In the 17th century there was a food that was considered deadly for the rich, but did not kill the poorest: the tomato.

Today it is almost impossible to imagine Mediterranean cuisine without tomatoes, a food highly valued by its nutritional benefits and their antioxidant propertiesanti-cancer and how preventative for aging cellular. However, its integration into the European diet was a slow process full of obstacles, marked by a phenomenon that stigmatized it for centuries, calling it a poisonous food that could lead to cause death, especially if you were rich. Curiously, the poor were immune to its poison. The tomato was deadly for the rich The history of the tomato hides a phenomenon that defied the logic of the time, as it seemed to act as a selective executioner capable of distinguishing the social status of those who ate it. While the peasants and the popular classes They consumed it without suffering harm In some cases, rich aristocrats and wealthy merchants became seriously ill and even died after ingesting it, which consolidated the belief that it was a poisonous and cursed fruit. However, the key to this medical mystery lies not in the biological composition of the tomato, but in the chemistry of the utensils used by rich Europeans when serving and preparing this food. The upper classes of the 18th century had the custom of serving their banquets in pewter tablewarea metallic alloy highly appreciated for its shine and similarity to silver, composed mainly of tin and copper, but with a high lead content. Unlike the rich, the humble classes could not afford these luxuries and ate on simple plates made of wood, clay or coarse ceramics, materials that were chemically inert to food. The problem was that, when the natural acidity of the tomato came into contact with the surface of the pewter plates, their interaction caused a chemical reaction that leached lead from the alloyreleasing this heavy metal directly into the food. As a result, the aristocrats suffered lead poisoning (lead poisoning), whose symptoms were erroneously attributed to the toxicity of the tomatoes and not to the dish in which it was served, granting him tomato the nickname “poison apple” for more than 200 years. Bad botanical companies The rejection of the tomato in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries was not only due to the wealthy victims that this evil fruit claimed, but was supported by the botanical science of the time, which classified it under a family of some plants with a bad reputation: nightshades. Naturalists identify the tomato as a member of the Solanaceae, the same group to which plants belong. famous for their toxicity such as nightshade, henbane or mandrake. This botanical association was enough for doctors and scholars to assume that the new fruit native to the Americas shared the deadly properties of its distant relatives. This botanical classification reinforced the irrational fear of the plant, linking it not only with the poison that was clearly killing the richest, but with spiritual and moral dangers typical of the time. The mandrake, in particular, was strongly associated with witchcraft and rituals dark due to its narcotic effects and the anthropomorphic form of its roots. By placing the tomato in this same biological bag, all the negative connotations and superstitions that surrounded the plants used in the dark arts were transferred to it. As and as they pointed out in National Geographicthe herbalist John Gerard was one of those responsible for fixing this negative image in the collective mind, leaving in writing in his work Herball of 1597 a devastating sentence. Gerard described the plant as producing “corrupt and poisonous fruits”, a statement that, coming from an authority on the subject, cemented the terror of the tomato in Britain and its colonies for centuries. Although in Spain and Italy the tomato began to be accepted earlier due to the influence of customs brought from Americain northern Europe the shadow of suspicion lasted much longer. It was necessary for modern chemistry to explain the pewter reaction and for botany to refine its classifications so that the tomato could finally clear its name and occupy the place it today has on our tables, no matter if you are rich or poor. In Xataka | They are millionaires, but they eat like children. Warren Buffett and Mark Zuckerberg share a passion for junk food Image | Nano Banana, Unsplash (Wanasanan Phonnaun)

Zamora and Ourense were only richer than the poorest provinces in southern Spain for pensions. And they are already losing them

The pension system (and above all Your sustainability in the medium and long term) it may be a challenge for the State, but it is also a important economic engine. Retirees generate employment. And move wealth. Its weight is relevant especially in certain provinces of Spain emptied and depopulated in which those over 65 years of age come More than 30% of the entire population. The problem is that some points of the Spanish geography face A worrying threat: lose that last (and crucial) source of income. The reason is very simple: they lose more pensioners than they win. Spain, increasingly old. Spain ages. The average age of the population It has been increasing Throughout the last decades and if nothing changes it will continue to do so (at least) mid -21st centurya drift that arrives accompanied by a widening of the cusp of the population pyramid. And for sample A button: If in 1998 there were 8.63 million people over 60 years old in Spain, in 2022 there were already 12.57 million, 26.5% of the total census. The great paradox. If there are more elderly, it is normal to think that there will be more retirees charging pensions. And it is so, although with certain nuances. As remember Javier Jorrín in The confidential The situation is not the same in all regions of Spain, just as it has not been its demographic drift over the last years. And that in practice can lead to a curious phenomenon: that in a country in full aging there are provinces that begin to lose pensioners. What is the reason? A peculiar Sorpasso. In some provinces there are already more elderly that exceed the life expectancy (81.1 years for them, 86.3 for them) that workers about to retire, a mismatch that invites you to think that in not much time they will begin to lose pensioners. There are three province in fact that they already face that peculiar situation: Lugo, Ourense and Zamora. In all the population over 83, it exceeds the one that moves between 60 and 64. Why does it matter? For several reasons. The number of pensioners in these provinces still grows and the Galician Statistics Institute esteem For example, at the end of the next decade, the population over 65 years in Lugo will have increased sensitively, but there are certain signs that suggest that this increase will end up reversing. In 2039 In the same Galician province there will be 26,800 people between 60 and 65 years against 40,108 over 80 years. Something more than demography. That there are territories of empty Spain that face the perspective of winning less retirees than they lose is not a simple demographic curiosity. Pensions have become a key piece of the Spanish economy, especially of aging and depopulated regions. A study Recent of the University of Castilla-La Mancha concluded, based on data from 2021, that pensions paid to over 65 years Rondan 8% of GDP and his expense promotes the equivalent of 1.2 million of full -time jobs. Household Pilar. A few years ago CCOO developed another report that also revealed its weight in Spanish homes. According to union calculations, one in five Spanish households (21.6%) already depend on an economic level, to a greater or lesser extent, on a retired pensioner. “There are four million homes whose person and reference is retired,” The study concluded. The reason for that percentage? Both the increase in households formed by adults and “the precariousness of the working conditions of people of working age”, which explains that they rely on the resources provided by their retirees. With that data on the table there are Who already points that pensions have become the great source of solidarity towards unpopulated regions. A country with nuances. To understand the figures you have to take into account several keys. And especially the context. The number of pensions in the whole of Spain It has been increasing progressively over the last years and everything indicates that this trend will not be reversed. In spring the airf estimates that the total expenditure on pensions will grow more than 4% annual until 2040 promoted in part by the revaluation based on the CPI, but also the increase of pensioners. The really important thing is how that already withdrawn population is distributed and especially how it will do it as the Boomersa cohort that once starred in internal migration from Spain emptied to large population centers. In fact, while there are regions and provinces that lose inhabitants about to retire (60-64 years) in others their number grows at a good pace. A third key factor is the amount of the amount of the pensions themselves. Images | VLADA SARGU (UNSPLASH) and Philippe Leone (UNSPLASH) Via | The confidential In Xataka | Being your own boss has a price: an average retirement pension 657 euros lower than employees

The Spanish car will not suffer with 25% of the United States tariffs but with its consequences: a poorest Europe

With a table in the hand and presuming to apply fewer tariffs than, it is supposed, the world is applying against the United States. This has been presented Donald Trump in what he has called “Liberation Day” to the media to confirm the application of new tariffs And when we say “the world”, capitalized, it is not an exaggeration. China, Europe, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, India, Switzerland, Malaysia … the list could follow Until adding 200 countries or regions. Literally. All these countries or regions are those that will have to Assume new US tariffs If you want to sell their products in the country. They are tariffs that will apply especially types of products Because, according to Donald Trump, his country is harmed in the purchase and sale of these goods or in their production. Based, all countries will have to pay 10% tariffs, whatever product. From there, up. And also specific rates are maintained to some sectors. The most punished, without any doubt, 25% to cars. Its impact is our consumption As We said a few days agothe direct impact of imposing 25% on cars that enter the United States is irrelevant for one of the most important industries in our country. The direct impact, that is important to point it out. Spain specializes in the export of cheap vehicles. Since it does not export the Mercedes Vito and Ford Transit to the United Statesits trade with the American country is practically non -existent, so the increase in cars that could reach it is irrelevant. Our country is the Second major exporter of cars of the European Union but the primary business is sales to the European Union itself or countries of the continent. By philosophy, the utilities we manufacture in Spain are very unattractive in the United States. And more if we take into account that we are jumping to electrical technology. Small and electric car is so uncompeitive in the country that Fiat was practically giving his fiat 500e. But all this does not mean that we do not suffer with all this tariff offensive. Impose a 20% tariff to the European Union (Independent of the mentioned to cars, steel or aluminum) and 34% to China, from 32% to Taiwan, 46% to Vietnam or from 24% to Japan, among others, it will make the purchase of cars, textiles and even raw materials as basic as rice. The problem is that The United States has lived in constant relocation For decades. Moving all that production to American soil is impossible in the short term and the direct and imminent consequence is, everything indicates, more expensive products. A loss of purchasing power That, indeed, it affects us. Because in a hyperconnected world, which BMW, Mercedes or Volkswagen sell less cars in the United States directly affects their results accounts. Goldman Sachs Calculate that Increase in the price of cars It will go from 5,000 to $ 15,000, depending on the type of vehicle and its base price. If this happens, it will fall as a waterfall to the employees to whom there will be less money to continue paying and, in turn, will cost them more money to make consumer goods. At the moment, the trust of US consumers has already fallen to values ​​of 2021, according to Bloomberg. When the Economy is aimed at a recessionone of the sectors that most usually suffers is that of the car. Keep in mind that the car is one of the greatest investments we make throughout our lives. For disbursement, it is usually the most important after the purchase of a house. When the economy enters crisis, Renewal times are lengthened and Less cars are sold. The 2008 crisis brought with him a Huge drop in car sale. That year, Spain returned to 1997 in terms of productive volume with An interannual fall of 12%. In our country, in 2006 1.6 million cars were enrolled and in 2012 The million had not been exceeded of units sold. Obviously, Spain is not in the 2008 pre -crisis bubble but we must look at countries like Germany. The German country is the main buyer of Spanish vehiclesfollowed by France. Has based much of its economy on exports And those of cars is the most remarkable to the point of being the first European and sixth producer and exporter in the world, with more than 4.1 million exported units (Spain did not reach 2.5 million last year). The German country has already added two years in a row in recession And the prospects for this 2025 was to grow very little. As little as just 0.3%. Calculations that were made before the announcement of the new tariffs presented last night. For its part, France grew last year 1.1% But household investment fell 6%. Again, everything points to lower consumption. The positive part is that Spain is facing a conversion betting on electric mobility. Although in Spain cars with combustion and cheap engines continue to lead the market, European manufacturers need to start selling all the electric ones that can go to go compensating emissions for 2027. And that implies lowering prices and making them more competitive in front of gasoline cars. What is evident is that an economy in recession or stops only negatively impacts the sale of vehicles. And that sale of vehicles depends on the 10% of Spanish GDP. Photo | The White House and Volkswagen In Xataka | Trump tariffs have caused the Big Tech debacle in the stock market. And propose a slowdown in investment in AI

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