GET HEALTHY SKIN WITH COLD SHOWER

We take a shower at least twice a day, and there are several reasons why we do. Most of us dread showering with cold water, but you will be surprised by what you could be missing all this while. You take a shower to clean yourself and maintain good hygiene and sometimes you need a shower to relax. However, taking a cold shower may be of great benefit to your skin and hair as well as various benefits to your general health.

How a cold shower is beneficial to your skin and hair.

It closes pores on your skin

A cold shower seals the pores on your skin so that it prevents clogging by dirt and bacteria that could eventually cause acne formation. You want to avoid a hot shower since it opens up your body pores leaving them exposed to dirt and bacteria which may accumulate in them and consequently cause acne.

Protects skin’s natural oils

Cold water will not wash away your natural oil since as the pores close tightly the enclose the oils in them keeping your skin from drying. Using hot water allows your natural oils to be washed off leaving your skin dry. This may cause itching and expose you to other skin conditions such as eczema. If your skin keeps dry over an extended period of time, it may lead to wrinkle formation making you look older than your age. There is no better way for your skin to look healthier and younger than using cold water for showering.

A cold shower reduces swelling

Showering with cold water causes constriction of your blood vessels reducing puffiness on the circles around your eyes. A hot shower makes your blood vessels to relax causing the circles around your eyes look puffed up.

Protects sebum

This is the oil that naturally protects your skin and hair. When you use a cold shower, this oil is not washed off, but this strengthens your hair eliminating hair loss.

Closes hair cuticles

Showering using cold water makes your hair cuticles to lie flat and remain closed. This makes them reflect more light is making your hair appear shinier and healthier. Keeping your hair from being dry helps alleviate dandruff formation.

Ease stress

Stress normally has a negative effect on your skin make your skin look dull and older. A cold shower help increase production of glutathione which helps your body reduce general stress. The study has shown that uric acid levels drop when exposed to cold temperatures. Uric acid levels increase in certain diseases like gout and a cold shower could play a part in alleviating these diseases or at least lower their effectiveness.

Other health benefits of showering in cold water include;

Improves your immunity

A study has shown that if you take cold showers regularly, it helps increase the production of white blood cells which are responsible for fighting infections.

Improves blood circulation

A cold shower enhances blood flow in your body allowing blood to surround your organs, and this helps in eliminating some skin and health problems. Cold water also encourages the arteries to pump more blood efficiently thus improving heart health. Cold water may also play a part in lowering your blood pressure, help in unblocking your arteries and also boost your immunity.

Enhances weight loss

Your body has two types of fats. White fat is the bad fat that builds up when you take more calories than your body requires. Brown fat is the good fat that is responsible for keeping your body warm. Extreme cold triggers brown fat activity allowing it burn more calories which lead to weight loss.

Helps sore muscles recover faster

Take a cold shower after a vigorous exercise such as running, cycling or after gym. It will help soothe your sore body and also help eliminate lactic acid that may have build up.

Relieves depression

A cold shower causes increased impact on your skin cold receptors. This sends many electrical impulses from the brain thus alleviating symptoms that accompany depression.

Cold showers build strong will power

Naturally, you resist a cold shower, and you must be brave enough to go against your will. Doing this over a period of time enhances mental strength and encourages discipline as it eventually becomes routine.

Improves emotional resilience

Cold showers increase your nervous system resilience to stress as they act as a type of oxidative stress on your nerves. It initially seems impossible to have a cold shower but as continue your body adapts to the oxidative stress. This can be interpreted as body hardening, and it can also be seen by your body tolerating even diseases.

Cold showers increase alertness and energy levels

It’s difficult to even breathe when you are starting to take a cold shower. This makes you take a deep breath, and as you do this, often it improves oxygen intake which increases your heart rate thus improving energy levels for the whole day.

They increase testosterone

Testes are created to stay in cool temperatures, and this explains why they hang outside the body. You want to keep testes in good health to ensure they produce enough testosterone which is the hormone responsible for male features. You will attain this if you make it routine to have a cold shower.

Cold showers boost fertility

A cold shower will increase your sperm count and also ensure healthy sperms improving your fertility. Hot showers may cause infertility in men and are even considered a type of contraceptive.

Cold showers enhance drainage in the lymphatic system

Your lymphatic system helps remove waste from your cells, and this improves the defense mechanism ability to fight infections. If your lymph vessels are blocked, you should alternate cold water and hot water to shower. The cold water constricts while the hot water relaxes the lymph vessels and this unblocks them allowing the stagnated lymphatic fluid to flow making your immune system stronger and healthier.

Cold showers wake you up

If you are from the bed and you are still feeling sleepy, a cold shower will go a long way in keeping sleep at bay. As soon as you take a cold shower, you will be up to the task no matter what the time is.

Cold showers will help you sleep

When you take a cold shower, you feel warm and relaxed making you want to get the much-needed sleep.

In conclusion, though we might all want to stay in our comfort zone and continue taking hot showers, the benefits that come with taking a cold shower are worth the sacrifice. Why don’t you join me in this wonderful adventure?

Diat Based On Your Blood Group

The Blood Type Diet: An Evidence-Based Review 

An eating regimen called The Blood Type Diet has been prevalent for right around two decades now. 

Advocates of this eating regimen propose that your blood classification figures out which sustenances are best for your wellbeing. 

There are many individuals who swear by this eating routine, and claim that it has spared their lives. 

Be that as it may, what are the subtle elements of the blood classification consume less calories, and is it in view of any strong confirmation? We should observe. 

What is The Blood Type Diet? 

The blood classification consume less calories, otherwise called the blood amass abstain from food, was promoted by a naturopathic doctor called Dr. Diminish D'Adamo in the year 1996. 

His book, Eat Right 4 Your Type, was unimaginably fruitful. It was a New York Times smash hit, sold a great many duplicates, is still fiercely well known today. 

In this book, he guarantees that the ideal eating regimen for any one individual relies upon the individual's ABO blood classification. 

He guarantees that each blood classification speaks to hereditary qualities of our precursors, including which slim down they developed to blossom with. 

This is the way each blood classification should eat: 

Sort A: Called the agrarian, or cultivator. Individuals who are sort An ought to eat an eating regimen rich in plants, and totally free of "harmful" red meat. This nearly looks like a veggie lover eat less. 

Sort B: Called the wanderer. These individuals can eat plants and most meats (aside from chicken and pork), and can likewise eat some dairy. Be that as it may, they ought to maintain a strategic distance from wheat, corn, lentils, tomatoes and a couple of different sustenances. 

Sort AB: Called the puzzler. Depicted as a blend between sorts An and B. Nourishments to eat incorporate fish, tofu, dairy, beans and grains. They ought to keep away from kidney beans, corn, meat and chicken. 

Sort O: Called the seeker. This is a high-protein abstain from food construct to a great extent in light of meat, angle, poultry, certain products of the soil, yet restricted in grains, vegetables and dairy. It nearly takes after the paleo eat less. 

For the record, I think any about these dietary examples would be a change for the vast majority, regardless of what their blood classification is. 

Each of the 4 weight control plans (or "methods for eating") are for the most part in view of genuine, sound nourishments, and an immense stride up from the standard Western eating routine of handled garbage sustenance. 

Thus, regardless of the possibility that you go on one of these eating regimens and your wellbeing enhances, it doesn't really imply that it had anything to do with your blood classification. 

Possibly the explanation behind the medical advantages is basically that you're eating more beneficial sustenance than some time recently. 

Lectins are a Proposed Link Between Diet and Blood Type 

One of the focal speculations of the blood classification abstain from food needs to do with proteins called lectins. 

Lectins are a different group of proteins that can tie sugar particles. 

These substances are thought to be antinutrients, and may effectsly affect the covering of the gut (1). 

As indicated by the blood classification eat less carbs hypothesis, there are numerous lectins in the eating routine that particularly target diverse ABO blood classifications. 

It is asserted that eating the wrong sorts of lectins could prompt agglutination (amassing together) of red platelets. 

There is really prove that a little level of lectins in crude, uncooked vegetables, can have agglutinating movement particular to a specific blood classification. 

For instance, crude lima beans may collaborate just with the red platelets in individuals with blood classification A (2). 

In general, in any case, it creates the impression that the dominant part of agglutinating lectins respond with all ABO blood classifications (3). 

As such, lectins in the eating regimen are NOT blood classification particular, except for a couple of assortments of crude vegetables. 

This may not have any genuine importance, on the grounds that most vegetables are doused as well as cooked before utilization, which devastates the unsafe lectins (4, 5). 

A few sustenances contain lectins that may make red platelets bunch together. Most lectins are not blood classification particular. 

Is There Any Scientific Evidence Behind The Blood Type Diet? 

Research on ABO blood classifications has progressed quickly in the previous couple of years and decades. 

There is currently solid confirmation that individuals with certain blood classifications can have a higher or lower danger of a few infections (6). 

For instance, sort Os have a lower danger of coronary illness, however a higher danger of stomach ulcers (7, 8). 

Be that as it may, there are no examinations demonstrating this to have anything to do with eat less carbs. 

In an extensive observational investigation of 1,455 youthful grown-ups, eating a sort An eating regimen (loads of leafy foods) was related with better wellbeing markers. However, this impact was seen in everybody following the sort An eating routine, not only people with sort A blood (9). 

In a noteworthy 2013 audit ponder where scientists inspected the information from over a thousand examinations, they didn't locate a solitary all around composed investigation taking a gander at the wellbeing impacts of the blood classification count calories (10). 

They finished up: "No confirmation at present exists to approve the implied medical advantages of blood classification diets." Of the 4 contemplates recognized that to some degree identified with ABO blood classification diets, they were all ineffectively composed (11, 12, 13). 

One of the examinations that found a connection between blood classifications and nourishment hypersensitivities really repudiated the blood classification eating routine's proposals (13). 

Not a solitary very much outlined investigation has been directed to either affirm or discredit the advantages of the blood classification slim down. 

Bring Home Message 

I don't question that many individuals have encountered positive outcomes by following the eating regimen. In any case, this does NOT imply this was in any capacity identified with their blood classification. 

Distinctive weight control plans work for various individuals. A few people do well with a considerable measure of plants and little meat (like the sort An eating regimen), while others flourish eating a lot of high-protein creature nourishments (like the sort O abstain from food). 

On the off chance that you got incredible outcomes on the blood classification consume less calories, at that point maybe you essentially observed an eating routine that happens to be fitting for your digestion. It might not have had anything to do with your blood classification. 

Likewise, this eating routine expels the larger part of undesirable prepared sustenances from individuals' weight control plans. 

Maybe that is the single most compelling motivation that it works, with no respect to the diverse blood classifications. 

That being stated, in the event that you went on the blood classification eating regimen and it works for you, at that point by all methods continue doing it and don't give this  a chance to debilitate you. 

In the event that your present eating routine ain't broken, don't settle it. 

From a logical point of view, be that as it may, the measure of proof supporting the blood classification count calories is especially disappointing.

For Interesting story about blood see :

If Blood is Red Than Why Are Veins Blue?

http://humanbodysciences.blogspot.com/2017/09/if-blood-is-red-than-why-are-veins-blue.html

If Blood is Red Than Why Are Veins Blue?

All parts of your body require blood. The development of blood through your heart and around your body is called dissemination. 

At the point when blood leaves your heart, it travels through tubes called veins. There are three sorts of veins: supply routes, veins, and vessels. 

Supply routes divert blood from the heart to different parts of your body. As they get more remote and more remote far from the heart, corridors exchange blood to minor veins called vessels. Vessels exchange the oxygen and supplements in the blood to cells that need it. 

As cells utilize the oxygen and supplements in blood, they additionally create squander, including carbon dioxide. The vessels take the carbon dioxide and other waste materials and exchange them to veins, which convey these things in the blood that profits back to the heart. 

At the point when the blood comes back to the heart, the heart directs it to the lungs. In the lungs, carbon dioxide is removed from the blood and breathed out once more into the air. With each new breath, oxygen enters the lungs and reestablishes the blood before it is pumped pull out to the body's cells. At that point the procedure starts from the very beginning once more. 

To what extent does this entire procedure take? Not long by any stretch of the imagination! Your heart can direct blood to every one of the cells in your body in under 60 seconds. That is under a moment! 

Since conduits divert oxygen-rich blood from the heart and veins convey oxygen-drained blood back to the heart, a few people trust that veins seem blue since blood without oxygen is blue. Be that as it may, it's not valid! 

Blood is constantly red. Oxygen-rich blood is splendid red as it leaves the heart. When it returns in veins without much oxygen, it's as yet red, yet it's a more profound, darker red. So why do veins look blue? 

Everything needs to do with the art of light. The hues we see are the consequence of which wavelengths of light are reflected back to our eyes. Veins seem blue since blue light is reflected back to our eyes. 

This may appear to be odd, since veins contain profound, dim red blood. Researchers accept there are a few factors that prompt our considering veins to be blue as opposed to red. 

Blue light does not enter human tissue as profoundly as red light does. Thus, veins that are near the surface of the skin will probably reflect blue light back to the eye. 

The oxygen-exhausted blood that veins convey additionally has a tendency to ingest red light more than blue light. At the point when the dim red blood ingests more red light, blue light will probably be reflected back to our eyes. 

Researchers additionally trust that blue light tends to scramble and reflect all the more effectively when it goes through human tissue. This additionally adds to veins seeming blue in spite of the dull red blood inside them.

How to Never Feel Sad, Stressed or Depressed

Our brain releases a neurotransmitter, dopamine, which is crucial for numerous essential bodily functions. Dopamine is great for the following body functions:

-Regulating movement
-Controlling the center of pleasure and reward in the brain
-Improving the cognitive functions (knowledge, attention, memory, decision-making, evaluation, problem solving)
-Regulating the secretion of prolactin

Since it is critical for our prosperity and satisfaction, the diminished levels of dopamine prompt different medical problems, for example, sorrow, bitterness, pessimism and different enthusiastic inconveniences. 

Luckily, there are 10 powerful approaches to bring the dopamine step up in the body, without utilizing prescriptions: 

1. Exercise 

The activity of each kind raises the levels of dopamine, serotonin, and endorphin. Customary exercise gives bliss, fortifies the body, diminishes push. 

2. Dodge Addictions 

Dependence on liquor, drugs, betting, sex, and notwithstanding shopping, give a moment joy, however it is not a perpetual arrangement. Increments just incidentally fulfill our requirements. 

Additionally, addictions modify our way of life for the wellspring of the enslavement, and it is an insidious cycle. Along these lines, you should attempt and lower the danger of creating addictions, appreciate life, and discover things that give further serenity and joy. Additionally, it is of awesome significance to work an occupation you appreciate. 

3. Detoxification 

Ensure you consistently detoxify your framework, as the aggregation of poisons and microorganisms in the body keeps the dopamine creation and debilitates the invulnerability. 

4. Increment Tyrosine 

Tyrosine is one of the 22 fundamental amino acids utilized for the production of proteins. It is really the most vital compound for the dopamine generation of dopamine. 

Other than dopamine, it additionally can possibly raise norepinephrine levels. So as to bring its step up in the body, you ought to devour green tea, watermelon, almonds, bananas, avocados, and dim chocolate. 

5. Music 

Dopamine levels are additionally expanded through tuning in to music, despite the fact that it might be here and now. Thusly, utilize music as a typical approach to raise dopamine levels. 

6. Compose your life 

The levels of dopamine are brought up for the situation of sorted out little every day undertakings, despite the fact that they are hard on occasion. You ought to record your undertakings on a bit of paper, and verify them. Along these lines, you will be fulfilled as you take note of that you complete them one by one. 

The Principles of Self-Management express that if an undertaking speaks to a difference in 25% (or greater change) in the normal, you will feel unfit to complete it, and regularly winds up with a self-damage or surrendering. Y 

On the off chance that the errand changes 10% of your standard, you will prevail to finish it, as you will trust it is little. Accordingly, adjust assignments to be 10 and 25% of new practices, with a specific end goal to attempt new and testing things, yet at the same time not very hard to finish. 

7. Inventiveness 

The levels of dopamine in the cerebrum are additionally raised with an imaginative action. This will likewise keep you centered. You don't have to wind up noticeably a world-known craftsman yet have a go at moving, singing, written work, forming, painting, drawing, cooking, sewing, making artworks, and auto repair, and you will feel greatly improved immediately. 

8. Get a Streak Going 

In this sense, "streak" will mean a visual indication of the quantity of times consecutively you accomplish something. This is like arranging the errands, and finishing them. This will raise the levels of dopamine, and make you more joyful and fulfilled. You should utilize a date-book, composed your objectives, and plan when to finish them. When you complete the undertaking, stamp it off on your timetable. However, the disadvantage of the "streak" is standard, so you should figure out how to upgrade the execution. 

9. Supplementation 

Dopamine levels can likewise be raised through supplementation, for example, 

Curcumin, the dynamic fixing in turmeric, viably builds dopamine in the cerebrum. 

Ginkgo Biloba can possibly raise dopamine levels too. 

Acetyl-l-tyrosine is a building square of dopamine, so a solid measurements of it bolsters the creation of dopamine in the cerebrum. 

L-theanine builds various neurotransmitters in the cerebrum, including dopamine. Green tea is a rich wellspring of l-theanine. 

10. Reflection 


Reflection raises the levels of dopamine diversely that cardio works out. It enhances your state of mind, makes mental vitality, and unwinds the psyche. Reflection is a proficient approach to lessen weight every day.

Fasting for 72 Hours can Regenerate the Entire Immune System of Humans!

A team of researchers at the University of Southern California have revealed that fasting for three days is enough to regenerate the entire human immune system for a healthy living.

They described the study as “remarkable and a major breakthrough” in finding ways to boost the immune system naturally.

Many nutritionists used to criticize the fasting diets for being unhealthy. But, this recent American study suggests that fasting and starving the body basically stimulates the production of new white blood cells, which fight infection. As the researchers explain, this discovery might be especially beneficial for those whose immune systems are damaged, such as cancer patients on chemotherapy.  Elderly individuals are said to benefit from it, too.

As people grow older, their immune system weakens, which makes it more difficult for them to combat common diseases. According to this study, fasting helps older people regenerate their immune system and get it back on track.



Fasting for three days also protects cancer patients against the toxic effect of chemotherapy. While chemotherapy is supposed to help save lives, and despite the fact that it does so, it also causes a wide range of adverse effects and damages the immune system.  This study has shown that fasting might mitigate some of the detrimental effects of chemotherapy.

Specifically, the researchers noted that fasting “flips a regenerative switch” that causes the stem cells to create new white blood cells, which in turn regenerates the entire immune system.

Valter Longo, the researcher of the study and a professor of Gerontology and Biological Sciences at the University of California stated that this study basically proved that fasting could go a long way in helping the body regenerate the immune system by producing new cells.

“It gives the ‘OK’ for stem cells to go ahead and begin proliferating and rebuild the entire system. And the good news is that the body got rid of the parts of the system that might be damaged or old, the inefficient parts, during the fasting. Now, if you start with a system heavily damaged by chemotherapy or aging, fasting cycles can generate, literally, a new immune system.” Professor Longo noted.

During the initial stage of the study, some of the participants were asked to fast for 2-4 days on a regular basis over the course of 6 months.

The researchers concluded that fasting helped them both produce a new immune system and reduce the enzyme PKA, a hormone which increases the risk for tumor growth and cancer.

“What we started noticing in both our human work and animal work is that the white blood cell count goes down with prolonged fasting. Then when you re-feed, the blood cells come back. So we started thinking, well, where does it come from?”  Professor Longo expressed his astonishment upon realizing the outcome of the study.

The study also showed that prolonged fasting not only causes the body to utilize stores of fat and glucose, but it also breaks down white blood cells. During each fasting, the depletion of white blood cells encourages changes that trigger stem cell-based regeneration,

“We could not predict that prolonged fasting would have such a remarkable effect in promoting stem cell-based regeneration of the hematopoietic system. When you starve, the system tries to save energy and one of the things it can do to save energy is to recycle a lot of the immune cells that are not needed, especially those that may be damaged,” Professor Longo added.

Sources:

https://www.lifecoachcode.com/2017/05/11/study-fasting-for-three-days-regenerate-entire-immune-system/


http://www.businessinsider.com/fasting-for-three-days-can-regenerate-your-entire-immune-system-2014-6 

Hunza People Never Get Sick, Don’t Get Cancer and Live up to 120 years – How?

Have you ever heard about Hunza People?

There are many myths and stories about people who lived happy and healthy for a long, long time.

The myths like the one about the Holy Grail, or the Fountain of Youth are still found quite interesting even after all these years. But, it is no secret that there are many living people that live longer than the rest of us. There are even people that were never ever sick in their life.

So, what is the secret to a long and healthy life?

To answer that question, I went through the most amazing life stories of those centenarians who were willing to share their wisdom on the net. To be honest, many of those stories were different and I was not able to make some final conclusion at first about the “secret” I was looking for. I found many different answers and they confused me even more. For example, Emma Morano from Italy lived 116 years, and she explained that the reason for her long life is staying single. She said: “I didn’t want to be dominated by anyone”, so after her divorce at the age of 38 she spent the rest of her life single. She even won the battle against anemia by eating two raw eggs a day her whole life.

Another life story about Mushatt- Jones tells about eating fried bacon every single day. A California centenarian told his secret was eating one donut a day…Then I found out about the life story of Clarice Emley, who was born and raised on a farm. She explains that her family and she ate only what they grew and caught. She is still physically active, working out every day together with her friends. Then, I found out stories about centenarian twins and their secret of getting older together and close as the main reason for their long life…

Confused as I was, I continued searching for the “secret”. An article about the Hunza people took my attention for I began to realize that I am closer to my answer. Hunza people or Hunzas are a population in a mountainous valley in the region of Pakistan.

The many reasons these people took my attention are the following:

1. The literacy rate of Hunza valley is more than 95%- which means that every Hunza has at least a high school diploma;
   2. The Hunza region is home to people of four ethnicities;
   3. There are two different religion in the Hunza region and people are divided between them, but;
   4. The lifestyle of Hunza people is very simple and they are considered to be very welcoming and warm;
   5. Some Hunzas live up to 150 years;
   6. The women in Hunza can give birth at the age of 65.
   7. They never eat processed food, and they eat apricot often and a lot.
   8. They work in the fields from sunrise to sunset every day and they work hard.

Connecting together the dots of all the stories and facts presented above, here is my conclusion about how to have a long and healthy life:

1. You do need to educate through life. You can start developing a healthy mind in the young age, and you should never stop reading and thinking actively. Clarice Emley was a teacher, almost all Hunzas are educated, so we can say, we need a healthy developed brain activity to have a healthy life.
2. Single or not it doesn’t matter as long as you maintain healthy relationships during your whole life. “Healthy relationship” can sometimes mean a good connection with yourself, knowing and acknowledging all those hidden feelings, and helping them dissolve in a healthy energy, no matter how contagious they can be. Using self- learning techniques and meditation can help you develop a better understanding of your needs and wishes, which can lead to a bigger and wider loving atmosphere for yourself and everyone around you. Don’t hesitate to express your feelings, for suppressing them can sometimes lead to an abyss. Expressing your feelings can make your relationships “grow old” with you in a healthy direction. So don’t stay away from marriage, but be able to “jump out” of an unstable and unhealthy one. At the end, it is your life that matters most, and the lives of those you love.
3. Avoid stress! Yes, stress is the greatest silent killer, the modern “exterminator” of life force. Nowadays it is hard to ignore those stressful situations like hard working days, paying rents etc. but if you somehow manage to survive these modern obligations and complications, you should retire and slow down in some peaceful place, where you can reconnect with nature and try to live a calmer life.
4. Try to eat organic, natural food, and if you have the chance, grow it yourself. Maybe this is something you hear every day or even think of it often, but look at the Hunza people -they eat only what they grow, and they are healthy to the stadium they don’t even know what cancer is. They die old and happy, seeing more in life than anyone of us. Maybe they don’t know what pizza is, but they see the sunrise many years after your last sunset. They get to witness their great-grandchildren running and playing around. So think about that next time you reach for a fast food snack!
5. Don’t skip the physical activity! Even though it is hard, don’t give up! Think of all the working hours on the fields that Hunza people spend a day! It is hard but keeping your muscles “warm” can never be a bad thing. Clarice Emley (we mentioned before) exercises every day. And she is 105! So, if she won’t give up her working out for the program, why should you? You are never getting younger but you should try to get older!

Yes, getting older is hard. Sometimes we have to give up many things and change our lives direction, but we do it for ourselves. Why not try these things; maybe they will help you after all? Maybe you will live longer than anyone in your family. Maybe you will be the first one that can live for 200 years. And then, you will tell us your secret. But till then, let’s use the knowledge of all those people that are older than 100 and still happy and healthy.

Human Brain to the Internet

Researchers from Wits University have linked a brain directly to the internet. Data gathered from this project could help fuel the next steps in machine learning and brain-computer interfaces.

BRAIN MEETS IOT

A team of researchers at Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa have made a major breakthrough in the field of biomedical engineering. According to a release published on Medical Express, for the first time ever, researchers have devised a way of connecting the human brain to the internet in real time. It’s been dubbed the “Brainternet” project, and it essentially turns the brain “…into an Internet of Things (IoT) node on the World Wide Web.”

The project works by taking brainwave EEG signals gathered by an Emotiv EEG deviceconnected to the user’s head. The signals are then transmitted to a low cost Raspberry Pi computer, which live streams the data to an application programming interface and displays the data on an open website where anyone can view the activity. Adam Pantanowitz, a lecturer in the Wits School of Electrical and Information Engineering and the project’s supervisor, said:

Brainternet is a new frontier in brain-computer interface systems. There is a lack of easily understood data about how a human brain works and processes information. Brainternet seeks to simplify a person’s understanding of their own brain and the brains of others. It does this through continuous monitoring of brain activity as well as enabling some interactivity.

INTELLECTUAL MUSCLE

Pantanowitz said this is just the beginning of the possibilities of the project. He adds that the team is now aiming to allow for a more interactive experience between the user and their brain. Some of this functionality has already been built into the site, but it is very narrow — limited to stimulus such as arm movement. “Brainternet can be further improved to classify recordings through a smart phone app that will provide data for a machine-learning algorithm. In future, there could be information transferred in both directions – inputs and outputs to the brain,” Pantanowitz said.

Future applications for this project could lead to some very exciting breakthroughs in machine learning and brain-computer interfaces like Elon Musk’s Neural Lace and Bryan Johnson’s Kernel. Data collected from this project could lead to a better understanding of how our minds work and how we can take advantage of that knowledge to augment our brain power.

Honey vs. sugar: Is honey really better for you?

Honey and sugar are two of the most commonly used sweeteners. Honey is often regarded as the more healthful option, but is this really the case?

Both honey and sugar add sweetness to meals and snacks. However, they have different tastes, textures, and nutritional profiles.
This article explores the benefits and disadvantages of both honey and sugar for health and diet.

Contents of this article:

1. Honey vs. sugar: Similarities and differences
2. Benefits of honey
3. Disadvantages and risks of honey
4. Benefits of sugar
5. Disadvantages and risks of sugar
6. Honey vs. sugar: Which is best?

Honey vs. sugar: Similarities and differences

Honey and sugar are both carbohydrates, consisting of the two types of sugar: glucose and fructose.
Refined fructose, which is found in sweeteners, is metabolized by the liver and has been associated with:

• obesity
• fatty liver disease
• diabetes

Both fructose and glucose are broken down quickly by the body and can cause spikes in blood sugar levels.
The proportions of glucose and fructose in honey and sugar are different:

• sugar is 50 percent fructose and 50 percent glucose
• honey contains 40 percent fructose and 30 percent glucose

The remainder of honey consists of:

• water
• pollen
• minerals, including magnesium and potassium

These additional components may be responsible for some of the health benefits of honey.
Sugar is higher on the glycemic index (GI) than honey, meaning it raises blood sugar levels more quickly. This is due to its higher fructose content, and the absence of trace minerals.
But honey has slightly more calories than sugar, although it is sweeter, so less may be required. Both sweeteners can lead to weight gain if overused.

Benefits of honey

Honey has been used since ancient times as both a sweetener and medicine.
It is a viscous liquid produced by honeybees and ranges in color from straw yellow to dark brown. The bees collect nectar from flowers and mix it with enzymes to form honey before storing it in honeycomb cells to keep it fresh.
Honey is associated with several benefits:

More nutrients and less processed than sugar

Honey varies in its nutritional composition based on the origin of the nectar used to make it. In general, it contains trace amounts of local pollen along with other substances, such as:

• amino acids
• antioxidants
• enzymes
• minerals
• vitamins

Some research indicates that dark honey has more antioxidants than light honey.
Also, honey is less processed than sugar as it is usually only pasteurized before use. Raw honey is also edible and contains more antioxidants and enzymes than pasteurized varieties.

Cough suppressant

Some research suggests that honey is a natural way to ease a cough in children.
A 2007 study found that children with bronchitis who were given dark honey experienced greater symptom relief than those taking a placebo. However, the benefits were small.
More recent research suggests that honey is better than no treatment at all for a cough, although some medications provide greater symptom relief.

Allergy relief

Anecdotal reports indicate that locally-produced honey may help reduce seasonal allergy symptoms. However, clinical studies have not demonstrated this consistently.
One study published in 2011, found that people with birch pollen allergy, who took birch pollen honey, experienced:

• a 60 percent reduction in symptoms
• 70 percent fewer days with severe symptoms
• twice as many days without symptoms

They were also able to reduce their antihistamine intake by 50 percent compared to the control group.
These benefits may have been compounded by honey's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Also, one treatment for allergies is to desensitize the body to reactions by repeatedly introducing small amounts of allergens. In line with this, local honey may contain traces of the pollens that cause seasonal allergies.

Topical use

Honey has shown benefits when applied topically, as it has antimicrobial properties:

• Wound healing: Research suggests that honey offers considerable benefits in the natural and safe treatment of chronic wounds, ulcers, and burns.
• Seborrheic dermatitis: Raw honey was found to markedly improve seborrheic dermatitis, which is an itchy and flaky scalp condition. Weekly application of honey also reduced hair loss associated with the condition and prevented relapses among study participants.

Easier to digest

Honey may be easier than sugar on the digestive system.
Due to its composition, regular sugar has to be ingested before being broken down. As bees add enzymes to honey, the sugars are already partially broken down, making it easier to digest.

Disadvantages and risks of honey

Some of the most common disadvantages and risks associated with honey include:

High calorie count

One tablespoon of honey contains 64 calories, which is higher than that of sugar at 49 calories per tablespoon.

Risk of infant botulism

It is not safe to give honey to infants younger than 12 months. Honey's bacterial spores can cause infant botulism, a rare but potentially life-threatening disease.
The spores that cause botulism in infants are harmless in older children and adults. Symptoms of infant botulism include:

• constipation
• generalized weakness
• a weak cry

Impact on blood sugar and risk of illness

Honey has similar effects as sugar on blood glucose levels. This is especially problematic for people with diabetes and insulin resistance.
Too much honey can lead to blood sugar issues in healthy people too, increasing the risk of:

• weight gain
• type 2 diabetes
• heart disease

Benefits of sugar

Sugar comes from sugarcane or sugar beet. Although it is derived from natural substances, sugar needs a lot of processing before it becomes the finalized product.
There are several different types of sugar including:

• brown
• muscovado
• powdered
• raw
• turbinado
• white

All these forms of sugar comprise glucose and fructose, which bond to form the sugar known as sucrose.
Sugar has no added nutrients. However, brown sugar, which is a blend of white sugar and the byproduct of sugar manufacturing known as molasses, may have some trace minerals.
The main benefits associated with sugar use include:

Lower in calories than honey

Sugar contains 49 calories per tablespoon, while honey has 64. However, honey is sweeter than sugar, so less may be needed to achieve the same sweetness.

Low-cost and long shelf life

Sugar is cheap, easily accessible, and has a long shelf life. It also makes many foods more palatable, and so, it is an attractive store cupboard staple.

Disadvantages and risks of sugar

There are some disadvantages and risks associated with sugar consumption.

Higher on the glycemic index than honey

Sugar can spike blood glucose levels faster than honey. This leads to a quick spurt of energy, followed by a sharp decline characterized by tiredness, headaches, and difficulty concentrating.

Increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes

Weight gain and obesity are associated with high sugar consumption, increasing the risk of illness.

More problems for the liver

Since the liver must metabolize refined fructose, issues relating to liver function may occur with high sugar intake. These include:

• nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
• cholesterol management
• obesity

Cavities

Dental caries or cavities develop faster and in more teeth with a high sugar diet.
This is true for everyone. Sugar should be avoided to reduce the risk of cavities.

Changes in gut bacteria

A high sugar diet is associated with less healthy and gut bacteria diversity. It may also increase the risk of chronic diseases.

More difficult to digest than honey

As previously said, sugar does not contain the enzymes that honey does, so is more difficult to digest.

Honey vs. sugar: Which is best?

It is possible to consume too much of both honey and sugar. The risks of overconsumption are the same for both, as well. The main concerns are:

• weight gain
• increased risk of illness
• blood sugar peaks and crashes
• increased risk of tooth decay

Therefore, both products should be used in moderation or not at all. While honey does have some health benefits, they are mostly observed when used in response to specific issues, such as a cough or allergies, or when used topically, which does not affect blood sugar levels.
If opting for honey over sugar, choose dark, raw varieties, which contain more nutrients, enzymes, and antioxidants.

Cutting down

The American Heart Association (AHA) suggest that women consume no more than 100 calories a day from sugar (approximately 6 teaspoons) and men have no more than 150 calories per day (9 teaspoons).
It is important to note these amounts take into account sugars already added to processed and pre-packaged foods, as well as all types of sugars, including honey and syrups.
Tips for cutting down on sugar and honey intake include:

• Cut portions in half: Use a half spoon of honey or sugar in drinks and on cereals instead of a full spoon.
• Reduce sugar in baking by one-third: This reduces intake without having a big impact on flavor or texture.
• Use extracts or sweet spices: Extracts such as almond or vanilla can provide a sweet flavor to smoothies or baked goods without increasing sugar intake. Ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg are examples of sweet spices that can add sweetness without calories.
• Substitute unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana: These natural fruit purees can be substituted for sugar in equal amounts in baking and other recipes.
• Satisfy sweet cravings with fruit: Fresh berries, bananas, mango, and other fruits can satisfy a sweet tooth without the need to turn to sugar. Fruit canned in water is also a good choice. Avoid fruit canned in syrup.

Alternative sweeteners are not recommended to reduce sugar intake. These are known as non-nutritive sweeteners.
Examples include aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose. Though the FDA reports these sweeteners are safe to use, recent research reveals they can:

• increase sugar cravings
• cause disruption to gut bacteria
• indirectly affect insulin sensitivity