Written by Kelly Fitzgerald Researchers show that exercisers can burn as many as 200 calories in only 2.5 minutes by incorporating sprint interval training, dramatically cutting the time needed for a work-out. In this new study conducted by a team from the University of Colorado Anschultz Medical Campus and Colorado State University, researchers compared volunteers’ energy disbursement on two separate days, one on which they completed a sprint interval workout on a stationary bicycle. Conclusions showed a slight increase in the amount of calories that were burned on workout day, regardless of the short amount of time spent doing authentic strenuous exercise. A large chunk of time spent in an effort to work out, is an annoying turn-off for many … MORE→

By Catherine New Health advocates have one tip for Americans trying to eat less fat, sodium and sugar in their diets: Shop the perimeter. In other words, buy food from the produce, dairy and meat aisles and avoid the inner lanes where processed foods and sugary snacks hang out. But it turns out this advice is either badly needed or being badly ignored, as the greatest portion of what we spend on groceries is coming straight from the center aisles. A series of charts published as part of Planet Money’s Graphing America series on National Public Radio’s website shows the real reason Americans are getting fatter: Nearly 23 percent of grocery bills is being spent on processed foods and sweets. The next largest chunk of … MORE→

BY NIKKI TUCKER Food labeling is required for most prepared foods such as bread, cereals, canned food, frozen food, snacks, desserts, drinks etc. Labeling for raw produce is voluntary, according to the Food and Drug Administration. However, even with food labeling many people are misinformed by what’s healthy or not. There are labels such as “no high-fructose syrup” or “organic” that allow you to assume the product is good for you, but in reality it may not be. A study conducted by researchers from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, found that those who are watching their weight are more likely to be deceived by food labeling. The most common labels that may deceive the average consumer are: gluten-free, trans fat-free, … MORE→

The Pareto Principle was inspired by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. Pareto was one of the first to analyze economics using statistics. In the late 1800s, he observed that 80 percent of the land in Italy was owned by 20 percent of the population. Later, while gardening, he noted that 20 percent of the peapods in his garden yielded 80 percent of the peas. This led to the 80/20 rule: 80 percent of effects come from 20 percent of the causes. The idea that certain activities tend to give more return on investment applies to almost all aspects of life. In business, it has been said that 20 percent of customers account for 80 percent of sales. In life, that … MORE→

Do you really need 8 glasses of water every day? Should you filter your tap water? Get answers to these questions and more, including if vitamin-spiked water is worth it. Do I Need 8 Glasses of Water a Day? The Institute of Medicine says adult men need about 13 cups (3 liters) per day of fluid; adult women need about 9 cups (2.2 liters) of fluid. (You get about an additional 21/2 cups of fluid from foods.) “But one size doesn’t fit all,” says Leslie Bonci, R.D., C.S.S.D., director of sports nutrition at the Center for Sports Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and dietitian for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Your size and activity level affect your fluid requirements. Simply put, the … MORE→