Top Picks for Your Eyes
Americans have a problem with the health of their eyes. Studies have shown that about 21 million of the people living in the United States suffer form at least a single eye condition. In fact, blindness is a part of the top ten disabilities of the adults in America. And while most of the eye problems that we are facing right now are critical and not avoidable, there are actually some things that you can do to support good eye health and somehow lessen or stop the amount of damage that it is inflicting. One of these is through healthy eating. Numerous researches have suggested that consuming food items that have high amounts of lycopene, lutein, and omega-3 fatty acids lowers a person’s risk to up to 25% in acquiring macular degeneration. Judy Caplan, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a registered dietitian, explained that the food that we eat positively affects the whole body. She added that whatever works well for our eyes is bound to also work well for our body. Let’s take a look at some of the healthiest food for our eyes. : Carrots. This vegetable is one of the richest sources of vitamin A, a nutrient essential in maintaining the good
health of your eyes. Lettuce and cabbage are also great sources of this vitamin. The lack of this vitamin has been known to cause night blindness. Spinach. Containing a powerful carotenoid called lutein, spinach is a great food that will lower your chances
of acquiring eye diseases, protecting your eyes from cataracts and macular degeneration. Fruits. Wolfberries, oranges, and kiwis are great sources of vitamin C. Otherwise known as ascorbic acid, this vitamin helps in the elimination of
free radicals that can cause undue damage to the eyes. Soy. Products that are made of soy such as soy milk, beans, and yoghurt are very good for the eyes. They contain natural inflammatory agents, phytoestrogens, and fatty acids. Corn and olive oil are
also great choices in maintaining eye health as they contain good amounts of vitamin E. Garlic. This food contains sulfur which is very helpful in maintaining the strength and resiliency of the lens. Aside from garlic, onion is also a great source of this compound. Apricot. This fruit have a high amount of vitamin A for fighting the
damaging free radicals. It also has carotenoids which help with better vision. Broccoli. Aside from improving eyesight, this vegetable also decreases your chances in acquiring cataracts. It contains the carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein
which improves the health of the lenses. These compounds also protect the cells found the eyes from free radical stressors. Dark chocolate. These sweet desserts contain flavonoids that will protect the blood vessels found in the eyes, ensuring that your lens and cornea remain strong. You just have to make sure that you are
consuming pure dark chocolate. Aside from the above food items, there are still so many foods that will be very good for your eyes. Some of them include almonds, black currant, grapes, lemons Incorporate them into a good and balanced diet and
   
you should be on your way to healthier eyes and clearer eyesight. Amy C. is health writer, mostly focusing on talking about tips on the care of the eyes. She also offers her services for Lasik Houston, giving consultations and recommendations for Houston best Lasik. Stay tuned for her next post fore more tips on how to better take care of your eyes and vision. Image: flickrlink1, Link2, Link3, Link4. Source: Health&Vitality News, I Scream for Gelato: Today, ice cream and gelato have become
 lifestyle products rather than seasonal ones,” says Paramjeet Singh, director of Gianis Ice Cream. Singh’s father started the popular home-made ice cream store in the ’50s, which now has 35 branches all over North India — a testament to the cult following frozen desserts enjoy. Adds Michael Schauss, Executive Chef of the Pullman Gurgaon Hotel, “Gelati have become widely popular owing to their all-natural ingredients and low fat content, as people are becoming more conscious of healthy eating. The wide range of flavours that can be incorporated into them add to the popularity.” Gelato is a healthier option than the conventional ice cream as it has less fat, since it is made with a greater proportion of whole milk to cream. This difference (gelato’s 5-7 per cent fat as compared to ice cream’s 10 per cent), as well as the fact that gelati are a lot softer and creamier, have boosted the Italian dessert’s glory. Restaurants, especially different contemporary cuisine eateries, now regularly feature ice creams, gelati, sorbets and parfaits to accompany their main dishes or act as “palate-  cleansers” between courses. Says celebrity chef and restaurateur Ritu Dalmia, “We use gelatis extensively in our restaurants and cafes. In Diva for example, we have a tomato and basil sorbet, which accompanies a tomato salad. Plus, of course, desserts are enhanced with flavours such as beetroot and balsamic vinegar or a candied orange and ricotta. It is no longer about just regular flavours, it is about an experience. When I eat a wild berry gelato, I should be able to smell and taste the forest.” Given the weather, “cold plates” are also in vogue. Akshay Batra, COO of Gelato Vinto, deconstructs the concept, “Built on the principle of a hot plate, a cold plate emanates cold waves instead of heat. So, we can set it up at caterings, with a variety of flavours of gelato and different toppings and fillings. And then, we can mix them on the counter and customise gelato sundaes,” he says. For instance, in Sen5es at the Pullman, the concept is being marketed as an ice cream teppanyaki station. Schauss says, “Incorporating the teppanyaki style to customise ice creams appeals to the child in all of us. The indulgence of adding one’s own choice of treats — marshmallows, jujubes, M&Ms, chocolate bars or sweet sauces — to one’s favourite ice cream flavour is a pleasant trip down memory lane, to a childhood when one tried to enhance the “special treat” to make it last that bit longer.” Batra agrees. “There is a rising demand for more unusual flavours from big hotels and top restaurants across the NCR. They want gelati incorporated with alcohol, wines and savoury flavours. One of our clients gave us a recipe of their soup, which they wanted converted into a sorbet format,” he says. Gelato Vinto supplies to hotels such as the Taj, Claridges, Leela’s and Hyatt, all of whom have their own esoteric favoured flavours. On the other side of the coin though, there is also an upswing in incorporating Indian flavours into the Italian dessert. “This season, in order to provide a wider choice to consumers, we launched a range of Super Coolers range — Cola, Kala Khatta, Pineapple, Orange, Kokam, Kacchi Keri and Black Grapes. Being introduced for the first time under the gelato umbrella, these flavours did extremely well and got a great consumer response,” says KS Narayanan, CEO, Pan India Food Solutions Pvt Ltd and spokesperson for Gelato Italiano. Image: flickr.com/, Source: Indian Express: Singapore’s healthy diet gets boost as residents say will pay more: SINGAPORE:  Singapore residents love to dine out. On any given evening, restaurants across the city are packed with eaters searching for the next tasty meal. For Tanya Kim, a Singapore citizen, she wants healthier food on the menu, and isn’t afraid of paying extra for it. “I believe that searching for those restaurants and cafes that have more healthy options is better and we should be giving them business no matter what, even if it is a few extra dollars,” she told that She isn't alone in Singapore, as a recent study showed that a growing number of Singaporeans are also wanting healthy food options, and are willing to pay a little extra for the dishes. A recent survey conducted by Unilever Food Solutions said that more than half of the 200 participants interviewed for the survey said that they “actively look for healthier alternatives when they are dining out.” More than 80 percent also indicated that they would order the healthier alternative if the option was presented to them, and 63 percent said that they would be willing to pay slightly more for the healthier menu option. It was part of Unilever’s third survey as part of its World Menu Report conducted across 10 countries on eating habits and dining preferences. The report supported the notion already believed in Singapore that the majority of diners “will seek the healthier option on a menu, even if they don’t end up choosing it.” Not surprising, nearly two-thirds of all respondents hoped that restaurants they regularly head to would make small changes to their favorite dishes to make them healthier instead of changing their choice at the restaurant.“More than half also said that they believe the healthier option tends to be more expensive, while 45 percent said that healthy food isn’t filling,” the report said. “A worrying four out of 10 said that the healthier option usually sounds less appetizing – which shows that one of the main barriers to diners choosing a healthy option is the unappealing way it is described,” the report added. But with the rise in the global vegan and vegetarian community, there are an increasing number of options for eaters that are less expensive and healthier than their meat counterparts. For Tanya, it is all about doing a bit of research before heading out. “I have found some really great restaurants in my city that are healthy and just as good, or better, than the places I used to go, so this is just laziness on people’s part.”Image: flickr.com, Source: Bikyamasr, Vitamin C rich Lemon can fight cold and Flu: Many of us are aware that citrus fruits like lemon, sweet lime are rich in vitamin C. It is 
said in ayurvedic medicine that having lemon juice in the morning soon after brushing teeth will cleanse the digestive system and will boost the immunity. It is also said that it can relieve from the infectious diseases. Lemon also said to have antimicrobial and anti viral properties. if one is prone for flu and common cold taking a glass of juice first thing in the morning will be beneficial. The aroma of this juice gives good fresh feeling. A glass of warm juice after a heavy oily dinner in the night or afternoon will help in digestion. This is my personal experience.I used to suffer from common cold. I was told by one of friends that will help in boosting the immunity. Now I take first thing in the morning and I find a considerable amount of difference. Just try this and experience yourself. Image Link Photobucket, Source: Health Topic"Vegetables from space contain more vitamins": Without a solution for the food
 
vegetable a part of your diet, research suggests that regular consumption give you a healthy glow. In a recent study where participants adjusted the skin tone of photographs of people, with the aim of making them appear as healthy as possible. More often than not they picked tones associated not with a sun tan, but with the consumption of carotenoids from vegetables. According to the study’s author, Ian Stephen, PhD., "Carotenoid color makes you look healthier and more attractive." "Fruits and veggies contain natural pigments called carotenoids that give them their color," health experts Dian Griesel, Ph.D., and Tom Griesel, authors of the new books TurboCharged: Accelerate Your Fat Burning Metabolism, Get Lean Fast and Leave Diet and Exercise Rules in the Dust. "Your skin will absorb these compounds when you are eating them regularly, and will give you the golden tone preferred by the study participants." The Griesels also point out that, unlike with a sun tan, the appearance does not just look more healthy - it is a sign of health. Source: Fresh Plaza, Bill Gates meets Qld banana researchers: Philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates have visited Queens-
 land researchers trying to make better bananas for sub-Saharan Africa. While holidaying in Cairns on the weekend, the Microsoft founder and his wife met the  Queensland University of Technology team working to address nutrient deficiencies through the staple crop. Professor James Dale's field trials at Innisfail have produced bananas with far greater amounts of pro-vitamin A than regular bananas. Vitamin A deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are huge public health problems in sub-Saharan Africa, leading to mortality, blindness, impaired immune function and brain development. The technology is also being trialled at the National Agricultural Research Organisation of Uganda. Prof Dale said the Gates were interested in another aspect of the research, which has created bananas almost immune to a common disease called Fusarium wilt race 1. "It was a tremendous privilege for the five of us involved in the project to meet with the Gates and experience in person their commitment and enthusiasm," he said. The research has been backed with close to $10 million of funding over the past seven years through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Grand Challenges in Global Health program. Source: ninemsn.com, Image Link Photobucket, Source: Fresh Plaza, One Third Of Women Eat Snakes Secretly: One third 
of women gorge on snacks when they find that no one is watching them, says a study done in Britain. The researchers say that embarrassment about the types of food they are consuming as well as the amount they consume may be the reason for their secret habits. "The odd snack here and there isn't a bad thing," Cathy Kapica, adjunct Professor of Nutrition at Tufts University in Massachusetts, and an adviser to the study has been has been quoted Daily Express as saying. "In fact snacks can be an important part of a healthy eating style. "Choosing snack foods that are nutritious and taste good may help alleviate the sense of guilt, and the need for secrecy around snacking. "Switching to healthy snacks, or cutting down, would be much easier than trying to keep it secret. "If you are snacking in secret, it probably means you are eating something you think you shouldn't be eating," she said. The study was conducted on 2,000 Britons also observed that 40 per cent of women eat snacks secretly as their partner stop them from eating them. A large number of women hide the snacks in the back of drawer or cupboard.--with inputs from ANI, Source: News Track India, 10 reasons to eat an apple a day: The old adage 'an apple a day keeps the
 doctor away' may be a silly rhyme you heard as a kid, but you might be surprised to learn of apples' serious health benefits. Your mom didn't use the term powerfood but she knew about apples. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" was the first nutritional advice myself and many children heard from their moms. For this reason we call them "the first powerfood." Health benefits: Apples are filled with soluble fiber (5 grams). This fiber has been shown to reduce intestinal disorders, including diverticulitis, hemorrhoids and possibly some types of cancer. It helps control insulin levels by releasing sugar slowly into the bloodstream. It cleanses and detoxifies, which helps eliminate heavy metals, such as lead and mercury. Apple pectin helps reduce cholesterol levels by lowering insulin secretion. In two studies researchers found that eating five apples a week lowered the risk for respiratory diseases like asthma. According to Chinese Medicine: Apples strengthen the heart, quench thirst, lubricate the lungs, decrease mucous and increase body fluids. Apple cider vinegar can help prevent the formation of kidney stones. Studies indicate that eating apples daily can reduce skin diseases. According to a Brazilian study, eating an apple before a meal helped women lose 33 percent more weight than those who didn't. An apple has only 50-80 calories and has no fat or sodium. Apples are packed with vitamins C, A, and flavonoids and with smaller amounts of phosphorus, iron and calcium. Apples provide a source of potassium which may promote heart health. Image-Link, Source:Link, 15 Creative Alternatives to Coffee: Can't make it
Green Tea
through the morning without your daily java? Try brewing some green tea, which has slightly less caffeine than a cup of Joe but enough to give you a boost without any of the coffee jitters. The refreshing drink is also packed with health benefits, says Nadine Taylor, registered dietitian and author of Green Tea: The Natural Secret to a Healthier Life. “Catechins are powerful antioxidants and potent disease fighters that are found primarily in green tea,” she says. Nuts, which are high in protein
Nutty Smoothies
and fiber, make a healthy afternoon snack, but they're also nourishing whipped into a smoothie. According to certified nutritionist Angela Pifer, smoothies made using ingredients like cashew milk, protein powder, and nut butter help elevate your blood sugar levels. “A 3 p.m. slump is not innate to us,” Pifer says. “Since food gives us energy, it’s more of a problem with our blood sugar dropping.”. Even if you didn’t
Licorice Tea
like licorice candy as a child, you’ll appreciate the benefits of sweet, spicy licorice tea. The bold-tasting brew is actually caffeine-free, but supports overburdened adrenal glands, which are organs that respond to stress. “Licorice is an adrenal tonic and increases energy. It adds a pleasant taste to tea blends and can also be taken in tincture form,” explain Dr. Linda B. White and Steven Foster, authors of The Herbal
Wheatgrass Juice
Drugstore. This natural energizer is known as a liquid shot of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Some people don’t mind the taste and others do, but all agree that wheatgrass is one of the most nourishing juices. “Because of its easy digestibility and rapid assimilation, it’s a natural energy supplement, whether alone or added to a protein-type supplement drink,” says Gloria Gilbère, doctor of natural health. Siberian
Siberian Ginseng Tea
ginseng tea gets its kick from the slightly bitter ginseng root, but if you can’t down the brew on its own, sweeten it with a dollop of honey. The herbal drink is supposed to stimulate your concentration, according to White and Foster. “This favorite, tried-and-true fatigue-buster is safe for long-term use in most people.' You've devoured
Reishi Mushroom Tea
mushrooms enfolded in tasty omelets or sprinkled atop your favorite pastas, but if you’re looking for a unique coffee alternative, try mushrooms in the form of tea. A staple in traditional Chinese medicine, the soft, flat reishi mushroom makes for one invigorating (and healthy) libation. White and Foster recommend combining 1/3 ounce of chopped or powdered reishi mushroom with 3 cups of water, then bringing the tea to a boil and simmering for 30 minutes before drinking in doses. Native to
Chai
India, this soothing beverage is commonly made with rich black tea, milk, and a variety of spices, like cinnamon, ginger, or cardamom. A steaming hot mug of chai tea will help you get over an afternoon hump. An added bonus? Though you're automatically cutting your caffeine intake by drinking chai, the tea’s smooth, creamy
Carob Powder
flavor tricks your mind into thinking that it’s coffee! If a post-lunch slump has you running to the nearest Starbucks for an espresso shot, you may want to think about keeping a stash of caffeine-free carob powder in your desk drawer. Similar to cocoa, naturally sweet carob powder tastes just as yummy mixed with warm milk and a touch of honey, and prevents you from experiencing a nasty energy crash later on. Creamy
Lemon Water
coffee drinks offer an instant jolt of energy, but you may find yourself feeling sluggish as the caffeine wears off later in the afternoon. Sometimes, it’s the simple things that will stimulate your senses. “I find that the best waker-upper is water with lemon zest and lemon juice,” says Lisa Rinna, television host and author of Rinnavation: Getting Your Best Life Ever. She suggests adding the juice of half a lemon and a teaspoon of
Pomegranate Juice
freshly grated zest to your H2O. Sweet and tangy, pure pomegranate juice is a delicious energy booster and easily incorporated into other beverage recipes. Sip the juice on its own, or blend it with other fruit juices or in a smoothie. “Pomegranate juice is full of antioxidants and energizers,” Rinna says. For a tasty pick-me-up, Rinna’s super energy drink recipe calls for a fusion of pomegranate juice, soy milk, a banana,
Green Smoothies
spirulina, berries, and yogurt. Introduce more greens into your diet with a fresh veggie and fruit smoothie. Experiment with different combinations of your favorites, like spinach, kale, mango, blueberries, and bananas, then put your blender to work. A chilled smoothie in the morning is a quick way to wake up! “Some people get a quick energy lift from nutrient-rich green drinks containing blue-green algae, spirulina,
Schizandra Tea
chlorella, or barley greens,” White and Foster say. The name may be difficult to pronounce, but schizandra herbal tea is an easy replacement for your daily java fix. Brimming with health benefits, the tea is brewed from schizandra berries, which are native to East Asia and popularly used in traditional Chinese medicine. “It has a subtle calming effect, improves sleep, balances blood sugar, is good for the liver, and may
Flaxseed Shake
increase memory,” White and Foster say. Adding flaxseeds and flaxseed oil to a morning shake will have you up and running in the a.m. For an icy beverage both high in fiber and energy, blend flaxseeds with yogurt, soy milk, ice, and the frozen fruit of your choice. Subtly nutty flaxseeds also add a deliciously satisfying crunch to any
Prune Juice
smoothie. With sugar and cream stirred in, coffee is one enticing morning treat. But next time you reach for your thermos, fill it with prune juice! The thick, crisp juice helps regulate the proper level of electrolytes in your body, which in turn leads to increased stamina, according to Staci Nix, author of Williams’ Basic Nutrition and Diet Therapy. If the flavor of prune juice is overpowering, try diluting it with water or
Peppermint Tea
apple juice for a thinner blend. Perk up with peppermint tea! As well as freshening your breath and calming your stomach after a meal, the cooling sensation of this minty drink is an instant revitalizer. “[Peppermint stimulates] the same nerve that’s activated when you revive someone with smelling salts,” says Alan Hirsch, director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation.Via Shape.com, Source: Workofbeauty, Cristiano Ronaldo grows vegetables in own kitchen garden: Author- Gerard Lindhout, Football player Christiano Ronaldo is looking at
small savings. He saves money by growing his own vegetables in his back yard. The footballer has tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and broccoli from his own yard. His team mates also have a nibble. This as reported by Fabio Coentratao to the Sun. "When he is not at home I jump over the fence. We use his vegetables to make soup." Source: Fresh Plaza, More fruit, veggies eaten in UK than US: Britons have more access
 to produce and consume more fruit and vegetables than Americans, a Gallup Poll indicates. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index surveys, conducted from March 1 to Sept. 30, involved 6,893 Britons and 211,232 Americans. Gallup asked respondents 
to report on how many days in the last seven they had five or more servings of fruits and vegetables, and whether it is easy or not easy to get affordable fruits and vegetables in the city or area where they live. High-income Britons were more likely to
 say it was easy to get affordable fruits and vegetables and were more likely to consume them frequently, compared with those with lower incomes. About 7-in-10 Britons in high-income households reported eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables at least four days each week, but this fell to nearly 6-in-10 among the  lowest income households. Women and all subjects age 65 and older were more likely than are men and those younger than 65 to consume fruits and vegetables. However, easy access to affordable produce is about the same across all demographic groups in Britain. Britons' better eating habits compared to those in the United States might be part of the reason obesity and chronic conditions such as heart disease rates are lower in Britain than in the United States, Gallup officials said. The margin of error for the British survey was 1.2 percentage points. Image Flickr, Link1, Link2, Link3, Link4, Link5, Source: Article, Orange juice can make you look more beautiful: A daily glass of orange juice can help improve your
skin, hair and nails, say a panel of health and beauty experts. They attribute the benefits to the vitamin C, potassium and folic acid it contains. Vitamin C is essential in the production of collagen, along with super nutrient Lutein. Its yellow pigment is linked to reducing sun-induced skin damage and is believed to improve elasticity of the skin. A 200ml glass of orange typically contains 60mg vitamin C and equates to 100 per cent of an adult’s recommended daily amount. "The adage of ‘you are what you eat’ is not a new one but science has lagged behind in determining the effect nutrition has on our skin, hair and nails," nutritionist Amanda Ursell said. "Beauty experts are starting to see the benefits of a glass of this nutrient packed product, realising it isn’t just what you put on your body but what you put into it too," she added. The research was undertaken with 200 beauty industry workers who are members of CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women). Two-third of beauty professionals (65 per cent) said they recommend clients to drink a glass of juice per day as part of their current beauty routine. Susan Mahy, board director at Cosmetic Executive Women UK, said: "The essential nutrients you need for healthy skin, hair and nails are most beneficial when ingested as part of your diet. "Our panel of executive women in the cosmetic, fragrance and hairdressing industries concluded that they have a direct effect on the skin," Mahy added. Reference Image Link Flickr, Source: Indian Express, Health Benefits of Saffron: Saffron (kesar) also known as Crocus
sativus, is the most expensive spice of the world. It is derived from the female part of the flower, i.e, the dried stigmas. Saffron's flavor and aroma makes it a favorite spice for culinary uses; it is used for medicinal purposes as well. Saffron is cultivated in India, Iran,Greece and Spain. Saffron is a boon for the brain as well as the entire nervous system.Its consumption improves digestion, effective against cold and is good for skin. Saffron acts as a tonic, aphrodisiac and anodyne. It can be boiled with milk and administered; can be used in puddings and sweets. Consumption of this herb in any form is said to be beneficial in treating numbness of limbs as well. Adding a pinch of saffron to milk and having at bedtime is good for health. Image: flickr.com, Source drgarimasancheti.blogspot.com, Eating nothing but soup 'can make you slim: The simple secret to staying slim in eating more soup, a new book has
claimed. “Slim people know that a tasty bowl of soup fills them up, crushes cravings, keeps them energised for hours and is hard to beat for good all-round nourishment,” the Daily Mail quoted Fiona Kirk, best-selling author of diet books, as saying. In ‘Soup Can Make You Thin’, Kirk added that sticking to soup can mean shifting those stubborn pounds in as little as 10 days. She also expounded the virtues of variety as long as it’s soup and said that it is not just the cabbage soup diet in disguise. “There are as many reasons why some of us struggle to lose weight and others don’t as there are varieties of soup to choose from but increasing evidence shows that the main stumbling blocks to getting slim and staying slim are hunger, cravings, diet boredom and lack of essential nutrients,” Kirk said. “Soup is simply a miracle in a bowl for fat loss. The combination of water and solids fills you up more effectively and for longer than if you eat exactly the same food but drink the water separately - plus the water and water content of the vegetables in soup allows for efficient exchange of nutrients into body cells, greatly reducing the possibility of bloating,” she said. In short, not only does soup keep you slim, but it keeps your nutrient levels topped up too - a double whammy of benefits according to Kirk. Choose soups that are rich in protein or add protein toppings to keep you nourished for longer while keeping the calorie count low. Add healthy fats like olive oil to fill you up, keep you energised and stem cravings, and include herbs and spices in your soups to fire up your metabolism and cut down on salt. “The wealth of ingredients in a bowl of soup provides a good balance of carbohydrates, protein and fats as well as the vitamins and minerals required to create energy and keep us firing on all cylinders,” Kirk said. “Vegetables which are always in evidence in soup provide good levels of fibre to keep digestion in good shape and make getting our five a day a no brainer. “And, soup is easy on the pocket, quick to make, widely available, easily transportable and diet boredom won’t be on the cards as the choices are endless,” she said. According to Kirk, what’s more is that you won’t risk dropping the ball at breakfast because soup happens to be a brilliant choice for breakfast too. “Breakfasting on soup might be alien concept to many but once you have tried it you may never again want to run out the door on just a slice of toast!” she added. ‘Soup Can Make You Thin’ also has 26 different soup recipes split into three categories. “SuperSkinny Soups” are for when you want to lose flab fast, “Skinny Soups” for continued fat loss and “FatBustForever Soups” for when you are close to your goal and want to maintain your new lean look. There are also plenty of recommendations about which ready-made soups to choose off the shelves and when eating out. Image: flickr.com, Source: Indian Express, Pop almonds and peanuts to cut risk of liver cancer: Snacking on food rich in vitamin E like
almonds, peanuts and dried apricots could cut the risk of liver cancer, a new study has claimed. Researchers discovered taking vitamin E supplements or eating foods such as almonds, peanuts, pine nuts and dried apricots lowered the risk of the cancer in middle-aged or older people. Vitamin E is also known to help protect body against heart disease and eye damage in old age, the Daily Mail reported. Dr Wei Zhang, of the Shanghai Cancer Institute, analysed data from 132,837 individuals, including 267 liver cancer patients, in China where 54 per cent of all liver cancers in the world occur. After gathering information on participants' dietary habits, scientists compared liver cancer risk to participants who had a high vitamin E intake to those who took it in lesser amount. "We found a clear, inverse dose-response relation between vitamin E intake and liver cancer risk," Zhang said. "The take home message is that high intake of vitamin E either from diet or supplements was related to lower risk of liver cancer in middle-aged or older people," said Zhang. Liver cancer is the third most common cause of cancer mortality in the world and the fifth most common cancer found in men and the seventh most common in women. Approximately 85 per cent of liver cancers occur in developing nations. The study was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Image Link Flickr, Source: Deccan Chronicle, Thailand's Prime Minister cooks a traditional Thai dish with David Thompson: Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra cooks
 a traditional Thai dish with David Thompson, an Australian chef, during the 'Thai Kitchen to the World' event in central Sydney. (Reuters) Source: Indian Express, UK-Beetroot juice could help musicians hold breath: Beetroot juice may be the key to holding breath for longer periods - 
useful news for players of wind instruments and singers, for example. The juice helps the body perform more efficiently because it contains high levels of nitrate, which once inside the body is broken down into a compound called nitric oxide. This, in turn helps muscles to perform at the same level as usual but whilst using less oxygen to do so. Researchers from Mid Sweden University and the University of Exeter were asked by the producers of BEET-IT, a brand of concentrated beetroot juice, to test its effects on trained divers. It turned out that participants in the experiment could hold their breath for up to half a minute more than usual after consumption of just 70ml of beetroot juice. Participants who drank the juice lasted an average of four minutes and 38 seconds before resurfacing compared with four minutes and 10 seconds for those given a placebo – an improvement of 11 per cent. This news follows the results of other studies carried out over the past year that reveal beetroot juice can help improve athletic performance. Harald Engan, who led the study, said: "Apparently by enabling the body to reduce oxygen consumption, drinking concentrated beetroot juice has delivered significant extension of breath holding time. "We are currently experimenting on if this may also be able to help climbers at high altitude and hope to report on the results soon. Source: Fresh Plaza, Athletes 'may benefit from vegetarian diet: Some athletes feel that a vegetarian diet
improves their performance, it has been revealed. Ultra-marathoner Scott Jurek has detailed his astonishing runs of 160 kilometres or more fuelled by foods like quinoa porridge with almond milk in his new book ‘Eat and Run’. Jurek is convinced that making the switch from a diet big on barbecues, burgers and fries improved his performance - although he’s not sure whether it’s because of what he''s eating or what he’s leaving out, like trans fats and refined carbohydrates. “It’s a question that’s already been answered because so many athletes have shown that it can,” the Age quoted exercise physiologist Darren Morton as saying. “When it comes to high-end performance, a high carbohydrate intake is important for endurance events as well as for power and strength and this is what plants can provide,” Morton, a senior lecturer in health and exercise science at Avondale College of further Education in Lake Macquarie, said. As for the extra protein required for serious bodybuilding or strength most people use protein shakes based on whey or soy that are suitable for vegetarians anyway, he adds. Does a vegetarian diet have any added benefits for athletic performance? That’s still not clear, according to the Australian Institute for Sport, but Morton wonders if the extra plant foods might reduce the number of sick days that keep athletes away from training. Although regular moderate exercise is considered an immune system booster, some research suggests that the stress of strenuous training at an elite level can make athletes more susceptible to colds and flu. “It may be that a vegetarian diet is protective. If you eat a plant based diet you’re getting a lot of extra antioxidants from vegetables and fruit so perhaps you’re less likely to get sick so often and you can front up for training every day,” he said. Morton, a recreational triathlete who’s followed a diet that’s vegan – if you don’t count chocolate - for about four years. “What I’ve noticed is that I don’t get sick now, whereas before when I was doing high volume training I got a lot of colds,” he said. But if there’s a downside to vegetarian eating for athletes, especially vegan diets that skip dairy products and eggs too, it’s that plant foods tend to be low in kilojoules. “Athletes who train at a high level need to work at eating a lot of food in order to get enough kilojoules. “But for non-athletes that can be an advantage of a vegan diet – you can still eat more food and weigh less,” he added. Image: flickr.com, Source: Deccan Chronicle, Junk food ads harmful for kids: London, Researchers have found that children who
watch adverts for junk food on television become hungrier and crave meals that are unhealthily for them. Children aged six to 13 who were shown commercials for high fat and high carbohydrate foods were found more likely to pick meals that were bad for them. The effect was especially pronounced in those who usually watched more than 21 hours of television per week - with these children in particular wanting burgers and fries instead of a salad. The team from the University of Liverpool showed 281 children 10 adverts for junk food and asked them to fill out a questionnaire about their eating preferences. After exposure to the junk food adverts there was a ‘significant’ increase in the number who chose branded and non-branded foods that were bad for them. “The unhealthy options we gave them after the adverts were not the same as those which were featured in the adverts. This suggests that children are encouraged to eat bad food in general, which is worse,” the Daily Mail quoted lead researcher Dr Emma Boyland as saying. The findings have prompted scientists to call for a 9pm ‘watershed’ on junk food adverts to make sure their exposure to children is minimal. Image: flickr.com, Source: Hindustan Times, UK-Bus driver fired for eating a grape: Michael Shepard, a 66 year old bus driver from the West
Midlands, has been given the sack by national Express for the heinous act of eating a grape. Mr Shepard was spotted putting the fruit into his mouth on CCTV and was promptly suspended, despite the fact that he wasnot driving at the time, but was sat stationary in his cab. He said: "I am so angry. I thought I would be given a disciplinary for eating a grape, but not sacked.'' He said: "I don't eat or drink while I am driving but I was just sat stationary at the bus terminus in Bedworth for a few minutes and took a grape to wet my mouth a bit." Mr Shephard has lodged an appeal against the sacking with the bus company which he hopes will be heard in the coming weeks. A spokesman for National Express said: "The driver in question hasn't exhausted the disciplinary process that we have as a company and as a result we cannot make any public comment. "However we do hold ourselves to high levels of safety and customer care standards."Source: Fresh Plaza, The world's most expensive
cocktail priced at $9,000: A British bartender has prepared a cocktail that can easily claim the title of the world’s most expensive alcoholic drink. The ingredients that were used to make the cocktail included 20ml of a liqueur from 1770, 40ml of a 1778 cognac, 20ml of 1860 Curacao, and two dashes of Bitters from the early 1900s. Given the unique and costly ingredients, the creator of the cocktail is sure that the drink is worth the price he has named for it – around $9,000 for 80 grams. Voice of Russia, TASS, Source: Voice of Russia , 10 Benefits of Lemon Water for Health: Many people often
love the tarty flavor of lemon juice in their dishes. But have you ever wondered that you can put this lemon juice to many more good uses than this? Yes! There are enormous benefits of lemon juice and water in your everyday life. You simply need to arm yourself with relevant knowledge and you would soon start valuing this amalgamation more than ever. Lemon is an inexpensive, easily available citrus fruit, popular for its culinary and medicinal uses. It is used to prepare a variety of food recipes such as lemon cakes, lemon chicken and beverages like lemonade and lemon-flavored drinks. It is also used for garnishing. Lemon juice consists of about 5% citric acid that gives a tarty taste to lemon. Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C. It also contains vitamins like vitamin B, riboflavin and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium as well as proteins and carbohydrates. Lemon is generally consumed in the form of lemon juice or lemon water. Lemon water makes a healthy drink, especially when taken in the morning. Daily consumption of lemon water provides a number of health benefits like: (1) — Good for stomach: Lemon can help relieve many digestion problems when mixed with hot water. These include nausea, heartburn and parasites. Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent. The intake of lemon juice can cure constipation. It is even known to help relieve hiccups when consumed as a juice. Lemon juice acts as a liver tonic and helps you digest your food by helping your liver produce more bile. It decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones. (2) — Excellent for Skin Care: Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can participate to cure problems related to skin. Lemon is a vitamin C rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty, by rejuvenating skin from within and thus bringing a glow on your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Lemon water if applied on the areas of burns can fade the scars. As lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin. (3) — Aids in Dental Care: Lemon water is used in dental care also. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. The massages of lemon juice on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to gums. (4) — Cures Throat Infections: Lemon is an excellent fruit that aids in fighting problems related to throat infections, sore throat and tonsillitis as it has an antibacterial property. For sore throat, dilute one-half lemon juice with one-half water and gargle frequently. (5) — Good for Weight Loss: One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well. (6) — Controls High Blood Pressure: Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problem, owing to its high potassium content. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as provides relaxation to mind and body. It also reduces mental stress and depression. (7) — Assist in curing Respiratory Disorders: Lemon water assists in curing respiratory problems, along with breathing problems and revives a person suffering from asthma. (8) — Good for treating Rheumatism: Lemon is also a diuretic and hence lemon water can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins out of the body. (9) — Reduces Fever: Lemon water can treat a person who is suffering from cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fever by increasing perspiration. 10 — Acts as a blood purifier: The diseases like cholera or malaria can be treated with lemon water as it can act as a blood purifier.(Text: Articleflix) Source: icePice, 77-year-old bodybuilder says vegan diet gave him the strength, stamina:
LOS ANGELES: Bodybuilders are known for their massive consumption of foods, from chicken breast to meat and dairy products on a daily basis, but for 77-year-old Jim Morris, he chose a different route and believes that his physique is the direct result of cutting out the animal products and going vegan those many years ago. Morris maintains his superb health, even late in life, as a result of his animal-free diet, and believes that more people should go vegan in order to advance both physically and mentally. “Prior to becoming vegan I suffered digestive problems all my life,” Morris told Frugivore. “I started taking anti-inflammatory medication in 1966 for my joints. At one point I was getting cortisone injections directly into both elbows every week. The arthritis kept me awake at night. “I would get 2-3 colds yearly and allergy attacks as often. Since becoming vegan, all my health problems have completely disappeared. My yearly checkups are perfect.” Morris, who’s a pioneer in many respects, began exploring veganism in the 1970s. Morris began eliminating all animal products from his diet except for fish and cheese in 1974, and then converted to a complete vegan diet 13 years ago. “My first awareness of vegetarianism was 1969,” he recounts. “Having won all of the contests on the East Coast, I moved from New York City to Los Angeles and started training for the national contests under the coaching of three-time Mr. Universe Bill Pearl. “I had met Bill in New York at an exhibition he gave at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and was very impressed by him and his demeanor. Bill was a lacto-ovo vegetarian (a vegetarian who doesn’t eat animal products, but consumes dairy and egg products). Morris eventually turned to full veganism once he saw how muscular his friend Bill was while consuming no animal products of any kind. “In 1972 at the age of 42, Bill began training for the Mr. Universe,” he says. “Having followed the bodybuilding obsession with animal protein for my entire career, I was amazed at Bill’s strength and gain in muscle. He won the Mr. Universe for the fourth time. “Still afraid to mess with a winning formula (I had won Mr. Los Angeles in 1969, Mr. California in 1970, Mr. USA in 1972) I continued to eat meat until after the Mr. America in 1973, which I won. Between 1974 and 1985 I gradually eliminated all animal products except fish and cheese. Between 1985 and 1999 I weaned myself from both.” Morris, who gets a weekly injection of vitamin B-12 and testosterone, says his annual physical check-ups are “perfect,” and says ethical reasons are the key drivers for his vegan lifestyle. “I believe every creature is born with the inalienable right of freedom,” he says. “Freedom to live in its natural environment, with its own kind, making its own decisions. I believe the law should prohibit the enslavement of all non-human species for any purpose whatever.” For those aspiring bodybuilders out there, Morris is yet another example that defines the positives of a vegan cuisine. Image: flickr.com, Source: Bikyamasr, Dangerous and healthy chocolate: By Alexandra Zakharova, Over the course of ten years the Swedish
Swedish scientists have proved that a chocolate diet can prevent a stroke. However, their British colleagues immediately proved false the results of several months' worth of studies. Chocolate can be good for the heart, but also simultaneously present a danger to human health, according to experts interviewed by the Voice of Russia.
scientists fed chocolate to a control group of men. It turned out that taking flavonoids contained in cocoa beans on a regular basis strengthens the blood vessels, thus reducing the risk of a stroke, claim the scientists. However, it is too early to announce that chocolate brings absolute good. Alexander Sharandak, a Russian cardiologist, is convinced that even if the sweets do decrease the risk of heart disease, it is due to the fact that it improves a person’s mood. Happy people get sick less often: “Eating chocolate does improve one's mood to a certain degree. The fact that depressed people are prone to heart disease has been long proved. Some sweets, chocolate included, are good for you to some extent, but only if not taken in large quantities. It is the dark chocolate that contains real caffeine and not the milk chocolate that has nothing but carbohydrates. By fighting depression and improving one's mood, chocolate helps to prevent heart disease. Often headaches are related to low blood sugar. People complain about headaches and weakness, but if we raise the level of blood sugar with the help of chocolate, not only would their mood improve, but it would also raise their blood sugar and increase efficiency.” Scientists from Australia and Denmark also conducted a number of experiments and found that dark chocolate curbed the desire to eat salty, spicy or other types of sweets - in other words all the potentially dangerous products. The Australian scientists state that chocolate helps control weight. But Julia Bastrigina, a dietitian, warns that humans cannot only eat cacao beans: “In this case a person could disturb the functioning of the bile duct, the pancreas and other organs. One cannot live on chocolate. It is not a food that helps prevent any diseases and is not so healthy to eat it on a daily basis instead of normal food.” Cacao beans also stimulate the production of endorphins in the body. These hormones of happiness not only improve one's mood, but also cause addiction. Thus, one must be cautious with chocolate, psychologist Sergey Klyuchnikov believes: “It does lead to the production of endorphins in our body as well as to positive emotions. But if a person gets addicted to this or that food, even the sweetest food, he gets used to it. And then the positive effect disappears. The person has to start eating more. Some people can even become sweet addicts. They think they simply experience a pleasant taste in their mouth, when in fact their blood sugar goes up. It brings on the risk of diabetes. But chocolate itself in small quantities is a healthy.” Dark chocolate is healthy. In milk chocolate there is significantly less cacao and the good antioxidants. In white chocolate there are only carbohydrates. Nevertheless, the sweeter the treat, the more endorphins it produces. That is why the sales volumes of cacao beans based treats are constantly growing. Source: Voice of Russia
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