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Strengthening The Immune System: Five Good Reasons to Eat More Berries

Strengthen the immune system, eat lean and then they are also good for the heart and the intestines: berries are real power fruits and absolutely essential for a healthy diet.

Blueberries and currants: That’s why they’re so healthy

The little fruits are real superfoods that you should not do without.
We introduce you to the five great benefits of berries.

1. Berries are good for the immune system

If you want to strengthen your immune system, you should definitely rely on berries*! Because the sweet fruits are rich in valuable antioxidants that protect against many viruses, bacteria and free radicals. In this way, they ensure that the immune system is strengthened. Blueberries are of particular note: according to a study by the American Society for Nutrition, 100 grams of blueberries provide five times more antioxidants than the same amount of raspberries – up to 490 micrograms.

Dark blueberries can also do a lot for beauty, because they contain large amounts of vitamin C and vitamin E. Vitamin C* is known, among other things, for driving collagen production, which is responsible for the skin being significantly plumped up becomes. It is most contained in blackcurrants – these contain a whopping 170 micrograms of vitamin C per 100 grams of berries. Vitamin E* is responsible, among other things, for scavenging free radicals. These free radicals are harmful and are caused by smoking, UV radiation or stress, among other things. Other substances in berries that strengthen the immune system are flavonoids, which also inhibit viruses and bacteria. They also support weight loss during a diet*.

2. Berries protect the intestines

Berries* not only strengthen the immune system due to the antioxidants they contain, they are also extremely beneficial for a healthy intestinal flora. A healthy intestinal flora* is always crucial for an intact immune system. If the intestinal flora is attacked, one falls ill more often with influenza infections, for example. Even those who suffer from diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome can cure themselves with the help of blueberries, as a study by the University of Lund revealed. The tannins and color pigments contained in the blueberries react with proteins in the mucous membranes and insoluble compounds are formed. This forms a kind of protective layer that has an anti-inflammatory and germ-killing effect.

As further studies show, the consumption of wild blueberry juice has a positive effect on bifidobacteria, which have a protective effect on the intestinal flora. These bifidobacteria keep harmful intestinal bacteria, as well as pathogens, away.

3. Berries lower blood sugar levels

Many diabetics ask themselves which fruit they are actually allowed to eat and what they should better avoid in order not to drive up the blood sugar level. In contrast to high-sugar fruits such as bananas, pineapples or grapes, berries* are very suitable. This is because berries have a comparatively very low glycemic index, meaning they have little effect on blood sugar levels.

Once again, the blueberry should be mentioned in the first place: the dark berry is even said to have an antidiabetic effect, i.e. it lowers blood sugar. It is responsible for lowering the general blood sugar level and for getting more sugar into the cells.

4. Berries are good for the heart

In addition to all these positive properties, berries* also increase heart health. In a diabetes study by the American Society for Nutrition, researchers found that blueberries reduced LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and adiponectin. At the same time, they increased HDL cholesterol, which is considered beneficial to health. In conclusion, daily consumption of blueberries is believed to be beneficial for heart health. You can thus prevent heart disease and lower cholesterol levels that are too high.

Another study shows that vascular functions can be improved by eating berries – in this case, primarily by eating raspberries and blueberries. This makes it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body, which can help prevent heart attacks.

5. Berries are great for dieting

Berries* are also ideal as part of a diet*. For example, you can prepare the berries as a smoothie* or smoothie bowl or mix them in muesli*. The delicious little fruits create a feeling of satiety relatively quickly and they also accelerate the metabolism, which makes the pounds tumble.

Since obesity is often a trigger for various diseases – for example heart disease or diabetes – it is advisable to eat healthily. Berries are perfect for this. The anthocyanins contained in the berries are also very important as they inhibit free radicals. After all, anyone who trains a lot – meaning their body is temporarily under heavy strain – should take care to avoid oxidative stress in the body, which in turn can lead to illness.

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health

6 Good Reasons Why You Should Eat Less Meat

More and more people are opting for a vegetarian or vegan diet.

6 good reasons to give up meat

“Do you have anything vegetarian?” Not so long ago, this question made the staff roll their eyes in some restaurants. In the meantime, meatless dishes can be found on many menus as a matter of course. Vegetarians and vegans are hardly ever looked at askance. Too many people rely on this diet for that. The reasons for this diet speak for themselves.

1. Vegetarian diet is good for climate protection

Those who do without meat ensure lower greenhouse gas emissions. According to a study by the environmental protection organization WWF, around 25 percent of the climate footprint of an average person living in Germany is due to their diet.

Animal products account for the largest share (69 percent). Meat in particular should be mentioned here – beef is the most harmful to the climate – but dairy products should also be given more attention here. “Our current food systems pose one of the greatest challenges to our planet and the continued existence of humanity on Earth,” says the WWF study.

2. Meat consumption consumes a lot of resources

About 15 percent of the greenhouse gases emitted worldwide can be traced back to keeping livestock. Cattle, for example, emit large amounts of methane gas. Alongside the energy sector and transport, industrial animal husbandry is one of the main causes of climate change.

The production of one kilogram of beef, for example, produces a good 13 kilograms of CO2 equivalents, while the figure for fruit and vegetables is well under one kilogram. For the production of one kilogram of beef, up to 16 kilograms of grain are required as feed. “Industrial animal husbandry and the cultivation of animal feed take up 80 percent of all pasture and arable land in the world. In Germany, animal feed alone accounts for 60 percent of the arable land,” writes Greenpeace, for example.

If the arable land were used for the production of plant-based food instead, significantly more people could be fed.

3. Meat production uses a lot of water

Animal products contain much more water than plant-based ones. This is also referred to as “virtual water”, the total amount of water used in the manufacture of a product until it ends up on our plate or in our cupboard.

An example from the organization Peta: On average, 2,350 liters of virtual water are needed to produce a 150-gram beef burger, while an average of just over 150 liters of water is needed for a soy burger. The difference is also extreme when it comes to soy milk: just under 300 virtual liters of water are required for one liter of soy drink, while cow’s milk requires more than 1,000 liters.

4. Eating too much meat is unhealthy

Overall, according to the German Society for Nutrition, Germans eat twice as much meat as recommended by health experts. A quantity of 300 to 600 grams of meat per week would be significantly healthier, i.e. half of the current per capita consumption. Processed meat (sausage, ham) is even classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Meat from conventional husbandry is also often treated with medication such as antibiotics. Anyone who eats a lot of meat therefore runs the risk of developing resistance to antibiotics.

5. Vegetarian diet protects animals

The grievances in factory farming have long been known: farm animals are often kept and killed under cruel, undignified circumstances. Keeping dairy cows is also often anything but animal-friendly.

On the other hand, more organic products in the shopping basket and the consideration of replacing some dairy products with vegan alternatives such as oat milk help.

6. Eating meat isn’t “natural” or “necessary”

People who eat meat and other animal products like to argue that it’s “natural” and “necessary.” But much contradicts this claim: not a few people get sick at the sight of blood, let alone a dead animal body. Dead bodies repel us.

In addition, our tooth structure and the human swallowing reflex have the characteristics of herbivores: We do not “tear” our food and do not swallow it in large chunks, but chew and swallow it, as Geo.de writes, among others.

Conclusion: Vegetarian diet has only advantages

In conclusion, it can be said that there is a lot to be said for a vegetarian or vegan diet. A meatless diet is good for the environment, animals and ourselves.

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Lifestyle

The Reasons for Sustainable Furniture and Their Advantages

Sustainable furniture is trendy! Because organic furniture is better for your own health. In addition, less of the earth’s resources are used with this ecological furniture. Here you can find out why this new trend is also worthwhile for you

Beech, alder, or oak, solid wood furniture has been finding its way back into your own four walls for years. Because they convey a unique feeling of living. Since conventional furniture often contains many harmful substances, more and more people are paying attention to ecological and biological quality.

Reasons for sustainable furniture

To avoid formaldehyde and toxic wood preservatives in rooms, you should buy furniture that has been tested for harmful substances. Because wood from sustainable forestry is used for production. In addition, coatings without harmful substances, such as glue and varnish, are used. You can also buy sustainably manufactured furniture in many variations. Because everything is included, from children’s beds to seating furniture, tables, and cupboards. You can also buy this furniture online.

  • The entire range of suppliers of ecological furniture is sustainable. As a result, you can shop here with a clear conscience and, if necessary, receive all your furnishings.
  • Sustainable furniture has short transport routes. Because the wood of this furniture comes from Germany or Europe. So it’s better for the environment.
  • Organic furniture is made from sustainable raw materials. Consequently, they keep our ecological footprint small.
  • Natural materials are used for upholstery and textiles. Cotton, wool, or other materials from controlled ecological cultivation are usually used.
  • Organic furniture is produced under fair working conditions. If the work is not performed in Germany or Europe, suppliers are checked as best as possible.

Advantages of ecological furniture

Ecological furniture is now in demand by many people. Because they are environmentally friendly. In addition, they offer other advantages. For example, ecological furniture increases your quality of life. Because they are not only good for young and old, but also for allergy sufferers. Please also note our article on ordering ecological natural fashion on the Internet.

  • The high-quality furniture is very durable. Due to their robust quality, they can withstand a lot.
  • Buying furniture that has been tested for harmful substances protects the environment. The same applies to the private sector since natural materials do not affect the room climate.
  • Sustainable furniture has a timeless design. So you don’t need to worry that you’ll get tired of it at some point.
  • Organic furniture is easy to clean because its materials are waxed or oiled. So you can wipe them off with a damp cloth. Or clean them with an herbal polish. Also, note our tips on removing grease stains from wooden furniture.

Buy sustainable furniture

If you want to buy sustainable furniture, you should consider several things. Because “organic furniture” is not always sustainable. So pay attention to furniture with a certain seal. In addition, you should buy from a supplier that does not sell other cheap and unsustainable products.

Because these are usually not trustworthy. Some examples of sustainable and good ecological product providers are Allnatura, Grüne Erde, the Möbelschmiede, and Nature Home. Buying furniture in second-hand department stores can also be sustainable. So you can also look there for flexible and mobile furniture for your small apartments. Or find a valuable one-off here.

Seals and certificates of ecological furniture

There are various seals of approval that can give you information about ecological processing. Because they show which products come from responsible sources. It’s easy to lose track of things. which seals are important. That is why we have selected the most important seals for you.

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Food

Is Beer Healthy? 6 Reasons Why Drinking Beer is Good For us

Diabetes, heart attack, dementia: moderate beer consumption can help prevent diseases. The drink is also isotonic and many people like it. So is beer drinking good for us?

Healthy and tasty: beer can prevent diseases

1. Beer increases bone density: According to US researchers, beer can prevent bone loss. Their conclusion is that beer made with lots of hops and lots of malted barley contains the highest proportion of a bone-strengthening mineral, according to the findings of the “Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture”. Moderate beer consumption can even counteract osteoporosis.

2. Beer reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease: Various research results indicate that a low to moderate alcohol consumption of 10 to 25 grams per day, which corresponds to one to two glasses of beer of 0.3 liters, has a positive effect the risk of cardiovascular disease. A study found that drinking beer in moderation reduces the risk of heart attack by 30 percent. The risk is therefore higher both with frequent beer consumption and with complete abstinence from beer. According to the Deutsches Ärzteblatt, the cardioprotective effect appears to be due to a complex interaction of a wide variety of mechanisms such as an increase in HDL cholesterol levels or a reduced tendency to form thrombosis, but also through effects on stress perception and stress control.

Positive effect: This is how beer affects cholesterol and diabetes

3. Beer has a positive effect on cholesterol levels: A study by the University of Pennsylvania found that those who consumed moderate amounts of alcohol on a regular basis had better cholesterol levels than those who did not drink at all consumed alcohol. Beer in particular helps to increase the proportion of healthy HDL cholesterol in the body or to slow down its breakdown. It protects against heart attack and stroke.

4. Beer lowers the risk of diabetes: According to a study by the Statens Institut for Folkesundhet, those who drink alcohol three to four days a week have a lower risk of diabetes. According to the study, moderate alcohol consumption could protect against the development of type 2 diabetes. According to the study, men who consumed 14 alcoholic beverages and women who consumed 9 alcoholic beverages per week were least likely to develop the metabolic disorder. However, people with existing type 2 diabetes are advised not to consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Alcohol can inhibit the release of glucose from the liver, which can provoke hypoglycemia in diabetics.

5. Beer can help flush out kidney stones: This assumption is widely held. What is certain is that alcohol and especially beer have a dehydrating effect. This diuretic effect of the beer means that the kidneys are flushed out well and this in turn means that possible stones could be flushed out. The problem with this is that alcohol dries out the body after this inundation and the urine thickens, which can lead to larger stones. Alcohol-free beer is much better recommended. It is isotonic, has the beneficial effects of beer but without the harmful effects of alcohol.

Beer protects against dementia: Moderate “drinkers” have an advantage

6. Beer can protect against dementia: In a study, researchers found that people who had not drunk alcohol for decades had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia in old age than moderate drinkers. The likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia as a teetotaler is statistically higher than that of moderate drinkers. Alcohol abuse, on the other hand, greatly increases the risk of developing dementia.

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Food

Slow Food: Good Reasons For Conscious Enjoyment

Slow food – the opposite of fast food – stands for the conscious enjoyment of food. The movement wants to promote a vibrant and sustainable culture of food.

Slow Food as a movement

In 1986, Carlo Petrini founded an association in Bra, northern Italy, which promotes a culture of culinary delights and a “moderate pace of life”. One of the triggers for this was the opening of a McDonalds branch on a baroque free bridge.

Three years later, in 1989, the international association Slow Food was founded and another three years later, in 1992 Slow Food Deutschland e.V. The mission is based on this philosophy:

“Three times a day, at every meal, we make decisions with far-reaching consequences. Our food is inextricably linked to politics, economy, society, culture, knowledge, agriculture, health and the environment”.

The central principles that apply to foods with a Slow Food character are derived from this: “buono, pulito e giusto” – good, clean and fair.

4 good reasons for Slow Food

1. Enjoy food

Enjoyment is the top priority at Slow Food: everyone should have a right to it. It’s about curbing blind consumption and creating awareness of the products that end up on our plates.

At the same time, this is a rejection of the to-go culture, which not only has little to do with enjoyment, but also produces vast amounts of unnecessary waste. When we are able to actively enjoy food, we also learn to appreciate its value. One of the central theses of Slow Food: “The shared meal is the basis of human coexistence”.

2. Health

Not only our mind is happy about conscious nutrition, but also the body. Food should be nutritious and healthy. Finished products and fast food often contain a lot of additives such as preservatives and flavor enhancers. The substances can be harmful to health, especially in large quantities. If you cook fresh yourself, you can do without such artificial ingredients – and get better quality and healthier meals.

3. Sustainability

The aim of Slow Food is to shape human nutrition in such a way that it can continue to exist in the future. A sustainable supply respects people, animals and nature.

4. Common Good

Social inequality is also a consequence of the consumption-oriented food system. Justice can only exist if everyone involved along the production chain works under fair conditions. In our current economic system, workers are systematically exploited for food production, especially in countries of the Global South, but also in Europe.

To change that, the Slow Food association founded the Terra Madre network. The network represents food producers worldwide who offer an alternative to industrial agriculture.

Food is political

Nutrition is an issue that affects everyone around the world. Without being fundamentalist, the Slow Food movement offers an alternative to unbridled consumption. Through enjoyment and awareness of our diet, we can create alternatives that not only benefit ourselves, but also the environment and community.

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health

10 Reasons Why Cycling is Healthy

While exercise is known to be generally good for the mind and body, far too often, comfort wins out. There are many good reasons to use the bike more often.

Almost everyone in Germany owns a bicycle. But in many areas of Germany, two-wheelers are used far too seldom. Schoolchildren take the bus, parents take the family car to go shopping for the week, and employees take the train or a car.

Also, note our tips for buying a bike lock and tricks for opening a frozen bike lock in winter.

Reason 1: Healthy joints

Cycling balances sedentary activities. The even movement when pedaling is good for all large joints. This includes, for example, knees, hips, and shoulders. Also, read helpful home remedies for joint pain.

Reason 2: Fit heart

Regular cycling helps the heart pump more blood through the body in less time. The volume is increased over the long term.

Reason 3: Less stress

Physics and the psyche are closely linked. For this reason, it is important to be able to relieve accumulated stress regularly, e.g. by exercising in the fresh air. A short bike tour is particularly suitable for this.

Reason 4: Back pain is alleviated

If you sit all day and don’t move much, sooner or later you will have back problems. Any kind of movement is good for the battered lower back, as long as the body is not exposed to too much stress. Also, note our tips for back pain in the lower back.

Reason 5: build muscle

Existing muscles are broken down extremely quickly if the affected areas are not used regularly. Many different muscle groups are used when riding a bike – especially those in the legs and back. Regular bike tours keep your body in shape. Positive side effect: more muscles burn more fat.

Reason 6: Do something for the environment

It is well known that exhaust fumes are bad for nature. If each of us would replace our car journey with a bicycle ride at least once or twice a week, it could help the environment enormously. The renunciation of a motorized vehicle means a big step in terms of environmental awareness! In addition, note our simple tips for environmental protection in the household.

Reason 7: Longer life

Anyone who rides a bicycle regularly has the potential to live longer. Just three hours of cycling per week has a positive effect on life expectancy.

Reason 8: Burn fat

Cycling at a moderate pace – especially uphill – melts the pounds. From the age of 30, the metabolism becomes sluggish. This fact can be compensated for with a short bike ride. Also, note clever tips for losing weight.

Reason 9: Minimize cancer risk

Exercise on the bike can protect against cancer. Women in particular who pedal regularly reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

Reason 10: Clear airways

Since cycling is associated with rhythmic movement, the human respiratory organs are regularly supplied with oxygen during this time. This makes the lungs stronger and the ventilation of the lungs works more effectively.

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Food

Porridge is Healthy: 8 Good Reasons to Eat Porridge For Breakfast

Porridge is healthy, tasty and nutritious. Here you can find out what makes oatmeal so good for your health and why you should eat it more often for breakfast.

Porridge is healthy: Oatmeal as a new food trend

In recent years, porridge has shed its dusty image and developed into a real food trend. Oatmeal is nothing new, though. Porridge was already widespread in the past as a cheap and filling breakfast, especially among the poor. Today, porridge is more popular than ever – rightly so, because porridge is extremely healthy and nutritious. Oatmeal provides us with important nutrients and provides a lot of energy for the day. Here you will find eight good reasons why porridge should be on your breakfast table more often.

1. Porridge fills you up for a long time
2. Porridge promotes digestion
3. Porridge lowers the cholesterol level and protects against civilization diseases
4. Porridge provides us with healthy proteins
5. Porridge contains important vitamins and minerals
6. Porridge provides healthy fatty acids
7. Porridge is naturally gluten-free
8. Porridge is variable, tasty and cheap

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