Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, used by the body to grow and repair tissue, break down food and carry out many other bodily functions. Of the 21 amino acids, nine are essential, meaning they must be obtained from the diet.
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Balsamic vinegar is traditionally produced in the city of Modena, Italy. It is made from a concentrated grape juice that is fermented and aged for at least 10 months to develop its flavor. Balsamic vinegar is also produced domestically in the United States and is aged for a shorter period of time.
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Fatty acids are composed of carbon atom chains with hydrogen atoms joined at one end and an acid group attached to the other. These are the major components in dietary fats or triglycerides.
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Ice cream can pose a problem when you're trying to watch the amount of carbohydrates in your diet. Many ice cream varieties are loaded with sugars, carbohydrates and high-sugar mix-ins such as chocolate, cookies or caramel.
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Malic acid, a natural substance found in fruits and vegetables, is commonly associated with apples. The body produces malic acid when it converts carbohydrates into energy. Taking malic acid supplements is beneficial for conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
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The human body prefers to maintain a slightly alkaline pH of about 7.4. Your diet plays a big role in maintaining this pH level, especially with foods that are acid-producing. Acid-producing foods aren't necessarily acidic in terms of pH, but they cause your body to produce more acid, lowering your pH.
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Raw, roasted or ground into butter, people eat peanuts in a variety of ways. Peanuts have also been noted for their health benefits, such as protein, fiber and vitamin E. Less well known is that nutrients are hidden in the papery skin that's often discarded before you consume peanuts.
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Stevia, otherwise known as Stevia rebaudiana, is known worldwide for its sweet plant leaves. In late 2008 the FDA declared that the sweetener Stevia is "generally recognized as safe," and the product quickly was assimilated into the food industry as an alternative sweetener or sugar substitute.
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From elite endurance athletes to the frail elderly, many people these days consume protein powders, which are no longer exclusively used by bodybuilders. With this increased popularity, however, comes a growing consumer concern regarding safety: "Consumer Reports Magazine"
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Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are thought to be beneficial for their anti-inflammatory properties. Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, and eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, are believed to be especially beneficial forms of omega-3 fatty acids.
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The neem tree, or Azadirachta Indica, is native to South East Asia, in particular India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Its leaves, seeds and even bark have long been used in these countries as a medicinal cure. Currently, research is being conducted into its healing properties.
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Eating a balanced diet is extremely important for your teenager. Eating the proper balance of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins and calcium-rich foods helps him stay healthy. Your teenager's balanced diet will contain greater amounts of some foods than your diet.
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Potassium nitrate, also known as saltpeter, is an odorless powder composed of transparent and/or white crystals. It is prepared commercially for use in a number of products, including gunpowder, fireworks, matches, rocket propellants, ceramics, glass and fertilizers.
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Shilajit is a pale-brown to black material consisting of decomposed plant and animal material that has been compressed between layers of rock. It can be found in the Himalayan mountains and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, according to Robert Talbert of the California College of Ayurveda.
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Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are organisms whose genetic makeup has been artificially altered through a process known as recombinant DNA technology. According to the Human Genome Project, GMOs are created when scientists select specific genes within one organism and insert them into a different species.
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SoBe, which has been owned by Pepsi since 2000, produces flavored beverages and teas. SoBe products include low- or no-calorie flavored water beverages sold under the name Lifewater.
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When combined with regular exercise, eating a balanced diet is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The key to a nutritious diet is to make sure that your body has the right combination of proteins, carbohydrates, dairy products, fruits and vegetables -- and yes, even some healthy fats.
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People all over the world kickstart their mornings with a mug of coffee or a cup of black tea -- and it turns out that's a good thing. Both beverages are stocked with antioxidants that can reduce cholesterol, safeguard against depression, and even fight off diabetes.
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Nature made coconuts tough to open for the same reason it did other seeds -- to protect the embryo. When you open a coconut to extract its prized flesh, or endosperm, you have to go through several layers of protection: the outer skin, the husk, the shell and the seed skin.
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Substituting butter for oil in brownie mix adds complexity and character to an otherwise predictable result. Brownie mixes give you a lot of latitude when it comes to fat substitutions.
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