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Today’s Health Upgrade
How much coffee is too much coffee?
Metabolic magic
Nice guys finish first
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How Much Coffee Is Too Much?
Yesterday, we shared that drinking coffee and tea can help you prevent stroke and dementia. More than a few of you had concerns about having too much caffeine.
Guess what? If you have more than a few servings of coffee, research suggests that it does not cause heart problems.
The study tracked 100 people for 14 days while wearing some of the best technology possible for measuring changes to your heart. The researchers found that while coffee can cause fluctuations in your heart rate, it’s not the dangerous type.
There are two types of palpitations — premature atrial contractions and premature ventricular contractions. The first is associated with health issues, and the other is benign. Coffee can cause the benign type because caffeine can change your heart rate, but that doesn’t mean your body is struggling or at risk — assuming your heart is healthy.
If you tolerate it well, drinking a few servings appears to have many benefits. Other studies appear to show that drinking 3 cups or more is also associated with cancer protection.
Of course, if too much coffee makes you feel bad and jittery or causes an upset stomach or headaches, there’s no need to force the issue. Drink the amount that makes you feel best. And, as we mentioned yesterday, the easiest answer could be dropping the caffeine. The benefits of coffee and tea likely also apply to decaffeinated versions because they also have powerful polyphenols.
Can Some People Eat Anything They Want?
We all know someone who seems to be able to eat whatever they want and not gain weight. But is it an illusion? New research provides an eye-opening look at what's really happening.
Researchers examined 150 underweight people in a tightly controlled study to determine why they stay so lean. The (maybe not) surprising finding: lean people eat much less than you think, despite what it might seem. On average, they eat about 15 percent fewer calories.
The unfair finding: they have a genetic advantage. Underweight people burn 22 percent more calories than they should for their body weight. Their genetic makeup means it’s easier for them to maintain a lower weight.
You might not have won the genetic lottery, but that doesn’t mean you can’t cash in on a healthier body.
Research suggests that your metabolism is fairly stable from the time you’re 18 until you’re 60. But, as time goes on, healthy habits tend to fall apart, and we move less. If you want to help support a healthier metabolism, simple wins include resistance training a few times per week (either with weights or body weight), going on walks, sleeping 7.5 hours per night, and eating a higher protein diet.
And no need to waste money on metabolism boosters. We haven’t included a recommendation for a fat loss product in this space because there isn’t good research to support their use — no matter how much some marketers will try to convince you otherwise.
Nice Guys Finish First
Would you be willing to turn down a $10 million deal in the name of integrity? You may never know those stakes, but the lessons of positivity live far outside the world of wellness.
When you’re building the positive corner of the internet, it helps to see how positivity makes you feel better and can lead to a better life. Arnold represents this through and through, but if you’re willing to look around, there are examples everywhere.
It’s why we loved the story of Jonathan Wener. The Canadian entrepreneur is known as the guy behind some of the biggest real estate deals in Canada, but many years ago, he was just a teenager who decided to take out a $10,000 loan to build his dream. That loan became a $15 billion business. The best part? He built his legacy through kindness, character, and charity (he’s raised more than $25 million for cancer research) and giving back to his employees to maximize how much they could make. If you’re looking for a feel-good story about how kindness wins, listen to this podcast episode or watch it on YouTube. If you ever wondered if you can win at life by doing things right, this will help inspire hope and belief.
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