Who takes the best nap:those who consume 1 cup of coffee at lunch, or those who do not consume any at all? Common sense says "the second", a Japanese study says "the first". In fact, drinking 200 milligrams of caffeine (the equivalent of 1 to 2 cups), and taking a 20-minute nap right after, allows you to be much more efficient in front of your computer than when you don't have not drank coffee.
How it works ? A 20-minute nap ends just as the caffeine kicks in, and caffeine amplifies the effect of rest by delaying the onset of adenosine, a vasodilator responsible for feelings of fatigue.
A little craving for a "snack"? Do you think eating just 1 cookie, or just a bar of Kinder Bueno, is the right strategy to eat less? Think again, the more you snack on small quantities, the more it opens your appetite and the more you risk being VERY hungry later. In fact, eating a little carb only boosts blood sugar levels, quickly making us crave even more… carbs! The solution ? Instead, snack on protein like peanut butter, or cheese with an apple. It is certainly more caloric, but the combination of protein and fat has the power to stall us faster and for longer! So at the end of the day, we finally ingested fewer calories.
They contain up to 5 times more caffeine than coffee, but the boost they provide comes with its share of nasty side effects, like jitters, irritability, and increased heart rate. In addition, they contain a high level of taurine, a stimulant for the central nervous system, as well as a lot of sugar, almost 50 grams per can (huge). Result:Blood sugar levels rise rapidly, before dropping back down shortly after leaving you completely sluggish (making you crave another energy drink #vicious circle).
On a scorching summer morning – or if you're heading out to the desert for Christmas – which is better for cooling off:iced or hot coffee? Answer 2, because drinking a temperature much hotter than your body will cause it to produce sweat. And as it evaporates through the skin, we are naturally refreshed. That's why Indians drink a lot of hot tea!
