mojo – Page 24 – Juice Health Benefits & Recipes

24 Nov

Health Benefits Of Plum Juice – Constipation, Antioxidants, Heart Rhythm And More

Plum juice also known more commonly as prune juice is created by softening prunes by steaming and squeezing them with a pulping tool to create liquid purees. Plum juice has always been a popular natural juice enjoyed in some countries around the world but with the discovery of the many health benefits of plum juice, it has become an important nutrient source for many people worldwide who want a healthy substitute to artificial drinks or juices.

Prunes are now cultivated more for their juices than for the consumption of the fruits because of their numerous health benefits.

Health Benefits Of Plum Juice

Constipation Treatment

One of the biggest health benefits of plum juice is its ability to treat constipation by helping in the transportation of liquids to the intestine because of sugars such as sucrose, fructose, and sorbitol thereby softening stool and aiding in bowel movement. Plum juice also contains dihydropheylisatin which is a natural laxative that helps in muscle contractions.

Rich Source of Fiber

The nutrient in plums that further proves their positive effect is soluble fiber. According to the USRDA, 12.1% of soluble fiber helps in normalizing blood sugar and lowering the body’s intake of glucose or sugar. Some studies have also been conducted and have shown how soluble fiber can help in producing insulin which in turn decreases the chances of contracting diabetes.

Antioxidant Source

Among the important benefits of plum juice is its richness in antioxidants that help in warding off free radicals. Free radicals cause damage to the body and are one of the biggest causes of aging.

Two of the main antioxidants found in plum juice are phenols and beta-carotenes. Phenols block free radicals that are oxygen-based to prevent them from damaging the fats in the body. This helps keep the membranes of brain cells and skin cells healthy because these are composed mostly of fats. Beta-carotene on the other hand is a form of vitamin A that helps protect the body from the damages caused by free radicals such as aging and diseases including heart disease and cancer.

Acidity Control

There is a Chinese form of sour plum juice known as ‘suanmeitang’ that controls the buildup of lactic acid to help reduce acidity. Although its acidity benefits are not considered one of the popular health benefits of plum juice, the suanmeitang is very popular in oriental countries and is even being introduced in Western countries as well.

Heart Rhythm

The high levels of potassium in plum juice make it beneficial for people suffering from high blood pressure or those who are likely to suffer from stroke. In addition, the high potassium levels of plum juice helps in regulating normal heart rhythm. This is one of the main benefits for heart disease sufferers.

Regulated Blood Sugar Levels

Unlike other sources of sugar, plum juice has a higher level of natural sweetening agents such as sorbitol and fructose compared to sucrose making it a good substitute for sweet juices that cause huge spikes in blood sugar levels. The high amount of soluble fiber also helps in stabilizing blood sugar and improves cholesterol levels. Furthermore, the sweet nature of plum juice makes it advisable as a drink for people who worry about high blood sugar levels because it can keep sugar cravings low throughout the day. The regulation of blood sugar is not among the biggest health benefits of plum juice because natural juice always has more sugar than fruit. It is more advisable to eat prunes instead. However, compared to other natural juices, plum juice has among the least sugar count.

Weight Loss

Plum juice also aids people wanting to lose weight. Plum juice is advisable for these people because intake of this juice can help satisfy appetite faster and curb overeating. This helps dieters from consuming more unhealthy food that may cause disastrous effects on their diet. However, like all other things, plum juice should be taken in moderation because it also contains calories that may boost weight when taken excessively.

Prevention of Chronic Diseases

The abundance of phenols is one of the main health benefits of plum juice because this antioxidant can help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer and heart diseases. Chronic diseases caused by LDL oxidation is curbed because of the production of 2 main types of phenolic compounds in plum juice – chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acids.

24 Nov

Health Benefits Of Raspberry Juice

Raspberry juice is one of those juices that are not only delicious to drink, but also offer you lots of various benefits, so if you want to know what are the health benefits of raspberry juice read on! Let us now take a closer look at the 100% pure undiluted raspberry juice itself to see what it’s made of and how it benefits your health.

Raspberry Juice Is Rich In Antioxidants

Out of the different colors of raspberries out there, we shall focus on red raspberry juice here. Being part of the berry family, it is rich in antioxidants that protect your cells from free radicals, thus delaying the aging process. Antioxidants play their role in reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease, since less ‘oxidation’ by unstable free radicals equals less cell damage, which translates to these benefits to your body.

High Vitamin and Mineral Content Is Responsible For Many Of The Health Benefits Of Raspberry Juice

There are also vitamins and minerals found in raspberry juice, which include vitamins B and C, dietary fiber, folic acid, magnesium, manganese potassium, calcium, phosphorus and zinc. The high vitamin C content of raspberry juice has anti-histamine effects to help minimize the allergic reactions in our bodies to certain foods or substances. Consuming just a Ľ cup serving of raspberry juice would already provide 30mg of vitamin C, meeting 50% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA).

Rich in Phytonutrients And A Natural Pain Killer

In addition to these nutrients, the health benefits of raspberry juice come from it being rich in phytonutrients such as anthocyanins, ellagic acid, salicylic acid, quercitin, and cathechins. The bright and deep red color in raspberry juice comes from the anthocyanin pigments. Research also shows that anthocyanins provide strong antioxidant properties, and are linked to improving your eyesight, preventing cancer, slowing the ageing process and loss of physical motor skills and mental memory, improving blood circulation, and even controlling diabetes. The antioxidant strength of anthocyanins was shown to be even stronger than vitamin E in some tests, where anthocyanins play a role in inhibiting 2 enzymes produced in our body, called COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 is used to transmit messages for basic body maintenance functions, while COX-2 is used for pain signals and inflammation. By being able to naturally block or inhibit these 2 COX enzymes, raspberry juice in fact can function as a natural pain killer similar to ibuprofen or naproxen, and best of all without the side effects of drugs, being a natural fruit juice.

Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity

The antioxidant potency of raspberry juice is measured using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). ORAC measures how much time it takes for antioxidants to do their job in preventing oxidation. In general, research shows that people who consume a lot of fruits and vegetables with high ORAC values would protect their bodies better through these antioxidants. The ORAC value of raspberry juice measures about 4900 ORAC units per 100 grams. This makes raspberry juice among the top-ranked antioxidant fruits, and comparable to its other berry siblings such as cranberries and blueberries.

Raspberry Juice And Anti-cancer Properties

Pure raspberry juice is rich in ellagic acid, which is famous for its anti-cancer properties. This comes from the fact that ellagic acid is a phenolic compound, which has strong anti-carcinogenic characteristics that prevent and inhibit mutations in our cells that could potentially become cancerous. While research on cancer is still widespread and subjective, ellagic acid as a plant phenol has been rated as one of the most powerful ways of preventing cancer and slowing cancer cell growth. It does this by ‘binding’ to the cancer-causing chemicals, making them inactive and unable to mutate further when bacteria are present. This binding by ellagic acid also prevents carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals) from binding to our DNA, which further helps in preventing cell damage, mutations, and cancer.

The strong anti-cancer properties of raspberry juice are also boosted by quercetin, which is a flavenol renowned as an antioxidant, as well as for its anti-carcinogenic and anti-histamine properties. A serving of 100 grams of juice provides about 12 mg of quercetin.

Protects Your Heart As A Natural Aspirin

Also being abundant in salicylic acid, raspberry juice has the same effects in protecting against heart disease like aspirin. Aspirin also helps in preventing the hardening of arteries known as arteriosclerosis, while also reducing the risk of Parkinson’s disease in later life. With about 5 mg of salicylic acid found in about 100 grams of red raspberries, raspberry juice certainly provides many healthy benefits without the dangerous side effects typical of drugs and medicines.

Low Calories

With a low glycemic index below 60, you can safely consume raspberry juice without fear of piling on calories unhealthily.

We can now conclude that the health benefits of raspberry juice are indeed amazing. Do make sure to drink more of this fruit juice to enjoy its health benefits as a powerful antioxidant with anti-aging, anti-cancer and antihistamine properties. Do not forget raspberry juice is also a natural pain killer, capable of protecting your heart health as well.

23 Nov

Pineapple Piña Colada Recipe

We usually don’t post juice recipes that have alcohol in them on this site, but maybe we can make an exception. This pineapple juice recipe is pretty easy to make and is one of the most popular drinks in Hawaii. Delicious, healthy, and fun to drink, the piña colada is perfect after a long day’s work or a relaxing moment by the beach.

Piña Colada Ingredients:

1.5-3 oz light rum (depends on preferred alcohol content)
3 tbsp coconut cream
3 tbsp crushed pineapples or 2 oz pineapple juice
1 cup crushed ice
Pineapple wedge & maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients in the blender along with 1 cup of crushed ice.
Blend at a high speed for a brief period of time.
Pour mixture into a clear glass, garnish with a slice of fresh pineapple & cherry, and serve with a straw.

23 Nov

Need To Know Facts About The Health Benefits Of Pineapple Juice

The health benefits of pineapple juice are undeniable. It contains high levels of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. Numerous experts tout the physical rewards of drinking fresh pineapple juice on a daily basis for alleviating symptoms of certain ailments, such as arthritis, post-operation swelling, heart disease, and diabetes. Even with this concise information there may be people who have reservations. There is conclusive evidence that pineapple juice contains significant amounts of vitamin C, bromelain, potassium, and thiamine. The above mentioned ingredients benefits the human body when utilized correctly, which in turn proves that pineapple juice is beneficial as well.

Health Benefits Of Vitamin C

Vitamin C has long been utilized as an immunity booster, as well as a stimulator of collagen production, which aids in tissue repair and overall health of skin. In addition, vitamin C aids in metabolizing fats and increasing the body’s absorption of iron. A recent study in the, “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition”, revealed that participants with the highest concentrations of vitamin C in their blood were linked with 42% reduced risk of stroke, as opposed to those with decreased concentrations. Many physicians agree that a high level of vitamin C in the blood is a clear marker of overall satisfactory health. Vitamin C is one of the first nutrients to be depleted in individuals who abuse alcohol, smoke, and are under a significant amount of stress, which is why a person with high levels of vitamin C will, more likely than not, be in good overall health.

Health Benefits Of Bromelain

Bromelain, or otherwise known as bromelin, is an enzyme that is found naturally in pineapple juice and is also taken as a supplement by those with digestive issues because of it’s efficiency in that regard. In some cases, oncologists recommend bromelain to their patients because of it’s effectiveness in breaking down proteins in the body. Bromelain has shown to improve illnesses related to internal inflammation; for example, arthritis, colitis, and asthma, which are diseases that can cause severe debilitation. A six-month research study performed on mice with experimental colitis showed promising results. The mice were treated with bromelain purified from the stem or fresh juice of a pineapple and the severity of their colon inflammation was substantially reduced. It must be noted that bromelain can only be found in fresh, ripe pineapples because it is likely to be destroyed when introduced to heat, which is why bromelain cannot be found in canned pineapples.

Health Benefits Of Potassium

Potassium is a vital mineral that can be found in all plant and animal life, and is especially abundant in soil, seawater, as well as in fruits and vegetables – including pineapple juice. Potassium is essential for maintaining proper electrolyte balance and is one of the main components in adequate heart function. A study performed on patients with high blood pressure revealed that taking potassium supplements regularly decreased their systolic blood pressure by at least 8 points. The potassium found in pineapple juice has shown ample health benefits; even so, all good things must be taken in moderation. Patients who have chronic kidney disease and acute renal failure need to be especially careful in regard to beginning a potassium regiment. Lastly, asking a physician before beginning any kind of supplement is a wise decision.

Health Benefits Of Thiamine

Thiamine, or otherwise known as vitamin B1, is an immensely important aspect of good general health. Thiamine aids the body in processing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It is imperative for the human body to have thiamine because it produces adenosine triphosphate, which is a molecule that aids the body in obtaining energy. Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and children with heart disease have been shown to have low levels of thiamine. In some cases, a thiamine supplement is necessary; however, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables with a high thiamine content may be a safer alternative to a thiamine supplement. The health benefits of pineapple juice are directly related to it’s thiamine content, which is what makes drinking fresh pineapple juice an all-around positive concept.

In conclusion, fresh pineapple juice is rich with extraordinary vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. The key word is, “fresh”, because pineapple juice in any other form has little to no beneficial ingredients. A ripe pineapple, juiced at home, is, more than likely, the very best way to derive those advantageous ingredients. As mentioned in the above paragraphs, all good things must be taken in moderation in order to obtain the greatest possible effect. Furthermore, it is imperative for all people who wish to begin drinking pineapple juice for health reasons, to consult a physician before doing so. Once you do that, drinking fresh pineapple juice on a daily basis will be a delicious and nutritious experience.

23 Nov

Health Benefits of Peach Juice – Discover 5 Reasons Why Peach Juice is So Beneficial to Your Health

Are you interested in finding a healthy juice that tastes great and will give you plenty of benefits? If so you’ll find that peach juice is one of your best options. Peach is a fruit that is grown all over the world from cold climates to warmer climates. However, it originally came from ancient China before it was exported all around the globe. Peaches don’t contain many calories and they’re known for their strong, satisfying aroma. Peach juice is one of the healthiest juices you can drink and we’re going to look at the reasons why. You’ll soon realize that powerful benefits of drinking a glass per day.

Peach Benefits For Your Heart

One of the primary benefits of drinking peach juice is the benefit it has on your heart. It helps to actually strengthen the overall heart muscle which will result in a smoother blood flow. Apart from stimulating the blood flow you’ll notice a decrease in cholesterol levels and improved overall blood pressure. Peaches also have the ability to reduce other cardiovascular diseases that are harmful to your body. It also contains a high amount of iron which has been show to help fight anemia.

Peaches Help With Weight Loss

Another overall benefit of peaches is that they help with weight loss. It’s not because they help you burn fat or build muscle. It’s because they don’t contain a whole lot of calories. For added bonus they will make you feel like you’ve eaten a lot when in reality you haven’t. This is great for satisfying hunger cravings your body may have. It’s estimated that a full glass of peach juice will contain around 50 calories or so.

Peaches And Kidney Problems

If you’re having problems with your kidneys you’ll also find that peach juice can be beneficial. Research has shown that peach juice has laxative and diuretic properties which will help stimulate certain functions of the kidneys that might not be working properly. This has been shown to lower the risk of certain kidney and liver diseases such as nephritis. Another strong benefit is that peaches will help dissolve kidney stones that may be building up inside. If you’ve ever passed a kidney stone you’ll understand why it is important to stop them before they build up. Otherwise kidney stones can be very painful.

Digestive Problems

Drinking a glass of peach juice has also been proven to help with digestive problems you may be experiencing. This juice is high in alkalines which are important in the relief of indigestion, stomach problems, constipation, and even nausea. It is also an excellent way to fight other problems that are caused by stress or anxiety. In other words, it will have a calming effect if you’re experiencing a headache or any serious problems in your life that may be causing unrest.

Recovery From Illnesses

Another key reason to drink peach juice is the fact that it will help you out if you’re recovering from illness. While you may have heard that Vitamin C from oranges is beneficial in overcoming sickness and building your immune system, most people don’t think about the benefits of peaches. One of things peach juice does that is so important is that it will give you more energy. It will build up your body and give it everything it needs to fight off an illness that you may be suffering from.

While peach juice isn’t a perfect cure for all of the problems you may be experiencing, there is plenty of research to back up the powerful health benefits that you can get from drinking it. It contains everything you need to give your body a tune up. So if you find that you’re experiencing any of the previous problems, or just want to live a healthier life, try a glass or two of peach juice every day.

19 Nov

Health Benefits of Pear Juice

Instead of having coffee or a chocolate drink, why not have a boost of various nutrients in just a few gulps by having a glass of pear juice? Delicious and nutritious, pear juice is definitely one of the best healthy drinks that you can have. If having a glass is not part of your diet, here are some of the health benefits of pear juice which might help to convince you.

Pears Contain Lots Of Vitamins And Minerals

If you eat a pear, or about 100 grams of the fruit, there are a lot of vitamins and minerals that you can get which include Vitamin A, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, calcium, Vitamin C, iron, phosphorus, fat, potassium, protein and carbohydrates. Pears are known as good sources of Vitamin C and dietary fiber, especially the skin which most people tend to discard. Adding a pear to your diet is surely a great way of taking in the said nutrients and for those who are watching their weight, having a pear daily will surely help you.

Boosting Your Immune System

If you don’t want to be constantly missing school or work because you often get the flu, you should start thinking about drinking healthy juices such as pear juice to boost your immune system. As pear juice is rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, it will help in building up your immune system. Regular intake of pear juice can help you avoid common diseases such as cough and colds, the flu and other similar disorders.

Good Source Of Energy

Furthermore, you can always be energetic when you drink pear juice since this is a quick and good source of energy. Pears are rich in fructose and glucose, two monosacharides that can easily be converted to energy. With the added carbohydrates, you will surely be grateful when you drink this after feeling tired and sleepy.

Pear Juice Helps Prevent Cancer

There are several health benefits of pear juices which includes having the necessary nutrients needed by the body. The Vitamin C and copper content of pear juice is essential in protecting your body from cancers and other diseases. As you may already know, when free radicals attach to the cells, these particular cells will be damaged which will often lead to cancer or other similar disorders. Cancers are difficult to treat especially during the late stages. The best treatment for cancer is actually prevention which you can do by drinking a glass of pear juice regularly. The antioxidants of pear juice protect your cells from the damaging free radicals, helping you avoid cancer. As studies have already proven, having a pear daily can reduce your chances of getting lung cancer and for women, it will help you avoid breast cancer after menopause.

18 Nov

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

Beta-carotene

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.

20 Dec

Apple Nutrition Facts – Why an Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

What everyone knows about apples is that they are a sweet fruit that will keep you regular and has great tasting juice. True, it’s all those things, but it has a lot more nutrition than most of us know.

Apples have bee known to help asthmatics get less attacks, and when they do happen, they are less severe. Apples are known to stimulate appetite in people who don’t often feel hungry. They are the chief ingredient in apple cider vinegar, a home remedy that is a great help for respiratory illness, general energy and mild stomach conditions.

They have also been known to reduce the incidence of strokes because they prevent thickening of the artery walls. They help with type 2 diabetes. They contain flavanoids which inhibit cancerous cells and they are known to reduce the severity of prostrate cancer.

A large glass of freshly squeezed apple juice a day will help you to reduce the effects of cholesterol. In short, they are packed with different nutrients and each nutrient in an apple is beneficial to your body (here you can find a complete list of apple juice health benefits as well as their explanations).

The main nutrients that you will find in an apple are numerous; look at the list below to see just how much you would be doing for your health if you consumed apples regularly. This is based on a regular sized apple that’s ripe and fresh and still has the skin on.

Apple Nutrition Facts

Betaine 0,1 mg
Calcium 6 mg
Calories 52 Calories
Carbohydrate 13,8 g
Carotene-ß 27 mcg
Choline 3,4 mg
Dietary Fiber 2,4 g
Fluoride 3,3 mcg
Folate 3 mcg
Iron 0,1 mg
Lutein-zeaxanthin 29 mcg
Magnesium 5 mg
Niacine 0,1 mg
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) 5900 µ mol TE
Pantothenic Acid 0,1 mg
Phosphorus 11 mg
Phytonutrients 67 mcg
Potassium 107 mg
Protein 0,3 g
Pyridoxine Vit. B6 0,041 mg
Selenium 1 mcg
Sugar 10,4 g
Total Fat 0,2 g
Vitamin A 54 IU
Vitamin C 4,6 mg
Vitamin E 0,2 mg
Vitamin K 2,2 mcg
Water 85,6 g

If you want to get the full benefits of an apple, don’t peel away the skin as it contains many of the nutrients listed here; more than half of the vitamin C that you will be getting, for instance, sits just below the skin.

You’ll notice that there are some elements that are common in almost everything that we eat that are not present in apples: they don’t have any kind of fat, they don’t contain sodium and they don’t have cholesterol either.

They are also one of the richest sources of plant based anti-oxidants. In fact, they are not far from the avocado, another wonder fruit that people had for a long time ignored because it was believed to contain unhealthy fats.

If you check the list, you’ll see that when it comes to fibre, it says plenty. That’s why people who eat apples regularly will move bowels regularly too. The fibre provides the traction that’s needed to push stool out of the colon. If you are constipated, a raw apple is one of the easiest and best ways to help you get bowel movements.

You might be wondering which of all these nutrients is most beneficial to the body. There are 4 of them:

Carbohydrates are vital for proper body function, and especially plant based carbs. They are fuel for the body and because they come in the form of a fruit, you can be sure that you are not consuming carbs as you would otherwise consume with other foods.

Calcium is the stuff from which bones are formed, and it’s also an important component in maintaining proper cell turgidity. If your cells have a calcium imbalance, you will suffer dehydration – calcium makes the cells turgid enough so that the cell membranes maintain just enough water.

Iron is vital as well, because it is one of the main components of blood and it is necessary for blood circulation. If you have too little iron, you will be anaemic.

Potassium is also vital for healthy cells, and healthy cells mean a healthy body.

It’s easy to give your body all these things simply by making sure that every day, you eat an apple. You can make apple fruit juice a part of your morning regimen, and then carry an apple with you as you leave the house to munch on later. In fact, it’s somehow the only fruit that you can eat in public without people raising an eyebrow :).

18 Dec

Apple Juice Side Effects: Is there such a thing as too much apple juice?

Most of us love apple juice and can take plenty of it, but is there such a thing as too much apple juice? Apples are juiced for their nutritional value and also because they are such a relaxing calming drink, but what would happen if someone took too much apple juice?

It different from person to person; some people will react to some of the components found in apples. In fact, some people get reactions from eating certain kinds of apples or drinking their juice.

Drinking Large Quantities Of Apples Juice – Apple Juice Diets Side Effects

The most common reaction is usually diarrhoea, especially if you drink large quantities of apple juice at once. There are other reported side effects although these happen if someone is on too much apple juice. There are some diets that recommend that you take nothing but apple juice and these side effects will be experienced by the people on these kinds of diets.

These will include a sudden surge of pimples – unsightly zits that will stay with you until you get off the apple juice diet. These people will usually complain that they are tired, dizzy, that they have headaches, they may complain of constipation and usually, they eventually develop hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar. This may lead to fainting, heart arrhythmias, hunger, sometimes vomiting and of course weight loss.

Some people who take nothing but apple juice will also eventually develop a kind of body odour that’s unpleasant as well as bad breath.

It’s hard to say if these side effects are brought on by the apple juice itself or from the body lacking a more balanced diet. If you want to go on a diet like this (some people say that its good for cleansing the blood), make sure that you don’t do it for more than a day or two; you cannot sustain your body well enough with just apple juice no matter how much of it you take every day.

Apple Juice Recommended Dosage?

Is there a recommended dosage? Not one that’s written in stone, but you can take a glass of apple juice with each meal every day without suffering any negative effects. Make sure that you juice only sweet apples too as tart ones can lead to heart burns and an acidic feeling in the stomach.

Sometimes, when you first get to juicing apples, it can get really exciting and you might be tempted to drink lots of it at once; this will more than likely lead to a bout of diarrhoea. Take a glass or two and keep the rest chilled for later.

There is really nothing else that you should be worried about when it comes to apple juice. If you drink apple juice and start to feel nauseous or get diarrhoea, the best cure for this is water – drink as much of it as you can to flush out anything in the apple juice that you may be reacting to. If you really want to use it as a detox, do it under the supervision of a nutritionist – they will tell you how you can keep your body well balanced during the detox period.