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Burning Question: What Causes Red Wine Headaches?

YumSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:45:40 -0700

Red wine headache, or RWH, has long been a subject of contention. Contrary to popular belief, it isn't caused by sulfites (both sweet white wines and dried fruits contain more sulfites than red wine), but rather compounds found in grape skins. Still, no single chemical has conclusively proven to be the culprit.

Some believe the cause is a group of chemicals, which include tyramine, histamine, and others. Red wine contains higher levels of these, because it's produced using the grape's skin and juice. Other scientists theorize that tannins, another byproduct of grape skins, could be at fault. Still others point to lipid compounds. These potential culprits vary among red wines. If you aren't ready to give up red wine just yet, experts suggest trying a small glass of different brands and varietals - like less-tannic Burgundies, Riojas, and Pinot Noir - then noting whether they cause a headache, which would likely appear within 15 minutes.

Got a burning question? Join the Burning Question group in the YumSugar Community! It's your place to post the most pressing questions about the culinary world.

Let's Dish: What Foods Do You Eat When You're Sick?

YumSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:00:47 -0700

There's a nasty cold going around the Sugar office, which makes me want to whip up a big vat of chicken noodle soup. Though honestly, chicken soup isn't something I crave when I'm sick - unless I have a stomach flu, in which case, chicken broth is basically all I can eat.

Assuming you can keep food down and you're not nursing a hangover, what comforting foods do you use to defeat a cold or get over an illness?

Source: Flickr User Robert Couse-Baker

Paula Deen's Awkward Appearance on the View

YumSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:00:36 -0700

Food Network host Paula Deen appeared on The View this week to promote her new children's cookbook. Those who caught it know that it wasn't pretty to watch. Put the sassy Paula Deen and the straight-laced Barbara Walters together, and you get an uncomfortable dynamic.

As the ladies of The View sit behind a stupendous spread of fried chicken and other Southern comforts, Paula licks strawberry cake off her fingers and pictures of macaroni and cheese grace the background. Walters then forces the queen of Southern cuisine to answer a rather serious question:

This is a cookbook for kids. Obesity is the number one problem for kids today. Everything you have here is enormously fattening. You tell kids to have cheesecake for breakfast . . . Does it bother you that you are adding to it? No? Not at all?

Stunned, Deen bumbles something about moderation - "you know, we don't eat this every day" - to an unconvinced Walters. But Walters has a point. Not one food item in the supposedly kid-friendly spread could be considered wholesome and healthy. Yet, Barbara comes down hard on Paula. Who comes out on top? Watch the video, and weigh in on your thoughts after the jump

Burning Question: When Is It OK to Eat Moldy Food?

YumSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:50:51 -0700

The other day, a co-worker asked me whether it was OK to eat a piece of cheese that had grown slightly moldy. That question sparked a discussion on how to handle moldy foods. Can you ever simply cut off the bad parts and proceed to eat the rest? Find out the answer when you read more

France Develops Wine Lower in Calories, Alcohol

YumSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:00:19 -0700

Call it wine lite: Vintners in the Languedoc region of France have developed a new type of wine that's low in sugar, calories, and alcohol. The vino, developed by the French Wine Research Center, only contains 60 calories a glass and is virtually free of sugar.

This is achieved by growing grapes that contain 30 percent less sugar than traditional wine grapes, and with a new distillation process that lowers the wine's alcohol content from 13 percent to nine. French authorities have given the green light for So Light, as the product is called, to be commercially produced.
"We are targeting a population that is very conscious of eating and drinking healthily. They also want to watch their weight and also don't want to lose points on their driving license if they drink," said Claude Vialade, one of the vintners behind the product.

According to So Light's creators, wine enthusiasts are unable to discern between So Light and a regular glass of wine, and they anticipate the enterprise being successful enough to sell several million bottles within the next three years. Do you think it will triumph? Would you buy So Light if it were available to you?

New Study Finds Chocolate Could Save Your Life

YumSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:00:12 -0700

Chocolate has certainly been known to save the day. But did you know that eating chocolate might just save your life? A study to be published in the September issue of the Journal of Internal Medicine suggests that eating chocolate can prevent death in heart attack survivors.

Scientists found that those who ate chocolate two or more times a week were three times less likely to die from heart disease than those who never ate chocolate. The results are likely due to cocoa's antioxidant levels, according to study coauthor Dr. Kenneth Mukamal. In other chocolate news, Swiss candy maker Barry Callebaut, the world's largest chocolate manufacturer, has announced it is developing a chocolate that withstands temperatures up to 131°F before melting. While heat-resistant chocolate has long been a staple in both Swiss and American armies, this is the first time the variety will be available commercially.

"Volcano," as the candy will be called, melts on contact with saliva, has a crunchy texture, and, unlike the military version, will be made with cocoa butter. Not only will it be a boon to areas of the world prone to sweltering heat, but food scientists have discovered that the chocolate naturally contains fewer calories.

Alas, I find myself with yet another excuse to enjoy chocolate before bed. Since I'm always paranoid about melting chocolate, I can't wait to try the heat-resistant kind! What about you?

Do Women Wine Drinkers Have More Fun in Bed?

YumSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:30:13 -0700

Don't fear your lush lifestyle. A new study has found that drinking two glasses of wine a day could add a significant boost to a female's sex life. The study, which was conducted at Florence's Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, will be published in this October's Journal of Sexual Medicine.

It received feedback from 800 Tuscan women between the ages of 18 and 50 using the Female Sexual Function Index, a measuring system with a scale from two to 36 that's employed by physicians to assess the sexual health and satisfaction of women. Women who drank two glasses of wine a day scored an average of 27.3 points. Those who drank one glass averaged a 25.9 rating, and non-drinkers registered at a mere 24.4.

"The aspects of wine and sexuality have been well known since the time of Ancient Greece," added Nicola Mondaini, the study's lead author. How do you feel about the findings?

Starbucks to Give Away Gratis Pastries Tomorrow

YumSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:00:12 -0700

Last month, Starbucks completely overhauled its food menu, to focus on all-natural ingredients, and now, the company wants you to try them for free.

From opening until 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, print or show this flyer on your mobile device at any participating US location, and you'll get a free pastry of your choice with the purchase of a beverage.

The offer is only while supplies last, so run to your nearest Starbucks (which, most likely, isn't too far). I already know I'll be requesting a morning bun to go with my regular coffee. What will you be getting?

Source

Federal Government Outlines Tighter Food Safety Guidelines

YumSugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:00:33 -0700

Enough is enough, the White House has declared: Yesterday, a food safety working group established by Barack Obama announced new standards in the production of foods such as eggs, poultry, beef, leafy greens, melons, and tomatoes.

In the last year, members of virtually every food group - from spinach, jalapeños, milk, and peanut butter to cookie dough, beef, and now dry milk - have been recalled due to possible salmonella or E. coli contamination. With a series of new rules, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius are hoping to prevent as many further food safety issues as possible. Find out what the guidelines are when you read more

Starbucks Focuses on Healthy Menu Items

YumSugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:30:13 -0700

At the beginning of the month, Starbucks announced it would be rolling out a new "Real Food. Simply Delicious" campaign on June 30 to highlight its focus on all-natural ingredients. Starbucks has reformulated 90 percent of its baked goods to make them free of high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, food coloring, and some preservatives. It has also added menu items today: the Strawberry-Banana Vivanno, Blueberry-Oat Bars, Banana-Walnut Bread, and two lunch salads, the Classic Salad and a Farmers Market Salad. To learn more about what you'll find at Starbucks keep reading