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https://nordictimes.com/health/chilli-easy-to-grow-and-packed-with-vitamin-c/

Health

Chilli: easy to grow and packed with vitamin C

Published February 15, 2025 – By Editorial staff
4 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

In addition to being a great spice in food, chilli is also healthy in many ways, as it is high in vitamin C and potassium. The chili pepper takes a long time to grow but is relatively easy to sow and grow at home on the windowsill, and it does not require a garden to succeed with the harvest. For the avid grower, now is the time to start sowing chilies to get a harvest in early fall.

Some believe that humans have been eating chilies since 7500 BC, and archaeological finds in southwestern Ecuador show that chilies were cultivated more than 6000 years ago. Christopher Columbus is said to have been one of the first Europeans to discover chillies in the West Indies and he also gave them the name "pepper" because of their taste. It is the fat-soluble substance capsaicin that gives the chili its heat, which is the substance found in pepper sprays, for example.

Choose the right variety - hot or mild

There are lots of different types of chili with different degrees of heat. For those who do not like spicy food, there are chili varieties that are very mild and taste more like peppers, which, incidentally, are sorted under the same genus as chili but lack the capsaicin that gives heat in the fruit. The strength is measured in scoville degrees where you can measure the heat from 0 and up. The hottest chili, according to Guinness World Records, is Pepper X, which is over one million scoville degrees. A tip for the inexperienced chili eater is to start mildly and slowly test your way between different strengths. If you have happened to grow too strong chili, you can try to remove the fruit's seed coat and middle walls, which is where most of the capsaicin is located.

Packed with goodness

Chilli is high in vitamin C, potassium and beta-carotene. There is also a fair amount of vitamin A, phosphorus, folate and magnesium. Some people believe that capsaicin can suppress appetite if you eat some chili before meals. It is also thought to promote healthy gut bacteria. Capsaicin can also have an analgesic effect on the skin and is found in some plasters, for example. Some believe that it can therefore also work well as a painkiller for arthritis, shingles and even for ordinary headaches. Previous studies have shown that chili can also have a blood pressure-lowering effect and that those who eat chili 3-7 times a week have a 14% lower risk of dying prematurely.

Grow your own chili

In principle, chilies can be sown all year round, but many recommend starting as early as January or February. One tip is to first soak the seeds for about 24 hours to facilitate germination. Then, plant one to three seeds in a small pot of seed soil about 0.5 centimeters down. The soil should be moist, but not soaking wet. Initially, you can place the seedlings on the bathroom floor, for example, or over the fridge where there is a little extra warmth, but you can also place them on the windowsill. For extra help, you can use a heating plate. Cover the seed with plastic film or a lid. Keep the seedling moist with a spray bottle at the beginning and water from below.

When the so-called heart leaves, i.e. the very first leaves, appear, you can remove the plastic film from the pot and, if it is not already there, place the pot on the windowsill, as the plant then wants light. Plant lighting can be beneficial to help the plant grow. Once the first character leaves have appeared, i.e. the real chili leaves, it is time to replant the plant in potting soil. As the plant grows, it should be replanted about three to four times before it goes into the final pot. The size of the final pot depends on the type of chili you have chosen, but many varieties can thrive in a one-liter pot.

Take good care of the plant

When the plant has grown to about 30-40 centimeters, you can move it out into the greenhouse, but otherwise you can leave it in the window. If you want to grow chillies outside, you must first get them used to the colder air and direct sunlight. When the daytime temperature is above 20 degrees, the plant can be put out completely for the season. The soil should be kept moist, but can also mold easily if it gets too wet. Watering about every other day is usually beneficial. Feel free to feed the plant about three times a week, there is special chili nutrition you can buy or you can make your own from eggshells, among other things. Let the fruits ripen on the plant, but you can also take them when they are green and eat them. Don't forget to save some seeds to plant for next year.

Uses

Besides being a flavoring agent in most dishes, chili has many other uses. For example, it's also great for flavoring chocolate or chocolate pastries. If you make your own ginger shot, you can add a little chili for an extra boost in the drink, which helps prevent colds. Also try adding some to your smoothie.

Cheese and chili go well together and it is recommended to make your own chili cheese for Friday snacks. Hot sandwiches with a little chili, cheese and tomato can also be a good change.

Chili can be dried for your own chili seasoning, but can also be frozen. One tip is to chop it up and store it in small jars, so you can pick out a little at a time and put it in your food. It is also good to add chili or make marmalade.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/health/study-shows-rising-life-expectancy-but-more-young-people-are-dying/

Health

Study shows rising life expectancy but more young people are dying

Published yesterday 12:48 pm – By Editorial staff
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Global mortality is declining, but not among all age groups. Researchers are now warning that the world faces a growing crisis – namely an increasing number of deaths among adolescents and young adults.

Today, people live an average of 20 years longer than in the 1950s, and age-standardized mortality is 67 percent lower – according to the annual Global Burden of Disease study, which has analyzed data from 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2023.

In the study, published in The Lancet, thousands of researchers have analyzed data and produced estimates for 375 diseases and injuries as well as 88 risk factors by age and sex – globally, regionally, and nationally for all countries.

It shows that half of the world's diseases are preventable and are driven by various risks such as high blood pressure, air pollution, smoking, and obesity.

Non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes account for nearly two-thirds of the world's total mortality and morbidity.

Suicide and drugs among young people

Despite the decline in global age-standardized mortality, researchers are sounding the alarm about a concerning trend: mortality among young adults is increasing in several parts of the world.

Among adolescents and young adults, the largest increase in deaths was recorded among people aged 20 to 39 in high-income countries in North America between 2011 and 2023, where suicide, drugs, and alcohol were the main causes.

During the same period, deaths also increased in the 5-19 age group in Eastern Europe, high-income countries in North America, and the Caribbean.

— The evidence presented in the Global Burden of Disease study is a wake-up call, urging government and health care leaders to respond swiftly and strategically to the disturbing trends that are reshaping public health needs, says Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.

In sub-Saharan Africa, more young people are also dying, but there infectious diseases and accidents are claiming young lives.

Mental illness increasing

Furthermore, mental illness continues to increase globally – with anxiety syndromes having increased by 63 percent and depression by 26 percent since 1990.

Geographic differences remain significant. Life expectancy varies from 83 years in high-income countries to 62 years in sub-Saharan Africa. Today, the global average life expectancy is 76 years for women and 71.5 years for men.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/health/its-never-too-late-older-adults-can-regain-their-health/

Health

It’s never too late – older adults can regain their health

Published November 22, 2025 – By Editorial staff
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Older adults can regain full health and quality of life even after serious health problems, shows a new study. Nearly one in four people over 60 with poor well-being had completely recovered after three years.

In the study, researchers from the University of Toronto examined data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), a long-term study that collects data on aging in Canada. First, they examined people who had reduced health and quality of life and were 60 years or older during the years 2011–2015.

They then followed up with these participants three years later, during 2015–2018, to see how their health had changed and, above all, whether it had improved. A total of 8,332 people participated in the study.

Participants' well-being was measured through the absence of serious physical, cognitive or emotional problems as well as high self-reported physical and mental health, happiness and life satisfaction. Furthermore, researchers also examined whether participants had a healthy body weight, regular physical activity, good sleep, avoided smoking and whether they participated in social activities.

The results, which were published in PLOS One, show that nearly one in four people over 60 who reported poor well-being at the start of the study had regained optimal health and quality of life after three years. Those who already had strong psychological and emotional well-being at the beginning were more than five times more likely to regain optimal health.

— It's incredibly encouraging to see that, with the right supports and lifestyle, many older adults can reclaim full health, happiness, and independence - even after serious health challenges, says lead author Mabel Ho to Medicalxpress.

Often, studies about older adults focus on health deterioration and functional decline, but this study does the opposite – it shows that it is possible for older adults to regain good health and that it is not uncommon either.

— We want this study to reshape how society views aging. With the right environment, resources, and supports, older adults don't just survive after struggling with health or well-being issues -  they thrive, says Ho.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/health/wireless-earbuds-may-cause-thyroid-nodules/

Health

Wireless earbuds may cause thyroid nodules

Published November 11, 2025 – By Editorial staff
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Prolonged use of wireless earbuds can cause thyroid nodules, according to various studies. Furthermore, research shows that these types of earbuds expose users to varying degrees of magnetic fields.

Abnormal growths in the thyroid gland typically manifest as localized swellings in the thyroid tissue. Most thyroid nodules are benign, asymptomatic and require no treatment, but some can be malignant – something that has increased dramatically in the population over the past 15 years according to a study published earlier this year.

A study from 2024 showed that prolonged daily use of wireless earbuds that transmit 2.4 GHz Bluetooth microwaves is strongly linked to an increased risk of thyroid nodules, writes the Swedish Radiation Protection Foundation. This is explained by the fact that the thyroid gland, which is very sensitive to radiation, is one of the most exposed organs when using such earbuds as well as a mobile phone. The study also showed that sensitivity to developing thyroid nodules increased with advancing age.

"Our study highlighted a significant impact relationship between prolonged Bluetooth headset use and increased thyroid nodule risk, emphasizing the importance of considering health impacts in the use of modern technology, especially for devices like Bluetooth headsets that are frequently used daily", the researchers conclude.

Magnetic fields

Wireless earbuds emit radiation, but studies also show that they emit magnetic fields. In a study published in 2023, researchers examined six models of in-ear earbuds. These provided exposure to static magnetic fields from 20 mT at the surface to tens of μT in the inner ear. The researchers note that more research is needed on the combination of exposure to elevated magnetic fields and microwaves – recommending the use of air tube headphones.

Apple's wireless AirPods, for example, "communicate with one another using a magnetic induction field, a variable magnetic field sends through your brain to communicate with the other", explained Dr. Joel Moskowitz in the Daily Mail, who is one of the leading experts in the field of health risks from electromagnetic radiation and a member of the International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (ICBE-EMF). He noted that research on the health effects of this exposure is completely lacking.

Probably carcinogenic

Microwave radiation is something that research has shown can damage cellular DNA, cause oxidative stress and damage brain cells and function, which can have effects such as headaches, impaired memory, cognitive ability and sleep – and it is precisely this type of radiation found in wireless earbuds, something the Swedish Radiation Protection Foundation has written about.

The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified microwave radiation as possibly carcinogenic, class 2B. Many researchers today believe that the radiation should be considered carcinogenic.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/health/pfas-during-pregnancy-alters-childs-brain/

Health

PFAS during pregnancy alters child’s brain

Published October 16, 2025 – By Editorial staff
Research shows for the first time how PFAS in pregnant women can alter children's brain structure several years later.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

For the first time, researchers can demonstrate how PFAS in pregnant women affects their children's brains long-term. The Finnish-Swedish study shows that structural changes can be observed in children when they are five years old.

The study, which has been published in Lancet Planetary Health, is a collaboration between Örebro University (Sweden), Åbo University (Finland), and Turku University Hospital (Finland), and is part of the EU project INITIALISE (Inflammation in human early life: targeting impacts on life-course health).

PFAS consists of a range of chemicals that are difficult to break down and have been found not only in nature, but also in humans and animals. Some of these chemicals can be harmful to health. Research has shown that PFAS can affect the immune system and is also suspected to have effects on metabolism, hormonal balance, and brain development.

Because PFAS remains in the body, it can also pass from a pregnant woman to the placenta, which means the child can be exposed. Previous studies have, for example, indicated that if pregnant women have PFAS in their blood, there is a greater risk that the child will become overweight later in life.

Affected brain structure

This study is the first of its kind to examine the entire brain simultaneously in a brain scanner in children in relation to PFAS exposure during pregnancy – several years after birth.

The study was conducted using the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, which was established at Åbo University (Finland) in 2011. It is a long-term study that follows thousands of children and mothers from pregnancy onward. Some of the children underwent brain scans, and these results have been compared with the levels of PFAS measured in the mothers during pregnancy.

The results show that there is a connection between higher levels of PFAS in pregnant women and changes in both the brain's structure and in the connections between different brain regions in their children. These changes were observed five years later.

This is the first time researchers have been able to describe how PFAS in pregnant women can be linked to changes in their children's brains several years later.

— This is an important piece of the puzzle in understanding how chemicals can affect children's development. Step by step, we are gaining more knowledge about how different environmental factors interact and can contribute to health problems, says Tuulia Hyötyläinen, professor at Örebro University, in a press release.

Exposure to PFAS during pregnancy and also during early development in the child is considered particularly sensitive, the researchers say, because the brain and other organs grow rapidly and are formed during that time. More research is now needed on how PFAS affects brain function.

— Overall, the research shows that PFAS can affect brain development even at low levels. More research is needed on how chemicals affect cognition and brain function in children, what the causes are, and what it leads to, says Hyötyläinen.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Researchers' tips to avoid PFAS while awaiting stronger legislation:

  1. Eat fish, but avoid fish from lakes contaminated with PFAS. For more information about contamination levels, contact your local municipality. Also reduce consumption of takeaway food and microwaveable meals in grease- and water-repellent paper packaging.
  2. Avoid cooking with non-stick products.
    Avoid makeup, soap and beauty products containing PFAS. In ingredient lists, look out for: PTFE, polytetrafluoroethylene, "...perfluoro..." or "...polyfluoro...".
  3. PFAS is often found in water-repellent functional clothing. Since most PFAS is released during production, buying second-hand clothes can help reduce these chemicals in nature.