blueberries Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Banana Oat Cookies Recipe

The AHA! Team — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:18:01 +0000

Recipe by: Mary, Media Director via Nutrition Facts – Banana Oat Cookies Recipe A delicious breakfast or snack using just oats, bananas, and any add-ins of your choice. Serve these banana oat cookies for breakfast with some fresh fruit or enjoy on their own as a mid-day snack! COURSE: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack DIFFICULTY: Easy SERVINGS: 4 cookies Ingredients ▢1 cup rolled oats ▢2 medium-large ripe, spotty bananas OPTIONAL ADD-INS: ▢up to 1/4 cup of frozen blueberries (raisins, nuts, seeds, or other dried, fresh or frozen fruit) ▢1/2-1 teaspoon cinnamon (pumpkin pie spice or other favorite spices) Instructions Preheat oven to 350F. Mash bananas with a fork in a medium-sized bowl, until a pureed consistency is achieved. In a food processor or blender, pulse the oats for 10 seconds to break into smaller fragments or blend into oat flour. This helps the cookies hold together. In a pinch, this recipe will also work with whole rolled oats. All options work, but will give the cookies a different texture. Stir the oats, mashed bananas, and any add-ins to form a batter. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat, scoop out desired amount of cookie dough and press down gently to flatten into cookies. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. To read the original article click here.

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Summer Fun Salad Recipe

The AHA! Team — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 08:49:41 +0000

Recipe by: Robby Barbaro, Co-founder of Mastering Diabetes – Summer Fun Salad Recipe This Summer Fun Salad features ripe papaya and mango. The juice from the ripe fruits and tomatoes adds their own flavorful dressing to the salad, but toss on your favorite vinegar if the mood strikes. Including more fruits and vegetables to your meals not only adds a nutritional punch, but it makes your dishes more colorful, too, and those colors are the antioxidants, the disease-preventing phytonutrients. COURSE: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish DIFFICULTY: Easy SERVINGS: 4 INGREDIENTS ▢1 head lettuce ▢1 small papaya, cubed ▢2 mangos, cubed ▢2 heirloom tomatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces ▢1 cup frozen wild blueberries ▢Chopped green onion, to taste INSTRUCTIONS Wash all of the ingredients. Chop the lettuce, and add it to a large bowl. Add the papaya, mangos, tomatoes, and wild blueberries. Sprinkle the green onions on top. Toss lightly, serve, and enjoy. To read the original article click here.

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Eating Blueberries Benefits Mood and Mobility

AHA Publisher — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 08:00:39 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – The consumption of berries can enhance “beneficial signaling in the brain.” Plant foods are our primary source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, but some plant foods may be better than others. As I’ve explored before, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed us that one cup of blueberries a day can improve cognition among older adults, and the same happens in children after just a single meal with blueberries, though two cups of berries may work better than one. As I discuss in my video Benefits of Blueberries for Mood and Mobility, that single hit of berries may also improve mood. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, young subjects were asked a series of questions, such as Are you very slightly or not at all, a little, moderately, quite a bit, or extremely interested? Excited? Strong? Ashamed? And so on. As you can see in the graph below and at 0:55 in my video, before and after drinking the placebo, there was no significant change in young adult participants aged 18 through 21. But, two hours after consuming about two cups of blueberries, their positive mood scores improved significantly. They felt more enthusiastic, alert, inspired, and attentive. The same results were found in seven- to ten-year-old children. Benefits achieved not with some dangerous new mood-enhancing drug or Ritalin, but blueberries—and after just a single meal. Now, blueberries can’t do everything. Although a cup of berries certainly appears to improve brain function, no improvements in walking (gait) or balance were observed. What if you tried two cups of blueberries a day?Might six weeks of two cups of frozen blueberries a day affect the functional mobility in adults over age 60? Study participants were randomized to prepackaged blueberries or prepackaged carrot juice as a control, and researchers measured tasks, including one where “two bright yellow ropes on the floor outlined the narrow path, and participants were instructed to walk within the roped path.” The blueberries beat out the carrot juice control, and significant improvements suggest “blueberry supplementation may provide an effective countermeasure to age-related declines in functional mobility…” In retrospect, the researchers thought perhaps the control should have been “a true placebo (e.g., cucumber powder) without antioxidant properties,” since the carrots themselves may have offered some benefit, too. Had they used a different control, the blueberry results may have been even more impressive. “Overall, this study demonstrates the need for greater exploration of blueberry supplementation as a nonpharmacologic countermeasure to the public health issue of age-related declines in functional mobility and independence.” Or, to use the punnier version, “dietary interventions with polyphenol-rich [phytonutrient-rich] foods, such as blueberries, present a potentially fruitfulstrategy for combating some of the deleterious effects of age-related neurodegeneration.” (Emphasis added.) Isn’t science grand! I love that these studies were conducted. The video I referred to is Flashback Friday: Benefits of Blueberries for the Brain. Key Takeaways Plant foods are our primary source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Blueberries can not only improve cognition, but also our mood. One daily cup of blueberries improved cognition in older adults, and one to two cups a day did the same in children. Two hours after consuming about two cups of blueberries, young adults and younger children experienced improved positive moods, such as feeling more enthusiastic, inspired, alert, and attentive. Researchers investigated the effects of six weeks of two cups of frozen blueberries a day in adults over 60 and found they had significant improvements in functional mobility, such as walking on a roped-off, narrow path. Dietary interventions with phytonutrient-rich foods like blueberries may be effective for countering some age-related effects on functional mobility, independence, and neurodegeneration. To read the original article click here.

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One Daily Cup of Blueberries Found to Improve Cognition

AHA Publisher — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 07:00:14 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – Blueberries can significantly improve cognitive performance within hours of consumption. When you search the medical literature for studies on berries, papers like this pop up: “A 3-Week-Old With an Isolated ‘Blueberry Muffin’ Rash.” Or, you’ll see pictures of strawberry tongues or read about a way to describe the appearance of stool, though “stools truly resembling currant jelly” are not very common. What is it with pathologists’ love affair with food terminology? The grossest may be the way amoeba chest infections are described—“expectoration of ‘anchovy sauce-like’ pus,” which sounds gross even without the pus. There are actual studies on berry supplementation, such as how they can mitigate the negative effects of a high saturated fat diet on the brain and behavior, but that one in particular was in mice. Maybe a better way to mitigate would be not feeding your pet mouse a stick of butter in the first place. Then, there are studies of proprietary berry-based nutraceutical supplements, purported to improve cognitive performance. At 1:11 in my video Flashback Friday: Benefits of Blueberries for the Brain and below, you can see how the supplement group has a steeper rise in cognitive performance over the placebo group. Looks impressive, right? Ah, but old hats will instantly recognize this as the timeless trick featured in the 1950s classic, How to Lie with Statistics. If you look closely at the chart, you’ll notice the Y axis does not start at zero. That’s to inflate the appearance. When you correct the graph and start that axis at zero, you can see the effect doesn’t look quite so impressive. There are studies of actual berries on actual humans, but when they’re funded by berry industry trade groups, you get studies like this: “An afternoon snack of berries reduces subsequent energy intake compared to an isoenergetic confectionary snack.” Sounds great, but what’s an “isoenergetic confectionary”? Candy. Researchers compared strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries to a handful of Jelly Babies, which are just like coated gummy bears. Do berries offer so little that you have to compare them to candy to make them look good? You may remember I’ve talked before about that famous Harvard study where berry eating appeared to delay brain aging by up to two-and-a-half years. You don’t know if it’s cause-and-effect, though, until you put it to the test. Researchers found that “blueberry supplementation improves memory in older adults” in just 12 weeks’ time, but that was feeding them up to six cups of wild blueberries a day. Now, this was a proof-of-concept pilot study just to see if they could get any effect. We just didn’t have any studies using more realistic doses…until now. What about just one daily cup of blueberries? Researchers found that “the addition of easily achievable quantities of blueberry to the diets of older adults can improve some aspects of cognition,” like long-term memory. In terms of the number of errors, the placebo group got worse, and the blueberry group got better, as you can see below and at 3:03 in my video. You can even correlate the cognitive improvements with enhanced brain activation using fancy brain scan technology to actually visualize the improved blood flow to those same regions of the brain caused by the blueberry consumption. Does it work in kids, too? Well, “blueberry treatments have shown positive effects on cognition in both animals and adult humans,” but do those these benefits transfer to children—human children? Researchers put together a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study comparing about one cup of blueberries to two cups and no blueberries at all. What did they find? “Importantly, across all measures, cognitive performance improved,” and the more berries, the better. This wasn’t after 12 weeks of eating berries, either, but within hours of just a single meal with blueberries. Sounds like we should add blueberries to breakfast, especially on days our kids are having their exams. Wait a second, healthy and delicious? That’s what plant-based eating is all about. Key Takeaways Berries have been studied in animals, the findings of proprietary berry-based supplements have been inflated, and industry-funded trials of actual berries on actual people have tended to compare the fruits to candy. These are some examples of what’s found on berries in the scientific literature. Researchers determined that up to six cups of wild blueberries a day improves memory in older adults in 12 weeks, but the dose is unrealistic. When adding just one daily cup of blueberries to the diets of older adults, researchers found improvements in their long-term memory and some other aspects of cognition. The cognitive improvements in the older adults were also correlated with blueberry consumption via advanced brain scan technology. In children, researchers found that cognitive performance improved “across all measures,” and the more berries, the better. Importantly, the improvements were found within hours of just one meal with blueberries, not after 12 weeks of eating berries every day. To read the original article click here.

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Protect Your Brain and Heart: Why You Should Be Eating MORE Anthocyanins

AHA Publisher — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 07:00:21 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – According to recent estimates, over 5.8 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease. As the population ages, the percentage of people affected by this debilitating disease will only increase. Experts say that every five years after age 65, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease doubles. The upshot is that a shocking 14 million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease by the year 2060. Keep reading to find out how consuming anthocyanins can greatly reduce the risk of brain (and heart) issues. Sadly, pharmaceutical drugs to address Alzheimer’s disease have had underwhelming results – and feature toxic side effects. Now, more than ever, scientists are racing to find non-toxic, natural interventions that can help preserve cognitive function and delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. The latest research reveals a “colorful” ray (or rainbow) of hope. A new review published in Nutrients details the power of anthocyanins – natural plant pigments that give blueberries their deep indigo hue – to promote cognitive and cardiovascular health. Anthocyanins Are Powerful Antioxidants That Can Battle Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Anthocyanins, which range from deep red to purplish/blue in color, exist in plants to attract insects and animals and facilitate pollination. However, these intensely-colored compounds also protect against oxidative stress, temperature extremes, and the damaging effects of UV light. It is this protective ability that has drawn researchers’ attention. In the review published in Nutrients, the authors evaluated the beneficial effects of anthocyanins on cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and reported that anthocyanins might maintain cardiovascular and brain health by reducing oxidative stress in humans. (This type of stress is caused by harmful free radicals, which can be generated naturally in response to such normal activities as exercise. Free radicals are also created by less benign factors – such as environmental toxins, cigarette smoke, alcohol, and excessive ultraviolet light). By scavenging and neutralizing free radicals, anthocyanins can provide significant health benefits. Cyanidin-3 Promotes Heart Health Through Multiple Mechanisms The more scientists examined the effects of anthocyanins, the more benefits they discovered. For example, the team noted that an anthocyanidin known as cyanidin 3 helps to fight the endothelial inflammation that can trigger heart disease. This compound preserves the availability of nitric oxide – which has a beneficial effect on endothelial health – while appearing to make blood platelets less “sticky,” allowing for more free flow of circulation through arteries and keeping them clear and healthy. In one placebo-controlled study cited by the researchers, 150 participants with high cholesterol were given 320 mg a day of anthocyanins for 24 weeks and experienced reduced levels of C-reactive protein (an inflammatory enzyme linked to heart disease). In yet another study published in Nutrition, Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases, anthocyanins were shown to improve cholesterol levels. Other medical authorities have gone “on the record” supporting anthocyanins’ beneficial effects. The prestigious Cleveland Clinic acknowledges that anthocyanins can reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure and decrease cardiovascular inflammation. Preserve Healthy Cognition With Blueberries and Other Anthocyanin-Rich Foods Anthocyanins have now become a topic of interest as a natural preventive/therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative disease. Scientists report that they have the ability to protect neurons against oxidative stress, decrease pro-inflammatory chemicals in the brain and modulate cell signaling pathways. There is even some evidence that anthocyanins may help to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, a brain chemical that breaks down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter needed for memory and learning. In one exciting study published in the European Journal of Nutrition, older adults with mild and moderate dementia who drank a daily dose of anthocyanin-rich cherry juice experienced improvements in memory and speech. Many natural health experts believe that blueberries and other bluish-purplish foods have the “right stuff” to help preserve cognitive function into old age – and slow the onset of devastating neurodegenerative diseases. Anthocyanins Support a Balanced Microbiome But, the benefits of anthocyanins don’t stop with the cardiovascular system and brain. When these pigments are broken down in the intestine, they release products that modulate the microbiome, or community of gut bacteria. When properly balanced, this important group of microbes plays an essential role in normal immune function, healthy metabolism, and even mood and cognition. As it turns out, anthocyanins help to produce short-chain fatty acids, which encourage the proliferation of “friendly” gut bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. By promoting the health of the all-important gut microbiome, anthocyanins can go a long way toward supporting overall immunity, healthy, vitality, and well-being. Remember: Although most people in the United States obtain most of their anthocyanins through berries, you can also get these natural plant-based pigments through grapes, black beans, blue or purple corn, cabbage, dark cherries, plums, and eggplant skins. For maximum benefit, opt for organic produce whenever possible. As natural health experts have long advised: we should “eat the rainbow” for optimal health. Just make sure that your “rainbow” contains plenty of deep crimsons, bright blue, and rich purple. Your body will thank you for it. Sources for this article include: ClevelandClinic.org ClevelandClinic.org NIH.gov NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

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From Coffee to Dark Chocolate, the Many Health Benefits of Polyphenols: ‘Dramatic Anti-Cancer Effects’

AHA Publisher — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 07:00:55 +0000

Lori Johnson via CBN News – This year marked the first-ever national Polyphenol Day, a day set aside to recognize one of nature’s healthiest nutrients. Polyphenols, found in certain plant foods are considered very good for the body because of the protection they provide from damage that often comes with aging. In addition to fighting the many negative effects of aging, research shows these compounds can also reduce the risk of heart disease and other leading causes of death. Dr. Steven Gundry, a leading cardiovascular surgeon who specializes in nutrition and the treatment of elderly patients, told CBN News he recommends a diet rich in polyphenols. “Some of these compounds are now recognized as having dramatic anti-cancer effects,” he said. “And I actually use the power of polyphenols in most of my clinic for the active treatment of people with cancer, metastatic cancer, who are inoperable.” In fact, Dr. Gundry pushed the designation of national Polyphenol Day to build interest and knowledge. He said people can find these compounds in their local grocery store if they know what to look for. He says many foods containing polyphenols can be found in the produce department or the frozen food section. “Right now blackberries and raspberries have the highest polyphenol content of any of the berries, that’s followed by strawberries,” he explained. “Traditionally we’ve always thought of blueberries as a great source of polyphenols, but blueberries have actually been bred for sugar content so now blueberries are a little bit down the scale of where you’d find polyphenols. The exception is if you find wild blueberries or tiny blueberries.” Dr. Gundry says when shopping, make sure to go to the aisle where olive oil can be found. It contains high amounts of polyphenols. However, since there are so many different brands, choosing the right olive oil can be confusing. “The more bitter olive oil, the kind that makes you cough, or kind of burns, that’s a sign of the polyphenol content,” he said. Believe it or not, Dr. Gundry says polyphenol-rich foods can be found in the candy aisle in the form of dark chocolate. Like olive oil, Dr. Gundry says the more bitter the better. That means choosing one with the highest percentage of cacao. “Extra dark chocolate has tons of polyphenols. But beware: milk chocolate, which is preferred by Americans, all the polyphenols have been taken out to make it taste good,” he said. Black coffee also does more than give you a morning pick-up, explains Dr. Gundy. “A fascinating study shows people who drink five or more cups of coffee per day have a very low incidence of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s,” he said. “And it turns out it’s the polyphenols that have that benefit.” Some, but not all, teas also score high. “And it really doesn’t matter whether it’s green tea or black tea, but herbal teas aren’t loaded with polyphenols,” he said. Dr. Gundry recommends using spices liberally because most of them, even ordinary black pepper, can help. “Sprinkle them on your salad, on your fish, your chicken,” he said. “You can get polyphenols every day without worrying about it.” By increasing the consumption of polyphenols in foods and beverages, spices, and supplements, research shows we can lower our risk of disease. To read the original article click here.

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Quercetin: 8 Proven Benefits of This Antioxidant (#1 Is Incredible)

AHA Publisher — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 07:00:41 +0000

Jillian Levy, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Have you ever wondered what makes a “superfood” super? Or what top superfoods like red wine, green tea, kale and blueberries all have in common? The answer is quercetin, a natural compound tied to what all of us seek: better longevity, heart health, endurance, immunity, and more. Quercetin is considered to be the most widely distributed and extensively studied flavonoid, according to a 2018 review. It’s been shown in dozens of studies to have anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities. In fact, there isn’t much this powerful antioxidant compound can’t do, especially when combined with the health benefits of bromelain, an anti-inflammatory enzyme. All this explains why many experts recommend consuming food sources that contain quercetin regularly. So what are those foods, and how much should you consume? Let’s explore. What Is Quercetin? Quercetin is a type of flavonoid antioxidant that’s found in plant foods, including leafy greens, tomatoes, berries and broccoli. It’s technically considered a “plant pigment,” which is exactly why it’s found in deeply colored, nutrient-packed fruits and vegetables. Considered one of the most abundant antioxidants in the human diet, quercetin plays an important part in fighting free radical damage, the effects of aging and inflammation, according to many studies. While you can get plenty of it from eating a healthy diet, some people also take this compound in concentrated supplement form for even stronger anti-inflammatory effects. What is quercetin used for? According to the Department of Pathology and Diagnostics at the University of Verona in Italy, quercetin glycosides and other flavonoids, (like kaempferol and myricetin) are “anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic agents.” They have potential to be expressed positively in different cell types in both animals and humans. Flavonoid polyphenols are most beneficial for down-regulating or suppressing inflammatory pathways and functions. Quercetin is considered the most diffused and known nature-derived flavonol there is, showing strong effects on immunity and inflammation caused by leukocytes and other intracellular signals. How It Works Research shows that anti-inflammatory foods containing quercetin can help manage a number of inflammatory health problems, including heart disease and blood vessel problems, allergies, infections, chronic fatigue, and symptoms related to autoimmune disorders like arthritis. How exactly do flavonoids benefit us? It all comes down to high-antioxidant foods‘ ability to be “scavenge free radicals.” As a major bioflavonoid in our diets, quercetin (a type of “polyphenolic antioxidant”) helps slow the aging progress because it lessens the effects of oxidative stress on the body. Oxidative stress takes place in all of us but is increased by things like a poor diet, high levels of stress, a lack of sleep and exposure to chemical toxins. Quercetin plays a role in regulating the immune system’s response to outside stressors through cell signaling pathways called kinases and phosphatases, two types of enzyme and membrane proteins needed for proper cellular function. Benefits 1. Lowers Inflammation Flavonoids, (aka bioflavonoids or bioflavonoide) including quercetin, are important anti-inflammatories because they act as antioxidants, which mean they literally fight the natural process of “oxidation” that takes place over time as we age. Quercetin can help stop damaging particles in the body known as free radicals, which negatively impact how cells work — including damaging cell membranes, changing the way DNA works, increasing cell mutations and causing healthy cells to die. It can also reduce expression of inflammatory genes such as interleukin. Research now shows us that inflammation is the root of most diseases, including heart disease, cancer, cognitive decline, some mental disorders and autoimmune disorders. At this time, practitioners and patients report using quercetin to effectively fight conditions related to inflammation, including: “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis) high cholesterol heart disease and circulation problems insulin resistance and diabetes eye-related disorders, including cataracts allergies, asthma and hay fever stomach ulcers cognitive impairment gout viral infections inflammation of the prostate, bladder and ovaries chronic fatigue syndrome cancer chronic infections of the prostate skin disorders, including dermatitis and hives 2. Fights Allergies Is quercetin an antihistamine? Some consider it to be a natural antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory, possibly making it effective for lowering the effects of seasonal and food allergies, plus asthma and skin reactions. However, most research to date has been conducted on animals and not humans. Histamines are chemicals that are released when the immune system detects an allergy or sensitivity, and they are what account for uncomfortable symptoms we face whenever the body has an allergic reaction. Quercetin can help stabilize the release of histamines from certain immune cells, which results in decreased symptoms like coughs, watery eyes, runny noses, hives, swollen lips or tongue, and indigestion. It’s long been used in ancient Chinese herbal formulas created to block allergies to certain foods (such as peanuts). Studies conducted on mice suggest that it may be equivalent at fighting allergies as some prescription medications, all with little to no side effects. 3. Supports Heart Health Because of its ability to lower inflammation and oxidative stress, quercetin seems to be beneficial for people with heart and blood vessel-related disorders, according to a number of studies. For example, eating lots of deeply colored fruits and veggies that contain flavonoids is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and even death, in older adults, among reduced risk for vascular diseases. It’s also been connected to reduced risk for type 2 diabetes and obesity, which have many of the same risk factors as heart disease. Studies done in animal and some human populations show that various types of flavonoids (quercetin, resveratrol and catechins, for example) can help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, which is a dangerous condition caused by plaque building up within the arteries. Cut-off blood flow in the arteries is one of the primary risk factors for experiencing a heart attack or stroke, which is why cardiac arrest is less likely among people who eat a nutrient-packed diet. Antioxidants also seem to protect the body from experiencing increases in LDL “bad” cholesterol and can help regulate blood pressure levels. Certain studies show that quercetin prevents damage to LDL cholesterol particles, and it seems that people who eat the most flavonoid-rich foods typically have healthier and lower cholesterol levels, plus fewer incidences of hypertension and high blood pressure. In fact, if you’ve ever heard that red wine is good for your heart, that’s because it’s a natural source of quercetin. It’s one of the main active ingredients in red wine extract, which is associated with healthier heart function. 4. Helps Fight Pain Taking quercetin supplements may help lower pain associated with autoimmune conditions such as arthritis, as well as infections, including those of the prostate and respiratory tract. That’s because studies suggest quercetin reduces inflammatory pain. For example, there’s some evidence from several small studies that people experiencing bladder pains from infections (causing an urgent need to urinate, swelling and burning) have fewer symptoms when taking quercetin supplements. Flavonoids are also linked to reduced symptoms of prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There’s evidence that when patients with RA switch from eating a “typical Western diet” to one higher in antioxidant-rich foods (like uncooked berries, fruits, vegetables, nuts, roots, seeds and sprouts), they experience less pain and reoccurring symptoms. 5. Might Help Improve Energy and Endurance Quercetin is added to some athletic supplements because it’s believed to help increase athletic performance and endurance, likely because of its positive effects on blood flow. Researchers from the School of Applied Physiology at the Georgia Institute of Technology found that, on average, “quercetin provides a statistically significant benefit in human endurance exercise capacity (VO2 max) and endurance exercise performance).” While improvements were at times small, it makes sense that antioxidants could boost physical performance since they help increase the health of blood vessels, which carry oxygen and nutrients to muscle and joint tissue. Other studies also show that it helps increase immune function and prevents susceptibility to illnesses that can occur when someone trains intensely and experiences exhaustion. One study found evidence that taking 500 milligrams of quercetin twice daily helped protect cyclers from developing exercise-induced respiratory infections following periods of heavy exercise. Because it can boost your energy level, does quercetin affect sleep? For example, is there a link between quercetin and insomnia? One study found evidence that it may alter the sleep-wake cycle partly through activation of GABA receptors. However, insomnia is generally not believed to be a common side effect of taking it in dietary supplement form. 6. Might Help Fight Cancer A Boston University School of Medicine study published in the Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents shows a link between a nutrient-dense diet rich in quercetin plus other antioxidants and a lowered risk of cancer. Quercetin seems to have potential chemo-preventive activity and might have a unique antiproliferative effect on cancerous cells, making it an effective addition to any natural cancer treatment approach. Research shows that this may result from the modulation of either EGFR or estrogen-receptor pathways. Recent studies have found quercetin can help stop the processes involved in cell proliferation and mutation, the growth of tumors, and symptoms related to typical cancer treatments, such as radiation or chemotherapy. At this time, the majority of studies done on quercetin’s effects on cellular functioning have involved animals, so more research is still needed to reveal specific effects on human cancer cells. This is especially true when taken in high doses above the amount someone would get from a healthy diet. 7. Helps Protect Skin Health Capable of blocking “mast cells,” which are immune cells critical in triggering allergic reactions, inflammatory disease and autoimmune disease, researchshows that quercetin helps protect skin from the effects of disorders like dermatitis and photosensitivity. Flavonoids like quercetin block the release of many pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-8 and TNF, which helps stop symptoms related to skin inflammation, even in people who don’t find relief from other conventional treatments or prescriptions. Studies have found that this compound has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that help fight allergic and inflammatory diseases, as well as some prescriptions, when taken in oral supplement form. For example, some people take quercetin for eczema since it can inhibit the secretion of histamine and pro-inflammatory markers. 8. Protects Liver Health Recent research has shown that this antioxidant has protective effects when administered to rats with ethanol-induced acute liver injury. Researchers concluded that “quercetin, by multiple mechanisms interplay, demonstrates hepatoprotective effect on liver-injury induced by alcohol, by increasing ethanol metabolizing enzyme activities, increasing antioxidant system activities against oxidative stress, lowering the expressions of pro-inflammation cytokines.” A 2017 study found evidence indicating that quercetin attenuates liver inflammation and fibrosis in mice through inhibiting macrophages infiltration. Researchers believe it “holds promise as potential therapeutic agent for human fibrotic liver disease”, a condition triggered by liver injury and inflammation. 9. Protects Against Neurological Disorders There’s mounting evidence showing that quercetin offers neuroprotective benefits, due to its ability to defend the brain against oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to potentially less risk for cognitive conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. A 2018 study concluded that “findings suggest a possible new protective role for dietary flavonoids on alzheimer’s disease (AD).” The study found that administration of quercetin in early-middle stages of AD pathology ameliorates cognitive dysfunction and boosts protection mainly related to increased Aβ clearance and reduced astrogliosis, which is related to destruction of neurons. Related: Berberine: The Plant Alkaloid that Helps Treat Diabetes & Digestive Problems Food Sources What foods have the most quercetin? All types of tasty red, green and purple-pigmented plants come packed with quercetin — for example, red wine, blueberries, apples, red onion and even green tea are some of the best sources. Quercetin is actually believed to be the most abundant flavonoid in the human diet. But the amount found in plant foods can vary a lot depending on where they’re grown, how fresh they are, how they’re prepared and so on. Some of the top sources of quercetin to add to your diet include: Apples Peppers Red wine Dark cherries and berries (blueberries, bilberries, blackberries and others) Tomatoes Cruciferous veggies, including broccoli, cabbage and sprouts Leafy green veggies, including spinach, kale Citrus fruits Cocoa Cranberries Whole grains, including buckwheat Raw...

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Pain-Fighting Quinoa Breakfast Porridge

AHA Publisher — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 07:00:26 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – This easy-to-make and filling quinoa breakfast porridge offers blood-sugar stabilizing protein, anti-inflammatory properties, and tons of antioxidants to help fight pain. Ingredients: 2 cups cooked quinoa 1 cup cashew milk (or almond milk) 1½ cups fresh organic blueberries ¼ cup toasted walnuts ½ tsp ground cinnamon 2 tsp raw honey 1 Tbsp chia seeds Directions: Combine the quinoa and cashew milk in a saucepan and slowly warm over medium low heat Stir in blueberries, cinnamon and walnuts until all are evenly warmed Remove from heat and stir in raw honey Top with chia seeds and serve! To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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The Surprising Link Between These Foods and Depression, Anxiety and Other Mental Health Issues

AHA Publisher — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 07:00:29 +0000

Lorie Johnson via CBN News – Macaroni and cheese, hot fudge sundaes and other comfort foods have become our go-to fixes during the pandemic to help brighten our days and soothe a lonely night. Unfortunately, what’s in these guilty pleasures can make blue moods and other mental health problems worse, not better, as researchers continue to discover a link between what we eat and how we feel. Mental Health Problems on the Rise The number of Americans seeking help for depression and anxiety skyrocketed 93-percent in 2020 compared to 2019. While some of that can be blamed on the COVID-19 impact, research shows mental illness has steadily increased for years. In fact, 40 million Americans deal with some mental health concern. That’s more than the populations of New York and Florida combined. These disorders make the list of the most common causes of death and disability. Suicide scores as a leading cause of death no matter the age group. Harvard Psychiatrist Uma Naidoo told CBN News, “We need to understand that the silent pandemic going on is one around mental illness – people feeling more depressed, more blue, not sleeping well, feeling extremely stressed and traumatized by everything that’s going on,” she said. It’s the Food Meanwhile, three out of four Americans are either overweight or obese – the highest level ever. As it turns out, there’s a link between the skyrocketing weight gain and the sharp increase in mental health problems, according to Naidoo and a growing number of mental health experts. The same foods that trigger weight gain can also lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Dr. Naidoo founded and directs the first hospital-based Nutritional Psychiatry Service in the United States. She is the Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital while serving on the faculty at Harvard Medical School. She is the author of the book, This is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More. “The foods that we call comfort foods are actually discomfort for our brain,” she said. As a result, Dr. Naidoo is one of a growing number of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals using healthy foods to treat their patients. “Not that a person shouldn’t see their doctor and take medication if they need it,” she explained, “But we also can start today at the end of our fork by making healthier choices in how we eat.” The Gut-Brain Axis Dr. Naidoo says a healthy brain begins with a healthy gut. “Essentially the gut and brain,” she explained. “Even though they are in different parts of the body, they actually arise from the same cells in the embryo and they divide up and turn into these two organs, and then they remain connected throughout life.” That key connection, the gut-brain axis, is a two-way superhighway sending constant chemical messaging back and forth via the vagus nerve. The chemicals, for better or worse, are determined by the type of bacteria, good or bad, found in the gut. “When we’re feeding those microbes lots of sugary treats, lots of refined sugars, lots of soda, what unfortunately happens is the bad microbes get fed, and when they get fed sugary foods, they overcome the good microbes,” Dr. Naidoo said. Sugar Bad, Vegetables Good Several studies including MRI imaging that shows excessive sugar consumption makes depression and anxiety worse. Dr. Naidoo says processed foods are loaded with sugar, even those that don’t seem sweet. “Unfortunately things like French fries from fast-food restaurants are actually made with added sugar,” she said. “We don’t taste that, but they’re made to be hyper-palatable. So just be aware of hidden sugars.” Believe it or not, many fake sugars are just as bad for the gut or in some cases worse than real sugar. “Several of the artificial sweeteners, unfortunately, can drive anxiety, worsen depression and disrupt those gut microbes,” she said. Dr. Naidoo recommends adding colorful vegetables, like leafy greens to your menu, which contain folate. “Folate, when there’s a low level in the brain, actually can lead to depression,” she said. She advises her patients to load up on antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries and green tea. “We are combating oxidative stress,” she explained, “Which is really good, and much better for our mental well-being.” She tells her psychiatric patients to eat plenty of healthy fats like olive oil, avocados, and things like salmon and walnuts which contain high levels of Omega-3 fats. Not Just Depression and Anxiety Dr. Naidoo believes in addition to relieving depression and anxiety, that this approach can also have a positive impact on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Schizophrenia, Bi-Polar Disorder and other mental health challenges. “It doesn’t exclude the use of medications when needed,” she explained, “but it provides individuals with additional tools in their tool kit to really uplift their mental health.” An added benefit is that a healthy diet can also increase a medication’s effectiveness. In her book, This is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More, Dr. Naidoo lists specific foods that alleviate certain mental health problems. She also provides dozens of recipes that address specific mental health challenges. HERE ARE THREE OF THOSE RECIPES AS FEATURED ON THE 700 CLUB: Hearty Vegetable Soup – Fights Depression This soup has peas for magnesium, broccoli for iron, and sweet potatoes for vitamin A. It is low in saturated fat and high in fiber and antioxidants. Servings: 4 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Ingredients 2 Tablespoons olive oil 1 leek, sliced 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1 cup fresh or frozen peas 2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets 1 sweet potato, unpeeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1 Tablespoon kosher salt, plus more if needed 1 teaspoon black pepper, plus more if needed 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley 4-6 cups hot vegetable stock or filtered water Fresh parsley, chopped (optional) Directions Heat the oil in a cast-iron Dutch oven on medium heat. Add the leek and garlic and sauté for 3-5 minutes, until the leek is soft and almost translucent. Add the peas, broccoli florets, sweet potato, salt, pepper, thyme, and dried parsley and allow to cook, stirring the mixture once or twice for 3-5 minutes. Once the vegetables appear partly cooked, add the vegetable stock. Partially cover, and allow the soup to simmer on medium for about 20 minutes. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper if desired, and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Mushroom and Spinach Frittata – Fights Anxiety (gluten-free, dairy-free) This easy-to-make frittata has mushrooms for a vitamin D boost and spinach for magnesium. You could save pieces for lunch for the next 2 days or save for up to 1 month in the freezer. Servings: 6 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 18 minutes Ingredients 5 whole eggs 1 cup almond milk 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley 1 Tablespoon olive oil 1 cup spinach (fresh or frozen and thawed) 1 cup mushrooms, chopped Directions Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line a 9-inch round casserole dish with parchment paper. In a medium bowl whisk the eggs with the milk, salt, pepper and parsley and set aside. Heat the oil in a medium cast-iron pan over medium heat. If using frozen spinach, wrap in cheesecloth (or a clean dish towel or paper towel) and squeeze to remove the excess water. Sauté the spinach and mushrooms in the oil until the mushrooms are lightly brown, about 3 minutes. Allow to cool. Place the cooled mushroom-spinach mixture in the casserole dish. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables, cover with foil and bake until the eggs are just set, 15-18 minutes. Ovens vary, so make sure the eggs are set before removing the frittata from the oven. Cut into 6 even pieces and serve. Chia Pudding Topped with Nuts and Berries – Fights Trauma (vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free) Chia pudding is a great way to start the day and doesn’t require any early-morning prep. Since it has to set in the fridge overnight, you can prepare it the night before and then eat on the go. Servings: 2 Prep Time: 10 minutes Ingredients 1/2 cup organic canned light coconut milk 1/2 teaspoon honey 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 Tablespoons chia seeds Raspberries, blueberries, walnuts or other fruit Directions Pour the coconut milk into a mason jar and stir in the honey, vanilla, and cinnamon. Sprinkle the chia seeds on top. Screw the lid of the mason jar on and shake well so that the seeds mix with the milk. Chill overnight in the fridge. Serve topped with nuts and berries. To read the original article click here. For more articles from CBN News click here.

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