SEVEN BENEFITS OF PINEAPPLE

BENEFITS OF PINEAPPLES

Pineapples are a delicious tropical fruit that have been celebrated for centuries not only for their unique taste, but also for their seemingly great health benefits. Their health and therapeutic benefits include their ability to improve respiratory health , decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes, prevent cancer, improve heart disease, improve oral health, aid in digestion, cure coughs and colds, help you lose weight, strengthen bones, boost eye health ( clearer vision), reduce inflammation, improve the immune system and increase circulation and also promotes a healthy complexion and hair, and more energy.

Pineapples belong to the Bromeliaceae family and are actually a composite fruit made of coalesced berries that grow at the crown of a fruiting tree.

Nutritional Importance of Pineapples

Pineapple is also  storehouse of great health benefits due to its wealth of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, such as calcium Ca, magnesium Mg, vitamin C, potassium K , copper Cu,  manganese, beta carotene,  thiamin, B6, and folate, as well as soluble and insoluble fiber, and bromelain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.     DIGESTION: Pineapples are a rich source of fiber, but they are special in the way that they contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. This means that eating a healthy amount of pineapples can protect you from a vast amount of health conditions, including constipation, blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, atherosclerosis and blood clotting. Fiber also strips the blood vessels clean of excess cholesterol and eliminate it from the body, thereby boosting cardiovascular health. Fiber can bulk up stool, which stimulates the release of gastric and digestive juices to help food dissolve. Furthermore, it bulks up loose stool, which helps with irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea.

2.     ARTHRITIS MANAGEMENT:  Pineapples contain a relatively rare proteolytic enzyme called bromelain, which is primarily associated with breaking down complex proteins, but it also has serious anti-inflammatory effects, and has been positively correlated with reducing the signs and symptoms of arthritis in many test subjects. Most of this inflammation occurs at the joint and muscle.

3.     CANCER PREVENTION: Pineapples are rich in various other antioxidants, including vitamin A, bromelain, flavonoid compounds, and beta carotene, which is an important co-factor of superoxide dismutase, an extremely potent free radical scavenger that has been associated with a number of different cancers. Pineapple has been directly related to preventing cancers of the breast, mouth, and throat.

4.     EYE HEALTH: The eye is one of the most important senses for human beings, and pineapples have been directly connected to improving eye health and preventing the age-related eye deficiencies that often occur. Macular degeneration affects many elderly people, and beta carotene can help delay this vision problem. Keeping proper amounts of beta-carotene in your diet from fruits and vegetables is important if you want to see properly when you are old.

5.     BLOOD CIRCULATION: Pineapples provides the body with copper, another essential mineral that functions in a numerous enzymatic reactions and compounds in the body. Most notably, copper (cu) is a necessary element for the formation of healthy red blood cells (RBC). High red blood cell count increases oxygenation to the various organ systems and makes them function at optimal levels. It also increases cognitive abilities and can maintain neural pathways to prevent neural disorders like dementia (lost of memory) and Alzheimer’s disease.

6.     BONE HEALTH: Although pineapples are not famous for having strong calcium content, it does have an impressive amount of manganese, which is another trace mineral that is essential in the strengthening of bones, as well as their growth and repair. Manganese is the most prominent mineral in pineapple.

7.     COUGHS AND COLDS: Bromelain is the normal immune system yielding power of vitamin C, is also connected with the reduction of phlegm and mucus build up in the respiratory tracts and sinus cavities. It therefore prevents the illnesses that cause phlegm and mucus build-up, while also treating them by loosening those materials and helping you eliminate them from your body if you’ve already contracted an illness or infection.

CAUTION:

Bromelain is a powerful chemical, as is vitamin C, if taken in excess. Both of these are in high proportions in pineapple, and an “overdose” can lead to vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and nausea. Also, bromelain has been known to stimulate menstruation, so pregnant women should avoid excessive pineapple, as the high levels of bromelain can actually lead to a miscarriage in rare cases.

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TOP TEN BENEFITS OF ORANGE

TOP TEN BENEFITS OF ORANGE  

Oranges are a great source of Vitamin C and full of other antioxidants that are good for you. Oranges are full of vitamin C, which protects cells by neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals cause chronic diseases, like cancer and heart disease. Antioxidant may be defined as a substance (vitamin C) that inhibits oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen, or free radical. It also a substance that is added to food and other product to prevent harmful chemical in when they combine with oxygen. Oranges are a breakfast staple, though orange juice should be consumed in small amounts because the high sugar content of fruit juices can cause tooth decay if consumed in excess. Below are the benefits of oranges;  

1.     THEY RELIEVE CONSTIPATION: Oranges are full of dietary fiber, which stimulates digestive juices and relieves constipation. Fibers are dietary materials containing substance such as lignin, pectin and cellulose that are resistance to digestive enzyme.

2.     HELP PREVENT VARIOUS TYPES OF CANCER: Citrus is more than just a fresh, sour flavor used for livening up food and drink. Oranges are rich in citrus limonoids, proven to help fight a number of varieties of cancer including that of the breast, colon, skin, lung, and stomach.

3.     THEY AID IN GOOD EYE HEALTH AND PROTECT VISION: Oranges are rich in carotenoid compounds, which are converted to vitamin A and help prevent macular degeneration.

4.     BOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEM: Citrus fruits are also a great way to keep you health in the present. That’s because they are filled with vitamin C which you need to produce the white blood cells that destroy viruses, bacteria and other foreign invaders. Oranges also contain vitamin A, folate and copper.

5. ORANGES LOWER CHOLESTEROL: Oranges do not contain any cholesterol, but they can lower the levels of cholesterol in your body. Since they’re full of soluble fiber, oranges are helpful in lowering cholesterol. Cholesterol aids in lowering the fluidity of the cell membrane. The Vitamin C in oranges is the antioxidant in oranges that contributes to their Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity value of 2,103. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, which is used to measure antioxidant levels with cardiovascular benefits. Vitamin C neutralizes the free radicals that oxidize cholesterol, which is what makes it stick to the artery walls.
6. HELP REDUCE KIDNEY STONES: A recent study found that orange juice can prevent painful kidney stones from forming. The high levels of potassium found in oranges is thought to be responsible for keeping kidney stones at bay by flushing harmful free radicals out of the organs.
7. PROMOTES HEART HEALTH: Potassium, an electrolyte mineral, is responsible for helping the heart function well. Potassium is involved in every heart beat, as it helps the heart to send blood through the body.
8. REGULATES BLOOD SUGAR: Fructose, the natural sugar found in oranges, prevents blood sugar levels from spiking after eating. Therefore, oranges are a great desert or can be added as an ingredient to an entree.
9. PREVENTS ULCERS: Not only do oranges prevent stomach cancer, they also prevent painful ulcers from forming in your stomach. Stomach ulcers are agonizing sores that form inside your stomach and mess with the digestive process. Although they are fairly easy to eliminate, it is better to prevent them from forming in the first place. An orange contains up to 89% of Vitamin C.
10. THEY PROTECT SKIN: Oranges are full of beta-carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant that protects the cells from damage. Beta-carotene protects the skin from free radicals ultra violent rays (sun rays) and helps prevent the signs of aging. Eating lot of orange prevent your skin from ultra violent rays to penetrate the skin.

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5 Top Benefits of Kola Nut

 

Some of the most important health benefits of the kola nut include its ability to boost the metabolism, optimize digestion, increase heart rate, help with weight loss goals, prevent certain cancers, boost the strength of the immune system, protect the respiratory system, raise energy levels, improve cognition, and increase circulation.

Kola Nut

Although many people are familiar with the world “cola”, they may not realize that the source of that name is actually the Cola genus, which includes the kola tree, which is where the kola nut comes from. The tree is native to the tropical rainforests of Africa and contains caffeine, which makes it desirable as both a food source and an element in alternative medicine for some cultures around the world.
Kola nuts are used as flavoring agents in soda of many varieties, which is where the name “cola” arose. Culturally, kola nuts are often chewed or eaten in traditional ceremonies. While the most common application in western cultures is as the flavoring agent explained above, its medicinal benefits have begun to make it a popular dietary supplement for health, despite its slightly bitter taste. Kola nut can be found in energy drinks, dietary supplements, and performance enhancers. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the health benefits of the kola nut.

Health Benefits of Kola Nut

Metabolism Booster: One of the unique effects of the kola nut, largely due to its caffeine content, is its ability to stimulate the body and increase heart rate. While this can potentially be dangerous for people who suffer from pre-existing heart conditions, it can provide a necessary metabolic boost for those with slow metabolisms. This can actually optimize heart health, as caffeine can be a health stimulant in moderate doses. This also helps the metabolism optimize itself, which has a wide range of positive enzymatic and physiological effects on the body.

Circulation: By stimulating heart rate and increasing circulation, kola nuts are able to boost oxygenation to certain essential parts of the body, including the skin, extremities, organs, and even the brain. This is why kola nuts are sometimes referred to as cognitive boosters, as increased levels of oxygen in the brain have been connected with higher levels of cognition and concentration. Kola nuts were traditionally consumed because they “cleared the mind”. This can also promote healing of wounds and cellular repair through the increased flow of oxygen and nutrients.
Digestion: For thousands of years, kola nuts have been chewed or consumed by indigenous cultures in Africa both in ceremonies and in the treatment of digestive upset. The active ingredients of the kola nut are able to improve digestion and nutrient uptake, while also reducing constipation, bloating, cramping, and other, more serious, gastrointestinal issues.
Prostate Cancer: Although research is still in its early stages and is still a matter of debate in some circles, Some of the phytoestrogens and phytoandrogens found in kola nuts are able to stimulate apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. This line of study is relatively new, but applications for other types of cancerous cells are also being explored.
Immune System Health: The roots, stem, and leaves of the kola tree have been found to have volatile compounds that can prevent certain bacterial infections in the human body. These bacterial infections include those responsible for causing a wide range of respiratory illnesses, including bronchitis, meningitis, and tuberculosis. Kola nut extracts are available in most health stores, but the nuts themselves have not been directly connected to this medicinal benefit.
Weight Loss Optimization: Although caffeine has long been known as an appetite suppressant to a certain degree, kola nut extracts have also been connected with increased fat-burning in the body, possibly due to the positive impact on the metabolism that these important nuts can have. This can be an ideal option for those people who are trying to lose weight of improve the quality of their diet.
A Final Word of Warning: The significant level of caffeine found in kola nut extracts and supplements can be a risk for those who already suffer with high blood pressure or a sensitivity to caffeine. Side effects include shaky hands, upset stomach, and insomnia, as caffeine is a powerful stimulant. Consult a medical professional before pursuing an active kola nut addition to your dietary regimen.

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