News From The World Of Medicine

News From The World Of Medicine

Raw Flour Can Carry E. coli

In unwelcome news for cookie dough fans, flour was recently confirmed as the source of a serious 2016 Escherichia coli outbreak in the United States. Certain strains of this bacterium can be toxic, causing stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and, in extreme cases, kidney failure. Scientists knew E. coli could thrive in undercooked meat, but they were surprised to find the bacteria in dry flour with no visible signs of spoilage. Health authorities now recommend that, to be safe, you wash your hands thoroughly after handling flour and abstain from eating raw or unpasteurized dough.

Mouthwash And Diabetes

In a recent study of 1,206 nondiabetic overweight individuals, participants who used mouthwash twice or more a day were at greater risk for developing prediabetes or diabetes over the course of three years than those who used mouthwash no more than once a day. Mouthwash kills bacteria in the mouth, some of which are needed to form nitric oxide, which helps insulin function properly in your body. Avoid the risk by using mouthwash only a few times a week and by eating nitrate-rich foods such as strawberries, raspberries, spinach, lettuce, and beets.