12 Foods That Can Harm You If You Eat Them At The Wrong Time

Nowadays the average person in the US consumes about 20% more calories than their ancestors did in the last century, according to research. And although people are getting more conscious about their diet, it’s not always easy to get all the healthy eating rules right. For example, eating apples at the wrong time can actually cause bowel problems instead of improving your digestion. Luckily, it’s not rocket science and the basic rules are pretty easy to follow.

1. Bananas
Although bananas may seem like a good option to start your morning, if they’re consumed on an empty stomach, they can actually decrease your energy levels. At first, you will probably feel an energy boost thanks to their high sugar content, but after a couple of hours, you’re likely to feel tired and hungry again. Eating bananas may also pose a threat for people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, causing diarrhea.

If you aren’t ready to give up having bananas for breakfast, combine them with some other foods, preferably with ones that contain healthy fats like peanut butter.

2. Coffee
For many people, having a cup of coffee right after waking up feels like the most natural thing to do, but it’s actually pretty useless. Research has shown that drinking coffee before a meal improves our tolerance to caffeine. In the first hour after waking up, your body produces cortisol and it’s essential to not disrupt this process and our natural biological rhythms.

So just wait for a bit and enjoy your cup of coffee. But keep in mind that it’s better to stick to the recommended daily caffeine intake and don’t drink coffee closer to the evening, to prevent insomnia.

3. Rice

As much as we love having some sushi or Indian food after a long day of work, it may not be the best option. Rice contains a lot of complex carbohydrates that take a long time to digest. It’s a good thing, since it keeps us energetic for a long time. But it makes rice high in calories that can potentially cause weight gain if you eat it at night.

Lunchtime is the best time to incorporate rice into your diet. Your metabolism works fast during these hours and it’ll be easier for your body to digest this product. Plus, you’ll need an energy boost to have a productive day and complex carbohydrates can help with that!

4. Sugar
It’s better to stay away from processed sugar if you’re trying to stick to a healthy diet, but sometimes it’s impossible not to fall into the temptation. The crucial mistake we make is when we eat sweets as a snack. This way your blood sugar levels go up, causing sugar spikes and crashes, leaving you tired and nervous.

If you can’t resist the temptation, treat yourself with some dessert right after the main meal. This way your blood sugar levels won’t rise so dramatically.

5. Milk
Some people have gotten used to starting their day with a glass of milk since childhood, but this habit doesn’t work well for adults. Milk is difficult to digest, so drinking it in the morning and combining it with other foods can cause heartburn and stomach aches.

The evening is the best time to have a glass of warm milk. It helps calm down the body and promotes a good night’s sleep.

6. Meat
Meat is a great source of protein and B vitamins, but it may put an excessive load on the digestive system. That’s why it’s better to avoid eating steak right before going to bed. Choosing lean meat and eating at least 3 hours before bed is actually a good option since it provides satiety and doesn’t contain an excessive amount of calories that could cause weight gain.

You can eat meat throughout the day to get enough protein. But be careful with eating it in the morning, since having a heavy meal like this may be too difficult for your body to digest.

7. Nuts
Nuts are a great source of healthy fats and calories, but having them as a nighttime snack isn’t the best option. It’s actually healthy to eat some, but if you have too much, they can take a long time to digest causing problems with falling asleep.

Choose nuts for breakfast or as a healthy snack between your meals to get all the benefits: to promote heart health, normalize cholesterol levels, and to contribute to weight loss and the beauty of your skin and hair.


8. High-fat cheese
Having toast with cheese before bed can be tempting, but it’s better to stay away from this product. High-fat cheese can be difficult to digest which means it can cause discomfort and disrupt your sleep if you eat it in the evening close to bedtime.

On the other hand, having some cheese for breakfast provides your body with much-needed calcium that promotes muscle growth and bone health.

9. Citrus fruits
Staring your day with a freshly squeezed glass of citrus juice may seem healthy, but it’s not. Citrus fruits are very acidic and having them with or right after the main meal increases acid formation that may cause some unpleasant digestive problems like heartburn, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, and a slowdown in the absorption of nutrients. Just wait for a little while after your meal to enjoy your fruit juice.

10. Beans
Beans are high in fiber, so eating them at night can cause bloating and decrease the quality of sleep among some people. It’s better to be careful with this product. Beans are the perfect food for lunch or an early dinner: this way all the useful ingredients will get digested, but you’re less likely to feel bloated and too full.

11. Apples
Apples are high in fiber and contain natural acids that improve digestion and colon function. But if you eat apples in the evening, the acid from them can build up in the stomach causing some discomfort. Eating apples at night can also lead to excessive gas formation and problems with bowel movements. It happens because digestion slows down at night and it takes much longer for any food to digest.

The best time for eating apples is in the morning. This way you can stimulate a bowel movement after a long sleep. It’ll be especially beneficial if you had a late dinner or ate too much unhealthy food.

12. Yogurt
It’s better to avoid eating yogurt on an empty stomach or before any meal. Yogurt contains lactic acid that may decrease the acidity of the stomach. It’ll slow down digestion while you’re having your main meal.

Have a yogurt about 1-2 hours after the main meal to get all the benefits of the lactic acid for your digestion. Having a small portion of yogurt before going to bed seems like a good option since it’ll fill your body with protein, contributing to muscle development.

13 Things That Can Happen To Your Body If You Start Eating One Cucumber a Day

Since ancient times, cucumbers have been used in India in meals as well as in traditional medicine. This is because, in a warm country like India, cucumbers provide the necessary hydration and coolness to the body. And that’s not the only benefit this fruit provides (yes, it’s a fruit, not a vegetable)


1. You’ll be better protected from neurological diseases.
Fisetin present in cucumbers has been identified for its role in better brain health. Cucumbers also contain phosphorous — and phosphorous deficiency is related to an increased risk of cognitive diseases. So eating cucumbers will definitely keep your brain razor sharp and focused!

2. You can lose excess weight quickly.
The high water content in cucumbers helps you reach quick satiation, thus controlling overeating which can help you in your weight-loss efforts. Cucumber is free from fats and is a low-calorie fruit. Hence, it’s a great choice for anyone trying to get a grip on their body weight.

3. The risk of cancer will lessen.
Fisetin, a flavonoid that has been arousing great interest amongst cancer researchers, is present in cucumbers. Apart from the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of this flavonoid, it also has been linked with risk reduction for particular types of cancer.

4. Digestion will improve.
Cucumbers contain dietary fiber and a good amount of water which help aid in digestion. The vitamins in cucumbers also help to improve the functioning of the digestive system. Having a cucumber daily can solve issues relating to bowel movements thereby helping you to develop healthy regularity.

5. The body will get more hydration.
Around 95% of a cucumber is water, so eating it daily improves the total hydration level in your body which in turn, affects your health in a positive way. If you’re someone who forgets to drink water routinely, then eating 1 cucumber a day can be a wonderful trick for you.


6. Your skin will be softer and glowing.
Cucumbers keep the body hydrated which is beneficial for the skin. Moreover, they contain B vitamins like niacin and riboflavin along with vitamin C and zinc (a mineral) which are key to maintaining good skin. Cucumbers also contain caffeic acid which fights skin irritation and inflammation. The nutrients in cucumbers also help to fight the signs of skin aging.

7. Hair quality will improve and you’ll see less hair loss.
The B vitamins present in cucumbers are highly beneficial for scalp and hair health. Biotin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamins B5, B6, and C all have important roles to play in hair growth. They also prevent premature hair loss and graying.

8. Cardiovascular health will improve.
Cucumbers contain potassium, magnesium and vitamin K. These 3 nutrients are important for the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system. Vitamin K works as a vital factor in blood coagulation and the regulation of calcium levels in the blood. Lower magnesium and potassium levels have been linked with higher blood pressure. A regular intake of cucumber has been found to decrease bad cholesterol levels as well.

9. Blood sugar levels will be better controlled.
Cucumbers contain a wide range of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and triterpenes. According to researchers, an increased intake of cucumber is very promising in controlling high blood sugar levels.

10. Bones will be stronger.
Cucumbers contain vitamin K and calcium, both of which are essential for stronger bones. Vitamin K has been found to reduce the risk of bone fractures and also plays an important role in the absorption of calcium in the bones.

11. The body will get rid of toxins.
It’s believed that cucumbers have natural detoxification properties and a regular intake of this fruit can remove impurities and toxins from your liver and gut, promoting better overall health.

12. Your dental health will improve.
Cucumbers contain molybdenum and fluoride, a combination that has been found to repair tooth decay. The calcium content of cucumbers is also helpful for stronger teeth.

13. The hormones will be better balanced.
Phosphorous is a key nutrient for hormonal balance in the body. It interacts with endocrine glands and helps in the creation and release of hormones. Cucumbers contain around 4% of the phosphorous suggested for daily intake for adults.

To be “cool as a cucumber” and reap its many benefits, include it in your daily diet. Add it to your salads or just slice it up in half, sprinkle on some salt, and eat it. If you found this article informative, share it with your friends and family members. Stay healthy!

If You Eat 3 Dates Everyday For 1 Week This Is What Happens To Your Body

If you like sweetness on a Friday night, something new and exciting, or something that will give you energy and perhaps a little skip in your step, then you are likely someone who likes a good date or even several. And whether we’re talking about a romantic outing with another person or an edible sweet fruit, it mattereth not. Dates out to dessert, or dates for dessert are both as awesome as they are healthy for the body and mind. Yet, for this article, we are talking about the the fruit of the date palm grown in many tropical regions of the world.


Moreover, if you eat three of these soft, squishy fruit everyday for one week, you may consider makin dates a more regular occurrence because the following things will likely happen to your body:

1. Reduced risk of colon cancer
Along with insuring that food moves through the digestive system at a healthy rate, dates also make sure that the gut itself is healthy and free from harmful bacteria. And when the digestive system and gut are working well, then so is the colon, resulting in a reduced risk of colon cancer.

A study conducted by the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences found that those who consumed dates had enhanced colon health because dates increased the growth of good bacteria, inhibiting the growth of colon cancer cells.

2. You’ll have quick, long lasting energy
Dates contain the natural sugars, glucose, fructose and sucrose that will give you a quick burst of energy when you need it. And unlike energy bars or drinks, dates contain other healthy components like fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamins and antioxidants that will keep those levels up, and not send you quickly crashing down.

3. Your digestive health will improve 
If you want to keep things in your digestive system moving along nice and regularly, dates are just the thing to do that. In just a one cup serving or dates, you will get 12 grams of fiber. That’s 48 percent of your recommended daily intake!

The right amounts and right kinds of fiber can benefit your digestive health by preventing constipation and promoting regular bowel movements. And dates are most definitely the right kind of fiber to do the job. In fact, a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition  found that people who consumed 7 dates per day for 21 days showed improvements in stool frequency and increase in bowel movements compared to when they did not eat dates.


4. You could be smarter
Dates contain Vitamin B6 that has been shown to improve performance of brain by helping the body make serotonin and norepinephrine. Serotonin in turn regulates mood and norepinephrine helps your body cope with stress. Conversely, research has shown that low levels of Vitamin B6 is linked to depression.

So, when your brain is clear from stress, and in a good mood, then it is sharp and ready to learn and retain information.

5. Treatment for hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are veins in your anus and rectumthat have become inflamed and swollen. This is often caused by constipation that leads to strain in that area at the far end of the digestive tract. This is a terrible and often very painful condition that fortunately can be treated and even reversed through a change in diet to reduce constipation.

Many doctors recommend a diet high in fiber, and that includes dates to help things move along so that your hemorrhoids can heal.

6. Cure a broken heart, aka, improve your cardiovascular system 
Sometimes all it takes is several dates in a row over a long period of time to cure a broken heart.

It’s true. The potassium contained in this seemingly magical little fruit has been found lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) that causes blockages in the arteries that lead to stroke and even heart attack. A study of older women found that high potassium intake is associated with a lower risk of stroke and ischemic stroke and mortality.

So, invest in a date — even several over a long period of time — and you will find long lasting health that could very well lead to your happily ever after.

Raisin Water Can Help Cleanse And Detox The Liver! This Is How It Works

The liver is one of the largest and most important organs in the body, and without it, we would be filled with toxic substances that we would be unable to digest. The liver is responsible for creating bile that breaks down fat to convert into energy. It plays an important role in balancing our blood sugar levels. It even takes toxic substances that we put in our bodies and either converts them into things our body can use, or it breaks them down enough for our bodies to dispose of them in the form of waste.

However, we often take our livers for granted by putting harmful substances in our bodies like excess amounts of alcohol. There is even a condition known as Non-Alcoholic Liver Disease that can be caused by consuming products with added sugar, fried foods, excess salt and red meat. These things have been shown to cause liver damage over time, and are things that people consume frequently without thinking of it.

Your liver could very well be in need of some spring cleaning without you even knowing it. One way to do this is through drinking raisin water.

Raisins, as we know, come from dried-out grapes. And grapes are loaded with fiber and antioxidants (bioflavonoids and vitamin C) that play a key role in digestion and in ridding the body of harmful toxins and free radicals.

But, did you know that raisins may actually have more nutrients than grapes? That’s right. According to information published by the University of Barkley (Barkley Wellness), ounce for ounce, raisins have nearly three times the antioxidant capacity of red and green grape, and are one of the richest sources of antioxidants of all foods. This is because when fruits are dried, the compounds are greatly concentrated.

And with all those concentrated nutrients, experts have found that soaking them it water is also extremely beneficial. When added to water, those nutrients are put into liquid form, allowing the body to absorb them more quickly — even enhancing the antioxidant content.

Drinking raisin water heightens the grape and the raisin’s ability to cleanse the liver as it moves quickly through the digestive system loaded with antioxidants that clear the toxins out.


How to make raisin water
Clean 150 grams of raisins thoroughly using a strainer. Then add the raisins to 2 cups of water that you then boil for 20 minutes. Leave the raisins in this water for overnight. In the morning, while still on an empty stomach, strain the water from the raisins and drink the water.

You can also eat the raisins with some oatmeal or alone. Do this for a few days, and your liver will be clear of toxins, and ready to do its very important job.

Weight gain and water retention often go hand-in-hand, simply because when you are holding on to excess water, your body will be heavier. Many overweight individuals also suffer from water retention mainly because of the excess amount of unhealthy calories that often contain higher amounts of sodium which contributes greatly to water retention.

While there are several ways to lose weight and decrease water retention, including key ones like eating healthy and exercising regularly, there are some extra things you can do to help things along. One of those things is drinking parsley tea.

Parsley tea?
Yeah, you may be scratching your head wondering what food garnish like parsley can do to help. After all, isn’t that all this plant is used for?

Actually, no. Parsley has not been given its due credit. This herb is loaded with vitamins A, B (folate), C and K as well as the minerals iron and potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and a flavonoid (antioxidant) known as quercetin. If that’s not awesome enough, parsley is also natural (and mild) diuretic that can help rid your body of excess fluid in a way that doesn’t deplete your body of important nutrients.

Parsley has also been shown in several research studies, including this one by the Department of Biology at Istanbul University, found that parsley reduced blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. And when glucose levels are healthy, it helps with long-term weight balance by keeping the liver healthy and able to keep the digestive system going strong.

But, parsley is hard to eat, which is why it’s often used as a small garnish.

Due to parsley’s often unpalatable nature, and the fact that benefits come from consuming large amounts, this is where parsley tea comes in.

How does it work?
Just as the parsley plant does, parsley tea has diuretic properties to help flush the system of some excess fluid. This could jumpstart the weight loss process, but it’s only part of it. Parsley tea can be used as a vegetable broth supplement to help cut calories while still providing all of those amazing vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. You can also use it as a drink in place of sugary juices or beverages. If you do, you will find that you will lose both the water weight packed on in other ways.

How to make parsley tea
Add 5 tablespoons of chopped parsley to 1 liter of water. Heat the water, then add parsley to water and let it sit for 20 minutes. When done, strain the parsley, leaving behind just the water. If you want to sweeten the tea just a bit, add some honey to taste.

You may be able to shed the pounds, but not that stubborn belly fat. In fact, women name this as one of the most challenging parts of the weightloss process. The reason behind residual belly fat is because the stomach and hip areas contain a higher amount of fat cells that don’t respond as easily to lipolysis, which is the fat-breakdown process.

But, what if there was a simple solution to this all-too-common and frustrating problem? What if there was a natural drink that you could make yourself that would play a key role in getting rid of your belly fat? And what if it would show quick results?

Well, there is a drink and it contains 5-6 simple and very common ingredients that you may very well have in your fridge if not at your local corner grocery store. This drink contains cucumbers, parsley or cilantro, lemon juice, ginger and aloe vera juice, and if consumed before bedtime, can speed up your metabolism during those slow-metabolism hours of the night.


Why it works:
Cucumbers have been shown to help lose stomach fat because they have a high water content as well as fiber that are key in the digestive process. They are also low in calories, with one cucumber containing only 45 calories.

Parsley/cilantro are both low in calories and full of antioxidants. They also contain important vitamins and minerals, and are natural diuretics that reduce water retention, in turn helping you to lose weight.

Lemon juice contains Vitamin C which acts as an antioxidant to help flush out toxins. And when these toxins are flushed out, you will feel better and have more energy to do exercise which is critical in losing belly fat.

Ginger boosts the metabolism, helping to melt away belly fat and prevent constipation as it keeps the body working the way it needs to. Compounds in ginger help to regulate blood sugar, which in turn prevents overeating.

Aloe vera juice contains many antioxidants that delay the growth of free radicals (toxins) within the body, keeping you feeling healthy and being healthy. It has also been found to help regulate digestion and free you from constipation, while at the same time normalizing the healthy bacteria in your gut.

How to make it

Ingredients
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 1 tablespoon aloe vera juice
  • A bunch of cilantro or parsley
  • ½ glass of water
Directions
Combine all ingredients together and blend them. Drink half of it before bed and in the morning after waking up for a lighter, more energetic, belly-fat-less you.

What Happens If You Eat Fish Every Day

Doctors currently recommend eating fish about 2-3 per week to get the health benefits without risking mercury poisoning. And we suppose it’s wise to avoid that. But aside from that one little risk, fish is really good for you. Eating some every day can give you a major head start on your RDA for lots of vital nutrients plus protein and healthy fats. On the other hand, mercury poisoning causes debilitating neurodegenerative disorders. Can it ever be okay to eat fish every day? Read on to find out.


What is mercury poisoning?
The biggest concern with eating a lot of fish is mercury poisoning. Mercury is a naturally occurring substance and is not problematic in small amounts. However, too much can lead to troubling symptoms that affect children (born and unborn) most significantly. Acute mercury poisoning can lead to permanent neurological deficits, including developmental delays in children.

There is no cure, but further progression can usually be halted by removing the source of the mercury. Really bad levels of exposure might require chelation therapy to remove the mercury from your system. Unfortunately, neurological disorders in children from mercury are typically permanent. Adults are likely to find their symptoms temporary.

Highest and lowest risk fish
In general, larger, predatory fish have higher levels of mercury because they feed many on smaller fish who each have a lower level. They also live longer, during which time the mercury continues to accumulate. This is the same way that humans can end up with too much mercury if they eat a lot of fish.


But, stresses Eric Rimm, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, “For most individuals it’s fine to eat fish every day.” With the exception of pregnant women and children, you can safely eat fish every day without worry of mercury poisoning as long as you limit the amount of high mercury fish to two servings per week.

Low mercury fish: salmon, shrimp, catfish, tilapia, scallops, oysters, herring, sardines, and trout

High mercury fish: swordfish, king mackerel, shark, tilefish, orange roughy, marlin, ahi and bigeye tuna

Benefits of daily fish consumption
Eating fish affords many positive health benefits, including improved metabolism, sleep quality, skin quality, and concentration as well as lower inflammation. But that’s not all. Read on for six great reasons to eat more fish.

1. Get good fat
When it comes to red meat, it is always best to choose the leanest cuts possible. But with fish, it is actually the fattiest kinds that are most healthful. That’s because the fat in fish is in the form of omega-3 fatty acids, or “good” fats. Omega-3s contribute to the optimal function of the brain for starters, but also play a critical role in cardiovascular health.

Regular consumption of omega-3 fatty acids can help lower the risk of heart disease or stroke, and slows the growth of plaque in the arteries. It also lowers triglycerides (i.e., “bad” fat) and reduces blood pressure.

2. Maintain a healthy heart
Swapping fish for other forms of protein like red meat, chicken, pork, and lamb can be a smart choice for heart health. The omega-3s largely deserve the thanks, but recent studies indicate that it may be the combination of omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients in fish that cause the lower incidence of heart attack or death from heart disease among people who eat a lot of fish.

Get plenty of vitamins such as D and B2 (riboflavin) plus calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium in every serving.

3. Get enough vitamin D
Fish is a natural source of vitamin D, which is otherwise only synthesized from sun exposure. But many people are nevertheless deficient in D because we spend so much time inside. Because vitamin D plays a crucial role in allowing the body to absorb a lot of other nutrients, without it we may experience deficiencies despite adequate intake.

Think of your daily serving of fish as a booster for everything else you eat throughout the day.

4. Fight depression
Scientists are still trying to determine why, but it’s clear that people who eat the most fish have lower than average incidence of depression. It may be that an overall healthy diet is associated with better mood, but we also know that omega-3 fatty acids can affect the level of feel-good chemicals dopamine and serotonin in the brain.


Finally, as fish is naturally able to reduce inflammation, eating a lot of it improves blood flow. That can also help improve brain function and smooth out mood swings.

5. Reduce risk of autoimmune disorders
An autoimmune disorder is when the body’s immune system gets confused and attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. One of the most common examples is type 1 diabetes, in which an immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

There have been multiple studies that indicate lower incidence of type 1 diabetes in people who consume omega-3s or fish oil regularly. Early information seems to point to lower risk for other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis as well.

6. Stay mentally sharp
As we age, mental function often declines. Response times to stimuli become longer and short term memory is compromised. This is called age-related cognitive decline, and in severe cases, it can progress into Alzheimer’s. For some reason we don’t fully understand yet, people who eat a lot of fish have slower rates of cognitive decline. It may be related to the amount of grey matter found in our brains.

Grey matter is the major functional tissue that contains neurons to process information and store memories. The more the better, and people who eat fish regularly seem to have more grey matter in the areas of the brain that regulate memory and emotion.

If you like fish, there’s really no reason not to eat it every day. Well, there are two reasons – pregnancy or childhood. And one further concern is environmental. If every non-pregnant adult ate fish every day, we would quickly cause the extinction of the world’s edible fish population. However, fish has a distinctive taste that not everyone likes, so as long as fish lovers stick to sustainably harvested products, extinction should not be a concern.

If you are one of those people who don’t care for food with fins, you can still reap some of the benefits of fish by taking a fish oil supplement. The oil in these supplements is typically processed to remove mercury. Food sources of anything are always better absorbed than extracts or supplements, but it is still better than nothing. Eating fish clearly offers many health benefits.

These 9 Health Benefits Are Why You Should Eat a Banana Every Day

A banana a day keeps the doctor away

Everyone probably knows by now that bananas are very healthy. It’s a fruit, and generally speaking fruits are good for you; they’re full of great vitamins. Most parents encourage their children to eat at least one, but preferably two, pieces of fruit a day. But what kind of fruit should you eat? Well, it turns out that bananas are especially good for you!

Bananas have all kinds of amazing health benefits and we have put together a list of nine of them for you!

1. Stress
Are you feeling stressed out? Try eating a banana! Bananas regulate your blood pressure, they provide you with energy and have a positive influence on your digestion. They also contain tryptophan, which is a substance that helps you relax. So, instead of going for that bar of chocolate when you’re stressed, grab a healthy banana instead.

2. Cool down
It sounds a little strange, but bananas can actually help you cool down. Banana is an astringent food, which means that it can cause tissue to shrink, which in turn means more water can be absorbed. This can help you cool down. Grapes and beans do this as well.

3. Heartburn
Although experts aren’t exactly sure about why this works, they do know that bananas can function as a natural antacid. In other words: a banana can help against heartburn.

4. Constipation
Banana is a fruit that is very rich in fibres, which makes it ideal when it comes to intestinal problems. If you’re feeling constipated, you should eat a banana because it is bound to help.


5. Lower blood pressure
Eating bananas can also help lower your blood pressure. Since bananas are a great source of potassium, eating them can help you get your blood pressure down. However, if you suspect you have high blood pressure, you should definitely visit your doctor first.

6. Source of energy
Bananas are a great source of energy. Eating a banana before you exercise can give you that boost of energy you need for a great workout. Bananas contain tyrosine, vitamin B, and, of course, sugar, which all serve to give you a boost.

7. Anaemia
If you have anaemia, you should eat bananas. Anaemia, which is basically a haemoglobin deficiency, is a common condition of the blood. Among other things, it can cause you to feel very tired. To tackle anaemia, you can eat a lot of bananas, since these are a source of iron. However, you should also visit your doctor if you suspect you have anaemia, so they can give you the proper diagnosis.

8. Stomach ulcer
Dried, unripe bananas contain a substance called “sitoindoside”, which can help to produce more mucus in the digestive system, among other things. This mucus can function as a protective layer and can help to prevent, as well as cure, stomach ulcers. Not only that, but bananas can also aid the growth of cells in the gastrointestinal tract. So, basically, if you’re having gastrointestinal problems – eat a banana! And possibly visit your doctor.

9. Depression
If you feel depressed, eat a banana. Or, to be more specific, keep eating bananas. Bananas contain vitamin B and other helpful substances that can improve your mood and provide you with energy. If you’re feeling depressed for a longer period of time, however, we advise you to seek help.

The Health Benefits Of Eating On A Banana Leaf

It is no news that bananas are an amazing fruit to eat. Packed in a polyphenol known as EGCG, bananas are a wonderful way to eliminate free body radicals. Also great for treating a number of other disorders as well, bananas are tasty, beneficial and highly popular.


What is the Nutritional Value of Bananas?
Aside from being yummy, bananas contain essential nutrients which help the body heal. One serving of bananas (about 126 grams) contains:
  • Vitamin B6 -- 0.5 mg
  • Manganese -- 0.3 mg
  • Vitamin C -- 9 mg
  • Potassium -- 450 mg
  • Dietary Fiber -- 3g
  • Protein -- 1 g
  • Magnesium -- 34 mg
  • Folate -- 25.0 mcg
  • Riboflavin -- 0.1 mg
  • Niacin -- 0.8 mg
  • Vitamin A -- 81 IU
  • Iron -- 0.3 mg
On top of these, bananas are also packed in carotene and citric acid. But, aside from the fruit itself, did you know that banana leaves are also a great way to enrich your healthy lifestyle? Banana leaves carry plenty of natural properties, also important enough to the body.

What Makes Banana Leaves Healthy?
Plant-based, banana leaves are jammed with polyphenols, especially EGCG. Polyphenols are natural antioxidants and contain 3 phenol rings, all with extremely potent qualities.

This very component is also found in green tea, which makes bananas that more healthy and recommended.

One of the main benefits of EGCG is the eradication of free radicals and body toxins. With this, banana leaves can prevent symptoms of chronic diseases, cancer, cardiovascular issues, arteriosclerosis, and premature aging.

On the other hand, Epigallocatechin gallate, also found in banana leaves, protects the DNA and enables a greater fat oxidation. That said, banana leaves make an effective weight loss tool. In some cases, banana leaves are used as a cosmetic tool, as it helps revive and replenish the skin.

Even so, as people, we don’t eat banana leaves, and for a good reason. Banana leaves are harder to digest and process, especially to humans.

Cattle, on the other hand, is very keen on eating banana leaves and digesting them properly. But, ultimately, humans benefit from feeding cattle right, so banana leaves come quite in handy.

So, how are banana leaves beneficial if we don’t eat them? Use them as coasters, why don’t you? Yes, you heard it here first. Banana leaves make a great coaster for your meals, and you can freely serve food right on it.

In fact, by placing warm food on a banana leaf, it will stimulate the leaf’s polyphenol content which will then absorb nicely in your meal.

What are the Benefits of Eating off Banana Leaves?
There are many benefits to harvest from eating food directly off a banana leaf. Together with eliminating free radicals, banana leaves also:
  • Use chlorophyll to treat and prevent skin conditions and intestinal ulcers.
  • Cleanse the blood.
  • Boost the appetite and enhances digestion.
  • Aid the skin appearance, making it brighter and more youthful.
  • Protect the mucous lining inside the belly.
  • Flush and cleanse kidney stones, also preventing bladder issues.
  • Fortify the immune system.


Reasons to Eat Food off A Banana Leaf?

1. Enhances the taste
Banana leaves offer a great coating for your food and offer the food plenty of nutrients to absorb. The wax-like content in banana leaves softens your food and blends with its flavors, thus giving you a unique approach to your dish.

If you are keen on a stronger aroma, you can try cooking or steaming your food inside the banana leaf as well. Yum!

2. Natural and Eco-Friendly
One-time-use plates or plastic dishware is much harmful than a banana leaf. In fact, a banana leaf will naturally decompose in the soil and will also feed it nutrients. Plastic, on the other hand, is the number one pollution source, so there you go!

3. Pure and Clean
Banana leaves are not to be cleaned in depth. If you want to use them for serving, rinse the leaf well and spread it well to hold all your foods.

Hygienic and clean of toxins, bananas are do not require a lot of attention and yet give so much in return.

4. Free of Chemicals
Banana leaves are unpolluted and if organic, add increased toxin-free qualities to your food. Not threatening to the environment either, bananas contain zero toxins, chemicals and will completely change the way you eat your food.

5. Mess-Free
As they are coated in wax, banana leaves are waterproof which ultimately means, less mess. Because of their waxy coating, banana leaves can be used to serve gravy, curry, or dips. Great for packaging as well, banana leaves will keep your food well sealed and taste like heaven.

To use banana leaves to the best of their capacity, here are some techniques to consider.
  • Juice a fresh banana leaf and use the liquid to heal minor skin injuries, as well as dandruff, eczema, and wounds.
  • By soaking banana leaves in cold water, you can make yourself a soothing sunburn treatment.
  • Banana leaves can be also used to treat insect bites, stings, spider rash, skin inflammation and irritation and more.


Anti-Aging Foods That Will Make Your Skin Glow

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Beauty comes from the inside out”? It means that what we eat really matters, not only in how we feel physically, but also in how we look. And while there is no shortage of pricey creams and potions available that advertise younger-looking skin, sometimes the answer is only as far away as your kitchen – and a lot less expensive.


Foods that contain antioxidants, vitamins C, D, E, K, and the B-complex, as well as choline and folic acid, are all great at changing your body at a cellular level, creating real glowing skin rather than the façade of health. These healthy and delicious foods also reduce your risk of skin and other cancers as well as protect against cardiovascular disease.

Skin is the body’s largest organ, so it makes sense that it responds as gratefully to nourishing food as any internal system. If you are looking to turn back the hands of time or rock a dewy glow that hides the fact that you have to spend all day in an office, improving your diet is the way to go. Following are amazing anti-aging foods that you are going to love eating.

1. Avocados
Fat is a natural lubricant and we need it in our bodies to facilitate all sorts of processes. But the trick is that it has to be the right kind of fat. Avocados contain a lot of the healthy kind, which helps to keep skin flexible and moisturized. A study that examined the diets of over 700 women found that eating a lot of healthy fat, like that found in avocados, results in smoother skin with great elasticity.

Avocados also contain compounds that evidence suggests may protect your skin from damaging sun rays. When you spread some of the green stuff on toast or incorporate it into a vibrant salad, you also get a healthy dose of vitamin E and vitamin C. These nutrients make very fine partners in the creation of collagen and protect your skin from the oxidative damage that makes you look weathered.


2. Dark Chocolate
Improving your skin through diet does not have to feel like deprivation. You can have your chocolate and look great, too. Several studies have determined that cocoa powder is high in some specific antioxidants that contribute to moisturized skin. If you eat a bit of dark chocolate every day, you’ll find that your skin is less rough and scaly – and can resist sunburn longer, to boot. (But don’t throw away your sunscreen.)

Another benefit of eating cocoa is that it improves blood flow and thereby delivers more of those critical nutrients to the skin. But it’s best to stick with dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa. That will get you the healthy benefits without too much extra sugar. Too much sugar in the diet can actually break down collagen and cause breakouts.

3. Red Wine
Turns out, you can enjoy a glass of wine without guilt. Red wine contains resveratrol, a much-touted compound that minimizes the effects of aging all over your body. You may even notice that some beauty products designed to create a youthful appearance also contain resveratrol. It works whether applied topically or eaten.

When you consume resveratrol in the form of wine (or grape juice; it doesn’t have to be fermented), the production of free radicals is slowed. Free radical damage is one of the prime drivers of skin damage and premature aging. Now, we would be remiss if we didn’t say that overindulging in alcohol has many negatives associated with it, including poor skin. But if you are going to drink, red wine may be the safest choice for your complexion.

4. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are delicious and so versatile that it’s hard to get bored with them. Whether fresh, cooked, or made into a sauce, tomatoes can be the shining star of a dish or deftly support other ingredients. When you enjoy tomatoes you receive a good amount of vitamin C, which will help prevent scaly skin.

But even better, tomatoes contain all of the major carotenoids, including beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene. These powerful antioxidants protect skin from sun damage. More exciting still is that to fully absorb the carotenoids in your diet, they are best eaten with some kind of fat. Consider this your free pass to snack on a little avocado, cheese, olive oil, or nuts at the same time.



5. Walnuts
There is a lot in the news about how nuts in general, and walnuts in particular, contain an optimal ratio of essential fatty acids. Our bodies use these essential fatty acids as the building blocks of healthy cell membranes, and because we do not create them internally, we need to get our omega-3s and omega-6s from food. Another great source of EFAs is fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and herring.

We recommend walnuts for your EFAs because they also contain the skin-loving antioxidants vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium, as well as 4–5 grams of protein per ounce. Because walnuts are high in fat as well, it’s best to stick to one ounce per serving, but that much is enough to net you 6% of the RDI for zinc. Zinc is known to support skin healing as well as fight bacteria and inflammation.

6. Sweet Potatoes
Beta carotene is a type of antioxidant from the carotenoid group that can actually protect your skin from sun damage, and sweet potatoes are a particularly rich source of it. You can’t necessarily skip using sunscreen if you are going to be outside for a significant amount of time, but a diet rich in beta carotene increases the time that you can spend in the sun without burning.

Sunburn is important to avoid, not only because it increases your risk of skin cancer, but because it results in cell death. That causes dry and wrinkly skin. If you need yet another reason to eat your sweet potatoes, that beta carotene can impart a warm, bronze tone to your skin without any sun exposure at all.

Conclusion
The key to achieving healthy skin through diet is to focus on plant-based foods with a small amount of lean meat, like fish, added in. Fruits, vegetables, and natural produce, especially the ones on our list, contain the highest levels of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vital nutrients to protect your precious skin. If you drink a lot of water as well, you can boost the positive effects even further. Follow our advice to achieve glowing skin that will make your friends green with envy!


Here’s What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Two Eggs a Day. I Would Have Never Believed No. 3… awesome!

Eggs were demonized in the past due to their high cholesterol levels. Many doctors suggested that eating eggs is bad due to the cholesterol and may harm your health, but this was a common misconception which has been blown out of proportion. Eggs are one of the few ideal foods for our health – they contain protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and can be used in different ways.


Nowadays, doctors suggest eating 2-3 eggs every day in order to boost your health. If you want to learn more about the benefits of eating a couple eggs a day, continue reading the article below.

Reduce the risk of cancer
According to one study published in the “Breast Cancer Research” journal, eating eggs every day can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 18%. Furthermore, eggs contain a lot of amino acids, vitamins and minerals that will stabilize your estrogen levels which can sometimes be the main cause for breast cancer.

Reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases
Eggs contain up to 40 gr. of HDL (good) cholesterol which can prevent numerous cardiovascular diseases. Experts in the past thought that eggs raise the cholesterol levels in our blood, but this isn’t true – our body regulates its own cholesterol levels, and most of the cholesterol is produced by the body itself.


This was proven by a research conducted at the Biomedical Research Center of Louisiana. The study involved 152 overweight people who were divided into 3 groups. The first group ate nothing for breakfast, the second had 2 eggs while the third ate a piece of bread. The results were shocking – the egg group lost 75% more weight and 35% more belly fat and there were no changes in their cholesterol levels as well.

The high content of omega-3 fatty acids in eggs can also reduce the levels of triglycerides, preventing numerous cardiovascular problems in the process.

Improve your eyesight
Eggs are perfect for our eyesight due to the high amount of vitamin A, lutein and zeaxanthin. Vitamin A is essential for our vision and for seeing in the dark as well. On the other hand, lutein and zeaxanthin are two powerful antioxidants that can prevent free radical damage and boost your eyesight, while preventing numerous vision problems.

Protect the brain
Eggs contain choline, an important nutrient which is vital for our brain. Choline is a neurotransmitter that sends stimuli to the brain and nervous system and lack of it can have negative effects on the memory and brain function in general.

Slow down the aging process
According to one study from Germany, eating eggs regularly can stop the aging process and prevent skin cancer as well. Eggs contain organic pigments such as carotenoids which can slow down aging. However, in order to fully benefit from them, you need to eat the eggs boiled since they contain more carotenoids this way due to the chemical changes generated when the eggs are cooked.

Reduce the risk of birth defects
Eggs contain 0.7 mcg. of vitamin B9 (folic acid) which is recommended to pregnant women as it reduces the risk of birth defects and preventing damage to the embryo’s nervous system. Eggs are one of the richest sources of vitamin B9 which is why you need to consume a few of them every day.

Support the liver, skin and hair
The egg yolk contains protein and sulfur which can revitalize your dull and weak hair and improve the quality of your skin. They also contain lecithin, a substance that assists the liver in the detoxification process and improves digestion.

Help you lose weight
If you want to lose weight, you should stay away from foods with low glycemic index and eat more eggs. Eggs can satisfy your cravings fast and help you eat less, resulting in more weight lost.


Keep the bones healthy
Eggs are rich in vitamin D and calcium, two important nutrients for the bones and teeth. According to studies, calcium and protein work together to maintain the calcium levels and keep the metabolic processes in the bones steady. Eggs also contain vitamin D, an important vitamin we mostly get through the sun and is vital for numerous processes in the body.

As you can see, eggs are incredible healthy and won’t harm your health like it was previously thought. They are rich in numerous essential nutrients which will regulate different body processes and improve your overall health as well. This is why experts recommend eating 2-3 eggs a day, except in the cases of diabetes or heart problems, when you should eat only 3 eggs a week.Here’s What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Two Eggs a Day. I Would Have Never Believed No. 3… awesome!

Eggs were demonized in the past due to their high cholesterol levels. Many doctors suggested that eating eggs is bad due to the cholesterol and may harm your health, but this was a common misconception which has been blown out of proportion. Eggs are one of the few ideal foods for our health – they contain protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and can be used in different ways.

Nowadays, doctors suggest eating 2-3 eggs every day in order to boost your health. If you want to learn more about the benefits of eating a couple eggs a day, continue reading the article below.

Reduce the risk of cancer
According to one study published in the “Breast Cancer Research” journal, eating eggs every day can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 18%. Furthermore, eggs contain a lot of amino acids, vitamins and minerals that will stabilize your estrogen levels which can sometimes be the main cause for breast cancer.

Reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases
Eggs contain up to 40 gr. of HDL (good) cholesterol which can prevent numerous cardiovascular diseases. Experts in the past thought that eggs raise the cholesterol levels in our blood, but this isn’t true – our body regulates its own cholesterol levels, and most of the cholesterol is produced by the body itself.

This was proven by a research conducted at the Biomedical Research Center of Louisiana. The study involved 152 overweight people who were divided into 3 groups. The first group ate nothing for breakfast, the second had 2 eggs while the third ate a piece of bread. The results were shocking – the egg group lost 75% more weight and 35% more belly fat and there were no changes in their cholesterol levels as well.

The high content of omega-3 fatty acids in eggs can also reduce the levels of triglycerides, preventing numerous cardiovascular problems in the process.

Improve your eyesight
Eggs are perfect for our eyesight due to the high amount of vitamin A, lutein and zeaxanthin. Vitamin A is essential for our vision and for seeing in the dark as well. On the other hand, lutein and zeaxanthin are two powerful antioxidants that can prevent free radical damage and boost your eyesight, while preventing numerous vision problems.


Protect the brain
Eggs contain choline, an important nutrient which is vital for our brain. Choline is a neurotransmitter that sends stimuli to the brain and nervous system and lack of it can have negative effects on the memory and brain function in general.

Slow down the aging process
According to one study from Germany, eating eggs regularly can stop the aging process and prevent skin cancer as well. Eggs contain organic pigments such as carotenoids which can slow down aging. However, in order to fully benefit from them, you need to eat the eggs boiled since they contain more carotenoids this way due to the chemical changes generated when the eggs are cooked.

Reduce the risk of birth defects
Eggs contain 0.7 mcg. of vitamin B9 (folic acid) which is recommended to pregnant women as it reduces the risk of birth defects and preventing damage to the embryo’s nervous system. Eggs are one of the richest sources of vitamin B9 which is why you need to consume a few of them every day.

Support the liver, skin and hair
The egg yolk contains protein and sulfur which can revitalize your dull and weak hair and improve the quality of your skin. They also contain lecithin, a substance that assists the liver in the detoxification process and improves digestion.

Help you lose weight
If you want to lose weight, you should stay away from foods with low glycemic index and eat more eggs. Eggs can satisfy your cravings fast and help you eat less, resulting in more weight lost.

Keep the bones healthy
Eggs are rich in vitamin D and calcium, two important nutrients for the bones and teeth. According to studies, calcium and protein work together to maintain the calcium levels and keep the metabolic processes in the bones steady. Eggs also contain vitamin D, an important vitamin we mostly get through the sun and is vital for numerous processes in the body.

As you can see, eggs are incredible healthy and won’t harm your health like it was previously thought. They are rich in numerous essential nutrients which will regulate different body processes and improve your overall health as well. This is why experts recommend eating 2-3 eggs a day, except in the cases of diabetes or heart problems, when you should eat only 3 eggs a week.

Food To Eat Or Avoid With Eczema

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a condition where skin becomes inflamed or irritated. The cause of eczema is unknown but may be overreaction by your immune system.

reatments are hit or miss. What exacerbates eczema is individual to each person. The only thing everyone can agree on is that eczema is itchy.


About 10 to 20% of infants and 3% of children and adults suffer from eczema. Many children outgrow eczema by their 10th birthday. For some people, the condition continues.

Food can either be healthy for your condition or will cause a flare up. It is very personal. Here are some foods that may help or will cause a flare up.

Common Food Allergies and Eczema
If you are allergic to certain foods, you may have flare ups when you eat them. People with allergies to cow’s milk, eggs, soy products, gluten, nuts, fish, and shellfish may see a flare up when exposed to these.

Other foods include peanuts, corn, tomatoes, and citrus fruits. Try keeping a food diary to see if you can pinpoint a food or two that are causing your symptoms. Your doctor may have you try an elimination diet to more accurately nail down sensitivities.

Drink Oolong Tea
Oolong Tea is made from Camellia sinensis plant. When not fermented, it is a green tea, fully fermented, it is black tea. Oolong is partially fermented. You’ll find it in most grocery stores. It is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, both powerful antioxidants.

Studies in Japan found that drinking oolong tea helped with itching and eczema in just one week. It has other health benefits as well. Don’t add sugar or milk or you may offset effectiveness.


Omega-3 Foods
Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may reduce symptoms. Foods include oily fish like salmon, shellfish like oysters, cod liver oil, peanut butter, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, soybeans, omega-3 enriched eggs, grass fed beef, and spinach.

Use healthy oils like olive and flaxseed to cook with. Chia seeds are included in many holistic diets and even if they are not a cure, they are extremely healthy. You can also take omega-3 supplements – just make sure they aren’t made from foods you are sensitive to.

Avoid Sugar
Sugar is bad for you even if you don’t have eczema. Do yourself a favor and drop sugar out of your diet. Sugar causes insulin spikes which results in inflammation that may be a cause of eczema.

Sugar includes white flour, white rice, pastries, cakes, sodas and many prepared foods. Sugar has at least 56 different names.

Don’t replace sugar with artificial sweeteners. These are not good for you on many levels and may cause flareups as well.

Eat Quercetin
What is quercetin? It is a flavonoid or plant pigment. It is an antioxidant and antihistamine. That means it can fight inflammation and the histamine response that may contribute to eczema.

Foods high in quercetin include apples, blueberries, cherries, broccoli, spinach, and kale. All these foods are very healthy for you and are worth eating to support your body.

Heal a Leaky Gut
Leaky gut is a condition where the intestines are more permeable than normal, allowing food particles to “leak.” This causes a histamine (allergic) reaction. It is a condition like eczema (and may be related to it) in that doctors know it exists but don’t know why.

To heal a leaky gut, remove these foods from your diet: grains, refined sugar, refined oils, synthetic food additives, pesticides, and dairy products. Limit tap water and talk to your doctor about limiting NSAIDS and antibiotics.

Eat Good Bacteria
Focus on eating probiotic foods. These are high in healthy bacteria (probiotics) that will set up house in your gut and help you stay healthy. Probiotic foods include sourdough bread, miso soup, naturally fermented pickles, soft cheeses, such as Gouda, unpasteurized sauerkraut, kefir, and tempeh.

If you can eat dairy, try some Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is lower in calories and sugars but higher in protein and has a lot of probiotics. Avoid yogurt with added sugar, fruit flavorings, amines and annatto.


Avoid Grapes, Oranges, and Kiwi Fruit
Grapes, kiwi fruit, and oranges are all high in salicylates and amines. These are known to cause itchiness is sensitive people. They are also highly acidic which can also cause an eczema outbreak. Be aware that your itch response may take three days to appear. A food diary will help you identify if these fruits are an issue.

Avoid wine and fruit juices. Both can contain MSG and grapes are sprayed with MSG before shipping.

Be Anti-inflammatory
If you have eczema, you have some sort of inflammation. Do your best to eat foods that do not encourage inflammation. Foods that are anti-inflammatory are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats like olive oil, and food high in omega-3.

Avoid refined carbohydrates like white flour, fried food, sweetened drinks, red meat and processed meat, and margarine or lard.

Note that many of the foods on the leaky gut and the inflammatory list are the same.

Go Hypoallergenic
Certain foods are less likely to cause an allergic reaction in most of the population. Focus on those while you look for possible culprits among the highly allergenic foods listed above.

Hypoallergenic foods include apples, pears, squash, cucumbers, kale, Brussels sprouts, celery, lettuce, zucchini, beets, bananas, blueberries, apricots and turnips

Conclusion
Eczema is a very unpleasant medical skin condition. It is itchy, frustrating, and hard to heal. The exact causes of eczema are unknown, but it seems to be an allergic response. If you can discover what Is triggering the allergies, you may be able to heal your eczema.

Only oolong tea has been noted to help stop the itchiness. No one diet fits everyone, but there are foods you probably need to avoid, like gluten and milk.

Will it help? It may or may not, but it is worth the effort to try. Try a food log, eat an anti-inflammatory diet and try to heal a leaky gut.


7 Things That Happen If You Eat Honey And Cinnamon Daily

Honey and cinnamon are ancient health remedies, a popular sweetener, and a valued spice.

Medical science is catching up with folk lore in looking at both honey and cinnamon as medical treatments for a variety of conditions.


You will be amazed at what cinnamon and honey can do, separately and together. However, you may be very depressed by the first miracle cure that has a lot of hype!

And you may be putting honey and cinnamon in your first aid kit after reading number 7.

1. Miracle Weight Loss Cure
Take a spoonful of cinnamon and honey a day, steep in hot water, drink on an empty stomach, and watch the weight melt away.

Like most weight loss plans that don’t involve increasing exercise and improving diet, the Cinnamon/Honey diet plan sounds too good to be true. And the evidence is that it probably is.

Try improving your diet by cutting back on sugar, white flour, and processed foods and burn off calories by exercising.

2. Lower Risk of Heart Disease
This one has scientific proof! Cinnamon and honey fights chronic inflammation, a marker in diseases like heart disease. Honey and cinnamon alone are shown to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels while increasing “good” HDL cholesterol. Eating them together also lowers blood pressure in lab rats.

Both cinnamon and honey are full of antioxidants that improve blood flow to the heart and prevent blood clots. The antioxidants also have other positive health effects.

3. Healing Wounds
Honey has been used historically to treat wounds and research confirms folklore use. Both honey and cinnamon alone are anti-bacterial and decrease inflammation.

One of the most exciting uses for cinnamon and Manuka honey together are in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. These are very difficult to heal and often get infected by antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Research indicate that the combo of honey and cinnamon oil are very effective in helping ulcers to heal while keeping the infections away.

4. Lowers Blood Sugar
Along with treating diabetic foot ulcers, cinnamon and honey may help prevent diabetes and lowers blood sugar in diabetics. Cinnamon decreases fasting blood sugar and increases insulin sensitivity.

Honey has less impact on blood sugar levels that does sugar. Using the two together as replacement sweeteners may help diabetics and pre-diabetics to control blood sugar.


Obviously, this combo won’t “cure” it or prevent diabetes if you don’t improve the diet and exercise that are contributing to the condition in the first place.

5. May Slow Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
Scary neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s may be slowed by cinnamon.

Cinnamon appears to inhibit protein build up in the brain and protect neurons and other brain functions that are hallmarks of the diseases. All this is in lab rats, so there is no proof in humans yet.

6. Anti-Cancer Properties
There are indications in lab animals that cinnamon extracts can prevent the growth of cancer cells and tumors.

Cinnamon may detoxify enzymes linked to colon cancer, protecting against further growth. Since both cinnamon and honey are high in antioxidants, these may protect against colon cancer.

7. Coughs and Colds
Honey is a more effective cough suppressant than dextromethorphan. Cinnamon also has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, so taking a spoonful of cinnamon and honey may help fight off a cold.

However, since most colds are caused by viruses, it may not be particularly effect.

Conclusion
Honey and cinnamon have definite health effects. Just be aware of several factors. First, there are two varieties of cinnamon, cassia and Ceylon.

Cassia is considered to be of lower quality, is commonly sold in grocery stores, and contains high doses of coumarin. Coumarin can be harmful in high doses. However, cassia is higher in cinnamaldehyde, an oil that may be the important component in these possible cures.

Second, the honey is raw and, in some cases, a specific variety of honey. The honey off the grocery store shelves has been pasteurized and may be adulterated by high fructose corn syrup. This tends to kill the health properties and any weight loss potential. However, do not feed raw honey (or any honey) to children under 12 months.

Honey and cinnamon are a flavorful combination, so enjoy in moderation.


Don’t Buy These 10 Foods Ever Again

Unfortunately, many of the foods you’ll find in the grocery store should not go into your cart. There are lots of reasons: foods masquerading as healthy may be anything but, convenience foods charge an unconscionable markup for the benefit you get.


Other products take a terrible toll on the environment. Here are ten items you should cross of your shopping list for good.

1. Smoked and cured meats
Cured and preserved meats are drastically unhealthy. They are preserved via chemicals known as nitrates or nitrites, which in the body break down into cancer-causing compounds.

Other additives, notably sodium, play a role in high blood pressure and migraines. And that’s not to mention the artery-clogging grease. Federal regulations allow meats like sausage and hot dogs to contain up to 50% fat by weight.

2. “Blueberry” items
Blueberries are justifiably considered a super food, as the nutrient packed fruit offers health benefits galore, including a lowered risk of cancer.

But just because a product says “blueberry” on the label doesn’t mean it actually contains any. From breakfast cereal to granola bars and muffins, you will likely find that these foods are made with artificial blueberry flavor, rather than real fruit. Buy the whole berries themselves to add blueberry flavor to foods that need it.

3. Reduced fat foods
Over the years, we have been trained to consider fat bad. We have been told that it is the main driver of weight gain and associated diseases. However, that’s not entirely true.


We all need some fat in our diet, and certain “good” fats are absolutely critical for facilitating bodily processes. When food manufacturers take fat out of a product, they add in tons of sugar in order to make the food taste good.

Science is now pointing to sugar as the bigger culprit in weight and health concerns, so it’s better to choose the full fat versions of things and simply watch your portion size.

4. Bottled tea and powdered tea
Both bottled and powdered teas cost significantly more than tea bags, and they come with way more sugar than you’d use at home.

Check the label on that bottled tea you love – it may contain more sugar than a soda or slice of pie. The powdered mixes may even list sugar as their first ingredient, before tea!

Make your tea at home to reap the health benefits and save some money at the same time. There’s no end to the variations you can do, such as combining different varieties of tea bags, using honey or fruit juice instead of sugar, and adding lemon or mint.

5. Tomato-based pasta sauces
The problem with store bought tomato sauce is two-fold. First, it costs many times more than the raw ingredients used, and second, it is typically loaded with sugar and salt.

For much less money and just a little bit more time, you can make your sauce at home and probably enjoy it more. Tomatoes are plentiful and cheap in the summer, so why not spend one day making and canning sauce yourself?

All it takes is crushed tomatoes, some vegetable stock, a little wine (if desired), salt and pepper, herbs of your choosing, and just a sprinkle of sugar. If you like, add your favorite vegetables, like onions, peppers, mushrooms, or carrots. Mix it all together and let simmer for an hour. You can either leave it chunky or blend it smooth before canning.

6. Mercury-heavy fish
Eating fish that is high in mercury is the number one cause of mercury exposure in humans.

Mercury gets spewed into the environment by coal using factories, and it then travels long distances through the air, eventually settling into major fish-containing waterways. Smaller fish absorb or ingest it, and then larger fish eat them, increasing their mercury concentration in the process.

Therefore, larger predatory fish are more dangerous to eat. It’s best to avoid (or at least seriously limit) king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, shark, swordfish, tilefish, ahi tuna, and bigeye tuna.

7. Energy drinks
It’s totally understandable that you need an energy boost first thing in the morning or during that mid-afternoon slump.

But you are much better off if you get your caffeine from coffee or tea than an energy drink. First, these beverages deliver an insane amount of sugar along with the caffeine, but even worse, they are linked to numerous instances of heart attacks, convulsions, and deaths.


The risk is definitely not worth the reward, especially when coffee and tea can both provide various health benefits beyond the energy boost.

8. Gluten-free foods
Unless you have been legitimately diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, there is no reason to buy gluten free foods. They are not necessarily even healthier than standard fare, as they still contain artificial ingredients and a ton of sugar to make up for the missing gluten.

You’ll also be forgoing necessary dietary fiber and the vitamins that fortify many regular products, so an effort must be made to compensate for that. To top it off, you’ll be spending twice as much on a gluten-free version of something. It’s not a smart choice unless you actually need to forgo gluten for your health.

9. Bottled water
Bottled water is a bad buy for several reasons. First of all, it is very expensive compared to your tap water, and not necessarily of better quality, either. Many bottlers get their water from the same municipal source as serves your home.

Bottled water is also an environmental disaster – making and shipping all those bottles consumes a lot of fossil fuel, and many tons of the discarded plastic ends up in landfills and oceans every year.

Even with the cost of at-home water filters, you will come out ahead financially if you fill a reusable bottle, and you’ll do the environment a favor as well.

10. Pre-formed meat patties
It can be convenient to buy pre-formed meat patties, but you sure pay a huge mark-up for the few minutes you’ll be saving.

It really takes next to no time at all to form burgers, and you have the added bonus of being able to season them creatively. If you’re still tempted to be lazy about this, you should know that there is evidence that pre-formed meat patties contain more E. coli than regular ground beef; most of the recent beef recalls have been for pre-made frozen patties.

So whether you do it for your health or the health of the planet, try cutting these 10 items from your shopping list for good. We all want to make purchases we can feel good about, and it is so frustrating to be taken in by deceptive or incomplete information about a product.

Whole foods, made fresh at home, can be a real lifesaver in this regard – there is no way for them to masquerade as something they’re not.


6 Foods That Naturally Cleanse The Liver

Your liver is the primary detoxifier in your body and it can totally handle moderate intake of alcohol, fatty foods, and sugary treats. The liver excels at converting toxins into waste products, cleansing blood, and metabolizing nutrients and medications so that they can be used by the body.


But the liver can easily get overwhelmed if you don’t ever give it a break. There are many products on the market that purport to detox your liver after an overindulgence, but there really isn’t any such thing as a true liver detox because that’s what your liver does all the time. There is no scientific data to support the efficacy of these products, and they may even be dangerous.

Still, your liver must be cared for in order to keep functioning in a healthy way. If a capsule won’t do it, what will? In a word, food. Healthy eating is the best gift you can give your liver, and the good news is that you are probably already consuming many of the liver-friendly foods on our list.

Read on to see how well you are doing by your liver, and learn some ways to improve its health.

1. Coffee & Tea
Coffee has been shown to protect the liver from disease, even if you already have liver issues. Coffee lowers the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer as well as reduces damaging inflammation. Researchers think it works because of its ability to prevent the buildup of fat cells, one of the markers of liver disease. The strongest benefits are seen in people who drink at least three cups a day, so don’t listen to anyone who says you have a problem.

Studies show that green tea consumption is also linked to better liver health, but you may need to drink 5-10 cups per day. Who has that much time to run to the restroom? Still, skip the concentrated green tea supplements, because too much can actually have a damaging effect on the liver. Black tea seems to help reverse the effects of a high fat diet. Long story short – enjoy as much tea of any variety as you would like each day, but check in with your doc if that amount exceeds 10 cups.


2. Grapefruit
Grapefruit is great for the liver due to its antioxidants. The two main antioxidants in grapefruit are naringenin and naringin, which help reduce inflammation and protect liver cells. They also seem to prevent the growth of excessive connective tissue and decrease the amount of stored fat in the liver.

Interestingly, naringin has been shown in rat studies to improve the liver’s ability to metabolize alcohol and counteract some of alcohol’s negative effects. Next time you’re about to party, eat some grapefruit as a snack before doing shots and potentially save yourself the debilitating hangover. Your liver will thank you for it.

3. Blueberries and Cranberries
Blueberries and cranberries contain a category of antioxidants called anthocyanins. Beyond giving the berries their distinct colors, these antioxidants have been connected to several liver health benefits.

Eating blueberries and cranberries daily for 3-4 weeks has been shown to protect the liver by preventing the development of lesions, scar tissue, and fibrosis. Blueberries in particular increase immune cell response as well as antioxidant enzymes. Blueberry extract also inhibits the growth of liver cancer cells in test tube studies, but more research in humans is necessary.

4. Grapes
Grapes, especially red varieties, contain several beneficial plant compounds. The one you’ve probably heard about is resveratrol, otherwise known as a great excuse to drink red wine. Resveratrol helps the liver by reducing inflammation and protecting against damage by free radicals. Regular consumption is thought to lower your risk of developing cancer, too.

A small research study in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) indicated that daily consumption of grape seed extract over three months improved their liver function. Of course, grape seed extract is way more concentrated than what you’d get in whole grapes, or wine for that matter.

But it doesn’t hurt to make grapes a daily habit, and you could certainly ask your doctor if he or she thinks a grape seed extract regimen makes sense for you.

5. Prickly Pear
Prickly pear is actually a type of edible cactus. You may not be able to find it at your local grocery store, but it’s worth a look because this interesting fruit has been shown to reduce the symptoms of a hangover. Study participants reported feeling less nausea, dry mouth, and overall misery if they drank some prickly pear extract before consuming alcohol.


A hangover indicates a liver struggling to process the amount of alcohol it has been given. Prickly pear extract seems to decrease the oxidative damage that the liver sustains after heavy drinking, as well as helps to keep antioxidant and inflammation levels stable.

But beyond being a potential boon to college kids everywhere, prickly pear has long been used in holistic medicine to treat liver disease as well as ulcers, wounds, and fatigue.

6. Beetroot Juice
Beets have a very distinct earthy flavor, and there are very few people who can either take them or leave them. You either like beets or you really, really don’t. But if you can stand ‘em, eat up, because beets contain antioxidants in a category called betalains. These compounds are great for reducing oxidative damage and inflammation in the liver as well as increasing detoxifying enzymes.

Though most studies have been done on the juice of beetroots, we can assume that eating them whole is beneficial, too. But even those of us who don’t like beets might be able to tolerate some beet juice in their smoothies, perhaps disguised by the flavor of the blueberries and cranberries we should also be eating.

These 6 foods naturally cleanse the liver by reducing the effects of bad dietary habits and allowing it to do its job correctly. When a liver is overtaxed by sugar, alcohol, and fatty food, it becomes unable to metabolize everything and starts to develop fatty deposits within itself. That is the essence of liver disease, and it can be deadly.

The healthiest livers don’t have to deal with the consequences of dietary indulgence, but since this is the real world and we all need to let loose sometimes, the best advice is simply to indulge in moderation while making sure to build plenty of liver-friendly foods into your daily diet. Definitely skip the untested and unregulated detox supplements on the market. You can trust your liver to keep working hard for you as long as it gets some love in return.