16 Jan

Noni, Can This Snake Oil Be Trusted At All?

General Information

Noni is one of those natural remedies that was hyped up as a miracle cure for everything to cancer. Together with MLM type sales it got a really bad reputations. But this is not fruits fault. Here are a few facts that you should know about noni. The official name for this plant is Morinda citrofolia. It has also been called Indian Mulberry. Noni is a plant that is native to the Pacific Islands, Australia and Asia. The plant grows well in the volcanic ash and rock found on many of the islands. It grows as a flowering shrub and reaches up to ten feet in height. The small white flowers grow into a yellow fruit that has a pungent odor. Because of its odor, it is sometimes called vomit fruit. The fruit grows to about the size of a potato and has been used for hundreds of years in traditional Polynesian medicine.

The islanders used the fruit for conditions such as diarrhea, constipation, infections, joint pain, menstrual disorders, urinary pain, and mouth sores. The leaves were used for wound healing and skin conditions. When heated, the leaves were used as a poultice for coughs and colic.

Because of its odor, it is sometimes called vomit fruit.

Because of its odor, it is sometimes called vomit fruit.

Superfood Attributes

A superfood is a food that is rich in components that can fight disease. Noni is a great source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Antioxidants are known to help slow the effects of aging and to help avert the development of certain diseases. It also contains all nine essential amino acids. Noni fruit is also rich in anthraquinones and polysaccharides that have specific health benefits. It contains xeronine which the body uses to activate enzymes and build proteins.

Health Benefits

In more recent years, Noni has been touted to help numerous health conditions. These claimed health benefits include arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, atherosclerosis, menstrual disorders, constipation, bowel problems, hypertension, cancers, indigestion, stroke, gastric ulcers, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and immune disorders.

Laboratory research indicates that noni has tumor-fighting, immune-stimulating, and antioxidant properties. Other research shows that it inhibits the growth of cancer cells due to its antioxidant value. Another study in Germany determined that noni fruit juice can relieve joint pain and arthritic inflammation.

Noni is also shown to have anti-ulcer benefits by limiting the acid in the stomach and increasing the amount of mucous to protect the lining of the stomach. When used topically, noni can help heal burns and skin disorders.

The plant also contains a component that activates the serotonin brain receptors. Serotonin plays a role in mental health, regulating body temperature, hunger, sleep, and sexual behavior. When the body does not have enough serotonin it can develop depression, Alzheimer’s, migraines, obesity, and other diseases.

Noni is a great source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Noni is a great source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

How to Use It?

The noni fruit has a strong odor and taste, so it is generally combined with other juices such as orange or grape to make it more palatable. To juice the fruit, remove the peel and place the flesh into a blender. Puree until it becomes liquid. Pour the liquid through a sieve and push the juice through with a spoon. You can drink the liquid as is, or mix with another juice to help improve the taste.

Many islanders eat the fruit either raw, or cooked. It is often used in a curry. To make a curry, chop the unripe noni fruit into stir-fry sized pieces and cook it with broccoli and/or cauliflower. Add curry paste and coconut milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow it to simmer for ten minutes or until the noni fruit is softened.

Noni fruit is also available in tablets or capsules.

11 Jan

Raspberries as a Superfood

Ever since my grandmother would send me into her garden to pick raspberries for a pie or her wonderful raspberry jam I have loved this wonderful berry. Every third berry wound up in my mouth and not in the bowl. That is why it is so great to learn that raspberries are not only delicious, but they are good for you as well. In fact, they are high on the list of superfoods.

Why are Raspberries a Superfood?

A superfood is any food that promotes both weight control overall health. They contain a high number of nutrients that fight diseases and make you full without eating a lot so you don’t take in a lot of calories. Superfoods are also simple to work into meals each day.

Oriental medicine has used raspberries as a cure for anemia.

Oriental medicine has used raspberries as a cure for anemia.

Raspberries fit all the traits of a superfood. Some of the nutrients they contain include high levels of vitamin C and manganese. In fact, a cup of raspberries a day will give you 50 percent of the daily value of each of these. They also contain the most fiber of any fruit.

One of the biggest qualities of a superfood is that they contain antioxidants. Raspberries are high in anthocyanin flavonoids, meaning that they are dense with antioxidants.

Use in Homeopathic Medicine

Traditionally, there are many uses for raspberries as cures for illnesses and conditions. The Chinese have used them for years to cleanse the toxins from the kidneys and the liver as well as the urinary tract. Oriental medicine has used it as a cure for anemia.

The tannins in the leaves of the raspberry plant can help relieve gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea. These same astringent properties can be used to treat sore throat and sores in the mouth. These properties also make the leaves suitable for helping to cure acne, dermatitis, and itching skin.

The Health Benefits of Eating Raspberries

The wonders of antioxidants are a hot topic when it comes to improving health these days. Raspberries contain hundreds of the anti-aging properties of antioxidants. No one has been able to find any reason why you can’t eat as many raspberries as you want every day to take full advantage of these antioxidants.

There are thousands of enzymes in the body that require vitamin C, so the fact that you can get one-half the recommended amount in one cup of raspberries is exciting. The high manganese levels balance estrogen levels and are also good for the metabolism.

Raspberries are 20 percent fiber. Fiber is good for lowering cholesterol, can keep you regular. And can fight off fatigue. Fiber also triggers the growth of the good kinds of bacteria that are needed in the gastrointestinal system.

There are also nutrients in raspberries that can aid in fighting cancer or preventing it. There is a plenty of iron, folic acid, and copper in the berries that can help prevent certain anemias.

Basic Growing Requirements

Many people in this country believe that the best raspberries come from the Pacific Northwest. But raspberries will do fine anywhere that doesn’t have extremely cold temperatures and in spots where they will get a lot of sun and one to two inches of water a week.

Raspberry cereals, smoothie, powerbar…

Since it seems that eating raspberries takes care of a lot daily requirements for nutrients and are so beneficial as a superfood, finding different and fun ways to get them into your diet seems like a good idea.

  • You can’t go wrong with popping them in your mouth a few at a time straight from the carton.
  • Putting them in your morning cereal is always a good idea.
  • Use them as the main part of a morning smoothie:
  • ½ cup of raspberries
  • 1 banana
  • 1 cup of organic apple juice
  • ½ cup of water

You can even make your own raspberry breakfast bars. Between the raspberries and the oats, wheat flour, wheat germ, and walnuts that are in these, what better way to start of the day in a healthy way?

Another cool smoothie with peaches and raspberries:

24 Dec

Raw Cacao or Dark Chocolate

Raw cacao fruit

Raw cacao or dark chocolate is recognized as a superfood because of its powerful antioxidant benefits, cancer protection and many beneficial vitamins. There are multiple purposes behind partaking in this delicious dark chocolate. There are commonly recognized negative consequences associated with eating excess, processed dark or milk chocolate; these consequences include diabetes, weight gain and tooth decay. These negative consequences are the result of the addition of excess sugar, dairy and fillers that are added to the chocolate during the cooking process. But, these negative consequences are simply not an issue for individuals enjoying raw cacao or dark chocolate. The health benefits associated with partaking in raw cacao actually include weight loss, healthy teeth and regulated blood sugar.

Raw cacao fruit

Raw cacao fruit

History Behind Dark Chocolate

The scientific name for cacao is Theobroma. The popularity and value of this super food goes back to ancient times. The earliest documentation of the use of the cacao bean goes back to 1100 BC. The Maya and Aztec cultures used the dark chocolate as currency, and it was used in their religious events as an offering to the gods. Today, the majority of the world’s crop of cacao chocolate is produced in West Africa. These sensitive trees are able to grow in a limited geographical zone. This delicious, natural sweetener has continuously grown in popularity around the world, and it is utilized in many deserts and sweets. The most popular chocolate is processed with the addition of dairy and sugar; however, this delicious dark chocolate is highly beneficial when eaten in its raw, natural form. The raw cacao bean is recognized in the health arena as a super food.

English: Dark chocolate. Español: Chocolate negro.

English: Dark chocolate. Español: Chocolate negro. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Multiple Benefits of Raw Cacao

Multiple health benefits are associated with eating raw cacao. The dark chocolate preserves antioxidants and provides an unlimited resource of valuable nutrients. Some of the many benefits include:

• Cardiovascular benefits include relaxation for the heart. Raw dark chocolate provides multiple benefits to the cardiovascular system.
• The highest source of magnesium available in a food.
• The oxidants found in dark chocolate have been clinically proven to dissolve the buildup plaque found in the arteries of the heart.
• Naturally reverses heart disease.
• Naturally lowers blood pressure.
• Generates total body health.
• Regulates blood sugar through the natural ingredient chromium.
• Increases serotonin levels and produces a healthy good mood.
• Provides Omega 6 fatty acids, which play an important role in brain function, bone health, skin and hair growth and a healthy reproductive system.
• Excellent source of vitamin C, which provides a strengthened immune system, detoxification, balances stress levels and destroys harmful bacteria and viruses.
• Weight loss.
• Fights free radicals.
• Reduce cholesterol levels.

The Nutrients and Vitamins Found in Dark Chocolate

• Magnesium
• Copper
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6
• Zinc
• Sulfur
• Vitamin C
• Iron
• Vitamin E
• Calcium
• Omega six
• Antioxidants
• Soluble fiber
• Phosphorus
• And more

The Best Way to Enjoy Raw Cacao

Eating raw chocolate can be done without feeling any guilt or remorse. This chocolate is not a junk food, but rather a health food. It does not include white sugar, and it is unprocessed. In its natural, unadulterated state, it is extremely rich in valuable nutrients. The unique flavor is exquisite and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways:

• Crunch the bean between your fingers in order to loosen and remove the peel.
• This delicious bean can be sweetened with a natural sweetener, such as vanilla powder.
• Each bean is protected by a thin shell. Simply remove the shell and dip it in agave nectar for a tasty and delicious treat.
• Eat them whole or grind them in a food processor or coffee grinder. The freshly ground beans can be sprinkled over yogurt, added to smoothies, teas, desserts or to any delicate dish that calls for the delicious flavor of raw chocolate.
• When eating them alone, chew them thoroughly to enjoy the maximized flavor.
• Freeze the beans with agave or honey and eat cold.
• Grind the beans into a powder and mix with coconut oil for a flavorful chocolate sauce. This sauce can be used in cookie recipes, brownies and other baked goods.

In order to reap the multiple benefits of this super food, you should enjoy one to ten tablespoons of cocoa powder daily. Raw chocolate cacao beans provide nutrition in its purest form. This healthy snack is a gluten-free, natural way to improve your health, increase your antioxidant levels and boost your immune system. Enjoy the exquisite flavoring of crushed cacao beans over yogurt, in a variety of baked recipes, in fresh agave nectar or simply enjoy crunching on the delightfully, delicious bean straight from the shell.

30 Sep

The Benefits of Anti Ageing Foods

Though we all grow older, not everyone wants to deal with the side effects of aging: wrinkles, blotches, or sagging skin. What many people do not know is that if you eat the right foods, you will not have to deal with such issues. The antioxidants in anti ageing foods will help you look and feel your very best. This means you will not have to resort to plastic surgery or try dangerous methods of staying youthful. Super foods are full of natural nutrients that keep people’s energy levels high, overall health and nutrition on the up and up, and wrinkles at bay. The following are just some of the many anti ageing foods you can include in your diet to keep your skin looking its very best.

You don’t have to eat bland food to stay youthful. For example, avocado is one of the best anti ageing foods you can consume. The vitamin E in this food is something that sparks cell growth or rejuvenation and nourishes the skin. A solid dose of avocado in your life will make your skin smooth and soft. It is also helps to keep bad cholesterols out of the body and is a solid way to gain rich potassium, which in turn will prevent fluid retention.

Many studies have reported that including a clove of garlic into one’s diet can help the individual fight heart disease and will keep the skin looking radiant. Similarly, ginger root is a great item to include in one’s diet because it helps keep the circulatory system up and running.

Fruits are notorious for containing rich antioxidants that will keep the body’s metabolism pumping and your skin hydrated. Berries like black berries and grapes are particularly great to include in your diet. Watermelon is a solid addition because it has rich nutrients like vitamins A, B, E, and C plus zinc and much, much more.

If you want to look as young as you feel, then you should try to include nuts in your diet. These are a great snack or a great addition to one’s morning yogurt or afternoon salad. Everything from walnuts and pecans to peanuts and pistachios is rich in such items as iron, potassium, and magnesium, plus more. The nut family helps improve one’s digestive system, too, which in turn helps the body’s immune system and metabolism.

And of course, water is one of the easiest additions to one’s diet and one of the best ways to prevent wrinkles, improve one’s digestive system, and to stay healthy. Try to consume at least eight glasses of water a day and one will be able to flush the body of toxins, hydrate the skin, and give the body the water it needs to function. Similarly, all-natural juices such as tomato or apple juice are a great way to increase water intake plus receive the vitamins one may need.

Anti Ageing Foods Diet

Making diet changes is not as difficult as you might think. All you need to do is think about how to slip such super foods into each of your meals or to include them as snacks. Once you try including anti ageing foods in your diet, you will start to look and feel your very best. This is a long term investment that will give your skin a youthful glow. The only risk to such foods is to eat too much of one food. Try to broaden your diet so that it is balanced and rich. Too much of one thing is never good. Instead, be smart about your nutrition choices to give your skin and body everything it needs. The natural antioxidants not only help prevent wrinkles, they also help increase your overall health and life expectancy!

30 Sep

Superfoods For Super Health – Which Foods Are Superfoods?

Many people wonder which foods are the most nutritious and which foods to consume on a regular basis to improve health. The answer is simple: Superfoods.

As the saying goes, you really are what you eat.

Superfoods

A superfood is any food that is living, rich in vitamins, minerals, high in fiber, low in calories and produces an alkaline pH in the body, as disease cannot survive when the body is in an alkaline state.

So which foods are superfoods?

Here is a simple guideline to follow:

Living, whole foods are the most nutritional and most easily digested foods because of the enzymes they possess. Basically all fresh fruits and vegetables when eaten raw are living foods, with living enzymes and have high nutritional value, especially if they are grown in organic soil. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain lots of fiber, are low in calories, have many vitamins and minerals, are high in anti-oxidants, and almost all produce an alkaline pH in the body, thus helping to combat disease.

A good guideline to follow with fruits and vegetables is to try to consume as many different colors as possible.

For example:

Red fruits and vegetable superfoods are pink grapefruit, tomatoes, red bell peppers, and watermelon. The red varieties contain lycopene, a substance that has been praised for its many cancer fighting properties, especially prostate cancer in men.

The purple variety contains concord grapes, blueberries, red cabbage, and prunes. All of these contain high amounts of antioxidants and help reduce heart disease.

In the green shade, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, bok choy and kale are good choices, as they contain lutein, folate and sulforaphane which has been shown to reduce heart disease and macular degeneration by aiding the body in detoxification.

In orange shades, carrots, mango, pumpkin, and oranges work well. The orange superfoods contain beta-carotene which fortifies the lungs, esophagus, stomach, eyesight, and helps boost the immune system.

Whites contain cauliflower, mushrooms, bananas, onions and garlic. These foods contain high amounts of allicin and anthoxanthins which aid in keeping blood pressure low and help balance the “good” bacteria in the digestive tract. Proper digestion is a key to good health as many maladies in the body originate in the intestines.

The benefits of eating living, whole, superfoods are immense. So get over to the produce section and make as many meals as colorful as you can.

30 Sep

Anti-Aging Through Nutrition and Fitness

As we get older, our energy begins to decrease and our vulnerability to illness increases. Our skin loses its elasticity, our heads lose hair, and our bodies gain fat, while we become more prone to arthritis, diabetes, memory loss, and cardiac problems. Aging is inevitable, but healthy food choices and exercise habits can help us extend our lives, and make us feel and look much younger.

This page is an entrance to the world of healthy foods that can and will help you stay younger, live healthier and longer life. It is the main anti ageing recipe that you should follow. Even though this website is dedicated to foods it is a whole lifestyle that brings the best results. So at the end there are also some pointer for what else can you do to slow down the ageing process.

After you read this page browse through other articles on this website that will give you more detailed insight into minerals, super green foods, superfoods, whole food vitamins, resveratrol, and other benefits of anti-ageing foods.

But first lets start with foods that you should include in your diet – vegetables and fruits…

VEGETABLES

If you are looking for the fountain of youth, look no further than your vegetable garden. Spinach, corn, kale, broccoli, beets, onions, eggplant and red bell peppers score highest on the antioxidant scale. Antioxidants protect our bodies against oxidation, or cellular damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants have shown to be effective in the prevention of retinal diseases such as macular degeneration. Genistein, a substance found soybeans, fava beans and alfalfa sprouts, has been shown to inhibit the production of certain enzymes that activate the cancer genes. Cooking vegetables destroys much of their vitamins, antioxidant power, and nutritional value. Most vegetables are more nutritious raw than cooked. (Tomatoes being the exception, cooking them makes it easier for our bodies to absorb their nutrients.) Shop organic whenever possible, and eat vegetables within a week of purchase.

FRUITS

Getting the right enzymes and nutrients is vital for repairing the skin and stimulating cell turnover. As we grow older our bodies become depleted of their natural enzymes. Our cells gradually stop dividing and lose the ability to renew themselves, affecting every organ in our bodies, most noticeably, the skin. Fruits are loaded with vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants, which can help save our cells from aging prematurely.

Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, grapes and plums pack the most antioxidant punch for fruits. In addition, apples, pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries and grapes contain ellagic acid, a natural insect repellent, that has demonstrated the ability to hinder the development of tumors within the body. This is accomplished by its ability to reduce the enzymes in the body that are utilized by mutated cancer cells. Studies of the apple also indicated that the fruit stimulates the production of collagen, a necessary component in the skin for maintaining the smoothness and elasticity that is characteristic of a youthful appearance.

SUPPLEMENTS

For many of us, it can be difficult to maintain a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in our daily diets. Supplements, like vitamins C, D, A and E, or a good multivitamin can help fill in the nutrition gaps.

Vitamin C

Tomatoes are a source of lycopene

One of the most commonly used supplements is vitamin C, found in oranges, kiwi, broccoli, tomatoes, papaya, and yellow and orange peppers. Vitamin C is an antioxidant essential for wound repair and tissue maintenance. Deficiency of Vitamin C leads to scurvy, depression, the formation of brown spots on the skin, and softened gums that can cause the teeth to fall out. Smokers who have diets low in vitamin C are at a higher risk of lung-borne illnesses than those who have higher levels of vitamin C in the blood. The recommended daily allowance for Vitamin C in adults is 75 – 90mg.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is found in food sources such as fatty fish, eggs, and milk, and is also absorbed from exposure to sunlight thru the skin. New research on vitamin D appears to show an ability to prevent a myriad of cancers and other illnesses in people receiving significantly higher dosages than the common recommended daily allowance of 400IU. This new information has lead many researchers to believe that the majority of the population is deficient in Vitamin D, and they are not aware of it. Deficiency of Vitamin D can result in weak or misshapen bones, rickets, osteoporosis and osteomalacia. The best natural source of Vitamin D is the sun, but since the sun’s harmful UV rays can cause skin cancer and premature aging, supplementation is on the rise.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is essential to the function of the reproductive systems, brain development, immune function, skin health, antioxidant activity, bone metabolism, and vision. Broccoli, carrots, kale, pumpkin, collard greens, and sweet potatoes are the richest food sources for vitamin A. High doses of vitamin A (isotretinoin) have been successful in treating severe nodular acne that is resistant to other treatments, because of it’s ability to reduce the secretion of sebum and the size of the sebaceous glands. Deficiency of Vitamin A causes blindness, impaired immunity, hypokeratosis (white lumps at hair follicles), and keratosis pilaris, while excess vitamin A has been shown to cause birth defects, headaches, hair loss, severe dryness of the skin, jaundice, blurry vision, and mood changes. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin A for adults is 4000IU.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that is believed to significantly decrease oxidative stress and blood pressure, contribute to cardiovascular and prostate health, and boost immune response. Spinach, almonds, sunflower seeds and seed oils, collard greens, beets, tomatoes, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and avocados are rich in Vitamin E. Vitamin E is commonly added to creams and lotions, as well as taken orally, to treat dry and aging skin. The recommended daily allowance of Vitamin E for adults is 400IU.

EXERCISE

Fitness is of utmost importance as we age. This doesn’t necessarily mean working out at the gym every day, but taking walks, cycling, dancing, and gardening are fun activities that help us stay healthy and mobile. A persistent sedentary lifestyle can lead to obesity, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, depression, high blood pressure, kidney stones, diabetes, and colon cancer. Maintaining muscular strength will improve posture, increase balance, and prevent the development of osteo- or rheumatoid arthritis and many other diseases linked to a lack of physical exercise.

FOODS AND SUBSTANCES TO AVOID

Fast foods and sodas are filled with empty calories that pack on weight, while providing little nutritional value to our diets. New research has also shown that a high-sugar diet deactivates our body’s natural antioxidant enzymes, leaving you more vulnerable to sun damage, and causing dull skin and wrinkles. Instead of drinking sugary sodas, try a nice antioxidant-packed green tea, sweetened with honey. Honey is a great natural sweetener that is high in vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, and potassium and packed with amino acids.

Smoking has well known health risks, but did you know it causes accelerated aging second only to sun exposure? Smoking inhibits absorption of vitamin C and breaks down the supply of collagen to the skin’s structure. Smoking is also linked to early onset of menopause in women. Alcohol dehydrates the skin and inhibits the body’s ability to absorb calcium. Excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to liver problems, bone loss, weight gain and osteoporosis.

Junk food, alcohol, and other vices, like most things, should be enjoyed in moderation. Remember, it is far more difficult to reverse the signs of aging than it is to prevent it. Developing healthy food and exercise habits at a young age will help us look and feel younger, healthier, and happier well into our senior years.

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.

Health benefits of tomato juice

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.

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.

Tangerine

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.

Tangerines

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.

Health benefits of tangerine juice

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.

07 Feb

Health Benefits of Mulberry Juice

The health benefits of mulberries are numerous; mulberries have been used since ancient times as a way of curing a number of ailments, though the nutritional and health benefits of mulberries – and subsequently, mulberry juice – were widely unknown until much more recently. In the past, mulberries were used to help treat people that suffered from the cold and other health problems, including digestion issues. Today, mulberries are used to create juices that are healthful and beneficial to everyone that drinks them for more than simply curing the common cold and digestive problems.

 

Mulberry Juice Treats Anemia

Anemia is used to describe a low level of iron in a person’s body. Those with anemia often find that they are dizzy and experience heart palpitations and that they exhibit an unattractive pallor. Mulberry juice can help fight the symptoms of anemia because it is rich with nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. The juice in mulberries promotes the production of the correct body fluids, which includes iron. Consuming mulberries and/or mulberry juice regularly will help your body produce the correct amount of iron, which will reduce your anemic symptoms.
Mulberries have the highest choline content

Insomnia

Mulberry juice is one of the leading ways to cure insomnia. The fact that it helps the body produce all of the correct chemicals and body fluids means that your body needn’t work overtime to produce these fluids and sleep comes easier. Your body needs adequate levels of a number of chemicals in order to allow you to sleep well. If you suffer from insomnia and want to try mulberry juice as a cure for your inability to sleep you should; eating mulberries or drinking mulberry juice on a regular basis will have you noticing an improvement in your sleep patterns before too long.

Stomach Issues and the Benefits of Mulberry Juice

Because it is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, mulberry juice is helpful in treating and correcting a number of issues that people experience with their stomachs and digestive tracts. First and foremost, mulberry juice prevents constipation, which plagues so many people. It also enhances the appetite, which encourages people to eat a healthier and better diet, not allowing them to skip a meal which is horrible for the health. Mulberry juice is also a good way to improve digestion, which means far less issues with your stomach. In some cases, it has been known to cure hepatitis and gastritis, both of which are diseases that are difficult for sufferers.

Anti-Aging Abilities

Anthocyanins and resveratrol are active constituents that are found in mulberries. The constituent resveratrol is widely known as “the fountain of youth” because it has numerous anti-aging benefits. In addition, it also contains anti-cancer agents and body cleansing agents. Mulberry juice is thought by experts to have the ability to prolong the onset of wrinkles in the skin and the appearance of grey hair. The other active constituent found in mulberry juice, anthocyanins, contains a vast array of antioxidants that have health benefits of their own. For example, some of the antioxidants found in mulberry juice have the ability to cure a number of ailments, which is the reason why in ancient times they were used to treat colds and digestive issues. The antioxidants found in mulberries have an absorbency rate that takes much longer than the rate of juice from other fruits, which is why it is so effective with its anti-aging abilities. Mulberry juice works to fight aging whether the signs of aging have already started or not.If you already have wrinkles and are noticing grey hairs starting to show you can start drinking mulberry juice immediately to slow the process. If you are still young and think you have years before the signs of aging start to affect you, start drinking mulberry juice now. That way you will have even more years to enjoy your youthful appearance before age begins to show.

07 Feb

Which Fruit Has The Highest Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) – The Most Antioxidants?

Antioxidants

Mentioning antioxidants goes hand in hand with another frequently used term – free radicals. We have an interesting and in depth article on both free radicals and antioxidants if you follow these links so I won’t go much into details here. But I do urge you to read both articles to better understand what are antioxidants, what are free radicals, how do they interact and what consequences do they have on our bodies and our health.

But to sum it up in short – an antioxidant is a molecule that counteracts the process of oxidation in animal tissue. Free radical is a highly unstable molecule that is formed as a by-product of our body’s natural metabolism or as a result of environmental influences. Free radicals are thought to be the cause of degradation within our bodies. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals and stop cellular damage before it starts.

Mangosteen - rich in antioxidants

Top Fruits For Antioxidant Content

The amounts of antioxidants are given for 100g of each fruit. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) values are given as micromol Trolox equivalents (TE). To find out more about this – go here.

Also – different sources cite quite different ORAC values for each fruit. For instance – quite often blueberries can be found higher on the list and mangosteen much lower on the list. This data was collected from a few different sources (mainly from oracvalues.com and nutrition-and-you.com) and is unfortunately not considered to be 100% correct as (we assume) goes for any data that you can find about ORAC levels. We imagine that this has also a lot to do with the origin and state of the fruits tested and the testing methods themselves.

Anyway – this list is still a good approximate of the ORAC values of each fruit and can tell you which fruits are antioxidant rich and which are not so rich.

1 Mangosteen 20.000,00 µ mol TE
2 Elderberry 14.697,00 µ mol TE
3 Pomegranate 10.500,00 µ mol TE
4 Cranberry 9.584,00 µ mol TE
5 Blackcurrant 7.950,00 µ mol TE
6 Plum 7.581,00 µ mol TE
7 Apple 5.900,00 µ mol TE
8 Blueberry 5.562,00 µ mol TE
9 Blackberry 5.347,00 µ mol TE
10 Raspberry 5.065,00 µ mol TE
11 Strawberry 4.188,00 µ mol TE
12 Cherry (sweet) 3.747,00 µ mol TE
13 Redcurrant 3.387,00 µ mol TE
14 Gooseberry 3.332,00 µ mol TE
15 Fig 3.200,00 µ mol TE
16 Guava 2.550,00 µ mol TE
17 Grape 2.389,00 µ mol TE
18 Tangerine 1.620,00 µ mol TE
19 Lemon 1.346,00 µ mol TE
20 Peach 1.300,00 µ mol TE
21 Apricot 1.115,00 µ mol TE
22 Kiwi 862,00 µ mol TE
23 Banana 795,00 µ mol TE
24 Orange 726,00 µ mol TE
25 Pear 704,00 µ mol TE
26 Carrot 697,00 µ mol TE
27 Pumpkin 483,00 µ mol TE
28 Grapefruit 460,00 µ mol TE
29 Tomato 387,00 µ mol TE
30 Pineapple 385,00 µ mol TE
31 Melon (Cantaloupe) 319,00 µ mol TE
32 Papaya 300,00 µ mol TE
33 Mango 300,00 µ mol TE
34 Watermelon 142,00 µ mol TE
35 Cucumber 140,00 µ mol TE
36 Lime 82,00 µ mol TE