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.
Electrolytes are minerals that use electric charges in the body to produce reactions such as muscle contraction, nerve movement and a regular heartbeat. Some electrolytes, such as calcium, also have other functions, including a role in bone strength.
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Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree and are grown primarily in dry, arid regions, such as the Middle East and parts of California. Though dates are often used as an ingredient in sweets and other recipes, they offer several nutritional benefits when eaten fresh and pitted.
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Nuts are not only tasty; they provide numerous health benefits as well. According to a May 2009 report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, nuts contain fatty acids that help lower cholesterol, prevent heart disease, and control diabetes. The key beneficial fatty acid is omega-3.
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Egg whites have long been used as a folk remedy for treating acne, although it has been passed down more by word of mouth than by scientific documentation.
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Chromium is an essential mineral your body needs in small amounts. When combined with picolinic acid, it is referred to as chromium picolinate and is sold as a nutritional supplement. It is used to prevent chromium deficiency, which may develop as a result of poor diet, stress and aging.
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Cashews offer several health benefits, although many avoid eating them because of their fat content. The fact is that cashews contain less fat than many other nuts, and what they do contain is primarily unsaturated fat. Unsaturated fats can help lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health.
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Compared to other berries and fruits, blueberries are reported by the USDA to have a high ORAC score, which means they have higher antioxidant activity, protecting the body from damage caused by unstable free radical molecules.
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Plantains resemble bananas and are part of the same family. These fruits are starchy and rather bland, with a low sugar content. And like bananas, they get sweeter as they ripen. Boiled, sweet plantains are nutritional powerhouses, filled with vitamins A and C, minerals such as potassium and a healthy helping of fiber.
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Haddock is a mild-tasting fish that is lean, white and flaky when cooked. It makes an excellent choice for those who want to start eating fish but are not accustomed to a strong fish flavor. Haddock delivers more than great taste.
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Fresh pineapple adds a tropical taste to many dishes and can be eaten alone for a nutritious treat. If you need crushed pineapple for a recipe, or prefer to eat it crushed as opposed to chunks, you can crush it right in your kitchen.
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Cactus leaf, known also as nopal, prickly pear cactus or its scientific name, Opuntia, has been a food staple in Latin America for centuries. It is a common vegetable served in eggs, salads, chili and stir-fry dishes.
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Button mushrooms are the most consumed mushrooms in the United States, accounting for 90 percent of mushroom intake according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
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Perhaps you overlook the radish in the grocer's produce bin or have never considered it a snack option. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, however, that radishes were once so valued in Greece, that gold statues were fashioned in their image.
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When life hands you lemons, say "Thank you." Lemons are often an afterthought, used as a garnish on a fish fillet or a light addition to your iced tea. What you might not realize is that lemons are loaded with nutritional benefits that go far beyond the role of a garnish.
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The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland located at the front base of the neck, and when it becomes enlarged it is referred to as goiter. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) explains that it enlarges when it is not able to produce enough thyroid hormones needed by the body.
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When you think of the health benefits of watermelon, the seeds probably don't come to mind. You probably think about the sweet, juicy pulp, with the seeds an afterthought and maybe good only for spitting contests.
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Gadolinium is a substance that is referred to as a "contrast agent." If you are going to have a medical test called an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), gadolinium may be injected into your blood vessels first.
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Yerba mate is widely consumed as a tea in South America, and it known for its health benefits. In other parts of the world, it is ingested as a dietary supplement in addition to its use as a tea.
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Eggplant is low in calories -- just 20 calories per cup, mostly from carbohydrates, a potent source of energy. It comes loaded with vitamins and minerals, but its health benefits extend beyond just adding vital nutrients to a meal.
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Sesame oil is pressed from the tiny sesame seed. There are numerous compounds and antioxidants within the sesame seed that are imparted into the oil.
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