Eating or drinking 100 grams (8 tbsp.) of sugar, the equivalent of one 12-ounce can of soda, can reduce the ability of white blood cells to kill germs by 40%. The immune-suppressing effect of sugar starts less than thirty minutes after ingestion and may last for five hours. In contrast, the ingestion of complex carbohydrates, or starches, has no effect on the immune system.

Recent research suggests that Calcium can help you lose weight. This is because calcium makes cells less likely to store fat and more likely to burn fat when calories are reduced. Too little calcium in the diet slows metabolism, decreases fat burning, and increases fat storage. Only one third of us gets enough calcium, so this is something to consider. Good sources of calcium are dairy products (cheese, milk, butter), sesame seeds, nuts, dried fruit, pulses and green leafy vegetables.