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You can quickly become annoyed in traffic. But honking is not allowed in every situation. If you press the horn too quickly, you may be committing an offence.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a horn or headlight flasher: They are only allowed on these occasions

Flashing the headlights without a good reason always costs 10 euros – whether with or without annoyance. However, if you only behave prudently and only want to warn other road users of a dangerous situation, you don’t have to answer for it either. However, one should not try to educate others with these means. Because this is definitely not allowed.

The situation is different with the sound signals that electric cars emit. Up to a speed of up to 20 km/h or when reversing, these warnings are even expressly permitted by law to avoid danger.

However, anyone who installs a different horn in their vehicle than the one provided by the vehicle manufacturer should bear in mind that multi-tone horns and horns that are too loud are not permitted. When measured at a distance of 7 m, their volume must under no circumstances exceed the limit of 105 dB(A).

Intermittent fasting is becoming increasingly popular. A study has examined how useful intermittent fasting is to lose weight – and found the answer to the question of whether you can still drink your coffee with milk in the morning.

Doing intermittent fasting correctly: You should pay attention to this

Many people can easily integrate intermittent fasting into their everyday lives. The body is given a break for a certain period of time during which it is not supplied with any calories.

Intermittent fasting is becoming increasingly popular for weight loss or general health and wellness. There are almost no regulations as far as eating is concerned – except that breaks have to be taken in between. Another form of fasting, for example, is therapeutic fasting, which involves fasting for several days or even weeks at a time.

For example, it is possible to eat only eight hours a day and fast for the remaining 16 hours (8:16 method).
Alternatively, one can eat normally five days a week and be largely starved two days a week, that is, consuming no more than about 500 calories (5:2 method).
With alternate-day fasting, you alternate between fasting on one day and eating without restrictions on one day (1:1 method).

Rules for intermittent fasting: is coffee with milk allowed?

For many, coffee in the morning is indispensable. But does the stimulant have to be left out during the fasting phase?

Basically, fasting people can drink coffee, unsweetened tea and water at any time during intermittent fasting. Caffeine even helps you get through “hunger time” by curbing your appetite.

But if you don’t drink your coffee black, you have to say goodbye to it during Lent: Milk and sugar are taboo during this period. Because the body should not be supplied with any calories during the rest phase.

Autophagy: Cell cleaning through intermittent fasting strengthens the immune system

In addition to its function as a diet, intermittent fasting should also strengthen the immune system of the person losing weight. dr Matthias Riedl explains to the NDR how regular breaks in eating can promote so-called autophagy.

Autophagy is the self-cleaning of cells, an intercellular process that breaks down defective or damaged proteins and organelles.

The temporary renunciation gives the body a break in which autophagy is stimulated and stimulated. Degradation can be understood as the body’s own recycling program, which generates energy from cellular waste. The more autophagy that occurs in an organism, the older it gets and the healthier it stays.

Study proves positive health effects

A recent study by researchers at the University of Graz, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, also shows that intermittent fasting has a positive effect on health. Not only did it lead to weight loss after four weeks, but it also regulated cholesterol levels, had a positive effect on blood pressure and abdominal fat, and reduced inflammation.

As part of the study, 60 healthy volunteers were divided into two groups. One fasted intermittently for four weeks, the second maintained the current lifestyle. “The study was supplemented by a further 30 subjects who had been doing alternate day fasting for more than six months,” the study directors explain. “It also gave us a first, unique look at the long-term effects of alternate day fasting.”

The goal of the research team was to study the effects of intermittent fasting on both body weight and molecular mechanisms in healthy volunteers. The strict observance of the fasting days was closely monitored by continuous glucose measurement.

Lost 3.5 kilos of body weight in four weeks

The results of the study paint a clear picture: “Within just four weeks, the study participants reduced their body weight by an average of around 3.5 kilograms, with the average starting weight being 76 kilograms,” reports Thomas Pieber. The researchers not only observed a significant weight reduction in the fasting participants, they also recorded an increase in ketone bodies. “These arise as a by-product of fat burning in the event of a carbohydrate deficiency and are suspected of having age-protective effects. In addition, the fasting cohort showed a reduction in specific amino acid levels, cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, abdominal fat and inflammation parameters .

These effects are associated with positive health consequences, Frank Madeo summarizes the insights into the molecular mechanisms. In addition, the researchers found a mild reduction in the thyroid hormone T3 in the fasting people while the thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH increased – a status that has already been linked to longevity in numerous studies.

“Intermittent fasting is a very simple but extremely effective dietary principle,” says Harald Sourij. Building on these results, the researchers will begin their second study in the fall, which will examine intermittent fasting in patients with type II diabetes mellitus who already require insulin therapy.

Intermittent fasting as a therapy for diabetes

In addition, the research team at the German Institute for Human Nutrition (DIfE) discovered a connection between the diet method of intermittent fasting and type 2 diabetes. The positive effect of intermittent fasting could be a promising therapeutic approach against blood sugar in the near future.

In contrast, another study found that there is not much of a difference between intermittent fasting and a regular weight-loss diet. Criticism can also be leveled at the study by the Graz researchers: It is not clear whether the positive effects of intermittent fasting are really due to the meal breaks or solely to the reduction in the number of calories. In addition, the study with almost 100 participants is not representative. This leaves the question open as to whether it is really better to fast or whether it is enough to eat less.

Many coffee lovers don’t want to do without their daily cup of coffee, even during pregnancy. But how much coffee is allowed?

Is Coffee Healthy During Pregnancy?

Women pay particular attention to their diet during pregnancy. After all, the unborn child and the mother should not lack for anything. It is all the more important to know food and its effects. This also applies to coffee and in particular the caffeine contained in coffee. According to studies and experts, the consumption of the drink is not prohibited in principle, but should be restricted. The European Food Supply Authority recommends a maximum of around 200 mg of caffeine per day for pregnant and breastfeeding women, which is equivalent to just over one cup (200 ml) of filter coffee. Typically, up to 400 mg of caffeine per day would be fine for an adult. There are no restrictions such as only drinking coffee up to a certain point in pregnancy or not drinking coffee shortly before the due date.

Lighter birth weight

Coffee is made up of more than 1000 substances, all of which can have different effects on the body. Caffeine has a particularly large impact. Researchers from Norway have found that regular coffee consumption can have an impact on the child’s birth weight. Children born to high-consumer coffee drinkers had a lighter weight at birth than children born to women who abstained from coffee. This is harmless in healthy children. However, if the baby is born prematurely, every gram of birth weight can make a difference.

Restless babies in the womb

Babies are nourished in the womb via the placenta. This also passes caffeine on to the child when the pregnant woman drinks coffee. In general, caffeine has the following effects on the body: Caffeine stimulates the heart rate and metabolism for a short time. Caffeine can have similar effects on the unborn child. This can cause the fetus to become restless in the womb. In addition, regular coffee drinking can lead to the mother producing more urine, sleepless nights and headaches after the caffeine has been filtered out of the system. Because the fetus lacks a liver enzyme, it takes nearly 20 times as long to break down caffeine. In addition, the absorption of iron from food is inhibited.

There is so much caffeine in cappuccino, latte macchiato and co.

Pregnant women should make sure that their total caffeine intake does not exceed 200 milligrams of caffeine. But caffeine cannot only be ingested by consuming black coffee. Caffeine is also found in latte macchiato, cappuccino, tea and cola. To give you an overview, we have put together a list of caffeinated drinks for you:

Filter coffee: Up to 80 mg of caffeine per 100 ml
Espresso: Up to 110 mg of caffeine per 100 ml
Cappuccino: Up to 30 mg of caffeine per 100 ml
Cocoa: Up to 11 mg of caffeine per 100 ml
Black Tea: Up to 50 mg caffeine per 100 ml
Cola/Cola zero: Up to 10 mg caffeine per 100 ml
Cola light: up to 12 mg caffeine per 100 ml
Club-Mate: up to 20 mg caffeine per 100 ml
Energy drink (varies depending on the variety): up to 32 mg caffeine per 100 ml (Red Bull)

What coffee alternatives are there for pregnant women?

To be on the safe side, many pregnant women avoid coffee. For those who find it difficult to wait more than nine months to enjoy it, we have various coffee alternatives:

Decaffeinated coffee: The number 1 alternative is the decaffeinated version of the classic. Our tip: For quality reasons, choose a decaffeinated coffee with an organic seal of approval. However, you should also watch the amount here, as excessive consumption of decaffeinated coffee can lead to stomach upset.

Muckefuck: Another alternative is the so-called Muckefuck. The drink with the unusual name is mostly made from grain and contains no caffeine. It is also referred to as “fake coffee” because although no coffee beans are used, the drink tastes slightly like coffee due to the chicory ingredient. Chicory (or “common chicory”) is a plant that often grows along roadsides.

Fruit and vegetable juices: If you don’t get out of bed well in the morning, you can use a freshly squeezed fruit or vegetable juice. The numerous vitamins are also a good freshness kick.

After childbirth: can breastfeeding women drink coffee?

Women should also limit their coffee consumption while breastfeeding. The infant can continue to absorb caffeine through breast milk. According to the German Society for Nutrition, however, breastfeeding women can safely consume a little more caffeine than pregnant women. The guide value is around 300 mg per day, which corresponds to around two cups (200 ml each) of filter coffee. According to the Professional Association of Pediatricians in Thuringia, there is no precise research into how much coffee is “safe” for breastfeeding mothers and their children. However, we already know that too much coffee can cause sleep disorders in babies. Caffeine can also cause stomach pain and bloating in babies. Breastfeeding women should therefore continue to pay attention to how much caffeine they consume per day.

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in Europe and is particularly appreciated at work. That is why a fully automatic coffee machine is available in many companies. But can an employee take a coffee break at work at any time? What exactly is allowed? We’ll enlighten you!

You will also find a detailed guide on the subject of drinking behavior in this blog article. We will show you how the optimal liquid should be beforehand and what risks can occur if you drink too little. We will then give you our tips and tricks for proper drinking habits.

Drinking coffee during working hours: What are employees allowed and not allowed to do?

A coffee in the office is a must for many. On average, around 25,744 cups of coffee are drunk every minute at work throughout Germany, as it has a positive effect on concentration. And of course we like it too.

A short coffee break in between refreshes tired employees and helps them get through a sometimes strenuous working day. Many employees also see a coffee machine in the office as appreciation of their work and are therefore happy to help themselves to the delicious hot drink. But can employees take a longer coffee break at any time?

Coffee regulations in the workplace

According to the Working Hours Act, everyone is entitled to a half-hour break if they work six to nine hours a day. Everything is allowed during this break: Surfing the web privately, chatting with colleagues and sitting comfortably in the office kitchen with a coffee. This is purely a rest period, which should also be used as such. And during the break time you can of course drink as much coffee as you like. However, you should be careful if drinking coffee extends to the time outside of the break, namely during working hours. Of course, there is nothing wrong with getting up briefly during work and taking a coffee to your desk. However, if you stay longer in the coffee kitchen and maybe start a private conversation with a colleague, things look different. In the legal sense, this is a break in which no work is performed. So anyone who inserts longer coffee breaks into their actual working hours runs the risk of a warning or even dismissal.

Drinking behavior in offices

After these somewhat dry facts, let’s move on to something more exciting: ideal drinking behavior.

Have you ever thought about your daily coffee drinking habits at work? Do you often use the fully automatic coffee machine in the office? Pay attention to how many glasses of water or cups of coffee you drink? Have you set a personal goal that you try to achieve every day? Read more about the general drinking behavior in German offices here.

General recommendation for your drinking habits

The human brain consists to a very large extent of water. Therefore, regular hydration is very important. The less we drink, the more we suffer from physical stress. But not only our brain, but also our other organs need liquid to be able to work properly.

A liquid intake of approx. 1.5 to 2 liters per day is recommended for ideal drinking behaviour. Depending on the weather and activity, you may need a little more. But be careful: not all liquids are the same. Water and unsweetened fruit and herbal teas are best. But vegetable and fruit juices can also be drunk without any problems. However, fruit juices are best enjoyed as a spritzer, as they contain a lot of sugar. Black tea and coffee are also allowed in the workplace in moderation. However, you should not go to the fully automatic coffee machine in the office more than four times a day. Lemonades and soft drinks as well as alcoholic beverages should not be included in the daily fluid intake.

If we drink enough liquid, our organs function properly. We are doing well and we can work with concentration.

What are the consequences of improper drinking behavior in the office?

Anyone who does not drink enough liquid quickly suffers from sometimes unpleasant symptoms that can only be alleviated by drinking enough liquid. Our body needs fluid to function properly. The following symptoms can occur with incorrect drinking behavior:

Headaches: Headaches are often one of the first symptoms
Lack of concentration: We are easily distracted and forgetful
Tiredness: We have the feeling that we are not really awake
Circulatory problems: we feel dizzy, it starts spinning
Dry skin, lips, tongue and throat: Our skin is constantly hydrated
If there is a deficiency, the skin and lips become dry, brittle and crack. It may take a few days for the skin and lips to recover. Our throat and tongue feel dry, making it difficult to swallow.

A cup of coffee in the morning for the perfect start to the day or an enjoyable cappuccino in the afternoon as a little break – for many Eropeans, coffee is simply a part of life. And even during pregnancy, many expectant mothers do not want to do without the popular pick-me-up. But is coffee even allowed during pregnancy? And what effects does the caffeine in coffee have on the unborn baby?

The popular hot drink gives you an energy boost and makes you feel good. The reason for this is the dose of the stimulant caffeine contained in the coffee. It increases heart rate and blood pressure rises. We feel more awake. In women who drink coffee during pregnancy, the blood flow to the placenta also decreases. The caffeine can pass through the placenta unfiltered and enters the bloodstream of the unborn baby. As a result, the baby absorbs as much caffeine as its mother. Side effects such as an increased risk of premature birth or miscarriage and low birth weight can result.

Enjoy coffee in moderation during pregnancy

But the good news for all expectant mothers is that you don’t have to do without a cup of coffee completely. A caffeine dose of around 200 milligrams per day is safe for the baby. That equates to about two to three cups of filter coffee a day. Nothing stands in the way of morning coffee during pregnancy.

It is important to remember that caffeine is also found in other foods and beverages. This includes, for example, cola, black or green tea or chocolate.

Conclusion

Expectant mothers do not have to give up coffee completely during pregnancy. However, unborn babies consume the same dose of caffeine as mothers. It is therefore advisable to reduce coffee consumption during pregnancy and only enjoy it in moderation. It is crucial that pregnant women are only allowed to consume around 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. Since caffeine is not only found in coffee, but also in other drinks and foods, the specified dose can quickly be exceeded. A cup of decaffeinated coffee is a good alternative. Pregnant women can also use mint tea or a glass of fresh juice to get their circulation going.