Tag Archives: weight loss

Health Benefits of ALMONDS

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“Compared to all other nuts, almonds are the most packed with nutrients and beneficial components.”

 –organicfacts.net

Here’s a neat infographic on the nutritional benefits and properties of almonds (from https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/seed-and-nut/health-benefits-of-almonds.html)

 

The Rundown

What almonds do, in short

  • Help maintain overall health of the nervous system
  • Keep your heart healthy
  • Help maintain a healthy amount of good cholesterol while reducing bad cholesterol (this also reduces your risk of getting heart disease)
  • Aid in the maintenance of healthy hair, skin, & teeth
  • Prevent colon cancer (due to their high fibre content)
  • Regulate blood sugar (as they contain potassium)
  • Help you lose weight
  • Alkalize your body
  • Keep your energy up and raise your metabolism

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Almonds help maintain heart health

          The monounsaturated fats, protein, potassium, and vitamin E that almonds have reduces the risk of heart diseases.

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Almonds help you lose weight

          You may think almonds will make you gain weight due to their fat content, but the fat they contain is unsaturated.  This is good, natural fat, which fills you, making you less likely to reach for a candy bar or something junky later.  The dietary fibre in almonds also contributes to a full-stomach feeling, and helps maintain consistent bowel movements and prevents constipation, leading to a good-working system that isn’t holding onto fat but is being consistently cleaned-out! 

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Almonds alkalize your body

                When your body is too acidic, you can experience low energy, weight gain, poor immune function, and develop osteoporosis.  Almonds counteract these symptoms because they are alkaline. 

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Almonds increase Energy & increase your Metabolism

         Almonds release energy slowly and keep you boosted throughout the day because they contain manganese, copper, and riboflavin.

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Vitamins, Minerals, and Nutrients

  • B vitamins
  • Vitamin E – eliminates free radicals.  Free radicals cause damage in your body.  Studies have shown that people are less likely to get heart disease if they consume high levels of vitamin E.
  • Calcium and Phosphorous – help keep your bones and teeth healthy.  Just make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin D, which will allow your body to properly absorb these minerals.
  • Iron
  • Manganese
  • Magnesium – can help your body avoid a heart attack
  • Zinc
  • Selenium
  • Niacin
  • Copper
  • FIBRE 🙂
  • Phytosterols
  • Unsaturated fat (aka good fat)
  • ANTIOXIDANTS
  • Folic acid – reduces homocysteine, which causes plaque buildup in arteries
  • Potassium – regulates blood pressure
  • Protein

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Fatty Acids

We need to get our fatty acids from food because our bodies can’t create them itself.  Almonds contain healthy fatty acids – linoleic and linolenic (see below, Anti-Inflammatory, for more info).

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Pregnancy

The folic acid almonds contain helps reduce birth defects and stimulates healthy cell growth and tissue formation.

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Properties

Food for your Brain – Protect against Alzheimer’s

          Almonds have 2 important nutrients your brain needs: riboflavin and L-carnitine

          These have been found to increase brain activity and fight Alzheimer’s

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Anti-inflammatory

          The linoleic and linolenic acids in almonds (which are fatty acids) reduce inflammation

 

Health Benefits of Bananas

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Banana Bunch

I love bananas.  That’s not to say that you have to love bananas just because I do, but once you find out more about this tropical delight you might enjoy eating them just a wee bit more.  So let’s peel away and get right down to the core of this yummy yellow fruit!

First of all, I want to mention something I’ve always found interesting about bananas.  Are you ready??

They grow upside down.  Okay, maybe that’s kind of a letdown.  Maybe you already knew that, or it doesn’t really do much for you, it’s just kind of like, ‘OK, whatever;’ but I find it interesting.  Of course, whether it grows upside down or right side up depends on what end of the banana you consider the top to begin with.  I’ve always considered the top to be the end that attaches to the rest of the bunch of bananas – the end with the long skinny nose.  So, if you think like me (and remember, great minds think alike!), then yes, bananas grow upside down, and yes, they grow on trees; banana trees, beautiful, luscious, tropical banana trees.  As seen in Hawaii.

Anyway, I guess it’s about time I get into the nutritional aspect of bananas.

#1 – High Potassium Content

Because of the level of potassium bananas contain, they are great for improving brain function and lowering blood pressure.  Since potassium increases brain function, it subsequently boosts alertness and learning.  Bananas have also been shown to protect against strokes and heart attacks because potassium lowers blood pressure.  Have you hit a brain block in your studies or at work?  Eat a banana.  Are you having a stroke?  Eat a banana.  Are you generally stressed?  Eat a banana…And that brings us to our next point…

#2 – Anti-Depression, Anti-Stress

When you eat a banana, a complex cycle of events occur within your body.  I’m not going to go into detail, but between the time a banana goes in and out of your body, the tryptophan contained in the banana is converted into serotonin, a neurotransmitter.  This makes you feel happy, much like endorphins (also neurotransmitters) that are produced when you exercise, experience excitement, etc.

#3 – General Health

There are so many great aspects of bananas that contribute to overall health.  They naturally protect against type 2 diabetes, macular degeneration, and kidney cancer, and help with weight loss.  This super spectacular fruit also acts as a digestive aid, removing toxins and heavy metals from the body due to its high pectin content.  The vitamin B-6 in bananas increases production of white blood cells, and the iron they contain strengthens blood and can help relieve anemia.   In addition, bananas help restore electrolytes after diarrhea and, since they are high in fibre (as are most fruits and vegetables), they promote bowel mobility.

#4 – A Prebiotic

One consumed, bananas behave like prebiotics.  This basically means that they promote the growth of good flora in your gut, which aid digestion.  Bananas not only stimulate gut bacteria, but good bowel bacteria as well, and produce digestive enzymes that help you absorb nutrients, thus soothing the digestive tract.

#5 – Bone and Muscle Health

Not only are bananas great for preventing muscle cramps, they also contribute to bone health because they lessen calcium loss during urination.  This helps keep your bones strong and is especially important for children as they need enough calcium for their bones to grow properly.

 

Bananas also…

–          Strengthen the nervous system

–          Reduce swelling

–          Sustain blood sugar

–          And help relieve acid reflux and heartburn because they are a natural antacid