Archive 2008 2009 2010 2011

Q: I know that partially hydrogenated oils are unhealthy. What about “fully hydrogenated” oils?
A: They are not as bad, though more research is needed to better understand their health effects. The two kinds of oil are very different.
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Q: Are household ants, in large numbers, ever a health hazard? Can they contaminate food or otherwise spread germs to people or pets?
A: They could be, at least in theory, since they can carry bacteria and might transfer them to food or an open wound. Various disease-causing organisms have been found on some species of ants, especially in developing countries.
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Q: What are capers, and are they nutritious?
A: Capers are the immature green flower buds of the caper bush, a thorny plant that grows wild throughout the Mediterranean area and is also cultivated in neighboring regions. One tablespoon of canned capers has only 2 calories and tiny amounts of nutrients. They contain some potentially beneficial compounds.
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UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, October 2011