Nutrition facts for superfoods like acerola cherry and ginger juice reveal hidden health benefits. Learn about the three types of lipids, the difference between cider and distilled vinegar, and the best vitamins for vibrant skin.
Some people just don’t like the skin, while others send apple peels down the drain due to potential pesticide residue or wax. But you’ll lose some significant nutrients if you don’t eat the peel. About one-third of the apple’s total fiber is lost if you toss the peel in the trash.
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Making the best choice between carrot juice and whole carrots depends on how much you plan to consume. It takes about three to six carrots to make 1 cup of carrot juice, so the juice ends up with a boost of concentrated nutrients and a little fiber.
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Activia yogurt comes in many different flavors and varieties, including regular, Greek, light and fiber-fortified yogurt. All contain a mixture of probiotic bacteria, which are live cultures that contribute to the health of your gastrointestinal tract and immune system.
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When cashews are blended with water, the result is a creamy liquid referred to as cashew milk. Cashew milk is lactose-free, but the nutrients vary depending on whether you make it at home or buy a commercially prepared product.
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The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil help protect your cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol, fighting inflammation and decreasing blood pressure. They’re also needed in your brain and nervous system. Extracts of oil from a variety of fish are used to produce supplements.
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Goji and acai berries both provide antioxidants and vitamin A, but goji berries have a few advantages. You can buy whole, dried goji berries, while acai berries are usually sold as a powder or juice. Goji berries also contain antioxidants you won't get from acai berries.
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High-fructose corn syrup doesn’t contain any more fructose than you’ll get from table sugar, but since it has more fructose than its source -- corn starch -- it’s called high-fructose. On the other hand, crystalline fructose truly is high in fructose.
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Acerola cherries provide more vitamin C than all other food sources, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Acerola juice is such a rich source that MedlinePlus warns against drinking the juice if you also take vitamin C supplements.
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The nutrients you'll gain from a cup of egg whites depends on how they're used. If you bake a cake, then each slice contains a fraction of the total nutrients. If you plan to make an omelet, however, it is possible to consume an entire cup of egg whites.
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A tuna sandwich makes a nutrient-rich lunch or dinner. Tuna contributes protein, vitamin B-12 and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. It fulfills one of the two servings of fish per week recommended by the American Heart Association to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Whether it’s yellow or white, sweet corn is a good source of niacin, vitamin B-6 and vitamin C. Frozen corn retains about the same vitamins as fresh corn after they're boiled. Canned sweet corn doesn’t fare quite as well.
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Red leaf lettuce naturally qualifies as a calorie-free food, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations. It’s also fat-free and consists primarily of water. These nutritional qualities create low-energy density, which makes red leaf lettuce valuable for weight management.
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Most amino acids fall into one of two categories: essential or nonessential. L-arginine, or arginine, is different. While it's essential for children, arginine is only conditionally essential for adults.
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Your body thrives on glucose, which is the sugar it uses to synthesize energy. Carbohydrates supply glucose and other sugars that are converted into glucose. But it's such a vital source of energy that the body has a back-up system called gluconeogenesis.
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Portobello mushrooms stand out from all the other mushrooms in the produce section, with their large, tan to brown cap, dark underside and thick white stem. They’re related to the common button mushroom, yet have a taste and texture all their own, which makes them more versatile in the kitchen.
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The branched-chain amino acids -- leucine, isoleucine and valine -- are three of the eight essential amino acids you must obtain through your diet. They share a similar branched shape, which sets them apart from other amino acids, but they’re still used to produce proteins in your body.
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Descriptions of pistachio nuts as nutrient-dense and heart-healthy sound like marketing catch-phrases, but they’re found in the scientific literature, such as a review of research published in “Nutrition Reviews” in April 2012. Pistachios have just one downside: They’re high in calories.
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Round, sweet sea scallops come from the muscle that holds the mollusk's two shells together. While scallops are naturally low in calories and fat, you can ruin a good thing by going overboard with butter. Also beware of breaded and fried scallops, which have double the calories and many times more fat.
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Don’t give up on millet if you hear someone dismiss it as birdseed. Millet is a common ingredient in birdseed, but it’s also a healthy food for human consumption. It's a gluten-free grain and a good source of protein.
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Instant mashed potatoes deliver nutrients, along with the advantage of speedy preparation. Because you make instant mashed potatoes by dehydrating cooked potatoes, instant mashed potatoes retain the same nutrients, but in varying amounts. Prepared dehydrated potatoes are good sources of vitamin C and the B vitamins.
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