CUCUMBER
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Why you Need To Eat Banana This Festive Period...........
A BANANA A DAY…
Instead of eating an apple each day for optimum health, the adage should state that a banana each day keeps the doctor away. The banana health benefits far outweigh those of the apple because it has many more vitamins and nutrients than their round counterparts.
Bananas have two times as many carbohydrates as an apple, five times as much Vitamin A and iron and three times as much phosphorus. In addition, bananas are also rich in potassium and natural sugars. All of these factors combined make the banana a “super food” that is an integral part of a healthy daily regimen.
Bananas Provide Energy
Because of the abundance of vitamins and minerals, bananas are a great source of natural energy. Eating only two bananas will give you enough energy to exercise or workout for an hour and a half. Bananas are also ideal for eating during that midday lull when you feel tired and sluggish. instead of drinking caffeine or having a sugary snack, bananas provide a level of energy that lasts longer without the dramatic crash caused by caffeine.
Potassium is Vital for Performance
Because they are rich in potassium, bananas help the body’s circulatory system deliver oxygen to the brain. This also helps maintain a regular heartbeat and a proper balance of water in the body. Potassium is also helpful for reducing strokes and regulating blood pressure because of the way it promotes circulatory health.
Bananas Promote Bowel Health
One of the banana health benefits is that they can help stop constipation. Bananas have a certain type of fiber that helps to restore and maintain regular bowel functions. Instead of using laxatives that might have chemicals or other synthetic substances, bananas are a natural source for lessening the effects of constipation without causing other bowel problems such as diarrhea.
Bananas Can Lift Your Spirits
Bananas have a chemical called tryptophan – the same chemical that turkey contains. This mood regulating substance contains a level of protein that helps the mind relax so you feel happier. According to Bananasaver.com, people suffering from depression often report feeling better after eating a banana.
Eat a Banana during Your Monthly Visitor
Instead of taking pills designed to reduce your menstrual pains, bananas can be a great help. As stated on Bananasaver.com, bananas have a level of vitamin B6 that helps to regulate blood glucose level and help your overall mood.
Increase Your Brain Power with Bananas
In addition to banana health benefits, they can also help you with your mind. Bananasaver.com discusses a study with 200 students who were asked to eat one banana three times a day - breakfast, recess and lunchtime – along with their normal meals. What they found was that the potassium in the bananas boosted their brainpower and made them more alert during their classes while they followed the regimen.
Eat Bananas after a Night of Partying
The natural ingredients in bananas and their ability to replenish the body’s vitamins make them an ideal way to reduce the effects of a hangover. Put a couple bananas in the blender with some plain yogurt and add some honey to sweeten the taste. The fruit tends to calm the stomach and the honey helps to restore the blood sugar levels to normal.
Similarly, bananas can help people who are trying to quit smoking. The B vitamins and other minerals that they contain reduce the physical and psychological effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Bananas are Great for Pregnant Women
Because of their calming properties, pregnant women often eat bananas to combat their morning sickness. In addition, they also help to replenish the body and restore a healthy blood glucose level. In addition, they also help regulate a pregnant woman’s temperature, although this is mostly used in other cultures that rely more heavily on natural cures.
Rub the Peel on Mosquito Bites
Before you throw those peels away, rubbing the inside of it along a mosquito bite will help reduce the itching and swelling that is normally associated with these types of bites. You might even find that it works better than the creams or medications you find at the drugstore.
Bananas Help Soothe Ulcers
As a way to prevent and treat ulcers, bananas help to reduce the acidity that some foods can leave in the stomach. They help reduce the irritation of the digestive system by leaving a protective coating around the inner walls, making it a natural way to promote intestinal health as well.
Since they help to neutralize acidity, they are also a great way to get rid of heartburn. They act as a natural antacid and they quickly soothe the burn.
Bananas are Rich in Iron
For people suffering from a deficiency in iron, bananas help to give your body the iron that it needs. As a result, they help promote hemoglobin production so your blood can clot faster in case of a cut or serious injury.
Other Benefits:
Banana Peels are Good Fertilizer
Bananas can also benefit your garden. Instead of throwing the peels away, banana peels are ideal fertilizer for gardens and soils. Rose bushes benefit a great deal from the peels. If you have a certain plant that you want to blossom, simply bury a few peels next to it by the roots. In a few weeks, the plant will be huge.
Peels Can Be Used to Treat Warts
The outside of the banana peel also has healing and beneficial properties for the human body. If you have a wart on your foot, wrapping a banana peel around your foot so that the exterior of the peel rubs against the wart will help it go away in a matter of time. To keep the peel in place, you can wrap tape around it for better results.
With all of the banana health benefits, it is easy to see why they are such a popular fruit. In many ways, their benefits are far greater than that of other fruits. They not only have more vitamins and minerals than some other choices, they also taste great and are easy to eat.
However, having a diet that consists of only bananas as your fruit each day is not healthy and it can even be harmful to your health. Try to include several of your favorite fruits throughout the week because each of them has different advantages for your body. If you do not normally include bananas or any other fruit in your daily routine, find some ways to include fruit in your diet in order to improve your health and overall well-being.
Instead of eating an apple each day for optimum health, the adage should state that a banana each day keeps the doctor away. The banana health benefits far outweigh those of the apple because it has many more vitamins and nutrients than their round counterparts.
Bananas have two times as many carbohydrates as an apple, five times as much Vitamin A and iron and three times as much phosphorus. In addition, bananas are also rich in potassium and natural sugars. All of these factors combined make the banana a “super food” that is an integral part of a healthy daily regimen.
Bananas Provide Energy
Because of the abundance of vitamins and minerals, bananas are a great source of natural energy. Eating only two bananas will give you enough energy to exercise or workout for an hour and a half. Bananas are also ideal for eating during that midday lull when you feel tired and sluggish. instead of drinking caffeine or having a sugary snack, bananas provide a level of energy that lasts longer without the dramatic crash caused by caffeine.
Potassium is Vital for Performance
Because they are rich in potassium, bananas help the body’s circulatory system deliver oxygen to the brain. This also helps maintain a regular heartbeat and a proper balance of water in the body. Potassium is also helpful for reducing strokes and regulating blood pressure because of the way it promotes circulatory health.
Bananas Promote Bowel Health
One of the banana health benefits is that they can help stop constipation. Bananas have a certain type of fiber that helps to restore and maintain regular bowel functions. Instead of using laxatives that might have chemicals or other synthetic substances, bananas are a natural source for lessening the effects of constipation without causing other bowel problems such as diarrhea.
Bananas Can Lift Your Spirits
Bananas have a chemical called tryptophan – the same chemical that turkey contains. This mood regulating substance contains a level of protein that helps the mind relax so you feel happier. According to Bananasaver.com, people suffering from depression often report feeling better after eating a banana.
Eat a Banana during Your Monthly Visitor
Instead of taking pills designed to reduce your menstrual pains, bananas can be a great help. As stated on Bananasaver.com, bananas have a level of vitamin B6 that helps to regulate blood glucose level and help your overall mood.
Increase Your Brain Power with Bananas
In addition to banana health benefits, they can also help you with your mind. Bananasaver.com discusses a study with 200 students who were asked to eat one banana three times a day - breakfast, recess and lunchtime – along with their normal meals. What they found was that the potassium in the bananas boosted their brainpower and made them more alert during their classes while they followed the regimen.
Eat Bananas after a Night of Partying
The natural ingredients in bananas and their ability to replenish the body’s vitamins make them an ideal way to reduce the effects of a hangover. Put a couple bananas in the blender with some plain yogurt and add some honey to sweeten the taste. The fruit tends to calm the stomach and the honey helps to restore the blood sugar levels to normal.
Similarly, bananas can help people who are trying to quit smoking. The B vitamins and other minerals that they contain reduce the physical and psychological effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Bananas are Great for Pregnant Women
Because of their calming properties, pregnant women often eat bananas to combat their morning sickness. In addition, they also help to replenish the body and restore a healthy blood glucose level. In addition, they also help regulate a pregnant woman’s temperature, although this is mostly used in other cultures that rely more heavily on natural cures.
Rub the Peel on Mosquito Bites
Before you throw those peels away, rubbing the inside of it along a mosquito bite will help reduce the itching and swelling that is normally associated with these types of bites. You might even find that it works better than the creams or medications you find at the drugstore.
Bananas Help Soothe Ulcers
As a way to prevent and treat ulcers, bananas help to reduce the acidity that some foods can leave in the stomach. They help reduce the irritation of the digestive system by leaving a protective coating around the inner walls, making it a natural way to promote intestinal health as well.
Since they help to neutralize acidity, they are also a great way to get rid of heartburn. They act as a natural antacid and they quickly soothe the burn.
Bananas are Rich in Iron
For people suffering from a deficiency in iron, bananas help to give your body the iron that it needs. As a result, they help promote hemoglobin production so your blood can clot faster in case of a cut or serious injury.
Other Benefits:
Banana Peels are Good Fertilizer
Bananas can also benefit your garden. Instead of throwing the peels away, banana peels are ideal fertilizer for gardens and soils. Rose bushes benefit a great deal from the peels. If you have a certain plant that you want to blossom, simply bury a few peels next to it by the roots. In a few weeks, the plant will be huge.
Peels Can Be Used to Treat Warts
The outside of the banana peel also has healing and beneficial properties for the human body. If you have a wart on your foot, wrapping a banana peel around your foot so that the exterior of the peel rubs against the wart will help it go away in a matter of time. To keep the peel in place, you can wrap tape around it for better results.
With all of the banana health benefits, it is easy to see why they are such a popular fruit. In many ways, their benefits are far greater than that of other fruits. They not only have more vitamins and minerals than some other choices, they also taste great and are easy to eat.
However, having a diet that consists of only bananas as your fruit each day is not healthy and it can even be harmful to your health. Try to include several of your favorite fruits throughout the week because each of them has different advantages for your body. If you do not normally include bananas or any other fruit in your daily routine, find some ways to include fruit in your diet in order to improve your health and overall well-being.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Health Benefits of Lemon
Health Benefits of Lemon
Many people often love the tarty flavor of lemon juice in their dishes. But have you ever wondered that you can put this lemon juice to many more good uses than this? Yes! There are enormous benefits of lemon juice and water in your everyday life. You simply need to arm yourself with relevant knowledge and you would soon start valuing this amalgamation more than ever.
Lemon is an inexpensive, easily available citrus fruit, popular for its culinary and medicinal uses. It is used to prepare a variety of food recipes such as lemon cakes, lemon chicken and beverages like lemonade and lemon-flavored drinks. It is also used for garnishing. Lemon juice consists of about 5% citric acid that gives a tarty taste to lemon. Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C. It also contains vitamins like vitamin B, riboflavin and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium as well as proteins and carbohydrates. Lemon is generally consumed in the form of lemon juice or lemon water. Lemon water makes a healthy drink, especially when taken in the morning. Daily consumption of lemon water provides a number of health benefits like:
1. Good for stomach
Lemon can help relieve many digestion problems when mixed with hot water. These include nausea, heartburn and parasites. Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent. The intake of lemon juice can cure constipation. It is even known to help relieve hiccups when consumed as a juice. Lemon juice acts as a liver tonic and helps you digest your food by helping your liver produce more bile. It decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones.
2. Excellent for Skin Care
Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can participate to cure problems related to skin. Lemon is a vitamin C rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty, by rejuvenating skin from within and thus bringing a glow on your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Lemon water if applied on the areas of burns can fade the scars. As lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin.
3. Aids in Dental Care
Lemon water is used in dental care also. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. The massages of lemon juice on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to gums.
4. Cures Throat Infections
Lemon is an excellent fruit that aids in fighting problems related to throat infections, sore throat and tonsillitis as it has an antibacterial property. For sore throat, dilute one-half lemon juice with one-half water and gargle frequently.
5. Good for Weight Loss
One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well.
6. Controls High Blood Pressure
Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problem, owing to its high potassium content. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as provides relaxation to mind and body. It also reduces mental stress and depression.
7. Assist in curing Respiratory Disorders
Lemon water assists in curing respiratory problems, along with breathing problems and revives a person suffering from asthma.
8. Good for treating Rheumatism
Lemon is also a diuretic and hence lemon water can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins out of the body.
9. Reduces Fever
Lemon water can treat a person who is suffering from cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fever by increasing perspiration.
10. Acts as a blood purifier
The diseases like cholera or malaria can be treated with lemon water as it can act as a blood purifier.
Many people often love the tarty flavor of lemon juice in their dishes. But have you ever wondered that you can put this lemon juice to many more good uses than this? Yes! There are enormous benefits of lemon juice and water in your everyday life. You simply need to arm yourself with relevant knowledge and you would soon start valuing this amalgamation more than ever.
Lemon is an inexpensive, easily available citrus fruit, popular for its culinary and medicinal uses. It is used to prepare a variety of food recipes such as lemon cakes, lemon chicken and beverages like lemonade and lemon-flavored drinks. It is also used for garnishing. Lemon juice consists of about 5% citric acid that gives a tarty taste to lemon. Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C. It also contains vitamins like vitamin B, riboflavin and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium as well as proteins and carbohydrates. Lemon is generally consumed in the form of lemon juice or lemon water. Lemon water makes a healthy drink, especially when taken in the morning. Daily consumption of lemon water provides a number of health benefits like:
1. Good for stomach
Lemon can help relieve many digestion problems when mixed with hot water. These include nausea, heartburn and parasites. Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent. The intake of lemon juice can cure constipation. It is even known to help relieve hiccups when consumed as a juice. Lemon juice acts as a liver tonic and helps you digest your food by helping your liver produce more bile. It decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones.
2. Excellent for Skin Care
Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can participate to cure problems related to skin. Lemon is a vitamin C rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty, by rejuvenating skin from within and thus bringing a glow on your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Lemon water if applied on the areas of burns can fade the scars. As lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin.
3. Aids in Dental Care
Lemon water is used in dental care also. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. The massages of lemon juice on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to gums.
4. Cures Throat Infections
Lemon is an excellent fruit that aids in fighting problems related to throat infections, sore throat and tonsillitis as it has an antibacterial property. For sore throat, dilute one-half lemon juice with one-half water and gargle frequently.
5. Good for Weight Loss
One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well.
6. Controls High Blood Pressure
Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problem, owing to its high potassium content. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as provides relaxation to mind and body. It also reduces mental stress and depression.
7. Assist in curing Respiratory Disorders
Lemon water assists in curing respiratory problems, along with breathing problems and revives a person suffering from asthma.
8. Good for treating Rheumatism
Lemon is also a diuretic and hence lemon water can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins out of the body.
9. Reduces Fever
Lemon water can treat a person who is suffering from cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fever by increasing perspiration.
10. Acts as a blood purifier
The diseases like cholera or malaria can be treated with lemon water as it can act as a blood purifier.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Health benefits of tomato
Health benefits of tomato in preventing and treating diseases
Tomatoes are one of the naturally available fruits that are commonly thought of as a vegetable. Tomatoes are used in each and every culture as food. It can be eaten either after being cooked or even when it is raw. The use of tomato in the food is due to the various health benefits that it offers.
Some of the health benefits of eating tomato are presented below in this article.
1. Antioxidant: Tomato is a natural food that contains Antioxidants. These anti oxidants help in clearing off the free radicals. The free radicals can cause various health problems in the body. The Lycopene present in the tomatoes help in decreasing the free radicals. The red colour in the tomato is also due to the lycopene. The anti oxidant effect of the lycopene in tomato also can help in preventing cancer. Prostrate, cervical and oral cancers can be prevented to an extent by regular use of tomatoes.
2. Skin: Tomatoes are eaten for their usefulness in increasing the lustre of the skin. It helps to make the skin look beautiful. Tomatoes can help in treating acne. If a slice of tomato is sliced and rubbed on the skin, left for a few minutes and washed, it will help in reducing acne.
3. Anti-haemorrhagic: Tomatoes contain Vitamin K. These vitamins have anti-haemorrhagic properties. Thus tomatoes have anti haemorrhagic properties.
HAEMORRHAGIC: Bleeding, technically known as hemorrhaging or haemorrhaging (see American and British spelling differences) is the loss of blood or blood escape from the circulatory system.[1] Bleeding can occur internally, where blood leaks from blood vessels inside the body or externally, either through a natural opening such as the vagina, mouth, nose, ear or anus, or through a break in the skin. The complete loss of blood is referred to as exsanguination,[2] and desanguination is a massive blood loss. Typically, a healthy person can endure a loss of 10-15% of the total blood volume without serious medical difficulties, and blood donation typically takes 8-10% of the donor's blood volume.
Vitamin K functions, uses, and health benefits
Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting and bone metabolism (carboxylation of osteocalcin). High serum concentrations of undercarboxylated osteocalcin and low serum concentrations of vitamin K are associated with lower bone mineral density and increased risk of hip fracture. Vitamin K supplements may improve bone mass in postmenopausal women. Vitamin K prevents calcification of arteries and other soft tissue. Calcification of organs and other soft tissue is an adverse consequence of aging. Vitamin K may play a role in the regulation of blood sugar. The pancreas, which makes insulin, has the second highest amount of vitamin K in the body.
Vitamin K and blood clotting - Vitamin K's primary function is to regulate normal blood clotting (due to its role in the synthesis of prothrombin). Blood clotting is a process that begins automatically when any injury produces a tear in a blood vessel. The process of blood clotting involves a collection of molecules, which circulate continuously through the bloodstream. Vitamin K regulates normal blood clotting by helping the body transport calcium. Protein Z appears to enhance the action of thrombin (the activated form of prothrombin) by promoting its association with phospholipids in cell membranes. Protein C and protein S are anticoagulant proteins that provide control and balance in the coagulation cascade. Vitamin K2, not vitamin K1 (phylloquinone; phytonadione), may improve a group of blood disorders known as myelodysplastic syndromes.
Vitamin K and bone health - Vitamin K supplements improve bone health and reduce risk of bone fractures, particularly in postmenopausal women who are at risk for osteoporosis. Three vitamin-K dependent proteins have been isolated in bone. Higher vitamin K levels correspond to greater bone density, while low levels of vitamin K have been found in those with osteoporosis. In bones, vitamin K mediates the gamma-carboxylation of glutamyl residues on several bone proteins, notably osteocalcin. Osteocalcin is a protein synthesized by osteoblasts (bone forming cells). The mineral-binding capacity of osteocalcin requires vitamin K-dependent gamma-carboxylation of three glutamic acid residues.
Vitamin K and liver diseases - Vitamin K is used to reduce risk of bleeding in liver disease, jaundice, malabsorption, or in association with long-term use of aspirin or antibiotics. Gastrointestinal problems that decrease the absorption of vitamin K, such as obstructions in the bile duct, cystic fibrosis, sprue, Crohn's disease, colitis and medications that reduce the absorption of this vitamin, such as antibiotics. Vitamin K deficiency in those with cystic fibrosis is worsened by their recurrent need for antibiotics. Vitamin K has been used in the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding, and with vitamin C to treat morning sickness. Newborns are at risk for bleeding in the brain because of the trauma of coming through the birth canal during delivery.
4. Tomatoes can also be used in decreasing the chance of heart diseases and cerebro vascular accidents by maintaining the cholesterol levels in the body.
5. Liver: Tomatoes are helpful in decreasing congestion of the liver. This property of tomatoes helps in preventing cirrhosis of the liver. Liver cirrhosis is actually a common problem in chronic hepatitis. It is also seen in alcoholics.
6. Blood: Tomatoes help in purifying the blood which is also a major health benefit obtained by eating tomatoes.
7. Contents: Tomatoes contain various Vitamins and minerals in various amounts. The Vitamins that can be found in tomatoes are Vitamins A,B,C and K. Tomatoes also contain Phosphorous, Calcium, Potassium and Iron.
8. Tomatoes can also be used to prevent and treat infections because of its antiseptic properties.
These are some of the major health benefits that can be got from eating tomatoes. Just like an apple a day is good for health, a tomato a day will also keep a person healthy. Tomatoes have one advantage that they can be eaten raw, just like any other fruit. It can also be cooked by adding it to various food preparations.
Tomatoes are one of the naturally available fruits that are commonly thought of as a vegetable. Tomatoes are used in each and every culture as food. It can be eaten either after being cooked or even when it is raw. The use of tomato in the food is due to the various health benefits that it offers.
Some of the health benefits of eating tomato are presented below in this article.
1. Antioxidant: Tomato is a natural food that contains Antioxidants. These anti oxidants help in clearing off the free radicals. The free radicals can cause various health problems in the body. The Lycopene present in the tomatoes help in decreasing the free radicals. The red colour in the tomato is also due to the lycopene. The anti oxidant effect of the lycopene in tomato also can help in preventing cancer. Prostrate, cervical and oral cancers can be prevented to an extent by regular use of tomatoes.
2. Skin: Tomatoes are eaten for their usefulness in increasing the lustre of the skin. It helps to make the skin look beautiful. Tomatoes can help in treating acne. If a slice of tomato is sliced and rubbed on the skin, left for a few minutes and washed, it will help in reducing acne.
3. Anti-haemorrhagic: Tomatoes contain Vitamin K. These vitamins have anti-haemorrhagic properties. Thus tomatoes have anti haemorrhagic properties.
HAEMORRHAGIC: Bleeding, technically known as hemorrhaging or haemorrhaging (see American and British spelling differences) is the loss of blood or blood escape from the circulatory system.[1] Bleeding can occur internally, where blood leaks from blood vessels inside the body or externally, either through a natural opening such as the vagina, mouth, nose, ear or anus, or through a break in the skin. The complete loss of blood is referred to as exsanguination,[2] and desanguination is a massive blood loss. Typically, a healthy person can endure a loss of 10-15% of the total blood volume without serious medical difficulties, and blood donation typically takes 8-10% of the donor's blood volume.
Vitamin K functions, uses, and health benefits
Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting and bone metabolism (carboxylation of osteocalcin). High serum concentrations of undercarboxylated osteocalcin and low serum concentrations of vitamin K are associated with lower bone mineral density and increased risk of hip fracture. Vitamin K supplements may improve bone mass in postmenopausal women. Vitamin K prevents calcification of arteries and other soft tissue. Calcification of organs and other soft tissue is an adverse consequence of aging. Vitamin K may play a role in the regulation of blood sugar. The pancreas, which makes insulin, has the second highest amount of vitamin K in the body.
Vitamin K and blood clotting - Vitamin K's primary function is to regulate normal blood clotting (due to its role in the synthesis of prothrombin). Blood clotting is a process that begins automatically when any injury produces a tear in a blood vessel. The process of blood clotting involves a collection of molecules, which circulate continuously through the bloodstream. Vitamin K regulates normal blood clotting by helping the body transport calcium. Protein Z appears to enhance the action of thrombin (the activated form of prothrombin) by promoting its association with phospholipids in cell membranes. Protein C and protein S are anticoagulant proteins that provide control and balance in the coagulation cascade. Vitamin K2, not vitamin K1 (phylloquinone; phytonadione), may improve a group of blood disorders known as myelodysplastic syndromes.
Vitamin K and bone health - Vitamin K supplements improve bone health and reduce risk of bone fractures, particularly in postmenopausal women who are at risk for osteoporosis. Three vitamin-K dependent proteins have been isolated in bone. Higher vitamin K levels correspond to greater bone density, while low levels of vitamin K have been found in those with osteoporosis. In bones, vitamin K mediates the gamma-carboxylation of glutamyl residues on several bone proteins, notably osteocalcin. Osteocalcin is a protein synthesized by osteoblasts (bone forming cells). The mineral-binding capacity of osteocalcin requires vitamin K-dependent gamma-carboxylation of three glutamic acid residues.
Vitamin K and liver diseases - Vitamin K is used to reduce risk of bleeding in liver disease, jaundice, malabsorption, or in association with long-term use of aspirin or antibiotics. Gastrointestinal problems that decrease the absorption of vitamin K, such as obstructions in the bile duct, cystic fibrosis, sprue, Crohn's disease, colitis and medications that reduce the absorption of this vitamin, such as antibiotics. Vitamin K deficiency in those with cystic fibrosis is worsened by their recurrent need for antibiotics. Vitamin K has been used in the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding, and with vitamin C to treat morning sickness. Newborns are at risk for bleeding in the brain because of the trauma of coming through the birth canal during delivery.
4. Tomatoes can also be used in decreasing the chance of heart diseases and cerebro vascular accidents by maintaining the cholesterol levels in the body.
5. Liver: Tomatoes are helpful in decreasing congestion of the liver. This property of tomatoes helps in preventing cirrhosis of the liver. Liver cirrhosis is actually a common problem in chronic hepatitis. It is also seen in alcoholics.
6. Blood: Tomatoes help in purifying the blood which is also a major health benefit obtained by eating tomatoes.
7. Contents: Tomatoes contain various Vitamins and minerals in various amounts. The Vitamins that can be found in tomatoes are Vitamins A,B,C and K. Tomatoes also contain Phosphorous, Calcium, Potassium and Iron.
8. Tomatoes can also be used to prevent and treat infections because of its antiseptic properties.
These are some of the major health benefits that can be got from eating tomatoes. Just like an apple a day is good for health, a tomato a day will also keep a person healthy. Tomatoes have one advantage that they can be eaten raw, just like any other fruit. It can also be cooked by adding it to various food preparations.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Health Benefits of Honey
Health Benefits of Honey
The 3 key health benefits of honey are related to the fact that: 1. Honey is nature’s energy booster 2. Honey is a great immunity system builder
3. Honey is a natural remedy for many ailments
Read below for details.
Nature’s Energy Booster
The benefits of honey go beyond its great taste. A great natural source of carbohydrates which provide strength and energy to our bodies, honey is known for its effectiveness in instantly boosting the performance, endurance and reduce muscle fatigue of athletes. Its natural fruit sugars play an important role in preventing fatigue during exercise. The glucose in honey is absorbed by the body quickly and gives an immediate energy boost, while the fructose is absorbed more slowly providing sustained energy. It is known that honey has also been found to keep levels of blood sugar fairly constant compared to other types of sugar. So, to experience these health benefits of honey, here are a few tips for you:
1. Next time before you go for a workout, take a spoon of honey to enable you to go for the extra mile. 2. If you are feeling low and lethargic in the morning, instead of reaching out for a can of carbonated energy drink , try honey. Spread it on hot toast or replace the sugar in your tea with it for a refreshing surge of energy.
3. If your kids are finding hard to cope with the physical strain from the buzzing activities at school, prepare them some sandwiches with honey, butter and ham to make sure they have enough energy to sustain through the day. My kids are delighted when they see me prepare warm honey water in their bottles. They couldn't care a bit about the health benefits of honey, but simply love the taste of it!
Immunity System Builder
Amongst the many health benefits of honey, what is most impressive to me – it can be a powerful immune system booster. Honey’s antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties can help improve digestive system and help you stay healthy and fight disease. Start every brand new day with this cleansing tonic if you want to see this health benefit of honey: before breakfast, mix a spoonful of honey and lemon juice from half a lemon into a cup of warm water and drink it.Honey is Anti-Cancer!
Honey does not cure cancer but what many people don't think enough of or have overlooked is - honey possesses carcinogen-preventing and anti-tumour properties! Read: Honey is Anti-Cancer!Honey Remedy for Ailments
FOR CUTS AND BURNS: For thousands of years, honey has been recognized as one of the most natural home remedies to treat a wide range of ailments and complaints including yeast infection , athlete foot , and arthritis pain. Its antiseptic properties inhibits the growth of certain bacteria and helps keep external wounds clean and free from infection. Honey has been used as a natural cure in first aid treatment for wounds, burns and cuts as it is able to absorb moisture from the air and promote healing. Its antibacterial properties prevent infection and functions as an anti-inflammatory agent, reducing both swelling and pain, and even scarring. It is widely believed that UMF Manuka is the preferred honey for wound dressing due to its strong antibacterial property.FOR HANGOVERS:
When you get a hangover from drinking too much alcohol, combat its effects by applying honey remedy. Honey is gentle on the stomach and contains a mix of natural sugars such fructose which is known to speed up the oxidation of alcohol by the liver, acting as a 'sobering' agent. Follow this recipe: 15ml of liquid honey with 80ml of orange juice and 70ml of natural yogurt. Blend them together until smooth.
FOR SORE THROATS:
One of the better known health benefits of honey is that it is able to help treat sore throats. Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, honey not only soothes throats but can also kill certain bacteria that causes the infection. Professional singers commonly use honey to soothe their throats before performances. The Chinese believe that excess "heatiness" in the body causes sore throat and taking honey drink can be helpful. Direction: Take a spoonful of honey to soothe the inflammation or gargle with a mixture of two tablespoons of honey, four tablespoons of lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Personally, whenever I have a sore throat or cough, I especially like to take warm water mixed with Manuka UMF honey which is well-known for its anti-bacterial healing properties.
For SLEEPLESSNESS:
Unable to sleep? Use the famous Milk and Honey Remedy. Take a glass of hot milk with a teaspoon of honey to calm the soul and induce sleep. Or, add 1 or 2 teaspoons of honey to a cup of chamomile tea and sip.
Further Resource on Home Remedies Using Honey
Frank K. Wood has written a book entitled "The Folk Remedy Encyclopedia: Olive Oil, Vinegar, Honey and 1,001 Other Home Remedies". Many common aches and pains we experience can be treated by simple foods such as honey which we commonly find in our home kitchen cabinets, however such precious knowledge does not seem to be common amongst people. These folk remedies might be old fashioned, but many of their cures have been proven effective by modern medical research. To check it out, click on the book. And if you are interested in even more health benefits of honey and a more extensive collection of home remedies using an even greater variety of foods including honey, spices, herbs, and fruits, you may want to take a look at an ebook by Chet Day -- "500 Years Of Natural Health Secrets". Read Honey Testimonies
I love the stories that our honey enthusiasts send us and post. They are so inspiring and encouraging. Read what awesome and incredible things honey can do in our lives! All in "In what ways have you experienced the benefits of honey?"Other Related Topics on Health Benefits of Honey
The health benefits of honey and vinegar drink are widely known. This recipe has traditionally been used as a home self-detox or self remedy for many ailments such as arthritis. Click here to learn more about the benefits of the Honey and Vinegar Remedy.
2. What is Honey and Cinnamon Remedy?
The combination of honey and cinnamon has been used in oriental medicine for centuries and people have claimed that the mixture is a formula for many health benefits and a cure for many ailments including hair loss and bad breath. Click here to read about the Honey and Cinnamon Remedy.
3. Honey and Lemon: Weight Loss Diet Tip
A honey and lemon diet can relieve you of your weight problem. Find out why more and more people are trying out this Honey and Lemon Diet Tip.
4. Milk and Honey: For promotion of good digestion and health
Adding honey to diary products such as sour milk and yoghurts can improve your digestion and bowel movements. Read more about what is so good about Milk and Honey.
5. The Hibernation Diet
"You can lose weight while you sleep" Sounds too incredibly easy? Read this article to understand the logic of it and how you can reduce kilos by eating natural honey before you go to bed everyday -- the revolutionary The Hibernation Diet
6. Cholesterol and Honey
The antioxidants in honey are a cholesterol fighter and have the potential to protect against heart disease! Read: Honey Lowers Cholesterol
7. Warning Note on Honey and Infant
You probably also have heard people warn about honey and infant while learning all the possible health benefits of honey. Know what you ought to understand about Honey and Infant.
8. Honey and Pregnant Moms
And how about a pregnant mom? Can she safely eat honey during pregnancy? Click here to clear this common confusion -- Pregnancy and Honey
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Health Benefits of Pawpaw
Health Benefits of Pawpaw
The pawpaw plant is a native of South America, where it was cultivated since Pre-Columbian times. There are 22 plants and trees in the pawpaw genus; the famous of which is carica papaya. Pawpaw is one of God's wonderful gifts to humanity. It is a pharmacy in its own right. We all eat it and enjoy its sweet and pleasant taste but how many of us know the medicinal value of this plant?
Pawpaw improves the digestion of protein and expels worms. The ripe fruits are rich in vitamins A, B and C. Vitamin A is good for eyesight, Vitamin B for the nerves and muscles while Vitamin C strengthens the immune system and helps fight against illnesses. For worms, chew 2 tablespoons of the seeds of ripe pawpaw fruit first thing on rising and last thing at night. Do this for 3 days. Take only fruits for breakfast and supper for those three days.
For chronic external ulcers or sores, cut a piece of unripe pawpaw fruit and tie directly to the wound. Do this four times daily. Continue till the wound has dried, which will be in few days or weeks. To make the wound heal faster, eat plenty of ripe pawpaw.
Other benefits of pawpaw:
1. Malaria fever- Squeeze some yellow pawpaw leafs in water. Take a glassful three times daily for seven days. This preparation is also good for jaundice. The dosage is the same.
2. Diabetes- The green leafs of pawpaw are good foe diabetes-induced hypertension. Squeeze the green leaves in water and take a glass thrice daily. This preparation is also good for constipation.
3. Stomach Ulcer- Cut a big unripe pawpaw fruit into pieces. Do not remove the peel or seeds. Simply cut the whole fruits into cubes. Then soak in five bottles of water for four days. Sieve and take ½ a glass thrice daily for 2 weeks. This is a very good remedy for any type of intestinal ulcer.
4. External Ulcer- The white milky sap of the unripe pawpaw contains a high percentage of papain, which is used for chronic wounds or ulcers. This can be obtained by making a slight cut of the unripe pawpaw fruit to allow the juice drop. Papain is also present in the ripe pawpaw fruit.
5. Asthma- Burn dried pawpaw leaves and inhale the smoke during an attack of asthma. This will bring quick relief. Therefore, to prevent an attack, inhale the smoke every night.
6. Bronchitis- The root of the pawpaw plant is a good remedy for respiratory problems especially bronchitis. Bring some pawpaw roots to boil and take ½ a glass thrice daily. For cough, simply chew a tender pawpaw root and swallow the juice.
7. Piles- Pawpaw root is effective for the cure of piles. Prepare as for bronchitis. The dosage is half a glass twice daily.
8. Impotence- Cut two unripe pawpaw fruits into pieces (seeds and peel inclusive). Bring to boil
in eight bottles of water. Take half glass thrice daily.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
The Importance of Having Fruits in our Diet
The Importance of Having Fruits in our Diet
Fruits are one of the oldest forms of food known to man. In fact, Adam, the first man ate an apple, the 'forbidden fruit' of heaven. There are many references to fruits in ancient literature. Vedas state that the fruits form the base of the Food of Gods. According to Quran, the fruits like grape, date, fig, olive and pomegranate are gifts and heavenly fruits of God.
The people in ancient times regarded fruits to be endowed with magic, or divine properties. They gave them due reverence and dedicated them to their gods and goddesses. They also used their designs in decorating temples, vestments or ceremonial garments and sacred vessels.
Fresh and dry fruits are the natural staple food of man. They contain substantial quantities of essential nutrients in a rational proportion. They are excellent sources of minerals, vitamins and enzymes. They are easily digested and exercise a cleansing effect on the blood and the digestive tract. Persons subsisting on this natural diet will always enjoy good health. Moreover, the ailments caused by the intake of unnatural foods can be successfully treated by fruits. Fresh and dry fruits are thus not only a good food but also a good medicine.
Fruits have highly beneficial natural effect on the human system. The main physiological actions of fruits are as follows:
• Hydrating Effect - Taking of fruits or fruit juice is the most pleasant way of hydrating the organism. The water absorbed by sick persons in this manner has an added advantage of supplying sugar and minerals at the same time.
• Diuretic Effect - Clinical observations have shown that potassium, magnesium and sodium contents of the fruit act as a diuretic and dieresis - frequency of urination is considerably increased when fruits and fruit juices are taken. They lower the urine density and thereby accelerate the elimination of nitrogenous waste and chlorides. As, however, fruits contain a very low level of sodium, they make a valuable contribution to a salt-free diet.
• Alkalinizing Effect - The organic acids of the salts in fruits produce alkaline carbonates, when transformed within the organism, which alkalize the fluids. All fruits promote intestinal elimination. This keeps the body free from toxic wastes which creep into the blood from an overloaded, sluggish intestinal tract. The carbohydrates of fruits are chiefly in the form of sugar, dextrin and acids which are easily digestible and are completely absorbed. Hence, they are very useful for sick and invalids for quick energy and heat.
• Mineralizing Effect - Fruits furnish minerals to the body. Dried fruits such as apricots, raisins and dates are rich in calcium and iron. These minerals are essential for strong bones and good blood respectively. Some fruits, like custard apple, furnish calcium to the extent of 800 mg. per fruit, which is sufficient to meet our daily requirement of this mineral.
• Laxative Effect - The fibrous matter in fruits, cellulose, aids in the smooth passage of the food in the digestive tract and easy bowel action. The sugars and organic acids contained in fruits also increase their laxative effect. Hence, regular use of fruits prevents and cures constipation.
Fruits are one of the oldest forms of food known to man. In fact, Adam, the first man ate an apple, the 'forbidden fruit' of heaven. There are many references to fruits in ancient literature. Vedas state that the fruits form the base of the Food of Gods. According to Quran, the fruits like grape, date, fig, olive and pomegranate are gifts and heavenly fruits of God.
The people in ancient times regarded fruits to be endowed with magic, or divine properties. They gave them due reverence and dedicated them to their gods and goddesses. They also used their designs in decorating temples, vestments or ceremonial garments and sacred vessels.
Fresh and dry fruits are the natural staple food of man. They contain substantial quantities of essential nutrients in a rational proportion. They are excellent sources of minerals, vitamins and enzymes. They are easily digested and exercise a cleansing effect on the blood and the digestive tract. Persons subsisting on this natural diet will always enjoy good health. Moreover, the ailments caused by the intake of unnatural foods can be successfully treated by fruits. Fresh and dry fruits are thus not only a good food but also a good medicine.
Fruits have highly beneficial natural effect on the human system. The main physiological actions of fruits are as follows:
• Hydrating Effect - Taking of fruits or fruit juice is the most pleasant way of hydrating the organism. The water absorbed by sick persons in this manner has an added advantage of supplying sugar and minerals at the same time.
• Diuretic Effect - Clinical observations have shown that potassium, magnesium and sodium contents of the fruit act as a diuretic and dieresis - frequency of urination is considerably increased when fruits and fruit juices are taken. They lower the urine density and thereby accelerate the elimination of nitrogenous waste and chlorides. As, however, fruits contain a very low level of sodium, they make a valuable contribution to a salt-free diet.
• Alkalinizing Effect - The organic acids of the salts in fruits produce alkaline carbonates, when transformed within the organism, which alkalize the fluids. All fruits promote intestinal elimination. This keeps the body free from toxic wastes which creep into the blood from an overloaded, sluggish intestinal tract. The carbohydrates of fruits are chiefly in the form of sugar, dextrin and acids which are easily digestible and are completely absorbed. Hence, they are very useful for sick and invalids for quick energy and heat.
• Mineralizing Effect - Fruits furnish minerals to the body. Dried fruits such as apricots, raisins and dates are rich in calcium and iron. These minerals are essential for strong bones and good blood respectively. Some fruits, like custard apple, furnish calcium to the extent of 800 mg. per fruit, which is sufficient to meet our daily requirement of this mineral.
• Laxative Effect - The fibrous matter in fruits, cellulose, aids in the smooth passage of the food in the digestive tract and easy bowel action. The sugars and organic acids contained in fruits also increase their laxative effect. Hence, regular use of fruits prevents and cures constipation.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Health Benefits of Grapes
Grapes are native to the Mediterranean region and Central Asia. They grow in clusters on a deciduous woody vine, Vitis vinifera, and come in many colors. Blue, red, purple, black, golden, and green are the most common. The original grapes were red, and the dark grapes all contain a rich supply of anthocyanins, the antioxidant polyphenolic that conveys many health-promoting properties of grapes. Grapes rank with blueberries and blackberries as excellent sources of antioxidants.
Good News from the Grapevine
Grapes can be eaten fresh or dried (raisins), while grape juice is a favorite beverage. Although seedless grapes are highly sought after for table grapes, the absence of seeds does diminish the phytochemical content of the grape. Grapes are also used for making jam, jelly, and wine.
Currants are dried Zante grapes, but the name currant has also been applied to two berries, black currants and red currants, that are unrelated to grapes. Sultanas were originally raisins derived from a lighter grape of Turkish origin.
Grape seeds provide an edible oil. Grape seed extract is also available as a supplement. It is claimed to strengthen capillary walls, so that it finds use in the treatment of venous insufficiency, and edema following surgery. It also reduces the risk of blood clots.
Many of the health benefits attributed to red/purple grapes are due to the pigments that are concentrated largely in the skin and seeds, which have about 100 times higher level than the pulp of the grape. Anthocyanins tend to be the main polyphenolics in red grapes while the catechins are the more abundant phenolic in white grapes. The phenolic content of grape skins depends upon the variety, the soil, climate, geography, cultivation practice, and exposure to fungal infections. Grapes are also rich in ellagic acid, a potent flavonoid that helps fight cancer.
Grapes and grape juice function in different ways in the cardiovascular system. The pigments in red, purple and black grapes protect the cardiovascular system by a number of mechanisms that include the suppression of blood clots, inhibition of LDL cholesterol oxidation, reduced homocysteine levels, and anti-atherosclerotic properties. Grapes stimulate endothelial nitric oxide production which induces relaxation of the blood vessel walls, and a reduction in blood pressure levels. Recently, it was shown that a Concord grape extract lowered LDL cholesterol, raised HDL cholesterol, and decreased plasma inflammatory biomarkers.
Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a dietary constituent found in grapes exerts a wide variety of pharmacological activities. Resveratrol is as an effective agent for cancer chemoprevention due its ability to block many steps in the carcinogenesis process. Resveratrol contained in red grapes and berries has been shown to inhibit prostate cancer cell growth, induce apoptosis, influence interleukin-6, and exert immuno-modulatory effect on mouse lymphocytic leukemia. One of the possible mechanisms for the protective activity of resveratrol is by down regulation of inflammatory responses. Resveratrol also inhibits the nuclear transcription factor, NFkappaB.
Anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins are two groups of polyphenolics in Concord and similar grape juices. These substances show cancer preventive and anti-proliferative properties and can detoxify the activity of some cancer-causing substances. Concord grape juice can protect healthy breast cells from DNA damage caused by a chemical carcinogen. Grape juice also suppresses the growth and development of breast cancer cells in laboratory animals given chemically induced tumors. The grape juice reduced both mammary tumor size and the number of tumors per animal. The pigments in grape juice also improve immune responsiveness.
Promising data suggests the use of grape juice to promote brain health and delay neurodegenerative diseases. Participants that drank purple grape juice and similar fruit juices three times a week were about 70% less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. When laboratory animals were fed Concord grape juice they showed significantly improved scores on memory and coordination tests.
Author: Winston Craig, MPH, PhD, RD.
The Healthy Benefits of Eating Black Grapes
By Warren D. Griffin
We see them in our grocery stores, we buy them. But do we really know the healthy benefits of them?
Because of the healthy value, black grapes are highly regarded as a benefit to our health. Particularly, black grapes are invaluable due to their uses in diets that are designed for a variety of health problems. But this fruit alone is not sufficient for balancing a diet by itself. If black grapes have been suggested to you for a health problem that you may have, you need to pay attention to this advice due to its importance.
If you enjoy eating black grapes, start thinking about incorporating them as a vital part of your diet. Grapes as a whole are very rich in minerals like: PHOSPHORUS, VITAMIN C, POTASSIUM, CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM.
PHOSPHORUS: Phosphorus in diet
Phosphorus is a mineral that makes up 1% of a person's total body weight. It is present in every cell of the body, but most of the phosphorus in the body is found in the bones and teeth.
Function
The main function of phosphorus is in the formation of bones and teeth. It plays an important role in the body's utilization of carbohydrates and fats and in the synthesis of protein for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues. It is also crucial for the production of ATP, a molecule the body uses to store energy.
Phosphorus works with the B vitamins. It also assists in the contraction of muscles, in the functioning of kidneys, in maintaining the regularity of the heartbeat, and in nerve conduction.
VITAMIN C,
POTASSIUM, Potassium
Overview:
Potassium is a very important mineral for the proper function of all cells, tissues, and organs in the human body. It is also an electrolyte, a substance that conducts electricity in the body, along with sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium. Potassium is crucial to heart function and plays a key role in skeletal and smooth muscle contraction, making it important for normal digestive and muscular function, too. Many foods contain potassium, including all meats, some types of fish (such as salmon, cod, and flounder), and many fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Dairy products are also good sources of potassium.
Having too much potassium in the blood is called hyperkalemia; having too little is known as hypokalemia. Keeping the right potassium balance in the body depends on the amount of sodium and magnesium in the blood. Too much sodium -- common in Western diets that use a lot of salt -- may increase the need for potassium. Diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, malnutrition, malabsorption syndromes (such as Crohn's disease) can also cause potassium deficiency, as well as use of a kind of heart medicine called loop diuretics.
Most people get all of the potassium they need from a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits. Older people have a greater risk of hyperkalemia because our kidneys are less efficient at eliminating potassium as we age. Older people should be careful when taking medication that may affect potassium levels, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and ACE inhibitors (see section on Interactions).
Whatever your age, talk to your doctor before taking potassium supplements.
Bone Health
At least one study shows a positive link between a diet rich in potassium and bone health. More research is needed to determine whether a diet high in potassium can reduce bone turnover in people.
Hypokalemia
The most important use of potassium is to treat the symptoms of hypokalemia (low potassium), which include weakness, lack of energy, muscle cramps, stomach disturbances, an irregular heartbeat, and an abnormal EKG (electrocardiogram, a test that measures heart function). Hypokalemia is usually caused by the body losing too much potassium in the urine or intestines; it's rarely caused by a lack of potassium in the diet. Hypokalemia can be life-threatening and should always be treated by a doctor.
High Blood Pressure
Some studies have linked low levels of potassium in the diet with high blood pressure. And there is some evidence that potassium supplements might cause a slight drop in blood pressure. But not all studies agree -- two large studies found no effect on blood pressure. It may be that taking potassium only helps lower blood pressure if you're not getting enough of this mineral to start with. Before taking potassium or any supplement for high blood pressure, talk to your doctor.
Stroke
People who get a lot of potassium in their diet have a lower risk of stroke. However, potassium supplements don't seem to have the same benefit.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
People with IBD (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease) often have trouble absorbing nutrients from their intestine, and may have low levels of potassium and other important nutrients. If you have IBD, your doctor may check your potassium levels and recommend a supplement.
Dietary Sources:
Good sources of potassium include bananas, citrus juices (such as orange juice), avocados, cantaloupes, tomatoes, potatoes, lima beans, flounder, salmon, cod, chicken, and other meats
There are other vitamins and minerals that are inside grapes that are healthy for us but in much smaller quantities. Like most fruits, black grapes are very rich in carbohydrates, even though they consist of sugar and have very little fiber from a dietary standpoint. In addition to the other nutrients that have black grapes have is one that is really important to our overall health; Resveratrol. Reseveratrol helps to prevent numerously danger conditions which include fungal and viral infections, nerve degeneration, cancer, ALS, and heart disease. Resveratrol also slows down the process of aging as a whole. It inhibits the deterioration of heart and skeletal muscles. The seeds in grapes are just as beneficial as the fruit because they contain significant amounts of antioxidants as well as other nutrients.
For cooking, grape seed oil can be used to cook a variety of foods and is good for baking, using in salads, and for frying if you prefer. Also worthy of mention is the many benefits of grape intake can be found in the consumption of wine. Sadly, the same cannot be said of other fruits where it is better to eat the fresh fruit itself, rather than the juice or other derivatives. Please remember that moderation is always important when consuming wine as excessive amounts of alcohol can cancel out the possible benefits of black grapes.
Here is a great tip: if you are feeling sluggish and tired during a hard day at work and you find yourself wanting to take a nap, it may be time to do something about why you are felling fatigued. A simply way to combat this problem is to start drinking grape juice. Grapes help fight fatigue by replenishing the body's iron supply. Give it a try and see if you do not fell refreshed and energized after drinking some grape juice.
The benefits of consuming black grapes into your diet will help you in the long run towards great overall health and keep your body safe from viruses and many damaging ailments.
Good News from the Grapevine
Grapes can be eaten fresh or dried (raisins), while grape juice is a favorite beverage. Although seedless grapes are highly sought after for table grapes, the absence of seeds does diminish the phytochemical content of the grape. Grapes are also used for making jam, jelly, and wine.
Currants are dried Zante grapes, but the name currant has also been applied to two berries, black currants and red currants, that are unrelated to grapes. Sultanas were originally raisins derived from a lighter grape of Turkish origin.
Grape seeds provide an edible oil. Grape seed extract is also available as a supplement. It is claimed to strengthen capillary walls, so that it finds use in the treatment of venous insufficiency, and edema following surgery. It also reduces the risk of blood clots.
Many of the health benefits attributed to red/purple grapes are due to the pigments that are concentrated largely in the skin and seeds, which have about 100 times higher level than the pulp of the grape. Anthocyanins tend to be the main polyphenolics in red grapes while the catechins are the more abundant phenolic in white grapes. The phenolic content of grape skins depends upon the variety, the soil, climate, geography, cultivation practice, and exposure to fungal infections. Grapes are also rich in ellagic acid, a potent flavonoid that helps fight cancer.
Grapes and grape juice function in different ways in the cardiovascular system. The pigments in red, purple and black grapes protect the cardiovascular system by a number of mechanisms that include the suppression of blood clots, inhibition of LDL cholesterol oxidation, reduced homocysteine levels, and anti-atherosclerotic properties. Grapes stimulate endothelial nitric oxide production which induces relaxation of the blood vessel walls, and a reduction in blood pressure levels. Recently, it was shown that a Concord grape extract lowered LDL cholesterol, raised HDL cholesterol, and decreased plasma inflammatory biomarkers.
Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a dietary constituent found in grapes exerts a wide variety of pharmacological activities. Resveratrol is as an effective agent for cancer chemoprevention due its ability to block many steps in the carcinogenesis process. Resveratrol contained in red grapes and berries has been shown to inhibit prostate cancer cell growth, induce apoptosis, influence interleukin-6, and exert immuno-modulatory effect on mouse lymphocytic leukemia. One of the possible mechanisms for the protective activity of resveratrol is by down regulation of inflammatory responses. Resveratrol also inhibits the nuclear transcription factor, NFkappaB.
Anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins are two groups of polyphenolics in Concord and similar grape juices. These substances show cancer preventive and anti-proliferative properties and can detoxify the activity of some cancer-causing substances. Concord grape juice can protect healthy breast cells from DNA damage caused by a chemical carcinogen. Grape juice also suppresses the growth and development of breast cancer cells in laboratory animals given chemically induced tumors. The grape juice reduced both mammary tumor size and the number of tumors per animal. The pigments in grape juice also improve immune responsiveness.
Promising data suggests the use of grape juice to promote brain health and delay neurodegenerative diseases. Participants that drank purple grape juice and similar fruit juices three times a week were about 70% less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. When laboratory animals were fed Concord grape juice they showed significantly improved scores on memory and coordination tests.
Author: Winston Craig, MPH, PhD, RD.
The Healthy Benefits of Eating Black Grapes
By Warren D. Griffin
We see them in our grocery stores, we buy them. But do we really know the healthy benefits of them?
Because of the healthy value, black grapes are highly regarded as a benefit to our health. Particularly, black grapes are invaluable due to their uses in diets that are designed for a variety of health problems. But this fruit alone is not sufficient for balancing a diet by itself. If black grapes have been suggested to you for a health problem that you may have, you need to pay attention to this advice due to its importance.
If you enjoy eating black grapes, start thinking about incorporating them as a vital part of your diet. Grapes as a whole are very rich in minerals like: PHOSPHORUS, VITAMIN C, POTASSIUM, CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM.
PHOSPHORUS: Phosphorus in diet
Phosphorus is a mineral that makes up 1% of a person's total body weight. It is present in every cell of the body, but most of the phosphorus in the body is found in the bones and teeth.
Function
The main function of phosphorus is in the formation of bones and teeth. It plays an important role in the body's utilization of carbohydrates and fats and in the synthesis of protein for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues. It is also crucial for the production of ATP, a molecule the body uses to store energy.
Phosphorus works with the B vitamins. It also assists in the contraction of muscles, in the functioning of kidneys, in maintaining the regularity of the heartbeat, and in nerve conduction.
VITAMIN C,
POTASSIUM, Potassium
Overview:
Potassium is a very important mineral for the proper function of all cells, tissues, and organs in the human body. It is also an electrolyte, a substance that conducts electricity in the body, along with sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium. Potassium is crucial to heart function and plays a key role in skeletal and smooth muscle contraction, making it important for normal digestive and muscular function, too. Many foods contain potassium, including all meats, some types of fish (such as salmon, cod, and flounder), and many fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Dairy products are also good sources of potassium.
Having too much potassium in the blood is called hyperkalemia; having too little is known as hypokalemia. Keeping the right potassium balance in the body depends on the amount of sodium and magnesium in the blood. Too much sodium -- common in Western diets that use a lot of salt -- may increase the need for potassium. Diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, malnutrition, malabsorption syndromes (such as Crohn's disease) can also cause potassium deficiency, as well as use of a kind of heart medicine called loop diuretics.
Most people get all of the potassium they need from a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits. Older people have a greater risk of hyperkalemia because our kidneys are less efficient at eliminating potassium as we age. Older people should be careful when taking medication that may affect potassium levels, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and ACE inhibitors (see section on Interactions).
Whatever your age, talk to your doctor before taking potassium supplements.
Bone Health
At least one study shows a positive link between a diet rich in potassium and bone health. More research is needed to determine whether a diet high in potassium can reduce bone turnover in people.
Hypokalemia
The most important use of potassium is to treat the symptoms of hypokalemia (low potassium), which include weakness, lack of energy, muscle cramps, stomach disturbances, an irregular heartbeat, and an abnormal EKG (electrocardiogram, a test that measures heart function). Hypokalemia is usually caused by the body losing too much potassium in the urine or intestines; it's rarely caused by a lack of potassium in the diet. Hypokalemia can be life-threatening and should always be treated by a doctor.
High Blood Pressure
Some studies have linked low levels of potassium in the diet with high blood pressure. And there is some evidence that potassium supplements might cause a slight drop in blood pressure. But not all studies agree -- two large studies found no effect on blood pressure. It may be that taking potassium only helps lower blood pressure if you're not getting enough of this mineral to start with. Before taking potassium or any supplement for high blood pressure, talk to your doctor.
Stroke
People who get a lot of potassium in their diet have a lower risk of stroke. However, potassium supplements don't seem to have the same benefit.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
People with IBD (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease) often have trouble absorbing nutrients from their intestine, and may have low levels of potassium and other important nutrients. If you have IBD, your doctor may check your potassium levels and recommend a supplement.
Dietary Sources:
Good sources of potassium include bananas, citrus juices (such as orange juice), avocados, cantaloupes, tomatoes, potatoes, lima beans, flounder, salmon, cod, chicken, and other meats
There are other vitamins and minerals that are inside grapes that are healthy for us but in much smaller quantities. Like most fruits, black grapes are very rich in carbohydrates, even though they consist of sugar and have very little fiber from a dietary standpoint. In addition to the other nutrients that have black grapes have is one that is really important to our overall health; Resveratrol. Reseveratrol helps to prevent numerously danger conditions which include fungal and viral infections, nerve degeneration, cancer, ALS, and heart disease. Resveratrol also slows down the process of aging as a whole. It inhibits the deterioration of heart and skeletal muscles. The seeds in grapes are just as beneficial as the fruit because they contain significant amounts of antioxidants as well as other nutrients.
For cooking, grape seed oil can be used to cook a variety of foods and is good for baking, using in salads, and for frying if you prefer. Also worthy of mention is the many benefits of grape intake can be found in the consumption of wine. Sadly, the same cannot be said of other fruits where it is better to eat the fresh fruit itself, rather than the juice or other derivatives. Please remember that moderation is always important when consuming wine as excessive amounts of alcohol can cancel out the possible benefits of black grapes.
Here is a great tip: if you are feeling sluggish and tired during a hard day at work and you find yourself wanting to take a nap, it may be time to do something about why you are felling fatigued. A simply way to combat this problem is to start drinking grape juice. Grapes help fight fatigue by replenishing the body's iron supply. Give it a try and see if you do not fell refreshed and energized after drinking some grape juice.
The benefits of consuming black grapes into your diet will help you in the long run towards great overall health and keep your body safe from viruses and many damaging ailments.
Health Benefits of Crabapple
Fruits Very Good For The Health
Crabapple
Crabapples are not generally eaten out of hand, but are used more for jellies and juicing
Crab Apples are a small heirloom variety that includes hundreds of cultivars. Used more for jellies and juicing, some brave souls actually enjoy this highly tart apple.
Selection Information
Usage: Crabapples are an heirloom apple that is not generally used for jellies and juicing. Some brave souls actually enjoy this highly tart apple.
Selection & Storage: Good-quality Crab apples will be very firm, but won?t have many of the other hallmarks of other apples. They are often scabbed or misshapen can vary in color from almost black, to red and even rich yellow. Test the firmness of the apple by holding it in the palm of your hand. (Do not push with your thumb). It should feel solid and heavy, not soft and light.
To store, keep apples as cold as possible in the refrigerator. Apples do not freeze until the temperature drops to 28.5 degrees F.
Avoid: Avoid product with soft or dark spots. Also if the apple skin wrinkles when you rub your thumb across it, the apple has probably been in cold storage too long or has not been kept cool.
Seasonal Information
Crabapples are some of the first apples available during the fall, but some varieties can stay on the tree until the first frost.
Crabapple Nutritional Information
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Apples are very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. They're also a good source of Dietary Fiber and Vitamin C.
Juicing Information
Crabapples are great for juicing - both for their flavor and color.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
FRUITS! FRUITS!! FRUITS!!!
Why Fruit?
Eat (more) fruit
These ideas might stimulate your fruit consumption!
Why should we have five to nine fresh pieces a day, organically grown if possible?
• For the largest part fruit consists of water just like the human body does;
• Fruit is 100% bad-cholesterol free;
• Fruit stimulates the memory;
• The idea that fruit is an expensive nutrition;
• The miraculous healing effects of fruit;
• Fibers;
• Fruit makes you feel better;
• Ethical reasons to eat fruit;
• Fruit is the most natural food;
• The human diet;
• Fruit juices - squeeze those fruits!
For the largest part fruit consists of water just like the human body does
Like 80% of our body is water so does 80% of fruit consist of water!
If you think about it, it's logical for the human body to consume food that contains as much water as the body itself. The nutrition that meets that requirement is fruit. There is no other food than fruit on this planet that contains on average 80% water.
Vegetables also contain a lot of water and are therefore second best.
Fruit is 100% bad-cholesterol free
No doubt about this argument. Too much bad-cholesterol is not good for our bodies and fruit doesn't contain bad-cholesterol. Animal products like meat and dairy contain a lot of bad-cholesterol.
Fruit stimulates the memory
If you didn’t know yet: fruit is the ultimate brain fuel. Fruit has a positive effect on our brains. The way this works still has to be found out and many scientists are looking into it as we speak. What we do know is that if you consume fruit effectively, your brains can recall information faster and more easily. This is very useful information for people who are preparing for an exam. Students that want to go to this page immediately go to: improve your exam results with fruit.
The idea that fruit is an expensive nutrition
Did you always think that fruit was an expensive product? Take a good look at how much money you spend on other food. It could be worth something to replace some of those expenses with fruit. We think that fruit is the healthiest food on earth and therefore it is well worth spending our money on.
The miraculous healing effects of fruit
Spectacular stories about people that cured from uncurable diseases by a strict diet of raw fruits and/or vegetables are well known but do we want to believe them? We still don't know that much about fruit and its contents.
Fibers
We do know now that a diet with plenty of fibers helps against corpulence, high blood pressure, and other factors that increase the chance for a heart disease. The consumed amount of fibers maybe even a more important factor than the amount of fat that is consumed by people!
The food that contains these healthy (natural) fibers is.... right: fruit! (vegetables as well). The American Heart Association advises to consume 25 to 30 grams of fibers out of fresh fruits and/or vegetables. In practice this means: have five to nine portions of fresh fruits or vegetables a day. Check out the dietary Recommendations of the American Heart Association here.
Fruit makes you feel better
Several stories have told us about people that were frequently depressed and how they got out of their depression slowly but surely after consuming substantial amounts of fresh fruit on a regular basis. Eating much fruit can have a mysterious healing effect on human beings. Even better is to drink a lot of freshly squeezed fruit drinks on a regular basis. It will take approximately 30 days until you start to notice the effects. Don't forget to drink these smoothies 20 minutes before the consumption of other meals. This way the fruit will not ferment in the stomach and the nutritious elements can be absorbed by the blood effectively.
Ethical reasons to eat fruit
Fruit doesn't have to be killed and slaughtered before you can eat it. The fruits are just hanging there waiting to be picked by you!
This ethical argument (often used by vegetarians and vegans to not eat meat) claims that fruit is a non-animal food. Many people see animals, especially mammals, as living creatures just like humans. There are religions that say that animals have souls like us. The native Americans first asked the animal's spirit if they could kill it before they did so. Fruit has never been said to have a soul and thus can be eaten without causing any harm. Ethical or religious arguments aside, we think it's a shame that we as human beings don't eat much fruit when there is such an abundant assortment of fruits and vegetables available.
Fruit is the most natural food
When you see a piece of fruit hanging from a tree that tree is telling you something: "Eat my fruits and help me spread my seeds." That’s how nature works. Humans eat vegetables and fruits and consequently help the plants to spread. Humans use animals to work the land to grow the plants and trees that produce these fruits and vegetables. In more and more people's opinion this is the way it was all meant to be.
A human diet
A healthy diet should consist for a great deal of freshly squeezed fruit juices, raw fruits and vegetables. Some tips:
• A good start is to eat and drink more fresh fruits;
• it’s as simple as that. Before you know it you will feel much better;
• Don't forget to eat fruit on an empty stomach, not after other meals and;
• inform yourself about the substances that our 'modern' food contains.
Eat (more) fruit
These ideas might stimulate your fruit consumption!
Why should we have five to nine fresh pieces a day, organically grown if possible?
• For the largest part fruit consists of water just like the human body does;
• Fruit is 100% bad-cholesterol free;
• Fruit stimulates the memory;
• The idea that fruit is an expensive nutrition;
• The miraculous healing effects of fruit;
• Fibers;
• Fruit makes you feel better;
• Ethical reasons to eat fruit;
• Fruit is the most natural food;
• The human diet;
• Fruit juices - squeeze those fruits!
For the largest part fruit consists of water just like the human body does
Like 80% of our body is water so does 80% of fruit consist of water!
If you think about it, it's logical for the human body to consume food that contains as much water as the body itself. The nutrition that meets that requirement is fruit. There is no other food than fruit on this planet that contains on average 80% water.
Vegetables also contain a lot of water and are therefore second best.
Fruit is 100% bad-cholesterol free
No doubt about this argument. Too much bad-cholesterol is not good for our bodies and fruit doesn't contain bad-cholesterol. Animal products like meat and dairy contain a lot of bad-cholesterol.
Fruit stimulates the memory
If you didn’t know yet: fruit is the ultimate brain fuel. Fruit has a positive effect on our brains. The way this works still has to be found out and many scientists are looking into it as we speak. What we do know is that if you consume fruit effectively, your brains can recall information faster and more easily. This is very useful information for people who are preparing for an exam. Students that want to go to this page immediately go to: improve your exam results with fruit.
The idea that fruit is an expensive nutrition
Did you always think that fruit was an expensive product? Take a good look at how much money you spend on other food. It could be worth something to replace some of those expenses with fruit. We think that fruit is the healthiest food on earth and therefore it is well worth spending our money on.
The miraculous healing effects of fruit
Spectacular stories about people that cured from uncurable diseases by a strict diet of raw fruits and/or vegetables are well known but do we want to believe them? We still don't know that much about fruit and its contents.
Fibers
We do know now that a diet with plenty of fibers helps against corpulence, high blood pressure, and other factors that increase the chance for a heart disease. The consumed amount of fibers maybe even a more important factor than the amount of fat that is consumed by people!
The food that contains these healthy (natural) fibers is.... right: fruit! (vegetables as well). The American Heart Association advises to consume 25 to 30 grams of fibers out of fresh fruits and/or vegetables. In practice this means: have five to nine portions of fresh fruits or vegetables a day. Check out the dietary Recommendations of the American Heart Association here.
Fruit makes you feel better
Several stories have told us about people that were frequently depressed and how they got out of their depression slowly but surely after consuming substantial amounts of fresh fruit on a regular basis. Eating much fruit can have a mysterious healing effect on human beings. Even better is to drink a lot of freshly squeezed fruit drinks on a regular basis. It will take approximately 30 days until you start to notice the effects. Don't forget to drink these smoothies 20 minutes before the consumption of other meals. This way the fruit will not ferment in the stomach and the nutritious elements can be absorbed by the blood effectively.
Ethical reasons to eat fruit
Fruit doesn't have to be killed and slaughtered before you can eat it. The fruits are just hanging there waiting to be picked by you!
This ethical argument (often used by vegetarians and vegans to not eat meat) claims that fruit is a non-animal food. Many people see animals, especially mammals, as living creatures just like humans. There are religions that say that animals have souls like us. The native Americans first asked the animal's spirit if they could kill it before they did so. Fruit has never been said to have a soul and thus can be eaten without causing any harm. Ethical or religious arguments aside, we think it's a shame that we as human beings don't eat much fruit when there is such an abundant assortment of fruits and vegetables available.
Fruit is the most natural food
When you see a piece of fruit hanging from a tree that tree is telling you something: "Eat my fruits and help me spread my seeds." That’s how nature works. Humans eat vegetables and fruits and consequently help the plants to spread. Humans use animals to work the land to grow the plants and trees that produce these fruits and vegetables. In more and more people's opinion this is the way it was all meant to be.
A human diet
A healthy diet should consist for a great deal of freshly squeezed fruit juices, raw fruits and vegetables. Some tips:
• A good start is to eat and drink more fresh fruits;
• it’s as simple as that. Before you know it you will feel much better;
• Don't forget to eat fruit on an empty stomach, not after other meals and;
• inform yourself about the substances that our 'modern' food contains.
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