News

Health Benefits Of Peaches: Calories And Other Nutritional Information

The peach, the oh so lovely fruit with only 37 calories, is a perfect summertime snack. Low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, the health benefits of peaches can bring nutritional heft to a light lunch or low-cal dessert after dinner. Available in both white and yellow varieties, peaches found in the produce aisle are generally freestone, with pits that readily twist away from the fruit. The other primary type of peach, the clingstone, has a pit that clings to the flesh and so is mainly used when canning.

Vitamins

The main punch a peach packs is vitamins. Specifically, a peach boasts 10 different kinds: A, C, E, K and six of the B complex vitamins. Vitamin A and beta carotene helps you achieve optimal vision, while vitamin C is an antioxidant that is helpful to your immune system. Although peaches provide lower levels of vitamins E and K, they reside in significant quantities within the peach. Vitamin E is another antioxidant, while vitamin K is essential to your blood clotting capabilities. Peaches are also a source of thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, niacin, folate, and pantothenic acid, all valuable nutrients when it comes to your cells and nerves.

Fiber

Another important benefit associated with peaches is dietary fiber. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) recommendations, an adult woman should try to consume 25 grams and an adult man 38 grams of fiber each day; a peach offers three grams. Essential to easy digestion, fiber prevents constipation and bloating while contributing to colon health. Fiber may also play a role in regulating cholesterol levels and so helps to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Potassium

Unfortunately, we consume many toxins every day with each bite of our daily meals, harming our kidneys. Peaches contain high amounts of potassium, which can reduce kidney-related diseases while lessening the risk of ulcers. Peaches also provide some magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, iron, and calcium. These additional minerals protect and support your red blood cells, nervous system, and bones.

Bioactive Compounds

According to studies by Texas AgriLife Research, compounds in stone fruits could be a weapon against "metabolic syndrome," in which obesity and inflammation lead to serious health issues, according to Dr. Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, AgriLife Research food scientist.

"Our studies have shown that stone fruits-peaches, plums and nectarines-have bioactive compounds that can potentially fight the syndrome," Cisneros-Zevallos told AgriLife Today. "Our work indicates that phenolic compounds present in these fruits have anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties in different cell lines and may also reduce the oxidation of bad cholesterol LDL which is associated to cardiovascular disease."

Tree of Life

Historians believe peaches originated in China where they were first mentioned in writings dating back to the 10th century. The peach has special significance in Chinese culture: the peach tree is considered to be the tree of life while fruits of the mighty tree are symbols of immortality and unity. In fact, peach blossoms are carried by Chinese brides.

From China, the Persians (now Iranians) introduced the fruit to the Romans who received the "Persian apple" (as they translated the name into their language, Latin) with delight and later introduced the fruit to Europe by Alexander the Great. Columbus brought peach trees to America on his second and third voyages and other Spanish explorers have been credited with bringing the peach to South America. The French introduced them to Louisiana while the English brought them to their Jamestown and Massachusetts colonies. During Queen Victoria's reign, no meal was complete, historians claim, without a fresh peach presented in a fancy cotton napkin.

Italy is the main exporter of peaches in the European Union while California grows more than 50 percent of the total number in the U.S. Meanwhile, Georgia, with 40-plus varieties, is known as the Peach State and produces over 130 million lbs. of the official state fruit between mid-May and mid-August.

To this day, China remains the largest producer of peaches in the world.

Top Amazing Health Benefits of Orange Juice for Glowing Skin

Importance of orange juice

Orange juice is the excellent source of vitamin C and fulfills the entire day requirement of vitamin C in just one serving. It is tasty and delicious with full of medicinal as well as health benefits. Orange juice is known for many minerals such as magnesium, potassium, Vitamin B6, beta carotene, calcium, folic acid, and having low fats and no cholesterol.

Folic acid in orange juice is highly beneficial for brain development and spinal cord. In a recent study, it has been found that orange juice is good for weight loss. Orange juice has other important health advantages like cardiovascular problems, diabetes, cancer and gastrointestinal disorders. The juice boosts your immunity due to the presence of vitamin C. Orange juice has the highest nutrients value among all the citrus fruits.

Orange juice excellent source of vitamin C

Orange is one of the few fruits that are known for its enriched vitamin C content. Drinking orange juice fulfills the concentration of vitamin C in the body. Vitamin C protects us from free radicals, which are the breeding ground of many diseases and conditions. It also helps in absorption of calcium in the body.

Orange juice prevents inflammation

The modern day faulty lifestyle along with paradox in dietary pattern leads to inflammatory reactions in the body, which causes lifestyle related disorders such as diabetes, heart diseases, arthritis, asthma, depression, etc. Drinking of orange juice helps to minimize the impact of type II diabetes and atherosclerosis. The flavonoids like hesperidin, and naringenin are acting as anti-inflammatory products and good for arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma.

Orange juice maintains BP

Orange juice is good in the management and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Orange juice contain a plant pigment called ‘hesperidin’ that is beneficial for overall the smooth functioning of blood vessels thereby helps in balancing of blood pressure and good for cardiovascular diseases. Drinking of orange juice decreases bad cholesterol or low density lipoprotein in the body. Bad cholesterol accounted for cardiovascular problems. The adequate amount of magnesium is good in normalizing blood pressure.

Orange juice for radiant glow skin

Orange juice helps to make you look young and enhances the beauty of your skin. Drinking orange juice regularly helps to improve skin complexion of the face by defeating the aging effects. It is good for other skin problems too. Taking orange juice helps to hydrate the skin. Rubbing orange juice on the face is beneficial for cleaning the clogged skin pores and good in prevention of acne, pimples, wrinkles and fine lines. The problem of sunburn can be overcome by drinking orange juice. The vitamin C also prevents free radicals and provides freshness to your skin. The nutritionists suggest that people should take regular orange juice to improve the beauty of skin, hair and nails. Vitamin C is the vital in collagen production, which is itself responsible in making of bones, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and gives elasticity to the face.

Orange juice prevent birth defects

Birth defects like low birth weight and neural tube defects can be overcome by drinking orange. The pregnant mother is suggested to take half cup of orange juice daily to fulfill the deficiency of folate, which leads to many birth related problems.

Orange juice nutrition facts & values

The 1 cup of orange juice contains the following nutrients. Vitamin C (96.9 mg), Thiamin (0.2 mg), Niacin (0.5 mg), Vitamin B6 (0.1 mg), vitamin K (0.2 mcg), vitamin E (0.5 mg), calcium (22.4 mg), iron (0.2 mg), magnesium (24 mg), zinc (0.1 mg), sodium (2.5 mg), phosphorous (39.8 mg), potassium (473 mg), fluoride (145 mcg), fats (0.1 g), water (219 g), sugar (20.9g), protein (1.7 g) and carbohydrate (26.8 g).

Orange juice prevents cancer

In a recent scientific research, it has been found that orange juice contains a bio-chemical substance called ‘D-limonene’, which is effective in preventing of skin cancer, breast cancer, mouth cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer. The adequate amount of vitamin C is also good in prevention of cancer.

Orange juice treats anemia

Orange juice is one of the best sources of vitamin C that helps in the absorption of iron into the blood stream. Anemia is a disease where there is a severe deficiency of iron. Regular intake of orange juice helps the patients in this regards.

Orange juice prevents tooth decay

Orange juice contains enough amount of calcium, which is good in prevention of tooth decay and bone related problems. It is the great source of vitamin C, which is helpful in curing scurvy.

Skin or Cosmetic Benefits of Pomegranate Juice

Healthy skin not only offers aesthetic benefits, it helps regulate your body temperature and provides a layer of protection against infectious agents. A healthy diet helps ensure your skin can function at its best, and drinking pomegranate juice provides the energy, carbohydrates, proteins and fats that your skin and other tissues need to maintain themselves. Pomegranate juice also serves as a source of minerals and vitamins, including several nutrients that offer cosmetic and other benefits for your skin.

Vitamin E

Pomegranate juice benefits your skin because of its vitamin E content. Vitamin E provides natural sun protection -- it neutralizes harmful free radicals generated as a result of sun exposure, so that they cannot damage your skin. It also promotes healthy wound healing and regulates inflammation, helping to fight inflamed skin. A cup of fresh pomegranate juice contains 1.8 milligrams of vitamin E, or 12 percent of your recommended daily intake, established by the Institute of Medicine.

Vitamin C

Pomegranate juice's vitamin C content also offers cosmetic benefits and nourishes your skin. Like vitamin E, it protects your skin against sun damage, and a diet rich in vitamin C reduces skin wrinkling, explains the Linus Pauling Institute. It also helps you synthesize collagen, a protein important for healthy skin and teeth. Low vitamin C levels can cause old scars to re-open, and can even cause tooth loss. Drinking a cup of pomegranate juice boosts your vitamin C intake by 31 milligrams -- 41 percent of the recommended daily intake for women and 34 percent for men, according to the Institute of Medicine.

Zinc

Drink pomegranate juice as a source of zinc, an essential mineral important for healthy skin. Zinc regulates the growth of basal cells -- the precursor cells that develop into mature skin tissue, and also plays a key role in wound healing. It also activates superoxide dismutase, an antioxidant protein that protects your skin from damage. Each 1-cup serving of pomegranate juice offers 1.1 milligrams of zinc -- 14 percent of the recommended daily intake for women and 10 percent for men, according to the Institute of Medicine.

Copper

Pomegranate juice's copper content also offers cosmetic benefits. You need copper to produce melanin, a pigment that helps give your eyes, skin and hair their color. Copper offers anti-inflammatory benefits to your skin and provides natural sun protection. It also helps produce mature collagen, which strengthens your skin tissue. A cup of pomegranate juice boosts your copper intake by 481 micrograms and provides 53 percent of the recommended daily intake suggested by the Institute of Medicine.

10 Reasons Why You Should Eat Avocado Several Times Each Week

Fruits constitute a part of a healthy diet, it provides our body with benefits in ways more than one. In fact, it is believed that eating a variety of fruits and vegetables will enhance the defense of the body against an amalgam of health problems. Among others, one that will prove to be best would be avocado. In the rest of this article, you will gain insights on why this fruit is recommended to be eaten at least several times within a week

Promoting Heart Health

All over the world, coronary heart disease is considered to be one of the most serious health problems and a leading cause of death. For this reason, you should consider eating avocado more as it has been linked into improving heart health. One of the things that make avocado friendly for the heart is that it contains mono-saturated oleic acid, which will reduce cholesterol for improved cardiovascular health.

Promoting Eye Health

Eye problems are also common for many people, especially for the aged. This should be given priority, especially given the fact that it can be actually avoided, provided that you have a healthy diet. In this case, avocado should be considered as part of your diet. It is rich in carotenoid lutein, which is the one that is responsible for the reduction of the likelihood of having macular degeneration and cataract.

Prevents Cancer

You should also consider avocado if you would like to lessen the likelihood of having cancer. The high fiber content of this fruit is known as being good for being able to avoid colorectal cancer. It also contains oleic acid, which is known for being able to fight the cells that can cause breast cancer. Certain studies in the past have also proven its effectiveness against prostate cancer.

Weight Management

Struggling to lose weight? Do not worry as you are not alone. There are many other people who are finding it hard to do so. Fortunately, avocados can help. Even in spite of the fact that it is high in fat and calories, it is undeniably one of the best food for weight loss. Its mono-saturated fatty acids will provide you with energy that will be burned slowly.

Prevents Diabetes

The oleic acid that is found in avocado is the one that is responsible for making it a good fruit for those who have diabetes. While it is able to lower the bad cholesterol in the body, it is able to raise the good cholesterol. More so, since it is high in mono-saturated fats, it holds the benefit of the reduction of triglyceride and improvement of the level of blood glucose.

Promotes Healthier Skin

Through eating avocado, you will enjoy having glowing and youthful skin, which can be also attributed as a function of mono-saturated fats. It also contains Omega-9 fats, which will reduce irritation and redness on the surface as a possible outcome of having damaged skin cells. To add, it also has Vitamins C and E, which can help to promote the firmness and elasticity of the skin.

Prevention of Arthritis

Having arthritis can lead into excruciating pain, which is caused by the inflammation of the joints. Avocado should be a part of your diet because of its anti-inflammatory compounds. The phytosterols that are found in avocado makes it able to prevent inflammation.

Cures Bad Breath

Having bad breath is surely something that you would not want as it is very humiliating. To prevent this, you can also consider eating avocado as it can make your breath fresher naturally. This does not work on the surface of the tongue directly, but it cleans the intestine, which is the actual reason on why some people suffer from bad breath.

Prevents Stroke

If you would like to reduce the likelihood of having stroke, you have another good reason to eat avocado. Foods that will prevent stroke are those that are rich in folate, which is exactly the reason why avocado is highly recommended.

Improves Nutrient Absorption

Adding avocado to your salad is also a good thing because it will help you to increase the likelihood of absorbing the other nutrients better. In fact, according to several studies in the past, carotenoids are absorbed five times more by those who often eat avocados.

10 Beauty Uses of Coconut Water for Beautiful Skin and Hair

Drinking coconut water can give you a number of beauty benefits for skin and hair. You can also make use of coconut water in beauty face and hair masks to get beautiful and healthy skin. Here are discussed ten tips to take advantage of this pure and natural water.

Who doesn’t know the benefits of coconut oil for beauty purposes! Also get familiar with the amazing uses of coconut water on skin and hair. You drink coconut water just thinking of it as a cool summer drink that nature offer. But, you are going to love it even more once you are well aware of its beauty benefits too! Go ahead and read on for the ten most useful benefits of coconut water.

Coconut water for a young and fresh skin

Drinking coconut water sure helps your skin to look younger and fresh by getting it rid of the harmful toxins.

However, just splash some of that water on your face and bring your dull face to life almost instantly. Imagine what regularly applying it on the face would do!

Prevent dry skin with Coconut water

Many of you tend to suffer from dry skin condition time and again irrespective of summer or winter (although winter can be harsh on most!). Try applying cotton balls dipped in coconut water regularly and see the change. It’s the most natural moisturizer nature has to offer. After all, coconut water is the purest liquid on earth after water, isn’t it? Your skin will feel soft and smooth once again and you will stay away from dry skin forever!

Natural skin cleanser and toner

Cleaning the face with coconut water helps get rid of the dirt and impurities that get accumulated every time you go out of the house. It can work as your make up remover as well (You do not need to spend on buying those fancy make up removal products from the market anymore, voila!) Put in a few drops of lemon juice in it and it will help brighten up your skin and hydrate it beautifully too.

Fights skin infections

Some of you might have faced skin infections especially during the monsoons or in a humid climate. Instead of running to the nearest medical store, first try applying coconut water on the skin or another great idea would be to mix it in your bathing water for a few days daily. The anti-fungal and anti-viral properties of coconut water helps in the healing process to a great extent.

Drink coconut water to enjoy age defying properties

Who wants to look older than their actual age or for that matter why not aim to have a skin of a 25 year old when you actually are 40 years old! Wow, wouldn’t that be something to strive for! And no, you do not need to buy and try 10 different types of the so called ‘anti-ageing’ cosmetic products available in the market. These are not only heavy on your pocket, but in the long run those chemicals do no good to your skin. It’s simple – just drink coconut water (tastes yummy too!) regularly and wash your face with it as well.

Useful in removing sun tan

Haven’t yet found a natural remedy

Coconut Milk and its 10 Amazing Health, Skin and Hair Benefits

Its summer and you can never have enough of coconut water this season, but is that all that you desire the wonder food for? If yes, then you sure are wasting the pulp which can be put to such wonderful use. Yes, for yourself and by yourself too. Have you heard of coconut milk yet? And it’s wonderful health, Skin and Hair benefits? You must make your cup of coconut milk now and use it in ways so many.

How to make coconut milk:

Grate and soak the coconut flesh in luke warm water. Let the coconut rise and float on the top and then skim it off. Next, strain the liquid through a cheese cloth to obtain your creamy coconut milk.

Now that you’ve made your coconut milk, here is how you must use it like a daily staple.

Beat effects of age and injury: Stronger Bones

Did not the word milk give the hint out already? Coconut milk is a boon for those who are dairy intolerant and have week bones. Why? It may not have as much calcium but it is a richer source of Phosphorus which is responsible for giving you stronger bones. It also helps alleviate arthritis symptoms as due to its antioxidant properties, it controls free radicals and decreases the risk of Joint inflammation.

Live Longer : Lowers Cholesterol

And this may come as a shocker but despite the high content of saturated fat in coconut milk, it still helps lower levels of cholesterol as compared to other dairy creams and butter. Coconut milk has lauric acid that boosts the good cholesterol or HDL in your body. Thus, coconut milk is one of the best forms of saturated fats as it is easy to break down for your body. It metabolizes to healthy forms like essential fatty acids including Omega 6.

Secret to the beach body: Aids Weight Loss

You might have steered clear of coconut milk fearing what the saturated fats will do to your body and the never satisfying business, but you’ll be presently surprised to know that the coconut milk does not add to your weight. On the contrary, you can rely on it for aiding weight loss since it is rich in fibre. It hence makes you feel fuller for longer and if taken in moderate quantities it can infact help you control weight or even lose it.

No more catching infection: Stronger Immune System

How long have you been wishing to not get so sick so soon? Take your daily dose of coconut milk and get a much stronger immune system. Coconut milk is rich in lauric acid, capric acid and antimicrobial lipids. These possess anti- bacterial, anti- fungal and anti viral properties. The lauric acid on being consumed by humans gets converted into monolaurin which is compound that helps fight the bacteria as well as viruses responsible for causing influenza, herpes and even HIV.

Stronger and Silkier : Complete Hair Nourishment

If you thought those were all the benefits coconut milk had to offer, think again. Applying coconut milk on your scalp can be much better than even coconut oil. It helps give a cooling sensation to your scalp. It nourishes your hair and imparts natural moisture to it from roots till the ends. You get much better, well manageable hair with lesser split ends. Massaging your hair with coconut milk and leaving for 20 minutes will also help stimulate hair growth. So get hair with replenished nourishment.

No more seeing the scalp: Prevent Baldness

Coconut milk can do wonders for your hair loss and regrowth too. You can see fast results with the baldness going away. Miss one part of coconut milk with two parts of water and one fourth part of camphor solution to see your hair reappear. Rub this mixture onto the scalp specially where there is baldness. Leave on for a couple of hours and rinse off with luke warm water. Next keep your hair covered with a moist towel. Let your hair dry naturally.

2 Minutes of Combing: Natural Hair Detangler

Coconut milk can also be used as a leave in conditioner for tangled hair. Rub a little coconut milk to your hair before combing and see the tangles getting more manageable. You would then comb right through with little or no hair left on your comb. Make sure however that you use the coconut milk in moderation as your hair might end up looking greasy otherwise.

Beat the Wrinkles : Anti Aging Properties

You see premature aging signs on your skin? Add coconut milk to your daily diet and also topical application and see the wrinkles disappear and never appear again. Coconut milk helps improve skin elasticity as it has high vitamin c and copper content. These help slow the aging process of your skin, you would thus not have any saggy skin and age spot woes.

Flaunt on the beach : No more sunburns

You’ve got skin that is super sensitive to sunburns and tan? Worry no more for the sun damaged skin. All you ought to do is apply plain coconut milk in a thin layer over the sunburnt area. It will help cool the skin and restore moisture as well as get rid of redness. The fats and oil help reduce the pain and redness too. Leave the coconut milk applied overnight to the affected areas and relieve the pain of the burns and rashes caused by damage from the sun.

Page 29 of 41