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Glutamate Naturally Found in Protein Foods

Glutamate is notorious to many people. They do not want to consume the flavor enhancer and avoid corresponding foods. The problem: Not only do industrially manufactured products contain glutamate – it occurs naturally in foods containing protein.

Glutamate in protein foods

Small amounts of natural glutamate are found in all protein foods. Because monosodium glutamate is a salt of glutamic acid and this is found in both plant and animal protein. If the glutamate is only contained in a portion of food in this way and not as an additive, it does not have to be included in the list of ingredients.

Foods that say “no flavor enhancers added” can also contain natural glutamate. This is the case with the reference to yeast extract or tomatoes on the list of ingredients. So far it has not been scientifically known that glutamate could endanger health.

Foods with glutamate

When it comes to foods with glutamate, many people think of ready meals, packet soups, or chips. No wonder, these dishes contain plenty of glutamates, which are artificially produced in the industry. The most commonly used additive is monosodium glutamate: a white powder to which many people are allergic.

But there are also natural foods with glutamate. Parmesan cheese is the leader: It contains 1,200 milligrams of glutamate (per 100 grams), followed by beans (200 milligrams / 100 grams) and tomatoes (140 milligrams / 100 grams). With 45 milligrams per 100 grams, chicken meat has more glutamate than beef (35 milligrams / 100 grams). Very little natural glutamate contains cod with 10 milligrams per 100 grams and cow’s milk with 2 milligrams per 100 grams.

What is glutamate?

Glutamate is an amino acid that plays an important role in cell metabolism. It is produced by the human body. As a messenger substance in the brain, glutamate is important for signal transmission there. It serves as a detoxifier of ammonia and is an important nutrient for nucleotide synthesis and for rapidly dividing cells (intestinal and immune cells).

As an excitatory neurotransmitterr, glutamate is also important for motor control, learning, and memory, and for the transmission of sensory perception.

However, in larger amounts, glutamate can cause allergy-like reactions. Because today it is no longer obtained from algae, but artificially produced in huge quantities by industry. Since then there has been a lively discussion about the effect of glutamate on the body.

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Naturally Beautiful and Healthy with Buttermilk

Buttermilk is a natural route to health, wellness, and beauty. It is particularly inexpensive and nutritious. Their effects on health and beauty are undisputed.

Beauty products from drugstores and online retailers are in demand and make up a huge market. However, it is often overlooked that nature already gives us enough things that are healthy and increase our well-being. One of them is buttermilk, which works wonders for the skin both as a drink and as a cosmetic.

What is buttermilk?

When butter is made, there is always a certain amount of liquid left over. Only lactic acid bacteria are added to this to create buttermilk. The end product is therefore purely natural and does not contain any artificial additives. Like whey, buttermilk is a by-product of milk production and was formerly used to feed livestock. Today, both are considered wellness products and are very popular with everyone who wants to eat healthily and consciously. In addition, note useful information about margarine and its use.

A big sip of health

The main purpose of buttermilk is, of course, to be both a healthy and tasty beverage. It has a hearty refreshing effect and is, therefore, a good remedy against the heat, especially in the warm season. It comes with just 1% fat content and can therefore be consumed in larger quantities and processed for other foods.

Buttermilk gets its healthy effect mainly from its whey proteins. These are biologically very important and can be utilized very well by the body. Because they are used to produce the body’s own vital protein. This helps to keep the body’s functions intact and to stimulate the metabolism. So overall, it’s the mix of low calories and high whey protein content that makes internal buttermilk so healthy and natural beauty from within.

A blessing for the skin

The milk of the butter also has a very beneficial effect on the skin. It can be used purely as a bath additive or directly on the skin, where it is successful against small wounds and sunburn, for example, and makes the skin softer and more supple overall. It is particularly recommended for dry skin, as it is slightly greasy and does not dry out the skin. Also, check out our other beauty-related articles.

Buttermilk scrub

Because of its whey proteins, buttermilk can also be used as a light peeling for healthy and firm skin. It is best to add 2-3 liters of milk to the warm bath water. Alternatively, for a better peeling effect, you can also mix one or two teaspoons of coarse sea salt with a bottle of buttermilk and then apply this mixture directly to the skin with circular movements. This removes smaller skin cells and cares for the skin. If you have dry skin, you should add a teaspoon of vegetable oil (e.g. olive) to the mixture so that the skin gets a good moisturizing effect. You should generally consider this if you want to make peelings yourself.

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Detox Diet: How to Naturally Detoxify Your Body

Fasting once or twice a year can promote the health of the body. We will show you what options there are for a detox diet.

1. Base fasting: regulation of the acid-base balance

With base fasting, the focus is on restoring the acid-base balance. The intake of many acid-forming foods (meat, cheese, white flour, alcohol) can lead to over-acidification of the body.

An alkaline diet – including foods such as potatoes, spinach, bananas or rocket – gives the body the opportunity to deacidify and thus rid itself of toxins.

A period of one to two weeks is recommended for base fasting.

2. Juice detox cure: activation of the natural cleaning powers

A juice detox cure is intended to support the body’s natural cleansing powers and rekindle new energy. Only fruit and vegetables are consumed in liquid form, such as juice or smoothie. All kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables are suitable for this. Due to the thick consistency of smoothies, giving up solid food is a little easier.

Smoothies are often said to have a satiating effect. You can mix suitable smoothies yourself, but many companies also offer pre-made juices for detox diets.

A juice detox cure does not require any complicated preparation and can therefore be easily integrated into everyday working life. It should be noted that a juice detox should not last longer than three days.

3. Therapeutic fasting: Extension of the juice detox cure

Therapeutic fasting is structured in a similar way to a juice detox cure. The difference is that you can also consume clear vegetable broth in addition to the juices.

In addition, a 12-day program is put into your hands. Therapeutic fasting consists of three relief days, six fasting days and three build-up days.

Drinking a lot is the be-all and end-all of every fast

In order to stress the body as little as possible during a detox cure, it is important to drink enough liquid – also in addition to juices and smoothies. Still water and tea are particularly suitable for this. Sugary drinks should be avoided.

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Forget Coffee and Energy Drinks: These Foods Naturally Increase Performance

It sounds almost too good to be true: there are some foods that increase performance without the unhealthy sugar or caffeine. Here we give you 9 tips to increase your performance naturally.

Tip 1: The eternal reminder: drink enough water!

Drink a lot – a sentence that you hear particularly often in summer. What does that have to do with the increase in performance? Quite simply: if you drink enough water, your blood automatically becomes more fluid. This in turn means that oxygen and nutrients reach the brain faster. The result? Increased ability to concentrate!

Tip 2: Superfood nuts – what’s up with the good reputation?

Whether in trail mix, muesli bars or just plain: Nuts have long had the reputation of being good for concentration. Not only do they deliver a lot of energy to our brain, they also contain vitamins, magnesium, potassium and the omega-3 fatty acids that are so important for concentration. They also support metabolism and the immune system.
A little tip: Walnuts are particularly suitable for a great boost in concentration.

Tip 3: The classic fruit under the magnifying glass

Besides sweets, fruit is probably one of the most popular snacks for in between. Compared to the former, however, it performs significantly better. Bananas and red berries are particularly recommended. In addition to important minerals such as potassium, iron and magnesium, bananas also contain many vitamins and three different types of sugar – a real energy bomb. Berries such as cherries, blueberries or strawberries, on the other hand, are particularly good for after exercise because they help against sore muscles due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances. They are also good for nerve cells in the brain.

Tip 4: Pumpkin Seeds and Legumes: How Effective Are They?

In fact, legumes are real all-rounders. They contain special carbohydrates that keep the blood sugar level constant, which in turn strengthens the ability to concentrate. Antioxidants, iron and zinc also promote brain performance.

Pumpkin seeds contain magnesium and are good for the muscles, so they are also good as a small snack after exercise.

Tip 5: Green tea, a real miracle cure?

Although you might not expect it, green tea is a good substitute for those who only drink coffee for the caffeine. Because it also contains caffeine – but in the healthy version. In contrast to the caffeine from coffee, the caffeine from green tea works more slowly, but is much gentler and lasts longer.

Tip 6: Vegetables make you happy

When it comes to vegetables, avocado and chili are particularly recommended. The former is good for the brain due to the many minerals and unsaturated fatty acids, while the latter primarily promotes the happiness hormone endorphin. Ginger also has great properties, for example it has an antibacterial and calming effect.

Root vegetables are also well suited for low concentration and performance, and beetroot shines here in particular, as it ensures better oxygen supply to the muscles and sufficient detoxification.

Tip 7: And animal products?

Many may even have guessed it: Here eggs are suitable for increasing performance. Because in addition to choline for brain function and cholesterol for the formation and strengthening of brain cells, an egg also contains proteins and healthy fats to protect our brain.

In addition, fish is also suitable as a dish for particularly good memory – because this is strengthened by the many omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish. Fish is said to even reduce the likelihood of dementia.

Tip 8: Don’t worry – you can snack too!

While traditional sweets and sugar aren’t great for improving focus and performance, there are exceptions. For example dark chocolate. The higher the cocoa content, the healthier it is because it contains flavonoids that improve concentration and blood flow. It also reduces stress and has a calming effect.

Tip 9: Support for sports

Those who are more interested in sports can rely on carbohydrates (e.g. grain products) for better endurance and protein for muscle building. Industrially manufactured products such as protein bars can be used, but look for low sugar and high-quality protein sources if you like it healthy.

Conclusion: In the end one can say: The right diet has a lot more effect than you think. Minerals, carbohydrates and omega-3 fatty acids, along with various vitamins and phytochemicals are good for concentration and the brain. Carbohydrates and proteins for a physically demanding body. Without coffee, sweets and sugar you can increase your own performance in a healthy and delicious way.

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Water Retention: These 10 Foods Naturally Dehydrate Your Body

You feel heavy and uncomfortable in your own skin: water retention in the body can be stressful. Many people struggle with it, especially in summer. These 10 foods naturally dehydrate your body.

Water retention puts a strain on you, you feel swollen and your legs are heavy and leaden. Although you haven’t gained an ounce and you’re very careful about your diet, you feel unwell and your jeans are a little tighter than usual. The causes of water retention – or edema – are varied. But it doesn’t have to be an illness. Warm summer temperatures are often enough to promote water retention, especially in the legs. A high-carbohydrate diet or a diet too high in salt or sugar can also promote edema.

Water retention: what is behind it?

Slight swelling in your hands, feet, or face can occur when it’s hot or after standing or sitting for too long. Swollen feet or legs are more common in summer than in winter. Such slight swellings subside on their own. However, if the swelling does not go away on its own, it is advisable to see a doctor.

However, if your body breaks down the water retention after a short time, there is probably no illness behind it. Then it is advisable to pay attention to your diet.

Dehydrate your body: These foods will help you get rid of water retention

With the right diet, you can quickly get rid of water retention or even prevent edema directly. We have collected 10 foods for you that actively drain your body.

1. Cranberry – as a fruit or as a juice

Whether as a fruit in muesli or yoghurt or as (unsweetened) juice: cranberries are a real drainage miracle. The fruit helps the body to remove pollutants and you can cover part of your fluid requirements with the juice.

2. Asparagus – whether green or white

Asparagus is particularly popular in Germany – and it drains the water enormously. There is a large amount of aspartic acid in both green and white asparagus. And this acid stimulates kidney activity and thus ensures that the body excretes more water. The asparagus itself consists almost entirely of water and has hardly any calories, while at the same time the body is supplied with many vitamins and folic acid.

3. Water – simple and effective

It’s probably not the first time you’ve heard this, even if it sounds paradoxical: You have to drink a lot of water to dehydrate your body. When your body fears that it is dehydrated, it retains and stores all the water that is in the body. If you drink enough water, your body excretes the liquid and rids you of toxins.

4. Rice – Potassium flushes the body

Rice is high in potassium, which helps you get rid of excess fluid. If you opt for the whole grain variant, you also get a good amount of dietary fiber. So if carbohydrates, then definitely rice.

5. Banana – sweet, delicious and draining

Like rice, the banana also contains a lot of potassium and thus dehydrates the body. The fruit also tastes delicious and sweet.

6. Cucumber – helps to process proteins

Cucumbers are 95% water and also have a diuretic effect. The enzyme erepsin also ensures that the body can process proteins better. Especially in summer, the fresh cucumber is definitely a perfect snack.

7. Potatoes – but unpeeled

Potatoes are healthy, of course, but they only have a dehydrating effect if you cook and eat them with their skins on. The shell contains the key substances that free you from water retention.

8. Pears – fruity fresh and more draining than apples

While pears have more calories than apples, they also have a much higher dehydrating effect on your body. The fruit contains phosphorus, potassium and calcium.

9. Nettle tea – miracle cure for dehydration

Nettle tea is not for everyone when it comes to taste, but when it comes to drainage, it is a real miracle cure. Above all, it has a draining effect because it stimulates urine production and the cleaning of the kidneys. However, one should not consume too much of it, as it can raise blood pressure.

10. Celery – calcium and potassium content

Celery has a particularly high calcium and potassium content and hardly any calories. The plant regulates the fluid exchange in the body and thus reduces water retention. Be careful with kidney diseases: You should first consult your doctor.

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Lower Your Heart Attack Risk: 9 Foods That Naturally Clean Your Arteries

Those who eat unhealthy food have a higher risk of heart disease and are also generally detrimental to their health. Conversely, with a healthy and balanced diet, you can prevent numerous ailments and diseases. We introduce you to 9 foods that are good for your cardiovascular system, clean your arteries – and thus reduce your heart attack risk.

Lowering the risk of heart attack: How to unclog clogged arteries with healthy foods

A high-fat diet is a risk factor for clogged blood vessels – as are high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol. The blood vessels supply our organs with oxygen and nutrients. If they are blocked, it can lead to organ damage, heart attacks or strokes.

In addition to foods that clog your arteries, there are also foods that clean them, helping to prevent cardiovascular disease. This is exactly why you should try to keep your arteries as healthy as possible – i.e. flexible, elastic and stable. The following foods can help with this.

1. Grapefruit – the citrus fruit helps your arteries with a fiber

The grapefruit is not only the largest of all citrus fruits, but also good for your cardiovascular system: the tropical fruit is full of pectins. Pectins are sugar-like dietary fibers that can slow down arteriosclerosis. For those who have lived an unhealthy lifestyle, grapefruit is therefore the ideal snack for heart health. If you don’t like grapefruit, you can also use apples or grapefruit. These fruits also contain pectin. Apples also contain procyanidins – a substance that prevents blood clots. But be careful: not all apples have the same number of procyanidins. It is best to use the Granny Smith or Red Delicious varieties.

2. Green tea – booster for your cardiovascular system

Green tea is also the perfect booster for a healthy cardiovascular system. What makes green tea so healthy for our arteries are also procyanidins. On the one hand, they can prevent blood clots and thus both heart attacks and strokes, and on the other hand, they can stabilize the arteries and ensure more elasticity.

3. Whole grain products, legumes and nuts – this is how they lower the cholesterol level

There is a lot of dietary fiber in legumes, whole grain products, but also in brown rice or oatmeal. These are not only good for digestion, but can also greatly reduce blood lipid levels. Another advantage of high-fiber foods is that you can combine them with almost any meal.

4. Spinach – With vitamins D and E to fight deposits in the arteries

Saying hello to Popeye: While spinach doesn’t contain quite as much iron as was long thought (and portrayed in the popular Sailor comic), it’s all the better for your heart. Because what should actually make spinach famous is its vitamin D and E content. These two vitamins prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. This means that no plaque can form which would build up and constrict the arteries.

5. Fat is allowed: But please use healthy cooking oils

In general, a healthy diet that is good for your cardiovascular system tends to be low in fat. However, healthy cooking oils are an exception. These include olive oil or rapeseed oil, as they contain a particularly large number of unsaturated fatty acids and can reduce the risk of heart attack. They also contain many antioxidants, which can also prevent the oxidation of cholesterol.

6. Fresh salmon – how it lowers the risk of heart attack

Salmon is also good for heart health and may reduce your risk of heart attack. With the high content of omega-3 fatty acids, plaque formation on the artery walls is prevented. It also reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack because blood clots cannot form.

7. Delicious – and very healthy: Swiss chard, garlic and cabbage

Many types of vegetables are only rarely consumed today, even though they are true miracle cures. Swiss chard is such a vegetable. The leafy greens have a very high content of antioxidants and thus reduce the risk of inflammation in the body. In addition, chard has a lot of vitamin D, which prevents the oxidation of cholesterol and thus prevents arteriosclerosis.

8. Did you know? Tomatoes and fruit also clean your arteries

Tomatoes, which by definition are actually a fruit and not a vegetable, are high in lycopene. Lycopene is an antioxidant substance that prevents the oxidation of cholesterol and thus prevents arteriosclerosis. But: Lycopene is only found in relevant amounts in heated tomatoes, not in raw ones. So it’s better to use tomato soup or sauce instead of raw tomatoes.

9. For those who like it spicy: cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper also protects the cardiovascular system: the spice, made from dried and ground chilies, is rich in capsaicin. The substance prevents plaque deposits in the arteries and thus prevents arteriosclerosis, as an American research group found out. In addition, cayenne pepper has other health-promoting effects: it stimulates digestion and promotes blood circulation.

Conclusion: With the right diet, you can do your heart good

It’s no surprise: Eating a healthy diet has a positive impact on your health. Above all, your cardiovascular system benefits from healthy food – and it can be delicious. You don’t have to constantly limit yourself in your diet, but you should find the right balance in your diet. This keeps your arteries clean and can reduce your risk of heart attack.

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Dye Hair Naturally with Henna Hair Color

Dyeing hair with henna hair color is a good alternative to chemical dyes. So that you can use the henna color correctly, we have collected the most important information on the subject and clarified the most frequently asked questions, such as: What exactly is henna? How is the color mix made? How do achieve different nuances?

What actually is henna?

Henna is a healthy, caring, and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional hair dyes. The application is a bit more cumbersome, but the result is worth the extra time. Especially if you love red hair, henna is a good choice. Usually, unlike chemical paints, the color may fade. Still, the dye has to grow out.

Henna is a herbal powder that you can buy at health food stores or online. Since there are differences in quality here, make sure that it is pure henna. Because henna can contain many additives (such as metal salts) that negatively affect the quality and color result. The term “Body Art Quality” stands for the highest quality and should definitely be stated.

Is henna hair dye dangerous?

Studies by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment initially gave rise to concerns that the pigment Lawson held a risk of mutagenic damage. But it has now been confirmed that henna hair dyes are harmless. The henna color is also safe for use in children, adolescents, and pregnant women.

This applies above all to the traditionally manufactured products. However, some manufacturers add the artificial coloring para-phenylenediamine (PPD). Because this accelerates the dyeing process and the intensity. Caution is therefore required here, as this can cause allergic reactions. Substances added to henna tattoos are also often a cause for concern.

What color result can I achieve with henna?

The nice thing about henna color is that you can achieve a very individual result depending on the initial hair color and hair structure. Of course, the intensity also depends on the exposure time. The longer the exposure time, the more intense the red tone. If you already have colored or toned hair, the results can be unpredictable. If, on the other hand, you already have red hair, you can use henna hair color without hesitation. Otherwise, you should wait a few months before applying traditional hair dye to chemically colored hair. And be careful with bleached hair: this can lead to a green tint. In this case, follow our tips for dyeing blonde hair darker.

1) Preparation for coloring hair with henna

If you want to dye your hair with henna hair color, you should always prepare a test strand first. Preparation is everything when you want to dye your own hair. And the care afterward is also important, read about the possibilities of hair care with coconut oil. And the best way to prepare is as follows:

  1. Prepare the test strand: Mix a small amount of henna (approx. 1 tablespoon) with approx. 1 tablespoon of water and let the mixture sit overnight. Then put a strand (e.g. from your hairbrush) in the cup and leave it on for at least 2 hours. Of course, you can also use a strand of hair at the nape of the neck or the tips.
  2. Trying out the effect of different ingredients to determine different color results is possible. For this, you have to prepare several mixtures.
  3. Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo the day before to remove built-up silicone. If you’ve been using silicone-free shampoos and conditioners for a long time, you can skip this step.
  4. Then mix the henna according to the package directions. Traditionally, the powder is mixed with boiling water until it has a thick consistency. You can add more water if you like.
  5. Then let the henna color rest overnight (6-8 hours) before you apply it.
  6. Prepare the bathroom: Line your bathroom with old towels or newspaper. Because the henna color has a strong color strength. It should be removed immediately if something goes wrong. You can protect your hairline with coconut oil or petroleum jelly.

2) How to dye hair with henna

If you have prepared everything for coloring your hair with henna, you can start. It is best to wear old clothes and put on plastic gloves before you start. Because, as I said, the dye is intense and difficult to remove afterward. Also, read our home remedies for beautiful hair.

  1. Put on plastic gloves and apply the finished henna hair color. This is best done with a hair coloring brush. It is also beneficial if someone helps you with the application.
  2. Exposure time: A plastic cap and a towel wrapped around it prevent the mixture from drying out during the exposure time. In addition, the heat that develops increases the coloring effect of the henna.
  3. Leave the henna on for at least 2 hours, 6 to 8 hours is better. This is easiest if you use the henna color overnight.
  4. The best way to wash out is to first dip the hair in a bucket of water in the bathtub. This will allow most of the henna to come off before you rinse it out. The process can take a long time, so be careful with your hair here to avoid damaging it.
  5. Never use shampoo to rinse off. Because henna usually works for a few days, as the color oxidizes in the hair. Accordingly, shampoo would hinder this process. However, after rinsing, you can apply a conditioner. This is especially recommended if you have very dry hair.

3) How long does the color last?

Henna is permanent and will not wash out. It may fade a bit over time (after 4-8 weeks), but the red tone will remain. The color is very nourishing, but the mechanical irritation when washing it out can put a strain on dry hair. That’s why you can leave the hair ends untreated when re-dyeing. Because usually, the color stays here the longest anyway.

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10 Home Remedies to Lower Cholesterol Naturally

Now lower cholesterol naturally with simple tricks. Because a healthy lifestyle and natural cholesterol-lowering agents ensure your health. They also prevent serious secondary diseases caused by high cholesterol levels.

All important information about cholesterol and how you can lower cholesterol at a glance. High cholesterol can trigger a stroke or heart attack. That’s why you should improve your levels with healthy eating and exercise.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that performs important functions in the body. Because it is responsible for the structure of the cell membrane and processes of metabolism in the brain. It also ensures the production of bile acids, which are important for fat digestion. Cholesterol is also important for the formation of hormones such as estrogen or cortisol, as well as vitamin D. Our body, more precisely the liver produces most of the cholesterol. But we also absorb it through our food. If the cholesterol level is too high, it can be harmful to your health.

1) Movement against high cholesterol

Exercise helps you lower cholesterol. Because exercise can promote metabolic processes in the body and effectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. You should exercise regularly. If you’re not already exercising, it’s high time to start. For this, also read our tips for sports in summer and doing sports in winter.

2) Reduce stress to lower cholesterol

Stress can cause the body to stimulate the increased production of fatty acids and glucose. Consequently, LDL cholesterol production in the liver is also stimulated and increased. Accordingly, you should reduce stress effectively and bring relaxation into your life in a targeted manner. This is an effective way to lower cholesterol.

3) Give up nicotine and alcohol

Equally important is stopping an unhealthy lifestyle. So you should refrain from smoking. And you should also reduce your alcohol consumption in the future or even stop altogether. In addition, it can be helpful to lose weight effectively if you are overweight. Also, note our tips on becoming a non-smoker.

4) A healthy diet

Eating a healthy diet can also help you lower cholesterol naturally. After all, we absorb about 10 percent of cholesterol through food. It is important to replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats. Therefore, you should reduce the consumption of meat and dairy products. And in return, eat more plant-based foods and fish. Therefore, also consider vegan minced meat alternatives or read our article about superfoods and their properties.

5) Reduce sugar and lower cholesterol

Since sugar raises LDL levels and at the same time lowers HDL levels, you should avoid sugar. You should definitely omit table sugar, sweets, and hidden sugar in dressings and finished products. Consequently, you can naturally lower your cholesterol with a sugar-free or low-sugar diet. Also, read our article on reducing sugar and recognizing types of sugar.

6) Walnuts as a Cholesterol Lower

Walnuts are also considered to be natural cholesterol-lowers. Because they are among the healthy fats. Consequently, they also contribute to the fact that the LDL value decreases and the HDL increases. So if you want to lower your cholesterol naturally, include walnuts in your diet. In addition, note our article on natural home remedies for high blood pressure.

7) Consume products made from soy

Soy products are also healthy cholesterol-lowers. So if you want to lower your cholesterol naturally, eat soy products regularly. You can use tofu, tempeh, soy milk, or something else. In addition, soy strengthens your body because it contains valuable potassium, iron, and magnesium. Consequently, you are doing yourself good. Also, note our effective home remedies for low blood pressure.

8) Lower cholesterol with avocados

The popular avocado is now on the menu for many people. And rightly so. Because it is one of the healthy fats and contains other health-promoting substances. Consequently, regular consumption of avocado can lower your cholesterol levels. You can also use it as a remedy for brittle and damaged hair.

9) Cranberries and blueberries

You can also lower high cholesterol by eating berries. Local blueberries or cranberries are particularly suitable for this. Both ensure a balanced regulation of LDL and HDL. So you should snack on the delicious berries more often.

10) Omega-3 Fatty Acids as Natural Cholesterol Lowers

It has been proven that omega-3 fatty acids are a good way to achieve healthy cholesterol levels. For example, fish oil can be used to supply omega-3 fatty acids. But you can also find these in flaxseed oil, walnuts, canola oil, or avocados. They are also a great home remedy for beautiful and healthy skin.

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Ei like: Dye Easter Eggs Naturally!

What would Easter be without brightly colored Easter eggs? For hundreds of years, we have had the custom of dyeing Easter eggs, often during Holy Week around Maundy Thursday. But chemicals don’t always have to be used for dyeing. Rather, the typical egg colors should even be dispensed with, as can be seen from a current Greenpeace market check. More than half of all Easter egg dyes tested in March 2021 contained substances that were harmful to health, such as azo dyes. These are suspected of triggering allergies and promoting asthma.

Dye Easter eggs naturally

But don’t worry: you can also use natural products from local kitchens to make beautiful eggs for Easter baskets, and the colors are guaranteed to be harmless. A classic from the range of natural Easter egg colors is red onion skins. But even if the eggs are colored with turmeric, beetroot, or tea, for example, the results are impressive. And another big plus of natural colors: You don’t have to worry about the color seeping through the shell, because the eggs can be enjoyed by children and adults without hesitation.

How it works

Make dye broth

Depending on the number of eggs you want to dye, first, make a dye stock. To do this, boil 500 ml to 1 l of water and add the coloring products, let the brew steep for at least 15 minutes. Basically, the brew becomes stronger the longer you let it steep. Pay attention to your starting material: turmeric powder, for example, is already very fine and releases its color relatively quickly into the water. Whole sprigs of nettle will take longer to do this, of course, but you can cut them into small pieces to speed up the color extraction.

Boil eggs

You can boil the eggs while the dye brew is brewing. First, clean the eggs well, rub with vinegar, and hard boil as normal. In this way, the subsequent dyeing time can be controlled independently of the hard boil. Also, hard-boiled eggs are easier to decorate. It is best to dye the Easter eggs immediately after hard-boiling because they take on the color better when they are still warm.

Dye Easter eggs naturally

As already mentioned, the still-warm eggs are placed in the warm dye broth. They stay there for at least 15 minutes. The exact duration depends on the egg color, but also on what natural materials you are coloring with. Some stain much faster and more intensely than others. Since the eggs are already cooked any way, you can leave them in the broth until the desired result is achieved. It is best to rub the finished eggs with a drop of oil to give them a nice shine.

Decorate Easter eggs

Just brightly colored is not enough for you? Then you can provide the Easter eggs with different patterns. One option is to draw patterns on the boiled eggs with beeswax before coloring them. In these places, they do not take on any color. You can also put leaves and grass or a piece of decorative ribbon or lace on top of the eggs and tie a piece of pantyhose tightly over them. This is how the pattern is transferred to the eggs. When choosing the grass, you should note that thicker leaves and stems leave stronger light spots than very delicate leaves such as yarrow.

Natural coloring agents

What now colors how? Red eggs produce beetroot (divide a beetroot into pieces and let it soak in the broth) or red onion skins (at least a handful, the shells can also be soaked in the broth overnight – depending on the color of the eggs you get rich, dark red-brown eggs this way). Blueberries or elderberries (frozen) or red cabbage produces purple to bluish eggs. Turmeric, carrots, or chamomile flowers dye eggs yellow – but these dyes only work on white eggs, brown ones are too dark. You can get green eggs by using crushed nettles, spinach, or mate tea. Black tea, coffee, or regular brown onion peel will turn eggs brown.

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Apple Juice in the Dough: Why Only Naturally Cloudy Direct Juice Performs Well

Stiftung Warentest tested apple juice – with mixed results. Not-from-concentrate juices perform best, most juices are mediocre. The test method misses a major problem.

After orange juice, apple juice is the second most popular juice in Germany: we drink around six and a half liters of it per capita a year – not including apple spritzer. The selection of products in the supermarket is correspondingly large.

Stiftung Warentest has now tasted 26 apple juices and examined them in the laboratory. The result: only six juices – all naturally cloudy not-from-concentrate juices – scored “good”. Most juices are satisfactory, three are fair, and one fails with poor.

Apple juice: Naturally cloudy direct juice convinces in the test

Of the 26 apple juices in the dough, 16 are not-from-concentrate juices. This is juice that is briefly heated and bottled immediately after the apples have been pressed. In the case of juices made from juice concentrate, on the other hand, the pressed juice is processed into a concentrate using heat, which is later diluted back into juice with water and flavorings.

“The test shows that the naturally cloudy not-from-concentrate juices are superior to the juices made from concentrate, especially in terms of taste,” says project manager Janine Schlenker. Apple juice is naturally cloudy, but it can be clarified by centrifuging and filtering. Sometimes gelatine is also used for filtering, which is why such juices are often considered non-vegan.

According to Stiftung Warentest, naturally cloudy juices are also healthier than clear ones because they contain more effective plant substances (polyphenols). These are mainly found in the cloudy matter. However, apple juice contains hardly any natural vitamin C.

Dough winners and losers

Among the six good juices are two organic juices:

Voelkel Demeter apple 100% direct juice
Van Nahmen organic apple juice from meadow orchards
The conventional naturally cloudy direct juices from Edeka and Lidl also do well.

Both the not-from-concentrate juices from Aldi Nord and popular branded juices – such as from Amecke and Pfanner – are only satisfactory in the test.

Among other things, the naturally cloudy juices from Dm Bio and Granini scored “sufficient”. The testers criticized both for a comparatively low aroma content, and for the granini juice also for unclear declarations on the sugar content and alleged CO2 neutrality.

Of the eight organic apple juices in the test, only the two above did well, four others (Aldi Nord, Edeka, Lidl, Rabenhorst) with satisfactory.

The naturally cloudy Alnatura apple juice was the only juice to score unsatisfactory in the test – the laboratory found a high content of ethanol, volatile acidity and acetoin. According to Stiftung Warentest, this indicates inferior quality apples or improper processing. However, the levels are not harmful to health.

Dough ignores pesticides

What you should know: In contrast to the Oko-Test, the “sensory judgement” (i.e. the taste) is rated the most at Stiftung Warentest. The “chemical quality”, on the other hand, only accounts for 15% of the overall assessment.

The laboratory apparently did not check whether there were any pesticide residues. The use of pesticides in apple cultivation is widespread. In 2020, Oko-Test found traces of pesticides in all conventional juices in the apple juice test – in some even several and some particularly problematic.

No pollutants, but not necessarily healthy

After all, the Stiftung Warentest laboratory did not find any other residues or pollutants that were harmful to health, such as mold toxins or germs, in any juice.

However, nutrition experts repeatedly point out that fruit juices are not suitable thirst quenchers. They contain a lot of fructose.

The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) does not even classify fruit juices as drinks, but as fruit and vegetables – because according to the experts, drinks should be “low-energy”. This applies to water and unsweetened teas, but not to juice. In order to be able to more easily implement the recommendation to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, one portion of fruit can be replaced by 200 milliliters of fruit juice, but not every day.

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