This is a bitter pill to swallow. Many cocoa products in the US contain concerning levels of toxic heavy metals, a new study from George Washington University warns. Many cocoa products in the US contain worrisome levels of lead and cadmium, a new study from George Washington University warns. Picture Partners – stock.adobe.com Researchers analyzed 72 cocoa-based foods — including dark chocolate, often praised as a heart-healthy treat — over eight years. They found that 43% of the products contained an amount of lead that tops recommendations, while 35% exceeded cadmium limits. Surprisingly, organic-labeled products had higher levels of lead and cadmium than non-organic products, the researchers said. Contamination can come from soil or occur during manufacturing. A single serving of these cocoa items may not pose significant health risks, but several servings might. Leigh Frame, director of integrative medicine at GW, led the testing of 72 cocoa-based products. The George Washingto...
Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps
Ozempic tongue? How the drug can change some women's ability to taste
Semaglutide — a popular weekly injection used for diabetes and weight loss — changes the taste sensitivity, the taste perception, and the brain’s response to sweet tastes in women with obesity, new research presented Saturday finds.
“People with obesity often perceive tastes less ‘intensely,’ and they have an inherently elevated desire for sweet and energy-dense food,” explained Mojca Jensterle Sever, of the University Medical Centre in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Semaglutide changes the taste sensitivity, the taste perception, and the brain’s response to sweet tastes in women with obesity, new research presented Saturday finds. doucefleur – stock.adobe.com
For their study, Jensterle Sever and her colleagues gave 30 obese women 1 milligram of semaglutide or a placebo and followed them for 16 weeks.
Semaglutide — sold under brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy — reduces appetite and lowers the desire for energy-dense, salty, and spicy foods, the researchers said.
Semaglutide — sold under brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy — reduces appetite and lowers the desire for energy-dense, salty, and spicy foods, the researchers said. REUTERS
Taste sensitivity was measured with strips containing different concentrations of four basic tastes.
An MRI assessed the participants’ brain responses as a sweet solution was dripped onto their tongues before and after they ate a meal. A tongue biopsy was also performed to analyze genes associated with taste.
Those who took the semaglutide saw improved taste sensitivity and experienced changes in their taste perception and brain activity in response to the sweet tastes.
Some have taken to TikTok to complain about changes in taste after taking the drug. “It literally kills my taste buds every week,” one woman griped.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, more than 0.4% of Ozempic users have reported developing dysgeusia — a condition that makes foods taste metallic, sweet, sour, or bitter. Europa Press via Getty Images
Jensterle Sever, meanwhile, noted some limitations to her research, which was presented at ENDO 2024, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting, in Boston.
“This proof-of-concept study assessed only a specific taste in a study environment, which may not reflect everyday experience,” Jensterle Sever said. “Taste perception can vary significantly from person to person, limiting the generalizability of our results.”
Still, she’s hopeful the findings could help pave the way for understanding and potentially adjusting taste preferences in people with obesity.
In our fast-paced modern world, having the ability to calm the mind is invaluable. By learning to control the breath and withdraw the senses with the practice of Tummo breathing you can tap into an inner stillness. Those who regularly practice Tummo often report feeling more centered, present, and in tune with themselves. Also known as “Inner Fire” meditation, Tummo helps ignite inner “heat,” burning away mental fog while energizing both body and mind. Our contributor Bayu Prihandito, Life Coach, and RYT 200 Yoga Teacher, says, “What we call the “inner fire” Tummo meditation, is known to increase mental clarity, focus, and reduce stress. With practice and patience, you can experience a heightened sense of peace from the ability to manage your emotions more effectively.” With roots tracing back centuries in Tibetan Buddhism, Tummo uses focused breathing and visualization to unlock deep states of relaxation and mental clarity. This Tibetan meditation technique is...
This is a bitter pill to swallow. Many cocoa products in the US contain concerning levels of toxic heavy metals, a new study from George Washington University warns. Many cocoa products in the US contain worrisome levels of lead and cadmium, a new study from George Washington University warns. Picture Partners – stock.adobe.com Researchers analyzed 72 cocoa-based foods — including dark chocolate, often praised as a heart-healthy treat — over eight years. They found that 43% of the products contained an amount of lead that tops recommendations, while 35% exceeded cadmium limits. Surprisingly, organic-labeled products had higher levels of lead and cadmium than non-organic products, the researchers said. Contamination can come from soil or occur during manufacturing. A single serving of these cocoa items may not pose significant health risks, but several servings might. Leigh Frame, director of integrative medicine at GW, led the testing of 72 cocoa-based products. The George Washingto...
English actor, Hugh Bonneville, is best known for his character as Robert Crawley in the hit period-drama called Downton Abbey . During one of his interviews with BBC One TV in August 2020, his fans were confused and created a controversy on social media as the star looked “unrecognizable” and had lost a lot of body weight. So, what led to this incredible Hugh Bonneville weight loss? From his diet plan and workout routine to other secrets — find everything you need to know about how he lost 16 pounds and slimmed down during the pandemic. Who Is Hugh Bonneville? Born on 10th November 1963 in Paddington (London, United Kingdom), Hugh Bonneville is a renowned and classically trained English actor who is renowned for his role as Robert Crawley, 7th Earl of Grantham, in the popular TV series named Downton Abbey . His performance and acting skills in this period drama got him several nominations such as one Golden Globe nomination, two Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and three Screen...
Comments
Post a Comment