There are research labs all over the world doing studies daily about the human body and how we react to environmental factors – both natural and those we impose on ourselves. They are finding out how our bodies react to “X over Z time” or which type of hair care product is better for the environment or how much red wine you can drink daily and still be healthy.

The millions of dollars that goes into this research has found some pretty neat and interesting stuff – some things that we should take into consideration for our daily lives – to help us live longer, eat better and get a flat stomach.

So, here are 5 health related studies that I have recently come across that I thought everyone should know about (if you don’t already).

Study One: Slower eaters consume fewer calories than their ‘in a hurry’ counterparts.  Researchers at the University of Rhode Island have found that women who chewed each bite thoroughly and ate at a slower pace consumed 70 fewer calories (less calories = flat stomach).  Their studies have also suggested that paying attention to the smells, textures and flavors of food can help you slow down your eating.

Study Two: A recent European study has found a relationship between high protein diets and maintaining weight loss.  After tracking dieters over a six month time period they have found that those dieters who received 25% of their daily energy from protein (such as fish, chicken or ) gained back less weight than those people who ate less protein.

Study Three: People who quit smoking and start exercising are more likely to stay ‘non-smokers’, as reported in the journal Preventive Medicine.  They found that those who were encouraged to start some sort of physical activity after quitting smoking were 84% more likely to continue life without cigarettes. What’s the connection?  Exercise not only promotes a healthy lifestyle, but can help with withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue or sleep problems.

Study Four: If you are too busy to exercise daily, make sure you can fit in at least the government recommended workout time of two and a half hours of moderate exercise each week.  The Department of Health and Human Services suggests that at least two and half hours of moderate or one and half hours of vigorous exercise each week (such as a flat stomach workout) in order to improve your health and decrease your chances of heart disease, depression and type 2 diabetes.

Study Five: The study by the Center for Disease Control has found that there are millions of Americans who don’t know that they are prediabetic.  They have found that at least 25% of the American population have prediabetes, but only about 4% are actually aware that they have this condition.  Most people don’t know that they have this condition because there are no obvious symptoms, but to decrease the risk of full blown diabetes by 60% they recommend an increase in exercise, that will help you lose weight.

So, next time you get tired and don’t want to work out or scarf down your meal, keep in mind what the research has shown us.