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Food well being

De gusto e Benessere - Cross-reactivity of food and grasses: a tangle of allergies

Food allergies are a growing public health concern.  Allergy sufferers (e.g. pollen, birch, grass) often develop reactions to apparently unrelated foods. This phenomenon is known as cross-food reactivity. Cross-reactivity occurs when the immune system recognizes similar proteins in different substances (e.g., pollen and food) for structural similarity and triggers an allergic reaction. In the case of food allergies, the immune system has a reactivity towards dietary proteins that are recognised as foreign when they reach the intestine or cross the intestinal barrier.  Food allergy can therefore be seen as an error of our immune system that recognizes as a foreign agent (antigen)[Segue]

De gusto e Benessere - How to manage meals away from home

When we are following a nutrition plan, the problem of how to manage meals outside the home can arise; in fact, often, meals are consumed at the desk, in the canteen, restaurants and it is not always easy to control the quality of the food you take and the amount of calories you put in. If it is possible to bring food from home, the problem obviously does not exist because for the preparation of meals you can follow the instructions of the scheme, preparing everything the night before. If instead we are faced with a meal in the restaurant,[Segue]

De gusto e Benessere - Cherries - Chicken breast with cherry reduction

Pearls of spring are cherries. They are small drupes (fruits with a stone) belonging to the genus Prunus, the same as many fruits that ripen between spring and summer such as plums, peaches, apricots and almonds. Cherries originated in Asia and Eastern Europe and later spread to all temperate climates. The name “cherry” comes from “Cerasus”, an ancient region of Turkey from which they are thought to have been introduced to Europe. There are mainly two categories of cherries, sweet and sour. Sweet cherries (Prunus avium) are the most common for fresh consumption. They have juicy flesh and a sweet flavour. Variants include the[Segue]

De gusto e Benessere - How to face the change of season with nutrition and supplementation

Tiredness during the change of season is mainly due to several factors related to climate change and changes in circadian rhythms. In particular, reduced or increased hours of sunlight, temperature changes and new lifestyle habits can affect the body's sleep, mood and energy. The seasonal change can accentuate nervous tension and affect the mood, sleep and appetite of those who are already in a stressful condition due to personal problems or professional commitments. In addition, “for those who habitually suffer from insomnia, the change from daylight saving time to summer time can be a further disturbing element that leaves one feeling[Segue]

De gusto e Benessere - Diabetes and exercise: the ally for health!

More and more scientific studies show that physical exercise is a fundamental ally in maintaining good health, and more and more health professionals consider it to be the drug of the future, useful for prevention and reducing the symptoms and comorbidities of chronic diseases such as diabetes. The constant practice of physical exercise also offers countless benefits in terms of mood and quality of life, which improves in many ways. Diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world and generally arises in old age. One of the most effective tools for preventing and[Segue]

De gusto e Benessere - High blood sugar and diabetes: what to eat to manage the condition

High blood sugar, or hyperglycaemia, is a condition that occurs when blood glucose levels are higher than normal. This condition can be a sign of diabetes, a chronic disease characterised by the body's inability to adequately regulate blood sugar levels. Proper management of blood glucose is crucial to prevent long-term complications, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, and eye problems. Diet plays a key role in controlling blood sugar levels and understanding what to eat is essential for patients with diabetes or predisposition to the disease. High blood sugar occurs when the body fails to properly utilise glucose, an energy source derived[Segue]

De gusto e Benessere - Postprandial fatigue: Causes and remedies

Everyone has experienced, at least once in their life, an unpleasant feeling of fatigue after eating, often this can happen after a particularly rich meal or after introducing foods that are difficult to digest or too processed. Let's start by saying that junk foods and all foods particularly rich in fat and condiments actually slow down the digestive process. Therefore, it is better to prefer light and minimally processed dishes that do not require too much effort from the body during digestion. The feeling of tiredness, however, can also be determined by the composition of the meal itself: an excess of[Segue]

De gusto e Benessere - Asparagus - The “Not-Avocado” toast

Welcome to spring, welcome to the short but intense asparagus season! What do we eat of this vegetable that belongs to the Asparagaceae family? The stem, also called the shoot, and the delicious tips of the stem itself. This vegetable, which originated in Asia Minor and later spread throughout the Mediterranean region, is a concentrate of useful substances, particularly good for “purifying” the urinary tract (anyone who has tried it at least once can confirm this). Nutritionally, 100g of asparagus provides about 20 calories, with a good balance between protein (about 2g/100g) and carbohydrates (about 3g/100g), but above all, it is a rich[Segue]

De gusto e Benessere - Sugar addiction: some tricks to avoid it

High sugar consumption is not at all healthy and has serious repercussions on our organism. Limiting sugar consumption and learning to recognise the symptoms of a sugar addiction is a key step in preventing the onset of health problems. High sugar consumption extends its negative effects on the entire organism. However, it is important to point out that simple sugars are not all the same: it is essential for our health that we learn to select “healthy” sources from which to obtain this macronutrient that acts as a true fuel for the entire organism. Such sources are, first and foremost, fruit and[Segue]

De gusto and wellbeing - What to eat before training

When we speak of wellbeing and health, we must refer to four main macro-areas that together ensure the maintenance of psycho-physical balance and the health of our organism:  Nutrition: A balanced diet is essential to provide the body with the nutrients it needs to function properly. This includes vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Physical activity: Movement is essential for maintaining good health and cardio-respiratory capacity, improving muscular endurance, preventing disease and improving mood. Recovery and sleep: Good quality sleep and adequate recovery time (7-9 hours for most adults) is crucial for physical and mental recovery. The quality of athletic performance is directly[Segue]