cucumber Archives - Amazing Health Advances

‘Beat the Holiday Bloat’ Smoothie – Easy & Delicious

AHA Publisher — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 08:00:08 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Holiday celebrations and feasts can be a joyous event within the Holiday Season. It’s often a time we can engage with family and friends, give thanks, and enjoy delicious foods. It’s also often a time of feeling bloated. All those rich foods. All those extra servings and courses. How can you beat the Holiday bloat? Believe it or not, there are nutrients and foods that can actually help you beat the holiday bloat. Use them, and you’ll feel better, healthier, and likely enjoy the rest of the season more! Beat the Holiday Bloat Smoothie Ingredients: 1.5 cups almond milk 1 cup spinach, loosely packed ½ cup cucumber, sliced (appox. ¼ medium cucumber) ½ cup celery, chopped (appox. 1 medium stalk) ½ small avocado (peeled & pitted) 1 scoop Keto Zone® MCT Oil Powder OR 1 tbsp. coconut oil 1 scoop Keto Zone® Hydrolyzed Collagen Powder 1 scoop Divine Health® Fermented Green Supremefood® Optional: 2-3 drops liquid stevia or low-carb sweetener of choice, to taste Instructions: Into a blender, mix almond milk and spinach. Pulse to break down spinach and make room for the other ingredients. Add all ingredients except stevia. Blend for about 1 minute or until creamy. Taste it. If you’ve used flavored MCT Oil Powder and/or Green Supremefood, it may be sweet enough. If not, add stevia (or another low-carb sweetener), to taste. Nutrition Info: 375 Calories, 25g of Fat, 20g of Protein, 4g of Net Carbs Why the Holiday Bloat? Usually, when you feel bloated, the culprits are too much sugar, carbohydrates, sodium, or simply too much food. It happens. It’s easy to get carried away and overeat during a holiday. But, if you’re trying to stay in the Keto Zone® and eat a healthy diet, the indulgence can cause a host of issues in your body including (1): Increased blood sugar and insulin Increased fluid retention Inflammation Weight Gain If this describes your Holiday Season condition, it’s time to get right back on track. One of the best ways to do so is with a green smoothie! Why? It provides both a physical and mental shift back towards healthy eating. There’s no wallowing in guilt. There’s more. A secret weapon. Here’s what it is and why it works. Why Our Beat the Holiday Bloat Smoothie Works If you’ve overeaten carbohydrates or sugar don’t despair just yet. We’ve got a secret weapon in our detox smoothie: celery. Sugar can cause damage in the body. But, celery can help you stop the damage, reverse it, and get back on track. Beat the Bloat and Detox with Celery While I’m not encouraging you to ever overeat sugary desserts and then detox with a smoothie, we all live in the real world and know it happens. Rather than pretend it doesn’t, let’s focus on tools to get you back on track. First: celery. Why celery? Celery has a gentle diuretic effect (2) which quickly normalizes fluid retention without leaving you dehydrated. This beats the bloat. Next, it’s loaded with nutrients. In fact, celery is (3): A nutrition powerhouse. It contains calcium, copper, magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium. In addition, a plethora of vitamins: including vitamin A, C, E, D, B6, B12, and vitamin K as well as thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid and fiber (4). Rich in Vitamin C, which promotes good immune function and works as an antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress. A blood pressure reducer. It reduces stress hormones and relaxes arteries to make them more elastic (5). A cholesterol-binder. Celery increases bile production which binds cholesterol in the gut and promotes excretion out of the body (6). A gentle diuretic. Cucumber, Avocado, & Greens to Beat the Holiday Bloat The other ingredients in our Beat the Holiday Bloat Smoothie are not exactly slouches. They bolster it to the next level and provide a full-nutrition meal with healthy fats and protein. Cucumber also promotes gentle diuresis, helping you beat the bloat from extra foods and sugars (6). Avocado is full of vitamins and minerals along with health-promoting omega-9 fats and cholesterol-binding fiber (12) . Spinach provides many phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It’s deep green hue is an indication of health-benefiting chlorophyll (7). Keto Zone® MCT Oil Powder is a convenient and non-greasy form of the best MCTs available. They are easy-to-digest, great for heart health, and produce ketones your brain can use as a super-fuel (8, 9). Keto Zone® Hydrolyzed Collagen Powder promotes healthy hair, skin, nails, joints, gut function, and more. Additionally, collagen provides amino acids seldom found in modern diets (10). Divine Health® Fermented Green Supremefood®, a blend of fermented organic vegetables and wheatgrass, provides concentrated vitamins and minerals. The fermentation process “opens up” these natural superfoods to get more nutrients out. Plus, Fermented Green Supremefood contains healthy bacteria to support digestive and whole-body health (11). BOTTOM LINE: Ready to feel better this Holiday Season? Forget about bloat and fill your body full of amazing nutrition instead. Try our Beat The Holiday Bloat Smoothie today! To read the original article click here.

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Cold Cucumber Avocado Keto Soup Recipe (or Dip!)

AHA Publisher — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 07:00:20 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN – Avocados were first used by the Aztecs and since have been highly sought after for their health benefits. Avocados are high in healthy mono-unsaturated fats such as oleic acid. They also have anti inflammatory properties and are high in potassium, magnesium, and fiber. As such, they make a perfect ingredient for any keto meals. But few of us incorporate them into recipes besides the ubiquitous guacamole. Here, however, is a delicious and refreshing soup recipe called Cold Cucumber Avocado Keto Soup. Tried out by many readers, it even works well as an avocado dip for chips or cut-up veggies. Why does it work well for the keto diet? Well, each serving offers 25 grams of healthy fats alongside 11 grams of protein and just 5 net carbs. Those are nearly perfect macros for the ketogenic diet. How to Make Creamy Cucumber Avocado Soup Place all the ingredients on your counter. Get out a cutting board and a good sharp knife. Peel the cucumber and chop roughly and place into a high-powered blender or food processor. Next, scoop out the meat from a full avocado after removing the seed. Place into the blender. Chop up five stalks of celery and add to the blender. Lastly, add the squeezed lemon juice, water, sea salt and black pepper. Blend thoroughly and pour into two soup bowls. Top with shredded raw cheddar cheese or goat cheese, along with fresh herbs. Enjoy! Creamy Cucumber Avocado Soup Recipe (or Dip!) DESCRIPTION Go beyond guacamole and use the mighty avocado for this delicious (and easy!) Creamy Cucumber Avocado Soup. It can also substitute as a great dipping sauce. INGREDIENTS ½ cucumber, peeled 1 ripe avocado 5 stalks celery 3 tablespoons lemon juice ½ cup water 1 teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 2 ounces raw cheddar cheese or goat cheese fresh herbs, such as basil or parsley (optional) INSTRUCTIONS Place all ingredients (except the cheese) together in a high-powered blender or food processor. Blend thoroughly and place in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes Serve chilled and top with fresh cheese and fresh herbs. NOTES If you choose to use this as a dip for chips or fresh veggies, use less water in the recipe so it’s nice and thick. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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Anti-Inflammatory Juice Recipe

AHA Publisher — Tue, 11 May 2021 07:00:57 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS – We now know that most diseases today are due to inflammation. (1) Inflammation damages your cells and arterials walls and can cause all kinds of problems, including chronic inflammatory conditions like cardiovascular diseases and arthritis. (2) By reducing inflammation, your body is better able to heal from disease. One of the top ways to decrease inflammation is to follow The Healing Foods Dietand consume plenty of anti-inflammatory foods. If you’re looking for anti-inflammatory diet recipes or anti-inflammatory juices for arthritis, this delicious drink I’m about to share with you has you covered on both fronts. This anti-inflammatory juice recipe is the perfect blend to help support your body’s natural defenses and reduce inflammation — plus, it’s absolutely delicious! Key Ingredients Some of the best natural anti-inflammatory drinks come in the form of fresh juices. Juicing for inflammation and weight loss are very popular these days, but it’s very important that you choose the right combination of foods. Anti-inflammatory fruit juice can be healthy, but a fresh juice that includes vegetables such as cucumbers and celery is even better in my book because it’s typically much lower in sugar! Pineapple is definitely one of my favorite anti-inflammatory which is why I made sure to include it in this recipe. You’ve probably heard about the benefits of pineapple and pineapple juice for inflammation thanks to its high bromelain content. (3) Ginger is another ingredient shown by scientific research to possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can even help to decrease muscle pain after an intense workout. (4) Why include green apple in this juice recipe? Aside from its delicious flavor, like pineapple, it’s also a rich source of quercetin, a natural antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory. Low-sugar lemon is also added. In studies using animal models, extracts of lemon peel have been shown to decrease inflammation related to arthritis. (5) So when you’re making this juice, I highly recommend using the whole lemon, peel and all! If you’re looking to make a smoothie anti-inflammatory, you can include some of the fruits and veggies I use here. Nutrition Facts If you’re juicing for health, anti-inflammatory juice recipes like this are not to be missed! One serving of this tasty juice includes about: 114 calories 2 grams protein 0 grams fat 28 grams carbohydrates 5.5 grams fiber 16 grams sugar 112 milligrams sodium 81 micrograms vitamin K (68 percent DV) 1,512 IUs vitamin A (30 percent DV) 27 milligrams vitamin C (30 percent DV) 532 milligrams potassium (11 percent DV) 32 micrograms folate (8 percent DV) 1.3 milligrams iron (7.2 percent DV) 66 milligrams calcium (5.1 percent DV) 12.5 milligrams magnesium (3 percent DV) 0.2 milligrams zinc (1.8 percent DV) How to Make This Anti-Inflammatory Juice As long as you have a juicer on hand, this recipe, from start to finish, only takes a few minutes. Once you have all of the ingredients ready, you simply combine them all in the juicer. Then give your final product a quick stir and it’s ready to be enjoyed! Remember that fresh anti-inflammatory drinks like this one are best drank immediately. This drink is so full of beneficial nutrients and enzymes that it will feel like you’re taking an anti-inflammatory juice shot with each and every sip. Enjoy! Anti-Inflammatory Juice Recipe DESCRIPTION This drink is so full of beneficial nutrients and enzymes that it will feel like you’re taking an anti-inflammatory juice shot with each and every sip. INGREDIENTS 4 celery stalks ½ cucumber 1 cup pineapple ½ green apple 1 cup spinach 1 lemon 1 knob ginger INSTRUCTIONS Add all ingredients to vegetable juicer. Gently stir juice and consume immediately. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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Vegan Sushi Recipe: How to Make Healthy Vegetable Rolls

AHA Publisher — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 07:00:42 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS – Many people wonder: Is sushi healthy? It really depends, but homemade sushi, like my vegan sushi recipe I share here, certainly can be. As you know, sushi is one of those meals that can either be really good for you or surprisingly unhealthy. While it starts out as a nutritious option, it can quickly go astray. Low-quality fish, a heavy hand on the white rice and a dousing of sodium-laden soy sauce mean that sushi is often a food to avoid. That is until now. This vegan sushi recipe will completely transform how you think about sushi. Key Ingredients While even some vegan sushi recipes can contain unhealthy ingredients, we only use the healthiest vegan sushi ingredients in this vegetable sushi roll recipe. You won’t miss the fish with this ultra good-for-you version. Instead of the suspicious fish you find at some sushi joints and certain sushi roll recipes (goodbye, imitation crab meat), you’ll have loads of veggies wrapped in nori, a type of seaweed, and cauliflower rice replacing the heavy grain. What is vegan sushi made of? Here are the main players in this vegetarian sushi: Cauliflower: High in fiber, carotenoids, polyphenols and essential vitamins, cauliflower is a powerful cancer-fighting food that also fights inflammation and supports hearth and digestive health. Nori: As a healthy seaweed, nori provides several minerals, including iodine, and can support digestion, cholesterol levels, blood sugar and thyroid health. Cucumber: One of the most hydrating veggies around, cucumber is high in antioxidants and nutrients but low in calories. As such, it’s great for detoxification, hydration and weight maintenance. Carrot: As a huge source of vitamin A, carrots support eye, heart, oral, skin and brain health. Shiitake mushrooms: As a medicinal mushroom, shiitake is an immune-booster that is also high in vitamin D. As such, this type of mushrooms is great to combat obesity, heart disease and more. Avocado: A true superfood, avocado is loaded with healthy fats and supports healthy vision, combats cancer cells, boosts weight loss, reduces inflammation and so much more. Alfalfa sprouts: High in vitamins K and C, along with many vital minerals, alfalfa sprouts are good for bone health and possess powerful anti-aging properties. This vegan sushi is a terrific option whether or not you are vegan — it’s light and fresh, requires no heat making for a perfect summertime option and is prepared quite easily. Get your vegan sushi on! How to Make Vegan Sushi Making sushi can be a snap, including this vegetable roll recipe. Begin by adding the cauliflower to a food processor and pulsing until it’s reached a rice-like consistency. This low-calorie, vitamin-rich vegetable makes eating this vegan sushi guilt-free. Place the cauliflower rice in a bowl, and pat down with a paper towel to remove the extra moisture. Set the rice aside for now. Now add the almonds to the food processor, pulsing until finely chopped. Combine them with the cauliflower rice, adding bee-free honey and salt and giving it all a good stir. Next, place a sheet of the nori seaweed on either a sushi rolling mat or a flat surface, and add 1/3 cup of “rice” to the nori, leaving about an inch rice-free around the edges. You’ll need that space to roll the sushi later. Add the rest of your fillings to the vegan sushi — yum! Then, using your hands, fold the nori up and over the filling, rolling tightly. Wet the nori with a little water to seal it shut. Cut the roll into smaller pieces with a knife, wiping it down with a damp towel between slices so the knife doesn’t stick to the roll. Serve with liquid aminos, a vegan-friendly soy sauce alternative. This vegan-friendly sushi is pretty easy to make and so delicious! As you get more familiar with the process, you can even start to get creative with your fillings. I love making a double batch of these vegan sushi rolls to chow down at lunchtime. I hope you love them as much as I do! Vegan Sushi Recipe: How to Make Healthy Vegetable Rolls DESCRIPTION This vegan sushi recipe will transform how you think about sushi. Instead of fish, it contains veggies wrapped in nori and cauliflower rice. INGREDIENTS Sushi Rice: 1 large head of cauliflower (makes about 6 cups cauliflower rice) ¼ cup almonds 1 tablespoon vegan honey A dash of Himalayan salt Filling: 8 sheets of nori 1 cucumber, julienned 1 carrot, peeled and washed, julienned 4 shiitake mushrooms, washed and thinly sliced 4 green onions, washed and chopped 1 avocado, peeled and thinly sliced 1½ cup alfalfa sprouts Dipping: Liquid Aminos INSTRUCTIONS Place the cauliflower in a food processor and pulse until rice consistency. In a large bowl, add cauliflower rice and pat with a paper towel thoroughly to remove moisture. Set aside. Add almonds to food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add almonds to cauliflower rice and add bee-free honey and salt, mixing until well-combined. Place a sheet of nori on a sushi rolling mat or flat surface, add ½ cup of cauliflower rice leaving about an inch around the edges, add filling ingredients. Using your hands, fold the nori up and over the filling and roll tightly, wetting the top edge of the nori with a little water to seal it. Cut the roll into little pieces wiping your knife with a damp towel between cuts so it doesn’t stick to the roll. Dip in Liquid Aminos. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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Cucumber Nutrition: Helps You Detox & Lose Weight

AHA Publisher — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 07:00:53 +0000

Jillian Levy, CHHC via Dr. Axe – You may have always assumed that cucumbers were full of water but offered little other nutrients. Well, think again when it comes to cucumber nutrition. What are the benefits of eating cucumbers? As you’ll learn below, they’re more than just a way to make pickles or reduce puffiness around your eyes — cucumber nutrition benefits include fighting free radical damage and inflammation. Cukes are one of the lowest calorie veggies, yet supply powerful polyphenolcompounds that can help naturally slow aging caused by oxidative stress. Additionally, known among researchers for their anti-diabetic, lipid-lowering and antioxidant activity, cucumbers have a detoxifying, cleansing effect on the body. They’re naturally “cooling” and a great way to prevent dehydration, constipation and overheating. Cucumber Nutrition Facts The cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a widely cultivated “gourd” and member of the Cucurbitaceae plant family. Cucumbers have been studied most in regard to their diuretic effects. This has earned them a reputation as a healing food in both traditional folk medicine and modern medicine. Technically, is a cucumber a fruit or a vegetable? It’s actually a fruit, although treated more like a vegetable. Eating cukes can add a decent amount of nutrients to your diet. According to cucumber nutrition data published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a half cup of cucumbers with the peel (approximately 52 grams) has about: 7.8 calories 1.9 grams carbohydrates 0.3 gram protein 0.1 gram fat 0.3 gram fiber 8.5 micrograms vitamin K (11 percent DV) 1.5 milligrams vitamin C (2 percent DV) 6.8 milligrams magnesium (2 percent DV) 76.4 milligrams potassium (2 percent DV) Health Benefits 1. Good Source of Cancer-Fighting Antioxidants Why are cucumbers good for you when it comes to boosting your immune system? Several bioactive compounds have been isolated from the nutritious cucumber, including cucurbitacins, glucosides, lignans, apigenin and flavonols like fisetin. After investigating cucumber benefits and the potential free radical-scavenging abilities of cucumbers, researchers involved in one study reported that within cucumbers, the presence of flavonoids and tannins seems be responsible for their free radical scavenging and analgesic effects. Compounds within cukes work to defend against cancer due to their ability to protect DNA and cells from damage due to oxidative stress. Fisetin is specifically tied to brain health and preservation of cognitive function, while cucurbitacins are known to have cancerous tumor-reducing effects. Researchers have found that cucurbitacin, a type of triterpene compound, may induce cancerous cell death (a process known as apoptosis). The most significant mechanisms with regard to the apoptotic effects of cucurbitacins are their ability to modify activities via nuclear factors or genes and to activate anti-tumor proteins. As such, eating plenty of high-antioxidant foods like cucumbers may help lower your risk of cancer. 2. High in Nutrients but Low in Calories Cucumbers are one of the vegetables with the highest water content. This means cucumber nutrition offers valuable vitamins and minerals, yet is super low in calories — with only about 16 calories per cup. Since the cucumbers are about 95 percent water, they do a good job of taking up room in your stomach. They can add volume to your meals without weighing you down. This means you can eat more and feel satiated while still sticking to an overall healthy, low-calorie or low-carb weight loss plan if needed. Plus, cucumber nutrition can help quench thirst and prevent the desire to snack due to dehydration. 3. Helps Detoxify the Body Cucurbitacins are a category of diverse compounds found in the plants of family Cucurbitaceae, including cucumbers. These compounds can support the digestive tract and liver. Cucumbers are also a natural diuretic food. This means they can help the body produce more urine to carry out toxins and waste. In the process, they’re great for reducing bloating and uncomfortable water retention — one reason to fill up on cucumbers after a night of salty food or alcohol. 4. Hydrates and Soothes Skin Is the skin of the cucumber good for you? Yes! Plan on eating the whole cucumber whenever possible, since the skin and seeds contain important compounds. Cucumber skin is a good source of vitamin A that can aid in skin health, plus cukes and their skin have diuretic effects that can reduce puffiness. Fresh cucumber juice has been used to naturally nourish damaged, dry or sensitive skin for centuries. According to some studies, cucumber slices or seeds applied directly to the skin gives a soothing and cooling effect against skin irritations and reduces swelling and redness. They’ve even been used to naturally treat acne, scars and other blemishes. Cucumbers also have the power to relax and alleviate pain, blotchiness and swelling following a sunburn, providing sunburn relief. The fruit is considered a “refrigerant, haemostatic and tonic, useful in treating hyperdipsia or thermoplegia.” In other words, cucumbers help stop bleeding, reduce heat buildup associated with inflammation, quench your thirst, relieve dehydration and fight “sunstroke” all at the same time. 5. Helps Depuff Swollen Eyes What do cucumbers do for your eyes? Due to their anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects, cucumbers can help decrease swelling and puffiness around the eyes. They can also help keep the skin around the eyes hydrated and, according to some people, make them appear more awake and less tired. Can you sleep with cucumbers on your eyes? It’s unlikely that they wouldn’t fall off all night long, but you can give it a try. Even letting cucumber slices sit on your eyes for 20–30 minutes can help. Cut cucumber slices and refrigerate them for a while, then lay them on your eyes as you sit back. Some people also use cold cucumber and grind it to make a paste with lavender oil or chamomile oil and some raw honey. 6. Helps Improve Metabolic/Heart Health Cucurbitacins found in cucumbers have been researched for their cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular and anti-diabetic effects. Lignans found in cucumbers have well-documented immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory effects that are beneficial for fighting cardiovascular disease. Studies investigating the effects of consuming ligans from plant foods have found beneficial associations with C-reactive protein levels, a lowering effect on total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and improved blood pressure levels. Cucumbers also provide important minerals that help maintain a healthy heart, including potassium and magnesium. Potassium is linked to healthier blood pressure levels since it helps control fluids in the body. Therefore, low potassium intake from fruits and veggies is often correlated with poorer heart health. Magnesium-rich foods are also beneficial for blood pressure in addition to general nerve functioning, heartbeat regulation, fluid balance, better blood sugar stability and higher energy expenditure. 7. Improves Digestion and Relieves Constipation The seeds of a cucumber are known for having a healing, heat-reducing effect on the body, and they’re often used to prevent and naturally relieve constipation in traditional forms of medicine like Ayurveda. Many people suffer from magnesium deficiency without even knowing it, but cucumber nutrition is a source of magnesium and other electrolytes that can help hydrate the gut and digestive lining, which keeps you more “regular.” Since they’re a great vegetable for juicing or making smoothies, you can try combining cucumbers with other hydrating foods — like melon, lime, avocado, celery and fennel — to create a natural anti-bloating drink. 8. Helps Alkalize the Blood Cucumber nutrition includes being one of the top alkaline foods that help balance the body’s pH level and counteract the effects of an acidic diet. Limiting consumption of acid-forming foods and eating more alkaline-forming foods instead is beneficial for protecting your body from diseases that thrive in an acidic entrainment. According to a report published in the Journal of Environmental Public Health: Life on earth depends on appropriate pH levels in and around living organisms and cells. Human life requires a tightly controlled pH level in the serum of about 7. It is generally accepted that agricultural humans today have a diet poor in magnesium and potassium as well as … This results in a diet that may induce metabolic acidosis which is mismatched to the genetically determined nutritional requirements. A properly balanced pH level is also thought to decrease leptin levels, the main hormone connected to hunger and appetite control, as well as inflammation. Since the body is able to easily digest nutrients in liquid form, this is one reason why cucumbers are a popular ingredient in green alkalizing juices. 9. Supports Strong Bones With 22 percent of your daily vitamin K in every cup of cucumbers, eating more cukes is a good way to help maintain bone mineral density. Vitamin K (in the form of K2) is a fat-soluble vitamin that works with other essential nutrients like calcium and magnesium to preserve strong bones. Vitamin K also supports a healthy metabolism, nutrient absorption, aids in heart health, helps with blood clotting, supports neurological function and can help protect against cancer. Yet vitamin K deficiency is common among adults and children due to a diet low in green vegetables, a low-cholesterol diet, medication use and poor absorption of nutrients. 10. Helps Prevent or Treat Headaches Traditionally, cucumbers have been used as a natural headache remedy and somewhat of a pain reducer since they fight inflammation and swelling. Headaches or migraines can be triggered by many things, including dehydration, stress, fatigue, low blood sugar and nutritional deficiencies. Many studies show that foods high in water and magnesium like cucumbers combat headaches by balancing fluids in the body and preventing dehydration. Types of Cucumbers There are dozens of different cucumber varieties grown around the world, but three main varieties of are most widely available today: those used for slicing and eating raw, pickling cucumbers (kirbys) and seedless cucumbers. Within the Cucurbitaceae plant group, some of the more common cucumber varieties include: Gherkin English Armenian Diva Green Burpless Boston Pickling Lemon Marketmore Persian Suyo Long History The Sanskrit synonym of cucumber is sushitalam, which means “very cooling.” According to Ayurveda, cucumbers have cool, light, astringent, sweet and slightly bitter properties. The juice from cucumbers has long been used as a natural electrolyte booster before energy drinks like vitamin water existed. Since it has antibacterial properties and is an anti-inflammatory food, the cucumber has been used as a home remedy for acne or to reduce redness and puffiness on the skin. Cucumber vs. Zucchini vs. Spinach Cucumber and zucchini are in the same plant family and have a similar appearance, but the two are different in terms of texture and nutritional value. Cucumbers (gourds) have a waxy, bumpy exterior, while zucchinis have a rough and dry exterior. Cucumbers are typically juicy, cool and crisp, while zucchini is a bit starchier and heartier. Another difference is that the flowers of the cucumber plant are not edible while the flowers of the zucchini plant are edible. Cucumbers are a bit lower in calories and carbohydrates than zucchini and provide a bit less vitamin C, vitamin B6 and certain phytonutrients. However, cucumber seeds and peels do have some antioxidants, such as flavonoids, lignans and triterpenes. How do cucumbers compare to leafy greens, such as spinach, in terms of nutrient content? There are more than a dozen different types of flavonoid antioxidants alone that are present in spinach. Spinach nutrition is packed with nutrients, including: fiber vitamin K vitamin C vitamin A manganese zinc folate iron and selenium While cucumbers also supply some of the nutrients, they don’t pack the punch that most greens do. Both spinach and cucumbers are low in carbs and great vegetables to have if you’re eating a low-carb diet. However, unlike cucumbers, which are typically eaten raw or fermented, sautéing, boiling or cooking spinach for just one minute can improve its nutrient absorbability and bring out its taste. How to Grow When it comes to choosing the best cukes, you have some options: Look for both regular cucumbers and smaller, bumpier “kirbys.” Kirbys are the kind most often used to make pickles. When shopping, look for cucumbers that are bright to dark green, firm and don’t have any soft, waterlogged spots. Whenever possible try to find organic cukes. Cucumber nutrition benefits are most available when you buy organic and unwaxed cucumbers (especially since you want to eat the skin). Because cucumbers are so water-dense, if they’re grown in soil contaminated with pesticides, they’ll likely hold on to a lot of chemicals, which wind up getting passed on to you. Even organic cucumbers can have wax, but...

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Study Claims Eating Vegetables Lower COVID-19 Death Rates

AHA Publisher — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 07:00:20 +0000

Sally Robertson, B.Sc. via News-Medical – A preliminary study by researchers in Europe claims that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality rates may be lower in countries where people consume high amounts of cabbage and cucumber. The findings lend support to two other studies published earlier this year that were headed by the same lead researcher, Jean Bousquet, from Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin. The first study reported that COVID–19 mortality rates seemed to be low in countries with high consumption of traditional fermented foods. At the same time, the second narrowed down the beneficial food type to fermented vegetables. The authors had proposed that this protective effect may be associated with the antioxidant activity of the foods acting on insulin resistance since many vegetables have been shown to have antioxidative effects against diabetes and cardiovascular disease. For the current study, the team hypothesized that a high intake of antioxidant-rich Brassica vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and head cabbage (white, red, and savoy cabbage) might be associated with the low COVID-19 mortality seen in some countries. “Now, Bousquet and colleagues say the “the negative ecological association between COVID-19 mortality and the consumption of cabbage and cucumber supports the a priori hypothesis previously reported.” The team recommends testing the hypothesis further by conducting individual studies in countries where a high vegetable intake is typical. A pre-print version of the paper is available on the server medRxiv*. A pre-print paper is a preliminary report that is yet to be evaluated by the scientific community. This means the information presented may be erroneous and should not be regarded as conclusive or established information. It will be interesting to see if this paper passes the peer review process and gets published. Striking Geographical Variation in COVID-19 Mortality Since the COVID-19 outbreak began in Wuhan, China, late last year, one striking finding has been the highly variable death rate between and within countries, say Bousquet and team. Although many factors may be involved, diet is one potentially relevant factor that has been largely overlooked, they add. Earlier this year, a study led by Bousquet showed that some countries with low COVID-mortality rates seemed to be ones that have diets rich in traditional fermented foods, and the team proposed that this was due to the foods’ antioxidative effects on insulin resistance. In another pre-print paper published on 7th July, Bousquet and colleagues describe a study of the consumption of fermented vegetables, pickled/marinated vegetables, fermented milk, yogurt, and fermented sour milk. That study claimed that of all the foods included, only the consumption of fermented vegetables had a significant effect on the COVID-19 mortality rate by country. Investigating the Protective Effect of Brassica Vegetables Now, for the current study, the authors proposed that “vegetables such as Brassica – with an antioxidant activity reducing insulin resistance – may also be associated with low COVID-19 mortality in countries.” To investigate, the team used data extracted from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database to compare the consumption of Brassica vegetables including broccoli, cauliflower, head cabbage (white, red and savoy cabbage) and leafy brassica with the consumption of spinach, cucumber, courgette, lettuce, and tomato. Data on COVID-19 mortality were downloaded from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, and the mortality per number of inhabitants was used to estimate death rates. Data downloaded from EuroStat were used to adjust for potential confounders by country, including gross domestic product, population density, the proportion of people older than 64 years, unemployment rate, and obesity prevalence. The team reports that of all the variables and confounders considered, only the consumption of head cabbage and cucumber had any significant impact on the COVID-19 mortality rate by country. For each gram per day increase in the amount of head cabbage consumed, the risk of dying from COVID-19 decreased by 13.6 %. For each gram per day increase in the amount of cucumber consumed, this death risk fell by 15.7%. Which Mechanisms Might Underly the Protective Effect? Many natural compounds derived from vegetables are potent activators of the transcription factors related to antioxidant effects such as Nrf2. “Cruciferous vegetables such as Brassicaceae contain high amounts of sulforaphane, a potent activator of Nfr2,” say Bousquet and colleagues. Although cucumber does not belong to the Brassicaceae family, it is rich in a compound called Cucurbitacin B that exerts anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic effects through the activation of Nrf2, says the team. “These results and those of the recent study on fermented foods suggest a strong link between Nrf2 and the protection against severe forms of COVID-19,” write the researchers. “Another Piece of the Hypothesis” “Thus, although this study is only indicative of the role of diet in COVID-19, it is however, another piece of the hypothesis proposing that some vegetables with antioxidant properties may be involved in the prevention of severe COVID-19 at a country level,” writes the team. The researchers acknowledge that since the study was restricted to European counties, the findings cannot be extrapolated to other regions. “The hypothesis needs to be tested in individual studies performed in countries where the consumption of vegetables is common,” they conclude. *Important Notice medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. To read the original article click here.

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Top 10 Keto Zone Anti-Aging Foods

The AHA! Team — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 07:00:00 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Just as there are foods and nutrients that expedite aging, there are the opposite: Nutrients and foods that slow aging. Keep eating anti-aging foods for whole body health and strong, youthful cells. If nutrients can expedite aging, surely there are anti-aging foods. There must be foods and nutrients that reduce aging in our appearance, cells, tissues, joints, heart, and brain, right? (Photo by Pablo MerchÃ¡n Montes on Unsplash) The good news is, there are. These anti-aging foods and nutrients promote health and longevity, and can even reverse some of the aging and damage caused by free radicals, oxidative stress, inflammation, and more. Here are the top 10 Anti-Aging Foods. Top 10 Anti-Aging Foods 1. Purified Water Okay, water is not exactly food. But, the substance that makes up most of the Earth, and most of our bodies, can provide a lot of healing, nourishment, and beauty to them. One surefire way to appear older is to have dry skin. Dry skin increases the appearance of wrinkles and lines in our skin. Staying hydrated with water each day can keep your skin looking supple, vibrant, and smooth. 2. Hydrolyzed Collagen Hydrolyzed collagen powder is a protein made from the bones, tissues, and hooves of animals. Although this does not sound very particularly beautiful, the amino acids it contains can improve the health of our own tissues and skin. In fact, it can do wonders for dry, winter skin. A 2014 study of 46 women, ages 35-55, showed that eight weeks of collagen powder supplementation improved skin elasticity within just 4 weeks (1). Another study showed that collagen increases moisture in the skin to produce younger-looking, less-fragmented skin (2). 3. Omega-3 Fats Omega-3s fats are strong dietary antinflammatories. When consumed, especially in amounts that improve their ratio to omega-6s, they cause our bodies to produce less harmful inflammatory hormones and more healthful anti-inflammatory hormones. How does this slow aging? Omega-3s keep us youthful by: • Improving heart health by reducing triglycerides, bad cholesterol, and cardiovascular inflammation. A healthy heart is a youthful one. • Improving blood sugars. Balanced blood sugars mean less stiff arteries and healthier (younger) organs. • Improving brain health. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are implanted in the brain and can affect cognitive decline (vs. a youthful brain), mood, and overall brain health. • Increasing calorie burn and decreasing fat storage. Leaner, stronger bodies appear younger. Recent studies show an increase in calorie output with approximately 2000 mg DHA/EPA per day (you’ll average 1000 mg per day by eating 12 oz. salmon per week, so consider supplementing another 1000 mg per day). Furthermore, since the fats make your cells more sensitive to insulin, they reduce fat storage. 4. Raw Cacao, Black Pepper, and Cinnamon Raw cacao, black pepper, and cinnamon are anti-aging foods that work at the cellular level. They are extremely high in antioxidants. Their antioxidants are so potent at the cellular level they go beyond the normal reduction in oxidative stress to promote longevity and health in the body. Raw cacao’s nutrients cross the blood-brain barrier to affect brain health and mood (3). One study of older adults showed an increase of 10% brain blood flow with cacao. Other studies show improved blood flow and cognition in those with and without a deficit, indicating a potential use for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Cinnamon, which has been found to have one of the highest antioxidant capacities among foods, can increase antioxidant activity by 13 percent when consumed daily! Black pepper can keep joints feeling young: Study after study has shown reduced pain, increased healing, and decreased pathology in arthritic animals and humans (4). 5. Cucumbers and Celery Some foods and nutrients help our bodies rid themselves of excess fluid. Cucumbers and celery are two such foods. When we eat sugars, drink alcohol, eat foods too high in sodium, or even subject ourselves to high heat in the middle of winter, our skin can become puffy, giving us a more aged appearance. The natural diuretic action of cucumbers and celery can reduce puffiness and improve the appearance of our skin. 6. Detox Vegetables: Kale, Cauliflower, and Broccoli Many vegetables are loaded with vitamins and minerals, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and cholesterol lowering nutrients. Specific vegetables take it one step further and promote cellular detoxification to keep our cells healthy and young. Cauliflower, broccoli and kale support our cells’ complete detoxifying process. Our cells are bombarded with toxins each day. When they are overloaded and need to detox, they undergo a 2-step process: Phase 1 and Phase 2 detoxification. Their antioxidants, which contain sulfur and nitrogen, make compounds that support both phases of detoxification. An easy way to get the most out of detox vegetables? Try Fermented Green Supremefood. 7. Green Tea Green tea is a youth-inducing drink. Its antioxidants repair and protect cells. One specific antioxidant, EGCG goes for the brain. In fact, in mice induced with Alzeimher’s and Parkinson’s Disease, it helped to protect brain cells from dying, as well as ‘rescuing’ already damaged neurons in the brain, a phenomenon called neurorescue or neurorestoration. What’s more, EGCG has antibacterial properties that promote oral health in tea drinkers. A healthy smile is a youthful one. It also helps keep eyes young and healthy. EGCG is absorbed by cells in the eye, and provide protective effects for up to 20 hours after consumption. This has led many experts to believe it may have a role in reducing diseases of the eye and glaucoma. Lastly, EGCG can help our bodies oxidize and burn fat. Multiple studies have shown an increase in metabolic rates, weight loss, decreased waistline and fat loss with consistent green tea ingestion. 8. Vitamin D When you consume vitamin D, you’re actually consuming a pre-hormone (a nutrient that acts as a precursor to hormones). Vitamin D specifically can help keep our hormones balanced as we age. It helps regulate other hormones, including adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine production in the brain, and serotonin. These hormones contribute to our emotional responses (5), metabolism, weight, and energy levels. 9. Youthful Hormone-Balancing Nutrients Vitamin K2 is often deficient in adults. It improves bone health specifically in post-menopausal women. Bone health is important for a youthful body, as failing bones and joints can keep us from doing the youthful activities we want. In fact, supplementing both K2 and D3 can promote balanced hormones that affect bones, and reduce spinal fractures, hip fractures, and osteoporosis while improving dental health (6). Diindolylmethane (DIM), a compound produced by our bodies when we eat green vegetables, is important for balanced hormones because it alters the metabolism of estrogen. DIM blocks an enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen and converts “bad estrogens,” into good estrogen metabolites (bad estrogens cause most pre-menstrual and menopause symptoms). Good estrogens, on the other hand, promote lean muscle mass, beneficial collagen, strong bones, and heart health (6). If you’re interested in consuming more of these nutrients that slow aging and balance hormones, check out this Hormone Zone supplement. 10. Ginger and Turmeric Two of my favorite anti-inflammatory foods can help your cells, gut, joints, brain and tissues turn back the clock. Ginger and Turmeric and amazing foods, alleviating arthritis, joint pain, and muscle pain. What’s more, they improve gut health, brain health, and whole-body health. This can keep you feeling spry and young. Bottom Line Just as there are foods and nutrients that expedite aging, there are the opposite: Nutrients and foods that slow aging. Keep eating anti-aging foods for whole body health and strong, youthful cells. To read the original article click here. For more articles by Dr. Colbert click here.

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