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Magnesium in Food: Magnesium-Containing Foods You Should Know

To prevent magnesium deficiency, you do not have to resort to artificial preparations. You can easily integrate the following magnesium-rich foods into your diet.

Avoid magnesium deficiency – it starts with breakfast

Magnesium-rich foods are very important for the body. Especially older, pregnant, breastfeeding or very sporty people can quickly develop a magnesium deficiency

Already at breakfast you can make sure you eat a magnesium-rich food. Oatmeal is high in magnesium, as are fruit, especially berries like blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries. There is also plenty of magnesium in milk and soy products. If you also sprinkle seeds, almonds and nuts on your muesli, your magnesium-rich breakfast is perfect.

The nuts, kernels, and seeds with the highest magnesium content include:
sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. They are the foods with the most magnesium.
linseed, poppy, corn,
Walnut, hazelnut, peanut, cashew

Magnesium-rich foods for daily needs

Fruit and vegetables should be on your daily menu. The German Society for Nutrition recommends three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit daily. It is best to buy products from organic agriculture and seasonal and regional. Green vegetables and legumes are particularly rich in magnesium and iron. These include above all:
Brussels sprouts, kale, kohlrabi
broccoli, spinach
beans, lentils
Peas, Chickpeas
When you cook vegetables, magnesium and many healthy vitamins accumulate in abundance in the cooking water. It is therefore worth not throwing away the water. You can drink it or save it as a broth for soups.

Wholemeal products such as bread and pasta as well as brown rice are also important suppliers of magnesium. They also contain a lot of fiber and minerals, which also have a positive effect on health.

If you love dark chocolate, you can rejoice. Cocoa powder is particularly rich in magnesium. You can sprinkle cocoa in pure form over muesli and desserts or eat dark chocolate. It is important, however, that the cocoa content in the chocolate must be at least 70%.

How can you support magnesium absorption?

Only about a third of the magnesium that we consume in food actually ends up in our organism. The rest is discarded. So we have to consume three times as much as our body actually needs. Additionally, we can avoid foods that decrease magnesium absorption. These include above all:
alcohol
refined sugar
white flour products
Calcium also inhibits the absorption capacity of the intestine and thus increases the excretion of magnesium. Vitamin D, on the other hand, helps the body absorb magnesium.

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Caffeine: Effects, Side Effects and What Else You Should Know

Caffeine works quickly and stimulates – that’s well known. But how exactly caffeine works in the body and what side effects there are, most people don’t even know. We’ll show you what coffee, cola and co. do to the body.

Caffeine and its effects on the body

Caffeine takes effect after just 30 minutes and is distributed throughout the body via the blood. The effects of caffeine last about four hours:
High doses of caffeine make the heart beat faster and increase the pulse. Blood pressure also rises in people who rarely consume caffeine.
Even in small doses, caffeine can improve concentration and temporarily eliminate tiredness.
Caffeine also often constricts the blood vessels in the brain and can thus relieve mild headaches and migraines.
The muscles can be better supplied with oxygen when we consume caffeine. That’s why some athletes take caffeine before training, for example in the form of tablets.
However, our body gets used to caffeine with regular consumption. This habituation effect leads to the fact that many of the mentioned modes of action occur only weakly or not at all.

side effects of caffeine

Consuming too much caffeine can result in a caffeine overdose. Doctors speak of an overdose of one gram of caffeine. This corresponds to 15 to 20 cups of espresso. Symptoms include:
sleep disorders
restlessness
headache
nervousness
Panic Attacks
Gastrointestinal complaints
circulatory collapse
Some of the symptoms don’t even require an overdose—they can occur with overconsumption. However, this is usually harmless because of the said habituation effect, so that many people can tolerate several cups of coffee in a row.

According to the European Food Safety Authority, 200 mg of caffeine per single dose and 400 mg per day are safe for humans. Children should consume a maximum of 3 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight.

Caffeine content in coffee, cola & co.

The amount of caffeine in coffee depends on many factors: How hot was the coffee roasted and brewed, how long does it steep, how finely are the beans ground and which beans are they? A guide value can still be set for coffee and other caffeinated foods:
Coffee: 50 mg per 100 ml
Espresso: 130 mg per 100 ml
Black and green tea: 20 mg per 100 ml
Coca-Cola: 10mg/100ml
Club Mate: 20 mg / 100 ml
Red Bull: 32mg/100ml
Dark chocolate: 90 mg / 100 g
Milk chocolate: 15 mg / 100 g
A cup with 250 ml of coffee comes to around 125 mg of caffeine.

However, the amount of caffeine can vary greatly, especially in restaurants and cafés with professional coffee machines: In the USA, scientists have found large differences in the amount of caffeine when comparing espresso in different restaurants. In their study, the researchers found up to 317 mg of caffeine per espresso – more than the maximum single dose should contain according to the EU.

Caffeine for hair loss?

Many shampoos now contain caffeine, which according to advertising is said to protect against hair loss. However, its effectiveness is controversial because there is no clear scientific evidence for it. Caffeinated shampoos can stimulate cell growth, but the specific effect is unclear. In any case, you don’t have to buy such a product – you can instead make your own shampoo for your hair out of old coffee grounds.

Are caffeine pills harmful?

Caffeine tablets work just like the caffeine in coffee and tea. However, it is highly concentrated and can be taken at any time. A caffeine tablet usually contains 200 mg of caffeine and thus the maximum single dose.

For many people, caffeine tablets are better tolerated than coffee. Because the acid contained in coffee can lead to stomach problems.
However, the high dosage should only be taken if you are already used to caffeine. Otherwise symptoms such as restlessness, nervousness and sleep disorders can quickly occur.
Like other caffeinated foods, caffeine pills can only mask tiredness. The effect of the tablets abruptly wears off over time. Therefore, you should not use them as a pick-me-up when driving.

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High Protein Foods You Should Know (List)

Protein-rich foods are not only important for athletes to know. Because protein gives the cells shape, transports oxygen and is important for the metabolism. Our list shows you foods with a particularly high amount of protein.

Protein foods: list

The body cannot produce essential amino acids itself and is therefore dependent on them being ingested through protein-rich foods. Animal foods contain a lot of protein, especially poultry, fish and some dairy products. However, milk itself only has about 3 grams of protein per 100 grams. The following foods perform better (also per 100 grams):
Parmesan: 35g
Serrano ham: 30g
Harz cheese: 30g
Emmental cheese: 28g
Tuna in its own juice: 26g
Turkey breast: 24g
Salmon: 21g
Beef: 22g
Salami: 20g
Prawns: 18.5g
Cottage cheese: 13g
Low-fat quark: 12.6g
Weisswurst: 11g
Egg white from egg: 11g
Greek yogurt: 10g
With meat and dairy products, however, it is important to pay attention to ecological standards. Conventional animal husbandry is usually associated with animal suffering. You also have to be careful with fish. Many fish species are severely overfished, including tuna.

Plant-based foods high in protein

But there are also plenty of vegan protein sources. Even without meat, milk and cheese you can eat a protein-rich diet. The following plant-based foods contain a particularly large amount of protein per 100 grams:
Soy flours: 40g
Hemp seeds: 37g
Soybeans: 34g
Peanuts: 25g
Pumpkin seeds: 24g
Lentils: 24g
Pine nuts: 24g
Pistachios: 23g
Peanut Butter: 22g (Make your own peanut butter: A simple guide)
Kidney beans: 22g
Chia seeds: 21g
Almonds: 20g
Quinoa: 15g
Oatmeal: 13g
Tofu: 11g

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Lifestyle

8 Fashion Trends That Every Style-Conscious Woman Should Know

Fashion is constantly changing and what was considered chic last year may be out this year. Every woman knows the dilemma and knows that it can be difficult not to lose track of all the new fashion trends.

But all this is no reason to despair because luckily there are magazines like ours that know exactly what is important when it comes to fashion. Interested? Then read on, because in this article we would like to present 8 fashion trends for 2021 – a must for every style-conscious woman!

Comfortable suits in trend

As you might expect, the ongoing pandemic has also transformed the fashion world and this is reflected in the rise in popularity of suits, for example. There were and still are many women who wear the same clothes when working from home as they do in the office in order to stay motivated at work. However, suits are not exactly comfortable and in the home office, this is a bit annoying in the long run. It is therefore understandable that comfortable suits are constantly gaining in popularity because home office loungewear has its appeal. So why not opt ​​for a roomy cut and comfortable materials?

Casual and sporty everyday clothing remains popular

The athleisure look may not be as popular as it was in 2018, but it is almost impossible that it will disappear from the fashion world in the coming years because casual and sporty everyday clothing makes a lot in terms of feel-good factors. There are also good brands that focus primarily on style and a good example of this would be SikSilk Woman. The label’s women’s fashion is characterized by casualness and modernity, which goes perfectly with an athleisure look. A good choice would be the current sweatpants and tops. These are also super suitable fashion styles for modern moms.

Flower patterns are fun

Flowers in the home make you feel good and they are proven to be good for your health. So why not wear floral print clothes too? There is enough choice and the feel-good prints are currently in trend. In theory, tops with floral patterns are easy to combine, but to get the most out of the outfit, it is best to go for a body dress, because with this one you are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.

Extravagant patterns are no longer taboo

Experimenting with patterns? For a long time, this was considered a fashion sin, but in 2021 it seems to be quite normal. Admittedly, combining patterns is not easy and you have to be careful that your outfit doesn’t end up looking overloaded. However, a little extravagance can’t hurt and it seems more in demand than ever at the moment. You do not dare the look? Then it is best to stick to different patterns of a color family because you cannot go too far wrong with them.

Wide cuts becoming more common

The effects of the pandemic are not only noticeable in the fact that comfortable suits are trendy, but in general, wide cuts are enjoying increasing popularity. This development is not surprising, because, in the home office, convenience is the top priority for many employees. How the “XL trend” ultimately expresses itself differs from person to person and baggy jeans or oversized trench coats, for example, are interesting. In addition, also note our fashion tips for chubby women.

Show your skin with bralettes

Bare midriffs are once again in fashion in 2021 and this time, thanks to bralettes, it’s particularly tight. The light bustiers without underwire and reinforcement are ideal for showing a little more skin. Style-conscious women know how to use this skillfully, but so that the stomach is not completely exposed, you should combine bralettes with high-waisted pants or skirts.

Skimpy skirts and shorts are more popular than ever

In 2021, tight skirts and shorts are more popular than in previous years, which is why they are a good option, especially in summer. However, with extremely short skirts and shorts, it is important that the outfit does not look too “naked”. To create a balance, long-sleeved blazers and blouses are ideal. Should it be colder, we also recommend wearing tights. When it comes to the design of the skirts and shorts, there is not too much to consider, but it is important that the garment matches the rest of the outfit. Basically, eye-catching colors like lemon yellow and extravagant patterns are a good choice – after all, you want to attract attention.

Theatricality for more drama

Messages can be spread with fashion and theatricality is enjoying increasing popularity in times of the pandemic. Fashion with imaginative drama is now very much in demand and that is not surprising as the individual pieces exude a high level of creativity. In addition, materials are used that are normally only rarely used in fashion. If you like it more extravagant, the theatrical look could be a good choice. For many fashion designers, the outfits are perfect for emphasizing the craftsmanship in fashion. So bring some drama into your wardrobe and enjoy theatrical productions, because you don’t need a catwalk for that! You can also let your own creativity run free and sew clothes yourself.

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Lifestyle

Stylish in the Summer – You Should Know These Trends

Whether shopping, walking through the park, or picking up the kids from sports. If you want to feel comfortable, you should choose the right clothes. As the saying from the well-known Brothers Grimm fairy tale says: “Clothes make the man”.

Many women define themselves through their clothes and thrive on summer trends. Are you looking for an elegant piece of clothing for the evening or a chic eye-catcher with a coziness factor? We have collected the trends for the summer and don’t want to withhold them from you

Summery trends at reasonable prices

You don’t have to spend large sums of money to bring the summer trends into your own wardrobe. You know how to save money when shopping for skirts, dresses, shirts, and shoes. For example, a Hennes and Mauritz voucher is available, which you can get at Vouchersammler.de. With this, you save money if you want to shop for summer fashion in the well-known clothing store “H&M”.

Here you will find clothing in summery colors, modern cuts, and extravagant combinations.

Street style: Comfortable and a real eye-catcher

Street fashion or called “street style” is gaining more and more popularity and relevance, getting closer to the fashionable women around the world every day.

Lightness, simplicity, and comfortable cuts are the main advantages of street style. The street style allows every woman to feel comfortable on the street every day.

This is especially true for modern women who are active all day and do important things.
Street style for the summer allows you to interpret different variations of clothes in every possible way, combining a lot of interesting and unusual clothes. However, you should note that some rules prevail. The “freedom” in creating urban style looks sometimes leads to not very successful end results – when the elements of the look complement each other or are not quite coordinated.

No matter how experimental the street style is laid out for the summer, consider the fashion basics.
The trends of the summer season are all about metallic shine, both in clothing and accessories. Prints and bright colors are welcome in summer.

Checks in all their variety, stripes, and flowers are in fashion. Stylish monochrome sets in an urban style are also very relevant. You will also benefit from oversized styles and loose silhouettes, as well as platforms that look very daring. This cozy look gives you freedom of movement but still accompanies you stylishly to the office or to the shops.

Discover summery colors in clothing

For a modern, stunning look, choose a trendy color. This summer, the mustard-yellow dress with elastic tulle is a real eye-catcher for almost every occasion. It is characterized by the special sleeves, which are provided with airy bands. Thanks to the straight cut, it suits every silhouette. The semi-transparent tulle sleeves are the three-quarters length and can be tied with thin, elegant ribbons.

It is important to combine the right accessories with such an IT piece. Be sure to color match these to the intense hue of the dress. In this way, you will be able to create a harmonious picture.

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Food

Kamut: What You Should Know About Khorasan Wheat

Long forgotten, the virtues of Kamut are now being rediscovered. The old type of grain is an ancestor of wheat, but is significantly healthier and more sustainable than wheat. We show why.

Kamut or Khorasan wheat – one and the same?

Khorasan wheat refers to an original type of wheat that was cultivated 6000 years ago. Along with emmer and einkorn, it is one of the oldest cultivated grains. There are many legends about the exact origin, but the old grain probably comes from Central Asia. Hence the name, because “Chorasan” was an earlier region in parts of today’s Iran and Afghanistan.

In contrast, Kamut is not a designation for the grain variety, but rather a protected product designation for organically grown Khorasan wheat. In the 1990s, US farmers from Montana began marketing the organic product under the ancient Egyptian word “kamut.”

Differences from modern wheat

Kamut is a natural hybrid of a wild form of wheat and durum wheat. Kamut grains are two to three times longer than conventionally farmed wheat. The golden-yellow grain has a mild, nutty taste.

The ancient grain is grown in North America and southern Europe. Although old grain varieties such as Kamut deliver significantly lower yields than, for example, sophisticated modern wheat, Khorasan wheat is much more resistant to diseases and pests. However, if they are infested, conventional methods will not help. This is because pesticides do not work on this type of wheat. In spite of this, or precisely because of this, the cultivation is more sustainable than with today’s overbred varieties, which would hardly yield any yields without fertilizers and pesticides. The slower growth and the ineffective sprays are the reason why the wheat variety is uninteresting for conventional agriculture.

As a result, you will find almost exclusively organic Khorasan wheat in Germany – then under the name “Kamut”. Health food stores, organic or natural food stores are good addresses here. However, due to the lower yields, you have to expect higher prices than with conventional wheat.

Ingredients – What makes Kamut so healthy?

Ingredients and calorie content per 100 g:
Calories: 346g
Egg white: 14.8 g
Fat: 2.4g
Fiber: 8.9 g
Carbohydrates: 61.7 g
The high protein content immediately catches the eye. With 30-40% more protein than modern varieties, Kamut has excellent gluten properties. The ancient grain is therefore particularly suitable for elastic doughs.

The proportion of unsaturated fatty acids is also higher and the old grain can score with a variety of vitamins and minerals. According to NABU, Kamut contains significantly more zinc, phosphorus and up to 30% more magnesium than other types of whole grain. The most important vitamins are vitamin E, B1 and B2.

A particular advantage is the high content of selenium – a trace element which, in combination with certain vitamins, counteracts the formation of free radicals. It is also said to protect against cancer and strengthen the immune system. The daily selenium requirement is already covered with 200 g of kamut bread.

Is Kamut suitable for a gluten-free diet?

No! Kamut, like modern wheat, contains some gluten. People who suffer from celiac disease should therefore avoid the grain. Good gluten-free alternatives include millet, amaranth, quinoa or buckwheat.

However, the ancient grain is considered to be more digestible than conventional wheat. According to a study published on ScienceDirect, people with gluten sensitivity (not celiacs!) have significantly fewer symptoms after eating flour made from ancient grains.

use of kamut

In principle, you can use Kamut instead of wheat or spelt. The grain is available in the form of whole grains, flakes, couscous, semolina or flour. Unlike conventional wheat, Kamut does not differentiate between different types of flour, there is only a light and a whole grain variant.

Due to the high gluten content, this wheat variety is particularly suitable for elastic doughs, such as pasta or baked goods. The nutty note is also excellent in bread. The special form of the starch in Kamut also delays retrogradation in baked goods. That means they stay fresh longer.

Alternatively, you can simply cook the grains and serve them as a side dish.

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Maltose: What You Need to Know About Malt Sugar

Maltose is not only found in beer and bread, but also in many other foods. But what is maltose and where is malt sugar used for sweetening?

What is maltose?

You may also know maltose under the name malt sugar. Maltose is one of the carbohydrates and is formed when starch is broken down. Maltose is mainly found in potatoes and barley. From a chemical point of view, maltose belongs to the family of double sugars (disaccharides), just like lactose or normal table sugar. However, malt sugar has a significantly higher glycemic index than table sugar, which makes it even more unhealthy and thus eliminates it as a sugar alternative.

use of maltose

The caramel-tasting malt sugar is less sweet than regular sugar. Its sweetening power is around 40 percent. Nevertheless, it is often used as a sweetener. Mainly to sell consumers a supposedly low-sugar product. Because maltose is viscous, it is also often used for thickening. In addition to confectionery, you can also find malt sugar in savory foods or light products as a fat substitute, but above all in:
drinks
Sweets
Baked goods, in particular bread
baby food
light products
Beer
Maltose is traditionally contained in malt beer, as the name suggests. The malt sugar here is the result of the brewing process. In addition, artificial lactic acid can be obtained from maltose.

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Fructose: What You Need to Know About Fructose

Fructose is also called fruit sugar. It is a natural sugar that is mainly found in fruit, vegetables and honey. But the image of the supposedly healthy fructose has been crumbling for some time. You can find out what’s going on here.

For a long time, fructose was considered a healthy alternative to conventional household sugar. Since fructose is metabolized independently of insulin, it was assumed that it is particularly suitable for diabetics. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has been warning against this widespread opinion for several years.

And otherwise, fructose has a better reputation than is actually appropriate. Here you can find out what fructose is, what effects it has on the body and what you should pay attention to when consuming it.

Fructose is not just fructose

Fruit, vegetables and honey naturally contain fructose. They also provide important vitamins
The situation is different with industrially produced fructose. Ordinary household sugar consists of 50% fructose and 50% glucose (i.e. grape sugar). While glucose is metabolized quickly, fructose takes a while to be used for energy production.

Fructose in finished products is often advertised as a “natural sweetness” and is therefore quickly considered “healthy”. In fact, fructose is particularly popular because it’s sweeter than regular sugar, cheaper, and works as a flavor enhancer. The simple sugar is often found in chocolate, pastries and lemonades. But also in pre-cooked pasta or pizza

The body does not depend on fructose. While he can metabolize the fructose from natural sources well, he is often overwhelmed with the amounts from finished products. The consumer center recommends no more than 25 grams of fructose per day

Fructose: This is how fructose affects our health

Exceeding the recommended daily allowance for fructose is a no-brainer. Already one
This
Fructose enters the bloodstream via the small intestine. However, if you eat a large portion of fructose or suffer from fructose intolerance, larger amounts of fructose can reach the large intestine. There they ensure that more gases and acids are formed. This can cause bloating with diarrhea and abdominal pain
One
The metabolic syndrome is mentioned in the same context. A study by the European Food Safety Authority from 2011 found that the consumption of fructose increases insulin resistance, lipid metabolism disorders, which in turn affect the liver
Because fructose doesn’t affect insulin levels that much, the brain doesn’t get the information that the body is full. This makes it easy for you to take in more food than you need. Sweets encourage us to “want more” and to reach for these foods more often. In addition, fructose should
It is also suspected that fructose has a negative effect on uric acid levels and can therefore promote diseases such as gout.
According to one

Fructose: You should pay attention to this

The common wisdom also applies to fructose: “The dose makes the poison.” You should still eat a sufficient amount of seasonal fruit and vegetables every day

As a rule of thumb, five servings per day are recommended. Since vegetables generally contain less sugar than fruit, the DGE (German Society for Nutrition) recommends covering three of the portions with vegetables. A smoothie or a self-pressed juice would fully replace a portion. So that the drinks don’t get too sweet, it’s best to mix fruit and vegetables here too, for example in a green smoothie

It only becomes critical if you also consume a lot of fructose. This is particularly found in finished products, but also in supposedly healthy fitness bars or wellness drinks.

If you make sure you eat only fresh, unprocessed foods, you don’t need to worry about too much fructose.

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Refined Oil: You Should Know These Advantages and Disadvantages

In the trade, a distinction is made between refined and native oils. But what exactly are refined oils? Here’s a little about their pros and cons.

Manufacturing makes the difference

Refined and native oils differ in their production: Native oils are gently cold-pressed. This means that they are manufactured at low temperatures and without the use of chemicals. Due to the gentle processing, many healthy ingredients are retained, such as vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids.

Refined oils, on the other hand, are extracted under the influence of heat and chemicals.
The oil is hot pressed.
Solvents such as hexane or light petroleum are used during extraction.
This method is used to extract more oil than cold pressing. However, refined oils are not unhealthy or toxic because of this: the chemical residues are then removed from the oil. The oil is heated up to 240°C for several hours for cleaning. This process is called refining.

This means that there are no longer any unwanted chemical substances in the oil. However, the oil also loses vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids and taste. This means that the oil is not unhealthy or harmful, but it is also not as healthy as native oils. However, refined oils also have advantages in their use.

Pros and cons of refined oil

Advantages are:
Refined oil is more heat resistant. Only use refined oils for hot frying. They are also better suited for cooking. When native oils are heated too much, smoke and pollutants are formed. So for this purpose, refined oils are healthier than virgin oils.
Refined oils are cheaper to produce than virgin oils. Accordingly, they also cost less in the store.
The more heavily treated oils tend to be more tasteless. This can be an advantage for cooking if you don’t want the oil to taste too bad.
Due to the strong treatment, refined oils have a longer shelf life than native oils.
Disadvantages are:
The hot pressing and long heating takes more energy.
Refined oil contains fewer valuable ingredients than virgin oil, such as vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids.
The fact that refined oils are less flavorful can also be a disadvantage. In salads, the taste of native oil is quite appropriate.
Harmful trans-fatty acids can be produced during deodorization, a sub-process of refining.
In general, refined oils are not inherently unhealthy. For some purposes such as cooking and frying, they are very well suited because of their heat resistance. Depending on the purpose for which you want to use the oil, you should choose the right oil.

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Alkaloids: This is What You Should Know About The Herbal Active Ingredient

Alkaloids are among the secondary plant active substances. They are contained, for example, in potatoes, tomatoes or coffee. Alkaloids can have beneficial health effects. You can find out what you need to consider here.

What are alkaloids?

Alkaloids are alkaline substances found in food and beverage plants. They contain nitrogen and are the end product of plant metabolism. There are up to 8000 different alkaloids. They are formed as derivatives of various amino acids, such as lysine, phenylalanine or tryptophan. The alkaloids protect the plants from eating and regulate plant growth.

Alkaloids can have physiological effects on the organism and are therefore used in many medicines. For example, they have a euphoric or stimulating effect. However, if the dosage is too high, alkaloids can also be very harmful, as they are among the primary toxic plant substances. They are also found in many stimulants, such as nicotine and caffeine.

Where are alkaloids found?

According to Dr. O. Ploss (Klostermedizin, Knaur-Verlag) in 10-15 percent of all plants. Above all, nightshade plants such as tomatoes or potatoes contain the plant substances. But they are also found in other typical foods and luxury foods:
paprika
Coffee
tea
Tonic water (drinks containing quinine)
opium poppy
tobacco
Depending on the type of chemical composition, alkaloids are used in medicines or dietary supplements.

They are also a component of many intoxicants because they can dock onto receptors in the human nervous system and are quickly absorbed by the body. Many alkaloids (such as nicotine or morphine) can cause strong addictions in humans.

How are alkaloids to be assessed from a health perspective?

Due to their effect on the human organism, alkaloids are used in medicines or dietary supplements.

Some alkaloids, such as vincristine, are said to be used in the treatment of cancer. There is no scientific evidence of its effectiveness.
Other alkaloids such as quinine, ephedrine or berberine are also components of various medications and can have anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects.
Steroids, which also belong to the alkaloids, also have important functions as hormones in animal and human organisms.
As already mentioned, however, alkaloids are not harmless. Due to their mind-altering properties, they are often found in intoxicants. In higher doses, they can even be life-threatening.

For example, the alkaloid solanine, found in the green parts of tomatoes or potatoes, can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, fatigue, headaches or shortness of breath. It is therefore advisable to store alkaloid-containing vegetables protected from light and to prepare them when ripe (tomatoes) and without green spots (potatoes).

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