Can Beer Give You a Big Belly?

 Drinking beer is often associated with an increase in body fat, particularly around the belly. This is even commonly referred to as a“beer belly.”

But does beer really cause belly fat? This article takes a look at the evidence.

What Is Beer?

Beer is an alcoholic drink made from grain, such as barley, wheat or rye, that has been fermented with yeast .

It’s flavored using hops, which make a great flavoring for beer since they’re quite bitter, balancing out the sweetness from the sugar in the grains.

Some varieties of beer are also flavored with fruit or herbs and spices.

Beer is brewed in a five-step process:

1. Malting: The grains are heated, dried and cracked.
2. Mashing: The grains are soaked in water to release their sugars. This results in a sugary liquid called “wort.”
3. Boiling: The wort is boiled and hops are added to give beer its flavor.
4. Fermenting: Yeast is added to the mix and the wort is fermented to form alcohol and carbon dioxide.
5. Bottling: The beer is bottled and left to age.

The strength of a beer depends on the amount of alcohol it contains, which is measured as alcohol by volume (ABV). ABV refers to the amount of alcohol in a 3.4-oz (100-ml) drink, expressed as a percentage.

The alcohol content of beer is usually 4–6%. However, it can range from very weak (0.5%) to exceptionally strong (40%).

The main types of beer include pale ale, stout, mild, wheat beer and the most popular beer, lager. The different brew styles are made when brewers vary the grains, brewing times and flavorings they use.

Summary: Beer is an alcoholic drink made by fermenting grains with yeast. There are many different varieties that vary in strength, color and taste.

Beer Nutrition Facts

The nutritional value of beer can vary by type. However, below are the amounts for a 12-oz (355-ml) serving of regular beer, with approximately 4% alcohol content :

• Calories: 153
• Alcohol: 14 grams
• Carbs: 13 grams
• Protein: 2 grams
• Fat: 0 grams

Beer also contains small amounts of micronutrients, including sodium, potassium and magnesium. However, it’s not a particularly good source of these nutrients, as you would need to drink massive amounts to satisfy your daily requirements.

It’s important to note that beers with a higher alcohol content also contain more calories. This is because alcohol contains about seven calories per gram.

This is higher than carbs and protein (4 calories per gram) but lower than fat (9 calories per gram).

Summary: Beer is high in carbs and alcohol but low in almost all other nutrients. The calorie content of beer depends on its strength — the more alcohol it contains, the more calories it contains.

3 Ways That Beer May Cause Fat Gain

It’s been suggested that beer drinking may increase belly fat in a number of ways.

These include causing excess calorie consumption, preventing your body from burning fat and increasing the phytoestrogen content of your diet.

Here are the three main reasons why beer may be a particularly effective driver of belly fat gain:

1. It Increases Your Calorie Intake

Gram for gram, beer contains as many calories as a soft drink, so it has the potential to add a lot of calories to your diet .

Some studies have also shown that drinking alcohol can increase your appetite in the short term, causing you to eat more than you otherwise would .

Furthermore, it’s been shown that people don’t always compensate for the calories they consume from alcohol by eating less of other foods instead .

This means that drinking beer regularly could contribute a significant number of calories to your diet.

2. Beer May Prevent Fat Burning

Drinking alcohol can prevent your body from burning fat. This is because your body prioritizes the breakdown of alcohol over other sources of fuel, including stored fat.

In theory, regular drinking could therefore contribute to an increase in body fat.

However, studies examining this have found mixed results. Over the long term, drinking beer regularly but moderately in portions of less than 17 oz (500 ml) per day doesn’t seem to lead to an increase in body weight or belly fat .

Nevertheless, drinking more than that could very well lead to significant weight gain over time.

3. It Contains Phytoestrogens

The flowers of the hop plant are used to give beer its flavor.

This plant is known to be very high in phytoestrogens, plant compounds that can mimic the action of the female sex hormone estrogen in your body (9).

Because of their phytoestrogen content, it has been suggested that the hops in beer might cause hormonal changes in men that increase the risk of storing belly fat.

However, although it’s possible that men who drink beer are exposed to higher levels of phytoestrogens, it’s not known how these plant compounds affect their weight or belly fat, if at all (8).

Summary: Beer may increase the number of calories you consume and prevent your body from burning fat. The effects of the phytoestrogens on belly fat are unknown.

Does Beer Really Cause You to Gain Belly Fat?

The fat stored around your belly is thought to be the most dangerous type of fat for your health.

Scientists call this type of fat visceral fat .

Visceral fat is metabolically active, which means it can interfere with your body’s hormones.

This can alter the way your body functions and increase your risk of diseases like metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer .

Even people who are at a normal weight have an increased risk of health problems if they have a large amount of belly fat .

Some studies have linked high alcohol intake from drinks like beer to an increased risk of belly fat gain .

In fact, one study found that men who drank more than three drinks per day were 80% more likely to have a lot of belly fat than men who didn’t drink as much .

Interestingly, other studies have suggested that drinking beer in moderate amounts of less than 17 oz (500 ml) per day may not carry this risk .

However, other factors may contribute to this difference. For example, people who drink moderate amounts of beer may also have healthier lifestyles than those who consume larger amounts .

Most studies show that beer consumption is linked with both an increase in waist circumference and body weight. This indicates that beer drinking doesn’t specifically put weight on your belly. It just makes you fatter overall .

This risk of weight gain may be even higher in people who are already overweight compared to normal-weight people who drink beer .

Overall, it’s thought that the more you drink, the higher your risk of gaining weight and developing a beer belly .

Summary: Drinking large amounts of beer has been linked with an increased risk of weight gain and belly fat.

Men Have a Higher Risk Than Women

The link between weight gain and drinking alcohol is stronger in men than women. This is thought to be because men tend to drink more heavily than women, perhaps up to three times as much .

Men are also much more likely to have an android fat distribution, meaning they store fat around the belly when they gain weight .

Additionally, men are more likely to drink beer than women. This could be important since beer contains more calories than many other sources of alcohol.

For example, 1.5 oz (45 ml) of spirits contains around 97 calories and a standard 5-oz (148-ml) serving of red wine contains 125 calories. A standard 12-oz (355-ml) serving of beer contains more than both of these at 153 calories .

Another reason men may be at more risk of getting a beer belly is due to alcohol’s effect on the male sex hormone testosterone. Drinking alcoholic drinks like beer has been shown to lower levels of testosterone .

This is important to note, since low levels of testosterone may increase your risk of weight gain, especially around the belly .

In fact, 52% of obese men have levels of testosterone at the low end of the normal range .

This research suggests that men are much more likely to develop beer bellies.

Summary: Men tend to drink more than women, which can result in more weight gain. Drinking alcohol can also lower levels of the male sex hormone testosterone, increasing their risk of belly fat.

Do Other Types of Alcohol Cause Belly Fat?

The most likely way beer contributes to belly fat is through the excess calories it adds to your diet.

Other types of alcohol like spirits and wine have fewer calories per standard drink than beer. This means they may be less likely to cause weight gain and belly fat.

Interestingly, some studies have linked drinking moderate amounts of wine with lower body weights .

The reason for this is unclear, although it’s been suggested that wine drinkers have healthier, more balanced diets compared to beer and spirit drinkers .

What’s more, studies have shown that the amount of alcohol you consume and how frequently you consume it also matter when it comes to your waistline.

In fact, one of the most risky behaviors for developing a beer belly seems to be binge drinking. Studies have found that drinking more than four drinks at one time can increase your risk of belly fat, no matter what drink you choose .

Additionally, one study found that people who drank one drink per day had the least amount of fat. Those who consumed less overall, but had four or more drinks on drinking days, were at the greatest risk of weight gain .

Summary: Other alcoholic beverages are lower in calories than beer. However, heavy drinking of any alcoholic beverage will put you at higher risk of gaining belly fat.

How to Get Rid of Your Beer Belly

The best way to get rid of a beer belly is through diet and exercise.

If you’re drinking heavily, you should also think about limiting your alcohol intake or giving it up completely.

Try to avoid binge drinking, or having a lot of alcohol over one or two days.

Unfortunately, there’s not one perfect diet for reducing belly fat. However, diets that contain low amounts of processed meats, sugary drinks and refined grain products have been linked with smaller waistlines .

So, if you’re trying to lose weight and improve your health, switch to a diet mostly based on whole, unprocessed foods and cut back on added sugar .

Exercise is also a really effective way for both men and women to lose belly fat. Both cardio and high-intensity exercise can help .

Additionally, exercise has lots of amazing health benefits on top of weight loss, which make it one of the best things you can do to improve your health.

To learn more, check out these 20 great tips for reducing belly fat.

Summary: The best way to get rid of your beer belly is to reduce your alcohol intake, exercise regularly and improve your diet.

The Bottom Line

Drinking beer can cause weight gain of any type — including belly fat.

Keep in mind that the more you drink, the higher your risk of weight gain is.

It seems that moderate drinking of one beer per day (or less) is not linked with getting a “beer belly.”

However, if you drink a lot of beer or binge drink regularly then you are at a very high risk of belly fat gain, as well as various other serious health problems.

To minimize your risk of gaining weight, make sure to keep your alcohol intake within the recommended limits and lead a healthy, active lifestyle.

11 Proven Health Benefits of Ginger

Ginger is among the healthiest (and most delicious) spices on the planet.It is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for your body and brain.

Here are 11 health benefits of ginger that are supported by scientific research.

1. Ginger Contains Gingerol, a Substance With Powerful Medicinal Properties

Ginger is a flowering plant that originated from China.

It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, and is closely related to turmeric, cardomon and galangal.

The rhizome (underground part of the stem) is the part commonly used as a spice. It is often called ginger root, or simply ginger.

Ginger has a very long history of use in various forms of traditional/alternative medicine. It has been used to help digestion, reduce nausea and help fight the flu and common cold, to name a few.

This is what ground, fresh and sliced ginger looks like:

Ginger can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as an oil or juice, and is sometimes added to processed foods and cosmetics. It is a very common ingredient in recipes.

The unique fragrance and flavor of ginger come from its natural oils, the most important of which is gingerol.

Gingerol is the main bioactive compound in ginger, responsible for much of its medicinal properties. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects (1)

Bottom Line: Ginger is a popular spice. It is high in gingerol, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

2. Ginger Can Treat Many Forms of Nausea, Especially Morning Sickness

Ginger appears to be highly effective against nausea (2).

For example, it has a long history of use as a sea sickness remedy, and there is some evidence that it may be as effective as prescription medication (3).

Ginger may also relieve nausea and vomiting after surgery, and in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (4, 5).

But it may be the most effective when it comes to pregnancy-related nausea, such as morning sickness.

According to a review of 12 studies that included a total of 1,278 pregnant women, 1.1-1.5 grams of ginger can significantly reduce symptoms of nausea (6).

However, ginger had no effect on vomiting episodes in this study.

Although ginger is considered safe, talk to your doctor before taking large amounts if you are pregnant. Some believe that large amounts can raise the risk of miscarriage, but there are currently no studies to support this.

Bottom Line: 1-1.5 grams of ginger can help prevent various types of nausea. This applies to sea sickness, chemotherapy-related nausea, nausea after surgery and morning sickness.

3. Ginger May Reduce Muscle Pain and Soreness

Ginger has been shown to be effective against exercise-induced muscle pain.

In one study, consuming 2 grams of ginger per day, for 11 days, significantly reduced muscle pain in people performing elbow exercises (7).

Ginger does not have an immediate impact, but may be effective at reducing the day-to-day progression of muscle pain (8).

These effects are believed to be mediated by the anti-inflammatory properties.

Bottom Line: Ginger appears to be effective at reducing the day-to-day progression of muscle pain, and may reduce exercise-induced muscle soreness.

4. The Anti-Inflammatory Effects Can Help With Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common health problem.

It involves degeneration of the joints in the body, leading to symptoms like joint pain and stiffness.

In a controlled trial of 247 people with osteoarthritis of the knee, those who took ginger extract had less pain and required less pain medication (9).

Another study found that a combination of ginger, mastic, cinnamon and sesame oil, can reduce pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis patients when applied topically (10).

Bottom Line: There are some studies showing ginger to be effective at reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis, which is a very common health problem.

5. Ginger May Drastically Lower Blood Sugars and Improve Heart Disease Risk Factors

This area of research is relatively new, but ginger may have powerful anti-diabetic properties.

In a recent 2015 study of 41 participants with type 2 diabetes, 2 grams of ginger powder per day lowered fasting blood sugar by 12% (11).

It also dramatically improved HbA1c (a marker for long-term blood sugar levels), leading to a 10% reduction over a period of 12 weeks.

There was also a 28% reduction in the ApoB/ApoA-I ratio, and a 23% reduction in markers for oxidized lipoproteins. These are both major risk factors for heart disease.

This graph shows what happened:

Photo Source: Suppversity.

However, keep in mind that this was just one small study. The results are incredibly impressive, but they need to be confirmed in larger studies before any recommendations can be made.

Bottom Line: Ginger has been shown to lower blood sugar levels and improve various heart disease risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.

6. Ginger Can Help Treat Chronic Indigestion

Chronic indigestion (dyspepsia) is characterized by recurrent pain and discomfort in the upper part of the stomach.

It is believed that delayed emptying of the stomach is a major driver of indigestion.

Interestingly, ginger has been shown to speed up emptying of the stomach in people with this condition.

After eating soup, ginger reduced the time it took for the stomach to empty from 16 to 12 minutes (12).

In a study of 24 healthy individuals, 1.2 grams of ginger powder before a meal accelerated emptying of the stomach by 50% (13).

Bottom Line: Ginger appears to speed up emptying of the stomach, which can be beneficial for people with indigestion and related stomach discomfort.

7. Ginger Powder May Significantly Reduce Menstrual Pain

Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) refers to pain felt during a woman’s menstrual cycle.

One of the traditional uses of ginger is for pain relief, including menstrual pain.

In one study, 150 women were instructed to take 1 gram of ginger powder per day, for the first 3 days of the menstrual period (14).

Ginger managed to reduce pain as effectively as the drugs mefenamic acid and ibuprofen.

Bottom Line: Ginger appears to be very effective against menstrual pain when taken at the beginning of the menstrual period.

8. Ginger May Lower Cholesterol Levels

High levels of LDL lipoproteins (the “bad” cholesterol) are linked to an increased risk of heart disease.

The foods you eat can have a strong influence on LDL levels.

In a 45-day study of 85 individuals with high cholesterol, 3 grams of ginger powder caused significant reductions in most cholesterol markers (15).

This is supported by a study in hypothyroid rats, where ginger extract lowered LDL cholesterol to a similar extent as the cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin (16).

Both studies also showed reductions in total cholesterol and blood triglycerides.

Bottom Line: There is some evidence, in both animals and humans, that ginger can lead to significant reductions in LDL cholesterol and blood triglyceride levels.

9. Ginger Contains a Substance That May Help Prevent Cancer

Cancer is a very serious disease that is characterized by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.

Ginger extract has been studied as an alternative treatment for several forms of cancer.

The anti-cancer properties are attributed to 6-gingerol, a substance that is found in large amounts in raw ginger (17, 18).

In a study of 30 individuals, 2 grams of ginger extract per day significantly reduced pro-inflammatory signalling molecules in the colon (19).

However, a follow-up study in individuals at a high risk of colon cancer did not confirm these findings (20).

There is some, albeit limited, evidence that ginger may be effective against pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer. More research is needed (21, 22, 23).

Bottom Line: Ginger contains a substance called 6-gingerol, which may have protective effects against cancer. However, this needs to be studied a lot more.

10. Ginger May Improve Brain Function and Protect Against Alzheimer’s Disease

Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can accelerate the aging process.

They are believed to be among the key drivers of Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline.

Some studies in animals suggest that the antioxidants and bioactive compounds in ginger can inhibit inflammatory responses that occur in the brain (24).

There is also some evidence that ginger can enhance brain function directly. In a study of 60 middle-aged women, ginger extract was shown to improve reaction time and working memory (25).

There are also numerous studies in animals showing that ginger can protect against age-related decline in brain function (26, 27, 28).

Bottom Line: Studies suggest that ginger can protect against age-related damage to the brain. It can also improve brain function in elderly women.

11. The Active Ingredient in Ginger Can Help Fight Infections

Gingerol, the bioactive substance in fresh ginger, can help lower the risk of infections.

In fact, ginger extract can inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria (29, 30).

It is very effective against the oral bacteria linked to inflammatory diseases in the gums, such as gingivitis and periodontitis (31).

Fresh ginger may also be effective against the RSV virus, a common cause of respiratory infections (32).

12. Anything Else?

Ginger is one of the very few “superfoods” actually worthy of that term.

Benefits Of Drinking Water On An Empty Stomach [Must Read]

Hydration is super important for several reasons, first your body is composed of about 60% water, fluids exit our bodies every minute, from skin evaporation, breathing and urine, and these losses must be replaced daily for good health.

Good benefits of drinking water in the morning:
1. Drinking water on an empty stomach cleans the colon, making it easier to absorb nutrients.
2. Creates the production of new blood and muscle cells.
3. Essential for weight loss, drinking cold water first thing in the morning can accelerate your metabolism.
4.Healthy looking Skin, water helps to eliminate toxins from the blood making your skin glow and look clear and smooth.
5. Balances your Lymph System. These glands help you perform your daily functions, balance your body fluids, and fight infection.

WATER METHOD TREATMENT
There is a new trend coming from Japan these days: Japanese drink hot tea with their meals and use a treatment method that has no side effects and it consists on drinking water at certain times with certain amounts along the day starting first thing in the morning, at the start of the treatment frequent urination is normal, it had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for many diseases and illnesses such as:

Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.
Drinking cold water:

-Side effects of drinking cold water with a meal: all the oils in the food you are consuming will solidify meaning it will not only slow the digestion process but then it will react with the acid breaking down and the intestine will absorb the food faster, turning into fat, opt for drinking hot soup or warm water after a meal instead.

METHOD OF TREATMENT:
1. In the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water
2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minutes
3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.
4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner, do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours
5. For older and sick people taking the treatment: drink little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day
6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick too

The following list gives the number of days of you should follow the process to treat this diseases:
1. High Blood Pressure (30 days)
2. Gastric (10 days)
3. Diabetes (30 days)
4. Constipation (10 days)
5. TB (90 days)

Autism risk in very young babies may be detected in brain fluid

It may be possible to predict autism in infants as young as 6 months who have older siblings with the disorder, according to a new study.

Parents of children with autism take note. It may be possible to predict autism in infants as young as 6 months who have older siblings with the disorder, according to a new study by a national network of researchers.

Infants in such families are at increased risk of developing autism, which is typically diagnosed when a child is 2- to 3-years-old and develops symptoms such as challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, delayed speech or nonverbal communication.

Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging — or MRI — to scan the brains of 343 infants when they were 6 months, 12 months and 24 months old. The scans showed that 70 percent of toddlers diagnosed with autism at age 2 had an elevated amount of cerebrospinal fluid around their brains at 6 and 12 months, compared to toddlers who were not diagnosed with autism. Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear, colorless liquid that bathes the brain and spine.

This excess fluid "could possibly be an early biological marker for autism," said Mark Shen, the lead author of the article, published in Biological Psychiatry, and a post-doctoral fellow at the University of North Carolina's Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities. Additional studies are needed to confirm the finding, he said.

Such a marker would allow doctors to identify infants at high risk of developing autism before symptoms are present.

"The earlier we can get biological markers for autism, the earlier intervention can be initiated, and the greater the chance of better outcomes, " said David Kennedy, Ph.D., co-director of the Child and Adolescent NeuroDevelopment Initiative at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Typically, therapists work with children and parents to improve eye contact, social interactions and communication skills.

The study results are "very exciting," said Dr. Adriania Di Martino, a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at NYU Medical School. Excess brain fluid may be more than an early marker for autism, Di Martino said. It may also be a mechanism in the development of autism, and it opens up new possibilities for research, she said. "You can start thinking about conditions that might lead to increased cerebrospinal fluid."

Shen and his colleagues are already looking for genes associated with excess brain fluid. Normally, the liquid, refreshed four times a day, washes away byproducts that build up in the brain. But if the fluid is not flowing properly, these byproducts hang around and cause inflammation, which could "hamper brain development" and lead to autism, said Shen.

Completely different mechanisms may be at work for kids without an older sibling with autism, said Shen and Dimartino. More studies are needed, they said.

Parents with children with autism should not rush to their pediatrician demanding brain MRIs for younger siblings, Shen said.

"We wouldn't recommend that every high-risk infant get an MRI until we know that the accuracy can be improved closer to the 90 percent range" from the current 70 percent, Shen told TODAY.

He and his colleagues are working on improving accuracy by combining their brain fluid findings with other recent research. In addition to flushing out the brain's garbage, brain fluid also delivers signals to the brain that tell it how and when to grow. In a study published last month in Nature, 80 percent of infants diagnosed with autism as toddlers had an increased rate of growth in the surface area of their brains in their first year, compared to toddlers who were not diagnosed with autism.

"We're going to combine those two markers to see if we can improve the prediction closer to the 90 percent range, where it could be really clinically useful," said Shen.

About 1 in 68 children develop autism in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, But as many as 20 out of 100 infants with an older sibling with autism will develop the disorder, said Di Martino.

Why Men Are Much Worse At Being Sick Than Women

Sex hormones have a big affect on immunity

In the debate over which is the stronger sex, the so-called “man flu” inevitably comes up. It’s a popular theory that men get sicker—or at least act sicker—when they contract the virus, while women soldier on with work, childcare and life.

The scientific evidence for this is far from conclusive, but some research has shown that male and female immune cells do react differently to invading viruses. Now, a recent study in mice adds more fuel to the fire, suggesting that the male sex really does get hit harder by certain illnesses—and that physiology, not psychology, may be at least partially to blame.

In the recent study, published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity, adult male mice displayed more symptoms of sickness than females when they were exposed to bacteria that cause an illness with symptoms similar to the flu. The males also had more fluctuations in body temperature, fever and signs of inflammation, and took longer to recover.

Studies done in lab animals do not necessarily apply to humans, so this research should be taken with a large grain of salt. But experts who research gender and immunity say that it raises an intriguing scientific question for people, as well. Studies with human cells—as well as in mice—show that male immune cells have more active receptors for certain pathogens, says Sabra Klein, associate professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“It isn’t always the presence of the microbe or the presence of the virus that makes us sick,” says Klein. “It’s our immune response, and the research shows that males have a heightened response that summons cells to the site of infection, which contributes to the overall feeling of sickness.”

The reason why isn’t completely understood, but one hypothesis holds that testosterone and estrogen affect these immune receptors in different ways. The new mouse findings did not support a link between sex hormones and sickness (they removed mice’s reproductive organs and still saw different responses), but several other studies have. Klein’s 2015 study on human cells, for example, found that estrogen-based compounds made it harder for a flu virus to infect the samples.

Another theory, put forth by a 2010 study from researchers at the University of Cambridge, is that men have evolved to have weaker immune systems and lower immunity because of their tendency for risk-taking behaviors. Still other research suggests that because women more easily pass pathogens onto their children, they’ve built up more natural defenses against them.

These protections don’t extend to all types of sickness, however. In a 2016 article published in Nature Reviews Immunology, Klein noted that while males show increased susceptibility to certain illnesses (like non-reproductive cancers), women are more susceptible to others, like autoimmune diseases.

As for “man flu,” other things may play a role, as well. Studies show that men are less likely to wash their hands regularly, for example, and at least in the United States, they are less likely to see their doctors regularly. “Cultural norms absolutely affect our behaviors,” says Klein, “so it’s likely a combination of many different factors.”

6 things the color of your period blood says about your health More pink than red period blood could be bad news.

Your period can tell you a lot about your health.

In fact, last year the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists published a report recommending that it be viewed as a vital sign the same way your blood pressure, pulse, and temperature are. Why? Because in addition to telling you whether you're pregnant or not, your period can provide key insights into your hormone health—and your hormones keep everything from your brain to your reproductive system running smoothly. (Speed up your progress towards your weight-loss goals with Women's Health's Look Better Naked DVD.)

While what's normal for one woman may not be normal for another, there are a few changes you should watch out for, particularly when it comes to the color of your flow. Below, find six things your period blood is trying to tell you about your health.

IF IT’S PINKISH…

You may have low estrogen levels. Especially if it's accompanied by a lighter-than-usual flow, or if you're an avid runner, says New York-based functional medicine nurse practitioner Margaret Romero. Studies have found that excessive exercise can lower estrogen levels, which can subsequently mess with your period, sometimes causing it to disappear altogether. (It's not uncommon for female professional athletes to stop ovulating.)

While this may not seem like a big deal (who hasn't fantasized about never having to deal with a period at least once or twice?), low estrogen levels can increase your risk of osteoporosis if left untreated. So if you've recently started training for a marathon, have started working out for the first time in your life, or have upped the intensity of your workouts and you notice that your periods are suddenly lighter in color and flow or less frequent, talk to your doctor.

Romero says other potential culprits of a pinkish flow can include poor nutrition, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or perimenopause, which is when your ovaries start producing less estrogen in preparation for menopause (generally, it occurs around four to five years before menopause).

IF IT'S WATERY-LOOKING…

You may have a nutritional deficiency. Ob-gyn Alyssa Dweck, M.D., assistant clinical professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, says that a white-ish, diluted flow can be a symptom of severe anemia, especially if you notice your period getting lighter and lighter when it would ordinarily get a bit heavier. If, after monitoring your period for two or three cycles, you're worried that this could be the case, talk to your doctor about getting tested for nutritional deficiencies.

To make matters a little more confusing, an iron deficiency might instead be caused by heavy periods. (A 2014 Finnish study that examined 236 women with heavy periods found that 27 percent were iron deficient and 60 percent were severely anemic.) If you bleed through pads or tampons in less than an hour, wake up at night to change your pads or tampons several times, or regularly feel tired and foggy, it can't hurt to get your iron level checked.

IF IT’S DARK BROWN…

You may have older bits of uterine lining and blood that are just now making their way out of your body. But don't panic: This is normal. "We’re not sure why this happens in all cases, but sometimes the blood is sitting around for a while and comes out particularly slowly," Dweck says. "It has a lot of time to oxidize, which is why it can look brown or almost black." (Just make sure you see your ob-gyn if you experience any of these period symptoms.)

Everyone will shed her uterine lining at a different rate (like snowflakes, each period is unique), but for the most part, seeing some dark brown blood at the beginning of your period or toward the end of it is nothing to worry about.

IF IT’S A THICK JAM-COLORED RED WITH LARGE CLOTS…

You may have low progesterone levels and high estrogen levels. While some clotting is normal, says Dweck, clots the size of a quarter or larger can indicate a serious hormonal imbalance. (Here are 7 hormones every woman needs to understand.) Romero recommends reducing your consumption of dairy, soy, and sugar and seeing if that makes a difference.

Uterine fibroids are another possibility. They're most often benign, but they can be painful, so if you suspect they're behind your heavy, clot-filled periods, ask your doctor for an ultrasound.

IF IT'S A MIX OF GRAY AND RED…

You may have: an infection, such as an STD/STI. You'll probably also experience a really "foul, necrotic stench," Dweck says. Get tested so you can get the right treatment.

Women who miscarry sometimes notice gray chunks of tissue that look like "liver," Dweck says, so if you think there's a possibility that you're pregnant or having a miscarriage, call your doctor ASAP.

IF IT’S A BRIGHT, CRANBERRY RED…

You may have a healthy, regular period. Again, everybody's "normal" will look different, but generally speaking, a consistently bright red flow that looks a little like cherry Kool-Aid is a signal that everything is working as it should. 

5 symptoms of bladder Cancer every woman should know Knowing the symptoms can help you get diagnosed sooner and can improve your prognosis.

Even if you're vigilant about getting regular breast exams, Pap smears, and skin checks, bladder cancer may not really be on your radar.

After all, it's far more common among men than women, and the majority of cases affect patients over age 65. But don't let those stats keep you from learning to spot the symptoms. "Many people mistakenly think bladder cancer is only a disease of older men," says Arjun Balar, M.D., an oncologist at NYU Langone Medical Center. "But there are more than 18,000 women who are diagnosed with this cancer every year in the United States."

And because women may not be on the lookout for early bladder cancer symptoms, the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network reports that women are more likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer at an advanced stage. Knowing the symptoms can help you get diagnosed sooner, which can improve your prognosis. Here are a few warning signs to watch for.

BLOOD IN YOUR URINE

This is the most common early symptom of bladder cancer, and it's an easy one for women to overlook—especially because it's typically painless and you can go weeks or even months between occurrences. "Many women ignore this symptom because they connect it with menstruation or menopause," Balar says (in fact, take a look at these 6 symptoms that seem like menopause but may be something scarier). "Blood in the urine doesn't always mean you have bladder cancer, but it's important to discuss with your doctor."

UTI-LIKE SYMPTOMS

Bladder cancer can often be mistaken for a urinary tract infection, because many of the symptoms overlap. "Patients may experience increased frequency of urination, urgency to urinate, pain with urination, or urinary incontinence," says Susan Constantino, M.D., an oncologist with UF Health Cancer Center at Orlando Health. If you've noticed any pee-related problems—you have to go all the time, or you feel like you have to go but can't, or you have a hard time emptying your bladder—or if antibiotics don't seem to be helping your UTI symptoms, talk to your doctor.

UNEXPLAINED PAIN

"Pain is often associated with more advanced bladder cancers," Constantino says. "The pain can be in the flank area, abdomen, or pelvis. Patients can also develop pain in their bones if the cancer has spread to their bones." If you're having aches and pains in those areas, tell your doctor—especially if you've also had the aforementioned spotting or UTI symptoms.

DECREASED APPETITE

Appetite loss is a common cancer symptom, and bladder cancer is no exception. If the cancer has grown or spread, Balar says, "You might have weight loss or feel tired and weak." Of course, there are plenty of other things that can mess with your appetite, so don't automatically assume the worst—but do talk to your doctor about it if it persists.

"SMOKING"

Okay, so this isn't technically a symptom—but according to the National Institutes of Health, about 50 percent of women diagnosed with bladder cancer are smokers. "Smoking is the biggest risk factor for bladder cancer," Constantino says. If you notice any of the above symptoms and you smoke, let your doctor know ASAP.

Because it's easy to chalk up the symptoms to a stubborn UTI or normal spotting, Balar says, "Bladder cancer may be overlooked in women, and they are not diagnosed until their cancer has spread and it's harder to treat." So if you're worried, don't just write off your symptoms. Your doctor can determine if it's a minor infection or something more serious—and if it is bladder cancer, it's easier to treat if you catch it early.