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Pepsi Tuesday launched a version of its popular cola in Japan that claims to block the absorption of fat. Could this new version of Pepsi solve Americans? neck-and-neck desires for weight loss and sugary, super-sized beverages?

Simply called Pepsi Special, the caffeinated soft drink has the added ingredient dextrin, a natural water-soluble dietary fiber derived from potatoes. Japanese commercials touting the product?s effectiveness for weight loss even go as far as to ask, ?Why choose between a hamburger and a slice of pizza? If you choose Pepsi Special, you can have both!? But does it work? Pepsi claims that dextrin slows the absorption of fat in the body by binding with it and eliminating it as waste, not reserving it as empty calories.

Pepsi is basing its claims on a Japanese study published in 2006 that showed that rats fed dextrin actually absorbed less fat than those that were not. And while some of the science behind dextrin is solid, chances are your stools won?t be if you overindulge.

Several U.S.-based research studies have examined the health benefits of dextrin and the reviews are mixed.

While the natural additive did help reduce levels of fat in the body, its overall effect is considered modest. In order for dextrin to really absorb enough fat to cause a considerate weight loss, chances are its adverse effects?like frequent diarrhea, gas, and bloating?would be overwhelming.

However, dextrin did offer other health benefits, described in a study published in the Journal of Endocrinology that claims it ?improved glucose tolerance in lab mice [and therefore prevented their obesity].?

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^ Actually there are a number of drugs available now that have actually been proven to work, The result of intense research over the last decade.

I don't think the FDA allows for adding crap like that to soft-drinks, so I doubt it will ever end up in the US.

And probably a good thing too since it would probably brainwash too many people into thinking they can skip the gym and instead drink a 12 pack of Pepsi every day.

Of course it won't work. If people are so worried about their weight they should do something about it, not try and find the easy way out;

the life cycle of humans is 100% all about trying to find the easy way for everything. Do you use a remote control? Do you use a microwave? Do you Drive? Do you use a phone? Do you use a computer? Do you make your own clothes? Do you use refrigeration? Do you shop at the supermarket? Do you take any medication? Do you have indoor heat? Do you have windows in your house? Do you use a chair? Salt? Shoes? Glass? toothbrush? running water? Do you have windows? The list is almost endless and is anything and everything you use day in day out. Practice what you preach.

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good or bad results? Not sure if serious.... :p

Back in January 2009, when I weighed in at 216 LBS my goal was to get down to 179 pounds. During the 3 year duration of riding the exercise bike, I got down to 180. Then Crept back up to 194 while still ridding the bike. 2 years later on July 4th 2011 when I stopped ridding the bike and replaced it with a 3.5 mile daily walk, I got down to 182lbs during the entire year thus far of walking. On my 1st week of trying out the low carbohydrate diet and combining it with walking, I got my weight down to 181. Now after 4 months of low carb I am down to 168lbs. I have removed the walking and am going to main tain my diet via low carb. I stopped walking on July 4th 2012. Since that time my weight has stayed between 168 -171lbs.

Back in January 2009, when I weighed in at 216 LBS my goal was to get down to 179 pounds. During the 3 year duration of riding the exercise bike, I got down to 180. Then Crept back up to 194 while still ridding the bike. 2 years later on July 4th 2011 when I stopped ridding the bike and replaced it with a 3.5 mile daily walk, I got down to 182lbs during the entire year thus far of walking. On my 1st week of trying out the low carbohydrate diet and combining it with walking, I got my weight down to 181. Now after 4 months of low carb I am down to 168lbs. I have removed the walking and am going to main tain my diet via low carb. I stopped walking on July 4th 2012. Since that time my weight has stayed between 168 -171lbs.

Wow. You must be a little dude. My low-end body weight is 206 lbs. I am currently at 264. Congratz on the job well done warwagon.

Back in January 2009, when I weighed in at 216 LBS my goal was to get down to 179 pounds. During the 3 year duration of riding the exercise bike, I got down to 180. Then Crept back up to 194 while still ridding the bike. 2 years later on July 4th 2011 when I stopped ridding the bike and replaced it with a 3.5 mile daily walk, I got down to 182lbs during the entire year thus far of walking. On my 1st week of trying out the low carbohydrate diet and combining it with walking, I got my weight down to 181. Now after 4 months of low carb I am down to 168lbs. I have removed the walking and am going to main tain my diet via low carb. I stopped walking on July 4th 2012. Since that time my weight has stayed between 168 -171lbs.

What do you eat for breakfast, lunch & dinner each day? I am walking around 6 - 8 miles a day currently just not sure what to do about food.

What do you eat for breakfast, lunch & dinner each day? I am walking around 6 - 8 miles a day currently just not sure what to do about food.

For breakfast I usually have 2 pieces of toast with peanut butter. Yes those are carbs, but some of the only direct carbs I have all day hence the low part. For lunch I usually have a Lettuces Salad with Carrots, Cheese and sliced turkey with salad dressing. I also nibble on some sun flower seeds while I watch TV - 35 carbs for the entire bag.

I also have some peperoni and cheese or summer sausage for a snack.

For breakfast I usually have 2 pieces of toast with peanut butter. Yes those are carbs, but some of the only direct carbs I have all day hence the low part. For lunch I usually have a Lettuces Salad with Carrots, Cheese and sliced turkey with salad dressing. I also nibble on some sun flower seeds while I watch TV - 35 carbs for the entire bag.

I also have some peperoni and cheese or summer sausage for a snack.

Awesome, I need to loose 1.5 stone about 9.5kg i think to be in a healthy weight for my height (according to BMI - Body mass index). I recently give up drinking Pepsi Max which I drunk every single day and started drinking water more often, I think my liver will have a shock.

The hardest part about loosing weight is not the exercising really but what people eat it can be hard to come away from good food and never know what is actually good to eat.

the life cycle of humans is 100% all about trying to find the easy way for everything. Do you use a remote control? Do you use a microwave? Do you Drive? Do you use a phone? Do you use a computer? Do you make your own clothes? Do you use refrigeration? Do you shop at the supermarket? Do you take any medication? Do you have indoor heat? Do you have windows in your house? Do you use a chair? Salt? Shoes? Glass? toothbrush? running water? Do you have windows? The list is almost endless and is anything and everything you use day in day out. Practice what you preach.

You make a fair point. After looking back on my post, then re-reading yours, I honestly have no rebuttal. Something about that makes me very sad.

you have to remember that with bike riding when the fat drops off itll start getting replaced with muscle. muscle is heavier than fat but shouldnt be considered bad obviously. your legs have very powerful muscles so theres alot of it you can build up, youll also build/tone upper body increasing muscle mass so it puts weight on at some point but it isnt the bad weight.

Just eating healthy to drop your bodies fat content and doing no excercise still isnt good. So at least get back on the walking

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