Blueberry Nutrition

Blueberries have gained a lot of Blue berryattention as a super food and rightly so. One study has shown that blueberries came top of the list for their antioxidant activity, when compared to forty other fruits and vegetables. Other berries such as strawberries, raspberries and blackberries also score great, but blueberries take the lead. The classification chart for the antioxidant capacity of foods is called ORAC – Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity. The higher the score the greater the foods’ ability in fighting free radicals, which are harmful molecules that speed up aging and increase our risk of disease.

ORAC Score – Per 100g:
Dark Chocolate – 13120
Blueberry – 2400
Blackberry – 2036
Strawberry – 1540
Spinach – 1260
Broccoli – 890
Red Grapes – 739

Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are the most abundant of blueberry nutrition antioxidants and a Blueberrymajor player in its high ORAC score. Anthocyanins have been shown to be effective at protecting blood vessels from free radical damage, reducing the risks of developing atherosclerosis and therefore heart disease. They also have anti-inflammatory properties and like other antioxidants they reduce the risk of developing cancers. Anthocyanins are also responsible for giving blueberries their dark blue coloring.

Proanthocyanidins
Proanthocyanidins are another blueberry antioxidant. They are not present in the quantities that anthocyanins are, but are still an important constituent in the health benefits of blueberries. Proanthocyanidins antioxidant activities promote the stability of collagen and help maintain its elasticity. Collagen is a connective tissue that plays a vital part in maintaining healthy artery walls and reducing our risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Collagen is also important for supporting our joints, muscles and organs. Research indicates that proanthocyanidins may also be beneficial for lowering blood pressure and reducing high cholesterol levels.

Vitamin C
Blueberry nutrition includes good levels of vitamin C, 1 cup providing 14.1mg. Blueberries Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce the risk of heart disease and cancers. It is a vital part of the immune system and protects us from viruses like cold and flu. Vitamin C, like proanthocyanidin, is important for maintaining healthy collagen. Where as proanthocyanidins and vitamin C both protect collagen from free radicals, vitamin C is also a necessary constituent in the molecular makeup of collagen. If our intake of vitamin C is too low, then cholesterol is used in place of vitamin C to create collagen, which results in a hardening of the arteries.

Blueberry Nutrition Vitamin Profile
As well as containing a good level of vitamin C, blueberry vitamins also include good amounts of vitamins A, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, folate, pantothenic acid and vitamin K.

Blueberry Nutrition Mineral profile
Blueberry is a good source of the minerals potassium, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, manganese, selenium and zinc.

In Health
Darren and Veronica Haynes


Learn About Vitamin C Benefits for Health

Vitamin C is one of the most well known nutrients and one of the earliest to be discovered. It was found to be the healing chemical to cure scurvy. Scurvy is an unpleasant condition that affected sailors and pirates, who were out at sea for long periods without fresh fruits and vegetables. Scurvy could progress from skin spots and bleeding gums to open oozing wounds and teeth loss. A British surgeon, James Lind, discovered way back in the mid 1700’s that citrus fruits could heal scurvy, some time before the discovery of vitamin C in the 1930’s. The chemical name of vitamin C – ascorbic acid – actually translates from Latin as “without scurvy”. Since then, vitamin C has been proven to have many more important functions for our health.

Antioxidant Properties
One of the most poignant vitamin C benefits is its antioxidant properties. As a water soluble antioxidant, vitamin C, protects us from free radical attacks in water based cells. Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage our cells and can cause a range of health problems including cancer, heart disease, premature aging, diabetes and chronic inflammatory conditions. Protein, carbohydrate and DNA molecules are examples of the cells that vitamin C specifically protects.

Immune System
Vitamin C is an essential part of a healthy immune system. Our ability to fight off foreign invasions from viruses, bacteria and other diseases, would be seriously jeopardized without it. Vitamin C benefits the immune system in several ways:

1) Collagen production – Vitamin C is an essential part of the production of collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is referred to as the “glue that holds the body together”. It has a fibrous nature and binds together skin, bone, muscles, cartilage and tendons, giving them strength and firmness. In fact, scurvy is the breaking down of collagen as a result of vitamin C deficiency and explains its previously stated symptoms. Skin Collagen is also the first line of defense against foreign invaders, blocking many bacteria and viruses from entering the body in the first place.

2) Increasing our white blood cell count – White blood cells are actually a variety of different cells with specific functions for fighting disease and protecting us from foreign bodies. In particular, vitamin C benefits the production of white blood cells called neutrophils and interferons. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are a key defense against bacterial and fungal infections. Interferons are antibodies that are released in response to pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. Interferons also communicate with other members of the immune system that eradicate tumors.

Heart Disease
There are a variety of health problems that fall under the umbrella of heart disease. Although cardiovascular disease is often used interchangeably with heart disease, it relates more specifically to problems with blood vessels that effect the heart. Fortunately, there has been a considerable amount of research conducted about how C vitamin benefits heart disease. (The health benefits of juicing include vitamin C content and protection from heart disease.)

Vasolidation is the contracting and relaxing rhythm of blood vessels. Artherosclerosis, angina, congestive heart failure, diabetes, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are all linked to impaired vasolidation. However, there has been many studies that consistently show taking vitamin C in doses of 500mg per day benefited all of these conditions by improving vasolidation.

Stroke – One prospective study followed 20,649 people over a period of 10 years. The top 25% of the group in respect to having the highest blood levels of vitamin C were 42% less likely to suffer a stroke than those in the lowest 25% of the group.


In Health
Darren Haynes


Aloe Vera Juice Benefits

Aloe Vera juice has become very Closeup of Aloe Plantpopular as an agent of natural healing. It is believed to have originated in the areas of Northern Africa, Cape Verde and the Canary Islands. From there it has spread throughout Asia and Europe and was introduced to South America by the colonizing Spaniards. Its therapeutic uses have been recorded by many civilizations including the Persians, Egyptians and the Romans. It’s first recorded use may date back to B.C.E 2200, where some believe its use was inscribed on a Sumerian Clay Tablet.
Digestive Health
Drinking aloe vera juice has many benefits for the digestion and is one of the most common reasons people take it. It helps with stomach cramps and has a soothing effect on the whole digestive tract. There are even reports of people who have cured or improved their symptoms of I.B.S – an unpleasant condition that can weaken the immune system and hinder the absorption of nutrients from the food we eat.

bottle of aloe gelAloe vera juice benefits the colon greatly and is often a staple ingredient in many colon cleanse programs. It provides nutrition that helps to improve the quality of the mucous membrane linings of the colon wall. These mucous membranes are effectively the lubrication that helps the transit of feces through the colon at a healthy speed. This can help eliminate constipation problems along with proper diet and hydration. Additionally, aloe vera juice helps to remove old feces that have become stuck to the colon wall. This is considered a common problem, due to the decrease of fiber in the modern diet of the Western World. Taking products like aloe vera juice to help remove old fecal matter can have major health promoting effects. This old fecal matter is poisonous to us. It provides a base for toxic bacteria to grow, which is then absorbed into the blood stream – a condition called autointoxication. Clearly, this can generate a myriad of health conditions from constipation and diarrhea to cancer.
Anti-inflammatory Benefits
The soothing and cooling benefits of aloe vera juice is not limited to the digestive tract. Some people with arthritis symptoms have reported it helps with inflammation and pain in the joints. One study provides evidence that the sterols found in aloe vera have strong anti-inflammtory properties. So far the evidence is based on animal studies, but shows an inhibitory effect on the arachidonic acid pathway – a major contributor to inflammation. Also, aloe vera juice contains simple sugars called mucopolysaccharides. These sugars are needed for cell regeneration and help repair damaged cells. The health benefits of juicing also include anti-inflammatory effects.
Skin Care
baby after bath #23Aloe has been used for centuries as an aid for cuts and burns. According to some studies, when aloe is applied topically to a wound, it can speed up the healing process. Also, drinking aloe vera juice can help improve skin quality and complexion. It contains many nutrients and antioxidants which are vital to skin health, such as vitamin C, E and the mineral zinc.
This nutrients help protect the skin from external toxins in air pollution, as well as helping to detox internal toxins. Other benefits of aloe vera juice for the skin include: providing proper lubrication, helping maintain the elasticity of the skin, removing dead skin cells, and helping with the regeneration of skin cells.

 

In Health
Darren and Veronica Haynes

 

Juicer Recipes and Home Remedies for Oily Skin Treatment

Oily skin is caused by an pommes frites frying in oiloverproduction of sebum, the oil that lubricates our skin. This is fundamentally a hormonal problem that triggers the sebaceous glands, beneath our skin, to become overactive. This can often be a hereditary problem or the result of hormonal changes in our life. Hormonal changes during puberty and the teenage years is a well known risk factor. Pregnancy, the menstrual cycle and menopause are times when sebum production may increase in women.

Oily skin treatment requires a duel approach –

1) Employing techniques that help take away some of the sebum already in your skin – External applications

2) Using methods that can help your subaceous glands produce less sebum in the first place – Internal applications

How to get rid of oily skin ?

1) Wash the face two to three times a day, but don’t over man in a showerdo it! Excessive washing can remove too much sebum, which in turn will signal the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum! This can be a classic mistake when dealing with oily skin. Using glycerin soap can be beneficial, it is much kinder on the skin and doesn’t contain chemicals that can cause more problems.

2) Aloe vera gel is a great treatment for oily skin, it helps remove sebum from the skin and cleans out pores. Topical applications of aloe vera also help soothe the skin and provide beneficial vitamins for skin health. Aloe vera gel is available at most health stores.

3) Keep your hands off your face! It may be difficult not too check how oily it is “up there”, but this will transfer dirt and oil from your fingers and can worsen the situation.

4) Juices for skin care There are certain vitamins that are necessary for skin health. Most importantly for people with oily skin is vitamin A – which has been shown to help reduce some of the production of sebum. Furthermore, vitamin A is essential for the reproduction of skin cells and protecting them from pollution. The mineral zinc is essential for wound healing, and may help reduce the scarring effects of removing blackheads and other pimples.

5) Coenzyme A has been receiving a lot of attention lately, and is very popular in China. The USA is a tough place to get supplements approved. Research has shown that Coenzyme A can be very effective at reducing the amount of sebum released by the sebaecous glands. I recommend shopping around for this product, it might be the best thing you do for combating oily skin.

Oily Skin Remedies Juice #1 – Blackberry Kiwi
2 cups of blackberries
2 kiwis

Wash blackberries thoroughly and peel the kiwis. Both these fruits are good sources of vitamin A and great sources of zinc

Oily Skin Remedies Juice #2 – Carrot Juice
saft
5 large carrots

Wash, juice, enjoy! Carrots are a great source of vitamin A.

 

 

Oily Skin Remedies Juice #3 – Cantaloupe
the whole melon and two half

1/2 cantaloupe melon

Remove the skin, scoop out the seeds and juice only the flesh. This fruit is also high in vitamin A, and is also great for detoxification.

 

 

Best Wishes
Darren and Veronica

 

A Total Body Cleanse Starts With the Colon

Juicing is a great way to help toilet paperwith a complete body cleanse. Fresh Juices supply us with an abundance of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants and enzymes in a way that is easily and quickly absorbed. This provides tremendous support to our major detoxification organs – the liver, kidneys and colon. Before starting any kind of detox method we must ensure that the colon is functioning properly. Many of the toxins that are released during whole body cleansing are transported from the liver to the colon to be eliminated. If we are not having a bowel movement at least once a day we will reabsorb a lot of the toxins back into the bloodstream. Some health experts even believe that we should have one bowel movement for every meal we eat. If we eat three meals a day, we should poop three times a day.

Colon Health:
1) The most important thing we can do for the colon is to eat plenty of fiber daily. We should cut out refined grains and swap them for whole grains, eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, include nuts, seeds and legumes in our diet. This will help bulk up the feces and move it through. Taking psyllium husks is also highly recommended to help with elimination.

2) Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day, the colon will slow down if we get dehydrated.

3) Seriously cut back on sugar. I recommend only [ad#Probiotic]eating sugar which comes naturally in fruits and vegetables. White sugar, brown sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and other forms of added sugar feed undesirable intestinal bacteria, such as candida. This can play havoc with digesting and eliminating food, causing problems like IBS, constipation, diarrhea, allergies, infections and an under functioning immune system. Taking a high quality probiotic supplement is recommended, and can go a long way to improve intestinal flora and digestive health.

4) Clearing out old fecal matter is another important step in colon health. Unless we have been eating a pure diet all our lives or have already undertaken some strong colon cleansing methods, we will almost certainly have old feces hanging out in the colon. Yes, this is true, as unpleasant and unhealthy as it sounds! However, there are herbs we can take that help to shift this old fecal matter, improve peristalsis and help re-lubricate the colon wall. Look for herbal supplements that contain any or all of these herbs – Ginger Root, Fennel, Termianlia Cherbula, Cape Aloe, Senna, Barberry Rootbark, and Barberry Rootbark. A good quality Aloe Vera gel or juice is also beneficial for shifting old fecal matter.

5) Exercising is one of the best gifts you give to your colon health. Thirty minutes of cardiovascular exercise at least three time a week really helps keep the bowel moving. Yoga and Tai Chi are also great and help with digestion. To read more about nutrition for exercise visit muscle recovery

Juices for Colon Health:
Some fresh juices help to bulk up the feces and also help provide beneficial vitamins and oils that can help improve the quality of the mucous lining of the colon wall. Here are some juicer recipes tailored for the colon.

Total Body Cleanse Juice #1 – Carrot Juice
carrote juice5 large carrots

Carrots are beneficial for helping regenerate the mucous membranes of the colon wall. This is due to their generous supply of vitamin A, which is needed for the health of all mucous membranes in the body. Carrot juice is also great for bulking up the feces.


Total Body Cleanse Juice #2 – Apple and Pear
2 apples
2 pears

No need to peel the apples and pears, this will add some fiber to the juice. Apple and pear juices are great for helping the bowels move, so this is also a great constipation remedy.

Total Body Cleanse Juice #3 – Lemon Juice
2 lemons
water to dilute

Only juice the flesh of the lemons. Add water to your taste. This is a great juice to take on an empty stomach before breakfast. It has a great flushing effect, and is actually very beneficial for the kidneys and liver. If you warm it up a little it can help move the bowels even more, but don’t overdo the heat. The hotter the juice, the more the nutrients are destroyed.

Total Body Cleanse Juice #4 – ACL Colon cleanse
4 carrots
1 apple
1 lemon

This juice is great for your colon and will really help jump start a colon cleanse.


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In Health
Darren and Veronica Haynes