Multiple studies have shown that animals that consume large amounts of soy beans are likely to have a lower fertility rate. On the other hand, research regarding the impact of soy on humans revealed that the chemicals found in this plant have absolutely no effect on fertility. Now, a new study carried out at the Harvard School of Public Health suggests that even small amounts of food containing soy could reduce the sperm concentration by as much as half.
By studying the diet of 99 men with fertility problems, researchers found that the amount of soy based foods they ate on a daily basis had a significant impact on their reproductive cell count. Usually, the cell concentration is somewhere between 80 and 120 million per milliliter, as compared to 41 million less in the case of men eating on average a serving of soy-based food every day.
Leader of the study, Dr Jorge Chavarro, believes that the chemicals responsible for this effect, known as isoflavones, could be able to mimic a human hormone called oestrogen. High levels of oestrogen can also be caused by the increase of body fat levels, which could explain why overweight and obese men are prone to fertility problems.
The same cannot be said about men living in many parts of the Asian continent, where the soy bean plant comes from, who, although they consume significantly higher amounts of soy than the participants in the study, do not appear to have their fertility impaired.
"Many men are obviously worried about whether their lifestyle or diet could affect their fertility by lowering their sperm count. Oestrogenic compounds in food or the environment have been of concern for a number of years, but we have mostly thought that it was boys exposed in the uterus before birth who were most at risk," said senior lecturer in andrology Dr. Allan Pacey of the University of Sheffield.
"We will have to look at adult diet more closely, although the fact that such large parts of the world have soy food as a major part of their diet and don't appear to suffer any greater infertility rates than those on western diets suggests that any effect is quite small," he added.
By: Gabriel Gache, Science News Editor (http://news.softpedia.com)
Soy Causes Fertility Problems in Men - Asian males don't seem to be affected
Chicken and Spinach Calzones - A tasty treat for a healthy office lunch
A calzone is a folded pizza, made from pizza dough and stuffed with cheese, ham or vegetables. The dough is traditionally folded over, sealed on one edge and baked or deep-fried – however, we can add a little bit of a healthy twist to the original Italian recipe by removing the deep-fry part from the equation and replacing the ham with boneless, skinless chicken breast (which will cut most of the fat and sodium intake). This recipe will yield six smaller calzones, which are the ideal size to be packed away and enjoyed at work, along with a fresh vegetable salad. If you're vegetarian, simply replace the chicken with 1 pound of sliced mushrooms and 1/3 cup chopped onions, sautéd together in a teaspoon of olive oil.
What you need (for 6 servings)
1 frozen whole-wheat bread dough loaf (16 ounces, thawed, not risen)
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
10 ounces (1 standard package) frozen chopped spinach (thawed, drained)
8 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese
4 teaspoons Parmesan cheese
2 egg whites, divided
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 teaspoon minced garlic
How you do it
First of all, preheat the oven to 350 F. In a nonstick pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the chicken breasts whole, turning them when needed so that they turn a light golden brown. This shouldn't take longer than 10 – 15 minutes at most. Set aside and when cooled cut the chicken breasts into small cubes.
In a small bowl, blend together the spinach, Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, parsley, garlic and one of the egg whites. In a separate bowl, lightly whisk the remaining egg white. Then, cut the dough into six pieces and on a floured surface, press each piece into an oval, about 8 inches long and 6 inches wide.
Take each dough oval, brush the edges with the beaten egg white then add the filling in the center: 1/6 of the chicken cubes and 1/6 of the spinach mixture on top. Fold the dough over the filling, pressing the edges firmly together. Crimp with a fork, and place the calzones on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray or olive oil. Bake until brown and slightly crispy.
Nutritional information (per 1 calzone):
Calories – 359
Cholesterol - 60 mg
Protein - 33 g
Carbohydrate - 40 g
Fiber - 4 g
Total fat - 9 g (out of which saturated fat - 2 g)
Monounsaturated fat - 2 g
By: Monica Gaza, Life & Style Editor (http://news.softpedia.com)
The Secret for Popeye's Power - Spinach and health
The Secret for Popeye's Power - Spinach and health. The brave cartoon sailor based his power on spinach consumption or at least, that’s what we know. But what's real the story behind all that? Spinach is an annually cultivated herbaceous plant with a taproot of up to 1.8 m (6 ft) long. The leaves are fleshy and dark green, reach in minerals, nutrients and vitamins. One plant has 8 to 12 of them.
100 grams of spinach contain 510 mg of sodium, 375 mg of potassium, 49 mg of calcium, 37 mg of magnesium, 29 mg of sulfur, 0.6 mg of manganese, 0.45 mg of zinc, 0.13 mg of copper, vitamins B and C, carotenes (precursors of vitamin A), spinacine, carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Contrary to widespread opinion, spinach is not rich in iron (amongst plant foods, legumes have a relatively higher iron content, but much lower than animal products).
The spinach is a good heart tonifier and an anti-cancer, anti-anemia, anti-scurvy and re-mineralizing aliment. Spinach also prevents gum and teeth infections, and bleeding - the latter condition being caused by a diet rich in cereals, sugar and starch. This aliment also detoxifies the organism, being beneficial in case of duodenal ulcer, convulsions, nerve degeneration, furuncles, deficiencies of the adrenal and thyroid glands, nephritis, arthritis, abscess, limb swelling, hemophilia, lack of tonus, rheumatic pain, hypo- and hypertension, vision issues and headaches (including migraine).
Because spinach is rich in oxalic acid, it leads to purgation, which ensures a normal function of the intestine. Spinach can be consumed fresh in salads, associated with lemon juice and honey, or as juice (mix in a cup 90 g of spinach juice mixed with 130 g of carrot juice and serve each morning). This vegetable is also recommended in depressions, nervous and physical asthenia, scurvy and senescence and for growth stimulation.
In case of depression, a cup of juice made of spinach and garden cress (in equal parts) must be drunk for 21 days, each morning on an empty stomach. A daily dose of 500 ml of spinach juice cures even the most severe constipation rapidly, while at the same time healing the digestive tract. The effect is felt in 6 weeks.
In some cases, spinach consumption does a body no good. Boiled spinach increases oxaluria and oxalemia. Spinach must be avoided by hyperuremic persons, as 100 grams of spinach contain 700 mg of uric acid. As the spinach is rich in potassium, which must be excreted by the kidneys, sufferers from kidney issues should avoid it.
Spinach is also not recommended in cases of hepatitis, rheumatism, arthritis, gastric and intestinal inflammations and oxalic stones (made of potassium or calcium oxalates).
Source: news.softpedia.com
8 Things You Did Not Know About Bananas
8 Things You Did Not Know About Bananas - They can cure!
1. Despite the name of banana tree, Musa paradisiaca is a 7-8 m (23-27 ft) tall and robust grass, with a tree-like aspect. It has a false trunk made of the well developed sheaths of the leaves wrapping each other (the proper stem is very short). Upper leaves are very large, over 2 m (6.6 ft) in length and 40 cm (1.3 ft) wide. The plant originated in tropical Asia.
2. Flowers are hermaphrodite or unisex. At the end of the false trunk grows a large inflorescence, tilted sideways. The red large male flowers are located on the tip of the inflorescence, while at the base of the inflorescence the female flowers that will form the bananas are located, forming rich clusters of up to 50 kg (110 pounds). A plantation gives about 30 tonnes of bananas per hectare. After fructifying, the plant dies leaving behind numerous shoots that will form other banana trees next year.
3. Because the leaves have antiseptic properties, they are used as "dishes" by many tropical populations.
4. During the marriage ceremony of Rais and Limbu in Nepal, a sacrificed chicken is made pour blood over a banana leaf placed close to the threshold of the house. The bride must stay for a moment over the blood soaked leaf before entering her future home. Bananas are considered a symbol of fecundity in many cultures.
5. The ash resulted from the burning of dry leaves and stems is rich in potassium and used as a remedy for stomach acidity, intestinal colics and skin ulcerations. The fresh juice of the plant has constrictive properties in external and internal hemorrhages, being used also in case of nervous affections, like hysteria and epilepsy, against dysentery or intoxications with opium.
6. Raw fruits reduce the sugar amount in the blood while mature fruits are contraindicated in case of diabetes (they contain 18 % sugar).
7. Banana roots have tonic properties, being indicated in affections of gall bladder.
8. Infusions made of banana flowers are indicated in case of diabetes.
Source: news.softpedia.com
Top 10 Alternatives to Meat
120 grams of lean beef contain 25 grams of high quality proteins, almost totally assimilable, unlike the plant proteins, which the body assimilates just in a proportion of 50-65 %. But proteins from the meat can be replaced by various foods.
Proteins are the "bricks" of the organism, and must contain all the essential aminoacids, in precise proportions. Only proteins from eggs, meat, fish and dairy products are complete, that's why plant proteins must be completed by animal proteins.
1. About 300 grams of rice mixed with peas can replace a meat piece. When combined, these aliments furnish the essential aminoacids.
2. Lentil is very rich in protein. 83 grams of lentil have as much protein as 120 grams of beef. Its nutritional value is boosted if combined with other vegetables and cereals.
3. Just 72 grams of peanuts contain the same protein amount like in 120 grams of beef.
4. Parmesan cheese has a double content of proteins compared to red meat.
5. 190 grams of pasta bring the same amount of nutrients (but not proteins) as 120 grams of beef. To increase their nutritional values, pastas must be accompanied by cheese and vegetables.
6. The soy sprouts are much poorer in proteins than the soy beans: 336 grams of sprouts have the same amount of protein as 120 g of beef.
7. Amongst fruits, avocados are the richest in fats and proteins. Yet, 473 g of avocado pulp contain the proteins found in 120 g of beef.
8. Just 130 grams of walnuts have the same amount of protein like 120 g of beef.
9. Common bean contains 23.6 % proteins: more than meat! Still, it misses some essential amino acids.
10. Twenty five slices of whole wheat bread contain 25 grams of protein. Biological value of the bread increases if consumed with butter or milk, especially at breakfast.
By: Stefan Anitei, Science Editor (news.softpedia.com)
Want to Get Slim? Eat Proteins!
Want to Get Slim? Eat Proteins! - They are the most effective in suppressing hunger. A hamburger loaded with fats and carbohydrates followed by a fat and sugar rich ice cream are the worst solutions for easing your hunger. In fact, an American team has found in a research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism that a high in protein meal seems to be the best solution for keeping hunger in check, in a real breakthrough understanding of how various diets work.
Proteins were found to be the best nutrient category in keeping a hunger hormone under control, while carbohydrates and fats can be even worse than previously thought. The team investigated how effective the three main nutrient categories (proteins, carbohydrates and fats) are on decreasing the levels of at ghrelin, a hormone released by the stomach and involved in boosting the appetite.
"Suppression of ghrelin is one of the ways that you lose your appetite as you begin to eat and become sated," said co-author Dr David Cummings of the University of Washington in Seattle.
16 subjects were offered three types of beverages, each having different concentrations of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Blood samples were collected from each subject before the first beverage, then every 20 minutes, for six hours period following the consumption of the beverages. The researchers assessed in the blood samples the ghrelin amounts.
"The interesting findings were that fats suppress ghrelin quite poorly. They fared the poorest overall," Cummings told Health24.com.
"Proteins were the best suppressor of ghrelin in terms of the combination of the depth and duration of suppression. That is truly satisfying because high proteins are essentially common to almost all of the popular diets," added Cummings.
But the nastiest surprise came with the carbohydrates (sugars): initially, they determined the sharpest drop in ghrelin levels, but hormone's amounts boomed even to a higher level after the initial reaction! Physiologically, the carbohydrates consumption induced an even more acute hunger sensation then before the meal.
"The findings may aid in future research on the effectiveness of different diets," said Cummings.
Proteins abound in lean meat, liver, fish, milk, some dairy products, mushrooms, some nuts and beans.
By: Stefan Anitei, Science Editor
