A Vital Connection, the Net of Life: Bees and Lynx

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As we stand on the beginning of spring, nature awakens in a burst of life and colour. Bees, the architects of biodiversity, take centre stage in this rebirth. Their tireless work not only nurtures the fabric of wildlife but also sustains the thread of our own existence.

Almond trees, adorned with delicate white and pink flowers, offer one of the first signs of spring. These plants are pollinated by bees and are crucial to produce almonds, a vital resource not only for humans but also for species like the Iberian lynx. Almonds are part of the diet of various small animals, whose existence is critical in the food chain, indirectly impacting the survival of larger predators like the lynx. Without bees, almond pollination would be significantly less effective, jeopardizing the availability of this essential nutrient in the interconnected net of life.

Beekeepers play a fundamental role in maintaining this natural balance. Their dedication and effort in hive maintenance not only protect bees but also ensure the continuity of pollination, a key ecological function. By supporting beekeepers, we sustain the survival of countless species, including our own, and promote the health of our ecosystems.

At the intersection of spring, with its renewal and hope, bees emerge as silent guardians of our world. Their work not only weaves the biodiversity of our planet but also sustains the intricate net of life that encompasses us. By caring for bees and supporting beekeepers, we embrace a future where nature and humanity succeed together.

The Crucial Role of Beekeepers in Protecting Bees and Promoting Sustainability

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Today, I want to share with you a topic that I am passionate about: the importance of honey and bees for our health and the health of the planet.

Recently, I have published an article on my blog where I delve into this topic. I invite you to read it here: [Post].

In this article, I highlight the multiple benefits that honey can provide for our visual health. From reducing dry eyes to helping prevent infections, honey has proven to be a valuable ally in maintaining good visual health.

It is also crucial to remember that behind every jar of honey, there is a small yet powerful insect: the bee. These pollinators are responsible for 80% of plant pollination, thus ensuring the reproduction of many plant species on our planet.

Much has been said about the challenges that bees face and the impact this has on our ecosystem. However, I believe it is important to recognize the fundamental role that beekeepers play in the protection and conservation of bees.

Beekeepers are responsible for caring for and maintaining bee colonies, ensuring their well-being and health. They are the ones who work tirelessly to keep the bees productive and strong, thus guaranteeing plant pollination and honey production.

Furthermore, beekeepers also play a crucial role in the fight against diseases and pests that affect bees. They work closely with scientists and beekeeping experts to develop effective management methods and control techniques that protect bees from these problems.

It is essential that we support and recognize the work of beekeepers. In addition, we must support the education and training of beekeepers, as well as the development of policies and regulations that protect and promote beekeeping locally and globally.

I encourage you to read my full article at [Post] and join the conversation about the importance of bees in the comments. Together, we can make a difference.

Should we take more care of our nervous system?

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Our nervous system is incredibly complex, and requires numerous nutrients for it to remain healthy. This week’s post will talk about the benefits of pork meat for our central nervous system (CNS) and mental health.

Pork meat is highly nutritious and provides key nutrients utilised to maintain cognitive health. For instance, protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and other minerals.

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  • Protein – pork is a complete source of protein. This means it provides amino acids necessary for producing neurotransmitters including serotonin and dopamine, which are responsible for stabilising our mood.
  • Zinc – plays roles in immune function, protein synthesis, cell division and wound healing.
  • Selenium – important for reproduction, thyroid function, DNA synthesis, and protecting the body from oxidative damage and infection.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids – polyunsaturated fatty acids found in pork meat decrease total plasma and LDL cholesterol. Having cholesterol levels in an adequate range allows metabolic pathways in the CNS to remain healthy.

A study conducted in Australia included 689 individuals, and suggested that higher consumption of non-processed meat such as pork meat reduces the risk of central nervous system demyelination*. This is important particularly for the prevention of multiple sclerosis.

*Myelin sheath is a protective layer wrapped around neurons, insulating them and allowing electrical signals to be transferred. Demyelination occurs when myelin is damaged and can lead to various medical conditions, including multiple sclerosis.

Can babies eat yogurt?

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You may already know from my previous posts that yogurt as a dairy product confers numerous health benefits. But, can babies benefit from the positive effects of yogurt?

Around the age of six months, babies are typically introduced to “solid foods”. These are foods other than formula or breastmilk, with a variety of tastes and textures. Yogurt is a great option, as long as you pay close attention to nutrition labels for added sugars and check it comes from a safe source. A serving size is around half a cup.

You may wish to talk to your doctor first if there is a history of dairy allergy or lactose intolerance in your family. In such cases, watching out for any allergic reactions is important. If you notice any signs of an allergic reaction, wait a few days before trying yogurt again to see if the allergy goes away and build up tolerance from there.

Yogurt is rich in protein and calcium, as well as phosphorus and B vitamins.

Calcium is key for the development of strong bones and teeth and protein aids muscle growth. B vitamins are involved in several essential functions in the body, including converting food into energy (metabolism) and creating new blood cells.

Furthermore, yogurt and other fermented foods such as kefir contain live bacteria which are probiotic. Probiotic bacteria help maintain a healthy gut microbiome and may prevent a wide range of health issues in the long term, such as diabetes.

Hope you enjoyed this series of posts!

How many eggs can we eat a week?

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In the past few decades, there has been a general worry about how many eggs we can or should be eating per week. From my previous posts, you may already know that eggs are highly nutritious and can be a part of a healthy, balanced diet. Also, even though they contain cholesterol, human studies have demonstrated that they do not raise blood cholesterol.

Knowing this… How many eggs can we eat a week?

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A meta-analysis including over 1 million participants has shown that egg consumption is not correlated with cardiovascular disease. However, the authors did not propose a weekly ‘healthy’ quantity of eggs. This may be because of the heterogeneity of the studies included.

“More studies are needed to elucidate the safe and beneficial quantity of egg consumption”

👆 From the authors of the Letter: How Many Eggs a Day Keep the Doctor Away?

Other research suggests a total of 7 eggs well spread across a week i.e. 1-2 eggs a day, is a healthy number and is not associated with metabolic disease*. In fact, intake of ≤3 eggs per day favours a less atherogenic cholesterol profile and increases antioxidant concentrations in blood plasma.

*Metabolic disease includes high blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood fat levels, plus weight gain around the waist. Together, they contribute to an increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

It is worth noting, these studies were performed in healthy adults and therefore the results do not consider people with particular pathologies.

Stay tuned for more posts on the benefits of eggs!

Honey for eye health? 👀 

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From some of my previous posts you may already know that honey has numerous health benefits. This post will explore the evidence behind honey for good eyesight.

Eyesight is an incredibly important sense which unfortunately worsens with age. Honey is known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which have the potential to help in several eye conditions.

High-quality honey such as locally sourced, honeycomb or Manuka honey has been researched for eye health improvement.

In a double-blind clinical trial with 60 volunteers, saline drops containing honey were applied to treat keratoconjunctivitis (inflammation of the cornea). The results indicated that topical honey eye drops may be an adequate treatment of this inflammation due to dryness.

In animal models, honey’s antimicrobial properties have demonstrated that they may accelerate the healing of corneal ulcers (abrasions in the outer layer of the eye). Although, more human trials are needed to confirm this effect.

All in all, evidence supports the role of honey in several eye conditions.

Stay tuned for more posts on the benefits of honey!

Myth busting: Does chicken contain hormones?

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For many years, it has been rumored that chicken may contain hormones and eating large quantities of it should be avoided. But what is the real evidence behind this, if any?

Chicken is an incredibly versatile food for cooking recipes such as this one ☝️.

A survey in the U.S. indicated that almost 80% of Americans believe that chickens are given hormones and steroids to make them grow faster and bigger. In reality, NO CHICKEN SOLD OR RAISED IN THE U.S., AUSTRALIA OR EUROPE IS GIVEN HORMONES OR STEROIDS. Unfortunately, most people don’t have first-hand experience of life in farms and therefore there are many common misconceptions such as this one.

Hormones and steroids have been banned in poultry since the 1950s.

These days, chickens are bigger and may grow faster thanks to proper care from veterinarians, good breeding, better living conditions and the best nutrition.

Stay posted for more myth-busting posts!

A glass of milk before bedtime…

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We have all heard at least once in our lives: “have a glass of warm milk before bed, it will help you sleep”. Does it really work though? What is the evidence behind this advice?

Well, for those of you who like milk or have trouble sleeping, keep reading…

Sleep is essential for good health and development. The average adult should sleep 7+ hours each night, but research shows up to one third of us do not.

Milk (and other dairy products) contain tryptophan, an amino acid that plays a key role in the production of serotonin and melatonin (also known as the sleep hormone).

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that impacts mood, cognitive reasoning and memory. Melatonin is a hormone released by your body in response to darkness, in order to help you feel like sleeping at night.

Studies have suggested that consuming milk before bed promotes less restless sleep in both young and old populations, although the mechanisms remain unclear. There is a body of evidence emerging that supports the association between vitamin and mineral deficiencies and disrupted sleep. Hence, milk being nutrient-rich would improve serum concentrations of low vitamins and minerals.

There may also be a psychological element when drinking warm milk. Experts say it could subconsciously remind you of having milk at bedtime during your early childhood years. There’s no research comparing the effects of hot versus cold milk before bed, although warm beverages generally have more of a calming effect than cold ones. More well-designed human studies are needed to confirm this benefit of milk.

Therefore, a glass of milk before bedtime may be a simple home remedy to improve sleep quality.

Are eggs and egg-derived foods safe to eat?

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Eggs confer numerous health benefits thanks to their nutritious value. However, in the past, eggs have worried consumers for their supposed risk of foodborne illness, such as salmonella.

What is salmonella?

Salmonella is a bacterial agent responsible for the disease salmonellosis. It is found in the intestine of a wide range of domestic and wild animals and, as a result, some foods may be a potential source of infection.

This short video by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) explains how salmonella has decreased drastically.

In the last few years, salmonellosis cases in humans have reduced by over 50%, mainly thanks to control programmes and monitorisation, particularly of laying hens. Moreover, strict vaccination in farms against Salmonella enteritidis (the full name of the organism!) has helped in the fight against salmonella.

Additionally, with basic kitchen hygiene and by cooking foods (such as eggs) properly, the risk of salmonellosis reduces to next to 0%.

Annual reports are conducted to keep track of the improvement of salmonellosis cases and stricter targets are regularly set.

Biosafety measures in hen farms, vaccination of hens against S. enteritidis and hygiene in food processing have radically reduced the presence of this disease in our society.

So, can we confidently say that Salmonella is a thing of the past?

With the right prevention measures in place, the answer is certainly yes.

Does honey improve sleep?

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Does the famous ‘milk with honey‘ remedy before sleep actually help improve sleep quality? Other people prefer camomile tea with honey. Either way, this post will talk through the evidence of these common homemade tricks.

Inappropriate sleep quality can lead to numerous health consequences, such as high blood pressure and depression. Worst of all, it shortens life expectancy.

Honey is a dense source of energy that is rapidly digestible. During sleep, the brain typically utilizes liver glycogen stores to provide continuous and adequate energy; foods that promote liver glycogen storage before sleep may ensure availability of this energy source and therefore lead to better sleep.

Additionally, honey may promote melatonin formation due to its possible tryptophan* content (a precursor to melatonin) that both helps to initiate sleep as well as promote release of hormones that facilitate whole body recovery during sleep.

*Tryptophan is an amino acid that is turned into niacin, which creates serotonin, which (we’re getting there!) produces melatonin, an essential hormone for sleep.

A clinical trial with 68 hospitalised patients demonstrated that a milk-honey mixture improved the sleep quality of patients. However, the effect seen in this study cannot be attributed to honey alone, as milk may also have aided sleep.

Another mechanism via which honey may help improve sleep quality is by reducing nocturnal cough. From my previous post on how honey helps reduce common cough, you may already know that having honey before bed may help both children and their parents fall asleep easier.

Additionally, one more benefit of honey is that it’s an affordable food product, and therefore it can easily be used daily.

Stay posted for upcoming evidence on the benefits of milk for sleep!

Live well, sleep well!