Drinking coffee cuts alcohol's harmful effects

One cup of coffee a day cuts the risk of alcoholic cirrhosis by 20 percent, and four cups per day reduced the risk by 80 percent, a large-scale study just completed suggests.

The study of more than 125,000 does not offer any reasons why this is true. It is unclear if the benefits are from caffeine or from some other ingredients in the coffee.

Cirrhosis is an irreversible scarring of the liver that stops or slows the organ’s ability to filter toxins from the blood. Heavy use of alcohol, hepatitis C and some inherited diseases can also cause cirrhosis.

Thee study found coffee did not protect the liver against those other causes of scarring. And it found that drinking tea did not reduce the risk of cirrhosis, discounting the possibility that caffeine is the active chemical giving the benefit.

Pour yourself another cup of coffee and read the entire article.

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Microscope photograph of folic acid

Back in 2001, Michael W. Davidson and The Florida State University granted HerbShop.com permission to showcase their exquisite photos of vitamins and foodstuffs taken with a microscope.

The design of the HerbShop.com website is being updated, and there may not be a proper area to highlight these wonderful photographs. Therefore, from time to time we'll be posting a photo or two here at HerbBlurbs.com.

Pictured is folic acid.

Folic Acid (folacin)

• U.S. RDA: 0.2 mg., 0.4 mg., 0.8 mg.
  
• Solubility: Water
  
• Food Sources: Root vegetables, tuna, milk and milk products, organ meats, oysters, salmon, leafy green vegetables, brewer's yeast, whole grains
  
• Deficiency Symptoms: Gastrointestinal disorders, B-12 deficiency, anemia, retarded growth, graying hair
  
• Importance: Necessary for growth and division of cells; formation of red blood cells; reproduction and growth; good for glands and liver
  
• Inhibits Absorption: Stress, alcohol, coffee, tobacco
  
• Enhances Absorption: Pantothenic acid, C, B-12, B-complex, biotin

Order Folic Acid from HerbShop.com.

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Grapefruit scent makes women seem younger to men

This story was first published nearly a year ago, so you may already be looking 12 months older....

Grapefruit May Make Women Seem Younger

By Associated Press
posted: 20 June, 2005
12:15pm ET

In June, 2005, the AP published a story saying that recent research had shown that the scent of grapefruit on women make them seem younger to men — about six years younger. However, a grapefruit fragrance on men does nothing for them.

The Smell and Taste Institute in Chicago conducted the study to determine what makes a women smell young — but not too young, like pink bubble gum.

Several middle-aged woman with broccoli, banana, spearmint leaves, and lavender but none of those scents made a difference to the men.

The scent of grapefruit, however, remarkably changed men's perceptions. When male volunteers were asked to write down how old the woman with grapefruit odor was, the age was considerably less than the women's actual ages.

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High-quality, natural grapefruit essential oil is available from HerbShop.com at a great low price.

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