Category: drink

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This Is Why Drinking Alcohol Makes You so Hungry

Have you drank a few cold beers only to be left salivating for some salty french fries or a hot slice of pepperoni pizza? Whatever your adult beverage of choice is, you can blame science for your grumbling stomach the next time you’re out drinking.

According to a 2017 study by the Francis Crick Institute, consuming alcohol does have a direct effect on your hunger levels. Over the course of two years, scientists studied the effect of ethanol alcohol on the body, brain and actions of mice, with the results lending a useful insight into why we get the munchies.

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The experiment consisted of giving mice between 1.5 to two bottles of wine over a three-day period. Interestingly, the alcohol caused AgRP neurons located in the hypothalamus to become increasingly active. Though the mice experienced an increased appetite, their metabolism and energy levels dropped.

“Our study clearly shows that the main area of the brain responsible for eating (the hypothalamus and its AgRP neurons) is directly affected and excited by ethanol, and that mice respond very strongly to its exposure by overeating for several hours afterward,” the co-authors of the study explained.

After repeating the study but blocking the AgRP neuron signals, the scientists found that the mice ate less. Ultimately, those AgRP neurons may be the culprit behind binge eating after binge drinking.

These results suggests that the more you drink, the more you will crave food (not exactly news to someone like me). What is important is to avoid binge drinking, which the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines as a pattern of behavior that boosts blood alcohol concentration above .08 grams per deciliter.

The authors caution against binge drinking in order to avoid one of the dangerous effects of binge eating: obesity.

“Binge drinking and obesity are typically thought of as two separate societal problems, but why does this happen all over the world and what is making us do this? It is too easy to believe that one cannot lead to the other, and that this correlation does not involve the brain somehow,” the authors wrote.

Plus, alcohol has a pretty high caloric content, too.

So the next time you’re out at the bar or club, make sure to keep track of how many drinks you have. Those two-for-one specials can lead to some serious consequences for your waistline if you’re not careful.

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The Right Beer Might Be Just as Good for Your Gut as Probiotic Yogurt

This is good news for all of us who can barely choke down yogurt (isn’t it just slightly spoiled dairy?) but still could benefit from the boost the probiotics give the microbiome in our guts: beer could perform the same handy trick.

Probiotics are important resources for many people who want to maintain a healthy microbiome – and a healthy microbiome is important for everyone, since our bodies contain almost as many bacteria as they do individual cells.

That said, you might be able to ditch the sauerkraut, yogurt, and kimchi in favor of a brewski, says University of Amsterdam’s Eric Claassen.

“In high concentrations, alcohol is bad for the gut, but if you drink just one of these beers every day it would be very good for you,” he said at a conference.

The first part of that is important. Many studies have confirmed that heavy drinking has a detrimental effect on gut bacteria because it upsets the composition of intestinal microbiota, so please remember that moderation is key, here.

That said, some types of stronger Belgian brews are fermented twice in order to further break down sugars into alcohol, and the extended process uses a type of yeast that produces acids that devours illness-causing bacteria in the gut.

So every time you drink one of those particular beers, the microscopic defenders in your belly are reinforced.

It’s also worth pointing out that while the anecdotal and theoretical evidence for the positive effects of probiotics are strong, the hard science is out as far as which microbes, exactly, are helpful for the body. Also, many doctors and scientists are skeptical that consuming them as food does much good at all, as many would be unable to survive digestion in stomach acid and make it into the lower digestive tract, where they’re really needed.

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Stupid Silly Sour #yardhouse #stuipdsillysour #belgiansourbeer

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None of these foods are going to hurt you, though, so if they might help – or you feel better when you eat and drink them – there’s no harm in trying!

In moderation, of course. Too much yogurt is as icky as too much beer, if you ask me.

Cheers!

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Cure Your Cold Symptoms with a Warm Drink of Whiskey This Winter

Drink up!

The common cold sends millions of people to the couch every winter with congestion, sniffles and a deep desire to sleep the symptoms away. While there isn’t a fool-proof cure for a cold, a warm drink of whiskey can actually provide some much-needed relief.

Be warned: This isn’t an invitation to finish off a bottle of Jack Daniels or Jameson. However, a small amount of the belly-warming liquid can alleviate some of the nasty cold symptoms that sideline many of us each wintertime.

Rather than knocking back a shot, try mixing up your own hot toddy with a carefully crafted combination of whiskey, honey, lemon juice and hot water. This magic elixir can help clear nasal congestion much like a hot bowl of momma’s homemade chicken soup.

Science even suggests that whiskey can stop the sniffles. According to Dr. William Schaffner, chair of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, alcohol dilates blood vessels and makes it easier for the body’s mucus membranes to deal with an infection.

While small amounts of whiskey will help alleviate cold symptoms, keep in mind that overindulging in alcohol is a recipe for disaster. Anyone who has stumbled home at 3 a.m. after bar-hopping can attest to the adverse affects of excess alcohol. From waking up with a dry mouth to trying to deal with a pounding headache, it’s clear that too much alcohol can leave you regretting that two-for-one special.

As a diuretic, alcohol pulls fluids from your body, which is the last thing you need when you are under the weather. So after you drink your hot toddy, make sure to stay hydrated with plenty of non-alcoholic liquids such as water, tea or Gatorade.

So whenever you are feeling a cold coming on, don’t be afraid to break open a bottle of bourbon. After all, it’s (basically) the doctor’s orders!

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A Guy Got a Tattoo of Baby Yoda Drinking a White Claw

This is where we’re at right now as a society, apparently…

2019 sure has been a strange year, hasn’t it?

Do you think in a few years, this fella is going to regret this tattoo? Time will tell, I guess…

But let’s move on to this uniquely American, uniquely 2019 tattoo. A guy named Brock McLaughlin saw a scene of Baby Yoda drinking his tea in an episode of the new Disney+ show The Mandalorian and at that instant, he knew.

He knew he needed to tattoo Baby Yoda on his body – and he also knew that the little creature needed to be drinking…wait for it…a White Claw.

McLaughlin said, “As someone who works in Marketing I was fascinated by the cult of White Claw and how the [drink] dominated the conversation this summer. Baby Yoda and White Claw together just seemed like the perfect combination.”

Let’s take a look at some of the reactions people had on social media, shall we?

Even the folks at White Claw had to reply.

McLaughlin added, “My friends love it, at least that’s what they tell me to my face. My girlfriend is supportive which is how I know she’s a keeper.” She must be quite a lady…

What do you think of getting these kinds of pop culture tattoos that might look a little dated in say, a year or so? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

And if you have any tattoos in the same vein, for God’s sake, share them with us!

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Millions of Americans Think Chocolate Milk Comes From Brown Cows

I’ve never thought about the fact that people over the age of 5 might think strawberry, chocolate, and regular milks come from different color cows, but, I mean, if no one ever told you differently…I suppose it could still make sense?

Aside from the fact that you’ve never actually seen a pink cow.

Then again, I live in the middle of the country, where cows appear regularly on the side of the road. So maybe I should give coastal city folk a break?

 

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NAH – this is ridiculous.

It turns out that A LOT of adults believe that chocolate milk comes from brown cows. How many, you ask?

Well, according to the Innovation Center for US Dairy’s website, around 16.4 million people across the country.

They know this because they commissioned a survey to see, which found that 7% of respondents think brown cows equal chocolate milk.

Yep, right out of the udder.

This despite the fact that their official statement (and common sense) says, “Chocolate milk – or any flavored milk for that matter – is white cow’s milk with added flavoring and sweeteners.”

And get this: 48% of respondents – which would mean over 154 million people nationally, if the survey statistics were extrapolated to the country as a whole – admitted they aren’t sure where chocolate milk comes from. As in, maybe it comes from a brown cow? Who knows??

A few more fun facts that emerged from the same survey:

37% of Americans admit to drinking milk straight out of the carton in the fridge (YIKES).

And 29% of Americans buy chocolate milk “for the kids,” but really they just want an excuse to drink it themselves.

As far as the latter, I hope by the time their kids move out they can own what they like and drink it all day like a m-fing adult (who may not know where it comes from). Because chocolate milk, brown cow or no, is delicious.

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Kenya Installed First Solar Power Plant That Transforms Ocean Water into Drinking Water

A lot of us, as Americans, take clean water for granted. It’s just something that’s part of our everyday routine, whether we need to grab a drink from the faucet, to wash the dishes, or to take a shower – water is always (mostly) there for us.

But that’s not the case in certain parts of the world.

Roughly 2.2 billion people around the globe don’t have access to clean drinking water, but an organization called GivePower is looking to change that. The nonprofit recently installed a solar-powered plant in Kenya that turns salty ocean water into fresh drinking water, benefiting 25,000 people per day.

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After being constructed in 1 week, the 6kW solar microgrid began serving power to 40 homes and businesses ? #GivePowerInNepal⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #GivePower⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #JoinTheCharge ⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ #actnow #takeaction #active #building #buildingthefuture #buildingabetterfuture #workforchange #agentsofchange #bethechange #bigsteps #solarpanel #solarmicrogrids #solarenergy #solaristheanswer #solaristhefuture #future #futuregenerations ⠀

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The plant was built in the small town Kiunga, Kenya because of the lack of clean drinking water in sub-Saharan Africa. Turning saltwater into drinking water is both expensive and energy-intensive, which is why GivePower decided to build the plant using solar panels that harvest energy. The two water pumps at the solar-powered plant provide clean drinking water to residents 24 hours a day.

Before the plant was built, people in Kiunga had to travel more than an hour to get clean drinking water. And bathing and washing clothing in saltwater is harsh on skin and fabrics, so access to clean water helps the people in that way, too.

Because of the success of the plant in Kenya, GivePower wants to use this technology to help out people around the world. The organization is already planning projects in Colombia and Haiti. If you want to help out this great cause and donate, you can do that HERE.

Great work!

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There’s a Beer Called ‘Unicorn Farts’ – and It’s Brewed with Fruity Pebbles

Have you ever thought to yourself, “Dang, I could really go for some unicorn farts right now”? If so, we have some great news.

A brewery in Maryland has created a limited-edition Unicorn Farts beer. DuClaw Brewing Company’s beer is a “glittered sour ale,” brewed with Fruity Pebbles mashed in.

And yes, there is edible glitter in it, too.

Unicorn Farts was originally released last spring, but it sold out — obviously. Unicorns are very in right now! So, DuClaw is re-releasing the beer for a second run. It will be out in June 2020, just in time for summer (and for Pride).

In the tasting notes, the brewery describes Unicorn Farts thusly: “This glittered sour ale with fruity cereal mashed in, brings slightly tart sour, a bouquet of fruits & a hint of biscuit.”

If the idea of a unicorn-themed, fruity sour ale hasn’t sold you already, then maybe this ad campaign will? The brewery straight-up filled a bathtub with Fruity Pebbles.

If you’re wondering why there are donuts on the side of the bathtub, it’s because the unicorn beer is a collaboration with Diablo Doughnuts. The donut company’s Fruity Pebbles donut was the inspiration behind Unicorn Farts beer.

Interested in buying this unique beer? It might be available in a city near you. You can plug your zip code into DuClaw’s beer finder to find out.

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Centuries of French Wine Harvests Show the Hard Truth of Climate Change

This is very interesting…

Climate scientists often warn that citing events from a single location as evidence of changes (or not) across the entire globe isn’t helpful (or accurate). That said, when data from single locations begin to add small tales to a much larger story, it might be (past) time to take note.

In this case, it’s six and a half centuries worth of grape harvest records that are telling a chilling (but not-so-chilly) tale about how temperatures, weather events, and harvests have rarely varied from a path that all but confirms climate change is happening.

And since those records tell a story about late spring through summer that coincide with what the cherry blossoms in Japan are telling us about spring – and what a Scandinavian river is screaming about winter – the “oh it’s just one place” argument gets pretty darn thin.

Back to France, though, where the good people take their Burgundy seriously.

Dr. Thomas Labbe is the academic who spent years digging through centuries of harvest records that date back to 1354. To understand the significance of the findings, you’ll need to be aware that grape harvests take place earlier after hot, dry summers and later after cool, wet ones (a fact he confirmed after comparing harvest dates with temperature records).

“The record is clearly divided into two parts,” he said in a statement. “For more than 600 years average harvest date was September 28 – early ones were the exception. Since 1988 the average date has shifted to September 15, indicating much hotter conditions.”

So, the summers prior to the harvest have been steadily hotter and drier since 1988.

“We did not anticipate that the accelerated warming trend since the mid-1980s would stand out so clearly in the series,” added Professor Christian Pfister, who co-authored the analysis of Labbe’s data. “The transition to a rapid global warming period after 1988 stands out very clearly. The exceptional character of the last 30 years becomes apparent to everybody.”

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Fidwald European Vacation Day 36. Bordeaux, France. Headed into town to visit a wine museum and enjoy a tasting. Afterwards briefly visited Point De Pierre, the well known bridge of Bordeaux as well as the “Water Mirror” (reflecting pool) however it was a little windy as the weather was turning so wasn’t reflecting so well. quick salad lunch (to balance all the baguettes & croissants) then headed back. We stopped briefly at a supermarket for dinner supplies and miscommunication resulted in security thinking we were going to leave without paying ? (Still easier than communication in many U.S. establishments!) Back in time for a tour of the De Lassalle winery where we are staying, our guide is so gorgeous and we thoroughly enjoyed the tasting, all so delicious! The rain introduced such an impressive rainbow with a view! Finished up having such a fun evening, Jemma busied herself putting together a dinner of mixed goodies to plate, the girls then enjoyed the jacuzzi whilst Matt & I enjoyed the wine but all 4 of us playing a game. (Was a version of guess that song, brought us all a few giggles!) We are thoroughly loving it here! #fidwalds #europeanvacation #holidayroad #familyroadtrip #roadtripwithteens #griswaldsgotnothingonus #frenchwinery #bordeauxfrance #delassallewine

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At least, it should become apparent to everybody.

There are, of course, longer-term climatic records that range across the globe, offered by tree rings, ice cores, and stalagmites (among other sources), but none of those are as precise as Labbe’s data.

The evidence is stacked up so high it’s practically a mountain, and I think that, for the younger generations at least, more and more people are listening.

If wine can’t get people’s attention, maybe it really is too late.

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This Is Why Ginger Ale Should Be Your Go-To In-Flight Drink

You may already have a favorite flying beverage, but the next time you travel, if you’re craving something crisp and satisfying, try a bubbly ginger ale.

Your on the ground experience with ginger ale may be limited to days when you don’t feel one hundred percent. Or you may be used to ginger ale as only a mixer.

Photo Credit: Flickr

So drinking a ginger ale by itself? Sounds weird, doesn’t it?

As a soft drink, ginger ale is not nearly as popular as the Coca-Colas and the Dr. Peppers are, particularly in the United States. In the skies, however, ginger ale is at the top of the pops.

Photo Credit: Public Domain Pictures

The thin, dry air in a plane, coupled with less atmospheric pressure, actually changes the way our taste buds react to certain flavors. Saltiness and sweetness don’t register on our tongues the same way they do on the ground. That’s why salty bloody mary’s and tomato juice taste so good when we fly.

It’s also why sweet ginger ale tastes so refreshing, so crisp and dry. So…exactly what you might be craving.

Ginger has long been a home remedy for upset stomachs. So, if you’re a nervous flyer with a twitchy tummy, a ginger ale can help settle it.

Be aware though, some ginger ales (like Canada Dry) actually have no ginger in them. The flavor and the carbonation is what can soothe stomaches.

You may get lucky, though, and be offered a brand with real ginger. If you see it on the cart, ask for it. You’ll be glad you did.

Photo Credit: Max Pixel

Ginger ale is just the sort of drink that helps make flying the special event that it is. The taste and bubbles make traveling almost festive. Next time, order the ginger ale.

Cheers.

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Pabst Blue Ribbon Is Selling a 99-Can Case

Booooooyah! I’m not gonna lie, I like the sound of this!

Pabst Blue Ribbon, or PBR as it is usually called, is selling a limited-edition 99-pack containing three different kinds of beer. Is this great news, or what?!?!

Just keep in mind that when you do track this bad boy down, bring a friend or two to help you carry it home, okay?

The 99-pack of PBR is now in select stores in select states, and I think it’s going to make the holidays a lot more tolerable for many people out there. This monster features three beers from the PBR collection: original PBR, the light PBR Easy, and higher-strength PBR Extra (I’ve never even heard of PBR Extra before).

Here are the states where this glorious feat of ingenuity is available as of now.

Texas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Florida, New York, South Carolina, Montana, Vermont, California, Wisconsin, Iowa, Arkansas, and Colorado.

If you live in a state that is NOT on this list, you might want to call your local distributors…or maybe try your Senator?

It looks like these might be hard to track down even if they are in your state, too. A store in Mankato, Minnesota, put up a post showcasing their 99 packs (which they were selling for $59.99 – ¢60.6 per beer, for anyone counting), and they sold out in less than 24 hours. Also, people were driving almost 100 miles to buy up these bad boys.

Listen, the people want what the people want, okay?

I might be taking a quick drive to South Carolina this weekend…

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