Steak made with human POOP !

If you prefer your steak to be cooked rare, you may want to reconsider that choice after hearing about the latest advancement in food technology to come out of Japan: an edible steak made from human feces!

Take a moment to let that gag reflex subside. Now consider this: it's already been taste-tested, approved, and could eventually become a practical solution to sewage treatment. Someday "bowel burgers" may even provide an easy source of protein for the hungry.

The steaks were first envisioned by Japanese researcher Mitsuyuki Ikeda after he was approached by Tokyo Sewage to come up with a solution for the city's overabundance of sewage mud. Although "eating it" probably wouldn't have occurred to most people, Ikeda recognized that the mud was chock full with protein-rich bacteria.

After isolating those proteins in the lab, Ikeda's team then combined them with a reaction enhancer and put them in an exploder. What eventually came out was no filet mignon, but it was edible.

"Theoretically, there's nothing wrong with this," said Douglas Powell, a professor of food safety at Kansas State University. "It could be quite safe to eat, but I'm sure there's a yuck factor there."

To make swallowing the stool steaks a little bit easier, a nutty flavor was added using soy protein, and red food coloring was mixed in too, apparently to make the concoction look more like a juicy, bloody steak. A few brave researchers even took the plunge and taste-tested the product. (Apparently it tastes like regular beef.)

The official composition of the lab-grown steak is 63 percent proteins, 25 percent carbohydrates, 3 percent lipids, and 9 percent minerals. (Which sounds a lot better than 100 percent poop). According to Powell, the idea isn't really all that much different than eating plants that have been fertilized with manure or other excrement.

The idea could even help to solve the world food crisis. By comparison, researchers have also proposed harvesting insect protein (i.e., "bug burgers") as one possible way to help combat famine worldwide. Are "bowel burgers" really so much worse? They also take the ethic of recycling to its logical extreme.

Powell did offer one caveat to the future poo'd food revolution, though: because the steaks are made from human feces, there's always a chance for contamination. If you're brave enough to eat this, at least make certain that it's properly cooked (as if you were going to eat one raw!).

Health Benefits of Black Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are so nutritious that you might not want to wait until your next visit to the bakery to eat the few that top your bagel. Sesame seeds are an excellent source of many essential minerals as well as a very good source of vitamin B1 (thiamin) and dietary fiber. The nutrients found in sesame seeds may contribute to cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, support respiratory health, protect against colon cancer and osteoporosis as well as other conditions. Depending upon the variety, sesame seeds come in many different colors, including white, yellow, black and red.

Black Sesame

Many Major Minerals

Black sesame seeds are an excellent source of magnesium and calcium. A 1/4 cup serving of provides 126 mg of magnesium, or 32 percent of the Recommended Daily Value (DV), and 351 mg of calcium (35 percent of the DV). That's slightly more than you find in a cup of milk, however, the calcium is located in the hull of the seeds, so hulled versions offer much less calcium. 

Magnesium and calcium are important essential minerals that help regulate blood pressure, reduce the likelihood of developing tension and migraine headaches (triggered by blood vessel spasms), reduce the occurrence of airway spasms in asthmatics and regulate sleep patterns, especially in women suffering from menopause-induced sleep disturbances.

Essential Trace Minerals

A 1/4 cup serving of black sesame seeds provides almost 1.5 milligrams (mg), or 74 percent of the DV, for the trace mineral copper, and 2.8 mg (about 19 percent of the DV) for zinc. These minerals are needed in very small quantities, but are essential for human health. Copper plays a role in the anti-inflammatory process which is beneficial for reducing some of the swelling and pain characteristic of inflammatory diseases. Copper also is needed to activate an enzyme necessary for building collagen and elastin, which provide structure and elasticity to bones and joints. 

Low dietary intakes of the trace mineral zinc (low circulating levels in the bloodstream) is associated with a depressed immune system as well as loss of bone and decreased bone density of the hip and spine. Consuming zinc-rich foods, such as black sesame seeds, reduces the risk of suffering from bone fractures caused by reduced bone density (common among the elderly) or osteoporosis. Optimal zinc intake may reduce the frequency and length of the common cold because it keeps the immune system healthy.

Tiny Cholesterol Fighters

Black sesame seeds help lower serum cholesterol levels (which contributes to cardiovascular health) in several ways. They contain two unique substances known as sesamin and sesamolin. These substances belong to a group of fibers called lignans (flaxseeds are another rich source of lignans). Lignans are rich in dietary fiber and have a cholesterol-lowering effect. 

Black sesame seeds are rich in phytosterols. Phytosterols are plant compounds very similar in structure (chemical) to cholesterol. Consuming more dietary phytosterols not only decreases blood cholesterol levels but reduces the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Sesame seeds offer the highest phytosterol content (400 to 413 mg per 100 grams or 3.5 ounces) of all nuts and seeds.

Microsoft computer genius dies after epileptic fit aged just 16

Microsoft's youngest professional has died, aged 16.

Condolences have poured in from around the world after the passing of promising young computer genius Arfa Karim Randhawa, from Faisalabad, Pakistan.

The teenager died on Saturday night after complications resulting from an epileptic stroke.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who offered to pay for Karim's treatment, told the family he was sad to learn of her death and the loss of such a rare talent.

Young genius: Arfa Karim Randhawa, from Faisalabad, Pakistan, became the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional at the age of nine in 2005

Funeral prayers were offered on Sunday in Lahore before her body was taken to her native village Ram Dewali, Faisalabad for burial.

Karim pictured with Microsoft founder Bill Gates in 2006

Scores of people, including Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, ministers, politicians, friends and Karim's fellow students gathered to support the grieving family during the procession. Karim went into a coma on December 22 after suffering an epileptic attack and cardiac arrest.

She was admitted to treatment at Combined Military Hospital in Lahore and was on life support at the Intensive Care Unit when she suffered a tracheotomy complication on Saturday evening that resulted in bleeding in her throat.

Despite earlier reports of her progress had improved, doctors were unable to save her.

Karim rose to international fame when she became the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional - a title awarded to those who master Microsoft programs - at the age of nine in 2005.

After earning the CCP title, Karim was subsequently invited to visit Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Washington

The company website notes adults often use the certification to further their careers in the tech field.

After earning the certification, Karim was subsequently invited to visit Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Washington by founder Bill Gates. Karim, then ten, met with Gates and other Microsoft executives during the visit, undoubtedly impressing them with her knowledge of programming at such a young age.

After Karim's hospitalisation, Gates in January reached out to the family and offered to pay for her medical care. It was reported he also proposed moving Karim to the U.S. for better treatment, although doctors decided it was against her best interest given Karim was on a ventilator.

In her honour.

Her father, Amjad Karim, thanked the Microsoft founder for his efforts, and said that his daughter was a spark that 'got attention and love from everyone on the globe.'

The young girl indeed made her country proud, representing Pakistan around the world with her incredible aptitude and skill.

Karim received the Fatimah Jinnah Gold Medal in the field of Science and Technology, presented by the Prime Minister of Pakistan in 2005, and was also the recipient of the President’s Award for Pride of Performance.

Youths light candles to pay homage to Arfa Karim during a ceremony in her memory held in Peshawar

In November 2006, she was invited by Microsoft to be a part of the keynote session in the Tech-Ed Developers conference in Barcelona. She was the only Pakistani among over 5,000 developers in that conference, themed 'Get ahead of the game'.

A permanent monument is also to be erected in her honour.

The IT Media City in Karachi will be renamed after the computer prodigy, and will now be known as Arfa Karim IT Media City, Karachi.

Purple Carrots: The Next Superfood !

They may sound like something out of Alice in Wonderland but purple carrots are not only real, they're being positioned as the next superfood.

Purple Carrots

Purple carrots were grown wild 5,000 years ago in the area now known as Afghanistan. And there were red,white and yellow carrot. Some say there were even black and green carrot! Carrots only became orange in the 1500′s when a patriotic Dutch growers developed a carrot (Red mix with Yellow) in an attempt to nationalize the country’s favorite vegetable...Orange is the national colour of the Netherlands!

Varieties of carrot

We all know about the numerous health benefits of carrots (Daucus carota L.), they are an excellent source of vitamin A, and contain phytochemicals including carotenoids, phenolics, polyacetylenes, isocoumarins, and sesquiterpenes.

Phytochemicals are plant chemicals that have antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and other disease preventive and health enhancing properties.

Purple carrots: is a healthier choice than the orange carrot.

Not only do purple carrots contain all of the phytochemicals found in orange carrots, they also contain anthocyanins, potent antioxidants. Anthocyanins are responsible for the bright red, blue and purple colors of fruits and vegetables. Anthocyanins are abundant in berries, especially the blueberry, which has exceptionally high antioxidant activity.

Anthocyanins are naturally found in purple carrots

Purple carrots have the added benefit of anthocyanins that are naturally bred in purple carrots and are great antioxidants. Antioxidants work to protect the body’s cells from free radicals which are unstable molecules with potentially destructive side effects. Anthocyanins are antioxidants and they give many vegetables their red, purple, and blue coloring.

In fact, purple carrots have 28 times more of these anthocyanins than an orange carrot. Growers love purple carrots because they are easier to grow and produce than other antioxidant-rich produce like blueberries.

Anthocyanins were put to the test in 2007 and lab-based results indicated that these pigments were helpful against a variety of health concerns including cancer, diabetes, neurological diseases and bacterial infections. Of the many biological enhancements, anthocyanins include anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and antimicrobial properties. The anti-carcinogenic power of the purple carrot has been tested to help against cancer, strokes, heart disease and even diabetes. Unfortunately, the human body can only absorb so much anthocyanins so it is best to keep your servings of purples carrots small and not overdo it.

The next superfood

The roots of these carrots can also be used to promote health. The roots have been used to treat intestinal parasites, constipation, indigestion and tonsil issues. In ancient times, the purple carrot was used as medicine to treat everything from dog bites to syphilis. Men believed the carrot to be an aphrodisiac and used it to make women more pliable and men more passionate! Wow...but.. this is  not scientifically proven!

Read also: Benefits of Olive Oil

While the purple carrot may not be easy to come across right now, the health benefits and color appeal of this vegetable are making the spotlight and getting noticed. The Food and Drug Administration has approved for carrots to be marketed as fat free, low sodium, a good source of fiber, high in Vitamin A, and cholesterol free.

My favorite purple carrot juice

Nutritionists and farmers everywhere are starting to get wise to the purple carrot’s appeal. While the color at first may be off putting or exotically interesting, the purple carrot is more than just a visual show stopper. It can also be a healthy person’s best friend.

Vegood is without preservative

One of the best purple carrot juice can be found in Malaysia is Vegood! Now you should try yourself the taste and benefit of purple carrot.

Some of Vegood Purple Carrot juice range.