Perhaps there is no subject in the world filled with as much controversy, myth and prejudice as healthy eating. Did you know that crackers are worse for your teeth than candy, chronic coughs can be treated with chocolate, and we also have something in common with potatoes? Well, I'm ready to surprise you now.
I've collected 10 incredible facts that will help you organize your meals and treat your favorite foods differently. And at the end there's an interesting bonus that explains why some dishes taste even better the next day.
1. Fruit stickers are absolutely edible
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that you wash the fruit before eating it, but it does not prohibit you from eating the stickers on it. These stickers, as well as the adhesive for them, are FDA-approved and safe to swallow. However, it is recommended that you remove them before eating the fruit.
2. I'd rather have a slice of pizza for breakfast than a bowl of cereal
Research by nutritionist Chelsea Amer proves that a slice of pizza would be a more balanced breakfast option than cereal because it has much more protein and fresh ingredients while containing less sugar than prepared breakfast cereals. Most of these breakfast cereals have no nutritional value and do not contain enough protein or healthy fats. But they have plenty of sugar.
3. spicy food prolongs life
A Harvard School of Public Health study found that eating spicy foods once a day can reduce the risk of death by 14%. "Biologically active ingredients in spicy foods, such as capsaicin, can reduce 'bad' cholesterol and maintain healthy triglyceride levels," says study author Dr. Lu Qi.
4. Canned fish is healthier than canned meat
Canned food is not the healthiest food. This is largely true for canned meat, but not so much for canned fish. When canned fish is made, even large fish bones become soft and edible after prolonged thermal processing, and thus become an additional source of calcium.
5. Tomatoes in the refrigerator lose their flavor
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that storing tomatoes at temperatures below 12°C interferes with their ability to produce substances that contribute to flavor and aroma. It's all about the fact that cold temperatures reduce the functionality of the genes that are responsible for flavor and fruit ripening. For this reason, tomatoes are best stored in a darkened room at room temperature.
6. Microwave is the best way to preserve all the minerals and nutrients in vegetables
The best way to preserve the health and nutrients in food is to heat food for the minimum amount of time and use the least amount of liquid. The microwave oven is the best way to do this. "When you cook food in the microwave, cover it tightly and add less water, creating an effective steamy environment, and you'll retain the maximum amount of nutrients," advises registered dietitian Catherine Adams Hutt.
7. Farm-raised white salmon
Wild salmon get their natural pink coloring because of the large amount of shrimp in their diet. Under industrial conditions, salmon eat completely different foods and therefore turn out white or slightly pink. To give it a bright color, producers use different pigments for coloring.
8. Nutmeg overdose can cause hallucinations
Nutmeg acts as a hallucinogen on the body if consumed in large quantities. You may experience nausea, dizziness, and thinking problems. The "more is better" rule does not work with nutmeg - it is necessary to strictly observe the dosage of this spice in dishes.
9. Scientists can make diamonds from peanut butter
Scientists from Germany, led by Dan Frost, have found that peanut butter contains quite a lot of carbon, which means it can be transformed into diamonds. To do this, all the oxygen must first be completely removed from the product and then it must be subjected to tremendous pressure for the conversion process to take place. Since all foods (and, for that matter, all living things) contain carbon, this research will make it possible to create diamonds from various objects in the future. Of course, natural diamonds would still be more valuable.
10. Crackers are worse for your teeth than candy
We are not going to dissuade you from the fact that candy is bad for your teeth. But it is worth remembering that there are many other foods that are much more dangerous than candy. For example, crackers. The fact is that it's not the sugar that destroys teeth, but the acid. When a cracker sticks to your teeth, it creates an excellent environment for the development of acid-producing bacteria.
Bonus: Some dishes taste even better the next day
Many housewives have repeatedly noticed that some dishes taste better the next day than they do immediately after cooking. There are many reasons for this. The dish becomes richer, the sauce soaks in better, the spices blend together and give a more subtle flavor. There are even whole lists of dishes that taste much better the next day. These include lasagna, pasta and meatballs.
Which fact surprised you the most?
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