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Attention, Unhealthy: You Should Avoid These 3 Drinks

Drinking a lot is known to be very important. An adult needs between two and three liters of fluid a day. But you should rather do without three drinks.

#1 Lemonade

One of the favorite drinks of many people are sodas, like cola or similar. But because of their high sugar content, they not only damage the teeth, but also our intestinal flora. The excessive sweetener promotes both obesity and inflammation, which can lead to various diseases.

Consumption of sugary sodas increases the risk of disease

Cola in particular is very high on the red list with almost ten teaspoons of sugar. Regular consumption of sugary drinks can significantly increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and fatty liver.

#2 alcohol

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a white sausage breakfast or a champagne reception, especially in Germany a beer after work or a glass of wine with dinner is part of the order of the day – but regular alcohol consumption is bad for your health. It is well known that alcohol damages the liver: regular drinking can lead to fatty liver or cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and heart attacks. But excessive consumption can also cause damage to the brain. This is mainly shown by a poor memory or lack of concentration.

Moderation rather than abstinence counts when it comes to alcohol consumption

Alcohol is a trigger for many diseases, which is why the motto when consuming alcoholic beverages applies: in moderation, not in bulk! You don’t have to give up alcohol completely, but reducing your consumption can’t hurt.

#3 Energy drinks

Pupils and students in particular like to use an energy drink as an energy booster or pick-me-up during the exam phases or after a long night of partying. But just like sodas, these drinks also have a very high sugar content, which has a negative effect on health.

In addition to sugar, energy drinks also contain caffeine. This can increase blood pressure and heart rate, which is why these drinks should be consumed with caution, especially by people with cardiovascular diseases.

Trembling and sweating after energy drinks: be careful with pick-me-ups

Regular consumption can lead to nausea, headaches, insomnia, nervousness and sweating. Particularly heavy consumption of energy drinks can trigger cardiovascular diseases and circulatory collapse.

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Lifestyle

You Must Pay Attention to this with the Stroller

Finding the right stroller can be quite difficult. However, the following tips will keep you on the safe side.

Appearance isn’t everything when it comes to prams

Much more important are comfort and functionality. Is the child comfortable? Is there enough lying space (approx. 80 cm in length and approx. 35 cm in width)? You can also choose between a hard-shell stroller or a combinable stroller with a soft, removable carrycot that you can later convert into a buggy. The latter is clearly recommended if you want to save yourself the purchase of a buggy.

In addition to the lying surface, it is necessary that there is enough space to stow away diapers, baby food, any purchases, toys, and everything else that might be needed on the go. The stroller should also be stable, so you can be sure that nothing will happen if your child moves a little more violently. A special version of the stroller is the baby seat with chassis. You can transport the baby from day one and then easily remove the baby seat from the chassis and attach it to the car.

Also fully functional when mobile – brakes and suspension

Of course, driving comfort is just as important. A good suspension is therefore absolutely necessary – a soft suspension and larger wheels are advisable if you want to use more uneven roads, a slightly firmer suspension, and small wheels if you are more likely to be on asphalt, i.e. on level roads, in the city. A well-functioning parking brake is also necessary because you don’t want the stroller to roll away if you’re not paying attention for a moment.

Is the trunk of the car big enough?

Swivel slides also allow you to quickly change direction with your stroller and with height-adjustable slides you can adjust the push handles perfectly to your size. If you also own a car and plan to go on longer trips, it is also advisable to try out whether the stroller fits in the trunk before you buy it. Most sellers are so accommodating that you can try before you buy to make sure everything fits. Keep in mind that the weight of the stroller should be such that you can lift it without hesitation and also transport it over short distances (e.g. on stairs or on public transport). A well-insulated canopy is advisable so that the child can sleep peacefully and quietly. Defy wind and weather with the right cover for your stroller.

Which stroller is right for me and my baby?

It is up to you which car you ultimately choose. It is important that the stroller adapts to your needs and plans and is a safe and comfortable means of transport for your child. It is therefore essential to pay attention to the TÜV marking and/or the GS mark. In any case, the stroller purchase should be well planned. Do not save at the wrong end, because it is an investment that pays off in any case.

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Food

Planting Pole Beans: What You Have to Pay Attention to When Growing and Caring For Them

Planting runner beans is easy. The plants are undemanding and bring good yields. We explain to you what you have to pay attention to when growing.

Planting pole beans – you should know that

If you want to provide yourself with vegetables, runner beans should not be missing in your garden. They are easy to grow and produce good yields over a long period of time. The plants keep forming new pods and you can harvest regularly over a long period of time. Because they mainly grow tall, you can harvest a lot of vegetables from a relatively small area in your garden.

Planting runner beans – These points are important

If you want to grow runner beans, you have to consider several points:
Beans are weak eaters – meaning they only need a small amount of nutrients. Pole beans, however, have slightly higher requirements than other types of beans. Therefore, it makes sense if you prepare the bed with some compost.
Runner beans live up to their name: they need a pole to help them climb. Depending on the variety, they grow 1.5 to 4 meters in height.
A good climbing aid are long bamboo sticks. Plant four equally spaced in the ground and tie the top ends together. If you want to grow more beans, you can set up the poles in two rows using the same principle. Then tie two together at the top and connect them to each other with a crossbar at the top.
Pole beans only germinate above 12 degrees Celsius. Therefore, only plant them when the soil has warmed up and no more frosts are to be expected. From the “Ice Saints” in mid-May you are on the safe side.
The beans need a sunny, warm location if possible.

Prepare the bed for runner beans

Even if runner beans are quite undemanding, you should prepare the bed properly. In this case, this means that you have to loosen the soil well. Now you should set up the climbing aids. Make sure the trellises are long enough for your type of bean. Set up the poles at a distance of 50 to 70 centimeters from each other.

Then place five beans three centimeters deep in the soil at equal intervals around each pole. The warmer it is, the faster they germinate.

Maintain runner beans

Pole beans begin to germinate just a few days after sowing. Once they are about 6 inches tall, cover them with soil. This makes them more stable and forms additional roots. As a rule, the young shoots quickly find their way to the climbing aid. If that doesn’t work, you can easily tie them up with a piece of string.

Runner beans grow incredibly fast. You will be amazed. Once the beans have sprouted and found support on the trellis, your task is limited to regular, thorough watering. Pole beans need a lot of water.

Harvest runner beans

It won’t be long before your runner beans start producing flowers, which eventually become pods. Harvest time is from the end of July. The young beans are particularly tender. When ripening, the individual beans form a hard skin in the pod.

You should always use two hands to harvest beans. With one hand you hold the tendril just above the pod, with the other you pluck off the pod.

IMPORTANT: Raw beans are poisonous! They contain the protein phasin. The substance is only broken down by cooking.

Regular harvesting and thorough watering ensure you high and consistent yields. As the gardening season draws to a close, allow some pods to fully mature. When the husk is brown and dried up in late fall, you can harvest it and have your own seed for next year.

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Lifestyle

Finding a Good Hairdresser – You Should Pay Attention to This

A surprising number of customers are dissatisfied with the hairstyle, the service, or the costs after visiting the hairdresser. However, if you heed a few small pieces of advice, you can find a good hairdresser for yourself.

Everyone knows the problem: you move and eventually need a visit to the hairdresser. Or the regular hairdresser you’ve always been to suddenly close. What to do? Helplessly go to the first salon you come across and hope you’re satisfied? Surveys show that many customers leave the store unsatisfied. However, this can be avoided if you know how to go about your search for a good hairdresser.

Use someone else’s knowledge when looking for a hairdresser

First, you should explore yourself among friends, relatives, and co-workers. Listen carefully to the answers and pay attention to details. This allows you to roughly filter which salons come into question. If a good shop is recommended to you, feel free to test it out.

You can also look at advertisements: radio or television spots, as well as regional newspapers or advertising posters, may provide indications of good salons. But be careful, not every advertisement should be trusted blindly. Approach the matter critically and don’t let anything talk you into it.

Look at the hairdresser yourself and make experiences

If you have decided on a few salons in the pre-selection, refine your search. A first conversation with the shops of choice can be very helpful. Call them or stop by in person: ask about the prices for the hairstyle you want and don’t hesitate to ask about the service – is a head massage or a cup of coffee included in the price?

Pay attention to details in the salon: Is the shop carelessly furnished or creatively designed? If you are not able to furnish a shop nicely, you will also have problems mustering enough creativity for a beautiful hairstyle.

Take a look at the employees there: Do you like their hairstyle? The haircuts of the salon employees are often a good indication of how the salon works. If their cuts are not clean, you can actually leave the shop immediately.

Finally, give the store of your choice a chance. Pay attention to the cleanliness of the store, advice before the haircut, the execution of the cut, as well as tips and advice on the hairstyle. If you are satisfied, you have found a good hairdresser – if not, keep looking. Worth it.

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Food

Coffee Types at a Glance: What You Should Pay Attention to When Buying

Whether cappuccino, espresso or americano – coffee is more popular than ever. We give you an overview of the most important types of coffee and show you what is important when buying one.

For many, coffee is the pick-me-up in the morning or the obligatory conclusion to a delicious meal. Coffee is very popular: around 0.4 l of coffee is consumed per person per day. The selection on the coffee shelves in supermarkets is correspondingly large.

We explain to you:
what types of coffee there are and how different types of coffee are made from them
how coffee is grown
what problems there are in the conventional coffee trade and
what you as a consumer should pay attention to when buying coffee.

Overview of the types of coffee: Coffea Arabica at the top

There are over 100 different types of coffee worldwide, which differ in their biological basis.
With a share of around 70% in the global coffee trade, Coffea Arabica is by far the dominant type of coffee. It is characterized by a comparatively low caffeine content and its characteristic aroma. In areas with a tropical climate, Arabica is mostly grown at high altitudes. The largest growing areas are in Brazil, Colombia and Central America.
Compared to Arabica coffee, Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) is significantly more resistant and faster-growing. With a market share of almost 30%, this gives it second place among the most traded types of coffee worldwide. However, it has higher acidity and tastes less aromatic, which is why it is often used for the production of cheap coffee.
Other types of coffee such as Liberica and Maragogype only have a very small market share. The Maragogype bean is particularly low in acid and has a low caffeine content. The Liberica bean, on the other hand, has a tart aroma and a comparatively large amount of caffeine.
Within the different types of coffee, there are a large number of subtypes that differ in their characteristic taste and contribute to coffee diversity.

Type of coffee is not the same type of coffee

But how is it that we basically only have two different types of coffee, but can’t decide on the coffee shelves because of all the different types of coffee? The type of coffee is only the basis of the different types of coffee, the variety of varieties results from different cultivation conditions and manufacturing processes:
The soil and the climate influence the ripening process and thus the taste
After harvesting, there are various methods of separating the coffee beans from the pulp and drying them
Roasting time: espresso beans are roasted much longer than coffee beans
Often certain types of coffee are so-called blends, i.e. a mixture of different types of coffee. The mixture creates new flavors or ensures that certain types of coffee always taste exactly the same.

Is expensive coffee good coffee?

We can answer this question with a conditional “No”, because unfortunately it is not that simple. While high-quality coffee tends to be more expensive than lower-quality coffee, price is not a guarantee of high quality or environmental friendliness.

The coffee variety Kopi Luwak, for example, is relatively expensive, but highly questionable from an environmental point of view. These coffee beans travel through the digestive tract of civets, giving them their characteristic aroma. However, the civets are kept in cages in questionable circumstances and are often fed only coffee beans, leading to severe nutritional deficiencies.

Pure coffees that come from a specific growing area and are not mixed with other beans often have a higher price. As a consumer, you know where your coffee comes from and you usually get high-quality coffee beans.

Risks and problems in conventional coffee cultivation

The cultivation, harvesting and processing of coffee is very labor intensive and expensive. The conventional trade in coffee has some problems:
80% of coffee is produced by small farmers who own less than 10 hectares of land. The small farming families have low harvest yields
About half of the coffee market is dominated by international roasting and trading companies. These determine the price, in which the coffee farmers have no say.
Increasing costs for cultivation and pests, which are increasingly occurring as a result of climate change, pose major problems for coffee farmers.
In addition, coffee is often grown in monocultures, which are treated with pesticides

Less is more – why coffee should be a (rare) luxury food

In view of the high level of coffee consumption, we would like to point out at this point that coffee production uses a lot of water. For the production of 1 cup of coffee 140 liters of water are used (the so-called virtual water). Very large quantities of coffee are traded worldwide, so that 6% of the virtual water traded globally is just coffee. Although coffee is grown in rainy tropical regions, climate change can increasingly lead to droughts, which means that the lack of water has to be compensated for by artificial irrigation. Coffee production is therefore very resource-intensive.

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Food

Raw and Vegan: You Have to Pay Attention to This With This Type of Nutrition

There are many diet trends that are gaining more and more followers these days, and going raw and vegan is one of them. Here you can find out what makes vegan raw food special, how it works and what you should consider when making a change.

According to the definition from the Gießen Raw Food Study, raw food nutrition is a form of nutrition that largely or exclusively contains unheated plant-based (sometimes also animal) foods. The raw vegan diet also avoids animal products such as raw milk and dried meat and is therefore a special form of veganism.

Vegetables and fruits, lettuce, herbs and other edible leafy greens as well as nuts, mushrooms, seeds and seeds can be consumed. The main aim is to preserve the heat-sensitive vitamins, trace elements and minerals in the food, which is why they must not be heated and processed at more than 45 degrees.

Behind the decision to eat raw vegan is often an increased awareness of their own consumption of food – most raw vegans therefore pay particular attention to eating seasonal and regional food of organic quality.

It is better not to eat these foods raw

Although raw foods are usually on the menu even with a conventional diet, caution is required when consuming raw foods, especially for raw vegans who are just starting out.

Not all plant-based foods can be consumed raw: this is especially true for potatoes, aubergines, beans, rhubarb, elderberry, legumes and cassava – they must be heated before consumption. One of the few legumes that can also be eaten raw is the mangetout.
In addition, the consumer advice center warns against a high nitrate content in rocket, lamb’s lettuce and lettuce and the consumption of raw spinach and chard.
You should be particularly careful when you go looking for wild herbs and mushrooms that you want to eat raw later – there is often a high risk of confusion with poisonous specimens.
Note: Consuming only raw foods puts more strain on your teeth than a traditional diet. You should therefore make sure that you eat fruit and vegetables not only whole, but also grated or pureed.

Of course, you can continue to enjoy all foods that you usually eat raw when you switch to raw vegan food without hesitation – or try one of the various preparation methods of raw vegan cuisine.

Raw Vegan Diet: Methods of Preparation and Processing

Raw vegans don’t just nibble on raw vegetable sticks, they have a more varied diet than you might think: the various preparation methods, all of which do not require excessive heating, result in an amazing wealth of raw vegan recipes.

Soaking: This method is mainly used for nuts and seeds. On the one hand, they can be processed better, on the other hand, certain seeds start to germinate after a certain soaking time, which should have a positive effect on digestion if consumed in moderation.
Drying: Food is dried for several hours in a dehydrator or at a maximum of 45 degrees in a convection oven, thus preserving it. Among other things, vegetable chips and raw food bread can be made in this way.
Pureeing fruit and vegetables: You can no longer avoid smoothies and vegetable juices made from all imaginable ingredients. Many raw vegan soups are also prepared in this way.
Fermenting: pickling vegetables in water and salt. All nutrients are retained during the fermentation process and lactic acid bacteria are formed, which promote a healthy intestinal flora. White and red cabbage are particularly often fermented, but basically all types of vegetables are suitable.
If you’re planning on sticking with the raw vegan diet for a longer period of time, it’s worth getting certain kitchen appliances, like a food dehydrator or a good blender. If you’re just starting out with raw vegan food, or aren’t sure yet if you want to stick with it, you can make most recipes without these expensive equipment.

Raw and vegan – and still all the nutrients?

A sufficient supply of vitamins A, C and E as well as folic acid, selenium and antioxidants has been found in people who eat a raw vegan diet. Deficiency symptoms, on the other hand, existed for vitamins D, B2 and B12 as well as for zinc, calcium, iron and proteins. It is therefore particularly important with a limited form of nutrition such as vegan raw food nutrition to eat a varied diet and in this way to take in as many different nutrients as possible.

You can get enough calcium from a green vegetable juice made from broccoli, fennel or kale.
You can prevent zinc and iron deficiency by eating pumpkin seeds, unpeeled flaxseed and sesame seeds.
You can also get certain essential fatty acids from high-fat foods such as avocados or olives.
Even pure vegans have problems with vitamin B12: The safest way to get it is through animal products. Plant sources are said to be chlorella algae or fermented foods such as sauerkraut – but this has not been clearly proven.
You can achieve a sufficient supply of other minerals and trace elements with mineral-rich water.

Vegan raw food: tackle the change in diet the right way

There are many reasons to consider switching to a raw vegan diet: Because it largely avoids processed foods, the raw vegan diet is considered extremely healthy. Avoiding animal products is also advantageous in terms of the environment and animal welfare. Last but not least, people are also increasingly concerned with their own consumer behavior and are taking more time for eating again.

However, you shouldn’t rush the switch to a raw vegan diet: It’s better to increase the proportion of raw food in your usual diet step by step – this way you don’t immediately overwhelm your digestive system. Stomach complaints, a feeling of fullness and diarrhea are typical symptoms of switching to raw food too quickly.
Inform yourself well beforehand about the type of diet by exchanging ideas with others or by buying a guide book with detailed tips and information.
If you suffer from chronic deficiency symptoms or illnesses, discuss the change in diet with a doctor.
In general, every person is different and every body has different needs. If you notice that you don’t feel comfortable with an exclusively raw vegan diet, you can also reduce the raw food proportion as you wish. It is important to eat a wholesome diet, in which you pay just as much attention to your own health as to the well-being of animals and the environment.

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health

Pay Attention to These 8 Points When Buying Mattresses

You should definitely pay attention to these important points and criteria when buying mattresses. Think about which type of mattress suits your sleeping habits best, ideally sleep for several nights to see if the mattress really suits you. Instead of being dazzled by bogus discounts, elaborate shift constellations, and zones, take a look at the volumetric weight you are being offered: quality over quantity.

The problem with a new mattress

Rarely do you feel so let down as when you buy a mattress? There are countless models and all with adventurous names and features. Every specialist mattress shop tries to make buying a mattress a philosophy that only experts can understand. One is led to believe that there is only one suitable mattress for every person. Because how else can you justify over €1,000 for a mattress? And purely “by coincidence” mattress shops always have short-term special offers that discount their mattresses from €2,000 to just €1,000. An industry that cashes in on the ignorance of its customers. A good mattress can ensure a healthy sleep and combat annoying sleep problems.

1) Know the bargain trap

Unlike most products, when buying a mattress, a customer usually does not know what a good mattress really costs and what to look out for. Mattress dealers can therefore make it easy for themselves and advertise their products with bogus discounts. Specialist dealers boast discounts of 50% – 70% and online dealers usually have discounts of 50 to 100€ up their sleeves. But how do you know if these discounts weren’t priced in from the start? Unlike fashion or perishable goods, there is no reason why a mattress should be discounted. It doesn’t go bad, it doesn’t go out of style, and there’s no new model every year. So always only compare the final price, not the alleged “original price”.

2) Cold foam, spring core, memory foam, or latex?

There are a variety of materials used to make mattresses. When you buy a new mattress, you finally have a choice: Cold foam has been the most popular and proven material for decades. It lets the body sink in at certain points, but at the same time has a firmness that gives the body stability. In addition, cold foam is particularly breathable. Sweat can leave the mattress so quickly. Also, note tips for cleaning the mattress.

With innerspring or pocket spring mattresses, you lie on a large number of springs. Unfortunately, you start to feel the individual springs as soon as the mattress sags a bit. Innerspring mattresses are usually recommended for people who sweat a lot at night, as they are slightly more breathable than latex mattresses, for example.

Memory foam reacts to heat. The body quickly sinks into a memory foam mattress. What on the one hand often feels soft and comfortable at first quickly leads to the problem that it is much harder to turn on this foam in your sleep after sinking into it. Many people, therefore, sleep restlessly on a memory foam mattress. A shortcoming of memory foam and also latex mattresses is that more body surface is surrounded by the mattress due to a strong sinking of the body. As a result, you sweat faster.

Since latex is less breathable, bacteria and mold grow faster here than with other materials. One positive aspect of latex is its soft and springy properties. Therefore, people who sleep very softly like to sleep on latex mattresses.

3) How many zones should a good mattress have?

Zones should help the body, e.g. to give more stability to the torso and to put less pressure on the shoulders. Depending on the foam, this can make sense, but it is by no means a must. Ultimately, it is important whether you feel comfortable on your mattress and whether you can fall asleep well. You have to decide for yourself how much pressure is too much and when a mattress is too soft for you. One should beware of mattresses that are much too soft because if the mattress does not provide the body with sufficient stability, the spine suffers. Anyone who sells more than 3 zones usually tries to fool the customer. Because rarely is a 1.50m woman on the same 7 zones as a 2.00m man. Conversely, this means that the number of zones should by no means be seen as a quality indicator.

4) How many layers make sense

There are no studies that show that more layers make a mattress better. On the contrary: more layers usually mean more glue, and this reduces the breathability of the mattress. There is no rule of thumb as to how many layers really make sense. With more than 2 layers, however, one should start pondering at the latest how many of the lower layers really do not really only have a marketing function.

5) How thick should a mattress be?

Most mattress experts agree that a mattress should be at least 16cm thick to ensure durability and breathability. From about 20cm, the additional added value of the mattress thickness begins to disappear. This means that there is nothing per se against a 24cm thick mattress, you are just paying for something that actually does not provide any real added value.

6) What is the best quality indicator of a mattress?

The quality of a mattress can ultimately best be determined by its density. The density indicates how many kg of foam was used per cubic meter. The higher the heavier and the higher the quality of the mattress. The density has no influence on the mattress hardness. You can only speak of a quality mattress with a density of 40 kg/sqm. Really high-quality mattresses usually have a density of up to 50 kg/sqm.

Discounters, on the other hand, usually only have mattresses with a density of up to 35 kg/sqm. When we were looking for mattresses that value this quality criterion, we were particularly impressed by the Snooze Project mattress. Instead of advertising with empty marketing promises, high-quality materials were used here with the aim of being able to offer a high-quality mattress at the best possible price.

7) Double bed mattress or two single mattresses?

If you as a couple need two very different mattresses, two 80cm or 90cm mattresses can make sense. However, a good-quality mattress usually has such a high point elasticity that twisting movements on one side of the mattress should not affect the other side. You can therefore choose a mattress with a continuous core without hesitation and often be a whole lot closer to your partner.

8) Definitely try it out

Test lying is a must when buying a mattress. In a few minutes, you won’t know if the mattress really suits you. Buying a mattress with a right of return is usually better than a stressed testbed at a specialist retailer. This gives you the opportunity to find out over several nights whether the mattress is ideal for you. You can also enjoy a variety of mattress toppers that are designed to protect the mattress from dirt.

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Cooking Tips

Eating Cauliflower Raw: You Should Pay Attention to This

Cauliflower is very healthy and can also be eaten raw. Here you can find out why raw cauliflower is particularly healthy and what you should pay attention to when preparing it.

Eat cauliflower raw: popular raw vegan ingredient

When you eat cauliflower raw, the vegetable retains all of its healthy nutrients. The vegetable is easy to digest, so eating raw cauliflower is generally safe.

Only people with thyroid disorders and iodine deficiency should not consume too much raw cauliflower or other raw cruciferous plants. Under certain circumstances, these can inhibit the absorption of iodine in the thyroid gland. As a result, the body can produce or excrete fewer thyroid hormones.

Cauliflower is easy to prep and stays fresh longer than lettuce. In raw vegan cuisine, it is used grated, for example, in a Bolognese sauce. The cauliflower flakes are also suitable as a quick rice-like side dish that you don’t have to cook.

You can also simply prepare the cabbage as a salad. Simply chop the fresh cauliflower with a kitchen grater. Then wrap it in a fresh kitchen towel and vigorously squeeze out the moisture. Mix in a few more vegetables and a dressing – and the salad is ready. This not only tastes good, but is also suitable as a souvenir for a picnic or a barbecue party.

Eat cauliflower raw and get healthy nutrients

The delicious cabbage is rich in fiber but it also contains many important vitamins, such as:
Vitamin A,
B vitamins (B1, B2, B6),
Vitamin C, (especially in Romanesco)
vitamin E
and vitamin K
Cauliflower also contains other important nutrients such as magnesium, calcium and potassium.

Cauliflower is one of the cruciferous vegetables that have mustard oil glycosides. These are secondary vegetable oils that are released when crushed. Among other things, they are responsible for the pungent taste of radish. Cauliflower can also taste slightly spicy if you eat it raw.

However, most of these valuable substances are heat-sensitive – which means they are lost when you cook cauliflower. Therefore, it is usually recommended to cook the vegetables only briefly and gently. But you can also eat it raw.

Tip: You can recognize a fresh cauliflower by its green leaves and the fact that it releases moisture when you chop it.

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Food

Eating Raw Eggs: You Should Pay Attention to This

You can contract salmonella at any time by eating or processing raw eggs. Therefore, when eating raw eggs, caution is everything.

Raw eggs in food: risk of salmonella

Many perishable foods that come from livestock can be contaminated with Salmonella – including chicken eggs. Most people eat raw eggs more often than they think: they are in desserts such as tiramisu, pudding or mousse au chocolat, in fresh mayonnaise, in drinks with protein foam and in raw batter. Ice cream can also contain raw eggs.

Who should be careful with raw eggs?

Salmonella is ingested through the mouth. You can pick them up in two ways: Either they are stuck inside the egg because the chicken’s ovaries are affected. If you process such raw eggs in food, the salmonella can get into your body. Or the pathogens are on the eggshell – if you touch them and then put your fingers to your mouth, you can become infected.

As a rule, healthy adults do not develop salmonellosis that quickly – a diarrheal disease with headaches and abdominal pains, vomiting or fever. They only become infected when they ingest 10,000 to a million germs. However, significantly fewer germs are sufficient for infants, children, old and weak people.

Particularly severe disease progressions such as sepsis are rare. However, if you lose a lot of fluids, you may need to go to the hospital. At body temperature, salmonella multiply at breakneck speed. Therefore, the only way to prevent infection is by handling raw eggs properly.

Hygiene rules for raw eggs

If you want to prepare a meal with raw eggs, you should know: Salmonella is something like the cockroach among the microbes. They survive almost everything – freezing, drying out, subsequent cooling and heat. It only kills the bacteria if you heat them to at least 70 degrees for a longer period of time. With these tips you can protect yourself from salmonella infection from raw eggs:
Use only fresh, undamaged eggs for your meal and chill them in the fridge. They should not be older than ten days. You can calculate the age of the egg using the best before date, which is set at 28 days after laying.
Don’t put raw eggs on your countertop and then put any rags or kitchen towels that come into contact with them in the laundry.
Store the finished food in the refrigerator and only interrupt the cooling chain for a short time.
You should fry scrambled eggs well, fried eggs on both sides. Soft eggs should remain in boiling water for at least five minutes.
Wash your hands! If you clean your fingers thoroughly, you can greatly reduce the number of bacteria on them.

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Food

Liquorice During Pregnancy: You Should Pay Attention to This

If you want to snack on liquorice during pregnancy, you should be careful. Because in larger quantities, the liquorice contained can harm the child. But you don’t have to do without the candy completely.

The black snack is known for its tart and salty taste and is made from liquorice roots. During pregnancy, however, you should note that large quantities of liquorice can have a negative effect on the development of your baby. The glycyrrhizin contained in the liquorice extract can also cause blood pressure to rise dangerously. So should you avoid liquorice during pregnancy?

Liquorice during pregnancy: the amount makes the difference

As a rule, you can also eat liquorice during pregnancy, as long as you only eat small amounts. Researchers at the University of Helsinki warn that too much liquorice can have serious adverse effects on children’s brain development. The child’s memory can also suffer from the consumption of liquorice. Further consequences for the child can therefore be:
limited vocabulary
concentration problems
poor spatial awareness
Tendency to aggressive behavior
According to the study, licorice during pregnancy can also cause girls to reach puberty earlier and progress faster. But don’t panic: You won’t harm your child if you eat less than 125 grams of liquorice per week.

Glycyrrhizin in liquorice: Dangerous during pregnancy

The harmful effects of licorice are related to the ingredient glycyrrhizin. This substance is contained in the liquorice root. Liquorice products that contain more than 200 milligrams of glycyrrhizin per 100 grams must be labeled as strong liquorice. In 50 grams of strong liquorice there are already 100 milligrams of glycyrrhizin. You should definitely not eat more than that when you are pregnant.

Because excessive consumption can have serious consequences for you and your child:
During pregnancy, the placenta protects your child from certain harmful substances. Glycyrrhizin ensures that this barrier function for the stress hormone cortisol is suspended. As a result, cortisol reaches the baby in large quantities and can have a harmful effect.
Too much glycyrrhizin can also increase blood pressure. This can promote labor and increase the risk of miscarriage.
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment recommends not taking in more than 100 milligrams of glycyrrhizin per day. You can therefore safely eat up to 100 grams of normal liquorice a day, but you should be careful when consuming strong liquorice.

When should you give up liquorice altogether?

In these cases, it is best to completely avoid licorice during pregnancy:
If you already have high blood pressure, licorice can make your symptoms worse. Therefore, it is better not to eat licorice to reduce the risk of premature labor.
The glycyrrhizin contained in liquorice can also cause complications in cardiac arrhythmias.
The less, the better: For health reasons, you should always consume liquorice in moderation. In addition, the liquorice used is mainly grown in Southwest Asia. Long transport routes are therefore necessary to bring liquorice to our supermarkets. You should also use liquorice sparingly due to the CO2 emissions generated during transport.

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