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For a long a healthy life one must eat well, but what are the best foods to help achieve this? The top countries in the world with the highest life expectancy are Singapore, Japan, and the Principality of Monaco. These are places where the inhabitants experience a high quality of life to which a key …
Abundant in the amino acid, l-Citrulline, watermelon juice can relieve sore muscles. l-Citrulline, an amino acid shown in previous studies to reduce muscle soreness, is found abundantly in watermelons, as well as certain squashes, cucumbers, and other melons. Martha P. Tarazona-Díaz, from the Universidad Politecnica de Cartagena (Spain), and colleagues administered 500 mL of natural …
Women who eat a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables as young adults may be far less likely to have plaque build-up in their arteries 20 years later. Previous studies have reported that middle-aged adults whose diet consists of a high proportion of fruits and vegetables are less likely to have a heart attack …
Rich in antioxidants, honey possesses antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. An age-old natural sweetener, honey has been utilized in folk medicine around the world, oftentimes as a topical wound dressing. Honey is filled with healthful polyphenols, most notably – phenolic acids, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and ellagic acid. Susan M. Meschwitz, from Salve Regina University …
Watermelon may significantly reduce blood pressure in obese people. Recent study results suggest that watermelon may help to lower blood pressure in people who are obese. Arturo Figueroa, an associate professor in nutrition, food, and exercise sciences at Florida State University, and colleagues carried out a 12-week study focused on 13 middle-aged, obese men and …
Compounds in peaches may inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells and their ability to spread. Compounds found in peaches have been shown to inhibit both the growth of breast cancer cells and their ability to spread (metastasize). Dr. Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, a food scientist at Texas A&M AgriLife Research, and colleagues at both Texas A&M …
Thylakoids may help to decrease feelings of hunger. Chlorophyll-containing membranes present in the chloroplasts of green leaves, thylakoid are found abundantly in spinach. Previous studies have reported that thylakoids supplemented with a high-fat meal can affect cholecystokinin (CCK), ghrelin, insulin and blood lipids in humans. Charlotte Erlanson-Albertsson, from Lund University (Sweden), and colleagues enrolled 15 …
Rich in fiber and plant phytochemicals, almonds may help boost levels of “good bacteria” in the gut. Prebiotics are compounds that help to promote “good bacteria” (probiotics) in the gastrointestinal tract, with which a wide variety of beneficial health effects are associated. Zhibin Liu, from Fuzhou University (China), and colleagues enrolled 48 healthy men and …
Consumption of dark chocolate lowers the augmentation index, and helps to prevent white blood cells from sticking to blood vessel walls. Both arterial stiffness and white blood cell adhesion are known factors that play a significant role in atherosclerosis. Diederik Esser, from Wageningen University (The Netherlands), and colleagues followed 44 middle-aged overweight men over two …
Hop leaves (bracts) are a substantial source of proanthocyanidins, which may fight cavities and gum disease. Hops lend beer its bitterness and aroma. Hops leaves (bracts), discarded in the beer brewing process, are a newly identified substantial source of proanthocyanidins – potent antioxidants. Yoshihisa Tanaka, from Tokyo University (Japan), and colleagues utilized the laboratory technique …