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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
Pectin is a type of fiber that is found in all plant cell walls and tissues. While all may contain pectin, the amount and concentration of pectin varies among plants. Apples contain a particularly high amount of pectin, according to dietaryfiberfood.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
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.
Read more →
Mangoes make an excellent addition to a meal, or are tasty when eaten alone. There are different varieties of mangoes, but all have a soft, sweet taste. Mangoes may be considered an exotic fruit, and therefore are not as popular as traditional apples, oranges and bananas.
Read more →
A clementine is often just thought of as a small orange, but they are a fruit like no other. According to the USDA they are a cross between a Chinese mandarin and an orange, and they are packed full of nutritional benefits.
Read more →