the metabolizing enzyme, which in turn makes oestrogen levels in your body rise, which could lead to breast cancer.

The study included 50,000 post-menopausal women and found that women who ate just a quarter of grapefruit a day increased their risk for breast cancer by up to 30%. Researchers are not suggesting you stop eating grapefruit, since more research is needed. These results definitely get us thinking about how our diets can affect our health on a molecular level.

Since these women were over 50, and we know that other lifestyle factors including drinking alcohol, being overweight, and eating red meat have also been linked to breast cancer, I'm going to let this whole grapefruit study pass by and wait for more research. What do you all think?

Source

Antioxidants and Alcohol: The Health Conscious Cocktail Trend

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 02:00:00 -0700

I guess you can tell the health movement is taking off when organic booze and veggie purées are the main ingredients in trendy new cocktails. Restaurants (and not just vegan ones) and bars in New York and LA are concocting mixed drinks where sugary syrups are substituted with organic fruit purées, making a "healthier" cocktail for the healthy consumer. It has been suggested that substituting puréed kiwi for simple syrup does have significant benefits. Kiwi is loaded with vitamin C and would provide fiber as well.

When it comes down to it though, a cocktail could never be really guilt free or without consequence since they still contain alcohol. Combining puréed organic lemon tomatoes infused with cilantro vodka will still provide a buzz and possibly a hangover depending on how many you drink, no matter the antioxidant count. After all organic rum is still rum.

This healthy cocktail trend certainly interests me. Take the green trend, mix in equal parts organic movement, add a splash of the health conscious living, shake or stir in your martini shaker proving and then we can have our organic cucumbers and drink them too.

Source

Bastille Day: Lillet vs. Pernod

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Tomorrow is Bastille Day, so I thought I should quiz you on some French liquors - yes the French produce other drinks aside from wine. So between the aperitif Lillet Blanc and the versatile liqueur Pernod (considered an aperitif, digestif and pastis - meaning drink it any time you want) which do you think has fewer calories - ounce to ounce?

Alcohol: Women vs. Men

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 13:30:00 -0700

We all know that men and women are biologically very different, but do you know if the following statement is true or false? Quiz yourself and see.

Source

Chardonnay vs. Pinot Noir

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:30:00 -0700

We all have a favorite wine. Some of us have a favorite white and a favorite red. By special request from a dear friend, I am going to quiz you on two very poplar varieties (her favorites): Chardonnay vs. Pinot Noir. I want to know which variety of wine you think has more calories.

Which Has Fewer Calories: Champagne or Gin & Tonic

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:30:00 -0700

On nights out, when I am waiting for a table at my favorite restaurant, I like to have a cocktail. I often want a drink with a little bit of carbonation. The bubbles put me in a festive mood. So when trying to decide between my two favorites, Champagne or a Gin & Tonic, I like to factor in calories. So, do you know which drink has FEWER calories?

Which Drink Has MORE Calories?

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:30:00 -0700

I don't know about you, but when the warm weather sinks in, I'm suddenly in the mood for margaritas! There's an amazing Mexican restaurant near me that has the highest quality frozen margaritas and margaritas on the rocks. So I want to know...

Source and Source

Milkscreen: Test Your Milk for Alcohol

FitSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 17:15:00 -0700

You've carried the baby for nine months without a drop of alcohol. Now that your bundle of joy is out of your belly, you'd love nothing more than a glass (or two) of wine. Not so fast. Having alcohol in your breast milk can lead to things such as let-down inhibition and decreased milk production, increased calorie consumption by the baby but without nutrients, disturbed sleeping patterns of your baby and potential inhibition of development of motor-skills of your baby...

...but you'd love just one glass of wine. In order to get the best of both worlds, you may want to consider getting Milkscreen a two minute test for the detection of alcohol in breast milk. Since time is the only way to get alcohol out of your system and every mom metabolizes alcohol differently, it is important to test your milk before feeding your baby if there is any question of the lingering presence of alcohol. Milkscreen takes the guessing game out of it and a box of four test strips is just $13.95. You can buy it directly from Milkscreen.com.

Please know that I am not in any way saying that the Milkscreen is a great excuse for new moms to drink like fish. However if you have an occasional glass of celebratory champagne, you'll know if you should use pre-pumped milk or formula just this once.

Fit's Tip: Alcohol is typically high in calories so consuming a lot of it will not help in your efforts in getting back to your pre-baby weight. If you are worried about milk production or creating an infection from not breastfeeding on your normal schedule, do the "pump and dump" after having your glass of wine.

Which Drink Has Fewer Calories?

FitSugar — Fri, 11 May 2007 12:30:00 -0700

In light of actress Sienna Miller's diet philosophy, I thought I would test your knowledge on the caloric content of both red wine and vodka.

Do You Lie to Your Doctor?

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 08:45:00 -0700

When I go to the doctor for a check-up, especially when I see my gynecologist for my annual, I always get inundated with personal questions about my health.How often do you exercise?Are you in a monogomous relationship?Do you have protected sex?Have you ever had sex with someone who was HIV positive?Do you have pain during sex?Have you ever had sex with a man who had sex with a man?How often do you drink alcohol?Do you smoke cigarettes?Do you smoke pot?Do you use any other illegal drugs?Some of the questions I have no problem answering, but some of them are not for sharing. What do you think?Source

Do You Lie to Your Doctor?

Yes - they don't need to know EVERYTHING!

No - I've got nothing to hide.

Depends - Tell me below.

Which Would You Rather Give Up?

FitSugar — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 13:00:00 -0700

If you had to choose one to abstain from would you give up all meat (meat, poultry and fish) or alcohol (the hard stuff, wine and beer)? If you like to talk about food DearSugar wants to know what meal you could eat for eternity.

Which Would You Rather Give Up?

red meat, poultry and fish

alcohol, wine and beer

Which Has More Calories: Gin & Tonic or Mojito?

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 14:30:00 -0700

The weather is turning and that means this weekend you may be opting for a cooler drink. Maybe a Gin & Tonic? Perhaps a Mojito? Before you go there, this quiz will educate you on which spring cocktail has more calories.

5 Things: That Affect Your Bone Density

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 09:30:00 -0800

Taking calcium supplements might not help maintain bone density in the areas where frequent fractures occur (the head of the thigh bone or the vertebrae). Bummer. I just found this out and wanted to share with you 5 things that do affect your bone density.

Drinking more than three colas per week can decrease bone density.
Drinking more than one alcoholic drink a day also affects bone density negatively.
Gender - women are 4 times as likely as men to lose bone density and develop osteoporosis. Can't change that one, but good to be informed about your bones.
Age - around the mid 30s we begin to lose bone strength. You build bones until about 20 years of age and generally maintain that density for 15 years or so.
Weight training!!! Lifting weights helps to strengthen bones as well as muscles. Another reason to add strength training into your routine.

Don't Drink Hand Sanitizers (Duh)

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 02:00:00 -0800

I am sure you all already know this...but it is such a bizarre story that I had to share. So I just read an article about a prison inmate being hospitalized for drinking hand sanitizer gel. Yes, it does contain alcohol, but not the same kind found in alcoholic beverages.

The other inmates reported that they saw the man drinking from a "gallon container of Purell hand sanitizer." When the man was questioned as to why he was drinking it, he pointed to the label which read "Active ingredient 63% isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol)." He explained that this percentage was higher that that in vodka.

But this kind of alcohol won't get you drunk. It only takes a small amount of isopropyl to kill someone, by depressing the heart and central nervous system.

The doctors involved with this man are suggesting that the makers of these hand gels change their labels. I'd have to agree because we don't want to walk into a store one day to see that you're getting carded for Purell.

The Truth About Liver Disease

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 08:30:00 -0800

I didn't know this but many victims of liver disease are not alcoholics. Even people who are casual drinkers could risk damaging their liver. And people who never drink alcohol could still have serious liver problems.

There are actually more than 100 liver diseases. The American Liver Association says that drinking alcohol can affect your liver, but it's not the only thing.

Other causes include viruses, hereditary defects, and reactions to drugs and chemicals. Scientists are still investigating the causes for the most serious liver diseases.

Most doctors will agree that 1 drink a day, or less, is a good amount for a woman. For men, it's 2 drinks or less a day. Of course 1 drink doesn't mean 1 humongous glass - a standard drink is one 12-ounce beer, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or one 1.5-ounce shot of liquor. Each of these drinks contain about 1/2 an ounce of alcohol.

Obviously you'll be better off steering clear of alcoholic beverages entirely. But moderation definitely comes into play here - just keep your liver's health in mind. And if you know you have liver problems in your family, you may want to think twice about finishing off that bottle of wine.

Which Drink Has More Calories: A Margarita or Piña Colada?

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 14:32:39 -0800

Find the answer in the post below.

Which Drink Has More Calories: A Margarita or Piña Colada?

Margarita

Piña Colada

Cocktail Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 14:30:00 -0800

Holidays are a time to let loose and relax with friends. And with New Year's Eve coming up, most people are bound to be celebrating with a drink in their hand.

You may not know it, but many drinks can be a fattening fright. Calories from cocktails don't fill you up like calories from food. And after 1 or 2 drinks, you may be more likely to say yes to that chocolate fudge brownie sundae.

Here's the break down of some popular drinks:

Margarita: 740 cals, 56g carbs
Piña Colada: 644 cals, 90g carbs
Long Island Iced Tea: 780 cals, 44g carbs
White Russian: 425 cals, 26g carbs
Mai Tai: 350 cals, 30g carbs
Champagne Cocktail: 250 cals, 13g carbs
Fog Cutter: 225 cals, 13g carbs
Gin/Vodka and Tonic: 200 cals, 14g carbs
Mojito: 160 cals, 12g carbs
Cosmopolitan: 150 cals, 10g carbs

Fit's Tip: After every alcoholic drink, you should down 2 glasses of water to fill you up and keep you hydrated.

Want some ideas for smarter sips? Then

Diet Drinks and Booze

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 03:31:29 -0800

If you are dieting this holiday season, but still drinking at parties beware. Alcoholic drinks made with artificially sweetened "diet" mixers can make you more intoxicated. These drinks empty from your stomach more quickly than drinks made with more sugary mixes, therefore the alcohol is absorbed into the blood more rapidly. The difference being about .02 percent more, which in some states could mean the difference between driving legally and driving drunk.

While it might seem like more bang for your buck, you should watch your alcohol intake - the blood alcohol level spikes about 30 minutes after consumption.

While drinking and driving don't mix, it seems that drinking and diet drinks mix too well. Be safe out there for the final days of this holiday season.

Which Drink Has More Calories?

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 13:12:15 -0800

Ahh, 'tis the season to totally lose track of how many calories we are actually consuming. Between Eggnog and Hot Buttered Rum, (the season's most popular alcoholic beverages) which has the most calories?

Which Drink Has More Calories?

Eggnog

Hot Buttered Rum

Beer Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 17:30:00 -0800

When you go out for a night on the town or a slice of pizza, you're bound to order yourself a beer. There are tons, and I means TONS to choose from. It's good to know how many carbs, calories, and alcohol content is in each 12 oz glass. Here's a list of the the most popular ones...

Amstel Light - 5 carbs, 95 cals, 3.5% alcohol
Anchor Steam - 16 carbs, 153 cals, 4.9% alcohol
Budweiser - 10.6 carbs, 145 cals, 5% alcohol
Bud Light - 6.6 carbs, 110 cals, 4.2% alcohol
Budweiser Select - 3.1 carbs, 99 cals, 4.3% alcohol
Busch Light - 6.7 carbs, 110 cals, 4.2% alcohol
Coors Light - 5 carbs, 102 cals, 4.2% alcohol
Corona Light - 5 carbs, 105 cals, 4.5% alcohol
Guinness - 17.6 carbs, 194 cals, 6% alcohol
Harpoon IPA - 15 carbs, 170 cals, 5.9% alcohol
Heineken - 9.8 carbs, 166 cals, 5.4% alcohol
Heineken Light - 6.8 carbs, 99 cals, 3.5% alcohol
Magic Hat #9 - 12 carbs, 146 cals, 4.6% alcohol
Michelob - 13.3 carbs, 155 cals, 5% alcohol
Michelob Ultra - 2.6 carbs, 95 cals, 4.1% alcohol

We're only half way through the alphabet. So if you want to learn about Sam Adam's

Le Vin en Rouge

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 16:30:00 -0800

As if we needed another reason to have another glass of wine, but scientists have given us one!

Recent reports claim that drinking red wine from the Nuoro province, Sardinia, and southwest France are healthier for you than other red wines. This is in part due to the wine-making methods and use of the flavonoid-rich grape Tannat commonly grown in southwest France, which result in high levels of oligomeric procyanidins (the ingredient that contributes to heart health and longevity) in the local wine.

So go ahead and try a bottle of red from Madiran (a common red wine from the south west of France).