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...

Anyone suffering from inflammation is always looking for something to help reduce inflammation.   A relative with hip inflammation said they were trying tart cherry juice.   Then another relative went to the doctor because of their knee pain from arthritis. The relative told the doctor he was trying lots of things including losing weight, physical therapy, and an anti-inflammatory diet.   The doctor suggested adding one more thing, tart cherry juice. Why is tart cherry juice considered anti-inflammatory? 🍒 Rich in Anthocyanins Tart cherries are packed with anthocyanins , powerful antioxidants that give the fruit its deep red color. These compounds help reduce inflammation by blocking enzymes involved in the inflammatory process. And cherry juice contains quercetin , a flavonoid that helps reduce pain and swelling.   🧠 Supports Joint and Muscle Recovery Studies show tart cherry juice can ease joint pain and stiffness , especially in people with arthritis....

Almost everyone thinks sodas are not good for your health.   Sweetened sodas are loaded with added sugar and low-calorie sodas use artificial sweeteners which many people try to avoid.   But there are new sodas on the market being advertised as good for your gut.   What are these sodas and why are people drinking them for a healthier gut? What are the new sodas promoting gut health? Two types of sodas are being marketed.   Prebiotic Sodas:   Prebiotics are mainly fiber that feed our healthy gut bacteria.   Two brands of prebiotic sodas are Poppi and Olipop .   On the Olipop can it states, “Supports Digestive Health”.   The prebiotic fibers in Olipop include cassava root, chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, guar fiber, and Nopal cactus.   Olipop also contains Calendula Flower for its lutein, beta-carotene and flavonoids.      Probiotic Sodas:   Probiotics are healthy bacteria usually found in foods like yogurt but n...

So many people complain about inflammation.   Many don’t realize that making some dietary changes can help your body fight inflammation.   What are some of those dietary habits? What are some symptoms of inflammation?   Some inflammation is temporary like acute inflammation due to an injury, infection or being bit like a bee sting.   Long term inflammation can result from diseases such as “diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and autoimmune disorders”.   Some symptoms include: Body aches/muscle pain: Hips, knees, backs are common aches. Migraine headaches can be caused by inflammation. Fatigue: Who would think that being tired might be linked to inflammation? What are some treatments for inflammation? Anti-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed to help with symptoms but drugs won’t “treat the root cause of the problem…”   Diet: What are some anti-inflammatory Diet Habits You Can Adopt to fight inflammation?   Registered Dietitian , Julia...

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...