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Are you looking for the perfect summer drink? Then you should try this ginger elderflower lemon ice tea with honey. The alcohol-free refreshment tastes delicious and is really healthy. Here is the recipe.

Recipe: Ginger-lemon iced tea with honey and elderflower

You need this for one liter of iced tea
A thumb-sized piece of ginger
Three to four tablespoons of elderflower syrup*
A tablespoon of honey
juice of a lemon
It’s that easy
Wash ginger and cut into thin slices
Pour a liter of boiling water over it and let it steep for at least 10 minutes
Add elderflower syrup, honey and lemon juice
Remove pieces of ginger, stir, allow to cool, add ice cubes and enjoy
A few more tips
You can peel the ginger, but you don’t have to – just wash it
The longer you let the ginger steep, the more intense or spicier the tea will be
If the iced tea tastes too sweet according to the recipe, simply reduce the amount of syrup and honey accordingly

By the way: You can easily grow ginger in a pot or in the garden yourself. Cut a thumb-sized piece with a “bud” off a ginger root, soak it in water overnight, and plant it the next day, about an inch deep. Water regularly and after just a few months you will have your own ginger plant at home, whose bulb you can harvest and eat as soon as the leaves turn brown. I’ve tried it myself, it works – even if the tuber harvested was admittedly not very large.

Intermittent fasting is becoming increasingly popular. A study has examined how useful intermittent fasting is to lose weight – and found the answer to the question of whether you can still drink your coffee with milk in the morning.

Doing intermittent fasting correctly: You should pay attention to this

Many people can easily integrate intermittent fasting into their everyday lives. The body is given a break for a certain period of time during which it is not supplied with any calories.

Intermittent fasting is becoming increasingly popular for weight loss or general health and wellness. There are almost no regulations as far as eating is concerned – except that breaks have to be taken in between. Another form of fasting, for example, is therapeutic fasting, which involves fasting for several days or even weeks at a time.

For example, it is possible to eat only eight hours a day and fast for the remaining 16 hours (8:16 method).
Alternatively, one can eat normally five days a week and be largely starved two days a week, that is, consuming no more than about 500 calories (5:2 method).
With alternate-day fasting, you alternate between fasting on one day and eating without restrictions on one day (1:1 method).

Rules for intermittent fasting: is coffee with milk allowed?

For many, coffee in the morning is indispensable. But does the stimulant have to be left out during the fasting phase?

Basically, fasting people can drink coffee, unsweetened tea and water at any time during intermittent fasting. Caffeine even helps you get through “hunger time” by curbing your appetite.

But if you don’t drink your coffee black, you have to say goodbye to it during Lent: Milk and sugar are taboo during this period. Because the body should not be supplied with any calories during the rest phase.

Autophagy: Cell cleaning through intermittent fasting strengthens the immune system

In addition to its function as a diet, intermittent fasting should also strengthen the immune system of the person losing weight. dr Matthias Riedl explains to the NDR how regular breaks in eating can promote so-called autophagy.

Autophagy is the self-cleaning of cells, an intercellular process that breaks down defective or damaged proteins and organelles.

The temporary renunciation gives the body a break in which autophagy is stimulated and stimulated. Degradation can be understood as the body’s own recycling program, which generates energy from cellular waste. The more autophagy that occurs in an organism, the older it gets and the healthier it stays.

Study proves positive health effects

A recent study by researchers at the University of Graz, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, also shows that intermittent fasting has a positive effect on health. Not only did it lead to weight loss after four weeks, but it also regulated cholesterol levels, had a positive effect on blood pressure and abdominal fat, and reduced inflammation.

As part of the study, 60 healthy volunteers were divided into two groups. One fasted intermittently for four weeks, the second maintained the current lifestyle. “The study was supplemented by a further 30 subjects who had been doing alternate day fasting for more than six months,” the study directors explain. “It also gave us a first, unique look at the long-term effects of alternate day fasting.”

The goal of the research team was to study the effects of intermittent fasting on both body weight and molecular mechanisms in healthy volunteers. The strict observance of the fasting days was closely monitored by continuous glucose measurement.

Lost 3.5 kilos of body weight in four weeks

The results of the study paint a clear picture: “Within just four weeks, the study participants reduced their body weight by an average of around 3.5 kilograms, with the average starting weight being 76 kilograms,” reports Thomas Pieber. The researchers not only observed a significant weight reduction in the fasting participants, they also recorded an increase in ketone bodies. “These arise as a by-product of fat burning in the event of a carbohydrate deficiency and are suspected of having age-protective effects. In addition, the fasting cohort showed a reduction in specific amino acid levels, cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, abdominal fat and inflammation parameters .

These effects are associated with positive health consequences, Frank Madeo summarizes the insights into the molecular mechanisms. In addition, the researchers found a mild reduction in the thyroid hormone T3 in the fasting people while the thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH increased – a status that has already been linked to longevity in numerous studies.

“Intermittent fasting is a very simple but extremely effective dietary principle,” says Harald Sourij. Building on these results, the researchers will begin their second study in the fall, which will examine intermittent fasting in patients with type II diabetes mellitus who already require insulin therapy.

Intermittent fasting as a therapy for diabetes

In addition, the research team at the German Institute for Human Nutrition (DIfE) discovered a connection between the diet method of intermittent fasting and type 2 diabetes. The positive effect of intermittent fasting could be a promising therapeutic approach against blood sugar in the near future.

In contrast, another study found that there is not much of a difference between intermittent fasting and a regular weight-loss diet. Criticism can also be leveled at the study by the Graz researchers: It is not clear whether the positive effects of intermittent fasting are really due to the meal breaks or solely to the reduction in the number of calories. In addition, the study with almost 100 participants is not representative. This leaves the question open as to whether it is really better to fast or whether it is enough to eat less.

More and more people are skipping breakfast. They either grab a quick bite to eat or just a small espresso. Nutrition expert and sports lecturer Ingo Froboese now explains that this is anything but healthy.

“Breakfast is essential for the organism,” says the expert

In addition, you would trigger the metabolic rhythm with a boisterous and nutritious breakfast. In addition, the expert advises to compensate for the loss of fluids. “We lose around 1.5 liters of fluids during the night. That’s why before you eat anything, you should drink a lukewarm glass of water to replenish fluids and cleanse the body.”

After the alarm clock rings, the happiness hormone “serotonin” and the drive-enhancing hormone “adrenaline” are ready to push you through the day. These effects can be further intensified with a carbohydrate-rich breakfast, because the hormones can be supplied with the necessary nutrients. If you skip breakfast, for example to save calories, this can lead to a lack of energy and also to listlessness. “The body then shuts down on the back burner,” explains Froboese in his blog.

The need for energy is particularly high after getting up. The brain, muscles and organs would need “fuel” to function. “A healthy and balanced breakfast gets your metabolism out of the basement and lets you start the day with vigour. Your body is dependent on the energy it needs for breakfast, if you deny it this energy this can lead to ravenous hunger attacks or an increased desire for unhealthy ones Snacks before it’s time for lunch,” explains the expert.

His five best tips for a balanced breakfast:

1. Whole grains are better than white flour. Whole grain is an essential source of fiber that fills you up and also regulates intestinal activity. In addition, complex carbohydrates are found in whole grain products. That means you have a low “glycemic index”. This gives you more energy in the long run. In comparison, white flour products are rich in carbohydrates and therefore have a high “glycemic index”. Therefore, these products get into the blood much faster and only provide the body with energy for a short time. Once this first phase has subsided, ravenous hunger attacks can increase, because white flour does not have a filling effect in the long term.

2. Muesli with fruit. This combination supplies the body and in particular the brain and muscles with energy and increases resistance to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With increased tension, the liver produces more sugar, which is supposed to mobilize the activity hormone adrenaline. The muesli with fruit would reduce this adrenaline release and thus prevent stress and hectic.

3. Good fats matter. Fats in general stimulate the most important metabolic activities in the body. Namely, this is the carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Nuts in particular or a little butter accelerate the processing of fat throughout the day. Hence Frobo’s recommendation: “Cover 30 percent of your daily fat requirement with breakfast!”

4. Protein is a must. Proteins are essential fuel suppliers for the brain and muscles. So we only remain efficient if we eat enough protein. However, the expert advises against powder. “You will find sufficient sources on a balanced diet.” Particularly good sources of protein are: eggs, cream cheese, quark, milk or soy milk, yoghurt and nuts. Getting enough protein not only benefits the brain, but also digestion, detoxification, and cell repair. About 15 percent of the daily requirement should already be covered with breakfast.

5. Drink water. The expert considers a glass of water, preferably right after getting up, to be useful. It is particularly important for “filling up the liquid storage”. He also has a tip for people who don’t like the water that much per se. “You can give the drink a flavorful touch by adding some ginger or lime. It will give the metabolism an extra boost.”

Chips are as much a part of a TV night as amen is to church.

Chips: Human physical condition is important

Particularly piquant: The fatter the test person who had to taste the chips – in the scientific sense – was, the more the reward center in the brain was activated when eating the potato chips. The comparison of food and drugs in terms of how they work in the brain also shows parallels. The messenger substance “dopamine” plays a central role here. This means: It can happen that you need more and more of something to get the same happiness as the first time – This becomes addictive.

Isa Mack from the “University Hospital Tübingen” doesn’t see it that dramatically. One thing is clear to them: nutrition and the reward system belong together. “For anything that is important for self-preservation and self-reproduction, the reward system has to kick in,” she told the world. The special preference for “sweet and greasy” is evolutionary. It is also known that the reward system of overweight people reacts differently to food. “But that doesn’t mean that it was always like this or that it can’t be changed,” says Mack.

It also provides a way to enjoy chips without a guilty conscience. “You have to trick yourself.” One possibility, for example, is not to take the whole bag with you, but just a small bowl in front of the television. If you want to work off the chips again, nutrition experts recommend sport.

It takes so much exercise to get rid of the chips

But chips can also be really healthy if you prepare them yourself. If you cut and prepare the potato slices yourself, season them and put them in the oven, then the snack is significantly lower in calories than the industrially produced fattening foods. There are now numerous alternatives to the classic snack. Chips are now made from carrots, zucchini and beetroot. Sweet potatoes are also good for making homemade chips.

A test by Sport1 shows how long you have to do sports if you should succumb to the temptation of 100 grams of potato chips: According to this, you either have to jog for 45 minutes, walk for 90 minutes, do 60 minutes of strength training, ride a bike for 75 minutes, 60 minutes of breaststroke or 35 minutes of squash.

Fresh from the fridge, the butter is hardly spreadable. There are little tricks to get them spreadable.

This is how butter is made

As soon as the milk arrives at the dairy, it is separated into cream and skimmed milk. The cream is then heated.
After the cream has been heated (pasteurization), it is sent to a tank called the cream ripener. There it rests together with cultures for a maximum of 20 hours until the cream has a slightly sour taste.
The cream is then processed in a butter-making machine with many kneading processes. This should create a solid but still spreadable butter.
Now the finished butter is portioned and packaged.

Why does butter solidify in the fridge?

Butter reacts very differently to cold compared to margarine. This is due to the different fat composition of the two dairy products, but there are more differences between the two items. Butter contains more saturated fat, which hardens when cold. Whipping the butter also plays an important role, because the consistency changes with the size of the fat globules. The composition of the animal feed also influences the spreadability and the ingredients. For example, if cows get a lot of green fodder, the butter contains more omega-3 fatty acids. On the other hand, corn and a lot of concentrated feed lower this ingredient again.

Soften the butter with water

Spreading the butter quickly at room temperature does not work. You don’t always want to or can’t put the fat spread in the microwave and so every day people put one or more holes in their bread slices, which are now filled with a whole piece of firm butter. But with the following simple trick, the problem is now over.

Here’s how it works

Get a glass jar that’s slightly larger than the butter. Now pour hot water into this and let it stand for a few minutes. Meanwhile, the glass absorbs the heat of the water and you can pour off the water. Now put the warm glass over your butter and wait a few minutes. After just a short time, your butter will be wonderfully spreadable and can be spread on bread or processed in a dough without any problems.

Make butter spreadable with lunch box

If you still want to have your butter ready to spread without any effort, you can achieve this with a water-cooled ceramic butter dish. With this storage, the butter always stays fresh and soft. The butter dish doesn’t even need to be placed in the fridge. Only the lower part of the container is filled with cold tap water. The idea of ​​the ceramic jar came about at a time when there was neither electricity nor a refrigerator, which is why it has a long tradition.

A well-planned and lovingly designed terrace offers more than just outdoor seating. Especially in summer, it becomes nature’s living room, where you can read a book, meet friends and eat with the family. When designing, however, the landlord should follow a precise plan in order to transform the terrace into his personal oasis of well-being.

What is the purpose of the terrace?

Not everyone has the same demands on a terrace. While some people are primarily drawn to the outdoors to relax, others may want to spend time there with their families. The outdoor area must be planned accordingly large because a large dining table naturally requires more space than simple seating. When planning, it is always better to be too big than too small. Because an area that is too small can become a problem later when more space is needed, but an area that is too large can easily be concealed with additional plants and decorations. Therefore, you should first decide which garden furniture you need in the garden and how big it can be.

What design should the terrace have?

In order for the terrace to be a place where people enjoy spending time, it is essential that it is designed in a uniform manner and that it is adapted to its surroundings as much as possible. Before buying furniture and other accessories, it is therefore important to draw up a precise plan of what the terrace should look like in the end.

Modern designs usually rely on a tiled floor and minimalist fittings. This includes furniture, preferably made from materials like aluminum or dark rattan, and a few plants. The color palette is kept very simple here, mostly only black and white are combined. The situation is different with a rustic style. This relies primarily on naturalness. Wood is particularly suitable for the furniture and the floor, and the terrace can be decorated with as many plants as you like.

Set stylish accents

Once the design is complete, it’s time for the finer details. Depending on the design, the terrace should now receive its final shine with stylish accents. An important element is, of course, plants. With large plant pots, the owner sets up a privacy screen with which he can hide from the eyes of the neighbors. Otherwise, small flower pots are suitable. Climbing plants that climb up the house or pillars create a very natural look. Otherwise, carpets, large and small stones, or vases can also provide the final touch.

Functionality should also play a role

In addition to aesthetic considerations, the functionality should definitely also play a role. A canopy is usually a good investment. The outdoor area can also be used when it rains, and the furniture is better protected from the weather. Those who like to sunbathe should leave part of the terrace unconsidered so that the sun can be enjoyed to the fullest. For longer barbecue evenings, the builder should definitely take care of sufficient lighting.

Different spotlights put particular details of the terrace in the limelight. Furthermore, additional power and water connections are required for an outdoor kitchen, for example, and if you want to create a water garden on your terrace, you will need the appropriate accessories.

Fruit is healthy. But: is too much fruit unhealthy? Experts are now showing when fruit can promote diseases such as diabetes, heart attacks or strokes.

Too much fruit: when does consumption become unhealthy?

According to the fructose even increases the likelihood of developing diabetes, heart attack and stroke. This also promotes obesity and cholesterol levels. But unlike glucose, fructose does not increase blood sugar levels.

This is finally broken down directly in the liver. However, a precursor of molecules is formed here that serves to store fat, as Dr. Philipp Gerber reports. Fat pads are no longer essential for survival these days and are therefore superfluous. They are considered unsightly, annoying and harmful to health.

Fructose has no direct benefit for the organism and, in large quantities, could stimulate substances such as uric acid, which can increase blood pressure and cause mild inflammation in the vascular system. This increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Fruit does not provide any proteins, fats or B vitamins

According to the nutrition expert Birthe Wulf, the fear that the high sugar content of fruit can have a negative effect on body weight is rather inappropriate towards Edeka. In general, the more calories we consume, the more we should consume.

Among these 5 foods there is even a fruit that is said to promote weight loss. Anyone who thinks that they can only eat fruit is also wrong, because this would lead to an undersupply of vital nutrients such as fat, proteins and B vitamins. Bananas, pears and the like do not contain enough of these or none at all, but our body urgently needs them for metabolism.

In the right amount, fruit is completely harmless and really keeps us fit. Experts usually recommend the “five times a day rule”. This states that a daily consumption of three servings of vegetables in relation to two servings of fruit represents an ideal nutrient supplement.

Fructose can be dangerous: Negative effects from sweetened drinks

The levels at which fructose becomes problematic come primarily from sweetened beverages like soda, but also honey and orange juice. Consuming these sweet products over a longer period of time can have negative effects. However, there are also some types of fruit, some of which should better keep your hands off.

The aromatic-sweet spice not only tastes delicious, but is also said to have a healing effect. We will tell you here what exactly is in marjoram.

Effect of marjoram: The healing spice is beneficial

Marjoram is even more popular with many cooks than the spicy oregano. Due to the beneficial ingredients, the application is diverse according to spice experts. Marjoram does a lot, especially for digestion. This is what the aromatic herb contains:
Lots of essential oil: As with other spices, the oils are mainly responsible for the aroma, taste and healing effect of marjoram.
Tannins and bitter substances: In conjunction with the essential oil it contains, the tannins and bitter substances in marjoram are proven to fight bacteria. The spice has an antiseptic effect and therefore helps against inflammation and relieves abdominal cramps.
Secondary plant juices: Marjoram supports the body in the production of digestive juices in the stomach, bile and liver.
Vitamin C and zinc: The spice also contains vitamins that can help with colds and all the side effects such as coughs or runny noses.

One spice, many areas of application: marjoram is not only used in the kitchen

Due to the special ingredients, marjoram is not only popular in the kitchen. When it comes to health, many like to use the spice. Whether it’s a loss of appetite, flatulence and stomach problems, a cough or a cold: marjoram has a healing effect on the human body. For example, a particularly aromatic tea can be made from fresh marjoram. Our tip: For one cup, add one to two teaspoons of leaves and flowers to 150 milliliters of cold water, boil, strain and then drink at a pleasant temperature.

Classically, marjoram is a typical meat and sausage spice. Specialties such as liver sausage and black pudding, for example, are traditionally refined with marjoram. Especially in Bavaria, the herb is often used in the preparation of liver dumplings or roast pork. But the spice is also ideal for potato and mushroom dishes and gives every dish a very special taste. It is particularly recommended for use with greasy dishes. Due to the stomach-friendly, digestion-friendly effect of marjoram, you can avoid annoying stomach pains after a large meal.

Lose weight without much effort? – That’s fine. Because the key to every success in losing weight is not in meager diets: A fitness expert explains why it can theoretically also work with chips and cola to let those annoying pounds tumble.

In theory, you can also lose weight with chips and cola

The calorie requirement is the index of energy that the body needs to function. However, this is not the same for every person, but individual. Nutrients are divided into three so-called “macronutrients” or “macros”. These are carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
one gram of carbohydrates is over four calories
a gram of protein is over four calories
a gram of fat over nine calories
Fitness trainer Yannick Reinlein is certain that you can fill your calorie balance with unhealthy foods. For example, you can very well lose or maintain your weight with a diet that consists only of chips. However, Reinlein emphasizes that from his point of view this is not recommended. “You can definitely lose weight with the motto calories equal calories, but whether that’s healthy is a completely different question,” he says.

According to Reinlein, there are two main reasons why you shouldn’t do this: satiety and the feeling of hunger. “50 grams of carbohydrates from potatoes or gummy bears make no difference in terms of the calorie balance, but potatoes have a significantly higher satiety effect. So you don’t have to go hungry,” says Reinlein.

After all, unhealthy foods don’t have this name from just anywhere. Logically, it’s ultimately about the calorie balance that keeps the body functioning, but similar to an internal combustion engine, it’s always important to have the right fuel for the engine in question. “It’s exactly the same as cream and salmon. Both have fat, but the percentage of unsaturated fatty acids in salmon is much higher than that in cream, making it a much healthier source of fat,” explains the fitness expert.

You can lose weight by eating unhealthy foods

Especially with a diet that focuses on losing weight, it is important to change your diet and use healthy foods. True to the motto “you are what you eat”, nutrition is the lynchpin for physical well-being.

“A healthy body loses weight better than a sick one. Digestion is negatively affected by an unhealthy diet, and it can also promote the formation of inflammation in the body. Only when the body is healthy can it fully perform the function of burning fat,” says Reinlein.

Nevertheless, everyday movement should not be underestimated. Every step and every extra effort ensures that the calorie turnover increases. Consequently, if you burn a lot, you also need a higher calorie intake. Conversely, this means that you increase your calorie turnover through an increased amount of exercise and the combustion is boosted. If you then also save on calorie intake here, you will quickly lose weight. A good example of this is Bernd Stelter. According to him, he has only changed small habits, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or simply walking more every day. With success: Stelter has become a whole 25 kilos lighter!

Additional movement increases combustion

Ultimately, it is even true: Calories equal calories. But even if the body functions equally well on a diet of chips and cola as on a diet of vegetables and meat, you can’t compare it. This confirms that you can lose weight through an unhealthy diet, but that there is no guarantee that you will be healthier afterwards than before. If you also want to go one step further and lose weight as quickly as possible, you will still not be able to do with additional exercise. Nevertheless, the old rule applies here too: Patience makes perfect.

A recently published study examined how caffeine counteracts the loss of performance caused by lack of sleep. The result is clear and underlines the importance of sleep.

How caffeine affects cognition during sleep deprivation

It is well known that sleep deprivation has negative effects on cognition. The research team led by psychology professor Kimberly Fenn therefore investigated to what extent the increase in caffeine can counteract this.

The 276 subjects were initially asked to complete a simple task that required little attention. There was also a difficult task to solve in which the participants had to complete several steps in a specific order – no steps could be skipped or repeated.

“We found that sleep deprivation impaired performance on both task types and that caffeine intake helped people successfully complete the easier task,” study author Fenn said in a Michigan State University news release. However, the intake of caffeine mostly had little effect on the more difficult task.

Conclusion: Caffeine cannot replace sleep

While caffeine can help you stay awake and get a task done, it does little to prevent procedural errors that can lead to medical errors or car accidents, for example. “Caffeine increases energy, reduces drowsiness, and may even improve mood, but it certainly doesn’t replace a full night’s sleep,” says Fenn.