Cranberries Savory Secrets — Why to Eat Cranberries Year-Round??? Cranberries are glossy and dark red berries with Full of Antioxidants! The newest celebrity on the superfood block, cranberries are well-known for their nutritional properties, including rich source of antioxidants, dietary fiber, vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as minerals; manganese and potassium. Whether they are enjoyed fresh, frozen, dried or in the form of fresh juice, cranberries surely offer a nutritional punch. This cousin of blueberry bears a very acidic or tart taste. Since many years, the health benefits of cranberries have been studied by scientists. Cranberries have long been appreciated for their medicinal properties which have been known just as lengthy as its culinary use. More famously, they are the food of choice when an individual suffers from widespread yeast or urinary tract infections.

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In former times, sailors utilized them to prevent scurvy as they are the source of vitamin C. During the 18th century, cranberries were used in Native America, to prevent wounds from bleeding. Nowadays, medical professionals suggest cranberries for their abundant, powerful health benefits. One of the noteworthy reasons why cranberries have gained so much attention is they seem to be a potential alternative to consumption of antibiotics. Because of their anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, they are believed to prevent urinary tract infections, kidney infections, strokes, periodontal disease, macular degeneration, heart disease, stomach cancer and other chronic illnesses. Just take a look at the big benefits of these small berries. Read the rest of this entry »

Dried big grapes are also known as raisins. The difference between grapes and raisins is that raisins come with seeds and have more nutrition than small grapes. In ayurveda, it is considered as a best medicine in throat disease. The regular use of Raisins is beneficial to the Asthma patients because a kind of dry raisins has unique ability to clear out the cough from the trachea. Raisins are dried grapes obtained by drying fresh grapes (black or green) in sun or driers. Dried grapes provide 249 calories per 100 g compared to fresh grapes. Raisins are natural source of energy, minerals, electrolytes, and vitamins. They are filled with dietary fiber, poly phenolic anti-oxidants, and other phyto-nutrients. The health benefits of raisins contain relief from acidosis, constipation, anemia, sexual weakness and fever. It also helps in eye care, dental care, weight gain, and bone health. Here are provided some great health benefits and nutritional facts of Raisin.

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Are you sure that the food you eat is healthy and of your choice? Sometimes, it happens that you went at grocery store for purchasing some products and get confused to select between two similar products; which one to buy? For healthier choice or to pick up the right product, you may investigate the food labeling. Just because a labeling of product claims to have healthier ingredients, it is not necessary that the product is a healthier choice.

Nowadays, food manufacturers are very clever; they compelled us to think that processed food has same health benefits as unprocessed food, or that a product is “All Natural” though it contained high fructose corn syrup. As a health conscious consumer, you should be aware about the misleading foods label. Misleading food labels attract the consumers with eye catching pictures, keywords and bold statements. All these attracting features claims to fulfill the dietary requirement of people but they are not true all the time. Read the rest of this entry »

As summer arrives, everyone reminds the delicious and sweet Lychee fruit. Lychee is a sub tropical fruit which is indigenous to low elevations of the provinces of Fukien and Kwangtung in Southern China. The word ‘Lychee’ is a Chinese word which indicates “a reward for a life that is joyful”. Lychee fruit is also recognized as litchi, leechi, lichu and laichi. For people, who usually don’t enjoy fruits, Lychee fruit makes a great choice. Lychee fruit belongs to soapberry family, Sapindaceae and mostly found in the temperate regions of the world. This drupe fruit is outwardly covered by a pink-red uneven textured rind, easily detachable. This exotic fruit is scientifically named as Litchi chinensis and has a sweet taste that somewhat resembles to the grapes.

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Milk is an essential part of our diet as it contains several nutrients which are required for good health. Milk is the main source of nutrition for infants till they are able to digest other kinds of food. Milk is rich in calcium which makes bones and teeth healthy as well as decrease the risk of osteoporosis. Protein is also contained in high amount which builds and repair muscle tissues in the body. Many types of milk are accessible in the market but the most prevalent types are skimmed milk and whole milk. Skimmed milk is healthier substitute for whole milk. Read on the article to know the nutrition difference of skimmed milk and whole milk.

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Healthy diet includes fruits and vegetables of all colors such as orange, green, blue, red, purple, yellow and white. Every color gives different nutrients to diet. Brighter color fruits and vegetables have more fighting power compared to lighter. Several vitamins and minerals are included in nutrients rich diet. Nutrients rich diet provides vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and minerals which help immune systems to fight against illness and disease. Nutrients rich diet also decreases the risk of chronic diseases as well as the effect of aging. Nuts and seeds, fruits, whole grains, vegetables, low-fat & fat-free dairy products, legumes, and lean meats & fish add huge amounts of nutrients in diet. Here are provided some foods that adds nutrients in diet.

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Sorghum (Jowar) is a cereal crop like wheat, corn, oats and barley. It is 5th vital cereal crop grown in the world and 3rd vital cereal crop grown in U.S. and it is an important source of food in India. United States, Australia and Argentina are the foremost exporters of sorghum. In United States, sorghum is commonly used as animal food however now used as a substitute grain for human consumption. Africa is the biggest producer of sorghum. Sorghum has many benefits as it is rich in nutrition. Read on the article to know benefits of sorghum.

Sorghum has sweet and nutty taste. It is gluten-free so it is best for the people who are sensitive to gluten. Sorghum is also a great substitute of wheat. It contains dietary fiber which is useful in digestion and makes the person full for longer time. It contains vitamin and minerals in high amount. Compared to other cereals, the protein and starch in sorghum are digested slowly which is helpful for the people suffering from diabetes. Sorghum is used as an ingredient in many dishes, soups and casseroles. It is also cooked as porridge. In India, it is used as rice or grinded into flour to prepare chapattis. Read the rest of this entry »

For good health, a balanced and healthy diet is one of the prerequisites. Fish and other seafood are an essential part of a balanced diet as they are great low-fat sources of many nutrients. They are easiest source of protein and very important source of essential fatty acids. A wide variety of vitamins and minerals are also contained by it. Also, they are low in calories and saturated fats, which make it ideal food for any weight loss eating plan. Recently, the federal government has updated the official guide to healthful eating list, which enlists increasing intake of seafood amid its key recommendations.

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In most of cultures, fish and other seafood is a staple food. They are full of nutrition and flavor. Seafood is the palate’s greatest pleasure for many people. Oysters, crab, clams, tuna, and other seafood offer high-quality protein yet low in cholesterol and fat. They also deliver other important nutrients like B vitamins, potassium, calcium, iron, niacin, and phosphorus. A lot of evidence suggests that people who regularly consume fish and seafood in their diet have a reduced risk of unwanted weight gain. The American Heart Association also recommended in 2002 to consume at least 2 servings of fish in a week, specifically fatty fish. Read the rest of this entry »

Quinoa is a highly nutritious food which is presently uncommon food in most kitchens. Quinoa is one of the healthy super foods as it is rich in nutrients. Quinoa is grown high in the South America’s Andes Mountains and previously it was considered as “the gold of the Incas.” Most people believe quinoa is a grain but it is a seed. Quinoa is intimately associated to species like spinach, beets and tumbleweeds. The Incas of South America referred quinoa as mother of all grains. Refer the article to know the health benefits and nutrition facts of quinoa.

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Chia seeds are nature’s complete superfood which has incredible nutritional value and medicinal properties. It also plays very important role in weight loss. Refer the article to know the nutritional value and health benefits of chia seeds.

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Chia seeds are one of the most nutritious foods that derive from the sage plant Salvia hispanica. Salvia hispanica plant is the native to Mexico and Guatemala. The term “chia” derives from the Aztec word “chian” that means oily. Chia seeds are versatile and can be digested easily. Chia seeds are mottle colored with gray, black, brown, and white as well as have oval shape with a diameter of around 1 mm. Chia seeds were known as “Indian Running Food” because of their energizing features. Read the rest of this entry »