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Edamame Health Benefits

Terrie — Fri, 28 May 2010 11:20:02 +0000

Soybeans have been around for a long time. There’s a type soybean, called edamame, which is harvested when the plant is at a young age and is still green. Edamame is a popular food to snack on in Japan. It’s only recently that the popularity of this vegetable is spreading in America. Edamame has a nutty taste to it, and it’s a very nutritious vegetable to snack on. Edamame health benefits are many, and more benefits are being discovered about this green soybean as time goes on. This vegetable is prepared by boiling the beans in a pot of salt water, while they’re still in their pods. This way of preparing them makes them a nice side dish to any meal. They can also be taken out of their pods and can be incorporated in to salads and soups.

Protein & Fiber

Edamame is low in calories. Just one half cup of fresh, shelled edamame contains 100 calories. They’re very low in fat as well, with only two and a half grams of total fat. With 10 grams of protein, this soybean is wonderful for anyone who is a vegetarian and is looking to get more of this nutrient. The protein in edamame contains all nine essential amino acids that the body doesn’t make on its own. You’ll also get a good dose of fiber in a half cup of edamame. Fiber is important for a healthy digestive system, and you’ll get four grams of it in edamame. Fiber is also known to lower levels of cholesterol, which can reduce the risk of heart disease. Fiber will also keep you feeling full for a longer period. Fiber is one of those nutrients that people find hard to get enough amounts of. Adding edamame will help you boost your fiber intake.

Along with heart healthy fiber, edamame also contains isoflavons, which is another key component to lowering the risk of heart disease. Isoflavons are also said to lower the chances of getting breast cancer, but this issue is still up for debate. Other heart healthy nutrients in edmame include vitamin K and folate. Folate also boosts the production of red blood cells. Folic acid is particularly important to women who are pregnant. Without enough folate, the baby’s spine may not develop fully and may cause other problems down the line.

Good Source of Calcium

This is a great vegetable to boost your intake of calcium also. You can get 8% of the recommended daily amount of calcium in one half cup of edamame. Proper amounts of calcium will help avoid osteoporosis by strengthening your bones. Calcium also promotes health teeth. Many people find it difficult to get the recommended amount of calcium and rely of taking supplement to boost their intake. By adding edamame to your regular diet, you can get calcium from a natural food source rather than relying of a supplement pill.

Fights Inflammation

Edmame also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great food to eat is you’re suffering from arthritis or other inflammatory diseases (natural cures for arthritis). People who deal with the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, probably one of the most painful forms of arthritis can get some relief by eating edamame. This is a great food for people with asthma, as it can reduce inflammation in the breathing passages. This will result in less wheezing and coughing.

Edamame is gaining popularity in the health food industry. More edamame health benefits are being discovered every day. This green soybean can be found in Oriental stores and in natural food markets. It can sometimes be found in the frozen section in regular grocery stores. Edamame is helpful with several things. These green soybean offer many benefits, and more benefits will surely be discovered.

Photo by joyosity

Chia Seeds and Salba

Guest Author — Wed, 19 May 2010 10:31:25 +0000

This article was written by Doug Cook, RD MHSc CDE from Wellness Nutrition. He is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator.

Imagine if you could, a seed, so tiny and yet so powerful that it could provide you with a daily dose of health promoting nutrients or better yet, could help those to manage a chronic disease like diabetes, would you eat it? Ya, I would too, in fact I do.

What is it?

This nutritional powerhouse is nothing less than Chia (yes as in the Chia Pet), or Salvia hispanica L, an ancient plant species belonging to the mint family. The chia plant produces two different colored seeds: black and white. Salba is the result of selecting out and only using the white seeds. You’ll find both chia and salba products on the shelves and while purest will suggest that salba is superior (research hasn’t supported this), it’s really nothing more than a new twist on an old favorite. I say an old favorite because chia was revered by the Aztecs who used it has a staple in their diets. They referred to it as the “running food” because it provided a lot of food energy and is purported to increase stamina.

What does it do?

Chia delivers a powerful nutritional punch. Clocking in at 70 calories per 2 tablespoons (15g) it has 6g carbs (6g fiber with 1.1g of soluble and 4.9g of insoluble and 0g of sugar), 5g fat (0.5g saturated, 4.5g polyunsaturated including 3.6g omega-3, and 952mg omega-6 with ideal ration of 4:1), and 3.7g protein. Not bad at all, and it has a decent amount of potassium, magnesium, calcium, folate, niacin, copper, fiber and antioxidants. A 2 tablespoon serving of chia has a whopping 103mg of magnesium, 79mg of calcium, 123 mg of potassium, and more omega-3 fat than an equal amount of ground flax seed. Move over flax, there’s a new player in town.

As well, unlike flax, chia has a better balance of omega-3 to omega-6 fats making it a great source of essential fatty acids (those that the body cannot make and therefore must be obtained from the diet). Chia is also a great example of a functional food which are foods that provide health benefits beyond their basic nutritional function (i.e. calories, protein etc).

What is also remarkable about this ancient seed; is that it can absorb much more water than flax. In this case, water retention is a good thing. By absorbing many times its weight in water, whole and ground chia seeds form a thick gel or bulking agent which results in slower digestion. Slower digestion results in a steadier rise in blood sugar and therefore insulin release. This helps to keep you feeling full longer, helps to prevent swings in hunger and may help to reduce your total food intake by moderating appetite – all this and a handful of vitamins and minerals. Chia was put to the test in a randomized clinical trial to see whether or not it could have a positive impact on some major and emerging risk factors as it relates to type-2 diabetes. Subjects who received 37g of chia per day (about 6 tablespoons) saw a significant decrease in cardiovascular risk factors including systolic blood pressure, CRP (a measure of inflammation which damages blood vessels), fibrinogen (increases blood clotting) and A1C (a measure of blood sugar control). Chia has the ability to help manage diabetes and possibly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Chia is a very versatile and it can be added to a variety of foods such as oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce, smoothies, and cold cereals. It can be added to salads, dips such as hummus, homemade energy bars or baked into muffins.

Conclusion

There’s a reason the Aztecs grew this stuff and relied on it heavily as a stable of their diet. Chia is truly a winner when it comes to providing a lot of nutritional bang for your buck which is something that make dietitians very happy – in a world where our nutritional requirements haven’t change but the nutritional landscape has, dietitians are always looking for ways to make ‘every bite count’ and adding chia makes that a whole lot easier.

Natural Ways To Improve Vision

NHE — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 09:17:07 +0000

Some lucky folks are born with perfect vision but for the others who are not there are ways to fix and improve the vision. For some people their vision is so blurry that getting a pair of glasses or contact lesnses is really the most effective way to improve their vision. One of the first steps to improving the vision is going for a visit with the eye doctor. The opthomologist can give you a good eye test to figure out what exactly is wrong with the eyes and the visual strength of each eye. One eye may be stronger than the other eye and in that case getting glasses with lenses that equal out the strength of the eyes can improve the vision.

Improve Your Vision Naturally

There are certain vitamins and minerals that are essential for the human body to function properly and without them the body will not function at it’s peak. There are certain vitamins that can be consumed specifically to improve the vision. Some of these vitamins are found in the foods you may already be eating. If you are not consuming enough of these essential vitamins the result may be weakened eyesight.

Some of the essential vitamins that can be consumed in foods or taken in vitamin supplements that can improve the vision are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, Ginko Biloba, and Alpha-Lipoic Acid. Vitamin A is one of the most essential vitamins that contribute to good eye sight. If your vision seems weak it is probably a good idea to take a vitamin A supplement every day. Vitamins A, C, and E work the best when they are taken all together and they work better when taken with food. Vitamin A is more readily absorbed into the body when it is taken with fats so eating a breakfast that includes eggs, another good source of vitamin A, is a good way to take the supplement.

One vegetable that contains a large quantity of vitamin A is carrots. One way to naturally improve vision and especially night vision is to consume carrots regularly in the diet. Carrots contain a lot of carotene that can help you see better in the dark.

The eyes can be strengthened like any other muscle in the body by exercising them. In addition to getting the right amounts of the proper nutrients that can help to improve the eye sight there are also specific eye exercises that can be done to strengthen the muscles in the eyes. It is a good idea to do these exercises at least once a day if you work on a computer and spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen. Giving your eyes a break from staring at the computer will remove some of the strain. If your eyes to begin to feel strained while working at a computer or if you have been looking at something for too long splashing them with cool water will wake up and refresh the eyes.

Photo by kms !

Thicken Your Hair Naturally

NHE — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:45:28 +0000

People everywhere are seeking the secrets to long, beautiful locks of lustrous shine and quality. For many this means spending lots of money on miracle shampoos and conditioners. For others this means mixing ridiculous ingredients and plastering it on their heads in hopes that when rinsed out, a totally reconditioned set of strands will be revealed.

Concoction to Thicken Hair

When I was still a mere fledgling experimenting with different DIY at home recipes, I put a concoction of honey, mayonnaise, and oatmeal on my hair for half an hour. The recipe promised that my hair would turn out silky and glisten after it was washed out. As you could probably guess, I was left with nothing more than a sinkful of oatmeal and no change in my hair’s naturally curly texture. As disappointed as I was with this experience, I did not give up researching ways to thicken my hair. I have come to the conclusion that the best way to thicken hair and create an overall healthier hair shaft is through the use of natural methods. Increased blood circulation, increase in protein and reduction of fat and deep fried foods, herbal intake, and relaxation are the most vital parts of a natural approach to thickening hair.

Increasing blood circulation will increase activity at a hair’s follicle.

This will lead to an increase in the body’s natural oils and will have the long term effect of maintaining more, healthier hairs on the head. Increased blood circulation can be achieved through exercise and massage. It is no surprise that daily exercise can increase blood circulation to all parts of the body. A more specific way to increase blood circulation to hair follicles is by massaging the scalp directly.

Hair’s main component is protein, so obviously an increase in protein would lead to healthier, thicker hair. Eggs, soybeans, meat, fish, and whole grains are high in protein and should be a part of the diet of any person desiring thicker hair. Also, by decreasing the intake of fat and deep fried foods a person will lower the risk of clogged arteries. This will in effect increase blood circulation, creating a wholesome environment for those hair follicles to keep pushing out centimeters of protein rich strands.

The final two natural ways to thicken hair are related.

Herbal intake, including the consumption of herbal teas, will help a person relax. This will not only lower your blood pressure and make you an overall healthier, happy person, but it will also increase blood circulation. Herbs to look into include black currant oil, primrose oil, and green tea. These herbs will certainly increase blood circulation and reduce stress on hair follicles. Also, remember to relax in daily life. If you live a stressful life, perhaps a yoga class is just what your hair needs to take off the stress.

Overall, increased blood circulation, increased protein intake and reduction of fat a deep fried foods, herbal intake, and relaxation are the top natural ways to thicken hair.

Photo by hansvandenberg30

11 Health Benefits of Aloe Vera Juice

NHE — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:12:26 +0000

The aloe vera plant is amazing, having many healing properties to it. The leaves of the plant are where you will find the yellow-colored liquid that can work wonders. You may already know that aloe vera gel can be very beneficial to the skin, helping with sunburn, insect bites, rashes, cuts, and the like. The reason is because aloe vera is an anti-fungal as well as an anti-bacterial. It also helps with the regeneration of cells. So the application of aloe vera gel to the skin can greatly benefit common skin ailments and help in the healing process.

But maybe you didn’t know that aloe vera comes in other forms, which also have their own set of benefits. Let’s take aloe vera juice. Here is a short list of what this very healthy juice can do for you.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA JUICE

Aids in the elimination of constipation.
Aids in digestion and helps with stomachaches and heartburn.
Helps to regulate blood sugars.
Detoxifies the body and colon.
Helps with weight loss by increasing metabolic rate to burn more calories.
Improves circulation.
Aids in healing damage to internal tissues.
Regulates blood pressure.
Strengthens immune system.
Retards the growth of cancerous tumors.
Helps to reduce inflammation.

Side Effects of Drinking Aloe Vera Juice

It is recommended that you drink no more than two to four ounces a day of aloe vera juice. That is the required amount for maintaining health and is all you need. If you take more, you can experience side effects, such as liver dysfunction, nausea and allergic reactions. But if you adhere to the recommended amount per day, you will see the wonderful benefits of this amazing plant.

Aloe vera is also available in supplements, such as tablets and capsules. This is a very quick and easy way to get the beneficial effects of aloe vera into your system. If you lead a busy lifestyle and do not have the time to drink aloe vera juice, taking the recommended dose in tablet or capsule form will probably work out very well for you. Your local health food store will most likely carry aloe vera in its different forms.

The health benefits of aloe vera are many, and this amazing plant can help you not just on the outside by aiding your skin, but on the inside as well. Be certain to keep some aloe vera gel always on hand for skin ailments, especially if you have children. And aloe vera juice or supplements are a great way to help your body internally. You may even want to do some research online or purchase a book or two about aloe vera to learn more about this miracle plant. The personnel at your local health food store probably also have a wealth of information on the aloe vera plant.

Aloe vera is truly amazing. Introduce the wonderful benefits of this plant into your life and you will see what it can do for you.

Photo by Powerhouse Museum

Health Benefits Of Mangosteen Juice

NHE — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:21:19 +0000

A healthy part of a nutritious diet includes eating at least five fruits and vegetables a day. Drinking fruit juice and vegetable juice are good ways to get in these daily amounts. Drinking fruit and vegetable juice provide the body with essential vitamins and minerals. It is easy to combine a couple of fruits or vegetables to make a great tasting drink.

One fruit that can provide many health benefits is the mangosteen fruit, commonly known as “the Queen of the fruits.” This fruit grows in Southeast Asia, is dark purple in color, and is usually two to three inches in diameter. There are several health benefits of mangosteen juice. There is scientific evidence that this fruit has a variety of healing properties. There have been clinical trials that have proven that the mangosteen is good for maintaining every organ in the human body.

Being rich in antioxidants, mangosteen juice can help protect us from the damage that is caused by free radicals. Free radicals degrade the cells of the body, that can spur on the aging process. Antioxidants help make the skin appear smoother and softer, and help to slow down the process of aging. Mangosteen juice contains many essential vitamins including Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, as well as essential minerals including calcium, iron, and potassium. By drinking mangosteen juice, the immune system is boosted to help fight against disease and infection. It also protects against viruses and bacteria that can do significant harm to the body.

One of the other health benefits of mangosteen juice is that it can reverse conditions such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, pain, and diarrhea. It has even been said that is can have a positive effect on diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Mangosteen juice can also effectively treat atherosclerosis, hypertension, and thrombosis, all of which are cardiovascular diseases. The mangosteen has antibacterial, anti fungal and antihistamine properties. Due to antihistamine properties of the fruit, it can be helpful with many allergies. The anti-inflammatory properties help relieve sciatica pain, as well as pain associated with peripheral neuropathy. This fruit also can improve joint flexibility, assist in a healthy respiratory system, and regulate intestinal health.

Mangosteen juice can help with eye problems such as glaucoma, and cataracts. If you suffer from vertigo or ulcers, the properties of this juice may help to ease the effects of these problems. By drinking mangosteen juice regularly, you will feel the effects quickly. You will feel more energized and be ready to face the day with a positive attitude. It may make you feel calmer and less anxious. You’ll have an easier time digesting, food and it may make your everyday aches and pains a little bit easier to tolerate. Your overall health will improve just by adding this juice to your diet. Since it can give you a boost in energy, you may be able to eliminate your consumption of caffeinated drinks, which are just empty calories.

Everybody would like to look and feel young their whole life, and by drinking mangosteen juice this could be accomplished, at least a little bit. You’ll be doing your body a service, both on the inside and on the outside, by drinking mangosteen juice. The health benefits of mangosteen juice are vast in that the fruit has so many positive nutritional components and advantages.

Photo by ~Oryctes~

4 Steps on How to Detox Your Body Naturally

NHE — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:26:18 +0000

With spring just around the corner, people are beginning to think about spring cleaning. One thing you need to remember to put on your spring cleaning list is yourself. Myself? Yes, your own body needs to be cleaned out periodically. We’re not talking colon cleanse here, but just a simple way to detox your body without chemicals or products you spend a lot of money on. Stick around and read about how to detox your body naturally (how to detox your liver and kidneys).

Before we go any further, realize that this is not a fast. Fasting does work, but it can be dangerous, especially for someone with no experience with it. Fasting is best done periodically, starting small by just skipping a meal, then two, then three. Continuing to fast for longer periods of time is the best way to become familiar with it, but take it slow and be careful. Fasting done for more than a day and a half should be done under a doctor’s supervision.

So, how to detox your body naturally, right? Well, there are four main steps to this process with a few supplemental tips.

Step 1:

Water. That’s right, drink lots of water. How much? Lots. Drink till you are full to bursting, then drink some more. Maybe not that much, but a lot. Water poisoning is a potentially fatal condition, but we’re not talking about that much. The average human kidneys can process about 1 liter or quart of water per hour. Just fill up a 1 liter bottle and count on drinking it very hour or so. All day long.

Why so much water? By filling your body with water, you are flushing lots of harmful chemicals out of your system. These toxins get lodged in lots of places, but they like to stick around in your fat cells. Drinking lots of water will flush these fat cells, releasing the toxins into your urine and waste. You can also add lemon to your water, use fruit juices, or teas, but the more natural your choice of liquid, the better the results.

Step 2:

Exercise. Sweating is an important step in how to detox your body naturally. Doing this through exercise will not only dump more toxins from your system quickly, it will also clean out your lungs, and boost your energy. Running, basketball, tennis, any sport you enjoy that can get the sweat pouring off you will be good. You can also go to a sauna if you prefer, however if you have to choose, exercise would be best.

Step 3:

Avoid certain foods. The more natural your diet is, the better your efforts at detoxing naturally. Avoid the following foods to help yourself along in the process: dairy (milks, cheeses, ice cream), shellfish, beef and veal, processed meats, soft drinks, processed juices (raw or fresh are fine); anything with refined sugars, excessive salts or fats. Basically, stop eating a lot of processed junk.

Step 4:

Add certain foods. Just as you are eliminating certain foods from your diet, you should also begin adding different food (preferably organic) to your diet or increase what you already eat. What foods? Well, boneless skinless chicken breasts, leafy green vegetables, fish (flounder, cod, snapper, sole, mackerel), kelp, raw carrots, garlic, egg whites, fresh fruit, brown or wild rice, etc.

Be sure to avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine. Smoking is out. Taking a multivitamin is advised as well. A fiber supplement may help if you’re not getting enough in your diet already. Who knows, maybe this way of how to detox your body naturally could turn into a new healthier lifestyle.

Photo by MEL810

Link Round-up

Linda — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 11:44:38 +0000

Here are some interesting articles we found this week and thought they were worth sharing with you. Enjoy!

Overcome Fear and Anxiety

A dark green challenge. You in?

Eco-Chic Recycled CHANEL Earrings

How Not to Get Sick when Flying

Benefits of Journal Writing:

50 Essential Oil Uses

Green and Gold Kiwi Sorbet

Juice Fasting for Weight Loss

Got Health Boot Camp?

How To Keep A Fever Down In Children

Smart Beauty

And these are a few carnivals that NHE has been featured in this week…

Focus Organic

New ficus News!

NHE — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:24:57 +0000

I just got a new ficus tree that I love! It is probably about 3-5 years old, in great shape and is known to be one of the best plants to help remove formaldehyde from the air!!

Also Natural Health Ezine was featured in a few carnivals recently…

Plan on cooking asparagus? Here are some asparagus fun facts!

NHE — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:22:54 +0000

Asparagus Demystified

In the culinary world, few foods are as synonymous with spring like asparagus. The tender, bright green shoots are generally in season April through May, and with their limited growing season, nutritional portfolio and culinary adaptability, asparagus truly is a remarkable vegetable.

Growing Asparagus

Asparagus is indigenous to the western coast of Europe, and requires slightly salty soil in which to grow. As a perennial, this member of the lily family takes up to three years from the time of planting before the shoots can be harvested. However, once a plant begins to harvest, it can continue producing for as long as twenty years.

Only the young shoots are harvested, and left to grow untended the plant will continue to produce stalks which erupt in fennel like fronds until the plant is a wild looking bush of inedible greenery.

While currently cultivated in many countries, Peru remains the largest exporter of commercially grown asparagus, and Mexico is not far behind. As a result, asparagus can be found almost year round at reasonable prices.

Asparagus health benefits

Nutrition Very nearly a super-food, asparagus is low in all things bad for you and wonderfully rich in all things good for you. Naturally low in calories and both fat and cholesterol free, asparagus is also very low in sodium. Containing one of the highest amounts of folic acid, a single five ounce serving has about 60% of the daily recommended amount of folacin; few vegetables have such a high amount. Asparagus is also a great source of potatssium, fiber and rutin.

Different varieties of Asparagus

The most commonly found variety of asparagus is the green kind, and contrary to wide belief, the thinner stalks are not more tender. In fact, when choosing your asparagus look for wider shoots that are mostly green with only a small amount of pale green or white at the bottom ends.

Considered a delicacy in Europe, white asparagus isn’t a separate variety of the species, but is rather a result of a different growing technique. Grown in the absence of light, the chlorophyll in the plant isn’t allowed to develop and as a result the shoots remain snowy white and tend to be less fibrous in texture. This growing technique is much more labor intensive and results in a higher price for the vegetable.

Purple asparagus on the other hand, can be any number of mutant strains which were bred for their color and are considered to be a separate variety. These plants tend to be less prolific, but the spears are generally larger in size, and the plants themselves tend to be less disease resistant. The purple color lasts only until cooking when the plant reverts back to its green state.