Can Apples Prevent Asthma?

Maintaining the an-apple-a-day habit is beneficial in many ways. Apples have been proven to protect people from cancer, heart disease, and arthritis. But did you know that apples can boost your lungs, too? 

Studies done in Singapore, Europe and North America have all pointed to a powerful antioxidant in apples which helps keep lungs strong and healthy. This antioxidant is known as quercetin. This phytochemical works by reducing inflammation in the airways, resulting to less wheezing and asthma.

Image by Rebekka D from Pixabay 

Quercetin is also found in onions. A research that observed men and women who consumed apples and onions regularly revealed that these people had less wheezing, asthma and bronchitis. Researchers now believe that even pregnant women who eat apples regularly may be able to protect their babies from developing asthma in childhood. 

It’s never too late to start eating apples on a regular basis. Older people who suffer from chronic, congested cough find that daily consumption of apples prevent them from developing emphysema later on. Experts believe that the antioxidants in apples repair damaged lung tissues.

So, as soon as symptoms of coughing and wheezing become apparent, eat apples. Remember to eat the whole apple and its skin. Apple peels are high in fiber and antioxidants. Wash the apple well before eating it to remove dirt and pesticides. 

10 Health Benefits of Mulberries

by Laura Fenamore


I'm a huge fan of dried berries of all kinds, but I'd never had a mulberry until recently. I saw a bag in my local Whole Foods and decided to try them. They are soooo good, it's hard to stop eating the--and I am not even addicted to food anymore! I do love them and think you should consider this healthy snack the next time you are looking for a sweet, healthy snack.

The taste delicious and they're full of nutrition. They are considered an important food remedy in Chinese medicine. Here are ten health benefits. It should be noted that many of these benefits have not been scientifically verified but are traditional folk remedies that have developed in countries where mulberries have been eaten for hundreds of years. I totally am on board with these benefits and wanted to share them with you.

Cancer Prevention: Mulberries are a good source of resveratrol, a potent phytonutrient also found in grapes that researchers believe can prevent cancer and aid in the fight of existing cancers.

Life Extension: Because of their resveratrol content, mulberries may be a tool in one's life extension arsenal, as resveratrol has shown in several studies to extend the life of mice.

Blood Tonic: In Chinese medicine, mulberries are considered a blood tonic, meaning that they cleanse the blood and increase its production, strengthening the entire system.

Kidney Strengthener: In Chinese medicine, mulberries are believed to strengthen the kidneys.

Liver Cleanser: In Chinese medicine, mulberries are believed to be effective in cleansing the liver.

Better Hearing and Vision: In China, tea made with mulberry paste is believed to strengthen one's hearing and vision.

Constipation Cure: In Turkey, a treatment for constipation is to eat white mulberries on an empty stomach with a glass of water.

Anemia Treatment: Because they are quite high in iron, mulberries are a great food to use in the treatment of anemia.

Cold and Flu Treatment: In Turkey, mulberry molasses is used as a treatment for colds and flu. Their effectiveness in this way may be due to their high vitamin C content.

Premature Gray Hair Remedy: In several countries, mulberries are considered an effective remedy for prematurely gray hair.

Laura Fenamore, CPCC, is a gifted Body Esteem and Life Coach.
Laura's company OnePinky is devoted to helping others find balance in their lives as well as celebrating their bodies and their health. Her vision is living in a world where health and body image are celebrated. Please visit http://onepinky.com to receive a free gift today.

3 Reasons to Snack on Dried Fruit and Nuts

by Thomas Parker

When most people are hungry they start to snack on chocolate, crisps and candy. Whilst snacking is not inherently bad you have to choose your snack foods carefully. In this article I am going to introduce you to dried fruit and nuts and discuss three reasons to snack on them.

1) DRIED FRUITS ARE SWEETER THAN MOST OTHER FRUIT:- One of the reasons a lot of people turn to processed snacks is due to their high sugar content. Chocolate and candy are a lot sweeter than most fruits. For most people an apple just does not cut it when compared to a chocolate bar. However, dried fruits are a lot more concentrated and have most of their original water removed. Therefore, if you want a healthy snack but still want to satisfy your sweet tooth you should try dried fruit.

2) THEY ARE BOTH RICH IN FIBRE:- Dried fruit and nuts are both fibre rich food choices and therefore offer a number of health benefits. First, it acts as an appetite suppressant and helps fill your stomach by absorbing water and expanding in your digestive tract. Secondly, it promotes regular bowel movements and helps reduce constipation. Fibre also helps you fully absorb vitamin and minerals and moderate blood sugar levels. Processed snacks contain little dietary fibre so by substituting them with dried fruit and nuts you can start to enjoy the above health benefits.

3) THEY ARE A GOOD SOURCE OF VITAMINS:- Nuts contain high levels of vitamin B6, vitamin B9, vitamin B12 and vitamin E. Dried fruit is also rich in a number of water soluble vitamins including vitamin C. Each of these vitamins have a number of health benefits. Vitamin B6 helps your body break down protein into an energy source that it can use. Vitamins B9 and B12 work together to assist your body in the production of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) which play a key role in the production of new cells. Vitamin C helps your body produce the connective tissue collagen which is essential for the proper healing of wounds. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant which protects your body from harmful free radicals. Processed snacks are relatively low in vitamins so by switching to dried fruit and nuts you can make sure you are getting the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for a number of vitamins.

As you can see there are many good reasons to make dried fruit and nuts part of your diet. Whilst they are not substantial enough to constitute a full meal they are a perfect, natural and healthy alternative to processed snacks. So if you have not made the switch already drop the crisps, chocolate and candy today and start eating dried fruit and nuts instead.

Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. You can learn more about dried fruit and nuts and the benefits of fibre by visiting his websites.

Fiber Content in Fruits - Top 5 High Fiber Fruits

by Jenny Banks

Fibers are important nutrients for us because of the following several reasons:

- Fiber controls overeating
- It neutralizes blood-sugar level
- It control fat absorption in the body
- It reduces cholesterol
- It reduces chances of cancer

Fruits are one of the rich sources of fiber. High fiber fruits are essential for people who want to burn fat or lose weight. Here we'll be discussing top five fruits having maximum fiber content. Apple, fig, blackberries, pear and banana are top five fruits rich in fiber.

Apple: Apple is a rich source fiber. An apple with skin contains 3 to 5 grams of fiber depending upon the size. An average size apple contains 4grams of fiber.

Figs: One fresh fig contains 2 to 4 grams of fiber.

Blackberries: half cup of raw blackberries contains 4 to 5 grams of fiber.

Pear: Pear is a high fiber fruit. A large pear with skin contains 5 to 6 grams of fiber.

Banana: One banana contains 2 to 4 grams of fiber

There are also several other fruits, which are rich in fiber, viz. Guava, orange, coconut, grapefruit, apricot etc.

The skins of fruits are generally rich sources of fiber. So don't peel fruits like apples & pears. And instead of fruit juice opt for raw fruit. Let's explain this citing an example. An apple contains 3 to 5 grams of fiber depending on its size. To make one glass (250 ml size) of apple juice say three apples are needed. So in making one glass of juice we are wasting 12gm of fiber (assuming one contains 4gm of fiber). So high fiber fruits like apple & pears, having edible skins, should be taken as raw not as juice. Also while making juice of fruit, like orange we throw the pulp, which is a rich source of fiber.

Intake of lots of high fiber fruits makes one's body immune to several diseases along with burning fats.

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Orange Juice - A Great Way to Start Your Day Afresh

by Jenny R Smith

Have you ever thought and analyzed about the glass of orange juice that you always see as an integral part of your breakfast? You always take it for granted that there will always be orange juice on the breakfast table! The flavor and the fragrance of the orange juice make it the third favorite drink after chocolate and vanilla in America!

Scientists from all over the world agree to the benefits of Orange juice. Vitamin C plays a significant role in our health. Our body cannot produce or store this water soluble vitamin. So we have to get this vitamin though our diet. Oranges are a good source of vitamin C. Research shows that consuming orange juice everyday provides us with immense health benefits.

The C vitamin in oranges helps with the detoxification process which is one of the very important processes that take place in our body. Vitamin C helps in fighting inflammation and is also extremely beneficial for people affected by arthritis. Oranges are rich in fiber. The fiber helps reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Orange has many more essential properties that are beneficial for us. Along with vitamin C, oranges contain potassium, folic acid and calcium. All theses nutrients are essential for our body. You always want to lead a healthy life but due to your life style it becomes rather difficult to eat the right kind of food or a balanced meal so what do you do? You pop up supplementary pills. That could be vitamin C or Calcium supplements.

Research shows that having a glass of orange juice is more beneficial than a vitamin pill for your requirement of vitamin C. The folic acid and the calcium along with fiber provide more benefits than the pills. Our body can assimilate natural ingredients better than the artificial ones.

Many people in America prefer ready made orange juice due to convenience. But it is better to make sure that the juice is fresh. Vitamin C is destroyed if it comes in contact with heat or oxygen. Make sure that you keep the juice refrigerated and consume within a week of opening the container.

It will also help to know there is no comparison between ready made juice and freshly squeezed juice at home. Home made juice is the best option. So if possible try and make your own orange juice. It will not contain any preservatives and the vitamin C will be intact for your consumption! If making fresh juice everyday is not possible then make sure you read the label of the carton of orange juice you buy. See if there is any sugar added in the juice. If yes try and avoid this as it will add up to your calorie intake and you will gain weight again.

If you are serious about leading a healthy life, want to decrease your LDL cholesterol level and fight cough and cold don't miss your daily glass of orange juice. It will help your body flush out all the toxins and protect you from various diseases.

Jenny R Smith is a health and nutrition expert, who also owns a blog on fruits and their benefits. She regularly writes articles on acai berries and blue berries.

Fruits and Veggies For Cancer Prevention

by Philippa Norman, M.D.

Picture it...Cahuilla Indians of Mexico, roasting sweet yucca (agave) in pit ovens... West African women rhythmically pounding yams to make fufu, a version of mashed potatoes... a Nepalese family sharing a dish of fragrant curried yellow lentils. Since the beginning of time our diets were based on the colorful and delicious fruits and vegetables growing around us. Our outside environment was healthy so our bodies were healthy.

Today, toxic chemicals, stress and poor diet have shifted us into a higher risk for cancer. Fruits and vegetables help keep the environment inside our bodies healthy, to protect us from what we are exposed to every day. Your body defense system has tremendous capability to repair damaged cells that could start a cancer, mobilize immune cells to destroy new cancer cells, or trigger the self-destruction of cancer cells. While going about your day, your peaceful but powerful immune system knows just what to do - but it needs the right nutrition. Here are just a few ways that fruits and veggies can help to nip cancer in the bud.

Eat Your Broccoli

Cruciferous vegetables lower the risk of cancer. Eating broccoli and cabbage will boost antioxidants in the body and ramp up the activity of detoxification enzymes in the liver. These changes cause abnormal cells to die off, help eliminate potential cancer causing substances, and help repair damaged cells that could start cancer.

Mediterranean for Men

Prostate cancer is often slow-growing and can remain "in the background" for decades. But some men develop a very aggressive type. Men can incorporate preventive nutrients to avoid prostate cancer. A few times a week, enjoy a delicious dinner that includes fragrant tomato sauce, roasted red peppers and a glass of red wine. If you prefer a more casual meal, pizza and concord grape spritzer will also work! The idea is to get your lycopene, an antioxidant abundant in cooked tomatoes and red peppers, and your resveratol, an antioxidant found in red wine and grapes.

A Nut a Day

Brazil nuts are rich in selenium, an important antioxidant that helps reduce the risk of many types of cancer. Along with vitamin E, selenium acts to halt the early development of cancer. When selenium is deficient in the diet, cancer risk increases. Eating 1 or 2 Brazil nuts can provide a daily adult dose of selenium.

Capturing Citrus Power

Many of us throw away a powerful cancer preventive: the white inner rind of oranges. This white layer contains bioflavenoids which work together with the vitamin C of the fruit, to help prevent cancer. You could try thinly peeling the orange with a knife to keep more of the rind on the fruit, or use a whole fruit juicer to capture all the nutrients in the rind. If making a dish like hummus, try blending in the pureed or chopped lemon and rind, instead of just using the juice.

Keep it Moving

A diet high in fiber helps move potential cancer causing substances through the digestive tract quickly. Fiber also feeds the good bacteria in the gut, enhancing our natural immunity. Gut bacteria help balance hormones, detoxify foreign substances, and produce vitamins to create a healthy body.

Your body has many mechanisms to prevent cancer. Keep your immune system fueled and functional by enjoying phytonutrient and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables every day.

http://www.healthybrainforlife.com

5 Healthy Fruits That You Will Love to Eat

by Gabriel J Adams

As everyone knows, fruits and vegetables are great sources of important nutrients. Of course, most fruits are super-tasty, in addition to being healthy. Here are 5 fruits that are nutrient-packed health foods - add these to your diet and you'll be well on your way to a healthy diet.

If possible, eat your fruits and veggies fresh. Cooked fruits and vegetables lose most of their nutrition value. Salads are one great way that you can eat fruits on a daily basis.

Blueberries

Forget the magic pills promoted by salesmen; nature has it's own anti-aging food - blueberries. Blueberries are rich sources of antioxidants that neutralize the unstable and harmful free radicals in our bodies. Blueberries are known to improve the short term memory and improve night vision. Plus, they contain resveratrol, potentially an anti-cancer agent,, in addition vitamin to C and E.

There are many great ways to eat blueberries. Of course, if you eat them fresh you will get more nutrients than if you eat them cooked. You can use them to make a fresh fruit salad, or eat them fresh with other foods. A handful of blueberries can taste awful good, too.

Black Currants

Great for cardiovascular health, weight loss, and the health of your vision, black currants are also easy to make a part of your regular diet. The antioxidant polyphenol in black currants protects the body from disease; for this reason, black currants have been used as a natural remedy for centuries. Pound for pound black currants have more vitamin C than oranges, making them one of the best sources of vitamin C.

Goji Berries

Considered one of the world's most powerful anti aging foods, goji berries boast antioxidants and polysaccharides that reduce the speed of aging and help the body recover. Goji can also boost the immune system, boost energy levels, and improve overall body function and health.

Goji juice is probably the easiest and tastiest way to eat goji berries. Goji is very hard to find fresh - pretty much impossible for most people. Dried berries aren't as tasty as the juice.

Cranberries

Cranberries are an amazing source of nutrients: Rich in vitamin C, they are also great antioxidants, and great sources of phytochemicals. They also contain Hippuric acid (a antibacterial), potassium , Vitamin A, and many trace nutrients. Cranberries have been used for years to combat urinary tract infections.

You'll want to eat your cranberries fresh to get the most nutrients. They can be rather sour plain, but you can easily make a healthy salad with plain yogurt, nuts and honey.

Kiwi

Kiwi fruits have a variety of great nutrients - The fruit contains Serotonin which has a calming affect on the nerves, reducing stress. Plus, the large number of electrolytes in the fruit make it a great option for those who regularly find themselves short on energy. In fact, it is regularly used by athletes because of its minerals and electrolytes. The presence of Inositol in the kiwi makes it great for diabetes patients, as it helps regulate the body hormones and neurotransmitters.

Learn how goji juice can help your health. Visit our Australian goji site and jugo goji site