Regular cardiovascular exercise boosts your long-term health -- it lowers blood pressure, promotes weight loss and improves cholesterol levels. These effects, in turn, reduce the risk of heart disease, strokes and heart attacks.
Read more →
Splenda is the brand name for the no-calorie artificial sweetener sucralose. It is used in a variety of food and beverages. Sucralose is the only sugar alternative made from sugar, but it does not contribute to tooth decay despite being 600 times sweeter than table sugar.
Read more →
Acids are categorized by having a pH level below 7 on a 0 to 14 scale. Acids also have a sour taste, can carry an electric current and react with metals to produce hydrogen atoms. Many fruits, vegetables and dairy products contain some type of acid.
Read more →
Uric acid results from the breakdown of compounds known as purines in the body. Purines are both produced in the body and consumed through the diet. Normal values of uric acid in the blood range from 2.4 to 6.0 milligrams per deciliter for females and 3.4 to 7.0 milligrams per deciliter for males.
Read more →
For over 100 years, Bragg Live Foods Inc. has been producing natural health products. One of these products is a liquid soy seasoning, otherwise known as Liquid Aminos.
Read more →
Lactobacillus acidophilus, or L. acidophilus, is the most commonly used probiotic, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It is especially beneficial for intestinal health because it breaks down foods to create substances such as lactic acid.
Read more →
The human body maintains a moderately alkaline environment, with a pH slightly above 7. This alkaline pH is crucial for chemical reactions and proper function of the lungs, kidneys, intestines and skin, and it is greatly influenced by your diet.
Read more →
You may not typically think of bread as part of a low-carb diet, one that can lower the risk of heart disease, decrease triglycerides and help maintain weight loss. But many types and brands of breads are lower in carbohydrates than traditional varieties and can be a part of a low-carb diet.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →