About 25% of pregnant women in the United States do not get the minimum recommended amount of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). We also know that stress in a pregnant woman can lead to a shortage of several key nutrients and can affect the baby’s development.
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Energy drinks have long been a source of debate in medical circles because of their possible risks. Many doctors worry about young people drinking too much of them, because they contain huge amounts of caffeine as well as a number of other stimulants.
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In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified very hot drinks, above 65 °C, as probably carcinogenic to humans. That is the usual temperature of tea and mate in much of the Middle East, Asia, Africa and South America. But it was not clear whether the risk also applied to the temperatures at […]
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We notice that older people find it hard to climb stairs or carry heavy shopping, and we may assume that muscle weakness is only a problem of old age. But what we blame on daily stress and family life may be a silent ageing inside our cells. So when does muscle weakness really begin? An […]
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Scientists keep warning about how much we pollute the environment. Besides chemicals and heavy metals, they warn about plastic, which does not break down or decompose. Plastic may seem to fall apart and disappear after a while, but in fact it turns into tiny microscopic particles that enter our bodies in worrying amounts through drinking […]
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In the Middle East, a cold licorice root drink is a favourite way to quench thirst after a long day of fasting in Ramadan, yet few people know the plant's medical properties. Licorice, whose name comes from the Greek for "sweet root", is a perennial shrub up to two metres tall with dark leaves and […]
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Many women follow a strict diet and exercise every day, yet after weeks of hard work they have not lost any weight. That is a sign that something is wrong. Here are some of the reasons that may be stopping you from losing those kilos. Compensating too much After hours of effort at the gym, […]
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A new British study says that a healthy diet is not only good for people but also helps protect the environment. British scientists studied how people's eating habits change when they follow a diet based on healthy foods. That means less red meat, more fruit and vegetables, and staying away from processed and tinned products. […]
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Ageing hangs over all of us and remains a puzzle that scientists have not solved. Some years ago a theory emerged that chemical compounds called free radicals are responsible for ageing. Pollution, ultraviolet rays, alcohol, tobacco and some medicines release more free radicals, so avoiding them is an important step in protecting ourselves. Antioxidants help […]
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Strawberries are among the best-loved fruits: their bright colour and their mix of sweet and sour make them one of the tastiest. But did you know that they can cause allergies in some people? Let us take a closer look. It was recently found that red strawberries cause allergy while white strawberries do not, because […]
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Much research around the world has found that foods made from soy may help stop breast cancer from spreading, a benefit specific to soy products. Soy products contain compounds called isoflavones, which resemble hormones in the human body. Scientists believe these compounds can limit the spread and growth of breast cancer, and that eating soy […]
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Today we are talking about sugar, the star that now goes with most of our meals in its many forms. It comes as the familiar fine white crystals, or hidden in pastries, juices and sweets, and it has even found its way into many medicines, toothpastes and cigarettes. Before looking at its harms, let us […]
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