Cancer – Juice Health Benefits & Recipes

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.

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:

22 Mar

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

Strawberry juice side effects are extremely uncommon. However, there are a couple of potential side effects that you need to familiarize yourself with before eating the fruit or drinking its juice.

Strawberry Allergies

A small number of people are allergic to strawberries, and even if you have never experienced an allergic reaction before, you could potentially develop one. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to strawberries can include swelling accompanied by a burning or prickling sensation to the mouth, tongue or cheeks; hives; tearing of the eyes; runny nasal passages; difficulty breathing through the nose; sneezing; itching; dermatitis; asthma; rhinitis; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; cramps; eczema; and, in extremely rare cases, anaphylactic shock and asphyxia.

Strawberry Juice Side Effects And Phenols

Strawberries contain phenols, which are phytonutrients. While this is typically one of the characteristics of strawberries that make them largely considered a sort of “wonder fruit”, somewhat more recent research indicates that the benefits of the phenols can come at a price. Strawberries have long since been heralded as a fantastic anti-cancer and anti-aging food, but new evidence suggests that phenols may have no innate mechanism that allows them to differentiate between, say, tumor cells and healthy cells. Thus, while the phenols do happen to attack cancer cells, they also tend to weaken surrounding healthy cells as well.

As with all foods, it is important to know your body and how you react to certain foods. Moreover, it is important to consume foods in moderation, and stray away from tendencies of leaning on any one, particular food source for your nutrition. Keep a healthy, balanced diet and you will likely avoid any potential strawberry juice side effects.

15 Feb

15 Health Benefits of Grapefruit Juice

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

A List Of Health Benefits Of Grapefruit Juice

Appetite control

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

Hydration

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

Helps reduce fatigue

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

Weight loss

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

Stabilizes blood sugar levels

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

Liver tonic

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

Protects against prostate cancer

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

Protects against colon cancer

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

Protects against other cancers generally

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

Grapefruit helps protect against the flu and other viral infections

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

Helps protect against high cholesterol levels

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

Helps prevent gallstones and kidney stones

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

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

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

Relieves arthritis

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

Helps alleviate fever

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

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

12 Feb

Health Benefits of Mangoes and Mango Juice

Everyone knows that fruit is an important component of a healthy diet. Mangoes and natural mango juice, in particular, are an understated fruit and juice because many people seem to still be simply practicing the “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” philosophy. Mangoes and mango juice are rich in various vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants. It’s important to avoid certain mango juice products that can be high in sugar and are not natural and consequently, aren’t all that healthy. Eating mangoes or drinking mango juice somewhat often can offer several advantages, beginning with essential vitamin and mineral consumption.

Vitamins Found in Mangoes and Mango Juice

Mangoes and mango juice are bursting with Vitamin A and C, iron and potassium. Vitamin A is noted by medical professionals for its immense contribution to good vision. Vitamin C supports a healthy immune system. Both Vitamin A and C are classified as antioxidants among professionals, which have the potential to contribute to cancer prevention. Potassium also supports high energy and, according to doctors, can even help aid hypertension. Potassium also contributes to healthy heart function and the prevention of future heart issues. Iron is essential in maintaining a high energy level and a lack of iron can result in several dangerous health conditions (such as anemia). Mangoes and mango juice are overflowing with many vitamins and therefore have the ability to prevent you from obtaining a cold or infection and the potential to ward off certain types of cancers.

Even More Health Benefits Connected to Mangoes and Mango Juice

A recent study conducted by the Medical Daily Reporter showed that mangoes have “digestive enzymes” that can assist in proper digestion and soothe an upset stomach and therefore associated stomach aches and pains. Mangoes are also full of fiber. Adequate amounts of fiber ingested guides the body down the path of healthy digestion and normal bowel movements(relief from stubborn constipation or diarrhea). This website shows that mangoes have the power to help with memory and to refresh and rejuvenate skin. This means that mangoes and mango juice can deeply cleanse your pores and possibly lead to radiant, acne free skin.

Mangoes also provide sufficient amounts of folic acid, an imperative item in maintaining a healthy pregnancy free of complications. Mangoes are also noted for promoting healthy blood flow. Mangoes and mango juice even have the ability to decrease heavy, uncomfortable blood flow for women during menstruation. Another great advantage of mangoes is their low caloric content. You can get feel fully content after eating a healthy meal or snack, including mangoes, while still sticking to a low calorie diet.

Eating a Mango or Drinking Mango Juice After Exercising

It’s common knowledge that during a work-out, calories are burnt, energy is utilized and therefore nutrients are lost. Research has shown that mangoes are the perfect food for replenishing the body after a work out and regaining lost vitamins and nutrients. Some claim that mangoes and mango juice can eliminate body odor after a strenuous, sweaty workout.

Clearly, the advantages that go along with consuming mangoes or natural mango juice are undeniable. Mangoes and mango juice are tasty, sweet and quite healthy. They both provide remarkably nutritious benefits externally and internally. Maintaining or switching to a healthy lifestyle is totally feasible if you start with a simple step like eating a mango or drinking a glass of mango juice. Ultimately, with the copious amounts of health advantages attached, there’s no reason not to at least try making mangoes or natural mango juice an active part of your diet.

24 Jan

Which Fruit Has The Most Lycopene?

What is Lycopene?

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

Lycopene in Our Body

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

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

Health Benefits Of Apricot Juice

Apricot juice is one of the most delicious fruit juices and the health benefits of apricot juice are numerous. Because apricot pulp is very thick when the fruit is juiced many apricot juices have other fruit juices added to make them more liquid and are then marketed as apricot juice blends. So be careful if you are looking for pure 100% apricot juice.

Beneficial Nutrients found in Apricot Juice

Apricots are extremely rich in carotenoids, specifically beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin (anti-oxidants). These are found mostly in the skin of the apricot, so never throw the skin away. Juice the skin with the pulp of the apricot.
Vitamins A, Riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3) and C
Mineral content in apricots includes: Potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, copper and traces of cobalt, bromide, sodium and sulfur.
Fiber and pectin.
Natural sugars.

Cardiovascular Health Benefits of Apricot Juice

1. Free radicals are responsible for the plaque-like deposits of cholesterol in the arteries, making them rigid and narrow. Artherosclerosis and heart attacks are the eventual result of these build-ups. Beta-carotene in apricot juice is a powerful antioxidant that helps to lower bad cholesterol (LDL or low density lipoprotein) levels in the blood. Antioxidants get rid of the free radicals in the body. They help keep arteries clean.

2. The vitamin C content of apricots is also an excellent antioxidant and works together with beta-carotenes. It protects the good cholesterol HDL (high density lipoproteins). Vitamin C has another important attribute in fighting or preventing heart disease. It enhances the elasticity of artery walls. Elasticity of artery walls helps prevent high blood pressure associated with artherosclerosis (hardening of the artery walls). The heart does not have to pump so hard in order to circulate the blood.

Eye Health Benefits of Apricot Juice

The lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids found in apricots help to prevent eye diseases. The retinal nerve endings that send messages of vision to the brain are protected from both UV light and free radicals by carotenoids. Eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts and degeneration are significantly reduced. Vitamin A in apricot juice also aids eye and vision health.

Health Benefits of Apricot Juice During Pregnancy

Apricot juice, because of the iron, vitamin and antioxidant content, is excellent in preventing anemia, enhancing health, and preventing sickness during pregnancy. It is also excellent for settling nausea and indigestion. Pregnant women need extra calcium and minerals. Apricot juice provides these.

Digestive Health Benefits

Apricot juice:

* is excellent for preventing, but also treating constipation. It has gentle laxative qualities. The pectin and fiber content will add necessary bulk and draw moisture to prevent hard stools.
* though acidic to the taste, is alkaline in the digestive system. Drink a glass of apricot juice before eating, it will aid your digestion.
* will help relieve flatulence and colitis.
* alkaline content helps dissolve gall stones

Skin, Hair and Bone Benefits

The vitamin C in apricot juices improves skin elasticity. The minerals are also essential for keeping bones strong, and hair and skin healthy. Antioxidants prevent aging and promote the immune system so improve resistance to disease.

Health Benefits of Magnesium in Apricot Juice

The magnesium content in apricots is approximately ten times higher than in most other fruits. Magnesium has two very beneficial effects.

* It helps to normalize blood pressure.
* Magnesium and phosphorus together enhance brain function. Both are present in apricot juice.

Apricot Juice Helps Prevent Anemia

The iron and copper present in apricots help prevent anemia. Both iron and copper are necessary for the formation of hemoglobin, the essential “oxygen and nutrient carriers” in the red blood cells. Apricot juice is as effective in providing iron for blood regeneration as eating liver.

Longevity – a Possible Health Benefit of Apricot Juice

Scientists link regular apricot consumption with longevity and health in general. Nothing has been proved scientifically, but a village in Pakistan where the people eat only apricots (all forms, fresh, dried and juiced), cereals and vegetables, have some of the longest living and healthiest people on earth. Vitamin A is also reputed to slow down aging.

Cancer Prevention

Apricot juice contains lycopene that is known to help prevent cancer. Interestingly enough, lycopene is more easily digested when the apricots are cooked or processed as in juicing.

Drink apricot juice often and enjoy all the health benefits of apricot juice. There is good reason for naming apricot juice “The Nectar of the Gods”. It is not only delicious to taste, but it works wonders in your body.

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.