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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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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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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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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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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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Arachidonic Acid: These Foods Contain The Fatty Acid

The immune system does not work without arachidonic acid – the immune system reacts sensitively if the amounts are too large. If you eat a balanced diet and avoid certain foods, the fatty acid will not cause you any problems.

What the body needs arachidonic acid for

Arachidonic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid that belongs to the group of omega-6 fatty acids. It is mainly found in animal foods: Larger amounts are mainly found in meat, animal fats such as butter and offal.

The arachidonic acid provides the building blocks for hormones with which the body can activate the immune system. The counterpart, the off switch so to speak, is mainly provided by the omega-3 fatty acids.

But arachidonic acid is not one of the essential fatty acids in the narrower sense.

The science magazine Spektrum explains why: the body can absorb arachidonic acid from meals, but it can also produce it itself from linoleic acid. Therefore, arachidonic acid is one of the semi-essential fatty acids.
Linoleic acid, on the other hand, is an essential fatty acid: the body cannot produce it itself, but can only absorb it from food. Linoleic acid is found in plant foods such as sunflower oil or walnuts, but also in meat and dairy products.

Arachidonic acid: These foods are particularly high

Some foods are particularly high in arachidonic acid. If you suffer from rheumatism or arthrosis, you should remove them from your diet if possible. Otherwise, it is recommended not to take them in large quantities.

These animal products are rich in arachidonic acid (the information relates to 100 grams):
Pork Lard: Contains 1.7 grams of arachidonic acid — by far the most of the products on this list. Attention: Pastries with lard, such as shortbread cookies and other Christmas cookies, often contain large amounts of the problematic fatty acid.
Liver and Liverwurst:
Pork liver (870 milligrams)
Calf liver (352 milligrams)
Liverwurst (230 milligrams)
pork (120 milligrams) and streaky bacon (250 milligrams).
Fish: Some types of fish not only contain omega-3 fatty acids, but also arachidonic acid. These include above all:
Salmon (300 milligrams)
Tuna (280 milligrams)
Redfish (240 milligrams)
Carp (190 milligrams)
Eel (120 milligrams)
Chicken eggs: On average, you get about 70 milligrams of arachidonic acid with eggs. It mainly collects in the yolk – 100 grams of yolk contain almost 300 milligrams.

These animal products, on the other hand, contain less arachidonic acid:
Poultry: The lean brisket is better suited to a low-arachidon diet: chicken contains an average of 112 milligrams and turkey 50 milligrams. The meat on the legs contains more of the fatty acid: chicken has 190 milligrams and turkey 150 milligrams.
Beef or veal: fillets and lean muscle meat contain relatively little arachidonic acid. There are 53 milligrams in 100 grams of veal and around 70 milligrams in 100 grams of beef.
Dairy products:
Butter (83 milligrams)
Fatty cheeses such as Camembert (34 milligrams at 60 percent fat) or Tilsiter (27 milligrams)
whipping cream (32 milligrams)

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Food

Phytic Acid: What You Need to Know About The Plant Substance

Phytic acid is found in whole grains, seeds, legumes and nuts. We explain what you should know about the effects of phytic acid.

Phytic acid is a phytochemical found primarily in protein-rich plant foods. According to the consumer advice center, you will find the ingredient mainly in the following products:
whole grains
Pseudo-cereals, for example buckwheat
seeds
legumes
nuts
Phytic acid is said to reduce the absorption of other nutrients in the body. That is why it is also called an antinutrient.

Phytic acid – an “antinutrient”

According to the health portal, phytic acid can form bonds with many minerals and trace elements, for example with iron or zinc. Such compounds that are formed during digestion are called phytates.

For example, rolled oats contain phytic acid and iron. When you digest oatmeal, the iron binds to the phytic acid, making it harder for the body to access.

However, the above foods not only contain phytic acid, but also an enzyme called phytase. When this enzyme is activated, it breaks down phytic acid, making more micronutrients available to the body.

Avoid whole grains because of phytic acid?

So is phytic acid good or bad? And is whole grain really that healthy?

According to the consumer center and the specialist portals, you don’t have to worry about nutrient deficiencies if you eat a balanced diet. Because how well the body can absorb nutrients from a food depends not only on the phytic acid content, but also on other ingredients. In addition, whole grain not only contains more phytic acid than white flour, but also more vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

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Food

Left-Handed or Right-Handed Lactic Acid: Which is Healthier?

Right-handed lactic acid is said to be healthier than left-handed. But, is this really the truth? We explain how the two lactic acids differ and what is behind them.

Lactic acid is found in a wide variety of foods. It is not only found in dairy products, but also in sauerkraut, for example, and as an additive in jams and preserves. Lactic acid is formed in dairy products when lactic acid bacteria convert lactose. The acid ensures that the food does not spoil as quickly and tastes sour. There are two different types of lactic acid: left-handed and right-handed lactic acid. We explain how they differ.

Left-handed and right-handed lactic acid

When scientists want to find out whether they are looking at left- or right-handed lactic acid, they shine light on it. Because the two lactic acids change certain properties of light in different ways: Strictly speaking, light is a wave that oscillates up and down in a certain way. This is called polarization. Left-handed lactic acid turns this polarization (i.e. the direction of oscillation of the light) to the left and right-handed ones to the right.

How can that be? Both types of lactic acid have a slightly different structure. They both contain two bonded carbon atoms, to which one oxygen and one hydrogen atom are attached. In the left-handed lactic acid, both of these little oxygen-hydrogen arms are on the same side, but not in the right-hand one. The right-handed lactic acid is “twisted in on itself”.

Left-handed and right-handed lactic acid: Mixed in nature

Lactic acid is not the only substance that can exist in different forms. Another example is amino acids. What is unique, however, is that both left- and right-handed lactic acid occur in nature. When you eat a food that has lactic acid, it’s usually a mixture of both.

But there are also yoghurts on which the manufacturers advertise that they contain a particularly large amount of dextrorotatory lactic acid. This variant is considered healthier. But is that true?

Is dextrorotatory lactic acid really healthier?

It seems logical that right-handed lactic acid is healthier than left-handed. According to Stiftung Warentest, it is the only one that is a product of human metabolism. In addition, the human body can break down dextrorotary lactic acid more quickly. The body must first convert left-handed lactic acid into right-handed ones in order to metabolize it.

For a long time there was a suspicion that left-handed lactic acid could acidify the blood. However, scientists could not confirm this suspicion. Instead, both variants are considered equally healthy.

Exception: Babies lack the enzyme that converts left-handed into right-handed lactic acid. Therefore they do not tolerate left-turning lactic acid. The Federal Center for Nutrition recommends giving small children sour milk products such as yoghurt only from their first birthday and then only in small quantities. People who are missing part of the intestine sometimes cannot tolerate levorotatory lactic acid either.

Lactic acid for a good intestinal flora

It doesn’t matter whether it’s left-handed or right-handed: lactic acid is healthy.
According to the UGB health platform, lactic acid stimulates digestion, regulates the body’s acid balance and has positive effects on the intestinal mucosa.
In addition, lactic acid occurs together with its producers, the lactic acid bacteria. These support a healthy intestinal flora.

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