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Osteoporosis Prevention: These Foods Strengthen Your Bones

Osteoporosis (bone loss) makes bones brittle and unstable – and increases the risk of fractures. However, the disease is often discovered too late. With the right diet, you’ll strengthen your bones so it doesn’t have to get that far.

Osteoporosis is a metabolic disorder in the bones
Bone loss puts you at an increased risk of fractures
Even small changes in lifestyle can have a preventive effect
Calcium and vitamin D are particularly effective
Which foods help against bone loss? If you suffer from osteoporosis, the bone metabolism is disturbed: the natural breakdown of bone tissue is excessively pronounced, the consequence of osteoporosis (also called bone loss) is an increased risk of bone fractures.

Recognizing and preventing osteoporosis: Make sure you take calcium and vitamin D

The right diet is largely responsible for physical well-being. In addition to the entire organism, the health of the bones and muscles is strengthened. The most important thing is the right combination of diet and physical activity. Together, the two components ensure a strong and healthy body structure, even in old age.

Our skeleton consists of around 210 bones, which store 98 percent of our body’s calcium. So it’s no wonder that calcium in particular is of particular importance in the right diet. In addition to calcium, vitamin D is the second important building block for strengthening bones. Without the vitamin, not enough calcium can be absorbed in the intestine. Vitamin D deficiency can also have other dramatic effects on the body.

Even small changes in lifestyle make an impact

In most cases, a complete lifestyle change is not necessary to create a bone-friendly meal plan. Small, simple changes are often enough: less meat, sausage, salt and fat – but more vegetables and fruit. Green vegetables and fruits are ideal sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Eat as diverse as possible
Potatoes and grain products are essential
Fresh fruit and vegetables several times a day
Less meat
Less high-fat foods
Sugar and salt in moderation
Drink enough liquid
Fresh and gentle preparation of the food

Calcium intake is particularly important

Milk and milk products such as yoghurt, cheese or certain types of hard cheese are best suited to cover the daily requirement.
Vitamin D* is mainly found in fatty sea fish such as herring, mackerel or salmon. However, only around ten to 20 percent of the vitamin D household can be covered through food.
The rest is absorbed through exposure to sunlight. A short walk is usually enough.

Osteoporosis prevention: beware of the “calcium thieves”

While vitamin D and calcium promote bone formation, there are also numerous foods that are bad for skeletal stability.

Then there is talk of so-called “calcium robbers” that slow down the body’s absorption of calcium. You should therefore avoid the following foods or only consume them in small amounts:
Black tea
Coffee
Oxalic acid (e.g. found in beetroot, chocolate or rhubarb)
Phosphates (e.g. contained in ready meals, fast food, cola, lemonades, processed cheese)
sausage and meat
alcohol
Very greasy food
Too much salt

Often forgotten: magnesium for the bones

Vitamin D and calcium form the basis for strong bones, but 60 percent of the magnesium* in our body is also stored in our bones. It is important for bone metabolism and is mainly found in legumes, nuts and whole grain products.

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Lower Tisk of Dementia: These Foods and Nutrients Are Important For Your Brain

You can keep your brain fit through your diet. If you want to reduce your risk of dementia, there are some foods that you can incorporate into your diet. Here is a list of the most important nutrients.

Reduce risk of dementia: These nutrients are particularly important for your brain

Alzheimer’s research assumes that a targeted and conscious diet has a strong influence on the development of our brain. Of course, there is no specific recipe that helps against dementia. Still, certain foods can help with prevention.

Although our brain makes up only a fraction of our body weight, it accounts for about 20 percent of our energy needs. The ideal diet to reduce the risk of dementia consists of various components.

Nutrient combination to prevent dementia:
Secondary plant substances: The polyphenols ensure better blood flow in the brain and are intended to counteract dementia
Vitamins C and E: high doses of these antioxidant vitamins are said to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s
“Nerve” vitamins from the B group, especially B6, B12 and folic acid (B9): Deficiencies in these vitamins are associated with memory problems and an early stage of Alzheimer’s dementia
Omega-3 fatty acids: The fatty acids are said to have a positive effect on the brain and improve memory and everyday skills

1. Polyphenols (plant substances): Tea, coffee and vegetables help against dementia

In addition to water, which we should drink enough of every day, we should also have two to three cups of coffee, black or green tea. The polyphenols it contains stimulate blood circulation in the brain. The secondary plant substance is also contained in red wine. Here, too, a glass in the evening is fine.

It is obvious – the secondary plant substances are also found in vegetables. Since secondary plant substances bring the color to the vegetables, it is advisable to eat colorful food in order to get a bit of everything. As for the amount: The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) recommends three servings of vegetables per day. One serving (400 grams) is about the amount of vegetables that fits in the palm of your hand. Aside from the few calories, vegetables are high in polyphenols and the brain-friendly folic acid.

2. Vitamin C: Dark berries are said to protect against Alzheimer’s

Vitamin C reduces plaque formation in our vessels, which is considered a risk factor for dementia. Fresh fruit should be included in every diet. Here, too, the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) recommends that two meals of 250 grams each are best.

According to the DGE, sea buckthorn berries (juice), peppers, black currants and parsley (all offer over 100 milligrams per 100 grams of vitamin C) contain a lot of vitamin C. However, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, lemon, kiwi and lychee also work.

3. B-group “nerve” vitamins: Beans, peas and lentils help the brain cells

Legumes contain plenty of natural B vitamins, folic acid and polyphenols for the brain. B vitamins are healthy and stimulate communication between cells and each other. They increase the performance of the brain and protect against memory disorders.

As an alternative to beans, peas, lentils and the like, tofu schnitzel, falafel or hummus can also be used. The vitamins are also included here.

4. Whole grain: Reduce the risk of dementia with the brain food par excellence

Whole grain products contain a lot of dietary fiber. The complex carbohydrates help to keep the blood sugar level constant and thereby increase the ability to concentrate. The amino acids it contains, such as methionine, have also proven to be particularly valuable for healthy brain function.

5. Omega-3 fatty acids: Oil for a fit brain – reduce the risk of dementia

Omega-3 fatty acids are among the “good fats”. They are said to protect against cardiovascular diseases and improve metabolism. But the fats are also supposed to help against dementia. Omega-3 increases the performance of the brain and helps us with our daily processes. Top omega-3 suppliers include flaxseed oil, chia seeds, and walnuts.

All of the foods mentioned can be combined into wonderful recipes and thus contribute in a delicious way to reducing the risk of dementia. So you can do something for your physical and mental fitness at the same time.

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E Number List: You Should Avoid These Additives

E numbers do not have a good reputation. Rightly so: food additives can lead to allergies and trigger diseases. But which E numbers should you really avoid?

They are found in many foods and give themselves inconspicuous names: additives with E numbers, many of which are suspected of being unhealthy.

What does the E stand for?

“E number” is actually just another name for food additives that are approved in the EU – the “E” in “E number” stands for Europe.

There are many different additives with different functions:
Antioxidants: prevent fats from going rancid and ensure a longer shelf life
Emulsifiers: combine substances that are not miscible with each other, such as oil and water
Dyes: make food a bit more colorful and bright
Thickeners: ensure a nice consistency, for example with pudding or ice cream
Flavor enhancers: spice up the taste
Preservatives: inhibit microorganisms and ensure a longer shelf life
Sugar substitutes: used as a sugar substitute
E-numbers: useful, but also suspicious…
E numbers are therefore added in order to make food last longer, to improve consistency, to simplify technological processes or to increase the enjoyment value.

But food additives not only have good properties: Many are suspected of triggering allergies and promoting diseases such as asthma, neurodermatitis, Alzheimer’s or even cancer.

In recent years, customers have become more critical. And the food manufacturers have actually reacted: in supermarkets there is hardly an E number left on the packaging.

How can that be? Because the manufacturers now like to use the name of the additive instead of E numbers: “Citric acid” sounds much more harmless than “E330”.

Therefore, a list of ingredients on which no E-numbers can be seen does not mean that the content is actually free of additives. A critical look at the list of ingredients is always worthwhile.

In the case of packaged foods, you still have the opportunity to check the ingredients on the packaging. It’s a bit more complicated at the bakery or at the kebab shop during the lunch break – who really asks the seller what’s in it (and asks if the answer is “Only healthy things!”).

But you should do it with the questions. Because since December 2014, bakers, butchers, snack bars, restaurants and ice cream parlors have had to have written information about the ingredients at hand. In addition, a label next to the goods must indicate whether additives have been used.

E102 – Tartrazine

The E number E102 is found in mustard, custard powder, processed cheese, as well as drinks and sweets. Tartrazine is an artificial yellow dye with a high allergy potential, especially in people who are sensitive to aspirin or benzoic acid. E102 is also of concern for people with asthma or neurodermatitis.

Tartrazine has been linked to health effects such as difficulty breathing, skin rashes or blurred vision, and can affect children’s activity and alertness. The dye E102 is banned in Norway. In Germany and Austria, the ban was lifted as part of a harmonization of EU laws. The consumer centers advise against the consumption of larger quantities.

E104 – Quinoline Yellow

Jelly, effervescent powder, chewing gum, smoked fish and fruit wines – the E number E104 is only permitted for such foods, and only in small quantities. The yellow dye quinoline yellow is suspected of causing cancer and is banned in the US, Japan and Norway. E104 can cause allergies and affect children’s activity and attention.

E110 – Yellow Orange S

The dye E110 colors products such as wine gums, salmon substitutes or cheese yellow-orange. In animal experiments, the additive led to kidney tumors. Yellow orange S is probably a trigger for asthma and neurodermatitis and is considered an allergy-triggering agent for people who are sensitive to aspirin and benzoic acid (E210). The dye E110 can affect children’s activity and attention. The consumer centers advise against the consumption of larger quantities.

E122 – Azorubine (carmoisine)

The red dye E122 is found in ready-made products and ready-made soups, but also in drinks and sweets. Azorubine can cause allergies, especially in people who are sensitive to aspirin and benzoic acid. In addition, the red dye E122 can impair children’s attention and activity. The consumer centers advise against the consumption of larger quantities.

E123 – Amaranth

Amaranth does not mean the grains here, but the red dye E123. Amaranth is only allowed for spirits, aperitif wines and caviar. It is even banned in the USA because it is suspected of causing cancer. In animal experiments, E123 caused calcium deposits in the kidneys. This dye is also of particular concern for people with an aspirin or benzoic acid allergy and could be a trigger for neurodermatitis and asthma.

E124A – Chochineal Red A

The red dye Chochineille A or E124A is what gives the salmon substitute its beautiful red colour. It is also found in chorizo ​​sausage, fruit jelly and other confectionery. E124A is considered to be allergenic and may affect children’s activity and attention. Consumer advice centers advise against consuming large quantities.

E127 – Erythrosine

The red dye is only permitted for cocktail cherries, candied cherries or fruit salads containing cherries. The E number E127 can release iodine into the body and impair thyroid function. People with thyroid disorders should not eat foods with erythrosine, so avoid cocktail cherries and candied cherries of all kinds. The dye E127 can disturb children’s attention and cause allergies.

E129 – Allura Red AC

We still know very little about this red dye: Hardly any research has been published, so the effects of E129 have not yet been conclusively assessed.

In Germany, the dye can be found in sweets, desserts and drinks. The E number E129 is banned in Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, France and Switzerland. People with aspirin or benzoic acid allergy, asthma or neurodermatitis should avoid the E number. Allura Red AC may affect children’s activity and attention.

E142 – Green S

Peppermint candies or canned peas, but also drinks, cosmetics, wool, leather and paper are colored with the green dye E142. One may ask oneself why peas have to be colored even greener. Although the body excretes the E number largely unchanged within 7 hours, E142 is banned in the US, Canada, Japan and Norway. The additive Grün S is suspected of promoting Alzheimer’s and has led to genetic damage in animal experiments.

E150C – Ammonia Caramel

Ammonia – isn’t that toxic? As “ammonia caramel” not directly. You’ve probably already eaten E150C: it’s in cola, whiskey and mustard sauces, for example, and is what gives it the brown color. Ammonia caramel is made from sugar compounds using ammonia, and genetically modified corn can be used. By-products of the E number led to cramps in animal experiments and impaired the immune system. In the USA, the dye E150C is suspected of causing cancer. Consumer centers advise against frequent consumption of the E number.

Incidentally, Coca-Cola does not have the E number: instead of E150C, Coca-Cola is made pretty brown with the dye E150D. Unfortunately, the additive ammonium sulfite caramel is not much better than ammonia caramel: In the USA, a by-product of E150D that is difficult to avoid is suspected of causing cancer: 4-methylimidazole (source: BfR). The E number may contain a toxic compound that caused blood changes and convulsions in animal studies.

E151 – Brilliant Black BN

Caviar substitute, liquorice, but also shampoos or liquid soaps are colored violet, brown or black with the dye E151. The food additive Brilliant Black BN is considered to cause allergies in people who are sensitive to aspirin and benzoic acid and should also be avoided by people with asthma or neurodermatitis. Consumer centers advise against consuming large quantities.

E154 – Brown FK

The E number E154 can damage internal organs due to deposits. Consumer centers advise against consuming large quantities. The good news: the dye Braun FK is only in smoked herrings from England (Kippers) anyway, it is not approved for anything else. The food additive Braun FK should be avoided by people with aspirin and benzoic acid allergies, asthma or neurodermatitis.

E155 – Brown HT

The reddish-brown colorant E155 is primarily used to color sweets such as cakes, biscuits, ice cream and chocolate. However, consumer advice centers advise against consuming the food additive, since the E number is particularly questionable for people with neurodermatitis, asthma and an allergy to aspirin or benzoic acid.

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Duvet Covers – These are the Most Important Properties

Anyone who buys new bed linen naturally wants their purchase to be worthwhile. Pleasant skin feel and durable material are just some of the aspects that are important for good duvet covers.

Pay attention to the quality

There are a few things to consider so that the new bed linen offers the pleasant sleeping comfort that you expect from it. Anyone who buys new duvet covers wants to be able to use them for a long time. For this reason, the following clearly applies here: if you buy cheap, you buy twice.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that you have to go straight to premium bed linen for several hundred euros. Products in the lower price segment are not only usually more short-lived, but can also contain questionable chemicals and also do not offer the same skin feel as higher-quality duvet covers.

The right care

The type of material you buy doesn’t necessarily determine longevity. Most fabrics that make good duvet covers are, if cared for, relatively durable. If you want to keep your bed linen for a long time, you should pay attention to a few things. If you follow all of these care instructions, you will definitely get something out of your duvet covers for longer:

  • Adjust the temperature of the washing cycle to the bed linen.
  • Some materials are significantly more sensitive than others.
  • Wash bed linen separately from another laundry.
  • To preserve the material, turn the covers inside out before washing.
  • Select the detergent according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
  • Do not use fabric softener!
  • Only run the dryer on the gentle cycle. Only air dry sensitive fabrics!

The right feeling on the skin

Since duvet covers come into direct contact with your own skin, they should of course feel correspondingly comfortable. Not only the quality of the bed linen is important. The material determines other properties. That’s why there are, for example, separate bed covers for summer or winter. The most important properties are as follows:

Soft skin feel

For many people, smooth, soft bed linen is important for the right level of comfort. Quality is an important index for this. Most materials made of high-quality cotton are pleasantly soft on the skin, especially satin. Synthetic or microfibers are also very soft. And the noble but expensive silk nestles particularly well against the skin. The correct care of the bed linen should be observed so that the materials remain supple for a long time.

Warmth

Thick fabrics with a rough and fluffy surface are particularly suitable in winter or for people who get cold quickly. Because they trap air well and are pleasantly warm. Flannel, beaver, or terrycloth covers, in particular, have these properties and can protect sensitive skin in winter.

Cool duvet covers

If you get too warm easily or don’t stop sweating in summer, you should rely on light and cool materials: Satin, seersucker, linen, or Renforcé in particular can score points here. They are pleasantly breathable and cool even on the hottest summer nights, so you can avoid night sweats.

Temperature compensation

Expensive silk is best suited as classic all-around bed linen. It warms in winter and cools in summer. In addition, it is well suited for allergy sufferers. However, high-quality silk is expensive. A slightly cheaper alternative would be a mix of high-quality Mako cotton and satin. The so-called Mako-Satin also helps to balance temperatures, is soft, and nestles comfortably against the skin. Furthermore, more clever tips for beautiful bed linen should be considered.

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These 5 Things Women Like to Hear When Flirting

You can learn to flirt! Whether at work, via WhatsApp, or in the dating app – with these tips you will become a flirt professional and always have the right topic of conversation at hand if your counterpart expresses interest.

Harmless flirtation, serious interest, or compliments in an existing relationship: good communication is always the key to success. It depends on various factors: What do women really want to hear? How serious is the message? What role do facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice, and body language play? Men who want to be well received by women have been dealing with these questions since time immemorial.

Most want neither macho nor softie, just honest men who have a real interest in a woman that goes beyond the known mechanisms. Whether you want to compliment your colleague, surprise the lady at the supermarket checkout with a friendly attitude, or win the woman over for life is not that important. What matters is that you are authentic. Trust your intuition and imagine how you would like to be addressed. Loving and open or clumsy and primitive? The answer is obvious! In the following text, you will find interesting details, about what women would like to hear – with a little luck and the right chemistry you will hit the bull’s eye!

1) Let your eyes do the talking

You don’t have to say anything in the first few seconds. Smile because a smile is the shortest distance between two people. And then you say whatever pops into your head, as long as it’s not silly pick-up lines. Refer to something that particularly catches your eye. This can be a confident “You look great today!” or a detailed comment, for example about the hair, a piece of clothing, or the woman’s charisma. It is important that you mean what you say. Most women have an extremely fine sense of hearing and also perceive the undertones.

2) Show interest in the woman

This means that you should ask questions – whether you’re flirting face to face or via a dating app or online dating. Find out how the other person is doing, and how the day went. Ask out of genuine interest and not just “because it’s supposed to be like that”. Listen. Compliments about looks are good, but starting a conversation is better. You can achieve this if you listen carefully, don’t immediately interrupt the woman, and start reporting your own experiences or thoughts. Put your conversation partner in the center! Questions are allowed, as is feedback. But sometimes, simple, understanding listening is best. Especially if you already know the other person well: Refrain from giving advice unless you are asked for advice!

3) Let your heart speak

Call it what you want: flirt, togetherness, friendship, bed relationship, marriage, partnership, one-night stand – every relationship between two people is based on unique moments. Say exactly what you feel! Depending on the situation, sentences such as “You are so beautiful today”, “Your smile enchants my day” or “I want to see you again every day”. do you feel something Now your heart comes into play? Don’t worry, you can always show your heart. You can literally “wear your heart on your sleeve”, even if it’s not about a permanent relationship! Trust your gut feeling and be open and honest (but please be tactful anyway – relentless openness to some questions is a real relationship killer)!

4) Unrequited praise and recognition

The home-baked cake was fantastically delicious, the chili con carne ravishingly hot, and the wallpapered wall neatly worked right down to the corners? Then tell her that! Verbal recognition, preferably with sparkling eyes and a warm hug, is the best reward there is. But don’t praise with the expectation that the woman will lie at your feet and do any work for you in the future. And also show appreciation for things that aren’t perfect. To be honest, always being perfect is boring in the long run. It’s the little mistakes and quirks that make our counterparts so endearing!

5) Pay full attention

Whenever you interact with women, avoid distractions. A glance at the mobile phone can destroy the best mood in a second. In these moments, be fully attentive! When your best buddy calls, put him on voicemail. Shut down everything that doesn’t belong in the situation. In this context: Again, the language of your eyes is crucial. Presence and attention at the moment are important criteria for a woman’s interest!

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Escape the Winter with These Warm Tips

Winter presents many people with a great challenge. Here are the right tips for escaping the winter and enjoying even the dark hours.

Do you suffer from the cold and dark winter days and want to escape? Then you can either make the most of your time in your own four walls or take a short trip. Here’s how you can use a vacation, trip to a spa, or your own home to escape the winter.

1) A journey into the warm

When winter is in full swing and temperatures are below freezing, an easy solution to escaping this nasty weather is by booking a trip to a warmer country. Travel is often associated with high costs. But if you are only looking for a warmer travel destination, then there are cheap travel destinations for the winter even within Europe.

Portugal, for example, still has relatively pleasant temperatures even in winter. However, if you want to enjoy real warmth, then certain regions in Turkey or Egypt are ideal. The flight to these destinations takes only a few hours and the costs are relatively low. The places are regularly flown to and you can count on the fact that some German is also spoken at the holiday destination.
Even if you can’t get a vacation, you can still use the holidays to switch off and escape the winter.

2) A trip to the wellness oasis

Holidays abroad are certainly the best way to escape the winter in Germany. But there is not always enough time for this or the budget is not enough for the whole family. A visit to a wellness facility in the vicinity can give you a holiday feeling and help you get through the dark and cold days.
Whether you prefer to stay in the sauna, take a warm bath, or enjoy a massage. In winter it makes a lot of sense for your own well-being to spend a weekend in this warmer environment. Especially at Christmas time, many resorts offer vouchers to give away and reduced prices. As a gift idea, these are welcome and will probably make every recipient happy. Or make yourself a winter spa at home.

3) Experience the Christmas market

Winter can also present itself from a beautiful side. The Christmas market is one of the amenities that can only be admired in winter. You can immerse yourself in a fairytale world with your own children and, if the Christmas market offers it, also admire small animals.

In the evening you can meet up with friends for a mulled wine and warm your body a little from the inside. The Christmas market offers a variety of opportunities to spend some time with family and friends. Do you remember how you admired the big Christmas tree with warm cocoa as a child? Pass on some of this Christmas spirit and you will notice that winter can also have its beautiful sides.

4) Visit the solarium

Some people can hardly see anything positive about winter. Dark and cold days can quickly spoil the mood. Winter depression has become a real problem and poses an ever greater threat to the population. More and more people are tied to the office during the day or have to do household chores.

Lack of sunshine leads to decreased production of vitamin D. Studies have shown that this is a direct cause of poor mood. But if the sun hides behind the clouds and you hardly have the opportunity to use the few hours of sunshine a week, then going to the solarium is a way of stimulating the production of vitamin D. It’s not about looking as tanned as possible. A visit a week or every two weeks is enough to put some vitamin D back into the body. Your mood will rise noticeably and you will feel better.

5) Make yourself comfortable at home

You don’t always have to look far to escape the winter. Winter is a lovely time to curl up at home with family. Enjoy a relaxing movie night or do handicrafts with your children. Such moments are often neglected during the summer. After all, the children are out and about more often and spend a lot of time outside.

In winter you can get closer as a family again. There are some activities you can do at home during the dark season. Handicrafts, baking cookies, or making music can provide a short break from winter.
Of course, you can also spend time in nature. Walks or sleigh rides are also a nice change

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Superfood List: These Berries, Fruits and Powders Pack a Punch!

This superfood list gathers the superstars of food, touted for their nutritional value and acclaimed for their miraculous powers – but they don’t always happen.

If you believe the advertising promises of the manufacturers, the candidates on our superfood list help you lose weight and fight depression, heal almost everything from the common cold to Alzheimer’s to cancer and compensate for every nutrient deficit. But is that always true?

Superfood list with pitfalls

We took a closer look at the promised effects and found that superfoods also have pitfalls. We have therefore also brought out the disadvantages of the super foods under the carpet. Because some candidates are certainly rightly on our superfood list – others are more appearance than reality or even have health or ecological problems that should make us think. You can find all the details on this in the respective article on the superfood.

Acai

Acai is on every superfood list: The hype surrounding the berries swept across the pond from the USA. Trend breakfast acai bowl is sold as the perfect tool for the model figure. The acai supposedly also works against wrinkles and cancer. However, these statements fall more into the category of advertising promises.

acerola

No superfood list without acerola: the reputation of the absolute vitamin C bomb precedes it. In fact, it probably has the highest vitamin C content of any plant. That is why the acerola cherry is marketed as a vitamin supplier to fight colds, especially in winter. In addition, their secondary plant substances are said to have an anti-cancer and cell-rejuvenating effect. However, solid evidence of this is lacking, and the energy-intensive processing and transport from South America pollute the environment.

amaranth

Like many other pseudocereals, amaranth (also amaranth) comes from the Andes region of Central and South America. Venerated as sacred by the Aztecs and banned by Cortez, the foxtail plant led a shadowy existence for a long time. Now you can find it on many a superfood list, because the little seeds are actually rich in proteins, minerals and unsaturated fatty acids. However, amaranth from the Andes, which could do better in terms of sustainability, is commercially available.

pineapple

The pineapple is without a doubt the best-known and most widespread superfood. It is surrounded by diet legends (“fat burners”), it is said to be able to fight inflammation and heal cancer. The versatile fruit also tastes very good.

Their valuable ingredients would make them an ideal member of any superfood list. If it weren’t for the conditions under which the pineapple is grown and harvested: toxic pesticides and fertilizers in abundance to protect the monocultures, poorly paid and inadequately protected workers and poisoned drinking water make the delicious pineapple a rather problematic guest on the menu.

Aronia

The dark blue to black aronia berries belong on every superfood list. They originally come from the USA, but are now also grown in Germany and Austria. Aronia contains a lot of antioxidants, vitamins and folic acid. The chokeberry is said to be able to stimulate the immune system, help against cancer and even radioactive radiation. At least probably, because there are no meaningful studies here either.

But the aronia scores as a regional, seasonal organic superfood. There is just one catch: fresh berries and juice are almost inedible on their own. And the most effective medicine is of no use if you don’t want to take it because of its taste. In combination with sweeter fruits from the region – for example in jam or juice – the Aronia is worth recommending.

avocado

The avocado is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and essential amino acids as well as vitamins and minerals. Therefore, the avocado is considered an ideal supplement, especially for vegan diets. The versatile “butter of the forest” took German kitchens by storm, and fans raved about the mild, creamy taste of ripe avocados. However, the delicious stone fruit is also one of the bigger polluters on our superfood list.

Chia seeds

Chia seeds come from South America and were used by the Aztecs as a power food for their soldiers. The little seeds are packed with healthy ingredients, energy and antioxidants, which is why they can be found on almost every superfood list. Athletes use the properties of chia seeds like the Aztecs did to improve performance. With a vegan diet, the small superfood grains can prevent deficiency symptoms. As a relatively new food, however, the effects are not sufficiently scientifically proven, contrary to the manufacturer’s claims. Proven pollution and a lousy ecological balance cloud the shine of the “gold of the Aztecs”.

Chlorella

Chlorella is touted on superfood lists as the ultimate detox agent for detoxifying the body. The microalgae can actually filter environmental toxins out of water, but whether this works in the human body is controversial. Just as the healing effects are possible, but not yet proven. The good nutrient profile of chlorella also has a catch: untreated, the ingredients cannot be utilized by humans due to the thick cell walls.

Chlorella is not a credible member of a good superfood list, but it is one of the few plant-based sources of cobalamin. If it weren’t for the dubious life cycle assessment…

cranberry

The red cranberry is known in this country mainly in the form of cranberry juice in drinks and cocktails. In the USA, its country of origin, however, the cranberry is considered a fixed component of various dishes, comparable to the lingonberries in our country. When dried, the red cranberries still contain a lot of minerals and are often mixed in muesli and the like. Questionable harvesting methods and cultivation in sensitive ecosystems in the USA speak against including the cranberry in a sustainable superfood list.

barley grass and wheat grass

Barley grass and wheat grass are catchy names for something everyday: the green sprouts of normal barley and wheat. As seedlings, the “grasses” should have a high nutrient density and be rich in fiber. Both variants actually contain a lot of nutrients, which is why barley grass is also used as fattening feed for cows. And the dietary fiber is also present in the form of plant fibers. But it is precisely these fibers that cause digestive problems in humans. The green sprouts are therefore offered more as a powder.

ginseng

The use of the “all-healing root” ginseng comes from traditional Chinese medicine. Many believe that the tuber works against all age-related complaints, improves motor and cognitive abilities as well as potency and strengthens the immune system. However, ginseng is also an eco-sinner with long transport routes – but the superfood is now also grown in this country.

goji berries

Goji berries have an excellent reputation as a superfood with impressive medicinal properties. Curing cancer and Alzheimer’s, helping against high blood pressure, diabetes and impotence – the small red berries are said to be able to do all that and more. But the goji berries are calorie bombs and extremely expensive because they have to be harvested by hand.

pomegranate

The pomegranate has been known in Europe for centuries. Also referred to as grenadine or “food of the gods”, the fruit grows naturally in southern Italy and southern Spain. Pomegranate seeds and juice were already used in the Middle Ages as a natural source of vitamins during the winter. Numerous medical effects are attributed to the red fruit, for example against cancer, Alzheimer’s or high blood pressure. Ecologically, however, the pomegranate is not a model student.

Hibiscus and Rosehip

Hibiscus and rose hips grow in our garden, in hedges or in parks. They are known as ornamental plants and as ingredients in tea. Picked or grown yourself, fresh rose hips or rose hip jelly are a welcome source of vitamin C in winter. Rose hips are also said to help with osteoarthritis. Hibiscus tea is said to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. But here, too, clear evidence is lacking. If you like a hot drink on cold days, you should give the two native plants a chance.

turmeric

The bright orange-yellow turmeric powder is the favorite spice of the Indians and an integral part of the Indian kitchen. The ginger plant has been known in Europe for centuries, but it has not been able to establish itself in food. Curcumin, the main component of turmeric, is causing a sensation as a possible cure for almost every disease on this planet. The miracle spice is celebrated by many alternative healing methods. The fact that these are assumptions and possible but not proven effects is often overlooked.

maca

Maca is a superfood less well known in Europe. The root of a cress species comes from the Andes of Peru and grows there in the high mountains. Tough, undemanding and nutritious, maca was already one of the staple foods of the Incas. The suspected but so far unproven effects mainly include the increase in potency, fertility and libido. The root is also said to combat fatigue and depression. The transport routes are an ecological problem.

Matcha tea

Bright green pick-me-up, cult drink for Japan fans and as Matcha Latte the new, supposedly super-healthy trendy drink. Matcha tea is conquering Europe and the USA and can be found on almost every superfood list. The drink is prepared using a special technique from the rather expensive matcha powder. This consists of the ground green tea leaves that are drunk. As with all green tea varieties, there are alleged effects in abundance, the awakening theine is proven.

moringa

Moringa, the horseradish tree, is sold as the quintessential miracle plant. In fact, the leaves and roots of Moringa are very nutritious, containing a lot of calcium, essential amino acids, minerals and vitamins. The extremely fast-growing Moringa has many possible effects, which, however, have not been clearly proven. Moringa seeds filter pollutants from the water and can thus be used for drinking water treatment. In the tropical and subtropical regions of origin, Moringa is one of the beacons of hope against malnutrition and water shortages.

papaya

The papaya is botanically something very special. The “tree” on which the fruit, also known as “tree melon”, grows is not one – but a herb. And a papaya is strictly speaking a berry. The seeds inside the fruit contain a particularly large amount of papain, the enzyme found in papaya. Papain is able to break down proteins and therefore has a number of medicinal effects. The seeds are considered a natural contraceptive for men, shrink and destroy tumors in the test tube and are also effective against diabetes. A real superfood, were it not for disadvantages such as the fact that most papayas are genetically modified.

quinoa

The Incas already revered quinoa, which was voted “Plant of the Year” in 2013, as sacred. The pseudo grain is rich in essential amino acids and minerals. The very undemanding plant comes from the Andes, where 95 percent of the world production is harvested to this day. The high energy density makes quinoa seeds a beacon of hope in the fight against hunger in the world. In terms of sustainability, however, the superfood has a lot of catching up to do.

Spirulina

Spirulina is sold in Germany as a miracle algae with an extremely high nutrient content. Especially with a vegan diet, it should easily compensate for all protein deficiencies and deficits in iron or vitamin B12. In addition, Spirulina has other positive properties such as converting CO2 into oxygen or growing in salt water. However: On closer inspection, the claimed effects of the superfood all have their weak points, and there are also toxic heavy metals that can accumulate in wild spirulina.

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Lifestyle

Stylish in the Summer – You Should Know These Trends

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

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

Summery trends at reasonable prices

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

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

Street style: Comfortable and a real eye-catcher

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

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

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

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

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

Discover summery colors in clothing

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

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

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Cooking Tips

Frying a Gried Egg: With These Tips it Will Be Perfect

Frying fried eggs is quick and easy. Nevertheless, there are some tricks for the perfect fried egg. We’ll tell you here how to season it and fry it properly.

Fried eggs are popular for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a reason: It only takes a few minutes to fry a fried egg, it tastes delicious and is healthy. You can also put it on bread, but it goes just as well with fried potatoes and spinach. In order for your egg to be perfect, you not only need the right technique, but also the right ingredients.

Suitable oil and the right pan for fried eggs

The most important ingredient for a fried egg is of course the egg. Use fresh organic eggs. When eggs are older, the yolk will melt in the pan. You should also enjoy eggs that you have been storing for a long time that are well cooked. However, fried eggs taste particularly good when the yolk is still slightly runny.
It is best to use a cast-iron pan for frying. If properly cared for, the egg white won’t stick to it. You can also make the egg in a coated pan, but they are very expensive to produce, difficult to recycle and harmful to health if used improperly. Stainless steel pans have not proven themselves for fried eggs.
Both heatable, tasteless oils and butter are suitable as fat. If you’re frying your egg at high heat, you should use a high-heat frying oil.

This is how you fry the fried egg

Heat a little butter or oil in a pan. If you use butter, don’t overheat it: be careful not to brown it.
Crack the egg on the edge of the pan and slide it in.
Let the egg set over medium heat. It should not really sizzle, but be gently fried. After a few minutes, the egg white is already firm.
Remove the egg from the pan when you like the brownness of the white and the consistency of the yolk. You can put the lid on the pan again shortly before the end of the frying time and let the egg yolk thicken.
Season the egg with a little salt and, if you like, pepper and fresh herbs.
Tip: With the classic fried egg, either only the butter or only the egg white is salted. The yolk forms small lumps when it comes into contact with salt.

Also: You can get creative when seasoning your fried egg: Try fried eggs with curry, nutmeg, paprika or finely chopped chives.

variation tips

Of course, everyone has their own idea of ​​the perfect fried egg: maybe you prefer it well-done or still nice and soft and untanned? Here are a few tips on how to customize the fried egg to suit your taste:

If you don’t want the egg whites to brown, you can crack the egg directly into the greased but still cold pan. Heat slowly until the egg white starts to set. When the egg white is no longer transparent, you can put the lid on the pan for about a minute. This will thicken the yolk a bit.
If you prefer your egg cooked through, you can try the “Sunny-side down” variant. To do this, fry the egg as described above up to and including step 3. Then turn it over again for about a minute. This is how the yolk hardens.
Your fried egg will be particularly low in calories if you prepare it without any fat. Simply fry the egg in 1-2 tablespoons of boiling mineral water.
If you want to make a lot of fried eggs at once, you can also cook them in the oven. To do this, break the eggs into ovenproof molds and then add the spices. Now place the molds in the oven at 175 degrees top/bottom heat for 5 to 10 minutes. The fried eggs are cooked particularly gently in the oven.

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Cooking Tips

Freezing Brussels Sprouts: These Tips Will Keep Them Fresh

Leftover Brussels sprouts can be easily frozen: we will show you how to preserve the green winter vegetables for a long time and what you need to consider when freezing.

Brussels sprouts can be prepared in many ways – the winter vegetable is also very rich in vitamins and nutrients. If you have your own plant in the garden, you will quickly notice how productive it is: A single Brussels sprouts plant can produce up to 40 florets. If you can’t use up the entire harvest at once, it’s worth freezing Brussels sprouts – we’ll explain how to do that here.

Freezing Brussels sprouts: Clean and blanch

Before you freeze the Brussels sprouts, you should prepare them well:
First, the Brussels sprouts must be cleaned thoroughly. To do this, cut off the stalk and remove the withered and outer leaves.
Wash the Brussels sprouts in a large bowl of lukewarm water or rinse them under the faucet.
In the last preparatory step, you blanch the Brussels sprouts: Put them in a pot of boiling salted water for two minutes. Then scare him off with cold water.

Tip: This is how frozen Brussels sprouts don’t stick together

To prevent the florets from freezing together in the freezer, you should snap freeze them. This way you can always take as many florets out of the glass as you need later.

How it works:
Drain the Brussels sprouts or dry them with paper towels.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you don’t have a baking sheet at hand, you can also use a board or a large plate.
Arrange the florets on the tray so they don’t touch each other.
Now place the tray in the freezer or freezer for 1.5 to 2 hours. It is best to set your device to a particularly low temperature during this time.
When you take it out again, the Brussels sprouts are flash frozen. You can now freeze it as normal.

Freezing Brussels sprouts: Here’s how

How to freeze Brussels sprouts:
Store the Brussels sprouts in freezer-safe containers. If you haven’t flash frozen it, you should fill the Brussels sprouts in portion sizes – otherwise there will be some left over after defrosting.
Now place the filled containers in your freezer compartment.
The Brussels sprouts can now be kept for at least half a year. Later, thaw it directly in boiling water.

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