General Nutrition Content Journal - Alpha 3.9

We all lead busy lives, and sometimes making good nutrition choices can be a daunting challenge to say the least!

Thankfully, by using the NDR and HEI ratings assigned to most commercially available food and drinks, taking better care of yourself has never been easier. Just remember, the *higher* the score, the better the nutrition, and the better you'll feel.

Nutritional Density Rating (NDR)
Devised by Empire Health Services to help people eat healthier, the Nutritional Density Rating (NDR) takes into consideration the food’s concentration of nutrients per 100kcal, the breadth and diversity of nutrients contained, and the nutritional bioavailability. The higher an NDR score, the better a food item is for your overall health. However, it is important to remember that no single food contains all the nutrients a single person needs, so along with eating high-scoring food, the second most important thing an individual can do is consume a wide variety of foods. Here’s to good eating and good health!

Hydration Efficacy Index (HEI)
Originally created by a team of nutritionists at the University of Jalan to compare the effects of beverage choice on hydration levels during long haul space flights, the Hydration Efficacy Index (HEI) has since been adapted by Empire Health Services as the standard measure by which various drink selections can be compared. By considering such factors as moisture retention, absorbency rates, osmolality, caloric count, and electrolyte levels (specifically sodium and potassium), a beverage can be graded using one standardized index. The higher the score, the more effective the beverage is at keeping the consumer hydrated for longer. Substances like caffeine and alcohol have the potential to decrease the index score by increasing the rate of water loss from the body. Standard filtration system water has a baseline score of 80.

Dietary Effects
In addition to the baseline scores, many foods and drinks have been additionally labeled with keywords to provide extra information about the potential effects that item will have on your health. Take a look at the list below for some of the most common effects and what they mean.

Hypertrophic - Provides additional blood flow and nutrients to key muscle groups to make them perform optimally.

Atrophic - Restricts blood flow, negatively affecting the muscles, making tasks seem harder.

Energizing - Provides a boost to your energy levels, allowing you to be active for longer.

Fatiguing - Has a draining effect, causing lethargy and general sense of exhaustion.

Cognitive Boosting - Encourages brain function by allowing additional focus while performing complicated tasks.

Cognitive Impairing - Stymies brain activity making it difficult to focus for long durations.

Hypometabolic - Digests slowly, making you feel satisfied for longer.

Hypermetabolic - Digests quickly, increasing the likelihood you'll be hungry sooner.

Hydrating - Helps your body to better absorb water, allowing you to satisfy your thirst for longer.

Dehydrating - Causes your body to lose water, making you thirstier.

Healing - Provides vital nutrients to help your body naturally repair itself.

Toxic - Contains elements that are detrimental to your health and can cause damage if consumed in large quantities.

Immune Boosting - Helps your body stay healthy when exposed to harmful elements.

Immune Suppressing - Weakens your body's ability to fight off harmful elements.