Lycopene

21 Mar

Watermelon Juice Side Effects From Drinking Too Much Of It

Watermelon is enjoyed by many people and is an especially refreshing treat during the summer months. While most people enjoy the watermelon fruit, watermelon juice is just as nutritious and refreshing, and it can be consumed by itself or used to add flavoring to recipes and other beverages. However, as with many foods, excessive consumption of watermelon juice can lead to adverse side effects. Watermelon juice side effects may include gastrointestinal disturbance, cardiovascular disruption in hyperkalemia patients, a decrease in aortic blood pressure in those with prehypertension, as well as common food allergy symptoms.

Watermelon juice is rich in lycopene, an antioxidant which gives the juice its color and is believed to have health benefits. However, drinking too much watermelon juice can result in consuming too much lycopene, which may cause gastrointestinal disturbance. Lycopene-induced symptoms may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and bloating. Health professionals generally recommend consuming less than 30 mg of lycopene to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort.

Watermelon Juice Side Effects For People Diagnosed With Hyperkalemia

Drinking large amounts of watermelon juice may also cause side effects in people who who have been diagnosed with hyperkalemia, or too much potassium in the bloodstream. Hyperkalemia can result in serious cardiovascular problems, such as irregular heartbeat, absent or weak pulse, and cardiac arrest. Hyperkalemia may also affect nerve and muscular control.

When potassium levels are excessive, the kidneys work to remove excess potassium from the body, which may result in kidney malfunction. For a person who has hyperkalemia, a typical wedge of watermelon can cause complications. In this case, it is best to limit consumption of watermelon juice to smaller portions, ideally less than a one cup serving. Because watermelon juice causes blood vessel relaxation, patients with prehypertension may also experience a drop in blood pressure in the aorta.

Allergic Reaction to Watermelon Juice

As with virtually all plant foods, some people may experience an allergic reaction to watermelon juice. Particularly, those who are allergic to latex, celery, cucumbers, or carrots may also find that they are allergic to watermelon juice. Symptoms of allergy can range from moderate to severe and may include hives, facial swelling, anaphylaxis, and diarrhea.

Watermelon juice can generally be enjoyed by everyone. However, excessive consumption may cause watermelon juice side effects. People who have been diagnosed with health conditions such as hyperkalemia, prehypertension, or certain food allergies should especially use caution when consuming watermelon products.

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.

23 Feb

Tomato Juice Side Effects: Can You Drink Too Much Tomato Juice?

Several possible side effects are notorious for accompanying excessive amounts of tomato juice. The main side effect of consuming tomato juice too often is a spike in sodium levels. Ingesting tomato juice too often can drastically increase your body’s sodium intake. While sodium is an essential mineral that promotes a healthy heart and assists in proper function of your muscles, abundant amounts can be dangerous. Health experts warn that a high-sodium diet can contribute to heart and blood pressure issues. Some of the most severe, lasting side effects of a long-term, high-sodium diet is the possibility of critical health conditions.

Tomato Juice Side Effects: Too Much Sodium

Professionals state that the kidneys are responsible for processing sodium. Therefore, too much sodium prevents proper kidney function and can lead to hypertension. Nutritionists stress that at some point further down the line, hypertension can result in numerous medical concerns such as stroke, kidney disease and more. Too much sodium can easily contribute to things like hypertension which can result in immense health issues. Clearly, tomato juice side effects can lead to detrimental aftermath.

Copious amounts of tomato juice can also lead to major discomfort such as heartburn, bloating from the high amounts of sodium and has the potential for intestinal and digestive complications.

Tomato Juice Is Acidic

It’s common knowledge that tomato juice is quite acidic and therefore, can cause damage to vital, internal organs like your esophagus. It’s obvious that too much tomato juice can lead to some health issues and discomfort.

Skin Coloring

Other tomato juice side effects include external effects such as skin coloring. Health professionals explain that tomatoes and tomato products are rich in a compound known as lycopene, which gives tomatoes their color.

According to Yahoo!, there was a study conducted on a “middle-aged woman” who drank tremendous amounts of tomato juice for an extended period of time and consequently, achieved a yellow-orange skin color as a result of high intakes of lycopene (study). However, after a few weeks of a lycopene free diet, her skin was shown to go back to its normal color. Lycopene can have adverse results if one is unknowingly allergic to it. As with most cases of allergic reactions to products, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and other side effects can occur.

All of the tomato juice side effects mentioned above can be quite uncomfortable and stressful to deal with. Allergic reactions to certain ingredients found in tomato juice can be adverse. The long-term, future side effects due to mass consumption of tomato juice can be rather severe and life-changing. However, all of these side effects can be avoided if one is aware of their food and beverage allergies, keeps track of their sodium levels and follows the general guideline of consuming everything in moderation since for this side effects to appear you would have to drink quite large quantities of tomato juice on regular basis.

04 Feb

Health Benefits Of Papaya Juice

Papaya is the most famous fruit of the tropics. It’s also a highly beneficial fruit. Juice made from the papaya is loaded with disease-fighting enzymes and nutrients that have people buzzing. It’s believed that papaya juice offers many health benefits, from aiding heart health to offering a rare enzyme that prevents and fights cancer.

In its most simple terms, juice made from papaya is packed with proteolytic enzymes. These helpful chemicals aid the stomach in digesting protein. A small glass of papaya juice before eating a burger or a bucket of chicken will help the stomach process that dinner. The enzyme papain, which is extracted from papaya, is used in meat tenderizers.

A Fountain of Youth

Papaya juice also restores normal bacteria in the stomach which helps digestion. It prevents bloating and indigestion.

Food researchers believe that papaya juice has rejuvenation properties. Call it Ponce de Leon’s fountain of youth in a glass.

The belief is that papaya juice helps the body with digestion. Proper digestion helps release all the good vitamins and nutrients that the body needs. When the body has use of all these vitamins, enzymes and nutrients, people feel and look better. That in itself is a strong reason to add papaya juice to a daily diet regimen.

Papaya Lycopene Fights Cancer

This juice is loaded with antioxidants that get rid of free radicals and prevent cancer. The fiber in a glass of papaya juice will bind toxins that cause cancer. Papaya juice has the rare antioxidant lycopene which has a quality to fight and prevent cancer.

Good For Heart Health

Inside, the papaya is colored yellow or orange. This deep and rich color is an indication of high amounts of beta carotene. A four ounce glass of papaya juice is packed with 82 mg of vitamin C.

Papaya juice is packed with fiber, magnesium, potassium and pantothenic acid, which help improve cardiovascular health.

The oxidation of cholesterol is stopped by these elements, preventing cholesterol from sticking to artery walls and causing high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks. The enzyme carpain is found in papaya, and that’s good for the heart.

Papaya Enzymes Relieve Inflammation

The enzymes chymopapain and papain act as anti-inflammatory agents and lessen inflammation in the body. Both internal and external inflammation are reduced by drinking papaya juice. This is good news for people who suffer from inflammatory diseases like osteoarthritis, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Papaya juice can ease inflamed joints and provide relief from pain.

Improves the Immune System

These same enzymes weaken invading viruses and bacteria in the body, making them more susceptible to attack and elimination by the body’s defensive systems.

Vitamins A and C are found in great amounts in papaya juice and act as aids to the body’s immune system. This helps to prevent flu and colds.

Helps Vision

These vitamins A and C, along with vitamin E, create an antioxidant that may prevent vision loss. As people age, macular degeneration sets in as a degenerative disease. Three servings of papaya juice daily can help maintain good vision.

Other health benefits of papaya juice include relief from edema and urinary tract problems. The nutrients in papaya improve milk flow for lactating mothers. Skin problems, such as corns, warts, acne and pimples, are helped. Male fertility is enhanced with the aginine found in papaya juice.

Here’s a great way to drink a glass of healthy papaya juice. Take one cup of chopped papaya, one-half cup of cold water and four ice cubes, and throw it all in a blender. Mix the blend until it’s thick and smooth. Pour it into a glass, and add a teaspoon of honey. Add a pinch of cinnamon for good effect. Mix well and drink.

24 Jan

Which Fruit Has The Most Lycopene?

What is Lycopene?

Lycopene is a red, fat-soluble pigment from the carotenoid family that can be found in certain fruits and vegetables. Lycopene aids in photosynthesis by serving as a light-gathering pigment while protecting plants from some of the more toxic effects of oxygen and light. It is most commonly found in fruits and vegetables with a red or reddish color such as tomatoes, watermelon, red carrots and papayas. Interestingly enough, it is not found in strawberries or cherries despite the fact that both fruits are well-known for their deep red color. Unlike other carotenoids, lycopene has no vitamin A activity.

Lycopene in Our Body

The benefits of lycopene to the plants and microorganisms in which it is found are obvious, but the pigment can also be very beneficial for us as well. First of all, lycopene is a very powerful antioxidant, meaning that it neutralizes harmful free radicals that have been known to contribute to cardiovascular disease, cancer and age-related diseases such as macular degeneration. Studies have shown that a diet rich in lycopene or a regiment of lycopene supplements may be especially effective in preventing prostate, lung and stomach cancer. One study performed by Harvard found that men who ate at least two servings of tomato sauce a week were up to 36 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who ate less than one serving per month. Like nearly all foods made from tomatoes, tomato sauce is of course high in lycopene.

Lycopene is said to be generally safe. There do seem to be some side effects of having too much lycopene in one’s system, the most significant of which seems to be the way in which it can interfere with chemotherapy or other cancer treatments. A high concentration of lycopene or other carotenoids can result in the substance acting as a free radical, which may contribute to lung cancer in smokers.

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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