Health Benefits of Spinach

Health Benefits of Spinach:
Spinach contains choline and inositol, the substances that help to prevent atherosclerosis or thickening and hardening of arteries.
Spinach and alfalfa help stabilize blood sugar among diabetics. Make a drink by getting several handful of spinach, add 3 cups of water. Place over low heat for one hour. Then strain. Take ½ cup twice a day. Spinach and alfalfa may be served as part of the meal.

Spinach is loaded with flavonoid that functions as antioxidant and anti-cancer agent.

Spinach contains carotenoid that help fights cancer.

Spinach is a rich source of Vitamins C and A

Spinach is an anti-aging vegetable.

Spinach is a good source of Vitamin K, which aids in the formation of the blood substance required for clotting of blood.

Spinach is also helpful in the following cases ; Anemia, Tumors, Constipation, Insomnia, Obesity, Neuritis (inflammation of nerves), Nerve exhaustion, High blood pressure, Bronchitis, Colon cancer, Prostate cancer, Breast cancer, Osteoporosis, Dyspepsia (chronic indigestion), Also helps ailment of the kidneys, bladder and liver.

Nutritive Values : Per 100 gm.
Vitamin A : 9,420 I.U.
Vitamin B : Thiamine .11 mg.;
Riboflavin : .20 mg.;
Niacin : .6 mg.
Vitamin C : 59 mg.
Good source of Vitamin k : amount undetermined.
Calcium : 81 mg
Iron : 3.0 mg.
Phosphorus : 55 mg.
Potassium : 470 mg.
Carbohydrates : 3.2 gm.
Protein : 2.3 gm.
Calories : 20

Benefits of soy milk

Benefits of Soy MilkAs the taste of commercial soy milk improves more and more people are drinking it as enjoyment. But many people drink soy milk for the added health benefits. So what are the benefits of drinking soy milk as compared to cow’s milk?

Benefit 1: Soy milk contains only vegetables proteins Vegetable proteins have the advantage that they cause less loss of calcium through the kidneys. It is known that a diet rich in animal (and dairy protein) creates a higher risk for osteoporosis.

Benefit 2: Soy milk contains no lactoseAbout 75 percent of the world population cannot tolerate lactose. Some ethnic groups are more affected than others. For example 75 percent of Africans and 90 percent of Asians have lactose intolerance. As an additional benefit, soy milk contains the prebiotic sugars stachyose and raffinose. These prebiotic sugars boost immunity and help decrease toxic substances in the body.

Benefit 3: Fewer people are allergic to soy milk Only 0.5 percent of the children are allergic to soy milk, whereas 2.5 percent is allergic to cow’s milk.

Benefit 4: Soy milk reduces cholesterol The saturated fats in cow’s milk are unhealthy and increase your cholesterol. The protein in cow’s milk has no benefits for the cholesterol. Soy protein can decrease cholesterol levels. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration of US) confirms that soy protein, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart. The FDA recommends to incorporate 25 grams of soy protein in your daily meals.
Benefit 5: Soy milk contains no hormonesCow’s milk contains natural hormones (from the cow) but also synthetic hormones, which can influence the good working of our own body. The synthetic hormone rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) increase milk production by as much as 20 percent.

Benefit 6: Soy milk does not cause insulin dependent diabetes Although no general consensus exists among scientists, some studies have shown an association between drinking cow's milk in early life and the development of insulin dependent diabetes. This association does not exist with soy milk.

Benefit 7: Soy milk is rich in isoflavones The presence of isoflavones is the most important and unique benefit of soy milk. Each cup of soy milk contains about 20 mg isoflavones (mainly genistein and daidzein). Cow’s milk does not contain isoflavones. Isoflavones have many health benefits including reduction of cholesterol, easing of menopause symptoms, prevention of osteoporosis and reduction of risk for certain cancers (prostate cancer and breast cancer). Incidents of these cancers are very low in countries with high intake of soy products, including soy milk. Isoflavones are also antioxidants which protect our cells and DNA against oxidation.

Top 10 foods for 2010 Part III

Simply put, it's the juice of an olive and it's filled a wide assortment of substances that offer a diverse range of health perks. Besides being a monounsaturated fat, EVOO is chock full of compounds with health-promoting effects. In fact, it's the same substances that provide olive oil's distinctive tastes and colours that are responsible for all kinds of weaponry against disease.

These small packages of goodness continue to impress - a decreased risk of diabetes, blood cholesterol lowering and anti-cancer action is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig in, but practice portion control. They're super as snacks to bridge the gap between meals.

Also known as legumes, dried peas and beans, pulses just don't get the respect they deserve. True, they're thought of as peasant food but these days, that's not such a bad thing. Put that together with the research that shows these foods can reduce blood cholesterol levels, help to regulate blood sugar and blood-pressure readings, and legumes are a clear winner as a meat substitute. The one drawback is flatulence - but if you consume these foods regularly, you can reap the benefits without the unwanted side effects.

While it's not a food and you likely can't get enough of it just eating food, vitamin D can't be left off the top 10 list for 2010. The sunshine vitamin, as it's also known, used to be considered mainly for its role in keeping bones healthy. But after years of people practicing safe sun habits and levels of vitamin D dropping, the potential costs to health of vitamin D shortages are now coming to light.
And they are staggering: Just the impact on immune-system functioning alone is astounding. Besides compromising our ability to fight illness, a deficit of vitamin D is linked to an epidemic of type 1 diabetes in children and other autoimmune diseases like MS. It's also being named as a culprit in the development of a number of cancers as well as heart disease. Experts are now saying that adults should take a supplement of 1,000 IU per day.

source by http://lifestyle.ca.msn.com

Top 10 foods for 2010 Part II

This member of the Camellia sinensis family continues to reap accolades in scientific circles. A defender against different cancers - prostate, skin, bladder, oral, you name it - it seems that green tea's brew of chemicals offers some benefit. It also acts as an antioxidant playing a part in keeping arteries healthy. Bone health and green tea is another area of research. And for those concerned about their weight, a few cups a day may aid in shedding pounds. But go for the real thing: There have been reported cases of liver toxicity with green tea extracts.

They're packed with soluble fibre, the type that reduces blood cholesterol and plays a role in regulating blood sugar. But there's more to their apple a day reputation than previously thought. Apples contain high levels of flavonoids, which appear to reduce inflammation throughout the body. And scientists now know that inflammation is involved in the development of many chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke and some cancers. Eat the peel to up your antioxidant intake.

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Salmon, sardines, mackerel and tuna are all super sources of omega-3s, a type of fat that's in short supply in the diets of most Canadians. And they're vital right through the life cycle from pregnancy through to old age. They're key to the brain health of an infant and to that of an elderly person. In between, they're also essential for a growing list of disease-fighting actions from protecting arteries and mental health to maintaining good vision.

Top ten food for 2010 PART I

While the term superfood has been conferred on some berries more than others, the entire family has been a hotbed of research for scientists. Acai berries, blackberries, blueberries, both wild and cultivated, raspberries, strawberries and even cranberries - all have distinct health benefits, showing that the term variety does indeed have merit. Some berries defend against certain cancers while others promote healthy arteries. Others still fight against cognitive decline.

Here's another powerful disease-fighting family whose members are also known as the cruciferous family. Brassica includes arugula, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, various cabbages, cauliflower, collards, horseradish - including the hot Japanese horseradish wasabi- kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, radish, rapini, rutabaga, turnips and watercress. Just this year alone, dozens of studies have examined various substances in these foods and their powerful action in fighting different types of cancer. And these vegetables work in diverse ways to combat cancer at all different stages of the disease.
For those who aren't cruciferous fans, repeated tasting helps. And for broccoli, some garlic and lemon with a splash of extra virgin olive oil might change your minds.

Naming the number one whole grain choice isn't fair. All whole grains have something to offer and by eating a mix, you can gather an assortment of perks. Some, like barley, oats and rye, supply benefits for blood cholesterol and regulating blood sugar while others, like whole wheat, provide advantages for regularity. Read labels and look for whole grain as the first ingredient. Be aware that enriched wheat equals refined grain.

Benefits of Banana

Health Benefits of Banana :

Banana is an energy booster.

Banana contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that is known to make you feel happy and improve your mood.

Banana is a rich source of iron, thus it is helpful in cases of anemia.

Banana is good a good source of potassium. If you are taking diuretics take 2 bananas a day to prevent the depletion of potassium in the body.

The skin of the banana is said to help remove warts(cover the warts with the inner skin of banana).

Banana is good for people who have high blood pressure because it is low in salt.
Banana is also helpful in the following cases : Stomach ulcer (banana has a natural antacid), Colitis, Digestive disorder, Diarrhea, Constipation (banana is high in fiber), Hemorrhoids
Nutritive Values : Per 100 gm.

Vitamin A : 430 I.U.

Vitamin B : Thiamine .04 mg.;

Vitamin C : 10 mg.

Calcium : 8 mg.

Iron : 6 mg.

Phosphorus : 28 mg.

Potassium : 260 mg.

Carbohydrates : 23 gm

Protein : 1.2 mg.

Calories : 88