The Consumer Advice Center in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, recommends eating berries and grapes alone, in order to benefit from the flavanols they contain.
The center explained that flavanols are biologically active compounds that are of great benefit to health, as they have an antioxidant effect.
The center added that flavanols only work in the body if they do not combine with a specific enzyme, namely “polyphenol oxidase” (PPO), which is found in 18 types of fruits and vegetables such as apples and bananas, as well as green tea.
The German center added that foods containing the enzyme "polyphenol oxidase" work to break down flavanols. Therefore, they should be eaten at a sufficient distance from berries and grapes.
For example, you can eat berries alone or with muesli in the morning, then eat apples or bananas as an afternoon snack.
A recent study identifies the cause of premature births
Experts warn that traces of synthetic chemicals called phthalates, also called "ubiquitous chemicals," can be found in the uterus.
A new study supported by the National Institutes of Health shows that phthalates, found in everyday products from food containers to shampoo, may be behind a rise in premature births in the United States.
Dr. Leonardo Trasandi, director of environmental pediatrics at NYU Langone Health, explained in a CNN report: “Phthalates can also contribute to inflammation, which may further disrupt the placenta and determine the steps of early labor.”
Specifically, the scientists looked at di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP for short, along with 19 other substances.
“Studies show that the largest association with premature birth is due to phthalates found in food packaging called DEHP,” Trasande said. “In our new study, we found that DEHP and three similar chemicals could be responsible for 5% to 10% of all premature births.” In 2018. This may be one of the reasons for the rise in premature births.”
It is noteworthy that worldwide, more than 8 million metric tons of phthalates and similar chemicals are consumed annually, either by ingestion, inhalation, or leakage through the skin, according to one of the European chemicals trade associations.
Research has previously linked phthalates to cancer, infertility, birth defects, obesity, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and premature death, among many other potential health conditions.
However, the American Chemistry Council emphasized that the new report failed to prove a strong link between phthalates and premature births.
The council told CNN: “Not all phthalates are the same. The term phthalates simply refers to a family of chemicals that are structurally similar, but functionally and toxicologically different.”
Trasande stressed that officials are well aware of the dangers of phthalates, adding: “The Consumer Product Safety Commission no longer allows the use of eight different types of phthalates at levels higher than 0.1% in the manufacture of children’s toys and child care products.”
When chemicals are banned for causing harm, manufacturers react by creating a new chemical in their place that they claim is a safer version, but experts aren't so sure. "We've created a worse problem, not a real solution, when it comes to Protecting consumers from plastic.
His previous research has shown that the cost of diseases caused by phthalates exceeds $250 billion in the United States alone.
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