and fruits but they will also munch on eggs small insects caterpillars small animals and even young snakes.
Recreating old wine from lost grapes Based on the fabric of the clay jars the researchers said the wine came from the local region
what kind of grapes were used which may interest not only archaeologists but also current wine producers. The Islamic conquest of the 7th century put an end to much of the region's wine culture.
It wasn't until the 19th century that Upper Galilee's vineyards experienced a revival largely thanks to Baron Edmond de Rothschild who imported grapes from Bordeaux France that still form the basis of much of Israel's wine culture today Koh said.
But these grapes are perhaps not the best varieties for the region's climate. It's fascinating that grapes originally came from this general region
but in Israel they're growing grapes that over many centuries have acclimated to the Atlantic coast of France said Koh.
So if we can get DNA from our wine cellar we'll have this genetic blueprint of presumably wine that for centuries was suited best to grow in the land we call Israel today.
and feral grapes in the region that might have been cultivated in antiquity and somehow survived into the present Koh said.
Hops are small green conelike fruits from a vine plant that provide flavor. When yeast is added to the mix it eats up all the sugar in the wort and spits out carbon dioxide and alcohol as waste products.
Many people think that monkeys just eat bananas but that isn't true. Monkeys are omnivores.
Most monkeys eat nuts fruits seeds and flowers. Some monkeys also eat meat in the form of bird's eggs small lizards insects and spiders.
Proboscis monkeys only eat unripe fruit. This is because the sugars in ripe fruit ferment. The fermentation causes bloating in the stomach that can kill them.
According to NASA the first living creature in space was named a rhesus monkey Albert I. His launch took place in White sands New mexico on June 11 1948.
Farmer Jonathan Yazzie said he used to grow corn squash zucchini chiles and cantaloupe in northeast Arizona.
and grape-based products must be made by a Jewish producer. Follow Life's Little Mysteries on Twitter@llmysteries. We're also on Facebook & Google+g
#Avocados: Health Benefits, Risks & Nutrition Facts Rich creamy and flavorful avocados are a versatile fruit that add heft and health to many dishes.
While avocados have a high fat content they are packed also with nutrients and are a great way to add healthy fat to your diet.
Healthy fat sometimes called monounsaturated fat in the form of oleic acid accounts for about three-quarters of the calories in an avocado.
Monounsaturated fats can help lower cholesterol and improve heart health. Avocados also have a higher percentage of protein about 4 grams than other fruits.
Their sugar levels are also comparatively low. Avocados contain many essential vitamins and minerals. They are a good source of vitamins K B9 B6 B5 C
and E. They are also high in magnesium phosphorus iron and potassium containing even more potassium per gram than bananas.
Additionally avocados are a good source of fiber which aids digestion and helps keep you regular.
Fresh avocados contain important carotenoid antioxidants lycopene and beta-carotene the highest concentration of which is located in the dark green flesh closest to the peel.
Related: Could an Avocado a Day Keep the Doctor Away? Here are the nutrition facts for avocados according to the U s. Food and Drug Administration
which regulates food labeling through the National Labeling and Education Act: Nutrition Facts Serving size:
1/5 medium California (1. 1 oz/30 g) Calories 50 Calories from Fat 35*Percent Daily Values(%DV) are based on a 2000
calorie diet. Heart Avocados amounts of Vitamin e glutathione and monounsaturated fat all help to keep your heart healthy.
Eating avocados may also lower the risk of heart disease. High levels of homocysteine is associated with a higher risk of heart disease
but the Vitamin b6 and the folic acid found in avocados can help regulate it. One seven-year study published in 2013 found that avocados were associated with a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome
which refers to a group of symptoms shown to increase the risk of stroke coronary artery disease and diabetes.
Anti-inflammatory agent There are five ways that avocados act as anti-inflammatory agents which can reduce the risk of inflammatory and degenerative disorders such osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Avocados phytosterols carotenoid antioxidants other antioxidants omega-3 fatty acids and polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols are associated all with preventing
and reducing inflammation. Lowering cholesterol Avocados may not only help lower bad cholesterol but they may also increase levels of good cholesterol.
One 1996 study found that patients with mild hypercholesterolemia who incorporated avocados into their diet for one week had a 22 percent decrease in bad cholesterol and triglycerides and an 11 percent increase in good cholesterol.
Avocados also improved cholesterol for people that already had good lipid levels but were shown to be especially effective in those with mild cholesterol problems Avocados can help in this way because of their high amount of the beta-sitosterol compound
which is associated with lowering cholesterol. Regulating blood sugar This is another way that avocados high fat content is good for you.
The monounsaturated fats can help stop insulin resistance which helps to regulate blood sugar levels. Furthermore the soluble fiber in avocados can help keep blood sugar levels steady
and the low carb and sugar levels in avocados help maintain blood sugar in comparison to other fruits.
Regulating blood pressure Avocados high levels of potassium can help keep your blood pressure under control. Potassium is a mineral electrolyte that keeps electricity flowing throughout your body
which is required to keep your heart beating in the proper way which helps maintain a healthy blood pressure.
Vision Avocados are an excellent source of the carotenoid lutein which reduces the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.
Immune system Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight free radicals promoting immune system and nervous system health.
Avocados are a good source of this substance. Pregnancy and preventing birth defects Avocados are full of folic acid providing about 23 percent of the recommended daily value.
Folic acid is essential to preventing birth defects like spina bifida and neural tube defect. Cancer The phytochemicals in avocados may help prevent certain cancers especially prostate mouth and skin cancers.
The oleic acid in avocados may help prevent breast cancer. Excessive inflammation is a cancer risk so avocados anti-inflammatory properties can help with that.
Furthermore a 2007 study found that the phytochemicals in avocados encourage cancer cells to stop growing and die.
Digestion and curing bad breath The fiber in avocados helps keep your digestion on track encouraging regular bowel movements.
It also cleanses the intestine which is a cause of bad breath and coated tongue.
The Vitamin c in avocados also helps keep your intestinal tract strong and healthy by promoting collagen growth.
Skin The Vitamin c and Vitamin e in avocados helps keep your skin nourished and glowing. Avocados are used commonly to help treat psoriasis.
As with many other fruits avocados primary risks are related to overconsumption. Because of their high fat and caloric levels (about 200 calories per 100 grams) eating too many avocados can lead to weight gain.
They are also quite filling meaning that eating too many avocados may not leave you enough room to get other essential nutrients such as protein.
Additionally avocado allergies while uncommon do exist. Symptoms include a stuffy nose wheezing coughing and edema.
If you experience any of these symptoms after eating an avocado try cutting the fruit out of your diet to see
if the symptoms disappear. If they persist or are severe consult a doctor t
#Catching Hyenas on Camera (Op-Ed) This article was published originally at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Live Science's Expert Voices:
Op-Ed & Insights. I spent a few years in South africa searching for the elusive brown hyaena.
and are sticky such as fruit snacks and fruit rollups gummy bears and even raisins. These foods stick in between the child s back teeth
Some examples of foods that contain these fats are salmon trout herring avocados olives walnuts and liquid vegetable oils such as soybean corn safflower canola olive and sunflower.
#Bananas: Health Benefits, Risks & Nutrition Facts Bananas are among the most widely consumed fruits on the planet and according to the U s. Department of agriculture Americans'favorite fresh fruit.
The curvy yellow fruits are high in potassium and pectin a form of fiber said Laura Flores a San diego-based nutritionist.
They can also be a good way to get magnesium and vitamins C and B6.
Bananas are high in antioxidants which can provide protection from free radicals which we come into contact with every day from the sunlight to the lotion you put on your skin Flores added.
Flores reported a wide variety of health benefits associated with the fruit. Bananas are known to reduce swelling protect against developing type-2 diabetes aid in weight loss strengthen the nervous system
and help with production of white blood cells all due to the high level of Vitamin b6 that bananas contain she told Live Science.
Here are the nutrition facts for bananas according to the U s. Food and Drug Administration which regulates food labeling through the National Labeling and Education Act:
Nutrition Facts Serving size: 1 medium banana (4. 5 oz/126 g) Calories 110 Calories from Fat 0*Percent Daily Values(%DV) are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Heart health Bananas are good for your heart. They are packed with potassium a mineral electrolyte that keeps electricity flowing throughout your body
which is required to keep your heart beating. Bananas'high potassium and low sodium content may also help protect your cardiovascular system against high blood pressure according to the FDA.
Bananas can be helpful in overcoming depression due to high levels of tryptophan which the body converts to serotonin the mood-elevating brain neurotransmitter Flores said.
Plus Vitamin b6 can help you sleep well and magnesium helps to relax muscles. Bananas are high in fiber
which can help keep you regular. One banana can provide nearly 10 percent of your daily fiber requirement.
Vitamin b6 can also help protect against type 2 diabetes and aid in weight loss according to Flores.
In general bananas are a great weight loss food because they taste sweet and are filling
but bananas do their share as well. The fruits contain a small but significant amount of Vitamin a
which is essential for protecting your eyes maintaining normal vision and improving vision at night according to the National institutes of health.
Like other fruits bananas can help prevent macular degeneration an incurable condition which blurs central vision.
Bananas may not be overflowing with calcium but they are still helpful in keeping bones strong. According to a 2009 article in the Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry bananas contain an abundance of fructooligosaccharides.
These are nondigestive carbohydrates that encourage digestive-friendly priobotics and enhance the body's ability to absorb calcium.
Some evidence suggests that moderate consumption of bananas may be protective against kidney cancer. A 2005 Swedish study found that women who ate more than 75 servings of fruits
and vegetables cut their risk of kidney cancer by 40 percent and that bananas were especially effective.
Women eating four to six bananas a week halved their risk of developing kidney cancer.
Bananas may be helpful in preventing kidney cancer because of their high levels of antioxidant phenolic compounds.
Eaten in moderation there are no significant side effects associated with eating bananas. However eating the fruits in excess may trigger headaches
and sleepiness Flores said. She said that such headaches are caused by the amino acids in bananas that dilate blood vessels.
Overripe bananas contain more of these amino acids than other bananas. Bananas can also contribute to sleepiness
when eaten in excess due to the high amount of tryptophan found in them she said.
Magnesium also relaxes the muscles another sometimes-benefit sometimes-risk. Bananas are a sugary fruit
so eating too many and not maintaining proper dental hygiene practices can lead to tooth decay.
They also do not contain enough fat or protein to be a healthy meal on their own or an effective post-workout snack.
Eating bananas becomes significantly risky only if you eat too many. The USDA recommends that adults eat about two cups of fruit a day or about two bananas.
If you eat dozens of bananas every day there may be a risk of excessively high vitamin and mineral levels.
The University of Maryland Medical center reported that potassium overconsumption can lead to hyperkalemia which is characterized by muscle weakness temporary paralysis and an irregular heartbeat.
but you would have to eat about 43 bananas in a short time for any symptoms of hyperkalemia to occur.
You would have to eat thousands of bananas to reach that level of Vitamin b6. It turns out that the biggest risk from a banana peel might really be slipping on it.
Banana peels are not poisonous. In fact they're edible and packed with nutrients. Banana peel is eaten in many parts of the world
though it's not very common in the west Flores said. It contains high amounts of Vitamin b6 and B12 as well as magnesium and potassium.
It also contains some fiber and protein According to a 2011 article in the journal of Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology banana peels also have various bioactive compounds like polyphenols carotenoids and others.
It is important to carefully wash a banana peel before eating it due to the pesticides that may be sprayed in banana groves.
Banana peels are served usually cooked boiled or fried in some capacity though they can be eaten raw
or put in a blender with other fruits. They are not as sweet as banana flesh.
Riper peels will be sweeter than unripe ones. e
#Sophisticated 600-Year-Old Canoe Discovered in New zealand Sophisticated oceangoing canoes and favorable winds may have helped early human settlers colonize New zealand a pair of new studies shows.
The remote archipelagos of East Polynesia were among the last habitable places On earth that humans were able to colonize.
In New zealand human history only began around 1200-1300 when intrepid voyagers arrived by boat through several journeys over some generations.
what people think said Marian Bartlett cofounder and lead scientist at Emotient. The company's software called Facet can reconnect those dots by accurately reading the emotions registering on a person's face in a single photograph or video frame.
Even when somebody wants to keep a neutral face you get microexpressions Bartlett told Livescience.
In the case of smiling but not with your eyes Bartlett explained that when people smile sincerely a muscle called the orbicularis oculi also known as the crow's feet muscle contracts creating the wrinkles at the eyes'edge that are called sometimes crow's feet.
As a research professor at the University of California San diego's Machine Perception Lab Bartlett has been studying the use of facial recognition software to help people with autism for several years. 5 Controversial Mental health Treatments
Using an earlier version of Facet's software for example Bartlett and her colleagues created a game in
Facial-expression recognition and facial-movement recognition are intertwined very closely said Bartlett. That's the way the brain works.
and creates a sort of emotional memory Bartlett added. If you move your face into a happy configuration you tend to feel happier Bartlett said.
People can manipulate this by putting a pencil in their mouth: It makes you smile
We're staying away from deception applications said Bartlett. It's easy to speculate on how software that can recognize the emotions behind human facial expressions
Instead Bartlett said Emotient is now working on among other things the software's potential for identifying
whether their patients are responding well to their medication Bartlett said. Email jscharr@technewsdaily. com or follow her@Jillscharr. Follow us@livescience Facebook & Google+.
Whole grains nuts fish meat dark green vegetables legumes and many fruits contain significant amounts of magnesium.
when they increased their magnesium by eating more fruits and vegetables or taking more than 370 milligrams of magnesium a day.
But because a diet with more fruits and vegetable will also increase levels of other nutrients it is difficult to measure the independent effect magnesium has on blood pressure.
It occurs because proteins found in some fresh fruits and vegetables are similar to allergy-causing proteins found in pollens such as ragweed birch mugwort and grasses.
Not long after some people with seasonal allergies eat uncooked fruits and raw vegetables as well as some nuts and spices these people's immune systems recognize a similarity between the food and pollen's proteins.
Shreffler said apples peaches plums cherries nectarines hazelnuts almonds and carrots are the most common food culprits of oral allergy symptoms that he sees in his Boston allergy clinic.
He noted that apples are a common offender for people who are allergic to birch pollen as well as foods such as celery pears
and other raw fruits containing pits because these fruits and vegetables are botanically close to birch.
Often it's just one or two foods on the list that might cause oral symptoms in some individuals with birch pollen allergies.
Melons cantaloupe honeydew or watermelon along with cucumber zucchini kiwi and banana might trigger cross reactions in people who are sensitive to ragweed pollen.
And people with grass pollen allergies might be bothered by tomatoes melons and oranges. Be aware of common symptoms.
Someone with a birch pollen allergy might get oral allergy symptoms from a fresh apple
Peeling the fruit or vegetable may be helpful because the allergen tends to be concentrated under the skin.
Perhaps not surprising for an organization that encourages plant-based diets the advice highlighted the benefits of fruits and vegetables and recommended limited consumption of meat.
albeit cherry-picked to highlight the advantages of a plant-based diet. The recommendations are to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits;
eat more soy products; limit dairy; limit or avoid alcohol; avoid red meats and processed meats;
The recommendations 1. Eat more fruits and vegetables especially leafy greens to help reduce overall cancer risk.
The reason fruits and vegetables help lower cancer risk is that they contain protective compounds such as the phytochemicals that Talalay discovered in broccoli in the 1990s that reduce the risk of several cancers
Sprouting like a tail from the bottom of an oddly-shaped fruit the cashew in its natural state is both very weird-looking and very poisonous.
The tree produces a long fleshy stalk called a cashew apple which resembles a small pear.
At the end of this stalk grows the kidney-shaped cashew nut that many know and love. Cashew nuts are protected from hungry passerby by a double shell containing a potent poison called anacardic acid.
Along with Brazil nuts and almonds cashews have the highest magnesium content per serving of any tree nut.
This collection has never been picked cherry Heads said. And that means the buckets may hold a full range of species from the ancient Miocene epoch forest.
Mast is a botanical term for the hard nut fruits produced by trees like beeches and acorns.
(which produce the most abundant fruits) were preferentially felled. Valley bottoms dominated by beeches the most important hard nut trees of the pigeons were cleared for farming.
According to Sea world about 67 percent of a lowland gorilla's diet is fruit; 17 percent comes from leaves seeds and stems;
2 percent fruit; and 2 percent snails ants and grubs. Gorillas live in groups. Groups of gorillas are called troops or bands.
#Oranges: Health Benefits, Risks & Nutrition Facts Sweet juicy oranges make a delicious and healthy snack or addition to a meal.
A whole orange contains only about 85 calories and has no fat cholesterol or sodium.
And of course oranges are well known for their Vitamin c content said Laura Flores a San diego-based nutritionist.
Oranges may boost your immune system and improve your skin; they also aid with heart health cholesterol levels and other issues.
Oranges may additionally help reduce the risk of respiratory diseases certain cancers rheumatoid arthritis ulcers and kidney stones.
Orange juice is packed also with nutrients but does not contain the fiber of a whole orange.
Orange pith the white substance between the peel and the flesh is high in fiber.
Furthermore it is easy to consume more calories when drinking orange juice than when eating an orange warns the Centers for Disease Control.
Here are the nutrition facts about oranges from the U s. Food and Drug Administration which regulates food labeling through the National Labeling and Education Act:
Nutrition Facts Serving size: 1 medium orange (5. 5 oz/154 g) Calories 80 Calories from Fat 0*Percent Daily Values(%DV) are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Immune system Most citrus fruits have a good deal of Vitamin c and oranges have high levels even compared to their tangy brethren.
Vitamin c protects cells by scavenging and neutralizing free radicals explains a 2010 article in the medical journal Pharmacognosy Reviews.
Free radicals may lead to chronic conditions such as cancer and heart disease. Not only may oranges help reduce the risk of chronic conditions
but they may also boost a person's immunity when dealing with everyday viruses and infections like the common cold.
All the fiber in oranges may help lower cholesterol levels because it picks up excess cholesterol compounds in the gut
Oranges contain Vitamin c fiber potassium and choline which are all good for your heart so the fruits may give your ticker a big boost.
Potassium an electrolyte mineral is vital for allowing electricity to flow through your body which keeps your heart beating.
According to Flores the potassium found in oranges helps to lower blood pressure protecting against stroke. She noted another heart-related benefit pointing out that oranges are high in folate
which is beneficial in lowering levels of homocysteine a cardiovascular risk factor. Oranges are high in fiber
which can help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 1 diabetes and improve blood sugar lipids
The American Diabetes Association lists oranges along with other citrus fruits as a superfood for people with diabetes.
Oranges are high in fiber which aids in digestion by keeping you regular. It is also good for weight loss.
Oranges are a low-fat nutrient-rich food with a low glycemic index which make it an ideal food to consume to protect against obesity
Oranges are Vitamin a rich. This nutrient contains carotenoid compounds like lutein beta-carotene and zeaxanthin which can help prevent age-related macular degeneration an incurable condition that blurs central vision.
The Vitamin c in oranges is associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer due to preventing DNA mutations from taking place Flores said.
A 2004 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that consuming bananas oranges
Oranges are great for you but you should enjoy them in moderation Flores warned. Eating too many oranges has some uncomfortable side effects she said.
When eaten in excess the greater fiber content can effect digestion causing abdominal cramps and could also lead to diarrhea.
Though oranges are relatively low in calories eating several of the fruits in a day can add up
Because they are a high-acid food oranges can contribute to heartburn especially for those who already suffer from heartburn regularly said Flores.
or regurgitation if they eat too many oranges. People who are taking beta-blockers should be careful not to consume too many oranges.
These medicines increase potassium levels and if mixed with too many potassium-rich foods like oranges
and bananas can lead to an excess of potassium in the body. This is a significant concern for people
whose kidneys are not fully functional as the additional potassium will not be removed effectively from the body.
Orange peels are not poisonous and as many cooks know orange zest can pack a big flavor punch.
While orange peels are edible they are not nearly as sweet or juicy as the pulp.
and unless you're eating an organic orange peel covered in chemicals. If you do eat the peel you'll get a good amount of nutrients.
Orange peel actually has more fiber then the fruit inside contains Flores said. It also has flavonoids in it that contain nutritious benefits.
Flavonoids are compounds found in many foods. They are known to have antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory effects
Additionally orange peels contain vitamins A c B6 and B5; calcium; riboflavin; thiamin; niacin; and folate. One way to get some of the nutrients is by eating the inner part of the peel and leaving the tough outer part.
The pith of the orange the white part between the skin and fruit can be sour
or bitter but actually contains just as much Vitamin c as the fruit itself with a good deal of fiber Flores said.
Some fun facts about oranges include:(Sources: Top Food Facts Science Kids & Florida Citrus Commission) Learn more about oranges and other healthy foods at The World's Healthiest Foods.
Browse the USDA's National Nutrient Database for nutrient content of thousands of different foods a
#Fall Colors Spotted from Space (Photos) Pictures from space show that fall is in full swing in parts of North america.
Clusters of trees have shed their summer greens in favor of autumnal oranges and reds around the Great lakes and New england.
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