Browse evidence-based analysis of health-related claims and assertions
Elevated cortisol levels cause water retention, leading to temporary bloating and increased abdominal appearance.
Fat tissue contains beta receptors (promoting fat release) and alpha-2 receptors (inhibiting fat release), with stubborn fat areas (lower abs, love handles, hips, glutes) having higher alpha-2 receptor density.
Metabolisms can be categorized into 'spend thrift' (maintains calorie burn during calorie restriction) and 'thrifty' (reduces calorie burn during calorie restriction) types.
Visible abdominal definition in men typically occurs at approximately 20% body fat, while women achieve waist tightening at approximately 28% body fat.
Women typically store a higher proportion of body fat in the hips, legs, and arms compared to the abdominal region.
At higher body fat percentages (>30%), fat loss occurs more rapidly in extremities (arms, legs, hips) than in the abdomen; abdominal fat loss accelerates once body fat drops below 25%.
For men, body fat exceeding 25% results in the abdominal region becoming the preferred site for fat storage, making it both easier to gain and harder to lose fat in this area.
Increased waist circumference is associated with a higher risk of metabolic disease and mortality, independent of total body weight.
Men typically exhibit higher body fat percentage in the abdominal region compared to other body regions.
DEXA scans provide regional body fat percentage measurements for specific body areas, including arms, legs, hips, and abdomen.
Even after accounting for many other factors that could affect insulin sensitivity, the link between oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites and better insulin sensitivity still holds true.
There are many different types of oral bacteria that can convert nitrates to nitrites, and together they make up about 20% of all oral bacteria in most people.
The link between oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites and blood pressure is stronger in people who don't have high blood pressure already.
The amount of oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites doesn't seem to be related to whether people have prediabetes or high blood pressure.
Two specific types of oral bacteria (Neisseria flavescens and Haemophilus parainfluenzae) are linked to better insulin sensitivity and lower blood pressure in people without diabetes.
Among the bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites, one type (Rothia dentocariosa) is very common and makes up about 8% of oral bacteria in most people, while another type (Propionibacterium acnes) is very rare and only found in a small percentage of people.
The amount of oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites varies a lot between people, from less than 0.1% to over 85% of all oral bacteria.
People with more oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites tend to have lower blood pressure, but only if they don't already have high blood pressure.
People with more oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites tend to have lower blood sugar levels.
People with more oral bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites tend to have better insulin sensitivity, meaning their bodies handle sugar better.
A specific bacteria that produces nitrite is linked to lower blood pressure.
Drinking beetroot juice makes people produce more saliva, with healthy people producing more than those with gum disease.
Bacteria that help convert nitrate to nitrite are linked to healthier gums with less bleeding.
Higher levels of a specific bacteria on the tongue are linked to higher blood pressure.