Live News From Spain As It Happens

SPAIN'S National Research Council (CSIC) has announced a new book series seeking to debunk widely-held myths through scientific answers – including whether bread really makes you put on weight.

The latest edition in the series ¿Qué sabemos de...? ('What do we know about...?') is titled Los bulos de la nutrición ('Hoaxes about nutrition'), co-authored by researcher Miguel Herrero.

One of the most-asked questions about diet, Herrero reveals, is which part of bread is the most fattening – the crumb or the crust.

“Given that it has less water in it, the flour parts – basically, carbohydrates – are more concentrated in the crust,” the scientist explains.

“For this reason, if you take the same weight of the crust and the crumb, it's the crust that contains more calories.”

Another common grey area about nutrition involves food items described as 'anti-oxidants', which are said to flush out unwanted substances known as 'free radicals' from the body, reducing the likelihood of illness through preventing premature cell ageing and fighting infection.

“There's not enough scientific evidence on the true rôle of anti-oxidants in diet, in terms of their illness prevention effects,” Herrero cautions.

This said, “there are some indirect signs that makes you think they could have a positive effect – although we don't know to what extent – and more and more studies are being carried out into how anti-oxidants in food are metabolised in humans. 

“These will help shed more light on the subject.”

But this hitherto lack of robust evidence is no reason to stop eating blueberries and drinking green tea - “food and drink containing anti-oxidants will not do you any harm,” Herrero clarifies.

“What's not really justified is that these salads, juices and smoothies marketed as 'anti-oxidant' are more expensive, based upon that claim alone – all the ingredients naturally contain anti-oxidants anyway.”

Herrero, additionally, addressed concerns about additives in food – those used to preserve them for longer, or alter their taste, scent and colour.

“Despite their bad press, these additives play a crucial part and they're safe for consumption,” Herrero assures.

“There are food groups like honey, oils, butter, or pasta, for which the use of additives is banned or legally limited, but there are others such as wine, and pre-cooked beans and pulses in tins, where additives are necessary.” 

The new book on 'dietary hoaxes' covers how to interpret the labels on food items, containing nutritional information – including the full list of ingredients, which has been obligatory in Spain by law since 2016.

Read more at thinkSPAIN.com

VARIOUS charities and organisations – local and national – have set up channels for members of the public to help those affected by the storms and flash floods in the province of Valencia.

As well as collecting funds, these organisms are seeking food, clothing, bottled water, and other essentials for residents mainly to the south and west of the city of Valencia.

The Red Cross (Cruz Roja) has set up a website for direct cash donations – https://cercadeti.cruzroja.es/ayudaafectadosinundacionesdana – which can also be made by emailing the charity at donativos@cruzroja.es, calling the toll-free number 900 10 49 71, sending a text message to 28092 with the word AYUDA ('help'), or a Bizum to the number 33512.

You may be asked for your Spanish national identity number – DNI for Spanish nationals, or NIE for foreign residents – but those who do not live in Spain can still donate to the Red Cross to help the flood victims.

They can make a bank transfer to the Red Cross account – ES44 0049 0001 5321 1002 2225.

The Red Cross says it is 'prioritising cash donations' at present, since its volunteers and salaried workers on the ground are best place to determine which services those affected need, given that these needs are constantly changing.

Church-based charity Cáritas, which had branches in almost every town in Spain and habitually operates food banks and poverty relief, is also collecting for flood survivors – the organisation says donations can be made via Bizum to 00089, by calling the freephone number 900 33 99 99, or via its dedicated website https://www.caritas.es/emergencias/graves-inundaciones/.

The Comunidad Valenciana regional government, via its treasury office and in partnership with Sabadell bank, has set up an account for donations, of which 100% will go directly to affected residents.

Transfers can be made to the IBAN number ES94 0081 0693 6100 0242 3445.

Banco Sabadell, where the account is based, has pledged to match donations euro for euro, in addition to promising a minimum of half a million euros on top of any funds accrued.

If you are based in the Comunidad Valenciana or in Madrid, your local council is likely to have set up collection points for you to provide tangible goods such as clothing, toiletries, non-perishable food, bottled water and, in many cases, food and other necessities for pets – both those belonging to flood victims, and those at animal shelters cut off by the rising rivers.

One of these collection points is at Valencia FC football stadium, the Mestalla arena on the Avenida de Suecia in the Pla del Real square.

The Madrid-region commuter town of Leganés has set up a collection point in the Local Police and Civil Protection headquarters on the C/ Chile, and has been transporting lorryloads to the affected areas of the province of Valencia.

Leganés town hall says it is collecting non-perishable food, bottled water, clothing and other personal essentials, blankets and towels, as well as buckets and spades to help with the mass clean-up operations.

Toledo (Castilla-La Mancha) to the south of Madrid has asked for similar essential items to be dropped off at a help point at number 4 of the C/ Talavera de la Reina.

Many towns in the Comunidad Valenciana have set up blood donor sessions to help those who have suffered serious injury and illness as a result of the flood.

Eligibility criteria for giving blood can be discussed with the organisers, but usually includes being in generally good physical health, weighing not less than 50 kilos (7st 12lb, or 110lb), being aged at least 18, and not being on certain types of medication.

Animal shelters need foster families, food and volunteers

Animal shelters are also calling for help – Modepran in Valencia's Campanar neighbourhood, on the C/ Nou de Paterna, is asking for 'urgent' foster parents for cats and dogs whose habitual accommodation has been washed away, as well as donations via its account at Banco Sabadell – ES94 2100 1716 8601 0050 3303 – and, for those able to travel to the centre in person, blankets, towels, leads and collars.

Read more at thinkSPAIN.com