It’s Christmas time and it’s evil corn yet again! When you eat that Christmas dinner, remember this: A diet high in fructose increases the risk of developing high blood pressure. And it doesn’t take a lot of fruit: The high fructose corn syrup in those sodas and processed foods you eat and drink will do it. And high fat diets are not only addicting, they lead to depression (and what about that wine?).
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Wrap rage! – According to a poll of Pennsylvania adults, about 17% experienced an injury or knows someone who was injured while opening gifts during past seasons. Wrap rage is defined as anger brought on by the frustration of trying to open a factory-sealed purchase. A March 2006 story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette quoted Todd Marks, a senior editor at Consumer Reports, as saying, “Today’s packages force consumers to fight tooth and nail to get at what’s inside.” The same article also claims that 2001 Census Bureau data shows people suffer twice the injuries from packaging than injuries from skateboards or swimming pools.
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Will there be flowers (and food crops) next spring? European Honey bees are dying off, leading farmers to worry about how to pollinate their fields. A replacement for them might be the native American bumble bee. A recent study shows that native bumble bee species have consistently high pollination and seed production levels in red clover. What will happen next year? Could they be as successful with farm crops?
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But NOT so good for your teeth! – Just in time for Christmas dinner, there is good news and bad news about wine (and alcohol in general): Wine is good for your heart but bad for your teeth.
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