1. Ice-cream
Ice-cream is a low GI (glycemic-index)
food. This means that it is a slow sugar
release food that keeps you satisfied for a
longer period of time than a high GI food.
For that reason, you are less likely to binge
after eating ice-cream. 75 grams of Ben and
Jerry’s Cookies and Cream ice-cream
contains only 114 calories compared to a
slice of cheesecake with 511 calories.
Furthermore, ice-cream is made of milk
which contains many essential nutrients
and vitamins. 1 cup of milk contains up to
30% of a man’s daily recommended intake.
Other nutrients in ice-cream are biotin,
iodine, potassium, selenium, vitamins a,
b12, D, and K. Studies show a possible link
between milk consumption and a lowered
risk of arterial hypertension, coronary heart
disease, colorectal cancer.
Interesting Fact: In the 5th century BC, the
ancient Greeks sold snow cones made with
fruit and honey in the markets of Athens.
2. Dirt
Throw away the rubber globes! Dirt is back
in vogue! Remember the days where kids
played in dirt, food was served with bare
hands, and straws didn’t come in individual
wrappers? It turns out – they were
healthier days than our modern sterile
ones! Early childhood exposure to bacteria,
viruses, and parasites has been found to
give a massive boost to our immune
systems, making us less likely to get sick
when we do come in to contact with
various bugs. Research has found that
children with a dog in the home are less
likely to suffer allergies, and regular social
interaction can reduce the risk of leukemia
by up to 30%. Those are statistics not to
ignore – so throw away the anti-bacterial
cleaners and get dirty!
Interesting Fact: There are as many as 10
times more bacterial cells in the human
body than human cells! The vast majority of
these are harmless.
3. Stress
Stress is universally considered a bad thing
– in some cases people have successfully
won lawsuits against companies for work-
related stress. But, what most people don’t
know is that a little stress goes a long way
to making us healthier. In short doses,
stress can help boost the body’s immune
system. In the first stage of stress (the
“alarm” stage – often known as the “fight or
flight” response) the body produces cortisol
– a stress fighting hormone which has
many benefits to the body. Stress can give
a feeling of fulfillment – when this is the
case it is called “eustress” as opposed to
“distress”.
Interesting Fact: The term “stress” and the
mental properties of it was not known
before the 1950s. Until that time it referred
simply to hardship or coercion.
4. Caffeine
Not only is coffee tasty, it is a mild
stimulant with many medical uses. Caffeine
contains a muscle relaxant that is very
beneficial to people with bronchial
problems – it can alleviate the symptoms of
asthma. Additionally, caffeine releases
certain fatty acids in to the blood stream
that become a useful source of fuel for
muscles. It even seems that the only
serious side-effect to too much caffeine is a
small amount of body-weight loss – a
danger if you are anorexic. Caffeine should
be avoided by people with fecal
incontinence as it loosens the anal and
sphincter muscles.
Interesting Fact: Caffeine can be toxic to
animals, in particular dogs, horses, and
parrots. It also has a much more significant
effect on spiders than humans.
5. Red Wine
Red wine contains a group of chemicals
called polyphenols (once called Vitamin P)
which have been found to be very
beneficial for health. They reduce the risk
of heart disease and cancer. Wine has also
been found to be an effective anti-bacterial
agent against strains of Streptococcus
(found most often in the human mouth)
which can help reduce infections. Some
wine varieties have extra health benefits;
Cabernet Sauvignon appears to reduce the
risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. In addition to
the benefits already listed, wine is chock
full of antioxidants which play a huge role
in the health of the human body. The wines
found to have the greatest benefits are
found in the South of France and the
Sardinia region of Italy.
Interesting Fact: Wine originated in the
regions of Israel, Georgia, and Iran, around
6000 BC.
6. Chocolate
As a result of recent research into
chocolate and health, it appears to be
something of a panacea (cure-all) –
coupled with the great taste and mood
enhancing properties, it might be seen as a
wonder drug! Cocoa or dark chocolate
improves the overall health of the
circulatory system, it stimulates the brain,
prevents coughs, prevents diarrhea, and
may even be an anti-cancer agent. Like
coffee, chocolate is toxic to many animals.
A BBC study indicates that melting
chocolate in your mouth increases brain
activity and the heart rate more intensely
than passionate kissing, with the effect
lasting four times longer after the activity
ends. Eating regular small quantities of
chocolate reduces cholesterol and the
chances of a heart attack. Sign me up for
some of that medication!
Interesting Fact: Chocolate has been used
as a drink since at least 1100 – 1400 BC.
7. Cannabis
Cannabis is said to be beneficial for over
250 conditions. For this reason it is legal on
prescription in a number of Western
countries. Cannabis is believed to help with
arthritis, asthma, depression, glaucoma,
and pain. It is also reported to be a good
treatment for constipation. Cannabis is also
useful in dealing with the sideeffects of
treatments for cancer, AIDS, and hepatitis.
Cannabis has been used medicinally for
over 3,000 years! Strangely, the cultivation
and use of cannabis is outlawed in most
countries.
Interesting Fact: Evidence of the use of
cannabis as a non-medicinal drug exists as
charred seeds found in Romania dating
back to the 3rd millenium BC.
8. Beer
The moderate consumption of beer has
been associated with the lowered risk of
head disease, stroke, and mental decline. In
addition, brewers yeast (used in the
production of beer) contains many
nutrients that are carried through to the
final drink: magnesium, selenium,
potassium, phosphorus, biotin, and B
vitamins. For this reason, beer is sometimes
referred to as “liquid bread”. In 2005 a
Japanese study found that low-alcohol beer
may contain strong anti-cancer properties.
Contrary to popular belief, a “beer belly” or
“beer gut” is not produced by the beer, but
rather overeating and lack of exercise.
Interesting Fact: Beer is one of the oldest
beverages – dating back to the 6th
millennium BC.
9. Smoking
10. Porn
Amidst the loud angry cries against
pornography, a few serious scientific
studies have been performed on the
subject. It seems that men and women who
view pornography, have improved sex lives,
better sexual knowledge, and an overall
better quality of life. Surprisingly, one study
found that the more that pornography is
viewed, the greater the improvements. In
an extensive study performed in Australia,
the majority of married respondents stated
that they believed that pornography has
had a positive effect on their marriage.
While clearly not always linked to
pornography, studies have found that men
who had fewer orgasms were twice as likely
to die of any cause as those having two or
more orgasms a week.
Interesting Fact: Pornography (and the anti-
pornography movement) as it is
understood today is a concept of the
Victorian era (19th century) which was
extremely moralistic. Sexual imagery was
not taboo before that time.
No comments:
Post a Comment