​Hundreds of ancient monuments and structures have been discovered in one of the most unexpected places in northern Europe ● What is Mexican caviar and how local residents are fighting to preserve the lost tradition ● Why you should not eat at night

Hundreds of ancient monuments and buildings have been discovered in one of the most unexpected places in northern Europe

The Białowieża Forest, which lies on the border between Poland and Belarus, is the last remnant of the primeval forests that once covered most of Europe. Even more surprising was the discovery by a team of archaeologists from the Stefan-Wyszynski University in Warsaw, who announced that they had been able to identify hundreds of ancient structures in this isolated location using LiDAR technology.

Polish archaeologists have so far discovered 577 barrows, 19 farms, 17 cemeteries, 54 brothels and more than 200 ovens. Most of them date back to the first centuries after the birth of Christ, and others to the beginning of the Middle Ages, more precisely, the 7th-10th centuries AD. As for the cemeteries, some of them are more recent and seem to have been established during the Second World War. Also, using LiDAR technology, two massive structures with a diameter of 36 and 17 meters respectively, possibly forts, were identified. They were used, according to the first dates, during the IV-III centuries BC, then in the VII-X centuries AD.

Although certain human communities have lived in isolated areas of Białowieża Pushcha since prehistoric times, the scale of the finds indicates that the human presence was more important than historians have imagined.

Until recently, the Białowieża Forest was in the center of attention of the Polish authorities as one of the best areas for refugees trying to reach Europe through Belarus. Now that the Poles weren’t necessarily looking for archaeological sites with laser technology, that could be a possibility as well.

What is Mexican Caviar and How Locals Are Fighting to Save an Endangered Tradition

While some are dying because the world map will force them to eat insects, others don’t know what to do to save those who eat them from their ancestors. This also applies to several Mexican farmers who are trying to preserve a tradition that dates back to the Aztecs, or perhaps even before them.

This is an Axayacatl, a native species of aquatic insect that lays its eggs in lakes, usually on aquatic plants, as clusters. Both insects are edible, especially their eggs, which have been used in local cuisine for hundreds and even thousands of years. In fact, they are so valued that they have been called “Mexican caviar”. The problem is that against the background of pollution, long periods of drought and excessive urbanization, the number of insects has decreased dramatically. If we add to this the fact that the younger generations of Mexicans have changed their tastes since the time of the Aztecs, all the culinary traditions I mentioned are usually lost on Saturdays.

Only senior farmers, who know what is good, collect eggs and prepare them according to traditional recipes. Given their rarity, they can now fetch up to $50 per kilogram. However, traditional Mexicans still have a glimmer of hope. Given what’s to come, there’s a good chance the entomophagous tradition will be back in vogue sooner than anyone expects.

Why can’t you eat at night?

Not that it wasn’t previously known that eating late is often associated with weight gain. For a long time, studies have been conducted to establish the relationship between cause and effect. However, at least until now, it was not known how the metabolic processes associated with late eating lead to obesity and other related conditions.

However, a recent study published in the journal Cell Metabolism claims to have deciphered the entire mechanism that links this bad habit to weight gain. To do this, the authors of the study tested 16 overweight volunteers and recorded their metabolic rates according to schedules of food, sleep and physical activity. It turned out that in those who ate late, the level of the hormone leptin, which regulates human appetite, was lower than normal. This leads to an almost constant feeling of hunger. In addition, internal combustion occurred more slowly, and adipogenesis, the process of formation of fat cells in the body, accelerated.

In short, subjects who ate late were no longer satiated, and adipose tissue increased significantly. What is the solution? Don’t eat after 5 p.m., experts say. I also say stick to a window of only 10 hours a day for food consumption. Do this regularly and you will see how much better you will feel! Apparently, there is also a version of the previously mentioned insects that they do not have so many proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. It’s up to you if you want to live a healthier life.

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