When it comes to Japanese teas, matcha has been the poster child for years—but there’s another green tea making waves in Vancouver: hojicha. While matcha boasts a vibrant green hue and a bold, grassy flavour, hojicha plays it cool with its roasted leaves, a caramel colour, and a toasty, nutty taste. But the real game-changer? Hojicha has significantly less caffeine, making it the perfect pick-you-up that won’t leave you jittery (or questioning your life choices at 3am). Trust us, it’s a brew worth buzzing about—even if that buzz is ever so gentle.
Cowdog
The hojicha latte is a standout at Cowdog, crafted from Kyoto-sourced hojicha that is roasted to perfection for a deep, cocoa-hued cup. Want to bring the cafe experience home? The coffee shop’s tins of premium hojicha powder make it easy to create your own lattes, while the white chocolate hojicha cookie adds an extra dose of indulgence. 3720 Oak Street.
At Paragon Tea Room, the Obsidian Hojicha Latte showcases the artistry of stone-milled autumn bancha hojicha from Kagoshima. With a velvety texture and subtle sweetness, this latte is perfect for those who appreciate a handcrafted tea experience. 3361 Cambie Street.
Known for its artisan bread and rustic charm, Fife Bakery offers a hojicha milk tea that’s a comforting delight. Featuring roasted green tea with a nutty, earthy depth, it’s the ideal companion to one of the cafe’s signature pastries—think buttery croissants or spiced seasonal muffins. Served hot or iced, this drink is a must-try. 64 East 3rd Avenue.
While Lumine Coffee is a go-to for expertly crafted coffee, the hojicha latte is a quiet contender for top sip. Made with roasted green tea, it has a smooth, nutty flavour and is available both hot and iced. 103-1965 West 4th Avenue.
At O-Five Rare Tea Bar, the Hojicha for Kombucha blend offers warm notes of caramel and apples, making it a versatile choice for crafting your own kombucha or enjoying on its own. With kits available for first-time brewers, O-Five helps you bring tea culture home. 2208 West 4th Avenue.
Dogecoin (DOGE), the seventh biggest crypto by market cap, has experienced a significant rally, surging from $0.15 to $0.43 within days, marking its highest level in over three years.
The DOGE price hit $0.4761 earlier in the month as the market rallied, with anticipation building for new peaks.
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This boosted the confidence of some traders who went long on DOGE. However, price fluctuations have impacted projections. The meme coin has struggled to rebound after falling below the $0.3780 price.
The rally was further fueled by a statement from the Department of Government Efficiency, which referenced “DOGE,” sparking market excitement.
Source: CoinMarketCap
However, after reaching a high of $0.44 on Nov. 12, DOGE corrected by 22% to $0.34 within hours. Since then, it has traded within a range of $0.34 to $0.44 as momentum slows.
Elon Musk lawsuit
The 2022 class-action lawsuit accusing Elon Musk and Tesla of manipulating Dogecoin (DOGE) prices has been withdrawn by the plaintiffs as of Nov. 14, 2024. The investors had alleged that Musk and Tesla engaged in a “crypto pyramid scheme” to inflate DOGE’s value, seeking $258 billion in damages.
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In the legal filing, the plaintiffs agreed to withdraw their appeal from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and waived their right to pursue any further post-judgment relief. Both sides have also agreed to drop motions for sanctions related to the case. However, the withdrawal must still receive formal approval from U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein for the litigation to be officially concluded.
The lawsuit was centered on claims that Musk manipulated DOGE prices through media appearances and social media posts.
DOGE price prediction
Dogecoin is still nursing its long-term ambition to hit the $1 price mark. In its outlook for the crypto market in 2025, Mike Novogratz’s Galaxy Research said Dogecoin will finally touch the price mark.
The firm highlighted how the meme coin will benefit from the Elon Musk Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E). Amid the growing push for new crypto ETF products, there are growing speculations that a Dogecoin ETF may also be filed soon.
Dogecoin (DOGE) has recently experienced significant bullish momentum, highlighted by a golden cross — a technical pattern where the 50-day moving average crosses above the 200-day moving average.
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Historically, this formation signals strong upward trends and has often preceded major price rallies. DOGE’s price has surged, breaking through resistance levels at $0.22 and $0.30, with rising trading volumes further validating this momentum.
Dogecoin (DOGE) is currently exhibiting signs of being oversold based on Bollinger Bands analysis. The price has dropped below the lower band on all time frames, including the critical daily chart.
This lower band, representing a 20-day moving average adjusted for volatility, is currently positioned at $0.3576, approximately 3.5% higher than DOGE’s current price.
Such a move outside the lower band often signals that the asset may be oversold, potentially setting the stage for a reversal or corrective bounce as traders reassess its value. However, sustained pressure below this level could also indicate persistent bearish sentiment, necessitating caution.
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DOGE appears to be stabilizing at its current price levels, offering some hope for recovery as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) suggests potential improvement. However, DOGE remains below its 50-day exponential moving average (EMA) at approximately $0.36, highlighting continued struggles to regain bullish momentum.
Earlier this month, the breakout from its ascending channel shifted to a descending price structure, intensifying bearish sentiment.
Veteran trader Peter Brandt noted DOGE’s adherence to classical charting principles. He highlighted a similarity between its current price action and a pattern observed in 2020, where a sideways accumulation phase evolved into an inverse head-and-shoulders (H&S) formation.
DOGE $DOGE has been an outstanding charting market following classical charting principles I am going to follow up in a few hours with a comparison chart that will blow your mind (as long as I remember to do so at age 78) pic.twitter.com/xKuLflPgea
This same pattern in 2024 has contributed to DOGE’s massive 190% rally. Brandt’s analysis underscores the technical strength behind Dogecoin’s recent performance, suggesting the potential for sustained bullish trends.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.
Prominent blockchain sleuth Whale Alert, which tracks large cryptocurrency transfers, has spread the word about the very first massive XRP transfer in 2025. This hefty transaction carried half a billion XRP coins.
Historically, there is only one entity that unlocks huge amount of XRP at the beginning of a new month but it is unclear if it is connected with the above-mentioned transfer.
500 million XRP shoveled on Jan. 1
Whale Alert revealed that roughly five hours ago, an anonymous transfer carrying half a billion XRP took place as this large lump of crypto was moved from one anonymous blockchain address to another. This huge amount of XRP was valued at a staggering $1,070,455,137 in fiat at the current XRP/USD exchange rate of $2.13 per coin. This year XRP has demonstrated a staggering price rally, soaring from $0.6 in December to a high of nearly $3 earlier this month.
Details revealed by the Bithomp XRP-centered explorer show that the transaction was initiated by Ripple blockchain giant. On the very first day of every new month, Ripple usually transfers 1 billion XRP in several regular consecutive withdrawals from escrow.
As a rule, Whale Alert displays all these two or three transactions, but today this data tracker noticed only one transaction of such a mammoth size.
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30 million XRP goes to top Korean exchange
Whale Alert also revealed that a large amount of crypto — 30,000,000 XRP — was transferred to a leading cryptocurrency exchange in South Korea, Bithump.
The 30 million XRP constitutes $64,034,753 in fiat and that XRP chunk was deposited to the aforementioned platform from an anonymous digital wallet. Many traders are currently locking in their profits, moving large amounts of XRP and other cryptos to digital exchanges to sell.
As we close out the year, the latest headline is that there is a nasty arctic blast coming to the US that will drive up demand for a couple of weeks. Here in lines the conundrum of trading natural gas for retail traders. They have to focus on the next 10 days. You have to know the amount of storage, the amount of transmission across lines, the amount of exports to Asia, and now possibly the European Union, as it looks like natural gas won’t be flowing through Ukraine anymore from Russia. So, with all these things combining, you would assume that natural gas should shoot straight up in the air, and it has to a point, but the candlestick you’re looking at on the weekly chart is a result of low liquidity as well. So, you can only read so much into it.
As a cyclical trade, natural gas typically does fairly well through the month of January and I think this year will be more of the same. But sometimes towards the end of Q1, you’ll see natural gas plummet, unless, of course, something changes out of the ordinary. I think you’ve got a situation where we probably pull back in the very first few sessions of Q1, have another bounce, and that bounce is when I would be very cautious about getting long of natural gas again.
Probiotics have been studied for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, such as bloating, abdominal pain, and bowel movement irregularity. The evidence for using probiotics in IBS is lacking because study results are conflicting, and the number of study participants is small. However, some probiotics have shown promise in managing IBS.
Probiotics are live microorganisms found in some foods and supplements. They are used to populate and shift the makeup of the microbiome—the balance of bacteria and other microbes in the gut. Probiotics may have effects on both gut health and overall health.
Probiotics include many different types (strains) of bacteria. Which strains of probiotics might be helpful for a particular digestive condition is still not well understood .Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder related to how your brain and gut interact. IBS subtypes are defined by whether they primarily produce diarrhea (IBS-D), constipation (IBS-C), or a mixture of diarrhea and constipation (IBS-M).
Fiordaliso / Getty Images
Best All-Around Strain for IBS: Lactobacillus Acidophilus NCFM
Some research has shown that Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM may be helpful in IBS. In particular, this strain may act on the mechanism that causes abdominal pain. In one study, people with IBS with moderate to severe pain who took Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM had less pain after 12 weeks.
This strain of bacteria may work to reduce compounds that cause inflammation in the body. It may also help limit the ability of some pathogens (microbes that cause illness) to grow inside the body. However, these benefits have been seen in studies on rats, not humans.
For IBS-D and Postinfectious IBS: Saccharomyces Boulardii
One small pilot study examined the use of Saccharomyces boulardii (a yeast strain) in diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D). For 15 days, people in the study received either diet advice or Saccharomyces boulardii and diet advice. Diarrhea and other symptoms improved for both groups. However, those who took this strain of probiotic showed more improvement.
In trials, S. boulardii has also been shown to improve the quality of life in people with IBS.
Studies have reported good results in using S. boulardii to prevent the highly infectious, antibiotic-resistant Clostridiodes difficile (C. diff) infection after antibiotics are given in hospital settings. This diarrheal infection can develop after a person has a course of antibiotics that affects their microbiome.
For IBS-C: Bifidobacterium Lactis BB-12
Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 has been researched for use in people who live with IBS with constipation (IBS-C). Constipation means having fewer than three bowel movements weekly, and stools are hard or lumpy and difficult to pass.
A study of nearly 1,250 participants compared four weeks of a Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 supplement with a placebo (an inactive treatment). The study results showed that people in the probiotic group had more bowel movements than those in the placebo group.
Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 treatment was further separated into two doses: 1 billion and 10 billion colony-forming units a day. There was not a significant difference in improving bowel movements between the two groups. The study’s authors feel that the 1 billion dose might represent a “ceiling,” meaning that taking colony-forming units in a supplement above 1 billion may not help people with IBS-C have more frequent bowel movments.
For IBS-M: Lactobacillus Acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium Lactis Bi-07
Abdominal pain and bloating can occur in all forms of IBS. Research is lacking on how probiotics may affect symptoms in people who live with IBS mixed type (IBS-M). However, some data show that Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM alone or a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 can help with pain and bloating.
A small study of just 20 women with mild to moderate levels of abdominal pain found either Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM alone or a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 helped with pain and bloating.
Some older studies showed similar results for people with IBS, although not all had IBS-M.
For All IBS Types: Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75:One study of 443 people with IBS studied the effect of either Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75 or placebo.The Bifidobacterium in this study was heat-inactivated. This means that the probiotics were no longer living, but they still stuck to the walls of the intestines.
The people who took the probiotic for eight weeks had improvements in abdominal pain and overall IBS symptoms. They also had a better quality of life than before receiving the probiotic. Those receiving the placebo also did better but to a lesser degree than those receiving the probiotic.
Another, older study showed that this strain helped alleviate IBS symptoms overall. More specifically, abdominal pain, bloating, and the urgent need to have a bowel movement were all improved in people with IBS who received this probiotic.
Bifidobacterium infantis 35624:This probiotic has been studied in a few trials in people with IBS. People who received the probiotic for four weeks had decreased abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and bearing down on the toilet to pass a bowel movement. This strain may also help reduce inflammation in the gut after an infection or antibiotic treatment.
Other Great Options
Bacillus coagulans Unique IS-2: One trial examined 136 people who received either the probiotic or a placebo for eight weeks. People who took this probiotic had a 50% improvement in abdominal pain. They also had an increase in the number of “normal” bowel movements, no matter which type of IBS they had. The authors of the study stress that there were no severe adverse effects.
Lactobacillus plantarum Lp299v: A few studies used this probiotic strain. One trial that included 52 people with IBS tested this strain for four weeks. The people in this trial with IBS had reduced abdominal pain and intestinal gas.
Another trial showed people with IBS had fewer episodes and reduced severity of abdominal pain, bloating, and the sensation of incomplete emptying (going to the bathroom but feeling like there is more stool). In a third trial, 78% of the people who took this strain said there was a “good” or “excellent” effect on symptoms of IBS. In contrast, 8% in the placebo group said the same.
Do Probiotics Really Help?
The cause of IBS is not well understood. It is considered a disorder of the gut-brain axis, which means that something within the two-way communication pathway between the brain and the gut is not working properly.
It is also thought that a disruption in the balance of bacteria in the gut could contribute to the symptoms of IBS, such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation (or some combination of the two). Stress, diet, medications, and any number of environmental elements could all cause a disruption in the microbiome.
This is why probiotics have been considered as a way to shift the makeup of bacteria to a healthful balance.
The problem is that it’s not yet known which probiotics will be helpful and which will waste money and time. Probiotics appear to be safe for the most part, but there is the possibility of adverse events or harm.
Not all people find that probiotics help their symptoms. Results are individualized and affected by numerous factors.
Can Probiotics Make Symptoms Worse?
Some people may have digestive symptoms after starting probiotics. These include diarrhea or gas. Usually, these are minor, and they don’t last long. They should resolve within a few days. If they do not, it may be worth considering a lower dosage.
For the most part, probiotics are considered safe for use in healthy adults. One large analysis of 55 trials that included 7,000 people found that side effects (called adverse events) were not any more common in people who received probiotics than in people who received a placebo.
The FDA considers probiotic products supplements. This means they are not reviewed to determine if they are safe or effective. The FDA reports that probiotics have been linked to more than 24 adverse events and at least one infant death.
Preterm infants and people who are severely ill or immunocompromised may be at greater risk for adverse events from a probiotic. It’s recommended that people at risk only receive probiotics when they are clearly beneficial.
How to Choose the Right Probiotic for You
Choosing a probiotic can be challenging. Many strains are available, and the evidence for their use can be lacking or even contradictory. Another part of making a selection is ensuring that the brand is reputable and has been independently tested.
Probiotic supplements come in many forms, including beverages, capsules, gummies, lozenges, powders, and tablets, although certain strains may not be available in all forms. To continue taking propbiotics, find the strain you want in the form you find easiest to take.
Check the expiration date that’s printed on package labels. Probiotics, for the most part, are living organisms. Taking a probiotic after the expiration date might mean fewer live organisms in it and it might be less effective. Buy only the amount you will take before the expiration date.
Working With Your Healthcare Provider
Probiotics have not been shown to harm the health of most healthy adults, but the evidence of their effectiveness is mixed. The harm is wasted money and time trying a probiotic that may not be effective. Healthcare providers and pharmacists can help recommend a product.
Combining Products
For some people, a combination probiotic containing more than one strain is the best choice. Or, taking two or more strains separately might be an option.
Multiple strains are an option for people with more than one health condition. For example, you might select one product for overall gut health support and another targeting your underlying health concern.
For IBS, evidence points to combination products that contain Lactobacillus plantarum 299v and Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 for overall symptom management. However, it’s important to note that scientific evidence is still not strong enough to pinpoint which probiotic(s) will be helpful for any particular person.
Which Probiotics to Avoid
Some strains and combinations of strains have not been shown to be helpful for people with IBS in clinical trials.
Other Bacillus strains:Three trials (including 177 people) compared probiotic products containing strains of Bacillus. No solid evidence was found that the strains of Bacillus tested helped with symptoms of IBS.
Combinations:Combination products contain two or more types of bacteria. Looking at 32 trials with nearly 3,470 people, one meta-analysis found that the evidence for their use was low. Some of the products studied included LacClean Gold S, Duolac 7s, and VSL#3.
Other Lactobacillus strains:One big analysis looked at the results of 16 studies that used Lactobacillus and included almost 1,500 people. The authors said there wasn’t much evidence that strains of Lactobacillus were any better than placebo for treating symptoms of IBS.
Probiotic-Rich Foods to Try
Some fermented foods contain probiotics because of the way they are produced. Other foods have probiotics added to them. Check the food labels for more specific information about each food and its probiotic content.
Some probiotic foods contain FODMAPs, which might not fit into a low-FODMAP diet. Understanding FODMAPs and how to follow the various stages of a low-FODMAP diet is challenging. High-FODMAP foods can be included in the diet in lower amounts (such as 1 tablespoon of sauerkraut or kefir). For that reason, people with IBS will want to work with a dietitian to begin this diet.
Fermented foods that may contain probiotics include:
Apple cider vinegar (look for a brand that contains the word “mother”)
Cottage cheese, with probiotics listed on the label (high FODMAP)
Cultured buttermilk (high FODMAP)
Fermented fish (utonga-kupsu)
Fermented milk
Frozen yogurt (high FODMAP)
Greek yogurt (high FODMAP)
Kefir (high FODMAP)
Kimchi
Kombucha
Miso
Sauerkraut (moderate to high FODMAP)
Tempeh (low FODMAP)
Yogurt (high FODMAP)
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Probiotics are generally safe but they are not without the potential to do harm. Starting a probiotic when there are severe symptoms occurring inside or outside the digestive system should only be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
It’s important to work with a pediatrician or pediatric gastroenterologist when considering probiotics for infants and children. Getting sound advice will help you choose the right strain while avoiding the added expense of trying multiple products or potential harms such as:
Causing side effects (though this is rare in healthy children)
Marketing from probiotic manufacturers has promoted the idea that reaching for a probiotic is a good choice when digestive problems arise. However, people who have severe symptoms in the digestive system, such as diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, or bleeding, should work with a healthcare provider before considering supplements.
Probiotics may not be helpful and will waste time and money. At worst, avoiding proper medical care in favor of an over-the-counter (OTC) probiotic could cause a digestive condition to become more severe.
Summary
Study into the use of probiotics for IBS is still in the early stages. It’s not known exactly which strains of bacteria will help any particular person. Some evidence suggests that specific probiotics may be helpful for some people with IBS.
Working with a healthcare provider can help narrow the overwhelming amount of information about which probiotic to choose. Strain, delivery method, viability, and effectiveness are all important factors to consider when choosing a probiotic.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.
The price of Dogecoin (DOGE) has decreased by 1.19% in the last 24 hours per data from CoinMarketCap, starting 2025 on a downward trajectory. However, Dogecoin’s declining momentum comes amid a tempered outlook in the broader crypto market.
Dogecoin in recovery phase
Despite the decline in Dogecoin’s price, the meme coin has entered a rare recovery phase, marking a major catch to watch out for.
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As the market picks up steam in the ongoing bull market, DOGE might rebound and move higher. Investors are likely waiting to see the next big move before they reenter the market. This perspective is reinforced by the declining trading volume.
Within the last 24 hours, the trading volume has decreased by 22.8% to $1.91 billion, suggesting investors’ declining interest. Currently, DOGE trades at $0.3139 with a market capitalization of $46.27 billion.
The next crucial support for DOGE is $0.325, which will determine its next movement. DOGE could see an uptrend if it breaks through this key support. However, Dogecoin could slip further downward if it fails to move above this level.
DOGE whales increase momentum
Meanwhile, Dogecoin whales ended 2024 with huge token accumulation.
According to a report from U.Today, these whale investors moved $258 million worth of DOGE in just 24 hours. Per the transaction details, the whales moved 466.8 million DOGE before transferring 350 million DOGE an hour later.
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In another update, on-chain analyst Ali Martinez pointed out that the whale accumulation is 300 million DOGE. This increased whale activity ignited bullish expectations for DOGE’s future movement. Moreover, IntoTheBlock data showed Dogecoin whale transactions jumped by over 41% in just 24 hours, further reinforcing the heightened activity.
Typically, DOGE whale investors directly impact the asset’s market price. Their increased attention could indicate that Dogecoin is set to see a breakthrough.
The GBP/USD pair struggled to withstand the strength of the US dollar throughout 2024.
However, the sterling’s resilience crumbled rapidly following the announcement of Trump’s victory in the US presidential election.
As a result, the GBP/USD pair plummeted towards the support level of 1.2475, its lowest level in seven months, before stabilizing around 1.2510 in the final hours of trading in 2024.
The highest level for the GBP/USD pair throughout the year was the resistance level of 1.3434, recorded at the beginning of trading in September 2024, which was the highest level for the pair in two years.
GBP Forecast for 2025
According to licensed trading platforms, despite the recent selling pressure on the pound, Goldman Sachs remains optimistic about the fundamentals of the pound. However, RBC Capital Markets expects the strength of the pound to fade quickly if it happens. Many investment banks expect the pound to perform strongly in early 2025, but it faces increasing difficulties and may be more vulnerable later in the year. However, Forex analysts at Danske Bank believe that in the long term, some of these favourable winds for the pound appear to be fading and we expect a more accommodative Bank of England to weigh on the pound eventually.
The future of Bank of England policies in 2025
You should note that monetary policy will remain a major focus in 2025. In this regard, the Bank of England has cut interest rates only twice in 2024 amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding inflation trends. Obviously, this shift in yields has been crucial in supporting the pound. At this stage, markets are expecting only two rate cuts by the BoE in 2025, but most investment banks are expecting a more dovish stance.
At the last meeting in 2024, there was a 6-3 vote to keep UK interest rates at 4.75% and ING is expecting a significant shift in this regard in Q1 2025; the growing dovish front evident within the Monetary Policy Committee despite the latest hawkish wage data suggests a greater focus on the slowdown in activity. This reinforces our dovish view on the BoE in 2025 – we expect 150bp cuts, versus market expectations of around 55bp.
But what about the US Federal Reserve?
Expectations about US monetary policy have changed significantly in the past few weeks of 2024. In its latest meeting of 2024, the Federal Reserve suggested that it would only cut US interest rates twice in 2025. In the updated economic projections for September, the Federal Reserve showed the possibility of making four cuts in US interest rates.
Analysts note that the Fed’s shift in monetary policy, which would see a slower easing cycle, makes sense as the U.S. economy is expected to remain relatively healthy at least through the first half of 2025. Overall, most major banks have trimmed their interest rate forecasts. Furthermore, Bank of America analysts were expecting only two U.S. rate cuts next year. Wells Fargo appears to be a bit more hawkish, seeing just one rate cut in 2025.
However, not all financial market analysts are convinced that the U.S. economy will be able to withstand the geopolitical uncertainty and unintended consequences of President Donald Trump’s proposed policies.
GBP/USD May See a Volatile Trading Year
The pound is likely to see a volatile year, with initial weakness followed by a potential recovery. This is according to Corbyn, the global payments company, which has released its 2025 outlook for major currencies. The firm sees the pound set for a turbulent 2025 due to a combination of domestic economic challenges, a potential interest rate cut. International factors, including changes in US policy. Meanwhile, the start of the year could be tough, there are factors that could support a recovery later in the year and the GBP/USD pair could break the 1.30 threshold by the end of 2025.
The firm sees the pound as likely to see a turbulent start to 2025, with weakness likely against the US dollar amid a loss of economic momentum. According to the economic calendar data, the UK economy slowed sharply during the second half of 2024, leading to weaker labour markets, wage pressures, and lower inflation expectations. The Bank of England is expected to cut interest rates more aggressively than the markets expect. Consequently, this will limit the extent to which interest differentials can support the currency against the euro.
The company’s forecast for the GBP/USD pair is 1.27 in the first quarter, 1.28 in the second quarter, 1.29 in the third quarter, and 1.30 in the fourth quarter.
Trading Tips:
The performance of the GBP/USD in the new year will not be stable as it awaits the reaction to factors that move prices strongly. Therefore, caution and good observation of what Trump decides in the US and globally are necessary.
Technical Analysis for the GBP/USD pair today:
According to recent trades, the movements of the GBP/USD pair support the psychological support level of 1.25 as a temporary floor for the GBP/USD pair, and while it is now in the process of breaking above the nine-day exponential moving average (EMA). Therefore, a successful close above this technical indicator – currently at 1.2579 – would strengthen the improved tone in the near term and open the door to further gains in the first part of January 2025.
However, it should be considered that the US dollar has risen for most of December after the Federal Reserve cut US interest rates but indicated that it has become more cautious about cutting interest rates, which will help maintain US bond yields afloat. For the dollar, this means a stronger trade for a longer period that could extend into 2025. Given the underlying background, GBP/USD gains are likely to be temporary, and the first quarter of 2025 may bring new declines with the minimum of 1.2330. And from there, all technical indicators move towards oversold levels.
Elcella — a twice-daily capsule being dubbed “natural Ozempic” — is said to cause cells in the colon to release high levels ofthe appetite-suppressing hormones PYY and GLP-1.
Elcella makers said it’s a low-cost supplement that reduces appetite and calorie intake without the unpleasant, sometimes dangerous side effects that can accompany weight loss injections. elcella
Elcella’s founders reported no side effects during clinical trials. They said the pills caused obese patients to reduce their calorie intake by an average of 13% compared to those who took a placebo.
“We differ from weight-loss drugs in that Elcella releases your own naturally occurring appetite-reducing hormones rather than replacing them with synthetic hormones,” Madusha Peiris, a neurogastroenterology researcher at Queen Mary University of London, told the Daily Mail.
Elcella contains diindolylmethane, which may support weight loss by improving estrogen metabolism; alpha-linolenic acid, believed to influence appetite hormones; and lauric acid, a fatty acid found in coconut oil that may help with calorie burning.
Peiris said the capsule’s special coating protects the nutrients so they can be easily delivered to the colon.
She plans to launch treatment next year in the UK via an e-commerce site.
Ozempic and similar drugs require a prescription and can be quite expensive. Elcella will cost less and be available over the counter, its makers said. mbruxelle – stock.adobe.com
While drugs like Ozempic and Victoza require a prescription, Peiris said. Elcella will be available over the counter at less than half the price of expensive weight loss jabs.
“With the soaring popularity of drugs like Ozempic, the market is ripe for disruption,” Rubina Aktar, Elcella co-founder and chief operating officer, told the Daily Mail.
“Those drugs have proved their efficacy, but there’s never been a natural alternative like Elcella that works with the body’s natural processes,” she added. “Our product is an important new strategy that will help tackle the growing global crisis of obesity.”
Get the latest breakthroughs in medicine, diet & nutrition tips and more.
Peiris plans to explore Elcella’s potential as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes, a condition where the body doesn’t use insulin effectively. GLP-1 plays a critical role in regulating insulin levels.
Elcella is not the first supplement said to promote natural production of the GLP-1 hormone.
This emerging market has drawn concerns from physicians about the lack of evidence to support claims.
“If you can just go buy a supplement and lose 20 or 30, 40 pounds, you couldn’t hear the end of it,” New Jersey bariatric surgeon Dr. Hans Schmidt told Today in September.
“It would be all over the place,” he added. “But they’re not.”
XRP has achieved a key milestone with its 2024 close, as analysts anticipate new heights in 2025.
For many in the crypto market, XRP is perhaps the comeback story of 2024. After years of underperforming the broader crypto market, the asset surged in 2024, nearing its all-time high and recording a significant milestone.
In 2024, XRP rose by over 370% from an opening price of $0.61511, briefly trading as high as $2.90550. While the asset could not beat its all-time high price of $3.84 from 2018, it demonstrated considerable strength.
Specifically, XRP closed the year at $2.07924, the first time it has closed above $2 in its history.
XRP yearly candle chart Source TradingView
The strong momentum comes as many now anticipate that the asset will get greater regulatory clarity soon with the incoming Donald Trump administration, which has committed to establishing a pro-crypto policy.
Already, the president-elect appears to be following through with his campaign promises with several pro-crypto nominations to key offices, including Paul Atkins for the top job of the SEC.
With the turn of the new year, the question becomes whether XRP can build on its 2024 momentum. One analyst has attempted to answer this question using a key statistical indicator.
XRP to $27 in 2025?
Prominent crypto analyst EGRAG recently offered key price targets for XRP in 2025 using the Linear Regression Channel indicator. This tool helps identify market trends and overbought/oversold conditions by establishing a mean value from historical time and price data, with channel bounds created at one standard deviation.
Combining this with Fibonacci extensions, EGRAG predicts XRP could reach the upper channel line in Q1 2025, targeting $6.4, aligning with the 1.618 Fibonacci level.
At the same time, he noted that a break above the upper bounds of the channel could send XRP’s price to the $8.5 price point, aligning with the 1.272 level of a second Fibonacci expansion.
Meanwhile, he highlighted that the intermediate target for XRP lies around the $4.4 price point, which aligns with the 1.414 level of the first Fibonacci level.
For November 2025, Egrag set even more ambitious targets of $13 and $27 for XRP. These targets align with the 1.414 and 1.618 levels of the second Fibonacci, respectively.
EGRAG describes these November 2025 targets as the potential “cycle blow-off top,” which refers to dramatic price surges often quickly followed by rapid corrections.
Whether XRP will clinch these milestones remains to be seen, but at the time of writing, the asset appears to be starting on a positive note. XRP is trading at $2.14, representing an over 5% increase in the past 24 hours, the most gains of any asset in the top ten crypto by market cap.
DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.
There has been a “troubling” increase in the number of people admitted to hospital for health problems caused by a lack of vitamins, new data shows.
NHS figures analysed by the PA news agency show a dramatic rise in people with a main diagnosis of anaemia (caused by lack of iron) and B vitamin deficiencies.
The Royal College of GPs said the findings are “very concerning” and highlight how a nutritious diet is becoming “increasingly unaffordable” for some.
Symptoms of iron deficiency include being very pale, irritability, fatigue, increased heart rate, sore or swollen tongue, and enlarged spleen.
The condition can cause heart failure if left untreated.
In the year 2023/24, there were 191,927 hospital admissions in England where the main reason was a lack of iron, up 11% on the previous year’s 173,227.
The 2023/24 figure is also up almost 10-fold on the 20,396 hospital admissions for a lack of iron in 1998/99.
Meanwhile, for B vitamin deficiency (other than folate), there were 2,630 admissions in 2023/24 where this was the main reason, up 15% on the 2,236 in 2022/23 and more than triple the 833 in 1998/1999.
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia led to 3,490 hospital admissions in 2023/24, similar to the previous year, but up four-fold from 836 in 1998/99.
Overall, when looking at patients admitted for any reason but also recorded as having a vitamin deficiency, the numbers are even higher.
In 2023/24, there were 804,936 courses of NHS treatment involving people who had iron deficiency anaemia, up from 721,650 the year before.
There were also 38,140 courses of treatment involving people with vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia, up from 35,983 the year before, alongside 227,097 for other B vitamin deficiency, up from 201,320.
Symptoms of B vitamin deficiency can vary but include fatigue, muscle problems, breathlessness, headaches, pale skin, vision problems and heart palpitations.
The data further showed 486 courses of treatment involved people with vitamin C deficiency, up from 338 the previous year, while 773 involved a lack of calcium, up from 758.
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, said: “It is very concerning that cases of nutrition-related anaemia serious enough to warrant hospital admission have seen such a substantial increase over the past 25 years.
“The near 10-fold rise in admissions for patients with a diagnosis of iron deficiency and a four-fold increase in folate deficiencies – primarily caused by a lack of nutrition in the diet – is particularly troubling.
“While treatable with supplements or dietary changes, it comes with the risk of complications – in children, iron deficiency can be detrimental to development and has been linked to poorer attainment at school.”
Prof Hawthorne said the link between overall health and nutrition “is well established” and a “poor diet can increase a patient’s risk of developing certain health conditions, while also exacerbating existing conditions”.
She added: “We have seen fresh, healthier foods spike in price over the last few years, making a nutritious diet increasingly unaffordable for some, while ‘fast foods’ are cheap, are filling and easy to access, but are low in nutritious content.
“GPs are on the front line of this public health crisis, caring for patients who are experiencing the health consequences of growing deprivation.
“A recent survey of our members found that 74% of GPs have seen an increase in the number of presentations linked to poverty over the past year.
“It is unacceptable that a developed nation like the UK should see an increase in the number of conditions that can be linked to poverty and poor nutrition and yet this is the reality.”
Good sources of iron in the diet include red meat, kidney beans, edamame beans and chickpeas, nuts, breakfast cereals with added vitamins and dried fruit, such as dried apricots.
B vitamins and folate are found in broccoli, Brussels sprouts, leafy vegetables, such as cabbage, kale, spring greens and spinach, and chickpeas and kidney beans.
Meanwhile, good sources of vitamin B12 include meat, fish, milk, cheese and eggs.
Prof Hawthorne said the Government must commit to a prevention-based approach to health, which will not only improve people’s quality of life “but ultimately alleviate pressures on the health service”.
A Government spokesman said: “Lord Darzi’s report laid bare the poor health of our nation, which is putting pressure on our NHS services.
“Our 10-Year Health Plan will shift the focus of healthcare from sickness to prevention and will include action to ensure people have access to a healthy and balanced diet.
“Through the Plan for Change, we will fix the foundations of the country to ensure everyone lives healthier lives for longer.”
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