Green tea has been shown to have the highest content of polyphenols. These are chemicals with potent antioxidant properties, and are believed to be even greater than vitamin C. The polyphenols give tea it’s bitter flavor, and because green tea leaves are young, and have not been oxidized, they have upto 40% polyphenols. Black tea only contains about 10% polyphenols.
Technorati Tags: green tea, polyphenols, nutrition
Mangosteen juice has been used as a food and medicine staple by various cultures , throughout Southeast Asia, India, and many Pacific Islands, for over 400 years. It is only over the past thirty years , that researchers have determined why the mangosteen is so effective at fighting illnesses and restoring health . More than forty nutritionally active components called xanthones are contained within the including the rind and the pulp.
Xanthones are very potent antioxidants that also have powerful anti-inflammatory properties . The mangosteen fruit is considered safe and also helps protect the entire gastrointestinal system, unlike many drugs which are not safe.. Because of the damage done to the cells by free radicals, the body requires antioxidants., which can trigger the initial phases of certain illnesses. Free radicals get into the body from being exposed to dirty air, smoke, and other environmental pollutants, plus stress and over exercise. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals , helping to prevent disease and promote wellness.
There are 14,000 papers from researchers all over the world, reporting positive results from testing of the xanthones in the mangosteen. In addition, numerous people are getting positive results for a number of health concerns, after taking the complete mangosteen. These results have been confirmed by blood tests taken before and after taking the mangosteen juice.
Studies of the Xanthones within Mangosteen show the following partial list of properties.
* Anti-depressant, * Help relieve migraine, * Anti-asthma
* Natural Pain Relief, * Anti-viral/fungal, * Anti-Diarrhoeal
* Lower Blood Pressure, * Healthier digestion, * Stabilises Thyroid
* Increased Energy, * Anti-diabetic, * Heart protective
* Relieves Urinary Pain, * Relieves PMS, * Anti-inflammatory
* Anti-tumour, * Anti-oxidant, * Anti-eczema
* Immune and modulating, * Cholesterol-lowering, * Anti-bacterial
* Anti-arthritic, * Anti-eczema/psoriasis, * Improved skin quality
Choosing a Mangosteen Juice Supplement
On the market, there are many mangosteen juice supplements to select from. If you are lucky enough to be able to buy mangosteen fruit and you choose to eat the mangosteen itself, you must eat the rind and the pulp to obtain all the health benefits that mangosteen juice supplements can provide. Like in most fruits , the rind and the pulp has a very bitter taste , so you will not get the xanthones from that part of the fruit.
When selecting a Mangosteen Juice supplement, we recommend you consider the following
A. ORAC Value, Amounts of Phytonutrients, Xanthones, and Independent tests
Independent laboratory tests are the most important things to look for on the product.
The tests should clearly display
1) The amount of Xanthones in the product . The more xanthones in the product, the more benefits there will be.
2) The amount of Phytonutrients in the supplement. Phytonutrients can protect against disease and promote health, and they are nutrients which are derived from plants we can eat.
3) The ORAC value of the product. ORAC is the measurement of an antioxidant’s power to neutralize free radicals – Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. The higher the ORAC value in your blood, the more free radicals will be neutralized. Look for an ORAC value of 90,000 to 100,000 plus, for an effective antioxidant supplement.
So, if you want to receive the full benefits of the xanthones in the mangosteen, it is best to check for independent laboratory tests performed on a particular product.
B. Method of Preparation
Another important consideration is the method of preparation . Research has found that nutrients in fruit are alive right up to the point of time when they are heated . A lot of mangosteen juice manufacturers heat the juice before bottling. Heating the juice can also make it acidic and render some preservatives more harmful. Therefore, it is recommended to look for a mangosteen juice that has used cold processing when being prepared.
C. Is the Mangosteen Pericarp and the Whole Fruit contained within the Product?
The pericarp and the seeds of the mangosteen are the main source of xanthones, so the highest quality mangosteen juice supplements must utilize the whole fruit puree, where they have milled the entire fruit-pulp, seeds and pericarp together . Only a whole fruit process will contain the higher amount of xanthones and therefore provide the full nutritional and healing value of mangosteen. If you are only drinking the juice and not the pericarp, it will not do you much good.
D. Are there other Nutrients within the Mangosteen Juice product?
A good quality mangosteen juice product will also contain other nutrients, which work synergistically with the mangosteen to enhance the benefits. These are some of the additional nutrients it ould contain:
1) Minerals
The additional effects are significantly increased when minerals are added. Chronic conditions show a high mineral deficiency, especially in neuro degenerative conditions. And, with the depletion of the soil after 60 years of the environment being exploited, the nutrients in fruit and vegetables are not there anymore. Few people eat properly anyway, and most people eat packaged food and fast food, which contains few nutrients.
Minerals are required for energy production and protection from free radical damage, as well as other vital functions.
2) Additional Vitamins may be included
Research shows that depletion of certain vitamin types is related to diseases like alzheimer’s, cancer and dermatitis.
3) Aloe Vera
Research has shown that when Aloe Vera is present, the delivery of vitamins into the blood is improved by upt to 20%. Also, the vitamins are held in the blood longer when Aloe is included, which gives the body a greater chance to utilize the vitamins.
4) Some mangosteen juice products may contain Green Tea
Green Tea is well known for its traditional healing properties and also provides additional antioxidant power.
E. Is the Mangosteen product liquid?
Studies show that liquid mangosteen can be absorbed by the cells in the body more readily.
Powders and pills may not be as good as juice made from the whole mangosteen fruit because all the phytonutrients within the whole mangosteen, including the pericarp, work synergistically in ways that science has barely even begun to analyze.
Summary
This article has described the different things to look for when selecting a mangosteen juice product - Independent testing, amount of xanthones, amount of phytonutrients, the ORAC value, the other nutrients in the product, the way the product is processed, and whether it is a liquid product or not. For a fair comparison of quality and price, have a look at how many bottles of a less expensive product you would need to give you the same amount of nutrients as a more expensive product has.
You may get a surprise and find that the more expensive mangosteen juice product actually costs less.
Technorati Tags: mangosteen juice, mangosteen, mangosteen fruit, vemma, verve energy drink, mangosteen vemma
Did you know that singing is good for you? A study conducted by the University of Frankfurt revealed that singing protects the upper respiratory system from being infected, plus it stimulates the production of antibodies. Singing for your Health
The reason for this is that it seems to produce endorphins and the “feel good” hormone dopamine.
We went to a pub the other night, where they had karaoke, and there were so many people getting up to sing. They were really enjoying themselves, even though many of them almost spoke the words, or sang out of tune! Who cares? As long as they are enjoying themselves.
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I heard on the radio yesterday, there’s been research done on the metabolism of fat and cholesterol, in relationship to sitting (or laying) all the time. The research found that it’s much better to stand up and talk on the phone, than to sit.
They said that companies with people who sit in office chairs all day should look at providing equipment so staff can stand for a certain period of the day. For those using computers all day, we should look at ways to type while standing.
There is more information about this research in the Science Daily
Have you ever thought about the number of calories in a quarter pounder from McDonalds? A blog post at Ask the Dietician lists 5 foods that you should never eat at McDonalds. You will be surprised by the number of calories and sodium in a chocolate milkshake.
I will be away in Europe for a couple of weeks, so will probably not be posting here. See you when I get back!
Have fun!
Julieanne
Here are seven nutritious foods which do not usually receive the attention they deserve.
Avocado
The avocado is high in mono-unsaturated fat. Mono-unsaturated fat is beneficial to our hearts yet few of us eat avocados regularly in our diet. Avocados taste great and are a source of high-fiber
and should be included in every salad or eaten as a side dish. They are also rich in protein, vitamins A and E, some B and lots of potassium and copper.
Sweet Potato
Most Americans eat sweet potato only at Thanksgiving, but you can bake or microwave them anytime. They are a great source of vitamin A, five times the daily recommended DV(daily value), and are tasty and fat-free, with vitamin C and a swag of minerals such as calcium, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium and iron.
Soybeans
The Food and Drug Administration(FDA) recently added Soybeans to the list of foods everybody should eat because of their value. Cook soy beans and mix them in casseroles and salads etc. reducing heart disease. A cup of beans has 40% of the daily value for protein and has lots of fiber, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium.
Dried Figs
Five figs will give you the same amount of calcium as half a glass of milk. They provide high-fiber, some vitamin B, and iron and abundant potassium.
Lentils
These are mainly used in soup, and can also be included in rice and casseroles. Lentils are one of the highest high-fiber and protein bearing foods available with zero fat content. A cup of lentils contains about 40% of the daily value for protein and 65% of the daily value for fiber. They are also high in potassium, calcium, iron and vitamin B and phosphorous and copper.
Kale
Kale is another super high-vitamin food. Its dark leafy green leaves are an acquired taste but are fat-free and low calorie, and yield vitamin A, C, B, and calcium. Kale has equally healthy but mostly ignored family members; Swiss chard, mustard greens and collards.
Barley
Another half forgotten food, Barley is a good source of protein, fiber, potassium, phosphorous and iron. One cup equates to 25% daily value for fiber. Eat pearled barley in soups, or as a side dish in lieu of rice, pile it into your casseroles, stir-fries and anything you fancy.
A good supply of vitamins and minerals is essential to our general health and well-being. Based on recent research, scientists recommend that we take an additional multivitamin each day, in addition to a healthy diet, and our minds and body will respond accordingly. Healthy nutrition is the key to a long and healthy life.
Technorati Tags: nutrition, vitamins, vitamins and minerals, multivitamins
Pumpkin tastes yummy when you’re young:-)
Merry K over at Eating Healthy Nutritious Food has a good article about how we shouldn’t skip meals. She talks about how some people hardly eat anything and still gain weight, then others eat lots and keep their weight off. And, it’s all about metabolism and what we eat.
People who eat little and still gain weight are eating foods that slow down their metabolism, and those who eat a lot and stay thin, are eating foods that increase their metabolism. It would be great if we followed what we started off doing as babies. At least, that’s the way my little grandson is learning from his Mummy. He’s been having rice cereal for a few weeks now, and now he’s being introduced to veggies, one at time. The first one is butternut pumpkin which looks very pretty:-)
Before considering Joint Replacement surgery, it may be a good idea to have a look at other things you can do. Twenty years ago, I almost begged an Orthopaedic surgeon to give me a “new knee”, and he kept saying no. He said I was too young for a start, and that I could do other things to alleviate the pain and stiffness. He was right.
A newsletter that I receive every week, has an article about joint replacement surgery. Dr Ben Kim, who wrote this article recommends that if you are considering joint replacement surgery, to be careful about the surgeon that you choose. Read his article here to find out more
The new Google Health was launched last week. People can now record all their medical conditions and prescription drugs in an online database, so that doctors can access their records from almost anywhere. Personally, I don’t understand why this is necessary, and in addition to that, I can’t understand why people require so many prescription drugs. There are so many natural substances that people can take instead of the drugs. I believe that some drugs are necessary, but there are many that are not necessary.
Mike Adams over at Natural News has much to say about Google Health, and you may want to read his article here Adams has declared that he is going to create a large database of all the natural health information that exists. This database will be a huge asset to people.
There is much controversy around energy drinks nowadays, and whether they are good for you or not. I believe the “goodness” of an energy drink depends entirely on the ingredients contained within them. It’s like drinking anything else, it all depends what’s inside.
There is an article written here, which discusses energy drinks and whether some are healthy, and how some are not healthy. I would love to hear your opinion on what you think of energy drinks. Go here to compare energy drinks
Here’s a definition of Metabolism from Wikipedia:
Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that occur in living organisms in order to maintain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments.
If we (human) organisms have a slow metabolism, we tend to be sluggish and put on weight easily. If we have a fast metabolism, we are more energetic and lose weight more easily. People with thyroid problems notice the difference in their metabolism.
There are ways to increase our metabolism. For example, if you wake up in the morning and don’t have breakfast, your body will think you are sending it into starvation mode. As a result, your metabolism slows down. So, eat a healthy breakfast, and your metabolism will speed up.
Healthy small snacks between meals, like almonds or low fat cottage cheese or a piece of fruit, will keep your metabolism active. The snacks will also prevent you from overeating at the next meal.
Many experts suggest that we avoid eating anything between two or three hours before going to bed. This is because our metabolism slows down at night, so it needs time to metabolize and burn the food you’ve eaten at dinner time.
Keep healthy and have fun!
Julieanne
I found an interesting post by Rebecca Scritchfield, about the science behind the “biggest loser” diet. She actually had the opportunity to learn from the registered dietitian and physican at conference.
They both explained the reasons why people lose so much weight, and it’s good to learn that it’s all about good nutrition habits and exercise. You can read Rebecca’s article here
I just put up a page which has a comprehensive list of resources about Nutrition
There are:
I will update the list as I find more resources on Nutrition.
Many years ago (when I was only 19 years old:-) I had a pretty drastic motor-bike accident, and a few years later, had pretty bad arthritis in one of my knees. I continued to do all the things I usually did, including walking. About 10 years after this, my Grandma started getting arthritis in her knees. (bear with me, there’s a reason for my long story:-)
My Grandma used to walk everywhere, quite long walks to the shops and to see me. She was very fit, then suddenly she “decided” it was too painful for her to walk. I think her doctor had something to do with this. Anyway, after a few years, she got a walking stick, and her knees started creaking, and she stopped doing more and more exercise. She wouldn’t even walk to her letter box. Then, she got a frame to help her walk, and she spent most of her day sitting in a chair with her legs on a footstall (she wasn’t that old at the time). Her knees just got worse and worse, and they got hardly any exercise at all.
During this time, my knee (remember I got arthritis 10 years before my Grandma) had got worse, and I had some surgery on it, which helped a bit. What also helped, was the surgeon sending me to a physiotherapist, who gave me specific exercises to do at the gym. He also said I should walk a decent distance every day. Years later, I still exercise a lot, including weight lifting at the gym. The exercise and also I believe taking good quality nutrition supplements has helped me tremendously. In fact, the only time my knee aches is when I haven’t been to the gym for awhile, or I’ve stopped taking the nutrition supplements.
Recently, there’s been research about exercise and arthritis also. Here’s a report over at Natural News
I found an interesting article at Scientific American, about studies done on animal’s brains, and why brains take up so much energy.
“Until now, most scientists believed that it used the bulk of that energy to fuel electrical impulses that neurons employ to communicate with one another”
Scientists have now discovered that one third of our brain is used for what scientists refer to as
“housekeeping,” or cell-health maintenance.
Have you ever wondered why you require vitamins nutrition as part of your daily diet? Keep reading to find out all the benefits you gain from taking all the daily recommended vitamins your body requires to support a healthy life.
Fruit Shop
Originally uploaded by love_child_kyoto
Vitamins nutrition is what we supply to our bodies to support everyday functions within our bodies. Vitamins are only one of the essential nutrients. Others are essential amino acids, essential fatty acids and dietary minerals.
Nearly 40 years of research around the relationship between vitamin deficiencies and disease was reviewed in 2002. (Fletcher RH, Fairfield KM. Vitamins for Chronic Disease Preventions in Adults. JAMA. 2002;287:3127-3129) As a result of that review, it was recommded that all adults should take a multivitamin each day, as well as obtaining proper nutrition from their daily diet. After that review, two Harvard researchers recommended that all adults take a multivitamin every day, as well as having proper nutrition from a diet.
The researchers concluded that some groups of people are more at risk of certain vitamin deficiencies than others. However, vitamins play a tremendously important role in the body, so it is important for all adults to get adequate intakes of vitamins.
Each vitamin plays a different role in supporting our body’s health.
Did you know these facts about different Vitamins?
Vitamin A plays a huge role in healthy eyesight, it has antioxidant properties, and appears to function in maintaining normal skin health. Vitamin C keeps our body tissues and muscles healthy, increases our immunity and has antioxidant properties.
The importance of vitamins nutrition is well researched, and experts agree that everyone should get their daily vitamins. We hope you are now inspired to eat all the fruit and vegetables you require, or to supplement your diet, so you receive all these benefits for your body.
Do you have willpower when it comes to eating nutritious food? Or, do you love to indulge in chocolate and ice-cream, even though you really do want to loose weight?
As I grew up in the first 10 years, I was very chubby, and one of those kids who used to be called “fatty”. I really disliked being teased, and I found it hard to run on sports day because I was overweight. However, I really really liked things like chocolate and cake, and home made biscuits, and all the yummy things my Grandma was always cooking. In primary school, my sister and I used to go to my Grandma’s for lunch, and have 2 toasty toasty sandwiches. One was savory and the other was full of apples and sultanas.
Anyway, I consider myself lucky in a way, because when I was about 11 or 12, I started losing weight quickly, even though I was eating as much as I wanted. It turned out that I had an overactive thyroid gland, and eventually had it operated on.
What was lucky about this, was that I had a chance to stay slim! I remember going to the doctor with my Mum after the operation, and he asked me what I ate for breakfast. He said now that you are slim, why not eat properly so you can stay like that? I thought this was a terrific idea because I really didn’t like being overweight. So, as a teenager, I was able to keep my weight down and still splurge now and again.
Eventually, I realized that I could talk myself into not liking chocolate and sweet food, and fatty food (like deep fried fish and chips that I used to love:-), and then it was so much easier to keep my weight down. Years later, I hardly ever eat chocolate or really sweet food, mostly because I don’t really like them.
I know that it’s not easy for most people to do this, but it does work in the long run.
There are a number of news reports reporting on a review on taking vitamins, in which the results were highly skewed. The review reported on studies that only involved sick people, and where the participants in the study were likely to die anyway. To see the whole story, please read this post here at Healthy.net
If you are one of those people who suffer from IBS, then I remember just how you feel. This video (below) is one that I did with my husband John, so we could share from a funny point of view, how embarrassing and uncomfortable these irritable bowel syndrome symptoms are.
This might sound hard to believe, especially if you’ve tried numerous ibs diet recommendations, but proper nutrition really did take my symptoms away. Watch the video and see what you think, then go to the following page and see if you would like to try these nutrition supplements.
