Lemons and limes belong to the citrus fruit family, known for their high levels of vitamin C content and other essential minerals. Regardless of their acidity and sour taste, these fruits do not acidify the human body but on the contrary, their consumption has an alkaline effect upon it. Citrus fruits’ rinds contain limonene, a compound known to be anti-carcinogenic and liver healthy. It is also used to promote weight loss and treat bronchitis.
Lemon and Lime’s Nutritional Benefits
These citrus fruits are rich in folate, potassium, vitamin C, B6, flavonoids, phytochemicals and limonene. D-Limonene is a compound known to be anti-carcinogenic and to help promote the production of those particular enzymes that have the ability to detoxify carcinogens.
Health Benefits
Lemons and limes contain excellent anticancer and antioxidant properties. In addition, they also contain a high content of antibiotics that are capable of combating against the bacteria present in the body. The following are just a few of lemon and lime’s numerous health benefits:
- Lemon and lime help you combat common cold:
Combine the juice of two lemons or limes with half a liter of warm water. Add raw honey to taste and consume before you go to bed at night. The anti-viral properties found in lemons and limes will help you to effectively fight against common cold symptoms as well as boost your body’s immune response to fight off the infection.
- Improve digestion:
The consumption of both lemons and limes can help you relieve indigestion, bloating and foul burping.
- Relieve constipation:
Relieve your constipation problems by consuming a mix of lime or lemon, a glass of warm water and a small amount of raw honey to add a better taste to this healthy drink. Consume this drink before breakfast, on an empty stomach, to get an instant relief from constipation. Besides constipation relief, your body will also receive an excellent detox.
- Reduce frequency of heartburn:
Reduce frequent heartburns by consuming a mixture of 2 teaspoons of either fresh lemon or lime juice and a glass of warm water.
- Combat inflammatory disorders:
Both lemon and lime juice are highly effective in the combat against inflammatory disorders like arthritis, sciatica and rheumatism among others. The consumption of these juices is also associated with a reduced risk of gout, due to lemon and lime’s ability to inhibit the uric acid buildup in the body’s tissues.
- Treat asthma:
If you have asthma, you can relieve its symptoms by taking a tablespoon of lemon juice an hour before each meal.
- Reduce swollen gums:
To relieve swollen gums, combine some freshly-squeezed lime juice (diluted) with a pinch of sea salt and consume the resulting mixture. Another thing you can try to relieve this issue is to rub a piece of the albedo of a lime or a lemon (the white flesh under the peel) on your gums. Thus you will reduce their swelling.
- Relieve sore throat:
Prepare a mixture of warm water and lemon juice (ration 1:1) and gargle with it to obtain an instant relief.
- Relieve burning heels and soles:
Take a slice of lemon or lime and rub it onto the affected area (sole, feet, heel) to relieve the pain or burning sensation. By doing this, you will also encourage the process of toxin elimination from the pores of your feet.
- Nourish skin:
Lime and lemon peel help to moisture skin. Therefore, by rubbing dry or scaly skin with a piece of lemon or lime peel, you will provide it with its much needed moisture and it will become soft and supple like never before.
- Relax your body and help you fall asleep fast:
Soak your feet in a solution of lemon or lime and warm water. Its fresh smell and its cooling and astringent effects will provide you with instant relaxation, making you fall asleep right away.
- Relieve cholera:
The regular consumption of a cup of lemon or lime juice will help you destroy the cholera bacilli virus. Drink the same amount of water as well. Lemon and lime’s anti-viral properties are highly effective when it comes to this virus and will help you eliminate it within a short period of time.
Extra Juicing Tips
To get the most of your lemon or lime juice, you should include the entire fruit together with its peel. We all know that the peel is the part where harmful ingredients are usually contained, so prior to juicing you should make sure that the fruit is properly washed. Also, try buying 100% organic fruits in order to avoid the consumption of pesticides and GMO lemons and limes.
Using the whole fruit when preparing your juice will surely provide you with all the health benefits the fruit has to offer. The compound we’ve mentioned above, known as limonene, is very high in the white part of the fruit, just under the peel, so by juicing the entire fruit you will get the most of it.
In addition, you can use lemon and lime juice to make ice cubes and add them to other drinks as well. The ice cubes prepared like this can stay refrigerated up to two weeks and after that period they will start losing their taste and potential benefits.
A useful tip when buying lemons, is to look at their stem ends. The number of lines radiating from the stem shows you how high is their mineral content. The greater this number is, the higher their mineral content.
Caution:
You should always consume lemon or lime juice in moderation.
If you notice any allergic reactions to some of these fruits, stop consuming them immediately and consult your healthcare provider.
Friday, May 6, 2016
JOINTFIR OR MORMON TEA PLANT: PROBABLY DOES NOT CONTAIN EPHEDRINE: HEALTH BENEFITS OF MORMON'S TEA
The evergreen shrub known as Jointfir, or Mormon Tea plant is native to the south-western US. As the Mormons are not allowed to drink coffee because it is a stimulant (containing, as it does, caffeine) the twigs of this plant are used to make a tisane or tea, hence the name. The plant does not have leaves as such but has spiky green twigs, which resemble a fir tree’s needles (for example those of the European silver fir).
The flowers are reminiscent of those of the Greek mountain tea plant, and these bloom in April through to the end of June. The fruit is a smooth brown nutlet which can be cooked although it tastes bitter, and it may be roasted and ground to make flour for using in making bread.
This plant is in the Ephedraceae family, making it a close relative of the Sea grape,Ephedra distachya. Because it is in the Ephedra genus, it was supposed that it has the same properties as other plants in that genus; but it seems that this is not the case. This plant contains no, or very few, Ephedra alkaloids, according to the European Food Standards Agency’s (EFSA) report of 2009. That being the case, most of what has been written about the plants’ psychoactive properties online is probably not true.
Traditionally the tea was made by Native Americans who used it medicinally as a blood purifier, diuretic and to lower the temperature of the body during fevers. It was also used as a general tonic and for kidney, urinary-genital problems and STDs.
The plant does not contain ephedrine, or at least, not much, so all the literature regarding this compound does not apply to this particular member of the Ephedra genus.
The fruit from the plant can be eaten raw, although it is a little bland, but sweet, and the twigs can be chewed to treat the symptoms of asthma, but not the root cause. It makes respiratory problems easier, but does not cure them.
There are rarely any side effects if you drink Mormon tea in moderation, although you may experience some if it is drunk to excess.
The plant does contain the compounds, kynusenates, which have antimicrobial properties, and it is a very effective diuretic and because of this property, it can contribute to weight loss.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Health Benefits Of Kumquats
A small round to oval citrus fruit, the kumquat resembles a tiny orange. The kumquat grows on trees that originated in China. It can be found in California, Florida, the Mediterranean countries, China, Japan, Indochina, Indonesia, Israel, Peru, and Brazil.
Varieties
Kumquat hybrids, when crossed with other citrus fruits, include the limequat, lemonquat, orangequat, and the calamondin (a cross with the mandarin orange).
Buying and storing tips
Kumquats are occasionally sold with a decorative stem and leaves attached. Avoid fruits with damaged skin and those that feel soft.
Availability
The peak season for kumquats is November through February.
Preparation, Uses, and Tips
In this fruit, the rind is edible, tender, and sweet, while the flesh can be dry and very tart, compared with oranges. Kumquats are usually eaten raw, as whole fruit, excluding the seeds. They make a striking garnish, especially when used with the leaves still attached. As with other citrus fruit, kumquats can be candied, marinated, prepared as marmalade, added to fruit salad, poached, or preserved whole.
Nutritional Highlights
- Kumquat (raw), 1 fruit (19g)
- Calories: 12
- Protein: 0.17g
- Carbohydrate: 3.1g
- Total Fat: 0.02g
- Fiber: 1.25g
- *Good source of: Vitamin C (7.1mg)
*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily Value.
Health benefits and concerns
Allergies and sensitivities (food and chemical)
A low-allergen diet, also known as an elimination diet, is often recommended to people with suspected food allergies in order to find out if avoiding common allergen foods gives relief from symptoms. This diet eliminates foods and food additives considered to be common allergens, including citrus fruits. Some popular books offer guidance to people who want to attempt this type of diet. Most elimination diets are quite restrictive and increase the likelihood of nutritional deficiencies. A successful elimination diet is usually followed by reintroduction of eliminated foods one at a time, to see which ones are truly allergens for the individual person and therefore need to be eliminated indefinitely. Strict avoidance of allergenic foods for a period of time (usually months or years) sometimes results in the foods no longer causing allergic reactions. Restrictive elimination diets and food reintroduction should be supervised by a qualified healthcare professional.
Hives
Allergy to foods and food additives is a common cause of hives, especially in chronic cases. Citrus fruits are among those foods most commonly reported to trigger hives. Numerous clinical studies demonstrate that diets that are free of foods that commonly trigger allergic reactions typically produce significant reductions in symptoms in 50–75% of people with chronic hives. People with hives should investigate the possibility that food allergies are causing their problem by consulting with a doctor.
Kidney stones
Citric acid is found in citrus fruits and may protect against kidney stone formation. Lemons are the best food source commonly available. One preliminary trial found that drinking 2 liters (approximately 2 quarts) of lemonade per day improved the quality of the urine in ways that are associated with stone prevention. Lemonade was far more effective than orange juice. The lemonade was made by mixing 4 oz lemon juice with enough water to make 2 liters. The smallest amount of sweetener possible should be added to make the taste acceptable. Further study is necessary, however, to determine if lemonade can prevent recurrence of kidney stones
Friday, April 8, 2016
Health Benefits of Eggs
Some of the many health benefits of eggs include their ability to balance nutrient intake in the body, lower “bad” cholesterol levels, increase cognitive function, protect the heart, prevent eye disease, detoxify the body, prevent certain cancers, help you lose weight, and guarantee proper growth and development.
Eggs
Eggs are some of the most fascinating parts of our diet, simply because they themselves are so unique. Eggs are reproductive shells laid by females of numerous species, including fish, reptiles, and, in terms of human nutrition, birds. While fish eggs are also eaten in a number of cultural dishes and national cuisines, bird eggs are the most commonly consumed variety of eggs by humans, and out of bird eggs, chicken eggs are by and large the most popular. Eggs have been a part of the human diet for thousands of years, as they were discovered early on in our cultural development as a safe and beneficial form of food that could be acquired and cultivated along with a second form of food – chicken.
Eggs have become a staple part of diets across the world, as they are not only a food source in and of themselves, but they also function in the creation of hundreds of other meals and ingredients necessary for cooking a limitless range of food. The question is, besides its widespread availability, why have eggs become such an inherent part of global cuisine? Eggs are unique in their protein content, as they are rich with the “stuff of life”, which would have developed into a baby chick, and eventually, a chicken, which is another key food in human diets. The list of foods in which eggs can be found would be an article all by itself, but suffice to say that eggs constitute an essential part of the human diet for a number of reasons, and should definitely be considered when trying to eat right.
Nutritional Value of Eggs
Eggs are so widely loved and used because they provide a powerhouse of nutrients inside their tiny package. There are enough nutrients in an egg to develop a single cell into a baby chick, and we need many of those same nutrients! Eggs contain significant levels of vitamin A, B-complex vitamins,vitamin D, E, and K, as well as phosphorous, selenium, calcium, and zinc. Furthermore, eggs also have various key organic compounds, such as omega-3s, antioxidants, and protein.
Health Benefits of Eggs
Growth and Development: There is a reason why eggs are such an important food staple in our formative years; it seems like breakfast almost always contained an egg while we were young! The high concentration of protein, as well as other essential vitamins, means that our bodies can develop at a normal rate and get all of the necessary nutrients to grow properly and set young people on a trajectory for lifelong health. Protein is necessary for cell creation, which means that every part of our body, every organ, hair, blood vessel, and bone in some way relies on protein to exist. Also, protein is necessary for repair and regrowth, so it is a lifelong necessity for us that we can acquire through eggs!
Heart Health: While there has been significant criticism in recent decades about the potential dangers of eggs onheart health, due to its admittedly high content of cholesterol, many people don’t look at the type of cholesterol, nor its effect on the body. Most studies have actually shown eggs to protect against strokes and improve heart health, as the “good cholesterol” (HDL cholesterol) levels increase, which can help to eliminate “bad cholesterol” in the body. By lowering LDL cholesterol levels, eggs help to avoid atherosclerosis, blood clots, strokes, heart attacks, and other serious cardiovascular conditions!
Weight Loss Efforts: Since eggs are so full of those important proteins that our body needs for development, eggs also tend to be a very satisfying and filling form of food. They provide energy and nutrient stability in our body and satisfies our hunger. Eggs can be a great way to get the healthy balance you need without consuming excess calories, which is a great way to lose weight or keep your weight down.
Cognitive Effects: One of the lesser known benefits of eggs is its impact on cognitive health, primarily due to the high levels of choline present. Choline is often grouped with B-vitamins, but in fact, it is a somewhat unknown nutrient that helps to create critical neural pathways in the brain. About 90% of the population is estimated to get less choline than the body requires, but whole eggs supplies choline in large quantities!
Antioxidant Activity: It seems as though any food with antioxidant capacity is considered healthy, but many people forget that eggs contain various antioxidants, including vitamin A, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Vitamin A works as an antioxidant in a number of areas in the body, but works particularly well with lutein and zeaxanthin in the eyes to protect against macular degeneration and the development of cataracts. Antioxidants are able to seek out free radicals and neutralize those dangerous particles (formed as byproducts of cellular metabolism) before they can cause oxidative stress on body organs, resulting in chronis diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.
Rare Minerals: The mineral composition of eggs is wonderful, but it is also unique, in that it can be difficult to obtain certain minerals, like iodine and selenium, in our diets. Eggs are so versatile and universal that we can almost unconsciously stay balanced by eating eggs, ensuring that the those rare minerals keep our antioxidant activity up (selenium) and maintain healthy hormonal functioning in our thyroid (iodine).
Importance of Cage-Free and Free Range Eggs
All of these important health benefits are derived, in part, from the condition in which the hen was raised. The diet that the mother hen has will obviously be reflected in the nutrient content of the egg. For that reason, it is a far better choice to consume pasture-fed eggs, as they have consistently been shown to have higher omega-3 content, vitamin E content, tend to be larger, and are more densely packed with nutrients.
While the price tag might be slightly higher for organic, free-range, or cage-free eggs, if you are serious about getting the most health benefits out of eggs that you can, dig a bit deeper in your pockets for those extra coins.
A Few Words of Warning
While eggs are obviously major sources of nutrients for the human population, there is a high level of cholesterol in them, which can be dangerous for people suffering from hypercholesterolemia and certain gene disorders should be cautious. Furthermore, some studies have shown an increase in negative effects between Type II diabetes patients and excessive egg consumption, but further study on that point still needs to be conducted.
No comments:
Post a Comment