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Patent blue to sulfuric acid: These 9 E numbers are harmless

E numbers do not have a particularly good reputation. In fact, some of the food additives can cause problems. But not all E numbers can be lumped together, because there are also food additives that are completely harmless.

We usually associate bad things with E numbers and additives. The food industry uses them to change product properties and, for example, to make food last longer, which makes storage and transport easier.

Another frequent purpose of additives: The product should be “improved” optically or in taste by flavor enhancers and colorings. But E numbers are not all the same: while you should avoid some E numbers because they are suspected of triggering allergies, for example, there are others that you should be able to eat without hesitation.

What does the E in E number mean?

E-number is actually just another name for food additives that are approved in the EU – the “E” in “E-number” stands for “Europe”. Interesting: Up until 1993, only 265 E numbers were permitted in Germany. Alignment with EU legislation has meant that over 300 different food additives can now be used.

There are many different additives that are supposed to fulfill very different functions in food:

Antioxidants: prevent fats from going rancid and ensure longer shelf life.
Emulsifiers: combine substances that normally do not mix together, such as oil and water.
Dyes: make food more colorful and bright.
Thickeners: ensure the desired consistency of pudding or ice cream, for example.
Flavor enhancers: spice up the taste.
Preservatives: inhibit microorganisms and ensure a longer shelf life.
Sugar substitutes: used as a sugar substitute.

E-Numbers: Health assessment based on the ADI value

Extensive tests are carried out before an E number is approved. The so-called ADI value is determined: It describes the amount of an additive that a person can eat every day throughout their life without endangering their health.

The ADI value (acceptable daily intake = tolerable daily intake) is given in milligrams per kilogram of body weight and is usually determined by feeding experiments on animals. Because these results cannot be directly transferred to humans, the value from animal experiments is usually divided by 100 – so that only about one percent of the amount that was harmless to animals is permitted for humans.

At first that sounds like a safe, although unfortunately not animal-free, procedure. Nevertheless, not every health risk for humans can be ruled out in this way: For example, there can be interactions with medication, some people are particularly sensitive due to allergies, and with a very unbalanced diet, the ADI value can be reached or even exceeded. With some E-numbers, such health hazards are more likely – you should therefore avoid them.

The “good” E numbers

But not all E numbers are problematic: the consumer advice centers have evaluated all food additives to determine whether they pose a potential risk to health. The consumer advocates came up with a total of 153 harmless E numbers. So far, there are no indications of any health hazards associated with these additives.

In some cases this is not very surprising: Additives such as vegetable charcoal (E 153), carbonic acid (E 290), vitamin C (ascorbic acid, E 300), locust bean gum (E 410) and beeswax (E 901) sound harmless – and they are. With other E-numbers, one might think at first glance that they are not good for us, but in reality they pose no risk.

That doesn’t mean we recommend cramming tons of these additives into your diet, though – generally speaking, the less processed a food is, the better.

9 additives without risk

From the 153 E numbers that are considered harmless, we have selected nine particularly interesting additives, which we would like to introduce to you in more detail below.

E 131 patent blue V
Patent Blue V is – as the name suggests – a blue dye. Because of its strong color, patent blue V is mainly used as a coloring for fruit gums, glazes and beverages (keyword Blue Curaçao). The E number can hardly be absorbed in the stomach and intestines, the additive is largely excreted undigested and is therefore considered harmless to health.

E 150 B Sulphite caustic caramel
Caustic Sulfite Caramel is a plant-based brown colorant made through the use of lye and sulfur compounds. Caustic sulphite caramel is used to color alcoholic beverages such as whiskey and beer and foods such as sausages, cola, jams, condiments or sweets. However, the dye may not be used in organic foods, at least not as long as it is only used for coloring.

E 297 Fumaric acid
The E number is an acidifier found in every living cell. It is used for dry products such as custard powder, instant tea powder and confectionery production. The ADI value of fumaric acid is 6 mg/kg body weight, and there are also maximum amounts for certain foods: a maximum of 4 grams of fumaric acid is permitted per kilogram of pudding powder, and a maximum of one gram for instant powder for teas and fruit drinks.

E 356 sodium adipate
Sodium adipate is an acidulant and flavor enhancer with a salty taste. The food additive is used in convenience products such as baked goods, jelly desserts, and powdered drinks. Its ADI value is 0 to 5 mg/kg body weight and a maximum of 10 grams per kilogram can be used depending on the product. So far there are no indications of possible health hazards from E 356.

E 503 ammonium bicarbonate
This food additive is counted among the raising agents, release agents and acidity regulators – you may know it as “stag horn salt” from baking gingerbread. The E number is used in particular for baking powder and can be found in chocolate, cocoa products and coffee substitute products. There is no ADI value and no maximum quantity restriction for E 503, but the quantity specification applies quantum satis (“as much as necessary”): This means that the E number in a food is only added as much as necessary and as little as possible may be.

E 513 sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid is an acidulant used in the production of spices, cheese and sugar syrup. The E number is also approved for organic products, there are no health concerns. As with the E number E 503, the quantity quantum satis applies to sulfuric acid: as much as necessary, as little as possible. Theoretically, the concentrated acid could lead to the destruction of body tissue – but such acidity does not occur in food.

E 586 4-hexylresorcinol
4-Hexylresorcinol is a color stabilizer that prevents crustaceans from turning brown. The E-number is only approved for crustaceans: Shortly after catching crustaceans, black spots can form – regardless of whether they are fresh, chilled or frozen crustaceans. This discoloration is neither harmful to health nor does it affect the quality of the marine life, but many people judge the discoloration negatively. 4-Hexylresorcinol inhibits the enzyme responsible for discoloration. Although the E number is considered harmless to health, frequent consumption is not recommended.

E 907 Hydrogenated poly-1-decene
Hydrogenated poly-1-decene is a separating and coating agent for confectionery and dried fruit. The E number is also used in the baked goods industry, where the substance ensures that cakes and bread can be removed from the mold after baking. In this case, hydrogenated poly-1-decene is considered a processing aid and not an additive and therefore does not have to be declared on the list of ingredients of the food. The maximum amount of the substance is limited to 2 g/kg and its ADI is set to 6 mg/kg body weight.

E 1505 triethyl citrate
This food additive is a carrier that is only approved for egg white powder and flavorings. It ensures that the aromas are distributed in the food and that the egg white can be whipped again if some egg yolk has gotten into it during mechanical separation. Although the E number is considered harmless to health, there are concerns among people with mold allergies.

Harmless E numbers: conclusion

Although all the additives mentioned – and many more – are classified as harmless, none of the E numbers mentioned sound particularly appetizing. The problem also applies to E numbers that are harmless to health: They are used in particular for (highly) processed foods – foods that we should generally avoid if we want to do something good for our health.

That’s why the Utopia conclusion is: It’s always worth looking at the packaging. If you lose your appetite just reading the synopsis, you should look for alternatives. As a Utopia reader, I hope you know that there are more than enough of them!

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health

Vitamin B5 / Pantothenic Acid – Mushrooms, Legumes and Whole Grain Products

Vitamin B5 – better known as pantothenic acid – is involved in many processes in the body. Utopia explains how you can cover your daily needs and what happens in the event of a shortage.

Pantothenic acid is part of the vitamin B complex and, like all B vitamins, is water-soluble. Our body can absorb the vitamin as pantothenic acid directly from food or produce it ourselves from dexpanthenol, a provitamin. Many creams and tinctures contain dexpanthenol as an active ingredient, which can promote wound healing but do not contribute to the supply of the vitamin.

The functions of pantothenic acid

In order to convert food into usable energy, the body needs the help of the vitamins of the vitamin B complex. Pantothenic acid plays an important role in this: it is involved in the production of coenzyme A. Coenzyme A, in turn, is contained in all living cells as a component of enzymes and is involved in a large number of processes. Not without reason is the meaning of the Greek word “pantothen”: everywhere.

In this way, vitamin B5 contributes to the processing of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. In addition to converting the food consumed into usable energy, pantothenic acid plays an important role in the formation of important substances such as amino acids, the blood pigment heme, cholesterol, provitamin D and bile acids.

Pantothenic acid is often referred to as “brain food” because, in addition to its role in energy metabolism, it is also involved in the formation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Contrary to what many supplements promise, however, vitamin B5 does not provide “nerves of steel” or “anxiety reduction.” There are only four statements – so-called health claims – that are scientifically proven and legally approved:

Pantothenic acid contributes to normal energy metabolism.
Pantothenic acid contributes to normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters.
Pantothenic acid helps reduce tiredness and fatigue.
Pantothenic acid contributes to normal mental performance.

What happens with vitamin B5 deficiency?

A sole deficiency of pantothenic acid is rare, usually the body also lacks other B vitamins at the same time. If there is a vitamin B5 deficiency, the following symptoms may occur:

easy fatigue
sleep disorders
headache
swaying gait
anemia
immunodeficiency
stomach pain
muscle weakness
If the body is undersupplied with vitamin B5 for months, a very figuratively named disease can occur: “Burning Feet Syndrome” (burning feet syndrome), which was first described in prisoners of war in World War II. Not only the soles of the feet, but also the palms of the hands are noticeable as burning or stinging. In general, however, a deficiency only occurs in the case of extreme malnutrition or alcoholism.

Overdose side effects

There is no excessive intake of vitamin B5 / pantothenic acid through normal nutrition. Digestive problems such as diarrhea are only possible due to the wrong dosage of food supplements.

Because apart from that no adverse health effects of an overdose of vitamin B5 are known, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has not set a maximum level for pantothenic acid. At the same time, this does not mean that a lot also helps a lot: Instead of relying on advertising promises, you should – as with all dietary supplements – have the intake checked by a doctor.

Daily requirement of vitamin B5

The amount of 6 mg per day recommended by the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) for adults is covered with a balanced diet. Those who suffer from chronic inflammation or alcoholism, however, have a slightly higher need.

Which foods contain the vitamin?

Like most of the vitamins in the vitamin B complex, pantothenic acid is also found in particularly high concentrations in the liver and other offal. Other animal foods such as fish, meat, dairy products and eggs also help to meet the need for vitamin B5 / pantothenic acid.

Since pantothenic acid is found in almost all foods, supply is generally considered unproblematic. Vegetarians and vegans can cover their needs with legumes and mushrooms or – regardless of the seasonal calendar – with crunchy nuts and whole grain products. Wheat bran contains a particularly large amount of vitamin B5 / pantothenic acid, which can easily be added to mueslis, smoothies or pastries.

With a large plate of pea stew (300g) it is possible to cover the daily requirement of vitamin B5 with just one meal.

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Prussic Acid: These Foods Contain the Toxic Substance

Hydrocyanic acid is a highly toxic substance that is also found in some foods. We will show you which plants produce the toxic substance and which foods you should avoid.

Prussic Acid: A highly toxic substance

Prussic acid (or hydrogen cyanide) is a highly toxic substance that is deadly even in small quantities. The smell of the colorless liquid is slightly reminiscent of bitter almonds, but not everyone can smell it. Prussic acid is water-soluble and, with a boiling point of 26°C, is an extremely volatile substance.

Throughout history, the poison has been used against humans several times; among other things during National Socialism and for the execution of the death penalty in the USA until 1999.

Prussic acid: effect of the toxic substance

The absorption of hydrocyanic acid inhibits an important enzyme in the human organism that is responsible for cell respiration. The result is what appears to be a lack of oxygen in the cells, which leads to internal suffocation and death within seconds.

Just one to two milligrams of hydrocyanic acid per kilogram of body weight can be deadly. The amount that is still harmless can vary greatly from person to person, which is why the tolerance range of the human body is quite wide at 1-60 milligrams per kilogram of body mass.

Hydrocyanic acid in food

There are some foods that contain hydrocyanic acid. Over 1000 plants worldwide are known to produce the toxic substance. This serves as a natural protection against feeding and germination inhibitors, for example with stone fruit. Only after the pericarp has decomposed can the hydrocyanic acid evaporate and the seeds begin to germinate.

These plant foods contain hydrocyanic acid:

Immature bamboo shoots (up to 8 g/kg)
Bitter Almonds (2.5 g/kg)
Bitter apricot kernels
stone fruit pits
cassava tuber
kidney bean
lima bean
yam
Certain varieties of sweet potato
sweet millet
linseed
You should be particularly careful with bitter almonds and apricot kernels. Even 5-10 bitter almonds or 10 drops of bitter almond oil can have a fatal effect on children. A safe alternative is bitter almond flavoring. Bitter apricot kernels also have a relatively high hydrocyanic acid content.

Unlike bitter almonds, apricot kernels are not only sold in controlled small quantities, but are offered in 200 gram packs. You should therefore be careful when using apricot kernels as a dietary supplement with an alleged healing effect on cancer, because the amygdalin they contain splits off hydrocyanic acid when the kernels are digested.

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) warns against eating more than two bitter apricot kernels a day and emphasizes that there is no scientific evidence of any healing effects. Sweet apricot kernels can also contain hydrocyanic acid.

Eating unripe bamboo shoots is particularly dangerous because they have a very high hydrocyanic acid content (up to eight grams per kilo). In Asian countries, there are repeated cases of poisoning from bamboo shoots if they are not sufficiently cooked.

Hydrocyanic acid in food: How to protect yourself

In order to render the toxic hydrocyanic acid in food harmless, it is sufficient for you to boil the vegetables beforehand. With a boiling point of 26°C, the poison evaporates during cooking and you can safely eat foods that have a low level of hydrocyanic acid when raw. Cassava tubers or haricot beans, for example, must be boiled before consumption.

Also: Small amounts of hydrocyanic acid, which occur in natural foods, can be rendered harmless by the body itself. The enzyme rhodanase converts the poison into the substance rhodanide, which is harmless to humans.

You should largely avoid foods that contain relatively large amounts of hydrocyanic acid (such as bitter almonds or apricot kernels).

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Lifestyle

New Beauty Trend 2022: How Acid Should Care For Your Hair

Long and healthy hair is still the ideal of beauty for many women and men. But conventional shampoos often do not bring the desired success, which is why alternatives are worth a look.

Hair shampoos in the test – that says Stiftung Warentest

Stiftung Warentest regularly examines several shampoos and compares them in terms of effectiveness, the cost factor and the environmental aspect. In 2020, 18 shampoos and hair soaps were tested, including seven natural cosmetics. A total of 14 performed well, three were satisfactory and one was just sufficient. Big price differences were still noticeable, the products cost between 1 and 38 cents per hair wash. A shampoo, on the other hand, turned out to be a sham.

A new trend is currently noticeable, so-called “hair soaps*” made from oils or fats “saponified” from lye are becoming increasingly popular. In principle, such solid shampoos work no differently than liquid shampoos, they have only been deprived of water and then formed. Most liquid shampoos performed well across the board, while hair soaps performed slightly worse. The problem, however, is that these can form whitish residues when washing. The result is swelling hair that is difficult to comb. A rinse made of vinegar and water, also known as an “acidic rinse”, helps against this so-called “lime soap”. This form of hair washing has been propagated, among other things, since 2014 as the so-called “No poo” movement, which originated in the USA and today has numerous followers and groups worldwide. There are several forms of exercise, one of the most popular being washing your hair with vinegar.

But how healthy is acetic acid for hair and scalp? Does it even damage the hair in the long run and what can you do about the acidic smell?

Beautiful hair: the “no poo” movement

“No poo” simply means to wash your hair without shampoo. Shampoos are said to damage the hair, and the substances and chemicals they contain can potentially make you sick. There is also concern that conventional shampoos remove the scalp’s natural oils, thereby drying out the hair and scalp.

The movement emerged in 2014 and today there are various forms of it. One group rejects any means for the hair and only cleans it with water. Another group uses baking soda in place of shampoo and apple cider vinegar as a supplemental conditioner. The third group consists of self-mixed remedies, for example made from rye flour, eggs, clay or beer.

Since the current beauty trend in terms of hair care products is propagating apple cider vinegar, this technique is briefly presented below. Because the scalp is naturally slightly acidic (hair pH is around 5.5, well in the mid-range), acidifying hair is all about lowering the pH of the scalp and hair. This care treatment is intended to give the hair strands more shine and smoothness and to prevent the hair from charging by closing the cuticle layer and smoothing the hair structure. Numerous external influences can also negatively affect the natural pH value of the scalp and hair, which is why it is advisable to avoid using products with a basic pH value such as children’s shampoos, industrial hair masks and conditioners, cleaning shampoos and hair coloring products and to use natural products instead . What is meant here is above all the “sour rinse” (rinse = English for conditioner), which is used like a conventional hair conditioner

Preparation of the “sour rinse”

The preparation of the conditioner is simple and uncomplicated. The first treatment can also start with a tablespoon of vinegar. For this purpose, the hair is washed with normal shampoo beforehand, whereby a hair care product made from organic and natural ingredients should promise more success, since the chemicals contained in normal shampoos are said to damage the structure. After washing the hair, the acidic rinse is poured over the hair, which does not have to be rinsed out again. Once the hair dries, the vinegar smell will dissipate. If the smell is too strong, a few drops of essential oils can help. In addition to apple cider vinegar, other types of vinegar such as balsamic vinegar, herbal vinegar and lemon juice or citric acid can also be used. Be careful with citric acid, half a teaspoon is enough.

Another non-chemical, vinegar-based hair treatment is a combination of baking soda and vinegar. The shampoo is made from the apple cider vinegar and water, and the neutralizing solution is made from the baking soda and water. Instead of the shampoo, the hair is washed with a baking soda solution to neutralize the scalp and to loosen the oil from the scalp. The sodium hydroxide solution makes the skin alkaline, which then has to be balanced out with the acetic acid.

Even if this procedure is simple and good for the hair, the smell is a disadvantage. In terms of combability, the vinegar treatment is not necessarily recommended for all hair types and is particularly suitable for straight hair. In the case of hair with natural frizz and curls, however, combing it out afterwards is very painful. Another glaring problem with using baking soda is that baking soda can actively damage the scalp and hair. Also, the natural pH level could be compromised by the highly alkaline baking soda, which can lead to scalp and hair damage over time.

problem

So one of the most popular “No Poo” methods is acidifying your hair with a vinegar solution. As mentioned, there are pros and cons here. Anyone who likes to use natural care products and can handle them well should rely on a conditioner with vinegar. However, there is not enough evidence of how beneficial this procedure is for the entire hair structure in the long term. The effectiveness of other forms of care such as egg or beer rinses against problems such as dandruff, itching and dryness has not yet been successfully confirmed.

Although there was a time in Europe when body odors were highly regarded and even encouraged by a lack of personal hygiene, most people are now used to noticing pleasant smells in their counterparts. The natural body odor is less socially acceptable today and is suppressed or covered up with all conceivable methods. Without sufficient care, the hair also begins to smell unpleasantly after a few weeks, since the scalp sebum smells like rancid butter after a while. Some people are very prone to greasy dandruff and irritated scalps, which are made worse by winter and stress. If such a predisposition is present, it is even necessary to use a medicinal shampoo with an antifungal substance. This can prevent certain organic germs from growing. If you fail to do this or if you don’t wash your hair at all instead, it can develop into a massively itchy scalp surface covered with a shell-like crust of scales, from which more and more hair gradually falls out.

Some popular “no poo” methods have been shown to actually damage and irritate the hair and scalp. The oil residue on the scalp can change and oxidize, causing the oil to break down into foul-smelling by-products and causing an itchy and flaky scalp. In fact, pH is not the only reason for hair health, while some problems such as skin irritations, dandruff or allergies can be treated with a pH-adjusted shampoo, it is not the solution to all hair problems. Dermatologists continue to give the all-clear when it comes to naming the body’s own fat production on the scalp as a reason for not shampooing, because the body produces the same amount of scalp fat relatively constantly, regardless of how often and intensively the hair is treated with a conventional shampoo to wash.

Conclusion

Dermatologists are concerned that nowadays hair is washed too often and products with inappropriate ingredients are often used. In particular, allergy sufferers and people with a sensitive scalp should avoid certain ingredients (such as dyes and preservatives, cocamidopropyl betaine, parabens or silicones). Although silicones make the hair shiny and supple, there is a risk of clogging the open scalp pores and follicle openings, so that a reasonable exchange of substances through the scalp can no longer take place.

Hair specialists recommend using a mild shampoo* to wash your head every 2-3 days. In addition, the water should not be too hot, lukewarm is fine. A moderate heat should also be used when blow-drying. The use of organic products can be added as a supplement, for example in the form of a night cap with olive oil to strengthen dry or flaky scalps.

The best remedy for clean hair and a well-groomed scalp is still a good shampoo and conditioner. Modern shampoos are designed to remove scalp oils and dirt without attacking the natural layer of moisture. That is why it is even important for the scalp and hair to get rid of excess oil regularly.

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8 Tips for Using Vinegar and Acetic Acid

Vinegar, vinegar essence, and acetic acid in the household are effective home remedies. Because vinegar has always been one of grandma’s old miracle cures. You can use it as a cleanser or treat health issues in the form of apple vinegar.

Vinegar has many uses. It is often an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical cleaners in the household. And you can also use it in the health sector, for example as a home remedy for skin fungus, skin impurities, and digestive problems.

Production of vinegar

Vinegar is a seasoning and preservative that tastes very acidic. It is made by fermenting alcoholic liquids with acid bacteria and is one of the oldest food manufacturing processes. The taste can be modified with different ingredients or spices after production.

The types of vinegar most commonly used in Germany are brandy vinegar, wine, fruit or fruit vinegar, rice vinegar, or honey vinegar made from fermented honey. It is mainly used in the household to season salads or to pickle vegetables and fruit.

Household use of acetic acid

Similar to the use of baking soda, vinegar is a real household miracle. Because here it can be used for various purposes. Especially with regard to cleaning and cleaning in the household, it can help to remove dirt, grease, or mold. Consequently, we have collected various uses of vinegar. Also, note our article on protecting the environment in the household.

1) Clean windows with diluted vinegar

You can easily clean your windows with diluted vinegar. So you have to put a capful of the vinegar in a bucket of water. You can then use the mixture to effectively clean your windows. As a result, they are cleaned streak-free without the use of chemical cleaning agents. In addition, note our helpful instructions on cleaning windows.

2) Use as a home remedy for mold

You can also fight mold with vinegar essence. Accordingly, give this to the affected area and let it take effect. Then you can touch up the spot with an old toothbrush. After that, the mold should be removed. In addition, read about other effective home remedies to remove mold.

3) For descaling household appliances

You can also use vinegar to descale household appliances such as the washing machine and dishwasher. But other devices can also be easily cleaned of limescale with this household product. Accordingly, descale your kettle by filling it with water and adding a small cup of vinegar essence. After that let the water boil. Then leave the contents on for two hours. Finally, remove the water, add your water and run the stove again without vinegar to remove any residue.

4) Remove fat with vinegar

Vinegar is one of many natural home remedies in the kitchen that can be used for cleaning. You can use the acid to remove stubborn fat. To do this, mix standard table vinegar with water in a ratio of 1:1. You can then use it to remove fatty deposits and clean greasy surfaces again.

5) Clean clogged drains

If you notice when cleaning the bathroom that the water is no longer draining properly, you can use the home remedy baking soda in combination with vinegar. Because this mixture can clean clogged drains. In this way, small dirt can be removed. According to this, put a packet of baking soda down the drain and pour a cup of vinegar essence after it. Then leave it on for 30-60 minutes. Finally, you have to rinse with warm water.

6) Effectively neutralize odors with vinegar

Bad smells quickly form in the home. Therefore, it is good to know that you can remove unpleasant smells from the apartment with vinegar. If you want to eliminate odors from your home, you can set out a bowl filled with vinegar. Or clean the smelly items with vinegar water. Cat urine odor can also be easily eliminated with the miracle cure. To do this, clean the stain with vinegar and warm water.

7) Washing clothes with vinegar

There are many ideas for making detergent yourself and consequently forgoing chemical cleaners. One of them is washing clothes with vinegar. Because this remedy can remove bad smells. In addition, it can serve as a fabric softener substitute. Accordingly, you can add 1/2 to a full cup of vinegar to the fabric softener compartment. In addition, note our numerous tips for doing laundry.

8) Fight weeds with vinegar essence

In the garden, the acid can be used specifically to combat weeds. Accordingly, mix vinegar essence with water in a ratio of 1 to 15 and apply the mixture to the weeds. You should make sure that you only use it in a targeted manner. Thus, the surrounding crops will not be harmed. You should also note that use on sealed surfaces is prohibited.

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10 Tips for Using Citric Acid

Useful application tips for lemons and citric acid in home remedies. So you use it as a cleaning agent or you can use it to alleviate health problems.

Lemons have many uses in the home. You can use it to remove limescale and rust. Bad smells and wasps can also be driven away with it. In addition, you can strengthen your immune system with the power of lemon.

The Story of the Lemon

The yellow fruit was only referred to as a lemon in the Middle Ages. Lemons have also found their way to Germany since the mid-16th century. Most of the world’s lemons come from Mexico and India. And the largest European producer is Spain, followed by Italy. Lemons serve people all over the world as food and have great benefits for healing due to the medicinal properties of the acid. Therefore, it is one of the economically important fruits. It is also believed that lemon juice was used as a contraceptive in the mid-18th century without success.

Medicinal properties of lemon

Nowadays, lemon is often used to refine cooking and baking. We also use it as a home remedy for colds, as it can help strengthen the immune system in the form of lemon juice. It also has a draining and diuretic effect, which is why it can drive toxins out of the body. But it is also indispensable in the household as a cleaning agent due to the citric acid it contains. Because it also has a disinfecting and cleaning effect.

The difference between lemon juice and citric acid

Lemon juice and citric acid are not the same. Because lemon juice describes the liquid that is obtained from the lemons. Meanwhile, citric acid is produced industrially through fermentation. With the help of mold, sugar is converted into acid and salts. But lemon juice also contains citric acid, but only in small concentrations.

Citric acid and lemons in the home

Citric acid is mainly used in cleaning. Since lemons also contain citric acid, they can also be used as a cleaning aid. She and her acidic juice find a variety of uses in every household. And is a good way to work more environmentally friendly in the household.

In addition, many cleaning and cleaning agents have a fresh lemon scent. This is why we associate the smell with cleanliness. You can also use the fruit as a miracle cure for diseases and various ailments. Consequently, we have collected the main uses of lemon:

1) Citric acid as a descaler

You can use citric acid to descale your washing machine and dishwasher. Limescale deposits can also be removed from other household appliances. To do this, dilute the citric acid with water and put it in the drum of your washing machine. Tile cleaning also works with a little lemon essence and limescale can be removed so easily.

2) Use as a fabric softener

You can also do without the fabric softener. Instead, take a squeezed lemon half to the washing machine. The remaining citric acid ensures soft laundry and a pleasant scent from the lemon peel. In addition, learn about other environmentally friendly detergent alternatives to make your own.

3) Neutralize odors with lemon

To get rid of the unpleasant smell of a smelly fridge or stinky sneakers, it is a good idea to put half a lemon in the fridge or in the sneakers. The lemon soaks up the bad odors and also absorbs a fresh lemon scent.

4) Clean the kitchen with lemons

Natural home remedies are often sufficient as cleaners for cleaning the kitchen. This includes the lemon. You can use it to clean cutlery that smells like fish. Or use lemons to clean breakfast boards. Ultimately, you can use the lemons as a cleaning agent in many different ways and they are cheap. You can use it to clean your bathroom too.

5) Clean chrome with citric acid

You can also effectively clean chrome and chrome parts with lemon. For this use commercially available lemon juice from the yellow plastic lemons. Then drip a little onto the chrome parts and polish with a cloth. As a result, the acid dissolves the dirt, leaving the fixtures sparkling clean. In addition, this household remedy is suitable for cleaning metal.

6) Remove rust with citric acid

If you have a rusty pan, you can remove it with powerful citric acid. To do this, add lukewarm water and citric acid to heavily rusted pans or pots and let the mixture take effect. Then rinse and clean with a sponge.

In contrast, if there is little rust, you can pour the mixture directly onto the sponge and use it to clean the affected areas. In addition, note other home remedies for removing rust.

7) Clean baking sheet effectively

You can also effectively clean your baking sheet with home remedies such as lemon juice. To do this, fill the tray with water and lemon juice or commercial citric acid. Then put the baking sheet in the oven at around 120 degrees. This should loosen the dirt. As a result, you can simply wipe it off with a kitchen towel afterward.

8) Clean the oven with lemons

You can just as easily clean your entire oven with lemon. After that, the oven is not only clean but bad smells are gone. All you need is fresh lemon.

9) Remove dirt from the hob

Removing burnt-in dirt from the hob can be easy. Use lemon juice for this. Because it also removes stubborn dirt. So rub the juice in well with a cloth. Then leave it on for 20-30 minutes. Finally, you can remove the dirt with water.

10) Clean washing machine with citric acid

To avoid smelly laundry, you should clean your washing machine regularly. You can use the natural home remedy baking soda and lemon. Accordingly, you can easily rid the detergent compartment of bacteria by letting it work in a lemon powder-water mixture. Here, take 3 tablespoons of lemon powder and 1 liter of water. Finally, rinse everything off well.

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health

Lipoic Acid: This Dietary Supplement Helps With Weight Loss

Alpha lipoic acid is a prime example of the advances that nutritional science has made in recent years. We tell you everything about the scientifically proven weight loss effect of lipoic acid.

What exactly is lipoic acid?

Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant that plays an important role in energy metabolism. The sulphur-containing fatty acid also neutralizes free radicals and thus slows down the aging process in the body. However, alpha lipoic acid has now come into focus mainly because of its effect on weight loss.

Scientists at Oregon State University in the US have shown that lipoic acid has a positive effect on weight loss. The researchers found that people who regularly consumed alpha lipoic acid clearly lost body fat and weight. According to the researchers, people who are very overweight and women in particular benefit from lipoic acid.

But why exactly is that? Normally, the body only produces a minimum of lipoic acid to meet the needs of the enzymes involved in energy metabolism. If you take additional alpha-lipoic acid, the fatty acid also has a positive influence on glucose metabolism, an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory effect.

Lipoic acid as a dietary supplement?

Although this assumption is still sufficiently proven, the US researchers assume that alpha-lipoic acid also has positive effects on diseases such as diabetes, heart disease or age-related cognitive impairments such as senility. According to Gerd Bobe from the research team, people who took lipoic acid showed significantly greater success in losing weight.

As a dietary supplement, the fatty acid is mainly available in pill form. A regular intake of alpha lipoic acid pills should also have a significant effect. The only downside to the pills is the higher price, according to Tory Hagen, a professor of biochemistry and biophysics at the University of Oregon. But this cannot be said in general, since you can get 60 pills for less than 20 euros.

Other areas of application

However, alpha lipoic acid does not only work when you lose weight. As a powerful antioxidant, it is also used to treat some forms of dementia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Lipoic acid is also used in cancer therapy, in heart and liver diseases or in metabolic disorders.

In general, a daily dosage of 100 to 300 mg of alpha lipoic acid is recommended. However, you should always speak to your family doctor first before treatment or dietary supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid and coordinate the dose exactly.

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Food

Lauric Acid: Occurrence and Effect of The Fatty Acid

Lauric acid is mainly obtained from laurel and used to make soap. But it is also an important component of coconut oil. In this article you can read everything you need to know about lauric acid.

Lauric acid – This is where it comes from

Lauric acid is a medium-chain saturated fatty acid named after the Latin name for laurel (Laurus nobilis). Because: The oil of the laurel plant consists mainly of lauric acid.

Lauric acid is found in the following foods:
The fruits of the laurel contain a fatty oil. This consists mainly of lauric acid.
Coconut oil is particularly well known for its lauric acid content. Cold-pressed coconut oil consists of 45 to 60 percent lauric acid.
Lauric acid is also found in palm oil.
Lauric acid is also found in breast milk, but in much lower concentrations.
Lauric acid is also found in small amounts in butter and other milk fats.

effect of lauric acid

Lauric acid is primarily said to have health-promoting effects. However, it is not entirely undisputed:
Since lauric acid is a saturated fatty acid, it is suspected of raising cholesterol levels, which in turn increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The Federal Center for Nutrition is also critical of coconut oil for this reason.
According to other research, however, lauric acid contains what is known as HDL cholesterol, which helps to protect the blood vessels. It supports the human circulatory system and reduces the risk of metabolic disease.
Compared to the problematic trans fats, lauric acid ultimately contributes to a better lipid profile and thus cholesterol levels (study). HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) is raised more than LDL cholesterol (which is considered the “bad” cholesterol).
For this reason, you should only use cold-pressed (native) coconut oil! If coconut oil is refined, the problematic trans fats are created. Then you can no longer benefit from the benefits of lauric acid.
The lauric acid also has an antimicrobial effect, as a study from 2009 shows. It provides effective protection against viruses, bacteria and fungal infections – which is also the reason why it is found in human and other mammalian breast milk.
It is also believed that lauric acid helps diabetics absorb insulin better. However, these are relatively new and not yet sufficiently substantiated conjectures.
The acid could also help with weight loss: the enzymes in lauric acid are broken down faster than other fats, which stimulates the metabolism. However, this is also not conclusively proven.
Because of its smell, lauric acid protects against ticks and some insects. Simply rub your skin (especially the exposed areas) with some coconut oil.
Similarly, lauric acid acts against mites, fleas, lice and other parasites. Rubbing coconut oil on pets and farm animals such as dogs or horses can help.
In addition, coconut oil is said to provide the muscles with energy quickly and help against muscle tension due to the lauric acid, among other things. You can rub affected muscle parts. This can help both prophylactically and with tension.

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health

Home Remedies for Heartburn and Stomach Acid

We have an overview of all-natural home remedies for heartburn. Many remedies and grandma’s recipes help with hyperacidity or unpleasant belching. Quick and useful housewife tips against heartburn.

Acidification can become noticeable through heartburn (reflux oesophagitis). Then it is helpful to combat acute heartburn and relieve symptoms in a natural, quick, and simple way. Especially with an excessive diet of acidic foods or acidic drinks.

What is heartburn?

A delicious roast with dumplings, followed by coffee and cake – sounds good, if the annoying heartburn didn’t spoil the meal afterward. The Sunday feast is sour on the stomach. And a burning pain behind the breastbone announces itself. Although the main symptom of heartburn is often harmless, it is very uncomfortable. More than a third of all adults in Germany suffer from it from time to time. And actually, our stomach acid fulfills important functions: it breaks down the chyme in the body and destroys harmful bacteria. However, too much stomach acid can cause some of it to rise back up the esophagus, causing a painful burning sensation.

Causes of heartburn

If you suffer from heartburn, it’s good to know that there are many causes of acid reflux. These include, for example, a dysfunction of the esophageal sphincter, problems with emptying the stomach due to damaged nerves, rheumatic diseases, a diaphragmatic hernia, or even a backflow of small intestine contents into the stomach. There is an increased risk, especially for pregnant women and overweight people. In addition, heartburn is favored by very unhealthy and fatty food, excessive alcohol consumption, and stress. Thus, an acidic diet is also a reason for heartburn. So what helps with strong stomach burns? We have selected natural home remedies for heartburn.

1) Balanced diet

Heartburn can often be controlled with the right food. So changing your eating habits can help. In addition, a balanced diet promotes performance and well-being. So eat both alkaline and acidic foods. Since most of us eat too much acid, it is important to counteract excess acid. Acidic foods should be consumed in moderation. These include confectionery, sugar, pasta, white bread, black tea, sausage, meat, fish, eggs, cheese, and peanuts. In contrast, alkaline foods such as vegetables, potatoes, dark lettuce, milk, fruit, soy, and dried fruit are good.

2) Baking soda for heartburn

If you suffer from hyperacidity, baking soda helps against the excess acid in your body. As a dietary supplement, you can use baking soda to counteract the formation of acid in the body without changing your diet. Because baking soda is basic, it counteracts and neutralizes the acid. Therefore, get baking soda from the pharmacy or from the supermarket, e.g. “Bulrichsalz”. Because you can take this easily and conveniently as a tablet when the heartburn becomes acute. It is also great for traveling.

3) Quick help with water and bread

If you want to balance your acid balance, drink lots of still water. Drinking plenty of water is also a good simple home remedy for colds. But definitely avoid carbonated drinks! Dry bread is also suitable. With this, you can curb acute heartburn immediately. If you don’t have any natural home remedies for heartburn on hand, bread is a good choice on the go. You should avoid white bread, toast, or very fresh bread, as these increase the symptoms. Instead, reach for rusks. Since this binds the acid, it will help you quickly.

4) Avoid coffee and alcohol if you have an upset stomach

Try to avoid coffee and alcohol. Or reduce your consumption. Because these drinks usually have a relaxing effect on the muscles of the esophagus. This makes it easier for reflux and heartburn is the result. Alcohol and coffee also stimulate acid production in the stomach. You should definitely avoid that.

5) Exercises for heartburn

You can alleviate your symptoms with simple exercises. Proper breathing can help.

6) Luvo’s healing earth against the smell of eggs when burping

If you keep burping and it smells and tastes like eggs, then too many gases are being produced. Because the smell of eggs occurs when protein chains are broken down. For example by eating eggs, meat or fish. A treatment with Luvo’s healing earth will help you with this. Internal use binds the acids and gases of digestion. And this is how it works: Dissolve the healing clay in water. Then drink it. It may take some getting used to, but it helps a lot. It is also an advantage that you drink so much. You also absorb important minerals for your digestion.

Green mineral clay

The green mineral earth has a similar effect to healing earth and sodium salt. Because it contains many minerals to neutralize the acid. As a dietary supplement, it is more pleasant to administer than the healing earth.

7) Beans as an antidote for heartburn

Heartburn is very uncomfortable. And many people struggle with it every day. It can also lead to esophageal cancer. Therefore, you should eliminate the causes of heartburn. Natural home remedies for heartburn can help you with this. By eating 3 raw azuki beans you will relieve your ailment. Because they bind the stomach acid and the burning subsides very quickly. Also, note our home remedies for swallowing problems.

8) Drink tea when acidic

A good remedy to calm an upset stomach is tea. Because the warm tea is not only pleasant for the esophagus and stomach, it also ensures relaxation. Especially recommended for heartburn are healing green tea or fennel tea, licorice tea, and the varieties aniseed and caraway. In addition, fennel and caraway are quick to help with stomach pain. But you should avoid peppermint tea. Since the essential oils in the tea also irritate your stomach.

9) Oatmeal for heartburn

A true miracle cure for heartburn: eat oatmeal. Because the starch of the oatmeal binds the acid. And the contained protein reduces an acidic pH value. You should chew the oatmeal in your mouth for a long time. Alternatively, you can soak them in water or milk and then eat them. Oatmeal is also one of the many beneficial superfoods.

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Lifestyle

Formic Acid: Properties, Application and Distinctive Features

Formic acid is a natural defense product whose special properties can also be useful for humans. Here you can find out everything about the acid.

Formic acid: properties and occurrence

Formic acid, also known as formic acid, is a colourless, clear and corrosive liquid. As the name suggests, it is part of the substance that ants produce to defend themselves against natural enemies. The acid accounts for up to 50 percent of the insect’s body weight.

But not only ants use formic acid to ward off enemies or to attack – it is widespread in nature. For example, scorpions and jellyfish use their caustic effect, as do some plants. The most famous example is probably the stinging nettle. Their stinging hairs are filled with nettle poison, which consists of formic acid, among other things. Even tobacco and honey contain small amounts of formic acid. How corrosive the liquid is depends on the dosage.

In addition, formic acid should:
have a strong and pungent odor,
irritate the skin and mucous membranes,
be highly flammable and water soluble,
Good to know: Formic acid used to be obtained directly from ants, but today it is only produced synthetically. So insects no longer have to die for it.

Formic acid: application and special features

Formic acid has a useful function not only in the animal kingdom. Humans have also discovered the peculiarities of acid for themselves.

Formic acid is said to inhibit the growth of bacteria and other germs. Because of this special feature, the acid is often used as a disinfectant and preservative for fish, fruit and vegetables. In the meantime, however, formic acid is no longer permitted as a food additive in Germany.
Beekeepers also use the antibacterial effect of formic acid. It also helps fight mites. The small parasites can weaken and even kill the bees. Thus, mites are partly responsible for the enormous death of bees. Affected bees also become less efficient and can produce less honey. Formic acid is an effective antidote.
Formic acid also fulfills an important function in the chemical industry. Manufacturers use them to stain and impregnate leather and many other textiles.
Another important area of ​​application is homeopathy. Here the formic acid is used as an allergy agent. In the case of an allergy, your body reacts with defense reactions to actually harmless substances in the environment. By taking diluted formic acid as a stimulant, your immune system is supposed to be stimulated before the allergy season. This allows the immune system to regulate itself and return to normal. This is to prevent an allergic reaction. Common areas of application in homeopathy are hay fever, bronchial asthma and allergic skin reactions.
Medicine uses formic acid as an antirheumatic agent, as it is said to have anti-inflammatory properties. It is also used against warts. Formic acid is also said to promote blood circulation. Therefore, it is also used for the external treatment of muscle and joint complaints – but sufficiently diluted, otherwise the acid can cause skin irritation and chemical burns.

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