What Are the Benefits of Aloe Vera Drinks?

Aloe has been known for its medicinal properties and over the years, people are discovering its many uses and benefits not only when applied topically but when taken internally as well. The healing properties of Aloe Vera come from the 18 amino acids it contains. Aside from cosmetic use, this medicinal herb can also serve as an alternative treatment for some ailments. There are numerous benefits of aloe vera drink and one is its ability to detoxify the body and help us get rid of free radicals.

Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd number of electrons and can be formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules. Why should we worry about them? Their danger comes from the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components like DNA or the cell membrane. When this occurs, cells function poorly or they can die. What do we need to combat free radicals?

To prevent the damage, our body needs antioxidants. Though our body naturally produces antioxidants, sometimes we need more to prevent accelerated aging and prevent cancer. Aloe provides a great antioxidant activity together with Vitamins A, C and E to eliminate free radicals in our body. This is one of the benefits of aloe vera drink that we can take advantage of.

To enjoy the benefits of aloe vera drink, you have to take at least two to four ounces a day. Its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties prevent the onset of certain diseases in the body. It helps boost the immune system thus making us healthier. It provides a sense of well being and energy. Long-time drinkers of the juice swear by its effectiveness and they claim that they never got sick again, not even a cold.

Drinking the juice regularly also promotes a healthier digestive tract. Since it is rich with natural detoxifying elements, it can help our body in having regular bowel movements. Aside from that, it can also help the body in the full absorption of nutrients from the food that we eat. Minimizing the amount of bad bacteria and yeast around our gut is one of the most important benefits of aloe vera drink. It aids in digestion and in improving your circulation because of its ability to detoxify the body and cleans the colon.

Aside from its detoxifying properties, aloe can give us daily does of vitamins and minerals. It contains Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, E, Folic Acid and Niacin. Did you know that our body cannot produce much and store some of these vitamins? This means that we need to supplement them regularly and plenty of these nutrients can be found in aloe vera juice.

You may not know it but a healthy and glowing skin is one of the many benefits of aloe vera drink. Aloe prevents premature aging because of its ability to repair damaged skin tissues. To enjoy the full benefits, you can also apply aloe externally. There are several gels, creams and lotions available in the market today but make sure you purchase a product that has at least 90% of aloe in it.

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The Rap on Berries

I have to admit the "what's cooking" question can challenge the best of us in the food universe, but a visit to the farmer's market can provide the solution in solving this dining dilemma. On my most recent visit I was drawn to the raspberries and blueberries.

The berry family has plenty of positives to benefit those on the path to well-being. They are low in calories, high in Vitamin C, fiber and folate. Additionally they contain heaps of antioxidants which aid in heart health, boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation and bad cholesterol and preventing blood clots. Adding to these umbrella benefits, the individual berries bring other health benefits to the table.

Raspberries are available in red, gold, purple and black, but the reds are the most popular. Raspberries are low in calories, and sodium; they are an excellent source of vitamin C, and a good source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber. Red raspberries also contain manganese, copper and Vitamin K. The richly colored red raspberry is high in both antioxidants and phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are defined by the American Cancer Society as plant compounds that include lycopene, resveratrol and carotenoids that are thought to have health protecting qualities.

The phytonutrients contained in raspberries aid in lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Though the research is continuing recent data indicates the potential for the fruit to play a role in obesity management.

Raspberries are delicate and should be gently washed in cool water and patted dry just before using them. They are more flavorful if allowed to come to room temperature before eating, rather than eating them as soon as they come out of the refrigerator.

Blueberries, labeled as one of the "superfoods" are also high in antioxidants including the phytonutrient anthocyanins. It is the anthocyanins that give the fruit the deep blue-purple color. The fruit is low in calories, sodium-free and a good source of vitamins C and K, manganese, fiber and copper.

Blueberry consumption is linked to antioxidant support, with a protective effect on the entire body in addition to the cardiovascular system. There is evidence that blueberries can protect the retina from damage from sunlight, and assist in maintaining the blood-sugar balance in people affected by type 2 diabetes or who are insulin resistant. Recent research indicates that consumption of blueberries may play a role in improving memory and delaying the onset of age-related cognitive problems.

As with raspberries, blueberries require gentle washing and patting dry just before using, they should be stored in the refrigerator. Blueberries can be frozen but for optimum nutrition content, fresh is best.

As for what's cooking-fresh berry salads tossed with arugula and assorted baby lettuce plus toasted nuts; berries and cottage cheese or Greek-style yogurt; fruit smoothies made with almond milk; grilled pork tenderloin with blueberries or raspberries; whole-grain pizza spread with Greek-style yogurt, and toppings of thin-sliced ham and berries of course!

Take Away: Raspberries and blueberries have nutrient star status. Add them to your meals as part of your well-being lifestyle plan.

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Five Good Reasons to Eat an Avocado Each Day

Avocado

Forget the fat in avocados because they are a super-healthy method to add valuable nutrients and fibers (yes, and healthy fat!) in your perfect diet plan. Many people, within their attempts to become health-conscious, avoid avocados due to its high fat concentration (138 calories and 14.1g fat in a medium-sized avocado). Yet avocados are one of the greatest foods you can eat, filled with nutrients and substances that improve the health of your heart. Listed below are five great reasons to eat them frequently.

1. Avocados are filled with carotenoids

Avocados best source of lutein, also carotenoid works as an antioxidant preventing eye illness. They also develop alpha-carotene as well as beta-carotene, as well as vitamin E.

However avocados aren't just a rich source of carotenoids, they also help you get more of beneficial nutrients from other meals. Carotenoids tend to be lipophilic (soluble within fat, but not in water), therefore eating carotenoid-packed foods like vegetables and fruits together with monounsaturated-fat-rich avocados, helps your body soak up the carotenoids. An easy way to get this done would be to add chopped avocado pieces to a mixed salad.

2. Avocados give you a sense of well-being

A small avocado consists of 3.4 grams of fiber, including soluble and insoluble fibers; both of these variations are needed by the body to keep the digestive tract running smoothly. In addition, soluble fibers slow the breakdown of carbohydrates in your body, helping you feel full for a longer time.

Avocados also contain oleic acids, which make you feel full. Healthier unsaturated fats that contain oleic acid have been shown to create a greater feeling of satiety compared to less-healthy saturated fats in fully processed foods.

3. The nutrients inside an avocado can protect your baby and your heart

One cup of avocado provides almost a quarter of your recommended daily intake of folate, the vitamin which reduces the risk of birth defects. If you're pregnant or going to be then avocados will help protect your unborn child.

A higher folate consumption is also associated with reduced risks of heart attacks and heart problems. Does your family have a history associated with heart issues, or has been showing any symptoms for heart disease? Avocados can help you maintain your heart healthy.

4. Avocados can help reduce your cholesterol

The actual oleic acid in an avocado will help decrease cholesterol levels. In one research, individuals consuming an avocado-rich diet plan had a significant reduction in total cholesterol levels, together with a decrease in BAD cholesterol. Their own amounts of HDL cholesterol (the healthy type) increased through 11%.

Heart problems are among the main risk factors for heart disease. The actual cholesterol-lowering properties of avocado, along with its folate content, help to keep your heart healthy.

5. The avocado has an excellent flavor

The final reason is simple because avocados are really a healthy method to boost the taste as well as size of the meals. Put a sliced avocado in a salad or soup; serve the guacamole as an appetizer or even condiment.

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Here's How Bad Painkillers Are For You

Popping painkillers has more or less come across as a norm, and people just choose to for painkillers, be it for end-of-the-day headache, a body pain post workout, or even minor spinal discomfort. If you do pop in painkillers every now and then, you should be aware that these could have side effects on your health and well being, and may even prove to be addictive.

HOW DO PAINKILLERS WORK?

The two main mechanisms through which painkillers work are:

1. Reducing pain by suppressing formation of chemicals in the body which cause pain.

2. Reducing sensation of pain by binding to opoid receptors of central nervous system.

However, one has to stay wary to make sure that one is always in a position to avoid the side effects which come as a part and parcel of using painkillers. Some of these are:

1. Addiction:

Painkillers could be highly addictive substances, mainly owing to the feeling of euphoria they create amongst users. The fact that many over-the-counter and prescription painkillers are abused due to addiction could take many by surprise.

A scenario wherein an individual is particularly vulnerable to becoming addicted to painkillers is when one consumes these post surgery for recovery. The underlying idea behind consumption of these painkillers is to numb the pain, but people over time become addictive and iteratively go for higher doses.

Over time, it might be possible that an individual is not able to cope up with withdrawal symptoms and becomes addicted to the effect created by a painkiller.

2. Cardiovascular Effects:

Research has even shown that use of painkillers could lead to cardiovascular complications, some of which include slowing down of heart rate, or even a heart attack (myocardial infarction).

If one goes for painkiller abuse, or consumes more than the quantity of painkillers as prescribed, it could lead to fluctuations in the heart rate. Blood clotting and stroke are some other possible side effects of painkillers on the cardiovascular system.

3. Worsens Headaches:

If one happens to consume painkillers such as paracetamol, asprin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen for getting over a headache, and for more than 15 days a month, they are likely to be victims of overuse of drugs. With passage of times, such people could experience headaches which increase in duration, and sometimes in intensity as well.

4. Lead To Kidney Damage:

Any drug that one consumes is released in the bloodstream, and thereafter eliminated after being filtered from the kidneys. Painkillers could influence the process of filtration in following ways

o Interfering with flow of blood to the kidneys.

o Lead to allergic reactions

o Cause direct injury to kidney nephrons

Over time, this could possibly lead to kidney damage and sometimes has even more serious consequences such as leading to a kidney failure.

5. May Even Cause Depression:

Depression is a term normally associated with sadness or even chronic stress. But usage of painkillers has shown to increase symptoms of depression, in particular if one uses opoid analgesics.

Say no to painkillers today!

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Benefits of Walking 10,000 Steps Daily

Walking 10000 steps daily is recommended by health experts all over the world for complete body well being.

It is no magical number that has been found out by some scientific research. In fact it an approximate number of steps a person should walk every day.

Depending upon a person's health condition, this number can also be altered.

For example, for a person who is overweight, he/ she need to walk for more than 10000 steps for his / her well being. Similarly, for a person who is overweight and has low stamina, it may be too much in the beginning.

The benefits of walking start at 5000 steps. A person who walks more than 5000 steps daily, such a person is highly unlikely to develop metabolic syndrome.

You don't have to do step counting manually. Approximately 10000 steps mean that the person has walked for 5 miles, which is a good distance if the person travels every day.

In addition to the well being, following are the benefits of walking daily:

1. It reduces the risk of diabetes.

Walking such a distance daily helps to control the weight of an individual and in turn, this decreases the chances of diabetes. Research has proved that people, who walk this much every day, have a comparatively lower BMI.

2. It protects the brain from dementia.

Research has shown that walking regularly prevents the brain from shrinkage, this in turn prevents dementia. It has been observed that the brain size shrinks in the late adulthood. This shrinking leads to problems like the memory problem. It has been proved that people in the later adulthood that walk this much daily have an increased amount of grey matter in their brain. Thus with the physical fitness, there is also an assured mental fitness.

3. It reduces risk of heart diseases.

Lately it has been observed that heart diseases are just not prevalent among the older people but a lot of heart disease have been reported among the youngsters also. Walking helps in maintaining the fat level of the body, and thus the heart is protected from any diseases.

4. It relieves stress

Stress and anxiety have been commonly observed because of the changed lifestyles and increased work pressure. Physical exercise, in the form of walking 10000 small steps daily, lower this down. The result in the form of this benefit has been more significantly observed for the women.

The mental well being is thus assured. The healthy body now also has a relaxed mind.

5. It helps to lose weight

Increased weight problem in the form of obesity has become a very common phenomenon. Eating junk and processed food has become a part of every one's life. Increased weight leads to a lot of problems and disease. While the body remains inactive, diseases find their way easy to enter.

The solution for this is brisk walking. Walking 10000 steps daily will produce remarkable results because of the calories burned.

There 5 major benefits must have motivated you to take out time everyday for walking. Make it a compulsory part of your routine.

1, 2, 3, 4..... Here you go till 10000.

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Top 10 Healthiest Foods