Mediterranean diet 'as good as statins'

Sticking to a Mediterranean diet with plenty of olive oil and nuts is almost as good at reducing the risk of a heart attack as taking statins, say researchers.

They believe a diet of fish, chicken, fruit and vegetables is “better than a drug” because it does not have side effects, while cholesterol-lowering statins can cause problems like muscle cramps.

The academics made their conclusions after conducting a five-year study in Spain.

It compared the effects of three different types of diet on the chance of having a first heart attack or stroke in almost 7,500 people at high risk of cardiovascular disease.

Two of the diets were variations of the Mediterranean diet, one supplemented with nuts and the other with extra-virgin olive oil. The third was a low-fat diet.

None of the approaches was a ‘calorie counting’ diet, although those on the Mediterranean diets were advised to avoid baked foods and pastries which contain artery-clogging hard fats. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9893580/Mediterranean-diet-as-good-as-statins.html 

 

Nahrungsmittel-Skandale: Hauptsache, was mit Fleisch

Der eigentliche Skandal ist nicht, dass jemand Pferd als Rind ausgibt, sondern dass der Verbraucher Betrügereien der Industrie geradezu fördert. Weil er erwartet, dass in einem Großteil der Lebensmittel Fleisch drin ist, das aber nichts kosten darf.

http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/gesellschaft/silke-burmester-ueber-den-skandal-um-das-pferdefleisch-a-883663.html 

Iceland boss says schools are to blame for horsemeat scandal

Cheap food in schools and hospitals is to blame for the horsemeat scandal, the chief executive of Iceland has said, as he admitted he would never eat an economy ready meal. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9875814/Iceland-boss-says-schools-are-to-blame-for-horsemeat-scandal.html 

Apple iPad complaints force cider shop to change name

When the Fisher family set up The Apple Shop to sell their Norfolk-made cider, there was no such thing as an iPad or an iPhone. 

But 20 years after it opened its doors, it is being forced to change its name. So many people call the Wroxham Barns store enquiring about gadgets made by its Californian namesake, that it has decided to ditch the word Apple altogether.

From Easter, The Apple Shop in Wroxham Barns, will be known as The Norfolk Cider Shop instead.

Geoff Fisher, who runs the tiny shop said it received up to 24 calls a week from people wanting The Apple Store to fix broken Apple devices.

“It can be very funny, but some people are very rude and they slam the phone down,” he told the BBC. “All I can say to them is, ‘I’m very sorry, I can’t help you, but please do come along and get some proper Norfolk cider to get over your sorrows’.”

The situation was manageable for many years, but what started off as amusing became a major annoyance after Apple opened a store in nearby Norwich in 2009.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/electronics/9871479/Apple-iPad-complaints-force-cider-shop-to-change-name.html 

Australian Kids Face Birthday Candle Ban to Prevent Spreading Germs

Australian children are to be banned from blowing out candles on birthday cakes under new hygiene regulations that have been slammed by the Australian Medical Association as “bubble-wrapping.”

According to Australia’s Daily Telegraph, the guidelines, set by Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), instruct daycare centers to provide birthday boys and girls with their own individual cupcakes to blow the candles out, to avoid the spread of germs.

http://world.time.com/2013/02/07/australian-kids-face-birthday-candle-ban-to-prevent-spreading-germs/

Drecksdinner: Tokioter Küchenchef zaubert Menü aus Erde

So ein Drecksfraß! Der Kraftausdruck für eine kulinarische Enttäuschung im Restaurant bekommt in Tokio eine neue Bedeutung. Ein Küchenchef kocht hier Erde und kredenzt die mutterbodenschwarze Zutat als Suppe, Gratin oder Sorbet.

Tokio - Eigentlich zaubert Toshio Tanabe in seinem Restaurant in Tokio vor allem französisch inspirierte Fischgerichte auf den Teller. Doch irgendwann kam er auf die Idee, nicht mehr nur den Geschmack des Meeres aufzutischen. Er begann, sich für Mutterböden zu interessieren. Und beschloss, sie in seinen Gerichten zu verarbeiten. 

http://www.spiegel.de/reise/staedte/tokioter-kuechenchef-serviert-sechs-gaenge-menue-aus-erde-a-882787.html