Food & Nutrition: Culinary Techniques, Diets & Metabolic Health

Nutritional health is achieved through the therapeutic use of whole foods, safe culinary preparation, and understanding the metabolic impacts of specific dietary frameworks and ingredients.

Cinnamon and star anise

Can You Take Cinnamon With a Blood Thinner?

Revered for its medicinal properties by the ancient Egyptians, cinnamon is a savory spice found in the bark of Cinnamomum trees. Although it is a widely used spice, you may need to moderate your consumption if you are taking a blood thinner. The coumarin in the spice could increase your risk of bleeding.

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Close-up of two girls reading a book

Side Effects of Probiotics on Children

Probiotics are live and active microorganisms, mainly bacteria, which are similar to those that exist naturally in the human digestive tract. Often referred to as friendly bacteria, probiotics may help to encourage digestion and regularity, as well as replenish bacterial flora after a course of antibiotics.

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pouring mineral water

How to Drink Water for Eczema

Atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema, is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the skin. Symptoms can include constant itching, bumps, discolored patches, thickened or scaly skin, rawness and swelling, usually on the arms and knees, although eczema can affect any part of the body.

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Drinking Tea With Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease in which the bronchial airways constrict causing shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and chest tightness. Generally, asthmatics will exhibit sensitivity to environmental factors, such as pollution, animal dander, smoke and exercise.

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Scientific flasks

How to Test for Simple Sugars

Simple sugars, also referred to as monosaccharides, are the basic unit of carbohydrates. Unlike sucrose, which is made of both a glucose and fructose sugar molecule, a simple sugar is either glucose or fructose respectively. Complex sugars, or polysaccharides, are present in foods like vegetables and whole grains.

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Chinese lantern flower (Physalis alkekengi)

How to Eat Chinese Lantern Berries

Physalis alkekengi, also known as Chinese lantern, is part of the Nightshade family and generally used as an ornamental plant due to the red husk of the flower. This plant is native to throughout Asia and in Southern Europe.

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Citrus fruits. Oranges, limes and lemons

How to Cook With Citric Acid

Not to be confused with vitamin C, citric acid is a sour-tasting, naturally occurring compound present in a variety of fruits, particularly those in the citrus family, such as lemons, limes and oranges. It is also available as a white crystalline powder extract of these fruit juices.

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White sesame seeds on black reflective surface

How to Take Raw Sesame Oil

Raw sesame oil is different than the varieties you commonly see in the grocery store. It usually exhibits a pale yellow color because it is procured through cold pressing raw sesame seeds rather than toasted ones. This results in a less flavorful taste that is markedly less nutty than roasted sesame oils.

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Omega-3 Fish Oil Capsules

Nutrients for the Cornea

Your eyes are an essential component of your senses and play an important role in your daily life. Although regular optometrist visits and proper maintenance are paramount in preserving your vision, acquiring certain nutrients may also be beneficial.

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Vegetable platter with hummus

What Vegetables Cannot Be Eaten Raw?

When you eat the baby carrots or celery sticks off the veggie tray at parties, you pat yourself on the back for choosing healthy options. For the most part, you can eat vegetables raw and can even obtain the most nutritional value in this manner.

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Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits for Belly Fat

Many people claim that organic apple cider vinegar reduces belly fat, according to Cal Orey in “The Healing Powers of Vinegar.” But Orey states that no studies confirm that apple cider vinegar is an effective aid for weight loss.

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blood sugar test

Side Effects of Mulberry Zuccarin

New Nordic manufactures and distributes Mulberry Zuccarin as a dietary supplement to control blood sugar levels. Extracts of mulberry have a longstanding use in Chinese medicine in treating a variety of health conditions.

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Close-up of a pizza

Why is Consuming Too Many Lipids Bad for You?

Lipids, commonly referred to as fats, are a large family of organic, water-insoluble molecules present in many foods and naturally occurring in the body, according to Paul Insel, et al., in “Nutrition.

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Chard leaves.

List of Dark Green Vegetables

Consuming vegetables is vital to a healthy, balanced diet. In some cases, if you regularly eat these foods, you may reduce the risk of certain chronic disease, notes the USDA.

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Burger and French fries in aluminum tray

Foods to Avoid for Nausea

Nausea is a result of a variety of conditions, including pregnancy, gastroenteritis and medication use. It is quite common for vomiting to accompany nausea in many cases, and therefore it could become potentially dangerous if not addressed by a medical professional to find the root of the problem.

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Stevia

What Are the Benefits of Stevia Leaf?

Stevia leaf is native to South America and is commonly used there as a natural sweetener. However, the Food and Drug Administration has only recently approved powdered and liquid stevia leaf extract for use as a sugar alternative in the U.S.

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Cola

Zero Calorie Soft Drinks

Zero-calorie soft drinks appeared in the United States as a marketing spin on diet soda varieties, according to the book “Coca-Globalization” by Robert Foster. Zero-calorie soft drinks contain no sugar, but instead use alternative zero calorie sweeteners to maintain the taste.

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croissant on brown wood table

Ingredients of Croissants

Croissants are a classic French pastry that are often served for breakfast according to Cindy Mushet and Maren Caruson in their book “The Art and Soul of Baking.” The ingredients and method of preparation are quite simple. Because croissants are fattening, FamilyDoctor.

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