The exotic pineapple was brought to Europe from South America in the times of Christopher Columbus. It was originally a sign of prestige and featured only in lavish banquets. Nowadays, pineapples can be easily acquired and they are popular around the world for their sweet and fresh taste, and also for their health benefits.
In Central and South America, where this fruit is believed to originate from, it has been known for centuries for its positive effects on digestion and its anti-inflammatory properties.
The anti-inflammatory effect is attributed to the action of bromelain, which is an enzyme and a powerful antioxidant. Many studies to date looked at bromelain’s functions. It has been suggested that it alleviates joint pain, arthritis, reduces inflammation, inhibits tumor growth and shortens recovery time after surgeries.
Bromelain is one of the most popular supplements in Germany, where it has been recognized for its potential in reducing inflammation and swelling of the nose and sinuses, most commonly after a surgery or injury. Bromelain kills bacteria and fights infections. You can read more about the healing benefits of pineapple and how to use it to treat many ailments in my post on how to use pineapple as a medicine.
Pineapple is also rich in vitamin C. One cup of pure juice contains 50% of your recommended daily intake. If you eat fresh pineapple chunks, one cup will provide you with 131% of your vitamin C needs for the day. Vitamin C is an important vitamin and an antioxidant. It keeps your body healthy and strong by maintaining the bones, muscles and blood vessels.
Pineapple contains some other important nutrients too, including vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, manganese and potassium. It is an amazing source of essential vitamins and minerals.
When it comes to treating persistent cough and cold, pineapple juice can soothe a sore throat and helps to cough out all the stubborn mucus. One study that compared over-the-counter cough syrup and pineapple extract showed that pineapple was five times more effective. Patients recovered 4.8 times quicker when taking the natural pineapple remedy, and had an overall improvement in their cold symptoms.
In 2010, a group of Indian scientists looked into different treatments for tuberculosis. They discovered that a mixture of pineapple juice, raw honey, pepper and salt helped to dissolve the mucus in the patient’s lungs.
When you reach for pineapple juice as your healing modality, it is important to get unprocessed natural juice. Store-bought brands often contain a lot of sugar and not much real fruit. If you have a juicer at home, the best option is to make your own fresh juice. Just follow this simple recipe:
1 cup of fresh pineapple juice
A quarter of a cup of fresh lemon juice
Some fresh ginger
A tablespoon of raw organic honey
Half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper
You can also add some turmeric (this will help with your digestion)
Mix all the ingredients and drink two to three times a day. Now you have your own cough remedy with no toxic chemicals added.
Pineapple is also one of the ingredients in my digestive enzyme detox smoothie which will help your digestive system to do it’s important role.
You can find more recipes and helpful information about how to detox safely in my e-book The Detox Guide, where you will find how to cleanse and energize your body, increase stamina and improve your body’s digestive process.
The foods below all contain high levels of potassium. Potassium is one of four essential electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium) used in the body. Potassium helps to lower high blood pressure by counteracting the negative effect of sodium. Too much sodium makes your body hold onto excess fluid which leads to an increase in blood volume which in turn increases blood pressure. Potassium helps your kidneys expel sodium and excess fluid from the body which lowers blood pressure due to the reduction in fluid volume. Note: University of Pennsylvania researchers discovered that just 10 days of potassium restriction in the diet increased blood pressure for both people with normal and raised blood pressure. Most people eat way too much (salt is comprised of 40% sodium and 60% chloride) and not enough potassium so you have a double negative. The goal here is to increase consumption of potassium rich foods to counteract the negative effect of salt. However to get the maximum benefit from this it is also recommended to cut back on the salt as well. Note: Both the American Heart Association and the Blood Pressure Association in the UK recommend eating a diet high in potassium to help lower high blood pressure. Additionally most national health authorities now recommend increasing potassium consumption via diet along with reducing sodium intake. Below are some of the main high potassium fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables contain the highest amount of potassium of any food type. The only other notable source of potassium is dairy products. Dairy also has the benefit of being high in calcium and should be included daily in your diet, but be sure to choose low fat dairy options. High potassium vegetables Artichoke Baked beans (can be high in salt!) Butternut squash Beetroot All beans and peas Cabbage Cucumber Carrots Brussels sprouts Lentils Mushrooms Potatoes Parsnips Spinach Tomatoes Cauliflower Broccoli Sweet Potato Celery Kale High potassium fruits/nuts/seeds Apple Avocado Bananas Dried dates Dried apricots Figs Kiwi fruit Mango Orange and orange juice Papaya Strawberries Watermelon Raisins Prunes and prune juice Pear Nectarines Grapefruit Pomegranate Sunflower seeds Pumpkin seeds Peanuts Brazil nuts Almonds To help lower blood pressure try to eat 5 portions of the high potassium fruit and vegetables a day (a simple guide to portion size is a portion is roughly the size of your closed fist). The way I managed to up my potassium rich food was by including the vegetables in main meals and snacking on the fruit, nuts and seeds when hungry in between meals. I also found dried fruit useful for adding variety. This might seem difficult to begin with but give it a go and once you start try and stick with it as the benefits and the reduction in blood pressure happens of several weeks and months. I found it got much easier after the first week as it became more of a habit. If you really are struggling to eat 5 portions a day any increase will be beneficial and is worth the effort. For example a small study showed that eating two bananas a day had a positive and measurable reduction in blood pressure. Note: increasing calcium and magnesium has also been shown to help lower blood pressure. Many of the high potassium foods also contain calcium or magnesium. Not only will upping the fruit and vegetables help to lower your blood pressure, but all the additional vitamins, minerals and fibre will also help you avoid certain cancers, bowel problems, heart attacks and lower cholesterol. You’ll also likely have more energy and look and feel better! An additional benefit that has recently been reported in the journal Stroke states that people eating lots of potassium rich foods have a reduced risk of stroke. The report says that for each 1,000-milligram (mg) increase in daily potassium, the odds of suffering a stroke in the next five to 14 years declined by 11 percent. The researchers do state that the findings do not prove that it is just the potassium alone in the potassium rich food which produces the positive effect, but who cares! The science that potassium helps to lower blood pressure can’t be ignored. It has simply been proven so many times. On a personal level, after following a higher potassium diet for two months my blood pressure dropped by approximately 10 systolic and 5 diastolic. I only had stage 1 high blood pressure and many studies have shown that higher the blood pressure to begin with, results in greater the reduction in blood pressure. Note: supplementation with potassium tablets is not advised. Excessive intake of potassium can lead to a condition known as Hyperkalemia in people with compromised kidney function. The recommended intake of potassium is 4.7mg per day. Providing you do not go too far over this via your diet you will be fine. If you do have a kidney problem consult your doctor before increasing your potassium intake. http://knowledgeweighsnothing.com/40-foods-that-help-lower-blood-pressure/
Do you love tropical fruits? Have you heard about graviola? This delicious tropical fruit is common in areas such as Mexico, South America and Cuba. It has several other names depending on the region, including soursop, Brazilian paw paw and anonna muricata.
The graviola is produced by a tropical evergreen tree and the fruit contains numerous large, black seeds inside white fleshy fruit. If you haven’t tasted it yet, the graviola has a very sweet taste with just a slight acidic edge. The fruit contains significant amounts of Vitamins B1 and B2, as well as vitamin C, but what is amazing about the tree is its medicinal value and its potential to fight cancer.
Medicinal Uses of the Graviola
The graviola tree has long been used for medicinal purposes. Its uses are not limited to just the fruit of the tree; but all the portions of the tree including the bark, roots, seeds, stem and leaves are used to treat a variety of ailments. Graviola contains many chemicals that may be active against cancer, as well as disease-causing agents such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
It has also been used to treat conditions such as coughs, gastrointestinal disorders and herpes. It can also be made into a paste and applied topically to treat arthritis or skin conditions. The leaves in particular have been used to treat wounds as it has the unique quality of helping to speed up the healing process. The graviola tree has properties that make it desirable for treating a wide variety of ailments. It has long been credited for use as a tonic in many parts of South America, and various parts of the plant are used for treating heart conditions, diabetes, asthma, arthritis and even influenza.
This tropical tree is known for providing many natural remedies including high blood pressure, digestive problems, fever and infections. More recently, the scientific community is starting to take a look at its anti-cancer properties, and this is the aspect that I want to concentrate in this article.
Graviola as a Cancer Remedy
As you can see, the graviola has wide variety of medicinal uses over the years, but more recently scientists are taking an in depth look at the potential benefits of the plant’s leaves, seeds and stems. Why? Because of the anti-cancer properties it is displaying. Several studies have already indicated that the compounds found in the graviola plant target cancer cells and kill them. Scientists have concluded that these highly effective compounds can even combat the most drug-resistant cancer cells. And as an added benefit, not only does graviola kill cancer cells; it does so without interfering with or damaging healthy cells.
Although WebMD website mentions that the evidence is still insufficient, it mentions that there is evidence that some chemicals in graviola may kill directly cancer cells and may help anti-cancer drugs work better. Livestrong website mentions that substances found in graviola inhibited the growth or multi-drug resistant-cancer cells, as reported in the June 1997 issue of the “Journal of Medicinal Chemistry”.
Proof in the Research
Even though graviola has remained a secret from the mainstream, research has been conducted concerning its anti-cancer properties. Much of the research which is related directly to the treatment of cancer is indicating that graviola may be an effective way to fight cancer without all the adverse side effects of modern treatment methods. So far the research has been limited to animals and laboratory tests, but they are demonstrating that graviola has affected cancer cell membranes while leaving healthy cells untouched. Some of the largest pharmaceutical companies in America have been doing research for some time. These tests have demonstrated the following:
Graviola effectively targets and kills malignant cells in 12 different types of cancer
The compounds found in the tree and fruit are more than 10,000 times stronger when it comes to slowing the growth of cancer cells than the most commonly used drug in chemotherapy
Unlike modern chemotherapy treatments, compounds extracted from the graviola plant selectively finds and kills cancer cells only and it does not damage healthy cells
Research efforts are not new, but are not commonly made public. In 1976, the National Cancer Institute was the first to note the anticancer properties of the leaves of the plant. Purdue University in Indiana has also followed up with substantial amounts of research. In 1997, the team at Purdue was the first to announce that the graviola plant was effective at killing the cancer cells that chemotherapy had not destroyed. While there is still plenty of research occurring, the results continue to support the anti-cancer properties of graviola. However Cancer Research UK mentions that there haven’t been any large scale studies in humans, so we don’t know yet whether it can work as a cancer treatment or not.
Are there any side effects? – Precautions concerning Graviola
Graviola has been used for many years, and many feel that it is probable that the FDA may approve it for use to treat cancer. On one hand, the side effects are not nearly as drastic or severe as those that commonly accompany more traditional treatment options such as chemotherapy. But there are some possible side effects. The graviola when consumed in large doses can act as an emetic, which means it can cause some people to throw up. These are similar to the side effects one experiences from modern cancer treatments but graviola is much more effective. Side effects are not common with graviola, but consuming it in large portions should be avoided unless directed so by a health care professional. Some researchers are concerned that particular chemicals present in graviola may cause nerve changes and movement disorders when taken in large amounts. The nerve changes may cause symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease.
Pregnant or lactating women should avoid consuming graviola, nor should young children. The bark of the graviola tree contains anonaine and anoniine which are high in hydrocyanic acid. There are also some traces of these alkaloids found in the leaves. Hydrocyanic acid is considered to be a poisonous substance. It is also suggested that those individuals who have Parkinson’s disease avoid the graviola since it contains annonacin which can have an adverse affect on those suffering with this disease. Since graviola can act to lower blood pressure, it can have a depressant effect on the body’s cardiovascular system. Therefore, it should not be taken by those individuals who have heart conditions or suffer from low blood pressure. Evidence suggests that it can have an adverse effect when taken with commonly prescribed anti-depressants as well.
As we can see, there is a great potential in continuing the research about graviola and its efficacy on humans to treat cancer. It is unlikely that drinks or foods containing graviola could harm you when taken as part of a normal diet, but always talk to your doctor before taking any kind of supplement or alternative therapy, as the medical establishment does not support it as an alternative therapy to treat cancer at this point of time. http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/the-amazing-potential-of-this-fruit-to-fight-cancer/
Moringa Seeds For Extreme Nourishment
Green Superfood From Moringa Tree Can Be Used to Prevent and Treat Over 300 Diseases
Danica Collins
The superfood known as moringa (from the moringa tree) contains several thousand times more of the powerful anti-aging nutrient zeatin than any other known plant — and that it also has 2 compounds that prevent cancer and stop tumor growth.
The moringa is a genus of trees indigenous to Southern India and Northern Africa. It is a short, slender, deciduous, perennial tree that grows about 30 feet tall.
Once grown only in India, Africa and the Himalayas, it is now cultivated in Central and South America, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and the Philippines.
The leaves, flowers, bark, wood and roots of the moringa tree are used all over the world for a wide variety of medicinal, pharmacological and nutritional purposes. But it’s the leaves of the species called moringa oleifera, in particular, which have become recognized in recent years as being highly beneficial to human health.
moringa tree Compared to other green superfoods like spirulina, wheat grass and chlorella, moringa oleifera has been relatively unknown until recent years when reports appeared in mainstream scientific journals describing its medicinal and nutritional properties.
Moringa, The “Miracle Tree” Multiple Health Benefits
Moringa, which has been called the “Miracle Tree” in many indigenous cultures, contains more than 90 essential nutrients. Folk medicine practitioners and anecdotal reports suggest moringa’s great value in reducing tumors or retarding their growth.
Studies show that 2 compounds that are present in moringa cause a dramatic reduction of skin tumors, and even inhibit tumors in lab mice that are bred to be susceptible to tumors. This has earned moringa the reputation of being a cancer preventative plant.
Over the past 40 years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been studying and using the moringa plant as a low-cost health-enhancing food for third world countries where malnutrition and hunger are widespread.
India’s natural Ayurvedic medicine uses moringa leaves to prevent and treat over 300 diseases. The leaves contain complete proteins, which are rare to find in the plant kingdom.
This should come as good news for vegetarians, as well as those who are trying to limit their meat and dairy consumption — without compromising their protein intake.
A Bureau of Plant Industry report states that, gram per gram, moringa leaves contain: twice the protein content of 8 ounces of milk (and 4 times the calcium); the Vitamin C equivalent of 7 oranges; the potassium content of 3 bananas; 3 times the iron of spinach; and 4 times the Vitamin A of carrots.
Moringa leaves’ rich combination of nutrients, amino acids, antioxidants, as well as anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties could fill an entire book. But perhaps the most fascinating discovery about moringa leaves is that they are rich in zeatin.
Zeatin is a member of the plant hormone family known as cytokinins. Cytokinins induce cell division and growth, and delay cell aging. A study published in Rejuvenation Research shows the undeniable youth-preserving effects of zeatin on aging human skin.
Zeatin has recently become increasingly sought after because of its powerful anti-aging properties. It defends cells against free radical damage, protects healthy cells from the effects of stress, helps the body replace dying cells more rapidly, and strengthens living cells… thereby slowing the aging process.
No plant has a greater abundance of zeatin than the moringa plant. In fact, moringa has several thousand times more zeatin than any other known plant.
The human body has approximately 19 million skin cells at any given time. However, 30,000 to 40,000 skin cells die every minute. New skin cells make their way to the upper skin layers as old skin cells flake off and die.
With the zeatin contained in moringa, new skin cells grow at a faster rate than old skin cells die. This results in a marked reduction of wrinkles on the face and other parts of the body, and a more youthful skin appearance.
Moringa dietary supplements are available in the following forms: moringa leaf powder, moringa leaf capsules and moringa condensed powder tea.
According to Optima of Africa, Ltd., 25 grams of moringa leaf powder could provide these astounding percentages of recommended daily allowances:
