Tag

Juice

Browsing

Introduction: Barramundi Fillets with Mango Salsa

Barramundi is a delicious and versatile fish that is perfect for a range of dishes, from classic fish and chips to more sophisticated recipes like barramundi fillets with mango salsa. This dish is a wonderful combination of tender, flaky fish and a refreshing salsa made from diced mango, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice. It’s a great dish to serve to guests or to enjoy on a warm summer evening.

How to Pan-Sear Barramundi for a Perfect Dish

To create the perfect barramundi fillets, it’s important to know how to pan-sear them correctly. First, pat the fillets dry with a paper towel and season them with salt and pepper on both sides. Preheat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat and add a small amount of oil. Place the fillets in the pan, skin-side down, and cook for 3-4 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Flip the fillets over and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the flesh is cooked through. Be careful not to overcook the fish, as it can become dry and tough.

Mango Salsa Recipe: Easy and Refreshing

The mango salsa is a simple and refreshing accompaniment to the barramundi fillets. To make the salsa, simply dice one ripe mango, half a red onion, and a handful of cilantro. Combine these ingredients in a bowl and squeeze the juice of one lime over the top. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste. The salsa can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to serve. It’s a great way to add a burst of flavor and color to the dish.

In conclusion, barramundi fillets with mango salsa is a fantastic dish to add to your recipe collection. It’s easy to make, healthy, and bursting with flavor. By following these simple steps, you can create a restaurant-quality meal at home that is sure to impress. So, why not give it a try and see for yourself how delicious this dish can be?

Lemon juice is not only acidic and gives dishes a fresh note: it may prevent people from being infected with noroviruses. According to a study by the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), lemon juice could help against noroviruses because it is suitable as a disinfectant. EAT SMARTER presents the research results.

The study

Can lemon juice help against norovirus? The virologists can already prove through earlier research that fruit extracts such as orange or pomegranate juice can reduce the infectivity of noroviruses. In recent studies, Grant Hansman, a researcher at the German Cancer Research Center, found that the virus particles change their shape after binding to the citrate. A subsequent X-ray structure analysis showed that the citrate from lemon juice or from citrate-containing disinfectants binds to exactly the point where the virus comes into contact with the body cells during the infection process.

These results are proof that the citrate reduces the ability of noroviruses to become infectious and that lemon juice could help against noroviruses: “Perhaps a few drops of lemon juice, which one usually drizzles on the oyster, are a good protection against infection,” speculates virologist Grant Hansman. He also estimates that the amount of citrate in the juice of lemon could be enough to decontaminate hands.

The norovirus

The violent pathogens trigger severe gastrointestinal complaints and are the most common cause of gastrointestinal outbreaks in schools and hospitals. The extremely contagious virus is transmitted “fecal-orally”, i.e. via contaminated hands or food.

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.

It’s a well-known phenomenon: When traveling, passengers on the plane like to order tomato juice. But as soon as they have solid ground under their feet again, only very few people touch the red vegetable juice. The explanation for this is simple: a better taste!

Tomato juice on the plane

The fact that many travelers order tomato juice on the plane is simply because it tastes better! “On the ground, tomato juice smells slightly musty and tastes feeble,” explains Volker Scheible, product manager for in-flight services and lounges at Lufthansa.

But during the flight, high up in the air, it’s different: “On board, the tomato juice appears harmoniously, tends to taste sweet and fruity and clearly like tomatoes.”

Scientifically proven

It has even been scientifically proven that tomato juice tastes better during the flight. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics discovered that the taste buds perceive the taste of tomato juice differently in an airplane at an altitude of around 10,000 meters. The reason for this is the different air pressure and the low humidity.

The fruity aroma of the tomatoes in the juice in particular comes out very well at dizzy heights. However, the drink must be seasoned properly, because salt is not tasted as strongly there.

Tomatoes are so healthy

Tomatoes exude their fruity aroma especially in summer when they have ripened in the sun. But it’s not just the scent that is beguiling – the ingredients of the red vegetables are also impressive. Tomatoes contain B vitamins, as well as a small amount of zinc and iron. Lycopene, the dye responsible for the red color, scores with its antioxidant effect.

Tomatoes are low in calories and therefore also ideal as a slimming vegetable for the menu. As a natural tomato juice without any additives, the drink is a good stomach filler because it fills you up.

September is high season for elderberries! It’s worth picking the ripe, dark purple minis because they can be used to make all sorts of delicacies such as cakes, compotes, jellies, and even juice. The latter tastes particularly good as a sparkling spritzer in late summer or as a cold drink in the dark season. EAT SMARTER shows you how you can make elderberry juice yourself.

Elderberries

Now is the time to save summery elderberries, also known as lilac berries, for the fall and winter. Elderberry juice is particularly suitable for this: it is refreshing in warm temperatures as a spritzer, gives sparkling wine and cocktails a fruity note with a small shot, and is great for colds.

Elderberry juice is so healthy

There are lots of healthy ingredients in the tiny berries: They score with plenty of provitamin A, vitamins from the B group, vitamin C and essential oils. Elderberry juice has an antipyretic and diaphoretic effect, which is why it is considered a proven home remedy for flu and colds.

But be careful: elderberries contain sambunigrin, a slightly toxic substance that can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness if the berries are eaten raw. Therefore, elderberries should never be eaten raw but heated beforehand. This is how the ingredient is rendered non-toxic.

Make elderberry juice yourself

The ingredients:

  • 2 kg ripe elderberries
  • 500ml of water
  • 200 grams of sugar

The preparation:

  1. Pick the ripe elderberries from the branches or carefully scrape them off with a fork and wash them thoroughly.
  2. Place the berries in a large saucepan and fill with water. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 20 minutes with the lid closed until the berries are soft – let cool.
  3. Strain the elderberry mixture through a fine cloth so that a clear juice remains.
  4. Mix the elderberry juice with the sugar and heat again to at least 80 degrees Celsius. Now the finished juice can be filled into clean bottles and placed upside down to cool down.

Die Organisation FoodWatch hat verschiedene Säfte getestet und das erschreckende Ergebnis: In mehreren Produkten wurden vermehrt der Einsatz von Rinder- und Schweinegelatine nachgewiesen – ohne dies auf der Verpackung anzugeben. Welche Säfte sind davon betroffen und welche kann man bedenkenlos trinken?

Juice is vegan, of course. It’s just fruit. Or? You really don’t think about the fact that this could contain gelatine when you put the apple juice in the shopping basket in the supermarket. For example, one might frown at first if a juice carries the label “vegan” or “vegetarian”. But a test by the FoodWatch organization has now shown why this is so important.

Why aren’t juices vegan?

The test came about because there are significant gaps in the labeling of the use of animal components in food production. Flavors of animal origin (e.g. in chips), technical additives of animal origin (e.g. in juices), animal cysteine ​​(in bread), or additives of animal origin such as colorings (e.g. in sweets) do not have to be identified.

This is deceptive, especially with plant products, since no animal additives are expected there. Manufacturers often cloud apple juice with gelatine. The gelatine is added when the naturally cloudy juice is filtered and then filtered out again later – the cloudy substances in the apple juice are extracted.

The result: Gelatine is no longer detectable in the clear apple juice product and it, therefore, does not have to be labeled as food containing animal products.

There are also alternative methods of clarifying apple juice: Manufacturers such as Beckers Bester and Eckes Granini, for example, use mechanical filtering, known as ultrafiltration. Plant-based products such as pea protein can also be used instead of animal gelatin.

The result

FoodWatch bought a total of over 30 apple juices from various manufacturers at Edeka, Lidl, and Rewe – both Edeka and Rewe’s own brands and branded products such as Pfanner and Valentina. The test included apple juice, apple nectar, and apple spritzer.

More than every third apple juice or apple nectar failed. The apple spritzers also perform similarly poorly: five out of 14 juices are made using gelatine or clarification with the help of gelatine cannot be ruled out.

By the way, the most commonly used gelatine is pork. Only the manufacturer Lichtenauer stated that they also use beef gelatine in the production of the apple spritzer. Incidentally, both brand manufacturers and private labels are affected: from Albi to Adelholzer to Rewe Bio.

The manufacturers Pfanner, Beckers Bester, and Valentina were praised because they replace the animal gelatine with a plant-based gelatine substitute such as pea gelatine or achieve clarification through ultrafiltration. We have already reported about a juice for vegans in our veggie blog.

​Juices with animal gelatine

These products failed:

  • Albi apple clear:
  • Buchholz apple juice direct juice
  • Obstland Sachsenobst apple juice
  • Lausitzer Lockwitzgrund clear apple
  • From here apple juice
  • Adelholzener Alpenquellen organic apple spritzer
  • Gerolsteiner apple spritzer
  • Lichtenau mineral springs premium spritzer apple
  • We organic apple juice spritzer
  • Yes! apple nectar and yes! apple spritzer
  • Our best choice is apple juice

Clear labeling must be!

FoodWatch says clearly: Anyone who uses animal gelatine in the production of juices must also state this clearly on the packaging. This is the only way the buyer can make an informed decision. This is essential, especially for people who want to consciously avoid animal products!

Hot espresso with cold orange juice: It may sound like a crazy combination, but this mix isn’t that absurd and unknown. The drink has long been on the menu at a Phoenix coffee shop and is very popular. In addition to the taste, it also scores with many as the ultimate pick-me-up.

This rarely seen drink mix was created by the cafe “Nami” in Phoenix (Arizona). The pick-me-up drink has been served there since 2011, but nobody really knows how this combination actually came about.

Espresso with orange juice – the ultimate pick-me-up drink?

It’s that easy: Just slowly fill up a glass of cold orange juice with hot espresso. The espresso then settles in such a way that two layers of color are created. Below the orange juice and above the brown espresso – that’s definitely something to be proud of!

When it comes to the taste of the drink, opinions differ. While some describe the taste as interesting and refreshing, critics don’t like the pick-me-up drink at all.

We tried it in the editorial office and in fact, there was nobody who didn’t like it. From “it’s okay” to “I’m sure it’s really good with ice cubes in the summer” to “I’ll make another one” we all had opinions. But does the pick-me-up really give you such an energy boost? Some colleagues felt a tingling sensation in their bodies – but it’s hard to say whether that was just a placebo or a real caffeine kick.

Coffee with lemon – home remedies for headaches?

In fact, combining coffee with citrus is nothing new. In Italy, for example, coffee is often served with a slice of lemon or orange to make the coffee less bitter. However, the espresso-orange juice combination has not yet made it onto the drinks menus of German cafés and bars. Maybe soon?

The well-known home remedy “coffee with lemon” is said to not only serve as a stimulant but even help against headaches and mild migraine attacks (1). An unsweetened cup of espresso with half a squeezed lemon is said to relieve pain because the combination prevents the production of an enzyme that plays a role in pain transmission. This is why many painkillers contain a mixture of caffeine and vitamin C.

For many, it is simply part of the start of the day: orange juice. However, new evidence shows he is not as healthy as many believe.

The nutritional values ​​in a 230ml glass of orange juice:

Calories: 110
Protein: 2 grams
Carbohydrates: 26 grams
Sugar: 22 grams
Vitamin C: 120 percent of the recommended daily amount
Vitamin B1: 15 percent of the recommended daily amount
Potassium: 13 percent of the recommended daily amount
Folates: 10 percent of the recommended daily amount
It’s actually pretty good, isn’t it? The only recognizable weak point: the sugar content. At 22 grams per glass, orange juice is comparable to a glass of cola, which contains roughly the same amount of sugar. That’s the equivalent of almost nine sugar cubes. Apart from that, however, orange juice is rich in vitamins and should actually be good for our body.

Scott Kahan, however, sees things differently. The scientist is certain that the consumption of orange juice is associated with obesity and organ damage. And not just because of the sugar. Orange juice has been squeezed from several oranges. Consuming the juice cannot be compared to consuming a natural orange. When you eat an orange, you not only take in the same vitamins with significantly fewer calories, but also valuable dietary fiber, which slows down digestion and creates a feeling of satiety. This does not happen with orange juice. You don’t feel full even though you’ve consumed more calories.

Fruit juices have a lot of calories, but they don’t fill you up

According to Kahan, the added sugar is just the tip of the iceberg. The high sugar content can be a problem for diabetics in particular. But they are not the only ones at risk: the large amount of sugar can also be harmful for non-diabetics.

Nevertheless, orange juice also has advantages when consumed correctly: The juice is a direct supplier of carotenoids, falvonoids and vitamin C. Carotenoids support the immune system and, as antioxidants, fight harmful substances in the body. Falvonoid is an anti-inflammatory and inflammation can always be a trigger for serious diseases. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for the body. It improves and supports the immune system and also acts as an antioxidant.

“If you really like orange juice, it can be worth including in moderate amounts in a balanced diet,” says Scott Kahan. However, all the good stuff in the juice can also be obtained by consuming a whole orange – and with far fewer calories.

Not-from-concentrate juice is considered particularly healthy. But what is the difference to fruit juice concentrate? And which one is healthier?

Direct juice or concentrate? Those are the differences

The product title “direct juice” means that the juice is bottled immediately after pressing. Nothing more is changed in the juice. If it is not possible to bottle the juice immediately, the juice is temporarily stored in cooling tanks.

It’s different with fruit juice concentrate: Here the juice is first reduced to about a sixth of its original volume. To do this, it is heated so that the water evaporates. So that the aromas and vitamins are not lost, the steam is distilled and later added to the concentrate again.

The advantage of fruit juice concentrate: the reduced volume means that transport costs can be saved. Orange juice concentrate, for example, is produced in the producing countries, shipped and processed in fruit juice factories in the consuming countries.

But it doesn’t matter whether it’s concentrate or not-from-concentrate juice: fruit juice must have 100 percent fruit content.

This is how direct juice is made

Fruit juices are usually produced in wine presses. There the fruits are first washed and – if necessary – peeled. The peel of citrus fruits, for example, contains many bitter substances that would be released during pressing.

The fruits are then crushed in a fruit mill. The resulting mass is called “mash”. It is now pressed and spun to separate the juice from the solid components. To prevent the juice from fermenting quickly, it is pasteurized. The juice is slowly heated to 80 to 85 degrees. This also serves to kill bacteria and germs.

Is not-from-concentrate healthier?

Not juice is popular. The name promises to get a fresh product. Not-from-concentrate juice often costs a little more, which is also due to the higher costs for storage and transport.

However, since both direct juice and fruit juice concentrate consist of fruit juice, direct juice is not necessarily healthier. Vitamins are already lost during the pressing, which takes place at the beginning of both variants.

The Association of the German Fruit Juice Industry points out that by law, fruit juice and fruit juice made from fruit juice concentrate do not contain any added sugar.

Wheatgrass juice has been considered particularly healthy for a number of years. But which active ingredients are really in it and what is the truth behind the hype? We’ll tell you.

Wheatgrass juice has been a trend drink in the USA since the 1990s. But it has also become very popular with us in recent years. Although wheatgrass juice is a trend food or drink, it is not an exotic plant from far away: no, wheatgrass grows right on our doorstep.

Wheatgrass juice is obtained from the young shoots of our native soft wheat (Triticum aestivum). The variety is also called bread wheat or seed wheat. Wheatgrass juice is produced when the young shoots are harvested after just a few days (before the leaves form knots) and then pressed. Soft wheat belongs to the sweet grass family and is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. In Eurasia, the wheat species has been cultivated for at least 2700 years.

This superfood is said to be a vitamin bomb that helps digestion and keeps you young. But what is the truth about the rumours?

Wheatgrass juice and its ingredients

Wheatgrass juice has numerous vitamins, minerals, trace elements and amino acids and one thing above all: chlorophyll. This plant pigment gives wheatgrass juice its famous nickname “green blood”. The high concentration in the leaves ensures that the juice later turns a bright green. In addition, chlorophyll is structurally similar to the red blood pigment hemoglobin.

The ingredients in wheatgrass can vary widely. They arise depending on the location, the soil conditions and the harvest time. Among other things, the following nutrients can be found in wheatgrass juice:

vitamins:
Provitamin A (carotenoids)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
Vitamin B6
Folic acid (also vitamin B9 or B11)
vitamin C
Vitamin D
vitamin E
vitamin k
Despite claims to the contrary, wheatgrass is low in vitamin B12.

Minerals and trace elements:
iron
potassium
calcium
cobalt
copper
magnesium
sodium
phosphorus
Furthermore, wheatgrass contains a variety of healthy amino acids such as alanine, histidine, methionine and lysine. They are important for fighting free radicals and building proteins. For this reason, wheatgrass juice has a high protein content (about 20 percent). That is why it is often used as animal feed.

Does wheatgrass contain gluten?
Don’t worry: although wheatgrass is the young shoots of wheat, it does not contain gluten. Even if you have celiac disease or wheat intolerance, you can take it without any worries.

Wheatgrass juice for gastrointestinal disorders

Wheatgrass juice is known to aid in digestion. Its enzymes are designed to break down the food you eat, allowing you to digest it faster. Enzymes play the central role in human metabolism. Normally, however, our pancreas produces these enzymes all by itself. According to the Harvard Health Journal, supplementation is only necessary if you suffer from diseases such as chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis. Then your body can no longer produce the necessary enzymes itself.

Wheatgrass juice isn’t just supposed to help get your digestion back on track. It is also said to help with gastrointestinal disorders such as the serious inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis. Symptoms of this disease can include severe intestinal pain, painful bowel movements, diarrhea and even bleeding. According to a pilot study, wheatgrass juice is said to have a soothing effect on all of these symptoms and reduce the severity of bleeding. Just 100 milliliters of wheatgrass juice per day can have a great positive effect on your symptoms. However, you cannot treat the disease with just wheatgrass juice. Also, be sure to see a doctor.

Wheatgrass Juice: Rich in antioxidants and effective against stress

Wheatgrass juice is not only a vitamin bomb and therefore good for your immune system – it is also rich in antioxidants. These help eliminate free radicals that are caused by stress, an unhealthy diet or smoking, among other things. Too many of these free radicals can lead to so-called “oxidative stress” and damage your cells. This, in turn, is said to increase the risk of many diseases.

According to a scientific study, in addition to the numerous vitamins and antioxidants, certain proteins in wheatgrass juice help against oxidative stress.

Wheatgrass juice helps with cancer?

Wheatgrass juice is said to be so healthy that it can even help fight cancer. According to a study from 2017, the so-called “green blood” is said to prevent the cell division of cancer cells in oral cavity carcinomas, the sixth most common type of cancerous tumors. However, this study was conducted in a test tube. Whether the same effect occurs when consuming wheatgrass juice is not proven.

According to a study from China, a large amount of chlorophyll can help flush cancer-causing aflatoxins from the liver better. Aflatoxins are dangerous toxins found in poorly stored foods that can cause liver cancer.

Cancer tumors can have different effects on different organs in the body. Therefore, it is unclear whether wheatgrass juice works against all types of cancer. The juice also supports your immune system and detoxification processes.