You Are Your Favorite Snack
What does your popcorn say about your personality? Snack food preferences speak volumes about one’s character, according to a study of more than 19,000 people.
Researchers found that those who ranked potato chips as their favorite snack food are ambitious, successful, high achievers. The study, conducted by Alan R. Hirsch, M.D., neurological director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, was funded by The Snack Food Association and The National Potato Promotion Board.
Hirsch, author of What Flavor Is Your Personality? (Sourcebooks $22.95), notes that potato chip fans are highly capable adversaries who live to win.
Here’s a rundown of more snacks foods and the personality types who favor them.
Tortilla chips
Perfectionist personalities with high standards and high expectations for themselves. A certain sense of social responsibility comes naturally to them, says Hirsch. “If you want a partner to help you fight injustice, then look to the people who are eating tortilla chips.”
Pretzels
A tendency to start new projects before completing old ones. May overcommit to work projects and take on more family chores than they can handle. “Pretzel people also love novelty, are easily bored with routine and enjoy long periods of abstract thinking,” reports Hirsch.
Snack crackers
Contemplative thinkers with searching minds and multiple interests. Shy loners who prefer private time and tend to avoid arguments because they do not like to hurt another person’s feelings. Hirsch says they “may easily find themselves involved in an online romance.”
Weird Health News: Marijuana Use Linked to Scary New Syndrome
Know someone who smokes pot? Researchers and doctors are putting pieces of the puzzle together, linking consistent marijuana use with a frightening health condition…
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According to research published in the March issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology, heavy marijuana users are at risk for a severe vomiting syndrome called “cannabinoid hyperemesis.”
Health experts at University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, say that frequent and heavy pot use could lead to this unusual illness that is becoming more common. Symptom include severe vomiting (as in 2-3 hours of it per day, especially after eating), stomach cramps, nausea, etc.
Send this to your weed-smoking friend from college (or your teenage brother)–right now.
P.S. Weird but true: Researchers are seeing promising signs that marijuana (extracts, not smoke) could help fight the superbug.
Weird Health: Ladies, Meet the New Lab-Created Artificial Sperm
Oh my! That was my reaction to the news that British scientists (or, maybe, mad scientists) seem to have pioneered the technology to create sperm without the help of men. Sorry guys.
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It’s true. According to reports, with the help of stem cell science, British scientists say they have found a way to create sperm, artificially, in labs. While the new discover could mean great news for infertile men, and it may be coming to infertility clinics, say experts, in as little as five years, this is not free from controversy.
In short, the technology could, possibly, allow any man to create is own biological sperm from a “sliver of their skin.” Ethical concerns in question:
*Say you have a major crush on Ashton Kutcher–could he be your babydaddy if you could get a hold of a teensy bit of his skin? This is crazy, but eerily possible with technology like this, I fear.
*What about men who have passed away? What about the ethical implications of fathering children from “beyond the grave.” Yikes.
I don’t know–I’m perplexed. And, frankly, it’s hard to think about sperm somehow at 9:30 a.m. in the morning. Just sayin.
What do you think of all this synthetic sperm business?
Weird But True: Tap Water May Contain Artificial Sweeteners
You remember reading about how researchers tested samples of tap water from cities across the country and found traces of all kinds of prescription medication, right? Lovely, I know. Now they’re telling us that our water may be laced with artificial sweeteners. The weird details …
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We asked you what you thought of artificial sweeteners in this post, and the results were split down the middle. And while the jury is still out among health experts about just how harmful (if harmful at all) artificial sweeteners are, most would agree that our drinking water is one place artificial anything should not be.
Here’s the deal: Researchers tested water samples and found that sewage treatment plants were unable to remove artificial sweeteners completely from waste water, which flows downstream and makes its way into drinking water. The findings were recently published in the journal Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry.
Important note: This research was conducted in Germany, though there’s no reason to believe that findings wouldn’t be replicated in a comparable U.S. study. And, just in case you think that bottled water is the answer, don’t. Experts have determined that in many cases, it’s no different than tap.
What do you think of this news? Does it bother you a little to think that you may be drinking chemical additives? I have to say, I’m not entirely thrilled.
Weird But True: Sunless Tanner May Help Heal Wounds
The oddball news in health today? Sunless tanner may have wound-healing benefits. Check this out …
You slather self-tanner on your bod to get a UV-ray-free glow. But scientists are now telling us that a compound in that bottle of orange goop could have wound-healing properties.
“Turns out the sugar-based molecules that turn you brown and stick to your skin can be combined with a chemical goo to create a sticky gel bandage to help medical wounds heal better,” reports MSNBC’s Body Odd blog.
Hold off on reaching for the self-tanner instead of the bandage box just yet–for now, the application only works when compounded by doctors. While their at it, wouldn’t it be great if they could develop a self-tanner free of streaks and that strange smell (am I the only one who dreads the smell?).
P.S. Looking for a self-tanner that won’t turn you orange? And, your ultimate self-tanner guide–a must read.
Should It Be Illegal to Smoke in Front of Kids?
Kind of a disturbing image, isn’t it?
I watched in horror, recently, as a mom lugged her infant, snug in his car seat, through a parking lot while puffing away on a cigarette. Generous amounts of second-hand smoke wafted over the little guy’s head as he sat innocently in his seat. Seems I’m not the only one outraged about people who smoke in front of children.
The bloggers over at Health.com) pointed out a recent CDC report that says children as young as four years old are still being exposed to second-hand smoke–lots of it in fact–even despite tighter smoking laws in public places. Where are the kids getting fumigated? According to the CDC, their homes.
Unfortunate and upsetting, yes. But some are taking it a step further–asking whether it should be illegal to light up around children. What do you think? Way too restrictive or a good idea?
Shocking Statistic: In College? You Have a One in Four Chance of Being Raped–What’s Going On?
My eyes bugged out when I saw a statistic from a brand new Department of Justice study, which claims that if you’re a female in college, you have a one in four chance of being a victim of rape or attempted rape in your four years on campus. Yikes! What’s going on?
The new study from the Department of Justice reports that 25 percent of college women will be victims of rape or attempted rape before they graduate from 4-year colleges or universities. Even more shocking, women between the ages of 16 and 24, in general (college or no college) are raped four times more than older women.
Definitely sobering statistics, aren’t they?
Let’s discuss this: Did you/do you know someone who was raped in college? Did you ever have a close encounter yourself? What are the answers, in your opinion to this scary reality that the Justice Department paints?
Sex Question: Why Has My Period Gotten Lighter?
Dear Dr. H,
Why is my period so light now? At 38 years old I menstruate only 2 1/2 days. I’m really enjoying the brief periods, but in the back of my mind I think maybe something may be wrong–is there?
Read on for Dr. Hilda Hutcherson’s response.
A. It is not unusual for your period to change as you get older. Many of my patients have noticed differences in their periods after the age of 35; they can get lighter or heavier, shorter or longer. As long as your periods continue to come regularly, and are not severely heavy–or longer than 7 days or so–you should be fine. And don’t worry: Lighter periods do not mean that you are entering menopause or that you are infertile. 2 1/2 days is within the normal range for menstrual periods, but if you are concerned, my suggestion would be to make an appointment to see your doctor.
Readers, do you have any questions about your period? Let’s talk about them here!
Sex Question: Why Do I Get Horny Right Before and After My Period?
Dear Dr. Kate,
Why do I get so horny right before and right after my period?
Libido is a strange, enigmatic thing. We know that many, many factors play into our level of randiness: life stress, body image, physical health, available partners-and possibly hormone levels. There haven’t been a lot of studies looking at the connection between women’s libido and hormones at various points in the menstrual cycle, but some research has shown a spike in lust around the time we ovulate, mid-cycle (which is when evolutionary forces would have us engage in intercourse to get pregnant). That said, there are many fluctuations in the different sex hormones throughout the month, and these changes are different for every woman. Arousal isn’t cyclical-it can happen at any time, and that’s completely normal. This is why one week you may you jumping on your partner as soon as he walks in the door, and another week you may be pushing him off you. But if you’re lucky enough to have such predictable arousal levels, plan your dates accordingly and have fun.
Readers, have you noticed this about yourselves? How does getting your period affect your own libido?
Have a sex health question of your own? Ask Dr. Kate here, and keep checking back to see if she’s answered it.
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