Beta-Carotene

25 Mar

Papaya Juice Side Effects: What Happens If You Drink Too Much?

Today, people are trying to be more health conscious than ever before. With the growing rate of obesity in our country and new fad diets turning up everywhere one looks, it is no wonder that we are starting to look towards more natural solutions in order to be healthy. Papaya juice has been found to have many health benefits, and it is all natural. However, is it possible to drink too much papaya juice? Are there any papaya juice side effects?

There are really no harmful papaya juice side effects. However, there are various parts of the papaya that can be used for other purposes, such as the seeds and leaves. When the papaya juice is taken orally, there seems to be no adverse effects. Although severe allergic reactions can occur when this fruit is used for other things, such as hair conditioner, and comes in contact with the skin.

Papayas do contain some beta carotene. As with any fruit or vegetable that contains beta carotene, ingesting excessive amounts can cause a yellowing of the skin, especially in the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. However, this yellowing effect is not harmful.

Papaya juice should not be taken during pregnancy. While it has yet to be confirmed, it is speculated that the fluid produced when a papaya fruit is not quite ripe may cause uterine contractions. During pregnancy, this could create a miscarriage.

More benefits of papaya juice are being found everyday. Based on the current research, there is no reason not to enjoy this fruit and all its positive characteristics.

08 Mar

Carrot Juice Side Effects – Can You Drink Too Much Of It?

While drinking carrot juice in moderation has significant health benefits, drinking too much can have side effects. Carrot juice is high in beta carotene, which converts to Vitamin A in the body. Consuming a lot of carrot juice can affect the color of the skin. Carrot juice is also high in sugar and calories, so people with diabetes should be mindful of this.

Carotenemia Is One Of The Carrot Juice Side Effects

A change in the color of the skin is one of the carrot juice side effects. Due to the high level of beta-carotene in carrot juice, drinking more than three glasses per day can result in an orange hue to the skin. The orange coloring is most likely to be seen on hands, feet and around the mouth. This condition is called carotenemia and is not dangerous. It disappears without treatment as soon as consumption is lowered or stopped.

High glucose content

Carrots are naturally sweet (lots of sugar). This sweetness is the reason many people use carrots for their juice, but too much glucose can be dangerous to diabetics. Another of the carrot juice side effects applies to people with diabetes. Small amounts of carrot juice are okay and can even be good for a person with diabetes. The glycemic index of an eight ounce glass of carrot juice is about 45, with about 22 grams of carbohydrates.

High sodium content

Carrots are also quite rich with sodium. Too much sodium in your diet can lead to all sorts of problems. The main one is that lots of sodium (salt) can lead to Hypertension (HTN) or high blood pressure. Hypertension is then a cause of all sorts of heart and health related problems. But you would probably turn yellow from carotenemia and stop drinking carrot juice before this sodium carrot juice side effect would start to show. As with all the natural juice side effects juices are safe and very beneficial to our bodies as long as we don’t exaggerate when drinking them.

22 Feb

Apricot Juice Side Effects – Can You Drink Too Much Of It?

Apricot juice side effects seem to appear only one time in the study of those that are found among many commonly reported. It does not increase the occurrence of gas, frequent urination, diarrhea or constipation. Reports of foods that cause allergies, bad breath, acid reflux or gastritis do no not include apricots. High blood pressure and high cholesterol have no connection to the consumption of apricots. It is not associated with arthritis, acne, yeast infections or many other common maladies.

While it is known that apricots are an excellent source of beta-carotene, it takes only one a day or the equivalent amount of juice to satisfy the body’s daily requirement for Vitamin A. Research indicates that the excess consumption of food that contains high levels of beta-carotene can discolor the skin on palms of the hands and soles of the feet. One resulting incidence of apricot juice side effects is known as carotenemia. The yellowish color may seem like jaundice, but it is not an indicator of that disease. Jaundice discolors the whites in the eye, and carotenemia has no such effect.

12 Jan

Which Fruit Has The Most Beta Carotene (Carotene-ß)?

What Is Beta Carotene (Carotene-ß)?

Carotenes (from the Latin word “carota”) are unsaturated hydrocarbons, which are synthesized by plants. Carotene is orange, and is a photosynthetic pigment that is important for photosynthesis in plants. The carotene is a means of protecting the plant’s cells from being damaged by ultraviolet light. But carotenes cannot be made by animals.

Why Is Beta Carotene Good For Our Health?

Beta carotene – ß-Carotene – is stored in body fat and in the liver. It is a form of vitamin A important to human health. The body is able to convert the beta carotene into retinal when it is needed. Interestingly, different animals have either an efficient or inefficient ability to convert carotenoids that contain retinal into usable vitamin A retinals – meat-eaters are particularly poor at converting carotenoids.

Not only orange foods contain beta carotene. There are fruits and vegetables ranging from green to red that have carotenes in them. Here are a few, which shows the wide range of colors where beta carotene can be found: goji berries, cantaloupe, mangoes, spinach, chard, cilantro, broccoli, rose hips, pumpkin, kale, mustard greens and cassava. It is generally true, however, that the more orange the color, the more beta carotene is present.

Beta carotene is an anti-oxidant. The function of an anti-oxidant is to inhibit the oxidation of molecules. This is beneficial because oxidation produces free radicals, which damage and destroy cells.

There are studies that a small amount of beta carotene may contribute to preventing cognitive decline, and it can also help people who are overly photosensitive. But there is considerable support for an increase in certain kinds of cancer with excessive amounts of beta carotene supplements. In particular, smokers are warned not to take β-carotene supplements, due to the increase in the risk of lung cancer.

But everyone needs their vitamin A, and eating carrots does indeed contribute to good eyesight and a healthy body.

Health Benefits Of Pumpkin Juice: Pumpkins Aren’t Just Good for Halloween

When I think of pumpkins, Halloween is the first thing that pops into my mind. But you might be surprised to learn that pumpkins are good for more than just carving and putting on your porch to scare trick-or-treaters. The health benefits of pumpkin juice have been demonstrated time and time again, yet this valuable health resource often flies under the radar of even the most devoted health aficionados.

Pumpkins are a rich source of several important vitamins

Pumpkins are a rich source of several important vitamins. Beta-carotene is the orange pigment responsible for giving pumpkins their distinctive color (it also provides color for other healthy vegetables, like carrots). When you consume beta-carotene, the body converts some of it to vitamin A. Vitamin A is important to maintaining the health of many bodily functions, especially vision. Thus, it may be possible to help some vision problems through drinking pumpkin juice. The health benefits of pumpkin juice don’t stop there, however, as vitamin A is also an important component of healthy skin. Many high-end dermatology products rely primarily on the influence of vitamin A derivatives to reduce acne, but drinking pumpkin juice may allow you to achieve the same result for much less money!

Vitamin C and vitamin E

Pumpkin juice also contains high amounts of vitamin C and vitamin E. Vitamin C is involved in a multitude of functions in the human body, and is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system. It’s also a valuable antioxidant, and thus it helps to slow the natural aging process of the body. Vitamin E is an antioxidant as well, and the combined effect of both through drinking pumpkin juice has the potential to make you feel years younger.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is also found at high levels in pumpkin juice. Vitamin D is essential for healthy bone development, hormone development, and nervous system functioning. Vitamin D deficiencies have been associated with a number of negative health outcomes, including increased mortality, cancer rates, and growth deformities. Drinking pumpkin juice is a healthy way to obtain the recommended daily amount of vitamin D.

Health benefits of pumpkin juice

People have been drinking pumpkin juice for many years, and out of the practice have come a number of medicinal uses of pumpkin juice. For example, The health benefits of pumpkin juice are believed to include maintaining a healthy cholesterol level. The mechanism behind this link could involve one of the several vitamins that are packed into a glass of pumpkin juice. There are indications, for example, that Vitamin C may have a cholesterol-reducing effect. Antioxidants have also been demonstrated to help keep cholesterol levels within a healthy range, and pumpkin juice has a high antioxidant index.

The health benefits of pumpkin juice also involve its digestive-stimulating capabilities. Pumpkin juice can serve as a digestive system regulator, and can be used in instances of constipation or indigestion. Its laxative properties are very mild, however, so drinking pumpkin juice in general won’t cause an over-active bowel. Pumpkin juice can also soothe the stomach, and is a recommended treatment for ulcers.

There are many who advocate pumpkin juice as a cure for insomnia. Pumpkin juice is high in magnesium, a mineral that can play an important role in our ability to sleep. One of the many suggested functions for magnesium is its soothing action on the nervous system. There is an indication that some people who suffer from insomnia do so because they are experiencing magnesium deficiency. If only they knew to drink pumpkin juice! Often, pumpkin juice mixed with a small amount of honey is drank before lying down as a sleep aid.

Pumpkin Seeds

Some believe that pumpkin seeds offer the greatest of the health benefits of pumpkin juice. The seeds are thought to have an overall cleansing effect on the body. Nutrients in the seeds may help rid the body of impurities by stimulating the activity of the kidneys. For this reason, many people who make fresh pumpkin juice will be sure to include ground up seeds in their concoction.

Pumpkin juice is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants–all of which combine to maintain healthy functioning of the body. While many of us search for foods that will provide us with one vitamin or another, it may be that the one-shot solution to our health needs is sitting right in front of us. So next time you think of a pumpkin, think about putting it in your juicer, not carving it!

17 Nov

The Many Health Benefits Of Watermelon Juice

Watermelon juice is known for its refreshing properties and nutritious value. It is the perfect fruit to enjoy the summer season. It is an exceptional choice for a healthy diet. With its fleshy texture, juicy pulps and sweetness, it becomes a favorite ingredients for salads and desserts. It contains more water and less sodium aside from being the top source for almost all vitamins. It can be prepared fresh throughout the year and provides everyone with a lot of health benefits.

Packed with powerful antioxidants

Watermelon juice is fully packed with powerful antioxidants. Aside from its sweet taste and juicy watermelon pulps, it is a rich source of natural antioxidants which is important in neutralizing the free radicals inside the body. It has a notable concentration of beta carotene, a very good source of vitamin C and an excellent source of vitamin A. These potent antioxidants are very essential in combating the harmful substances that destroy the human system. They have the ability to minimize free radicals that greatly contributes to stress and the aging process. Furthermore, they can oxidize cholesterol and prevent the occurrence of strokes, cancers and heart attacks. They can prevent asthma attack by eliminating the toxins that might cause the air passage to close. Moreover, they can decrease the inflammation in osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis and prevent cancer cells to develop. In addition to this, vitamin C is known to prevent a person from getting colds and greatly contributes to a stronger immune system. Certainly, vitamin C and beta carotene are the main stress buster in the body and assist in getting rid of harmful molecules to avoid cell damages. With just one cup of watermelon juice, it can offer a daily value of 24.3% for vitamin C and 11.1% daily value for vitamin A through its beta carotene.

Watermelon Juice And Lycopene

The next vital element that can be found in watermelon juice is lycopene which is a potent carotenoid antioxidant found in pink watermelon. It gives watermelon the bright red or pinkish color which is thought to be found only in tomatoes. However, recent investigation shows that it is present in ample amounts and very concentrated in watermelon. It has been the main focus of several clinical health studies because of its oxidizing capabilities and cancer- preventing properties. It has been proven to be an excellent protection against various types of cancers such as breast cancer, endometrial cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancers. One human clinical study shows that lycopene reduces the risk of having polyps in patients with colorectal adenomas. On the other hand, it has antioxidant function which covers the human cells and other related structures against oxygen depletion. It has also been proven that lycopene can protect the DNA inside the white blood cells through its antioxidant role.

Rich In B Vitamins, Magnesium And Potassium

Juicing watermelon is a fun and healthy way to acquire energy and boost your mood. It is rich in B vitamins which are essential to stay active everyday. It is highly rated as a good source of vitamin B6 which accelerates the brain’s capacity to cope with anxiety and panic, vitamin B1, magnesium and potassium which aid in regulating the normal blood pressure levels and keeps your heart in a healthy condition. It has higher content of nutrients compared to other fruits and contains lower calories. It delivers only 48 calories with a whole cup of watermelon juice.

Good Source Of Arginine

Another healthy benefit of watermelon juice is that is is a rich source of arginine. Arginine is a form of amino acid which is usually used in the urea cycle to eliminate ammonia that is a harmful toxin when inside the body. This kind of amino acid has been shown to relax blood vessels and minimizes high blood pressure. It has also been proven to avoid erectile dysfunction in problematic males. Also, it improves the insulin sensitivity of patients with diabetes disease type 2.

Watermelon Juice Can Prevent Macular Degeneration

Specifically, watermelon juice can prevent macular degeneration which is a type of vision loss. This kind of disease is age related and usually happens in adults. Aside from carrots, watermelon can help protect your eyesight against macular degeneration. It has been noted that individuals who take watermelon juice are less prone to this type of eye ailment compared to others who doesn’t take any watermelon juice.

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