Vitamin E – Juice Health Benefits & Recipes

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 Feb

What Are Antioxidants?

Most people have heard of antioxidants and their relationship to free radicals but what exactly is it all about? Where do antioxidants come from? How do they benefit us? And can there be such a thing as too many antioxidants?

What are antioxidants?

An antioxidant, as its name implies, is a molecule that counteracts the process of oxidation in animal tissue. Antioxidants can either be nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, or enzymes, proteins occurring naturally in the body to aid with chemical processes.

How are they formed?

Some antioxidants occur naturally within the body, whilst others need to be ingested. Those that occur naturally include lipoic acid, and CoQ10. However, levels of these declines as we age, so supplements are often needed.

The most common antioxidants are Vitamins A, C and E. As our bodies cannot manufacture these vitamins themselves, they have to be acquired through diet and/or supplements.

How and why do they affect our bodies?

Our bodies are remarkable in that millions of processes are occurring at any one time. In order for these processes to happen, the body needs oxygen as a power source. Unfortunately, these processes cause a powerful and destructive side effect in the form of oxidants, which are better known as free radicals. Antioxidants protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals.

Free radicals are highly unstable molecules that are formed as a by-product of our body’s natural metabolism. They are also a result of environmental factors such as sun exposure, smoking, pollution, and radiation. The same process of oxidation that causes rust, breaking down and weakening metal, occurs in our bodies, producing free radicals.

How do antioxidants fight free radicals?

Free radicals are thought to be the cause of degradation within our bodies, leading to premature ageing, heart disease, and cancer. Because free radicals are so unstable, they attack molecules in our body, causing a chain reaction which makes that molecule become a free radical also, leading to the eventual death of a cell.

Antioxidants work by attaching themselves to free radicals without becoming a free radical themselves, and so breaking the chain reaction. Antioxidants instead neutralize the free radical by either donating or receiving an electron. Once complete, the process stop cellular damage before it starts.

However, as soon as an antioxidant neutralizes a free radical, it becomes inactive itself. Because of this, it’s important to maintain a good supply of antioxidants.

Different antioxidants

There are several types of antioxidants, all of which hold a unique function:

• Vitamin A and beta-carotene – these water soluble vitamins are thought to be the best neutralizer of an uncharged form of oxygen that is very toxic to cells.

• Vitamin C is another water soluble vitamin that works alongside vitamin E to hunt and neutralize free radicals within the more watery environments in the body, and especially within cells themselves.

• Vitamin E – unlike vitamins A and C, vitamin E is fat soluble, which means it can only dissolve in fat. Because of this, Vitamin E protects cell membranes from damage by free radicals. It is also of particular benefit to cholesterol levels by protecting oxidation from occurring within LDLs, or ‘bad’ cholesterol.

• Selenium, manganese and zinc. These minerals are trace elements our bodies need to survive, and are our primary line of defense when it comes to destroying free radicals.

• CoEnzyme Q10, uric acid, and phytochemicals. These are extra nutrients that have antioxidant properties, protecting the body from free radicals.

So what are the most common sources of antioxidants?

Antioxidants are found in abundance in fruit and vegetables, as well as grains and beans. Fruit and vegetables in particular, are so recognized in the fight against free radicals, that health and food departments globally now recommend that people eat five portions of fruit and vegetables everyday as part of the fight against cancer.

As mentioned before, our bodies cannot manufacture most forms of antioxidants, and even those we can make ourselves are reduced as we age. Therefore, it’s important to know how to increase our intake of these compounds and thus reduce the risk of free radical damage as much as possible.

• Vitamin A is found in carrots, sweet potatoes, yams, kale, peaches and apricots.

• Vitamin C is particularly abundant in citrus fruits including oranges, lemons, lime and grapefruit. It is also found in high quantities in green leafy vegetables.

• Vitamin E can be found mostly in whole grain, nuts and seeds.

• Selenium is found in large quantities in fish, grains, eggs and red meat.

• Phytochemicals are found in purple grapes and red wine, and are also in large amounts in tea.

Is it possible to have too many antioxidants?

As with most things, it is possible to have too much antioxidants – too much of a good thing. Studies have shown that problems can arise if one nutrient is excessively high, for example, excess levels of beta-carotene can turn the skin orange.

17 Jan

Which Fruit Has The Most Vitamin E?

What Is Vitamin E?

Contrary to popular belief, Vitamin E is not a single substance. In fact, it is a group of compounds that are fat-soluble and contain active antioxidants that protect the human body from free radicals that increase the risk of deadly diseases such as cancer and heart disease. It is found naturally in certain foods and added to others. In addition, Vitamin E is offered as a dietary supplement for those looking to lose weight. There are eight different forms of Vitamin E, each of which has its own function. Broken down from eight, there are four tocopherols and four tocotrienols; there is an alpha, beta, gamma and delta of each.

Of the eight different variations of Vitamin E, the only one that is actively maintained in the body of a human is alpha-tocopherol. In addition, alpha-tocopherol is the form of Vitamin E with the greatest nutritional value for humans. It is found primarily in sunflower, wheat germ and safflower oils. Each person has a daily recommended intake of Vitamin E; for adults over the age of 14 the recommended daily intake is 15 mg.

Too Much of a Good Thing? Vitamin E has Positive and Negative Health Effects

A Vitamin E deficiency may result in illness and disease such as neuropathy, retinopathy and even skeletal myopathy. Vitamin E deficiency most commonly has negative effects on the eyes and the nervous system. In addition, a deficiency of Vitamin D is also associated with higher risk of heart disease and certain forms of cancer.

While there are risks associated with not having enough Vitamin E, there are also risks from having too much; anyone that has more than 1000 mg of Vitamin E per day is at risk for bleeding problems, some associated with the brain. In short, Vitamin E is necessary to protect the body from disease, but taken in excess its nutritional value is replaced with dangerous bleeding conditions.

Health Benefits of Durian Juice

In Chinese, the Durian is known as “Liu lian” (Mandarin for “unwillingness to leave”) as named by Zheng He, the Chinese sailor of the Ming Dynasty who discovered this wonderful fruit in 15th Century. From that day until today, this fruit has reigned supreme throughout the world for its taste, health benefits and special medicinal properties.

What Are The Main Health Benefits Of Durian Juice?

You do not eat this fruit or drink its juice because you know about the health benefits of durian juice it offers. You eat it out of pleasure for it is tasty, has an exotic smell (though not everyone really loves its very unusual smell), and makes you feel completely refreshed. So, even if you do not know anything about its amazing properties, you will still be a fan of this strange yet remarkable fruit.

Let us see why this fruit is called the ‘King of Fruits’. By the way, the ‘Queen of Fruits’ label is given to the mangosteen, which is maybe the only other fruit that can match the durian in health benefits.

A Complete Meal

You will find a complete meal and then some in the durian – vitamins, minerals, calories, carbohydrates, organosulfur compounds and tryptophan. However, it has absolutely no cholesterol. This is one of the greatest health benefits of durian juice; it can banish malnutrition.

Durian Strengthens Your Heart

The organosulfur compounds in this fruit prevents heart attack by inhibiting the formation of blood clots. At the same time its anti-inflammatory enzymes will protect you from any type of cardiovascular diseases.

Durian Is Also An Excellent Muscle Mass Builder

The same organosulfur compounds will balance your blood sugar, repair your muscles, decrease pain and muscle stiffness and facilitate joint flexibility.

Improve Your Sleep Quality With Durian Juice

The health benefits of durian juice extend to the quality of your sleep. If you have a history of insomnia, anxiety, nightmares, you will experience a miraculous recovery. The tryptophan in the durian will help you get better sleep and you will feel calmer.

Treats mental conditions

The durian juice is used for treating Parkinson’s disease and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Durian Juice Treats Depression

Are you depressed, stressed, suffering from anxiety? Do you feel suicidal? Is your body paining without any reason? One of the health benefits of durian juice is to raise the levels of serotonin, which fights depression, and creates an inbuilt feel-good mood.

You Will Look Younger, Feel Healthier

One among the many exceptional health benefits of durian juice is that it reverses aging signs. Regular consumption of this fruit juice will have your skin look more youthful. At the same time you will feel energized, strong and young.

You Look More Beautiful

There is a high content of Vitamin E, raw oleic fats, soft proteins and sulfur compounds in the juice of the durian. This will make you look beautiful, young and renewed from inside; vibrant with energy.

Durian Juice Cleans Your Blood Of Impurities

One other among the leading health benefits of durian juice is that it will detoxify your blood. When you eat this fruit and/ or drink the juice you will find a pure smell emanating from your body. Even the smell of you urine will change; you will find that the urine has a light scented smell close to that of the fruit.

It Will Increase Your Strength

The durian juice contains a very high concentration of protein; in fact there are very few fruits that can match it in protein content. Hence, this will enhance your muscle mass and also your strength. This is a great aid for bodybuilders and athletes as well.

You Will Recover Faster After Childbirth

Durian juice is an excellent tonic for post-partum mothers. It treats depression, balances hormone production, helps healing of the uterus, and enhances milk flow.

Lots Of Vitamins And Minerals

One among the many, many health benefits of durian juice is the high content of vitamins. You will gain thiamin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, niacin, Vitamin C, retinol, riboflavin and folic acid among others. Among minerals this fruit gives you iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, sodium, copper and manganese among others.

These are only a few of the health benefits of durian juice that you can enjoy. You will discover many more once you introduce this phenomenal fruit into your daily diet.

02 Dec

Health Benefits Of Kiwi Juice: Kiwi Juice To The Rescue!

Your mother always told you to eat your greens, but there is one green you might not have known she was talking about. The kiwi fruit is the new, healthful food your body has been craving. It’s out with the Acai berries and pomegranates and in with the kiwis! The kiwi fruit is chalked full of nutrients, including Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, copper, antioxidants, and fiber. Drinking your kiwi juice everyday is a great way to make sure you don’t miss out on the health benefits of kiwi juice that are a result of these important vitamins, minerals, and more.

More Vitamin C Than Orange Juice

When people are looking for Vitamin C, they often reach for a tall glass of orange juice, but kiwi juice is actually a better option, as it has twice the amount of Vitamin C. So when it comes to health benefits of kiwi juice, Vitamin C is right there at the top of the reason why this juice is good for you. Vitamin C is famous for being an immune system pick-me-up, but along with fighting the common cold, Vitamin C can help protect our bodies from heavy metals, pollution, and assists in detoxifying our bodies from the inside out. Even with all that protection, Vitamin C still does more. Vitamin C helps our cells heal, provides support for good digestive bacteria, as well as helps our bodies absorb iron. So, if you happen to be fighting anemia or low on iron, be sure to drink your kiwi juice with your daily iron pills or iron-rich food (like raisins) so that your body doesn’t miss out on any of the iron you’re feeding it.

Magnesium and Potassium Are Also To “Blame” For The Health Benefits Of Kiwi Juice

Kiwis are also great sources of the minerals that your body just can’t get enough of, such as magnesium and potassium. Magnesium, although essential, is often left out of many of today’s diets. The element can help diminish the incidence of kidney stones, as well as protect against heart disease and high blood pressure. Getting enough magnesium can also help the body’s muscles relax efficiently.

An extra dose of potassium is another benefit of having your daily helping of kiwi juice. Potassium is crucial for the normal function of major body organs like the kidney and heart. Increase your intake of potassium and you can effectively decrease your chances of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, cancer, digestive disorders, and infertility. Who could possibly ask for anything more?

Kiwi Juice Is Full Of Antioxidants And Fiber

Well, even if you aren’t asking for more, you are going to get it with the kiwi. Kiwi juice is a great way to slurp your way to more antioxidants and fiber in your daily diet. Antioxidants help repair damage to your cells as well as prevent more damage from occurring. Some of the damage that they interfere with is the damage from free radicals which can lead to diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Fiber can lead the body to lower blood cholesterol and healthy digestion that helps with weight management.

No longer will you associate green and fuzzy to Oscar the Grouch but to your new go-to food, Kiwi the Healthful Fruit. Harvest all the health benefits of kiwi juice and gulp down your glass of this green juice and give your body the care it needs and deserves.

Juice Health Benefits & Recipes

Health benefits of natural juices and recipes for making them

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