Pistachios as a slimming agent

Fructose sounds healthy and natural – but is heavily criticized. Because more and more experts are calling fructose the biggest villain in the sugar family.

More dangerous than granulated sugar?

Fructose is naturally found in fruit, vegetables, and honey – but artificially produced fructose also ends up on many people’s plates every day, for example in ice cream or soft drinks. Crystal sugar also consists of half fructose.

While fructose used to be explicitly recommended for diabetics because it doesn’t cause insulin levels to rise as quickly, the good reputation has since disappeared: fructose is considered one of the most dangerous sugars of all. Those who consume too much fructose risk fatty liver, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, among other things.

“Fructose can lead to a metabolic meltdown,” explains Dr. Detlef Pape, who, like many other experts, identified sugar as one of the main reasons for the increasing obesity worldwide.

Does fructose make you sick and fat?

“It is converted directly into fat in the liver, which then returns to the bloodstream and is stored in the fat deposits.” While our body uses glucose (grape sugar) as a source of energy, fructose causes inflammatory processes and can make us sick and fat. Above all, the particularly harmful visceral fat (internal abdominal fat) is promoted.

“Our body is simply not made for the amounts of fructose that we consume today,” says Pape. And the overconsumption is not due to the fact that so much fruit is eaten. Artificially produced fructose is a billion-dollar business. Soft drinks, ice cream, yogurts, and ready meals, for example, are sweetened with cheap and extremely sweet syrup.

“Especially the drinks are a problem for the figure,” says Pape. “Liquids don’t fill you up, and you simply consume drinks on the side without counting them in the calorie balance.”

Lifestyle

Telephoning in a Thunderstorm: Can it Be Dangerous?

How do I behave correctly in the event of lightning and thunder? There is a lot of advice floating around about this. Some of them are correct, some are outdated, some are even pure superstition. Is using the phone during a thunderstorm dangerous or not?

Best wireless

You can use your cell phone or cordless phone to make safe calls at home during a thunderstorm. The situation is somewhat different with corded telephones. Lightning, when it strikes, could jump to a nearby phone line and enter the home. Then you could feel a slight electric shock. But that would not be life-threatening.

Using your cell phone outdoors during a thunderstorm does not increase the risk of lightning striking you. The radiation from a mobile phone is too low to increase the conductivity of the air. And the little cell phone doesn’t attract lightning either, despite being made of metal.

Overvoltage and lightning protection

So-called overvoltages occur in electrical lines in the vicinity of a lightning strike. This can damage your phone and other electronic devices – regardless of whether they are in use or not. As long as they are attached to the power line, there is danger.

You can unplug electronic devices for protection. Many buildings today have surge protection, but not all. And as we own more and more sensitive electronics, lightning-related damage is increasing.

Lifestyle

Already Dangerous? Why Your Dog is Panting – and When You Should See The Vet

When your dog pant, it’s nothing unusual at first. However, there are certain signs of a panting dog that you should seek advice from your veterinarian.

Why do dogs pant?

Dogs lack the ability to sweat because they hardly have any sweat glands on their bodies. A few are located in the area of the paw pads and the nose. Dogs regulate their body temperature to a large extent through the upper respiratory tract, which includes the pharynx, nasal cavity, larynx, and trachea. Panting allows dogs to bring cooler air into their bodies, cooling themselves from the inside out. Panting increases the exchange of air between the mouth and the trachea. The sense and purpose of panting is therefore only in the increased evaporative cooling, which is caused by the constant draft. This eventually lowers the body temperature. Dogs breathe much shallower than humans and the increased saliva production, commonly referred to as “drooling,” prevents the tongue from drying out.

This type of cooling has other advantages for dogs:
Dogs can actively control the breathing rate when panting and thus the degree of cooling.
When panting, your dog does not lose vital salts through the skin, as is the case with sweating.
Panting does not produce odors, which could create disadvantages among conspecifics that communicate via scents. Because in addition to the sense of sight, hearing and touch, dogs also come into contact through scents and transmit messages.
Depending on the size, breed and physique of the dog, the amount of panting varies. Smaller dogs have an easier time regulating their temperature due to their physique and lower body volume. So they don’t have to pant as often and as much as their larger conspecifics. Larger dogs, on the other hand, have to pant a lot more to keep their bodies from overheating. Heavier drooling is also common.

With short-headed dog breeds, which include pugs, Pekingese or bulldogs, for example, heavy panting can occur even with little physical exertion. Their reduced turbinate and the resulting shortened airways make it difficult for them to breathe and pant. As a result, they have fewer opportunities to regulate their body temperature by panting. If your dog is one of these dog breeds, you should keep an eye on your dog when he’s panting so he doesn’t overheat. Before you get a dog, you should find out about the characteristics typical of the breed so that you do not unknowingly expose it to stressful situations.

When is panting normal in dogs?

Even a dog’s body needs to cool down after a long walk, an hour of agility training, or mantrailing, but it lacks the ability to sweat. This means that dogs cannot use the evaporative cooling that occurs when sweating on human skin like we humans can. They can shed a little sweat through the pads of their paws and the nose, but the cooling effect is very small and not enough to regulate body temperature. The low level of perspiration through the paws is primarily used to leave scent marks (pheromones) for conspecifics. When panting, dogs breathe shallowly and rapidly, up to 300 times per minute. This accelerates the evaporation of water on the tongue, in the mouth and in the upper respiratory tract. This effect helps your dog normalize its body temperature.

Tip: If you have a puppy or older dog, make sure he doesn’t overexert himself. The cardiovascular system could possibly be overtaxed. Make sure your dog always has fresh water available and offer him cool treats like watermelon or dog ice cream in the summer.

In addition to heat and physical exertion, emotions can also lead to increased panting. For example, if your dog is very happy when you come home or when he meets his playmates, it can upset him emotionally. Conversely, dogs can also experience stress when they feel overwhelmed in certain situations. Experts speak of a skipping action in which dogs, for example, scratch, bark or pant when they are stressed.

Many dogs also develop great fears of thunderstorms, lightning, or loud noises. In addition to volume, dogs also seem to sense a drop in pressure during thunderstorms. Darkening skies and gusts of wind can also frighten them. This can even lead to panic attacks, which are usually accompanied by rapid panting.

Tip: The most important thing is that you keep calm yourself, because your dog will sense your insecurity. Try to free your dog from the stressful situation as quickly as possible and have a calming effect on him. Move calmly and behave normally.

Intense sniffing is one of the favorite pastimes of many dogs. Hunting dogs, civil protection dogs or mantrailing use this ability to track down game, save people or set tracks. However, it also requires a high level of concentration in the dog and causes the salivation to be stimulated. Dogs can absorb significantly more scents through increased panting, but this also means a lot of effort.

Tip: Your dog performs at its best when it comes to nose work, which is why you should give your four-legged friend enough rest breaks after training.

If you experience these symptoms, you should seek veterinary advice

If your dog has been exposed to high temperatures and has been in the sun for a long time, it may have suffered from heat stroke. In addition to high outside temperatures, high physical stress through dog sports, running on a bike or being locked in overheated cars can also be reasons for heat stroke. Then, in addition to the strong panting, the following symptoms appear:
Vomit
Diarrhea
balance disorders
apathy
cramps
In the event of heat stroke, the entire dog’s body is affected. Due to the severe overheating, the dog tries to pant more and more to lower its body temperature. However, he loses more and more fluid, which means that the blood becomes more concentrated and can no longer flow through the body as quickly. The heart then has to do more work and severe circulatory problems can occur, which can lead to loss of consciousness and shock. In the worst case, dogs can also die from heat stroke. Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate emergency care.
Important: Never leave your dog in a heated car. The inside temperature rises extremely quickly when exposed to sunlight and within a very short time the dog can no longer compensate for the heat.

gastric torsion or poisoning
If your dog shows other symptoms in addition to panting, such as restlessness, increased salivation and pale mucous membranes, it can also be a life-threatening stomach torsion or poisoning.

Gastric torsion is an absolute emergency that requires veterinary treatment within a few hours. The impending constriction of the blood vessels, as well as the entrance and exit of the stomach, is life-threatening. This prevents digestive gases from escaping and allows the stomach to inflate like a balloon. In addition to the stomach, other internal organs can also be affected, which is why immediate surgery is indicated.

Poisoning in a dog is also an emergency. Because if there is no treatment, dogs are threatened with long-term consequential damage or even death. The symptoms that dogs show when poisoned depend on the type and dose of the poison. In addition to panting, the following symptoms can also occur:
Vomit
fast or irregular pulse
restlessness
apathy
constricted or dilated pupils
Important: If you suspect poisoning in your dog, you should first try to calm your dog down. Also make sure that the airways remain free and bring the dog into the stable side position. If possible, you can bring a sample of the dog’s poison or vomit to the vet for testing.

Dogs can also react to heart problems with increased panting. If the heart no longer provides its full pumping capacity, the dog’s body can no longer supply every cell with sufficient oxygen. The lungs can also be affected by heart problems if fluid builds up in the lung tissue. This can result in the dog not getting enough oxygen.

Other symptoms that may indicate a heart or lung problem include:
Cough
Strangle
listlessness
Collapse
Pale or bluish gums
Attention: Panting in combination with pale mucous membranes can also indicate anemia, i.e. anemia or poor circulation.

Cushing’s syndrome is a disease of the endocrine system that results in increased cortisol levels. Poodles, dachshunds, miniature schnauzers, terriers and boxers are particularly affected: If your dog shows the following symptoms in addition to excessive panting, you should take it to the veterinary practice:
Excessive thirst and urination
hair loss
Bloated stomach
Other causes of increased panting in dogs:

Allergic Reactions: In an allergic reaction, dogs can sometimes become short of breath, lethargic, or vomit.
Infections: In some cases, infections can cause pneumonia. In addition to panting, your dog will then develop breathing problems, coughing and possibly a fever.
Pain: Dogs are particularly good at hiding pain. First signs can be, for example, when your dog is restless and panting when he would normally relax. If severe exhaustion, a lack of movement or vomiting also occur, this can indicate pain.
Overweight: If your dog weighs too many kilos, his organism will also be under more strain. In addition, lighter movements are difficult for him. This can also manifest itself in increased panting. Since obesity in dogs can also cause secondary diseases such as arthrosis, diabetes or heart problems, you should discuss with your veterinarian how your dog can best lose weight.

Conclusion

In summary, the following points should be observed:
Dogs can regulate their body temperature by panting. High outside temperatures or physical exertion can trigger panting in dogs and is not initially a cause for concern.
Make sure your dog always has access to fresh water, because panting causes him to constantly consume fluid.
Some dog breeds pant particularly often. This is especially the case with short-headed dog breeds, as their airways are shortened, making it harder for them to breathe.
The size of the dog also plays a role, as large dogs have more body volume.
In addition to physical causes, psychological factors such as excitement, nervousness and stress can also lead to dogs panting more often.
If your dog is panting for no apparent reason, it could be due to illness, upset stomach, poisoning, fever and pain. You should seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.
If, in addition to heavy panting, other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, balance disorders, apathy or cramps occur when the outside temperature is high, this can indicate life-threatening heat stroke. Then you should immediately take your dog to a cool place and definitely consult a veterinarian.

Lifestyle

Social Media is so Dangerous For The Psyche – Tips For a Healthier Use of Instagram & Co.

Social media connects and connects people. But there are also repeated discussions about the consequences of intensive use. Studies show that this can also be dangerous.

Consequences of social media on the psyche: Young people are particularly at risk

A look at the statistics shows that the psyche of people between the ages of 14 and 24 is particularly at risk. They use social media the most and are still at a crucial time for emotional and psychosocial development. In addition, a study by DAK-Gesundheit and the German Center for Addiction Issues shows that social media can be addictive and it is assumed that 2.6 percent of young people are already addicted. So social media platforms that are supposed to help people to network can actually fuel mental crises.

This reinforces the need to deal with the psychological consequences. Because it is such a new phenomenon, the exact impact it has on the mental health, emotional well-being and physiology of teenagers and young adults is not fully understood at this time, and much of the evidence is conflicting.

However, recent studies raise serious concerns about the possible adverse effects that increasing use of social media is having, particularly on mental health. It should also be mentioned that there are not only bad effects of social media on the psyche.

Mental health: positive and negative impact of social media

In addition to opportunities, the use of social media also brings with it various complex problems. A report published in 2017 by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) summarizes the influence of social media, especially on young people. It examines both positive and negative effects.

Positive effects on the psyche:
Access to health information: Social networking offers young people with, for example, mental health problems a chance to read and see the health experiences of others and take something with them to deal with. In addition, teenagers rarely deal with health problems and use fewer health services; this is especially true for mental illnesses. Social media offer the possibility of reaching this target group and receiving expert health information.
Community Building and Emotional Support: Conversations created on social media offer youth the opportunity to find like-minded people with whom they have no connection in real life. Seven out of ten teenagers say they have found social media support during tough times.
Self-discovery and strengthening of identity: In their teens and early twenties, young people experiment with their identity and want to try new things. By creating personalized feeds, they have the opportunity to express themselves and find out who they are.
Build and Maintain Relationships: Social media platforms are a useful tool to create and maintain real life and build interpersonal relationships.

Negative effects on the psyche:
Promotes Depression and Anxiety: Research shows that young adults who frequently use social media for more than two hours a day are more likely to be affected by poor mental health, including depression and anxiety disorders. Social media is not necessarily the trigger, but a reinforcing factor for fears and the feeling of being inadequate. The unrealistic expectations raised by social media can leave young people with low self-esteem, which can then manifest as anxiety or depression.
Sleep disorders: Numerous studies show a significant connection between poor sleep quality in young people and the use of social media. It is believed that using LED lights before bed can be disruptive. They block natural processes in the brain that trigger fatigue and the release of the sleep hormone melatonin. This means it takes longer to fall asleep.
Distorted Body Image: Body image is an issue for many people, both men and women, but especially young women. An online survey on “Instagram & Body Image” found that more than 50 percent of participants feel pressure about their appearance from Instagram.
Cyberbullying: Bullying in childhood is an important risk factor for mental health. The consequences are usually felt well into adulthood. Social media has meant that children and young people can be in constant contact with each other. This allows bullies to continue their abuse even when they are not around the person. In the annual JIM study, more than a third of young people state that they have someone in their circle of acquaintances who has already been bullied over the Internet.
Fear of missing out: The concept of fear of missing out (FOMO) is relatively new and has gained popularity since the advent of social media. Essentially, “FOMO” is the concern that social events take place without one’s presence and something is missed. It triggers a feeling of constantly needing to be connected and missing out when you’re not. “FOMO” leads to poorer mood and lower life satisfaction in those affected. Increasingly, young people report that it bothers them in the form of fear or feelings of inadequacy.

Tips for a healthier lifestyle

Social media is not a short-lived phenomenon that will pass. Rather, it has become an integral part of everyday life. A conscious use of apps such as Instagram, Facebook and Co. can reduce the dangerous psychological consequences. We have summarized some tips and ideas for a healthier lifestyle for you:
Set time limits: How much is good for you personally per day is very individual. However, it is recommended to keep social media usage under two hours. Excessive use has been shown to promote depression and anxiety. So think carefully about the times of day and how long you want to scroll through social media. In some apps you can set a reminder when the time limit of the day has been exceeded.
No scrolling before going to bed: Since the LED lights suppress tiredness, you should not take your phone to bed with you. Create new rituals that make it easier for you to fall asleep. For example, you can read a few more pages or meditate. Even in the morning, the day should not start directly with the smartphone. Give yourself some downtime before going through your social media feed.
Look for authentic role models: It is always important that you question which people you follow and whether these people are good for you and your self-esteem. Especially people who are insecure about their bodies are very prone to negative feelings and dissatisfaction when comparing themselves to perfectly flawless fitness or food influencers. There are more and more influencers who oppose this body cult. They show themselves without make-up and demand more naturalness and authenticity.

Prevent cyberbullying: Inhibitions often fall on the Internet, because the anonymity makes some people hit it hard. There are a few safeguards you can take against hate comments and cyberbullying. Set your social media profile to private so only people on your friends list can see your posts. You can also set that people are no longer allowed to follow you and that strangers cannot send you messages. Tip for parents: The “Look! What your child does with media” initiative provides families with extensive information on media education. There you will find information for you and your child.
All is not what it seems: When using it, be aware that what you are looking at does not correspond to the complete reality. Filters, Photoshop and perfectly posed scenes – everything is beautiful digitally. Internet users should believe that they lead a perfect life and always spend their free time on great beaches. But everyone has a bad day, is frustrated or has painful moments. These are just not shown. If you’re not feeling well anyway, take a social media break.

Conclusion

In general, it is important to be unavailable from time to time. Consciously create media-free times and pay attention to your real life. Maybe you do sports, take a walk in the sun or read a good book. Tip for parents: Realize that you are a role model for your child. You can also create these spaces and times together with your child in which you are both without a smartphone.

health

Dangerous Pistachios: They Taste Strange, They Can Be Poisonous and Carcinogenic

August 31, 2025

Pistachios are a popular and healthy snack. They contain all the essential amino acids and are a complete source of protein. But caution is advised: sometimes pistachios can also be poisonous and even carcinogenic. We’ll tell you what to look out for.

Pistachios as a slimming agent

Pistachios are even said to help with weight loss: as part of a study conducted for more than three months, researchers at the University of California in Los Angeles gave 52 overweight test subjects two different snacks to nibble on in the evening. One half received 45 g pistachios, the other 60 g savory biscuits. Surprisingly, the pistachio eaters lost weight faster than the savory group, even though pistachios contain significantly more fat. Although the result gives food for thought, pistachios are not suitable as a basis for an effective diet. But you can make a positive contribution.

But be careful with pistachios, because the cheap varieties in particular are sometimes contaminated with toxic aflatoxins. These are toxins that are formed by a mold, more precisely: they are metabolic products of the molds Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus.

Since these fungi thrive best in warm and humid environments, foods from tropical and subtropical regions are particularly affected – for example peanuts, pistachios, almonds and other imported nuts, but also rice, corn and soybeans. Aflatoxins are considered toxic and carcinogenic. German food authorities have found increased levels of aflatoxins in pistachios from Iran in recent years.

We explain what you need to look out for when buying, eating and storing pistachios.

Pistachios are very healthy, contain all essential amino acids, potassium, iron, polyphenols, many other vitamins, antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids and have a high triglyceride level and protein content. Unfortunately, however, incidents about aflatoxins, carcinogenic mold toxins, being found in cheap pistachios are becoming public again and again.

So that you can enjoy the actually very healthy stone fruits carefree, you should pay attention to the following things:
Drying phase: In the traditional production of pistachios (e.g. from Iran), they are not dried by machine, but in the sun. Since this process takes longer than the mechanical one, mold can quickly form here. So it is best to make sure that your pistachios have been dried by machine in a company. But be careful: loads are also possible here.
Smell: If the pistachios smell musty or rancid, you should definitely keep your hands off them.

Storage at home: You should store pistachios in their shells in a dry and cool place, then they can be kept for several months. They can spoil quickly even at room temperature. Pistachios that have already been shelled must be stored in the refrigerator. There they will keep in an airtight box for up to four weeks.
Tip: Pistachios can be frozen. They will keep like this for up to a year.
The general rule is: keep your hands off cheap pistachios: the controls to reduce toxins are expensive and people often skimp on them, which is why increased aflatoxin levels are found in cheap pistachios.
The world’s largest pistachio-growing region is in south-eastern Iran, around the cities of Kerman and Rafsanjan. The second largest producer is California, the largest growing area is here in the San Joaquin Valley. Pistachios were not imported into the USA until around 1880 and were cultivated there a short time later. The third largest producer of pistachios is Turkey.

Pistachios: what’s in them?

100g shelled pistachios contain 518 calories, 52g fat, 18g protein, 12g carbohydrates and 10.6g fiber. Stone fruits also contain a lot of minerals and vitamins, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, ß-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and vitamin B6, folic acid and vitamin C.
High quality pistachios
If you want to be on the safe side, it is best to buy high quality. We have put together a small selection of high-quality pistachios.

Food

Irregular Mealtimes: The Health Consequences Are so Dangerous

Are you one of those people who eat at irregular times and often skip a meal? A recent study examined the impact of an irregular eating rhythm on health. The results are terrifying.

US study: Negative consequences of irregular mealtimes

A long working day forces many people to take meals irregularly and as quickly as possible or to skip them altogether. US researchers were able to find out in a study that irregular food intake has a negative effect on the heart and circulatory system. According to the scientists, a widespread disease in particular is favored.

The team led by Nour Makarem from Columbia University came to the conclusion that evening feasting in particular increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, reports. “Here we show that it’s not just about the timing of food intake – it’s also about the daily regularity and the regularity of the weekend and weekday food intake,” Makarem is quoted as saying in a statement from the American Heart Association (AHA). .

The US researchers had examined the eating habits of 116 women aged 20 to 64 years. The study participants kept an electronic food diary for one week in which they recorded what and when they ate. A year later, 99 of the subjects repeated the process. Among other things, the researchers evaluated when the first and last meal took place, what percentage of the daily calorie intake was consumed after 8 p.m., how long the meals lasted, and compared this data with the blood pressure values and the body mass index (BMI ) the participant.

Elevated blood pressure due to late meals – BMI also increases

It was found that sumptuous meals in the evening had a negative impact on blood pressure: According to the portal, for every ten percent increase in calories consumed after 5 p.m., systolic blood pressure increased by almost three points and diastolic blood pressure also rose by more than two points. The long-term blood sugar level HbA1c also rose. The study participants who consumed the majority of their daily calories after 8 p.m. also had an increased risk of storing abdominal fat and their BMI was also more likely to increase in this case. Also striking: the greater the difference in time between meals taken during the week and those taken at the weekend, the more negative the impact on blood pressure and BMI – two factors that have a significant impact on heart health, according to the online portal.

health

Alcohol Consumption: This is Why Drinking is Particularly Dangerous in Old Age

The after-work beer, the digestive schnapps or a glass of wine – alcohol consumption is part of everyday life for many. But from what amount is it too much? And why are older people particularly at risk when it comes to alcohol?

Alcohol consumption among older people is often underestimated

Older people often have more experience drinking alcohol, which does not mean that they drink more sensibly. Drinking habits are all too often not questioned – not by oneself and not by those around them. However, especially in old age, excessive alcohol consumption is not to be taken lightly. As you age, your body’s response to alcohol differs from the pattern we’ve seen before. For example, the body cells can no longer store water as well as they used to. The body’s fluid balance decreases. As a result, the same amount of alcohol consumed now results in a higher blood alcohol concentration. In addition, the liver does not break down alcohol as well as it used to. Therefore, if you drink more than 0.3 liters of beer per day as a woman or more than 0.6 liters of beer as a man, you are already in a health risk area.

There are two groups of older people who consume alcohol at a risky level. The first and larger group consists of people who have had a drinking problem for years. The health risk is particularly high here. The second group includes people who started drinking alcohol to a risky degree quite late. The reasons for this can be very complex. Possible reasons for dangerous alcohol consumption in old age are often critical phases of life such as retirement, reduced social contacts, financial problems or the loss of a partner, according to the Federal Center for Health Education.

Certain drinking habits often creep in, such as the digestive schnapps, the after-work beer or the daily glass of wine. But sometimes it doesn’t stop there. Drinking large amounts of alcohol on a regular basis can be dangerous. This does not only apply to older people! However, older people often go unnoticed when they consume alcohol at a risky level. There are various reasons for this. For example, because the risky drinking behavior of relatives and other people around them is tacitly accepted or because consequential damage is wrongly attributed to old age.

The danger of alcohol in old age

In older people, even small amounts of alcoholic beverages can lead to undesirable effects. There are also possible drug interactions. Alcohol consumption can also further worsen health impairments such as osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, memory loss and mood instability, according to the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) on the occasion of the day of the elderly.

Prof. Dr. Heidrun Thaiss, head of the BZgA: “Alcohol consumption harbors dangers at any age. In older people, they show a particular spectrum: alcohol consumption, for example, can increase the risk of falls and other accidents because balance and reaction time are impaired. These effects can occur in older people even with small amounts consumed. If alcohol is consumed in large quantities over a longer period of time, the risk of certain types of cancer increases. In addition, the gastrointestinal tract, the liver and specific brain functions are impaired. In older people, the breakdown of alcohol by the liver can also be delayed. Previously ‘well tolerated’ amounts can therefore have a stronger effect with increasing age. For these reasons, older people should consume alcohol with particular restraint.”

Food

Water: Can Drinking Too Much be Dangerous

Water supplies the body with vital minerals. But how many liters you need every day to stay healthy depends on various factors. Drinking too much water can even be dangerous for digestion and blood values.

Water Intoxication: Can You Drink Too Much Water?

If you take in more fluid than your body eliminates, the fluid stays in circulation and dilutes the blood. This has a negative effect on your body. Muscle weakness, disorientation or epileptic seizures can then follow. In very rare cases, it can also be fatal if water intoxication (hyponatraemia) occurs.

Symptoms of water intoxication:
drowsiness
nausea
headache
seizures
However, the risk of not drinking enough is much higher because it is often simply forgotten. Become aware of how important it is for you and your health to drink enough water.

Health benefits of drinking water

Drinking water has many health benefits:
high concentration/performance
improves the complexion
serves as a lubricant for the joints
helps against headaches and menstrual pain
promotes health and digestion
helps the body regulate temperature
Many underestimate the positive effects of water and resort to unhealthy sweet drinks as an alternative to quench their thirst. They taste delicious, but our health does not benefit from them. The water, like the blood, serves to transport oxygen and nutrients to the organs and their cells and to remove “waste”. So water cleans the body from the inside.

It is best to buy a reusable drinking bottle* that you can refill as you wish. Or you set a limit in the morning for how much you want to have drunk by the evening and adjust the amount to your individual constitution.

Losing weight with water: is that possible?

You can lose weight by drinking water. Water increases the number of calories you burn even when you are resting. Drinking before and during meals is also said to help with weight loss as it fills the stomach and thus reduces appetite. However, too much liquid during food intake quenches the “digestive fire”, which in turn is less beneficial because the liquid prolongs digestion time.

Because hunger and thirst are closely related in the brain, it can make you feel hungry even though your body needs fluids. The advice here is to drink a glass of water first and wait to see if the feeling of hunger persists.

Food

Dangerous Pistachios: If They Taste Strange, They Can Be Poisonous and Carcinogenic

Pistachios are a popular and healthy snack. They contain all the essential amino acids and are a complete source of protein. But caution is advised: sometimes pistachios can also be poisonous and even carcinogenic. We’ll tell you what to look out for.

Pistachios as a slimming agent

Pistachios are even said to help with weight loss: as part of a study conducted at the University of California in Los Angeles, researchers gave 52 overweight test subjects two different snacks to nibble on in the evening for more than three months. One half received 45 g pistachios, the other 60 g savory biscuits. Surprisingly, the pistachio eaters lost weight faster than the savory group, even though pistachios contain significantly more fat. Although the result gives food for thought, pistachios are not suitable as a basis for an effective diet. But you can make a positive contribution.

But be careful with pistachios, because the cheap varieties in particular are sometimes contaminated with toxic aflatoxins. These are toxins that are formed by a mold, more precisely: they are metabolic products of the molds Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus.

Since these fungi thrive best in warm and humid environments, foods from tropical and subtropical regions are particularly affected – for example peanuts, pistachios, almonds and other imported nuts, but also rice, corn and soybeans. Aflatoxins are considered toxic and carcinogenic. German food authorities have found increased levels of aflatoxins in pistachios from Iran in recent years.

We explain what you need to look out for when buying, eating and storing pistachios.

Pistachios are very healthy, contain all essential amino acids, potassium, iron, polyphenols, many other vitamins, antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids and have a high triglyceride level and protein content. Unfortunately, however, incidents about aflatoxins, carcinogenic mold toxins, being found in cheap pistachios are becoming public again and again.

So that you can enjoy the actually very healthy stone fruits carefree, you should pay attention to the following things:
Drying phase: In the traditional production of pistachios (e.g. from Iran), they are not dried by machine, but in the sun. Since this process takes longer than the mechanical one, mold can quickly form here. So it is best to make sure that your pistachios have been dried by machine in a company. But be careful: loads are also possible here.
Smell: If the pistachios smell musty or rancid, you should definitely keep your hands off them.

Storage at home: You should store pistachios in their shells in a dry and cool place, then they can be kept for several months. They can spoil quickly even at room temperature. Pistachios that have already been shelled must be stored in the refrigerator. There they will keep in an airtight box for up to four weeks.

Tip: Pistachios can be frozen. They will keep like this for up to a year.
The general rule is: keep your hands off cheap pistachios: the controls to reduce toxins are expensive and people often skimp on them, which is why increased aflatoxin levels are found in cheap pistachios.
The world’s largest pistachio-growing region is in south-eastern Iran, around the cities of Kerman and Rafsanjan. The second largest producer is California, the largest growing area is here in the San Joaquin Valley. Pistachios were not imported into the USA until around 1880 and were cultivated there a short time later. The third largest producer of pistachios is Turkey.

Pistachios: what’s in them?

100g shelled pistachios contain 518 calories, 52g fat, 18g protein, 12g carbohydrates and 10.6g fiber. Stone fruits also contain a lot of minerals and vitamins, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, ß-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and vitamin B6, folic acid and vitamin C.

High quality pistachios
If you want to be on the safe side, it is best to buy high quality. We have put together a small selection of high-quality pistachios.

health

Coffee Enjoyment in Abundance: How Many Cups of Coffee a Day Are Still Healthy – and When Does it Become Dangerous?

Coffee is one of the most popular hot drinks. The average person drinks three cups a day in this country. But is that still healthy?

From how many cups is coffee harmful?

The caffeine contained in coffee boosts bodily functions, increases hand rank, expands the bronchi and promotes concentration. Whether caffeine can kill is also easy to answer – yes, it can. A quantity of several grams becomes dangerous. The stimulant affects everyone differently. Not only in terms of the effect, but also in terms of how long it takes the body to break down the caffeine. While it takes some people just a few hours for caffeine to be metabolized, for others the process takes much longer.

When it comes to blood pressure, high blood pressure patients have nothing to fear, Professor Wolfram Delius assures the pharmacy umschau. Coffee increases heart rate, but to a manageable extent. With regular consumption, this effect is even weaker. The thesis that coffee is a “water stealer” has also been refuted. The diuretic effect cannot be denied, but it is due to the large amounts of water that you consume when drinking coffee. Nevertheless, Delius emphasizes that it is better not to drink coffee before measuring your blood pressure. Although studies always say that coffee should support heart function, the professor points to the lack of data. Under certain circumstances, those affected can feel cardiac arrhythmias more strongly after drinking coffee. What is certain, however, is that coffee lowers the risk of diabetes. “This is shown by large observational studies,” says Dr. Young Hee Lee-Barkey, Senior Physician at the Heart and Diabetes Center NRW in Bad Oeynhausen.

Can coffee even prolong life?

nutritionist dr. Anna Flögel, who researched at the German Institute for Human Nutrition in Potsdam, emphasizes “If you live unhealthily, for example because you smoke or drink alcohol frequently, coffee does not make you healthier.” Researchers have now discovered the maximum amount of coffee you should drink per day before it becomes unhealthy: with too much coffee, the risk of a heart attack increases significantly. While men consume an average of 3.6 cups per day, women only drink 3.2 cups of coffee. Researchers at the University of South Australia have investigated whether these amounts are dangerous to health.

There are still many myths and theories surrounding the popular hot drink. One side warns against too much coffee, the other side even claims that it has a healing effect. According to recent studies, drinking coffee could reduce the relative risk of death. In addition, filter coffee is said to help against high cholesterol levels, and in one German city people with liver disease are even asked to consume up to six cups of coffee a day. The “University of South Australia” has examined more closely whether coffee is really harmful”. The researchers used values from the British Biobank: data from a total of 347,077 people aged between 37 and 73 were recorded and evaluated.

Global coffee consumption: three billion cups a day

“Around three billion cups of coffee are drunk every day worldwide. Knowing the limits of what is good and what is bad is essential,” says Professor Elina Hyppönen. She is Director of the Australian Center for Precision Health at the University of South Australia Cancer Research Centre. She also says, “As with many things in life, it’s all about balance; if you overdo it, your body will pay for it.”

Risk of heart disease increases with too much coffee

The study found that drinking more than six cups of coffee increases the risk of heart disease by up to 22 percent. More precisely: The study found that too much caffeine can lead to increased blood pressure. This is considered a precursor to serious heart disease. A certain dose can therefore also have negative consequences for health. The study was the first to provide a recommendation for the maximum amount of coffee you should drink per day.
As with most things, the same applies to coffee: as long as you don’t overdo it, drinking it every day is not harmful to your health.