Juniper berries are used in herbal medicine, and also flavor certain foods and gin. Although they are called berries, they are part of the cone and not a true berry. Most people can safely consume juniper berries in the amounts used in food, but some people should avoid consuming juniper in medicinal amounts.
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Your body loves to store energy. It is your animal self, protecting against food scarcity when food is abundant. However, for many in a modern society, that scarcity never comes and you pack on the pounds.
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Net carbohydrates are the carbohydrates that have an immediate blood glucose impact. Calculating net carbohydrates properly is important to understanding the foods you eat and how they affect your diet.
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Proteins play essential functions that include everything from the creation of antibodies to muscle contraction, chemical reactions and the health of hair, nails and skin. The amino acids present in protein regulate chemical reactions and improve healing time, control blood pressure and help with blood clotting.
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Calcium is an essential mineral that must come from your diet and/or supplements. Without enough of it, your bones, heart and circulatory system could suffer. Vitamin D works with calcium to help build and sustain healthy bones, among other things.
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The calimyrna fig originated in California and is a special breed of fig derived from the smyrna fig of Turkey. Known for its golden skin and nut-like flavor, the calimyrna fig is most commonly found dried but is also eaten fresh out of hand.
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Carbohydrates serve as your body's preferred fuel source for everything from exercising to completing mental tasks. When you follow a low-carbohydrate diet, the goal is to control your carb intake to encourage your body to utilize stored fat for energy.
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The nutritional value of a hamburger can vary greatly, depending on how it is prepared and what ingredients it contains. Some hamburgers contain more than one patty, and the extra bacon, cheese, sauces and other condiments can change the amount of calories, fat and carbohydrates your hamburger provides.
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If you have fructose malabsorption, you need to avoid some healthy fruits as well as some sugars and sweetened processed foods and drinks to avoid suffering from abdominal bloating, pain, flatulence, diarrhea or constipation.
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Labeling foods as either "good" or "bad" might be a simple way to decide which foods are good for you. The problem with these labels is that they give a negative connotation to foods that can still be part of a healthy diet when enjoyed in moderation.
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An important amino acid that has a variety of different functions in the body, l-glutamine is found in many foods, including those that contain plant or animal protein. There is no minimum level of intake required for l-glutamine daily, but average consumption ranges between 1 g and 6 g.
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Skipping food for a day may seem like a quick solution for slimming down, but the reality is that fasting can be harmful to your health and probably won't cause lasting weight loss.
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Kale is a dark, leafy green vegetable packed with nutrients. Cooking kale does not harm these essential vitamins. In fact, if you have a low-thyroid function, cooking kale will deactivate a goitrogenic compound that can impact your thyroid.
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An apple juice cleanse is an alternative treatment for gallstones. However, no scientific evidence suggests that any type of fruit juice cleanse will dissolve gallstones, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you're in pain, seek medical attention.
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Creatine and caffeine are two performance-boosting supplements often used in sports settings. There is a lot of controversy, however, over the effectiveness of using these two substances together. A study published in the October 2001 "Journal of Applied Physiology"
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Creatine, glutamine and protein are commonly included in sports performance supplements. Each serves a distinct purpose. Creatine provides your muscles with energy and draws in water needed for growth and recovery. Glutamine is an amino acid, the building block of protein, that is most abundant in muscles.
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The oil of certain fish contains an essential fatty acid known as omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for human health and development, but they cannot be produced by the body.
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Slow-cooking beef brings out the rich, deep flavor of the meat and gives it time to tenderize while you devote your attention elsewhere. When you roast beef in a Crock-Pot, you don't need to add liquid unless you're also cooking vegetables -- the meat's own juices stop it from drying out.
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These days, we hear more and more about the benefits of exercise. Exercise helps maintain the health of our heart, can aid in weight loss, and may even be beneficial for those who are suffering from depression.
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Fish is a healthy, low-fat source of protein that contains essential omega-3 fatty acids. Adding omega-3 fatty acids to your diet can help lower your blood cholesterol and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends you eat at least 8 oz.
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