Green Coffee Beans: The Fast Weight Loss Solution We've Been Looking For?

Want to lose weight really fast? Then you might want to start taking some "green coffee" extract every day. Scientists have discovered that consuming unroasted green coffee beans on a regular basis leads to a quick reduction in bodyweight. In fact, in a study a group of obese/overweight people consumed just a small amount -- less than an ounce -- of ground up green coffee beans and lost approximately 10 percent of their weight!

According to the head of the study, Dr. Joe Vinson:

"Based on our results, taking multiple capsules of green coffee extract a day -- while eating a low-fat, healthful diet and exercising regularly -- appears to be a safe, effective, inexpensive way to lose weight."

In the study, the overweight people did not change their diets or exercise routines. They took green coffee extract doses of 700 mg and 1050 mg. After 22 weeks the participants lost an average of 17 pounds and experienced a 16% decrease in body fat levels. Since the participants cycled between a placebo, the low dose extract, and the high dose extract throughout the study Dr. Vinson notes that the weight loss could have been even faster.

Previous studies have shown evidence of the weight loss benefits of green tea but this was the first to use higher amounts of the substance. Some experts, including Dr. Vinson  believe a compound found in unroasted coffee beans called chlorogenic acid may provide the powerful weight loss benefits. Besides being a powerful antioxidant, chlorogenic acid slows the release of glucose into the bloodstream after eating, which may provide significant benefits in terms of losing fat.

We say: We're pretty sure the prices of green coffee beans are about to shoot through the roof. Unlike acai, hoodia, and all the other "miracle" diet supplements out there green coffee extract appears to have some serious scientific proof backing it up!

Learn some mo': New Evidence On Effects of Green Coffee Beans in Weight Loss

New Baldness Treatment Might Be On the Way (Again!)

Worried about losing your beautiful hair? Well there's some good news: a new baldness treatment -- possibly even a "cure" -- might be on the way in the near future, according to research from the University of Pennsylvania. A recent study there identified the protein chemical -- called "PDG2" -- responsible for stopping hair growth on top of the scalp. Experts say the discovery could (finally) lead to a true cure for male pattern baldness.

The good news is that drugs that block the PDG2 protein are already in development because, apparently and coincidentally, they are a new treatment option for asthma sufferers. If the findings are correct these drugs may help to slow or even reverse hair loss. So an actual pill or topical scalp treatment could potentially be available on the market within just a couple of years.

We say: It seems like every couple of years there's a new "miracle" hair loss discovery that will lead to a real cure. Then we forget about it and nothing ever happens for some strange reason (do the pharma companies make too much money off of Rogaine??). It would be nice if this is the miraculous balding-cure discovery that actually turns into something real!

Learn some mo': Study Finds Pattern in Male Baldness: Could There Be a Cure?

Daily Aspirin May Prevent and Fight Cancer

Taking some aspirin every day could lower your risk of cancer by a lot and even, in certain cases, help treat it! A new study from Oxford found that people taking a daily low-dose aspirin (75 or 81 mg) for at least 3 years were 25% less likely to get cancer compared to those who didn't take the common painkilling drug. After just 2 more years (5 years total) of daily aspiring intake, people experienced a 40% reduction in their cancer risk!

Experts aren't 100% sure why aspirin has such strong anti-cancer effects but one theory is that it limits the ability of cancer cell to spread to other organs. Another recent study found that daily aspirin intake lead to a 36% lower risk of being diagnosed with cancer that had spread to multiple organs. This research suggests taking aspirin may be a good idea even after a cancer diagnosis.

All of this new research adds to the evidence showing aspirin's health-protecting benefits. It's already considered to be a strong preventive medicine for heart attacks and strokes. Many experts believe the drugs anti-inflammatory characteristics provide the majority of the benefits and that anyone could get similar (if not better) benefits from a diet high in natural antioxidant-rich foods (which also lower inflammation in the body).

Read some mo': Daily aspirin might reduce cancer risk

"Mini" iPad On The Way

After lots and lots of speculation it appears the iPad Mini is a real product with a real launch date sometime in the (real) future. According to new industry reports, Apple is creating a special slim bezel screen for a new 7-inch tablet computer, which we can probably safely assume is the new Mini.

Unlike the brand-new iPad 3, the Mini isn't expected to have a super high definition Retina display. The good thing about that is the price should be significantly lower allowing it to compete with the Amazon Kindle Fire and other small tablets in the $200-$300 range. A cheaper, smaller iPad could definitely be a best-seller and take away a big chunk of market share from Amazon, Samsung, and other 7-inch-tablet makers.

 Some experts believe an iPad Mini, in order to achieve the kind of sales success Apple has become accustomed to, would have to have some really special features that outclass the top Android-based minitabs currently on the market. Multiple webcams, a high-quality microphone, and better connectivity features are definite possibilities on that front.

 Learn some mo': Apple is working on a slim bezel, 7-inch iPad mini

CNG Cars Are Getting Hot!

Want to spend a lot less money fueling your car, SUV, or truck? Well here's some good news: you don't have to resort to buying a hybrid or electric automobile. Compressed natural gas (or CNG) is a new alternative fuel option that's exploding in popularity as gasoline prices continue to rise in the US and around the world.

CNG costs half as much as regular gasoline and burns much cleaner, creating much less air pollution. And the best part: it comes from the US so you cut out the Middle East and (some of) the giant oil companies. So basically a compressed natural gas vehicle gives you better fuel efficiency, lower fuel prices, fewer environment-contaminating emissions, and an "All-American" energy source. CNG also does less damage to a car's engine, lowering maintenance costs over time. Finally, buying a compressed gas-powered vehicle allows you to take advantage of several valuable federal tax credits to offset the slightly higher purchase price.

Needless to say thousands of Americans and others in North America are scrambling to find CNG cars. Currently only Honda is making them but the other major car manufacturers are expected to release their own CNG-burners over the next 12 months. Some companies are also selling CNG conversion kits to turn certain types of cars (including those with diesel engines) into natural gas vehicles.

We say: Let's just hope President Obama and Congress create even more BIG incentives to motivate lots (millions!) of people to buy CNG cars. Only then will the technology become popular enough to really make a difference (lowering energy costs across the board and helping clean up air pollution!).

Learn some mo': Natural Gas-Powered Cars Gaining In Popularity

Eat Less Red Meat and Live Longer

Eating less red meat -- including beef, pork, and lamb -- could really lengthen your lifespan, according to new research from Harvard. Scientists found that eating lots of red meat greatly increases your chances of dying at a young age from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or any one of dozens of other diseases.

Researchers came to the conclusion by analyzing large amounts of data from 2 dietary studies involving over 120,000 people tracked over 28 years. They found that high red meat consumption was by far the biggest "common denominator" in terms of significantly increasing the risk of death. Processed red meat products like hot dogs, bacon, and salami appeared to have the worst effects -- they increased the risk of death by 20% with each additional daily serving!

Red meat is high in saturated fat (the bad kind) and cholesterol, which can damage the heart over time, among other things. Besides that, according to some experts, modern farming techniques involving large amounts of steroids, hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides in cattle feed contribute to the harmful health effects of red meat. (That's why many natural health experts recommend eating only organic grass-fed beef.)

The bottom line: If you want to live the longest, healthiest life possible you should seriously consider eating only small amounts of red meat occasionally. Definitely avoid processed/cured meats and charred/burnt meat as much as possible because they do some pretty bad stuff to your body!

Learn some mo': Too much red meat may shorten lifespan