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Turmeric – Silver Bullet for Health

Whether as tea, lemonade, or smoothies. The stars swear by turmeric. Why is the yellow spice so healthy? We reveal it!

Whether in the metropolises of New York or Los Angeles or in the surfing mecca of Bali. You can buy “Tumeric Tonic” everywhere at the moment. This is a kind of lemonade made from water, turmeric, and maple syrup. The drink is said to be particularly healthy. Goldenseal, as turmeric is also called, is also used for turmeric latte or as a face mask. Because it is said to help against acne and other skin impurities due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Turmeric has played an important role in the traditional Indian healing art of Ayurveda for thousands of years. As mentioned, turmeric is known for its cleansing and healing properties. That is why turmeric is also known as the “magic tuber” or “spice of life”.

Goldenseal has an anti-inflammatory effect and a digestive effect. The liver is stimulated by the ingredients to release more bile acid. This binds dietary fats and makes the fat easier to digest. This effect can relieve flatulence and feelings of fullness.

Researchers from the Universities of Kiel, Frankfurt, and Jena have looked into the medicinal effects of turmeric and were able to discover that the root has anti-cancer properties. Turmeric can also make a contribution in relation to Alzheimer’s. In other experiments, the plant substance prevented the deposit of certain protein complexes in the brain. These complexes, in turn, may be involved in the development of Alzheimer’s. In practice, however, turmeric has so far only been used medicinally for digestive disorders.

Where is turmeric in?

Turmeric goes in all curry mixes and in all masalas except the red one. In the Middle Ages, goldenseal was also called “Indian saffron”. Like saffron, turmeric gives all dishes an intense yellow color.

A positive side effect: turmeric is significantly cheaper than saffron because it is obtained from a dried and ground root of a plant that is closely related to ginger.

If you want to buy turmeric, you should go for organic goods because of the low price. So you can be sure that it does not contain any harmful substances or has been irradiated.

Make Tumeric Tonic yourself

If you want to make Tumeric Tonic yourself, you only need the following ingredients:

  • 1 medium stick turmeric root (or 2 teaspoons turmeric powder)
  • 1 medium piece of ginger root (or 1 tsp ginger powder)
  • juice of 3 lemons
  • 1 pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 4 cups coconut water or water
  • Agave nectar, maple syrup, or honey to sweeten as needed

Put all the ingredients in a high-performance blender or juicer and blend until you get a homogeneous liquid. The resulting lemonade will keep in a closed jar in the fridge for 3-4 days, as lemon acts as a natural preservative.

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Vegan Diet Endangers Children’s Health!

A vegan diet endangers children’s health! Veganism is widespread and a popular diet these days. For adults, this is largely harmless to health if the menu offers enough variety. However, more and more parents are now serving their children exclusively vegan foods. Pediatricians criticize this since a completely animal-free diet endangers the health of the children and can even lead to death.

Vegan Diet: Harmful to Children

More and more parents are feeding their children animal-free foods. However, a vegan diet is a deliberate threat to the well-being of the child, as the director of the Regensburg University Hospital for Pediatric Medicine, Prof. Michael Melter, explains to the “Bild am Sonntag”. By not eating animal-based foods, there would be a nutrient deficiency, which would lead to delayed growth, According to Prof. Michael Melter, the worst consequence for the children is death.

In addition to physical damage, the intense control that vegan diets require often leads to eating disorders. The pediatrician Dr. Barbara Mühlfeld speaks from experience and emphasizes: “There is a clear connection between veganism in children and anorexia”.

Some parents celebrate veganism like religion and do everything they can to keep their children healthy, but don’t realize the drastic consequences, explains Dr. Josef Kahl, Federal Press Spokesman of the Professional Association of Pediatricians. It is difficult to explain to “missionary” parents the negative consequences of vegan nutrition for their children.

That’s what nutritional science says

According to the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN), children should not be fed a vegan diet as this increases the risk of severe neurological disorders and developmental delays for the child.

The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) also advises against vegan nutrition in sensitive phases of life, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and childhood: Due to growth, children have high demands on nutrient density with low nutrient stores at the same time. The result is an increased risk of undersupply or nutrient deficiency.

Particularly critical nutrients are protein, iron, calcium, iodine, zinc, vitamins B2, B12, and D, and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. The development and health of the children can be seriously damaged if the offspring are only fed vegan.

A nutrient deficiency can lead to blood formation disorders (iron and vitamin B12 deficiency), growth retardation (energy-protein malnutrition), and sometimes irreversible neurological disorders such as mental retardation (vitamin B12 and iodine deficiency). An insufficient supply of the mother with the long-chain omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can also have a negative impact on the development of the infant’s brain and retina.

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Planetary Health Diet: This Diet Saves the Earth

Alarming climate values, diseases of civilization, and famine do not leave science untouched either. With the Planetary Health Diet, researchers have now presented the optimal meal plan that takes equal account of the health of people and our planet.

Can our diet positively influence not only our own health but also that of our planet? An international research team has dealt with this question and developed the “Planetary Health Diet”.

What is the goal of the Planetary Health Diet?

The Planetary Health Diet is the result of a large-scale research effort, the results of which have just been published (1). A team of researchers from 16 countries and from a wide range of areas from politics to agriculture, health, and environmental protection designed the optimal menu that should not only help prevent diseases such as heart attacks and diabetes, but also the limits and resources of our planet taken into account.

According to the research committee, the Planetary Health Diet should continue to ensure nutrition for the world population in 2050, which is forecast to grow to 10 billion. The report also shows that not only eating habits need to change, but also agriculture. Among other things, this should become more sustainable and do without fossil fuels in order to stop the loss of biodiversity. According to scientists, food waste must also be reduced by 15 percent.

What ends up on the plate with the Planetary Health Diet?

“What we eat and how we produce it determines the health of people and the planet. And we are making a serious mistake right now,” says Tim Lang, one of the study’s authors from the University of London. Because especially the consumption of red meat and sugar must be reduced by half. The proportion of vegetables in our food, on the other hand, should be increased. Fruit, nuts, and legumes should also be consumed in large quantities. How suitable is the Planetary Health Diet for everyday use?

With the values ​​of perfect nutrition determined by the scientists, one should of course take into account that these are daily average values. After all, 13 grams of the egg cannot be used to cook a filling meal. However, extrapolated to a week, the information can serve as an orientation for the weekly menu – then nothing stands in the way of an omelet once a week.

The main concern of the research team with the Planetary Health Diet was that it could be implemented in as many countries and culinary cultures as possible. “There is no one answer, there is one diet,” explains Tim Lang. It does not make sense, for example, to idealize the Mediterranean diet or to generally recommend eating fish to everyone in the world. Jessica Fanzo, one of the study’s authors, explains that it’s more about providing a reference meal plan that can and should be adapted for any diet around the world.

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Toilet Paper Can be Harmful to Health: These Are Better Alternatives

The corresponding toilet paper is not only a major polluter, but can also contain dangerous chemicals.

270,000 trees are cut down every day to make toilet paper

Where does our toilet paper come from? If you get to the bottom of this question, the price for toilet paper that we pay in the supermarket or drugstore seems too low: According to Statista.de, 270,000 trees are cut down for the production of toilet paper every day.

This means that every two seconds an area of ​​primeval forest the size of a soccer field disappears. According to a study by the Industry Association for Personal Care and Detergents, every German uses around 64 rolls of toilet paper per year.

With our consumption, we are in the middle of the field worldwide. In the south, in Spain for example, only about half of our toilet paper requirements are consumed, while in Sweden twice as much. Americans top the list using an average of 141 rolls per capita per year.

Alternative to toilet paper: rainforest becomes toilet paper

The consumer determines the market – this is also the case here in Germany with toilet paper. Since we Germans prefer to use comfortable, white, soft, multi-layer, tear-resistant and fragrant toilet paper, the market also responds to our request. Since 1928, new toilet paper has been produced for us from freshly cut trees. For the production of toilet paper, the jungle has to give way for the cultivation of suitable trees, which are planted like plantations on the cleared jungle area.

Usually these are eucalyptus trees. The largest planting areas of eucalyptus plantations are in Brazil, Chile, Canada, Russia and Uruguay. In addition to eucalyptus, the woods of birch and spruce are suitable for processing. Cellulose fibers are required for the processing of toilet paper. To do this, these fibers must be detached from the wood of the tree in a specific process. However, around half of the tree is unusable for the production process and is burned after processing. Another problem: around 12,000 liters of water per hectare of plantation area are needed per day for eucalyptus plantations, as the Tropical Forest Foundation explains. This lowers the groundwater level drastically.

What a waste for a disposable item! Around 122,000 square kilometers of rainforest were lost last year for reasons such as the production of toilet paper. 42,100 square kilometers of it were previously untouched jungle. After long transport routes, the pulp finally reaches Germany from the production countries for further processing. There, the toilet paper is finished using a high level of energy and water consumption and is then placed on the shelves for us.

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Fresh Ginger and Its Health Benefits

Ginger is a plant whose root is dried and used fresh in the kitchen and in the pharmacy. Many people know the delicious ginger tea and the healthy effects of ginger are also well known. Because it helps us with colds, nausea, and much more.

The scientific name “Zingiber” comes from Middle India. It originally comes from the rainforests of Central and Southeast Asia but is now cultivated in a number of tropical and subtropical countries. The main exporters are India and southern China, along with Brazil, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and Nigeria.

It’s in the ginger root

Ginger is a very old spice plant. It smells aromatic and tastes lemony and spicy. Because it mainly contains an essential oil and resin acids, as well as gingerol, which gives it its sharpness. Other ingredients are zingiberene and zingiberol and shogaol (pollutant and degradation product of gingerol) and diarylheptanoids (antioxidant). In addition, the roots contain vitamin C, magnesium and iron and calcium and potassium and sodium, and phosphorus.

The ginger effect

Ginger is healthy because it has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. It is also said to have digestive and stomach-strengthening effects and stimulating effects. Therefore, it is also often used for health problems, such as gastrointestinal complaints or to treat rheumatism, muscle pain, and colds. But even those who want to lose weight effectively can take advantage of the miracle tuber, as it helps with weight loss.

Use of ginger in the home

The healthy effects of ginger make it an effective natural medicine. It can alleviate or even prevent health problems. As a result, you can mix them into your food, enjoy them as ginger tea, or make yourself ginger water. In the following we have collected the most important areas of application for you:

1) Ginger strengthens your immune system

Ginger is a good home remedy to strengthen the immune system. Because the flavorings in ginger (6-gingerol and citric acid) activate the defense system in the saliva. According to this, there is an antibacterial effect that repels bad bacteria. Consequently, with hot lemon and ginger tea, you prevent the increased penetration of pathogens.

2) Relieves cold symptoms

So that you can quickly relieve cold symptoms, take the ginger root in various forms. Because the essential oils and pungent substances stimulate your blood circulation. In this way, inflammatory substances are to be smuggled out of the body more quickly. As a result, you will heal faster. So make yourself a ginger tea with healing honey or delicious ginger water.

3) Flavor dishes with the yellow root

You can use the dried, peeled side roots as a spice. And the thick middle pieces are pickled in sugar as a delicacy. In Asian cuisine and elsewhere, many dishes are flavored with the root. In the Jamaican kitchen, there is the ginger chicken, with orange rice and the sorrel drink. This is brewed at Christmas time with a type of orchid and refined with ginger and a dash of rum. Or how about spaghetti with ginger and turkey strips?

In Europe, the housewife uses ginger for pastries and sweet desserts, (English) jam, pickles pumpkin, and gherkins, or makes liqueur and brews tea with it. Popular snacks made from ginger are candied, sugared, and chocolate-covered pieces, sticks, lemonade (ginger ale), or chutneys with fish dishes.

4) Deacidify the body with ginger

The substances contained in the miracle tuber can bind excess acids. It is therefore extremely suitable for combating acidification in the body. Therefore, cut ginger into small pieces and pour hot water over it. Then let the ginger water cool down before you consume it throughout the day.

5) Stimulate digestion

If you need a home remedy for constipation, use ginger. Because the tuber stimulates digestion and helps to clean the intestines effectively. For it to work, integrate the spice root into your food or drink it in the form of tea or ginger water. As a result, the digestive problems are quickly resolved.

6) As a home remedy for nausea

You can also use ginger as a home remedy for nausea. Because it effectively reduces the urge to vomit and nausea. Although it is not yet known exactly how this effect occurs, it is certain that it works. Therefore, you should have enough ginger with you on your next flight or boat trip. Ginger can also counteract nausea caused by chemotherapy.

7) Use ginger for heartburn

Since the ingredients of the root bind acids, you can use them as a home remedy for heartburn. In addition, it has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect. This quickly relieves the symptoms of heartburn.

8) Effective for relieving pain

Pain can also be relieved by the daily and regular intake of ginger. The anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect of the tuber was proven. Osteoarthritis patients in particular can benefit from this. In addition, also note our natural home remedies for rheumatism.

9) Fight cold sores with ginger

Since the miracle tuber is said to have an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, you can also use it as a home remedy for cold sores. For this, you should press a fresh slice of the tuber on the affected area at the first sign of herpes. Then repeat the process a few times.

10) Effectively relieve muscle spasms

If you suffer from muscle cramps from time to time, the miracle tuber can also help to relieve the pain. Since, as already mentioned, it contains substances that have a pain-relieving effect. Consequently, you can prevent muscle pain with ginger tea. You can also do a ginger poultice if you are in severe pain. To do this, heat-sliced ​​ginger in water for half an hour. Then soak a cloth in the brew and wrap it around the affected area.

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Life-Threatening Belly Fat: These Are The Dangers For Your Health

A small beer belly doesn’t matter – or does it? Doctors warn of the severe effects of obesity on our health. Belly fat in particular can be dangerous because it increases the risk of life-threatening diseases.

Danger to life from abdominal fat: Increased risk of heart attack

The messenger substances set inflammatory processes in motion. “Toxic accumulations in the liver and, in the worst case, liver failure can occur,” says Matthias Blueher, an endocrinologist at Leipzig University Hospital. When abdominal fat is accompanied by high blood pressure, altered lipid metabolism values ​​and elevated blood sugar, doctors speak of metabolic syndrome.

Even three of the four factors increase the risk of a life-threatening heart attack or stroke. The metabolic syndrome is therefore also referred to as the “deadly quartet”. In addition, too much abdominal fat promotes the development of diabetes. And the risk of a tumor is also higher.

Doctors differentiate between internal and external abdominal fat

However, belly fat is not just belly fat. Doctors differentiate between internal and external abdominal fat. The outside is easy to grip with the fingers. It is subcutaneous fatty tissue – the famous rolls of fat. “The inner abdominal fat is actually dangerous because it is not noticeable at first,” says Blüher.

Everyone can measure for themselves whether the proportion of abdominal fat is too high or not. A tape measure is placed at the waist between the ribs and pelvic bones. If the waist circumference is less than 94 centimeters for a man and less than 80 centimeters for a woman, everything is fine. “It becomes critical when the waist circumference of a man is over 102 and a woman over 88 centimeters,” explains Riedl. Then it is essential to reduce your own weight.

Avoid alcohol and heavy meals

Men aged up to 50 are particularly prone to internal abdominal fat. This is probably due to the sex hormone testosterone. “There is also increasing evidence that the development of internal abdominal fat is hereditary,” says Blüher. In addition to genetic factors, a diet that is too high in sugar and fat and too much alcohol such as beer also play a role.

If you want to lose weight and thus reduce your belly fat, you should therefore not drink alcohol for a while and avoid lavish meals. A healthy and balanced diet with lots of vital substances and minerals is beneficial. Because sugar and white flour cause blood sugar to rise, health-conscious people prefer to eat less.

Squats and bench presses for less belly fat

But nutrition is not everything. Movement is just as important. “Physical activity is a guarantee that the belly fat will be reduced,” says Prof. Ingo Froboese from the German Sport University in Cologne. The most important basic exercises of strength training include squats as a strength exercise for the legs or the so-called bench press for the entire upper body.

Ideally, those who want to lose weight are instructed by a trainer during the exercises. Sports such as walking, running, cycling or swimming can be used to improve endurance. The training should take place at least three times a week – around 45 minutes each time. The longer you train, the better for your body.

Vibration training – i.e. training on a vibrating plate – can also contribute to weight loss. The body muscles are vigorously shaken up, which can contribute to fat burning. But staying passive on the record doesn’t help much. “Instead, the body has to be moved on the device,” explains Froboese. This is sweaty and should definitely be done under the guidance of a fitness expert, at least the first time.

Choose a sport that suits you

Physician Riedl considers it important that the sport in question suits you. Anyone who has to bring themselves to go swimming should consider whether walking might not be a better choice. But it also has to be clear: “In order to lose 530 kilocalories from a bar of chocolate, you have to jog for 57 minutes or cycle for 76 minutes.” The best training is of little use if the diet is not adjusted as well. Froboese summarizes: “Eating and trimming, both have to be right.”

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Antibacterial Weight Loss Aid: These 10 Health Benefits Are in Apple Cider Vinegar

For thousands of years it has been considered a real miracle weapon against many ailments: apple cider vinegar. Among other things, the seasoning has a supportive effect on a diet and diabetes and alleviates digestive problems. It also ensures clear skin and shiny hair and even helps against inflammation and infections.

Natural miracle cure apple cider vinegar: that’s in it

These healthy substances are contained in apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is bursting with healthy nutrients and vitamins. According to the health portal, it contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, folic acid (vitamin B9), potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphate, zinc, selenium and many more.

Apple cider vinegar is considered THE miracle drink among home remedies. Among other things, it provides relief from digestive problems and has a supportive effect on a diet and diabetes. As a beauty product, it also ensures beautiful skin and hair and also reduces inflammation and fungal infections.
Apple cider vinegar has tons of health benefits – we’ve rounded up ten of them. Here you can find out how you can do something good for your body with apple cider vinegar.

#1 Helps you lose weight

If you want to lose weight, you should take a look at apple cider vinegar as a little diet helper.
The pectin contained in the apple peels expands in the stomach, causing a feeling of satiety faster. This effect was also observed in a study:

The study participants consumed up to 275 fewer calories per day – in the long run, this has a major impact on the success of the diet.

#2 Balances the acid-base balance

Apple cider vinegar* also has a positive effect on the acid-base balance of the body. If you suffer from stress or if you don’t eat properly, the body often becomes acidic, which has a negative effect on your well-being. Apple cider vinegar helps to rebalance the acid-base balance as it is slightly alkaline. This is primarily due to the organic acids in apple cider vinegar. These are used by the organism to generate energy: they go through the metabolism and then provide the body with basic minerals such as potassium.

#3 Helps with diabetes

Diabetics can only benefit from the consumption of apple cider vinegar. An American study found that drinking apple cider vinegar the night before bedtime can effectively lower blood sugar levels in the morning. Another study found that drinking a mixture of apple cider vinegar could lower blood sugar levels after eating. These studies relate to type 2 diabetes. The disadvantage of these two studies is that the groups of subjects were relatively small and that a larger group of people cannot be inferred. However, it is good research that suggests that apple cider vinegar can help alleviate diabetes.

#4 Works against inflammation

Apple cider vinegar* is also a good home remedy for inflammation because it has an antibacterial effect. For example, apple cider vinegar is said to have a positive effect on cystitis and also on minor skin injuries. Even warts are said to get rid of it with the help of apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar can also be used as a mouthwash for gum or periodontitis. To do this, simply rinse your mouth with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water after brushing your teeth. Then rinse again with clear water to protect the tooth enamel from the acid.

#5 Beauty Tip: Good for skin and hair

Some people swear by apple cider vinegar as an absolute beauty helper. The miracle vinegar is said to have a pore-refining effect and destroy bacteria that are on the skin. In this way, it ensures a clean complexion. In addition, the hair should also benefit from the vinegar: Because the vinegar is supposed to seal the cuticle of the hair, it becomes supple and shiny. In addition, the acid removes residues of care products, which makes the hair nice and light again.

#6 Help with digestive problems

If you regularly treat yourself to a glass of diluted apple cider vinegar, you can give your digestion a boost. The pectins and proteins contained in apple cider vinegar* are beneficial for digestion. The milieu of apple cider vinegar has a positive effect on the intestinal flora, which means that it can alleviate digestive problems such as constipation or flatulence. So that the apple cider vinegar can develop its optimal effect, you should drink the apple cider vinegar and water drink 15 minutes before a meal.

#7 Works against bacteria and fungi

Apple cider vinegar* is also a real miracle cure against bacteria and fungi. This is due to the antibacterial and antifungal (antifungal) properties of vinegar. It is said to work wonders for athlete’s foot and nail fungus. It is best to bathe your feet in a vinegar-water mixture or dab the areas with a cotton pad soaked in vinegar.

#8 Helps against colds and dry scalp

If you suffer from dandruff, you can safely do without anti-dandruff shampoo and use apple cider vinegar* to help yourself in a completely natural way. This is especially the case when the cause of the flaky scalp is yeast – this is often the cause of oily scalps. Apple cider vinegar ensures that the environment on the scalp is rebalanced and the yeast no longer has a chance. It is best to use a homemade anti-dandruff apple cider vinegar conditioner: mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water and apply it to your hair as a conditioner after you have washed your hair. Then rinse with clear water.

#9 Protects the heart

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heart diseases are responsible for most deaths worldwide. So it is very important to take care of your own heart health. Studies on animals have shown that consuming apple cider vinegar is beneficial for reducing blood cholesterol. So it can be assumed that the consumption of apple cider vinegar can contribute to maintaining a healthy heart.

#10 Protects against cancer

Apple cider vinegar is even thought to protect against cancer. The contained “medium-sized alpha-glycan” is of particular importance. This is a polysaccharide, which is produced during the fermentation of the apples and is intended to fight the tumor. Some studies are already looking at the effect of vinegar on cancer cells – but how apple cider vinegar works is still completely open. However, a similar effect is suspected.

Conclusion: Apple cider vinegar is a real miracle cure

Even if there are no comprehensive studies on the effects of apple cider vinegar: it has been used for ages as a remedy for all kinds of physical ailments – the healthy ingredients speak for themselves. It has proven itself as a natural home remedy for digestive, skin and hair problems. It is even suspected that apple cider vinegar fights tumor cells and is beneficial for heart health – a real miracle cure.

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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.

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Carbon Dioxide is Unhealthy: What is The Truth About Health Myth?

Still water or sparkling water – what is healthier? Many people ask themselves this question again and again, after all there are many myths surrounding the harmfulness of sparkling water. But what about the arguments against carbonic acid in the water?

Carbonated Water Has Lower pH: What Does That Mean?

A special feature of carbonated water: it has a lower pH value. According to Stiftung Warentest, its pH value is around 5.3, while still water has a neutral pH value of 7. So carbonated water is slightly acidic – that’s one of the reasons why it’s said to be unhealthier and has numerous effects on the body could have.

#1. Carbonic acid is bad for your teeth: What’s behind the myth?

A common belief is that carbon dioxide damages teeth. According to Stefan Zimmer, Head of the Department of Tooth Preservation and Preventive Dentistry at the University of Witten/Herdecke, this accusation is completely unjustified. There are no disadvantages for the teeth when drinking sparkling water, since the carbon dioxide in it breaks down immediately.

A sip of sparkling water after a meal can even help to remove tooth decay-promoting substrates. The rinsing effect can also dilute acids that attack the teeth and cause tooth erosion.

The American Dental Association also disagrees with this argument – ​​it considers carbonated mineral water to be harmless. She cites a study

#2. Sparkling water makes you fat: Does carbonic acid increase your appetite?

Fizzy water may promote weight gain, according to a 2017 study. Researchers observed that rats given fizzy drinks gained weight faster than rats fed the same non-fizzy drinks. Apparently the carbonic acid raised the ghrelin level. Ghrelin is an appetite-stimulating hormone

However, the scientists only used rats and 20 students for their study. The results are therefore not meaningful, says Stiftung Warentest. So far there is no reliable evidence that sparkling water can actually make you fat.

#3. Carbonated water makes you acidic: Does the drink disturb our acid-base balance?

As already mentioned, sparkling water actually has a higher pH value than still water and is therefore more acidic. With this reason, carbonated drinks are sometimes discouraged in naturopathy.

However, the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) gives the all-clear: “The carbon dioxide it contains is quite unstable and quickly breaks down into its components CO2 and water”. When the bottle is opened, the carbonic acid escapes with a hiss (in the form of CO2). “The rest of it breaks down in the stomach. This means that you have to belch or part gets into the blood via the digestive tract and is exhaled unnoticed through the lungs. This means that carbonated water does not contribute to acidification in the body.”

But even in this case, according to the Center for Health, there is no clear answer. So it means here too: observe oneself. For some people, carbonic acid can affect pH balance. This can lead to heartburn or digestive problems. For others, the sparkling water can even have the opposite effect. In the case of constipation, carbonated water could even be more advisable than still water.

#4. Carbonic acid damages the stomach: does sparkling water cause heartburn?

The fact is: Anyone who drinks carbonated drinks absorbs gas (CO2) – and this also finds its way out again. According to NDR experts, part of it enters the blood via the digestive tract and is then exhaled via the lungs.

The rest then escapes through belching and annoying flatulence. As a rule, however, this is not a problem – according to the experts, sparkling water is not automatically unhealthier because of this.

But be careful: If you are prone to heartburn, you may well have problems if you drink carbonic acid. When you belch, stomach acid can get into the esophagus and cause heartburn. Therefore, people with sensitive stomachs should drink water that is still or only slightly carbonated.

Conclusion: Carbonated water is not necessarily unhealthier – the effect is individual

In summary, it can be said that carbonated water is not nearly as bad as its reputation suggests. In most points it depends on the individual sensitivities of a person. So if you don’t notice any negative effects on yourself when you drink sparkling water, you can confidently continue to do so.

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The Secret Killer: Cola, Fanta & Co. are so Harmful to Your Health

Due to their high sugar content, soft drinks are anything but healthy. But what happens if we really drink Cola, Fanta, Sprite & Co. every day? We show what drinking lemonade does to your health.
Cola, Fanta, Sprite and Co. are among the most popular soft drinks worldwide. For many, the soft drinks are a little luxury that you treat yourself to from time to time. But for some, the sugary drinks are firmly integrated into everyday life. Coca-Cola is one of the most popular soft drinks. But how does our body react to the daily consumption of the caffeine-containing pick-me-up?

Drinking soft drinks every day: what is actually in cola?

Even as a child, it is made clear to you that soft drinks are not particularly healthy. But what was actually in Cola? A look at the nutrient table reveals the above-average sugar content. With around 10 to 15 percent sugar and around 42 calories per 100 grams, cola is a real calorie bomb. The values ​​for other soft drinks are also in a similar range.

In addition to the large amount of sugar, cola also contains caffeine and the acidifier E338. E338 stands for phosphoric acid.
The additive provides the sour taste. Other soft drinks such as Fanta or Sprite use the acidifier citric acid (E330).

1. Soft drinks damage teeth

First of all, the obvious: We are taught from an early age that too much sugar is bad for our teeth. Harmless oral bacteria feed on sugar and excrete acid as a metabolic product.

The acid in the additive E338, which is contained in cola, can attack tooth enamel after just a few sips.

2. Blemishes caused by too much sugar

An unhealthy and sugar-heavy diet is not only reflected in our waist gold, but can also be felt on our skin. Skin blemishes such as pimples or acne are often associated with high blood sugar levels.

It has been scientifically proven that young men with skin problems have, on average, higher blood sugar levels than men without skin changes.

So if you drink a soft drink every day, you run the risk of raising your blood sugar level and thus also the risk of pimples, acne and the like.

3. Soft drinks are fattening

Bad teeth, bad skin – all the sugar in lemonade and soft drinks is poorly absorbed by the body. The weight also suffers from the sugary drinks. With 42 kilocalories per 100 milliliters, cola is one of the unhealthiest drinks of all. It does not contain any vitamins or minerals and the body needs a long time to break down the many calories.

Other soft drinks also have high calorie values. Probably the healthiest alternative is water. If the taste is too boring for you, you can switch to unsweetened tea or give your mineral water a delicious taste with freshly cut fruit.

Sugar-free soft drinks also sound tempting at first: They contain fewer calories and you don’t have to worry about the harmful properties of sugar. But the low-calorie drinks are far more harmful than we think. Our intestines in particular suffer from this.

4. Caffeine promotes cardiovascular disease

Cola is also often called a pick-me-up. This is due to the caffeine it contains. If you consume too much coffee or cola, you also exceed the maximum daily recommended amount of caffeine (400 mg per day). This can increase blood pressure.

High blood pressure is considered a risk factor for numerous diseases such as heart attacks, cardiac insufficiency and strokes.
Those who like to drink coffee should avoid energy drinks and caffeinated beverages. A combination of both can quickly lead to an overdose, which can cause long-term damage to health.

5. Bad for the bones

Coke, in particular, can also damage your bones. Why is that? Cola contains phosphoric acid (E338).
If this is taken in large quantities, the absorption of calcium in the bones can be inhibited and bone resorption is promoted.

Calicum is an important part of bone formation and crucial for our bone density. Too little calcium can also be the trigger for the bone disease osteoporosis.

Conclusion on Cola, Fanta and Co.: Enjoy soft drinks in moderation instead of in bulk

Bad teeth, bad skin, bad for the bones, harmful for the cardiovascular system and bad for the body weight: It is best to stop consuming soft drinks and cola at all – at least that’s what it sounds like. However, you should note that all of the above points relate to excessive consumption of sugary soft drinks. Everyone can safely drink a glass of cola in between without getting caries directly. The motto here is: Enjoy soft drinks in moderation instead of in bulk.

As unhealthy as the consumption of cola may be, in other areas the lemonade turns out to be a real all-rounder – for example as a de-icer, toilet cleaner or limescale remover.

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