Today’s Solutions: December 13, 2024

Up-close shot of beer being poured

A beer a day may improve your gut microbiome, study shows

The health of your gut microbiome has many implications for your physical and mental health, from your risk of stroke to anxiety. That’s why taking care of your gut bacteria, such as increasing its diversity, is key to living a healthy life. Research has shown that eating more fermented foods can Read More...

person prepares to preserve shredded vegetables in a mason jar

Minimize your food waste with these 5 preservation methods

Here at The Optimist Daily, we love sharing practical ways people can help combat climate change right at home. While the climate crisis may leave us feeling helpless and overwhelmed, there are small actions that we can take that will propel us in the right direction and empower us. Food waste Read More...

The sushi of the future will h

The sushi of the future will have fish-free versions of tuna made of fungi

Although the fishing industry usually has a lower environmental impact than meat farming, overfishing is an issue, so innovators are racing to come up with more sustainable alternatives without compromising too much on flavor. Among such innovators is Aqua Cultured Foods. The startup grows Read More...

This sustainable wood alternat

This sustainable wood alternative is made from kombucha waste

As demand for wood keeps growing, scientists are scrambling to find alternative sources for the material to cut the industry’s environmental footprint. From lab-grown wood to wood 3D-printed with the help of logging waste, innovators are hard at work to find viable solutions. Design student Gabe Read More...

This lab-fermented chocolate s

This lab-fermented chocolate solves the industry’s child labor problems

About 20 years ago, chocolate companies have pledged to phase out child labor on cocoa plantations. Fast forward to today, the issue remains widespread across the industry, especially in West Africa, where 70 percent of the world’s cocoa beans are grown. Progress has also been slow in cutting Read More...

This microbe-based cheese look

This microbe-based cheese looks and tastes like the real thing

As a growing number of consumers are looking to green up their diets, more and more plant-based meat and dairy alternatives are emerging on the market to cater to these eco-conscious needs. However, as a recent culinary innovation proves, plants are not the only protagonists in the transition Read More...

How Sevilla is turning its lef

How Sevilla is turning its leftover oranges into electricity

The city of Sevilla is proving there is more than just one type of juice you can produce from oranges. In a new pilot scheme, the southern Spanish city will start producing electricity from leftover oranges by capturing the methane from the fermented fruits and using it to drive a generator. Read More...