vitamin C

14 Jan

Parsley – Herb,Spice,Vegetable and Medicinal Plant, 10 Reasons Not To Miss It

What Is Parsley?

You’re probably most familiar with parsley as that swig of green on top of your favorite casserole. If you’re only using parsley as a garnish, though, you’re selling this versatile herb short. Parsley can be used as an herb, a spice, a vegetable and a medicinal plant.

Parsley belongs to the family Apiaceae, and is related to such other culinary herbs as dill, fennel, cumin, caraway and anise. There are three varieties of parsley:

• Curly parsley, sometimes called French parsley, which has a slightly bitter taste, and is mostly grown as an ornamental.

• Flat leaf parsley, or Italian parsley, which is the herb most often used in cooking.

• Hamburg parsley, which is grown for its root and is a common ingredient in Eastern European cuisines.

Parsley is chock full of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin K, several B vitamins, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, copper and iodine. Parsley has more vitamin C per gram than most citrus fruits, with 166mg per 100g (4oz), which is three times as much as an orange. Parsley also contains more beta-carotene than a large carrot.

Parsley has been used to help relieve menstrual cramps as far back as the Middle Ages.

Why Is It a Superfood?

Parsley has been elevated to the pantheon of superfoods because it’s packed with nutrients that team up in synergistic ways. Parsley’s B vitamins work together to revitalize your nervous system functions, which makes the herb a great stress reducer. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, essential to over 300 bodily functions.

Since the times of the ancient Greeks, parsley has been used as a digestive aid.

Parsley, the Stress Reducer and Other Health Benefits

Parsley can be used to maintain health and to combat specific illnesses.

Parsley is one of the best breath fresheners around, instantly ridding your mouth of unwelcome memories of that garlic pizza you had for lunch.
The Vitamin C in parsley boosts your immune system, safeguarding against colds and other types of infection.
Vitamin C is also a powerful anti-inflammatory, which means parsley can reduce the pain and joint stiffness associated with arthritis.
Vitamin C also assists with calcium absorption, which means parsley promotes bone and tooth health.
Parsley is a natural diuretic that can help prevent water retention and bloating. It flushes out the kidneys by stimulating urination. It can also help heal bladder and urinary tract infections.
Parsley has been used to help relieve menstrual cramps as far back as the Middle Ages. The secret ingredient? An essential oil called apiol that is still a widely used folk medicine to treat amenorrea. In fact, pregnant women should not eat parsley because it can induce miscarriage.
Since the times of the ancient Greeks, parsley has been used as a digestive aid. Though no scientific evidence has yet confirmed these results, parsley has been used for centuries to eliminate excess gas and stimulate bowel movements.
Parsley contains flavonoids, and flavonoids have anticarcinogenic properties.
Parsley also contains an essential oil called myristicin, which has been found to inhibit tumor growth in animal studies.
Parsley contains large quantities of the B vitamin folic acid, an essential nutrient that slows the arterial wall thickening characteristic of atherosclerosis. Folate also reduces levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that increases the risk of heart attacks, blood clots and strokes.

As most herb, fruit and vegetables, parsley is best used fresh.

How To Take Parsley

When used for medicinal purposes, parsley is most often juiced. Alternative health care practitioners recommend drinking no more than two ounces of parsley juice every day.

Parsley tea can also be brewed from either the fresh or dried herb. The recommended serving is six ounces a day.

Parsley is also available in supplement capsule form. The safest supplements are those made from dried parsley. Refer to the label for dosing information.

The ingestion of parsley oil is controversial. While some sources say it promotes optimal health, other sources point out that the active ingredients in parsley oil, myristicin and apiol, can be toxic to the liver and are a known abortifacient. Individuals taking diuretics, blood thinning medications and lithium are cautioned to avoid taking parsley in large amounts as a health supplement, though small amounts in food carry no risks.

Here is a cool recipe for making parsley juice. Since parsley has a very strong taste it is usually added to other juices. This one teaches you how to make carrot, apple and parsley juice (don’t mind the scary music :) ).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOfsTL2PKxc

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.

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.

14 Mar

Best Blackcurrants For Blackcurrant Juice And How To Choose Them

Blackcurrants are packed with Vitamin C and the juice has many medical advantages, which is why many juicers love them. They can pose some difficulties during juicing, however, as they can easily clog the mechanism of some machines. It’s best to juice blackcurrants at a low speed or use a manual juicer.

What are the Best Blackcurrants for Juicing?

Blackcurrants are a summer berry that somewhat resembles a dark cherry. They become available in mid June. The most common varieties for juicing are the Ben Avon and Ben Dorain. These hybrids have a higher concentration of Vitamin C than other varieties, making them some of the best blackcurrants for juicing.

Blackcurrants are not as easily accessible in a grocery store as many other types of fruit, so you may need to visit a health food store or find someone who grows them locally. They are more common in England than America, but they are fairly easy to grow and it’s possible to grow your own in the US.

Most commercial blackcurrants are grown in New York, Connecticut and Oregon, so they are easiest to obtain in those states. As they gain in popularity for their health benefits, they may become more popular in markets across the country.

How to Choose Blackcurrants at Market

If you’re picking off the vine, the easiest way to test the ripeness of a blackcurrant is to taste it. They sweeten as they ripen, so once the fruit is sweet enough it can be harvested. Blackcurrants are harvested in bunches, with each branch of the shrub being cut away to trim the plant and harvest the berries. All berries on a single branch should be roughly equal in ripeness to each other.

If you’re shopping in the market, you should look for firm fruits without soft spots or blemishes. They should be very dark in color; a light berry will not be sweet enough and was picked immaturely. The berry should not be too soft for the touch. If you’re buying it in a package and cannot test its firmness, base your purchase on the berry’s color and lack of any visible blemishes.

11 Mar

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

Consuming too much of anything can have negative effects on the body, even something like orange juice, which is always touted as being so good for you. So many people begin their day with a glass of orange juice, but drinking too much can produce a number of orange juice side effects.

Too Much Vitamin C

Most people who drink orange juice do it for the vitamin C, which in the right quantities is very beneficial. However, 100-200 milligrams of vitamin C each day is considered to be all that the body requires and amounts of 500 mg or higher can be harmful. Too much vitamin C can cause damage to the white blood cells, which protect the body against infection.

Levels of Blood Sugar

Many orange juice products available have sugar or other sweeteners in them. Plus, the carbohydrates in a small serving of orange juice can slowly elevate blood sugar levels. So people who drink large servings of orange juice or several servings throughout the day may see their blood sugar climb rapidly. This is especially risky for people who are diabetic or pre-diabetic.

Energy Levels

Having energy levels that are inconsistent through the day is another orange juice side effect when too much is consumed. Drinking a large glass can make you feel full of energy soon after drinking it, but that energy can drop quickly as your blood sugar drops.

Weight Gain

Large glasses of orange juice that can so quickly elevate the blood sugar are big contributors to weight gain and even obesity. Since orange juice contains no fiber it is not very satisfying and causes the blood sugar to drop. This can result in craving carbohydrates and eating more.

Miscellaneous Orange Juice Side Effects

There are a number of minor side effects to drinking too much orange juice, which include:

· Indigestion
· Diarrhea
· Heartburn
· Ulcers in the mouth
· Upset stomach
· Increased stress level
· Bloating and gas
· Strong smelling urine

If you drink enough orange juice to consume over 6000 mg of vitamin C there can be some major orange juice side effects:

· Insomnia
· Back pain
· Vitamin B12 deficiency
· Cavities
· Copper Deficiency
· Jaundice

05 Mar

The Power of Lime And Lime Juice Health Benefits

When it comes to health benefits, lime juice is an absolute powerhouse. The sweet and sour tanginess packs more punch than most multivitamin tablets or health shakes. Everything from weight management to scurvy can be helped by a squeeze of the green. Here is a closer look at the benefits of this magical fruit:

Lime Juice And Beauty

Whether the juice is applied directly to skin or ingested, lime juice has proven itself as a skin beautifier. When applied to the skin, the acid from lime juice acts as an exfoliating agent. A few drops of lime juice can be added to your facial cleanser or daily lotion. If added to your lotion, be sure to use a daily sunscreen since the lime juice will gently reveal a new layer of skin.

When ingested, the high dose of vitamin C found in lime juice acts as a great antioxidant and disinfectant. Lime juice is also credited with healing dandruff, bruising and body odor. Try adding a few drops to your bath, body lotion or shampoo for the most benefits. Also, a few drops of lime juice make drinking water refreshing and nutritious.

Weight Management

Lime has been a daily meal staple in India for centuries. The people of India have long known that lime will aid in digestion, which ultimately aids in managing weight. Lime works in two ways to keep your weight down. First, the wonderful aroma of lime will stimulate your mouth to water, thus stimulating your digestive tract. Second, the flavanoids in lime juice will break down the food which will help the body rid itself of toxins and waste.

In addition, a daily intake of lime juice will keep your body from suffering constipation or irritable bowel syndrome. Some great ways to get the daily benefits of lime is either by sprinkling a few drops over meats or eating a side of lime chutney. Lime chutney is delicious with all meats and most potato dishes. Also, add a few drops of lime juice to your sodas or fruit juices for an extra punch of flavor.

Scurvy

Scurvy has been a dreaded disease for many centuries. The common symptoms associated with scurvy are frequent infections, frequent cough/cold, chronically cracked lips, swollen gums and mouth ulcers. Scurvy is caused by a lack of vitamin C. As long as scurvy has plagued people, lime has been used as both a cure and a preventative form of medicine. Long ago, sailors, factory and farm workers were given lime by their boss to ward off scurvy. People who work in pollution factories and other highly toxic areas are still given lime by their employer to protect them from scurvy. Lime is possibly one of the greatest sources of vitamin C, which your body always needs. Just because you don’t have scurvy, don’t skimp on the powers of vitamin C.

The Power Of Flavanoids

Flavanoids are found in fruits and some vegetables and act as strong antioxidants when ingested. Antioxidants reduce inflammation and slow down the aging process in humans. Furthermore, antioxidants boast the ability to fight cancers and actually heal cellular damage. Lime juice is chalk full of wonderful flavanoids.

The Power Of Vitamin C

We’ve always heard the importance of getting enough vitamin C, but do you know just how powerful this nutrient is? A deficiency in vitamin C can cause more bodily malfunctions than can be imagined. The good news: Lime juice has more vitamin C than can be imagined. Here is a list of the many bodily organs/functions that can be deeply improved with adequate amounts of vitamin C:

vision
gums and mouth
ulcers
urinary tract
kidneys
liver
stomach
respiratory system
colon
prostate
heart
skeletal structure

The health benefits of lime juice cannot be overestimated. It has also helped cure colon cancer, prostate cancer, arthritis, rheumatism, fatigue, cholera, high fever and also diabetes. Lime juice may very well be one of the super foods.

04 Mar

Health Benefits of Melon Juice

Melon Juice is a delicious drink that is commonly made from cantaloupe, sometimes known as “muskmelon”, which is the most popular melon type in the country. One cup of cantaloupe supplies you with 108% of the daily recommended allowance of Vitamin A and 98% of the RDA of Vitamin C. Other vitamins and minerals contained in cantaloupe include potassium, folic acid, niacin, dietary fiber, vitamin K, magnesium and thiamin. All these ingredients are what makes cantaloupe so nutritious, and of course taking in cantaloupe in the form of melon juice is the best way to ingest high amounts of this wonder fruit. Did I mention that cantaloupe is low in calories? One cup of cantaloupe contains a mere 53 calories, a good thing to keep in mind when making your own melon juice. A glass of melon juice has more health benefits than you would ever imagine.

Healthy Circulatory System

Melon juice, with its high Vitamin C content, slows down the process of hardening of the arteries resulting in lowering your arteriosclerosis risk. The antioxidants fight high cholesterol levels. In addition, the potassium helps rid your body of too much sodium which can lower your blood pressure. Cantaloupes also contain a unique compound that has been found to lower the risk of blood clots.

Healthy Immune System and Cancer Prevention

The Vitamin C found in cantaloupe stimulates white blood cells which helps fight infection and builds up your immune system. Vitamin C can help fight anything from the common cold to more serious illnesses. The antioxidant properties protect cells and can prevent cancer, especially melanoma and intestinal cancer.

Healthy Eyes

In addition to Vitamin C, melon juice also has a high quantity of vitamin A, which is not only needed by the retina, but also helps the surface of the eye protect itself against bacteria and viruses and reduces your chances of developing eye infections and cataracts. There is also substantial evidence that this high vitamin A and vitamin C combination can help fight the risk of macular degeneration, especially when recommended amounts of Vitamin E, zinc and copper are consumed in addition.

Healthy Pregnancy and other Women’s Health Benefits

All the vitamins and minerals found in melon juice can definitely make for a more healthy pregnancy. The thiamine content raises your energy level and helps your body absorb the iron that is so vital during pregnancy. The niacin promotes good digestion, and the high content of folic acid supports the placenta and can help to prevent neural tube defects in your baby. As stated before, the potassium in cantaloupe helps to rid your body of too much sodium, which ultimately will reduce water retention, a common irritation that goes along with pregnancy. Not pregnant? Drinking melon juice during menstruation will reduce heavy flow and clotting. The potassium also helps relieve muscular aches and pains.

Healthy Sense of Well-Being

In this fast-paced busy world we live in, high levels of stress can be either an occasional problem or even an ongoing one. Drinking melon juice can help reduce stress. The high potassium helps bring down your blood pressure which helps to oxygenate your brain; and another special compound found in cantaloupe calms anxieties. Because of this a glass of melon juice before bedtime can also help you sleep better. If you are a smoker who is trying to quit, melon juice can help your body deal with nicotine withdrawal; and can also replace the high levels of vitamin A that are lost as a result of smoking.

The many health benefits of melon juice cannot be denied. With its high vitamin and mineral content, as well as its delicious taste and low calorie content, there’s no reason not to start enjoying this wonderful juice that can do so much for your body and mind.

03 Mar

Health Benefits of Tomato Juice

You may already have heard tomato juice described as a “super food” but you may not know exactly why it was placed in this healthy food category. The health benefits of tomato juice are numerous and range from cancer fighting properties to heart and bone health. One look at the list of vitamins and minerals can help you understand just how beneficial this juice can be for the human body. With vitamins C, A, K, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and the minerals potassium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus; along with protein, fiber and lycopene, it’s easy to see that tomato juice can be very beneficial for your overall health.

The Antioxidant Lycopene

Lycopene is a very unique antioxidant that is found to be abundant in tomato juice. It helps the human body rid itself of free radicals that damage your cells. Because of this ability to defend your cells, lycopene has been proven to help your body prevent nearly every type of cancer by flushing out carcinogens while also defending your body against atherosclerosis, heart disease, and even heart attacks. It is even believed by many scientists that this super antioxidant can help to prevent osteoporosis by encouraging bone health. Also, it has been shown that lycopene can reverse skin damage from ultraviolet light because of its strong antioxidant properties.

Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

If you are one of the many people suffering from high blood pressure or an increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol, then you may want to start drinking more tomato juice. The good source of potassium you get in a cup of tomato juice helps regulate blood pressure. The fiber and vitamin B3 in this juice will help to lower bad cholesterol.

Prevent Heart Attacks and Stroke

Potassium also helps your heart (as well as the other muscles in your body) to function properly, which can prevent a heart attack. At the same time, there are compounds called platelet factors that help to prevent blood clots. This can also prevent heart attacks and even strokes. The vitamin B6 helps breakdown homocystene, a compound that damages your blood vessels, keeping your heart and major blood vessels healthy.

Increase Bone and Joint Health

I mentioned earlier about lycopene protecting bones and keeping them healthy. The Vitamin C in tomato juice also keeps bones and teeth healthy. There are many great antioxidants in tomatoes that help defend your bones against free radicals. A recent scientific study showed that taking tomatoes completely out of someone’s diet actually became detrimental to their bone density.

Tomato Juice Will Boost Your Immune System

Of course with the excellent source of vitamin C, you probably already realize tomatoes are good for your immune system. The antioxidants and vitamin A are also good for boosting your immune system. The B vitamins and amino acids also help your immune system because they are important for building those immune system cells. With a healthy immune system you are less likely to become ill and, if you do get sick, you will fight it off much more quickly.

Other Health Benefits Of Tomato Juice

Tomato juice has been shown to help prevent certain cases of Alzheimer’s disease possibly due to the rich source of antioxidants. Tomatoes also seem to help people manage their diabetes better and even reduce obesity. In animal studies, consuming tomato juice appears to prevent emphysema, probably because of the great source of antioxidants protecting the lungs. On top of these benefits the B vitamins in tomato juice can give you more energy, improve your memory and make you feel better overall.

Every day scientists are uncovering more health benefits of this super food and, although many more disease preventions are associated with the tomato, it is not yet understood how the preventive properties work. More research is being conducted to affirm and determine the true health potential of this amazing fruit. It is like a tasty wonder drug with no negative side effects.

14 Feb

Health Benefits of Lychee Juice

Though the lychee, a fruit from the soapberry family that is native to China and Southeast Asia, appears to be inedible due to its tough, spiny exterior, it actually harbors numerous proven health benefits once the outer shell is cracked open. Inside is a soft, supple white flesh that is home to many different vitamins and minerals that work to improve a person’s overall health.

Nutritional Benefits

The nutritional benefits of eating a lychee or drinking lychee juice are well documented, and start with its plentiful supply of Vitamin C. Each normal sized fruit or glass of juice contains 72 mg of Vitamin C, which meets or exceeds the daily amount recommended for adults all in one serving. Vitamin C is known to help bolster the immune system, and also helps heal wounds, repair scar tissue and form blood vessels essential to the body.

Calcium is another beneficial ingredient of lychee juice. A regular serving contains up to 5 mg of calcium, which is necessary to help build and maintain strong bones and other functions in the body. Other daily nutritional values satisfied by a serving of lychee juice include Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B6, which are necessary to normal function and energy in adults. A single serving of lychee juice also contains 171 mg of potassium, 31 mg of phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium and selenium.

The juice of the lychee is also packed with dietary fiber, which helps promote heart health as well as aid in digestion. People are encouraged to have a minimum of 25 grams of fiber in their diet every day, and lychee juice contains as much fiber as an apple with even more taste. The juice is also totally free of artery-clogging cholesterol and is also low in both sodium and saturated fats. And, since a cup of lychee contains only about 120 calories, it is also a very healthy food for those watching their waistlines.

Medical Benefits

In addition to being packed full of essential nutrients, lychee juice is also used for a variety of medical applications. Many of these medical uses have been in place for thousands of years, ever since the fruit was originally used by those in the ancient Chinese culture. More recently, research published in 2006 in the “Journal of Nutrition” showed that the fruit’s high concentration of polyphenol, an antioxidant, gives it qualities that help protect a person from cardiovascular disease and different forms of cancer. In fact, the study showed that lychees rank only behind strawberries in concentration of polyphenol.

Lychee juice and the fruit itself have been used in Asia and beyond as alternative medical treatments for problems relating to digestion, pain relief and even in fighting the growth of cancer cells in the breasts and liver. Many also believe that lychee juice can help stop coughing and have positive effects on tumors and enlarged glands. The ancient Chinese also used the fruit and its juices to promote positive energy circulation in the body and promote general, overall well-being.

No matter how you consume it, whether in juice form or in fruit form, lychee is a wonderful fruit to have around. The taste is divine, the fruit is succulent and with all the added health benefits of lychee juice, there’s nothing to lose from indulging in lychee juice daily.

05 Feb

Health Benefits Of Orange Juice

If you had breakfast this morning, there’s a good chance you included a glass of vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber. It was all in your orange juice. Aside from being the most common fruit juice in America and an icon of the breakfast table, there are many health benefits of orange juice. Even with its popularity, these benefits are not always well understood, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service found.

Vitamin C

As most people already know, orange juice is an important source of vitamin C. But what they may not know is just how potent the juice is in delivering the essential antioxidant. Drinking two glasses of orange juice a day increases the body’s vitamin C content by up to 64 percent.

Orange juice is beneficial because of the protective effects it has on the body. A study conducted by Italian nutrition researchers found that subjects who received vitamin C through orange juice had better protection against damaging elements than those who were given a water solution fortified with vitamin C. With just one glass of orange juice providing 116.2 percent of the daily value for vitamin C, it is also an easy and cost-effective way of getting a dose of protection with breakfast.

Other Orange Juice Health Benefits

Orange juice taken with a high-carbohydrate, high-fat meal—which describes the average breakfast for most Americans—has been found to be a good protection against inflammation. A study from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found a link between orange juice consumption and an improvement in diastolic blood pressure. This happens because of a certain plant pigment found in orange juice which improves activity in blood vessels. Orange juice has also been shown to reduce the levels of “bad” cholesterol in patients with high cholesterol, though the exact reason why has not been determined and more studies are being conducted.

Another health benefit comes from orange juice’s high fiber content, one of the key factors behind its ability to reduce cholesterol. Fiber also keeps blood sugar levels in control, making it a healthy choice for individuals with diabetes. It also helps keep cancer-causing chemicals from gathering in the colon, and reduces instances of constipation or diarrhea among individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.

For Americans who often perform woefully on meeting daily nutrition recommendations, orange juice can be an easy way to a healthier diet. An estimated 70 percent of Americans do not meet these requirements, but a four ounce serving of orange juice counts as a full serving of fruit.

Great for Children

Once thought to be bad for children because of its natural sugar content, which was believed to lead to obesity, orange juice has shown to be an important part of the adolescent diet. A study published in Nutrition Research in 2011 showed that for children between ages two and 18, drinking 100 percent orange juice improves diet quality and nutrient adequacy. Using data from the three-year national survey, this study found higher intake of potassium, dietary fiber, potassium and vitamins C and B6 among children who consumed percent orange juice. Of the children in this group, none tested below the Estimated Average Requirement for vitamin C, but 30 percent of children who did not drink orange juice fell below this requirement. For children who consume drinks with a high content of high fructose corn syrup, orange juice is a healthy and delicious alternative.

This study also discounted the idea that orange juice leads to higher risk of overweight and obesity among children. In fact, these children had lower levels of cholesterol than those who did not drink orange juice. Because orange juice also meets many of the goals of the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2010, you can feel good about making it a part of your everyday diet.

03 Feb

What Are Antioxidants?

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

What are antioxidants?

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

How are they formed?

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

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

How and why do they affect our bodies?

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

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

How do antioxidants fight free radicals?

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

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

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

Different antioxidants

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

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

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

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

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

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

So what are the most common sources of antioxidants?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is it possible to have too many antioxidants?

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