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African Tree Fruit Beats Dangerous New “Diet” Drugs

The AHA! Team — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 06:03:14 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – Healers on almost every continent I’ve traveled to have told me about the health benefits of the moringa tree – including its incredible weight loss properties. There’s a hot new trend in the world of quick-fix weight loss solutions… I’m sure you’ve heard about it on the news. I’m talking about the diabetes drug Ozempic. Right now, demand for this drug is so high that even patients who are prescribed it to control their blood sugar can’t get their hands on it. (Of course, I don’t recommend using any Big Pharma drug to control your blood sugar.) Healers on almost every continent I’ve traveled to have told me about the health benefits of the moringa tree – including its incredible weight loss properties. But it’s easy to understand why women are turning to medications like Ozempic in their quest to fight obesity… You see, when you do a quick internet search for “what causes obesity,” the first place Google takes you to is the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the CDC’s first sentence puts the blame squarely on the individual…in other words, you. Then they tell you that the best way to lose weight is to cut calories by eating low-fat foods. More Americans are overweight today than at any time in our history Yet, despite eating less fat, more Americans are overweight today than at any time in our history. The so-called experts continue to get it all wrong. As a result, we’re fatter, sicker, and weaker than ever. In the U.S., the obesity rate is now over 40% – three times higher than it was in the 1980s.1 To lose weight, I advise my patients to ignore mainstream medicine’s bad advice…and return to the foods of our ancestors. And this includes adding leaves from a “miracle tree” to your diet. Let me explain… Healers on almost every continent on Earth – except North America – have introduced me to this tree. Its botanical name is Moringa oleifera. And while most people here have never heard of it – and few doctors would ever think about using it as a treatment – it’s known by at least 210 different names in 82 countries. In several African languages, it’s named “Nebedaye,” which means “never die.” On the Indonesian island of Bali, locals call it “Daun Kelor” or the drumstick tree. And people in Jamaica and Peru call it the “Tree of Life.” Ancient cultures have used Moringa as a superfood and a kind of pharmacy-on-a-tree for thousands of years. Some researchers today think it may even hold the key to human survival. Astonishingly, it’s packed with more than 200 antioxidants, and its bark, seeds, and leaves also have powerful anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. But that’s just for starters. Moringa can strengthen weak bones, enrich anemic blood, boost libido, and even help your body build and repair muscle. Ounce for ounce has the calcium of 16 glasses of milk, the vitamin C of seven oranges, the potassium of 15 bananas, and almost 25 times the iron of spinach. I’ve seen traditional healers in Africa and Bali use moringa to treat everything from skin infections, headaches, and constipation to modern diseases like diabetes, heart disease, prostate problems, high blood pressure, cancer, and HIV.2,3,4 Moringa Leaves Contain Powerful Anti-Obesity Properties Now researchers in Asia have revealed that moringa leaves are also a potent gut health booster with powerful prebiotic anti-obesity properties. American doctors should pay close attention to this research because it has the power to alleviate our obesity crisis. Scientists discovered that moringa leaves contain compounds called polysaccharides, on which good gut bacteria thrive. One of those polysaccharides, MOs-2-a, was shown to boost the number of a special strain of gut bacteria with potent anti-obesity and weight-control properties.5 At the same time, MOs-2-a was also shown to strengthen the immune system and improve the function of digestive enzymes that degrade starch, fats, and protein in food. Earlier research found that moringa reduces weight gain and insulin resistance in animals.6 Additional studies show that it slows fat formation and enhances fat breakdown.7 The good news is that – even though American doctors ignore it – you can easily find moringa powder in most health food stores and online. And moringa isn’t just good for you; it’s tasty. Moringa has a subtle, slightly spicy flavor, a little like. You can cook moringa leaves and seeds in oil – a popular dish in Africa. You can use it in salads, curries, and savory dishes. Or sprinkle it into your smoothie and whatever fruits and vegetables you like. Sip Moringa Tea For Weight Loss And So Much More One of the easiest ways to use moringa is by making tea. Here’s a simple recipe I was shown in Africa. You can make it hot or cold. Ingredients: 2 tsp moringa leaf powder Fresh ginger root, thinly sliced Freshly squeezed lemon juice Preparation: Place the moringa powder and a slice of ginger root in a cup and add 8-12 ounces of boiling water. Stir thoroughly and allow the tea to steep, covered, for about 10 minutes. For cold tea, chill in the refrigerator for about half an hour and serve over ice. When I first tried it, I added a little bit of sweetener made from the African katemfe fruit, but a little honey will also do the trick. Moringa capsules are also available. I recommend starting with 500 mg a day. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Obesity is a common, serious, and costly disease.” Accessed April 4, 2022. 2. Mbikay M. “Therapeutic potential of moringa oleifera leaves in chronic hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia: A review.” Front Pharmacol. 2012; 3:24. 3. Gopalakrishnanb L, et al. “Moringa oleifera: A review on nutritive importance and its medicinal application.” Food Sci Hum Wellness. 2016;5(2):49-56. 4. Chan Sun M, et al. “Consumption of Moringa oleifera lam leaves lowers postprandial blood pressure.” J Am Coll Nutr. 2020 Jan;39(1):54-62. 5. Fang Wang, et al. “The beneficial effects of a polysaccharide from moringa oleifera leaf on gut microecology in mice.” J Med Food. 2019 Sep;22(9):907-918. 6. Waterman C, et al. “Isothiocyanate-rich Moringa oleifera extract reduces weight gain, insulin resistance and hepatic gluconeogenesis in mice.” Mol Nutr Food Res. 2015 Jun; 59(6): 1013–1024. 7. Xie J, et al. “Moringa oleifera leaf petroleum ether extract inhibits lipogenesis by activating the AMPK signaling pathway.” Front Pharmacol. 2018 Dec 18;9:1447. To read the original article click here.

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5 Ways a Healthy Weight Support Immune Function. Achieve Yours

AHA Publisher — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 07:00:18 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – If you’re overweight, you can make a significant difference in your immune function, starting today! By working towards a healthy weight, you can improve the health of your body systems that spur immune health. While this is easier said than done, even prudent changes in weight can make a huge difference. In fact, a healthy weight supports immune function by supporting heart function, hormones, digestion, and more. Notably, there is a direct and measurable improvement in immune function outcomes and the incidence of sickness during and after healthy weight changes. It will take work and dedication to improve your weight. We are here to help and have a plan that will guide you towards a healthy weight and lifestyle. Are you ready to support your immune function with a healthier weight? Unhealthy Weight and Incidence of Sickness During the past few decades, experts have come to understand that being at an unhealthy weight, directly and indirectly, increases the risk of seasonal sickness and poor immune function. In fact, they believe that being overweight can cause a chronic state of inflammation that harms immune function. This can result in a blunted immune response to harmful invaders and microbes, poor recovery, and even a decreased response with medications (1). As the number of overweight individuals continues to increase in the population, health experts are bracing for more and more community sickness. But, there’s good news. Even just a small change in weight or a loss of about 5-10% can make a big difference in immune function. And, the more an individual moves towards a healthy weight, the better the results become. Here are 5 ways a healthy weight supports immune function. 5 Ways a Healthy Weight Supports Immune Function 1. HEALTHIER GUT BACTERIA AND REDUCED INFLAMMATION Did you know that gut microbiota (bacteria) is altered in an overweight or obese individual compared to one at a healthy weight? It’s true. It’s in an unhealthy state. This unhealthy state has big implications for immune function and overall health. Human gut bacteria plays many roles, and an immune function is highly dependent on it. What’s not so clear is whether being obese causes healthy bacteria to change and become unhealthy, or whether the altered gut bacteria contribute to obesity. Experts believe the answer is a bit of both. There are several mechanisms linking the gut microbiota with obesity, altered insulin reactions, inflammation, metabolic issues, failing liver function, and more. The unhealthy gut bacteria may actually contribute to an altered hormone state that perpetuates fat gain (2). More fat gain further deteriorates healthy gut bacteria. This unhealthy cycle continues and reaps havoc on immune function. So, how does a healthy weight affect the gut and immune system? As an individual works towards and achieves a healthy weight, there are significant changes in gut microbial composition. These changes continue to spur advances toward a healthy weight. This is true for both diet-induced weight changes and bariatric surgery (3). Adding healthy bacteria to the diet during the effort can further support digestion and immune function. 2. NORMALIZED BLOOD SUGARS WITH A HEALTHY WEIGHT Did you know the presence of high blood sugars increases the incidence of sickness and infection? Thankfully, a healthy weight can normalize blood sugars. In fact, when blood sugars are high, sickness can induce a stress reaction which may lead to the secretion of hyperglycemic hormones, abnormal glucose variability, and health complications. What’s more, infections increase blood sugar levels which perpetuates the problem. The opposite is true when an individual works towards a healthy weight. In one study, researchers reported that improvements in weight were strongly associated with improvements in blood sugars, blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and HDL cholesterol. They stated that a modest weight loss of just 5-10% was enough to improve health (4). 3. HEALTHY WEIGHT MEANS A HEALTHIER HEART Another organ vital to overall health and immune function is the heart. Unfortunately, obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular illnesses. Why? Being overweight stresses the heart, and this can lead to increased inflammation, elevated blood pressure, and changes in heart structure. What’s more, pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by adipose tissue can induce cardiac dysfunction (5). On the other hand, most illnesses can hurt the heart, and harmful microbes can promote the development of cardiovascular disorders and injury. An unhealthy or weak heart diminishes immune strength (6). Achieving a healthy weight supports immune function and heart health! 4. A HEALTHY WEIGHT PROMOTES A HEALTHIER LIVER The liver is extremely important to immune function and the detoxification of the human body. Unfortunately, an unhealthy weight can impair liver function. If you’re worried about your weight, liver, and immune system, there’s good news. A recent study found that a 5% decrease in BMI (body mass index) in overweight participants resulted in a decrease in liver fat and liver volume. They saw improvements in liver health with this weight decrease (7). As you achieve a healthy weight, you can support liver and immune function! 5. HEALTHY LUNGS Many people don’t think of the lungs when they think of immune health. However, they are vital. Healthy alveoli (tissues at the ends of bronchi in the lungs) are responsible for gaseous exchange in and out of the lungs and blood supply. They also work as an emergency exit for toxins. When your lungs are healthy, they support immune function by helping rid the body of toxic substances, microbes, and byproducts. However, being overweight can impair lung function. It causes substantial changes to the mechanics of the lungs and chest wall. This can result in asthma-like symptoms and inflammation in the lungs. Positive changes in BMI can help! In fact, several studies have found that improved weights result in increases in lung volumes and overall lung health (8). In addition to a healthy weight, it’s vitally important for lung health to abstain from smoking. How to Work Towards a Healthy Weight Starting Today If you are interested in supporting your immune system and overall health by achieving a healthy weight, we have plans for you! In fact, you can start with Dr. Colbert’s 21 Day Detox and Fast. It’s free and will help you improve the health of every system mentioned here. Then, you can make real lifestyle changes and achieve a healthy weight with Keto Zone. Start by joining our FREE Keto Zone 21-Day-Challenge. Next, keep going with the Keto Zone Starter Kitincluding Dr. Colbert’s Keto Zone Diet Book and his latest book, Healthy Gut Zone, as approximately 75 percent of your total immune cells are found in your gut. Bottom Line You can support your immune system, but it takes working towards a healthy weight. Work towards your goals, and let us help with proven programs for health, immunity, and lifestyle change! You can start for free today! To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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3 Thanksgiving Health Tips to Prevent Weight Gain

AHA Publisher — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 08:00:28 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS – Today, I want to share with you my Thanksgiving health tips, specifically on how to not gain 10 pounds on Thanksgiving! Now, has anyone ever really gained 10 pounds on Thanksgiving day? I doubt it, but you know what, there have been quite a few people who have been close, so I want to share with you my secret today on how to not gain a lot of weight on this festive Thursday. While I haven’t seen anyone actually gain 10 pounds on Thanksgiving day specifically, I have seen people gain 10 pounds over a 30-day period between Thanksgiving and Christmas! You don’t want to be that person, so let me share with you my top secrets and tips for not gaining holiday weight. 3 Important Thanksgiving Health Tips 1. Get Active The No. 1 Thanksgiving health tip I would recommend you do, first thing Thanksgiving morning, is get outside and get active. Even if it’s snowing in your area, getting outside for 20 minutes is a great thing to do — or if you can’t do that, do a 20-minute burst training workout. If you don’t have 20 minutes, even five minutes can help you keep that weight off. So make sure on Thanksgiving morning to wake up and get active, whether that’s taking a walk outside or a 20-minute BurstFit routine. That’s going to help you keep weight off Thanksgiving morning. In addition to your morning workout, get outside and do something active during the day. One of the things we’ve done in my family for years is we get out and we play a little bit of 3-on-3 or 5-on-5 football for an hour or so, both men and women. We love doing it. Getting outside and creating a fun family tradition like that — maybe some backyard football — is a great way to have a lot of fun, follow some great tradition and, at the same time, work to not pack on the pounds from some of those extra calories you’re probably consuming Thanksgiving day. 2. Focus on Protein Another one of my Thanksgiving health tips when you’re trying to lose weight or just keep the weight off these holidays is to focus on more good, quality protein foods. Turkey is amazing. It’s full of tryptophan, protein and other amino acids that can really support your immune system, which can help improve your mood. There are a lot healthy benefits of turkey so when you’re loading up that plate Thanksgiving Day, pack on the turkey. For instance, in addition to providing protein with fewer calories and less fat than beef and the tryptophan that helps the body make niacin and serotonin — which helps your mood — turkey contains selenium, phosphorus and B vitamins. Selenium benefits include its role as a powerful antioxidant that regulatesthyroid hormone metabolism and reproduction. With almost half of the daily recommended value of selenium in a serving, turkey is an excellent selenium source. As a food high in phosphorus, turkey also helps the body make protein and use carbs and fats, thus helping prevent weight gain. Throw in the beneficial B vitamin content — namely niacin, vitamin B6 and riboflavin — and turkey also benefits digestion, brain development, immunity, metabolism and red blood cell production. So have the turkey piled high, go easy on the gravy, go easy on the stuffing, and add lots of turkey and then lots of good vegetables to your Thanksgiving plate. If you can get some good protein in there — even things like deviled eggs that you can make as healthier options — that’s one of the best Thanksgiving health tips I can offer. So again, I highly recommend loading up on the turkey if you want to keep the weight off here Thanksgiving day. Plus, as an added benefit, you can make so many healthy, delicious leftover turkey recipes that help limit weight gain and keep those pants from getting too tight! 3. Monitor Your Meals Last but not least on the Thanksgiving health tips list, if you want to really keep weight off on Thanksgiving Day, monitor your meals. Pumpkin pie is fine as is a little bit of cranberry sauce — like my Cranberry Sauce with Pecans recipe — but really try and stick to one piece during the day. Also, on Thanksgiving morning, wake up and consume a superfood shake. You’re probably going to overeat at that big Thanksgiving meal — and maybe even with the leftovers that night — but if you can still wake up and get a good, healthy, quality breakfast, that’s going to help you keep the weight off. Don’t eat a lot of carbs in the morning — you’re probably going to get more carbs in the afternoon. Instead, I recommend a healthy smoothie recipe with a good, quality protein powder, some coconut milk and maybe like half a cup of berries — but really limit your carbohydrates in the morning. That’s going to allow your body to burn more carbs later on in the day. If you do those three things, you’re not going to pack on the weight. If you overeat a little bit, that’s fine — just get back on your horse on Friday or Monday. Have a blessed Thanksgiving. 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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