Soak your potatoes
Soaking potatoes in water before frying cuts down on formation of the suspected carcinogen acrylamide, a British study shows. Acrylamide is created when starch-rich foods are cooked at high temperatures. The researchers tried three approaches with french fries: simple washing, soaking 30 minutes and soaking two hours. This reduced levels by 23 percent, 38 percent and 48 percent respectively but only when cooked to a light color.
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Analyzing aromatherapy
Researchers at Ohio State University report that two of the most commonly used scents in aromatherapy do nothing to heal wounds. While lemon oil showed a clear mood enhancement, lavender oil did not, the researchers said. Neither smell had any positive impact on any of the biochemical markers for stress, pain control or wound healing.
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Dental erosion on rise
A University of Texas researcher finds that a destructive phenomenon called dental erosion, in which teeth lose protective enamel, is rising in the United States. Dental erosion is caused by acids found in products that are being more widely consumed than ever in this country, including soft drinks, some fruit juices, sports drinks and herbal teas.
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Exercise slows aging
Regular exercise doesn’t stop the clock on aging, but it seems to slow it down. Evidence is mounting that exercise provides benefits to help people look and feel younger, according to the March issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource. Exercise provides energy, encourages well-being, takes off pounds, promotes firm bodies, boosts immunity, improves mental function and boosts life expectancy.
