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Coffee or Tea – Which is Healthier?

Whether coffee or tea – everyone has their favourite. But which drink convinces with its health benefits?

While coffee is said to have harmful effects on health, tea is generally considered to be beneficial to health. Is there something to it?

Coffee and tea are among the most popular drinks in our society. Opinions often differ as to which of the two hot drinks is healthier. To do this, we look at the respective properties of tea and coffee and test them for their suitability for everyday use. However, it can be said in advance that both drinks are very similar in a certain way.

Coffee in the morning and at noon is considered a real pick-me-up for most people. But tea is also consumed regularly and scores with its intense taste and its calming effect. But what exactly is the reason for this and why do many of us choose a delicious coffee over a warming tea? In terms of health, both drinks have individual advantages – caffeine is an essential component. This can be found in coffee and tea and sometimes provides a temporarily stimulating effect. However, the concentration of caffeine varies depending on the drink.

Two hot drinks in direct competition

Coffee can be widely described as the German’s favorite drink. For many of us, the first thing we do when we get up in the morning is the coffee machine. The first cup of coffee in the morning welcomes us with pleasure, warming and waking us up. In contrast to tea, coffee contains a much higher dose of caffeine. The stimulating and powerful effect sets in after a short time and puts us in a lively and good mood. In addition, coffee is considered a miracle cure for diseases such as colon and liver cancer, promotes cerebral circulation, reduces the risk of gallstones, helps to increase fat burning and concentration and has a vasodilating effect. It is still the case that attention should be paid to the quantity. Two to four cups of coffee a day are not only tasty highlights, they also increase our health and vitality.

Like coffee, tea also contains a certain amount of caffeine. Normally, however, this is far below that of coffee. So we only feel a slight stimulating effect, which also only sets in later. The health benefits of tea often depend on the flavor. Green tea is therefore considered to be particularly beneficial for our health. However, whether this effectively reduces the risk of cancer has not been scientifically proven. However, the extracts from the tea leaves have a calming effect on our body. It is advisable to let the tea steep for as long as possible so that more tannins are formed. These are largely responsible for the relaxing effect.

Health benefits for everyone

On the whole, when it comes to health, coffee seems to do better than tea. Chemically, this blocks the effect of adenosine in our body and thus reduces our need for sleep – a real wake-up call. Coffee drinkers can rejoice in many health benefits such as reducing cancer risks and improving metabolism. When it comes to tea, it always depends on the type of tea. Here, for example, it is worth choosing a high-quality organic green tea. However, if you drink both drinks in moderation, it can be said with certainty that neither is harmful. On the contrary, tea and coffee convince with their great taste and many health benefits.

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Food

Ginseng Coffee: Is It Healthier Than Regular Coffee?

Ginseng coffee is considered a healthy and strengthening alternative to conventional coffee. Here you can find out exactly what the hot drink is all about and how it affects your health.

Ginseng coffee is now also a popular drink in Europe. Ginseng originally comes from Asia and grows mainly in the mountains and forests of China, North Korea and Siberia. For ginseng coffee, manufacturers mix the extracts of the plant with instant coffee powder or ground coffee beans and any other ingredients such as sugar and flavorings.

The hot drink is said to have a positive effect on the mind and body in various ways: Among other things, it is said to have a mood-lifting, relaxing and blood pressure-lowering effect.

How healthy is ginseng coffee?

The effects of the ginseng plant have not yet been sufficiently scientifically proven. However, some studies indicate that ginseng promotes concentration and energy (especially in chronic fatigue), has anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects and can thus prevent flu and colds. Ginseng could also lower blood pressure and prevent diabetes. In order to achieve the corresponding effects, you must take sufficient ginseng regularly.

However, make sure not to drink more than four cups of ginseng coffee per day. Otherwise, unwanted side effects such as headaches, digestive or sleep problems can occur. Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, children and people suffering from diabetes should generally avoid ginseng. If you take medication regularly, find out beforehand whether it interacts with ingredients in ginseng.

How healthy ginseng coffee actually is also depends on the composition of the respective product. For example, some ginseng coffee powders are very high in sugar and artificial flavors. Therefore, before you buy, make sure that sugar is not at the top of the list of ingredients. Vegans should also pay more attention to the ingredients: some products also contain milk protein or milk powder.

Ideally, the product consists only of coffee and ginseng. Then the finished coffee also contains very few calories. A ready-made cup of organic ginseng coffee from ginseng-laden.de provides you with just under 2.5 kilocalories. Nespresso ginseng coffee, on the other hand, contains almost 70 kilocalories per 200 milliliter cup, lots of sugar and some additives.

Ginseng coffee: sustainability and buying tips

Due to its slightly bitter and sweet note, which is vaguely reminiscent of liquorice root, ginseng is said to round off the taste of coffee. If you want to try ginseng coffee for yourself, you can buy it in powder, pod, and capsule form. You can’t usually order it in cafes. When buying, we recommend paying attention to organic quality in order to avoid chemical-synthetic pesticides. If you choose Fairtrade goods, you also guarantee that human and labor rights have been observed during production.

You can order ginseng coffee online. You can sometimes find it in well-stocked grocery stores, as well as health food and organic shops. In powder form, you can simply pour hot water on it and stir well. For pads or capsules you need the appropriate coffee machine. However, since this method also creates a lot of packaging waste, the soluble coffee powder is the more ecological option.

Basically, ginseng (like coffee) is not a climate-friendly product. After all, ginseng and coffee beans have to travel long distances to Germany and therefore release a lot of CO2 emissions.

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Food

Orange Juice Healthier Than Orange

Oranges are particularly popular in Germany during the winter months, because they provide the body with plenty of vitamin C and other valuable nutrients that strengthen the immune system. But it is not the actual fruit itself that provides a vitamin boost in the body: in fact, it is the pasteurized orange juice, as a study has now shown.

The study

In March 2015, scientists at the University of Hohenheim used an in vitro model in the laboratory to determine that the human body can absorb nutrients from orange juice better than from an orange. These results have now been confirmed in a human study.

In preparation for the randomized study, the twelve subjects had to go without carotenoids for two weeks. Green and red foods such as tomatoes, carrots, or spinach were removed from the menu and were not allowed to be eaten so that the carotenoids stored in the body could be washed out.

After the two weeks, the subjects received one standardized breakfast with oranges and one with pasteurized orange juice. Which test person got which breakfast was decided at random. There were 14 days between the two test phases.

After breakfast, the scientists took eight blood samples from the subjects within just under ten hours and then determined the carotenoid content.

The result

The human study was able to fully confirm the previous assumption from the in vitro study. “Orange juice is a better source of carotenoids than an orange,” says Julian Aschoff. During the investigations it was found that from pasteurized orange juice about twice as many carotenoids can be absorbed as from a commercially available orange, the graduate food engineer continues.

This is due to the production of the juice, as the initiator of the study, Prof. Dr. dr Reinhold Carle explains: “During the production of orange juice, dietary fibers such as pectin or cellulose are partially separated. These substances inhibit the absorption of carotenoids during digestion”.

According to Carle, there is more indigestible fiber in the orange than in the juice, which is why the absorption of the carotenoids from the fruit is greatly reduced.

Orange juice can contribute to a healthy diet

Consistency plays an important role when it comes to food intake: “When you chew the orange, the fruit is never completely broken up. Many cells, therefore, remain intact and enclose the carotenoids. This makes them more difficult to absorb and utilize,” explains Julian Aschoff.

Consumed in moderation, i.e. a glass of 200 milliliters of orange juice per day, the fruity drink can contribute to a healthy diet and provide the human body with the nutrients that the body needs, according to the researchers.

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Lifestyle

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mental health: positive and negative impact of social media

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

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

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

Tips for a healthier lifestyle

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

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

Conclusion

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

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Walking Barefoot: Healthier Than Shoes? The Trend Brings These Benefits

Is running barefoot really healthier than wearing athletic shoes made specifically for running? And what are the advantages of walking barefoot anyway?

Walking barefoot is healthy – say experts

For example, “In Form” describes that walking barefoot would strengthen the foot muscles. The explanation: Since the human foot is designed in such a way that the entire body weight is cushioned with every step, more foot muscles are trained. In shoes, on the other hand, freedom of movement is significantly restricted, which means that fewer muscles can be stressed. Daniel Bürkner, master orthopedic shoemaker from Berlin and Vice President of the Central Association of Orthopedic Shoe Technology (ZVOS) sees it similarly. “The foot is trained and kept in its original form. Because humans are barefoot walkers,” he explains.

However, there is still insufficient scientific evidence for this. For example, a study by the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) in 2013 examined the differences between runners who did sport for eight weeks with shoes and eight weeks without them. However, the result was “not statistically significant”. This means: A clear advantage or disadvantage of walking barefoot could neither be confirmed nor disproved. Nevertheless, the scientists conclude, this does not mean that walking barefoot cannot bring health benefits. Rather, they assume that “it may take months or years to see changes.” Therefore, the short course of this study may not be sufficient.

A study by the scientist “Tony Lin-Wei Chena” and his team, consisting of experts from Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the “Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation” at Harvard Medical School and Harvard, gives a little more information about the actual effect University. They measured “intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle volume using MRI scans” at the beginning and end of the six-month trial. It was tested on a total of 38 study participants. And the results are quite promising: In runners who had switched from their conventional shoes to either very light shoes or no shoes at all, the volume of the leg and foot muscles increased.

Train the sense of touch of the feet – and relieve the back at the same time

The expert Daniel Bürkner explains these advantages to Womens Health as follows: “If you walk with rigid soles under your feet, you put your foot flat with your heel, the muscles of the forefoot and midfoot are hardly challenged. When walking barefoot, on the other hand, the front one springs Part of the foot absorbs the impact, reducing stress on the joints from the toe, ankle, knee, hip and back.”

In addition, the sense of touch of the feet should be able to be trained when walking without shoes. That describes “In Shape”. “The sensory feedback when walking barefoot encourages the feet to land more carefully in order to reduce the impact forces,” explains Thomas Hahn’s editorial team. This changes the running style almost automatically. So, instead of just the heel, put the whole foot on the ground. Bürkner explains: “Ideally, with every step you consciously roll off your heel onto the ball of your foot. Similar to a marionette that is pulled up by its head with strings.”

Barefoot walking has other positive aspects to offer. This is how you can protect yourself from infections when walking barefoot. Among other things, foot or nail fungus diseases. They occur because there is almost no exchange of air in the warm, humid environment of sturdy shoes. If you walk barefoot more often, your feet can dry better. In addition, regular barefoot walking should improve blood circulation in the feet. This also counteracts a potential fungal disease.

Barefoot walkers injured less often? Study creates clarity

Barefoot walkers are also said to have a lower risk of injury. However, the studies have not been clear on this so far. The British journal of sports medicine has researched this alleged benefit. For a year they accompanied 201 athletes. 107 barefoot runners and 94 runners with shoes. Fewer diagnosed injuries to the musculoskeletal system of the runners were found in the barefoot group – however, the injury rates did not differ statistically significantly between the groups examined. The researchers found that the barefoot group ran fewer miles than the runners in shoes. They also suffered a higher number of sole injuries.

The researchers also found that there was a greater number of calf injuries but a lower number of knee and hip injuries in the barefoot group. There were also significantly fewer cases of plantar fasciitis (painful inflammation of the soles of the feet) among the barefoot runners than among the group with shoes.

The doctor Oliver Tobolski from Sporthomedic Cologne sees the benefits of walking barefoot as extremely profitable, but also warns against too much euphoria. Because practicing barefoot walking takes time. The foot muscles first have to get used to new forms of stress slowly. In addition, the foot muscles do not develop overnight. “Please start very gently, initially only short distances and only on soft, natural surfaces,” advises Tobolski to FitforFun.

This also applies to experienced runners. According to the expert, they have to be particularly careful because the actually positive effect could be reversed by the different running habit. According to Tobolski, runners who run more than three times a week should only run barefoot once. Ideally, you should regularly alternate between walking barefoot and wearing shoes. This is the best way to train the inner foot muscles.

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Food

Healthier Than You Think: 10 Foods That Unfairly Have a Bad Reputation

There are some foods that are unfairly given a bad rap by many people. Here we explain which products you are sure to have made a mistake about.

1. Potatoes

The potato. We eat them as an accompaniment to all dishes, but they are not really considered healthy. They are often labeled as fattening foods, but they are even suitable for losing weight. The potatoes have an incredibly high satiety index and are a valuable source of nutrients. The potato contains hardly any fat, but plenty of starch, fiber and, for these proportions, a lot of protein. The vegetables also contain a lot of potassium, B vitamins, phytochemicals, iron, magnesium and phosphorus.

Tip: Of course, this only applies to cooked, unprocessed potatoes. A portion of boiled potatoes with quark keeps you full for an incredibly long time and is often eaten by athletes to provide energy.

2. Eggs

There is a lot of power in eggs. They contain a lot of protein, which athletes in particular take advantage of. They also contain various vitamins, such as vitamins B, A, D and K. The key point with eggs is the natural protein that our body can fully utilize. In combination with the amino acids, the interaction is optimal, and they also fill you up for a long time.

Eggs were notorious for a long time because of their high cholesterol level, but this is only a concern for people who already have high levels in this area anyway. For healthy people this is not relevant.

3. Coffee

A morning without coffee is unthinkable for many people. It helps us to start the day fit or to get us out of the midday slump. Three to four cups of coffee are considered normal daily consumption. The drink is said to promote our performance and reduce the risk of diabetes. In addition, coffee stimulates intestinal activity, thus promoting the intestinal flora and reducing the risk of colon cancer. Even the liver function is said to be significantly improved by the caffeine drink.

4. Chocolate

It is already known to have a high magnesium content. So it is good for nerves and muscles. It helps with stress and tastes great too. Cocoa even contains iron and zinc. But the digestion also benefits from the sweets, because in moderation they have an anti-inflammatory effect and boost the metabolism. The higher the cocoa content, the healthier the chocolate. Instead of a chocolate biscuit, simply snack on a bit of dark chocolate.

5. Peanut Butter

More than just fat – the peanut butter. It sounds incredibly unhealthy at first. The newfangled, delicious, sweet spread from the USA. Unfortunately, the unhealthy stereotype also applies to some varieties, but as soon as you reach for a product that consists only of peanuts and a little salt, you are supplying your body with vitamin E, fiber and proteins. Vitamin E, for example, helps to preserve cognitive abilities, especially in older people.

6. Popcorn

Of course, this doesn’t mean the sweetened, caramel-covered XXL popcorn bucket from the cinema, but popcorn is actually not as unhealthy as many people think. However, there are also salty or natural variants. Because popcorn contains medium- and long-chain carbohydrates, which provide energy over a long period of time. The popped corn contains fiber and the volume of the grains ensures a long saturation phase, which is why it is sometimes even used to lose weight – this certainly sounds utopian to some, but many athletes use popcorn as a source of energy.

7. Corn

Even in its pure form, corn is a great food. It is often avoided due to its starch content, but it is actually packed with proteins, fiber and B vitamins. For example, corn is ideal for very thin or weak people, because the starch it contains in large quantities helps to build up weight and body mass.

8. Burritos

The Mexican dish has long since arrived in Germany and is eaten here at least as much as in its home country. However, they are not exactly considered “healthy”. But it depends on the filling, because if you adjust it, the burrito is anything but unhealthy. For example, choose brown rice, chicken, beans and avocado and this meal will give you everything you need for the day. This dish is full of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. However, you have to do without sour cream and cheese for the healthy version.

9. Bananas

Although the banana is a fruit, it is often considered unhealthy because of its high carbohydrate and sugar content. But due to its vitamin C, B6 and potassium content, it is actually very healthy. By the way, if it is a small fruit, it does not contain more calories than an apple.

10. Butter

She doesn’t have to let herself be taken away from bread. Butter contains saturated fatty acids, but also polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as the healthy omega-3 fatty acids. As many people think, saturated fat has not been shown to be bad for heart or cholesterol.

Thanks to vitamins A, D, E, omega-3 fatty acids and linoleic acid, the butter is anything but unhealthy. The butter is just right for people with stomach problems because it is easy to digest. Due to the milk fat it contains, the food also has a positive effect on the risk of heart attack.

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Food

Are Vegetarians Really Healthier? Study With a Surprising Finding

Many people take Lent as an opportunity to let bad habits rest – also in terms of nutrition. One possibility is, for example, not eating meat. But how healthy is it to give up meat? A detailed study provides surprising insights into the question.

Long-term study on meat abstinence: data analysis of more than 48,000 people

The medical journal reviewed vegetarian and vegan diets in a July 2019 in-depth study by the University of Oxford. In the course of their surveys, the researchers evaluated the data of around 48,000 subjects who had neither heart disease nor stroke in the past.

About half of all participants reported eating meat. The other half was divided into vegetarians, vegans and pescetarians, i.e. people who do not eat meat but eat fish.

Over a research period of 18 years, 2,820 cases of heart disease and 1,072 strokes were recorded among the subjects.

Meatless diet: Lower risk of heart disease

It was striking that meat eaters showed a significantly higher susceptibility to heart disease. Compared with the pescetarians, the risk of heart disease was increased by 13 percent. Compared to vegans and vegetarians, it was even 22 percent. According to the researchers, this could be due to the significantly higher body mass index (BMI) and elevated blood cholesterol levels.

In contrast to the heart diseases, the subjects with a meatless diet performed significantly worse when it came to the risk of a stroke. According to the study, a plant-based diet increases the risk of stroke by more than 20 percent.

The scientists at the University of Oxford attribute this to the low levels of vitamin B12 in vegetarians and vegans. The vitamin is mainly found in animal products such as fish, meat and cheese. Despite the lengthy study, the researchers said more research is needed to definitively confirm the results.

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Food

Eat Better: Are Cooked Carrots Healthier?

Carrots are one of the most popular vegetables, and not without reason! But why are cooked carrots healthier? We’ll tell you!

What is the difference between raw and cooked carrots?

The good news first: Whether raw or cooked, carrots definitely are
You should also always add some fat in the form of healthy olive oil, sunflower oil or a little butter during preparation. Because the important ingredient beta-carotene is fat-soluble. So if you add some fat to cooked carrots, you absorb the beta-carotene particularly well. This also applies to raw carrots, by the way. If you eat them uncooked, also eat them with some fat (e.g. hummus) to be able to absorb the vitamins better.

It’s best if you don’t remove the skin from the carrots at all, or only remove them where necessary. Because most of the vitamins are right under the skin. Therefore, always wash the carrots particularly thoroughly to remove smaller soil residues. Our conclusion: If you want to absorb as much of the carrot’s vitamins as possible, then pay particular attention to the correct preparation. So you always get the best of the healthy root vegetables.

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Food

Green or White: Which Asparagus is Healthier?

Asparagus is considered the most popular spring vegetable because it not only tastes delicious, but is also an absolute nutrient bomb. But what is the difference between green and white asparagus and which variety is healthier? Here are the answers.

White or green – that’s the difference between asparagus

White asparagus grows underground and is also harvested underground. Its green counterpart grows above the ground and forms chlorophyll as soon as it stretches its head out of the ground towards the sun. Hence the green color.

In addition, green asparagus does not taste quite as mild and fine as white, but has a more spicy taste.

Since white asparagus has to be pricked, which involves a lot more effort, it is usually a bit more expensive. Green asparagus only has to be cut off.

How healthy is asparagus?

Asparagus consists of 90 percent water and is therefore very low in calories and fat-free. The fat content is only about 0.3 percent. It’s 0.47 percent carbohydrate and just over 2 percent protein, which is where “most” of the calories come from.

The popular vegetable also contains many important vitamins (A, B, C, E, K) and many valuable minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron.
The high potassium content and the asparagine, which stimulates kidney function, have a draining effect and there can be a strong smell of urine after consumption.

White and green asparagus: which variety is healthier?

Green asparagus is a bit healthier because it contains more vitamin C, folic acid and also more B vitamins than its white counterpart.
In addition, you don’t have to peel it, just remove the woody ends before cooking.
In the end, both varieties are very healthy, which is why only personal taste should play a role in the selection.

Asparagus and gout – when does asparagus become unhealthy?

However, according to the Federal Center for Nutrition, eating large amounts of asparagus can trigger gout attacks, which is why some people should consume the delicious vegetable with caution. It contains many purines, which are converted to uric acid in the body. If there is more uric acid than the kidneys can process and excrete, the uric acid level in the blood will be too high, which in turn can lead to deposits, especially in finger and toe joints.

This creates pain and swelling in sufferers, which are the symptoms of gout. If you have kidney problems or even kidney stones, it is better to consume asparagus in smaller amounts. In moderation this is not a problem, because the quantity makes the poison. Incidentally, the largest proportion of purines is in the asparagus head, so if you want to be particularly careful, you can remove it beforehand – but who wants to do without the best part?

Ultimately, both white and green asparagus are super healthy and should definitely be taken advantage of and enjoyed during asparagus season.

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Food

Forest Honey or Blossom Honey: Which One is Healthier?

Forest and blossom honeys are indispensable in many households. But how are the two different? Is forest honey healthier?

Overall, both blossom and forest honeys are considered healthy. But forest honey is said to be even healthier due to its sucrose content and its higher content of minerals, trace elements and essential oils. what’s up

Forest honey and blossom honey in comparison

Honey is a popular and valuable product that can be found in many homes. Honey is not only used as a sugar substitute, but can also be used for diseases such as liver diseases. Forest honey in particular should also be able to counteract infectious diseases.

Forest honey consists mainly of honeydew that bees collect from deciduous and coniferous trees, for example from insect secretions. It is therefore one of the so-called honeydew honeys – just like fir, leaf and spruce honey – and its color is more in the dark range. The color can range from brown or greenish-brown to almost black. These characteristics distinguish it from flower honeys, which include, for example, lime and acacia honey. These generally come from the nectar of flowers and are colored in the light range – from yellow to brown. They are usually a little sweeter and have a finer taste than forest honeys, which usually have a strong, malt-spicy aroma and, despite their firmer consistency, remain liquid longer than blossom honey.

Important: Since honey loses many enzymes when heated, it is advisable not to add it to hot drinks or use it in baking. It then loses its effectiveness. That is why high-quality honey is usually obtained by cold centrifuging.

Forest honey: is it the healthier alternative?

Overall, honey is considered healthy. It is said to have anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and anti-allergic effects. Compared to blossom honey, forest honey is considered healthier because it contains less glucose and fructose than blossom honey. It should also contain more minerals, trace elements and essential oils and have a strong antibacterial effect.

Info: Even if forest honey is considered to be healthier, an Austrian study from 2007 showed that blossom honey has a better effect on free radicals, i.e. harmful metabolic products, compared to forest honey. This is probably due to the higher flavonoid content in honey.

Attention: Although honey is generally considered healthy, one should not forget that it consists of approx. 70% fructose and glucose and contains approx. 77 kcal per portion (25 g) and is therefore also critically discussed as a sweetener or sugar substitute . Diabetics in particular should be careful when consuming honey, as it, like table sugar, leads to a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. It is also important for people with fructose intolerance and with an immune deficiency to be careful when consuming honey. Honey is generally not recommended for babies and small children.

Conclusion: the quality of the honey is crucial

A distinction is made between blossom and forest honeys. Flower honeys are obtained from the nectar by the bees, while for forest honeys the bees collect plant secretions and secretions from insects that feed on plant sap. Due to its higher fructose than glucose content and higher content of minerals, trace elements and essential oils, forest honey is considered healthier than blossom honey. However, blossom honey is said to be more effective against harmful free radicals.

Due to the sugar content, honey – regardless of the variety – should only be consumed in moderation. Overall, both types, both forest and blossom honey, are considered healthy and anti-inflammatory.

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