Life Blog
Cutting-edge information and tips for creating health in all areas of life – wellness, nutrition, fitness, attitude, and relationships
April 16, 2026
Are Artificial Sweeteners Healthier Than Sugar?
When people “quit sugar” they often switch to an artificial, calorie-free sweetener. Today, these sweeteners are widely used in soft drinks, chewing gum, candy, jellies, dairy products and many other foods and drinks. There are six FDA approved calorie-free sweeteners: acesulfame, aspartame, neotame, saccharin, Stevia and sucralose. Any product that is labelled “sugar free” or “diet” contains one or more of these sweeteners. Just what is in these sweeteners and are they any healthier than sugar? Artificial Sweeteners and Weight Gain Sweeteners give you all the sweetness of sugar with none of the calories. They are a good alternative for diabetics because they have no effect on blood sugar levels. What more could you ask for, right? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Research shows that artificial sweeteners may be beneficial in the short-term but can lead to weight gain in the long term. Even though they are calorie-free, they are still capable of stimulating the development of new fat cells. Artificial Sweeteners and Cravings Sugar substitutes keep your sugar cravings alive. They may be able to fool your taste buds but they can’t fool your brain. When you consume a sugary treat, dopamine, the pleasure and reward chemical, is released in the brain. Unfortunately, artificial sweeteners do not trigger the release of dopamine, so the cravings do not go away. As a result, you’re more likely to binge on sugar and other unhealthy foods later on. In addition, artificial sweeteners are several times sweeter than sugar and regular use can…
Body Pump – The Closest Thing to a Magic Workout!
When it comes to workouts, we all want quick results, a magic formula to get lean and fit fast. Although no such magic formula exists, the Body Pump workout comes pretty close! Body Pump is a workout that combines aerobics and strength training with lots of repetition. It involves lifting, thrusting, and squatting with light…
Learn MoreGet a Massage to Improve Your Health
Physical relaxation is one the main benefits of massage therapy, so, naturally, most people only get massages when they need to relax. However, the health benefits of massages go far beyond this. There has been a lot of scientific research in this area, and most of it shows that massage therapy is effective for back…
Learn MoreBreak Any Bad Lifestyle Habit in 30 Days
We are creatures of habit. We happily eat the same foods and generally do the same things every day. Without these habits and routines, our lives would have little structure and too much uncertainty. When you’re trying to break a bad lifestyle habit, routine can be your friend and your enemy. Eating healthy foods and…
Learn MoreCaring for Acne Prone Skin
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting fifty million people. If you have acne, you probably get your share of unsolicited advice about how to take care of your troubled skin. You’ve heard it all from “don’t eat fatty foods” to “exfoliate daily…
Learn MoreWhat Your Feet Say About Your Health
Your feet are a good indicator of your overall health. Podiatrists can detect everything from diabetes to nutritional deficiencies by examining your feet. It’s a shame most of us take our feet for granted…until they start hurting, and by then, the problem is usually so far advanced that basic foot care isn’t enough to remedy…
Learn MoreGood Health Begins with a Healthy Gut
Is stomach pain, heartburn, bloating, gas, or constipation part of your everyday life? If your answer is “yes”, chances are your digestive health is not up to par. Digestive health is a lot more important to our overall health than most of us realize. In addition to digesting food and absorbing nutrients, your gut also…
Learn MoreIs your Body Clock Out of Whack?
Do you wake up feeling tired and groggy even though you’ve had a full night’s sleep? Your internal body clock / circadian rhythm might not be working properly. The circadian rhythm regulates your level of sleepiness or wakefulness throughout the day. When it’s working properly, you should wake up feeling energized and ready to conquer…
Learn MoreFeeling Stressed? Take Back Control of Your Life
Stress is a normal part of life. When something in our environment changes, our bodies react to these changes physically, mentally, and emotionally. However, stress isn’t always a bad thing. Positive stress kicks your body into high gear by flooding your body with hormones, elevating your heart rate, and boosting your energy as a way…
Learn MoreAre Superfoods Real?
“Superfoods” has become one of the most popular buzzwords in healthy living circles. When the word first came into use in the early 1990s, it referred to foods that provide the essential building blocks that your body needs to build resistance to diseases. Nowadays, it’s a marketing term used to assign near magical powers to…
Learn MoreShots To Consider Getting…
Vaccines aren’t just for kids; age, lifestyle habits, and travel can make adults vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases. Protection from childhood vaccines also wears out with time, leaving you vulnerable to serious diseases. The Flu shot When was the last time you thoroughly enjoyed having the flu? The aches, fever, nausea…having the flu isn’t fun. It…
Learn MoreDon’t Fall For Clever Marketing on Food Packaging!
Shopping for groceries can be extremely confusing especially when you’re trying to make healthier food choices. Every product on the shelf claims to be better than the rest in one way or another. This is why you need to learn how to separate the facts from clever marketing gimmicks. Here are some guidelines to help…
Learn More5 Less Obvious Ways to Add Years to Your Life
Americans live to 79 years, on average. Everyone knows that to live to, or past, this age, you need to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight and stay away from cigarettes. However, there are some other less obvious ways to live longer and stronger. Friends and Family Humans are social beings….
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