10 Amazing Health Benefits of Cabbage Juice

Cabbage is considered to be the king of cruciferous family. It’s an easily found vegetable in any kitchen and is highly nutritious containing great healing powers.

Cabbage is actually a cluster of stiff leaves layered one over the other, which gives it a round shape. Several varieties of cabbages include green, purple, red, green, savoy, napa, bok choy, brussels sprouts etc.

Cabbage juice is not only nutritious, but also very low in calories.  It is a very rich source of vitamins, manganese, it's also high in vitamins K and C, high in fiber and a good source of vitamin B6 and folic acid, yet it's low in potassium.

10 Best Foods that Build Strong Bones…

When it comes to building strong bones, there are two key nutrients: calcium and vitamin D. Calcium supports your bones and teeth structure, while vitamin D improves calcium absorption and bone growth.

These nutrients are important early in life, but they may also help as you age. If you develop osteoporosis, a disease characterized by brittle and breaking bones, getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D may slow the disease and prevent fractures

Get these nutrients by trying these 10 best foods that build strong bones.

Home Remedies to Remove Blackheads and Whiteheads

Maintaining a clear and beautiful skin, takes time, consistency and effort. Dermatologist may recommend lots of products, but some of them can be expensive and may actually take a long time to work. You can, however, incorporate some home remedies for blackheads and whiteheads into your daily beauty regimen and in a few weeks, you will experience a drastic reduction or even total elimination of the problem.

Almond 

Mix almond powder with just enough rose water to make a spreadable paste. Apply it to your problem areas with your fingertips first and then apply it to the rest of your face. Let it set for about 15 minutes and then rinse your face with cold water.

Top Kidney-Friendly Super Foods. . .

People with kidney disease experience more inflammation and have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than those without kidney problems. If you have kidney disease, it's important that you consult a renal dietitian and follow a kidney diet. Including super foods in your kidney diet eating plan can help you increase your intake of nutrients and antioxidants.

Super foods are nutrient dense, which means they offer multiple nutrients while providing minimal calories. Nutrient-dense super foods are the colors of the rainbow. They are red, orange, pink, yellow, purple and green. These are the colors of super foods such as blueberries, bell peppers, spinach, salmon, kidney beans and grapefruit. Super foods contain antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals. Even in relatively low amounts, antioxidants can help slow or stop the rate of oxidation caused by free radicals. Examples of antioxidants include flavonoids, lycopene and vitamins C, E and beta-carotene. 

Here’s a list of the top kidney-friendly super foods. These foods are good for everyone, not just people with kidney disease, so by using them in your family's meals, you'll be helping your loved ones enjoy good health too.

8 Foods To Help You Sleep Better!

Some people have trouble falling asleep. Others can’t stay asleep. And then there are the people who have trouble turning life “off” and tucking into bed at a reasonable hour.

What you eat will have a big influence on the quality of your sleep. You can easily sleep better by making a few changes and being sure to include foods that promote rest.

Almonds 

A handful of these heart-healthy nuts can send you snoozing because they contain both tryptophan and a nice dose of muscle-relaxing magnesium.

Benefits of Eating Fruits for Breakfast. . .

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Having a healthy breakfast plays a crucial role in maintaining energy levels throughout the day. An all fruit breakfast has several benefits over other breakfasts comprising of cereals, milk, eggs, etc. It is beneficial to consume high energy fruits like apples, pears, bananas and blueberries. One of the greatest advantages of an all fruit breakfast is weight loss and detox. Fruits that have high water content like watermelon also tend to have a similar effect.

Powerful Healing Herbs and Spices

Many of us have a cabinet full of herbs and spices we use to help improve the flavor our meals. What many may not realize is how much common kitchen herbs and spices can also help improve our health.

Ginger stimulates saliva flow and digestive activity, settles the stomach, relieves vomiting, eases pain from gas and diarrhea, and is effective as an anti-nausea remedy. This aromatic herb also helps lower cholesterol. Herbalists have also found it to be useful as a pain reliever.

Beauty Benefits of Chocolate. . .

How much do you know about chocolate? Fat? Sweet? Do you know that chocolate does bring health benefits to us? Chocolate is a product based on cocoa solid or cocoa fat, and finely powdered sugar to produce a solid confection. Chocolate is a popular ingredient and is available in many types such as dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, semisweet chocolate and bittersweet chocolate.

Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables.  Chocolate became synonymous for bad skin. Now it happens to be the solution to perfect skin care. How? Let us have a look.

Best Anti - Aging Foods!

Berries

Stocked with antioxidants, these yummy snacks neutralize damaging free radicals. They also help the body manufacture collagen, leaving your skin firm and smooth.

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”…

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”…but why? Do you really know what makes an apple so special? Why is it that we never hear an orange or a banana a day keeps the doctor away?

Apples have properties that no other fruits have and its benefits have been proven overtime. You will be able to get the benefits of these properties individually with other fruits, but an apple combines everything and makes it simpler. It has been shown over and over that if it’s not simple, easy and fast, people won’t take care of their health.

1-Apple contains Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps greatly your immune system. A lot of people who lack Vitamin C in their diet have poor healing, bruise easily and have bleeding gums.

2-Prevent Heart Diseases. The reason it can prevent both coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease is because apples are rich in flavonoid. Flavonoids are also known for their antioxidant effects.

3-Low in calories. A regular size apple has between 70-100 calories. Eating an apple when craving for candy or chocolate can make the desire disappear since apple in itself contains sugar, but gives you only ¼ of the calories.

4-Prevent Cancers. Notice the plural. We all know that cancer comes in several forms and in different places. Apples target multiple cancers such as colon cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer in women.

5-Apples contain phenols, which have a double effect on cholesterol. It reduces bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol. They prevent LDL cholesterol from turning into oxidized LDL, a very dangerous form of bad cholesterol which can be deadly.

6-Prevent tooth decay. Tooth decay is an infection that seriously damages the structure of your teeth, which is caused primarily because of bacteria. The juice of the apples has properties that can kill up to 80% of bacteria. So there you have it, an apple a day also keeps the dentist away!

7-Protects your brain from brain disease. This is something many people don’t know, and when you consider that your brain makes the person you are, it gives a whole new perspective. Apple has substances called phytonutrients, and these phytonutrients prevents neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinsonism.

8-Healthier Lungs. A research at the University of Nottingham Research shows that people who eat 5 apples or more per week has lower respiratory problems, including asthma.

9-They taste great! And not only that, they also come in many flavors and colors. Not in a mood for a green apple? Why not get a red one, or a macintosh! Their taste can vary greatly, but still give you all the apple benefits. Variety is an important element to maintaining your health.

On average, Americans consume around 20 pounds of apples a year, which comes to around 1 apple a week. Unfortunately, while an apple a week is better than nothing, it is nowhere close to being able to extract all the advantages apples have to offer. Eating apples is part of balanced and healthy diet than will increase your longevity, so why limit yourself to only 1 per week?

Health Benefits of Ginger Tea...

Since hundreds of years, ginger has been reliable for use in medicine. Nutrients contained in ginger is very beneficial for health. Researchers around the world are finding out that it can cure a variety of health issues from migraines to cancer. It is a natural herb trusted for ages and has been proven effective all over the world. This powerful herb also has calming effects when used as tea. Here are some of the known ginger tea health benefits.

Prevent diabetes :A recent study has proven that ginger can help in lessening the harmful effects of diabetes and even prevent kidney damage that can prove to be fatal to one’s life.

Provides relief against heartburn:  In tea form, this natural concoction has proven effective for decreasing incidence of heartburn.

Natural painkiller for menstrual cramps, pain, inflammation and migraine : Ginger tea has been proven effective against various types of pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It stops prostaglandins that cause inflammation and pain to the blood vessels.

Prevents flu and cold: Ginger has been proven to be a natural remedy against cases of flu and colds.

It helps alleviate motion sickness: It is a natural cure for nausea that is caused by motion sickness

Alternative for digestive tract problems: It can address issues related to food poisoning and stomach flu. It has good effects on one’s digestive system and promotes better digestion. It can in fact cure digestive disorders such as diarrhea, flatulence and indigestion.

Ovarian cancer treatment: Ginger had been found to be effective towards treating ovarian cancer. It found that it prevented and lessened incidents of cell death in the body.

Colon cancer prevention: Ginger has been found to be very effective in slowing down the growth of cancer cells in the colon. Studies have shown that it does prevent the progression of cancer in the colon by stopping cancer cells from developing.

There is no doubt that ginger offers a multitude of health benefits and is widely used for its therapeutic properties. It has been known to booster one’s immune system and improve cardiovascular health. Ginger also slows down the production of LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides that can be harmful for the heart and liver. It also decreases the chance of stroke of heart attack by preventing the platelets from sticking together. Ginger is also a natural blood thinner. How is ginger tea made? It is ideal for you to use fresh ginger root, peel it and grate it to bits. Then place it in boiling water. Do this for fifteen minutes, and then simmer. You can also buy ginger tea in a prepared tea form of powder or a capsule.

Control Your Blood Pressure.. Naturally!

High blood pressure or hypertension is a medical condition where the arterial blood pressure increases.

The reasons could be too much stress, obesity, high intake of salt, diabetes etc. The probability of cardiovascular diseases such as heart strokes, heart failure, kidney disorders, heart attack etc. increases with a high BP.

Lifestyle plays an important role in medicine your blood pressure. If you successfully control your blood pressure to a healthy lifestyle, you can prevent, delay or reduce the need for medication.

Eat more fruits, vegetables, grains, and low-fat dairy foods.

A lower level of sodium - 1500 mg per day or less - is suitable for people 51 years of age or older, and people of all ages with high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

Given below is a list of 10 foods that can help you lower down the blood pressure:

Spinach: It contains magnesium, folate, iron, vitamin C and is very healthy for your body. Even if you don't like it, make sure that you include this nutrient rich vegetable in your diet as it contains those key ingredients.

Banana: It is rich in potassium which is perhaps the most important nutrient to lower down the high blood pressure. A banana a day keeps the high blood pressure away. It assures you of good health.

Kiwi: Of late, the kiwifruit is being prescribed to battle hypertension. Rich in potassium and Vitamin C, it helps lower down the BP. Kiwis are also rich in an antioxidant called lutein, which, it is thought, might help fight the disease.

Skimmed milk: Easily available and a part of daily consumption. It contains plenty of calcium and vitamin D and the two nutrients team up to bring down blood pressure.

Garlic: A single clove of garlic does wonders. It has several properties which help prevent clotting and thickening of blood vessels. Also, it can easily fight the damage caused due to high BP.

Beans: Kidney, pinto, lima and black beans are some types of beans you should include in your daily diet. Beans are rich, both in magnesium and potassium, capable of decreasing high blood pressure.

Broccoli: Oozing with potassium, it also contains chromium which fights against the cardiovascular diseases. It controls the blood sugar and insulin levels.

Celery: It contains an ingredient called phthalide which rests the muscles of the vessels and aids in the smooth flow of blood. Besides that, celery has a very calming effect and is highly recommended if you are prone to stress.

Tomatoes: It contains an antioxidant lycopene, which is known to significantly reduce the high blood pressure. Also, tomatoes are rich in calcium, potassium, vitamins A, C and E, all the essential nutrients required to curb the problem.

Others: Apart from the nine foods mentioned above, sunflower seeds, olive oil, avocadoes, papaya, dark chocolates and various juices are helpful in bringing the blood pressure levels to normal. It is advisable to eat vegetables and fruits rich in potassium and calcium. Intake of salt (which contains sodium) should be minimized. Avoid eating fried stuff.

Control your blood pressure at home and make regular appointments with the doctor

If you have high blood pressure may need to check your blood pressure at home. Learn to self-monitor your blood pressure monitor arm can help motivate you. Talk to your doctor about home monitoring before.

Regular visits to your doctor may also become part of your normal routine. These visits will help you control your blood pressure.

ARE AVOCADOS GOOD FOR YOU?

Avocado Health Benefits, Nutrition, Calories, 

Avocados are said to be one of nature's perfect foods because of their health benefits and nutritional content. Avocados contain 60% more potassium than bananas and studies show that diets high in potassium can reduce the risk of hypertension and possibly stroke. Avocados are also rich in B vitamins, as well as vitamin E and vitamin K, all of which are essential for a healthy body. In addition, avocados are known to help lower blood cholesterol, reduce the risks of heart disease, and help prevent osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, among other things.

All the health benefits and nutritional value of avocados make avocados one super food deserving to be included in our daily diet.

Health Benefits of Avocados

• Avocados can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease - According to the American Heart Association, mono and polyunsaturated fats ("good" fats), when consumed in moderation and eaten in place of saturated or trans fats, can help reduce blood cholesterol levels and decrease risk for heart disease. Avocados are one of the few fruits that provide "good" fats. Avocados contribute good fats to one's diet, providing 3g of monounsaturated and 0.5g polyunsaturated fat per 1 oz. serving. Folate in avocados is also good for a healthy heart.

• Avocados can reduce the risk of hypertension and possibly stroke - Avocado is a good source of potassium. In fact avocados contain 60% more potassium than bananas. Studies show that diets high in potassium can help lower the risk of hypertension and possibly stroke.

• Avocados can help people with diabetes - Avocados have healthy fats which contain an essential hormone known asadiponectin which helps to speed up the absorption of glucose, and helps to regulate the blood sugar levels.

• Avocados can help prevent osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis - Avocados are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are essential for helping reduce the inflammation associated with arthritis.

• Avocados can help reduce the risk of cancer - Studies show that certain toxin found in avocados can kill cancer cells. Although more studies have to done, scientists believe that the toxin can help prevent or reduce the risk of breast cancer. Avocados are also high in potassium which help prevent or reduce the risk of cancer.

• Avocados can help in weight loss - The high fat content in avocados gives you a faster feeling of being full and this helps reduce overeating. Recent studies also show that calories are not the only factor in reducing weight. The timing of both consumption and exercise is also important.

Nutritional Value - Avocados provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid. They have a good amount of B vitamins and especially vitamin E, but less vitamin C compared to other fruits. They are also good for fiber and potassium. The potassium and fiber content in avocado is among the highest for fruits. They also supply a little of other minerals like phosphorus, magnesium and zinc. They also act as a "nutrient booster" by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha and beta-carotene and lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit.

So there you go... Avocados are good for you!

Avocado Fruit Salad

Ingredients:
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
1 teaspoons lime peel, grated
1 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
One 10-ounce package mixed baby greens
4 kiwis, peeled and sliced in half rounds
4 grapefruits, sectioned
2 cups strawberries, sliced
2 star fruits, sliced
1/2 ripe avocado, sliced

Directions
To make the salad dressing, whisk together all the ingredients from olive oil to black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
Combine the remaining ingredients, excluding the avocado, in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing, tossing to coat. Place the avocado slices on top and serve immediately.

Coffee Benefits For COFFEE LOVERS. . .

COFFEE BENEFITS

The emotional and physical benefits of coffee are numerous. Not only does coffee taste good, it can stimulate you, relax you and refresh you.

Coffee stimulates your senses thanks to its caffeine content which stimulates metabolism and supports mental alertness and concentration. Your body absorbs it within 30 minutes, and its positive effects may last 2-5 hours.

Coffee relaxes you because it hydrates you. Because water is the main ingredient in a cup of coffee, it helps you work towards your daily water needs and is practically free of calories.

Coffee refreshes you with its wealth of polyphenols. Polyphenols are nutrients that help maintain your body in good health over time. They are also found in green tea, fruits and cocoa.

Coffee also contains minerals such as magnesium and chromium, which help the body use the hormone insulin, which controls blood sugar (glucose). In type 2 diabetes, the body loses its ability to use insulin and regulate blood sugar effectively.

In a study of about 130,000 Kaiser Permanente health plan members, people who reported drinking 1-3 cups of coffee per day were 20% less likely to be hospitalized for abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) than nondrinkers, regardless of other risk factors.

Drink a lot of coffee and you may head to the bathroom more often. Caffeine is a mild diuretic -- that is, it makes you urinate more than you would without it. Decaffeinated coffee has about the same effect on urine production as water.

The next time you drink a cup of coffee, just think of all its benefits!

Have a Delicious Coffee Milkshake. . .

One serving
1/2cup Milk, Skim
1/2 cup Coffee Ice Cream, light
1/2 cup Ice cubes, crushed

Put all the ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Nutrition information
144 Calories
7 g protein
20 g Carbohydrates
4 g Fat
2 g Saturated fat
22 mg Cholesterol
58 IU Vitamin D
309 mg Calcium
125 mg Phosphorus
107 mg Sodium