1. Hydrate, cleanse, soften and moisturise your skin with coconut oil. Certified organic, one hundred per cent pure and raw virgin coconut oil makes a fantastic do-all beauty product. It is totally pure and clean, making it the perfect alternative for natural beauty.
2. You can massage coconut oil into your skin to maintain its suppleness, but you should also take a tablespoon each day in its uncooked, raw form. It helps to cleanse and balance your healthy gut flora, which is thought to minimise the outbreaks of skin rashes, and irritations. When taken internally coconut oil literally beautifies your skin from the inside out.
3. Used as a skin moisturiser, coconut oil nourishes and hydrates your skin by replenishing your natural skin oils. It contains Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCFA’s), which are also found in your natural skin oils. These MCFA’S are naturally anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti fungal.
4. A common cause for skin problems and dehydration is a build up of toxins, fungi and bad bacteria. Coconut oil helps to cleanse and neutralise these toxins, fungi and bacteria on the outer layers of your skin, which not only detoxifies but also helps to build your skins natural immune system and protection.
5. Some forms of eczema and psoriasis are actually skin infections caused by a fungus. Using coconut oil topically can help these.
6. It can also be used in your hair as a deep conditioning treatment. Coconut oil will make your hair shine and glow by bringing out your natural vibrancy and beauty.
7. They say that drinking coconut water makes your skin look younger and more vibrant, as it aids in cleansing toxins naturally and erases any harmful toxic build up. The result? Clearer, healthier looking skin.
8. You can also use coconut water as a facemask - thoroughly soak cotton pads in the coconut water and apply them to your face. Leave them on for up to 30 minutes for radiant, hydrated and moisture-filled skin.
9. To make coconut scrub to hydrate your skin, mix 1tbsp of coconut water and lentils into a paste. Rub it gently on the skin for two minutes then rinse it away.
10. Coconut water can also be an effective clarifying moisturiser. Simply mix a few drops of coconut water with a few drops of lemon and then apply it to your skin. The coconut water hydrates and the lemon helps brighten and clear the skin.
Passion fruit nutrition has health benefits to kill cancer cells, its also efficacious as a pain reliever, anti-seizure, colitis, sedative, and anti-inflammatory. Disorders such as constipation, diarrhea, insomnia, menstrual disorders, cough, hoarseness, sore throat can also be driven with this fruit. Passion fruit pulp is used to relax the nerves as headaches, relieve diarrhea, and neurastenia (chronic fatigue, weakness, no appetite, can not concentrate, and insomnia).
Another phytochemical content in the passion fruit is harman, harmol, harmalin, passaflorine, harmine, carotenoids, viteksin, krisin, and isoviteksin. While the nutritional content such as: energy, fat, protein, fiber, minerals, calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, ascorbic acid, and the citric acid. The benefits of passion fruit to cure chronic allergy symptoms. Also the recovery of the patient liver and kidney, as well as triggering immune enhancement and strength of antibodies in the blood.
In fact, passion is also able to filter, separate, and remove toxins from the body. Besides, it can improve the freshness of the skin and stimulates the growth of young cells in the skin.
Passion fruit is a good source of nutrition
Like what we can read at passion fruit nutrition facts table above, passion fruit is a good source of vitamin C, one serving of 100 g containing 30 mg of vitamin C. Vitamin C improves the immune system and is an antioxidant. A 100 g portion of the passion fruit contains 1275 IU of vitamin A.
Vitamin A to improve the quality of vision and helps to fight infection, making the skin glow and helps the growth of healthy cells. Passion fruit is also a source of potassium (348 mg in 100 g). These minerals have a salubrious effect on the human heart and help the heart function, blood flow and pressure in the body. In addition to potassium, passion fruit also contains iron, magnesium and calcium.
Passion fruit has a relaxation effect and good for insomnia
Drink a glass of cold passion fruit juice can help your nerves and relax your mind and make the feelings became calmer. Passion fruit is often used as a remedy for digestive problems and gastric diseases.
Passion fruit has a soporific effect on the human nervous system that makes sense of calm and helps you to relax your pirikan. This is especially help people with insomnia or those who can not sleep well. A glass of passion fruit juice before bed can make you sleep well.
Passion fruit rich in antioxidant
The colors of the purple passion fruit skin and flesh color, orange, indicating that the passion fruit is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants served to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the body. Passion fruit has a water and fat-soluble antioxidants. One of the main antioxidants found in passion fruit is beta-carotene.
Passion fruit is rich in fiber
Passion fruit has a high fiber content. It is very beneficial for digestive health, digestive tract and bowel be clean. You can chose the passion fruit as a source of fiber. Seeds of the passion fruit can be eaten as they contain fiber. Passion fruit can also be used as a mild laxative.
Passion fruit is very good for a diet program
For people who are undergoing a diet, fruits are compulsory consumed, and passion fruit are very good to eat. This is because of the passion fruit has low calories, only 97 calories per 100g. Passion fruit is also low in sodium and fat. Passion fruit also contains carbohydrates and natural sugars in good quantities. Fruit Nutrition is working to reduce levels of cholesterol in the body. High fiber content of the fruit to fill you up, so you do not want to eat another meal.
The noni plant, or Morinda citrifolia, produces a bitter-tasting fruit that is used to make noni juice. While you can buy 100 percent pure noni juice, it's often mixed with other types of fruit juices. Extracts from the fruit and leaves are used to produce supplements. Noni has been touted to treat a long list of medical conditions, but studies to date do not support its effectiveness for any of them, according to NYU Langone Medical Center. Noni may cause liver damage, so don't take it if you have liver disease. You also should not consume noni if you have kidney disease or you take water pills or blood-thinning medications.
Varying Amounts of Vitamin C
Pure noni juice contains about 53 milligrams of vitamin C per 3.4 ounces, according to “Noni: The Complete Guide for Consumers and Growers.” While this amount provides 71 percent of women's and 59 percent of men's recommended dietary allowance, the actual amount you'll get in noni juice varies from one product to the next. One brand of 100 percent pure noni juice reports that 2 tablespoons provide 2 percent of the daily value of vitamin C. Another brand’s label shows 1 tablespoon has 28 percent of the daily value. If you buy noni juice mixed with other fruit juices, the vitamin C content of these juices will increase or decrease the total amount per serving.
Good Source of Potassium
Potassium regulates your heartbeat, keeps muscles working and offsets the impact of sodium by lowering blood pressure. Noni is a good source of potassium: You'll get 390 to 555 milligrams in a 6-ounce serving of pure juice, according to “Noni: The Complete Guide for Consumers and Growers.” This amount provides 8 to 12 percent of your recommended daily intake. If you have kidney disease and follow a low-potassium diet, you should not consume noni products. Consult your physician before taking noni if you take medications to treat high blood pressure because the two combined may cause high levels of potassium in your blood.
Potential Cancer-Fighting Properties
Laboratory studies show noni may have anti-cancer properties, but more research is needed to prove its effectiveness and safety in people. Compounds extracted from the noni root inhibited the growth of cancer cells in the lab, and mice with tumors survived longer when treated with noni substances, reports the American Cancer Society. Concentrated noni extract, but not pure noni juice, helped stimulate the immune system and killed a small percentage of cancer cells, according to a review in the October 2012 issue of “Phytotherapy Research.” Noni also triggered the death of cervical cancer cells when tested in the lab, according to the January 2013 issue of the “Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention.”
Coconut water is actually the juice present inside the interior cavity or endosperm of young, tender coconut. Its water is one of the nature’s most refreshing drinks, consumed worldwide for its nutritious and health benefiting properties.
The water is actually obtained by opening a tender, green, healthy, and undamaged coconut. Inside, it's clear liquid is sweet, and sterile and composed of unique chemicals such as sugars, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, enzymes, amino acids, cytokine, and phyto-hormones. In general, young and slightly immature coconuts gathered from the coconut tree after they reach about 5-7 months of age for the purpose of reaping its drink.
Botanically, coconut plant belongs to the Arecaceae family of palm trees, and has the scientific name: Cocos nucifera.
Each coconut may contain about 200 to 1000 ml of water depending upon cultivar type and size. Any nuts younger than five months of age tend to be bitter in taste and devoid of nutrients. In contrast, mature coconuts contain less water, and their endosperm thickens quickly into white edible meat (kernel). Coconut milk obtained from the meat, therefore, should not be confused with coconut water.
Coconut palm flourishes well under the costal tropical environments. A coconut tree may yield several hundreds of tender nuts each season. Different species of coconut palms are grown all over the tropics. Naturally, their taste and flavor of water show variations according to saline content in the soil, distance from seashore, climate, etc.
Health benefits of coconut water
Coconut water is a very refreshing drink to beat tropical summer thirst. Its liquid is packed with simple sugars, electrolytes, and minerals to replenish dehydration conditions inside the human body.
Research studies suggest that cytokinins (e.g., kinetin and trans-zeatin) in coconut water found to have significant anti-ageing, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-thrombotic (anti-clot formation) effects.
Coconut water has been generally offered to patients with diarrhea in many tropic regions to replace the fluid loss from the gastrointestinal tract and to reduce the need for hospitalisation. The osmolarity of tender coconut water is slightly greater than that of WHO recommended ORS (Oral Rehydration Therapy) solution. Presence of other biological constituents like amino acids, enzymes, minerals, and fatty acids may account for this higher osmolarity. Nonetheless, unlike WHO-ORS, its water is very low in sodium and chlorides, but rich in sugars and amino acids. This well-balanced fluid composition, along with much-needed calories, would be an ideal drink instead of any other kind of soft drink beverages available in the markets to correct dehydration conditions.
Coconut water is composed of many naturally occurring bioactive enzymes such as acid phosphatase, catalase, dehydrogenase, diastase, peroxidase, RNA-polymerases etc. In effect, these enzymes help in the digestion and metabolism.
Despite being very light in consistency, its water proportionately has better composition of minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, and zinc than some of the fruit juices like oranges. (Compare the mineral composition of oranges).
Its liquid is also a very good source of B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pyridoxine, and folates. These vitamins are essential in the sense that the human body requires them from external sources to replenish.
Coconut water carries a very good amount of electrolyte potassium. 100 ml of water has 250 mg of potassium and 105 mg of sodium. Together, these electrolytes help replenish electrolyte deficiency in the body due to diarrhea (loose stools).
Further, fresh coconut water has a small amount of vitamin-C (Ascorbic acid); It provides about 2.4 mg or 4% of RDA. Vitamin C is a water-soluble ant-oxidant.
Almonds are one of the most nutritious nuts you can eat with many benefits for your health, particularly your skin and heart. They fill you up, provide vitamins and minerals for energy and eating almonds can even help with weight loss.
Here are 5 valuable health benefits of almonds for better skin, more energy, losing weight, protecting your heart and better nutrition for a healthier life.
1. Almond Skin Benefits
Good skin comes, not from expensive cosmetics, but from proper nutrition on the inside. A handful of almonds is a particularly high food source of natural vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids, biotin and copper, all very important for healthy skin. Here’s why.
Vitamin E in Almonds
Vitamin E assists in protecting the connective elastin and collagen fibers within your skin cells that maintain its youthful firmness. The more collagen and elastin break down in your skin, the more at risk you are of developing fine lines and wrinkles on your face.
Vitamin E is also an excellent skin antioxidant, protecting your skin cells from free radical damage that leads to wrinkled and sagging skin and other signs of aging.
Biotin Skin Benefits
The B vitamin biotin is needed to maintain healthy fatty acids in the skin that keep it soft and supple. Without enough biotin in your diet from foods like almonds, your skin can become dry, flaky and easily irritated.
Getting more biotin with almonds can also improve your hair and nail health. Brittle nails and hair, split ends and hair loss are more signs of biotin deficiency.
Almonds for Copper
Copper is a vital co-factor in one of your body’s most important antioxidants called superoxide dismutase. Without enough dietary copper, skin health can suffer from free radical damage and premature aging.
Copper is involved in elastin production, part of the springy connective tissue that keeps your skin young and wrinkle free. The mineral is also needed for natural skin and hair pigmentation, so almonds are good for people with uneven skin tone and those looking to minimize gray hairs.
Monounsaturated Fats
Almonds are a healthy source of beneficial monounsaturated fats to maintain moisture balance and moderate sebum production in your skin.
Getting more monounsaturated fatty acids in your diet and less inflammatory processed vegetable oil can help reduce skin problems like acne, blackheads and oily skin.
Eating Almonds for Better Skin
With their high levels of protective vitamin E, biotin, copper and hydrating monounsaturated fats, the skin benefits of almonds are significant. Replace damaging junk food snacks with a handful of organic almonds and eat other skin healthy nuts like walnuts for a few weeks and you’ll see the difference in the mirror.
2. Filling and Nutritious
Just half a dozen almonds makes for a tasty, filling and high nutrition snack. They are full of healthy fats, significant protein, important minerals like magnesium, copper, manganese and phosphorus, and are high in vitamin E and B vitamins.
While a quarter of a cup of almonds does have about 200 calories, they are a particularly high satiety food. This means they fill you up and satisfy your hunger in ways carbohydrate foods from the bakery never will.
Try keeping a bag of almonds in your desk at the office and have a few in the middle of the afternoon instead of going to the corner store for a junk food snack. I think you’ll be surprised just how filling they are and how much better you feel after eating them instead of those high sugar, energy draining snacks.
3. Almonds for Weight Loss
Most people wouldn’t expect that high-fat nuts like almonds would be beneficial for reducing your waistline. However, there are some very good reasons why the almonds are actually good for weight loss.
To start with, the fatty acids in almonds are primarily monounsaturated fat, the same healthy fats found in olive oil and avocados. In fact, research like thisstudyfound that in a weight reduction program, almonds specifically were far superior to complex carbohydrates for losing weight.
This isn’t surprising when you understand the way high carbohydrate foods tend to increase your hunger, while healthy fats in your food really reduce cravings.
The monounsaturated fats in nuts like almonds also moderate blood sugar rises after eating. In this way, they also reduce the amount of fat storing insulin being released into your bloodstream.
Additionally, almonds contain high levels of thermogenic protein, including tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin, which tends to relax you and reduce stress-induced eating.
There really are a lot of weight loss benefits in eating more almonds, especially if you regularly replace high carbohydrate snacks with a handful of organic ones.
4. Protect Your Heart
Heart disease continues to be the biggest cause of death in the United Kingdom. This is primarily due to our processed food diet, but the powerful nutritional properties of almonds may help protect your heart from damage.
Once again, the monounsaturated fats in almond are beneficial here. Studies have demonstrated that consuming sources of monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid can reduce blood levels of potentially damaging LDL cholesterol, whilst improving your HDL cholesterol profile.
Almonds are also a great source of antioxidant vitamin E, which specifically protects against free radical oxidation of cholesterol, strongly linked to cardiovascular disease.
This study of the health benefits of nuts like almonds said that frequent consumption was likely to protect against coronary heart disease and recommended eating nuts more than four times a week.
5. Extra Energy with Almonds
Any look at almond benefits must consider how the broad array of minerals and vitamins they contain can affect your energy levels. Many people eating a supermarket food diet are lacking in important vitamins and minerals needed for energy production within the body.
Crunchy almonds contain good levels B vitamins like by biotin, riboflavin and niacin. They are also high in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron and particularly copper.
All of these nutritional elements are needed by the processes within your cells that regulate energy production. The more of them you get, the less chance you’ll have of vitamin and mineral deficiencies that lead to low energy levels.
One especially good way to enjoy almonds for energy is with this sugar-free chocolate almond milk recipe you can quickly make up at home with a blender.
Eating Almonds for Better Health
There are 5 great reasons to eat more almonds: good skin, a healthier heart, more energy, a slimmer body and to fill you up with the nutrition your body needs to look and feel its best. Surely it’s worth eating almonds more often if you value your health and appearance.
When looking for the best almonds, freshness is particularly important and large online stores with high turnover are usually where you want to look. Especially check the recent reviews to see if it’s a good batch.
In the USA, these Californian almonds are organic and have many positive reviews on their texture and taste.
In the UK, I find these Spanish grown organic almonds are good value and a great size for the office drawer.
Have you tried replacing fattening carbohydrate snacks with healthy nuts like almonds? I’d appreciate hearing what you think of these almond benefits for skin, your heart and general good health, especially if you’ve noticed a positive difference since you started eating almonds yourself.
An aloe vera plant can add a lovely touch of green to any office or home. But did you know that your favorite potted plant could be used for so much more than household décor?
The powerful aloe vera plant is a part of the Aloaceae, or lily, family, which is known for its diverse perennials with short stems and thick, crowded leaves.
Aloe vera has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Native to North Africa, Southern Europe, and the Canary Islands, today aloe vera is grown in tropical climates worldwide. From relieving heartburn to slowing the spread of cancer, researchers are only first beginning to unlock all of the powerful uses of this universal plant and its many amazing byproducts.
1. Your houseplant could fight your heartburn. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder that often results in symptoms including heartburn. A recent review explains that consuming 1 to 3 onces of aloe gel at mealtimes could reduce the severity of GERD and other digestion-related problems. The plant’s low toxicity makes it a safe and gentle remedy.
2. A little aloe vera gel a day could keep bacteria on fruits and vegetables away. In a recent study, an aloe vera gel coating on tomato plants was able to block, not all, but many types of harmful bacteria. Similar results were found in a different study with apples. This means that aloe gel could help produce stay fresh for longer without the need for potentially dangerous chemicals.
3. An alternative to mouthwash. A 2014 study found aloe vera extract to be a safe and effective alternative to chemical-based mouthwashes. The plant’s natural ingredients, which include a healthy dose of vitamin C, can block plaque and also provide relief if you have bleeding or swelling gums.
4. The new blood sugar regulator is greener than ever. Might aloe vera be able to help people with diabetes regulate their blood sugar levels? One study conducted in Thailand found that two tablespoons of aloe vera juice per day caused blood sugar levels to fall in people with type 2 diabetes, which means it may have a future in diabetes treatment. These results were confirmed with a later study from Turkey that used pulp extract.
5. A little extra push. Recently, a team of Nigerian scientists conducted a study to determine whether local folklore about aloe vera was true. Experimenting on rats, they found that gel made from typical aloe vera houseplants was able to relieve constipation.
6. Brighten more than just your office space. You can use aloe vera to keep your skin clear and hydrated. According to a study, the plant is particularly special because it’s designed to live in dry, unstable climates. To survive, the leaves of aloe vera store water. The combination of the moist leaf and special plant compounds called complex carbohydrates make it an effective face moisturizer and pain reliever.
7. Stepping up in the battle against cancer. According to a new study, aloe-emodin, a compound in aloe vera leaves, could slow down the spread of breast cancer cells. Researchers are currently investigating how aloe may play a role in other types of cancer, as well.