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A glass of red wine a day is good for the heart – right? Scientists have studied the effects of daily alcohol consumption on heart disease and found: This myth can be dangerous for some people.

Be careful with heart disease: it is better to do without the daily glass of wine

Dora Csengeri from the University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg explains the results as follows: “People with moderate alcohol consumption had a 16 percent higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation compared to abstinent people. Around 6000 of the study participants suffered during this time atrial fibrillation for the first time.” The cardiologist Csengeri confirms the connection between already low alcohol consumption and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation.

It has long been known that excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to the heart. The difference to previous research with this study is that even small amounts of alcohol can trigger heart diseases such as atrial fibrillation, reports heart specialist Andreas Götte of the German Heart Foundation. The scientist and doctor Csengeri therefore emphasizes: “With regard to atrial fibrillation, regular consumption of even small amounts must be discouraged”.

Csengeri adds the following in connection with the misconception that regular consumption of small amounts of alcohol, such as a glass of wine, does not harm or even protect the heart: “20 grams of alcohol per day have a certain protective effect”. However, the researcher explicitly points out that this positive effect only relates to cardiac insufficiency and heart attacks – in no way to atrial fibrillation.

Conclusion: Is it safe to drink a glass of wine?

The heart expert Andreas Götte emphasizes that the right balance is relevant when consuming alcohol. According to the German Heart Foundation, his recommendation is as follows:

People who are completely abstaining from alcohol should not start because of possible health benefits.
People with atrial fibrillation should reduce their alcohol consumption significantly or even completely avoid alcohol.
People who only occasionally drink a glass of alcohol should not be afraid of atrial fibrillation and, at best, can benefit from the positive effects on the risk of heart attack and heart failure.
People who consume alcohol regularly should be aware of the risk of developing atrial fibrillation.

Headaches, itching and gastrointestinal discomfort after a meal could be symptoms of histamine intolerance. More and more people are suffering from it, but the causes and a clear diagnostic procedure have not yet been scientifically clarified. How to recognize histamine intolerance and which foods to avoid.

Histamine intolerance: the cause has not yet been finally clarified

The exact cause of histamine intolerance is still being discussed by experts. There is a high probability that a deficiency or reduced activity of the enzyme that breaks down histamine (DAO) is responsible for this. But how do I actually know if I tolerate histamine or not? A red spot on the skin, often accompanied by itching after eating foods containing histamine, is one of the most obvious symptoms. According to the Swiss interest group histamine intolerance (SIGHI), stabbing headaches, abdominal pain and diarrhea can also be signs.

It is also important to know that an intolerance is not the same phenomenon as an allergy. These intolerances cannot be detected in either a blood test or a skin test. It’s a different story with allergies. If there is a suspicion of histamine intolerance, an allergist or a specialist in the field of nutrition should be consulted, who will then carry out detailed examinations.

A histamine intolerance is diagnosed when a person who suspects this intolerance in themselves deliberately avoids histamine in their diet for a period of time. A “dietary provocation” is then carried out for diagnostic purposes. This means that the person in question includes histamine-containing foods in their diet again. The reaction to this provocation then leads to a final diagnosis.

Foods rich in histamine that should be avoided in case of intolerance

What actually contains histamine? In short: all foods that are subject to microbial ripening. These include, above all, mature cheeses such as Emmental or mountain cheese, as well as raw sausages such as salami or raw ham. There is also a lot of histamine in other foods, such as nuts, spinach, fish preparations, sauerkraut, tomatoes or chocolate. But also foods that contribute to increased histamine release in the body. This includes any alcoholic beverages, as these increase the permeability of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

The treatment of histamine intolerance is currently carried out in two ways: On the one hand, the diet of histamine intolerant people should be adjusted accordingly and foods that trigger the symptoms should be avoided. On the other hand, there are so-called antihistamines, in capsule or tablet form, which can alleviate symptoms in acute cases.

For many, cola is a cult drink that is not only drunk as a cool refreshment, but also as a mixed drink at parties. But what effect does cola actually have on you? This is what happens after just one glass in your body.

Shocking news for all cola fans: this really happens in your body after just one glass

After all, cola is one of the most popular soft drinks, especially among children and young people. It’s no wonder, because the manufacturers’ advertising strategies seem to be working. On average, everyone drinks over 33 liters of cola a year (as of 2020). If you add the light versions, it is even more than 45 liters. Around 1.5 billion bottles are sold every day.

But what exactly is in the drink? What is it made of? The exact composition is closely guarded by the manufacturers.

But the main components are well known. These are water, carbon dioxide, flavors, colors, phosphoric acid, caffeine and sugar. And there is more than enough of the latter. A 0.2 liter glass of the dark fizz contains over 21 grams of it. And that’s more than 90% of the WHO recommended daily dose. And the light or zero version? There are artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, and a relatively large amount of phosphoric acid. Incidentally, the caffeine content is between 10 and 25 milligrams per 100 milliliters, depending on the manufacturer.

How unhealthy is cola really?

A nice ice cold cola. The taste on the tongue, the tingling of the carbonic acid. Who thinks at that moment what is happening in the body now? But maybe you should think about it a bit.

Let’s say you drink a 0.33 liter can. You’re immediately ingesting the equivalent of seven teaspoons of sugar. That’s already more than the World Health Organization recommends, which recommends six teaspoons. After 20 minutes, the blood sugar level reaches its peak. This causes insulin to be released, which prompts the liver to convert the sugar into fat. After 40 minutes, the caffeine intake is complete and the liver releases even more sugar. Blood pressure rises, the pupils dilate. In the brain, the adenosine receptors are blocked, which prevents sleepiness. After 45 minutes, the messenger substance dopamine is increasingly released. This ensures that we feel happiness and well-being. After an hour, the phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium and zinc in the lower digestive tract, which boosts metabolism. This effect is amplified by the high doses of sugar and artificial sweeteners, which drives the excretion of calcium in the urine.

After more than 60 minutes, caffeine’s diuretic properties kick in – you need to pee. And with it, calcium, magnesium and zinc, which, among other things, were intended for the bones, are excreted. Other electrolytes and of course water also leave the body. Now comes the sugar crash. You become nervous, irritable, sluggish, or all of them together. After a few hours, the caffeine crash follows. All the liquid you took in with the cola is gone. And with that, important nutrients that the body needs have literally ended up in the toilet.

Cola as a thirst quencher? These alternatives exist

If you now consider the effects that cola has on the body, what happens if you consume a lot of it over a longer period of time? Due to the yo-yo effect when it comes to sugar, the body demands more and more of it. You want to feel good, savor the happiness that dopamine brings about. And this is where the danger lurks. Too much sugar consumption can lead to obesity, diabetes and the associated damage.

The amount of 3 milligrams per day and kilogram of body weight should not be exceeded in children and adolescents. Together with the sugar consumed in large quantities, cola is therefore more than just questionable for young people.

Conclusion: Cola is not suitable as a thirst quencher. Along with fruit juices, cola is one of the luxury drinks and should therefore be enjoyed in moderation. Alternatives are spritzers or water, which you can enjoy with fruits or other ingredients as “infused water”. Homemade unsweetened iced tea can also be considered as an alternative. This turns thirst quenching into indulgence with no regrets.

It is important to drink enough when exercising or exercising in the fresh air. The selection of drinking bottles ranges from plastic to aluminum to glass bottles. But which is the most environmentally friendly and healthiest alternative?

Disposable plastic beverage bottles are a major contributor to the flood of plastic waste around the world. Buying a reusable bottle that you can refill over and over again is a good step towards environmental protection.

There is now a huge selection of reusable drinking bottles made of a wide variety of materials. It is best to take a moment to find out about the advantages and disadvantages of the different variants and to find the most sensible, healthiest and most practical solution for you. Because a reusable bottle that only stands in the cupboard because, for example, after filling with orange juice, all subsequent drinks also taste like it, was not a good buy.

Plastic or aluminum drinking bottles

Many manufacturers rely on plastics for reusable bottles because they are light, comparatively solid and easy to clean. At the same time, plastics are cheap to manufacture. But it can contain plasticizers and other harmful substances that are released into the filled liquids over the course of use. In addition, they ultimately create plastic waste again.

In addition to plastic bottles, there are drinking bottles made of aluminum or stainless steel. They usually look high quality, but are controversial. Acidic drinks can attack the material and, if the coating is damaged, leach harmful substances out of the aluminum. In addition, unsightly dents can appear on the drinking bottles if they fall.

Hygienic and sustainable: glass drinking bottles

Glass drinking bottles, on the other hand, are particularly environmentally friendly and sustainable. Glass drinking bottles are non-toxic, 100% recyclable and tasteless. They can also be cleaned hygienically and used in a variety of ways. Since glass bottles do not absorb foreign tastes, you can fill in any drink after cleaning without the taste of the previous drink remaining.

Making a sprout glass yourself is not difficult and also much cheaper than buying one. You can easily make the sprout jar from an old pickle or jam jar.

Make sprout glass yourself: you should know that

Many online shops and supermarkets offer sprouting glasses. But why spend money on it when you can easily make the glass yourself? We will show you a method without plastic or special equipment.

You need this:

a glass
a felt-tip pen to mark holes
a small drill or a can prick
sandpaper or a file
sprout seeds of your choice
possibly a thick piece of cardboard as a holder
By the way: Many instructions use tulle or fly screen fabric for DIY seed jars. Our method is more sustainable for three reasons: firstly, tulle is often made of plastic, secondly, you can use the lid of the jar with our method, and thirdly, you don’t have to buy any new materials.

Make your own seed jar: Here’s how

The first thing you should do is sterilize the jar. For example, put it in boiling water for ten minutes.
On one side of the lid, mark out holes about ½ to 1 inch apart. You don’t have to work on the other side, as the sprout glass will be crooked later.
Then get your pick or a small drill. Poke or drill small holes in one half of the lid. The water later drains off this. Make sure that the holes are not too big, otherwise the sprouts can slip out of the sprouting jar.
Now use some sandpaper or a file to smooth out sharp edges on the holes.
Note: Readers have reported that the cut edges can rust at the holes. So sand them down very carefully. Alternatively, you could use a piece of plastic mosquito net or a piece of loosely woven cotton cloth that you can then wash out.

Fill the sprout glass and set it up

Thoroughly wash the sprout seeds and put them in the jar. If you have something you can use to set the jar up at a 45 degree angle, skip the following step.
Now build a holder for the sprout glass:
To do this, place the bottom of the glass on a thick piece of cardboard. Place it so that it is only halfway up the box. Now trace the outline of the floor with the felt-tip pen.
Cut out the resulting semicircle.
Now draw an elongated rectangle on the cardboard with the hole. The semicircle should form one of the short sides. You will later place the glass in this semicircular bulge.
Cut out the rectangle.
If you fold the resulting strip in the middle, you can use it as a support for the glass. This standing aid ensures that all water drains from the glass and that no mold forms.
Place the sprouting glass in a can or in the sink for the first few hours. This allows the water that is still clinging to the rungs after washing to drain off. Later it is sufficient to place a kitchen towel under the can.

Now place your homemade sprout glass in a bright and warm place. After just a few days, your sprouts should have grown enough for you to harvest them. You can use the glass over and over again.

Simple household tips for separating jammed and stuck glasses at a glance. Stacking glasses is extremely space-saving. However, the glasses can get wedged. We’ll show you how to separate the two glasses without breaking them.

If two glasses can no longer be separated and are wedged together, then just don’t tug on the glasses. Otherwise, the tilted glasses can break. And in the worst-case scenario, you may injure yourself in the process. That’s why we’ve collected simple tricks to solve jammed glasses.

1) Loosen jammed glasses with warm water

If you want to separate jammed glasses, water will help you. And hot and cold water. This is because one glass expands due to the heat. At the same time, the other glass contracts a little. But you should make sure beforehand that your glass can withstand heat. Otherwise, it could burst. You should also make sure that the top of the glasses is not covered with warm water. Because otherwise, it couldn’t work.

2) Wedge glasses separate with oil

Cooking oil is also very easy to use. It doesn’t matter which oil you use. Whether sunflower, rapeseed, or the effective olive oil, all can help you to loosen the wedged glasses. So you have to drip a few drops of oil between the two glasses. Then try to move the glasses slightly in a circular motion. If in doubt, add a good amount of oil.

3) Detergent for loosening snagged glasses

You can also try dish soap instead of oil. Especially if you chose the warm and cold water method. Because if it doesn’t work, you can add some washing-up liquid here. And do it all in one go. But mostly the method with the water is very promising. Also, note our simple trick to keep glasses from getting dusty.

Avoid wedged glasses

In order to avoid the problem with the snagged lenses in the first place, you should consider two main things. On the one hand, you should dry the glasses properly after washing them. Please note our tips for polishing glasses. If you wash your glasses in the dishwasher, make sure they are dry when you empty them. Likewise, they should not be warm when stacked on top of each other. So you better wait a moment longer until they cool down. These tricks can also be used with bowls. Or when a glass gets stuck in a cup.

So that your glasses don’t get dusty if they remain unused for a long time, you should pay attention to a few things about storing the glasses. Consequently, you can avoid dusty glasses and save yourself cleaning after you have taken them out of the cupboard.

Glasses that are not used often gather dust quickly, even in closed cupboards, and have to be cleaned again before they are used again. You can use a simple trick to ensure that the glasses stay clean.

Tips to avoid dusty glasses

Have you planned a big family meal and are you getting the holiday glasses out of the cupboard? Then to find that all the glasses are covered in dust and they need to be cleaned? This is annoying and takes up an unnecessary amount of time. Therefore, we have collected some tricks that will avoid dusty glasses in the future. Also, note our clever tips for cleaning the kitchen.

1) Glasses do not get dusty upside down

To avoid dusty drinking glasses, simply place the glasses upside down in the cupboard. As a result, no dust can get into the glass and you always have clean glasses at hand. In addition, note useful tips for polishing glasses.EMPTY

2) Regularly wipe dust against dusty glasses

If you struggle with dust in the apartment and keep your glasses on open shelves, your glasses can quickly gather dust. Then regular dusting helps. And if you don’t have time to dust the whole apartment, at least try to dust off the glasses.

3) Avoid dusty glasses with plants

Since plants provide moisture, they ensure that the dust is bound. Then it usually settles on the leaves of the plant. So you can put plants next to the shelves where you keep your glasses. Consequently, the glasses are better protected from dust. Also, note helpful tricks for separating wedged glasses.