The debate over whether energy drinks have health implications usually centers around heart-related issues. But, a new study published in the journal General Dentistry reveals yet another compelling reason for oral argument.

Citing the General Dentistry study, Women's Health reports that drinks like Red Bull and Amp have the same acidic effect on our teeth as sodas. The article states that these power-up drinks restrict our saliva's natural ability to neutralize acids-which thereby allows this acid to take up temporary residence in our mouths, where it is then able to penetrate our gums.

To fight back against these tooth-tarnishing energy drink villains, the folks at Women's Health suggest using straws (aim your drink toward the back of the mouth), rinsing with water to dilute acids, and not brushing your pearlies for 30 minutes after downing energy drinks, for the scrubbing can remove enamel ­weakened by acidity.

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Where else but in New York can you climb a rock wall, watch a fashion show, listen to live music, participate in a variety of workout classes, enjoy a beauty and spa treatment, sip on drinks during a sponsored happy hour, and ride a mechanical bull all in one day? And best of all, where else but New York can you do all these things for FREE?

On this Saturday (July 12th), from 10am to 5pm, you can take part in the fun at the 2nd-annual Women's Health Are You Game? summer festival. Last year's event drew a crowd of over 10,000 people to the Hudson River Park at Pier 46, and festival programmers anticipate an equally as strong turnout at this location this time around.

Sponsors for the event include ASICS, Crunch, Oasis Day Spa, Garmin International, Michelob Ultra, and Oakley. Expect some great contests and giveaways from these companies and others, in addition to the dozens of other interactive demonstrations and health and fitness-related events.

For more information about the Women's Health Are You Game? summer festival, visit the official website: www.womenshealthmag.com/areyougame

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We hear about body fat percentage all the time, yet we rarely give much thought to what percentage we should be shooting for. Granted, we know that the higher the number, the worse off we'll be. And, conversely, having too low of a body fat percentage can also be unhealthy, as it can compromise essential fat stores that surround and protect our organs.

But that knowledge doesn't do much in the way of determining what body fat percentage is ideal. Well, for one thing, that could be because an ideal is very difficult to determine. Everyone's body is different, just as everyone's fitness goals vary across the board. So, what may be "ideal" for one person may be too big, too small, too heavy, too light, etc. for someone else. Were not much closer to finding an answer, are we?

The best we can do is to make an assumption. Not the best of starts, I know, but it has to be done (or else I'll end up dancing around this question forever). My assumption is as follows: If most people could pick a physique they would like to have, it would be similar to those of the men and women who appear on the cover of magazines like Men's Health and Women's Health. Am I wrong in this assumption? That's very possible. But I sense that most people would prefer to be lean and healthy looking over extremely muscular or noticeably paunchy. So, with that all said and grossly overdone, the "ideal" body fat percentage (that is, the body fat percentage of most fitness models) is around nine percent. At that percentage, your abs will become very visible, as will the definition in most of your muscles. Again, is this what you are shooting for? Maybe, maybe not. But if it is, know that this is what it will take to achieve your fitness goals.

How long does it take McDonald's to make a hamburger? My guess is around 30 or 40 seconds. How long does it take to make a healthy meal at home? Much longer, right? Not quite, says Keri Glassman, registered dietitian and part of the Women's Health magazine team. Glassman suggests the following ten easy food flips to help you prepare healthier meals in a jiffy.

1. SWAP THE MAYO (or the sour cream). Instead use nonfat Greek yogurt as a much healthier, low-fat substitution. In addition to being much lighter in the calorie department, nonfat Greek yogurt is high in protein, calcium, and also contains digestion-aiding probiotics.

2. PUREE. Freeze your favorite fruits and vegetables and then days or even months later you can puree them in large batches. In a matter of seconds you can have a healthy and tasty snack. For kids, Glassman suggests purchasing the containers that ice cream manufacturers usually use to make push-pops and filling it with a fruit puree.

3. INCREASE VOLUME. Make your meals bigger without adding any calories. Trust me, it's easier than it sounds. For some easy ways to do this, click here.

4. GO FOR CHICKEN STOCK. Using the low-sodium version, add chicken stock to mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower instead of butter or cream. You can also use chicken stock when you steam vegetables for added flavor rather than using butter or oil.

5. CONDIMENTS. Steer clear of those high in fat and sugar and instead opt for herbs, spices, and even low-sodium soy sauce, lemon juice, brown mustard, vinegars, and salsa.

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Men's Health and Women's Health are two of the best health magazines out there. Period. Although both are geared more toward people who are already following healthy lifestyles, they still offer advice, tutelage and interesting health facts that just about anyone -- regardless of whether or not you've ever exercised or dieted a day in your life -- could benefit from knowing.

The information on cardiovascular health, strength and endurance conditioning, diet, disease and prevention -- all of it is backed by credible research and presented succinctly and in an interesting way. Thumbing through a back issue I noticed a running sidebar sort of thing the magazine does called Facts of Life. Every four or five pages, you'll see a small, yellow box situated somewhere on the page, showing a specific number. A quick read into it (and by quick, I mean a sentence) reveals that this number is representative of a health factoid.

Some of the few I thought were worth reiterating from this particular issue ...

27 = Percentage more likely you are to suffer a stroke or heart attack on your birthday than any other day.

41 = Percentage of lard that's actually oleic acid, the same heart-healthy fat that's in olive oil.

17 = Average number of pounds people gain in just 8 months of working in a sedentary office job.

45 = Percentage boost in cycling performance at altitude after taking Viagra, which improves blood flow to the lungs.

Like I said, these Facts of Life are short and to the point. You'll find that most of the health information listed in these magazines are presented in a similar fashion, making them much easier to read than an academic journal, yet still getting the point across.

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