Beans...according to schoolyard rumor, they are good for your heart, but they do much more than that. They provide a major source of soluble fiber, which, when passing through the digestive tract grabs and traps bile that contains cholesterol, removing it from the body before it's absorbed. According to Patti Bazel Weil R.D.,diabetes nutrition educator at the University of Kentucky in Lexington and author of "Magic Beans", eating a cup of cooked beans a day can lower your total cholesterol by up to 10% in 6 weeks. Though that may not seem like much, it actually decreases your risk of heart disease by 20%. A study conducted at the University of Kentucky has shown that only three weeks of increased bean intake (3/4 cup of navy and pinto beans) lowered the men's cholesterol by an average of 19%. This reduces the risk of heart attack
by almost 40%. Also because of the high fiber in beans, they can curb your appetite for fattier more dangerous foods.
Mushrooms are ideal food for people striving to shed their extra weight. Mushrooms have no cholesterol and insignificant amount of fat and sodium. Mushrooms comprise about eighty to ninety percent of water, and eight to ten percent of fiber. The minimal sodium content makes mushrooms suitable for people suffering from high blood pressure. The lean protein present in mushrooms, help to burn cholesterol in the body.
Coriander seeds have a health-supporting reputation that is high on the list of the healing spices. In parts of Europe, coriander has traditionally been referred to as an "anti-diabetic" plant. In parts of India, it has traditionally been used for its anti-inflammatory properties. In the United States, coriander has recently been studied for its cholesterol-lowering effects.
Napa cabbage is low in calories and high in chew-appeal. You can eat a lot and chew a lot and the calories will stay low, while your tummy feels full. Also, the Vitamin amounts of A and C in Napa Cabbage are surprisingly very good!
Red cabbage is a good source of phytonutrients that help to detoxify pollutants and other carginogens that most people are exposed to on a daily basis. Like other cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, it's high in glucosinolates, compounds which are metabolized by the body to form powerful cancer fighting chemicals known as isothiocyanates. Isothiocyanates activate the P450 liver enzymes that break down carcinogens, allowing them to be safely eliminated from the body. People who consume high quantities of cruciferous vegetables have been shown to have a lower risk of certain types of cancer. Red cabbage is also a good source of indoles, compounds that may reduce the risk of breast cancer by altering estrogen metabolism.
The sunniest tones yield the highest concentration of antioxidant carotenoids. One small red, yellow or orange pepper provides three times the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C—way ahead of citrus. Red peppers stand out as one of the few foods that contain lycopene, a carotenoid which lowers the risk of various cancers, including prostate and cervical cancer. These crimson packages are also packed with beta-carotene, converted to vitamin A in the body and essential for night vision. Nature’s best source of zeaxanthin, a compound known to protect against cataracts and macular degeneration, can be found in orange peppers.
Consuming certain varieties of cheese - aged Cheddar, Swiss, Blue, Monterey Jack, Brie, Gouda and processed American cheese immediately after meals or as a between-a-meal snack has proven to help prevent tooth decay. Calcium, phosphorous and other components in cheese may contribute to this beneficial effect. Milk proteins also help as it neutralizes plaque acids with their buffering capacity.
Unlike grapefruit, grapefruit juice, citrus fruits as a group, or fruits in general, apples have shown up in several studies as a significant way to lower asthma risk. In fact, apples have stood out amongst other fruits when it comes to general support of lung function and lung health. Flavonoids unique to apple - including phloridzin - are thought to play a potentially key role in the special ability of apples to support lung health
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Paprika is still a very good source of Vitamin C and is an excellent source of Vitamin A. It also contains Vitamins E and K, which are vital for the health of the veins and capillaries in the body.
With regards to mineral content, paprika is a good source of iron and potassium and also contains levels of magnesium, phosphorous and potassium.
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The difference between brown rice and white rice is not just color! A whole grain of rice has several layers. Only the outermost layer, the hull, is removed to produce what we call brown rice. This process is the least damaging to the nutritional value of the rice and avoids the unnecessary loss of nutrients that occurs with further processing. If brown rice is further milled to remove the bran and most of the germ layer, the result is a whiter rice, but also a rice that has lost many more nutrients. At this point, however, the rice is still unpolished, and it takes polishing to produce the white rice we are used to seeing. Polishing removes the aleurone layer of the grain-a layer filled with health-supportive, essential fats. Because these fats, once exposed to air by the refining process, are highly susceptible to oxidation, this layer is removed to extend the shelf life of the product. The resulting white rice is simply a refined starch that is largely bereft of its original nutrients.
In addition, the leaf of the marjoram has been used to loosen phlegm. It acts as a decongestant and useful in bronchitis, sinusitis and sinus headaches. Used as a tonic for the nervous system, marjoram is believed to be more calming than oregano, as it is used to soothe the nerves, reduce tension and stress; especially environmental. One of the components in marjoram is the flavonoids which have sedation qualities which help to relieve insomnia, tension headaches and migraines.
The basis of the mushroom's impressive health properties are complex carbohydrates called polysaccharides that build the immune system. According to mushroom researcher and cultivator Jeff Chilton:
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), consuming about 2 tablespoons (23 grams) of olive oil a day may reduce your risk of heart disease. You can get the most benefit by substituting olive oil for saturated fats rather than just adding more olive oil to your diet.
Potassium reduces urinary calcium excretion, and people who eat high amounts of dietary potassium appear to be at low risk of forming kidney stones. The best way to increase potassium is to eat fruits and vegetables. The level of potassium in food is much higher than the small amounts found in supplements.
Macadamias contain natural oils. They are high in heart-friendly monounsaturated fat, which contains oleic fatty acid as well as paimitoleic fatty acid (also present in fish oils). Macadamias come in tops for containing the highest amount of monounsatarated fatty acids in a natural food.
Regular use of mint is very beneficial for asthma patients, as it is a good relaxant and gives relief in congestion. But, over dosage may irritate as well.
There are quite a few published articles that suggest lung cancer risk may be lower for people who eat cabbage or cruciferous vegetables of other types. Even smokers may be able to reduce risk of lung cancer, though eating cabbage should not be seen as a way to avoid cancer for smokers. Benefits of cabbage for nonsmokers who are exposed to second hand smoke are high too, and might be significant in lowering risk for lung cancer due to exposure to smoke.