Tomatoes are a nutritional powerhouse that provides incredible health
benefits when included in your daily eating plan. Tomatoes are rich in
vitamins A, C, K, vitamin B6, potassium, folate, thiamin, magnesium,
niacin, copper and phosphorus, which are all essential to maintain good
health. One of the best things about tomatoes is that they are naturally
low in cholesterol, saturated fat,
sodium and calories. You can use tomatoes in your sandwiches, salads,
sauces, smoothies and soups. Read on to discover a few reasons to eat
tomatoes every day.
1. Improve vision
Tomatoes are an
excellent source of vitamins A and C which help improve your vision and
can also help prevent night blindness. A recent study shows that the
high vitamin A content of tomatoes can help prevent macular
degeneration, a serious eye disease. Moreover, tomatoes can lower your
risk of developing cataracts. Tomatoes are also packed with the
phytochemical antioxidants lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin, which
protect your eyes from light damage.
2. Help fight cancer
According to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer
Institute, consuming more tomatoes can help combat prostate cancer.
Tomatoes can also help reduce the risk of some other cancers such as
stomach, lung, cervical, pharynx, mouth, throat, rectal, colon,
esophagus, and ovarian cancer. That’s because tomatoes are high in the
antioxidant lycopene. If you want to boost the anti-cancer benefits of
tomatoes, try cooking them with olive oil.
3. Clear skin
Eating tomatoes regularly can help clear your skin and make it look
perfect. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that protects
skin from sun damage and makes your skin less sensitive to UV light,
one of the causes of wrinkles and fine lines. You can use tomatoes to
heal acne and rashes and minimize large pores. Rub the pulp of tomatoes
on your dull skin to restore its healthy glow.
4. Reduce blood sugar levels
Tomatoes contain very little carbohydrates and they help reduce blood
sugar levels. Tomatoes also contain chromium that helps control blood
sugar, and fiber that helps keep the blood sugar levels from getting too
high. A few studies have found that the powerful antioxidants in
tomatoes protect the bloodstream and kidneys, the areas which are often
affected by diabetes.
5. Promote good sleep
Tomatoes are a
great source of lycopene and vitamin C that can help you sleep better.
So, if you have trouble falling asleep, consider adding tomatoes to your
daily diet. You can use tomatoes in your soup or salad, or add one to
your smoothie.
6. Keep your bones healthy
Tomatoes contain
vitamin K and calcium which help keep your bones healthy. Therefore,
eating tomatoes can help strengthen and repair your bones. It has been
shown that the antioxidant lycopene can also improve bone mass and help
fight osteoporosis, a serious disease that can cause bone fractures,
deformity, and disability.
7. Relieve chronic pain
Due to
the presence of anti-inflammatory agents such as carotenoids and
bioflavonoids, tomatoes can relieve chronic pain. People who frequently
suffer from mild or moderate pain usually have inflammation. A research
show that drinking a glass of tomato juice every day can lower blood
levels of TNF-alpha that causes inflammation, by about 34 percent. Thus,
tomatoes are good for people who suffer from chronic health issues such
as heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer and Alzheimer’s.
8. Good for your hair
Tomatoes are also good for your hair. They are packed with vitamins and
iron that help strengthen your hair and can even add shine to damaged
and lifeless hair. Moreover, tomatoes have the acidity that balances the
pH levels in the hair. If you have a dandruff and itchy scalp, apply
fresh tomato juice on your hair and scalp after shampooing, and rinse
with cold or lukewarm water after 4 to 5 minutes. Don’t use tomatoes on
your hair too often because their acidity can dry out your hair.
9. Help lose weight
If you are trying to drop those unwanted pounds, make sure you include
tomatoes into your everyday diet. They are low in fat and don’t contain
cholesterol. Tomatoes contain plenty of fiber and water, so they will
help you feel full without an unnecessary amount of calories. You can
eat tomatoes raw or add them to your casseroles, salads, and other
diet-friendly meals.
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In this fast paced world that we live in today we are always on the go.
Often we don’t have time just to sit down and eat healthy breakfast or
lunch, but it doesn’t mean that you should reach for a junk food! Check
out some healthy snack you can eat on-the-go.
Nuts
One of the best healthy snacks to eat on-the-go is nuts. They are tasty and a great source of protein! Take along a bag of mixed nuts, with some almonds and good Brazil nuts in the mix.
Fruits
This is a great, healthy snack for everyone! Bananas, apples, grapes
and blueberries are quick to eat, taste delicious and don’t involve too
much mess! Fruits are low in calories and those calories they have will
be great for you! You can also peel oranges, peel and slice peaches or
kiwi, cut up melon or slice off strawberries.
Veggies
Even if
you don’t like veggies, they can make great snacks too! Just take along a
ziploc bag full of cucumbers and broccoli, or carrots and celery. You
can also add a little fat free dressing for dipping!
Granola bars
Granola bars are not the healthiest snack to eat on-the-go. The fact is
that lots of granola bars are just candy bars when it comes to
nutrition. But, there are some exceptions. There are healthy granola
bars to eat. Just be sure to look at labels and choose one that is high
in fiber and protein and lower in sugar.
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When you are trying to lose weight or you just want to start eating
healthy, it’s important to be aware of your calorie intake and pay
attention to what you eat every day. Although healthful eating habits
may seem dull and tiresome, there are many flavorful meals that are both
delicious and low in calories. Read on.
Oatmeal with Fruit
For a healthy breakfast, it is
hard to beat oatmeal. One serving of oatmeal consists of a half cup of
dry oats, measured before adding water or milk, and packs around 150
calories. Adding fresh fruit such as banana, berries, or apple slices
will provide not only a punch of flavor but additional nutrients.
Oatmeal provides a high dose of fiber and vitamins, making it an
excellent addition to a healthy eating
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Unpolished red rice has a very good source of vitamins, essential
minerals and dietary fiber. Eating red rice on a regular basis is good
for your immunity and your body, as it has so many benefits. Check out a
few healthy benefits of eating red rice.
1. Helps to reduce blood sugar level
Being low in glycemic index, red rice helps to reduce the normal blood sugar level
of your body. Plus, it helps to regulate the insulin function of your
body that helps to keep diabetes under control. Red rice is a great
option for people who have diabetes.
2. Lowers cholesterol
Natural red rice contains a part of bran in it that can help to reduce
the bad cholesterol level in your body. Bran oil that is found in the
rice can also help to lower the high level of cholesterol and reduce
your risk of heart diseases. Try to eat red rice at least twice a week
if you want to derive all its benefits.
3. Rich in vitamin B6
Need some more healthy benefits of red rice? Did you know that one
portion of red rice has approximately 23% of vitamin B6? This plays a
role in the formation of red blood cells and aids in proper functioning
of every organ in your body. So make sure you have your portion of red
rice twice a week.
4. Lowers the risk of obesity
Red rice
can help to reduce the urge to eat and can make you feel fuller for a
really long time. Moreover, red rice can provide energy to your body and
aids the digestion. People who eat red rice on a daily basis, have a
lower risk of obesity.
5. Helps in asthma
Since red rice is
an excellent source of magnesium, which can help to regulate your
normal breathing pattern, eating red rice on a regular basis will help
to prevent the problem of asthma. This is one of the healthiest benefits
of eating red rice!
6. Rich in antioxidants
Red rice is
also packed with antioxidants, which is very beneficial for your skin.
Eating red rice regularly can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles on
your skin. Plus, red rice has skin firming properties and can also
reduce the damage caused by UV rays.
7. Good for your bones
As I mentioned above, red rice is a great source of magnesium, which is
very good for your bone health. Regular intake of red rice can help to
prevent and relieve joint pains.
8. Rich in fiber
Being
rich in fiber, red rice helps to prevent and alleviate constipation.
While white rice is rich in carbs, red rice is packed with fiber. It
also provides energy to your body needed for normal body functioning.
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Exotic fruits are becoming more popular because of their intense
flavours, health benefits and beautiful appearance. While everyone has
tried pineapple and pomegranate, new and delicious fruits appear all the
time. Liven up your fruit bowl with these exotic delicacies, and treat
yourself to a tropical feast.
Persimmons
Persimmons, also known as
kakis or sharon fruit, are originally from China and Japan. The fruit
look like orange tomatoes, but are incredibly sweet when ripe.
Persimmons come into season during November, and last for two or three
months. Consume your fruit once they soften, and the skin turn
translucent. Take care eating persimmons and kakis, as they can be very
bitter unless completely ripe. Eat your persimmons fresh, or use them to
make pies and jellies. The Chinese dry persimmons to guarantee a supply
throughout the year.
Persimmons are rich in the vitamin A precursor
betacarotene, as well as magnesium, potassium and fibre. They also
contain natural polyphenol antioxidants, which may protect your body
from free radicals.
In Japan, the persimmon tree is a symbol of
winter. Its leaves drop during the fall, leaving the beautiful fruit to
ripen on bare branches.
Mangosteens
Known as the queen
of fruits, the mangosteen is a delicious tropical treat from Indonesia.
It looks like a small purple apple with a crown of green leaves. Break
open your fruit when its inedible rind goes slightly soft. Inside is a
ring of white fruit segments that looks like a tangerine. Mangosteen is
both sweet and tart, and tastes somewhere between a peach and a
pineapple.
Mangosteens have gained something of a reputation as
a superfruit. This is because their rind contains antioxidant chemicals
called xanthones. These are effective antioxidants in the laboratory,
but as yet nobody has proved that they have any effect on us when eaten.
When you eat fresh mangosteens you can’t eat the rind anyway.
Mangosteens are worth buying for their intense flavour, rather than for
any possible health benefits.
Mangosteens are known as the
queen of fruits because Queen Victoria once offered a huge reward to
anyone who could bring her one.
Guava
The guava is a
small tree or shrub from the tropical Americas. It produces oval fruit
up to four inches long that are green, yellow or red when ripe. Some
people find the rich scent of ripe guava fruit overpowering. It can fill
a room and hang around for days! Wait until your guavas are soft to the
touch before eating them. Remove the ends and the thin skin with a
potato peeler. Eat the remaining white or pink rind and the seeds in the
centre. Consume guavas fresh, or use them to make fruit salads,
smoothies and jellies. In Asia, people dip them in chilli powder and
salt.
Guavas are high in fibre, vitamin A, vitamin C and folic
acid. One guava contains four times as much vitamin C as an orange. They
are also excellent sources of mineral such as potassium and copper.
Guavas with pink flesh also contain polyphenols and carotenoids, which
may have healthy, antioxidant properties.
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We all deserve a sweet treat every now and then, but if you are on a
diet it’s important to learn how to trick your sweet tooth! In fact,
there are many tasty foods out there that can help satiate your desire
for sweets, you just need to get creative! So, ladies, if you have a
bunch of sweet teeth like me, here are a few tasty and healthy snacks to
trick your sweet tooth!
Cocoa dusted almonds
If you like chocolate, this healthy snack is a must try! Take 2
tablespoons agave syrup, 2 cups whole raw almonds, 2 tablespoons
unsweetened cocoa powder and 2 teaspoons sea salt. Preheat your oven to
350 degrees. Combine agave syrup, sea salt and almonds in a large bowl.
Mix together with a rubber spatula, fully coating the almonds. Spread
the almonds on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 10
minutes. Take the almonds out of the oven and place them back in the
bowl, add cocoa powder and toss to coat. Let them cool and store them in
an airtight container!
Tea
Perhaps you think that I’m crazy for
suggesting tea as a sweet treat, right? But if you make it right, it
will be a sweet treat that can fully satisfy your cravings! There are
many different types of teas, but make sure you choose only naturally
sweet tea or you can sweeten your tea with stevia or honey. I also like
to add almond milk. Adding sweetener or milk to your tea makes a big
difference! Slowing sipping tea is nutritious, calming and it tastes
great!
Dark chocolate coconut water
Coconut water is a very
nutritious drink that contains high amounts of potassium, which is
needed to aid in proper hydration. There are people who like the flavor
of it, but I don’t. However, recently I tried dark chocolate flavored
coconut water, and I really like it! It’s chocolaty without being overly
heavy or thick and it can help to trick your sweet tooth.
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Many people think dandelion is only a humble garden weed, because they
don’t know these important health benefits of dandelion. Its leaves and
flowers have healing and nutritional properties, and it’s useful to know
that dandelion is found all over the world, so everybody can enjoy the
beauty and health benefits of dandelion. It’s also good to know that
dandelion has more protein per serving
than spinach. Its leaves are rich in calcium, iron, magnesium,
phosphorus, potassium and manganese and the vitamins A, C, E, K, and B1,
2, and 6. Its root contains calcium, iron, potassium, sulphur, silicon,
magnesium, chlorophyll and phosphorus. Read on to learn some of the
most wonderful health benefits of dandelion.
1. A good treat for skin diseases
Skin diseases caused by fungal or microbial infections can be treated
with dandelion sap (dandelion milk). The sap has germicidal,
insecticidal, and fungicidal properties and it’s also highly alkaline.
All these make dandelion a good treat for ringworm, eczema and other
itchy complaints.
2. Good for diabetes
Another great health benefit of dandelion is that it stimulates the
pancreas to produce insulin. Since dandelion is a natural diuretic it
causes more frequent urination, which helps remove excess sugar from the
body and lower sugar build up in the kidneys, preventing renal disease
that most diabetics are susceptible to.
3. Helps fight cancer
The world’s ancient traditional medicine systems, including the Native
American, Arabian and Chinese, have long known about the health benefits
of dandelion. One of the most important health benefits is that
dandelion has anti-cancer effects, particularly for breast and prostate
cancers. Studies have shown that its root has a great impact on cancer
cells (melanoma) that are resistant to chemotherapy, with the amazing
benefit of not doing any harm to the healthy cells.
4. Helps in maintaining bone health
Dandelion is rich in calcium, which is essential for the growth and
strength of bones. It also has a high concentration of antioxidants such
as Vitamin C and Luteolin, which protect bones from toxic free radicals
that can cause general bone weakening, loss of density and premature
aging.
5. Improves the function of the liver
Dandelion
improves the function of the liver by stimulating the liver naturally
and promoting digestion. The chemicals in dandelion eliminate toxins
from the body and help to rebalance electrolytes and reestablish
hydration.
6. Improves overall digestive health
Dandelion
is a mild appetite stimulant, so if you are trying to lose weight,
perhaps, it’s better to avoid it. But if you want to improve your
digestive health, dandelion is something you need! The inulin and
mucilage in the plant aid in the soothing effects on the digestive tract
and the antioxidants help with the absorption of the toxins from food
and encourage the growth of friendly gut bacteria and inhibit and
discourage unfriendly gut bacteria and flora.
7. Promotes good urinary health
Due to its diuretic properties, dandelion promotes good urinary health.
Yes, that’s true! The detoxification cleanses your kidneys as well as
urinary tract, while microbiological growths in the entire urinary
system are inhibited by the disinfectant properties of dandelion.
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