Eating Citrus Fruits Can Help Prevent Obesity-Related Diseases

The AHA! Team — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 08:49:15 +0000

Dena Schmidt via NaturalHealth365 – While it’s been known that citrus fruit is an important part of a healthy diet, researchers now believe they may be key in preventing weight-related health problems. A new study has shown that citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes contain an antioxidant that counteracts some of the serious health risks of obesity. Adding more citrus fruits to your diet may help reduce the risk of heart disease, liver disease, and diabetes. These fruits also provide essential vitamins and minerals that support overall well-being and boost the immune system. Why citrus fruits are a smart choice for the immune system When a person consumes a high-fat diet, the body stores the fat it can’t immediately use in cells throughout the body. These fat cells produce a substance that damages other healthy cells. This is called oxidative stress, and the immune system normally deals with it with its own antioxidants. However, overweight people who continue to eat high-fat foods can overwhelm the immune system’s ability to respond and prevent disease. This is where foods that contain high levels of antioxidants can help. Citrus fruit contains a special form of antioxidant called flavanones. These substances appear to reduce the risk of oxidative stress and damage to healthy cells. This also takes the pressure off the overworked immune system. Flavanones in citrus fruits reduce a variety of health risks The study published in Clinical Nutrition ESPEN highlights the broad health benefits of citrus, revealing their potential in managing cardiovascular risk factors, neurological disorders, and other health conditions through their rich chemical composition and therapeutic properties. The researchers reviewed meta-analyses, clinical trials, and the chemical compounds present in various citrus species. They utilized information from databases like Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed, examining keywords related to citrus and its health benefits. They found that citrus plants have beneficial effects on various conditions, including cancer risks, cardiovascular risk factors, neurological disorders, urinary tract conditions, and gastrointestinal tract conditions. The study also noted the antimicrobial, and pain-alleviating effects of citrus and its potential in managing obesity risk factors. Another study investigated the impact of citrus flavanones on different dietary groups, including those on a high-fat diet. It found that flavanone consumption led to a significant reduction in indicators of cell damage in both blood and liver, surpassing a 50% reduction in some cases. Furthermore, flavanone-treated subjects showed less liver damage and fat accumulation. Start adding organic citrus fruit to the diet to prevent disease Adding flavanones to the diet promotes health by counteracting the effects of fat cells on the body. Eating citrus fruits helps reduce liver damage, lower the amount of fat in the blood, and reduce glucose levels. Besides the benefits of antioxidants to the health of overweight people, a diet that includes citrus fruit can benefit people of any weight, reducing the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. We, at NaturalHealth365, would suggest you only eat organic fruits to avoid unwanted chemicals in your diet. The next step involves exploring optimal ways to incorporate concentrated flavanones into daily diets. Flavanones found abundantly in organic citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes, offer a promising natural strategy to combat heart and liver diseases. To maximize their benefits, consider consuming various citrus fruits and vegetables daily. Incorporating colorful salads, citrus-infused water, or enjoying citrus fruits as snacks can enhance your intake of these beneficial compounds. Additionally, pairing citrus fruits with leafy greens can further boost their nutritional impact. Bottom line: making citrus fruits a regular part of your diet can support overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov ACS.org Sciencedaily.com To read the original article click here.

The post Eating Citrus Fruits Can Help Prevent Obesity-Related Diseases appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

“It’s in the Diet:” How to LOWER the Risk of Cancer Cell Growth and Brain Damage

AHA Publisher — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 08:00:16 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Cancer – second only to heart disease as a leading cause of death in the United States – claimed over 600,000 lives in 2019 alone. And Alzheimer’s disease, now the sixth leading cause of death, currently affects over 5 million Americans – a number that the Alzheimer’s Association predicts will skyrocket as the population ages, potentially tripling by the year 2050. While these statistics are bleak (conventionally speaking), we are not helpless in the face of these two dreadful health conditions. In fact, scientific research supports the ability of a plant-based diet to help alleviate and even prevent both cancer cell growth and brain damage. For example, blueberries – rich in disease-fighting flavonoids called anthocyanins – could be one of the most useful weapons in this defensive natural arsenal. Let’s take a closer look at the amazing actions of anthocyanins – and the powerful health benefits of blueberries. Discover how blueberries can LOWER the risk of brain damage Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), characterized by minor problems with memory, language, thinking or judgment, is a common consequence of aging. The American Academy of Neurology estimates that MCI is present in about 8 percent of people, as early as age 65 to 69. However, in some cases, mild cognitive impairment precedes much more serious conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. And, experts generally agree that higher flavonoid intake, through dietary consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, is associated with less cognitive impairment over a ten-year period in healthy adults. In one peer-reviewed study, scientists unequivocally stated that “cognitive function is better preserved in healthy older adults with a diet rich in plant-based foods.” In a relatively recent (2017) study conducted at University of Exeter, researchers wanted to see how blueberries, specifically, fit into the picture. Blueberries, like all intensely-colored fruits and vegetables, are particularly rich in anthocyanins, a group of plant pigments which includes the compounds cyanidin and delphinidin. If “delphinidin” brings to mind the flowers known as “delphiniums,” give yourself points for intuition. Delphinidin is indeed responsible for the beautiful blue coloration of these blooms. This is how they went about it. A group of healthy volunteers aged 65 to 77 was divided into two subgroups. One group drank 30 ml a day of concentrated blueberry juice for twelve weeks, while the other group received a placebo. The blueberry juice, which contained 387 mg of anthocyanins, was the equivalent of roughly 230 grams – about a cup and a half – of fresh blueberries a day. Pre- and post-study, participants took cognitive tests which evaluated psychomotor function, visual processing, executive function, verbal memory and working memory. Meanwhile, MRI scanners monitored their brain function and brain blood flow. The researchers also measured biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Study leader Dr. Joanna Bowtell, head of Sport and Health Sciences at the University, noted that 12 weeks of drinking concentrated blueberry juice improved cognitive function, blood flow to the brain and brain activation in older adults. The blueberry juice’s beneficial effects were particularly associated with cognitive processes such as memory and executive function, which tend to deteriorate with age. The researchers speculated that the anthocyanins could increase antioxidant activity and promote the availability of beneficial nitric oxide – thereby reducing oxidative stress, improving vascular capacity and reducing inflammation in the brain. Key health point: It’s never too late to benefit from blueberries If you are an older adult already affected by mild cognitive decline – a slight, age-related slippage of mental capabilities coupled with an increasing number of “senior moments” and “memory glitches” – don’t stress. Blueberries may still be able to help! An encouraging study showed that 12 weeks of supplementation with wild blueberry juice (the antioxidant-rich “gold standard” of blueberry juice) improved memory function and word list recall in adults with mild cognitive impairment. Anthocyanins attack cancer on all fronts But, preserving cognitive function isn’t the only gift conferred by blueberries. In an extensive review published in the well-regarded British Journal of Pharmacology, the authors credited anthocyanins with antioxidant effects that could work against the development of cancer. Noting that “chronic inflammation is often a harbinger of a tumor,” the authors also highlighted anthocyanins’ anti-inflammatory capabilities as a weapon against cancer. Due to their high levels of folate, anthocyanins may also help prevent cancer-causing mutations in cell DNA. In addition, they stimulate apoptosis (the pre-programmed “suicide” of cancer cells) and prevent cancer cell proliferation – all without harming healthy cells. In one study, cyanidin (an anthocyanin found in good supply in blueberries) effectively inhibited the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Moreover, anthocyanins also inhibit angiogenesis, the growth of blood vessels needed to nourish new tumors. Finally, anthocyanins seem to help reverse drug resistance in cancer cells and increase their sensitivity to chemotherapy. Reap the benefits of blueberries with a daily bowl To really rack up the dietary anthocyanins, natural health experts advise opting for fresh, organic blueberries – with wild blueberries, the “high ringers” of antioxidant capacity, constituting the best choice of all. But, if fresh berries are too costly or inconvenient, no worries. Powdered blueberries and liquid extracts can also provide benefits. However, some experts advise avoiding frozen or cooked blueberries, as there is some disagreement over whether freezing and baking can reduce precious anthocyanins. Other anthocyanin-rich berry choices include blackberries, raspberries, bilberries and strawberries. If berries aren’t your “thing,” you can also obtain anthocyanins by eating red cabbage, black plums, Concord grapes, dark, tart cherries, and purple corn. In fact, here’s a sweet tidbit: anthocyanins are even found in cocoa! As if cancer – and dementia-fighting powers weren’t enough reason to include blueberries in your diet, these tasty, juicy little morsels are also packed with antioxidant vitamin C, disease-fighting manganese and beneficial dietary fiber. They can all help to lower blood pressure, discourage the development of type 2 diabetes, and combat obesity. And, at a modest 85 calories per cup, the benefits of blueberries can be enjoyed with minimal caloric investment. The scientific evidence is clear: When it comes to lowering the risk of cancer cell growth and brain damage … your first thought ought to be … “it’s in the diet.” Just because the answer may seem simple … doesn’t make it any less important. Sources for this article include: CDNSciencepub.com, NIH.gov, MedicalNewsToday.com, ClevelandClinic.org To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

The post “It’s in the Diet:” How to LOWER the Risk of Cancer Cell Growth and Brain Damage appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

combat obesity Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Eating Citrus Fruits Can Help Prevent Obesity-Related Diseases

“It’s in the Diet:” How to LOWER the Risk of Cancer Cell Growth and Brain Damage