22 Foods Dermatologists Say to Eat for Better Skin

1 Salmon
Salmon is rich in antioxidants that calm inflammation, says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “The free fatty acids serve as building blocks for healthy skin cells.” How, exactly? “Since our bodies don’t have the ability to produce the fatty acids, [eating them] helps reinforce your skin’s barrier, and keeps moisture in and irritants out,” adds Dr. Leslie Baumann, certified board dermatologist and Founder of Baumann Cosmetic & Research Institute. She recommends eating wild salmon over farm-raised for an optimal dose of omega-3s.

2 Watermelon
“Though it may sound counterintuitive, the high concentration of water in watermelon can actually reduce the water retention that leads to puffiness around the eyes,” says Baumann. “And because watermelon is low in sugar—well, compared to many other fruits—you don’t have to worry about glycation, the chemical reaction that compromises collagen and leads to lines and wrinkles.”

3 Green Tea
“Since green tea contains polyphenols, making it an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory, it can be used as a great toner to treat acne,” says Dr. Kaleroy Papantoniou, a cosmetic dermatologist. “It’s great for healing blemishes and scars, flushes out toxins, and also keeps skin supple. The vitamin K in green tea helps lighten dark circles under the eyes, too. So, put used green tea bags in the fridge for a great 15-minute under eye treatment.”

4 Tomatoes
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Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a potent antioxidant to protect skin from UV damage, says Zeichner. In fact, a study in the British Journal of Dermatology found participants who ate five tablespoons of tomato paste daily showed 33 percent more protection against sunburn than a control group.

5 Carrots
“This vegetable is orange thanks to high levels of beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A … which also happens to be a form of the main active ingredient in Retin-A,” says Baumann. “This vitamin has been found to decrease the skin’s oil production, and there’s also some evidence that it can improve psoriasis.”

6 Avocados
There’s a reason why avocados are a popular ingredient for face masks. “Avocados penetrate cells at the deepest level, which is virtually a tasty way to get a basal layer skin dose of vitamins A, D, and E, good fats, and phytonutrients,” says Papantoniou. Seriously, is there anything this fruit can’t do?

7 Olive Oil
“About 75 percent of the fat in olive oil is monounsaturated fatty acids, which may play a role in the youth boost,” says Marie Jhin, M.D., certified board dermatologist and author of Asian Beauty Secrets. “The antioxidant polyphenols in olive oil could also quench damaging free radicals.”

8 Walnuts
Walnuts amp up collagen production because they are also high in omega-3 fatty acids, says Papantoniou. If you’re wondering what the heck is collagen, it’s a protein that helps improve the skin’s elasticity, preventing sagging and ultimately leaving your skin plump and youthful. Walnut’s rich omega-3 content also helps reduce stress and diminish the risk of heart disease.

9 Oranges
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Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that people who eat foods rich in vitamin C have fewer wrinkles and less age-related dry skin than those who don’t. Strawberries, red peppers, and grapefruit are all other great vitamin C sources, just to name a few!

10 Kale
This leafy green is rich in vitamin A, which is an antioxidant and promotes healthy skin cell turnover, says Zeichner. As mentioned earlier, vitamin A is also a big ingredient found in Retin-A, a medication used to treat acne. Legend has it that applying kale topically helps diminish the visibility of bruises, scars, stretch marks, and spider veins.

11 Almonds
Almonds are rich in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent signs of aging caused by free radicals and may even bolster your skin’s defense against skin cancer. “Studies also suggest that vitamin E consumed orally can increase its levels on the skin’s surface, which is good news for those with dry skin,” Baumann adds.

12 Eggs
The amino acids found in protein-rich foods like meat or eggs are the building blocks of collagen production, says Dr. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD, founder and owner of The Dermatology & Laser Group in NYC. Just don’t go overboard; your body can really only process 30 grams of protein in one meal.

13 Milk
“In addition to the calcium our bones need, milk is a great source of vitamin D,” says Baumann. “This is good for your skin because getting your daily dose of ‘D’ from milk means you don’t have to get unprotected sun exposure, which helps prevent wrinkles and discoloration.” That said, dairy can wreak havoc on some people’s skin; so if that sounds like you, score your vitamin D from a supplement or other food sources. A three-ounce serving of wild salmon or mackerel can provide nearly your entire daily recommended vitamin D intake! Meanwhile, a cup of shiitake mushrooms gets you to about 20 percent (the best you’ll find in the produce aisle) and three eggs can score you another 20 percent. You have options, dairy-free friends.

14 Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is high in linoleic acid, which can help support your skin cells’ membranes. “It may also reduce cellular inflammation, which has been associated with aging,” says Baumann. We go more in depth about this under-the-radar oil in our guide on popular cooking oils and how to use them.

15 Peppers
Yellow and green peppers are packed with carotenoids, another antioxidant that decreases sun sensitivity, diminishing the appearance of fine lines around the eyes and crow’s feet, says Papantoniou.

16 Berries
“Fruits and vegetables owe their vibrant colors to antioxidants, and berries are a wonderful source,” says Baumann. “If your diet includes blueberries, raspberries, cherries, and the like, you’ll get a range of protective antioxidants that shield your skin from free radicals.”

17 Broccoli
“If you were to only eat one vegetable, make it broccoli,” says Baumann. “It contains a myriad of good-for-your-skin vitamins, including A, C, which is a fantastic antioxidant that also supports collagen production. There’s also vitamin K in broccoli, which speeds up the healing of bruises and may even help improve dark undereye circles.”

18 Sardines
Sardines are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, making it a great fish for reducing inflammation and even acne, says Jhin. “Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids have mood-regulating benefits, which can help with the stress component of having acne. Acne sufferers should consume four to five servings of oily fish per week in order to treat the condition.” Sardines are also a good source of calcium because the bones are so tiny and soft that they’re edible.

19 Dark Chocolate
Yes, that’s right, chocolate is on the list. Dark chocolate is great for skin firming, says Papantoniou. “It also has flavonols, which is a very potent antioxidant.” But be sure to avoid any chocolate less than 70 percent cacao. “Look for high cacao concentrations because these have less sugar, which can be terrible for your skin,” suggests Baumann. In fact, sugar is one of the villains on our list of best and worst foods for cellulite.

20 Greek Yogurt
Nicknamed “the wrinkle fighter,” Greek yogurt is great for banishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. “It’s rich in B vitamins, which help to detox skin,” says Papantoniou. But note the emphasis on the Greek part of this yogurt; there’s a difference. Flavored yogurt is one of the health foods that aren’t really healthy for a variety of reasons—one being that it can wrinkle your skin!

21 Pomegranates
“Pomegranates contain polyphenols which also fight free radicals and help to regulate skin’s blood flow, giving it a nice healthy glow,” says Papantoniou. Pomegranate seeds also have a decent amount of fiber, making them a satiating way to sprinkle some color onto your salads and side dishes. Naturally-occurring fruit sugar isn’t remotely as scary as added sugar, but if you’re concerned about it, then you won’t want to go totally nuts with the pomegranate seeds.

22 Kidney Beans
This fibrous, protein-rich food also does wonders for your skin. They are very rich in zinc, which has high healing properties that help fight acne, says Papantoniou.

10 Ways to Fight Asthma and Allergies

10 Ways to Fight Asthma and Allergies
Asthma is a lung or chronic respiratory problem which can cause difficulty breathing. Airways swell and restrict airflow in and out of the lugs, making it a struggle to breathe.

*Related: 11 Easy Ways to Boost Your Immune System

Asthma can be allergic or non-allergic, according to research from the University of Maryland Medical Center. “With allergic asthma, an allergic reaction to an inhaled irritant, such as pet dander, pollen, or dust mites, triggers an attack. The immune system springs into action, but instead of helping, it causes inflammation.”

Make some lifestyle changes – quit smoking, lose weight if you suffer from obesity and keep a journal to monitor changes and attacks.

Allergy Shots
After carefully testing for an allergy, shots may be given. If you have asthma symptoms when being exposed to an allergen, these shots may help you too. Allergens are injected under your skin. Overtime your body may become less responsive and you may notice that you have fewer symptoms.

Eat More Ginger
Ginger is an anit-inflammatory that has been a valuable tool for treating a wide range of health issues. It has antioxidant properties that cleanse harmful chemicals the body produces and relieves psychological stress, which leads to asthma, homeremediesforlife.com explains. “Ginger inhibits the airway contraction and normalizes airways to enable proper breathing.”

Meditate
Difficulty breathing is commonly associated with asthma, which is why meditation is extremely important. It helps reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, which is extremely important when chest tightness, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and panic occurs. Through meditation you let go of your thoughts and surroundings and focus on your breathing.

Drink Peppermint Tea
Hot tea has been a known remedy for treating stuffy nose and symptoms of the common cold. However, peppermint tea is also a treatment for allergies and asthma. It acts as an anti-inflammatory and decongestant.

Inhaled Corticosteroids
This is a main type of anti-inflammatory drug that has proven to help better control asthma. Individuals who use them usually experience fewer symptoms and flare-ups, along with reduced need for hospitalization.

Eat Foods With Magnesium
Low levels of magnesium are associated with increased risk of developing asthma and allergies; Activation notes that low levels may result in lower measure of several lung functions, including airway flow and lung capacity. This mineral has proven to help relieve constricted airways in the lungs.

Purchase a Dehumidifier
If you suffer from asthma or allergies, you should definitely consider purchasing a dehumidifier. Damp air in your home can cause mold, which can trigger the same symptoms as outdoor pollen, sylvane explains. Dehumidifiers will help remove the excess moisture out of the air, keep you healthy, and ensure that you are living in a clean and comfortable environment.

Take Omega- 3 Fish Oil Supplements
Supplementing with fish oil may be useful when treating asthma and allergies. Some studies have found that these supplements may help reduce inflammation and symptoms in adults and children with asthma.

Butterbur
Instead of resorting to traditional medications, consider using Butterbur. It’s a herb that has been used for a variety of health issues, two of which include asthma and allergies. It contains the ingredient petasin, which is thought to combat the histamines and leukotrienes that lead to an allergic reaction in individuals with allergic rhinitis.

Vitamin C
Research by the University of Maryland Medical Center explains that one preliminary study suggested children with asthma suffered from less wheezing when they ate a diet rich in fruits with vitamin C. They also explain that other studies have determined that taking a vitamin C supplement (1g per day) may help keep airways open.

25 Foods That'll Help You Eat Your Way To A Flat Stomach

Everyone’s looking for the right foods to eat to lose weight in stomach. Belly fat is common to everyone, including people with flat abs. Some belly fat is actually good for your body because it protects the organs inside your stomach. If you’re rounder in the waist, however, experts say you might elevate your health risks. Deciding to trim down those “flabs” would be great for your well-being.

The good news is there are foods to eat to lose weight in stomach faster, along with physical activity and a few lifestyle changes. 

1. WHOLE MILK

If you’re looking for foods to eat to lose weight in stomach, a glass of whole milk is packed with nutrients and will keep your stomach full for hours. It’s better than drinking skimmed milk, which actually has less nutritional value.

2. ALMONDS

These. are rich in omega-3 and have low calories. Eat at least half a cup before your workout or if you’re craving a snack.

3. AVOCADOS

An avocado contains healthy fats. Mash a batch to spread on your sandwich instead of using butter. Use avocado for your salads, too.

4. BEANS

Beans are very effective for weight loss, as it’s a rich source of protein and fiber. Eating a cup and a half a day will keep you satiated and full.

5. BROCCOLI

This is another effective belly fat-burning food. It has phytonutrients that increase metabolism and immunity and decrease inflammation and toxins.

6. CAULIFLOWER

This vegetable helps your body burn calories faster instead of digesting it into fat.

7. CHILLED POTATOES

When a potato has been cooked, and allowed to chill, it has resistant starch content, which means that it passes through the intestines without getting digested into fat. After cooking the potatoes, flavor the dish with pepper, yogurt, and mustard, and keep in the fridge for 24 hours before eating.

8. CLEAR SOUP

This can be made from chicken broth, or with vegetable, or mushroom. It helps lessen your body’s caloric intake. Enjoy it before eating your main meal.

9. COCONUT OIL

This form of oil has belly fat-fighting properties that are good for the cholesterol and digestion.

10. COTTAGE CHEESE

Cottage cheese has casein protein, which keeps the stomach grumblings at bay. If you eat this with whole grain crackers a few hours before you sleep, you’ll be less tempted at the thought of a midnight snack.

11. EGGS

Contrary to popular belief due to widespread concern about cholesterol, eggs have been proven to be an effective weight loss food.

12. FISH

Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein, which increase your metabolism. In other words, you burn fat faster and gain less weight.

13. Green tea

A drink of green tea gives your body a metabolic boost and it’s a strong antioxidant.

14. JICAMA

This Mexican root vegetable has loads of fiber that absorbs blood sugar. It’s also rich in minerals like magnesium and manganese that aids in digestion.

15. KIMCHI

A Korean staple food, Kimchi is rich in probiotics. It’s made of fermented cabbage, scallion, and radish, and seasoned with spicy peppers, shrimp paste, and koji powder. You can easily find Kimchi at Asian stores.

16. KIWI

Along with other citrus fruits like orange, lemon, and grapefruit, kiwi are fiber-rich, flavorful and sweet. You can prepare these in many ways — to give salads a kick, to eat as desserts, or to blend as a smoothie.

17. LEAFY GREENS

Speaking of salads, think of adding kale, spinach, and bok choy. They contain natural chemicals that benefit your gut.

18. MUSHROOMS

They are rich in vitamin D. Researchers say that a diet full of vitamin D may help with abdominal obesity.

19. OATMEAL

While oatmeal is fiber-rich, it also has whole-grain carbohydrates that stop the hunger pangs. Choose the unflavored kind that does not contain sugar.

20. OYSTERS

These are rich in zinc, which levels of the leptin that regulates your body’s appetite.

21. PEANUT BUTTER

Peanut butter has high levels of amino acids that break down into phenylalanine. It’s a hormone that curbs appetite and burns fat.

22. PLUMS

Compounds found in this fruit limit the fats your cells absorb during digestion.

23. PUMPKIN SEEDS

A serving or two of these can easily fill up your body’s daily magnesium requirements. Magnesium is the secret to shaving off that muffin top.

24. SPICY CHILI PEPPERS

This exciting food contains a compound called capsaicin. It has an effective fat-burning property that also helps the stomach feel fuller after a meal.

25. YOGURT

You probably know that yogurt has probiotics, which has been known to help with weight loss. It fills the stomach with gut bacteria that helps with digestion – therefore, becoming one of the best foods to eat to lose weight in stomach.

7 Things That Happen to Your Body When You Eat Beets

You can't beat beets
After years of being relegated to the recesses of the salad bar buffet next to the shredded cheese and buttered croutons, beets are enjoying their much-deserved place at the center stage of a healthy diet. They're not only chock-full of essential everyday nutrients like B vitamins, iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, and potassium, these ruby gems also are a goldmine of health-boosting nutrients that you may not get anywhere else. Here are some great—and surprising—things that happen to your body when you eat beets.

Blood pressure improves
Beets are rich in nitrates, which the body converts to nitric oxide—a compound that relaxes and dilates blood vessels, turning them into superhighways for your nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood. That means better circulation, and possibly lower blood pressure. A very small study from 2012 found that 13 men who drank just one glass of beet juice temporarily lowered their systolic blood pressure by an average of 4 to 5 points. (Note: the study was funded by a beet juice manufacturer.) Another study published in Hypertension in 2008 (which didn't receive funding from beet-juice makers) found that folks who drank the red root juice had a 10 mm Hg drop in blood pressure and less blood clotting three hours later, compared to those who drank water.

Your heart disease risk may drop
Beets don't just have an potentially positive impact on your blood pressure. They are also rich in a plant alkaloid called betaine, as well as the B-vitamin folate, which together deliver a one-two punch for lowering blood levels of homocysteine, which in high levels increases your risk for artery damage and heart disease.

You may improve your stamina
When elite athletes pee in a cup for a drug test, the color might be crimson. Why? Because lots of athletes eat beets—they know research has suggested that nitrates boost endurance performance—and beets contain pigments that turn urine pink. In one study, cyclists who drank beet juice could pedal hard 15% longer in a time trial to exhaustion. It takes about three to five beets (depending on their size, which varies widely) to get a performance boost, says study author Andy Jones, PhD, dean of research in the College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter. “Peak nitrate levels occur two to three hours after you eat or drink them,” he says. So time your intake accordingly if your want to crush your 5K PR.

Your brain may work better
Nitric oxide relaxes and dilates your blood vessels, which in turn increases blood flow to the brain—which could bring on better brain function. That’s particularly important as we age, as research finds that our capacity to generate nitric oxide diminishes as we get older, along with our brain's energy metabolism and neuron activity. So give your brain a boost with beets. In one small 2010 study, 14 older men and women (average age of 74) who ate a high-nitrate diet, including beet juice, for two days enjoyed more blood flow to the frontal lobe of their brains—a region known to be involved with executive functioning skills like focus, organization, and attention to detail—than when they ate a low-nitrate diet.

Your liver will be lighter
Your liver does the heavy work of cleaning your blood and “detoxing” your body. You can lighten its load with a daily serving of beets. Research shows that betaine, an amino acid found in beets (as well as spinach and quinoa) can help prevent and reduce the accumulation of fat in the liver. Animal studies show that rats given beet juice have higher levels of detoxifying enzymes in their bloodstream. Research on people with diabetes shows that betaine improves liver function, slightly decreases cholesterol, and reduces liver size.

You may be better at fighting chronic diseases
Beets are also rich in betalains, a class of potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that battle free radical- and inflammation-related chronic diseases like heart disease, obesity, and possibly cancer. Speaking of cancer, research suggests that betacyanin, the pigment that gives beets its pretty purple hue may help protect against common carcinogens; it has also shown promise against laboratory-grown breast cancer cells and is currently being investigated as a cancer-fighter.

You become regular
“One way to beat irregularity and constipation is by eating fiber-rich foods like beets,” says Leslie Bonci, RD, sports nutritionist at Pittsburgh-based company Active Eating Advice. One cup of beets delivers about 4 grams of dietary fiber, particularly insoluble fiber, which helps reduce the risk of constipation, hemorrhoids, and diverticulitis. The betaine found in beets has also been shown to improve digestion. Just take note, your pee isn’t the only thing beets turn pink. Don’t be alarmed if you see crimson-colored stools 24 to 72 hours following a meal heavy in beets.

10 diseases and illness that can be hereditary

Several common types of diseases and illnesses can be genetically passed along when you are born.

Genetic disorders occur when a person inherits a flawed piece of DNA. These diseases and illnesses get passed down from parent to child when there is a mutation within one or both copies of a gene.

Genetic disorders are among the most common types of inherited diseases and illnesses. These ailments vary from person to person and are dependent on your genetic background. Because of that, people of different races can be more susceptible to certain diseases and illnesses than others.

Here are 10 diseases and illnesses that can be hereditary.

Cystic fibrosis gets passed down if both parents are carriers.
Cystic fibrosis happens when both parents each pass on a defective Cystic fibrosis gene. If a person only has one copy of the faulty gene, he or she is considered a carrier of cystic fibrosis. The disease progresses over time, bringing on severe lung infections and impacting a person's ability to breathe, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

People with Jewish ancestry have a higher chance of getting Crohn's disease.
If you have Jewish ancestors, you are at an increased risk of developing Crohn's disease, according to the National Human Genome Institute. This disease is known for causing your bowel tract to swell and become inflamed. It can cause blockages, sores, ulcers, and general discomfort in the stomach and anus. It is estimated that about 20% of people who have Crohn's disease also have a blood relative with the illness.

One copy of the altered gene associated with Huntington’s disease is enough to cause the disorder.
Huntington disease impacts the brain and causes sporadic movements, emotional issues, and a decrease in cognitive function. The fatal disease usually shows up during in your 30s or 40s but is inherited at birth. A person acquires the disease when a copy of the impacted gene is passed along by one parent, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

A child can get sickle cell anemia if both parents pass on the gene for the disease.
Sickle cell disease eats away at your red blood cells and causes them to break down. In order for one to get sickle cell disease, a child must inherit sickle cell genes from both of their parents, according to Harvard's Brigham and Women's Hospital. If a child gets one sickle cell gene and one "normal" gene from both parents, the child is considered a carrier of the disease.

Sickle cell disease affects millions of people across the globe. People from regions of the globe where malaria is (or used to be) common are more likely to have sickle cell disease. In the US, African-American people are more prone to sickle cell disease. The sickle cell trait is found in about 1 in every 13 African-American babies, and the disease occurs in 1 out of every 365 African-American babies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is more common in boys.
Duchess muscular dystrophy almost always occurs in boys. This syndrome can come from an altered gene on the X chromosome. Those who are affected experience muscle weakness starting in the lower part of their body, such as the legs. The National Human Genome Research Institute notes that the inherited disorder is present in 1 in every 3,500 male births around the world.

Hemophilia can prevent a person's blood from clotting normally.
When a person has hemophilia, their blood doesn't clot normally, so they are more susceptible to bleeding for long periods of time. After surgery or an injury, and even in some less severe cases, someone with hemophilia will continuously bleed, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Both hemophilia A and B can be passed down from parent to child.

Thalassemia impacts hemoglobin production.
Thalassemia causes anemia by impacting the amount of hemoglobin that a person is able to produce. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that brings oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. "Alpha" and "beta" are the two most common types of thalassemia, according to the National Human Genome Research Institute. If both parents pass on thalassemia genes to a child, that child will get the disease. You can be a carrier of thalassemia and never have any issues with the disease.

Tay-Sachs disease is more common in people of Irish, Jewish, and French-Canadian descent.
This rare genetic disease causes people to lose control over their muscles and diminishes fine motor skills. There are certain groups that are prone to getting the hereditary disease including people of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, according to the U.S. Library of Medicine. People with French-Canadian and Irish backgrounds are also susceptible to Tay-Sachs Disease.

Factors including lifestyle, ethnicity, and age can contribute to heart disease risk. But genes play a role, too.
We hear about heart disease often, but did you know many heart conditions are genetic? These include arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and high blood cholesterol. Lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and age can also play a role in your chances of developing heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's important to understand the history of heart disease in your family so that you can take preventative measures to lessen your chances of hereditary heart disease.

Two rare forms of kidney disease can be passed down as well.
Kidney disease is not typically regarded as hereditary, but there are two rare forms of the condition that can be passed down from parent to child. Polycystic kidney disease is when pouches of fluid form in your kidneys. It can happen to kids and adults alike. These pouches can also be found in other organs like your liver, pancreas, and spleen, according to The National Kidney Foundation. The second genetically inherited type of kidney disease is known as Fabry disease. The disease can cause kidney failure, though people with Fabry disease can experience a range of systems from manageable to severe.

These are the 7 Best Fermented Foods for Gut Health

Over the past few years, fermented foods have made a huge splash in the mainstream food scene. While fermented foods were originally valued by a slew of cultures over history for their longevity (without refrigerators, ancient people needed to preserve their foods somehow), today people around the globe incorporate them for their probiotic microbes, as well as for their stellar shelf-life and taste.

HOW DO FERMENTED FOODS HELP YOUR GUT?

The human body contains around 100 trillion bacteria and microorganisms in its digestive tract, give or take. Fermented foods bolster gut health by improving the different kinds of flora living in our gut microbiomes, which in turn keeps us digesting healthily and regularly. Additionally, fermented foods assist our bodies in expelling toxins.

Sound good? Then you may be ready to begin incorporating fermented foods into your diet.

Before you start overdosing on the good stuff, just remember that if you’ve never eaten fermented, probiotic-rich foods before, easing them into your diet slowly is your key to success. Begin with eating one serving of fermented food a day, and keep track of how you feel. Too much of a good thing too fast could actually disrupt your gut health and make you feel worse. 

THE BEST FERMENTED FOODS

The best fermented foods for your gut are the ones that were fermented naturally and therefore contain probiotics, which are those live bacteria that aid in gut health.

Some fermented foods, however, do not contain live organisms, due to the process by which they were fermented. For example, the heat-treatment required to make sourdough bread often inactivates the microorganisms that it would otherwise contain.

The following fermented foods are rich in probiotics and great for your gut health.

1. Sauerkraut

Made from fermented cabbage—which is loaded with gut-friendly B vitamins—sauerkraut is one of the oldest traditional foods. Tangy, pleasantly sour, and crunchy, it is also rich in fiber.

2. Kimchi

Think of kimchi as the Korean version of sauerkraut. Spicy and versatile, you’ll be able to pick up this condiment at most Asian markets in the refrigerated section. If you’re eating vegan, just look out for fish sauce and shrimp paste on the ingredients list.

3. Kombucha

Made with tea, bacteria, sugar and yeast, kombucha is the ubiquitous drink at most health-food stores and comes in a variety of different flavors.

4. Miso

Loaded with umami—a category of taste in food that could be described as deeply savory—miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning that is made by fermenting soybeans and sometimes barley or rice malt. It is intensely salty and bursting with flavor and is the key ingredient in the ever-popular miso soup.

5. Yogurt

Did you know that yogurt is just fermented milk? Not all yogurt is probiotic-rich, so look for yogurt labeled with a “Live & Active Cultures” seal, which denotes yogurt that still contains significant amounts of live and active cultures.

6. Kefir

Much like yogurt, kefir is a fermented milk drink that is chock full of calcium and up to 61 strains of bacterias and yeast. Drink up! You can find both dairy and non-dairy kefir at health food and specialty food stores.

7. Tempeh

Tempeh, which originated in Indonesia, is a fermented soybean product that has a slightly firmer texture than tofu and a pleasant, nutty taste.

Hungary’s Hyperinflation: The Worst Case of Inflation in History

The amount of Bolivars needed to buy 2.4 kg of chicken in Venezuela today. Photo credit: Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

The economic situation in Venezuela today is depressing. The annual inflation rate is spiraling out of control and millions of Venezuelans are struggling to afford even basic items such as food and toiletries. Prices are doubling every month, and if economists are to be believed, the inflation rate will touch 1 million percent by the end of this year.

The last time hyperinflation of such scale occurred was in Zimbabwe between the 1990s and the 2000s, when the government famously printed banknotes of 100 trillion dollar in a vain attempt to make carrying cash convenient. That banknote was worth about USD 30 then.

But Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation was only the second worst in history. The worst was suffered by the Hungarians between 1945 and 1946, when the daily inflation rate was at over 200 percent. Compared to the inflation in Zimbabwe and Hungary, Venezuela’s train-wreck of an economy looks very amateurish.

Hungary got its first currency after the break-up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of the First World War. It was called kronoa, but being a new government with no real economy to back the currency, the value of kronoa quickly spiraled out of control. To stop inflation, the government decided to scrap korona and introduced pengő in 1927. Pengő was pegged to the gold standard, and in the beginning it was one of the most stable currencies in the world. It carried Hungary through the great economic depression of the 1930s, and then through most of the Second World War, until 1944 when Hitler’s troops marched into the Kingdom. The war that followed, between German and Soviet forces, devastated the country economically, and the value of the pengő plummeted.

A 500,000 Korona banknote issued in 1923.

When the war ended and pengő didn’t recover, the government decided to print money and flood the country with banknotes—because if the government couldn’t arrest pengő’s fall, they could at least make sure the people had enough money in their hands. We all know the fallacy of that argument, and it only pushed Hungary’s economy to the brink.

Prices shot through the roof and hit the stratosphere, as the Business Insider notes:

Something that cost 379 Pengö in September 1945, cost 72,330 Pengö by January 1945, 453,886 Pengö by February, 1,872,910 by March, 35,790,276 Pengö by April, 11.267 billion Pengö by May 31, 862 billion Pengö by June 15, 954 trillion Pengö by June 30, 3 billion billion Pengö by July 7, 11 trillion billion Pengö by July 15 and 1 trillion trillion Pengö by July 22, 1946.

At it’s peak, prices were doubling every 15 hours.

In 1927, when the pengő was introduced, there were 5.26 pengö to one US dollar. At the start of the inflation, in June 1944, the pengő had dropped to 33 against one US dollar. Then, the pengő collapsed. It went on falling at a fantastic rate until there was 460 trillion trillion pengő to one US dollar by June 1946.

A 100 million Bilpengö banknote issued during the Hungarian hyperinflation in 1946.

To cope with the pengő’s falling value, the government kept introducing new currencies with every increasing denomination. The Pengö was replaced by the Mpengö (or 1 Million Pengö) which in turn was replaced by the Bpengö (or 1 Billion Pengö) which was replaced by the inflation-indexed Adopengö. The notes had the same design but were colored differently. The note pictures above is a 100 million Bpengö or one followed by twenty zeros! It was the highest denomination circulated, but so bad was the inflation that it was worth only about twenty US cents.

An even higher denomination was printed (pictured below) but not circulated. It had a face value of 1 billion Bpengö or one milliard Bilpengö.

To give you an idea of how much money was being printed, consider the fact that in July 1945, the currency circulation stood at 25 billion. This rose to 1.646 trillion by January 1946, to 65 million billion by May 1946 and to 47 trillion trillion by July 1946. Towards the end, the government actually ran out of good quality paper to print bank notes.

Finally, in August 1946, the government ditched the pengő altogether and decided to start from scratch. A new currency, forint, was introduced at a rate of one forint for every 400,000 quadrillion pengő—that’s a 4 followed by 29 zeros. Fortunately, the country’s economic situation stabilized and the forint survived until the 1990s when transition to a market economy adversely affected the value of the forint.

Hungary still uses forint, but the plan is to transition to Euro by 2020.

Alberta’s War on Rats

The brown rat is an extremely invasive species—a pest, that survive on human-produced garbage, usually, but often times this nasty rodent will help themselves to food meant for human consumption. Rats also carry disease. Throughout history rodent-borne diseases have caused more human deaththan any other epidemics on earth.

For centuries, humans have been raging a losing war against rats. In the 1930s, New York City officials tried to rid the city of its rats with mustard gas, then with a powerful anticoagulant ten years later, and again with DDT during the 1970s. Nothing worked. Then last year, the city earmarked $32 million on yet another rat eradication program. Likewise, New Zealand has vouched to make the entire archipelago rat-free by 2050.

So far, only a few rat-eradication program have been successful. Worth mentioning is the remote southern Atlantic island of South Georgia that’s home to around 100,000 pairs of Kings Penguin. The sub-Antarctic island was declared rat-free in 2018 after seven years of extensive rodent eradication operation that involved dropping of poison bait from helicopters. But the largest and perhaps the most successful rat eradication program ever undertaken was in the Canadian state of Alberta.

Alberta didn’t have a rat problem until 1950. The wild boreal forest to the north, the Rocky Mountains to the west and the semiarid High Plains of Montana to the south kept rodents away from Alberta for nearly two centuries. Only its eastern border with Saskatchewan was exposed. That year, the first rat sneaked across the state border from the neighboring Saskatchewan and took up residence in a farm in the border hamlet of Alsask. Shortly after, the intruders were discovered by the Alberta Department of Health.

Recognizing that rat infestation could have serious consequences, the Minister of Agriculture immediately set up a buffer control zone along Saskatchewan border, and a task force was organized to hunt down and kill rodents. Next, the public was educated and trained on how to recognize and eliminate rats. Most people in Alberta had never seen rats before and had to be taught how rats looked like using preserved specimens. Thousands of posters, booklets and pamphlets were distributed among the public.

Alberta Department of Public Health Rat Poster

“Because rat invasion is threatening Alberta, we need to be properly organized and know what to do, in order to fight the battle successfully,” read one booklet distributed in 1954. “No person should spare any effort to kill every Norway rat he sees,” it added.

Meanwhile the rats spread quickly, and by the fall of 1951, some 30 rat infestations were found along 180 km of Alberta's eastern border, and by 1952, the rats were active along 270 km of border. Although most infestations were within 10 to 20 km of the border, some rats had penetrated as far as 50 to 60 km inside the state.

In the first year of the rat control program, the highly potent arsenic trioxide was used to kill rats, but in 1953, safer alternatives such as warfarin, an anticoagulant, was introduced. By 1960, the number of rat infestations in Alberta had dropped to below 200 per year. In 1963, Saskatchewan initiated their own rat control program that significantly reduced the number of rats moving into Alberta. In 2002, the province finally recorded its first year with zero rat infestations, and from 2002 to 2007 only two infestations were found. 

Alberta’s rat control zone shown in red. Graphics by CTV News

In 2014, the pest control program introduced a new telephone number, 310-RATS, which citizens can call to report rat sightings. Hundreds of suspected sightings are reported each year by concerned citizens, but most of these turn out to be muskrats, or gophers, or squirrels, or mice. Confirmed sightings are dealt by a SWAT-like team of pest-control officers armed with shotguns and poison pellets. Alberta is the only jurisdiction in the world to have a dedicated unit whose task is to quickly eradicate any rats who make it across the border.

Aside from responding to emergencies, the pest-control team has to periodically check each and every farm and granary within the rat control zone that stretches from the US border to the northern forests near Cold Lake, Alta. That’s more than 3,100 farms that need to be inspected annually.

Exterminated rats lie in a pile in Manitoba. Photo credit: University of Alberta

About a dozen rats are found and killed in Alberta every year, according to pest specialist Phil Merrill. Dozens more enter the state riding on the backs of commercial trucks from the U.S. and other provinces, but they almost always die unable to adapt to the different environment.

“We’ve never totally been rat-free but we don’t have a breeding population. We never have,” Phil Merrill asserts.

That’s an impressive achievement, considering the size of the province—Alberta is nearly as big as France.