› added 6 years ago

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TIL that dark-skinned people living in cold countries are 6 times more at risk of developing vitamin D deficiency.

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via reddit.com

DQONr TIL of 'Sokushinbutsu', ascetic Japanese buddhist monks who practiced self-mummification; they would prepare for death by eating a diet rich in pine needles and resin, paired with severe dehydration, until they 'hardened' in place.
PYk7J TIL that Boar Taint is a foul odor/taste in Pork products that affects 1 in 5 male pigs. Most people can sense it when present and it puts some eaters off Pork forever. It derives from uncastrated male pigs hitting puberty. Smelly pig.
Y7JPZ TIL: In 1956, France banned the serving of alcohol to children under the age of 14 in the school canteens. Prior to that, school children had the right to drink half a litre of wine, cider or beer with their meals. In 1981 France implemented a total alcohol ban in the country’s schools.
R0n9 TIL FDA rejected Aspartame [APM] (infamous sweetener in Diet Coke) several times for EXTREME health risks. The CEO of the company who owned patent on APM was made head of FDA by Reagan administration. APM was instantly approved for consumption. Today, APM is the largest artificial sweetener in USA.
vPV6x TIL that Cornelius Vanderbilt left school at age 11 and went on to build a shipping and railroad empire that, during the 19th century, would make him one of the wealthiest men in the world.