11 Super Health Benefits in Just One Celery Stalk

Apples walk away with most health accolades, and spinach leads the healthy veggie brigade. Compared to them, celery is somewhat unsung, but once you read its incredible–and nearly endless–list of health benefits, you will quickly join its growing list of lovers.

1. Celery is a great choice if you are watching your weight. One large stalk contains only 10 calories! So, add celery to your shopping list and enjoy it in your salads, soups and stir-fries.
2. Celery reduces inflammation. If you are suffering from joint pains, lung infections, asthma, or acne, eating more celery will bring much-needed relief.
3. It helps you calm down: Celery for stress-relief? Oh yes! The minerals in celery, especially magnesium, and the essential oil in it, soothe the nervous system. If you enjoy a celery-based snack in the evening, you may sleep better.
4. It regulates the body’s alkaline balance, thus protecting you from problems caused by an overly acidic diet.
5. Celery aids digestion: some say celery tastes like “crunchy water,” and this may be part of the reason it is so good for your digestive system. The high water content of celery, combined with the insoluble fiber in it, makes it a great tool for easy passage of stool. Note: because celery has diuretic and cleansing properties, those with diarrhea should avoid eating it.
6. It contains “good” salts. Yes, celery does contain sodium, but it is not the same thing as table salt. The salt in celery is organic, natural and essential for your health.
7. It cares for your eyes. One large stalk of celery delivers 5 percent of your daily need for Vitamin A, a group of nutrients that protects the eyes and prevents age-related degeneration of vision.
8. Celery reduces “bad” cholesterol: There is a component in celery called butylphthalide, which gives the vegetable its flavor and scent. But that’s not all it does — the compound also reduces bad cholesterol. A Chicago University study profiled by the New York Times shows that the butylphthalide found in just four stalks of celery a day can reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) by up to 7 percent!
9. It lowers blood pressure: An active compound called phthalides in celery has been proven to boost circulatory health. Raw, whole celery reduces high blood pressure.
10. It could amp up your sex life: According to Dr. Alan R. Hirsch, Director of the Smeel and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, two pheromones in celery–androstenone and androstenol–boost your arousal levels. They are released when you chew on a celery stalk.
11. Celery can combat cancer: Two studies at the University of Illinois show that a powerful flavonoid in celery, called luteolin, inhibits the growth of cancer cells, especially in the pancreas. Another study suggests that the regular intake of celery could significantly delay the formation of breast cancer cells.

Useful Tips:

Choose celery with upright stalks that snap when bent. The leaves should be fresh and crisp.  When selecting celery, remember this rule of thumb: The darker the color, the stronger the flavor.

Freshly chopped celery retains its nutrients much better than if you chop and store it even for a few hours.

Steamed celery not only retains its flavor, but also most of its nutrients–up to 99 percent of them, in fact!

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MANY USES OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR FOR HEALTH, BEAUTY, HYGIENE AND IN COOKING

Vinegar is said to have been discovered around 5000 BC, when unattended grape juice turned into wine and then vinegar. Originally used as a food preservative, vinegar’s medicinal uses soon came to light.

Hippocrates used vinegar to manage wounds, while medical practitioners in the 1700s used it to treat everything from poison ivy and croup to stomach aches. Vinegar was even used to treat diabetes.
Vinegar, which means “sour wine” in French, can be made from virtually any carbohydrate that can be fermented, including grapes, dates, coconut, potatoes, beets, and, of course, apples.

Traditionally, vinegar is made through a long, slow fermentation process, leaving it rich in bioactive components like acetic acid, gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, caffeic acid, and more, giving it potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and many other beneficial properties.

As reported in Medscape General Medicine:

“The slow methods are generally used for the production of the traditional wine vinegars, and the culture of acetic acid bacteria grows on the surface of the liquid and fermentation proceeds slowly over the course of weeks or months.
The longer fermentation period allows for the accumulation of a non-toxic slime composed of yeast and acetic acid bacteria, known as the mother of vinegar.”
“Mother” of vinegar, a cobweb-like amino acid-based substance found in unprocessed, unfiltered vinegar, indicates your vinegar is of the best quality. Most manufacturers pasteurize and filter their vinegar to prevent the mother from forming, but the “murky” kind is best, especially if you’re planning to consume it.

Vinegar is not only useful for cooking, it’s useful for health purposes, cleaning, garden care, hygiene, and much more. In fact, a jug of vinegar is easily one of the most economical and versatile remedies around. I recommend keeping it in your home at all times.



HEALTH USES FOR APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

There are no hard and fast rules concerning taking vinegar internally. Some people take one to two teaspoons a day, mixed in a glass of water, before meals or in the morning, and report benefits from doing so. The risk of taking small amounts of vinegar is low, and research suggests it may have some real health benefits.

1. Diabetes

Vinegar is said to be anti-glycemic and has a beneficial effect on blood sugar levels. It’s thought that the acetic acid in vinegar may lower blood sugar by preventing the complete digestion of complex carbohydrates, which is accomplished either by accelerating gastric emptying or increasing the uptake of glucose by bodily tissues.

One theory is that vinegar might inactivate some of the digestive enzymes that break down carbohydrates into sugar, thus slowing the conversion of complex carbohydrate into sugar from a meal into your bloodstream.This gives your body more time to pull sugar out of your blood, preventing your sugar levels from spiking.

Quite a bit of research supports the use of vinegar as a diabetic treatment as well.One study found that vinegar treatment improved insulin sensitivity in 19 percent of individuals with type 2 diabetes and 34 percent of those with pre-diabetes.  Yet another study found taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bed lowered blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes by up to 6 percent by the morning.

2. Heart Health

Vinegar supports heart health in multiple ways. As explained in theJournal of Food Science:6

“Polyphenols such as chlorogenic acid, which is present in high levels in apple cider vinegar, could inhibit oxidation of LDLs and improve health by preventing cardiovascular diseases.”
One study showed that vinegar could lower cholesterol in laboratory rats,7 while another study on rats found their blood pressure could be lowered by the acetic acid in vinegar.8  Vinegar has also been found to decrease triglyceride levels and VLDL levels (the damaging form of cholesterol) in animal studies.9

3. Weight Loss

Vinegar may help you lose weight, as it appears to have an anti-obesity effect by increasing satiety and reducing the total amount of food consumed.

For instance, when volunteers consumed a small amount of vinegar along with a high-carb meal (a bagel and juice) they consumed less food for the remainder of the day.

The reduction equated to about 200 to 275 calories a day—an amount that would result in a monthly weight loss of up to 1.5 pounds.10

In addition, separate research found taking vinegar along with bread not only lowered glucose and insulin responses, but also increased levels of satiety. The rating of satiety was directly related to the acetic acid level in the vinegar.11

4. Sinus Congestion

Apple cider vinegar helps to break up and reduce mucus in your body, helping to clear your sinuses. It also has antibacterial properties, making it useful to remedy infections.

5. Sore Throat

The antibacterial properties in apple cider vinegar may be useful for sore throats as well. Gargle with a mixture of about one-third cup of apple cider vinegar mixed with warm water as needed.

6. Digestion And Acid Reflux

Acid reflux typically results from having too little acid in your stomach. You can easily improve the acid content of your stomach by taking one tablespoon of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a large glass of water daily. The pectin in apple cider vinegar may also help to soothe intestinal spasms.

7. Skin Irritations

Apple cider vinegar works for a variety of skin ailments, from bug bites to poison ivy to sunburn. You can either apply it directly to the irritated area or try soaking in a bath with about one cup of vinegar added.

8. Warts

Topical application of apple cider vinegar may help remove warts, likely because of the high levels of acetic acid it contains.12 You can try soaking a cotton ball in vinegar and applying it to the wart, covered, overnight.

9. Energy Boost

Apple cider vinegar contains potassium and enzymes to help banish fatigue. Plus, its amino acids may help prevent the buildup of lactic acid in your body, further preventing fatigue.13



APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AROUND YOUR HOME

Generally, you can use distilled white vinegar for household use and the cider vinegars, made from fermenting fruits such as apples, for consumption. However, if you prefer you can use apple cider vinegar around your home as well.

10. Natural Cleaning

Vinegar is one of the best natural cleaning agents there is, and this is largely due to its anti-microbial properties. When added to food, the organic acids in vinegar (especially the acetic acid) pass into cell membranes to kill bacteria.

Foods fermented with vinegar have a natural arsenal of anti-microbial organic acids, including acetic, lactic, ascorbic, citric, malic, propionic, succinic, and tartaric acids. One study found acetic acid to be lethal to even E. coli O157:H7, while other research has shown substances such as acetic acid, lemon juice, or a combination of lemon juice and vinegar to be effective against salmonella.14

11. Weed Killer

Vinegar is very effective to control weeds in your garden. Howard Garrett, also known as “The Dirt Doctor”, shared his recipe for vinegar-based herbicide (this spray will injure any plant it touches, so use it only on those you want to remove):

Herbicide Formula

1 gallon of 10 percent (100 grain) vinegar
Add 1 ounce orange oil or d-limonene
Add 1 tablespoon molasses (optional – some say it doesn’t help)
1 teaspoon liquid soap or other surfactant (such as Bio Wash)
Do not add water

 
12. Neutralize Odors

Apple cider vinegar in a bowl will help to neutralize odors in your home.

13. Fruit and Veggie Wash

Vinegar is one of the best natural agents for removing certain pesticides and bacteria from your fresh produce. Try a solution of 10 percent vinegar to 90 percent water as a bath to briefly soak produce. Just place your veggies or fruit in the solution, swish them around, and rinse thoroughly (don’t use this process on fragile fruits like berries since they could be damaged in the process or soak up too much vinegar through their porous skins).



HYGIENE AND BEAUTY

You might even want to keep some apple cider vinegar in your bathroom cabinet…

14. Hair Rinse

Apple cider vinegar helps remove product build-up and balance your scalp’s pH level. Try a weekly rinse of one-third cup of vinegar mixed with four cups of water.  For dandruff, try spraying your scalp with equal parts vinegar and water (mixed), wrapping a towel around your head, and leaving it to sit for an hour. Then, wash out and repeat up to twice a week.15

15. Facial Toner

Diluted apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball makes a simple facial toner and cleanser to help prevent breakouts. It might even help bruises to fade faster.

16. Deodorant

Apple cider vinegar helps kill odor-causing bacteria, so dab a bit under your arms for a natural deodorant.

17. Oral Health

Swishing diluted apple cider vinegar can help to eliminate bad breath and whiten teeth. Keep in mind, however, that apple cider vinegar is acidic. The main ingredient is acetic acid, which may be a little harsh on the enamel, so you should always dilute it with water before swallowing.

18. Foot Odor

Wiping your feet down with apple cider vinegar can help to eliminate odor-causing bacteria and smells from your feet.



APPLE CIDER VINEGAR IN YOUR COOKING

There are many creative ways to use apple cider in cooking. Try it in homemade marinades and sauces, soups, or even smoothies. You can even add it to baked goods (it will add extra lift) and, of course, use it in salad dressing (try it mixed with olive oil, garlic, and mustard, for instance).16

Vinegar is good on fish as well and serves as a great tenderizing marinade for meat, giving it a good bit of zing. And it’s tasty drizzled over cooked greens or as a base for a cucumber salad. You can also try your hand at pickled vegetables using vinegar.

Vinegar is also a vital addition to homemade bone broth. When it comes to making broth, the vinegar helps leech all those valuable minerals from the bones into the stockpot water, which is ultimately what you’ll be eating. The goal is to extract as many minerals as possible out of the bones into the broth.
Bragg’s raw apple cider vinegar is a good choice, as it’s unfiltered and unpasteurized. If you’re consuming vinegar for therapeutic reasons but don’t enjoy the flavor, you can alternatively consume other fermented foods to get the beneficial acids. This will then also help to recolonize your gut with beneficial bacteria. However, vinegar is easier and certainly safe to use, so you can certainly include it in your diet if you enjoy it.



CHOOSE YOUR VINEGAR WISELY: AVOID DISTILLED VINEGAR

Distilled white vinegar is excellent for cleaning and laundry, but for health purposes you’ll want to avoid the perfectly clear, “sparkling clean” varieties you commonly see on grocery store shelves. Instead, you want organic, unfiltered, unprocessed vinegar, which is murky. As mentioned, that murkiness is caused by a cobweb-like substance called the “mother,” and it is indicative of a high-quality product.

Finally, if you are considering taking apple cider vinegar medicinally, long-term excessive use could conceivably cause low potassium levels and can adversely affect your bone density—so moderation is important.

In addition, apple cider vinegar could theoretically interact with diuretics, laxatives, and medicines for diabetes and heart disease. If you are under the care of a physician and you want to try a course of apple cider vinegar, talk to your physician first to make sure it won’t interfere with any of the medications you are currently taking.

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Top 10 Health Benefits of Pineapple Juice

If there is one juice that I could add to EVERY one of my juice recipes, it would be pineapple juice. There’s just enough tang and tart flavor in the juice to drown out the taste of veggies like kale or broccoli, but it’s sweet enough that it makes the juice enjoyable.

I don’t think I could ever tire of pineapple juice. It’s supremely versatile, and it goes well with pretty much every fruit and veggie on the planet!

But did you know that pineapples pack more than just a flavor punch? You’ll find that these tropical fruits are one of the healthiest around, and it’s worth adding it into your juices for a number of reasons…

Top Pineapple Juice Benefits

Here are the top 10 benefits of drinking pineapple juice:

1. Fight Free Radicals

One of the top pineapple juice benefits lies in the health doses of antioxidants the fruit contains. Pineapples contain A LOT of Vitamin C, one of the most important antioxidants for a healthy immune system. Vitamin C is also very effective at getting rid of free radicals, and you’ll find that adding pineapple juice to your day will help to reduce the damage these radicals can do to your body.

2. Prevent Heart Disease

For men who are worried about their heart, one of the primary pineapple juice benefits is its ability to fight heart disease. The Vitamin C in pineapple juice will prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, thereby preventing it from turning into artery-clogging plaque.

Pineapples are also loaded with potassium, the mineral that helps to balance the amount of water your body stores. Too much sodium and not enough potassium can lead to high blood pressure, so drinking the potassium-rich pineapple juice is an excellent way to ensure your electrolytes are balanced.

3. Promote Weight Loss

What stops you from losing weight? Often, it’s just a desire for something sweet and tasty. (Stupid cravings!) Pineapples are loaded with natural sugar, making pineapple juice very effective at dealing with those sugar cravings you get while on a diet.

Pineapples also help you to feel full if you eat them at the close of a meal, so it’s a good idea to finish off your lunch or dinner with a glass of pineapple juice.

4. Boost Immunity

Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the world, and yet the average person gets nowhere near enough of it. If you want to stay healthy, you’ll add more of the vitamin to your diet.

It will give your immune system a boost, ensuring that your body is protected from the myriad bacteria, viruses, fungi, and germs you come in contact with every day. Pineapples also contain bromelain, a compound that can fight off microbes and germs. It’s even recommended that you try pineapple to deal with coughs and colds!

5. Increase Bone Health

Your bones need calcium to be strong and healthy, but they also need other minerals like silicon and manganese. Pineapples contain a lot of manganese, so just a cup of pineapple juice will be enough to give you nearly ¾ of the manganese that you need every day.

It not only works to strengthen your bones, but it will fortify the connective tissues (tendons, ligaments, etc.) around your bones–thereby reducing your risk of injuries drastically!

Pineapple can also help with arthritis!

6. Improve Eye Health

As you age, the cells in your eyes tend to break down. This is called macular degeneration, and it’s something that happens to most people. However, one of the best ways to prevent this degeneration is by increasing your Vitamin A intake. Pineapple juice contains beta carotene, a nutrient that your body turns into Vitamin A. For healthier eyes, drink more pineapple juice.

7. Prevent Cancer

Pineapples aren’t just effective at fighting free radicals (as mentioned above), but they can also deal with cancer directly. Men will find that pineapple juice benefits for men affect them, as the juice has proven effective at fighting prostate cancer. It’s thanks to the beta-carotene in the pineapple that cancer is dealt with effectively!

8. Improve Digestion

Pineapples are loaded with healthy fiber, but there’s none of that fiber in the juice you squeeze from your pineapple. What there is, however, is lots of liquid! The high water content of pineapples (ergo, pineapple juice) helps to reduce your risk of constipation, improves the health of your digestive system overall, and ensures regular waste elimination. Pineapple juice is excellent at keeping your digestive tract healthy!

9. Enhance Fertility

Did you know that one of the top benefits of pineapple juice for women affect their reproductive systems? The antioxidants in the pineapple juice will increase their fertility, and getting rid of the free radicals in the body will double down on the reproduction-boost offered by the tropical fruit.

The minerals in pineapple juice–zinc, copper, beta-carotene, folate, and others–will help both men and women to have healthy reproductive systems. For people trying to have children, drinking more pineapple juice can increase your chances of conception.

10. Heal Skin

Eating pineapples or drinking pineapple juice is one way to improve the health of your skin, but even applying the juice directly to your skin as a natural “lotion” can go a long way! Vitamin C is one of the most important nutrients to consume if you want to have healthy skin, as more Vitamin C means your skin can produce more collagen and elastin. Increasing your consumption of this vitamin via pineapple juice will help to speed up skin healing, reduce wear and tear on your skin, and even improve the texture of your skin.

These may be the top ten pineapple juice benefits, but there are many more! The truth is that pineapple is one of the most versatile fruits on the planet, and it offers a wide range of benefits that is matched only by its amazing flavor!

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10 Delicious Health Benefits of Strawberry – Reasons Why Strawberries Are Extremely Good For You And Your Body

Introduction

Loaded with impressive amount of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, no doubt why strawberries are among the most popular berries. From being freshly-picked berries to jams, anyone can easily access the nutritious strawberries all year round. This fruit, scientifically called as Fragaria X ananassa, is grown in temperate regions until they develop into red pulp with tiny seeds on the surface.

The United States Department of Agriculture or USDA suggests that there are only 32 calories for every 100 grams of strawberries. It comes with zero cholesterol and almost no fat.

However, it is a good source of carbohydrates with 6% of the daily-recommended intake. This is indeed important to supply the body with the much needed energy so organs can function normally and properly. The 2.0 grams or 5% DRI of dietary fiber is also helpful to improve bowel movement as well as blood glucose and cholesterol control.

Strawberries yields good amount of potassium, an important electrolyte that helps in the communication between the nerves and the muscles. It also curbs the damaging effect of sodium in the body particularly in the blood vessels.

Along with potassium are minerals including manganese, iron, magnesium, calcium, and zinc. Strawberries contribute 17% DRI of manganese, which assists in the synthesis of carbohydrates and proteins. It likewise keeps the bones strong. Iron, with 5% of the DRI, makes up the hemoglobin and is involved in the manufacture of new blood cells. The 3% DRI of magnesium found in strawberries, meanwhile, helps in the development of bones and muscle contraction. Calcium interacts with other minerals to perform its function in bone and tooth formation. Zinc is also involved in various enzyme activities as it protects the immune system.

All the aforementioned minerals are vital to achieve overall health. This could be obtained along with vitamins like C, E, K, B complex, and minimal amount of A.

Strawberries are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that develops body resistance against infectious disease. Vitamin C’s importance in the body is grounded on the fact that it aids in iron absorption as well as in ensuring the health bones, muscle, and blood vessels.

Strawberries boast its supply of vitamin B complex, which includes Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Pyridoxine, and Folates. This fruit is particularly high in folates, with 6% of the DRI. Folates are important in the production of red blood cells and in the development of genetic materials in the body.

The Important Health Benefits of Strawberries

Optimizes Heart Condition

Anthocyanins, a very special mineral, found in strawberries are powerful antioxidant that boosts the overall health of the heart. This antioxidant effectively avoids heart diseases through regulating the body’s cholesterol levels. This fruit also has anti-inflammatory compounds that support development of HDL or good cholesterol at the same time reduces LDL or the bad cholesterol. LDL cholesterol negatively affects heart functions. It does not only lead to excess fat storage but also damages the arteries. Regular consumption of strawberries will assure that cholesterol level in the body is normalized. Its polyphenol content also assures that blood flow from and to the heart is proper. There are also studies that conclude that strawberries have the ability of decreasing homocysteine levels that is the cause of damages in the arteries’ inner linings. On top of that, this delicate fruit is also rich in fiber and potassium that boosts overall heart health.

Prevents Allergies and Related Illness

Strawberries contain quertecin which is an anti-inflammatory compound that subside effects of allergies such as asthma, runny nose, hives, and watery eyes. Quertecin is one of the special properties that this fruit has because it is rarely found in others.

Suppresses Depression

Depression is caused by too much homocysteine in the body which stops nutrients and blood to be absorbed by the brain. Strawberries have Folate which prevents maintenance and development of homocysteine in the body. Homocysteine interferes with the production of serotonin which is known to be the happy hormones. Homocysteine does not only affect mood but also affects appetite and sleeping patterns. If you want to drop the mood swings, eating strawberries can help.

Prevents and Treats Diabetes

Strawberries are not only high in fiber but also are low in glycemic index that keeps blood sugar in check. The compounds of this fruit stabilize the blood sugar avoiding frequent fluctuations. This fruit is good for those who are diabetic or those who wants to avoid genetic diabetes because it satisfies your sweet tooth but doesn’t cause your blood sugar to go up. Strawberries are one of the fruits that have the lowest glycemic index which is only 40.

Avoids Constipation

Constipation is caused by improper digestion. Because of the fiber content of strawberries, it is able to normalize the digestive process. It allows food intake to break down accordingly. It also assures that food intake is digested and wasted properly and quickly. Regular intake of strawberries results to regular bowel movement thus avoiding constipation.

Contains Anti-Cancer Properties

Strawberries are very popular because of its powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants prevent and eliminate free radicals and their very undesirable effects. Free radicals cause irregularities in the body. It inhibits tumor growth and heart ailments. This is why eating strawberries reduces risks of different types of cancer.

Alleviates Degenerative Functions

As mentioned above, strawberries are excellent sources of folate. Folate benefits the body in many ways possible.  Sufficient amounts of folate in the body defy ageing and its deteriorating effects in many aspects of the health. Lack of folate causes vascular diseases, atherosclerosis, and cognitive dysfunction. Make sure to always eat strawberries to replenish the body with Folic Acid.

Good for the Bones

Strawberries also have significantly high potassium content. High-potassium diet is proven to support development of bones through maintaining and retaining calcium storage. As we age, the bones tend to weaken. If you want to keep your bones healthy and strong, eating strawberries on a daily basis is of much significance. This fruit prevents bone breakdown and bone loss.

Reduces Stress

Strawberries suffice the daily Vitamin C requirement of the body. Vitamin C has positive effects in stress management. In fact, a cup of this fruit provides more than 100% of the Vitamin C demand of the body in a day. Vitamin C is much needed especially when under so much stress because when stressed, the body consumes more Vitamin C than usual. When you eat great sources of Vitamin C, blood pressure is regulated thus hypertension is prevented. This will result to better stress management ability of the body.

Regulates Blood Pressure

Strawberries are rich in potassium which explains why they are highly recommended to those with high blood pressure. Sodium negatively affects the body and is primarily responsible for high blood pressure. The potassium content of this fruit helps in negating the effects of sodium. And if your body does not meet the required potassium intake, the more it is exposed to high blood pressure. Foods rich in potassium are highly advantageous to the entirety of the human health. It is of great significance to eat foods rich in potassium as much as you can. Studies proved that high potassium intake decreases risks of dying from all kinds of causes generally up to 20%.

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Health Benefits of Mulberries

The health benefits of mulberries include their ability to improve digestive health, lower cholesterol, aid in weight loss efforts, increase circulation, build bone tissue, boost the immune system, prevent certain cancers, slow down the aging process, lower blood pressure, protect eye health, and improver the overall metabolism of the body.

Mulberries are the sweet, hanging fruit from a genus of deciduous trees that grow in a variety of temperate areas around the world. Thought to possibly have originated in China, they have since spread throughout the world and are highly praised for their unique flavor, as well as a truly impressive and unusual composition of nutrients for a berry. In fact, most varieties found in different parts of the world are considered to be “native” from those areas, as they are so widespread. The scientific name of mulberries varies depending on which species you are looking at, but the most common types are Morus australis and Morus nigra, but there are dozens of other delicious varieties as well. In terms of appearance, the berries grow very fast when they are young, but gradually slow as their color changes from white or green through to pink or red, and eventually settling on dark purple or even black.

MulberriesIn culinary preparations, the sweet or tart flavor of most varieties make these berries ideal for sherbets, jams, jellies, fruit tarts, pies, wines, teas, and cordials. In certain areas of the world, the flavors of the mulberry varieties differ, but the American mulberry and the black mulberry are considered to have the most powerful flavor and are widely sought after. Interestingly, the mulberry tree presents another very important function, besides providing people with delicious berries. The leaves of the mulberry tree are also the only known food source of silkworms! For human consumption, the berries are delicious, but they are also composed of some very unique nutritional elements that can have a serious impact on our health. Let’s explore what is packed inside there berries that make them so important!

Nutritional Valueof Mulberries

Mulberries are filled with nutrients that are important for our body, including iron, riboflavin, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, phosphorous, and calcium, as well as a significant amount of dietary fiber and a wide range of organic compounds, including phytonutrients, zea-xanthin, resveratrol, anthocyanins, lutein, and various other polyphenolic compounds.

Health Benefits of Mulberries

Digestive Health: Like the majority of fruits and vegetables, mulberries contain dietary fiber, approximately 10% of your daily requirements in a single serving, in fact. Dietary fiber can help to improve digestive health by bulking up stool, thereby speeding up the movement of food through the digestive tract, while also reducing occurrences of constipation, bloating, and cramping. Furthermore, fiber helps to regulate cholesterol levels and can boost heart health when regularly added to the diet.

Circulation: The high levels of iron contains in mulberries, which is a very unusual mineral for fruits to contain, can significantly boost the body’s production of red blood cells. This means that the body will increase its distribution of oxygen to important tissues and organ systems, thereby helping to boost metabolism and optimize functionality of those systems.

Blood Pressure and Heart Health: Resveratrol is a very important flavonoid antioxidant that directly affects the functioning of certain mechanisms in blood vessels, primarily making them less prone to damage by angiotensin, which can cause blood vessel constriction. In fact, resveratrol increases the production of nitric oxide, which is a vasodilator, meaning that it relaxes blood vessels and reduces chances of blood clot formation and subsequent heart issues like strokes or heart attacks. Resveratrol is found in many dark-skinned berries like mulberries, including most grapes, which is why this beneficial antioxidant is also found in many wines.

Cancer Prevention: Between the high content of anthocyanins, vitamin C, vitamin A, and various other polyphenolic and phytonutrient compounds, mulberries are absolutely packed with antioxidant potential. Antioxidants are the main line of defense against free radicals, which form as a dangerous byproduct of cellular metabolism and can damage healthy cells, causing them to mutate into cancerous cells. The diverse range of antioxidants found in mulberries means that they can neutralize these free radicals quickly, before too much damage is done.

Vision Health: One of the carotenoids found in mulberries is zea-xanthin, which has been connected directly to a reduction in oxidative stress on certain ocular cells, including the retina macula lutea. Furthermore, zea-xanthin functions as an antioxidant and prevents certain damage to the retina, including from free radicals that can cause macular degeneration and cataracts.

Immune System: Vitamin C is a powerful defensive weapon against any illnesses or foreign pathogens in the body that antioxidants don’t take care of. A single serving of mulberries is almost the entire requirement of vitamin C for the day, but combine that with the minerals and vitamins that are in this fruit, and you have a true weapon against illness. Add a few mulberries to your morning and watch your immune system health soar!

mulberriesinfoBuild Bone Tissue: Vitamin K, calcium, and iron, as well as the trace amounts of phosphorous and magnesium found in mulberries, can all be beneficial for the creation and maintenance of bone tissue. As we get older, maintaining strong bones, speeding up the healing process, or even reversing the damage of bone degradation is important to prevent conditions like osteoporosis or other age-related bone disorders.

Antioxidants and Premature Aging: Mulberries also boast a high level of vitamin A and vitamin E, as along with a range of carotenoid components like lutein, beta carotene, zea-xanthin, and alpha carotene. All of these elements act as antioxidants that specifically affect the skin, tissue, hair, and other areas of the body where free radicals strike. Mulberries can help keep skin looking smooth, reduce the appearance of blemishes and age spots, and keep hair shiny and healthy by preventing the oxidative actions of free radicals.

A Final Word of Caution: Some mulberries are very good at lowering blood sugar levels, which is beneficial for some, but also very dangerous for others. Also, there are rare cases of allergies to mulberry, so use them in moderation and monitor your body’s reaction if eating them for the first time!

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This Women Drank a Glass of Tomato Juice Every Day for 2 Months: The Result is Amazing

We all know and believe in the powerful properties of tomatoes, and there are many reasons why they are considered to be super foods. However, to examine all their beneficial effects, experts from the University of Taiwan decided to conduct an experiment.

They gathered together women of different ages, weight and origin, and gave them one glass of tomato juice (250 ml) every day for two months.

The first evident change was significant weight loss, which happened due to fat deposit removal from the body, not fluids, as experts explained.

Scientists who conducted the experiment reveal that “The women who took part in this experiment did not change their eating habits or workout routines, but the results were visible in only a few days.”

Moreover, these women had their blood drawn at the beginning and the end of the experiment, and according to scientists’ claims. The results were — “significantly reduced cholesterol levels, along with increased levels of lycopene – an antioxidant in tomatoes, which offers a number of health benefits,”

The results of this experiment showed much more than anyone expected, namely, tomato offers numerous benefits for our health. A single glass of tomato juice every day strengthens your immune system, protects against heart disease, but also reduces the risk of developing cancer.

In addition, this refreshing beverage prevents bladder, pancreas, liver and lung diseases, helps with indigestion, prevents fluid retention and improves overall health.

Tomato juice significantly reduces the cough, prevents anemia, relieves rheumatic symptoms and improves the blood count. Furthermore, it is great for your skin and a radiant complexion. Moreover, tomato contains potassium, calcium, vegetable proteins and carbohydrates as well as the essential vitamin C.

It is also a great natural remedy for muscle spasms because it’s is rich in magnesium – 11mg per 100 grams. So, if you had a strenuous workout, drink some tomato juice and your muscle pain will disappear.

Recipe for a homemade tomato juice

Ingredients:

• 6 kilos of tomatoes,
• two tablespoons of salt
• 4 tablespoons of sugar

Method of preparation:

Remove the stems and first wash the tomatoes in cold water, and then cut and grind them.

Add the salt and sugar and let it cook, but stir frequently to prevent burning. After it boils, cook for

10 more minutes and stir all the time.

The hot, cooked tomato juice should be put into a sterilized glass bottle and closed tightly. When cooled, store the bottles in a cool place.

This homemade tomato juice will undoubtedly change the way you look and feel. Nevertheless, if you opt for buying your tomato juice, make sure it is organic, as the effects won’t be full.

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The Aloe Vera Benefits

Aloe Vera is fabulous and very powerful plant, known as “plant of immortality“. Aloe Vera was used long time ago, ancient Greek used it for cure for everything, from insomnia to baldness. Even, Cleopatra applied Aloe Vera gel for body care. Native Americans called this plant the wand of heaven. There are many reasons why this plant was used as a cure, because of its great and numerous benefits

High in vitamins and minerals

Aloe Vera is rich in A, C, E Vitamin, Folic acid, Choline, also has a high content of B1, B2, B6 Vitamin. Aloe is one of the few plants that contains Vitamin B12. There are 20 minerals found in Aloe Vera  and some of them are: calcium, zinc, magnesium, sodium, selenium, iron, potassium, copper, manganese…

High in amino acids and fatty acids

Estimates of the amino acids found in Aloe Vera range from 18-20 amino acids, with all 8 essential. Also contains three plant sterols: cholesterol, campesterol and B-sitosterol which are helpful in reducing symptoms of allergies.

Aloe Vera is an adaptogen

Aloe Vera has the power as an adaptogen which balances the body system, stimulating the adaptive and defense body mechanism. This allows you an increased ability to manage stress.

Helps in digestion

Aloe is known to soothe and cleanse the digestive tract. Aloe also helps to decrease the amount of unfriendly bacteria and keeping your healthy intestinal flora in balance.

Alkalizes the body

Disease cannot manifest in an alkaline environment. Aloe Vera is associate alkaline forming food. It helps to alkalize the body, helping to balance excessively acidic dietary habits.

Helps in detoxification

Aloe Vera is a gelatinous plant food, like Chia seeds and seaweeds. The main benefit of consuming gelatinous plant foods in your diet is that these gels move through the intestinal tract absorbing toxins along the way and get eliminated through the colon.

Improves cardiovascular health

Research shows that Aloe Vera extract injected into the blood, increase the oxygen transportation in the blood.

Boosts the immune system

The high level of antioxidants in Aloe Vera help combat the unstable compounds known as free-radicals contributing to the aging process.

Great for the skin

Aloe Vera provides oxygen to the skin cells, increasing their strength and skin tissue synthesis.

Antibiotic, antibacterial, antifungal,  antiseptic, antiviral and germicidal

Aloe Vera`s active ingredients are sulphur, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen and phenol which are substances that prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.

Helps reduce inflammation

Aloe contains 12 substances, including B-sitosterol which helps slow down or reduce inflammation. This can help with painful joints because of stiffness and help improve joint flexibility.

Weight loss-secondary effect

Improving your digestion and detoxifying you will have a secondary effect in promoting weight loss, because when we start to improve our digestion, we naturally eliminate more.

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7 Best Benefits Of Lemon Ginger Tea For Skin, Hair And Health

Since ages, tea has been associated with a lot of medicinal benefits. In fact, very few things are as refreshing or energizing than having a cup of tea. While this drink is available in various brews and flavors all across the world, one variety that rules the heart of many is lemon and ginger tea.

For more than 2000 years, lemon and ginger are a part of medicinal practices. They’re basically used for preventing and treating countless health issues. Besides boosting energy circulation in your body, it enhances the body’s metabolic rate. Both ginger and lemon are popular inclusions in energy drinks, and that too with good reasons. Instead of buying these sugar loaded drinks, consider consuming them the natural way.

Why don’t you try out lemon ginger tea? Since both these ingredients are easily available in the market, the whole process is easy as well as cost-effective. Ginger has worked as a natural source of remedy for several diseases. What’s more, it has loads of health restorative effects as well. According to modern researchers, ginger is capable of treating a range of serious health conditions like migraines (1) and cancer. When consumed as ginger lemon tea, it has an unbelievably calming effect on your senses. Plus the ginger lemon tea recipe is a piece of cake!

Lemon ginger tea – Health benefits:

1. Say goodbye to diabetes:

According to a recent study, lemon ginger tea helps in lowering the dangerous effects of diabetes. The deadly effects of diabetes are countless and include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and retinopathy or eye disease. Since this variety of tea is laden with antioxidants, you can avoid these harmful effects to a great extent.

2. Relief from indigestion:

When ginger and lemon are used in tea, they work magically to lower the chances of indigestion or heartburn.

3. Soothes pain, menstrual cramps, headache and inflammation:

Due to the anti-inflammatory characteristic of ginger tea, it has a healing effect on different kinds of pain. It puts a stop to prostaglandins that give rise to swelling and pain in the blood veins.

4. Prevents nausea, cold and flu:

Natural lemon and ginger tea is an instant cure for vomiting and motion sickness. It also works as a natural remedy for cases of flu and cold.

5. Ovarian cyst treatment:

For those suffering from ovarian cancer or running the risks of cancer, ginger has proved to be highly effective . Several researches have shown that it stops or lessens the chances of cell death in your body.
Lemon ginger tea – Skin benefits:

6. Smooth and flawless skin:

Lemon and ginger tea has been used since ages to stop or cure several health disorders.  Believe it or not, they have countless medicinal benefits. One main reason behind this is its high vitamin content. So, consider replacing your beverage or health supplement capsules with a delicious cup of lemon ginger tea.

Since its rich in antioxidants  and Vitamin C, it helps improve your digestion and clears the skin. Thanks to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, you’re able to enjoy a problem-free skin.
Lemon ginger tea – Hair benefits:

7. Strong and beautiful hair:

For a lot of people, hair problem is an indispensable fact of life. Whether it’s an itchy scalp, hair loss or a receding hairline, effects are mostly psychological; sometimes even leading you to the edge of depression. So, take the preventative steps before it’s too late. Instead of using all the cosmetics and chemical products, consider choosing the natural way.
For people suffering from hair problems, doctors often recommend diets rich in vitamins, such as A and C. They help combat the production of DHT in your scalp, which in turn stimulates hair growth. Since ginger lemon tea is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, you’ll be able to tackle your hair problems easily and naturally.

Hope you liked the article. Shoot us a comment. Stay fit, Stay Healthy!

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An Onion Can Cure At Least 5 Health Problems!

Never mind the tears they bring on–onions are an ace ally in your fight against any disease. A prized member of the lily family, onions lavish you with health benefits while adding oodles of taste to your food.


Not to mention you can buy a bundle from the grocery store for mere pennies.

Possible health benefits of consuming onions

Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like mangoes decreases the risk of obesity and overall mortality, diabetes, heart disease, and promotes a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, overall lower weight.

Cancer: Allium vegetables have been studied extensively in relation to cancer, especially stomach, and colorectal cancers. Their beneficial and preventative effects are likely due in part to their rich organosulfur compounds. Although the exact mechanism by which these compounds inhibit cancer is unknown, possible hypothesis include the inhibition of tumor growth and mutagenesis and prevention of free radical formation.

Onions are also a source of the strong antioxidant vitamin C that helps to combat the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer.

Colon cancer: High fiber intakes from all fruits and vegetables are associated with a lowered risk of colorectal cancer.

Prostate cancer: In a study published by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, researchers used a population-based, case-controlled study to investigate the relationship between allium vegetable intake and prostate cancer. They found that men with the highest intake of allium vegetables had the lowest risk for prostate cancer.

Esophageal and stomach cancer: Frequent intake of allium vegetables has been inversely related with the risk of esophageal and stomach cancer. Several survey-based human studies have demonstrated the potential protective effects of consuming alliums, as well as reports of tumor inhibition following administration of allium compounds in experimental animals.

Sleep and mood: Folate, found in onions, may help with depression by preventing an excess of homocysteine from forming in the body, which can prevent blood and other nutrients from reaching the brain. Excess homocysteine interferes with the production of the feel-good hormones serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which regulate not only mood but also sleep and appetite as well.

Skin and hair: Adequate intake of vitamin C is needed for the building and maintenance of collagen, which provides structure to skin and hair.



How to incorporate more onions into your diet

There’s research evidence for including at least one serving of an allium vegetable—such as onions—in your meal plan every day.

When onion is your allium vegetable of choice, try to consume at least one-half of a medium onion on that day, and use this guideline to adjust your recipes accordingly. For example, if you are following a recipe that yields 4 servings, include at least 2 medium onions in the recipe so that each of your 4 servings will contain at least one half medium onion.

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Tamarind Health Benefits For Men's Fertility

Frustrated due to male fertility issues? Check out various uses of tamarind that can cure and prevent male impotency problems without any side effects.

Same as woman infertility issues, man infertility problems are increasing day by day. Reasons of male infertility vary from unhealthy lifestyle to addiction to alcohol, smoking, etc. But one can easily cure the problem of infertility by following natural remedies. We might have heard that eating these fruits or following these exercises daily will surely increase fertility. Now, add one more ingredient in your diet to get its benefits and also to increase your sperm count. A tangy and mouthwatering taste of Tamarind can give you sweet results by curing infertility from its root.
Tamarind is known as the Indian date and has many special benefits to treat various health related problems. It is also known as partially dried fruit having power to cut down cold, cough, fever, and even nausea during pregnancy. Besides all other benefits of tamarind, it is really helpful to cure infertility in men. Combination of tamarind with various ingredients can help to cure and prevent infertility problems in men.

Various uses of tamarind to cure infertility in men:

• Take seeds of tamarind in one bowl, take them out till seeds cover gets removed from the seeds. Now squash all the seeds and fry them in pure ghee. Mix same amount of sugar in the cooked mixture. Daily consume prepared mixture around one spoon daily to cure infertility in men from its roots in short period of time.
• Take same amount of tamarind seeds, bishop's weed and jaggery, and cook them well in pure ghee on low flame till mixture becomes light brown. Now consume mixture in one medium spoon amount daily to cure infertility problems in men, and it also increase sperm count.
• In one bowl, soak 500 mg of tamarind in water for four days. After four days, remove the upper cover of tamarind and place it in open place to get dried off by sun exposure. Once your soaked tamarind gets totally dried off, make its powder. Mix 500 mg of powder sugar and store it in air tight container. Once your mixture gets ready, take 1 tbsp of mixture with glass of milk two times a day regularly for more than 50 days. You will be free from infertility problems.

Other steps that men should follow to reduce the chances of being infertile:

• Do not wear tight pants and inner wears as it increases the scrotum temperature and reduces the production of healthy sperm that leads to low sperm count.
• Avoid junk foods as much as you can to reduce the chances of being obese as obesity is also one of the reasons of infertility.
• Eat lots of fruits and green vegetables to satisfy your daily nutrition needs. In turn, it will help to maintain your hormone levels.
• Avoid alcohol, smoking and tobacco to reduce the chances of health issues of your reproductive system.
• Daily do yoga and little exercise to reduce your stress level as stress can affect negatively on the quality of sperm.
• Do not put your laptop on your lap or mobile in your trouser or pants pocket. As it negatively affects on sperm count.
• Eat dry fruits daily to increase the production of thick and pure white healthy semen to increase fertility.
• Daily drink at least one glass of milk to power up your immune system.
• Take advice from professional person and follow the instructions to increase your sperm count.

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Top 7 Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water Every Morning

There’s been a lot of talk about lemon water benefits and what it can do for your system when you drink it every day. While there aren’t any scientific studies to base the claims off of, the health benefits of lemons and a well-hydrated body are known.

Always drink your lemon water hot in the morning. Your digestive system and other internal organs have been rejuvenating themselves all night, and a cold beverage is not the wake up call they need.Consider adding a teaspoon of raw, organic honey to your lemon water if you don’t like the sour taste of plain lemon juice in water.

1. Weight Loss

One of the more intriguing benefits reported on lemon water is the ability to help you lose weight. There are a few factors that contribute to this, the first being that there’s no better way to start the day than drinking water.

But water alone only hydrates the body, which is beneficial but may not be enough to help you lose weight.. The lemon juice you’re adding to it is going to help you feel less hungry, so you’ll be less likely to eat a big breakfast and can sustain yourself on less. It can also help you avoid using stimulant drinks in the morning, which only serve to make you crash later.

Regardless of what you do the rest of the day, starting it off with a glass of lemon water will help. Use it in conjunction with a weight loss program or combine it with healthy eating habits and it will make a difference in the way your body digests the foods you eat.

Why add it to your morning routine: Starting the day with a hot water and lemon will help your digestive system function better, which should help you with any weight loss efforts.

2. Immune System

Lemon juice contains plenty of Vitamin C, so you can be sure that you are starting the day off by getting your Vitamin C levels on track.

Your immune system is responsible for much more than helping heal cuts and keeping you from catching that cold that’s going around the office. Long term it can help you avoid more serious diseases like cancer. That’s why you should make it daily practice to drink lemon water as well as eating foods that keep your immune system humming along.

As an added bonus, drinking lemon water also helps to keep your lymphatic system running smoothly. This alone can be worth it to those that have been having trouble in that area.

Why add it to your morning routine: The immune system relies on Vitamin C to operate at its best. Lemons are a good natural source that your body can absorb quickly and put to use right away.

3. Hydrates the Body

If you could take a snapshot of the way you feel when you’re dehydrated, and again how you feel when you’re hydrated, you’d never want to be dehydrated again. But unfortunately there’s no way to take a before and after picture of the way you feel, so you’ll just have to do your best to stay hydrated without that as a piece of motivation.

The morning is the best time to start the hydration process, as you’ve been sleeping all night with no intake of water. But for many the morning routine is a glass of juice or a cup of coffee, which is only counterproductive to the hydration process because of the way these beverages act on the liver.

Compared to starting off your day with a cup of coffee, which only acts to dehydrate you, a mug of hot water with lemon starts you off with a burst of hydration.

Why add it to your morning routine: You’ve just gone without water for 7-8 hours while you’ve slept. Time to give the body what it needs.

4. Helps with Digestion

Lemon water first thing in the morning will help you digest your breakfast better, which means your body will be able to absorb the nutrients from your breakfast more effectively, which should mean a much better start to your day.

You’ll also be helping your digestive system release stored up toxins thanks to the lemon juice. The water you’re taking in with it will help flush these toxins from your body.

Tip: Don’t start off with cold water and lemon juice, make sure it’s hot. Hot water will help your digestion and is better received by your organs, as they function best at 98.6 degrees.

Why add it to your morning routine: Lemon water will help get your digestive system ready for the coming meal. Eat your breakfast 30 minutes after drinking a hot cup of lemon water.

5. Benefits the Liver

Anything that benefits the liver benefits the rest of the body because the liver is so central to the functioning of the rest of the body’s organs. By helping to flush it out each morning you are doing your part to assist it in its proper function.

A healthy liver expels more bile and digestive juices into the digestive system, as well as helps your heart do its job better. That’s why you don’t want to neglect your liver any longer if you have been.

If you’ve been hard on your liver over the years it’s not the end of the world. The liver is a resilient organ and is always trying to repair itself. Give it a hand by consuming foods and beverages that help it rather than hinder it.

Why add it to your morning routine: Your liver is the central hub of your internal organs, and helps with your digestive system, circulatory system, and more. Treat it as good as you can!

6. Boosts Your Brain

It may seem hard to make the connection between your lemons, water, and your brain, but there is one. Drinking lemon water may actually help your brain in a few key ways.

The potassium in lemons is what is responsible for this increase in brain function. You don’t want to run a potassium deficiency, and lemon water is just part of an overall approach to getting more of it in your life.

Consider eating other potassium rich foods throughout the day for better mental performance, less brain fog, and overall better feelings.

Why add it to your morning routine: Your brain needs all the help it can get in order to fire on all cylinders and power you through your day. Eating the right foods and drinking lemon water first thing can help with a number of brain related conditions.

7. Helps Acidity Levels

While lemons and lemon juice taste like they’re acidic, they have an alkaline effect on the body once they’re consumed. Drinking lemon juice in the morning is a good way to help bring your pH levels towards the alkaline side, which will help you feel your best.

A morning beverage like coffee will only act to make you more acidic, so go in the opposite direction by having a simple cup of hot lemon water when you wake up. Even if you do have coffee later it will help to balance it out.

Lemon water alone is not going to make a huge dent in your pH levels. If you feel that you are heavily acidic you’ll want to talk with your doctor and switch to a diet rich in alkaline forming foods.

Why add it to your morning routine: If you believe that you are typically at acidic levels, drinking lemon water is a way to introduce alkalinity to the body and help balance those levels for optimal health.

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Lemon Benefits: 8 Ways 'Sour Power' Can Help Your Health

Put your green juice down, push your smoothie aside, it’s time to go back to basics. Lemon water, literally water with freshly squeezed lemon, is the new super beverage. It’s the go-to hydrator for the A-list, from Gywneth Paltrow to supermodel Miranda Kerr to fitness guru Jackie Warner, and already many of us non-celebrities have discovered the merits of this refreshing, citrusy beverage.

Lemons boast an incredibly impressive list of health benefits. These are just a few:
1. Lemon helps the liver to dump toxins by stimulating its natural enzymes. This promotes good health and helps keep the skin clear.

2. Citric acid can help eliminate calcium deposits in the arteries as well as pancreatic and kidney stones.

3. Lemon provides a huge dose of the free radical fighting antioxidant vitamin C, which helps keep skin even-toned and wrinkle-free.

4. Vitamin C also helps boost the immune system, keeping the flu and colds at bay.

5. Lemons are a good source of electrolytes, such as potassium, calcium and magnesium, which help hydrate the body and regulate its functioning.

6. Lemons are rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids not only help boost the potency of vitamin C, they improve blood flow, helping to maintain normal blood pressure and reduce inflammation.

7. They help balance your pH level. Though acidic to the taste, lemons are alkaline-forming on the body.

8. Lemons contain modified citrus pectin and limonoids, which have been shown in a recent study to prohibit the spread of cancer cells, slow cancer cell growth and induce cancer cell death.

Though green juice and fresh smoothies should still feature in your daily diet, it’s time to start knocking back a little lemon water. So, pull out your pucker face because things are about to get sour.

Bonus tip: Each morning, wash a lemon and squeeze its juice and pulp into a pitcher of room temperature-to-warm water. Let rind float in water. Drink. Repeat if desired.

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Health Benefits of Tart Cherry Juice

Tart Cherry Juice refers to the juice extracted from sour Cherries. Tart Cherries are red in color and are very juicy. There are two kinds of Tart Cherries, namely Amarelle and Morello. Drinking this juice is very beneficial for health.

Health Benefits of Tart Cherry Juice

Relief from pain

Tart Cherry juice has anti-inflammatory powers that help in relieving muscle soreness and muscle cramps. Drinking the sour juice cures Osteoarthritis.

Put a stop to Gout

Gout is yet another type of arthritis that is characterized by repeated attacks of muscle swelling and intense pain. Tart cherry has Anthocyanin that lowers the Uric acid levels which are the main causes of Gout. It also lowers the concentration of C- reactive proteins that cause inflammation of the body. So consuming this juice prevents muscle inflammation and soreness in muscles. Thus, the benefits of Tart Cherry Juice can never be undermined.

Cures Insomnia

The fruit has melatonin which is a sleep inducing Hormone that helps in combating sleep disorders or Insomnia. This fruit is also rich in Tryptophan, which is an Amino Acid that our body uses to produce even more of the sleep-inducing hormone Melatonin. The Anthocyanins present in sour cherries slows down the breakdown of Tryptophan thereby lengthening the effect of Melatonin Hormone that gives you extended hours of peaceful somber.

Fights against Cancer

Carcinogens and other detrimental substances may cause cell damage and elicit the risks of Cancer. Sour Cherries are rich in chemicals like, limonene, Perillyl Alcohol, and Ellagic acid that helps combat the risks of Cancer. These substances reduce the proliferation of cancer cells and inhibit the formation of tumors.

Keeps your Heart healthy

Tart Cherries contain one of the well-known antioxidants named Quercetin that prevents the oxidative damage that is caused by the free radicals produced in the body. It also prevents the oxidation of low-density Lipoprotein or more commonly known as LDL Cholesterol or the bad Cholesterol. When this bad Cholesterol is oxidized it forms a lining to the walls of the artery as a plaque that tends Stroke or Heart attack preventing the blood circulation to and from the heart.

Reduces Blood Pressure 

Tart Cherries are also well known for reducing the blood pressure level. It keeps the Blood pressure level in control thus preventing other complications that may arise due to high Blood pressure. The flavonoids present in Tart Cherries do all the efforts in reducing the blood pressure level.

Helps in combating belly fat

Tart Cherries are beneficial to manage to gain body weight as to also it combats belly fats. It reduces the concentration of Cholesterol and Triglycerides in the blood thereby maintain the normal body weight.

Fights Post Workout tenderness

It is normal to have trouble while walking after a day’s workout. Muscle cramps and soreness after a heavy exercise can be cured by the intake of Sour Cherry juice. A cup of the cherry juice immediately after the workout is very beneficial to cure your muscle cramps that arise due to the heavy workouts of the day. It is because after the heavy exercise your muscle absorbs the extra insulin from the bloodstream causing the pain and cramps in your muscles.

Cures Diabetes

If you drink one and a half cup of the juice daily, it can actually lower the risks of Diabetes. The Anthocyanins present in the Tart Cherries controls the sugar level in your blood thus keeping you healthy in many other ways.

Provides Energy

Drinking the Cherry juice daily, aids in boosting your energy levels. The antioxidants present in the Tart Cherries keep you healthy from inside that is well reflected outside; you feel hale and hearty. There are at least 17 kinds of Anti-Oxidants present in the Tart Cherries. These Antioxidants fights against the tissue destruction that is responsible for aging. The Anti-Oxidants present in the Tart Cherries equal to the collective amount of Anti-Oxidants that are present in the top 12 Fruits including grapes, blackberries, strawberries, etc.

Keeps your joints healthy

Drinking the juice of Tart Cherries ensures healthy joints and bone health.

Thus, there are a whole lot of Tart Cherry Juice benefits that should not be undermined. It keeps you healthy and increases the ability to perform your daily activities better.

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Home Remedies for Hiatal Hernias

A hiatal hernia is a condition in which a small part of the stomach protrudes through an opening in the diaphragm into the chest cavity. The diaphragm is the sheet of muscle that divides the chest from the abdomen.

Hiatal hernias are most common in people who are 50 or older and obese. The exact cause of hiatal hernias is still unknown, but weak supportive tissues can be a leading factor.

Other factors include pressure on the stomach and surrounding muscles, age-related changes in the diaphragm and being born with an unusually large hiatus (opening in the diaphragm).

Poor posture while sitting, lifting heavy objects, obesity, excessive smoking and too much stress in life also put you at higher risk.

A small hiatal hernia rarely causes signs or symptoms. However, a large hiatal hernia can cause symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, fatigue, frequent belching and feeling especially full after meals.

Along with medicines, lifestyle and dietary changes as well as simple home remedies can help relieve the symptoms of a hiatal hernia. A small number of cases may require surgery.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for a hiatal hernia.

1. The Warm Water Fix

Drinking warm water first thing in the morning and then performing the following exercise is a good way to help bring down the hernia from the opening in the diaphragm.

• Just after waking up, while you are still in the bed, drink a glass of room temperature or slightly warm water. It will help relax the stomach muscles and diaphragm and put some weight in the stomach.
• Then, stand up, lift your arms straight out from your sides and bend your elbows so your hands touch your chest. This will help stretch the diaphragm and open up the hiatus.
• Next, rise up on your toes as high as possible and quickly drop down onto your heels. Do this several times in a row. This will help the weight of the water to pull the stomach down.
• Then, while standing with your arms up, take a few short and quick breaths with your mouth open for about 15 seconds. The panting will help tighten the diaphragm back up and close the hole.

Note: In the morning, avoid drinking coffee, tea, juice and cold water.

2. Self Massage

Abdominal self-massage mainly targets the uppermost portion of your abdominal cavity. It helps reduce the discomforts and symptoms of hiatal hernia. It also helps strengthen the stomach muscles.

• Lie on your back and relax.
• Put your fingers just below the breast bones (sternum) where you can find your rib cage.
• Next, apply downward pressure and slowly move towards your belly button.
• Repeat for 5 minutes.
• Do this twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.

3. Yoga

Yoga can also alleviate pain and discomfort caused by a hiatal hernia.
Yoga poses like the Chair Pose help strengthen the diaphragm and stomach muscles.

• Stand with your back straight and arms perpendicular to the ground. Keep your feet about a hip’s width apart.
• Raise your arms straight above your head.
• Bend your body forward to a 45-degree angle, bringing your chest toward your thighs. Keep your arms out straight, aligned with your back, and turn your palms to face the floor.
• Gently bend your knees as if you were about to sit in a chair.
• Press your weight toward the floor and look forward. Hold the position for a few seconds, taking several deep breaths.
• Press your shoulder blades to your back, lower your tailbone toward the floor and draw in your abdomen. Hold this position for at least 30 seconds and focus on your breathing.
• Straighten up slowly.
• Repeat the cycle a few times more.

Note: Avoid yoga poses that put pressure on the abdomen, such as Cobra, Bow and Bridge Pose.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is an excellent remedy to reduce symptoms like heartburn and acidity due to a hiatal hernia. Though acidic in nature, apple cider vinegar produces an alkaline effect in the body.

• Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water.
• Sip it slowly before meals.
• Do this whenever you have heartburn or acidity.

5. Cinnamon

This popular spice helps calm and soothe the stomach. It can relieve abdominal pain and bloating, especially after eating a meal. It also works as a natural antacid.

• Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder to a cup of hot water.
• Cover and steep for a few minutes.
• Drink this tea while it is still warm, 2 or 3 times a day.

In addition, include cinnamon in your cooking.

6. Chamomile

Chamomile, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, is a natural remedy for hiatal hernias. It can soothe an aching stomach, treat heartburn and relax the muscles in the digestive tract.

• Mix 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile in a cup of hot water.
• Cover and steep for 5 minutes.
• Strain and add honey, according to your taste.
• Slowly sip a cup of chamomile tea up to 4 times a day, especially between meals.

7. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural antacid. It can provide quick relief from heartburn, the most common symptom of hiatal hernias.

• Mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water.
• Drink it immediately.
• Repeat as needed, but avoid drinking this solution in excess.

Note: Avoid this remedy if you have high blood pressure.

8. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is one of the best natural treatments for digestive problems caused by a hiatal hernia. It soothes the inner lining of the intestines and reduces abdomen pain. It also controls heartburn by reducing inflammation.

Drink ¼ cup of aloe vera juice about 20 minutes before eating a meal.

Note: Do not use more than 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel to make the juice. It may cause diarrhea.

9. Slippery Elm

This herb is another effective remedy for a hiatal hernia. It helps reduce stomach acidity and alleviate heartburn. In addition, slippery elm has soothing and anti-inflammatory effects on the body.

• Mix 1 tablespoon of powdered slippery elm bark in 1 cup of hot water.
• Let it steep for about 10 minutes.
• Drink it twice a day, especially after eating your meals.

10. Change Your Diet

When suffering from a hiatal hernia, it is important to keep a close eye on your diet. Keep two goals in mind:
1) avoid foods that trigger or worsen the symptoms, and 2) lose weight, which will lessen the pressure on your stomach.

• Avoid foods that trigger heartburn, such as chocolate, caffeine, onions, garlic, spicy foods, fried foods, citrus fruits and tomato-based foods.
• Follow a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. You can also have lean meats but avoid spicy seasonings.
• Eat healthy fats, such as olive oil and nuts, to balance your diet.
• Include whole-grain foods in your diet.

Additional Tips

• Eat several smaller meals throughout the day rather than fewer large meals.
• Have your dinner at least 2 to 3 hours before your bedtime.
• Lose weight if you are overweight or obese.
• Limit your alcohol consumption or avoid it completely.
• Do not smoke cigarettes and avoid other tobacco products.
• Elevate the head of your bed 4 to 6 inches (about 15 centimeters) to prevent symptoms like heartburn and acidity. You can also use an acid reflux wedge pillow to reduce discomfort.
• Do not lie down or bend right after having a meal.
• After eating, take a short walk around your dining room or kitchen.
• Avoid straining during bowel movements.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing around your torso.

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9 nutrition tips to help improve your skin

Drinking water and protecting yourself from the harmful effects of the sun is necessary for your skin's beauty, but they are not enough. Here are some effective nutrition tips to have bright and beautiful skin
the appearance of our hair, nails and skin is the first thing that comes to mind when talking about beauty. Your appearance is one of the main indicators that reveal your age. Examine your appearance in a mirror. Do your nails shine? Is your hair still lustrous? Is your skin dry or do you have cracked skin? Are there any white spots or lines on your nails, or do they look pale? If you said yes to any of these questions, then you may be aging rapidly and not as nourished as you should be. Here are some nutrition suggestions that will make you look fresh and feel young.

Coffee
Recent studies show that those who drink coffee had a reduced risk of skin cancer.

According to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, coffee has been shown to reduce cancer-cell proliferation as well as enhance cancer-cell death. Drinking coffee protects you from skin cancer as well. Over an average of 10 years, the study found that those who drank coffee had a reduced risk of skin cancer. The findings demonstrated that those who drink coffee were 20 percent less likely to develop melanoma as well. Four cups of sugarless coffee are recommended daily.

Tomato and watermelon

The sun's UV rays are an important factor that accelerates aging. To avoid its harmful effects, watermelon and tomatoes, both of which are rich in lycopene, a carotene pigment, are highly recommended. Researchers say that watermelon has 40 percent more healthy phytochemicals compared to tomatoes. In the summer months, you are advised to consume three or four big portions of watermelon per day. You should also consume tomatoes in salads. They also aid in improving skin tone.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate helps in the recovery of skin and nail cell damage.

A very good source of vitamins C and K, pomegranate helps in the recovery of skin and nail cell damage. It is also beneficial for the growth of healthy nails. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that regular consumption of pomegranate helps avoid deformation of the nails and wrinkling in middle-aged populations. Pomegranate increases the production of collagen, which helps in maintaining smooth skin. It is also rich in anthocyanin, an antioxidant, as well as other antioxidants.

Blueberries

These little berries hide the secret of beauty. Rich in vitamins C and E, blueberries make your skin look fresh and smooth as well as help you avoid dry nails and hair. Consuming a cup of blueberries both in the winter and during the summer is enough to receive sufficient vitamin E, which then releases moisture in your body. High levels of vitamin E help the body fight against free radicals. Your hair will then look bright and your nails have a healthy appearance.

Lobster

This tasty crustacean, which has anti-inflammatory effects, also contains healing effects. The zinc it contains is good for nails, hair and skin. It helps in skin cell renewal as well as in nail and hair growth. It is most effective when it is grilled and served with a touch of olive oil.

Black cabbage

Among dark green leafy vegetables, black cabbage is one of the most valuable. It contains vitamin K and iron. Consuming undercooked black cabbage increases the liquidity of the blood and regulates the duration of blood clotting. The amount of blood that is delivered to tissues determines how quickly tissue is repaired and renewed. Moreover, it protects the color of your skin and prevents nails from breaking.

Eggs

The basic structure of your nails is made of keratin, a protein. Low protein consumption causes your nails to break and slows nail growth. Many vitamins that eggs contain positively affect the quality of your hair. Eggs are a good source of biotin and vitamin B complex, and it also plays an important role in amino acid synthesis. I recommend at least one egg a day for healthy hair and nails.

Walnuts

Omega-3 oils have a huge effect on the skin and hair, as it helps them shine. Moreover, Omega-3 moisturizes your hair. Studies show that the high level of copper in walnuts protects the color of your hair. I advise you to eat half a bowl of walnuts every day.

Tip of the week

You should be careful while consuming some foods during the summer. Foods that are undercooked or should be eaten fresh might cause viral illnesses, especially in hot weather.

Mussels consumed on beaches and restaurants during the summer are one of these foods. Mussels pose a huge risk for contracting Hepatitis A. Scientists from John Hopkins University warn people against bacteria, viruses and protozoa in foods.

Lettuce, cherries, cranberries, liver and duck meat are also risky foods. People who consume these foods during the summer could wind up visiting a hospital due to diarrhea, vomiting, fever and dehydration.

On the other hand, oysters, which are also crustaceans, can be infected with Hepatitis A, while chicken or cow liver can be infected with Hepatitis E and non-pasteurized dairy might lead to toxoplasma poisoning

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The Fantastic Health Benefits Of Cloves

The Fantastic Health Benefits Of Cloves

Do you love spices?

I do, on my new found passion for spices and their unlimited health benefits, here is my combined research and interesting fact find on cloves.

A Little Bit About Cloves

Cloves are dried aromatic flower buds. When you take a closer look at a clove you can clearly see the very distinctive shape of the stem and bud. The evergreen tree, Myrtaceae, Syzygium aromaticum, that the flowering buds are harvested from grows between 8 and 12 meters in height. The flowers when not opened are removed and dried. With large leaves that you might expect from a tropical tree and blood red flowers clove trees are native to Indonesia and the Maluku Islands and are commercially grown in India, Madagascar, Zanzibar, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

What are Cloves?

Cloves are yet another super spice packed with nutrients and natural health benefits.

Like each spice has their own distinctive smell, cloves have a potent intense aroma and flavour. Good quality cloves are fat, oily, and dark red almost black in colour, and give out their oil when squeezed with the finger-nail.

When used in western cooking they are commonly used with fruits like apples, pears and rhubarb and are a key ingredient in making a Garam Masala spice blend which is common to North Indian Cooking. Cloves, in small quantities, are commonly used in many other Indian recipes and are a fantastic flavour enhancer. This little gem of a spice is used in quite a few of the recipes I write about at The Picante Kitchen and have been part of my staple diet of spices since childhood.

Not limited to Indian recipes, cloves are also used in Mexican dishes and often accompanied by cumin and cinnamon in the way they are used in cooking in Mexico.

When I was discussing this blog post with my husband he recollected the following story from his school days: Winter term treats where he was schooling used to be apples that had their core taken out and a spiced mixture put in the middle. The apples were then popped in the oven to cook. The exact ingredients of the mixture still remains a little of a mystery to him, although he is sure cloves, because of their very distinctive smell, butter and raisins were involved. As he lived at his school these little treats were delicious and something they all looked forward to on the rare occasion they were made by the head master.

The History Of Cloves

Cloves were one of the first globally traded spices, going as far back as 1721 B.C.E. Cloves were highly prized in both the West and the Far East, owing to high use by the Romans and the Chinese, which led to it quickly rising to become one of the most expensive spices money could buy at that time.

During the Han Dynasty, in China, cloves were used as breath fresheners and Arabs have been known to have traded in cloves for centuries.

The Uses Of Cloves

Like many of the spices available cloves have long been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Cloves are also found to be used in Tibetan medicine.

Whole cloves contain eugenol, a substance believed to relieve toothache pain. Cloves are still an ingredient used in many toothpastes today. As a child I grew up with the knowledge that if ever we had a tooth ache a clove placed in the affected tooth brought instant relief. By dabbing a small amount of clove oil on a cotton bud and rubbing the sore tooth or gum the clove oil will help not only with the pain but also help fight any infection.

The essential oil from cloves is used in aromatherapy and has a warming effect.

The essential oils found in cloves have fantastic purifying and anesthetic properties that help kill harmful bacteria.

The 20 Health Benefits Of Cloves

Cloves are absolutely bursting with antioxidants, antiseptic, anti-fungal and analgesic properties.

As always just to let you know that all the health benefits of cloves I suggest concerning the use of spices should be used sensibly and in moderation. Although cloves like every other spice has so many health benefits they can also be an irritant so please be careful and don’t over do it.

1. A study in 2006 indicated that cloves can help lower your blood sugar levels. This is achieved by cloves by simulating an insulin-like activity that helps combat insulin intolerance.
2. Cloves can also help significantly reduce your body’s cholesterol. An American heart association study shows that cloves stimulate enzymatic activity that helps reduce triglyceride in your body and therefore lower cholesterol.
3. Clove oil can help relieve nausea and vomiting and also help if you are suffering from morning sickness.
4. Cloves also help improves peristalsis and keeps acidity rising to your throat. Peristalsis is the action of the stomach muscles that keeps your food within our gut.
5. Cloves have carnative properties that help your body digest food. This is also one of the reasons that cloves are offered as a mouth freshener after meals and they keep your breath fresh and aid in digesting the food consumed.
6. The essential oils in cloves can help fight stomach ulcers, reduce stomach irritations and help kill bacteria.
7. The antiviral properties in clove oil help boost your immune system by helping the body purify your blood. The antioxidant properties of cloves can also help reduce the risk of heart disease and have anti-carcinogenic properties.
8. Drinking warm water with a mixture of clove oils and honey 2 / 3 times a day can help if you are suffering from a cold, sore throat, cough or phlegm and as a preventative measure can help prevent you getting flu.
9. As part of a tea, with other spices, herbs and honey, cloves can help give you a sense of calm and relieve stress.
10. The aroma and fragrance of cloves can help lift the mind and body helping you shake off the feeling of tiredness and fatigue.
11. Not only can a clove oil massage help sooth sore muscles reducing any inflammation it can also be used to help the pain suffered from arthritis and rheumatism.
12. Very diluted (1 part in a 100) clove oil can help with spots, pimples, blackheads and whiteheads.
13. Clove oil is a natural exfoliate and can help remove blemishes and dead skin. Clove oils are often used in spa treatments.
14. Clove oil contains some of the vitamins and minerals you body needs – Vitamin A and C, potassium, sodium, phosphorus and magnesium.
15. Clove essential oil can help relive the irritation caused by skin rashes.
16. Applied to a sting, cut or bite the natural anesthetic properties of clove oil helps soothe the pain.
17. If you suffer from a fungal skin infection or athlete’s foot clove oil can help treat the problem.
18. Clove oil can help if you are suffering from a headache or migraine.
19. Clove oil has flavoniods which are anti-inflammatory and helps with tension and is a relaxant.
20. Clove oil if applied to your abdomen can help with digestion.

Are you amazed how versatile spices are and how good they are for you? I am so completely in awe of the discoveries and benefits of spices. I hope you begin to appreciate that spices are not only for cooking but have a very long history of being used in all types of medicine, Ayurveda and are generally fantastic for your health and well-being.

In conclusion cloves are yet another super spice that really needs to be included in your diet in some shape or form.

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