Blog Posts by Vitamin G, Glamour Magazine

By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine

College girls: Have you ever gone on a boozy, spring-break trip? Experts are issuing a shocking new warning about the dangers of binge drinking, even in a short period of time...


See more: 50 Things Men Are Afraid to Ask for (But Really Want!)

I know, this probably sounds like a downer, but file it away for the next time you're partying it up--in Miami Beach or your hometown. Here's the deal: If you're a woman under the age of 25 and drinking more than three drinks in a day, you're at risk for health problems associated with binge drinking, and one of those risks, say experts, is brain damage.

See more: 19 Cute Celebrity Haircuts to Consider

According to the report, featured in ScienceDaily: "Because the brain continues to develop through age 25, alcohol use, particularly episodes of binge drinking, severely affects the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for impulse control and decision making."


See more: Spring

http://www.glamour.com?mbid=synd_yshineBy Lexi Petronis, Glamour magazine

Not to be too snoopy, but... what's in your purse? I think it would be easier to tell you what's not in mine: any sort of organization, a diamond watch, Justin Bieber, the one bill that I can't find anywhere. Hmm... yep, pretty sure everything else is in there. So this news connecting purses and illness caught my eye...

See more: 50 Things Men Are Afraid to Ask for (But Really Want!)

You're probably well aware of the fact that the outsides and bottoms of our purses harbor lots of germs (due to the fact we place them just about everywhere--floors, bathroom counters, changing tables, you know it--and later throw those same purses on our dining room tables or kitchen counters). But what about the insides of our purses?

See more: 19 Cute Celebrity Haircuts to Consider

Everyday Health reports that there's stuff in there that could be making us sick, too: wallets, phones, glasses, tissues, business cards, makeup, credit

Gourmet/Romulo YanesBy Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine

Time for another cup of coffee? Don't feel guilty about it, especially after the latest research about coffee.

See more: 50 Things Men Are Afraid to Ask for (But Really Want!)

You know how people give up coffee because they think they're doing themselves a favor when it comes to health? Well, think again, say researchers. In fact, in a massive new study, German researchers found that coffee-drinking was not associated with heart disease or cancer at all. And, coffee may even reduce your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.

See more: 19 Cute Celebrity Haircuts to Consider

So, the bottom line seems to be: If you like coffee, enjoy it! It may boost your health. Which reminds me, I feel like another shot of espresso right now!

See more: Spring 2012's Most Wearable Fashion Trends

P.S. More good news: Coffee may fight the world's most common cancer. And, how coffee can help you live longer, say some

Photo courtesy of bedbathandbeyond.comBy Lexi Petronis, Glamour magazine

I can always tell when I'm putting on a little weight, because it goes straight to my belly. It adds a little extra dough to a muffin top, shall we say. Where do you first notice weight gain? The body parts that tend to pack on the most pounds can reveal some interesting things about your health...

According to Everyday Health, a number of recent studies have linked certain health conditions with where on your body you tend to store extra fat. Take a look:

See more: 50 Things Men Are Afraid to Ask for (But Really Want!)

A plump tush: a study by Oxford University suggests that your "apple bottom" may help protect you from diabetes and heart disease, because your butt could help fatty acids and keeps them from getting deposited where they could be harmful (like your organs).

A jiggly belly: Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health showed that people who store more fat on their bellies are more likely to

By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine

Soda of all kinds has gotten plenty of bad press lately. But, if you happen to be a fan of the bubbly stuff, then you'll love this news...

See more: 50 Things Men Are Afraid to Ask for (But Really Want!)

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) recently said that it had discovered harmful levels of the chemical used to create the caramel color in Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper, and Whole Foods' 365 Cola. In fact, they asked the FDA to ban the color agent called 4-methylimidazole.

"Coke and Pepsi, with the acquiescence of the FDA, are needlessly exposing millions of Americans to a chemical that causes cancer," said CSPI executive director Michael Jacobson. "If companies can make brown food coloring that is carcinogen-free, the industry should use that."

See more: 19 Cute Celebrity Haircuts to Consider

But, the FDA said recently that the color agent doesn't pose a real health risk to people. In

By Ranya Fattouh, Glamour magazine

My golden retriever, Paisley, loves to show her love by licking me. No biggie, right? Wait, say experts, who warn that dog (and cat) saliva could be making us sick...

When it comes to my dog, I like to think that I keep her pretty clean. That means she gets a bath ever week or two (and her bed gets washed just as often as we change our own bed sheets). But, it's what's lurking inside your pet's mouth, say experts, that can pose the germiest health risk to you.

See more: The Top 10 Ways to Wake Up Prettier

Here's the scoop: In a study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, researchers point to a trending new concern in animal-human germ transmission. The bacteria, P. multocida, is believed to live in the mouths of 80 percent of cats and about 60 percent of dogs, and it can make people very sick. Experts are noticing that more pet owners are picking up the bacteria after "cuddling" sick or dying

By Lexi Petronis, Glamour magazine

Good morning! So it's been four weeks since I made a break with caffeine--my big experiment to see if I could lessen my dependence on my daily full-caf lattes. And you know? It's been great. At least... until I decided to stop for a cup of drive-through decaf last week and found myself a total twitchfest not too much later.

See more: The Top 10 Ways to Wake Up Prettier

Had the cafe secretly (accidentally) turned my decaf into a caf? Maybe! But even if it hadn't, a little investigation turned up some interesting info on what's really in decaffeinated coffee. Can you guess what's in there?

Caffeine. Like, in some cases--ahem, grande decaf latte from Starbucks--as much as an entire can of soda. A regular cup of black coffee packs about 85 mg per eight ounces; an eight-ounce up of decaf can be anywhere from 8.6 mg to 13.9 mg.

Related: 21 Flirty Little Date Outfit Ideas

This chart from FitSugar

By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine

I love ballet flats. But, foot doctors say they're not that great for our feet. Boo hoo. If you're a fan of flats, consider doing this to improve the health of your feet...

See more: The Top 10 Ways to Wake Up Prettier

Flats are cute, and I'm a sucker for them. I own way too many, even despite the fact that they hurt my feet (I also want a pair of the new TOMS ballet flats, above!). But, flats are like "walking on cardboard" say experts. Such little support can leave your feet aching and even lead to painful foot conditions like plantar fasciitis. Some advice from WebMD foot experts: "If you love the look of ballet flats, over-the-counter inserts may help prevent mild foot pain. Heel pads can provide extra cushioning for achy heels. And custom orthotics can ease a whole range of foot pains and problems. Podiatrists prescribe these inserts to provide arch support and reduce pressure on sensitive areas. Prescription orthotics can be