Nutrition Facts

Are Maggots In Your Mushrooms? 10 Unsettling Food Facts There’s plenty of food out there that folks find disgusting or off-putting, especially if it’s something alien to your culture’s cuisine. Haggis — sheep parts stuffed into a sheep’s stomach and boiled — for one, is a dish that not many outside of Scotland can, ahem, stomach. Nor does lutefisk — stinky, aged fish jellied with lye — garner many converts outside of Scandinavian countries. And that also goes for something like the regionally popular Southeast Asian delicacy of balut, a fertilized duck egg that’s been incubated for up to 21 days and then steamed. All those foods are pretty obviously questionable to newbies, with strange smells and alarming visuals for those not familiar with the fare. More alarming though, is the hidden and unsettling origins, unrealized potential dangers, and oddball quirkiness of the food that we take for granted in our everyday culinary reality. So we gathered up a list of interesting (and some disturbing) facts about the food you likely encounter all the time to help make you more aware of what you’re putting into your mouth on the regular. 1. Lemon Slices May Be Covered in Poo Particles Cut-up lemons are a staple of almost every restaurant. Bowls of them are often scattered around, sitting and waiting to be dunked in a glass of Diet Coke, or squirted into a hot cup of tea. No big deal, right? It’s just a lemon slice, not a slab of raw chicken or something? Well, a study published in the Journal of Environmental Health found that out of 76 lemons sampled from 21 restaurants, almost 70 percent of them were covered in 25 different kinds of bacteria and yeast — including fecal matter and E. coli. — noting that: “The microbes found on the lemon samples in our investigation all have the potential to cause infectious diseases at various body sites.” Though alarming, and enough to give you second thoughts on squeezing a restaurant-supplied lemon wedge in your next iced tea, the study also noted that there have been no reported outbreaks of illness related to the use of lemons in drinks at any eatery. They attributed the high microbe count partly to kitchen workers not following proper sanitary measures — though the lemons could’ve been contaminated by anyone who handled them before they even reached restaurants. It doesn’t help that citrus fruits have many pores, which give bacteria and other bugs lots of places to find safe harbor. 2. Raw Oysters Are Alive For shellfish lovers, there’s little better than settling into a chilled plate of raw oysters with a bottle of cold beer. The briny treats slide down your gullet with a satisfying slurp whether you just spritz them with lemon (see No. 1), douse them with cocktail sauce or go au naturel. But many folks may not realize that eating “raw” oysters doesn’t just mean they aren’t cooked. It also indicates that the slimy little suckers are also still alive. And though it may turn some people’s stomachs to think that they are downing a living being while gorging at their local oyster shack, the only kind of oyster you should be eating is one that’s alive. Dead oysters can quickly become infested with bad bacteria, so that’s why shops sell and serve them as fresh as possible, shipping them in a cold, moist environment that can keep them alive and viable for a week or two. So if you want to make sure your oysters are still good when buying them at your market, follow these steps: If you see one that’s shell is open slightly, tap on it. If it closes, it’s still alive in its pearly prison. If you spy some that are open and don’t react to your tap, reject it as it has most likely perished. 3. Most Gummy Candies Are Made From Pig Skin Lots of people’s guilty pleasures include popping a few pieces of candy every now and then, with soft, sweet, and squishy (and sometimes tart!) gummies a popular choice. And although you may think that stuff like candy is free from animal products, the disturbing truth is that gummies (and Jell-O) are made mostly from gelatin, which is what gives it that cushy feel and chewy texture. Gelatin is sourced from cast-off animal parts like the boiled skin, bones, ligaments, and tendons of cows and pigs. If that fact is sure to turn you away from gobbling handfuls of Swedish Fish or chewing on loads of gummy worms, look for products that are made from agar agar, which is a gelatin-like substance source from seaweed. Bissinger’s and Sprouts are among the many places that now offer vegan gummies that won’t make you queasy each time you dig into a bag at the movie theater. 4. You Can Buy Coffee Sourced From Civet Poop Brewing up a fresh pot of coffee in the morning and sipping on a cup of hot joe is a daily ritual for people in much of the world. And among coffee drinkers, there’s often a fierce loyalty to their bean of choice, whether from Dunkin’ or single-origin sourced from Ethiopia. But for those who love experimenting with their type of brew, they can buy coffee beans that have traveled through an Asian palm civet’s digestive tract and gathered from its poop. Called kopi luwak, it’s a form of processing coffee beans that is said to produce an exemplary drink. The beans’ voyage through the civet’s intestines starts a fermentation process that reduces bitterness and contributes kopi luwak’s unique aroma and taste. And, according to local legend, the civets only eat the choicest coffee cherries. Be aware though, since the coffee can command up to $100 a kilogram, many civets are kept in cages and force-fed the coffee cherries to ramp up production. 5. Your Favorite Candy Is Covered in Insect Juice The satisfying crack and crunch of biting into a hard candy, along with the burst of sugar, is what

Is A2 Milk Better for You Than Regular Cow’s Milk? Once upon a time, milk came in three options: Whole, low-fat and skim. Maybe chocolate, if you were lucky. Now, there are seemingly as many varieties of milk as there are bad-for-you breakfast cereals: nut milks, flax milk, oat milk, goat milk. A lesser-known variety you might encounter at the grocery store is A2 milk. What Is A2 Milk? A2 milk is cow’s milk that contains predominantly A2 beta-casein, which is purportedly easier for your body to digest and absorb. It’s different from most of the cow’s milk available in the United States, which contains a mix of A2 beta-casein and A1 beta-casein. First popularized by the New Zealand-based The a2 Milk Company, A2 milk was first sold Down Under in 2003 and has now grown into a $2 billion industry. According to the company, A2 milk can be found in more than 29,000 retailers across the U.S., including big-box stores like Costco and Walmart. Like regular milk, A2 is available in whole, reduced-fat, and skim varieties. A1 Milk vs. A2 Milk The manufacturers of A2 milk claim that A1 beta-casein is difficult for some people to digest and may interfere with maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. (The research is scant on both claims; more on that in a second.) Casein is the largest group of proteins in milk, comprising about 82 percent of its total protein content. The remaining 18 percent is the more commonly known whey protein. There are 13 different types of casein; A1 and A2 are the most common. How Is A2 Milk Made, and What Makes It Different? A2 milk is produced by cows possessing a genetic variation which yields milk that contains A2 beta-casein and lacks A1 beta-casein. Cows that produce milk containing A2 beta-casein are mainly found in Asia, Africa, and part of Southern Europe. Milk from cows in the Western world typically contains A1 beta-casein. Purported Benefits of A2 Milk So, does A2 milk have any benefits over regular milk? “It’s difficult to answer that question, since most of the studies regarding A2 milk have been funded by The a2 Milk Company and dairy industry, which have vested interests in demonstrating benefits,” says Dana Hunnes, Ph.D., RD, MPH, senior dietitian at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. These are some of the claims that have been made about A2 milk: 1. It’s easier on digestion A study funded by The a2 Milk Company found that A1 beta-casein takes some people longer to digest, which can lead to indigestion, bloating and gas. A 2019 review of research said that may be true, but human studies are limited and more are needed. However, in a study conducted by Purdue University, lactose-intolerant participants showed fewer GI symptoms after consuming A2 milk compared to conventional cow’s milk. 2. It promotes healthier blood sugar According to the California Dairy Research Foundation, since the 1980s, some researchers have made unfounded claims that milk containing A1 beta-casein may contribute to unhealthy blood sugar levels and even compromised cardiovascular function. The alleged culprit: BCM-7, an amino acid chain that is produced when A1 beta-casein is digested. The theory is that BCM-7 can cause illness in people with immune deficiencies. But there’s no scientific evidence in humans to back this up. Possible Risks of A2 Milk The risks associated with A2 milk are little different than those associated with most cow’s milk. Lactose intolerance A2 milk contains the same amount of lactose as regular cow’s milk. People who have been diagnosed with lactose intolerance may suffer the same digestive upset when drinking either type of milk. Allergies Because A2 milk is still cow’s milk, it can elicit an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to cow’s milk. The post Is A2 Milk Better for You Than Regular Cow’s Milk? appeared first on BODi. Once upon a time, milk came in three options: Whole, low-fat and skim. Maybe chocolate, if you were lucky. Now, there are seemingly as many varieties of milk as there are bad-for-you breakfast cereals: nut milks, flax milk, oat milk, goat milk. A lesser-known variety you might encounter at the grocery store is A2 milk. What Is […] The post Is A2 Milk Better for You Than Regular Cow’s Milk? appeared first on BODi. Michael Martin{authorlink}https://www.bodi.com/blog/a2-milkBODi BODi is a Health Esteem platform to help you embrace the person you are today so you can take action to achieve all your health and fitness goals. https://bodiblog.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/plugins/bod-blog/assets/vendor/beachbodydigital/wordpress-core-plugins/beachbody.png

Sneak More Nutrients Into Your Meals With Flaxseed By the way it’s so casually offered up as a cure-all for everything from high cholesterol to dry eyes, flax may seem like some kind of hipster rebranding of snake oil. If it does so much, how come it’s not as ubiquitous as pumpkin spice? Let’s take a look at whether or not flax is a placebo dressed up like a miracle seed by explaining what it is, what it’s been proven to do, and how you can incorporate it into your diet. What Is Flaxseed? Flax is a blue-flowered plant grown in cool, northern climates such as the prairies of the Northern U.S. and Western Canada. Its seeds are what make it interesting, as consuming processed flaxseed can provide a variety of benefits to your health. That’s why you’ll see “flax,” “flaxseed,” or “flax seed” used in products and packaging. Flax was first introduced to the U.S. by early colonists, and it was used primarily to produce fiber for clothing. As industry grew, flaxseed oil — also known as linseed oil — became an important ingredient in paint and was used in meal to feed livestock. By the 1940s, cotton had replaced flax as a commonly used fiber in the U.S., and flax’s popularity as a commercially grown crop began to wane. There are usually two varieties: gold flaxseed and brown flaxseed. Although some suppliers will tout one over the other (based on claims of either nutritional or taste superiority), they actually work out to be pretty much the same on most levels. Flaxseed Nutrition A tablespoon of ground flaxseed provides the following nutrients: 37 calories 1.3 g protein 3 g fat 2 g carbs 2 g fiber 18 mg calcium 27 mg magnesium 57 mg potassium 0.4 mg iron Flaxseed Benefits Before you sprinkle flaxseed around your bed in the hopes of waking up 20 years younger like Tom Hanks in Big, let’s take a look at the actual measurable benefits derived from it. 1. Heart-healthy Flaxseeds, like walnuts and chia seeds, are loaded with omega-3 fats. While flaxseed doesn’t contain the EPA and DHA omega-3s found in fish oil, it does offer a version of omega-3 called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that’s been found to possibly reduce the risk of heart disease by positively affecting blood pressure, cholesterol, arrhythmias (irregular heart beat), and arterial plaque buildup. 2. High in fiber Eating two tablespoons of flaxseed per day provides 20 to 25 percent of the recommended daily intake of fiber, and flaxseeds are also low in other carbohydrates. High levels of mucilage — a gel-forming substance that moves through the gastrointestinal tract undigested — in flaxseed can slow the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine, increasing nutrient absorption. That may also prolong fullness, which is key for those looking to lose weight. 3. Anti-inflammatory Studies have shown that the omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed are associated with decreases in the biomarkers of inflammation. Since inflammation plays a role in issues ranging from dry eyes to inflammatory bowel disease to neurological disorders, the omega-3s in flaxseed could be valuable in a host of applications. How to Eat Flaxseed The most important thing to know is that, in order to get the maximum benefit from flax, it must be ground; the seed’s nigh-impervious exterior means whole flax can pass through the gastrointestinal tract undigested. So consider purchasing flaxmeal or ground flax (or grind up your own raw flaxseed), which can be stirred into hot or cold cereal, added to mustard or mayonnaise for sandwiches, or dropped into flour mixtures for muffins or breads. It’s versatile, and neither the gold nor the brown varieties have a strong flavor, so they can blend with both sweet and savory, and you’ll barely know they’re there. Just remember to refrigerate or freeze ground flaxseed to prevent oxidation. The main difference lies between flax meal and flax oil. The two actually offer slightly differing benefits: Oil, for example, shows higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids than ground flax, whereas ground flax is a better source of minerals such as magnesium than oil. The post Sneak More Nutrients Into Your Meals With Flaxseed appeared first on BODi. By the way it’s so casually offered up as a cure-all for everything from high cholesterol to dry eyes, flax may seem like some kind of hipster rebranding of snake oil. If it does so much, how come it’s not as ubiquitous as pumpkin spice? Let’s take a look at whether or not flax is […] The post Sneak More Nutrients Into Your Meals With Flaxseed appeared first on BODi. Eric Alt{authorlink}https://www.bodi.com/blog/flaxseed-benefits-flax-nutritionBODi BODi is a Health Esteem platform to help you embrace the person you are today so you can take action to achieve all your health and fitness goals. https://bodiblog.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/plugins/bod-blog/assets/vendor/beachbodydigital/wordpress-core-plugins/beachbody.png

How Honey Can Support Immunity, Plus 3 Other Benefits Honey is a sweet, thick substance made by honeybees. Not only is it used as a natural sweetener, but it also has a longstanding history of benefits. For centuries, people have used honey for several medicinal purposes in Ayurveda. Bees make honey by sipping nectar from flowers and bringing it back to their hive for processing. Other bees eat the nectar at the hive, mixing it with an enzyme that partially digests the nectar into honey. Honey’s flavor depends on which flowers — wildflower, avocado, or orange blossom — the bees visited. Here’s what you need to know about honey, how it can fit into your diet, and its benefits. Honey vs. Sugar Honey is a natural sweetener, but it is not a low-calorie alternative to sugar. It’s nutritionally similar to plain sugar: A tablespoon of honey contains: 61 calories 16 grams of sugar A tablespoon of sugar contains: 48 calories 12 grams of sugar If you love honey, you can use it instead of sugar since it does contain more beneficial nutrients (more on that below). But if you want a sugar substitute with a lower nutritional impact, you can try non-nutritive sweeteners, such as stevia or monk fruit extract, which contain zero calories and zero sugar. Benefits of Honey Honey contains primarily sugar and water. But unlike plain sugar, it is reported to contain about 200 substances, including: Amino acids Vitamins Minerals Enzymes These substances are why honey comes with some extra benefits. 1. It contains antioxidants Natural honey contains antioxidant-like compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. Antioxidants can help protect cells from damaging free radicals. Caveat: You should get most of your antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. But, if your current diet is high in sweeteners, switching to honey might help add to your antioxidant intake. 2. It may support the immune system A handful of small animal studies and cell culture studies have found that honey can help support the activity of immune cells. In short, honey isn’t guaranteed to boost immunity, but it’s promising. We still need to see more evidence. 3. It may support digestion Honey has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to help support the digestive tract. But, modern evidence is patchy. If you think you’re suffering from a digestive condition, talk to your doctor. 4. It can soothe sore throats A spoonful of honey is widely known to potentially help relieve a sore throat. Try adding honey to hot tea along with a squeeze of lemon — not only is it cozy and comforting, but the honey also coats your throat to soothe irritation. Possible Risks of Honey Regular honey is generally safe for people over a year old. Microbes can’t grow in honey, but honey can contain botulinum spores that germinate once eaten. An infant’s immune system is still developing and may not be ready to fend the infection. People who are sensitive or allergic to bee pollen should also be careful. You may also wonder, “Is it safe to eat raw honey?” Probably, but it may still contain botulinum spores (same as regular honey), so don’t feed it to a young infant. Those with specific allergies should be on guard since raw honey will contain trace amounts of yeast, wax, and pollen. Raw honey isn’t filtered or heated, and the potential health benefit of raw honey is it may retain more of the valuable substances we discussed above. The post How Honey Can Support Immunity, Plus 3 Other Benefits appeared first on BODi. Honey is a sweet, thick substance made by honeybees. Not only is it used as a natural sweetener, but it also has a longstanding history of benefits. For centuries, people have used honey for several medicinal purposes in Ayurveda. Bees make honey by sipping nectar from flowers and bringing it back to their hive for processing. […] The post How Honey Can Support Immunity, Plus 3 Other Benefits appeared first on BODi. Kayne Toyosato{authorlink}https://www.bodi.com/blog/benefits-of-honeyBODi BODi is a Health Esteem platform to help you embrace the person you are today so you can take action to achieve all your health and fitness goals. https://bodiblog.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/plugins/bod-blog/assets/vendor/beachbodydigital/wordpress-core-plugins/beachbody.png

What Are Fatty Acids and Why Do You Need Them? As more informed consumers, we’ve come a long way since the anti-fat rhetoric that pervaded the nutrition space for a few years. We now know that fat is an important part of a balanced diet and fatty acids like omega-3s are beneficial to our health. But what exactly are fatty acids, and are they the same as fat? Why are they good for us? Here’s what you need to know. What Are Fatty Acids? Fatty acids are carboxylic acids that consist of carbon and hydrogen atoms and serve as the building blocks of fat. They contribute to cell membrane support, long-term fuel storage, and hormonal and metabolic signaling. Depending on their chemical structure, fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated, says Brittany Linn, RD, CDN, owner of B. Linn Nutrition in New York City. Saturated fat comes from animal products such as meat, eggs and cream, along with certain plant-based oils. Because saturated fats are believed to negatively impact heart health, the American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat intake to around five percent of your total daily calories. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), on the other hand, are often referred to as “healthy fats” and are believed to have beneficial effects on our overall health. There are more than 20 types of fatty acids found in foods, but three in particular get most of the hype for their health benefits: omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids. Types of Fatty Acids and Their Benefits There are three main types of unsaturated fatty acids: omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids. The number in the name of each refers to where the double bond is on the fatty acid chain, Linn explains. (Don’t worry, we won’t turn this into a chemistry lesson.) Omega-9 fatty acids are a type of MUFA. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are types of PUFAs, and both are considered to be part of a healthy diet. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are considered “essential” because our bodies can’t create them, which means we need to get them from dietary sources. Omega-9s are nonessential because our bodies can manufacture them on their own. Here’s what you need to know about each type of fatty acid. Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated and come primarily from plants and fish. Types of omega-3s include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Along with a lower risk of certain emotional and cognitive conditions, omega-3 fatty acids are associated with better heart and eye health. Omega-6 fatty acids Omega-6 fatty acids are also polyunsaturated. While omega-6s are common in the standard American diet, the one you should pay most attention to is linoleic acid, which, along with omega-3s, has been linked to improved heart and brain health. Omega-9 fatty acids Omega-9 fatty acids aren’t talked about as often as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. While they’re nonessential, omega-9 fatty acids are believed to have many health benefits, so it’s still a good idea to incorporate them in your diet. How Much Fatty Acid Should You Consume? Fats are an important component of a healthy diet. Individual needs may vary, but around 30 percent of your calories each day should come from fats. (The remaining 70 percent would come from protein and carbohydrates.) Ideally, the majority of that 30 percent will come from healthy fats — such as the omegas mentioned earlier — while limiting saturated fats and completely avoiding trans fats. Best Sources of Fatty Acids In many foods, omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids are all present — so the list below is based on which fatty acid they contain the most of, Linn says. All three types of fatty acids are beneficial, but keep in mind that omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can’t be produced by your body, so it’s especially important to get those from dietary sources. Omega-3 sources Fish and other seafood (especially cold-water fatty fish like salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel) Flax seeds and flaxseed oil Chia seeds Walnuts and walnut oil Omega-6 sources Grapeseed oil Soybean oil Corn oil Walnuts and walnut oil Firm tofu Sunflower seeds Omega-9 sources Olive oil Cashew nut oil Almond oil Avocado oil Peanut oil   The post What Are Fatty Acids and Why Do You Need Them? appeared first on BODi. As more informed consumers, we’ve come a long way since the anti-fat rhetoric that pervaded the nutrition space for a few years. We now know that fat is an important part of a balanced diet and fatty acids like omega-3s are beneficial to our health. But what exactly are fatty acids, and are they the […] The post What Are Fatty Acids and Why Do You Need Them? appeared first on BODi. Kelsey Ogletree{authorlink}https://www.bodi.com/blog/what-are-fatty-acidsBODi BODi is a Health Esteem platform to help you embrace the person you are today so you can take action to achieve all your health and fitness goals. https://bodiblog.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/plugins/bod-blog/assets/vendor/beachbodydigital/wordpress-core-plugins/beachbody.png