Sloto Lifestyle

While popular non-dairy milk products are usually made from oats, almonds or soybeans, potatoes are the latest newcomers to the list. Developed by researcher and professor Eva Tornberg at the Lund University in Sweden, she says the opportunity to create milk out of potatoes presented itself thanks to the high-quality proteins found in them.

In order to transform them into milk, developers need to add canola oil, chicory fiber and pea protein to potatoes. Additionally, it is a good source of protein, high starch and high vitamin C content.

Another benefit of potato milk is its sustainability, which performs a lot better than dairy milk in terms of water use, carbon footprint and land use. It also does better than soy milk related to greenhouse emissions and requires over 15,000 less liters of water than producing a kg of almonds. It also avoids some of the most common allergies and dietary restrictions, as it’s free of nuts, gluten, soy, and animal products. Because of that, it makes a great option for vegans.

Potato milk is currently only available in Sweden, the UK and China, however it’s short-term success could result in more demand in countries like the US and Canada. 

While you might know the importance of taking a jog, lifting some weight or stretching several times a day is healthy for your body, it is much as important to exercise your mind as well. There have been recent studies that suggest different types of activities which can be beneficial for your brain:

• You are what you eat: This is true for all your body, including your brain. Not smoking, exercising regularly, consuming lots of fruits and vegetables and reducing your alcohol intake are healthy behaviors that reduce the risk for dementia and other cognitive impairment.
• Learn something new: Keep learning new things that will keep your brain active, including learning to play an instrument or engaging in a new language. Studies have shown that those learning new skills do better on memory tests than those who don’t.
  
  
• Use your non-dominant hand: To keep your brain active, neurobiologists suggest trying to switch hands when eating dinner or when writing something down.
  
  
• Meditation: Mindful meditation is actually very effective when trying to improve attention and focus. A few minutes of meditation a day can help engage in new neural pathways, increasing your mental flexibility.
  
  
• Socialize: People who are socially active are at a lower risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s. Even if you’re an introvert, seeking activities such as joining a club, staying in touch with family or volunteering in your local community are some ways to engage socially.

Just like with other parts of your body, you need to make sure you use your brain constantly to keep as healthy as possible.

With an ongoing pandemic and recent political turmoil, many people have been living in a storm of stress which has negatively impacted their well being. Prolonged stress in human beings directly impacts their health, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, depression, sleep disorders and many others. In order to prevent this happening, experts recommend the following lifestyle habits that can reduce your stress levels:

• Meditation: Doing meditation exercises regularly is proven to help lower cortisol levels, blood pressure and heart rate. A simple meditation requires you to bring your full attention to your breath and inhaling/exhaling through your nose. If you feel your mind starting to wander off, focus back to your breath without judgement.
  
  
• Exercise breaks: If you work at home and don’t do much movement during the day, regular physical activity is a great way to reduce stress and keep a strong immune system. Engaging in a 30 minute exercise break every day will increase your heart rate and oxygenate your body, boosting your endorphin levels and reducing stress.
  
  
• Take a nap (or two): Consistent poor sleep is directly related to higher stress levels. If you have trouble sleeping at night, try taking two naps no longer than 30 minutes each to counteract the negative effects of sleep deprivation. 
  
  
• Listen to the music you love: Experts have proven that playing your favorite tune can boost your mood, relax your muscles and release some of the accumulated stress during the day. Music is effective for relaxation and stress management, depending if you put on some classical music or some heavy metal. 

What other lifestyle habits can you think of that helps you reduce stress levels in this unique day and age?