Health & Well-Being

Guess what? Some of your bad habits may actually be good for you! Here’s the scoop on three items that seem bad. But can actually do a lot of good. This comes from Woman’s Health Magazine.

• The first item: the sun. Experts say it’s ok to spend a little time in the sun without sunscreen. Why? Because when the sun’s rays hit your skin, it causes chemicals in your body to convert to Vitamin D. And Vitamin D helps release calcium into your bloodstream, which prevents osteoporosis, and lifts your mood. However, experts warn you should spend no more than 15 minutes in the sun without sunscreen.
• Next: flabby thighs. Experts have found that fat on the thighs contains chemicals which help store triglycerides – which are fats that can lead to heart disease. If the triglycerides are stored in your thigh fat, then this decreases the chance that they’ll float around in your bloodstream and raise your cholesterol. Belly fat, on the other hand, contains harmful chemicals that can lead to heart disease and diabetes. So, a little extra fat on the thighs is better than belly fat.
• And the final bad item that can be good for you: coffee. Dr. Thomas de Paulis says that coffee contains more disease fighting anti-oxidants than most berries and fruits. And anti-oxidants help keep your arteries unclogged. A recent study also found that one or two cups of coffee daily can reduce your chances of liver cancer by 30 percent. But this doesn’t mean you should inhale 5 cups of java each day - stick to one or two cups max.