KosherFest announces it will not return, marking the end of an era

It has been heartbreakingly announced that Kosherfest, the yearly event that drew kosher food manufacturers, consumers, and vendors in droves each year, would not be returning.

The decision to end Kosherfest was painful, the organizers said in an email. “After extensive discussions with our consultant, bellwether exhibitors, and very thorough analysis, we have made the difficult decision,” they said. “Exhibitors feel Kosherfest has run its course and there is no longer a significant ROI to justify exhibiting at the show,” says one exhibitor, “due to today’s changing supermarket category manager buying responsibilities and the elimination of the kosher buyer in many major supermarket chains.”

Kosherfest has become too specialized of a niche to make sense as a result of the market-crushing developments that have been years in the making.

The kosher food sector increasingly falls under the grocery buyer’s responsibilities inside retail chains, according to the organizers. “Since this buyer is in charge of sourcing and acquiring a wide range of goods, they are more likely to go to culinary events that include foods other than only kosher goods. A kosher-only certified food expo like Kosherfest is too specialized for their presence.

The organizers, who had already started making plans for the next show, have pledged to return all payments within the upcoming two to three weeks in light of the change of plans.

Consuming foods high in flavanols may improve memory

A international team of researchers discovered that certain elderly persons’ cognitive capacities may be improved by flavanol ingestion.
Previous studies have revealed a connection between eating flavanols and cognitive aging, albeit this connection may be diet-dependent.
Flavanols are naturally occurring substances that may be found in a number of foods, such as tea and grapes.

According to recent study, which was published on May 30 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, flavanols, a substance present in foods like cocoa, may improve memory in certain older persons.

The three-year research involved more than 3,500 participants.

A typical class of chemical is flavanols.Trusted Source is naturally present in many foods, such as grapes, chocolate, and tea.
the study’s findings

Researchers from a number of universities, including Columbia University, Harvard University, New York University, and the University of Reading in the UK, carried out the study.

Participants were split into two groups of almost similar size. The other received a placebo, while one received a flavanol dietary supplement.

To determine baseline health and memory scores, researchers employed instruments including Alternative Health Eating Index (aHEI) ratings and the Modified Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (ModRey).

Three years were spent monitoring the participants.

Those with the lowest aHEI scores (below 38), which the researchers claim “reflects a diet quality ranging from the US average to slightly below average,” showed the greatest gains.

They discovered that those who had a poor diet but took a flavanol supplement showed maintained memory gains compared to those who took a placebo.

500 milligrams of cocoa-based flavanols, a naturally occurring substance, were present in the tablet.

The food corporation Mars Inc. contributed to the study’s funding.
a concentration on “cognitive aging” as opposed to Alzheimer’s disease

It is crucial to remember that while a lot of research into memory in older persons tends to focus on illnesses like Alzheimer’s, research like his and his team’s is more focused on what is known as “cognitive aging,” according to Dr. Adam Brickman (PhD), one of the study’s authors.

“I believe that we are tapping into a memory system that we think changes with natural aging, based on the research that we have conducted over the past 15 years or so…Flavanol levels have decreased in a group of older persons who are generally healthy and normal.

Medium and high aHEI test score individuals did not see the same gains with the medication.

As practitioners and clients learn more about how nutrition might affect cognitive performance, according to Kelsey Costa (MS, RDN), research like this can have a big influence in the profession.

“Just as certain nutrients are important for growing brains, others are necessary for preserving cognitive function as we age. Prioritizing preventative nutrition is essential for aging healthily, and include dietary flavanols is a key component of this plan.
How to consume more flavanols

Although the study’s creators opted for flavanols derived from cocoa, there are many other possibilities, such as tea, berries, and grapes. According to Maya Feller (MS, RD, CDN), it is crucial to pick an accessible approach if you want to raise your flavanol levels.

Fruits, vegetables, tea, chocolate, fermented grapes, and other plants, including those mentioned above, contain flavanols. I often advise individuals to begin introducing plants into their diet by starting with ones that are economical, accessible, culturally appropriate, and enjoyable. There are several ways to include more plants in one’s diet, including canned, fresh, frozen, packaged, and jarred foods.
Some professionals are doubtful about the advantages.

It is crucial to highlight that other experts in the area are less certain that the study proves there are substantial advantages linked to higher levels of flavanol in those who do not have poor diets.

According to Dr. Naveed Sattar, Professor of Metabolic Medicine at the University of Glasgow, studies like this can give the “illusion of benefit,” and it would be much better for the average person not to immediately seek out a sharp increase in their flavanol intake.

People should continue doing the things that we are 100% certain protect against many illnesses, such as eating healthier (and fewer calories if overweight), moving around a little more, and sleeping well, as well as having conventional risk factors checked and, if necessary, improved.

Dr. Aedin Cassidy, Chair in Nutrition & Preventative Medicine at the Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, and another individual who was not affiliated with the study stated in the same press release that the dosage recommended by the researchers is one that most people ought to be able to meet if they feel the need to make dietary changes.

The amount needed to provide these advantages in brain function is easily attainable; for instance, 500mg of flavanols would be present in 1 cup of tea, 6 pieces of dark chocolate, and a few servings of berries or apples.

According to recent research, you may drink and consume these unexpected items to prevent memory loss.

Remembering something? Can not remember the actor’s name from that movie, you know, the one?

A recent study reveals that you may need to increase your intake of red wine and cherries.

Researchers discovered that after three years of taking flavanol supplements, persons with diets low in the chemical flavanols—found in some foods—had improved recollections.

According to a news release from Gunter Kuhnle, research co-author and professor of Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Reading in the UK, “these are exciting results because they suggest that there is an optimal amount of flavanols in the diet.”

According to experts, foods that are rich in flavanols include red wine, black and green tea, dark chocolate, beans, kale, watercress, onions, and fruits including cherries, blackberries, black grapes, and apples.
photo of chocolates, tea, and fruit
There is proof that eating a diet high in flavanols—found in tea, fruit, and other foods—may prevent age-related memory decline.

Over 3,562 senior citizens were instructed to take a 500 mg flavanol supplement or a placebo daily for three years by researchers. On a yearly basis, online tests of short-term memory were used to assess their memory.

Additionally, participants’ urine was taken at the start of the research period and once a year to assess their flavanol levels.

Even after taking the flavanol supplements, the memory of those who consumed a lot of flavanols at the beginning of the research period did not significantly improve.

However, after just one year of taking the flavanol supplements, the memory scores of those whose diets were initially poor in flavanol increased by 16%. Additionally, their memory enhancement persisted throughout the course of three years.

According to a news release from research co-author and Columbia University professor of neuropsychology Adam Brickman, “the improvement… raises the possibility of using flavanol-rich diets or supplements to improve cognitive function in older adults.”

The study, according to health professionals, highlights the need for more research into the nutrients required to keep the brain healthy as we age.
A glass of red wine is filled.
Flavanols, which can be found in red wine, dark chocolate, and other beloved foods, may help elderly people’s brain function.

According to a news release from the study’s co-author, Dr. Scott Small, “research is beginning to reveal that different nutrients are needed to fortify our aging minds in this century as we are living longer.”

Other researchers can leverage our study’s reliance on indicators of flavanol intake to uncover other, essential nutrients, said Small.

However, not all experts were pleased with the study’s findings, which were supported in part by Mars, a company that makes chocolate and other confectionery.

According to David Curtis, honorary professor in the Genetics Institute at University College London, “I am afraid that the results obtained do not support the claim that flavanols improve memory function.”

Even in the group that initially consumed little flavanol, individuals taking a flavanol supplement for years had roughly the same memory performance as those taking a placebo, and any changes were far beyond the range of chance expectation, according to Curtis.

Some researchers express concern that the study’s emphasis on short-term memory obscures important information concerning the dangers of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
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“[I]t’s crucial to distinguish between dementia and age-related memory decline. Although loss of episodic memory is the main symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, age-related memory loss affects everyone, according to Davide Bruno, a researcher at Liverpool John Moores University in the UK.

The impact of the supplement on memory “appears to be modest, and limited to those individuals with a lower quality diet at the start of the study,” Bruno said, adding that it is plausible that flavanols may contribute in some way to the onset of dementia.

The Kosovan Olympic Committee demands that Novak Djokovic be disciplined

The Kosovan Olympic Committee (KOC) has requested that Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic face disciplinary action from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In response to the bloody skirmishes in Kosovo, Djokovic wrote on a TV camera lens at the French Open on Monday: “Kosovo is the [heart symbol] of Serbia. Serb: “Stop the violence.”

The KOC said that Djokovic’s message “breached the fundamental principle of the IOC charter on the point of political neutrality and involved yet another political statement in sport” in a letter sent to the IOC by KOC President Ismet Krasniqi.

Starting his French Open campaign on a victorious note, Novak Djokovic ties Roger Federer’s record.

Djokovic’s agent has been contacted by CNN for comment.

The Kosovo Organization for Cooperation (KOC) asserted that Djokovic “yet again promoted the Serbian nationalists propaganda and used the sport platform to do so,” increasing “the level of tension and violence between the two countries, Kosovo and Serbia.”

Kosovo, which separated from Serbia in 2008, has seen tensions increase over the past week. After ethnically Albanian mayors were elected in northern Kosovo, a region predominately populated by Kosovo Serbs, in April elections that Kosovo Serbs had boycotted, there were skirmishes with protesters on Monday.

At a news conference this week, Djokovic extended on his statement in Serbian, saying: “This is the least I could have done. I believe it is my duty as a public person, regardless of what sector, to offer assistance.

“I feel compelled to lend my support to our people and to all of Serbia, especially as the son of a guy born in Kosovo. I do not know what the future holds for Kosovo and the Serbian people, and I believe that many others also do not either, but in moments like these, it is important to show solidarity and togetherness.

Djokovic’s use of the phrase “entirety of Serbia” echoes the Serbian government’s position, which continues to view Kosovo as a part of its territory and has not declared the region independent.

If no action was taken against Djokovic, Krasniqi sounded the alarm that it would “set a dangerous precedent that sport can be used as a platform for political messages.”

“I respectfully urge the IOC to react within its framework and requests to the ITF to follow the principles governed by the Olympic Charter and investigate on this matter by opening a disciplinary proceedings against the athlete,” he continued.

The ITF confirmed receiving a letter from the Kosovo Tennis Federation and referred it to the appropriate Grand Slam authorities, according to a statement provided to CNN.

“The Grand Slam rulebook, which is overseen by the appropriate organizer and regulator, sets the guidelines for player behaviour at a Grand Slam event. Political remarks are not prohibited by this clause.

The IOC informed CNN that the appropriate grand slam organization oversees and sets the regulations for the French Open.

“The players are under the control of the IOC only during the Olympic Games,” it stated.

In the second round of the French Open on Wednesday, Djokovic will face Márton Fucsovics of Hungary.

The shocking loss of Jaylen Brown in the NBA Playoffs forces the Celtics to make difficult choices.

In the NBA Playoffs, Jaylen Brown hit a new low, which raises a lot of concerns for the Celtics.

Jayson Tatum injured his ankle while attempting to score on the Miami Heat’s opening possession of the Boston Celtics’ Game 7. Tatum persevered for 42 minutes, but he was plainly constrained; he only attempted 13 shots, grimaced frequently, and lacked his customary movement. Jaylen Brown’s offensive role has expanded as a result of the injury, both in terms of usage frequency and on-ball duties. By the conclusion of the game, Brown had committed eight errors while scoring 19 points on 8-of-23 shooting as Boston’s season was ended, 103-84.

Brown’s terrible series came to a close with Game 7. His performance dropped to 19.0 points on 46.4 percent true shooting and 24 assists to 25 turnovers after averaging 24.6 points on 62.9 percent true shooting in the previous two rounds. He shot 21 free throws and made 7 of his 21 attempts from beyond the arc. There were a few strong performances thrown in, but the Heat stifled him and took advantage of his most obvious offensive weaknesses. They are now preparing for Game 1 of the NBA Finals while Brown and the Celtics are making plans for the offseason, which is a significant factor in this.

Brown’s skill in transition and early attack is one of his defining characteristics as a scorer. In similar situations during the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers, he destroyed them, and he performs best when the defense has not yet organized. Miami, though, was aware of this and repeatedly worked to keep him out of those situations.

The Heat quickly set up their defense, surrounded Brown early in a possession, and piled bodies in the lane and on his drives. To blockade lanes going downhill, they use a no-middle strategy that gives assistance around the nail and from the strong side priority. Brown’s plan was thwarted as players including Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Cody Martin, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo surrounded him. Rarely did he score a few simple baskets to get the night going. It was evidence of Miami’s cohesiveness and composure as well as a magnifying effect of Brown’s shortcomings that lead to a dependence on those early offensive opportunities.

Brown was left to fend for himself in the half-court as Miami’s defense remained tenacious, complex, and confounding as quick-hitting opportunities dried up. In the first two rounds, 36% of his shots, according to Cleaning The Glass, were made near the rim. During the Eastern Conference Finals, the percentage decreased to 28 percent. Before making 63 percent of them against the Heat, he made 69 percent of his field goals near the rim against the Sixers and Hawks. His free-throw percentage dropped from.229 through two series to.157 this round. Free throws, rim shots, and transition volume are highly prized commodities. Miami made sure Brown had a lot less of those delights.

His problems are mostly caused by ingrained flaws in his game that are made worse by a roster and strategy that are meant to expose them. Because he is a poor on-the-go playmaker and would not feed Boston’s army of floor-spacers, Miami could flood him with assistance. His handle is rather flimsy, especially traveling to his left, while operating downhill or via touch, and he was not able to navigate such waters with ease. As a result, it may crowd him and enter his body. He often engages in these two rude behaviors. The Heat increased their burdensome influence by taking use of them so frequently.

With each passing series, Brown’s kickout passing got better. However, he could not immediately fix his handle, which limited his ability to move about and negotiate traffic. His decision-making did not result in successful offense, especially for someone with a 30 percent usage rate, whether it was missing passing openings, forcing a drive when there was no room for one, or throwing up difficult shots. He must have worked really hard because so much of it appeared to be quite difficult.

The Heat deserve high appreciation not only for the plan and how it was carried out, but also for how well they identified, comprehended, and used Brown’s inclinations. They anticipated his maneuvers and the events preceding up to them, which they used to their advantage at different stages as seen below by a selection of defensive victories.

Butler pulls the chair in the first clip because he knows Brown loves to make contact with his opponent before turning into a turnaround jump shot, which leads to a turnover as Brown falls to the floor. Martin and Adebayo are prepared for the Marcus Smart-to-Brown backdoor cut that Boston frequently uses in transition (Miami consistently snuffed this one out) on the next play. When Brown tries to sweep him away with his off-arm, Vincent is waiting on Brown’s between-the-legs technique, ready for it. Last but not least, Robinson foresees the stepback three and blocks it.

With those examples, I could be constructing a mountain out of a molehill. The Heat capitalized on Brown’s habits and preferences, though, and put on quite the defensive clinic at his cost. The Heat seemed well-prepared for Brown’s habits and preferences.

Brown’s dismal 16.3 percent clip from deep contributed to his downfall in part. Regression weighed heavily on him (he concluded the playoffs at 38.8 percent) since, before to this series, he was 33-of-70 on deep balls in the playoffs. To Miami’s credit, it timely challenged many of his shots and forced him to settle for some risky, wobbly triples with its inside defense. Although regression was undoubtedly a major factor, it was by no means acting alone. Although he did not want it to be an excuse for his performance, he also appeared to be recovering from a left wrist injury. There were several variables involved in this.

This series should not be used as a comprehensive vote on Brown. He will return as the same outstanding player for the upcoming season. It ought to assist clarify the debate about him and enhance perceptions of his qualities, flaws, and potential areas for growth.

Criticisms of Boston’s offensive hierarchy and incompetence occasionally surface when Brown sits inactive for extended periods of time. However, unlike Tatum (a better scorer and facilitator) or Smart (a better facilitator), Brown lacks the capacity to seize control of resources, and the appropriate tactic might dim his spark.

He is a fantastic and adaptable off-ball scorer who drills threes, attacks closeouts, explodes off of cuts, and punishes mismatches. Like the majority of NBA players, including a number of other All-Stars, he is maximized when schemed touches are in his places. However, it has been challenging to scale up into a major on-ball role that requires advantage generation, passing diversity, and anticipatory decision-making. Miami’s personnel and game strategy provided answers to queries resulting from those inactive intervals by accepting that fact.

The Celtics entered the Eastern Conference Finals wanting to begin a campaign of atonement that would end with a championship after last season’s sad finale. Two weeks later, they had once more exited the playoffs without winning the title. One of the most important reasons is because Brown’s skill level has gaps, which the Heat emphasized.