Healthy or unhealthy?
Table of Contents
ToggleA glass of wine, a cup of coffee , meat or a piece of chocolate: With many foods, the amount consumed is decisive for whether the food is healthy or unhealthy for us. In the following, we will introduce you to seven foods in more detail and tell you which amounts are still healthy and from when the respective food can have a negative effect on our body.
Coffee
A good half a liter a day or 166 liters a year – that’s how much coffee every German drank on average in 2020. A hot cup of coffee in the morning gets our circulation going and throughout the day the caffeine contained in coffee helps us to manage minor slumps in performance bridge or counteract headaches . This effect is caused by the improved blood flow in the brain. The intestinal activity is also stimulated by the increased blood flow. Studies also indicate that coffee has a positive effect on heart health and reduces the risk of gallstones.
However, you should not overdo it with coffee consumption, because if caffeine is consumed in large quantities, the active ingredient can also have side effects. These include, for example, tremors, tachycardia and high blood pressure . If you have heart problems, coffee consumption should be discussed with your doctor. Since coffee is an “acid loosener” and promotes the production of gastric juice, high consumption can put a strain on a sensitive stomach.
As a general recommendation, you should not drink more than four cups of normal coffee per day. Pregnant women should drink a maximum of one cup of coffee per day. A cup corresponds to about 150 milliliters.
meat
Long-term studies show that the daily consumption of red meat (beef, lamb and pork) can shorten life expectancy – according to a US study by up to twelve percent. High meat consumption can increase the risk of certain types of cancer or a heart attack. The development of diseases such as osteoporosis, gout and rheumatism is said to be favored by a meat-heavy diet.
Eaten in moderation, however, meat can be healthy because it provides valuable protein and also provides our body with large amounts of iron. The guideline is that 300 to a maximum of 600 grams of meat should be on the menu per week . The focus should be on poultry and not pork or beef. Fish can also be a healthier alternative to meat dishes.
Milch
Milk is a popular food not only for children, but also for many adults . Thanks to the comparatively high calcium content, it is said to strengthen our bones. Milk is also rich in B vitamins, which are essential for our metabolism .
Hardly any other food is as controversial as milk. In a study, Swedish researchers found that the risk of bone fractures can even increase with high milk consumption. However, only women were affected by this effect. This could be related to a component of milk sugar, galactose. This is supposed to trigger inflammatory reactions in the body, which affect both bone formation and the development of tumor cells. Other scientific studies, on the other hand, were unable to establish a corresponding connection or even claim that milk has a preventive effect on certain types of cancer.
With a view to the health effects of milk, it can be said that previous studies have been able to demonstrate both negative and positive effects of milk. In any case, moderate consumption is also recommended here (maximum 250 grams of milk and yoghurt per day ). As an alternative to cow’s milk, however, goat’s or sheep’s milk is already available, as it can be better utilized by the body.
chocolate
Every German consumes around eleven kilograms of chocolate per year. Chocolate releases happiness hormones, so it’s good for the soul and can get us out of any mood slump. But we all know that eating too much of this sweet treat is not healthy: because chocolate consists primarily of sugar and fat. Due to its high calorie content, it can promote the development of obesity and the associated complications.
But if you choose the right variety and enjoy the chocolate in moderation, the sweet treat can even be healthy. Because dark chocolate varieties with a cocoa content of at least 50 percent are rich in secondary plant substances (flavonoids), which increase the elasticity of the vessels. They have a positive effect on our heart health and are intended to prevent diseases such as a heart attack or stroke. So there’s nothing wrong with one, two or three pieces of chocolate a day – but it should stay that way.
Owner
Not only at Easter, but also the rest of the year, eggs are extremely popular with us. Eggs provide our body with valuable protein in particular. In addition, they are also rich in important vitamins and minerals such as iron , potassium and calcium.
Although eggs contain a lot of cholesterol (about 250 milligrams per piece), when consumed normally they do not – as has long been assumed – increase cholesterol levels and thus increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, some studies indicate that sustained high consumption of more than six eggs per week could have negative health effects. In any case, eating two to three eggs a week is considered harmless. However, “hidden” eggs, such as those found in pasta and cakes, must also be taken into account. If egg consumption is increased for a short time, such as at Easter, no negative effects are to be expected.
Is wine healthy?
Alcohol is generally considered unhealthy, but red wine in particular has a reputation for having a positive effect on heart health. The results of various studies seem to indicate that moderate alcohol consumption can actually have a positive effect on cholesterol and blood levels . No differences were found between wine, beer or other spirits. However, due to methodological factors or the small number of participants, the results of the studies are only representative to a limited extent.
In any case, you should not overdo it with alcohol consumption – because too much alcohol can lead to liver damage in the long term. For women and people over 65 years of age, a consumption of around 0.25 liters of beer, 0.125 liters of wine or 0.03 liters of brandy per day is considered tolerable, men under 65 years of age can consume twice the amount. A possible risk of addiction or psychological consequences have not been taken into account in these recommendations, they only refer to physical effects.
Salt
Every German consumes significantly more salt than recommended – namely between eight and ten grams – per day. A daily salt consumption of about five grams is considered healthy . The problem is that we do not know exactly how much salt many foods contain: For example, we absorb large amounts of salt from ready-made pizzas and packet soups, but also from bread and sausage.
Excessive salt consumption can have a negative effect on our blood pressure, which in turn can lead to damage to the kidneys. According to studies , the risk of a stroke also increases significantly with increased salt consumption. Under no circumstances should you give up salt completely, after all, salt is essential for the body’s water and nutrient balance. It is needed for the excitability of nerves and muscles and is an important component of gastric acid.
