Whether it be on television, on billboards, or while scrolling through social media, you can't escape the concept of weight loss. Everyone wants to get fit and look their best, but the plethora of information available can be overwhelming.
The health and wellness space is booming with tricks, tips, and even scams on how to shed some pounds, but the current obesity epidemic around the world reveals that we don't exactly have our health under control.
Being Overweight Has Become Overwhelmingly Popular
Obesity is a serious problem in the United States. During the years 2015 and 2016, the rate of obesity among Americans was 39.8%, which equates to around 93.3 million adults, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Obesity doesn't just affect the size of your waistline. It can be extremely detrimental to your overall health. Carrying around excess weight can increase your chances of developing life-threatening diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or even cancer.
Dropping The Pounds Isn't Always Simple
There are endless gimmicks and products available that all make the same promise — you will lose a ton of weight almost effortlessly. Many people are able to use these solutions to lose weight quickly but gain it back and then some without changing their lifestyle.
The most impactful way to shed pounds? Cutting calories, ridding your cabinets of junk, and getting up and moving.
Not seeing the results you desire by improving your diet and increasing your daily exercise? Recent research has revealed that the secret to successfully losing weight may be found in the candy aisle.
Weight Loss May Depend On A Certain Type Of Chew
Recent Japanese research has revealed that chewing gum may be the weight loss secret that can help you achieve massive fat-burning results. Taking a walk while chewing gum was found to be surprisingly successful when it comes to weight loss, according to multiple experiments.
These experiments measured the heart rates of 49 individuals between the ages of 21 and 69, which dramatically increased during exercise if the participants were chewing gum. Increased heart rate gives your body the ability to burn more calories and lose more weight.
"Combining exercise and gum chewing may be an effective way to manage weight," stated the researchers. These results were the most significant in men over the age of 40, making chewing gum during exercise a great option for those entering middle age.
The reasoning for this odd phenomenon? Researchers believe it has to do with something known as "cardio-locomotor synchronization," which is when the heart beats in rhythm with another repetitive activity. The takeaway? Carry some sugar-free gum in your gym bag — it may come in handy.
