Tuesday 31 December 2013

Healthy Foods To Improve Your Brain Health

The food you eat directly affects how your brain performs. By eating the best food, you may be able to boost your IQ, improve your mood, sharpen your memory and keep your mind active. Eating well is good for your mental as well as your physical health. The brain requires nutrients much like your heart, lungs or muscles do.

A lot of what we hear about the interplay between diet and brain health is based on research and then flooded in hype. As headlines have linked one food or another to Alzheimer's disease and other illnesses, we've rushed to remove them from your diet. The problem is, as soon as one headline urges us to eat this, not too, it seems there's another saying quite contrary.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are all rich in choline, an essential nutrient for memory and brain health. Choline is really a precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which plays a role in healthy and efficient brain processes. As we age, our body's natural choline output declines, and its neurochemical action weakens. You are able to eat choline-rich foods to increase your production of acetylcholine, which will improve your brain power. 

Fish

Protein, an important component within the making of neurotransmitters, is essential to improve mental performance. Apart from being an excellent source of high quality protein, fish are full of essential oils, such as Omega-3, which protect the brain and supports its development and functioning. Deep sea fish have the highest levels of fatty acids, and they include salmon, sea bass, halibut, mackerel, and sardines.

Green Tea

Green tea prevents an enzyme present in Alzheimer's disease and is also rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that help prevent premature brain aging. Drink two cups a day to get the brain benefits. To decaf tea, steep for 45 seconds and pour the water, add fresh hot water to the leaves or tea bag - 95% of caffeine is going to be eliminated.

Sage

Not only does this aromatic herb (Salvia officinalis) add flavor and interest to your favorite dishes, but research indicates that supplementing with a gram of sage might enhance memory and overall thinking skills. You are able to incorporate sage as a supplement (check first with your physician or pharmacist to make sure that there are no interactions with medications), or use sage in cooking - it pairs well with chicken, lean burgers, white beans or lentil soups.

Blueberries

These delicious berries are filled with powerful antioxidants, which eliminate free-radical damage that causes aging, and in addition they possess neuroprotective properties that can delay the start of age-related memory loss by guarding brain cells from damage brought on by chemicals, plaque, or trauma. Plus they combat inflammation, the other element in aging. 

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are wonder foods for your brain. Full of protein and essential fatty acids, nuts and seeds are also chock full of the amino arginine, which energizes the pituitary gland at the base of the brain to produce growth hormone, a substance that declines quickly once you hit 35; this is a real anti-aging boon to your brain! 

Friday 19 April 2013

Benefits of Avocado For Your Health

Avocado health benefits make a persuasive case for why you should be eating more avocados today. A commercially valuable fruit, the avocado is cultivated mainly in tropical climates; sometimes, more temperate climates like those found in California are a suitable growing environment for this fruit. The characteristics of avocados usually include green skin and the shape of a pear, along with ripening right after harvesting. 


Avocado skins offer antibiotic and antiparasitic benefits, and the leaves can be made into a poultice to speed wound healing or prepared as a tea to treat sore throats and diarrhea. Avocado seeds also offer a range of potential health benefits.

Regulate the blood sugar levels

The monounsaturated (good) fats in avocados can reverse insulin resistance which help to regulate blood sugar levels. Avocados also contain soluble fiber which keep a steady blood sugar levels.

Oral Cancer Defense

Research has shown that certain compounds in avocados are able to seek out pre-cancerous and cancerous oral cancer cells and destroy them without harming healthy cells.


Lower Cholesterol

Avocados are high in beta-sitosterol, a compound that has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. In one study, 45 volunteers experienced an average drop in cholesterol of 17% after eating avocados for only one week.

Heart Health

One cup of avocado has 23% of the recommended daily value of folate. Studies show that people who eat diets rich in folate have a much lower incidence of heart disease than those who don't. The vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, and glutathione in avocado are also great for your heart.

Breast Cancer Protection

Avocado, like olive oil, is high in oleic acid, which has been shown to prevent breast cancer in numerous studies.

Eye Health

Avocados have more of the carotenoid lutein than any other commonly consumed fruit. Lutein protects against macular degeneration and cataracts, two disabling age-related eye diseases.

Friday 29 March 2013

Advantages of Palm Oil


With all the hype about lowering the consumption of trans fats, many food production companies in the usa are turning to palm oil as an alternative. Palm oil is created from the palm fruit and contains no trans fat. Additionally, it prolongs the shelf-life of many products. Palm oil usually appears in margarine, baked goods and candy but can also be used in other ways.

It is attractive to commercial food producers because it is less expensive than other oils, has no trans fat and it is naturally cholesterol free. However, palm oil does contain a higher level of saturated fat, so there is a few controversy regarding whether it is a healthy choice.


Fatty Acids

One of the biggest benefits of palm oil is it does not have to be "hydrogenated" to be used like a binding fat. Hydrogenated oil means that the oil continues to be hardened by chemicals being solid. This is the process that creates trans essential fatty acids. These trans-fats can be bad for the center and other organs. The body will naturally absorb the essential fatty acids in palm oil. Palm oil naturally exists in a semi-solid state, therefore it is a healthier option. Many products are now using palm oil in place of hydrogenated oils; consumers can find these details on product labels.


Health Benefits

The benefits of pure palm oil, which will come from the fleshy portion of the fruit in the Elaeis Guineensis tree, are many. It provides a supply of dietary energy, is easily digested and it is an essential fatty acid. It's cholesterol-free and full of carotenoids, which are a precursor of Vitamin A. It is also rich in Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant that may protect against free radicals.

Cooking Benefits

Palm oil is used commonly in cooking all over the world. It's readily available, inexpensive and neutral in flavor, which makes it good to use in most types of cooking. Because palm oil is free of harmful trans-fats, it's especially good in dishes that need "hard or solid" fat, such as pastries, cookies or crackers. It is also tasteless, so it's good to use as basics oil for sauteing or frying food.

Friday 1 March 2013

Nutritional and Health Benefits of Milk


Milk is a ‘superfood' that can help fight disease - but more scientific studies are needed to convince consumers to maintain stocks of the white stuff. Which was the message to emerge from a conference of scientists and food skillfully developed.

Milk products are an important part of a healthy diet. They offer up to 16 nutrients with benefits not restricted to healthy bones and teeth. They contribute to normal growth and the body functioning properly. Here you’ll discover the importance of these essential nutrients and the benefits of having your recommended daily areas of milk products.See here some health benefits of milk.

Healthy Body

Milk has properties that lower high blood pressure and risk of strokes. It cuts down on the liver’s production of cholesterol, also it can act as an antacid. Vitamins A and B in milk might help build good eyesight. Milk has also been show to assist lower risk of certain cancers.

Glowing Skin

Cleopatra took milk baths to assist her skin stay soft, supple and glowing. That you can do the same, or you can drink several glasses of whole milk each day to get its benefits. Milk has lots of nutrients which help skin look its best. It's lactic acid which can act as an exfoliant and enzymes to assist smooth skin.

Muscles

Milk contains protein, which helps to rebuild muscles. Drink a glass of milk once you exercise to give your body what it really needs to recover. It will help to help keep soreness at bay while replenishing fluids that you simply lost during your workout.

Healthy Bones and Teeth

Milk is a superb source of calcium, which is essential for healthy bones. Furthermore young children need it while their bones are growing, but adults require it to keep their bones strong and to prevent osteoporosis. Milk can also be great for strong teeth, and it helps prevent cavities and cavities. In order for the calcium to become absorbed by the body, vitamin D should be present. If you have a vitamin D deficiency, buy milk that's fortified with extra vitamin D to make sure that your body absorbs the calcium.

Less Stress

Milk is a superb way to de-stress at the end of the day. A glass of warm milk will assist you to relax tense muscles and soothe frayed nerves. Milk has additionally been proven to reduce symptoms of PMS and boost energy. Next time you are feeling frazzled, try drinking a glass of milk when you soak in a bubble bath.

Weight Loss

Research has shown that women who drink low-fat or skim milk shed more pounds weight than those who exclude milk using their diet. It is a great appetizer and it constitutes a healthy snack. Add a glass for your dinner, or drink a glass while eating a bit of fruit.

Monday 21 January 2013

Great Health Benefits of Wheat Germ


The health benefits of wheat germ are enormous. It is a grain fortified with vitamin E, folate (folic acid), phosphorus, thiamine, zinc, magnesium and essential omega-3 fatty acids and fatty alcohols. It is an excellent source of fiber.

Wheat germ is the parts of the wheat seed that  is removed when wheat or feed grain are being ground into flour. It’s a very small aspect of the whole wheat or feed grain, but it’s rich in nutrients. You can frequently purchase wheat or feed bacteria in feed or oil forms in wellness meals areas of shops or at drug shops.


Blood clots

All that Vitamin E in wheat germ also works as a natural anti-oxidant that’s good for the heart. Eating wheat germ helps to prevent heart disease because that Vitamin E when in the blood stream helps to prevent cellular damage and buildups of clots in the blood.


Digestive cleansing

What germ has lots of fiber, and fiber is good for passing food through your body’s digestive system. In other words, fiber makes you go to the bathroom more often. How can this be good? For one thing, it cleans out your system by urging along any toxins and bad bacteria that otherwise could build up in your stomach or intestines.

Fertility

What germ also has plenty of Vitamin E, and Vitamin E helps to keep the reproductive organs working well in both males and females. Vitamin E not only helps the organs to function properly, but it also can help men who suffer from impotence.

Healthy skin

Vitamin E also is good for anti-aging and keeping the skin looking young and smooth. So add some wheat germ to your cereal or yogurt or on top of fruit to keep your youthful glow!

Birth defects

No, wheat germ can’t prevent all birth defects, but it does contain folic acid and plenty of other nutrients that can lower the chances of a birth defect in an unborn child.