Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) has been cherished for centuries as a natural remedy in traditional medicine. Native to Africa and now widely cultivated across tropical regions, this nutrient-rich fruit is packed with antioxidants, dietary fiber, and essential compounds that support both digestive health and heart function. Discover how tamarind can improve your well-being and the best ways to incorporate it into your daily routine.
Tamarind and Digestive Health
1. Promotes Regular Bowel Movements
Tamarind is an excellent source of dietary fiber, which plays a vital role in digestive health. Fiber helps add bulk to stool, facilitating smoother bowel movements and preventing constipation. Tamarind pulp has long been used as a natural and gentle laxative.
2. Stimulates Digestive Enzymes
The organic acids in tamarind, such as tartaric acid, stimulate bile production, which is essential for breaking down fats and enhancing nutrient absorption. This action not only supports digestion but also alleviates common issues like bloating and indigestion.
3. Balances Gut Flora
Research highlights tamarind’s mild antibacterial properties, which help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria. By targeting harmful microbes while preserving beneficial flora, tamarind promotes gut health and reduces inflammation in the digestive system.
Tamarind and Heart Health
1. Lowers Bad Cholesterol
Tamarind pulp contains antioxidants and soluble fiber that help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. By preventing cholesterol buildup in the arteries, tamarind lowers the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
2. Regulates Blood Pressure
With its high potassium and low sodium content, tamarind supports healthy blood pressure levels. Potassium aids in relaxing blood vessels and managing sodium in the body, reducing hypertension—a significant risk factor for heart disease.
3. Protects Against Oxidative Stress
Tamarind is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that combat oxidative stress. These compounds protect the heart and blood vessels from cellular damage, ensuring optimal cardiovascular function.
How to Use Tamarind for Maximum Health Benefits
1. Tamarind Juice
Tamarind juice is a refreshing and effective way to enjoy its health benefits:
Soak tamarind pulp in warm water and strain to separate the liquid.
Add honey or natural sweeteners as desired.
Drink a small glass daily to support digestion and heart health.
2. Tamarind Paste or Pulp in Cooking
Incorporate tamarind paste into your favorite recipes to enhance both flavor and nutrition:
Add a spoonful to curries, stews, or marinades for a tangy twist.
Use it in sauces or salad dressings for a heart-healthy addition to meals.
3. Tamarind Tea
For a lighter option, tamarind tea offers a soothing way to enjoy its benefits:
Boil tamarind pulp in water and add honey or ginger for extra flavor.
Sip the tea after meals to aid digestion and gradually lower cholesterol levels.
4. Tamarind Supplements
Tamarind is also available in capsule or extract form, providing a concentrated dose of its nutrients. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting supplements to determine the appropriate dosage for your needs.
A Natural Ally for Your Health
Incorporating tamarind into your diet is a simple and delicious way to support digestive and cardiovascular health. Whether you choose juice, tea, paste, or supplements, this versatile fruit offers a wealth of nutrients that protect and enhance two of the body’s most vital systems. From improving digestion to lowering cholesterol and regulating blood pressure, tamarind is a natural powerhouse for overall wellness.
Medical inflation has outpaced overall inflation since 2000
A recent survey suggests claims denials are increasing
20 million people owe more than $220 billion in medical debt
$100 bill with medical mask. (Getty Images/Stock Photo)
(NewsNation) — Rising medical costs and denied claims have many Americans feeling fed up with the nation’s health care system.
The data paints a gloomy picture: The U.S. spends significantly more on health care than other countries (and yet has worse outcomes), insurance costs are rising and millions of people are buried in medical debt.
Those statistics underpin a mounting frustration that recently boiled over following the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Instead of condemning the brazen attack, many celebrated.
Health insurance stocks have fallen since UnitedHealthcare CEO killing
The outpouring of rage aimed at health insurance companies follows a two-decade period in which medical prices have risen faster than overall inflation.
Since 2000, the price of medical care has increased by more than 120%, outpacing the 86% gain for all goods and services, according to the Peterson Center on Healthcare and Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).
Over the same period, health care conglomerates including UnitedHealth Group and Cigna Group have seen their stocks surge.
Health insurance premiums have risen
In 2024, the average health insurance premium for families hit $25,572 a year, up 7% for the second year in a row, according to KFF.
Of that total, workers contributed an average of $6,296 while employers contributed $19,276.
KFF pointed out that employers have borne much of the premium hike in recent years while workers’ annual premiums are up less than $300, about 5%, since 2019.
But higher deductibles have many families paying more out of pocket before their insurance kicks in. Once rare, high-deductible health plans have become increasingly popular as workers look to minimize their monthly premiums.
The percentage of workers enrolled in high deductible plans skyrocketed from 4% in 2006 to 29% in 2023, KFF data shows.
A recent Gallup poll found nearly 80% of Americans are dissatisfied with the cost of health care and most (54%) think the nation’s health care system has “major problems.”
A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) suggests health insurance costs will likely rise again in 2025. In part, due to growing market concentration among fewer insurance companies.
How common are denied claims?
Nearly one in five insured adults (18%) said they experienced a denied claim in the past year, according to a KFF survey. The problem was more common among people with employer-sponsored insurance (21%) compared to people with Medicare (10%) or Medicaid (12%).
A separate KFF analysis found that major medical insurers offering plans via the Healthcare.gov marketplace rejected nearly one in dicw in-network claims in 2021.
However, denial rates varied significantly across plan issuers, ranging from 2% to 49%. In total, HealthCare.gov issuers denied 48.3 million in-network claims in 2021, KFF found.
A recent survey from credit firm Experian suggests denials of health claims are increasing, rising 31% in 2024 from 2022.
Of the health care staff Experian surveyed, 73% of providers agreed that claim denials are increasing.
A new U.S. plan to remove lead pipes underscores lead’s persistent risks, with researchers calling for global measures to reduce exposure, especially in vulnerable communities.
The U.S. aims to replace lead pipes to combat ongoing exposure risks. Researchers stress urgent action on policies and alternatives to curb global lead contamination.
The Biden administration’s recently announced plan to replace all lead pipes in the U.S. is a reminder that the toxic metal remains a threat, even in a country that has largely banned its use. The smallest levels of lead exposure can cause a range of health damages over time, especially to children’s brain development.
Stanford researchers Stephen Luby and Jenna Forsyth have spent years examining the widespread presence of lead in low-income countries, including in some commonly consumed products. They led a perspective published Nov. 5 in The Lancet Public Health that tallies lead’s global health and economic costs, and a study in the November issue of Science of the Total Environment that highlights the urgent challenge of lead contamination in South Asian turmeric.
“Lead is a remarkably harmful toxin,” said Luby. “Even within the context of limited resources, we have to find ways to focus on reducing exposure to it.”
Below, Luby, the Lucy Becker Professor of Medicine in the Stanford School of Medicine, and Forsyth, a research scientist with the School of Medicine, discuss the prevalence of lead-tainted products, and share insights on how food safety policies, education, and lead-free alternatives could reduce the risks.
You call for a complete phase-out of lead by 2035. What do you see as the key hurdles to achieving this goal, especially in countries with limited regulatory enforcement?
Luby: The key hurdles include overcoming the pushback from industries that, like tobacco companies, have a financial incentive in continuing to generate a product that kills millions of people every year. This requires a clear-eyed view of the enormous human and environmental health costs of having lead in the economy.
A researcher collects dust in a home in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, for lead analysis. Credit: Musa Baker
When we consider the great success of removing chlorofluorocarbons from the atmosphere, the technological innovations in aerosol propellants and in refrigerants occurred in high-income countries within companies that understood that regulation was on the horizon. By the time the Montréal protocol came into force, low-income countries could purchase new-generation propellants in refrigerants that were affordable and did not exert such damage to the Earth’s protective ozone layer.
Lead contamination disproportionately affects marginalized communities. What policy interventions or public health measures could ensure that these vulnerable populations are protected?
Luby: Globally, industrial pollution is disproportionately discharged near communities with limited economic and political influence. Efforts to reduce industrial discharges are important, but because lead is so toxic to the environment and human life, the primary public health measure should be to remove it from the economy. This way, the whole web of life, including humans, would benefit.
Forsyth: And since lead does not degrade or go away on its own, remediation of current contaminated sites is a companion endeavor to reduce exposure among the most vulnerable.
Lead chromate in turmeric is a form of food fraud that can have devastating long-term effects. What immediate steps can governments and international organizations take to halt this practice, and how can consumer awareness be raised?
Forsyth: Our experience in Bangladesh suggests that three immediate actions would halt the practice. First is to improve awareness about lead’s toxicity. Second is to enhance detection. Often, food safety officers have too many priorities, too little bandwidth, and limited-to-no testing capacity. Finally, enforcing food safety policy is essential: fining sellers of tainted turmeric. Even just enforcing food safety policy once can have a sustained effect.
Turmeric roots polished with and without lead chromate in Pabna Bangladesh. Credit: Sukhita Karthikeyakannan
In your research on lead-acid batteries, you highlight their significant contribution to global lead use. What alternative technologies hold the most promise for replacing lead-acid batteries, and how can these solutions be made accessible to developing nations?
Luby: Currently, lithium-ion batteries are lighter, last longer, and have a lower total cost of ownership than lead acid batteries. They are well placed to immediately replace lead acid batteries in nearly all applications. The best step that low-income countries can take is to remove tariffs on importing lithium-ion batteries so that they can compete against highly polluting lead acid battery industries.
Forsyth: It is likely that improved awareness and financing, such as microfinance loans, will be needed to overcome higher upfront cost of alternatives to lead acid batteries. Because of the broadening electrification of the global energy grid, there is enormous investment in battery technology. In the coming decades, there will be multiple alternatives including sodium-ion, magnesium-iron, and aluminum-iron technologies.
Additional Info
Research by Luby and Forsyth, initially funded by the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and the Stanford King Center on Global Development, identified lead adulteration in turmeric as the primary cause of elevated blood lead levels across rural Bangladesh. Since then, their collaboration with government authorities has led to the implementation of stricter testing and quality control measures in the spice industry, enhancing food safety protocols. Public health initiatives and education campaigns informed by the project have targeted interventions to reduce lead exposure in affected populations and inform people about the risks of lead contamination in spices.
The project’s geographical scope has expanded to India and Pakistan, where similar contamination issues have been identified, and its focus has expanded to investigate and address pollution from the lead-acid battery industry. Now called Project Unleaded, the initiative is part of the Stanford Center for Human and Planetary Health. It aims to identify and prioritize the most important sources of lead poisoning globally, investigate health impacts, advance rapid lead detection techniques, and develop, test, and scale up interventions to eliminate major sources of lead contamination.
References: “Removing lead from the global economy” by Stephen P Luby, Jenna E Forsyth, Zafar Fatmi, Mahbubur Rahman, Jesmin Sultana, Erica L Plambeck, N Grant Miller, Eran Bendavid, Peter J Winch, Howard Hu, Bruce Lanphear and Philip J Landrigan, 5 November 2024, The Lancet Planetary Health. DOI: 10.1016/S2542-5196(24)00244-4
“Evidence of turmeric adulteration with lead chromate across South Asia” by Jenna E. Forsyth, Dinsha Mistree, Emily Nash, Manyu Angrish and Stephen P. Luby, 23 July 2024, Science of The Total Environment. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175003
New research shows stress accelerates the aging of the immune system and could help explain disparities in age-related health.
Traumatic life events and everyday stress prematurely weaken body’s mix of immune cells.
It is widely recognized that as people start getting up in the years, their immune system weakens. A stark example is the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, where the elderly face a much higher mortality rate than the young.
This process of gradual deterioration of the immune system brought on by natural age advancement is called immunosenescence. Yet you may know people that are quite elderly, but in great health, or vice versa, someone who is relatively young, but still prone to infections. What could account for differences in immune system strength in people that are the same age?
Stress — in the form of traumatic events, job strain, everyday stressors, and discrimination — accelerates aging of the immune system, potentially increasing a person’s risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and illness from infections such as COVID-19, according to a new University of Southern California (USC) study.
The research, published yesterday (June 13, 2022) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could help explain disparities in age-related health, including the unequal toll of the pandemic, and identify possible points for intervention.
“As the world’s population of older adults increases, understanding disparities in age-related health is essential. Age-related changes in the immune system play a critical role in declining health,” said lead study author Eric Klopack, a postdoctoral scholar in the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. “This study helps clarify mechanisms involved in accelerated immune aging.”
As people age, the immune system naturally begins a dramatic downgrade, a condition called immunosenescence. With advanced age, a person’s immune profile weakens, and includes too many worn-out white blood cells circulating and too few fresh, “naive” white blood cells ready to take on new invaders.
Potential Problems Relating to Stress and the Immune System
Immune aging is associated not only with cancer, but with cardiovascular disease, increased risk of pneumonia, reduced efficacy of vaccines, and organ system aging.
But what accounts for drastic health differences in same-age adults? USC researchers decided to see if they could tease out a connection between lifetime exposure to stress — a known contributor to poor health — and declining vigor in the immune system.
“Age-related changes in the immune system play a critical role in declining health.” Eric Klopack
They queried and cross-referenced enormous data sets from University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study, a national longitudinal study of the economic, health, marital, family status, and public and private support systems of older Americans.
To measure exposure to various types of social stress, the researchers analyzed responses from a national sample of 5,744 adults over the age of 50. They answered a questionnaire designed to assess respondents’ experiences with social stress, including stressful life events, chronic stress, everyday discrimination, and lifetime discrimination.
Blood samples from the participants were then analyzed through flow cytometry, a lab technique that counts and classifies blood cells as they pass one by one in a narrow stream in front of a laser.
As expected, people with higher stress scores had older-seeming immune profiles, with lower percentages of fresh disease fighters and higher percentages of worn-out white blood cells. The association between stressful life events and fewer ready-to-respond, or naive, T cells remained strong even after controlling for education, smoking, drinking, BMI, and race or ethnicity.
Some sources of stress may be impossible to control, but the researchers say there may be a workaround.
T-cells — a critical component of immunity — mature in a gland called the thymus, which sits just in front of and above the heart. As people age, the tissue in their thymus shrinks and is replaced by fatty tissue, resulting in reduced production of immune cells. Past research suggests that this process is accelerated by lifestyle factors like poor diet and low exercise, which are both associated with social stress.
“In this study, after statistically controlling for poor diet and low exercise, the connection between stress and accelerated immune aging wasn’t as strong,” said Klopack. “What this means is people who experience more stress tend to have poorer diet and exercise habits, partly explaining why they have more accelerated immune aging.”
Stress and the Immune System: Impact of Diet and Exercise
Improving diet and exercise behaviors in older adults may help offset the immune aging associated with stress.
Additionally, cytomegalovirus (CMV) may be a target for intervention. CMV is a common, usually asymptomatic virus in humans and is known to have a strong effect on accelerating immune aging. Like shingles or cold sores, CMV is dormant most of the time but can flare up, especially when a person is experiencing high stress.
In this study, statistically controlling for CMV positivity also reduced the connection between stress and accelerated immune aging. Therefore, widespread CMV vaccination could be a relatively simple and potentially powerful intervention that could reduce the immune aging effects of stress, the researchers said.
Reference: “Social stressors associated with age-related T lymphocyte percentages in older US adults: Evidence from the US Health and Retirement Study” by Eric T. Klopack, Eileen M. Crimmins, Steve W. Cole, Teresa E. Seeman and Judith E. Carroll, 13 June 2022, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2202780119
In addition to Klopack, other authors include Eileen Crimmins, a University Professor and the AARP Chair in Gerontology at the USC Leonard Davis School; and Steve Cole and Teresa Seeman of UCLA.
The study was supported by grants from the National Institute on Aging (P30AG017265, U01AG009740).
A new study from McMaster University suggests that living in materially and socially deprived urban areas and experiencing depressive symptoms could independently contribute to accelerated biological aging, as determined by two DNA methylation-based estimators. The research did not find that neighborhood deprivation amplified the effect of depressive symptoms on biological aging, indicating that these two factors affect aging through different mechanisms.
According to a recent study led by researchers from McMaster University, residing in economically and socially disadvantaged urban neighborhoods and feeling depressed could accelerate your aging.
The study, which was published on June 5 in The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, demonstrated that both living in urban regions characterized by significant disparities in resources and social opportunities, as well as having symptoms of depression, are independently linked with early biological aging. This correlation persists even after taking into account personal health and behavior-related risk factors such as chronic illnesses and detrimental health habits.
Parminder Raina, a professor in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact at McMaster University, led the research team, which included investigators from the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland.
Parminder Raina, professor, Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact at McMaster University, lead principal investigator of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging and the study’s senior author. Credit: McMaster University
“Our study used two DNA methylation-based estimators, known as epigenetic clocks, to examine aging at the cellular level and estimate the difference between chronological age and biological age,” said Divya Joshi, the study’s first author and a research associate in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact at McMaster.
“Our findings showed that neighborhood deprivation and depressive symptoms were positively associated with acceleration of the epigenetic age estimated using the DNAm GrimAge clock. This adds to the growing body of evidence that living in urban areas with higher levels of neighborhood deprivation and having depression symptoms are both associated with premature biological aging.”
Depressive symptoms in the study were measured using a 10-item standardized depression scale. The researchers found an acceleration in the risk of death by one month for every point increase in the depressive symptom score. They theorized that emotional distress caused by depression may result in more biological wear and tear and dysregulation of physiological systems, which in turn could lead to premature aging.
The researchers assessed neighborhood material and social deprivation using two indices that were developed by the Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (CANUE) based on 2011 census.
Social deprivation reflects the presence of fewer social resources in the family and community, and material deprivation is an indicator of people’s inability to access goods and conveniences of modern life, such as adequate housing, nutritious food, a car, high-speed internet, or a neighborhood with recreational facilities.
The researchers found an increase in the risk of death by almost one year for those exposed to greater neighborhood deprivation compared to lower neighborhood deprivation.
The study did not find that neighborhood deprivation amplified the effect of depressive symptoms on epigenetic age acceleration.
“Our results showed that the effect of neighborhood deprivation on epigenetic age acceleration was similar regardless of depression symptoms, suggesting that depression influences epigenetic age acceleration through mechanisms unrelated to neighborhood deprivation,” Joshi said.
The research examined epigenetic data from 1,445 participants enrolled in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), a research platform following more than 50,000 participants who were between the ages of 45 to 85 when recruited.
“Longitudinal studies, like the CLSA, are important to confirm associations like those found in this study,” said Raina, the study’s senior author and lead principal investigator of the CLSA.
“By following the same group of participants for 20 years, we will be able to determine whether epigenetic changes are stable or reversible over time. We will also gain insight into the mechanisms that are leading to accelerated epigenetic aging.”
Reference: “Association of Neighborhood Deprivation and Depressive Symptoms With Epigenetic Age Acceleration: Evidence From the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging” by Divya Joshi, Ph.D., Frank J van Lenthe, Ph.D., Martijn Huisman, Ph.D., Erik R Sund, Ph.D., Steinar Krokstad, Ph.D., Mauricio Avendano, Ph.D. and Parminder Raina, Ph.D., 5 June 2023, The Journals of Gerontology Series A. DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glad118
Researchers found MANF aids cellular cleanup, potentially offering new treatments for age-related diseases and healthier aging.
New research found that the protein MANF helps cells manage toxic protein clumps, improving cellular health and potentially aiding treatments for age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Researchers at McMaster University have uncovered a previously unidentified cell-protective role of a protein, potentially paving the way for new treatments for age-related diseases and promoting healthier aging.
The team has found that a class of protective proteins known as MANF plays a role in the process that keep cells efficient and working well.
The findings appear in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Our cells make proteins and discard them after they perform their jobs. This efficient, continuous maintenance process is known as cellular homeostasis. However, as we age, our cells’ ability to keep up declines.
Cells can create proteins incorrectly, and the cleanup process can become faulty or overwhelmed. As a result, proteins can clump together, leading to a harmful buildup that has been linked to such diseases as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
“If the cells are experiencing stress because this protein aggregation has started, the endoplasmic reticulum, which is where proteins are made and then released, gets the signal to stop making these proteins,” explains biology professor Bhagwati Gupta, who supervised the research.
“If it can’t correct the problem, the cell will die, which ultimately leads to degeneration of the neurons and then neurodegenerative diseases that we see.”
MANF’s Role in Cellular Maintenance
Previous studies, including one from McMaster, had shown that MANF protects against increased cellular stress. The team set out to understand how this happens by studying microscopic worms known as C. elegans. They created a system to manipulate the amount of MANF in C. elegans.
C. elegans examined under a microscope. The yellow and purple dots are the regions where MANF protein is located. Credit: McMaster University
“We could literally see where MANF was expressed in the worms because they are translucent. We could see it in all different tissues. Within these tissues, MANF was present in structures known as lysosomes which are associated with lifespan and protein aggregation,” said Shane Taylor, now a post-doctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia who worked on the project for his PhD while at McMaster.
Activating the Natural Cellular Clean-Up System
The team discovered that MANF plays a key role in the cell’s disposal process by helping to break down the accumulated proteins, keeping cells healthier and clutter-free.
Increasing MANF levels also activates a natural clean-up system within cells, helping them function better for longer.
“Although our research focused on worms, the findings uncover universal processes. MANF is present in all animals, including humans. We are learning fundamental and mechanistic details that could then be tested in higher systems,” said Taylor.
To develop MANF as a potential therapy, researchers want to understand what other players MANF interacts with.
“Discovering MANF’s role in cellular homeostasis suggests that it could be used to develop treatments for diseases that affect the brain and other parts of the body by targeting cellular processes, clearing out these toxic clumps in cells, and maintaining their health,” said Gupta.
“The central idea of aging research is basically can we make the processes better and more efficient. By understanding how MANF works and targeting its function, we could develop new treatments for age-related diseases. We want to live longer and healthier. These kinds of players could help that.”
Reference: “The neurotrophic factor MANF regulates autophagy and lysosome function to promote proteostasis in Caenorhabditis elegans” by Shane K. B. Taylor, Jessica H. Hartman and Bhagwati P. Gupta, 17 October 2024, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2403906121
Taro ( Colocasia esculenta), with its distinctive heart-shaped leaves, has been a vital food source in tropical and subtropical regions for centuries. Best known for its edible corm or root, taro is celebrated for its rich, starchy texture and impressive nutritional profile. While the corm is the most widely consumed part, taro leaves are also valued in some cultures for their unique health benefits.
Nutritional Profile and Health Benefits of Taro Root
Taro root is renowned for its nutrient density, offering a range of health benefits:
High Fiber Content: Packed with dietary fiber, taro root promotes healthy digestion, supports gut health, and helps manage satiety—making it beneficial for weight control.
Vitamin and Mineral-Rich: Taro root provides essential vitamins like vitamin E, B6, and C, alongside minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and manganese, all of which contribute to cardiovascular health and energy production.
Heart Health Support: Rich in potassium, taro root helps regulate blood pressure, balancing sodium levels to support heart health.
Sustained Energy: As a source of complex carbohydrates, taro root provides lasting energy, ideal for staying active throughout the day.
Immune System Boost: Vitamin C in taro root aids immune function, shielding the body against common illnesses and enhancing overall wellness.
Antioxidant Properties: Taro root contains antioxidants that help fight oxidative stress, supporting skin health and reducing inflammation.
Blood Sugar Regulation: High in fiber, taro root can help stabilize blood sugar by slowing carbohydrate absorption, which may benefit individuals with diabetes.
Bone Health: Taro root offers magnesium and calcium, which support bone density and reduce osteoporosis risk.
Cognitive Support: Vitamin E and antioxidants in taro root may protect brain cells, supporting cognitive health and potentially reducing age-related decline.
Weight Management: The fiber and slow-digesting carbohydrates in taro root help prolong fullness, aiding in reduced calorie intake for weight management.
Culinary Uses and Preparation
Taro root’s versatility allows it to enhance various dishes:
Boiled or Steamed: Peel and cook taro corms until tender, then season as a nutritious side dish.
Mashed Taro: For a healthier alternative to mashed potatoes, mash cooked taro with butter or coconut oil.
Taro Fries or Chips: Thinly slice the root, season, and bake or fry for a satisfying, crunchy snack.
Taro in Soups and Stews: Add cubed taro to soups or stews to create a hearty, filling texture.
Safety Note: Always cook taro root thoroughly to neutralize calcium oxalate, which can cause irritation if consumed raw.
Beyond the Root: Taro Leaves and Stems
While the root is the star, taro leaves and stems are also consumed in various cuisines. Properly cooked taro leaves are used in dishes like soups and stews, adding nutritional value with compounds such as beta-carotene, which supports vision health. Like the root, the leaves should be cooked thoroughly to remove any potentially irritating substances.
Conclusion
Taro (Colocasia esculenta) remains a dietary staple in many parts of the world, thanks to its nutritional benefits and culinary versatility. The root’s high nutrient content makes it a valuable addition to meals, while the leaves offer additional health benefits when prepared properly. Incorporating taro into your diet can elevate both flavor and nutrition—just ensure each part of the plant is safely prepared.
Individuals with specific dietary concerns or health conditions should consult a healthcare provider before introducing taro into their diet.
For many individuals, discovering their sexual identity is a long and complex journey. For Emma Flint, it took 30 years to truly understand her own. After a lifetime of fluctuating sexual attractions, Emma identified as “abrosexual,” a term that perfectly encapsulates the fluidity of her desires. Emma’s story is one of self-discovery and acceptance. But it also highlights the struggles that many face when they deviate from conventional labels. Her journey reflects the broader challenges of finding a space in society where fluid sexual identities are understood and respected.
A Lifetime of Uncertainty
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From an early age, Emma found it difficult to pinpoint a fixed sexual identity. Like many people, she started by trying to understand her feelings within traditional labels such as “lesbian” or “bisexual.” However, her experiences did not fit neatly into these categories. There were times when she felt a deep attraction to women, other times to men, and at some points, she didn’t feel attracted to anyone at all. This constant shift left Emma feeling uncertain and isolated in her search for an identity. For years, she couldn’t make sense of these changing feelings, and the struggle was isolating. “I didn’t learn about abrosexuality until two years ago, when I was 30,” Emma wrote in a personal piece for Metro. It was only then that she was able to see herself clearly.
Discovering Abrosexuality
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Abrosexuality is a term that describes individuals whose sexual or romantic attraction fluctuates over time. Unlike fixed sexual orientations like heterosexuality or homosexuality, abrosexuality is fluid. This means a person may feel attraction to one gender at one point and then shift to another gender or no attraction at all at another time. According to WebMD, people who identify as abrosexual often experience these changes in intensity and direction. Allowing them to form connections with a range of individuals. The term is derived from the Greek word “abro,” meaning “delicate” or “graceful,” which signifies the gentle, ever-changing nature of those who experience this fluidity. For Emma, discovering the term was a revelation. One that allowed her to embrace her identity fully without the pressure of fitting into a conventional box.
Realizing that her sexuality was fluid was a huge moment of self-acceptance for Emma. It allowed her to acknowledge and understand herself in a way she hadn’t before. As she explained, one day she might feel like a lesbian, and the next day, she could feel attraction toward men or anyone in between. This constant flux was not a sign of confusion, but rather an inherent part of who she was. “My sexuality was fluid,” Emma writes, reflecting on the moment she came to this understanding. This realization gave her the confidence to live authentically, but it also opened the door to new challenges—particularly in explaining her identity to others.
Challenges of Explaining Abrosexuality to Others
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While Emma found peace in embracing her abrosexuality, sharing this aspect of herself with others was not always easy. Many of her friends and family were unfamiliar with the term, and some reacted with confusion or doubt. One of Emma’s friends even texted her asking, “When did you decide this? Is this even a label? I’ve never heard of it.” While Emma appreciated the support, she was also taken aback by the lack of understanding. “I’m not expecting everyone to know what it means – hell, I didn’t until two years ago – but you should always listen with respect,” she wrote. She emphasizes the importance of being open to learning about new identities and, most importantly, treating others with kindness and respect during their journey of self-discovery.
Despite the support from many of her loved ones, Emma has also encountered dismissive responses. Some that challenge her abrosexual identity. Some individuals have told her, “You’re just confused” or “Just say you’re bisexual and be done with it.” These remarks are frustrating, as they fail to acknowledge the validity of her experience and suggest that her fluidity is merely a phase or a confusion. Emma is steadfast in her refusal to be limited by others’ narrow perceptions. “I refuse to be boxed in by someone else’s limited knowledge,” she asserts. For Emma, being able to express her sexuality in a way that feels true to herself is more important than conforming to traditional labels, and she encourages others to be more open-minded and accepting of diverse sexual identities.
Looking to the future, Emma hopes that being abrosexual will eventually be seen as a normal and valid sexual identity. Just as other sexual orientations like bisexuality and homosexuality are gaining more recognition, she wishes for abrosexuality to be accepted in the same way. “Eventually, I hope that abrosexuality will be seen as normal, just another identity that someone might have,” she explains. While she acknowledges that some people may view her identity as merely “on trend” or confusing, Emma remains optimistic that society will grow to understand and respect this fluid form of attraction. Her ultimate goal is to live in a world where people are free to define their sexuality without fear of judgment or misunderstanding.
Fostering Respectful Dialogue
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The key to creating an environment of acceptance for all sexual identities is fostering open and respectful dialogue. Emma’s experience highlights the importance of listening with empathy and respect when someone shares their identity. While misunderstandings are inevitable, Emma emphasizes the need for others to approach such conversations with curiosity and a willingness to learn. “I’m happy to say that the rest of my friends and family have been very supportive of my identity, and have strived to learn more,” she writes. This support is crucial not only for personal growth but also for the advancement of societal understanding. As more people learn about identities like being abrosexual, the hope is that these conversations will become more common and less stigmatized.
Conclusion: Embracing Fluidity in a Changing World
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Emma Flint’s journey is a testament to the power of self-acceptance and the importance of embracing one’s authentic identity. While she faced challenges in explaining her sexuality, the support she received from those who listened with respect has been invaluable. Her story serves as a reminder that sexual identity can be fluid and that people should not feel pressured to conform to societal norms. As society continues to evolve, there is hope that more people will be able to express their sexual identities freely. Whether they identify as abrosexual or any other label that feels true to them. In the end, as Emma wisely states, “I’m no longer nervous about my sexuality because it makes sense to me, and in the end. That’s all that really matters.”
In 2018, a young man passed away after a dare from his friends turned life-threatening. The initial dare, which was to eat a slug, took place ten years prior, shedding some light on the dangers of parasites associated with slugs.
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In 2010, 19-year-old Sam Ballard from Sydney, Australia, was blowing off some steam with his friends. They were enjoying a bottle of wine, when things took a strange turn. “We were sitting, having a bit of a red wine appreciation night, trying to act as grown-ups and a slug came crawling across,” recalls Sam’s friend Jimmy. “The conversation came, ‘should I eat it?’ [and] off Sam went.”
Deadly Effects of Slugs
Sam Ballard. Source: Facebook
Although in some cases, eating slugs results in nothing more than an upset stomach, that wasn’t the case for Ballard. Sadly, his encounter would leave him with detrimental and life-changing consequences. The promising Rugby player would lose his ability to walk, let alone pursue his passion. Instead, Ballard underwent a series of complications over a decade, ultimately leading to the end of his life.
Sam became infected with a parasite known as rat lungworm; the most common parasite associated with slugs. Initially, his symptoms were severe weakness and pain throughout his legs. However, it soon became apparent that his health was deeply at risk. Eventually, he contracted meningitis and then went into a coma for 420 days.
Ballard finally came to, but learned that his life would never be the same. The parasite often associated with slugs, had caused an infection. In time, spreading to his brain and causing paralysis. He would no longer be able to walk but even everyday tasks like using the restroom or eating would prove impossible without assistance. As such, his loving mom Katie Ballard cared for him day after day. He was in need of 24-hour care until 2018, when he tragically passed away at 29. He passed with his friends and family close by and told his mom he loved just before his death.
Credit: Danny Aarons | News Corp Australia
Avoiding the Same Fate
Incredibly, Katie doesn’t blame his friends for the mishap and seemingly understands that friends sometimes encourage each other to partake in “peculiar acts.“. Sam’s story is one that will likely stick with his friends forever. Luckily, in many cases, this kind of thing is avoidable. Most easily by not eating or licking slugs, even for the sake of fulfilling a dare. Secondly, should you come into contact with slugs, avoid touching your face and most importantly your mouth. Moreover, prioritize washing your hands thoroughly and as soon as possible. Another easy way to avoid parasitic slugs is to know a little about them, including that range in size but can be small enough to hide in produce.
Therefore, avoiding any raw or undercooked mollusks, as well as double checking fruits and vegetables, can also help minimize the risk of Rat lungworm, and other diseases associated with slugs. Some other examples include angiostrongyliasis, paragonimiasis, and fascioliasis. Furthermore, the parasitic diseases carried by slugs have a severe and negative impact on major organs including the brain, biliary tract, and intestines. In some cases, they can also cause, in addition to death, an overactive immune system and infertility.
Understanding the Culprit
Rat lungworm has another, less common name, AC infection, which, according to the CDC, is “the most common infectious cause of eosinophilic meningitis. This type of meningitis affects white blood cells. According to the CDC, there are five types of meningitis, with parasitic meningitis less common than bacterial or viral meningitis. Rat lungworm also undergoes a life cycle, this is as obscene as it fascinating. Prior to infecting slugs and other mollusks, the rat lungworm is transmitted through rodents, hence the name. Rodents carry the adult worm, passing immature worms through their digestive tract. Next, the mollusks eat the rodent droppings and become infected. Lastly, humans or other animals become infected from coming into contact with the slug or its slime trail.
Dr Rosie Godeseth urged people to be attentive to potential health concerns when they lay down to rest, as certain symptoms may show up during this time.
A doctor has urged everyone to stay alert to the signs of heart failure, a serious condition that often goes unnoticed, especially a symptom that could become noticeable while you’re lying in bed.
This life-threatening condition is becoming increasingly common across the UK. Currently, an estimated 920,000 people are living with heart failure, and around 200,000 new cases emerge each year.
The NHS emphasizes that these symptoms may develop either suddenly or gradually over weeks or months. However, regardless of the timeframe, receiving a quick diagnosis can make a critical difference.
What exactly is heart failure?
For those who may not be familiar with it, heart failure happens when the heart, the main powerhouse of the circulatory system, cannot pump blood effectively throughout the body. Typically, this issue occurs because the heart muscle has weakened or become too stiff, leaving it in need of extra support.
This chronic condition often gets progressively worse with time, eventually leading to severe limitations in a person’s daily life. The NHS even warns that it can ultimately be fatal in many cases.
This is why it’s so crucial to recognize the symptoms as early as possible. While heart failure has no cure, appropriate treatment can allow someone to manage their condition and symptoms for many years.
Beyond the immediate effects, heart failure can lead to dangerous complications, including blood clots, irregular heartbeats, organ damage, and even cardiac arrest.
Being aware of the warning signs can give you the advantage of time, which can be incredibly valuable for treatment.
It’s important to know the signs of heart failureGetty Stock Image
The signs and symptoms of heart failure
According to Dr. Rosie Godeseth, people with heart failure report a range of symptoms, but certain signs frequently show up in patients.
One common symptom, which many notice only while lying down, often goes unrecognized. So, paying attention to any unusual feelings when you lay your head on the pillow could be key.
Speaking with The Sun, the cardiologist and Associate Medical Director at Vitality Health noted: “Sometimes people will experience fluid buildup in the lungs which can make it hard to breathe when lying down.”
“If you find yourself having to be propped up on pillows while you sleep or are waking up short of breath, then book an appointment to see a doctor who may recommend undergoing a sleep study or heart function tests.”
Therefore, if you find it hard to breathe comfortably when lying flat and end up needing extra pillows to prop yourself up, it may be a sign that you should see your GP.
If you struggle to breathe when lying flat, you should book an appointment with your GPGetty Stock Image
Look out for swollen ankles and legs
Additionally, be mindful of swelling in the ankles and legs—or even in the thighs, groin, or abdomen—as these could also indicate heart failure.
This swelling, medically known as oedema, results from your heart’s struggle to effectively circulate blood throughout the body, which can cause fluid to build up.
“It’s important to speak to a doctor if swelling persists or is accompanied by other symptoms like dizziness and shortness of breath,” Dr. Godeseth advised.
Other potential indicators of heart failure include a persistent cough, wheezing, and a “bubbling” sensation in the chest.
This cough is often called a “cardiac cough” and generally stems from fluid buildup in the lungs, as explained by the health expert.
The doctor continued: “It’s important to speak to a doctor if you have had a cough for more than three weeks, especially if any mucus produced is pink or blood-tinged.”
A sudden gain in weight can also serve as a warning sign of heart failure, as the body tends to retain extra fluid and salt when the heart isn’t functioning at its best.
Dr. Godeseth elaborated: “When the heart isn’t effectively pumping, it can lead to reduced blood flow in the kidneys. These organs regulate fluid and sodium balance, so they respond to the reduced blood flow by retaining fluid and sodium. This fluid accumulates in the body’s tissues, particularly the lower limbs, abdomen and sometimes even the lungs.”
Fluid retention, known as oedema, is also a common symptom of heart failureNHS
Lifestyle changes are key in avoiding heart failure early on
Dr. Godeseth believes that, because heart failure primarily affects older individuals, many in the UK may feel they don’t need to be concerned. However, she suggests that making significant lifestyle adjustments now can yield substantial health benefits later on.
The doctor emphasized that maintaining a balanced, nutritious diet, staying active, and quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of heart failure.
She added: “It’s really important not to assume heart health is something that should only be considered, or focused on, once you’re older as the actions we make today go a huge way in preventing illness in the future. In fact, 80 percent of heart disease cases and strokes are preventable.”
