Variety comparisons and diverse culinary forms, such as juices or dried extracts, determine the nutritional value and physiological impact of plant-based diets on systemic health.
With their long, slender stems, ultra-small caps and creamy white color, enoki mushrooms are more elegant than the average fungus. These crisp, mildly sweet mushrooms -- known as “snow puffs” in their native Japan -- grow in bouquetlike clusters and are traditionally eaten raw or lightly cooked.
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Hot peppers, or chilis, get their heat from an oily chemical compound called capsaicin, found primarily in the membrane surrounding the seeds. Capsaicin boosts thermogenesis -- the process by which the body turns calories into heat to use for fuel -- in studies on humans and animals.
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In a world where produce routinely travels thousands of miles from harvest to plate, fresh figs remain a seasonal luxury. The sweet, chewy fruit is exceptionally delicate -- its ultra-short shelf life is why the vast majority of figs are dried before they’re brought to market.
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Tomatoes provide significant amounts of vitamin C, potassium, lycopene and other nutrients, in a very low-calorie package. Their calorie count depends on several variables, including color and size.
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Fruit is loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. That’s why the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends eating 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit per day.
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Carrots are the second most widely consumed root vegetable in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Although potatoes may be the perennial favorite, carrots still have a lot to offer. These sweet, earthy vegetables are low in calories, a good source of fiber and incredibly versatile.
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The glands in the cervix and vagina make small amounts of fluid that are expelled from the vagina at different times during the reproductive cycle. All women experience some vaginal discharge as a regular part of life.
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Americans eat more zucchini than any other kind of summer squash, according to the book “Wellness Foods A to Z: An Indispensable Guide for Health-Conscious Food Lovers.” Unlike winter squash, zucchini is harvested before it matures on the vine -- while its skin is still thin, tender and edible.
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Seaweed may be the bane of your existence during post-beach showers, but as a cosmetic ingredient, it can be surprisingly beneficial for your skin. Apart from its ultra-hydrating qualities, seaweed boasts anti-aging and anti-inflammatory benefits.
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At the Great Exhibition in 1851, A. & F. Pears Ltd. was awarded the medal for soap, because of the soap's unique and gentle qualities. According to the Pharmaceutical Journal website, by then, the transparent cleanser had already been in production for more than four decades.
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The acorn squash is a variety of the squash species Cucurbita pepo, which also includes pumpkins and zucchini. It’s a winter squash, meaning that you typically eat it in the winter when the fruit is fully mature. The acorn squash generally has an acorn-like shape and is typically dark green.
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The watermelon diet is not an official diet. However, including a lot of watermelon in your diet can be a useful weight-loss strategy. Watermelon consists of 92 percent water and contains 2 g of fiber per half-cup serving.
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The more blueberries are researched, the more we can see that they have good nutrition to offer. Blueberries contain significant amounts of anthocyanadins, antioxidant compounds that produce blues, purples and reds in fruits and vegetables.
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Orange-flavored Gatorade, a sports drink also known as the Thirst Quencher, has several ingredients, besides water, that help you stay hydrated when you’re active. Orange Gatorade uses a mix of salts and sugars to achieve this. Salts increase your thirst and encourage you to rehydrate.
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Ah, the magical lemon--rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, highly acidic yet able to alter the body’s pH to alkaline, and delicious, especially when combined with honey. Used for centuries to relieve cold symptoms, it's added by moms and herbalists around the world to a variety of concoctions to help us feel better.
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Fruits and vegetables are, in general, low in calories and fat but high in vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Because fruits contain the natural sugar fructose, they offer more calories per serving than vegetables. It is recommended that most adults consume approximately 2 cups of fruits and 2.
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Nectarines are a sweet stone fruit that taste best in the summertime. They are light and juicy but are very nutritious as well. Nectarines are low in calories and fat, and full of vitamins and fiber as well as antioxidants.
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Squash, like other fruits and vegetables, contains bacteria and enzymes that will break it down with time, destroying its flavor, color and texture and reducing its nutritional content. While you do not have to cook squash before freezing it, you should blanch it to stop the activity of these enzymes and bacteria.
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Bronchitis occurs when the airways become inflamed. Bronchitis may be acute, lasting a short amount of time, or chronic, lasting a long period of time. Symptoms of bronchitis include coughing, a low-grade fever, wheezing and shortness of breath.
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For many people, onions cause heartburn or other digestive discomfort. If onions interfere with your enjoyment of a meal, or if you don't have one when preparing a recipe that calls for it, onion powder works as a substitute.
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