Five Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice gotten from inner bark of many trees of genusCinnamomum. This spice has been used in the preparation of food over the years. It has long been used as natural remedies for a variety of health ailments. This spice has many health benefits and some of them are discussed below.

1. 1. Cinnamon can help in the management of type 2 Diabetes.

It has been reported that cinnamon improves insulin sensitivity & signaling (Anderson, 2008). It has also been reported that cinnamon is very beneficial in the management of blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, blood pressure and lipid of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This means that consuming cinnamon can be very helpful in the control of type 2 diabetes. Taking a few gram of cinnamon may improve the health status of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

1. 2. Cinnamon has antioxidant properties.

The antioxidant properties of cinnamon have been very useful in preventing some forms of cardiovascular diseases. These antioxidants prevent the oxidation of both fats and proteins, and thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease as well.

1. 3. Cinnamon has antiviral effect.

Cinnamon has been shown to inhibit the replication of virus causing herpes in vitro. One of the compounds that have been shown to have this effect (antiviral effect) is eugenol—a compound found in the essential oil of cinnamon. Also another compound called cinnzeylanine found in Cinnamomum zeylanicum has been shown to have antiviral effect. Although more researches need to be done, but cinnamon has the potential of being a drug to be used in the treating herpes.

1. 4. Cinnamon has anticancer properties.

It has been shown that cinnamon is able to reduce the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells. More researches need to be done in order to show how this spice can be used as a drug in the management of cancer.

1. 5. Cinnamon has antimicrobial effect.

It has been shown in the various researches that this spice has anti-bacterial and anti-fungi effects. This means that cinnamon can probably be used in the management of infections caused by bacteria. But more researches need to be done in order to show clearly how this spice can be used in the management of infections caused by microorganisms.

Other functions that have been attributed to cinnamon are given below:

• Reduces headaches and migraines
• Reduces body temperature due to fever
• Alleviates mental stress
• It freshen your breath when chewed
• Relieves joint pain due to arthritis
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower your bad cholesterol (or LDL).
• Improves memory and attention

The nutritional information of cinnamon is given below:

10 grams (about 2.1 teaspoons) of ground cinnamon contains the following nutritional information according to the USDA.

• Energy: 103.4 kJ (24.7 kcal)
• Fat: 0.12 g
• Carbohydrates: 8.06 g (of which - Fibres: 5.31 g, Sugars: 0.2 g)
• Protein: 0.4 g

With all these health benefits and many more not mentioned here, why don’t you try using cinnamon has a spice in the preparation of your food?

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The Extraordinary Health Benefits of Raspberries

The Jeweled Berries

Raspberries are the little jewels from nature with a wide array of health improving qualities. They are well known for having a sweet fragrance with a pleasing and delicious taste. Raspberries belong to the rose family and are mostly grown for cultivation in places such as California. In the Summer, they can be a refreshing snack with plenty of energizing nutrients to keep you going in the heat. These berries are also excellent additions to a wealth of tasty desserts or can simply be enjoyed on their own. Adding this fruit to your diet provides a wealth of well being improvements. Let's go over what makes this fruit a quality choice for adding to your diet.

Nutrient Dense Fruit

Raspberries contain rare antioxidants with many health benefits.

Source: http://Raspberry by Petr Kratochvil

Elite Nutrition

Raspberries are bursting with nutritious vitamins and minerals. They feature vitamins A, C, E, and K, manganese, fiber, magnesium, potassium, copper, folate, iron, zinc, and they are also a good source of omega-3 fats. At around 60 calories per serving, raspberries can add quite a punch of health benefits while not being overbearing in unnecessary calories. Remember that how well we treat our health helps with being able to push ourselves in all aspects of life. Focusing on quality food choices not only benefits your body but your mind as well. When you take care of yourself many new doors can become opened for you.

Improves Digestion

Keeping tabs on our digestive health is important for our well being. When we consume fiber rich foods such as raspberries we are better equipped to absorb nutrition. Including this nutrient in our diets is also a great and natural way of detoxing the body of built up waste byproducts. Fiber is also associated with maintaining a healthy weight as it can keep you fuller between meals. Snacking on fresh fruits throughout the day can help curb hunger while still supplying you with much needed vitamins and minerals.

Great By The Handful

Raspberries can be added to yogurt which can supercharge your nutritional intake.

Source: http://Raspberry Background by Petr Kratochvil

Guard Your Vision

Modern medical studies have shown that people who eat fruits with vitamins A, C, and E have extra protection against macular degeneration. As we age our vision can succumb to this effect which makes it important to include the best foods we possibly can to help keep our vision strong for as long as possible. It is recommended to consume at least three servings of fruit a day to reduce the risk of damage to your eye health. This can be accomplished easily with fruits such as raspberries. Toss some in yogurt, add to ice cream, make a sorbet, a smoothie, or enjoy them by themselves.

Antioxidant Rich

One of the most exciting benefits stored within raspberries is the abundance of unique antioxidants. Half of the effect of the antioxidant activity in this fruit is due to its rare compounds of ellagitannins. These compounds are not too often found in nature which makes raspberries a quality choice in obtaining antioxidants. These nutrients combined with the numerous vitamins and minerals within the fruit is a powerful combination of anti-aging potency. Aging can be sped up with damage to our bodies from free radicals. When we consume foods rich with nutrition such as raspberries we get added defense against the harmful effects of stress, aging, and environmental factors.

Upgrade Your Health

Raspberries can strengthen your immune system, give you added protection against disease, and supply your body with nutrition from the most abundant source, mother nature. One tip to keep the idea of consuming lots of fruits more enticing is to switch up your choices every week. Nature has provided us with a wide assortment of delicious fruits each with their own unique health boosting properties. Have fun with it and be creative. The Leaves and berries of this fruit are also beneficial to women for menses and menopause. A delightful tea can be made which can help sooth the symptoms and provide support. Thank you Connieow for providing me with these useful nuggets of information. If you enjoyed reading this article, please be sure to visit the links below or my profile to learn more about other fruits and vegetables.

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Six Health benefits of Coconut

Health Benefits of Coconut

The term coconut can be used to describe the entire coconut palm, seed or the fruit. Coconut is eaten by many people in various parts of the world. As common with fruits, coconut fruit has many health benefits. This article attempts to discuss some of the health benefits of coconut.

1. 1. Coconut water is an excellent source of minerals.

Coconut water is an aqueous solution found inside coconut fruit. It is a clear liquid and it contains high amount of minerals and this makes it an electrolyte. Because of having high amount of minerals like potassium, this makes it to perform various functions associated with these minerals. Also coconut water is excellent in providing hydration. The water has been used as an intravenous hydration fluid in some developing countries where saline was unavailable. This water is free from fat.

1. 2. Coconut oil provides moisturizing effect on skin.

Coconut oil can help with dry skin. The oil has also been recommended for facial massage and is reported to be good in removing wrinkle. If you aim to improve the appearance of your skin using a natural means, then you may consider using coconut oil.

1. 3. Coconut fruit aids the digestion of food.

This function can be attributed to the presence of fibre in coconut fruit. This means that one effective natural means of preventing constipation and ensuring proper digestion is by eating coconut.

1. 4. Coconut oil is an effective antioxidants.

Coconut oil contains several effective antioxidants which prevent the damaging effects of free radicals found in the body. These antioxidants include vitamin E, phytosterols and phenolic compounds. Antioxidants help the body prevent formation of free radicals that are hazardous to health. The diseases that may be caused by the presence of these free radicals include aging and a range of degenerative diseases like cancer.

1. 5. Coconut oil has antidiabetic effect.

Coconut oil increases the efficiency in synthesis of insulin and cellular response to it. It also regulates blood sugar.

1. Coconut oil has antimicrobial property.

This is due to presence of some types of organic acid found in coconut oil. These organic acids include lauric acid, capric acid, caprylic acid and caproic acid. When these organic acids reach the body they are transformed into corresponding monoglycerides, namely monolaurin, monocaprin, monocaprylin, and monocaproin. These newly formed compounds are able to kill microorganisms and thereby helping body in destroying pathogenic microorganism.

However, it is quite important to know that many health organizations advise against the consumption of high amounts of coconut oil due to its high levels of saturated fat.

Nutritive Values : Per 100 gm. Of Coconut fruit

 Vitamin A :

 Vitamin B : Thiamine .10 mg.;

 Riboflavin :

 Niacin :

 Vitamin C : 2 mg.

 Calcium : 21 mg.

 Iron : 2.0 mg.

 Phosphorus : 98 mg.

 Fat : 34.7 gm.

 Carbohydrates : 14 gm.

 Protein : 3.4 gm.

 Calories : 359

These health benefits coupled with good taste coconut offers make it an efficient fruit to have by your side when eating.

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Five Health Benefits of Lemon

Health Benefits of Lemon

Lemon is a yellow citrus fruit obtained from lemon plant. This fruit has a characteristic sour taste as a result of the citric acid found in the fruit. The lemon fruit juice contains about 5% to 6% of citric acid. Lemon is used as a beverage and an ingredient to some dishes to enchance their flavor. Lemon has many health benefits and some of them are considered in this article.

1. 1. Lemon can be used in treatment of skin.

Lemon has antibacterial properties which makes it a natural antiseptic substance. It has been reported that lemon juice can also be applied on the skin for acne and eczema problems. The juice is also good for the removal of blackheads, freckles and wrinkles. For you to be able to treat skin problems with lemon juice, one should applied lemon juice directly to the skin and allowed to dry especially for acne and eczema, and then wash it with water after some time.

1. 2. Lemon provides dental care.

Lemon juice can be applied on the areas of toothache to get rid of the pain. It has also been reported that massaging lemon juice on a bleeding gum may help stop bleeding.

1. 3. Lemon helps the body in the fight against infections.

Lemon helps in the production of WBC’s and antibodies in blood. These make the body to be better able to fight infections.

1. 4. Lemon contains high level of vitamin C.

Lemon is a good source of vitamin C. This vitamin is a water soluble vitamin that has many health benefits. Vitamin helps neutralize some free radicals found in the body. Free radicals have being linked to some degenerative diseases. Also is essential in the synthesis of collagen—a structural protein found in the body.

1. 5. Lemon prevents constipation.

Lemon has a good supply of dietary fibre which aids digestion. Dietary fibre increases peristalsis in the bowels, helping to create a bowel movement and thus eliminating waste product from the intestine.

Other health benefits of lemon are

• Lemon can be used in treatment of fever.
• Lemon juice when applied to hair after rinsing it, gives shiny look to the hair.
• Lemon has a relaxing effect on the body which means it can be taken after a day of work.
• Lemon can reduce blood pressure because of the potassium content of this fruit.
• Lemon water helps clear the chest of congestion.
• Lemon juice helps in preventing the development and progression of atherosclerosis.

Nutritive Values of Lemon : Per 100 gm.

 Vitamin B : Thiamine .04 mg.;

 Riboflavin : Trace;

 Vitamin C : 50 mg.

 Calcium : 40 mg.

 Phosphorus : 22 mg.

 Carbohydrates : 8.7 gm.

 Protein : .9 gm.

 Calories : 32

Lemon is best taken when mixed with water to form lemon water.

With all these health benefits, lemon is one of the fruit to always have in your home. You may also consider planting a lemon tree in your garden so as to have easy access to this wonderful fruit.

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Six Health benefits of Carrot

Carrot

Carrot is a root vegetable, and it is usually orange in colour although it may take other colour like yellow. It is obtained from Carrot plant (Daucus Carota). It is a biennial plant which can grow to about 1 metre (3 ft) tall. Carrot plant is cultivated in many gardens. Carrots have many health benefits that make them unique. Some of the health benefits are discussed below.

1. Carrot prevents cancer

Beta-carotene is found in copious amount in carrot. This compound is a powerful antioxidant and it is capable of scavenging free radicals in the body and thus prevent the formation of some types of cancer like lung cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. Also carrot is rich in poly-acetylene antioxidant falcarinol which has been shown to reduce the chance of one developing cancer.

2. Carrot improves vision

Carrot is a good source of beta-carotene which is partly metabolized into vitamin A in human body. This vitamin is very important in the maintenance of proper vision. Vitamin A is transformed in the retina to rhodopsin—a purple pigment that is necessary for night vision. Also consumption of carrot can help prevent one from developing cataract.

3. Carrot promote colon and aids digestion

Carrots are rich in dietary fibres. These fibres aid proper movement of the bowel and discourage constipation. This means that you can naturally promote the health of your gastrointestinal tract by consuming carrot.

4. Carrot regulates blood sugar.

The presence of carotenoid in carrot makes it good in the management of diabetes. This means that carrot consumption may be prescribed to diabetic patient.

5. Carrot consumption improves the appearance of the skin, hair and nails.

Vitamin A and other antioxidants protect the skin from sun damage. Vitamin A deficiency can cause dryness of the skin, nails, and hair. On the other hand, vitamin A prevents premature wrinkling, acne and dry skin. If you value your skin then eat carrot everyday

6. Carrot contains calcium, iron, potassium and sodium.

Calcium is necessary for building a strong bone while iron is necessary for the synthesis of blood cells. This means that consuming carrot can help one build a strong bone and prevents anaemia. Also Potassium is one of the major compounds present in the cell and it helps in regulating heart rate and blood pressure.

Carrot also has some ethno medicinal usage such as

· They are used to treat digestive problems.

· They are used to treat intestinal parasites.

· They are used to treat tonsilitities

Vitamin and Mineral Content of Carrot

 Vitamin A - 12,000 I.U,

 Vitamin B; Thiamine B: .06 mg.

 Riboflavin: .06 mg.

 Niacin: .5 mg.

 Vitamin C: 5 mg.

 Vitamin D, E, G, & K

 Calcium: 39 mg.

 Iron: .8 mg.

 Phosphorus: 37 mg.

 Fat: 0.3 gm

 Carbohydrates: 9.3 gm.

 Protein: 1.2gm.

 Calories: 42

With all these health benefits of carrots, if you don’t eat carrot before, it is better you start consuming it now.

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7 Health Benefits of Pineapple

Pineapple

Pineapples are sweet, juicy fruit found tropically. They are mainly taken because they are very nutritious in addition to the fact that they are sweet to the taste. Some of the health benefits of pineapple are discussed in below.

1. Pineapple consumption helps build strong bones.

Pineapple has been shown to contain manganese. This compound is a trace mineral that helps the body in building stronger bones and connective tissues. Manganese is responsible for bone formation, keeping skin healthy and healing wounds. Manganese also has some other functions like helping the immune system in playing its role and regulating sugar level in the blood. Consuming pineapple adequately therefore keeps the body healthy.

2. Pineapple consumption helps digestion.

Pineapple contains bromelain which helps in ensuring proper digestion. Consumption of pineapple is therefore one natural way of ensuring proper digestion of food. It is quite interesting to know that a reasonable amount of money can be saved by using this effective natural means of ensuring proper digestion. Bromelain achieves its function by regulating the pancreatic secretions and thus ensure proper digestion. Another way by which bromelain does this is that it neutralizes fluids to ensure that they are not too acidic and thereby contributing towards proper digestion.

3. Pineapple helps alleviates arthritis.

Pineapple contains compound that have anti-inflammatory effects and therefore essential in alleviating inflammation associated with arthritis. Another important reason that makes pineapple better in managing arthritis is that apart from the fact that it helps alleviating pain associated with arthritis, it also helps build stronger bones. One of the compounds responsible for anti-inflammatory action of pineapple is bromelain. This enzyme helps reduce inflammation and speed up recovery after external injuries.

4. Pineapple helps in keeping a healthy gum.

It is crucial to have a healthy gum because this aids in building a stronger teeth. Eating pineapple is one natural way to achieve this. Pineapple will strengthen your gum. If you value your gum’s health then it is crucial you consider increasing your pineapple in-take.

5. Pineapple can help in ensuring proper vision.

Pineapple fruit contain beta-carotene. This compound has been indicated in proper vision. This means taking pineapple daily may decrease the chances of one getting bad vision

6. Pineapple contains vitamin C

This vitamin is a water soluble vitamin and it helps the body in the management of cold. Also vitamin C boosts the body immunity and scavenges harmful free radicals. The body also require the presence of vitamin C during the synthesis of collagen in the body. Collagen represents the main structural protein present in the human body and it is required in maintenance of structural integrity of skin, organs, bones and blood vessels. This makes vitamin C essential in the protection of the human body from scurvy.

7. Also pineapple fruit has been shown to contain much soluble and insoluble dietary fiber like pectin which aids digestion. This fruit contains other vitamins like vitamin A and this makes it excellent in ensuring proper vision. In addition this fruit is rich in B-complex group of vitamins e.g folates, thiamine, riboflavin and pyridoxine and this makes pineapple a good natural source of these vitamins.

Minerals like copper and potassium have also been found in reasonable quantities in this fruits. Copper is required in red blood cells synthesis and potassium helps in controlling blood pressure and heart rate. Potassium is also an important constituent of cell and body fluid.

Considering all these health benefits, consumption of pineapple daily represents an efficient way of building a healthy life. If you don’t take pineapple before, it is not too late to start.

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Health Benefits of Pawpaw

Pawpaw fruit is gotten from pawpaw tree ( Carica Papaya ). This tree is widely cultivated in the tropical region of the world. Many health benefits have been associated with the consumption of pawpaw. Some of those reported health benefits are discussed below.

1. Pawpaw has good antioxidant effect.

Pawpaw fruit contains substances like vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene. These compounds are powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants help scavenge the free radicals that play an important role in the development of cancer, heart disease and some other life threatening diseases.

2. Pawpaw consumption aids digestion.

Pawpaw contains many constituents that aid digestion. A good example of those constituents is digestive enzyme papain. Also pawpaw fruit contains fibre and this also contributes to proper digestion of food in the body.

3. Pawpaw boosts male potency.

Pawpaw contains a protein called arginine, a substance that has been shown to increase the blood flow to man-hood and thus increasing the virility of the penis.

4. Pawpaw consumption prevents development of heart diseases

Pawpaw is able prevent cholesterol from building up in the body. When cholesterol builds up in the body, it may form plaque in the blood vessel walls and this can eventually leads to stroke or heart attack

5. Pawpaw contains important vitamins like vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

Pawpaw fruit is a good source of vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E and someone can get these vitamins by making sure that he/she consumes pawpaw fruit daily. Vitamin A plays many important roles in the body and these include maintenance of proper vision and scavenging free radicals in the body. Vitamin C provides some functions like management of cold and boosting the body immunity while vitamin E has a good antioxidant property.

6. Pawpaw contains some mineral like calcium and iron.

Calcium is necessary for building a strong bone while iron is necessary for the synthesis of blood cells. This means that consuming pawpaw can help one build a strong bone and prevents anaemia.

Pawpaw also has many other health functions including:

· Juice of pawpaw aids in relieving infections of the colon.

· Pawpaw fruit has anti-inflammatory effect.

· Pawpaw helps with nausea and constipation

The nutritional values of papaya per 100 grams are:

Energy- 163 kJ
Calories-39 kcal
Sugars-5.90 gram
Carbohydrates- 9.81 gram
Dietary fiber- 1.8 gram
Fat- 0.14 gram
Protein- 0.61 gram
Vitamin A- 328 micrograms (41%)
Vitamin B1- 0.04 milligram (3%)
Vitamin B2- 0.05 milligram (4%)
Vitamin B3- 0.338 milligram (2%)
Vitamin B6- 0.1 milligram (8%)
Vitamin B9- 38 milligram (10%)
Vitamin C- 61.8 milligram (74%)
Calcium- 24 milligram (2%)
Iron- 0.10 milligram (1%)
Magnesium- 10 milligram (3%)
Phosphorus- 5 milligram (1%)
Potassium- 257 milligram (5%)
Sodium- 3 milligram (0%)

Also pawpaw leaf and pawpaw seed are of medicinal value and you may consider taking time to read about them. If you are not a type that eats pawpaw fruit before then you may consider starting now. Pawpaw fruit has been processed into many types of fruit juice and a number of these fruit juices have medicinal values; you may take this processed one if you cannot find the natural fruit.

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Health Benefits of Mineral Water You Should Know

Mineral Water

If you are confused by conflicting arguments about the health benefits of mineral water, keep in mind that not all mineral waters are alike

Natural Mineral Water

Water that comes out of the ground will pass through several layers of rocks; it will therefore contain the mineral elements of these rocks. Depending on the source, some of these minerals may either be good or bad for health.

Bottled Mineral Water

In addition, the quality of bottled mineral water will also be affected by the bottling method and how it was stored.

Confused?

Not to worry. Read on for further clarification, on the health benefits of mineral water and why some people are saying otherwise. You will also learn how to read the bottle label.

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What is Mineral Water? - According to FDA

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:

"mineral water is any natural water that contains at least 250 parts per million of total dissolved solids (TDS). It must be verified through a lab test whereby a litre of water, evaporated at 180 degrees C, should leave a residue of minerals and salts.

Up to 249 mg/liter it is classified as 'Spring Water'.

From 250 to 500 mg/liter, it is considered 'Low Mineral Content' or Light Mineral Water and,

Above 500 mg/liter, normal or High Mineral Content.

This mineral water must be from a geologically and physically protected underground water source. It can either be flat or sparkling. No minerals may be added to this water"

However, in other countries, these standards may vary and the term "mineral water" can be water with a lower TDS. So when you travel abroad, be extra careful with the quality of bottled mineral water. Read the label to learn more.

Bottled mineral water in different countries may have different TDS

Source: tomerlichtash, CC-BY, via flickr

Health Benefits

Are there any health benefits in drinking mineral water?

There are many and the most important reason is the minerals in the water that have healing properties.

In addition, our body can easily absorb these minerals that are in a water then in food.

Among its many health benefits are:

1. Detoxify the Body

Helps to detoxify the body from any potentially harmful substances

2. No Calories in Mineral Water

There are no calories in mineral water, so you don't have to worry about weight issues.

3. Replacing Electrolytes

Helps to replenish any lost water due to sweating etc. and will balance the electrolytes in the body.

4. Calcium for Our Body

Provide part of your calcium intake: This is important for people who suffer from lactose intolerance. (refer to the resources below)

5. Lower Your Cholesterol

Based on a study published in 2004 by the Journal of Nutrition, drinking mineral water can lower the cholesterol.

6. Better Hydrating Effect

Keep the body hydrated and drink at least 8 glasses of water. Drink even more if you do workout, or are out on a hot sunny day. Drinking mineral water and especially sparkling mineral water will motivate you to drink more, as it tastes better than tap water! Based on studies, (by S. Williams, N. Krueger, M. Davids, D. Kraus and M. Kerscher in 2007), drinking mineral water (as compared to tap water), showed a better skin hydrating effect.

Mineral-rich pool spa is popular for centuries, for its health benefits

Source: rwhgould, CC-BY, via flickr

7. Spas

Mineral water is also used in spas, where people bathed in it for therapeutic reasons. This has been in practice for centuries, as it is claimed to improve skin problems and arthritis problems such as joint mobility. By reducing inflammation and swelling of muscles and joints, it will relieve the pain in these joints. Some people will bathe, just for the relaxation.

8. Good Minerals

Contain minerals that are beneficial to your health (there are also minerals that may be harmful, read more in the next section):

• Magnesium: Helps to strengthen the immune system as well as relaxing the body and muscles. It is also known to lower blood pressure;
• Chloride and Bicarbonates: Helps to balance the digestive system;
• Iron: helps to deliver oxygen to the blood system
• Sulfate: Cleansing and detoxify the body; and
• Calcium: Strengthens bones and teeth.

Although there are other minerals that are also beneficial, these minerals are the most commonly present, in almost all brands of bottled mineral water. They are also responsible in giving the brand, its distinctive taste.

9. Helps in Better Blood Regeneration

The water that your drink will help the body to renew your blood. This happens every 15 days. Hence, if you drink better quality water, you will have a better blood property. Generally most mineral waters are of high quality which will be beneficial to the blood regeneration.

Other uses for mineral water: Use mineral water to blow dry your hair

Source: jikatu, CC-BY, via flickr

10. Can Be Easily Absorbed by the Body

As mentioned earlier, the body can easily absorb minerals in water, than from most foods. Hence it can be concluded that drinking mineral water is essential for the daily intake of minerals.

11. Good for Hair

The next time you wash your hair, use mineral water. It will give a healthier as well as stunning hair. It is much better than tap water. You can also spray your hair with mineral water (or mix with the hair spray) before blow dry the hair. Even Evian Water now sells mineral water spray for hair and face.

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Quotes About Water

If water is too clear, it will not contain fish; People who are too cautious will never gain wisdom

~Chinese proverb

Why Others are Disputing the Health Benefits of Mineral Water

Some of the reasons given as to why it is not healthy to drink mineral water are:

1. Natural mineral water will give you the essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. However, some brands may also have minerals which are not so beneficial to your health and these are sodium, sulfur and nitrate . So drinking these brands of mineral water will not be beneficial
2. Although you need minerals to maintain a healthy body, these can be taken by eating a healthy and balance diet or by taking supplements. The body need minerals only in small quantities. Hence there is no need to drink mineral waters to get these minerals, especially since each production will provide different mineral composition.
3. Bottled drinks including bottled mineral water are not healthy. Chemicals in the plastic bottle may be released into the water, especially if it is left in a car, on a hot sunny day.
4. Bottled mineral water cost more compared to tap water, hence you will save a lot of money by not drinking mineral water.

Read the label, as from this photo, you can see these mineral waters all have different contents

Source: greatstuff

Know What You’re Buying - How to Read the Label

So before you buy bottled mineral water, please read the label. By understanding the mineral content in that bottle, you will be making a healthier choice. Check for the following minerals:

• Sodium: If your diet is already high in hidden sodium, and if combined with mineral water that is also high in sodium, you may well exceed the recommended limit. This will be harmful, especially if you suffer from high blood pressure.
• Nitrates: Mineral water with high nitrate content may be harmful for pregnant women and babies under six months old. It is therefore best to avoid brands that have nitrate content. The maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate is 45mg/l. For nitrogen MCL is 10mg/l. For nitrite, the MCL is 1mg/l.
• Aluminium: Although it is still uncertain of the effects of aluminum, especially with regards to Alzheimer's disease, it is best to avoid brands that have traces of aluminum in their bottled mineral water.

Codex Code for Mineral Water

Note: Refer to 'Codex Code for Mineral Water' (CODEX STAN 108-1981) for more information on the maximum allowable amounts of the mineral substances in the bottled Natural Mineral Water. Look up for 'CODEX Standard for Natural Mineral Waters' which is in PDF format (unable to give link to PDF file in HubPages)

• Sulfates: As sulfates are present in most groundwater, you will find almost all brands will have traces of this mineral. Sulfates are known to detoxify the liver, assist in the digestion, and give a healthy skin by increasing the blood circulation. It will also reduce any muscle cramps. However if it is in excess of 250-500mg/l, it will not only make the water taste bitter, but will also act as a laxative. Not a very good idea especially if you are on the move.

Quotes About Water

“A little water is a sea to an ant”

~ Afghan Proverb

Minerals that May be Present in Mineral Water

Aluminum (Al), Arsenic (As), Borondioxyde (BO2-), Bromine (Br-), Calcium(Ca++),Chloride (Cl-), Cobalt (Co), Carbondioxyde (CO2), Chromium (Cr-), Copper(Cu++), Fluoride (F-), Germanium (Ge), Hydrogencarbonate (HCO3-), Iodine (I), Iron(Fe++), Lithium (Li+), Magnesium (Mg++), Manganese (Mn+), Nitrate (NO3-), Potassium(K+), Rubidium (Rb), Silica (SiO2), Sodium (Na+), Strontium (Sr++), Sulfate (SO4--), and Zinc(Zn++).

Additional Info to Check on the Label

Some bottled mineral water, may either be distilled or tap water, that has been processed and added with minerals during the bottling stage.

So it is best to read the label and see if you are buying a Natural Mineral Water or otherwise.

You may also want to read the label for the following:

• Acidity (pH) - Mineral water should be neutral and have a pH level of 7 or slightly higher. Below 7 means the water is acidic and above 7, it is alkaline.
• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) – According to FDA it must be at least 250 mg/litrer (or 250 parts per million)
• Mineral elements that may be present in the mineral water are listed in the adjoining text box, on the right. Some of these minerals are beneficial to your health, whilst some are not. For commercial reasons, no sane manufacturers will bottle mineral water that has minerals that are harmful for human consumption!
• Any pertinent nutritional claims
• Any contact information for the bottler
• Type of water, its source, and how it was processed.

If in doubt, contact the bottler and ask for their latest test results.

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Why is Water Important for Our Bodies?

Our bodies are actually filled with water and on average we have up to 70% of our bodies filled with water. However, this figure varies from person to person.

Our brain is 70% water, lung is 90% water, blood has 83% water and our lean muscle tissues have 75% water, by weight.

Every day we lose body water through sweats and other body wastes and on average we must replace about 5 pint (2.4 liters) of water, daily.

It is important that we replenish this lost water as water

• will transport oxygen and nutrition to our cells in the body
• help to cushion our body joints
• will assist in bowel movement
• help to regulate our body temperature
• will reduce chances of getting urinary tract infections
• in sufficient amount will help maintain a good kidney function
• regulate our blood pressure and stop it from dropping to life-threatening level
• will help blood from clotting to defend against blood clots
• will help to moisturize and keep our skin from being dry
• will reduce chances of getting frequent headache

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Stay Hydrated

Hence, staying hydrated and drinking lots of water will keep us healthy. With many benefits of mineral water, it is hence, a good idea to drink mineral water to replenish this lost water.

Remember that all bottled natural mineral waters come from several sources and will not taste the same. The mineral content will also vary. So before buying any bottled mineral water, please read the label for its source and ingredients.

Choosing the right brand will help give you the right health benefits of mineral water.

Stay hydrated and enjoy.

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More Articles on Healthy Food

The following are some of my articles on the health benefits of taking vinegar and fruits.

Pomegranate Vinegar

Pomegranate is rich in antioxidants and taking pomegranate vinegar offers many health benefits. Check it out here Health Benefits of Pomegranate Vinegar

Pomegranate Fruit

Eating pomegranate fruit may be messy but it has many health benefits which you should not ignore. Check it out here Pomegranate Health Benefits | Its Many Uses

Dates Vinegar

Not many people are familiar with dates vinegar. In fact many have never heard of dates vinegar before! Check it out here Health Benefits of Dates Vinegar

Apricot Seed or Kernel

Eating apricot seed is known to help people with cancer. Check it out here Health Benefits of Apricot Seed

Mulberry Fruits

Do you know that besides using mulberry leaves to feed silkworms, you can also enjoy its many health benefits of eating the fruits? Check it out here Health Benefits of Mulberries

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References & Resources

• World Health Organisation on Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water
• World Health Organisation on Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality
• World Health Organisation Springs and Spas
• International Journal of cosmetic Science : Effects of Mineral Water in Skin Hydration
• The Journal of Nutrition : Reduction in Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Risk
• The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition - Absorbability and Utility of Calcium in Mineral Water
• The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition - Effect on Magnesium Bio-availability from Mineral Water in Healthy Women

Disclaimer

"This article is written for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being."

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10 Great Juicing Tips

I have compiled a list of the top 10 juicing tips I follow when making my own juicer recipes at home. These tips are aimed at providing the highest quality, most nutritious and healthy of juices but not necessarily aimed at making the tastiest of juices. So if nutrition is your highest goal in juicing then read on :-)

Juicing Tip #1

Go organic. A non-organic fruit or vegetable cannot in anyway compare to the quality of organic produce - in fact they are not even close. Studies show that the nutritional profile of organic produce is always better than its non-organic counterparts, sometimes drastically so. The intensely farmed soils of non-organic produce are lacking in many nutrients that would otherwise be found in healthy organic soils. Non-organic farming methods simply load up the soils with the basics that are needed to squeeze out produce and don't give the soil a chance to recover and recuperate. So for the highest quality and quantity of nutrition, go organic!

There is also a health hazard of juicing (or eating) non-organic produce other than less nutrition - pesticides. Some pesticides are even made with toxic heavy metals like arsenic and lead and they all contain harmful chemicals, some of which are carcinogenic. 

So there are two great reasons that we should eat organic as much as we can!

Pesticides Health Effects

Juicing Tip #2

Peel Non-organic Produce.Organic produce may not always be available or affordable. So there is one main way we can cut down on the amount of pesticides that make it into our juicing recipes and that is to peel produce. Because pesticides are sprayed onto fruits and vegetables the skin is where most of them are. Simply washing will remove some pesticides but even more of them are embedded in the skins and only peeling will suffice. Unfortunately some of the pesticides get absorbed into the main pulp and body of fruits and vegetables too, but
peeling will eliminate the majority of them.

Juicing Tip #3

Drink Them Fresh. Time is of the essence when it comes to freshly made juice. Once juiced, fruits and vegetables lose their protective outer skin and are now open to oxidation. Oxidation will begin destroying nutrients, so ideally we need to drink them right away. Vitamin C, enzymes and phytochemicals are especially sensitive to oxidation. If for some reason you cant drink the juice right away then store them in an air tight container to minimize oxidative damage. There are even devices you can buy that suck out the excess air in containers that are really helpful.

Juicing Tip #4

Avoid Juicing Fruits With Low Water Content. Bananas and avocados are the two main fruits that are pretty dense and very low in water content. Such fruits do a lot better in the blender. If you really want to have these fruits in your juices then blend them first and then add other juice to them. Trust me - juicing them is no fun! They clog up your juicing machine and you need a million of them to get one
juice.

Juicing Tip #5

Don't Mix Fruits and Vegetables. When it comes to food combining fruits and vegetables don't mix so well in the digestion. They require different enzymes to be broken down and these enzymes will compete with each other to get the job done. This will lower the bio-availability of the juice you are drinking and therefore make it less nutritious, clearly the opposite of what we are trying to achieve! Apples are the one exception, they have a neutral effect and mix fine with vegetables. This is one of the main reasons apples are often added to green juices to sweeten them rather than other kinds of fruits. 

Juicing Tip #6

When To Drink? There are times in the day when we will benefit more from the nutrition a juice provides than others. These times are first thing in the morning, between meals or as a entrée to a meal. First thing in the morning on an empty stomach is prime time because we can be assured that there is nothing else in the digestion for the juice to compete with. A juice taken alone is estimated to be digested and its nutrition completely absorbed into the blood stream within 30 minutes. This is also beneficial for helping to detoxify the body. The lack of fiber in juice creates a drink that needs very little digestion and does not tax the digestive organs such as the liver. These lives the liver free to use the nutrition delivered by juices for detoxifying purposes rather then aiding in digestive metabolic processes

Juicing Tip #7

Juice The Skins And Peels. There are exceptions to this rule as described inJuicing Tip #2. Also avoid juicing the skins of oranges and grapefruits. They contain a substance that is indigestible and harmful in large quantities. Other than this peels and skins are fair game because they are loaded with antioxidants. Most of the flavonoids in apples for example are located in the skins and not so much the pulp of the fruit. So where it makes sense (and you can handle the taste) adding in the peels or skins
will only improve the overall nutritional profile of your juice.

Juicing Tip #8

Are You Taking The Pith. The pith (the white stuff between the peel and the pulp) and other white membranes of citrus fruit are a great source of nutrition. The pith is loaded with bio-flavonoids and actually contains as much vitamin C as the main pulp of the fruit. Although we should not juice orange and grapefruit peels we would do well to include as much of the pith in the juice as possible as this is not harmful to us.

Juicing Tip #9

Juice Tops and Stems. Just like the peel and skins of fruits and vegetables the tops are also nutritious. Actually tops (also referred to as leaves or greens) can be even more nutritious than the actual vegetable it grow on. Beet greens for example are extremely nutrient dense and should be juiced along with the beet. However there are a few exceptions - carrot and rhubarb tops contain substances that are mildly toxic to us. 

Juicing tip #10

Juice Every Day. Even twice a day :-)

• Best Juicer
  We have the best information on what juicers to buy as well as a host of juicing recipes.

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