Studies Show That Acai Berries Can Fight Cancer, Boost Immunity And More

We know that fruits and vegetables are responsible for proper functioning of our bodies to a large extent. If we want to be nourished with vitamins and minerals and energized throughout the day, then consuming several portions of fruits and veggies every day is a must.

Different kinds of berry fruits are considered to be one of the healthiest types of fruit due to their high content of antioxidants, natural substances that protect all the cells and tissues in our system from the destructive effects of the free radicals. These molecules are created in our body as a result of exposure to toxic substances from the environment and to excessive UV light radiation, poor diet, in the process of digestion, and other factors.

Free radicals damage and destroy the healthy cells in our organism, which makes them one of the leading causes for all kinds of inflammatory diseases and cancer. This cellular damage also leads to premature aging of the skin and all the organs.

Of all the berries that exist in the world, one of them is the ultimate winner when it comes to its content of antioxidants.

Is it a blueberry, a raspberry, or perhaps a cranberry? No, it is a berry that bears a scientific name Euterpe oleracea Martius– a small, reddish- dark violet fruit that has a very distinctive taste of red wine and chocolate. This delicious and precious fruit, commonly called Acai Berry, was almost unknown to us ten years ago.

It grows on palms trees hidden deeply in the Amazon forests and swamps, in Brazil, as well as in the northern parts of South America. The native people have been handpicking and utilizing Acai berries as food and medicine for hundreds of years.

Here are at least 11 important reasons why acai berry is super healthy for you:

1. It has a superior antioxidant capacity. It appears almost at the top of the ORAC score, which is a measurement of a number of antioxidants a particular food possesses. The abbreviation stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. The dark red and purple color of acai berry indicate the presence of valuable colored pigments, anthocyanins, in particular, that act as remarkable health-protective antioxidants.

Just for illustration, the amounts of anthocyanins in acai berry are ten times larger than in red grapes, and up to 30 times higher than in red wine. Furthermore, the antioxidants present in acai berry are quickly and fully absorbed by our cells, neutralizing the certain types of free radicals very effectively.

2. It maintains skin health and prevents premature aging of the skin, again thanks to its amazingly high content of antioxidants. Our skin is the organ that mirrors all the internal changes in our body. Premature wrinkles, discoloration, and saggy appearance are the early signs of free radical damage to the skin. Acai berry slows down the aging process, provides elasticity and beautiful complexion of the skin.

3. It improves memory and focus and overall cognitive abilities. It has also been found to protect brain cells from damage caused by inflammation and oxidative stress, which is of particular importance for patients suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This is attributed not only to anthocyanins, but also to phenolic compounds such as ferulic and vanillic acids, resveratrol, catechin, and quercetin.

4. Acai berry abounds in heart-healthy fatty acids, like Omega 3 and 6 that promote heart health. Consumption of acai berry juice has also been found to improve blood lipid levels, which means that it helps protect the heart and the whole cardiovascular system. 

5. The results of another study have revealed that acai berry has the ability to prevent hardening of the arteries, thus maintaining heart health. 

6. Ingestion of acai berry pulp has shown to reduce the harmful cholesterol levels, as well as blood sugar concentrations in a pilot study that involved overweight people. It can, therefore, be used to help lower the risk of diabetes and heart diseases.

7. Acai berry has strong anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties that significantly contribute to joint health and improvement of mobility, according to a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Foods.

8. It boosts the immune system with its content of arabinogalactan, a compound that increases the activity of the cells responsible for immunity. The abundance of vitamins and minerals also strengthens the defense mechanisms in our body. Using acai berry on a regular basis will help you ward off different bacterial and viral infections, like colds and flu.

9. Acai berry improves digestion and promotes weight loss. It has a high content of dietary fiber that plays a significant role in maintaining a healthy metabolism. When the digestion process is healthy, the shedding of extra pounds is guaranteed.

10. It cleanses the liver and helps flush out toxins from our system, which is vital for the proper functioning of our body.

11. It quickly boosts energy levels and reduces exhaustion with its high content of essential amino acids. There are as many as 19 natural amino acids in acai berries that are quickly absorbed by the body, as opposed to those of animal origin. Amino acids are essential components of proteins that build our muscles and tissues.

It is linked with cancer prevention and treatment. According to the results of a study from 2006 performed by scientists from the University of Florida, acai berry has shown the ability to destroy almost 90 % of leukemia cells. The study was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, titled “Brazilian Berry Destroys Cancer Cells.

Let’s have a closer look at the nutrition information of acai berry per 100 grams.

Energy (kilocalories)	533.9
Sugars (grams)	1.3
Dietary fiber (grams)	44.2
Fat (grams)	32.5
Protein (grams)	8.1
Minerals – mg and Daily Value (DV)
Calcium	260 mg, 4% DV
Iron	4 % DV
Sodium	30.4 mg
Magnesium	4% DV
Manganese	130 % DV
Copper	8 % DV
Other Nutrients
Vitamin A	1002 IU or 15 % DV
Beta Carotene	<5.0 IU
Sterols	0.48 mg/g
Cholesterol	13.5 mg
Proanthocyanidins	12.89 mg/g
Amino Acid	7.59%
Oleic Acid (Omega-9)	56.2% of total fats
Palmitic Acid	24.1% of total fats
Linoleic Acid (Omega-6)	12.5 % of total fats

What about the highly acclaimed Goji berries? Are they better and more nutritional than acai berries and what is the difference between them?

Both types of berries burst with different nutrients and both have been utilized for their marvelous nutritive value and medicinal properties since ancient times.

Goji berry has a rich content of B-complex vitamins, more than 15 essential amino acids, healthy fats, around 20 minerals, and beta-carotene. It is also known for an array of health properties it possesses.

It promotes fertility and eye health, boosts the functions of the brain, eases digestion and reduces appetite, lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases, provides a lot of energy and muscle strength, and flushes out toxins from the liver. Acai berry offers nearly the same benefits.

There are slight differences in regards to their composition. Goji berry has no cholesterol, sodium or saturated fats but it has a somewhat higher content of carbohydrates and sugar, as well as of vitamins C, A, and iron.

The greatest difference between the two is regarding a number of antioxidants.

Acai berry is unparalleled in this respect – we have already mentioned the ORAC scale which measures the concentrations of antioxidants in certain foods. Acai berry has the score of 102, 000, while goji berry has the score of 30, 000. The difference is quite impressive, don’t you agree?

Having in mind that both berries are extremely healthy and very rich in nutrients, we cannot conclude that one is better than the other. We suggest that you combine them and utilize their health properties in different mixtures and recipes.

How to use acai berries

Just like other berry fruits, acai berries rapidly lose their nutrients in the fresh form, within a day’s time after they have been picked. This makes the growing and shipping process of acai berries difficult for suppliers. Unless you live in Brazil, it is best to utilize all their benefits in the form of dried powder, frozen juices, and supplements.

This small disadvantage should not prevent you from enjoying the immense health provisions of this incredible berry.

source:http://bewellhub.com

          8 Health Benefits Of Lentils

Lentils have been deemed as one of the healthiest foods in the world. They are found in black, yellow, green, brown, red and orange. While they may appear tiny in size, they are loaded with vitamins and minerals.

Here are a few reasons why everybody should be adding lentils into their diet.

               1. Reduces Cholesterol

Lentils are made of cholesterol-friendly ingredients. One study found out that since lentils are high in fiber, it helped reduce total cholesterol levels by 7%. The most dangerous Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) went down by 12.5%.

           2. Keeps Your Heart Healthy

Along with their high fiber content, lentils are rich in folate and magnesium, and low in sodium. These properties are necessary for a healthy heart. Magnesium helps to carry oxygen and nutrients to different parts of the body, folate is needed to reduce homocysteine levels. Since lentils are known to reduce cholesterol levels, it helps prevent plaque buildup and creates a healthy environment for your arteries. This reduces chances of heart issues.

         3. Stabilizes Blood Sugar Level

If you are diabetic, you need lentils as part of your diet. One study proves that lentils, owing to their high fiber content and low starch presence, helped to reduce plasma glucose levels and insulin levels. Another study claimed that lentils helped to trap glucose from carbohydrates, a property useful to prevent diabetes.

       4. Gives You A Boost Of Energy

If you are low on energy, lentils are a source of power boosting ingredients. Since they are rich in fiber, complex carbohydrates, and iron, lentils are important for energy production. Another great thing about lentils is that they are heavy on the protein side, making them an excellent choice for vegans. In fact, lentils are one of the highest plant-based protein foods in the world!

            5. Ideal for Digestive Health

Dietary fiber is key to healthy digestion. Since lentils are rich in dietary fiber, they are known to clean up your digestive system. If you are looking to treat any digestive related issue, including constipation, inflammatory bowel diseases, and diarrhea, include lentils in your diet.

    6. For Better Control Of Your Weight

While lentils are high in proteins, fiber, vitamins, they are low in calories. They keep you full for a long while giving you a boost of nutrients. One study claims that lentils help to tackle cravings for sugar. You could make soups, curries, and salads.

7. Contributes to Balance Your Body’s pH                                     Level

Alkaline protein sources are important to maintain your body’s pH level. They also play a major role in improving your digestive system. The presence of good bacteria should be more than harmful bacteria for healthy digestion. Lentils are a source of promoting the growth of good bacteria and it is also one of the highest alkaline protein sources.

            8. Build Up Your Immunity

Since lentils are an excellent option to improve digestive health, and keeping healthy levels of cholesterol and blood sugar levels, it’s no wonder they help to strengthen your immune system. Iron, manganese, folate, zinc, and fiber are all needed for a healthy immune system.

If you wanna learn "8 things about your Metabolism you may not know"

 go to: http://lg365days.com/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-your-metabolism/

 source:http://healthguard24.com/2017/01/16/8-health-benefits-lentils/

9 Healthy Reasons to Eat Kiwifruit

The kiwifruit or Chinese gooseberry People are attracted to kiwifruit because of its brilliant green color and exotic taste. But, the real uniqueness of kiwi fruit comes from its health benefits. Kiwi is in the ‘low’ category for glycemic index, meaning it does not raise your blood sugar quickly. It has a glycemic load of 4 which means it is safe for diabetics. A medium size kiwifruit (76 grams) provides 46 calories, 0.3 g fat, 1 g protein, 11 g carbohydrates, and 2.6 g dietary fiber found partly in the edible skin. Kiwi is also in the ‘most alkaline’ category for fruits, meaning it has a rich supply of minerals to replace the excess of acidic foods most individuals consume. A few of the benefits of a properly acid/alkaline balanced body are: youthful skin, deeper sleep, abundant physical energy, fewer colds, less arthritis, and reduced osteoporosis. The actinidin found in kiwifruit can be an allergen for some individuals. The most common symptoms are unpleasant itching and soreness of the mouth, with the most common severe symptom being wheezing, with anaphylaxis also being reported.

1. Kiwi Helps To Clean Out Your Toxins

The fuzzy fiber of Kiwi helps bind and move toxins from your intestinal tract.

2. To Help Your Digestions

Raw kiwi contains actinidain, a protein-dissolving enzyme that can help digest a meal much like the papain in papaya or bromelain in pineapple. Kiwis are a great source of fiber. This prevents constipation and other intestinal problems.

3. Helps Manage Blood Pressure

Kiwi’s high level of potassium helps keep our electrolytes in balance by counteracting the effects of sodium.

4. Protects from DNA Damage

A study by Collins, Horska and Hotten showed that the unique combination of antioxidants in Kiwi fruit helps protect the cell DNA from oxidative damage. Some experts conclude this can help prevent cancer.

5. Boosts Your Immunity

Kiwi’s high vitamin C content along with other antioxidant compounds has been proven to boost the immune system.

6. Smart Carb for Weight Loss

Kiwi’s low glycemic index and high fiber content means it will not create a strong insulin rush like other fruit with high sugar contents — so the body will not respond by storing fat.

7. Helps Fight Heart Disease

Eating 2-3 kiwis a day has been shown to reduce the potential of blood clotting by 18% and reduce triglycerides by 15%. Many individuals take aspirin to reduce blood clotting, but this causes many side effects including inflammation and intestinal bleeding. Kiwi fruit has the same anti-clotting benefits with no side effects, just additional health benefits!

8. Protects Against Macular Degeneration and Other Eye Problems

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in older adults. A study on over 110,000 men and women showed that eating 3 or more serving of fruit per day decreased macular degeneration by 36%. This is thought to be associated with the kiwi’s high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin — both of which are natural chemicals found in the human eye. Although both fruits and vegetables were studied, this same effect was not shown for vegetables.

9. Great for the Skin

Kiwis are a good source of vitamin E, an antioxidant known to protect skin from degeneration.

Foods That Make You Look and Feel Younger
The easiest way to boost your health is to attach a good habit to something that is a part of your daily routine —like eating! So the next time you shop at the grocery store, choose foods that are rich in anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These foods will make you look and feel healthy and younger! Moreover, they are very delicious. - See more at http://lg365days.com/foods-that-make-you-look-and-feel-younger/


Source of the article: http://www.zen-world.net/food/10-healthy-reasons-to-eat-kiwifruit-48/9/