Health benefits

13 Aug

Chili Peppers – Hot&Healthy Cancer Cell Killers

The history of the chili pepper goes back thousands of years. Archaeologists have found evidence of homegrown chili peppers from over 6000 years ago. They were first cultivated in Central and South America but Christopher Columbus discovered them and introduced them to Europe. He called them peppers because they had a spicy, hot taste just like the black and white pepper that was a the time known in Europe. The chili pepper later spread throughout Asia where it became very popular as a spice for their ethnic cuisine. Chili peppers quickly became popular because they were thought to have the same pungency as black peppercorns which were expensive.

Peppers are broken down into three groupings, the bell peppers, hot peppers, and sweet peppers. Chili peppers fall under hot peppers and some of their more popular varieties are:

Habanaro – small yellow or red pepper that has a high heat rating
Jalapeno – very popular when it comes to Mexican food, has various heat levels
Thai Pepper – small red peppers that are quite spicy
Serrano – smaller green ones with medium heat
and many many more…

Jalapeno peppers

Chili Peppers = Super Food?

You usually think hot, spicy, Mexican,etc when talking about chili but super food? What makes chili peppers a super food? Well, mostly capsaicin. The intensity of the chili pepper is controlled by natural chemicals called capsaicinoids and they are responsible for the heat and burn of the peppers. Apart from the burning capsaicin peppers also include other nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene and other potent antioxidants and they low in fat, calories, and in cholesterol.

So what are the benefits of eating hot chili peppers?

Enjoying Chili Peppers

Peppers are an important part of many ethnic cuisines either fresh from picking or dried to preserve them for longer periods of time. They can be used whole, sliced, diced, sautéed, or fried and even ground into a paste. The chili pepper is also a favorite ingredient in curry dishes, chipotle is made from the jalapeno pepper…They are also often used to make hot sauce which is then added to many different dishes including chili soup, pizza and many other dishes that taste better with more spice. So getting enough chilies is not a problem. What about the benefits?

Health Benefits of Chili Peppers

We have blamed capsaicin for the hotness of the peppers but there are other effects that this substance can give us apart from burned mouth. Capsaicin is an effective ingredient in the management of pain. It disables the part of the nervous system that allows us to feel pain. Obviously not all pains but capsaicin containing cream it can help with pain from:

arthritis (joint and muscle pains),
neuropathy (damage to nerves),
headaches,
pain from a mastectomy (breast removal) and amputations,
pain resulting from shingles (painful skin rash),
etc..

But the benefits don’t stop here. Capsaicin is also a natural anti-inflammatory and helps improve circulation. They are investigating if it can stop a heart attack and be used instead of Novocain for dental work.

Chili peppers can also clean and purify your blood and get rid of mucus and toxins. This way your blood can transport more oxygen.

Being hot and all you would think that spicy chili peppers are bad for your stomach. But quite the contrary is true – they can help fight off ulcers!

Then there is cancer – capsaicin destroys mitochondria in cancer cells and causes cell death but as said only in cancer cells, healthy cells are unharmed. Spicy foods kills cancer cells! A Nottingham University study confirmed that.

Capsaicin also reduces high blood pressure and improves your your metabolism.

And finally – it can also serve as an alternative to Botox.

Dried chili peppers

A Simple Recipe Using Chili Peppers

There are loads of hot recipes out there, even whole cuisines are considered spicy. Here is a simple holiday recipe for a tasty, spicy appetizer.

Spicy Version

Split hot peppers in half. Stuff with mixture of tuna, cream cheese and spices to taste.

Mild Version

Section whole green peppers and use the same stuffing you use with hot peppers.

Cream Cheese Filling

1 Package cream cheese (whipped)

1 Small can of Tuna

Season to taste.

Any left over filling is great on crackers!

05 Mar

The Power of Lime And Lime Juice Health Benefits

When it comes to health benefits, lime juice is an absolute powerhouse. The sweet and sour tanginess packs more punch than most multivitamin tablets or health shakes. Everything from weight management to scurvy can be helped by a squeeze of the green. Here is a closer look at the benefits of this magical fruit:

Lime Juice And Beauty

Whether the juice is applied directly to skin or ingested, lime juice has proven itself as a skin beautifier. When applied to the skin, the acid from lime juice acts as an exfoliating agent. A few drops of lime juice can be added to your facial cleanser or daily lotion. If added to your lotion, be sure to use a daily sunscreen since the lime juice will gently reveal a new layer of skin.

When ingested, the high dose of vitamin C found in lime juice acts as a great antioxidant and disinfectant. Lime juice is also credited with healing dandruff, bruising and body odor. Try adding a few drops to your bath, body lotion or shampoo for the most benefits. Also, a few drops of lime juice make drinking water refreshing and nutritious.

Weight Management

Lime has been a daily meal staple in India for centuries. The people of India have long known that lime will aid in digestion, which ultimately aids in managing weight. Lime works in two ways to keep your weight down. First, the wonderful aroma of lime will stimulate your mouth to water, thus stimulating your digestive tract. Second, the flavanoids in lime juice will break down the food which will help the body rid itself of toxins and waste.

In addition, a daily intake of lime juice will keep your body from suffering constipation or irritable bowel syndrome. Some great ways to get the daily benefits of lime is either by sprinkling a few drops over meats or eating a side of lime chutney. Lime chutney is delicious with all meats and most potato dishes. Also, add a few drops of lime juice to your sodas or fruit juices for an extra punch of flavor.

Scurvy

Scurvy has been a dreaded disease for many centuries. The common symptoms associated with scurvy are frequent infections, frequent cough/cold, chronically cracked lips, swollen gums and mouth ulcers. Scurvy is caused by a lack of vitamin C. As long as scurvy has plagued people, lime has been used as both a cure and a preventative form of medicine. Long ago, sailors, factory and farm workers were given lime by their boss to ward off scurvy. People who work in pollution factories and other highly toxic areas are still given lime by their employer to protect them from scurvy. Lime is possibly one of the greatest sources of vitamin C, which your body always needs. Just because you don’t have scurvy, don’t skimp on the powers of vitamin C.

The Power Of Flavanoids

Flavanoids are found in fruits and some vegetables and act as strong antioxidants when ingested. Antioxidants reduce inflammation and slow down the aging process in humans. Furthermore, antioxidants boast the ability to fight cancers and actually heal cellular damage. Lime juice is chalk full of wonderful flavanoids.

The Power Of Vitamin C

We’ve always heard the importance of getting enough vitamin C, but do you know just how powerful this nutrient is? A deficiency in vitamin C can cause more bodily malfunctions than can be imagined. The good news: Lime juice has more vitamin C than can be imagined. Here is a list of the many bodily organs/functions that can be deeply improved with adequate amounts of vitamin C:

vision
gums and mouth
ulcers
urinary tract
kidneys
liver
stomach
respiratory system
colon
prostate
heart
skeletal structure

The health benefits of lime juice cannot be overestimated. It has also helped cure colon cancer, prostate cancer, arthritis, rheumatism, fatigue, cholera, high fever and also diabetes. Lime juice may very well be one of the super foods.

04 Mar

Health Benefits of Melon Juice

Melon Juice is a delicious drink that is commonly made from cantaloupe, sometimes known as “muskmelon”, which is the most popular melon type in the country. One cup of cantaloupe supplies you with 108% of the daily recommended allowance of Vitamin A and 98% of the RDA of Vitamin C. Other vitamins and minerals contained in cantaloupe include potassium, folic acid, niacin, dietary fiber, vitamin K, magnesium and thiamin. All these ingredients are what makes cantaloupe so nutritious, and of course taking in cantaloupe in the form of melon juice is the best way to ingest high amounts of this wonder fruit. Did I mention that cantaloupe is low in calories? One cup of cantaloupe contains a mere 53 calories, a good thing to keep in mind when making your own melon juice. A glass of melon juice has more health benefits than you would ever imagine.

Healthy Circulatory System

Melon juice, with its high Vitamin C content, slows down the process of hardening of the arteries resulting in lowering your arteriosclerosis risk. The antioxidants fight high cholesterol levels. In addition, the potassium helps rid your body of too much sodium which can lower your blood pressure. Cantaloupes also contain a unique compound that has been found to lower the risk of blood clots.

Healthy Immune System and Cancer Prevention

The Vitamin C found in cantaloupe stimulates white blood cells which helps fight infection and builds up your immune system. Vitamin C can help fight anything from the common cold to more serious illnesses. The antioxidant properties protect cells and can prevent cancer, especially melanoma and intestinal cancer.

Healthy Eyes

In addition to Vitamin C, melon juice also has a high quantity of vitamin A, which is not only needed by the retina, but also helps the surface of the eye protect itself against bacteria and viruses and reduces your chances of developing eye infections and cataracts. There is also substantial evidence that this high vitamin A and vitamin C combination can help fight the risk of macular degeneration, especially when recommended amounts of Vitamin E, zinc and copper are consumed in addition.

Healthy Pregnancy and other Women’s Health Benefits

All the vitamins and minerals found in melon juice can definitely make for a more healthy pregnancy. The thiamine content raises your energy level and helps your body absorb the iron that is so vital during pregnancy. The niacin promotes good digestion, and the high content of folic acid supports the placenta and can help to prevent neural tube defects in your baby. As stated before, the potassium in cantaloupe helps to rid your body of too much sodium, which ultimately will reduce water retention, a common irritation that goes along with pregnancy. Not pregnant? Drinking melon juice during menstruation will reduce heavy flow and clotting. The potassium also helps relieve muscular aches and pains.

Healthy Sense of Well-Being

In this fast-paced busy world we live in, high levels of stress can be either an occasional problem or even an ongoing one. Drinking melon juice can help reduce stress. The high potassium helps bring down your blood pressure which helps to oxygenate your brain; and another special compound found in cantaloupe calms anxieties. Because of this a glass of melon juice before bedtime can also help you sleep better. If you are a smoker who is trying to quit, melon juice can help your body deal with nicotine withdrawal; and can also replace the high levels of vitamin A that are lost as a result of smoking.

The many health benefits of melon juice cannot be denied. With its high vitamin and mineral content, as well as its delicious taste and low calorie content, there’s no reason not to start enjoying this wonderful juice that can do so much for your body and mind.

03 Mar

Health Benefits of Tomato Juice

You may already have heard tomato juice described as a “super food” but you may not know exactly why it was placed in this healthy food category. The health benefits of tomato juice are numerous and range from cancer fighting properties to heart and bone health. One look at the list of vitamins and minerals can help you understand just how beneficial this juice can be for the human body. With vitamins C, A, K, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and the minerals potassium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus; along with protein, fiber and lycopene, it’s easy to see that tomato juice can be very beneficial for your overall health.

The Antioxidant Lycopene

Lycopene is a very unique antioxidant that is found to be abundant in tomato juice. It helps the human body rid itself of free radicals that damage your cells. Because of this ability to defend your cells, lycopene has been proven to help your body prevent nearly every type of cancer by flushing out carcinogens while also defending your body against atherosclerosis, heart disease, and even heart attacks. It is even believed by many scientists that this super antioxidant can help to prevent osteoporosis by encouraging bone health. Also, it has been shown that lycopene can reverse skin damage from ultraviolet light because of its strong antioxidant properties.

Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

If you are one of the many people suffering from high blood pressure or an increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol, then you may want to start drinking more tomato juice. The good source of potassium you get in a cup of tomato juice helps regulate blood pressure. The fiber and vitamin B3 in this juice will help to lower bad cholesterol.

Prevent Heart Attacks and Stroke

Potassium also helps your heart (as well as the other muscles in your body) to function properly, which can prevent a heart attack. At the same time, there are compounds called platelet factors that help to prevent blood clots. This can also prevent heart attacks and even strokes. The vitamin B6 helps breakdown homocystene, a compound that damages your blood vessels, keeping your heart and major blood vessels healthy.

Increase Bone and Joint Health

I mentioned earlier about lycopene protecting bones and keeping them healthy. The Vitamin C in tomato juice also keeps bones and teeth healthy. There are many great antioxidants in tomatoes that help defend your bones against free radicals. A recent scientific study showed that taking tomatoes completely out of someone’s diet actually became detrimental to their bone density.

Tomato Juice Will Boost Your Immune System

Of course with the excellent source of vitamin C, you probably already realize tomatoes are good for your immune system. The antioxidants and vitamin A are also good for boosting your immune system. The B vitamins and amino acids also help your immune system because they are important for building those immune system cells. With a healthy immune system you are less likely to become ill and, if you do get sick, you will fight it off much more quickly.

Other Health Benefits Of Tomato Juice

Tomato juice has been shown to help prevent certain cases of Alzheimer’s disease possibly due to the rich source of antioxidants. Tomatoes also seem to help people manage their diabetes better and even reduce obesity. In animal studies, consuming tomato juice appears to prevent emphysema, probably because of the great source of antioxidants protecting the lungs. On top of these benefits the B vitamins in tomato juice can give you more energy, improve your memory and make you feel better overall.

Every day scientists are uncovering more health benefits of this super food and, although many more disease preventions are associated with the tomato, it is not yet understood how the preventive properties work. More research is being conducted to affirm and determine the true health potential of this amazing fruit. It is like a tasty wonder drug with no negative side effects.

02 Mar

Health Benefits of Passion Fruit Juice

Passion fruit juice is a bright, refreshing way to get fiber as well as vitamins and minerals and other valuable nutrients. You can purchase prepared passion fruit juice at your local supermarket, or make your own from the raw fruit. Either way, you will have a healthy treat to enjoy with breakfast, or any time you are in the mood for a sweet pick-me-up. Passion fruit juice makes a welcome change from the same old orange juice you have been drinking for years, and it has some additional health benefits that most citrus juices don’t possess.

Vitamins and Minerals Are The Source Of Health Benefits of Passion Fruit Juice

Passion fruit juice is chock-full of vitamins and minerals. The vitamin that passion fruit juice is most known for is vitamin A. One 3-ounce serving of passion fruit juice contains almost 20 percent of your daily recommended allowance of vitamin A. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is instrumental in helping maintain keen eyesight, as well as healthy skin, tissues, cones and teeth.

Passion fruit juice is also a good source of vitamin C. While it doesn’t contain quite as much vitamin C as orange juice, one small 3-ounce serving contains 50 percent of the daily recommended allowance of the vitamin. Vitamin C helps maintain a healthy immune system, as well as helps to heal wounds, repair tissues, blood vessels, and cells, and repair teeth and cartilage.

This juice is a good source of potassium, particularly if you squeeze your own juice from raw passion fruit. Potassium is a key mineral for heart health, nerve health, maintaining healthy kidneys, as well as helps the muscles to contract properly. Potassium is also an electrolyte, meaning that it helps to conduct electricity in the body.

Aside from these nutrients, passion fruit juice is a source of iron, magnesium, phosphorous and copper. Iron is essential for maintaining healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the heart and around the body. Magnesium is an important mineral for the creation and use of proteins and energy. Phosphorous helps to form bones and teeth. Finally, copper plays a role in red blood cell formation, as well as helps to maintain the nerves, blood vessels, bones, and immune system.

Antioxidants

The vitamin A and C in passion fruit juice act as antioxidants. This juice also contains other, additional, antioxidants as well. Together, this collection of antioxidants helps to clear the body of free radicals that can cause damage to skin and tissue cells as well as cause cancer.

Fiber

Passion fruit juice is a good source of fiber, particularly if it is prepared from fresh fruit rather than bought processed from a store. Fiber helps add bulk to the stool, which helps you to pass waste more easily. Fiber also helps to remove cholesterol from your system as well as helps to prevent certain types of cancer, such as colon cancer. Leave the pulp in the juice to take advantage of the high amounts of fiber in the pulp.

Alkaloids

This juice is a good source of alkaloids, such as harman. This alkaloid has anti-spasmotic properties, as well as helps to calm the nerves and lower blood pressure. These alkaloids are the main reason why passion fruit juice is thought to be healthy for those with high blood pressure, and clinical studies back the usefulness of this juice for lowering blood pressure. The sedative properties of the alkaloids are also believed to help you fall asleep naturally, reducing the effects of anxiety and insomnia.

Phenolic Acids and Flavonoids

The phenolic acids ad flavonoids in passion fruit juice may help protect the heart, as well as kill germs.

Anti-Inflammatory Substances

Passion fruit juice has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce the symptoms of asthma. In addition, substances in passion fruit juice may block histamine, which is the main cause of allergies. Passion fruit juice may help relieve the symptoms of allergies by preventing nasal swelling as well.

These were the main health benefits of passion fruit juice. If you want them (yes you do! :) ) include passion fruit juice in your diet once in a while. Preferably homemade.

28 Feb

7 Health Benefits of Lemon Juice

Like most juice from fruits and vegetables, lemon juice has a a number of different health benefits associated with it. For centuries, it has been used for medicative and cosmetic use. For best results, you should make fresh lemon juice rather than relying on brands that can be purchased at stores.

Lemon Juice And Digestion

Lemon juice works wonders on the digestive system. When mixed with warm water, this lemon water mixture can help to relieve a number of stomach related problems, such as bloating and nausea. It also helps in the production of bile and can actually speed up the digestion process. If you frequently suffer from constipation, regular intake of lemon juice can help to relieve this condition.

Skin

Whether you are trying to combat wrinkles or want to remove scars and dark spots, lemon juice is the perfect cure. Consuming lemon juice provides the body with an excellent source of vitamin C, which is extremely beneficial to the skin. Vitamin C will help to reduce signs of aging, such as wrinkles, and can even reduce the amount of blackheads that appear. Mixing lemon with warm water and then applying it to the skin is a great way to remove certain blemishes and marks from the skin. It works wonders on scars and dark spots. However, lemon juice makes the skin more sensitive to the sun, so sunscreen should be applied before you venture outside.

Stress

Stress affects everyone, and you’ve probably suffered from a bad case yourself once or twice. Lemon juice can help relieve stress at the end of the day. Because of the soothing sent of lemon, applying the juice to the skin or drinking a cold glass of lemon water is the perfect way to unwind. It also provides the body with a boost of vitamin C, which will help to improve your body’s immunity.

Teeth

While some studies show that the acidic content found in lemon juice is damaging to tooth enamel, lemon juice can work wonders on toothaches and wounds found on gums. When applied directly to the pained area, lemon juice can help to eliminate pain. It can also help to cure gum wounds, which is extremely useful being that gum wounds can easily become infected by the dangerous bacteria found in the mouth.

Health Benefits Of Lemon Juice For Diabetes Patients

Drinking lemon juice has also been shown to provide immediate relief for those suffering from diabetes. Those suffering from diabetes should be given a cold glass if they are suffering from any stomach disorders associated with the condition.

Heart

Lemon juice is also extremely beneficial to the heart because of the citric acid and potassium it contains. Compared to other fruits, such as grapes and apples, lemon’s contain a significant amount of citric acid. Lemon juice also acts as a sedative and can help with palpitations of the heart.

Respiratory Benefits

Lemon juice also helps with respiratory problems. It has been shown to revive individuals suffering from asthma and can help those who are having difficulty breathing. In fact, lemon juice has such a significant impact on the respiratory system that many who have climbed Mount Everest successful claim it was only possible because lemon juice got them through when the air became too thin and it was difficult to breath.

The health benefits of lemon juice are endless, but in order to experience them, lemon juice needs to be consumed on a regular and continued basis.

17 Feb

Health Benefits of Tangerine Juice

Aside from being sweet and flavorful, tangerine juice has many benefits for your health. In terms of nutritional value and disease-fighting properties, tangerine juice has several advantages over orange juice. From protecting you from diseases and cancer to keeping you fuller longer, this juice has a health benefit for nearly everyone.

Nutritional Value – The Source Of The Health Benefits Of Tangerine Juice

Tangerine juice has all of the tangy flavor of orange juice but with added nutrition. This juice is an excellent source of many antioxidants, such as hesperetin, xanthins, lutein, beta-carotene, and narigenin. Anti-oxidants eliminate free radicals that can cause cancer, as well as fight aging. The anti-oxidant beta cryptoxanthin may reduce inflammation from arthritis. Lutein protects the eyes and helps you keep your eyesight sharp. The flavenoid tangeretin is a powerful agent that has been shown in studies to prevent skin cancer and helps stop the spread of breast-cancer cells. The flavonoids tangeretin and nobiletin have blood thinning and anti-inflammatory properties, which may reduce your risk of heart attacks.

Additionally, tangerine juice is chock-full of vitamin C, which boosts your immunity. Consuming adequate amounts of vitamin C helps your body fight infections from the common cold to the flu. In addition to helping increase your immune function, vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, and helps boost wound healing.

Tangerine juice contains folic acid and potassium, and it is also an excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which promotes regularity. Being regular has been proven to reduce your risk for developing some forms of cancer, such as colon cancer. The fiber also helps prevent your body from absorbing cholesterol. Fiber whisks some of the cholesterol content from your food out of your system, which can lower your blood levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol.

One serving of tangerine juice provides 20-percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. This is 10-times as much vitamin A as orange juice. Vitamin A is instrumental in protecting your eyesight, promoting immune function and bone and tissue health. The vitamin A in tangerine juice may also stimulate cell growth and cell division.

Antiseptic Properties

Tangerines have natural germ-fighting properties. Tangerine juice may help your body defend itself against an infection from the staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus is highly contagious and causes painful lesions and boils on the skin, particularly on the face or in other tender areas such as the groin or the armpits.

In addition to fighting harmful bacteria, the pectin in tangerine juice has been proven to help increase the number of beneficial bacteria in your intestines. These bacteria improve digestion and increases your body’s ability to defend against harmful bacteria which can cause inflammation and intestinal disorders. When harmful bacteria enter the gut, beneficial bacteria help usher the bad bacteria out of your system before they can cause an infection.

Diet Support

Tangerine juice is an excellent way to start your day if you are dieting. The fiber and carbohydrates in the juice help keep you feeling full, which will prevent over-indulgence later on. Additionally, the sweet finish of the tangerine flavor can help prevent the cravings for sugar that can derail a diet.

Starting your day with tangerine juice is a tasty and healthy way to boost your immunity, bolster your digestive and tissue health and protect your body against the ravages of cancer. Tangerine juice is powerful enough to do all of those things, yet it is so tangy-sweet and flavorful that you will forget all about its many health benefits and simply enjoy the flavor.

16 Feb

5 Health Benefits of Banana Juice

Whether you’re trying to lose weight or just have a healthier diet, banana juice has many health benefits that will get you to your goal. Bananas are often called a perfect food, and there are many reasons for that. Bananas are packed with vitamins and low in fat. While the health benefits of bananas could fill a list 20 pages long, here are five major health benefits to choosing banana juice the next time you’re thirsty.

Heart Health

Bananas are both high in potassium and low in salt, which makes them a power food for people concerned about heart disease or their blood pressure. Potassium is an important part of a healthy heart, and low levels have been linked to heart disease. Since most Americans aren’t getting their recommended daily amount of potassium, it puts them at risk for heart problems. One medium banana provides about 10% of the potassium you need in a day, so drinking banana juice a few times a day can help you hit your daily goal of 4 grams of potassium a day. In fact, the USDA feels so strongly about the connection between bananas and a healthy heart that they endorse bananas as a heart healthy food.

Mood Elevation

There are a million causes of stress in your life, and it can leave you feeling sad or overwhelmed at times. Next time you feel this way, reach for a glass of banana juice. Bananas are a natural source of tryptophan, which helps the body produce serotonin. Serotonin calms you and even has a slight tranquilizing effect. Bananas also contain large amounts of vitamin B6, which regulates your mood and is an important vitamin to help your body convert tryptophan to serotonin. Since your body doesn’t make tryptophan on its own, it’s important to get it through your diet, and drinking a glass of banana juice is one of the most simple and delicious ways to do that.

Diet Assistance

The high fiber of bananas make banana juice a great choice for you if you’re trying to get more fiber in your diet, especially if you’re trying to reach a weight loss goal. One medium banana gives you 16% of the daily fiber you need. That’s around the same amount of fiber as is in a fiber supplement, without the chalky aftertaste. Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet, and helps you lose weight, since it keeps you feeling full longer. Banana juice can be an important part of your diet, whether you’re trying to get healthy or achieve a weight loss goal.

Stomach Cure-All

Another benefit of fiber is helping regulate your digestive system. Whether you’re suffering from constipation, diarrhea or just indigestion, banana juice can help get you feeling back to normal. Mothers have long known the benefits of bananas for sufferers of the stomach flu, as a part of the BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) diet. Bananas also help to regulate stomach acid, and can help with morning sickness, indigestion and even ulcers.

A Natural Energy Drink

Banana juice is a great source of natural sugars, which provide a quick pick me up, and the fiber content means a sustained energy boost. The protein in bananas helps your heart and muscles work during exertion, and there’s no fat in a banana. That makes banana juice a perfect drink before you work out or in any situation where you need energy that comes on quick, stays for a while, and leaves you feeling great.

With all the chemicals, additives and supplements out there designed to replace a healthy diet, it’s easy to ignore the most simple solutions. A glass of banana juice is a quick, easy, healthy answer to a lot of health problems. Even if you’re just looking for a delicious drink, banana juice together with it’s health benefits is one choice you can make that doesn’t have a downside.

15 Feb

15 Health Benefits of Grapefruit Juice

Grapefruit is naturally high in vitamin C, vitamin A, lycopene, pectin, limonoids, and also contains many other health boosting nutrients in varying amounts and the consequence of all this nutrients are the numerous health benefits of grapefruit juice. You are what you eat. Like with any nutrient dense natural food, consuming grapefruit will be far more beneficial to your health than the high fat, high salt, and empty calories of so many staples of the American diet. The evidence that this fruit can also help prevent or even improve a number of serious health issues is well documented in numerous formal studies. Below is a list of many of the health issues it is known to have a positive impact on, accompanied by a brief description.

A List Of Health Benefits Of Grapefruit Juice

Appetite control

Pectin and other nutrients in grapefruit help you feel full and satisfied. This can help you resist the temptation to snack on unhealthy junk food and thus help you stick to a generally healthier diet.

Hydration

The high water content combined with pectin and other nutrients helps keep you adequately hydrated. This also aids in appetite control since many people mistake thirst for hunger and then eat when they really need to just drink something.

Helps reduce fatigue

Many people find it helps combat a feeling of fatigue. This is most likely due at least in part to keeping you hydrated and also in part due to the fact it is a generally nutrient dense food. The general recommendation is to drink a mix of grapefruit and lemon juice just before bedtime.

Weight loss

In part because it helps control appetite and helps keep you hydrated, grapefruit is well known to aid in weight loss. It is also low in calories.

Stabilizes blood sugar levels

Pectin helps stabilize blood sugar. This is beneficial for anyone with any blood sugar disorder, including diabetes, cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD), and functional hypoglycemia.

Liver tonic

It is known to help cleanse the liver, which can help the body cope more effectively with recovery from medication withdrawal, metal poisoning, and any other issue that puts stress on the liver.

Protects against prostate cancer

Numerous sources cite the benefits of naringenin in helping reduce the risk of prostate cancer. This substance is known to help the body repair damaged DNA, which is an important factor in this particular form of cancer. The high lycopene content is another reason it helps protect the body against developing prostate cancer.

Protects against colon cancer

The high levels of vitamin C are particularly helpful in reducing the risk of getting colon cancer.

Protects against other cancers generally

Grapefruit is rich in antioxidants which combat free radicals in the body, thus reducing the risk of developing cancers of all kinds.

Grapefruit helps protect against the flu and other viral infections

Grapefruit helps correct the PH balance of the body. Viral infections do not thrive in a body that has the correct PH value. Thus it helps protect against and kill off viral infections, including the flu and the common cold.

Helps protect against high cholesterol levels

It helps reduce blood levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and thus slows the progression of atherosclerosis.

Helps prevent gallstones and kidney stones

A study in the “British Journal of Nutrition” found that grapefruit helps reduce the risk of forming calcium oxalate stones.

Helps alleviate the symptoms of various inflammatory disorders, some of which are quite debilitating conditions

This fruit has anti-inflammatory properties which helps relieve the symptoms of inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It’s positive impact on PH balance is one of the reasons it works as an anti-inflammatory.

Relieves arthritis

Helps the body remove inorganic calcium which can accumulate in the joints. This is a factor in arthritis. Arthritis is also an inflammatory condition, thus it also benefits from the various anti-inflammatory properties of this fruit.

Helps alleviate fever

It is helpful in bringing down fever and making you more comfortable during a fever, possibly due to improved hydration.

These were fifteen most common and well known health benefits of grapefruit juice. Since this juice is really easy to make and since grapefruits are easily obtainable there is no reason why you don’t make yourself a glass of fresh homemade grapefruit juice every once in a while.

14 Feb

Health Benefits of Lychee Juice

Though the lychee, a fruit from the soapberry family that is native to China and Southeast Asia, appears to be inedible due to its tough, spiny exterior, it actually harbors numerous proven health benefits once the outer shell is cracked open. Inside is a soft, supple white flesh that is home to many different vitamins and minerals that work to improve a person’s overall health.

Nutritional Benefits

The nutritional benefits of eating a lychee or drinking lychee juice are well documented, and start with its plentiful supply of Vitamin C. Each normal sized fruit or glass of juice contains 72 mg of Vitamin C, which meets or exceeds the daily amount recommended for adults all in one serving. Vitamin C is known to help bolster the immune system, and also helps heal wounds, repair scar tissue and form blood vessels essential to the body.

Calcium is another beneficial ingredient of lychee juice. A regular serving contains up to 5 mg of calcium, which is necessary to help build and maintain strong bones and other functions in the body. Other daily nutritional values satisfied by a serving of lychee juice include Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B6, which are necessary to normal function and energy in adults. A single serving of lychee juice also contains 171 mg of potassium, 31 mg of phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium and selenium.

The juice of the lychee is also packed with dietary fiber, which helps promote heart health as well as aid in digestion. People are encouraged to have a minimum of 25 grams of fiber in their diet every day, and lychee juice contains as much fiber as an apple with even more taste. The juice is also totally free of artery-clogging cholesterol and is also low in both sodium and saturated fats. And, since a cup of lychee contains only about 120 calories, it is also a very healthy food for those watching their waistlines.

Medical Benefits

In addition to being packed full of essential nutrients, lychee juice is also used for a variety of medical applications. Many of these medical uses have been in place for thousands of years, ever since the fruit was originally used by those in the ancient Chinese culture. More recently, research published in 2006 in the “Journal of Nutrition” showed that the fruit’s high concentration of polyphenol, an antioxidant, gives it qualities that help protect a person from cardiovascular disease and different forms of cancer. In fact, the study showed that lychees rank only behind strawberries in concentration of polyphenol.

Lychee juice and the fruit itself have been used in Asia and beyond as alternative medical treatments for problems relating to digestion, pain relief and even in fighting the growth of cancer cells in the breasts and liver. Many also believe that lychee juice can help stop coughing and have positive effects on tumors and enlarged glands. The ancient Chinese also used the fruit and its juices to promote positive energy circulation in the body and promote general, overall well-being.

No matter how you consume it, whether in juice form or in fruit form, lychee is a wonderful fruit to have around. The taste is divine, the fruit is succulent and with all the added health benefits of lychee juice, there’s nothing to lose from indulging in lychee juice daily.