Six Health And Beauty Benefits Of Red Wine

Brace yourself. The facts are out and the jury is in: wine is good for more than just your taste buds —a lot more! Drinking your favorite wines can benefit your health and beauty in the following ways:

1. Red Wine = Sleep

Red wine contains melatonin which helps with sleep. Well rested bodies shine the best. So slumber on, betches!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2. Antioxidants, Baby

The antioxidants found in red wine work to protect your skin from aging. So slurp that wine and wrinkles be gone.

3. Blushing

A few drops of red wine on each cheek will give you rosy pink cheeks perfect for a night on the town! Just don’t forget to blend.

4. Acne Repellent

Red wine is full of antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Applying red wine to your face will fight acne, as well as prevent outbreaks. It’s hard to waste wine on your skin —we know! But, the results will be so worth it!

5. Lather, Rinse, and Wine

Next time you hop in the shower use your shampoo and conditioner like usual, and then use red wine as a final rinse. I know more red going down the drain is depressing, but bear with us… Your hair will look lustrous and healthy as ever!

6. Just Half a Glass

A daily half glass of red wine increases circulation to the scalp. This prevents dryness, dandruff and itchiness. What better reason is there to cheers?

Basically there is now more proof than ever that we deserve to bath in tubs of red wine like the goddesses we are!

This article is from IloveWine, an organization that aspires to share insight and experiences with wine lovers of all kinds.

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Pumped Breast Milk May Cause Asthma For Babies – Research

Researchers have said that indirect breastfeeding, using pumps to extract milk from the breasts, could expose babies to potential pathogens that increase the risk of asthma and other respiratory infections. 

According to the findings of a new study published in the journal ‘Cell Host & Microbe’, the milk microbiota was affected by bacteria both from the infant’s mouth and from environmental sources such as breast pumps.

The study showed that using pumped milk was associated with the depletion of oral bacteria and a higher abundance of potential pathogens compared with direct breastfeeding at the breast.

A breast pump is a mechanical device that lactating women use to extract milk from their breasts. Many mothers use these breast pumps to continue breastfeeding after they return to work. It is also used to address a range of challenges parents may encounter breast feeding. 

A researcher at the University of Manitoba in Canada, Meghan Azad, said: “To our knowledge, this is among the largest studies of human milk microbiota performed to date. 

“This study considerably expands our understanding of the human milk microbiota and the factors that might influence it. The results will inspire new research about breastfeeding and human milk, especially related to pumping,” said Azad.

The researchers carried out bacterial gene sequencing on milk samples from 393 healthy mothers, three to four months after giving birth. Using this information, they examined how the milk microbiota composition was affected by maternal factors, early life events, breastfeeding practices, and other milk components and found that indirect breastfeeding was associated with a higher abundance of potential opportunistic pathogens, such as Stenotrophomonas and Pseudomonadaceae. 

Similarly, increased exposure to potential pathogens in breast milk could pose a risk of respiratory infection in the infant, potentially explaining why infants fed on pumped milk were at increased risk for paediatric asthma compared to those fed exclusively at the breast.

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Acne Scars: Causes And Treatment

Are you one of those haunted by the fear of acne? The following article, sent in by Penelope Andersan gives deep insights into the nature of acne and how to bring it under control. 

As if breakouts weren't bad enough, acne scars can haunt you your entire life. We spoke to West Hollywood plastic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai, MD to get his expert advice on the best ways to treat them and leave acne in your past.

Acne scars and marks come in many forms, but the one thing they have in common is that they are long-lasting. Fortunately, most acne scars and marks can be effectively treated with some TLC and a little help from your doctor. We spoke to West Hollywood plastic surgeon Dr. Roger Tsai, MD to get his expert advice on the best ways to treat them and leave acne in your past.

What Causes Acne Scars and Marks?

Simply put, acne scars and marks are caused by pimples that did not heal properly, whether from picking, popping or not treating them properly. Remember how your mom told you to not pick your zits? Now you know why! However, even followed every rule in the book, you can still find yourself with marks and scarring later on. Genetics play a huge role in acne aftermath, which makes it hard to determine why one person has scars and another person does not. The best way to avoid damage in the future is to take extra precautions when caring for the surface of the skin. Choose a skin care routine that uses doctor recommended products, avoid excess sun exposure and always remember to resist the urge to pick and pop blemishes.

The Difference Between Acne Marks and Scars

Unlike acne scars, acne marks are smooth to the touch and dark marks or pigmentation of the skin. When a pimple is healing, inflammation can produce excess pigmentation which can leave behind a dark spot or stain. While they can look daunting, according to Dr. Tsai, acne marks are much easier to treat than acne scars because there is no collagen damage to the skin. They may not look pretty, but they usually fade away over a few months, depending on the person and the treatment. There are several common and effective treatments available, according to Dr. Tsai.

Sunblock: While sunscreen should be a part of everyone’s daily skin care routine, it is critical for acne sufferers. Excessive sun exposure can worsen pimple breakouts, prolong acne marks, and even make acne marks more prominent by darkening the pigmentation. Wear sunscreen every day, year round, and even inside and on cloudy days. Look for zinc-based products and acne-friendly brands, like COOLA or Farmacy.

Chemical Peels: A treatment designed to improve skin texture, chemical peels work by removing the top layer of skin cells, which increases skin cell turnover. This process helps remove dead skin on the surface of the skin and addresses hyper pigmentation that can be caused by acne flares. There are quite a number of chemical peel products, ranging from at-home to in-clinic and low to high strength, so always consult with a board certified dermatologist on which chemical peel, if any, is right for you and your skin type.

Laser Resurfacing Treatments: “Lasers like an IPL (Intense Pulse Light) are effective in removing darker pigmentation quicker,” Dr. Roger Tsai recommends. Fractional resurfacing lasers, like FRAXEL, and picosecond lasers, like PicoSure, have also been proven to help with skin texture issues including dark marks.

Topical Serums/Creams: One popular topical solution is Vitamin C serum, which uses powerful antioxidants to promote skin healing. Before applying the serum to your face, exfoliate first to aid absorption through the skin. Vitamin C serums have been shown to treat dark acne marks and offer anti-aging benefits to boot. Dr. Tsai also recommends skin exfoliation creams and retinoids, like Tretinoin, and skin brightening products, like Hydroquinone, to help quicken skin turn over for some patients. Retinoids can not only treat dark marks but also have been shown to prevent acne breakouts in the first place. and can be prescribed by a doctor or bought over-the-counter. Retinoid creams can be prescribed by a doctor or bought over the counter, but can be harsh on the skin. When using retinoids, always remember to stay out of the sun and wear sunscreen to prevent further skin damage.

Different Types of Acne Scars and Their Treatments

Acne scars are caused when the healing process replaces skin tissue with fibrous tissue instead. "Acne scars are actual indentations created from scar tissue that has grown into the empty space of the pimple and has created a contour deformity,” says Dr. Tsai. Sometimes the body can respond by producing too much of the fibrous tissue or not enough. When too much tissue is formed, the result is a raised keloid or hypertrophic scar. On the other hand, when not enough tissue is formed, the result is a depression in the skin, known as an atrophic scar. Because scars form for different reasons, there are different treatment protocols for each type. In general, compared to acne marks, acne scars are more permanent and harder to treat, although their appearance can be softened with certain acne treatments.

Ice Pick Scars

An ice pick scar is a type of atrophic or depressed scar that goes very deep into the skin. Like the name implies, ice pick scars resemble a puncture. Because they are so deep in the skin, ice pick scars are often thought to be the hardest of acne scars to correct.

Microneedling or CO2 Laser: When there are multiple ice pick scars, all-over treatments like microneedling or a CO2 Laser are suitable. These treatments work to build collagen and fill the depressions in from the inside out. Like most scar treatments, some can work better than others, depending on the skin tone and skin type.

Dermal Filler: Dermal filler can be an effective acne scar treatment option. Bellafill is commonly used to treat acne scarring and is injected underneath the surface of the scar to fill it out. The semi-permanent filler can last up to 18 months, which means multiple sessions are needed for upkeep.

Punch Excision: Correcting an ice pick scar through punch excision (also known as a punch biopsy or subcision) requires surgically removing or cutting it out. The surgeon will “punch” out the scar to create an opening that will allow extraction of the cyst or pore. After removal, the doctor will either stitch up the hole or use skin grafting (also known as punch grafting), which uses skin from another part of the body to fill the hole.

At-Home Solutions: For less invasive options, chemical peels and tretinoin cream can show improvements as with acne marks.

Boxcar Scars

Like icepick scars, boxcar scars are also atrophic acne scars, but they are different from ice pick scars because of their broader or boxier shape. Since boxcar scars are also a result of insufficient tissue formation, they are treated the same way as ice pick scars.

Microneedling or CO2 Lasers: CO2 lasers and microneedling are recommended to build new collagen and fill the boxcar scar depressions. According to Dr. Roger Tsai, a CO2 laser treatment is better suited for significant contour deformities whereas microneedling is better for mild to moderate skin irregularities.

Dermal Filler: For isolated boxcar scars, injectables like Bellafill can also help.

Rolling Scars

Rolling scars are shallower than ice pick scars and boxcar scars and have more of a “rolling hills" appearance, meaning they don't look like punctures. Treatment includes a combination of microfat injections and microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Microfat Injections: Microfat injections, also known as microfat grafting, works by removing fat from another part of the body and then injected into another site (like the face in the case of rolling scars).

Microneedling: Microneedling stimulates new collagen production by pricking the skin to create tiny wounds. The body then naturally responds by making collagen to kickstart the healing process.

At-Home Solutions: Alternatively, less invasive options include chemical peels and tretinoin cream as with other forms of acne scars and marks.

Penelope Andersan is from the Content Partnerships Team of The AEDITION, an online publication created by new, aesthetic enhancement platform AEDIT. AEDIT is a next-generation, go-to source for anyone looking to continue or begin their medial aesthetic journey.

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Why You Should Drink That Glass Of Red Wine

Have you always considered yourself a white wine drinker? Maybe you only like the sparkling wine with bubbles? But have you ever given the red wine the real chance it deserves? If you haven’t, we have the top 10 reasons you should give red wine a chance.

What exactly is red wine?

You’ve seen the grape stomping and wine vineyards on television and movies, but do you really know how red wine is made? The coloring of any type of wine is created by the skins of the grape used. Red wine is made from the darkest colored grapes in the vineyards. The color variation of the red wines on shelves comes from how long the skins are left in the mixture during the winemaking process and fermentation. You may find a red wine that looks almost blackish in color all the way to bright red in color. The color is also determined by the maturity of the wine – darker colors are older wines and more purple colors are younger wines.

Some red wine grapes are used to make white wines. And you may find that some other types of wine such a Rose are created by mixing red and white wine together.

1. Drinking red wine is better than not drinking it at all!

Some non-wine drinkers (people who clearly aren’t experiencing the real joys of life) believe that drinking wine is simply not good for their bodies. Whether this is a personal decision or a belief that alcohol is damaging to the body, it is absolutely not true in the case of red wine! In fact, studies have shown that the antioxidants found in red wine are great for the body. When you expose your body to these antioxidants, you give yourself protection against diseases such as type 2 diabetes and even death! This sounds like a win-win for everyone.

2. Want the best red wine for your body? Try a younger version.

In the case of wine, many people believe that the older the wine is the better it tastes. You’ve most likely heard that the longer the wine stays in the bottle the better it is. But, when it comes to red wine, you may be surprised to know that younger red wine is actually better for you than old red wine! Why is this? Younger red wines contain higher levels of tannin (a naturally occurring element that gives the wine a dry taste). Look for darker red wines as they are typically ones with higher tannin levels.

3. Red wines contain fewer sulfites than white wines.

Some people believe that sulfur is known for causing those icky red wine headaches that creep up on you the next day. However, this is not true. Those who suffer from sulfur sensitivity usually have other conditions like asthma. Red wines contain fewer sulfite levels, which makes them less likely to degrade quickly.

4. Red wines do not have flavor additives!

If you are concerned about all of the extra additives that come in foods and drinks these days, consider yourself additive free when you choose a red wine! In fact, all of those beautiful and delicious flavors and aromas that come from red wine are natural. These aromas are simply derived from the fermented grapes and the oak barrels the wine is aged in during the winemaking process. There are absolutely no flavor additives. Consider this one of your healthier drink choices.

5. Red wine can boost your brain.

You may not be aware that red wine can actually boost your brain power, but it is true. Red wine contains something called resveratrol, a compound that has been linked to keeping your memory sharp. Drink some red wine, grab a crossword puzzle, and put your brain to work. This could literally be a lifesaver in the future.

6. Keep your blood sugar from skyrocketing.

While some red wines are known for being sweet, red wine is also known for keeping blood sugars under control. What part of the wine actually helps control your blood sugar? The skin of the red grapes is actually the reason that many diabetics find relief in regulating their blood sugar. Because the skin of the red grapes contains resveratrol (a natural compound that helps regulate blood sugar and boost brain power as noted in number 5), your body gets the help it needs in regulating blood sugar levels.

7. Red wine does not affect your waistline like beer does.

Going out for a night on the town may leave you cringing when you realize how much alcohol you actually drank. Why? Because some people equate alcohol with weight gain. Luckily, red wine will not affect your waistline! Studies have shown that women who drink one drink per day actually carried about 10 pounds less than women who didn’t drink red wine at all. Instead of depriving yourself of sweetness while on a diet, allow yourself one glass of red wine per day! This will satisfy your sweet tooth and give you the added health benefits, too.

8. Swirling your wine will release the aromas.

Have you ever wondered why people swirl their red wine glasses before they drink it? This is actually for a very good reason. When a person swirls their red wine glass, they are allowing the aromas to be released from the wine itself.

9. It reduces your stress levels.

Anything that reduces your stress levels is a winner, right? Red wine has actually be proven to reduce stress levels, according to studies. Resveratrol (also known for keeping your brain healthy and your blood sugar low) is great for lowering stress and anxiety levels. This naturally occurring compound comes from the skin of the red grape that red wine is made of. Go ahead and reward yourself with a glass of red wine at dinner each night and watch your stress levels decrease.

10. Improve your sleep quality with red wine.

As if red wine didn’t already have enough amazing benefits, it can also help improve your sleep quality. Red wine contains melatonin, a compound that is known for helping increase sleep quality to allow for longer and more restful nights of sleep. The melatonin comes from the grapes that red wine is made from as well. It is not recommended to drink a glass directly before bed, but drinking a glass a few hours before you lay down may help give you the restfulness you’ve been needing.

Conclusion

Red wine is a tasty treat that many people equate to special occasions or events. However, we just gave you 10 reasons to enjoy a nice glass of red wine every night. With the amazing health benefits and incredible tasting experiences, red wine is sure to bring a smile to your face for many reasons. As always, keep your wine consumption to a reasonable amount and allow your body to fully enjoy the benefits of this natural medicine and healer.

This article is from IloveWine, an organization that aspires to share insight and experiences with wine lovers of all kinds.

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Lower Your Cholesterol With Diets Of Cabbage

Cabbage can provide you with some special cholesterol-lowering benefits if you will cook it by steaming. The fiber-related components in cabbage do a better job of binding together with bile acids in your digestive tract when they've been steamed. When this binding process takes place, it's easier for bile acids to be excreted, and the result is a lowering of your cholesterol levels. Raw cabbage still has cholesterol-lowering ability, just not as much as steamed cabbage. 

Researchers now realize that different types of cabbage (red, green, and Savoy) contain different patterns of glucosinolates. This new knowledge means that your broadest health benefits from cabbage are likely to come from inclusion of all varieties in your diet. Cabbage in general—but also Savoy cabbage in particular—turns out to be an especially good source of sinigrin. Sinigrin is one of the cabbage glucosinolates that has received special attention in cancer prevention research.  

In one recent study, short-cooked and raw cabbage were the only types of cabbage to show cancer-preventive benefits—long-cooked cabbage failed to demonstrate measurable benefits. New research shows that steaming is a better cooking method than microwaving if you want to maximize the health benefits of glucosinolates found in cabbage. That's because two minutes of microwaving destroys the same amount of myrosinase enzymes as seven minutes of steaming, and you need those myrosinase enzymes to help convert cabbage's glucosinolates into cancer-preventive compounds. 

You'll want to include cabbage as one of the cruciferous vegetables you eat on a regular basis if you want to receive the fantastic health benefits provided by the cruciferous vegetable family. At a minimum, include cruciferous vegetables as part of your diet 2-3 times per week, and make the serving size at least 1-1/2 cups. Even better from a health standpoint, enjoy cabbage and other vegetables from the cruciferous vegetable group 4-5 times per week, and increase your serving size to 2 cups. 

While green cabbage is the most commonly eaten variety of cabbage, we highly recommend trying red cabbage because of it added nutritional benefits and its robust hearty flavor. We don't think you will be disappointed. The rich red color of red cabbage reflects it concentration of anthocyanin polyphenols, which contribute to red cabbage containing significantly more protective phytonutrients than green cabbage. 

A recent study showed that a 100 gram (about 3 ounces) serving of raw red cabbage delivers 196.5 milligrams of polyphenols, of which 28.3 milligrams are anthocyanins. Green cabbages yielded much less per 100 grams: 45 milligrams of polyphenols including 0.01 milligram of anthocyanins. The vitamin C equivalent, a measure of antioxidant capacity, of red cabbage is also six to eight times higher than that of green cabbage. Red cabbage is one of the most nutritious and best tasting vegetables around — a great addition to your Healthiest Way of Eating. 

Cancer prevention tops all other areas of health research with regard to cabbage and its outstanding benefits. More than 475 studies have examined the role of this cruciferous vegetable in cancer prevention (and in some cases, cancer treatment). The uniqueness of cabbage in cancer prevention is due to the three different types of nutrient richness found in this widely enjoyed food. The three types are (1) antioxidant richness, (2) anti-inflammatory richness, and (3) richness in glucosinolates. 

Cabbage ranked in wellness Foods rating system as an excellent source of vitamin C and a very good source of manganese. But in terms of antioxidants in the newer, phytonutrient category, cabbage is impressive, even among cruciferous vegetables. Polyphenols rank at the top of the list for phytonutrient antioxidants in cabbage. In fact, one group of researchers has described polyphenols as the primary factor in cabbage's overall antioxidant capacity.

Even white cabbage (a very lightly-colored form of green cabbage and the most commonly eaten variety of cabbage in the U.S.) provides about 50 milligrams of polyphenols in a half-cup serving. Red cabbage is even more unique among the cruciferous vegetables in providing about 30 milligrams of the red pigment polyphenols called anthocyanins in each half cup. (These anthocyanins qualify not only as antioxidant nutrients, but as anti-inflammatory nutrients as well.) 

Long-established in health research is the role of cabbage juice in helping heal stomach ulcers (called peptic ulcers), but more recent studies on cabbage have looked at the overall health benefits of this food for the stomach and digestive tract as a whole. Present-day studies make it clear that cabbage contains a variety of nutrients of potential benefit to our stomach and intestinal linings. These nutrients include glucosinolates (and the anti-inflammatory isothiocyanates or ITCs made from them), antioxidant polyphenols, and the amino acid-like substance called glutamine.

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Malaria: Scientists Discover New Method Of Curbing Mosquitoes

Scientists have sequenced the DNA from one tiny mosquito for the first time, heralding an “enormous breakthrough” in the fight against malaria. The procedure used DNA from just one mosquito, which has not previously been possible because of how small the insects are.

Traditional DNA models are taken from a patchwork of dozens of mosquitoes.

The advance will enable scientists to create a full, high quality picture of its genetic sequence, allowing researchers to study how the insects spread disease, adapt to insecticides and reproduce.

This could have significant implications  in the stalling battle to eradicate malaria, which still kills roughly 435,000 people each year. The World Health Organization estimated there were 219 million cases of the disease in 2017, rising from 216 million the year before.

The new genetic sequencing technology will give researchers a better understanding of the mosquitoes themselves, said Dr Mara Lawniczak, evolutionary genetics expert at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and co-lead author of the report published in Genes journal.

“I think this is an enormous breakthrough, as it allows us to really see a complete picture of the mosquito genome. This is really important for vector and malaria control, as it allows us to study whole mosquitoes. Right now, we are restricted by the quality of the reference we have, but this gives us a more complete picture of the genome.

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“This is really important for understanding whether to use gene drives or insecticides in future,” Dr Lawniczak added. “For instance we can see how mosquito populations behave and intermingle, and how they develop resistance or reproduce.”

Insecticide resistance is an increasing problem in the battle against malaria but the new genome could help scientists understand how resistance spreads among the insect population.
 
It could also help scientists working on gene drives, which involve modifying the genetic code of a mosquito to reduce malaria transmission.

The technology behind the genome process, developed by a team from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Pacific Biosciences, is a notable advance.

Instead of years, the new genome took just a couple of weeks to create and cost less than £2,500.

“It’s a remarkable advance to complete a genome so quickly,” said Dr Lawniczak. “The genome is also of higher quality, so we’re winning on multiple fronts.

"The advancement in sequencing technology is vital to decoding the genomes of a huge number of species in the tree of live, giving us greater power to completely understand genetic diversity.

"And (the technology) will only get better as technology is moving so rapidly - it’s a really exciting time to be involved.”

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