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The Health Benefits of Peas

Peas are not a poor man's meat or a cheap restaurant side-dish that puts 'green' on your plate! Peas not only add flavour to food but are also used in various dishes and salads. Actually these are little powerhouses of nutrition and a boon to your health. It's a starchy vegetable, which is a good source of energy, protein, essential vitamins, fibre, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Including peas as one of your vegetable choices adds a number of benefits. Let's have a look.

Good for your eyes

Lutein and Vitamin A present in peas protect your eyes. Lutein is a natural plant pigment that's concentrated in the eye, and its antioxidant activity protects you from both cataracts and macular degeneration by preventing oxidation. Vitamin A helps to keep the surface of your eyes healthy.

Prevents heart disease

The formation of plaque along your blood vessel walls starts with chronic, excessive oxidative stress and inflammation. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds support healthy blood vessels. The generous amounts of vitamin B1 and folate, B2, B3, and B6 reduce homocysteine levels which are the risk factors for heart disease.

Prevents stomach cancer

Peas contain high amounts of a polyphenol called coumestrol. A study says that consuming 2 milligrams per day of this phytonutrient prevents stomach cancer and a cup of peas has at least 10. So, you see how healthy it is!

Avert constipation and bad cholesterol

The high fibre content in peas improves bowel health and peristalsis. The niacin in peas helps to reduce the production of triglycerides and VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein, which results in less bad cholesterol, increased HDL ("good") cholesterol, and lowered triglycerides.

Antioxidants work like magic

As mentioned earlier, peas contain high levels of anti-oxidants. They include flavonoids like catechin and epicatechin, carotenoids like alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, phenolic acids like ferulic and caffeic acid, and polyphenols like coumestrol. These boost your energy level and immunity and also helps to fight ageing signs.

Needed for healthy bones

One cup of peas contains 44% of Vitamin K which helps to anchor calcium inside the bones. Its B vitamins also help to prevent osteoporosis and promote healthy bones.

Benefits of anti-inflammatory elements

Peas have strong anti-inflammatory properties. These properties include anti-inflammatory phytonutrients like Pisumsaponins I and II and pisomosides A and B, Vitamins C and E, zinc and omega-3 fat in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). These prevent wrinkles, arthritis, bronchitis, candida, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's.

Manage your weight

A cup of peas has less than 100 calories but lots of protein, fibre and micronutrients. This keeps you full for a longer time and helps you to manage your weight.

Peas provide you iron

The iron you consume can be found in haemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen throughout your body. Inadequate intakes of iron decrease oxygen delivery, which makes you feel tired, decreases your ability to concentrate and increases your risk of infection. A 1/2-cup serving of peas contains 1.2 milligrams of iron which can solve the problem of iron deficiency.

Regulates blood sugar

All carbohydrates are natural sugars and starches with no white sugars or chemicals to worry about. High fibre and protein slow down the digestion of sugars. The anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties prevent or reverse insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes).

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Overweight and Obesity - Can You Be Healthy If You Are Overweight?

It is a common idea if you are overweight or obese, you must be unhealthy as well. While there is a good reason behind this, it is not always the case. There are indeed exceptions, which means even if you are above a healthy weight, you can still be healthy: up to an extent, of course.

First, let us examine why there is a relationship between being overweight and being unhealthy. Usually, having a high body fat percentage is a serious complication on its own. The body is simply not able to function optimally when body fat becomes excessive... plaque builds up within blood vessels,

blood sugar rises, cardiovascular health degrades, and

vital organs like the heart and kidneys are affected.

Even liver function can be impaired, as it is forced to sustain greater stress.

Essentially, excess body fat is chronically taxing on the body. Not to mention it can facilitate the development of Type 2 diabetes, which is a corrosive disease by itself.

But... even if you are overweight, it does not mean you also have to be unhealthy.

Ideally, you will do what is necessary to lose weight and improve your health. Your well-being will benefit from fighting to return to a healthy weight.

That said, weight loss is not something you will be successful with in a short period. It could take many months. Perhaps even a year or two for you to reach your ideal weight and maintain it. It is important not to focus too much on these details. Progress is not linear, so it is hard to estimate the time commitment lying ahead of you. Not that it ultimately matters, anyway. What is crucial is to adopt the habits and changes to start to improve your condition immediately.

Don't worry about how long it will take for you to lose weight, or even if you'll ever reach your intended goal. You can get there eventually. In the meantime, however, you ought to focus on actionable plans for your health that you can immediately set in motion.

These plans will get your health on track even if you are still overweight...

First and foremost comes a healthy diet. Do not underestimate the benefits of healthy eating and the benefit it can have on your well-being. Cooking more and eating fewer processed meals is a great start.

Secondly, you can get physically active, or add to your current routine if it is lacking. Be honest with yourself. Exercise on its own will make a significant difference - there is such a thing as being "fat and fit."

Lastly, finishing touches include... cutting down on alcohol, getting more sleep, and eliminating stress from your life as much as you can.

You should know there is no harm in being overweight and unfit. The problem occurs when you refuse to change your ways when you are aware that you must.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

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Eat Spices to Lose Weight

Did you know that in addition to being very healthy, certain spices can actually help you lose weight? Some spices work as an appetite suppressant and some aid in fat digestion. 

Here is a list of seven of the top spices that will help you with your weight loss efforts:

1. Black pepper - This well-known and frequently-used spice will boost your metabolism. The peppery taste of black pepper comes from piperine and this substance is said to stimulate the central nervous system. It is believed that this stimulation of the nervous system is actually what gives pepper its metabolism-boosting characteristics. Fresh ground pepper is the best to use because it contains the most piperine.

2. Mangosteen - This spice is also known as vrikshaka or garcinia mangostana. Mangosteen is very popular in India. This spice suppresses the appetite and also helps to stop your body from storing fat.

3. Cayenne or Chili pepper - There was a study done in England that showed when the volunteers ate a teaspoon of red or cayenne pepper with every meal, they had a 25% increase in their metabolism. It is believed that if you eat hot and spicy food, you will drink more liquid to cool your mouth and because of the additional liquid you are drinking, you will feel fuller faster. However, because the participants had a 25% increase in their metabolism by eating the red pepper, it shows that the pepper is actually working in the body to assist the calorie-burning process.

4. Ginger - Ginger is believed to boost a person's metabolism and it also aids in digestion. To effectively lose weight, your digestive system must be working properly. All you need is a teaspoon of fresh ginger or less if you use dried ginger to achieve the benefits.

5. Turmeric - Turmeric in food gives the food a yellow coloring and it helps to reduce the body's absorption of fat. The active substance in turmeric is curcumin. When curcumin was given to mice, it reduced the growth of their fat tissue.

6. Cinnamon - Eating cinnamon will regulate your blood sugar and help your body to digest carbohydrates. The cinnamon also increases the body's production of insulin, which, in turn, accounts for its role in carbohydrate digestion. It will also help lower your cholesterol.

7. Mustard - In the study mentioned above with the cayenne pepper, the participants also ate a teaspoon of mustard with every meal. The whole-grain or Asian varieties of mustard will help to burn fat. Mustard also contains selenium which helps to regular blood sugar. Selenium is also used to aid in weight loss.

In addition to eating these spices to lose weight, they are also very flavorful. So, if you are eating low-fat and low-calorie foods to lose weight, eating them will add a lot of flavor to otherwise bland food.

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10 Amazing Moringa Health Benefits + Iced Moringa Tea Recipe

A Heart-Healthy Valentine's Day

Legends abound about the origins of this most romantic of occasions, dating all the way back to a priest named Valentine who lived during the reign of Roman emperor Claudius II, 268 to 270 A.D., and was put to death for disobeying the law by secretly marrying young couples. Meanwhile, ancient cultures believed that the heart is the home of the human soul and the source of all our emotions, with red being the color of romance.

Couple all that with the fact that, during the Middle Ages in France and England, February 14th was the beginning of birds' mating season, and you get the idea...

For starters, some up-to-date Valentine's Day facts:

• About one billion cards are exchanged every year; only Christmas beats that number.

• Women purchase 85% of all cards.

• Teachers receive the most cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, and then sweethearts.

• Venus, the goddess of love, favored roses, and since red symbolizes strong feelings, red roses are considered to be the flower of love.

• Worldwide, more than 50 million roses are given on this day annually.

• Men buy 73% of Valentine's Day flowers.

• About 8 billion candy hearts will be produced this year.

• Richard Cadbury invented the first Valentine's Day candy box in 1868.

• More than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates will be sold this time around.

And speaking of chocolate, most of us know it's a heart-healthy treat-dark chocolate, that is. But there's also not-so-good news, as reported by KYW Newsradio 1060's Dr. Brian McDonough: "The amount of chocolate you should have each day is the amount in a Hershey's kiss. That's right, one Hershey kiss." Uh oh!!

But let's worry about that later; we're talking about Valentine's Day, after all.

Along with hearts and flowers, consider putting Macy's on your list, as it's a national sponsor of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign celebrating women's "energy, passion, and power" to wipe out heart disease.

From now until the 14th, a certain percentage of in-store sales of such items as an August Silk red cardigan and specially designed Donatella charm will go to Go Red for Women. In addition, for every Valentine sent through Macy's Facebook page, the company will donate $1 to the campaign, up to $250,000.

Is it important? You bet. Women are not immune from what was once considered a man's disease. As the American Heart Association reports:

• 90% of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.

• Heart disease is the #1 cause of death of women 20 and older, killing one woman every minute.

So definitely go shopping, but also make time for some crafting with the kids, such as making a simple Valentine's bookmark. All you need to do is...

1. Cut a piece of pink or red card stock into a 7" x 2-1/2" rectangle.

2. Punch a hole near the top and thread with a pretty ribbon.

3. Decorate the bookmark with holiday-related pictures and/or stickers.

Then take a page from numerous elementary schools where children are celebrating this loving season by recognizing Random Acts of Kindness Week, February 14th to the 20th, and then continuing to pay it forward. You can't go wrong following suit.

And all the while you're out there crafting, shopping, and exchanging Valentine's gifts with loved ones, take heart with the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7:

1. Get active.

2. Control cholesterol.

3. Eat better.

4. Manage blood pressure.

5. Lose weight.

6. Reduce blood sugar.

7. Stop smoking.

Keep laughing too, as it's good for both heart and soul. At the same time, heed the warning signs of a "broken" heart, and call 911 immediately if you experience:

• Chest discomfort;

• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body;

• Shortness of breath;

• And can include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.

In other words, make this a happy but also heart-healthy Valentine's Day--chocolates and all. No regrets.


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Aloe Vera Juice Benefits - 10 Reasons to Drink Aloe Juice!

The ultimate weight loss plan is juicing. Aloe Vera Juice Benefits make it a healthy and safe energy booster.


Lately here has been a lot of Hype around Aloe Vera Juice Benefits.


The benefits of this magical plant when applied externally are well known. Aloe Vera Gel helps in cases of burns and wounds. It soothes and calms the wounded areas and reduces swelling, thanks to its anti inflammatory qualities.
The Gel has anti bacterial qualities that are why it reduces chances of infection in the wound.
It can also help heal chronic skin disorders such as Psoriasis, Acne and itchy Eczema.


When crushed, the leaves of this plant emit the juice or gel, which is rich in healing properties.


Aloe Vera Juice Benefits When Taken Internally

Helps in the cases of poor digestion- has laxative qualities
Regulates blood pressure
Strengthens the immune system
Defends the body against bacteria
Heals internal tissue damage (ulcers)
Blood sugar regulation
Reduces itchiness in psoriasis, helping it to heal
Detoxifies your body - the juice contains amino acids which work together to detoxify heavy metals.
Carrisyn, an extract of Aloe Vera, stimulates the production of infection-fighting blood cells and in doing so strengthens the immune system
Initiates the process of loosening and discharging waste materials, such as undigested food residues and which are clinging to the inner lining of the colon. These wastes prevent complete absorption of nutrients from the food and result in the re-absorption of toxins into the human body



Before you start drinking Aloe Vera juice or making any other diet change, seek a doctor's advice on the plan. Your physician will be able to advice you after a physical examination, if this plan is right for you.


Never drink more than the recommended dose. Drinking two to four ounces a day is all that is required to gain the many benefits of aloe Vera juice.
Excessive intake can create side effects like diarrhoea.










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More Superfoods For Your Fitness Journey

A beautifully sculpted sand castle is the color of our first superfood, oats. Oats, usually eaten as oatmeal, are rich in manganese, magnesium, zinc and fiber. The health benefits of oats include lowering blood cholesterol, stabilizing blood sugar, and lowering risk for type 2 diabetes. The high content of manganese in oats is responsible for stabilizing blood sugar while the fiber rich content of oats helps to lower blood cholesterol. Eating whole grains like oats, as opposed to eating processed carbohydrates, helps lower risk for type 2 diabetes due to the content of magnesium. The benefits of oatmeal don't end here. The high fiber content of oatmeal helps protect against breast cancer and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. One serving of oatmeal provides 24 grams of carbohydrates in only 150 calories. This provides a good amount of energy to start the day. Adding milk to a bowl of oatmeal makes it higher in protein and calcium, adding even more nutrients and flavor to an already nutrient rich food.


One of the most precious gems is the blood red ruby and it's also the color of apples. But these precious dietary gems come in a wide range of colors and flavors. Green apples, which are a bit sour to the taste and yellow apples which are sweeter. As compared with other superfoods, apples seem relatively tame. They have a very high content of fiber and Vitamin C. The more commonly known nutrients are absent from this fruit. But, there are some hidden treasures stored in apples. Phytonutrients or phytochemicals are found in abundance in apples. These phytonutrients work in synergy with vitamins, minerals and fiber to help us stay healthy. Phytonutrients stimulate the immune system, affect the hormones in good ways and act as antiviral and antibacterial agents to help us fight disease. Apples contain pectin fiber which is responsible for maintaining digestive health and acts as an appetite suppressant. Averaging around 70 calories per apple with 21 grams of carbohydrates, these portable gems give a lot of energy at a low caloric cost.


Tulips, daffodils, baby's breath, carnations, and daisies are flowers that captivate us with their beauty for their myriad of colors as do the colorful array of our next superfood, beans. Beans offer a host of health benefits from protein, B vitamins, fiber, copper, and molybdenum. Molybdenum is an essential mineral that is necessary for several processes in the body. Molybdenum works in conjunction with copper to control the movement and release of iron in the body. It also prevents some types of cancer and asthma. One serving of beans provides with 1/3 the daily recommended intake of protein, with very low amounts of fat. One study showed that eating a cup of beans daily for 6 months reduced dietary cholesterol by 10 percent. It contains more than half the amount of daily recommended intake of fiber. The song that goes, beans, beans are good for your heart, the more you eat the more you f... well, it's a small price to pay for the benefits derived from eating beans.


In your mind's eye, picture the earth and it's fertile soil and you'll have the color of our next superfood, walnuts. These little brown orbs are filled with Omega-3 fatty acids, derived from Alpha Linolenic Acid, and Omega-6, from Linoleic Acid. Essential Fatty Acids are responsible for a wide array of health benefits. They help hair grow faster and reduce body inflammation, lower arthritis risk, fight depression, heart disease and some types of cancers. Only a quarter cup of walnuts, containing 160 calories provides us with 95 percent of the recommended daily allowance of Omega-3 fatty acids and 67 percent of Omega-6 fatty acids. Add to that high levels of manganese and copper and you have a darned powerful combination of nutrients in a meager amount of calories.


These are just a few of the foods that provide us with lots of nutrients and low calories. We could add sardines, yogurt and kefir, strawberries, barley, the list is long. We simply have to make the right choice most days. Ask yourself, will I continue to have fast foods every day for lunch or dinner or will I have superfoods for lunch and dinner and lower my risk for cancer, improve my hair and skin, increase my energy levels and lose weight? Superman is a fictional character that is the epitome of goodness, helping people whenever he could. Let the goodness contained in superfoods help you every day of your life.


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10 Simple Fat Loss Tips | How To Stick To A Diet

Healthy Food - The Way to Permanent Weight Loss

You should eat food that gives you the nutrition your body needs to stay healthy. It should not contain harmful substances that affect the body negatively. Moreover, it is important that you enjoy your food and think it is good and satisfactory. If you feel dissatisfied after a meal is a high risk that you are trying to compensate for this with sweets or other stimulants.

What food is healthy?

Here, opinions differ, and various experts are saying different things. Different people need different types of food.
Eat variety of fruits, vegetables, roots, potatoes, salad, fish, peas, beans, lentils, soya products, rice, grains, oil in small quantities, lean dairy products.
Avoid junk food and food that contains sugar or too much saturated fat, soda, alcohol, most sausage varieties, chips, sweets, pastries and white bread.
You should avoid junk food because it deceives the body. It contains far too much sugar and fat but too little of important nutrients.
Glycemic index is a measure of how quickly a food affects blood sugar. Foods with low glycemic index are generally healthier than foods with high glycemic index.

Food can create a addiction similar to the alcohol and drugs. People with such addiction problems may need to abstain from eating such food that just leads them to eating disorders.
When you decide to lose weight you need to consider what you should do. Choose a weight loss method that will help you to lose weight and stay healthy. It is easy to lose weight and easy to gain the weight again.

Weight loss does not need to be difficult and tiring. With the right products, diet and good advice we guarantee results. There are several of great weight loss method with great results.








by Jane Olsson

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