Want to have a perfect combination of taste and nutrition, consider Pomegranate

If you are on a search of such a fruit which, along with several nutritious values, contains ingredients that will enhance your external appearance and make you potentially fit, then Pomegranate would be an ideal choice. It has been treated as one of the most amiable fruits throughout the world, especially in the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries. The testy red colored juice of this exotic fruit attracts thousands of people. If the poetic license is considered, then it can be said that pomegranate is like a treasure box that guards the ruby red jewels of it.

As per the revealed history of pomegranates, once it was also used in the then religious ceremonies. According to the Greek mythologies, along with using it in several festivals, eating the Pomegranates raw was tradition. For its numerous health benefits, Pomegranate is considered as a fruit for healing. Among all its uses, the popular one is squeezing the sweet or tart juice from it and use it as a health drink. Apart from that, there are several other usages of Pomegranate that have commenced with the advancement of time.

In this present time, one of the most popular forms of Pomegranate is Pomegranate reduction sauces. Throughout the world there is a huge demand of all-natural, artisinally made, micro-brewed and ruby red sauces. On the other side, cooking with Pomegranate is really an awesome experience. Hundreds of cooking specialists have made thousands of innovative dishes from this magical fruit.

Apart from these, the most significant point of pomegranate is its high nutritious value which helps to protect several diseases. Pomegranate for cancer prevention is one of the primary reasons of its huge popularity. Some medical practitioners also suggest Pomegranate for heart disease patients.

For more information regarding pomegranate, pomegranate for cancer, cooking with pomegranate and history of pomegranates please visit: www.marxanabrandfoods.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/want-to-have-a-perfect-combination-of-taste-and-nutrition-consider-pomegranate-945437.html

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Fitness and nutrition: the role of carbs( 1st part))

1st part

Carbs/carbohydrates are one of the three food macronutrients(the other two being fats and proteins)

Carbs are the most efficient energy suppliers for our bodily functions.They are made up from carbon,hydrogen and oxygen. The proportion of the last two elements,being similar with their proportion in water molecules,is behind their etymology.

Carbs are made only by plants via the phenomenon of photosynthesis.

Remember from the lyceum?

Clorophyll+sunlight+water+CO2 catalyzed by specific plant enzymes=carbs.

Carbs are classified in the following categories:

1.Monosaccharides (etymology-easy for Greeks- :o ne sugar molecule)

Monosoccharides are the only carbs directly absorbable by the human body.The others with their more complex chemical structures must first be broken down(hydrolyzed).

The most important monosaccharides for human nutrition are:



-glucose/grape sugar:

this is the kind of sugar found in our blood and the primary form of sugar stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen .Glucose can directly satisfy our energy needs and is thus considered as the most important carb for humans.

-fructose/fruit sugar: the sweetest natural sugar which abounds in fruits

2. Disaccharides(consist of two monosaccharide molecules)

Their main representative is sucrose which abounds in sugar canes and sugar beets. From them we get the deadly table sugar via a procedure under the euphemistic term “refinement”

3. Polysaccharides(consist of three or more monosaccharide/sugar molecules)

Polysaccharides are -in contrast with the previous mentioned carbs- insoluble in the water.Three of them are of special importance for the nutrition of humans:

-starch

Starch is the main digestible form of polysaccharides(or complex carbs).Starch is stored as an energy reserve in the the appropriate plant organs.

-glycogen

Glycogen plays for humans the same role starch plays for plants. It is the polysaccharide used as stored energy mainly in our muscle tissues (about 70% of the total) and liver.

-cellulose

Cellulose(which has to do with dietary fibers) is the most plentiful organic substance and is indigestible by humans because they lack the appropriate enzyme-producing bacteria.

Thus,cellulose passes through our digestive track practically unaltered.

For the best carb choices take a look here:

MUSCLE BUILDING/DEVELOPMENT:ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

End of 1st part

Chris Strogilis

Civil engineer with postgraduate studies in MBA and Marketing.
christos@macon.gr
http://maconwaterproofing.blogspot.com/
http://totalfitness-christos.blogspot.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/fitness-and-nutrition-the-role-of-carbs-1st-part-945702.html

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Healthy Eating From Your Garden

We all know we should eat more fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet.  The USDA and National Institute of Health guidelines recommend at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.  What if you could just step out of your back door and have your pick of your favorite fresh produce?

Growing your own fruits and vegetables is a great way to ensure you get enough of the nutritious fresh foods you should be eating.  Imagine picking a lush, sun-ripened tomato from your own garden instead of grabbing a pale grocery-store tomato with little taste.

  1. Fruits that can be grown easily in a home garden include various types of berries, melons and grapes.

Eating more fruits and vegetables provides many health benefits:

  • Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber
  • Fresh produce contains valuable vitamins and minerals
  • Eating fruits and vegetables may reduce your risk of  many diseases and cancer
  • Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and can help you maintain a healthy weight

Vitamin C helps build immunity, heal cuts and keep teeth and gums healthy.  You’ll find plenty of vitamin C in red and green peppers, strawberries, cantaloupe, broccoli and kale grown in your garden.

Potassium helps keep minerals and pH in balance and helps regulate blood pressure.  A potassium deficiency could result in overall fatigue, high blood pressure or stroke.  Garden foods that are rich in potassium include tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes and lima beans.

Vitamin A (or beta carotene) is found in cantaloupe, red peppers, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach.  Eating foods rich in vitamin A can keep eyes and skin healthy, and help promote strong bones and teeth.

According to Iowa State University, a diet high in fruits and vegetables can help protect your body from heart disease, reducing your risk by as much as 20 to 40 percent.  Additionally, fruits and vegetables can help prevent cancer, stroke, birth defects and cataracts.

Starting to get the picture?  Remember that working in the garden also provides a great way to spend time outdoors combined with physical activity. And of course, enjoying the low calorie, high fiber produce from your own garden will help keep you trim.

Gardening can help boost your mood and your health. Gardening is also a great way to lose weight, so get out there and enjoy the outdoors.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/healthy-eating-from-your-garden-944551.html

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