Thursday, 3 July 2014
Munching Peanuts can Boost Your Fertility & Brain Power. 20 Other Health Facts.
by James Dudley


Munching Peanuts can Boost Your Fertility & Brain Power. 20 Other Health Facts.
The peanut, or groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), is a species in the legume or “bean” family (Fabaceae). The peanut is native to South America, Mexico and Central America. Peanuts are also referred to as earthnuts, ground nuts, goober peas, monkey nuts, pygmy nuts and pig nuts. Peanuts are not the same as tree nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, etc.), which grow on trees but grow underground and are part of the plant family, legumes. Other examples of legumes include beans, peas, lentils and soybeans. Originating in Peru about 7,600 years, the plant was later spread worldwide by European traders. Although the peanut was mainly a garden crop and cattle feed for much of the colonial period of North America, it was in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that agricultural production and human consumption of peanuts really took off.
TOP 20 HEALTH BENEFITS OF PEANUTS:
- Promote Fertility: Intake of folic acid, before and during early pregnancy, reduces serious neural tube defects in the fetus by up to 70%.
- Blood Sugar Regulation: Manganese, abundant in peanuts, plays a vital role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, calcium absorption, and blood sugar regulation.
- Cholesterol Control: The mono-unsaturated fatty acids, especially Oleic acid, present in peanuts, help lower bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol in the body. Copper also assists in the body’s defense against coronary diseases.
- Prevent Gallstones: Just eating an ounce of peanuts, or 2 tbps of peanut butter each week, can reduce your risk of gall stones formation or gallbladder diseases, by almost 25%.
- Fights Depression: Peanuts are good sources of tryptophan, an essential amino acid critical for the production of serotonin, which is one of the key brain chemicals involved in mood regulation.
- Boosts Memory Power: High levels of Vitamin B3 or Niacin content aid brain function and boosts memory power. Fatty acids provide excellent nutrition for nerve cells in the brain. Additionally, a flavonoid called Resveratrol helps improve blood flow to the brain significantly.
- Prevents Heart Disease: Peanuts are rich in heart-friendly monounsaturated fats (MUFA) and antioxidants such as Oleic acid. Along with Resveratrol, they prevent heart diseases, cancers, nervous diseases and viral or fungal infections efficiently.
- Prevents Cognitive Decline: A diet of Niacin-rich peanuts brings down the risks of neurodegenerative induced diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, by almost 70%.
- Cancer Protection: Beta-sitoserol (SIT), a form of phytosterol, protects against cancer by inhibiting tumor growth. P-Coumaric acid has the ability to reduce the risk of stomach cancer by reducing the productions of carcinogenic nitrous-amines.
- Weight Management: Peanuts are rich in fiber which means that eating peanuts before your meal can leave you feeling fuller and make you eat lesser. They also are good sources of energy and helpful in increasing your metabolic rate.
- For Pregnant Women: Eating peanuts during pregnancy can decrease the risk of allergic diseases like asthma in newborns.
- For Growing Children: Peanuts are a good source of protein and amino acids, providing rich energy needed by active growing children for overall body development.
- Eliminates Toxins: Peanuts are loaded with fiber which helps in flushing out the excess toxins from your body. Toxins are responsible for breakouts, excess oil on our skin.
- Hair Care: Vitamin C aids production of collagen that keeps tissues in our hair together. L-arginine, is used in male pattern baldness treatment along with omega 3 fatty acids which strengthen hair follicles and promote hair growth.
- Reduces Stroke Risk: The poly-phenolic anti-oxidant, Resveratrol, in peanuts prevents heart strokes by increasing the production of nitric oxide.
- Anti-Oxidant: Peanuts contain anti-oxidants in high concentrations like Biochanin-A and Genistein, which fight against damage from free radicals produced in the body.
- Anti-inflammatory: Omega 3 fatty reduce inflammation in the body to prevent skin eruptions, lowering the risk of developing squamous cell skin cancer. It also moisturizes and hydrates the skin from within to treat skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema.
- Skin care: Vitamin E in peanuts defends against cell damage through oxidative stress, provides UV protection. Vitamin C, which helps production of collagen, is required to sustain tendons, skin and cartilage. Beta carotene is converted into Vitamin A in the body which helps in the growth and repair of body tissues. Peanuts are very effective for treating skin problems like pustules, skin rashes and rosacea.
- Vitamin Store: Peanuts contain B complex vitamins like niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, and Pantothenic acid.
- Mineral Store: Potassium, manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, iron, selenium, and zinc are some of the minerals present in peanuts.
Side Effects and Precautions:
- Peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies. Peanuts can cause a severe, potentially fatal, allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
- Excessive peanuts intake may lead to gas, heartburn, and a suddenly developed food allergy to peanuts.
- Peanuts are susceptible to contamination of aflatoxin produced by a fungus, aspergillus flavus, which is very toxic and carcinogenic, especially a risk factor to liver carcinoma. If the peanuts turn greenish yellow, discard it.
- Those who suffer from stagnancy of dampness-cold and lingering diarrhea should not eat it.
- Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) a fatty acid found in peanuts can increase risk of prostate cancer.
- Weight gain: In spite of their nutrients and antioxidants, peanuts are high in calories, and eating too many of them could interfere with the absorption of minerals, and if you buy salted peanuts, you’ll consume a lot of sodium.
- Peanuts are one of the most pesticide-contaminated crops.
- http://www.curejoy.com/content/munching-peanuts-can-boost-your-fertility-brain-power-20-other-health-facts/
19 Super Foods To Naturally Cleanse Your Liver.
by Claude Butler - Jun 30, 2014


Why does the liver need a detox?
The necessity for detoxification or detox, comes from the concern that toxins are constantly bombarding and accumulating in our bodies. Toxins are chemicals with potentially harmful effects. While some toxins are more obvious, such as pesticides or environmental impurities, others are by-products of processed foods and some that the body produces but fails to effectively expel.
Problems with a Detox Diet:
Detox diets force you to temporarily give up certain kinds of foods and then to gradually reintroduce the them back slowly, while staying away from the unhealthy ones. Symptoms may improve with a detox diet, but there is no evidence that this is due to clearing toxins from the body. Instead, improvements may result from what is and is not eaten and drunk on these diets.
Most natural liver detox diets lack science to support them. Any weight loss is usually from fluid and muscle loss and lasts while you are on it. Most people quickly regain weight once they go off the diet. Worse, especially if used long term, detox diets can cause harm.
Natural Foods better than any detox diet:
As it turns out, a balanced, proper diet may be more helpful than a detox diet. Our livers act as our body’s own personal vacuum as it sucks toxins present in the bloodstream, trigger and support healthy digestive functions through the bile and converts and distributes nutrients from the foods we eat.
Here’s our recommendation of natural foods that you can adopt in your current diet without the need to starve and will support healthy liver functions much longer than any diet:
DETOX YOUR LIVER WITH 19 SUPER FOODS:
- Beets and Carrots: Carrots are rich in Glutathione, a protein that helps detoxify the liver. Both are extremely high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene; eating beets and carrots can help stimulate andimprove overall liver function.
- Tomatoes: They have abundant amounts of Glutathione that is a great detoxifier of the liver. As a side effect Lycopene in tomatoes will protect against breast, skin and lung cancer.
- Grapefruit: Another source of liver cleansing glutathione is grapefruit. Also high vitamin C and antioxidants, boosts production of the liver detoxification enzymes and increases the natural cleansing processes that help flush out carcinogens and other toxins of the liver.
- Spinach: Raw Spinach is a major source of glutathione that triggers toxin cleansing enzymes of the liver.
- Citrus Fruits: Lemons and Lime contain very high amounts of vitamin C, helps stimulate the liver and aids the synthesizing of toxic materials into substances that can be absorbed by water.
- Cabbage: The isothiocyanates (ITCs) made from cabbage’s glucosinolates provides liver detoxifying enzymes that help flush out toxins.
- Turmeric: Turmeric is the liver’s favorite spice and helps boost liver detox, by assisting enzymes that actively flush out dietary carcinogens.
- Walnuts: Walnuts are a good source of glutathione, omega-3 fatty acids, and amino acid arginine, which support the normal liver cleansing actions, especially in detoxifying ammonia.
- Avocados: The nutrient-dense super-food, avocado helps the body produce glutathione- compound that is necessary for the liver to cleanse harmful toxins.
- Apples: They are high in pectin and other chemicals essential to cleanse and release toxins from the digestive tract. Apples make it easier for the liver to handle the toxic load during the cleansing process.
- Brussels sprouts: Brussels sprouts are high in sulfur and antioxidant glucosinolate, which forces the liver to release enzymes that block damage from environmental or dietary toxins.
- Garlic: Garlic is loaded with sulfur that activates liver enzymes that help your body flush out toxins. Garlic also holds high amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing.
- Dandelion: Dandelion root tea assists the liver in breaking down fats, producing amino acids and generally ridding it off toxins.
- Leafy Green Vegetables: Green Veggies are extremely high in plant chlorophylls that absorb environmental toxins, increase bile production, neutralize heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides, lowering the burden on the liver.
- Cruciferous Vegetables: Eating broccoli and cauliflower will increase production of enzymes glucosinolate in your system that help flush out carcinogens, and other toxins.
- Asparagus: Asparagus is a great diuretic helping in the cleansing process and sharing the detox load of the liver and kidneys.
- Green Tea: Green tea is full of plant antioxidants known as catechins, a compound known to assist liver function.
- Olive Oil: Cold-pressed organic oils such as olive, hemp and flax-seed are great support for the liver, providing the body with a lipid base that can suck up harmful toxins in the body.
- Alternative Grains: Gluten rich grains wheat, flour, or other whole grains increase the load on the liver’s detox function and enzyme production. Switch to alternative grains like quinoa, millet, and buckwheat in your diet..http://www.curejoy.com/content/19-super-foods-to-naturally-cleanse-your-liver/
Coconut Oil Is Now Called a “Miracle” Dental Bacteria Killer

Searching for the right substitute for toothpastes which is also loaded with fluoride, sulfates, and other such bacteria killers? If yes, then scientific research has some great news for you: A natural ingredient can do wonders to your oral health. This natural ingredient is the coconut oil, better -known as magical oil that is full of “miracle” powers. What makes it unique is that it is not only useful to fight tooth decay, but is known as a killer that crushes the yeast, candida albicans from your mouth. This yeast is said to be dangerous, and can cause deadly infections.
Though natural health professionals have been suggesting coconut oil since decades, there is enough of research that proves this natural tooth remedy well.
Treatment for Candida Albicans
Conducted in the Athlone Institute of Technology, some researchers from Ireland examined the after-effects of digested and natural coconut oil on some common bacteria strains existing in the mouth. They came up with some amazing findings: The coconut oil could effectively reduce the majority of bacteria strains, and was also proven to be a good source to eliminate candida albicans from the mouth. Since this harmful yeast, candida albicans comes into existence because of the intake of excessive sugar and processed foods, it is crucial to get a solid solution to get rid of this yeast. And yes, the coconut oil is proven to be the right solution to this.
A Remedy for the “Candy Disease”
Also known as the Candida overgrowth, this candy disease or the Candida infection can be related with various symptoms such as chronic tiredness, digestive issues, and frequent yeast infections. Though patients suffering from the candy disease may know about its treatment already, they can also look forward to using coconut oil for the same. Keeping this in consideration, researchers have been highlighting the usefulness of coconut oil as the alternative for medicines related to dental treatments.
In the report, scientists have reported that this natural oil can be one of the best alternatives to chemical dental products that include added fluoride and different sulfate chemicals.
What to Consider When Buying the Best Coconut Oil
Now that you know about the potential contribution of using coconut oil as natural cure to various dental diseases, it is essential to ensure that you have purchased the right coconut oil. You have two choices, i.e. to buy high-quality, 100% organic coconut oil online, or from a reputable local store. Though the choice is yours, you need to make sure that you buy the right one.
Here are some useful tips to get the most from the purchase of coconut oil:
1. Check the labeling of the coconut oil brand. Is it USDA certified? If yes, then this indicates that it is a reliable brand.
2. It should be cold-pressed, unrefined, and 100% organic.
Many people are still not aware of the use of coconut oil as a dental treatment. However, there is still a lot to research on this interesting finding.
image credit: naturalmama.co.za
Wednesday, 2 July 2014
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 10 Keys to Success
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 10 Keys to Success
Arnold Schwarzenegger: bodybuilding legend, Hollywood movie star and Governor of California. Most people would have stopped after just one of these achievements, but Arnold managed to fit all three into an incredibly successful career.
In the autobiography Total Recall, Arnold outlines his 10 principles which he lives by that have helped him on his path to such momentous achievements. Here’s a quick summary of his key points, although we recommend in investing in the full book as it’s a great read.
1. Never let pride get in your way
Arnold met with Muhammed Ali on a number of talk shows and once Ali challenged Arnold to shove him up against the wall if he could. Arnold thought that it was a setup, but went ahead and was able to push him against the wall despite Ali’s efforts to stop him. Ali’s response wasn’t negative and he didn’t make excuses. Instead he said “Wow, this weight-lifting stuff really works. Cool. That’s really cool.” Ali didn’t care about losing the macho pushing match, he just wanted to see if resistance training really worked and if it could help him.

2. Don’t overthink
If you are constantly thinking and stressing about things, it will eventually wear you down and cripple you. It can prevent you from making important decisions when the time comes.
Instead by letting the mind relax and thinking instinctively, when the time comes to make a critical decision you can do so with all of your energy. Knowledge is very important here, as if you have a good knowledge of an area you can safely make decisions quickly. A lack of knowledge will prevent you from making these quick decisions and can mean you miss an opportunity as a result.

3. Forget Plan B
Sometimes you have to take risks and operate without a safety net. Most people worry themselves sick about failing, and continually make fallback plans as a result.
Instead of making fallback plans, think about what is the worst that can happen if you do fail? Usually it is extremely minor, perhaps some humiliation for a day or so, but people forget and move on very quickly.
Arnold sets a standard for what real misery is. He visited the diamond mines in South Africa in the 1960s. The miners had to work in the dark 1,400 feet underground in 45 degree (110 F) heat, and were only paid a dollar a day. To top it off they were only allowed to go home to their families once a year! Think of this next time you think you have it bad.

4. You can use outrageous humour to settle a score
In 2009 at a large fund raising conference, Arnold, as Governor of California, dropped in and gave the host a big hug and smooch in front of everybody. This caused a huge stir, with half of the audience freaking out and half laughing. Then an assemblyman, Tom Ammiano stood up and yelled “Kiss my gay ass!”
A few weeks later Arnold received a bill in his inbox that Ammiano wanted to pass. Arnold instructed his team put together a nice veto message with a hidden message. The first letter of each line read downwards spelled out F**k You! Nobody noticed until a suggestion was leaked to the press, but when the press asked if it was intentional Arnold’s team said they had no idea.
A reporter claimed they gave the message to a mathematician who found the odds of the message being accidental were more than two billion to one. Arnold’s answer to that was, “Go back to the same expert and ask what the odds are for an Austrian farm boy to come to America and become the greatest bodybuilding champion of all time, to get in the movie business, marry a Kennedy, and then get elected governor of the biggest state of the United States.”

5. The day has twenty-four hours
When Arnold was giving a talk at a Californian University, a student complained saying, “since the budget crisis hit us, my tuition has gone up twice. Now it’s too high. I need more financial aid.” The student then followed on by saying “now I have to work part-time” and it was a problem as he had to study.
Arnold’s response was that there are twenty four hours, which you only spend 6 a day studying and commuting to and from your place of work. That leaves 17 hours free. Arnold even asked if the student had thought of taking more classes or working more!
The point here is that there is plenty of time to do everything you want to do, but only if you plan it out effectively and don’t waste it. If you sleep for 6 hours, and spend 6-8 hours working a day, then you still have 10-12 hours spare for dating, dancing, drinking and going out.

6. Reps, reps, reps
Arnold puts much of his success down to practice, or as he puts it, reps or mileage.
When he was training in Graz, Austria, in his teenage years he used to write out his workouts on the gym wall, putting marks for every set he was to perform. When he completed the set he would cross out the mark until all the sets were done.
This had a big impact on his motivation, giving the visual feedback he needed to mark an accomplishment. He transferred this to other areas of his life, writing out his goals so that they were set in stone and they could be ticked off when they were accomplished.

7. Don’t blame your parents
Arnold had a tough upbringing. His father had endured WWII and as a result was extremely strict, and regularly served out beatings as punishment. However, Arnold does not blame his father for this brutal upbringing as he believes it was the fault of the war, and even puts his success down to it. If his father was warmer would he have even left Austria?
Whatever your upbringing, your parents have probably done their best for you, but if they’ve left you with problems they’re now yours to solve. Instead of letting the problems get you down, turn the problems into motivation. Use them as fuel for success and rather than wasting time complaining, as complaining will not help the situation.

8. Change takes big balls
Mikhail Gorbachev, an ex-Russian leader, dismantled the USSR political system. Arnold admires Gorbachev’s courage to dismantle the flawed political system which he grew up under, despite being indoctrinated that communism was the solution to everything in his childhood. Gorbachev was working to perfect his country’s political system, and had to be open minded as he quickly realised the way they were going was unsustainable. He had to introduce revolutionary change and buck the trend of all the former leaders for the good of his country, despite fierce opposition. Arnold put Gorbachev’s success on the same level as Mandela’s, finishing by saying, “When given the power to shake the world, both of them chose to build rather than destroy.”

9. Take care of your body and your mind
The key point here is that in order to be successful and content you need to stimulate both your mind and body. If you are fit and strong, you should still expand your knowledge. Conversely, if you are naturally intelligent you cannot neglect your body.
Arnold though back to when he met world leaders and celebrities: Clint Eastwood, Dmitry Medvedev and the Pope. They all had one thing in common – they all worked out every day. It seems that there is a correlation between great achievement and stimulation of both the mind and body, so try to do both if you want to be successful.

10. Stay hungry
This is not in the literal sense of the term. What he means is that you must be hungry for success, hungry to make your mark and hungry to be seen, heard and to make a difference. In addition to this, as you become more successful you should also be hungry for helping others.
One of the key reasons Arnold has been so successful in so many different walks of life is because he has always stayed hungry. Once one goal has been achieved he sets new goals so he can keep moving forward. So many accomplished people just coast along riding the wave of success but do not strive to progress further. He finishes with a good point:
“You have plenty of time to rest when you’re in the grave. Live a risky life and a spicy life and like Eleanor Roosevelt said, every day do something that scares you.”
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
Vegans powered by raw food complete year of daily marathons
A couple in their 60s set world record in Australia after running a marathon each day for 366 consecutive days

Janette Murray-Wakelin and Alan Murray rose at 4am each day and ran 366 consecutive marathons with no days off.
By Jonathan Pearlman, Sydney
A couple in their 60s have finished running a marathon each day, every day, for the past year.
The pair ate up to 30 bananas each a day as they completed a trek of almost 10,000 miles around Australia.
The couple, both raw vegans from New Zealand, ended their journey with an extra marathon to their home in Melbourne at 5am on New Year's Day to set the world record."You don't stop doing something that works," she told Fairfax Media, adding she was not exhausted and could "run forever".
During the run, the pair skirted a cyclone, floods, a bushfire and a hail storm near Perth, during which they took a half-hour break and drank a vegetable smoothie before continuing through the heavy weather. Ms Wakelin-Murray missed the birth of her fifth grandchild, Marlo, in June, but was running in south Queensland when a motorcycle rider called out her name and revealed he was a cousin she had not seen in 45 years. He apparently said: "Good to see ya" before rushing off to work. The couple's standard day involved rising at 4am and eating 10 bananas, a grapefruit, and a date smoothie for breakfast, then another 10 bananas at 8am, a green smoothie at 9am, a fruit salad at the 19-mile mark, three oranges at the 23-mile mark, before finishing at 4pm and eating an avocado, vegetable juice and a salad for dinner.
"The first few weeks we were sore, breaking ourselves in," Mr Murray told ABC Radio. "After that it's actually become easier every day. I really don't think we've had any days when we didn't think we could make it. But we had a few longer days through extremes of heat. We had some 44 [C] degree [111F] days going up into Canberra." The run is understood to have beaten the world record set in 2011 by a Belgian, Stefaan Engels, who ran 365 marathons in a year. Ms Murray-Wakelin and Mr Murray were assisted by volunteers who helped with supplies and driving a support van. They used the run to raise money for charity.
During the run, the pair skirted a cyclone, floods, a bushfire and a hail storm near Perth, during which they took a half-hour break and drank a vegetable smoothie before continuing through the heavy weather. Ms Wakelin-Murray missed the birth of her fifth grandchild, Marlo, in June, but was running in south Queensland when a motorcycle rider called out her name and revealed he was a cousin she had not seen in 45 years. He apparently said: "Good to see ya" before rushing off to work. The couple's standard day involved rising at 4am and eating 10 bananas, a grapefruit, and a date smoothie for breakfast, then another 10 bananas at 8am, a green smoothie at 9am, a fruit salad at the 19-mile mark, three oranges at the 23-mile mark, before finishing at 4pm and eating an avocado, vegetable juice and a salad for dinner.
"The first few weeks we were sore, breaking ourselves in," Mr Murray told ABC Radio. "After that it's actually become easier every day. I really don't think we've had any days when we didn't think we could make it. But we had a few longer days through extremes of heat. We had some 44 [C] degree [111F] days going up into Canberra." The run is understood to have beaten the world record set in 2011 by a Belgian, Stefaan Engels, who ran 365 marathons in a year. Ms Murray-Wakelin and Mr Murray were assisted by volunteers who helped with supplies and driving a support van. They used the run to raise money for charity.
Janette Murray-Wakelin, 64, and Alan Murray, 68, rose at 4am each day and ran 366 consecutive marathons with no days off, covering almost 10,000 miles as they ran around the Australia mainland and the island state of Tasmania.
Ms Wakelin-Murray said she was looking forward to a day off and planned to sleep in, do some gardening and spend time with her grandchildren – but planned to run the following day.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/10545857/Vegans-powered-by-raw-food-complete-year-of-daily-marathons.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/10545857/Vegans-powered-by-raw-food-complete-year-of-daily-marathons.html
10 Healthy Snacks To Always Have On Hand
BY MARGARET WERTHEIM

Smoothie with Fruit, Hemp Seeds, and Chia Seeds
I love adding hemp seeds to smoothies, because they're fiber rich and packed with nutrients like magnesium, iron, zinc, and B-vitamins. Chia seeds are very rich in soluble fiber, meaning they absorb water and can thus help promote good digestion and elimination. Berries are always a great choice for smoothies, but experiment with adding avocados, apples, oranges, spinach, and other fruits or veggies.

Plain Yogurt with Berries, Nuts or Seeds
Flavored yogurts often contain more than 20 grams of added sugar. If adding fruit doesn't make plain yogurt sweet enough for you, add a small amount of honey, maple syrup or molasses.

Hummus or Bean Dip with Vegetables
Keep hummus or bean dip on hand for dipping vegetables like carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers.

Kale Chips
This delicious nutrient-rich snack is about as good as it gets. Coat chips with nutritional yeast or your favorite spices before baking for a savory and crunchy snack.

Apple with Almond Butter
A very yummy and satisfying snack rich in vitamin E from the almond butter and the phytonutrient quercetin in the apple.

Dark Chocolate with 90% Cocoa
I know there are many people who crave chocolate. Choose chocolate with the highest cocoa content you can handle, and keep striving for higher cocoa content. Remember that certain things are an acquired taste. Generally, the higher the cocoa content, the lower the sugar content. There are only about 3 grams of added sugar in 1.5 ounces of 90% cocoa dark chocolate!

Guacamole with Vegetables
Pass on the pita chips or tortilla chips and boost your intake of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants by using vegetables, veggie chips, or flax crackers instead.

Hard-Boiled Eggs
This nutrient-rich food gets an undeserved bad rap. Eat hard-boiled eggs plain, or put one in a corn tortilla with some spinach and guacamole for a very satisfying snack. Because hard-boiled eggs can be great for an on-the-go morning, boil or bake some up ahead of time to quickly grab.

Banana Ice Cream
For those really stubborn sugar cravings, try "ice cream" sweetened only with bananas. Try plain, strawberry orchocolate peanut butter
.

Sweet Potato Chips
Thinly slice sweet potatoes and coat with a small amount of coconut oil and bake until crisp. They're an absolutely delicious snack packed with vitamin A, potassium, and vitamin C.
Want to Build up Endurance, Boost your Energy and Increase your Speed? 24 more reasons to eat Beetroot.
■Alternative Cure
by Claude Butler

by Claude Butler

Want to Build up Endurance, Boost your Energy and Increase your Speed? 24 More Reasons to Eat Beetroot.
Tracing the Beets roots:
Beetroot, botanically-known as Beta vulgaris, evolved from wild sea beet, the ancestor of the beet with which we are familiar today, and is thought to have originated in prehistoric times in North Africa and grew wild along Asian and European seashores.
The beetroot taste is described as sweet, earthy and tender to eat. It is grown in the ground and is related to turnips, swedes and sugar beet. Most beetroot on sale is round and deep red, but yellow, white and stripy versions are available.
Transition from Medicine to Food:
Originally, it was the beet greens that were consumed; the sweet red beet root that most people think of as a “beet” today wasn’t cultivated until the era of ancient Rome. The Roman times used beets to treat fever, constipation, wounds, skin problems – and also as an aphrodisiac. By the 19th century, however, the natural sweetness of beets came to be appreciated and beets began to be used as a source of sugar. Historical reports of Napoleon declaring that beets be used as a primary source of sugar, after the British restricted access to sugar cane, have been documented.
At that time, the roots were long and thin like a carrot. The rounded root shape that we are familiar with today was not developed until the sixteenth century and became widely popular in Central and Eastern Europe 200 years later. Many classic beetroot dishes originated in this region including the famous beetroot soup, known as borscht.
TOP 24 HEALTH WONDERS OF BEETROOT:
- For Pregnancy and Fetus- Beetroot is a good source of vitamin B folate, critical for conception, and preventing congenital disorders like spina bifida (affecting the development of spinal column) and neural tube defects in the fetus. Provides energy and reduces fatigue in pregnant mothers.
- Prevents Anemia- iron increases the production of blood in your body. And increases your HB level (hemoglobin), improves blood circulation and the oxygen-carrying capacity of erythrocytes (the red blood cells).
- Lowers Blood Pressure: Beetroot is a great source of nitrates, which when consumed, is oxidized to nitrites and nitric oxides, which widen the arteries, increases the oxygen content in blood, reduces blood pressure and with it the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes. Another nutrient Betaine lessens homocysteine concentration, which affects blood vessels, contributing to peripheral vascular disease, stroke and heart disease.
- Reduces ‘Bad’ Cholesterol: Beetroot contains large amounts of soluble fibers, flavanoids and a powerful antioxidant, betacyanin, which reduces the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, preventing arterial wall deposits. Beet fiber reduces cholesterol, and triglycerides, by increasing HDL (good) cholesterol and strips and expels excess LDL cholesterol from arterial walls preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes.
- Prevents Osteoporosis: Mineral silica is critical for efficiently absorbing calcium in the body, necessary for musculo-skeletal health, and keeping osteoporosis and brittle bone diseases at bay. Other key nutrients like magnesium, vitamin C, and folate, act as vital supplements for strong bone development.
- Cures Diabetes: Beet contains natural sugars which is fat free, low in calories and has a medium glycaemic index, which means these sugars get released gradually into the blood, avoiding spikes. Helps stabilize blood sugar levels while satiating that sugar craving.
- Instant Energy Source: Oxidation of beet’s nitrate content, increases the efficiency of the mitochondria (your energy powerhouses), helps dilate the arteries, increases the efficient uptake of oxygen, and increasing vitality and energy. Beets are high in carbohydrates which means they are a great instant energy source.
- Aphrodisiac: The oxidation of nitrates, widens the blood vessels, and increases blood flow to the genitals. Another chemical compound, boron, is critical in the production of the human sex hormone, boosting libido, increasing fertility, and improving sperm mobility.
- Prevents Cancers- Betacyaninis, in beetroot juice, stops the process of cell mutations, precancerous esophageal lesions and tumors that are caused by certain harmful compounds. It also negates Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), harmful byproducts during meat and fish cooking. Beet fights breast, prostate, colon, liver, blood diseases and leukemia.
- Cures Constipation: Its high soluble fiber content cleanses the colon, regularizes bowel movements, helps digestion of fatty food, and also stimulates the nerves in the intestine. Betaine raises the levels of stomach acid, providing relief to patients of hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid).
- For Brain Health: Nitrate oxidation increases the oxygen uptake by the brain, helps in the better transmission of neural impulses and beats the onset of dementia. Studies suggest folic acid can help protect against Alzheimer’s and dementia.
- Prevents Respiratory Problems: Vitamin C, besides it stellar role of free radical busting antioxidant, stimulates the activity of white blood cells, body’s main line of defense against viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan toxins. Vitamin C’s range goes from fighting the sniffles to reducing the chances of cancer, to prevent asthma symptoms. The natural beta carotene in beetroot also helps to prevent lung cancer.
- Eye Care: Beta-carotene, a form of vitamin A, prevents age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and cataracts.
- Capillary Support: The flavonoids and vitamin-C in beets help to support the structure of capillaries.
- For Healthy Liver: The beta cyanin in beetroot can help detox your liver, preventing oxidative stress, while protecting the liver cell’s DNA, eliminating toxins and potentially preventing the build-up of fatty deposits, caused by alcohol abuse, and protein deficiency. It also protects the liver and bile ducts, thereby improving liver, kidney and bladder functioning and overall health.
- Anti-Inflammatory: Beetroot juice is helpful in fighting any inflammatory diseases, which are one of the main causes of premature aging, and age related diseases.
- For Hair: Carotenoids increase the quality, thickness and glossiness of hair, and prevent dandruff, by increasing blood circulation and nourishing the hair follicles.
- Radiation Protection: Concentrates of dietary fibers (CDF) in beetroot (containing lignin) are a very effective agent for radiation protection and radiation poisoning.
- For Weight Management: Beet’s high fiber content, low calories content, and soluble fibers, help cleanse the toxic and excess water and fat from the body. Beets, which have zero trans fat, and zero saturated fat, help spike the metabolic rate in obese and overweight patients.
- Stress Buster: Magnesium contained in the juice can also help to ease muscle tension, stress and anxiety. While Betaine enhances production of the body’s natural mood-lifter seratonin, trytophan relaxes the mind and creates a sense of well-being, similar to chocolate.
- Anti-Aging: Contains extremely active antioxidants and phenolic compounds, which help prevent cell and DNA degeneration, by eliminating damaging and aging free radicals.
- Curative Plant: Leaves of raw beet have been known to counter “garlic” breath and as binding for healing wounds. Beets have been shown to help cleanse the blood and colon, strengthen the gall bladder and liver, and cure boils, abscesses and even acne.
- Nutrient Store: contains magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and calcium as well as small amounts of copper, selenium, zinc, iron and manganese, in addition to carbohydrates, protein, powerful antioxidants and soluble fibre. It contains trace amounts of various amino acids (including D-amino acids [Alpha Amino Acids]) which help to build proteins and for use by the body.
- Vitamin Store: Beetroot juice provides vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, beta-carotene, beta-cyanine and folic acid [folate] (B9). Beets are particularly beneficial to women whom are pregnant, as the vitamin B and iron are very beneficial to new growth cells during pregnancy and replenishing iron in the woman’s body.
Reported Side Effects:
- An estimated 10-15% of all U.S. adults experience beeturia -a reddening of the urine, after consumption beets. Though this isn’t harmful in itself, it may be a possible indicator of iron metabolism disorders. Persons with iron deficiency, iron excess or known problems with the metabolism of iron are more likely to experience beeturia.
- If you get kidney stones because of too much calcium, you may be advised to cut down on oxalates in your diet. Beetroot is just one food which contains oxalates, which prevent calcium from being absorbed by your body allowing it to build up as stones in the kidney.
Still there’s enough good reason for inclusion of beetroot in your family diet plans, considering the sheer variety of its unique health-boosting nutrients that you may not be getting from one single food source. Plus they’re delicious too!
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