Methanol Can Be Deadly.
Make sure there's no methanol in your mampoer.
Methanol is a type of alcohol that is extremely toxic to humans.Here’s why it is sometimes used in home-brewed liquor and why it is so deadly.
Over 100 people have died in Kenya after ingesting alcohol that
contained industrial methylated spirits. Methanol, also known as wood
alcohol or methyl alcohol is toxic to humans, except in very small
quantities.
Methanol usually occurs naturally in very small digestible
quantities in legal drinks, but in larger quantities (usually found in
illegally brewed liquor) it can be a killer. Some people believe that it
is the small quantity of methanol and acetone in alcoholic drinks that
cause hangovers rather than the ethanol.
Methanol is a widely used industrial chemical that is found in
anti-freeze, building materials, car parts, plastics and paints.
Worldwide, more than 75 billion litres of methanol is produced and used
in industrial setting each year.
Ethanol vs. methanol
The alcohol used in normal legally brewed and sold liquor is called ethyl alcohol orethanol.
This only differs from methanol by one carbon and two hydrogen atoms,
but it’s enough to cause a critical difference in the liver’s ability to
metabolise it. Ethanol alcohol (in reasonable quantities) metabolises
quickly into carbon dioxide and water, with which the body can cope easily. But the liver converts methanol into formaldehyde, which in turn causes a build-up of formic acid
This quickly damages the ocular nerve, causing blindness. When taken in any significant quantities it can lead to death.
Other symptoms of methanol poisoning include drunkenness, headaches and gastric pain, vomiting, and liver failure. Symptoms take up to 12 -14 hours to manifest, whereas the symptoms of over-consumption of ethanol manifest much more quickly.
According to the National Institutes of Health, 2g of methanol is considered a safe dose, but 8g can be seriously toxic.
Why methanol?
The
reasons why home-brewers sometimes use methanol instead of ethanol can
be either greed or ignorance, or both. Methanol is cheaper than ethanol,
and is sometimes stolen from manufacturing plants or farm storage rooms
by people who are unaware of its lethal properties. They confuse it
with normal ethanol. They either drink it themselves or use it to pad
out illegally brewed liquor to increase their profit margins. Producers
of legally retailed alcohol often have to pay high government taxes,
whereas home brewers slip through the net.
To
discourage people from consuming industrial products containing normal
ethanol, methanol is sometimes added. The result is known as methylated
spirits. The drink is then not fit for human consumption.
Who controls alcohol production in SA?
The
production of alcoholic beverages and foodstuffs is controlled in South
Africa by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, but it
is generally accepted that much home-brewed liquor is sold in
unlicensed liquor outlets. It is usually from these sources that
methanol-laced alcohol finds its way onto the market. This tends to be a
worldwide phenomenon.
According to the World Health
Organization, in 2005, South African adult per capita alcohol
consumption equalled 9.5 litres of pure alcohol. Of this, 26,3% was
estimated to be homemade and illegally produced alcohol. The world
average of alcohol consumption per capita is 6,13 litres, making South
African consumption above average.
Sources: Livescience.org/ National Institutes of Health/ methanol.org/ Health24.com/ ara.co.za/ Sapa)
Five Reasons to Eat Watermelon
Studies link the summer treat to many health benefits.
Big, sloppy slices of watermelon served at a picnic table are the quintessential summer snack—sweet enough to be dessert but, as several recent studies remind us, good for our health as well. (And only 84 calories per wedge!)
1. It soothes sore muscles.
According to a new study in the Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry, drinking watermelon juice before a hard workout helped reduce athletes' heart rate and next-day muscle soreness. That's because watermelon is rich in an amino acid called L-citrulline, which the body converts to L-arginine, an essential amino acid that helps relax blood vessels and improve circulation.
The study's seven participants, all men, were given 17 ounces (500 mL) of either natural watermelon juice, watermelon juice enriched with additional citrulline, or a placebo drink an hour before their workouts. Interestingly, the natural juice was just as effective as the enriched juice. The researchers also determined that intestinal cells can absorb more citrulline from watermelon juice than from citrulline supplements, especially when the juice is unpasteurized.
2. It helps heart health.
Postmenopausal women experienced improved cardiovascular health after six weeks of taking commercially available watermelon extract supplements containing citrulline and arginine, according to a study published earlier this year by Florida State University physiologist Arturo Figueroa.
And in a 2012 study—also led by Figueroa—such supplements helped alleviate high blood pressure in obese, middle-aged adults. (Not surprisingly, he's received two grants from the Watermelon Promotion Board.)
3. It could be a natural Viagra.
Improved circulation can benefit more than just the heart, as at least one watermelon researcher has pointed out. But you'd probably have to eat an awful lot to achieve the desired effect--and eating too much could cause unfortunate side effects, since watermelon has long had a reputation as a natural diuretic.
4. It's rich in vitamins and minerals, but low in calories.
Given its name, you might assume the fruit has little nutritional value—and it is more than 90 percent water. But a 10-ounce (300-mL) wedge of watermelon packs in about one-third of the recommended daily value of vitamins A and C, as well as a modest amount of potassium (9 percent of the daily value).
5. It could even combat cancer.
Watermelon is among the best dietary sources of lycopene, an antioxidant linked to both the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer, although scientists are still investigating the details of that connection.
National Geographic
Dark Chocolate's Health Secrets
Scientists Probe Dark Chocolate's Health Secrets
Heart benefits may stem from reaction in stomach bacteria, research suggests
It's said that dark chocolate can be good for your heart, and new research may have uncovered why.
Louisiana State University researchers tested cocoa powders in a model of the digestive tract and found that certain bacteria in the stomach eat dark chocolate, ferment it and then release anti-inflammatory compounds that benefit the heart.
The study was scheduled for presentation Tuesday at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in Dallas.
"We found that there are two kinds of microbes in the gut: the good ones and the bad ones," Maria Moore, an undergraduate student and one of the study authors, said in a society news release.
"The good microbes, such as Bifidobacterium and lactic acid bacteria, feast on chocolate," Moore said in the news release. "When you eat dark chocolate, they grow and ferment it, producing compounds that are anti-inflammatory."
Study leader John Finley, a professor in LSU's department of food science, said, "When these compounds are absorbed by the body, they lessen the inflammation of cardiovascular tissue, reducing the long-term risk of stroke."
Finley said he believes this is the first study to examine dark chocolate's effects on different types of stomach bacteria.
The researchers also found evidence that people could gain even greater health benefits if they eat dark chocolate with solid fruits such as pomegranates and acai.
Data and conclusions presented at meetings typically are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
By Robert Preidt
HealthDay Reporter
City Cycling May Save the Planet, but Not Your Lungs
Urban cycling, while good for the environment, may pose a risk
your health, a new Dublin study has found.
Cycling in congested cities could do more harm than good to your heart and
lungs, due to the breathing in of dangerous pollutants in the air, the study
found. While pedestrians are exposed as well, cyclists exert themselves more and
breathe more heavily, which increases their risk, The Australian reports. Problems include breathing in exhaust
fumes as well as tiny particles generated by vehicle brakes and
tires.The study, led by Marguerite Nyhan of Trinity College, recruited 32 fit, healthy cyclers who opted for mostly traffic-free routes.
A separate 2011 UK study also found that urban cyclists may be inhaling high levels of black soot. The University of London study found that urbanites who cycled to work had 2.3 times more black carbon in their lungs than pedestrians. Previous research has shown that black carbon is linked to a wide range of serious health issues, including reduced lung function and a higher risk of respiratory diseases and heart attacks.
What's an avid city cyclist to do? Consider using a facemask, which experts told the BBC could be an effective way of reducing exposure, as long as the mask fits correctly. Previous studies carried out in Beijing have found that wearing a well-fitted face mask could reduce risks of exposure to particulate pollution, the report said.
Also, opt for roads with less traffic, or travel during times of day when there is less congestion, and avoid riding behind diesel-powered buses or trucks.
(Relaxnews)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)