Eating For Health

My daughter is on a trip and stopped at a restaurant she ate at when in college.   She said she had the best salad topped with some cooked salmon.   Good choice as salmon is basically a nutritional powerhouse.   Why is salmon so good for your heart, your brain and your muscles? 🧠 Brain & Mood Boost Rich in Omega-3s (EPA & DHA): These essential fats improve cognitive function and memory, reduce inflammation, and may help prevent depression and anxiety.   Can help protect against age-related macular degeneration and reduce the risk of dry eyes . High in Vitamin B12 & B6: Vital for brain health , nerve function, and mood regulation. ❤️ Heart Health Hero Lowers Triglycerides & Blood Pressure: Omega-3s help reduce “bad” cholesterol, lower triglycerides, decrease blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular function. Anti-inflammatory Effects: Omega 3’s are potent anti-inflammat...

Who doesn’t enjoy a cup of tea?   As NIH noted, “drinking tea has been considered a health-promoting habit since ancient times”. Researchers have found this to be true.   Why is tea so healthy? What are the substances in tea that promote health? Polyphenols include catechins which are antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties.   Flavonoids act as antioxidants in our bodies and may inhibit cancer cell growth.      Theanine is an amino acid that helps with relaxation. Caffeine is a stimulant that can improve alertness and focus. A cup of tea provides much less caffeine than a cup of coffee: black tea about 47 mg of caffeine, green tea only 28 mg.   Herbal teas like ginger tea and peppermint tea have no caffeine.   Minerals : Tea can provide minerals like potassium, magnesium, copper, and zinc.        What are some of the many health benefits of tea? Heart Health: Black tea but especially green tea can ...

Who doesn't enjoy some fresh watermelon?  So juice and naturally sweet.  At a buffet over the weekend, I saw person after person loading their plates with freshly sliced watermelon.  Many people enjoy watermelon and don't realize how healthy it is.   Cleveland Clinic says, “watermelon should be part of your diet”.  Why?  Watermelon is “packed with vitamins and minerals and can be enjoyed all year ‘round”.   We hear a lot about superfoods like blueberries, but we don’t hear much about other fruits like watermelon.  Watermelon packs a big nutritious punch. One reason why watermelon is so good for your health is that it is loaded with many vitamins and minerals as well as fiber.   Vitamins : watermelon is a good source of vitamins A, C and many B vitamins.  One cup of watermelon balls provides 12.5 mg of vitamin C, almost 25% of daily needs.  One cup also provides 876 IU of vitamin A, almost 20% of daily needs.  Minerals...

There may be no fountain of youth but there seems to be some heart-healthy habits that may slow biological aging.    Medical News Today has an interesting article , “8 heart-healthy habits may slow biological aging by up to 6 years, researchers say”.   What study did researchers do and what did they find? Researchers looked at 6500 adults (average age of 47) to study the American Heart Association’s recommendations of Life’s Essential 8 checklist to see if following the 8 essentials would slow biological aging.   They found that adults “with high cardiovascular health were about six years younger biologically than their chronological age.”    Why would high cardiovascular health extend life? Researchers surmise that good heart health reduces one’s risk of heart disease but also other age-related diseases.   What are the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 ?   AHA notes their 8 lifestyle steps not only lead to better hear...

Many people are coffee lovers including me.   But I also enjoy a cup or two of tea every day.   Add some tea to your day and you add many health benefits.   Tea is rich in antioxidants, some vitamins, and minerals, and has been linked to improved heart health, better digestion, and enhanced mental clarity.   Some studies have shown tea may decrease one’s risk of type 2 diabetes and cancer.   Whether you prefer green, black, oolong, white or herbal teas, each type of tea offers its unique array of health-promoting properties.   In this blog post I explore the many health benefits of enjoying some tea.    Black Tea What is it made from?   Made from leaves of a plant.   Oxidation , “leaves exposed to moist oxygen-rich air”, is what turns the leaves from green to a black color.   Examples:   English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Darjeeling Black Tea, Ceylon Black Tea   Health Benefits:   Heart: Drink black tea often and ...

Who knew that simply snacking on baby carrots can have such a health benefit?   Baby carrots are not only a convenient snack, but they also pack a nutritional punch. These little orange wonders are high in beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, essential for good vision, immune function, and skin health. They are also low in calories and high in fiber, making them a great choice for anyone looking to maintain a healthy weight and digestive system. How would simply snacking on baby carrots lead to improved health? Researchers at Samford University found that adding baby carrots to your day at least 3 times a week resulted in more carotenoids in your skin.   Why is this a good thing?   According to nutritionist , Mary Harper Simmons, “…people who consume and have high levels of carotenoids have higher levels of antioxidant activity going on in the body, which means that there are lower levels of inflammation and lower risk of chronic illnesses such as hea...