Cheers to the fact that drinking wine is good for your health.
Scientific studies well document the fact that swilling a glass or two of wine is good for your health in many ways—including reducing the risks of heart disease, certain cancers, and Alzheimer’s disease.
However, keep in mind that it’s all about how much you drink that can make or break that bottle. And overdoing it can transform that healthy glass of vino into a bad habit with poor health consequences. So raise a glass, fellow wine lovers! Here are ten ways that wine may be saving your life…
Sunday, 24 November 2013
Friday, 22 November 2013
Astigmatism And Your Eyes
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common eye condition that's easily corrected by eyeglasses,contact lenses, or surgery.
Astigmatism is caused by an eye that is not completely round. This is one type of refractive error. Astigmatism occurs in nearly everybody to some degree. For vision problems due to astigmatism, glasses, contact lenses, and even visionvcorrection procedures are all possible treatment options.
A person's eye is naturally shaped like a sphere. Under normal circumstances, when light enters the eye, it refracts, or bends, evenly, creating a clear view of the object. However, the eye of a person with astigmatism is shaped more like a football or the back of a spoon. For this person, when light enters the eye it is refracted more in one direction than the other, allowing only part of the object
to be in focus at one time. Objects at any distance can appear blurry and wavy.
Astigmatism is a common eye condition that's easily corrected by eyeglasses,contact lenses, or surgery.
Astigmatism is caused by an eye that is not completely round. This is one type of refractive error. Astigmatism occurs in nearly everybody to some degree. For vision problems due to astigmatism, glasses, contact lenses, and even visionvcorrection procedures are all possible treatment options.
to be in focus at one time. Objects at any distance can appear blurry and wavy.
Thursday, 21 November 2013
GARDEN EGG LEAVES
GARDEN EGG LEAVES
(Highly
nutritious and good for healthy a heart and for maintaining and ideal body
weight)
KNOWN
as akwukwu Anayara in the eastern part of Nigeria, garden egg leaves are
currently in season. The leaves are green in colour with pleasantly bitter
taste (due to the presence of small amount of nicotinic alkaloids)
They
are rich in nutrients such as vitamin c, folic acid, niacin, vitamin A,
potassium, thiamin, riboflavin ,phytochemical nutrients(phenoic and cholrogenic
acid)
This
nutritious vegetable is eaten either raw, when it is used to prepare salad; it
can also be boiled or stream.
Though
garden egg does not contain huge amount of protein and other nutrients, it is
low in sodium and very rich in high dietary fiber.
A
high level cholesterol level, more particular low –density lipoprotein
cholesterol, is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as
stroke and heart disease and garden egg leaves has the power of reducing these
risks.
The Benefits of Slumber (Why You Need a Good Night’s Sleep)
The Benefits of Slumber
Why You Need a Good Night’s Sleep
We have so many demands on our time—jobs, family, errands—
not to mention finding some time to relax. To fit everything in,
we often sacrifice sleep. But sleep affects both mental and
physical health. It’s vital to your well-being.
Of course, sleep helps you feel rested each day. But while you’re
sleeping, your brain and body don’t just shut down. Internal
organs and processes are hard at work throughout the night.
“Sleep services all aspects of our body in one way or another:
molecular, energy balance, as well as intellectual function,
alertness and mood,” says Dr. Merrill Mitler, a sleep expert and
neuroscientist at NIH.
When you’re tired, you can’t function at your best. Sleep helps you think more
clearly, have quicker reflexes and focus better. “The fact is, when we look at
well-rested people, they’re operating at a different level than people trying to
get by on 1 or 2 hours less nightly sleep,” says Mitler.
“Loss of sleep impairs your higher levels of reasoning, problem-solving and
attention to detail,” Mitler explains. Tired people tend to be less productive at
work. They’re at a much higher risk for traffic accidents. Lack of sleep also
influences your mood, which can affect how you interact with others. A sleep
deficit over time can even put you at greater risk for developing depression.
But sleep isn’t just essential for the brain. “Sleep affects almost every tissue in
our bodies,” says Dr. Michael Twery, a sleep expert at NIH. “It affects growth
and stress hormones, our immune system, appetite, breathing, blood pressure
and cardiovascular health.”
Research shows that lack of sleep increases the risk for obesity, heart disease
and infections. Throughout the night, your heart rate, breathing rate and blood
pressure rise and fall, a process that may be important for cardiovascular
health. Your body releases hormones during sleep that help repair cells and
control the body’s use of energy. These hormone changes can affect your body
weight.
“Ongoing research shows a lack of sleep can produce diabetic-like conditions in
otherwise healthy people,” says Mitler.
Recent studies also reveal that sleep can affect the efficiency of vaccinations.
Twery described research showing that well-rested people who received the flu
vaccine developed stronger protection against the illness.
A good night’s sleep consists of 4 to 5 sleep cycles. Each cycle includes periods
of deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when we dream. “As the
night goes on, the portion of that cycle that is in REM sleep increases. It turns
out that this pattern of cycling and progression is critical to the biology of
sleep,” Twery says.
Although personal needs vary, on average, adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep per
night. Babies typically sleep about 16 hours a day. Young children need at least
10 hours of sleep, while teenagers need at least 9 hours. To attain the
maximum restorative benefits of sleep, getting a full night of quality sleep is
important, says Twery.
Sleep can be disrupted by many things. Stimulants such as caffeine or certain
medications can keep you up. Distractions such as electronics—especially the
light from TVs, cell phones, tablets and e-readers—can prevent you from falling
asleep.
As people get older, they may not get enough sleep because of illness,
medications or sleep disorders. By some estimates, about 70 million Americans
of all ages suffer from chronic sleep problems. The 2 most common sleep
disorders are insomnia and sleep apnea.
People with insomnia have trouble falling or staying asleep. Anxiety about falling
asleep often makes the condition worse. Most of us have occasional insomnia.
But chronic insomnia—lasting at least 3 nights per week for more than a month
—can trigger serious daytime problems such as exhaustion, irritability and
difficulty concentrating.
Common therapies include relaxation and deep-breathing techniques.
Sometimes medicine is prescribed. But consult a doctor before trying even over-
the-counter sleep pills, as they may leave you feeling unrefreshed in the
morning.
People with sleep apnea have a loud, uneven snore (although not everyone who
snores has apnea). Breathing repeatedly stops or becomes shallow. If you have
apnea, you’re not getting enough oxygen, and your brain disturbs your sleep to
open your windpipe.
Apnea is dangerous. “There’s little air exchange for 10 seconds or more at a
time,” explains Dr. Phyllis Zee, a sleep apnea expert at Northwestern University.
“The oxygen goes down and the body’s fight or flight response is activated.
Blood pressure spikes, your heart rate fluctuates and the brain wakes you up
partially to start your breathing again. This creates stress.”
Apnea can leave you feeling tired and moody. You may have trouble thinking
clearly. “Also, apnea affects the vessels that lead to the brain so there is a
higher risk of stroke associated with it,” Zee adds.
If you have mild sleep apnea, you might try sleeping on your side, exercising or
losing weight to reduce symptoms. A CPAP machine, which pumps air into your
throat to keep your airway open, can also help. Another treatment is a bite
plate that moves the lower jaw forward. In some cases, however, people with
sleep apnea need surgery.
“If you snore chronically and wake up choking or gasping for air, and feel that
you’re sleepy during the day, tell your doctor and get evaluated,” Zee advises.
NIH is currently funding several studies to gain deeper insights into sleep apnea
and other aspects of sleep. One 5-year study of 10,000 pregnant women is
designed to gauge the effects of apnea on the mother’s and baby’s health. Zee
says this study will shed more light on apnea and the importance of treatment.
Good sleep is critical to your health. To make each day a safe, productive one,
take steps to make sure you regularly get a good night’s sleep.
Why You Need a Good Night’s Sleep
We have so many demands on our time—jobs, family, errands—
not to mention finding some time to relax. To fit everything in,
we often sacrifice sleep. But sleep affects both mental and
physical health. It’s vital to your well-being.
Of course, sleep helps you feel rested each day. But while you’re
sleeping, your brain and body don’t just shut down. Internal
organs and processes are hard at work throughout the night.
“Sleep services all aspects of our body in one way or another:
molecular, energy balance, as well as intellectual function,
alertness and mood,” says Dr. Merrill Mitler, a sleep expert and
neuroscientist at NIH.
When you’re tired, you can’t function at your best. Sleep helps you think more
clearly, have quicker reflexes and focus better. “The fact is, when we look at
well-rested people, they’re operating at a different level than people trying to
get by on 1 or 2 hours less nightly sleep,” says Mitler.
“Loss of sleep impairs your higher levels of reasoning, problem-solving and
attention to detail,” Mitler explains. Tired people tend to be less productive at
work. They’re at a much higher risk for traffic accidents. Lack of sleep also
influences your mood, which can affect how you interact with others. A sleep
deficit over time can even put you at greater risk for developing depression.
But sleep isn’t just essential for the brain. “Sleep affects almost every tissue in
our bodies,” says Dr. Michael Twery, a sleep expert at NIH. “It affects growth
and stress hormones, our immune system, appetite, breathing, blood pressure
and cardiovascular health.”
Research shows that lack of sleep increases the risk for obesity, heart disease
and infections. Throughout the night, your heart rate, breathing rate and blood
pressure rise and fall, a process that may be important for cardiovascular
health. Your body releases hormones during sleep that help repair cells and
control the body’s use of energy. These hormone changes can affect your body
weight.
“Ongoing research shows a lack of sleep can produce diabetic-like conditions in
otherwise healthy people,” says Mitler.
Recent studies also reveal that sleep can affect the efficiency of vaccinations.
Twery described research showing that well-rested people who received the flu
vaccine developed stronger protection against the illness.
A good night’s sleep consists of 4 to 5 sleep cycles. Each cycle includes periods
of deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when we dream. “As the
night goes on, the portion of that cycle that is in REM sleep increases. It turns
out that this pattern of cycling and progression is critical to the biology of
sleep,” Twery says.
Although personal needs vary, on average, adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep per
night. Babies typically sleep about 16 hours a day. Young children need at least
10 hours of sleep, while teenagers need at least 9 hours. To attain the
maximum restorative benefits of sleep, getting a full night of quality sleep is
important, says Twery.
Sleep can be disrupted by many things. Stimulants such as caffeine or certain
medications can keep you up. Distractions such as electronics—especially the
light from TVs, cell phones, tablets and e-readers—can prevent you from falling
asleep.
As people get older, they may not get enough sleep because of illness,
medications or sleep disorders. By some estimates, about 70 million Americans
of all ages suffer from chronic sleep problems. The 2 most common sleep
disorders are insomnia and sleep apnea.
People with insomnia have trouble falling or staying asleep. Anxiety about falling
asleep often makes the condition worse. Most of us have occasional insomnia.
But chronic insomnia—lasting at least 3 nights per week for more than a month
—can trigger serious daytime problems such as exhaustion, irritability and
difficulty concentrating.
Common therapies include relaxation and deep-breathing techniques.
Sometimes medicine is prescribed. But consult a doctor before trying even over-
the-counter sleep pills, as they may leave you feeling unrefreshed in the
morning.
People with sleep apnea have a loud, uneven snore (although not everyone who
snores has apnea). Breathing repeatedly stops or becomes shallow. If you have
apnea, you’re not getting enough oxygen, and your brain disturbs your sleep to
open your windpipe.
Apnea is dangerous. “There’s little air exchange for 10 seconds or more at a
time,” explains Dr. Phyllis Zee, a sleep apnea expert at Northwestern University.
“The oxygen goes down and the body’s fight or flight response is activated.
Blood pressure spikes, your heart rate fluctuates and the brain wakes you up
partially to start your breathing again. This creates stress.”
Apnea can leave you feeling tired and moody. You may have trouble thinking
clearly. “Also, apnea affects the vessels that lead to the brain so there is a
higher risk of stroke associated with it,” Zee adds.
If you have mild sleep apnea, you might try sleeping on your side, exercising or
losing weight to reduce symptoms. A CPAP machine, which pumps air into your
throat to keep your airway open, can also help. Another treatment is a bite
plate that moves the lower jaw forward. In some cases, however, people with
sleep apnea need surgery.
“If you snore chronically and wake up choking or gasping for air, and feel that
you’re sleepy during the day, tell your doctor and get evaluated,” Zee advises.
NIH is currently funding several studies to gain deeper insights into sleep apnea
and other aspects of sleep. One 5-year study of 10,000 pregnant women is
designed to gauge the effects of apnea on the mother’s and baby’s health. Zee
says this study will shed more light on apnea and the importance of treatment.
Good sleep is critical to your health. To make each day a safe, productive one,
take steps to make sure you regularly get a good night’s sleep.
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
Philippines: Assistance and response after Typhoon Haiyan
Philippines: Assistance and response after Typhoon Haiyan
November 2013
WHO is working together with the Regional Department of Health (DoH) to match the health needs of the communities with incoming assistance.
Driving up the road from Cebu City to the northern tip of the island, the intensity of Typhoon Haiyan is immediately apparent: trees, including the usually wind-resistant coconut trees, and electric poles lie on the ground; debris from roofs and other remains of buildings are piled up along the roadsides; electricity and water supplies are not functioning and food is scarce because the typhoon damaged fishing boats and destroyed all crops such as banana trees, corn fields and vegetable gardens.
Communities starting to clean their homes following Typhoon Hiayan, northern Cebu, the Philippines.
WHO/T. Jasarevic
November 2013
WHO is working together with the Regional Department of Health (DoH) to match the health needs of the communities with incoming assistance.
Communities starting to clean their homes following Typhoon Hiayan, northern Cebu, the Philippines.
WHO/T. Jasarevic
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
Garlic (Prevents and heals so many diseases)
Garlic (alliumsativum)is a plant with a very strong and bitter flavor. it is used for both culinary and medical purposes. Garlic is rich in vitamin A,B1,B2,C,niacin and sulphured glycosides (alliin). Studies suggest that regularly eating garlic help lower blood pressure, control blood sugar and blood cholesterol, and boost the immune system. it has also been found to reduce the risk of esophageal, stomach, and colon cancer. it is advised to take garlic in moderate quantity, as
Preparation and used of Garlic
Raw
Garlic cloves can be chewed raw.
Oil and garlic sauce or emulsion
Mashing several garlic clover in olive oil until a homogenous paste like that of mayonnaise is obtained does this. This is the best way to administer garlic.
THE WONDERS OF SHEA BUTTER (Magical for your skin).
Shea butter is the ivory coloured fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, which is indigenous to Africa. Shea butter is rich in anti oxidants, minerals and vitamins also contain conditioning, moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties for the skin and hair. It is used in cosmetics, skin production, and hair care products and sometime in chocolate production as a substitute for coco butter.
Shea butter has been used in Africa for hundreds of years, but has only recently found popularity worldwide due to increasing interest in natural products for hair and skin.
The best way to use shea butter is in its unrefined state, with all its healing & beneficial qualities still intact. When shea butter is refined or processed, it is heated to very high temperatures and also has chemicals added to it, all of which kill off most if not all of its healing properties.
If you’re looking for a wonderful moisturizer, let me tell how much using shea butter benefits your skin. Raw shea butter works at preventing stretch marks, eliminating wrinkles, and so much more.
Raw shea butter is so vital to skin care regimen.
Healing benefits of shea butter
Raw shea butter works wonders in healing the following
Shortens healing time of cuts/burns and reduces accompanying dark marks.
A natural way to ease the redness and discomfort of sunburn, and speed healing.
It penetrates the skin quickly, shea butter moisturizes your scalp and helps to reduce and eliminate dandruff. If you have chronically dry skin and relief from itching.
Applying shea butter has natural anti-inflammatory properties. If you suffer from arthritis pain, rubbing your joints with shea butter can help. It is also good for soothing post workout muscle aches.
While nothing can totally eliminate stretch marks, using shea butter to moisturize your skin during pregnancy can hinder them from appearing. Also, using shea butter after stretch marks appear can aid in minimizing their appearance.
Want wrinkle prevention? Shea butter contains essential fatty acids, along with vitamins A and E, which are essential to maintaining skin elasticity and softness. If you are prone to hyper pigmentation or dark marks, regular use of shea butter can help even your skin tone. Of course you want your skin to be soft all over. Use shea butter regularly as part of your morning routine to soften your elbows and knees, eliminating that dry, rough look.
The anit-inflammatory propertices of shea butter can help to reduce the redness of acne.
Shea butter has been used in Africa for hundreds of years, but has only recently found popularity worldwide due to increasing interest in natural products for hair and skin.
The best way to use shea butter is in its unrefined state, with all its healing & beneficial qualities still intact. When shea butter is refined or processed, it is heated to very high temperatures and also has chemicals added to it, all of which kill off most if not all of its healing properties.
If you’re looking for a wonderful moisturizer, let me tell how much using shea butter benefits your skin. Raw shea butter works at preventing stretch marks, eliminating wrinkles, and so much more.
Raw shea butter is so vital to skin care regimen.
Healing benefits of shea butter
Raw shea butter works wonders in healing the following
Shortens healing time of cuts/burns and reduces accompanying dark marks.
A natural way to ease the redness and discomfort of sunburn, and speed healing.
It penetrates the skin quickly, shea butter moisturizes your scalp and helps to reduce and eliminate dandruff. If you have chronically dry skin and relief from itching.
Applying shea butter has natural anti-inflammatory properties. If you suffer from arthritis pain, rubbing your joints with shea butter can help. It is also good for soothing post workout muscle aches.
While nothing can totally eliminate stretch marks, using shea butter to moisturize your skin during pregnancy can hinder them from appearing. Also, using shea butter after stretch marks appear can aid in minimizing their appearance.
Want wrinkle prevention? Shea butter contains essential fatty acids, along with vitamins A and E, which are essential to maintaining skin elasticity and softness. If you are prone to hyper pigmentation or dark marks, regular use of shea butter can help even your skin tone. Of course you want your skin to be soft all over. Use shea butter regularly as part of your morning routine to soften your elbows and knees, eliminating that dry, rough look.
The anit-inflammatory propertices of shea butter can help to reduce the redness of acne.
Grape Fruit and its Benefit.. (Good for the heart and arteries)
Grape fruit is not only pleasant to taste, but it’s also highly nutritious. It is fruit of vine, which comes in different colours and grows in cluster from few to as many as more than one hundred. Each fruit contains from one to four woody seeds. Grapes are rich in vitamin B1, B2, vitamin C, potassium and iron. They also contain non-nutritive substances such as flavonoids (a powerful antioxidant) and anthocyanidiens, which play vital roles in the body.
Studies have shown that eating grapes regularly helps to prevent cardiovascular disease due to its richness in potassium, vitamins and its absence of sodium and saturated fat, which are two enemies of a healthy heart.
It is recommended for those that are suffering from elevated blood cholesterol level because it contains flavonoids, which inhibit the oxidation of the cholesterol transported by low-density lipoprotein (LDL) that is harmful to the body and can give rise to arteriosclerosis (narrowing/ blocking of the artery walls due to fat or cholesterol deposit).
Preparation and uses of grapevine
Fresh: It is better to harvest and eat only ripe grapevine.
Grape treatment: This involves eating one to three kilos of grapevine a day for at least three days.
Canned grape juice: This is prepared from grape juice concentrate.
Sour grape juice: It is prepared by extracting the juice of unripe and is used as a substitute for lemon or vinegar.
Raisin: Raisins are made by sun drying grapes.
Take grape fruit today and enjoy all its health virtues
BELOW ARE TEN SURPRISING BENEFIT OF GRAPE FRUIT
1. Vitamin C Super Fruit
For those looking to fight off the common cold and free radicals, Vitamin C rich foods should definitely be added to their diet.
Research shows that because it is so effective in protecting against free radicals that one can also benefit from a reduction in risk of death from:
Grapefruit has huge amounts of Vitamin C in each serving. Just one small
serving (less than a glass of juice) has 80% of the Vitamin C you need each
day.
Studies have shown that eating grapes regularly helps to prevent cardiovascular disease due to its richness in potassium, vitamins and its absence of sodium and saturated fat, which are two enemies of a healthy heart.
It is recommended for those that are suffering from elevated blood cholesterol level because it contains flavonoids, which inhibit the oxidation of the cholesterol transported by low-density lipoprotein (LDL) that is harmful to the body and can give rise to arteriosclerosis (narrowing/ blocking of the artery walls due to fat or cholesterol deposit).
Preparation and uses of grapevine
Fresh: It is better to harvest and eat only ripe grapevine.
Grape treatment: This involves eating one to three kilos of grapevine a day for at least three days.
Canned grape juice: This is prepared from grape juice concentrate.
Sour grape juice: It is prepared by extracting the juice of unripe and is used as a substitute for lemon or vinegar.
Raisin: Raisins are made by sun drying grapes.
Take grape fruit today and enjoy all its health virtues
BELOW ARE TEN SURPRISING BENEFIT OF GRAPE FRUIT
1. Vitamin C Super Fruit
For those looking to fight off the common cold and free radicals, Vitamin C rich foods should definitely be added to their diet.
Research shows that because it is so effective in protecting against free radicals that one can also benefit from a reduction in risk of death from:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
Grapefruit has huge amounts of Vitamin C in each serving. Just one small
serving (less than a glass of juice) has 80% of the Vitamin C you need each
day.
Monday, 18 November 2013
ONION TREAT
Known for its pungent, tear-causing aroma, FABIAN ODUM
Writes that the ever dish-friendly onion has been found to regulate blood sugar, act as bacterial-killing agent, reduce the thickness of blood, ease bronchial congestion and slow down blood clotting in the blood-bearing vessel.
THE cooking ingredient, onion is unfortunately associated with hot oil and frying; it is the most common form of its preparation. Depending on how the frying is done – deep or shallow – the benefit may be greatly lost to the eater.
YAM AS A KICKER
If somebody recommended a hot meal of yam or potato porridge as a way of boosting our fertility, it is likely to leave you with some surprise. You might as well tell the emergency alternative practioner that it has always part of the regular meals for most Africans. The riches of food to man is inestimable but perhaps, for the casual nature which is attached to dinning activities, the import of health side is really lost.
Sunday, 17 November 2013
MAYOMNAISE
Mayonnaise is a thick, creamy sauce or dressing that is made of oil, egg yolks, lemon juice or vinegar, and seasonings. It's not the same as salad dressing , which doesn't contain egg yolks and is generally sweeter than mayonnaise.
Mayonnaise is an emulsion , which is a mixture of two liquids that normally can't be combined. Combining oil and water is the classic example. Emulsifying is done by slowly adding one ingredient to another while simultaneously mixingrapidly. This disperses and suspends tiny droplets of one liquid through another.
Are you one of those who carefully avoid eating mayonnaise because of it fat content? Probably after reading these pieces on health benefit of mayonnaise you have change of mind about eating mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is prepared by slowly adding oil to an egg yolk and is seasoned with some spices such as pepper, small amount of vinegar, mustard and salt. It is a good source of Vitamin A, E, depending upon the type of oil used. Due to its high content of Vitamin A (antioxidant vitamins), consumption of moderate quantity helps to protect the skin and mucus membrane, fight inflammations, such as Arthritis, boosts, the immune system, prevent eye problems (maintain good sight), delays signs of ageing(prevent pre mature ageing ), maintain healthy bones and is essential for proper growth and development.
Babies Struggle To Survive After Typhoon Haiyan
Althea Mustacisa was born three days ago in the aftermath of the killer typhoon that razed the eastern Philippines. And for every one of those three days, she has struggled to live.
But she has clung to life because her parents have been pushing oxygen into her tiny body with a hand-held pump non-stop ever since she came into this world.And "if they stop, the baby will die," said Amie Sia, a nurse at a hospital in typhoon-wracked Tacloban city that is running without electricity and few staff or medical supplies.
Friday, 15 November 2013
Love and Alcohol Don’t Always Mix
The term “till death do us part” may mean everlasting love and commitment to most. However, it may not pertain to those who hit the bottle frequently.
In fact, excessive alcohol consumption has been blamed for many a split in Western culture, with more severe alcohol abuse causing physical abusive, infidelity, and verbal abuse behind closed doors. That’s why the Norwegian Institute of Public Health decided it was prime time to study the effects of heavy drinking on holy matrimony.
The study reviewed data from 19,977 married couples who participated in a long-term health study that kicked off from 1984 to 1986. At the onset of the study, the couples were asked questions about alcohol use and mental stress within their marriages. Researchers followed up with the same couples periodically, over the next 15 years, noting the divorce rates amongst the group.
Not surprising, it was discovered that more a spouse drank; the higher their chances of ending up divorced—especially in marriages where only one spouse hit the bottle frequently.
“The risk of divorce is estimated to be tripled when the husband’s level of drinking is heavy and the wife’s drinking is low, [versus] couples where both drink lightly,” says Fartein Ask Torvik, study researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
Thursday, 14 November 2013
The Evils Of Energy Drink
You’ve heard the news stories detailing how an innocent night of drinking turned deadly after mixing alcohol and energy drinks.
However, the potentially dangerous health effects of consuming energy drinks go far beyond imbibing. Slurping energy drinks have been linked to increased blood pressure, anxiety, weight gain, migraines, and more.
Beware of the ten evils of energy drinks…
1. Anxiety Inducing
You already know that caffeine is a stimulant that can be dangerous if over-consumed. That’s why after downing an energy drink, you may notice you can’t sit still, a quickening of your pulse, the jitters, your mind and thoughts may start racing, and you may become irritable or extremely chatty. That’s because the typical energy drink can contain up to 300 milligrams of caffeine compared
to a brewed cup of coffee (at approximately 100 milligrams of caffeine). Delivering nearly 3 times the caffeine compared to coffee, energy drinks bring new meaning to the term “anxiety inducing!”
However, the potentially dangerous health effects of consuming energy drinks go far beyond imbibing. Slurping energy drinks have been linked to increased blood pressure, anxiety, weight gain, migraines, and more.
Beware of the ten evils of energy drinks…
1. Anxiety Inducing
You already know that caffeine is a stimulant that can be dangerous if over-consumed. That’s why after downing an energy drink, you may notice you can’t sit still, a quickening of your pulse, the jitters, your mind and thoughts may start racing, and you may become irritable or extremely chatty. That’s because the typical energy drink can contain up to 300 milligrams of caffeine compared
to a brewed cup of coffee (at approximately 100 milligrams of caffeine). Delivering nearly 3 times the caffeine compared to coffee, energy drinks bring new meaning to the term “anxiety inducing!”
2. Those Empty Calories Add Up
That can of energy drink you’re swilling may tout the added benefits of herbs and nutrients, but most energy drinks only contain empty calories from sugar, which leads to weight gain. In fact, the average energy drink contains approximately 10 to 12 teaspoons of sugar per can. On top of that fact, they do very little to hydrate your body.
3. Sleep Deprivation
You might think that pounding a few energy drinks will let you burn the candle at both ends so you can finish that work presentation or essay. However, taking in all of that excess caffeine will leave you wishing for sleep when you actually hit the hay. You’ll likely end up tossing and turning the night away, and waking up tired and sleep deprived.
Wednesday, 13 November 2013
Dangerous Foods All Pregnant Women Should Avoid!
Every expectant mom knows there are certain foods that should be avoided during pregnancy to protect the health of their unborn baby. The list, however, has become so long and so controversial that it’s difficult to know which foods/ drinks actually pose a health risk and which ones are actually safe for consumption.
When it comes to pregnancy, there are certain foods that should most definitely be avoided. Foods that are too high in mercury or Vitamin A can pose a healthbrisk to your baby, as can foods that are known to cause foodborne illness such as Listeriosis and Salmonella poisoning.
If you’re worried about your diet, talk to your doctor to find out exactly what foods you can or cannot eat. In the meantime, you should definitely avoid eating the following foods which have been proven to be the most dangerous when it comes to pregnancy.
If you don’t cut anything else out of your diet during your pregnancy, make sure you remove the following foods:
1. Feta Cheese
Feta is a popular form of cheese, used in many salads and pastas and adored by food connoisseurs all over the world. Unfortunately, this type of cheese (along with other soft, unpasteurized cheese which we talk about later on this blog ) has been linked to foodborne illness such as Listeriosis. Avoid any cheeses that have “unpasteurized” on the label and opt for safer choices like
mozzarella cheese instead.
When it comes to pregnancy, there are certain foods that should most definitely be avoided. Foods that are too high in mercury or Vitamin A can pose a healthbrisk to your baby, as can foods that are known to cause foodborne illness such as Listeriosis and Salmonella poisoning.
If you’re worried about your diet, talk to your doctor to find out exactly what foods you can or cannot eat. In the meantime, you should definitely avoid eating the following foods which have been proven to be the most dangerous when it comes to pregnancy.
If you don’t cut anything else out of your diet during your pregnancy, make sure you remove the following foods:
1. Feta Cheese
Feta is a popular form of cheese, used in many salads and pastas and adored by food connoisseurs all over the world. Unfortunately, this type of cheese (along with other soft, unpasteurized cheese which we talk about later on this blog ) has been linked to foodborne illness such as Listeriosis. Avoid any cheeses that have “unpasteurized” on the label and opt for safer choices like
mozzarella cheese instead.
2. King Mackerel
King mackerel may be a healthy source of omega-3 fatty acids for average individuals but the high level of mercury in this particular fish (and a few other on our list) can be potentially dangerous to your unborn baby. Too much mercury can damage your baby’s developing nervous system. Ensure you get the right amount of omega-3 fatty acids by eating healthy, safer types of fish like salmon, tilapia and shrimp and staying within the recommended guidelines for mercury consumption .
3. Caffeinated Coffee/Tea/Pop
The amount of caffeine a pregnant woman can safely consume has been widely argued by many experts. Caffeine can cross the placenta and affect your baby’s heart rate. Common sources of caffeine include, but are not limited to, coffee,
tea and pop. Many doctors recommend that pregnant women consume no morevthan 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. On average, an 8-ounce cup of coffee contains approximately 95 milligrams of caffeine, an 8-ounce cup of tea contains about 47 milligrams and and a 12-ounce pop contains about 29
milligrams. If you’re unsure about how much caffeine is safe, it’s best to avoid it altogether until you talk to your doctor.
4. Brie Cheese
Brie cheese, similar to feta cheese, is commonly unpasteurized and can pose potential health risks to you and your unborn baby. These types of soft cheeses are commonly linked to foodborne illnesses such as Listeriosis. Listeriosis can be incredibly dangerous for pregnant women. Even a mild form of this infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or severe illness in newborn babies. Always check the label and avoid any foods that indicate that they are “unpasteurized.”
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