Category: General

cryptocurrency

Pros and cons of using Blockchains

by Jamie Bennett

Blockchain is not a perfect cryptocurrency system that has come to offer solutions everywhere. There are areas that at this particular moment in time cannot offer the optimum possible solution compared to classical computing applications.

The main advantages of using Blockchain technology are:

  • Full history, the standard databases for every query we run on they return us a snapshot of the data that exists in that database at that particular moment. Blockchain is essentially a database of historicity which has the complete history and all values ​​that existed from the first moment of network operation.
  • Difficulty in cyber-attacks, as the system is shared among many computers, there is no central database that hackers will could use to perform malicious attacks.
  • Non-existence of a central authority, since it is a fully distributed system in many points, there is no need for a central principle of righteousness its functions. In this way it manages to greatly reduce the operational expenses to whoever manages it.

Although it creates decent solutions in the financial sector mainly it does not is the optimal solution as the banking sector needs a system that will perform huge volume of transactions in fractions of a second.

Blockchain will need huge computing and energy power to function properly in such conditions.

However new consensus protocols are constantly being created that greatly reduce the need power.

Due to its nature, Blockchain always provides transparency. For this specific reason until at the moment it is not the optimal solution for the management and safeguarding of secrets information and documents.

However, the above problem can be solved with the right one choice of Blockchain type and consensus algorithms that modify it into a highly private one network.

Consent Protocols

An important feature for creating a Blockchain is defining the possibilities to create new blocks. This problem is solved with the option consent protocols.

The choice of such protocol is crucial, as it limits the platforms that will be selected next as well as the features that will Blockchain can have.

What exactly are consensus protocols?

The term consensus refers to the agreement that should exist between nodes for the state of the Blockchain. A known problem that can cause us understanding the above definition, it is the problem of the Byzantine generals (Byzantine Generals Problem).

This problem describes a situation where generals have arrive outside a city and are about to besiege it. A part of generals suggests attack, while the rest retreat. Without the common decision to attack defeat is inevitable.

So, also in Blockchain where the basic idea is the non-existence of any central one principle for decision-making, there must be a way to be used for the choice of decision to create new blocks. So far there are several protocols of consensus, however new ones are created frequently as Blockchain develops more and more areas.

When a user enters a Blockchain network, they accept their initial state network which is published in the genesis block published by the creators before the network is even available to more users. Every block you create after that from the original, the rules to follow are determined by the consensus protocol that has been selected.

Regardless of the mode of operation that the protocol specifies, in order to do the addition of a block as with the problem of Byzantine generals, there must be unanimous decision that will validate the block to be added to the chain.

Plus a wealth of properties and processes that exist in the background for how consensus protocols work, but the average user doesn’t need to know about them as these are entirely managed automatically by some software system.

Consent protocols can be categorized into three separate categories:

  1. Based on PoW protocols, where production of some project is necessary
  2. More efficient and lower energy consumption protocols (Proof-of-X) whose logic is based on PoWs.
  3. Hybrid protocols, which are variations of classic protocols and operate with the existence of committees

The above three categories can theoretically be analyzed as well as various of the popular consensus protocols. Also, the method can be presented but not in today’s article. Stay tuned for our next blockchain article!

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healthiest varieties of cheese

Τhe healthiest varieties of cheese

by Jamie Bennett

Cheeses are an excellent source of calcium and protein. Some formulas contain more salt and more fat than others. Here we will show you seven types of healthy cheese products that do not lack any taste.

In this article, you will learn what are the healthiest varieties of cheese. The cheeses are delicious, they go with almost everything and give the potential “present” in many of our dishes. They are an excellent source of calcium and protein, but in some cases contain a lot of salt or fat. That way they will never be out of your fridge!

Consume cheese in moderation

No one can deny that cheese is filling. It satisfies our hunger and is a perfect complement to our recipes. For example, what would be pasta without grated cheese? Or the potatoes without a little delicious melted cheese on them?

Cheese is an important source of calcium. It also contains proteins and amino acids (one of them is tryptophan). Because of this, it is recommended for all ages. However, since nothing is perfect in life, it also loads us up with a lot of calories and excess sodium.

With this in mind, its consumption should always be in moderation. According to the study of Dr. Masoumeh Sadeghi, which can be found here , although high consumption of cheese is associated with an increase in good cholesterol (HDL) does not seem to increase bad cholesterol (LDL). However, further research will certainly be needed to get a clear picture.

In the right quantities, cheeses are good for your health.

Of course, the healthier types are found in their most natural and less processed form. And there are many cases that are made with reduced salt, but this depends more on the manufacturer than the type of cheese.

For example, if you are on a diet and want to lose weight, you should keep in mind that fresh cheeses have less fat and salt than smoked cheeses. This also applies to what you can find without salt and with few calories.

On the other hand, cheeses made from sheep’s or goat’s milk are usually healthier than those made from cow’s milk. The reason is that our digestive system can better assimilate the nutrients of these cheeses. They also contain more nutrients and vitamins.

At the same time, we must not overlook the fact that the majority of cow’s milk has been treated with hormones and artificial feed (with cereals and not grass).

Because of these, the healthiest varieties of cheese come from family farms or organic companies.

What are the healthiest varieties of cheese?

Many times when you are on a diet, cheese becomes one of your main enemies. This is due to the calories or sodium it contains. However, there are other types of cheese that are healthier than others. It is worth knowing what they are, so that you can add them in reasonable quantities to your daily diet.

1. Ricotta

It is a cheese with a lot of protein, vitamins A and B and zinc . It is also low in sodium and can be found in low fat. Ricotta comes from a secondary processing of whey. It has a white color, grainy texture and mild taste. Ricotta can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. In Italy, it is one of the most widely used cheeses for filling pasta.

2. Pecorino Romano

It is in turn another healthy cheese. It is made from sheep’s milk. It is hard, salty and comes from Lacio, Italy. It is usually used in sauces and in melted form. Sometimes it is rubbed on the pasta. It is also saltier than other versions such as Tuscany and Sardinia.

3. Cottage cheese

It is made from cow’s curd. It can be more or less greasy depending on how it is prepared. It is available in various forms, such as creamy, salt-free and lactose-free. Cottage cheese has a lot of protein and other nutrients. For example, it has calcium, selenium and phosphorus . One cup of cottage cheese has 28 grams of protein. This is a very good choice if you want to lose weight as it belongs to the healthiest varieties of cheese.

4. Parmesan

Another healthy cheese from Italy. Specifically, it originates from Parma, hence the name. It has a hard, granular texture and is made with milk from the famous Holstein or Reggiana herds. It should not be smoked for less than a year. The richest cheeses of the species mature for three years.

Parmesan is believed to be good only for pasta or soups. It can, however, be served as an appetizer if you cut it into cubes and serve it with sausage or fruit. In its country of origin, it is recommended for pregnant women, the elderly, children and athletes. It is also worth mentioning that it is more digestible than any other cheese.

5. Aged cheddar

Lactose intolerance can lead to problems and discomfort. This is due to the fact that many dishes today are made with dairy products. This also applies to all cheeses. It is comforting, however, that aged cheddar is one of the healthiest cheeses, as it does not have as much lactose. You can talk to an expert about whether it is right for you or try it for yourself.

6. Feta

It is prepared mainly with sheep’s and goat’s milk. This savory cheese has a unique taste and a crumbly, creamy texture. If you want to eat real feta, you have to buy feta made in Greece. There are also good quality Turkish, Bulgarian, Romanian and Danish. This cheese is used in salads along with olive oil, tomatoes and cucumbers. It is ideal for summer.

7. Pot

This fresh, white, smooth cheese is made with pasteurized cow’s milk. It is one of the best cheeses on our list of the healthiest varieties of cheese. It is usually served as an appetizer, cut into small pieces. It also has the ability to absorb other flavors, such as garlic for example. It has a lot of protein and in order to be healthy, you need to choose one that is low in sodium and fat.

Now that you know the healthiest varieties of cheese, it’s time to find your favorite.

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