BLOG 292 ACAI

BLOG 292 ACAI

Acai berries have become popular with the spread of acai bowls and smoothies available. This dark purple berry comes from Brazil and is considered a “superfruit”. Technically, they’re not a berry because they have a pit like an apricot, so they are from the drupe family. Most times, acai berries are mashed into a purple looking paste and consumed this way. They have a very short shelf life, so we typically can buy them frozen, in pressured juice form, or as a powder.

The nutritional makeup of acai berries is unique compared to other fruits. In 100 grams, there are 70 calories, 4 carbohydrates, 2 grams of sugar, 2 grams of fiber. However, acai berries are a little bit higher in fat compared to other fruits, having 5 grams of fat in 100 grams. They are a good source of antioxidants because they contain anthocyanins. Their deep purple color comes from this, and anthocyanins can be found in other black and purple foods like black beans and blueberries. Anthocyanins have also been found to improve good cholesterol (HDL). Antioxidants are important to repair cellular damage caused by free radicals. Acai berries knock out the park with antioxidants. To measure antioxidant amount in foods, the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) score is used. Acai berries have a very high score of 15,405 compared to other fruits such as blueberries which have a score of 4,669. That’s almost three times higher.

The brain also benefits from eating acai berries because of their high antioxidant levels. Since antioxidants help fight the inflammation and oxidation of brain cells, memory and learning can be positively impacted. Acai helps with the “housekeeping” of the brain called autophagy. This is the process of cleaning out cells that are toxic and not working. As a result, new healthy cells can form.

Besides being a bit higher in fat, the effects of acai sound very promising. However, it’s important to read labels and watch for added sugars when eating acai. The bowls and smoothies can be loaded with other high sugar and carbohydrate containing foods, leaving a false perception of eating “healthy”. We can mislead but the terms “all-natural” and “organic” because they don’t equate to sugar free, fat free, and calorie free. Acai can be one of those healthy foods that are good for you, but not a daily fruit to consume in high amounts.

BLOG 291 JET LAG

BLOG 291 JET LAG

We’ve all been there: you land in a dream destination like Paris or Tokyo, but while the city is waking up for coffee, your brain is convinced it’s 3:00 AM. That "out of body" feeling isn't just travel exhaustion. It is a recognized temporary sleep disorder known scientifically as desynchronosis. Jet lag occurs when your body’s internal circadian rhythm remains synced to your original time zone even when your physical self is thousands of miles away. This throws your internal clock completely out of power.

The primary cause of this disruption is the sudden shift in light exposure. Your brain contains a region called the suprachiasmatic nucleus that relies on light signals from your eyes to dictate when you eat, sleep, and release hormones. When you cross multiple time zones, the sun rises and sets at times your brain doesn't expect. This confuses the production of melatonin. The direction of your travel matters significantly. Flying East is generally much harder on the body than flying West because it is biologically more difficult for the brain to advance its clock than to delay it.

Research suggests that it typically takes one full day of recovery for every single time zone crossed. Because of the difficulty of advancing the internal clock, traveling East can take 50% longer to recover from than traveling West. Between 60% and 90% travelers report experiencing symptoms. Beyond the personal struggle, sleep deprivation and jet lag contribute to billions of dollars in lost productivity within the global economy.

While many view jet lag as a minor problem, but it carries real physiological risks. Beyond simple fatigue, it can cause significant cognitive impairment, leading to reduced alertness, poor memory, and slow reaction times. It also frequently leads to digestive distress, sometimes called gastrointestinal jet lag. Sleep deprivation can weaken your immune system and lead to intense mood swings.

You can outsmart jet lag with a few habits. You can start by pre-adjusting your schedule three days before departure. Move your bedtime one hour closer to your destination's time each night. Once you land, eating an "anchor meal" at the local time can help reset your internal food clock, even if you aren't hungry yet. Seek out bright morning light if you traveled East and late afternoon sun if you traveled West. To keep symptoms from worsening, stay hydrated and avoid the temptation to nap. If you land in the morning, power through until at least 8:00 PM local time to hit the reset button for your brain.

BLOG 290 DUCT TAPE

BLOG 290 DUCT TAPE

Duct tape is the savior of DIY disasters, the superhero of home repairs, and the punchline of countless MacGyver jokes. But how did this sticky miracle worker become the go-to fix-it-all solution?

Believe it or not, duct tape began its journey on the battlefield. During World War II, the U.S. military needed a waterproof, durable tape to seal ammunition cases. In 1942, Johnson & Johnson’s Permacel division developed a fabric-based tape coated in rubber adhesive. Soldiers loved it because it could be ripped by hand, was tough, and kept moisture out. The nickname "duck tape" came to be because of its water-resistant qualities. The word “duck” probably came from the material it was made from cotton duck fabric.

After the war, the tape found its way into the American household. HVAC technicians discovered its usefulness in sealing ductwork, and the name slowly shifted from “duck” to “duct.” Ironically, modern duct tape isn’t great for actual ducts.

Duct tape has so many uses. It has been used for broken car bumpers, ripped upholsteries, cracked phone cases. It can be a quick fix for slip ups with wallets, prom dresses, sculptures, even entire hammocks can be crafted from duct tape. Campers and well-prepared type people pack it for first-aid, tent patching, and even splint-making. NASA has used duct tape on Apollo missions and in the International Space Station

Now a days duct tape comes in every color and pattern. There are glow-in-the-dark versions and heavy-duty types that can lift over 300 pounds.

From the trenches of war to outer space, duct tape is a testament to innovation. We can adapt almost anything when we have it around. It’s funny how oddly satisfying the triumph of sticking things together can be. Whether you’re sealing a vent or putting your car bumper back on, duct tape is always ready to roll.

 

BLOG 289 BURPING

BLOG 289 BURPING

When you eat, food enters the mouth, is swallowed, then travels down the esophagus and into the stomach. Upon arrival, the digestive system uses bacteria, acid, enzymes, and chemicals to help pull nutrients from food to be used for energy. Sometimes as you swallow, you might take in additional air. This can also happen when you have drinks with bubbles such as soda. This air is like a gas in the body and comes back out of the body through the esophagus and then…. BURP. The burp only occurs if the air or gas traveled all the way down the esophagus. Most times it doesn’t make it that far for everyone, but when it does the body wants to release this discomfort.

 Air also likes to make its way into your mouth when you chew gum, eat too quickly, talk while eating, suck on hard candies, or smoke. Drinks like caffeine or alcohol that cause heartburn can also cause burping. High sugar and fiber foods can also cause belching. Some of these include beans, lentils, cauliflower, bananas, raisons, broccoli, and whole wheat bread. Certain medications have side effects that cause burping. Some of these include laxatives, acarbose which is a type 2 diabetes medication, and pain medications like aspirin. One is more prone to burping if they have stomach ulcers, GERD gastroesophogial reflux disease, lactose intolerance, or are unable to absorb fructose or sorbitol.

If belching becomes excessive, seeking treatment from a doctor may be necessary. Most times it is not serious. If you are having stomach discomfort and want to burp to help alleviate this, try laying on your side with your knees to your chest. Be aware when you are eating to quickly, chatting too much while eating, and don’t chew gum or drink beverages that trigger belching for you. Try to sit down and eat slowly.

Burping in public is often times associated with bad manners. Sometimes the sound and small can be very unattractive. It is a natural process, but a behavior that has a bad rap if trying to impress someone. The volume of your burp can be controlled, and you can excuse yourself or turn your head away from your company. It boils down to what you feel is socially acceptable, but always remember your surroundings, the time, and the place, because burping in front of your boss probably isn’t looked upon highly. Burping in private is the better alternative. Sometimes it just happens, so excuse yourself and move on. Keep the air for breathing, not for your stomach to release its gas.