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Strengthen the immune system, eat lean and then they are also good for the heart and the intestines: berries are real power fruits and absolutely essential for a healthy diet.

Blueberries and currants: That’s why they’re so healthy

The little fruits are real superfoods that you should not do without.
We introduce you to the five great benefits of berries.

1. Berries are good for the immune system

If you want to strengthen your immune system, you should definitely rely on berries*! Because the sweet fruits are rich in valuable antioxidants that protect against many viruses, bacteria and free radicals. In this way, they ensure that the immune system is strengthened. Blueberries are of particular note: according to a study by the American Society for Nutrition, 100 grams of blueberries provide five times more antioxidants than the same amount of raspberries – up to 490 micrograms.

Dark blueberries can also do a lot for beauty, because they contain large amounts of vitamin C and vitamin E. Vitamin C* is known, among other things, for driving collagen production, which is responsible for the skin being significantly plumped up becomes. It is most contained in blackcurrants – these contain a whopping 170 micrograms of vitamin C per 100 grams of berries. Vitamin E* is responsible, among other things, for scavenging free radicals. These free radicals are harmful and are caused by smoking, UV radiation or stress, among other things. Other substances in berries that strengthen the immune system are flavonoids, which also inhibit viruses and bacteria. They also support weight loss during a diet*.

2. Berries protect the intestines

Berries* not only strengthen the immune system due to the antioxidants they contain, they are also extremely beneficial for a healthy intestinal flora. A healthy intestinal flora* is always crucial for an intact immune system. If the intestinal flora is attacked, one falls ill more often with influenza infections, for example. Even those who suffer from diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome can cure themselves with the help of blueberries, as a study by the University of Lund revealed. The tannins and color pigments contained in the blueberries react with proteins in the mucous membranes and insoluble compounds are formed. This forms a kind of protective layer that has an anti-inflammatory and germ-killing effect.

As further studies show, the consumption of wild blueberry juice has a positive effect on bifidobacteria, which have a protective effect on the intestinal flora. These bifidobacteria keep harmful intestinal bacteria, as well as pathogens, away.

3. Berries lower blood sugar levels

Many diabetics ask themselves which fruit they are actually allowed to eat and what they should better avoid in order not to drive up the blood sugar level. In contrast to high-sugar fruits such as bananas, pineapples or grapes, berries* are very suitable. This is because berries have a comparatively very low glycemic index, meaning they have little effect on blood sugar levels.

Once again, the blueberry should be mentioned in the first place: the dark berry is even said to have an antidiabetic effect, i.e. it lowers blood sugar. It is responsible for lowering the general blood sugar level and for getting more sugar into the cells.

4. Berries are good for the heart

In addition to all these positive properties, berries* also increase heart health. In a diabetes study by the American Society for Nutrition, researchers found that blueberries reduced LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and adiponectin. At the same time, they increased HDL cholesterol, which is considered beneficial to health. In conclusion, daily consumption of blueberries is believed to be beneficial for heart health. You can thus prevent heart disease and lower cholesterol levels that are too high.

Another study shows that vascular functions can be improved by eating berries – in this case, primarily by eating raspberries and blueberries. This makes it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body, which can help prevent heart attacks.

5. Berries are great for dieting

Berries* are also ideal as part of a diet*. For example, you can prepare the berries as a smoothie* or smoothie bowl or mix them in muesli*. The delicious little fruits create a feeling of satiety relatively quickly and they also accelerate the metabolism, which makes the pounds tumble.

Since obesity is often a trigger for various diseases – for example heart disease or diabetes – it is advisable to eat healthily. Berries are perfect for this. The anthocyanins contained in the berries are also very important as they inhibit free radicals. After all, anyone who trains a lot – meaning their body is temporarily under heavy strain – should take care to avoid oxidative stress in the body, which in turn can lead to illness.

Many foods that most of us have at home are actually toxic – especially when raw. Here are seven toxic foods we still eat regularly.

bitter almonds

Almonds are a popular baking ingredient that packs a punch: Even five to ten raw bitter almonds can lead to fatal poisoning in children. This is because the amygdalin contained in the almonds is converted into toxic hydrocyanic acid in our body. Bitter almonds are usually only available in pharmacies, but it can happen that one of them is accidentally mixed with sweet almonds* in the supermarket. The problem: the almonds are visually indistinguishable.

But the all-clear is sound, because the poisonous bitter almonds don’t get their name by accident. And their bitter taste usually prevents you from eating more than one of them.

potatoes

Potatoes are actually a poisonous food. The reason for this is the solanine contained in the tubers. Solanine serves to kill rotting pathogens and thus protect the plant. The good thing is that most of the solanine is destroyed when the potatoes are cooked, making them safe for us. However, potatoes with green spots or sprouts should no longer be eaten, as this is where a particularly large amount of solanine is formed
Symptoms of poisoning with solanine range from headaches, vomiting, diarrhea or sore throats to severe poisoning that can be fatal. Older potatoes should therefore always be peeled.

cashew nuts

Cashew nuts are a popular and particularly healthy snack. But they are also poisonous in their original – uncooked – form, because they contain urushiol, a poison that can trigger strong reactions just by touching them. Fortunately, the poison is destroyed by heating, so the mostly roasted cashew nuts* from the supermarket are harmless.

By the way: The cashew nuts are often counted among the nuts. From a botanical point of view, however, they are not nuts at all, but the kernels of the cashew apple.

rhubarb

Rhubarb can also be poisonous. Because rhubarb contains the toxic oxalic acid, most of it in the leaves. If these are removed, the danger is manageable. In general, the more acidic the rhubarb, the more poisonous it is.

Green beans

Green beans actually sound very harmless and healthy. However, these are raw (just like almonds) only very limited edible. They also contain a toxin that is destroyed by heat: lectin phaseolin. In children, eating more than six green beans, for example from the garden, can lead to severe poisoning and even death. So be sure to enjoy the protein bombs cooked!

kidney beans

Kidney beans are also poisonous when raw. They contain the toxin phytohaemagglutinin, which is only destroyed by cooking. Caution: When cooking kidney beans, make sure that the water is really boiling and not just heated, otherwise there is a risk of poisoning and gastrointestinal problems.

manioc

When raw, manioc contains cyanide – i.e. hydrocyanic acid! And it’s highly toxic. That’s why you should never eat cassava raw. The cassava root comes from South America, but is now eaten all over the world. They can be peeled and chopped up, boiled in salted water and mashed – the result is a slightly sweet mashed potato. Manioc (also called “yuca”) also scores with many nutrients and vitamins, such as vitamin K. At the same time, the tuber is rich in starch – and calories.
Externally, cassava resembles a sweet potato, but has absolutely nothing to do with it.

Why are cherries so healthy? And why are the small fruits so important for pregnant women? Here you can find out everything about the cherry.

Eating cherries during pregnancy: why is the fruit important for the development of the unborn child?

The cherry is particularly recommended for women during pregnancy, as it also contains a lot of folic acid. Folic acid is necessary for cell division and responsible for blood formation.

If there is not enough folic acid in the body during pregnancy, this can have serious consequences for the unborn child. Because a folic acid deficiency can lead to deformities in children, since the first cells of the unborn child cannot divide properly.

Therefore, pregnant women in particular should use the small red vitamin bombs more often, ideally even daily. But even those who are not expecting a child should definitely include the cherry on their menu.

Healthy cherry recipes for every day

Anyone who thinks that cherries can only be eaten pure or as jam is wrong. The healthy power fruit offers completely different recipes and opportunities to let off steam in the kitchen*. The red fruits are particularly good in salads, with yoghurt and muesli for breakfast or as a healthy snack in the form of refreshing cherry and sour cream ice cream.

If you prefer something savory, you won’t miss out on the cherry either: balsamic cherry gnocchi with sage and olive oil, but also a spicy cherry chutney with onions and fresh ginger are hearty and healthy energy boosts.

So the cherry is an absolute superfood for everyone, but especially for pregnant women.

Calorie saving during a diet apparently significantly changes the gut microbiome, as a recent study shows. A “hungry microbiome” develops, which has a lasting effect on the absorption of food in the intestine and thus on the human energy balance.

Charité study: This is what saves calories with the intestines

For more than 16 weeks, the working group examined the effects of a diet on a total of 80 women who were slightly to severely overweight. In addition, all of them were already in the menopause. During these four months, the women either lost weight through a formula diet under medical supervision or kept their weight constant. The formula diet was implemented using ready-made drinks with less than 800 kilocalories per day. The subjects’ stool was analyzed regularly. These analyzes showed that the diet reduced the number of microorganisms in the intestine and changed the composition of the intestinal flora. dr Reiner Jumpertz von Schwartzenberg explains in a Charité press release: “We were able to observe how the bacteria change their metabolism in order to absorb more sugar compounds, which are then no longer available to humans. One can say that a “hungry microbiome develops. “

The scientists then transferred the stool samples before and after the diet to mice without their own intestinal flora. Within two days, the mice that received the post-diet stool lost more than 10 percent of their body mass. The mice that received the pre-diet stool, on the other hand, had no effect.

According to the Charité press release, these results could lead to possible therapy options for metabolic diseases such as diabetes. The team is now investigating how intestinal bacteria can be influenced in order to have beneficial effects on metabolism and body weight in humans.

Fat contained in food initially has a negative connotation for many. But a generalization is not possible here: There are also a large number of healthy fats.

Things to know about fats

Fats are not automatically unhealthy: they can have a variety of positive effects on our body and our health. For your body, they sometimes even play a vital role: They not only contribute to the natural energy supply, but are also the building blocks of the cell walls and protect them from harmful external influences. Fats are classified according to their composition of fatty acids.

Healthy fats help stabilize blood sugar levels and fulfill a satiety function. If you eat healthy fats, vitamins A, D, E and K can be absorbed by your body. The reason for this is that these vitamins have fat-soluble properties.

According to the German Society for Nutrition, adults should cover 30 percent of their daily energy requirements with fats: It is therefore important that you also consume healthy fats every day. This is around 60 to 100 grams per day. Depending on physical activity and weight, however, this information can also vary. However, the high calorie density of around 9 kcal per gram should not be ignored either. If you eat too much fat over a long period of time and only burn a few calories, this can lead to obesity, high blood pressure or arteriosclerosis. In the end, it all comes down to the right, balanced measure.

Fatty acids: There are

Fatty acids are essential for many bodily processes. These are also called essential fatty acids. A basic distinction is made between saturated fatty acids, monosaturated and polysaturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids are considered unhealthy in larger amounts. The reason for this is the taste-enhancing and appetizing properties of these fatty acids, which is why overconsumption of foods containing them can quickly occur. Consequently, this can lead to cardiovascular disease, dementia, diabetes, high cholesterol and narrowing of blood vessels. However, these effects are only to be expected in the long term and in excess: You should still consume a healthy amount of saturated fat, as these are important for the natural functioning of the nervous system.

In contrast, the unsaturated fatty acids are considered to be the healthier fats. They have anti-inflammatory properties and play a significant role in regulating normal blood clotting and cholesterol levels. Fats, which are composed of unsaturated fatty acids, also guarantee the absorption of the important vitamins A, D, E and K.

In this context, a distinction is also made between polyunsaturated and monosaturated fatty acids. Here you have to take a look at the chemical structure of the acids: While monounsaturated fatty acids have only one double bond in the hydrocarbon chain, polysaturated fatty acids have at least two double bonds. Depending on where the double bond is located, the polysaturated fatty acids can also be divided into subgroups. The best known are the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. It is also important with these to eat a balanced amount so that all bodily functions are maintained ideally. According to the German Society for Nutrition, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in the diet should be 5:1.

Overview of foods with healthy fats

Healthy fats are found in many foods, both plant and animal. This makes it possible for you to cover your daily fat requirements through a varied integration of these foods into your diet. A particularly high fat content can be found in nuts in particular. These include, for example, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts, Brazil nuts and cashew nuts. Natural yoghurt can also convince with a digestive property and a content of about 1.16 grams of monounsaturated fatty acids per 100 grams.

The avocado also has a particularly high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids with around 87% and olive oil with around 86%. If you incorporate these regularly into your diet, you can easily cover your fat requirements. Flaxseed*, cheese, eggs, rapeseed oil and dark chocolate are also known for being rich in unsaturated fatty acids.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are mainly found in fish. A good example of this is salmon: it has a content of around 77% unsaturated fatty acids. But not only salmon contains a lot of vegetable fats: mackerel, herring or tuna can also be ideally integrated into a healthy and balanced diet* to cover the fat requirement.

Ghee and coconut oil: trend products can really do that

The trend products coconut oil and ghee are intended to be a healthier alternative to classic oil and butter. For a direct comparison, it is important to take a look at the nutrients and not to ignore the fat content.

Ghee is also commonly referred to as concentrated butter. During the production of ghee, the water and milk protein contained in the milk are removed, resulting in a product with a fat content of almost 100 percent. According to the Butter Ordinance, butter only has a fat content of at least 82%. In addition to the fats it contains, an advantage of ghee is that it is almost free of lactose and milk protein: this is a great alternative for people with an intolerance. Comparing ghee to butter, ghee contains about 8g saturated, 4g monounsaturated and 0.5g polyunsaturated fat per tablespoon. Butter, on the other hand, has only 7g of saturated fat, 3g of monounsaturated fat and, like ghee, 0.5g of polyunsaturated fat.

Coconut oil has also been a trend for a long time, as it is said to be particularly healthy. However, this claim has not held up: studies that prove a particularly healthy effect of coconut oil cannot be found. Compared to canola, walnut or olive oil, coconut oil has no proven advantage. It should also be noted that coconut oil consists of over 90% saturated fatty acids. Although these are not generally harmful, they should only be enjoyed in moderation. In general, coconut oil can be classified as healthy if you use it occasionally. For regular use, however, you can also ideally use conventional oils, which contain a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids.

Cooking fats: These are particularly healthy

Many oils are particularly rich in healthy fats. The vegetable fats in the oils have a positive effect on your health. When frying, it is particularly important that you use a heat-resistant oil: The oil should have a so-called high smoke point so that it does not decompose so quickly at the high temperatures.

The more saturated fat and oleic acid (an unsaturated fatty acid) the fat contains, the higher the smoke point. So if you are looking for an oil for frying, coconut oil can be an ideal alternative here. It is heat resistant to temperatures up to 200°C. When choosing coconut oil*, it is important that you pay attention to organic quality and a fair trade logo. The oil often comes from exotic countries, which is why it is classified as rather critical in terms of environmental aspects.

Rapeseed oil* and sunflower oil are also ideal for frying due to their heat stability. These have a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, which is why you should make sure that the oils in the pan do not get too hot when heating them up: this is the only way to preserve them.

More and more people are opting for a vegetarian or vegan diet.

6 good reasons to give up meat

“Do you have anything vegetarian?” Not so long ago, this question made the staff roll their eyes in some restaurants. In the meantime, meatless dishes can be found on many menus as a matter of course. Vegetarians and vegans are hardly ever looked at askance. Too many people rely on this diet for that. The reasons for this diet speak for themselves.

1. Vegetarian diet is good for climate protection

Those who do without meat ensure lower greenhouse gas emissions. According to a study by the environmental protection organization WWF, around 25 percent of the climate footprint of an average person living in Germany is due to their diet.

Animal products account for the largest share (69 percent). Meat in particular should be mentioned here – beef is the most harmful to the climate – but dairy products should also be given more attention here. “Our current food systems pose one of the greatest challenges to our planet and the continued existence of humanity on Earth,” says the WWF study.

2. Meat consumption consumes a lot of resources

About 15 percent of the greenhouse gases emitted worldwide can be traced back to keeping livestock. Cattle, for example, emit large amounts of methane gas. Alongside the energy sector and transport, industrial animal husbandry is one of the main causes of climate change.

The production of one kilogram of beef, for example, produces a good 13 kilograms of CO2 equivalents, while the figure for fruit and vegetables is well under one kilogram. For the production of one kilogram of beef, up to 16 kilograms of grain are required as feed. “Industrial animal husbandry and the cultivation of animal feed take up 80 percent of all pasture and arable land in the world. In Germany, animal feed alone accounts for 60 percent of the arable land,” writes Greenpeace, for example.

If the arable land were used for the production of plant-based food instead, significantly more people could be fed.

3. Meat production uses a lot of water

Animal products contain much more water than plant-based ones. This is also referred to as “virtual water”, the total amount of water used in the manufacture of a product until it ends up on our plate or in our cupboard.

An example from the organization Peta: On average, 2,350 liters of virtual water are needed to produce a 150-gram beef burger, while an average of just over 150 liters of water is needed for a soy burger. The difference is also extreme when it comes to soy milk: just under 300 virtual liters of water are required for one liter of soy drink, while cow’s milk requires more than 1,000 liters.

4. Eating too much meat is unhealthy

Overall, according to the German Society for Nutrition, Germans eat twice as much meat as recommended by health experts. A quantity of 300 to 600 grams of meat per week would be significantly healthier, i.e. half of the current per capita consumption. Processed meat (sausage, ham) is even classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Meat from conventional husbandry is also often treated with medication such as antibiotics. Anyone who eats a lot of meat therefore runs the risk of developing resistance to antibiotics.

5. Vegetarian diet protects animals

The grievances in factory farming have long been known: farm animals are often kept and killed under cruel, undignified circumstances. Keeping dairy cows is also often anything but animal-friendly.

On the other hand, more organic products in the shopping basket and the consideration of replacing some dairy products with vegan alternatives such as oat milk help.

6. Eating meat isn’t “natural” or “necessary”

People who eat meat and other animal products like to argue that it’s “natural” and “necessary.” But much contradicts this claim: not a few people get sick at the sight of blood, let alone a dead animal body. Dead bodies repel us.

In addition, our tooth structure and the human swallowing reflex have the characteristics of herbivores: We do not “tear” our food and do not swallow it in large chunks, but chew and swallow it, as Geo.de writes, among others.

Conclusion: Vegetarian diet has only advantages

In conclusion, it can be said that there is a lot to be said for a vegetarian or vegan diet. A meatless diet is good for the environment, animals and ourselves.

Bananas are considered to be a source of energy and are a popular food among children and adults. Let’s take a look at the popular fruit.

Exotic fruit: banana

The exotic fruit, which has meanwhile become a matter of course, contains a lot of fructose; the exact amount depends on how ripe it is. The riper a banana is, the more fructose and less starch it contains. You can usually recognize a ripe state by a bright yellow color and possibly also the first brown spots. It is then considered to be easier to digest than green bananas, the consumption of which is controversial. In the green state, the starch content outweighs the fructose. Beyond the green degree of ripeness, the banana is considered to be easily digestible. The fructose makes the banana a good supplier of energy.

Regardless, all bananas are high in carbohydrates. These can be burned off quickly, especially during sports. But even if you don’t exercise, you can eat bananas because they are very filling. In addition, the banana contains many vitamins. For example, the content of vitamin B6 is very high; you also take in vitamin C, potassium and magnesium, among other things. When the banana turns brown, it loses its vitamins. Bananas are also said to contain antioxidants.

Tip: Bananas are recommended for both diarrhea and constipation. But watch out for any intolerances. Especially people with a fructose intolerance should be careful with bananas due to their fructose content. The fructose-glucose ratio in particular determines intolerances. However, intolerances express themselves individually.

Bananas as a calorie bomb?

Bananas are often considered fattening foods. A banana has about 114 calories; depending on your weight, that’s about 88 to 124 kilocalories. In general, you can count on 88 to 95 kilocalories per 100 grams. Bananas don’t usually make you fat; however, you should pay attention to the total number of calories and a healthy lifestyle. It also depends on how you eat the banana; Dried bananas contain a lot of fructose, so you can count on around 290 kilocalories for 100 grams.

It’s recommended not to eat more than three raw bananas a day, but opinions differ on this as well. The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) recommends 250 g of fruit a day – preferably a healthy mix.

Good to know: Ripe bananas can have an alcohol content of up to 0.6 percent. In general, ripe fruit contains a certain amount of alcohol. Tip: It is best to store your bananas at a temperature of 12 to 14 degrees Celsius; the refrigerator is not suitable for storing them, as they can then turn black.

How do you recognize good bread? You can now buy it at discounters and supermarkets. What should you pay attention to?

Bakery and discounter: What are the differences?

Almost every discounter now has its own baking station. Fresh baked goods are baked and sold directly in the shop every day. In addition, many supermarkets have a wide range of packaged bread and rolls. But what about the quality of these products? Are they as good as the traditional bakery products?

The biggest difference is probably in the list of ingredients and the rising times of the dough. The discounters are supplied with finished, deep-frozen dough pieces. Many artificial additives and enzymes are needed to ensure that these have a longer shelf life and are particularly crispy when baked. In addition, the baked goods in bakeries and co are not prepared in peace, but quickly and as cheaply as possible. Therefore, the dough cannot rise slowly and is made to work faster by artificial leavening agents.

Traditional bakeries and some bakery chains, on the other hand, use local ingredients and prepare the dough without long transport routes. Small bakeries use good local flour and value high quality. However, this is also noticeable in the price, which is significantly higher than that of the finished products.

Quality: This is how you buy good bread

Bread from the baking station is therefore not necessarily unhealthy. It all depends on the type of bread and the list of ingredients. If you pay attention to a few things, you buy high-quality bread:
With whole grain bread, make sure that it really is whole grain bread. Many manufacturers use malt extract and caramel syrup to give the bread a healthy, dark color.
Grain bread does not equal healthy bread. Linseed, pumpkin seeds or chia seeds give the bread a healthy look. However, the bread can still be a nutrient-poor white flour product without enough fiber.
The shorter the list of ingredients, the better. Additives and sugar have no place in bread.
You can find out more about the ingredients at the bakery. Take advantage of the expert advice here so that you can find the right product for you.
Our conclusion: You can definitely buy good bread in the supermarket, but pay close attention to the list of ingredients. You decide which quality you buy and which companies or bakeries you support with it. In any case, you should consciously consume and enjoy bread and rolls.

Diabetes, heart attack, dementia: moderate beer consumption can help prevent diseases. The drink is also isotonic and many people like it. So is beer drinking good for us?

Healthy and tasty: beer can prevent diseases

1. Beer increases bone density: According to US researchers, beer can prevent bone loss. Their conclusion is that beer made with lots of hops and lots of malted barley contains the highest proportion of a bone-strengthening mineral, according to the findings of the “Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture”. Moderate beer consumption can even counteract osteoporosis.

2. Beer reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease: Various research results indicate that a low to moderate alcohol consumption of 10 to 25 grams per day, which corresponds to one to two glasses of beer of 0.3 liters, has a positive effect the risk of cardiovascular disease. A study found that drinking beer in moderation reduces the risk of heart attack by 30 percent. The risk is therefore higher both with frequent beer consumption and with complete abstinence from beer. According to the Deutsches Ärzteblatt, the cardioprotective effect appears to be due to a complex interaction of a wide variety of mechanisms such as an increase in HDL cholesterol levels or a reduced tendency to form thrombosis, but also through effects on stress perception and stress control.

Positive effect: This is how beer affects cholesterol and diabetes

3. Beer has a positive effect on cholesterol levels: A study by the University of Pennsylvania found that those who consumed moderate amounts of alcohol on a regular basis had better cholesterol levels than those who did not drink at all consumed alcohol. Beer in particular helps to increase the proportion of healthy HDL cholesterol in the body or to slow down its breakdown. It protects against heart attack and stroke.

4. Beer lowers the risk of diabetes: According to a study by the Statens Institut for Folkesundhet, those who drink alcohol three to four days a week have a lower risk of diabetes. According to the study, moderate alcohol consumption could protect against the development of type 2 diabetes. According to the study, men who consumed 14 alcoholic beverages and women who consumed 9 alcoholic beverages per week were least likely to develop the metabolic disorder. However, people with existing type 2 diabetes are advised not to consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Alcohol can inhibit the release of glucose from the liver, which can provoke hypoglycemia in diabetics.

5. Beer can help flush out kidney stones: This assumption is widely held. What is certain is that alcohol and especially beer have a dehydrating effect. This diuretic effect of the beer means that the kidneys are flushed out well and this in turn means that possible stones could be flushed out. The problem with this is that alcohol dries out the body after this inundation and the urine thickens, which can lead to larger stones. Alcohol-free beer is much better recommended. It is isotonic, has the beneficial effects of beer but without the harmful effects of alcohol.

Beer protects against dementia: Moderate “drinkers” have an advantage

6. Beer can protect against dementia: In a study, researchers found that people who had not drunk alcohol for decades had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia in old age than moderate drinkers. The likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia as a teetotaler is statistically higher than that of moderate drinkers. Alcohol abuse, on the other hand, greatly increases the risk of developing dementia.

Most bicycle locks do not keep what they promise in advertising. Nevertheless, the bike can be protected effectively if you proceed correctly and follow a few tips. The following applies: the more, the better – because security is unfortunately an expensive commodity.

If you want to protect your bike, you can choose from many bike lock models with different security levels. Prices vary from cheap (yet easy to crack) to expensive (and supposedly unbreakable). However, little attention should be paid to the promotionally effective imprints.

Not as safe as thought

The advertised security of bicycle locks should be treated with caution. Of course, if you buy a thick chain lock or a U-lock made of steel or titanium, it is of course difficult to crack – you think so. However, most bicycle thieves are clever enough not to saw the steel in the first place. They take the easy route and try to pick the lock’s clasp. Because that is the real weak point.

In this respect, it makes little sense to take a particularly thick lock if the lock is rather miserable and can therefore be opened easily. In order to avoid this, attention must therefore be paid to the closure. This is qualitatively characterized by the fact that it has an individual opening, which is at best unique – and not a mass-produced item that can be opened with any key.

In addition, the closure should be closed with at least a plastic cap and ideally with a metal slide. This protects against external influences such as dirt and water and prevents the lock from icing up in winter. Stainless steel or titanium should also be considered high-quality materials.

A lot helps a lot

For the safety of the bike, one should therefore keep an eye on the thickness and quality of the lock and the clasp. However, the bike is only really secure if you use more than one lock. No matter how secure it is, every lock can be picked sooner or later. However, the more good-quality locks you use, the more time the thief will need.

Therefore, plan about 10-15% of the bike’s value for about 2-3 locks with which you connect the front and rear wheels of the bike. The more expensive the wheel is, the higher the expenses for the security measures should be. Ideally, connect the locks at the front and back again with a long steel chain. Your bike will thank you. In addition, note our tricks for opening a frozen bike lock in winter and the reasons why cycling is healthy.