simple – Latest News https://latestnews.top Mon, 31 Jul 2023 06:08:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 https://latestnews.top/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cropped-licon-32x32.png simple – Latest News https://latestnews.top 32 32 Netflix fan’s simple trick to fix audio issue that has been annoying users https://latestnews.top/netflix-fans-simple-trick-to-fix-audio-issue-that-has-been-annoying-users/ https://latestnews.top/netflix-fans-simple-trick-to-fix-audio-issue-that-has-been-annoying-users/#respond Mon, 31 Jul 2023 06:08:42 +0000 https://latestnews.top/2023/07/31/netflix-fans-simple-trick-to-fix-audio-issue-that-has-been-annoying-users/ Netflix fan’s simple trick to fix audio issue that has been annoying users A tech enthusiast has shared a quick fix for annoying audio issues on Netflix Loud background music will no longer ruin your show with this simple method  The creator also shared secret codes to narrow down your TV and movie search   By […]]]>


Netflix fan’s simple trick to fix audio issue that has been annoying users

  • A tech enthusiast has shared a quick fix for annoying audio issues on Netflix
  • Loud background music will no longer ruin your show with this simple method 
  • The creator also shared secret codes to narrow down your TV and movie search  

Have you ever watched Netflix and struggled to comprehend the dialogue because the background music is too loud?

Well, there’s a quick way to change the audio levels so you don’t have to constantly rewind or rely on subtitles to hear your show.

A Netflix fan has shared a simple fix for the annoying audio issue, which has been bothering viewers for some time. 

A Netflix fan has shared a simple fix to lower the noise of the background music - the annoying audio issue has been bothering viewers for some time

A Netflix fan has shared a simple fix to lower the noise of the background music – the annoying audio issue has been bothering viewers for some time

Tech enthusiast Matty McTech, shared the hack to his 4.8million TikTok followers, and some have claimed the trick is ‘life-changing’. 

Posting on his account @setupspawn, the creator started the video by saying: ‘I was today years old when I found this out.’

He continued: ‘If you’ve been watching Netflix and you struggle to hear quiet voices over the background music and sound effects, it might be because Netflix thinks you have surround sound.’

If you don’t have surround sound, Matty advised, you might want to change the settings – and it couldn’t be easier. 

All you need to do is pause the video you’re watching and go to the bottom, where you’ll usually see which language you’re watching in.  

You’ll see a button which says ‘other’, and you’ll see the default audio setting will read: ‘English [Original] (5.1)’, or any other language followed by ‘5.1’.

‘That means Netflix thinks you have five speakers and one subwoofer,’ Matty explained.

He continued: ‘So if you don’t [have surround sound] you want to select ‘English [original]. And now the background music is a little quieter and I can hear him talk.’

The TikToker explained that all you need to do is change the default audio setting from 'English [Original] (5.1)'to English '[Original]'

The TikToker explained that all you need to do is change the default audio setting from ‘English [Original] (5.1)’to English ‘[Original]’

The video since been viewed nearly 10million times and has had over 250,000 saves. 

The viral video has gained hundreds of thousands of comments with one person saying: ‘WHAT?!?! this is life-changing’.

Another added: ‘THANK YOU SOOOOO FRICKEN MUCH …. I hated the audio issue,’ and a third simply added: ‘It worked!’

One user asked: ‘What if you use a sound bar?’

To which Matty replied: ‘It should be fine depending on the sound bar. You can always pick different audio settings and see what you like the best though.’

In the same video, the creator revealed a website called Netflix-codes.com which shares secret Netflix category codes that won’t appear on the usual website or app, such as ‘satires’ or ‘Cult horror movies’. 

The full list of Netflix secret codes will let you unlock hidden TV shows, genres and films to narrow down your hunt for what to watch next. 

The website breaks down each genre in alphabetical order and places a code next to it.

Just take the code and type it into the search bar, and it will bring up all the TV shows or movies from that category.



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How to get the absolute most out of your 5-minute GP appointment: Six simple questions https://latestnews.top/how-to-get-the-absolute-most-out-of-your-5-minute-gp-appointment-six-simple-questions/ https://latestnews.top/how-to-get-the-absolute-most-out-of-your-5-minute-gp-appointment-six-simple-questions/#respond Sat, 29 Jul 2023 18:01:58 +0000 https://latestnews.top/2023/07/29/how-to-get-the-absolute-most-out-of-your-5-minute-gp-appointment-six-simple-questions/ How to get the absolute most out of your 5-minute GP appointment: Six simple questions you should know the answer to, according to a doctor By Rebecca Whittaker For Mailonline Updated: 07:41 EDT, 29 July 2023 It can take two weeks just to make an appointment to see your GP.  And once you are there […]]]>


How to get the absolute most out of your 5-minute GP appointment: Six simple questions you should know the answer to, according to a doctor

It can take two weeks just to make an appointment to see your GP. 

And once you are there it’s over in a flash, with the average consultation lasting less than 10 minutes.

Rushing through an appointment can leave people struggling to remember the vital details of their ailments. 

But there are some simple questions you can prepare with to get the most out of the limited time you have with the GP. 

Professor Sir Muir Gray, director at GHS, a platform for tracking physical, emotional and cognitive health, shared his advice for making the most out of an appointment.

Rushing though a five-minute GP appointment can leave people struggling to remember the details of their ailments, but writing things down and preparing question can help, the GHS says

Rushing though a five-minute GP appointment can leave people struggling to remember the details of their ailments, but writing things down and preparing question can help, the GHS says

The six questions you should know before your GP appointment

Professor Sir Muir Gray, director at online service The GHS, has devised a check list of questions so you can prepare for GP consultations.

Professor Sir Muir Gray, director at online service The GHS

Professor Sir Muir Gray, director at online service The GHS

The questions you should prepare include:  

  • When did it start?
  • What have you tried?
  • Does anything make it better or worse?
  • What are you most worries about?
  • What would be a good outcome of this visit from your point of view? 
  • What is bothering you?

Sir Gray also recommends writing questions down and recording consultations so you do not forget what was said. 

‘Before you go and see a doctor, remember the doctor may have a thousand consultations a day’, says Sir Gray.

So the first thing to do is to have an answer prepared for when the GP asks what is wrong, he said.

He added: ‘There are certain things you want to think about, like when did it start, what you are worried about, what you hope the GP can do for you, the GP will ask what you have tried so far, what makes it better and what makes it worse. 

‘Time is more of a scarce resource in the health service than money.’

Sir Gray recommends this approach, as it is common to forget important details when in the appointment room, which is a sign of ‘anxiety’ rather than ‘stupidity’.

‘There is evidence that even the most intelligent people, they are so anxious in the consultation that they don’t remember everything the GP has said to them’, he said. 

For that reason, Sir Gray says recording the consultation can help. 

‘Suppose your grandmother went to the hospital and saw a neurologist and she comes back home, she may not remember if she asked all the questions she meant to ask,’ he said.

Sir Gray added: ‘I am a believer in writing things down, checking through.

‘And I am also a believer that if you have a difficult problem like cancer, recording the consultation and make sure you ask all the questions you meant to ask and make sure you have recorded everything the doctor has said to you.’

This preparation saves the time of patients and doctors, he said.

Sir Gray said: ‘We also need to think about patient’s time, As well as the time of the clinicians. 

‘If they give you a hospital appointment at 9am, you have the time it takes to get there, then the waiting time, then let’s say they need to arrange an MRI scan and expect you back next week. 

‘If you are paid by the day then you have lost a day’s work, it’s called the burden of treatment.’

But Sir Gray suggests you can make more of the health service if you ask about how to take care of yourself and talk to other people with the same problem for support. 

He said: ‘The issue is we need the NHS for diagnosis, for acute care and for starting the right treatment, but once the treatment has started you are on your own 99 per cent of the time. 

‘That’s why self-care is the most important care for prevention and coping with long-term health problems.’

The survey shows that Medicus Select Care CCG for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes was the lowest rank. The practice offers healthcare services to those who have been kicked off the list of their surgery. This can occur after several written warnings due to their behaviour or immediately if they have been violent

The survey shows that Medicus Select Care CCG for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes was the lowest rank. The practice offers healthcare services to those who have been kicked off the list of their surgery. This can occur after several written warnings due to their behaviour or immediately if they have been violent



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The simple travel hack that gets you a FREE stay in a five-star hotel in Dubai https://latestnews.top/the-simple-travel-hack-that-gets-you-a-free-stay-in-a-five-star-hotel-in-dubai/ https://latestnews.top/the-simple-travel-hack-that-gets-you-a-free-stay-in-a-five-star-hotel-in-dubai/#respond Mon, 26 Jun 2023 14:03:14 +0000 https://latestnews.top/2023/06/26/the-simple-travel-hack-that-gets-you-a-free-stay-in-a-five-star-hotel-in-dubai/ Revealed: The simple travel hack that gets you a FREE stay in a five-star hotel in Dubai (with all your meals included) By Ailbhe Macmahon For Mailonline Updated: 09:33 EDT, 26 June 2023 If a free stay in a five-star Dubai hotel sounds tempting, read on. Travellers who fly with Emirates can receive a complimentary […]]]>


Revealed: The simple travel hack that gets you a FREE stay in a five-star hotel in Dubai (with all your meals included)

If a free stay in a five-star Dubai hotel sounds tempting, read on.

Travellers who fly with Emirates can receive a complimentary night’s stay in the UAE city with all their meals included, courtesy of the airline’s ‘Dubai Connect’ programme.

Emirates offers ‘Dubai Connect’ to passengers that have a long layover time in Dubai – they must have between eight and 26 hours until their next flight to qualify for a hotel stay.

Passengers of every cabin class, from first class to economy, are eligible to take advantage of the service.

The airline says that the idea is for passengers to ‘enjoy some downtime before [their] next flight’.

Travellers that fly with Emirates can receive a complimentary hotel stay in Dubai. One of the hotels in the scheme is the five-star Le Meridien Airport Hotel Dubai (above)

Travellers that fly with Emirates can receive a complimentary hotel stay in Dubai. One of the hotels in the scheme is the five-star Le Meridien Airport Hotel Dubai (above) 

Emirates offers 'Dubai Connect' to passengers that have a long layover time in Dubai – they must have between eight and 26 hours to qualify for a hotel stay

Emirates offers ‘Dubai Connect’ to passengers that have a long layover time in Dubai – they must have between eight and 26 hours to qualify for a hotel stay

When passengers arrive at the airport, a ‘complimentary coach’ takes them to the hotel for their stay. One of the hotels it uses for the service is the five-star JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, which lies in the city’s downtown district and boasts ‘awe-inspiring views of the Dubai cityscape’, the hotel’s website reveals. 

Another hotel in the scheme is the five-star Le Meridien Airport Hotel Dubai, which is ‘nestled within 15 hectares of manicured gardens’ and boasts ‘azure outdoor pools’, its website notes. 

While the airline notes that ‘all applicable meals are included in your hotel booking’, the passenger must pay for extras such as mini‑bar snacks, spa treatments or added dining expenses.

The Le Meridien Airport Hotel Dubai is 'nestled within 15 hectares of manicured gardens'

The Le Meridien Airport Hotel Dubai is ‘nestled within 15 hectares of manicured gardens’ 

One of the hotels that Emirates uses for the service is the five-star JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai (above), which lies in the city's downtown district

One of the hotels that Emirates uses for the service is the five-star JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai (above), which lies in the city’s downtown district

What about visas? The airline says that the Dubai Connect booking includes a complimentary visa. The visa needs to be prearranged prior to arrival for nationalities that require a visa to enter the UAE, or on arrival subject to UAE Immigration approval, the carrier notes. 

How do you take advantage of the offer? After you’ve booked your flights, use your name and reference number to log into your Emirates account. Then, you tap into the ‘manage’ section in your booking and choose ‘Dubai Connect’.

You must choose to add the service at least 24 hours ahead of your flight, the airline notes.

That said, not every passenger is eligible to apply. For instance, certain group bookings don’t meet the criteria, and the offer only applies if you’ve booked on to the best available flight connection – so there’s no point in trying to cheat the system by booking a transfer flight for the next day. 

Emirates isn’t the only airline to offer such a service, which is known as a ‘Stopover Paid by Carrier’ service in the aviation industry. Other airlines that offer it include TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad, IcelandAir and Iberia. 



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I’m a lifeguard. Here’s my surprisingly simple tip on how to survive being caught in a https://latestnews.top/im-a-lifeguard-heres-my-surprisingly-simple-tip-on-how-to-survive-being-caught-in-a/ https://latestnews.top/im-a-lifeguard-heres-my-surprisingly-simple-tip-on-how-to-survive-being-caught-in-a/#respond Tue, 20 Jun 2023 07:38:13 +0000 https://latestnews.top/2023/06/20/im-a-lifeguard-heres-my-surprisingly-simple-tip-on-how-to-survive-being-caught-in-a/ Within surfing and lifeguarding communities, the media has developed a bad reputation for overexaggerating the threat rip currents pose to beach goers – ironically putting them at even greater risk. Although the overwhelming majority of deaths on American beaches are caused by ‘deadly’ rip currents, experts warn that in almost every case the fatality was […]]]>


Within surfing and lifeguarding communities, the media has developed a bad reputation for overexaggerating the threat rip currents pose to beach goers – ironically putting them at even greater risk.

Although the overwhelming majority of deaths on American beaches are caused by ‘deadly’ rip currents, experts warn that in almost every case the fatality was not caused by the current itself, but rather the swimmer’s response. 

DailyMail.com spoke with Wyatt Werneth – former Lifeguard Chief of Brevard County in Florida – about how to cope with rip currents and his advice was quite simple: ‘Just lay on your back and float, that’s all you’ve got to do.’

As a lifeguard shortage plagues America’s coastal states, swimmers descending on the nation’s beaches this summer are being encouraged to educate themselves on rip currents, among other ocean hazards.

Rips are strong, narrow currents that flow roughly from the shoreline through the surf and out to sea. Crucially, they never flow downwards and cannot pull swimmers underwater.

Wyatt Werneth served as the chief lifeguard for Brevard County in Florida from 1999 until 2008. He suggested staying calm and merely keeping afloat was key to surviving a rip current

Wyatt Werneth served as the chief lifeguard for Brevard County in Florida from 1999 until 2008. He suggested staying calm and merely keeping afloat was key to surviving a rip current

Wereneth said the typical advice of swimming parallel to the shore to escape a current was not always effective because, where there is a rip current, there is often another beside it. Trying too hard to escape can cause exhaustion and result in drowning. Pictured is a series of rip currents above Pensacola Beach in Florida

Wereneth said the typical advice of swimming parallel to the shore to escape a current was not always effective because, where there is a rip current, there is often another beside it. Trying too hard to escape can cause exhaustion and result in drowning. Pictured is a series of rip currents above Pensacola Beach in Florida

There are more than 100 deaths per year in the US attributed to rip currents, according to the United States Lifesaving Association – almost all of which are avoidable. This year alone, rip currents have killed 39 people, according to the National Weather Service

Nearly half of those were in Florida.

Werneth served as the chief lifeguard from 1999 until 2008, during which time he trained hundreds to man Brevard County’s 72 kilometers of coast.

He is now based in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and serves as spokesperson for the National Lifeguard Association, and in the Aviation unit of the Brevard County Sheriff’s office, where he conducts ocean rescues from a helicopter.

In 2007 he paddleboarded 345 miles from Miami to Jacksonville to raise awareness of rip currents, a stunt for which he became a Guinness World Record holder.

‘Out of the 11 [fatalities] that have happened here this year in Brevard County, they were all rip current-related,’ said Werneth. ‘Over the years I’ve been lifeguarding, the majority of fatalities have been rip currents.’

In 2007 Werneth paddleboarded 345 miles from Miami to Jacksonville to raise awareness of rip currents, a stunt for which he became a Guinness World Record holder

In 2007 Werneth paddleboarded 345 miles from Miami to Jacksonville to raise awareness of rip currents, a stunt for which he became a Guinness World Record holder

Pictured is an aerial view of a rip current, visible as a flat band on the surface. Rip currents are generally more visible from an elevated position

Pictured is an aerial view of a rip current, visible as a flat band on the surface. Rip currents are generally more visible from an elevated position

‘All of this could be predicted and prevented,’ he said. In the most simple terms, his advice was: ‘Don’t panic.’

And while that may seem trivial and fairly obvious, it’s absolutely critical. If somebody in a rip current panics, they may well exhaust themselves and struggle to stay afloat.

‘What we ask people to do if they are in a rip current is not to panic, just kind of relax, wait for help, and try to maintain your buoyancy,’ said Werneth.

If those caught in currents can stay afloat they can simply ride out the current, which more often than not will actually loop around and lead them back to shallow water. 

Werneth claimed to be at such ease with rip currents that he could ride in them – a common trick among experienced surfers who will use the assistance to take them out to sea.

‘I’m not going to drown in a rip current,’ he said.

‘In fact, we use rip currents. When I go surfing, the first thing I do is walk down to the beach and I look and see where the rip current is and I jump in it.

‘A trained individual, they’re not going to drown in a rip current in normal circumstances, there’s no reason,’ he added. 

A rip current warning on a beach in Galveston, Texas, offers the traditional advice of swimming  parallel to the shore to escape the flow

A rip current warning on a beach in Galveston, Texas, offers the traditional advice of swimming  parallel to the shore to escape the flow

Traditional advice that’s also long been circulated around rip currents is to ‘swim parallel’ to the shore as opposed to directly towards it.

While there may be some value in that advice, Werneth suggested it was not necessarily that helpful and if doing so is going to exhaust the swimmer, it would be best to focus on staying afloat.

‘There used to be [advice to] shoot parallel along shore to get out of a rip current but actually studying the beach and watching the beach that I’m responsible for, swimming parallel doesn’t work because you’d swim right into another one – they’re right side by side.’

Dyes and aerial cameras can be useful for revealing how rip currents actually work, and in many cases, particularly when caused by man-made phenomena, a series of rip currents can form side by side. They also come in various shapes.

‘They’re not just a lane or an area. It can be one alongside the other, and they don’t necessarily just go straight out, they loop around,’ said Werneth.

When asked if a rip current could take a swimmer so far out into the ocean that they wouldn’t be able to return, Werneth said that was not a likely scenario.

‘I can tell you nothing like that’s ever happened,’ he said. ‘If the person’s doing everything right, they’re just floating in the water, it’s just a day to day at the beach, They’re not going to drown because the rip current pulled them off.

‘I haven’t ever heard of a case where someone got pulled out and lost in a rip current because they went too far out. That’s not to say something like that may not happen, that hasn’t happened in my experiences,’ he added.

A schematic showing traditional advice to swimmers, suggesting that to escape a rip current you should swim parallel to the shore. Werneth suggested it was not necessarily that helpful and if doing so is going to exhaust the swimmer it would be best to focus on staying afloat

A schematic showing traditional advice to swimmers, suggesting that to escape a rip current you should swim parallel to the shore. Werneth suggested it was not necessarily that helpful and if doing so is going to exhaust the swimmer it would be best to focus on staying afloat

Werneth also offered DailyMail.com advice for bystanders or people on the coast considering how to rescue those struggling in the water.

Crucially, he said that if somebody else is caught in a rip current you should not enter the water to rescue them unless you have some type of float.

‘If you have to respond to someone never go into the water without a floatation, you become part of that problem, you won’t be a solution,’ he said. 

Werneth said that during his eight-year tenure as lifeguard chief there were 26 fatalities – of those more than half involved ‘a double drowning or a rescuer drowning’.

And in his experience the person who goes out to make the rescue was more likely to die than the person requiring rescue.

‘I think the person is panicked, and uses the rescuer to sustain flotation, pushing them under water and basically beat the hell out of the rescuer,’ he said.



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The simple iPhone hack that could save you time and money https://latestnews.top/the-simple-iphone-hack-that-could-save-you-time-and-money/ https://latestnews.top/the-simple-iphone-hack-that-could-save-you-time-and-money/#respond Mon, 05 Jun 2023 06:40:13 +0000 https://latestnews.top/2023/06/05/the-simple-iphone-hack-that-could-save-you-time-and-money/ The simple iPhone hack that could save you time and money This hack will save you spending more money on iCloud storage  The useful tool automatically detects snaps that you may have more than one of By Milica Cosic Updated: 10:19 EDT, 4 June 2023 We’ve all been there… too many pictures taking up all the […]]]>


The simple iPhone hack that could save you time and money

  • This hack will save you spending more money on iCloud storage 
  • The useful tool automatically detects snaps that you may have more than one of

We’ve all been there… too many pictures taking up all the storage on your phone.

And having to go through deleting all the individual snaps you don’t need any more is a painful and time-consuming task.

But iPhone users have realised that there’s a really simple hack that can save you both time and money on more iCloud storage.

Not many iPhone users know they are able to clean up duplicate photos quickly, so here’s how…

It is important to note that in order to do this trick, you'll need to at least have iOS 16 installed. If you've not got iOS 16, you won't be able to access this feature

It is important to note that in order to do this trick, you’ll need to at least have iOS 16 installed. If you’ve not got iOS 16, you won’t be able to access this feature

One very useful tool Apple have is in the Photos app - and it removes duplicate images; automatically detecting snaps that you may have more than one of

One very useful tool Apple have is in the Photos app – and it removes duplicate images; automatically detecting snaps that you may have more than one of

Having too many photos on your Apple device may sometimes mean you’ll need to buy extra iCloud storage on your account to keep up with it all. 

For many people, this is an added expense they don’t want to have. 

In order to avoid this, users may try to delete the hundreds of unwanted images they have stored on their device, but this takes up plenty of time.

One very useful tool Apple have is in the Photos app – and it removes duplicate images. 

This automatically detects snaps that you may have saved more than once, and lets you remove them instantly. 

How to remove duplicate iPhone images 

In order to find this, simply open the Apple Photos app.

Then go to Albums section, and scroll down until you see Duplicates at the bottom. 

Here you’ll find four sections under the Utilities part. 

Click on a special folder called Duplicates, where you will be able to view all the double images you have stored on your device.

You can review each one and tap Merge to clear any duplicate images or videos.

It’s also possible to bulk-merge by tapping Select at the top, then Select All, and then Merge.

Once you have cleared up all the duplicates, the folder will disappear.

It is important to note that in order to do this trick, you’ll need to at least have iOS 16 installed.

If you’ve not got iOS 16, you won’t be able to access this feature.

But if you can upgrade to iOS 16 then you’re fine. Although anyone with a very old iPhone model will miss out. 





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Sing in the bath and always floss your teeth: 50 simple lifestyle tweaks to help prevent https://latestnews.top/sing-in-the-bath-and-always-floss-your-teeth-50-simple-lifestyle-tweaks-to-help-prevent/ https://latestnews.top/sing-in-the-bath-and-always-floss-your-teeth-50-simple-lifestyle-tweaks-to-help-prevent/#respond Sat, 13 May 2023 09:53:14 +0000 https://latestnews.top/2023/05/13/sing-in-the-bath-and-always-floss-your-teeth-50-simple-lifestyle-tweaks-to-help-prevent/ You might not think that flossing your teeth or singing in the shower could have a lasting impact on your brain. But according to experts, these are just two of the simple lifestyle tweaks proven to help prevent dementia and age-related memory loss. Exciting trials are under way into a new generation of drugs to […]]]>


You might not think that flossing your teeth or singing in the shower could have a lasting impact on your brain. But according to experts, these are just two of the simple lifestyle tweaks proven to help prevent dementia and age-related memory loss.

Exciting trials are under way into a new generation of drugs to treat Alzheimer’s Disease, the commonest cause of dementia.

Last week pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly announced that its drug, donanemab, reduced progression by up to 35 per cent in people with mild cognitive impairment.

But increasingly, research is also focusing on ways to help prevent the brain from deteriorating in the first place. According to the charity Alzheimer’s Society, about 40 per cent of dementia cases may be preventable.

So here, in the first part of an exclusive series you will want to cut out and keep, are 50 simple things you can do to reduce your risk, as recommended by leading experts in the field.

A good sing-song in the bath or shower lifts the spirits and increases the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain even when warbling alone (stock image)

A good sing-song in the bath or shower lifts the spirits and increases the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain even when warbling alone (stock image)

1 Change your wine glasses

Using a smaller size wine glass (125ml) helps cut your alcohol intake which is key as even moderate alcohol consumption could be linked to cognitive decline.

A study, published last May in PLOS Medicine, involving 20,965 participants, found consumption of seven or more units of alcohol a week is associated with high iron levels in the brain, which has been linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases.

The average volunteer’s intake was 18 units per week (equivalent to six large glasses of wine).

Using a smaller size wine glass (125ml) helps cut your alcohol intake which is key as even moderate alcohol consumption could be linked to cognitive decline (stock image)

Using a smaller size wine glass (125ml) helps cut your alcohol intake which is key as even moderate alcohol consumption could be linked to cognitive decline (stock image)

‘Many middle-aged people who wouldn’t see themselves as problem drinkers regularly drink two large 250ml glasses of wine a night with dinner,’ says Gill Livingston, professor of psychiatry of older people at University College London. Using a smaller glass helps you drink less and Prof Livingston also recommends two or three days without drinking every week.

2 Expand your brain power

‘Try to carry on learning in some form — anything that requires reading, concentration and memorising is good. Make the effort to learn something unfamiliar,’ says U.S. neuroscientist Dr Rahul Jandial, author of Life Lessons From A Brain Surgeon.

Scientists now know the brain is constantly regenerating — a process known as neurogenesis. By encouraging the birth and survival of new neural connections, you can increase the size and strength of your brain, making it more resistant to memory decline.

The very act of learning is one way to expand your brain power but only if it takes effort.

3 Brush and floss without fail

Brushing and cleaning between your teeth every day can reduce your risk of dementia in later life says dentist James Goolnik, of Bow Lane Dental Group in London.

The more teeth we lose as we get older, the greater the risk of reduced cognitive function,’ he says

A 2021 study found participants who lost more teeth were nearly 1.5 times likelier to suffer cognitive impairment — with the risk increasing according to the numbers of teeth lost.

Brushing and cleaning between your teeth every day can reduce your risk of dementia in later life says dentist James Goolnik (stock image)

Brushing and cleaning between your teeth every day can reduce your risk of dementia in later life says dentist James Goolnik (stock image)

Studies reveal a connection between bacteria and inflammation caused by gum disease with the build-up of amyloid proteins, which is linked to Alzheimer’s.

Brush teeth for two minutes twice a day and use floss, interdental brushes or a water jet to clean between your teeth at least daily, says James.

4 Curl up with a comedy

Make time for laughter every day whether it’s watching a comedy show, sharing a joke or finding something funny on social media.

‘Research shows laughing regularly can help to reduce your risk of developing dementia,’ says Dr Tom MacLaren, consultant psychiatrist at London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and at Re:Cognition Health, a specialist clinic.

The act of laughing triggers the release of ‘feelgood’ brain chemicals including dopamine and serotonin, counteracting low mood and even depression (both risk factors for dementia).

Make time for laughter every day whether it's watching a comedy show, sharing a joke or finding something funny on social media (stock image)

Make time for laughter every day whether it’s watching a comedy show, sharing a joke or finding something funny on social media (stock image)

5 Sort out bad sleep habits

Aim for seven to eight hours sleep a night and cut naps during the day if it is making you less tired in the evening.

Research published in Nature Communications in April 2021 shows that those who have consistently short sleep — defined as less than six hours a night — when they are middle aged are 30 per cent more likely to go on and develop dementia when older.

‘During good-quality sleep, the body clears out toxins including the build-up of beta-amyloid proteins, linked to Alzheimer’s. When you are sleep deprived, this process is interrupted — research shows your beta-amyloid levels rise,’ says Guy Leschziner, a professor of neurology and sleep medicine at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals in London.

Aim for seven to eight hours sleep a night and cut naps during the day if it is making you less tired in the evening (stock image)

Aim for seven to eight hours sleep a night and cut naps during the day if it is making you less tired in the evening (stock image)

6 Consider statins for cholesterol

Get your cholesterol checked with a blood test from your GP. Higher levels, particularly in middle age, are associated with a higher risk of dementia, says Ian Maidment, professor of clinical pharmacy at Aston University in Birmingham.

‘Treatment for raised cholesterol includes medication, such as statins, and lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, losing weight and cutting back on alcohol,’ he says.

7 Play a musical instrument

It’s never too late to learn an instrument. Research shows those who do are less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment.

‘This may be because the brain rewires itself when it learns a new skill, improving cell connections and making it more resilient,’ says Dr Tom MacLaren consultant psychiatrist at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

It's never too late to learn an instrument. Research shows those who do are less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (stock image)

It’s never too late to learn an instrument. Research shows those who do are less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (stock image)

8 Stub it out

Get support from the NHS to quit smoking.

‘Even if you’ve been smoking for decades, within two years of stopping you will reduce your dementia risk to being the same as someone who has never smoked,’ says Professor Gill Livingston.

Smoking is a major dementia risk factor — a 2020 report in The Lancet found that smoking resulted in a 60 per cent increase in the chances of developing it.

Not only do reduced levels of oxygen increase your risk of heart attacks and strokes (themselves risk factors for dementia) but chemicals in cigarettes contain neurotoxins which can penetrate the blood-brain barrier (designed to keep toxins and disease out of the brain). This causes inflammation and damage to brain cells, linked to Alzheimer’s, says Professor Livingston.

Smoking is a major dementia risk factor ¿ a 2020 report in The Lancet found that smoking resulted in a 60 per cent increase in the chances of developing it (stock image)

Smoking is a major dementia risk factor — a 2020 report in The Lancet found that smoking resulted in a 60 per cent increase in the chances of developing it (stock image)

9 Sing to lift your spirits

A good sing-song in the bath or shower lifts the spirits and increases the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain even when warbling alone.

The benefits are even greater if you sing with others. So group singing has become an established part of dementia care as it also triggers the release of ‘feelgood’ brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine.

And as it requires intense focus on different things at once, it has been shown to help with mental alertness and memory recall.

Alzheimer’s Society (alzheimers.org.uk) runs Singing for the Brain groups or contact Making Music (makingmusic.org.uk) to find choirs near you.

10 Always wear a cycle helmet

It’s not just children who should always wear a helmet when cycling. Older people who suffer a head injury may be nearly four times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s according to research by Columbia University in the U.S.

Those with the ApoE4 Alzheimer’s gene have a particularly high risk of dementia after brain injury.

‘The injury may cause the brain to make amyloid plaques around the injury site as well as causing direct damage — a build-up of these deposits can help to cause Alzheimer’s in later life,’ says Professor Gill Livingston.

Older people who suffer a head injury may be nearly four times more likely to develop Alzheimer's (stock image)

Older people who suffer a head injury may be nearly four times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s (stock image)

11 Curb that sweet tooth

Try to make sugary foods and drinks occasional rather than regular treats. Research shows that people with the highest consumption of sugar are also increasing their risk of developing Alzheimer’s. And all types of sugar — from fruit juice to confectionery — have the same impact.

Check the label for the sugar content of shop-bought food. The NHS recommends that sugars of all kinds should make up only 5 per cent of your daily diet. This includes sugars added to food and those naturally found in honey and unsweetened fruit juices.

Adults should eat no more than 30g of added sugars each day (equivalent to seven sugar cubes).

12 Don’t be a couch potato

Whether it’s brisk walking or dancing, any activity that increases your heart rate without leaving you out of breath is good for your brain. ‘Aerobic exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which among other things, stimulates the growth of healthy blood vessels,’ says Stephen Harridge, professor of human and applied physiology at King’s College London.

It also reduces your chances of having high blood pressure, obesity and insulin resistance — all dementia risks.

Professor Harridge recommends five 30-minute bursts of aerobic activity each week. Set a goal to encourage regular exercise by signing up for a charity challenge such as an Alzheimer’s Society memory walk memorywalk.org.uk.

13 Keep a wide circle of friends

The more friends you have the lower your dementia risk, numerous studies have found.

‘It’s estimated that older people with many friendships and relationships could be between 25 and 50 per cent less likely to develop dementia than those with few friends or family contacts,’ says neuroscientist Dr Rahul Jandial.

Join local clubs and societies, plus try volunteering to expand your social circle.

The more friends you have the lower your dementia risk, numerous studies have found (stock image)

The more friends you have the lower your dementia risk, numerous studies have found (stock image)

14 Tuck in to fish

Scientists at Tufts University in the U.S. found eating oily fish such as salmon and tuna twice a week slashed Alzheimer’s odds by 41 per cent. Eating lean fish made no difference, however.

‘It’s thought that this is due to the fact that these types of fish are high in DHA, docosahexaenoic acid, a type of omega 3 fatty acid,’ says Duane Mellor, senior lecturer in nutrition at Aston Medical School, Birmingham.

He recommends eating a variety of fatty fish — including mackerel, tuna, sardines and pilchards — at least twice a week. Frozen, tinned and canned are cheaper and just as beneficial as fresh.

Scientists at Tufts University in the U.S. found eating oily fish such as salmon and tuna twice a week slashed Alzheimer's odds by 41 per cent (stock image)

Scientists at Tufts University in the U.S. found eating oily fish such as salmon and tuna twice a week slashed Alzheimer’s odds by 41 per cent (stock image)

15 Get out in the sun

Now spring is here, make sure you get outdoors. Research by Professor Lesley Rhodes at Manchester University, funded by Cancer Research UK, suggests nine minutes of midday sun a day is enough to top up vitamin D levels.

In a 2019 study, those who were deficient in the vitamin were more than 30 per cent more likely to have dementia than those who had enough in their blood.

‘Vitamin D — known as the ‘sunshine’ vitamin because our bodies need sunlight to create it — helps clear amyloid plaques from the brain,’ says Duane Mellor. A build-up is linked to Alzheimer’s.

16 Drink more water

Make sure you drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water a day as dehydration can cause poorer concentration and affects memory. The effects are particularly pronounced in people with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s, who find it hard to remember to drink.

This can make their symptoms deteriorate significantly, leading to confusion and even hospitalisation, according to Alzheimer’s Society.

Dr Emer MacSweeney, consultant neuroradiologist and CEO of Re: Cognition Health, a specialist brain clinic, recommends the Waterlogged app to record intake.

Alzheimer’s Society recommends Jelly Drops, which contain 95 per cent water and are sugar-free, to tempt older people to stay hydrated (jellydrops.com).

17 Take up Yoga 

Yoga has many benefits, from improving balance to combating stress — and it may also slow the rate of cognitive decline. 

The emphasis on breathing and mindfulness can help combat low mood and stress, risk factors for dementia. 

Yoga has many benefits, from improving balance to combating stress ¿ and it may also slow the rate of cognitive decline (stock image)

Yoga has many benefits, from improving balance to combating stress — and it may also slow the rate of cognitive decline (stock image)

Meanwhile, changing positions and chanting engages different parts of the brain, encouraging it to form new neural connections, says Heather Mason, founder of the charity Yoga in Healthcare Alliance. 

The British Wheel of Yoga bwy.org.uk has details of classes near you. 

18 Spell words backwards

Dr Rahul Jandial recommends this simple exercise to boost your cognitive reserves. Choose a long word such as Dumbledore, parliamentarian, Elizabeth, antediluvian, commemoration, surveillance, turmoil, Shakespeare, establishment and intelligence. Look at each word, then close your eyes and spell it backwards in your head.

You’ll be surprised how hard it is. Spend five minutes a day thinking up other words and doing the same.

19 Pamper your microbiome

Switch to a mainly Mediterranean-style diet — one which is high in fibre, fruit, and vegetables — as it helps feed good gut bacteria.

A constant two-way communication exists between our brain and our gut microbiome, the colony of bacteria in our guts.

But if the delicate balance between good and bad bacteria is disturbed — and more bad bacteria allowed to flourish — research has shown this can lead to the development of numerous conditions, including Alzheimer’s.

20 Manage blood pressure

Get your blood pressure checked regularly at your GP surgery or at a community pharmacy.

High blood pressure can be symptomless but if it is persistently high in middle age, it increases dementia risk. Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers — the systolic (first number) indicates how much pressure your blood exerts against your artery walls when your heart beats. The second, diastolic reading, indicates resting pressure on artery walls in between beats. A healthy range is 120/80 mm HG or less.

Get your blood pressure checked regularly at your GP surgery or at a community pharmacy (stock image)

Get your blood pressure checked regularly at your GP surgery or at a community pharmacy (stock image)

Ian Maidment, Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at Aston University says: ‘High blood pressure can be treated with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. Your GP will advise you what’s best.’

21 Pick up the Phone

The simple act of using the phone can reap brain benefits, says Dr Tom MacLaren, citing American research published in the Lancet last October (2022).

This examined phone calls as part of the relationship between cognitive decline and social connections.

‘Make time to call family and friends at least once a day — you can protect your brain health and memory from the comfort of your armchair and stay in touch,’ says Dr MacLaren.

22 Snack on nuts

A daily handful of almonds or walnuts could also help keep Alzheimer’s at bay.

High in antioxidants, there is research to show both could have brain-protective qualities in addition to other health benefits.

It’s thought that the antioxidants in walnuts may curb oxidative damage in brain cells, potentially leading to Alzheimer’s.

Nuts are included in the top ten ‘brain healthy’ foods by the charity Dementia UK.

Nuts are included in the top ten 'brain healthy' foods by the charity Dementia UK (stock image)

Nuts are included in the top ten ‘brain healthy’ foods by the charity Dementia UK (stock image)

23 Tackle snoring

If your snoring regularly keeps your partner awake you might have sleep apnoea, a sleep disorder linked to an increased dementia risk. Ask your GP to refer you for diagnostic tests.

Sleep apnoea is where the muscles in your throat and mouth relax when you are asleep, causing the airway to collapse, temporarily cutting off oxygen.

This means your breathing starts and stops.

‘In addition to the effects on sleep, intermittent oxygen starvation stresses the brain, damaging blood vessels in it and may contribute to cognitive damage,’ says sleep expert Professor Guy Leschziner, author of The Secret World Of Sleep.

But there are effective treatments to help stop this once diagnosed.

If your snoring regularly keeps your partner awake you might have sleep apnoea (stock image)

If your snoring regularly keeps your partner awake you might have sleep apnoea (stock image)

24 Investigate taking HRT

Research suggests oestrogen replacement may have a protective effect against dementia as well as helping to ease menopausal symptoms.

A 2021 study at the University of Arizona in the U.S., involving 400,000 women, showed taking oestrogen replacement within ten years of the menopause (ie before the age of 60) could reduce the dementia risk by up to 50 per cent.

‘Hormone replacement is the most effective treatment for improving menopausal symptoms. But more research is needed to support prescribing it solely for preventing dementia,’ says Dr Melanie Hacking, a GP and menopause specialist at Oxford Hormone Clinic.

Consult your GP or menopause specialist about whether HRT would be suitable for you.

25 Make Berry Ice Cream Cake

Berries are naturally rich in a powerful plant compounds, flavonoids. Older adults who consumed small amounts of flavonoid-rich foods were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those whose intake was higher, according to research carried out in 2020 in the U.S. 

American doctors Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, authors of The 30-day Alzheimer’s Solution, suggest using blueberries in this brain-boosting recipe: 

Berry Nice Cream 

Serves 12 Preparation time: 15 minutes plus overnight freezing. 

American doctors Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, authors of The 30-day Alzheimer's Solution, suggest using blueberries in this brain-boosting recipe

American doctors Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, authors of The 30-day Alzheimer’s Solution, suggest using blueberries in this brain-boosting recipe

For the vanilla cake layer: 

  •  2 cups of raw cashews, soaked in water for 4 hours
  • 2 very ripe bananas, cut into 1in slices, arranged on a plate and frozen overnight 
  • 10 pitted medjool dates 
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup unsweetened soy milk

For the berry layer: 

  • 2 cups blueberries, plus extra for serving 
  • 1 cup soy milk l ½ cup dates 
  • 1 cup raw walnuts Freeze banana slices overnight and soak cashews in water for 4 hours before starting.  

Blend the soaked cashews, frozen bananas, dates and vanilla until smooth, adding as little soy milk as possible. 

Spread into a medium pan or tin and freeze until set. Whizz blueberries, soy milk, dates and walnuts until smooth. 

Spread over the frozen vanilla cake layer. Return to freezer for 2 to 3 hours or until set. Dip a knife in hot water to cut the cake. Serve with fresh berries. 

  • From The 30-Day Alzheimer’s Solution by Dean Sherzai and Ayesha Sherzai and reprinted with permission from HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins. © 2021.
  • A set of measuring cups is available from Tesco, £5.50. 

26 Don’t light wood burners

Breathing polluted air which contains tiny PM2.5 particles increases the risk of lung conditions and heart disease, a risk factor for dementia.

It’s estimated that 38 per cent of the UK’s PM2.5 particles come from wood or coal-burning stoves.

Professor Gill Livingston, who heads the influential Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and cure, recommends not lighting wood burners or only using them occasionally to cut the air pollution in your immediate environment.

It's estimated that 38 per cent of the UK's PM2.5 particles come from wood or coal-burning stoves (stock image)

It’s estimated that 38 per cent of the UK’s PM2.5 particles come from wood or coal-burning stoves (stock image)

27 Build up a sweat

Short bursts of intense exercise stimulate increased production of a specialised protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This boosts the brain’s ability to form new brain cells and pathways, essential for learning and memory according to research published in January this year in the Journal of Physiology.

Professor Stephen Harridge of King’s College London, advises starting at a lower intensity, building up to more intense exercise for shorter times — like brisk walking uphill then progressing to walking interspersed with running.

28 Spend time on an allotment

There’s every reason to get gardening, says Dr Tom MacLaren, consultant psychiatrist.

Being physically active in the fresh air, whether digging, sweeping or planting, can lead to reduced agitation and improved sleep, he says.

And dexterity can be maintained with weeding, potting and pruning. ‘There are also cognitive advantages in terms of getting the person to help plan the garden and choose the plants, for instance’ he adds.

Being physically active in the fresh air, whether digging, sweeping or planting, can lead to reduced agitation and improved sleep, an expert says (stock image)

Being physically active in the fresh air, whether digging, sweeping or planting, can lead to reduced agitation and improved sleep, an expert says (stock image)

29 Be good to your heart

High blood pressure plus high levels of cholesterol and the protein homocysteine all ramp up your odds of both heart disease and dementia. Heart disease makes it harder for blood to circulate around the body. This is most strongly linked to vascular dementia, directly caused by problems with the blood supply to the brain.

But it can also increase your chances of developing Alzheimer’s. The brain needs an uninterrupted supply of blood to provide brain cells with the oxygen and nutrients they need to remain healthy.

Reduced blood flow to the brain means nerve cells are starved of the nutrients they need and don’t work properly.

Look after your heart by eating more healthily and monitoring your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

30 Take care with contact sports

Former England rugby captain Steve Thompson has spoken movingly about the link between contact sport and the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive brain disease which causes behavioural problems, memory loss and dementia.

‘Rather than one knock-out blow, CTE normally results from multiple minor ‘sub-concussive’ hits to the head where the brain is shaken but not sufficiently severely to cause actual concussion,’ explains Dr Emer MacSweeney, consultant neuroradiologist and CEO at Re:Cognition Health.

Former England rugby captain Steve Thompson has spoken movingly about the link between contact sport and the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)

Former England rugby captain Steve Thompson has spoken movingly about the link between contact sport and the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)

‘This causes inflammatory changes in the brain, but no symptoms. It’s dangerous as it goes unnoticed until it’s too late.’

CTE can affect people playing contact sports at all levels and ages. Particularly dangerous are rotational forces from angled hits, causing the brain to rotate inside the skull, tearing delicate blood vessels. If repeated often, this can ultimately lead to the creation of abnormal tau protein, similar to that in Alzheimer’s.

While helmets protect the skull, they do not protect against rotational forces that can damage the brain so Dr MacSweeney advises wearing a Rezon Halos Headband, CE-approved and clinically-tested, when playing a contact sport.



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How to save a fortune on your iPhone – by checking one simple setting https://latestnews.top/how-to-save-a-fortune-on-your-iphone-by-checking-one-simple-setting/ https://latestnews.top/how-to-save-a-fortune-on-your-iphone-by-checking-one-simple-setting/#respond Sun, 07 May 2023 03:30:25 +0000 https://latestnews.top/2023/05/07/how-to-save-a-fortune-on-your-iphone-by-checking-one-simple-setting/ How to save a fortune on your iPhone -by checking one simple setting Some popular apps are free to download but upgrades can cost £200 a year  Unless you’re super organised you may be paying for services you no longer use Luckily, Apple make it easy to check your subscriptions – here’s how to do […]]]>


How to save a fortune on your iPhone -by checking one simple setting

  • Some popular apps are free to download but upgrades can cost £200 a year 
  • Unless you’re super organised you may be paying for services you no longer use
  • Luckily, Apple make it easy to check your subscriptions – here’s how to do it…

Have you ever used your iPhone to make in-app purchases or signed up for premium platforms? Were you one of the many Apple users who downloaded the free Magic Tiles 3: Piano Game app to your phone?

It’s easy to sign up for these services – and they’re great if you end up using them on a regular basis – but unless you’re super organised you could be paying hundreds of pounds a year for services you may no longer use.

For example, while the Magic Tiles app is free to download, upgrading to the VIP version costs £3.99 per week, or £207 per year.

Upgrades to the VIP version of the Magic Tiles app can cost more than £200 a year

Upgrades to the VIP version of the Magic Tiles app can cost more than £200 a year

Luckily, Apple makes it really easy to check what subscriptions you have and cancel anything you no longer want.

Here’s how to check your subscriptions and how much you are paying each month.

• Unlock your iPhone and tap Settings

• Select your profile (you’ll find it right at the very top of the Settings list)

• From here you’ll see another menu list including the Subscriptions option.

• Once loaded you’ll now be presented with a full list of services and in-app purchases you subscribe to.

• If you spot one you don’t use anymore, simply tap it and hit the cancel option.

It’s worth noting that you’ll continue to get access until the new billing date but once cancelled it should save you money off the following month’s bill.

Along with cancelling some subscriptions, there is another way to save some cash.

If you use lots of different Apple services such as Apple Music, Fitness+ and Apple TV+ it’s worth considering switching to an Apple One account. These plans bundle in a number of platforms for a cheaper price.

It's worth checking your iPhone subscriptions as it could save you hundreds of pounds a year

It’s worth checking your iPhone subscriptions as it could save you hundreds of pounds a year 

For example, signing up for the Apple One Individual plan costs £16.95 and saves £7 off the usual price.

This plan includes iCloud storage, Apple TV+, Apple Music and Apple Arcade access. There’s also this same plan available with family member access for £22.95 – saving £9 per month.

Finally, those wanting the best of everything can sign up for Apple’s Premier plan which adds Apple Fitness+ and Apple News+.

This costs £32.95 – that’s a saving of £23 when compared to signing up for each service individually.

If you’ve not checked your subscriptions for a while it’s worth taking a look. The whole process can be performed in a matter of minutes and it’s surprising what you may have signed up for.



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The simple swaps to make your Coronation picnic more eco-friendly https://latestnews.top/the-simple-swaps-to-make-your-coronation-picnic-more-eco-friendly/ https://latestnews.top/the-simple-swaps-to-make-your-coronation-picnic-more-eco-friendly/#respond Sun, 07 May 2023 03:30:21 +0000 https://latestnews.top/2023/05/07/the-simple-swaps-to-make-your-coronation-picnic-more-eco-friendly/ Brits are set to celebrate one of the most historical events of their lifetime with the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday.  Although the event would not be complete without a right royal British celebration, mountains of waste will be generated from the numerous street parties and picnics.  MailOnline has compiled some of the […]]]>


Brits are set to celebrate one of the most historical events of their lifetime with the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday

Although the event would not be complete without a right royal British celebration, mountains of waste will be generated from the numerous street parties and picnics. 

MailOnline has compiled some of the easiest ‘green’ tips in honour of the King, who himself has spent a lifetime campaigning for sustainability and the climate.  

These include opting for reusable decorations, cooking from scratch and swapping meat for low-carbon alternatives to create dishes such as ‘Coronation cauliflower’. 

Brits have already been sharing their attempts at homemade Coronation food, which can be more eco-friendly than shop-bought versions. 

Coronation cauliflower anyone? Several tips will make your Coronation picnic more eco-friendly, including cooking from scratch and swapping meat for low-carbon alternatives

Coronation cauliflower anyone? Several tips will make your Coronation picnic more eco-friendly, including cooking from scratch and swapping meat for low-carbon alternatives

Coronation cauliflower

Coronation chicken, also known as Poulet Reine Elizabeth, is a famous dish created especially for the Queen’s Coronation in June 1953. 

It consists of curry powder, mayonnaise, mango chutney and dried fruit mixed with cooked chicken.

But this last ingredient has a particularly high carbon footprint, according to the ‘food carbon footprint calculator’, an online tool that gives food items a traffic light-style ‘carbon rating’. 

It ranks each item by CO2 equivalent (CO2e), a unit of measurement that scientists use to standardise the climate effects of various greenhouse gases. 

According to the tool, one chicken breast has a ‘high’ carbon footprint of 706g CO2e, while an equivalent weight of cauliflower is just 146g CO2e. 

Generally, the public can make their Coronation meal low carbon by swapping out meat items for alternatives such as tofu, falafel or brands such as Quorn. 

Mike Berners-Lee, a climate professor at Lancaster University, told MailOnline: ‘For a low carbon picnic, the science is crystal clear that for most people, the most important consideration by far will be will be to reduce the amount of meat and dairy.

‘The second most important thing is to make sure that everything gets eaten – even if it turns into the next day’s leftovers.’

Coronation chicken (pictured) is a famous British dish created for the Queen’s Coronation in 1953

Coronation chicken (pictured) is a famous British dish created for the Queen’s Coronation in 1953

Cook from scratch

What is carbon footprint? 

A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions. 

From eating food to getting on a bus or buying items online, all of us leave a carbon footprint. 

The average carbon footprint for a person in the US is high (16 tons) but globally, the average carbon footprint is closer to 4 tons.

Source: The Nature Conservancy  

Supermarket shelves are stacked with delicious Coronation themed delights such as sandwiches, quiche, sausage rolls and cakes. 

Although convenient and rather tempting, a more environmentally friendly – and potentially cheaper – option is to prepare them yourself from scratch. 

According to a 2018 study at the University of Manchester, the average climate impact from a home-made option is around two times lower than the impact from the ready-made equivalent with the same ingredients. 

The researchers carried out the first ever study looking at the carbon footprint of sandwiches, both home-made and pre-packaged. 

Keeping sandwiches chilled in shops also contributes to their carbon footprint – and can account for up to a quarter of their greenhouse gas emission equivalent, according to the study.  

Brits have already shared some of their impressive efforts at making their own Coronation creations in the kitchen.

While some of these are interpretations of the classics, others such as the Charles ‘sausage finger’ sandwich are more unusual. 

Supermarket shelves are stacked with delicious Coronation themed delights, including the sausage rolls from M&S (pictured)

Supermarket shelves are stacked with delicious Coronation themed delights, including the sausage rolls from M&S (pictured)

Compost leftovers 

Rather than stuffing your food waste into the nearest public bin at the park, you can do your bit for Mother Nature by taking it home with you and composting it.

Food waste that is disposed in general waste bins goes to landfills or incinerators and emits powerful greenhouse gases such as methane and CO2. 

But when food waste is composted at home and collected by the council, it’s often mixed with garden waste and heated before eventually being used as soil conditioner.

Another process uses microorganisms in enclosed systems to break down the food and collect the released methane, which is converted into biogas and used to generate electricity.

However, a recent study suggests you should be wary of putting your food waste in a compost bag, as these do not necessarily break down along with the food. 

Reusable crockery 

For decades, a stalwart of the British picnic has been single-use paper plates and plastic cutlery – but these are notoriously bad for the environment. 

This waste takes years to break down in landfill and can pollute the environment or end up entering our waterways and the oceans

An easy alternative is packing your dining room crockery in the picnic basket, going ‘plate free’, or even just taking reusable plastic picnic sets that you can take home and wash afterwards. 

Millions of Brits will be glued to the big screens on Saturday when King Charles III is coronated at Westminster Abbey

Millions of Brits will be glued to the big screens on Saturday when King Charles III is coronated at Westminster Abbey

Due to their blight on our planet, single-use plastic plates, trays and cutlery will be banned from October, the British Government has already announced. 

However, the ban will not apply to plates, trays, and bowls used as packaging in what the Department for the Environment called ‘shelf-ready pre-packaged food items’.

Reusable bunting

Reusable bunting provides a much more environmentally friendly option than inflatable balloons, which are used once before being binned. 

Even if disposed of correctly, single-use plastic balloon sticks may end up in incineration which generates carbon emissions, the Government warns – but their effects can be felt even more widely.  

Opt for reusable decorations rather than single-use balloons if you want to help the environment (file photo)

Opt for reusable decorations rather than single-use balloons if you want to help the environment (file photo)

Research conducted by Australia’s research agency CSIRO has found balloons to be in the top three most harmful pollutants threatening marine wildlife in particular. 

Shocking photos have shown how harmful they can be for birds and marine life who can mistake them for food. 

Walk to events

Lastly, you can reduce your carbon footprint by simply walking or cycling to your local Coronation event instead of taking the bus or car. 

This is because the vast majority of vehicles on the UK’s roads right now burn petrol or diesel – meaning they belch out carbon emissions. 

Electric vehicles in comparison are low emissions, but they only make up a small percentage of the vehicles on the roads. 

The Government is banning the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2030, in a bid to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2050.

Explained: the UK’s net zero emissions target 

A target set by the government in June 2019 will require the UK to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. 

Former Prime Minister Theresa May had announced the target, saying the plans were ambitious but crucial for protecting the planet for future generations.

The move will require huge changes such as more renewable electricity generation, phasing out new petrol and diesel cars by at least 2035 and a 20 per cent cut in beef and lamb consumption. 

‘The UK kick-started the Industrial Revolution, which was responsible for economic growth across the globe but also for increasing emissions,’ said said Energy and Clean Growth Minister Chris Skidmore at the time.

‘We’re leading the world yet again in becoming the first major economy to pass new laws to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050 while remaining committed to growing the economy – putting clean growth at the heart of our modern Industrial Strategy.’    

Net zero means any emissions would be balanced by schemes to offset an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, such as planting trees or using technology like carbon capture and storage.



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