Posts Tagged: antioxidants

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5
Sep 11

Healthy Diet with Veggies and Fruits

Healthy diet is important as we are what we eat. Here are some pieces of advice for developing healthy eating habits. Peanuts are rich in antioxidants which protect the cells from damages associated with heart diseases. They contain lots of protein and ‘good’ fats. Antioxidants are natural substances found in plants that protect the body from free radicals and ‘bad’ chemicals in the blood. Red and orange fruits are particularly high in antioxidants.The following substances have proven antioxidant properties:

• Retinol (Vitamin A or beta carotene) – it is contained in carrots, broccoli, pumpkin, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, melons, peaches, apricots;

•  Vitamin C – the following are rich in it: citrus fruits, green peppers,  broccoli, green vegetables, strawberries, cabbage, tomatoes;

• Vitamin E – wheat germs, nuts, seeds, green vegetables, vegetable and fish oil;

• Selenium – fish, shellfish, red meat, nuts, eggs, chicken, and garlic. Grapefruit is quite beneficial for the organism. It is an  invaluable source of vitamin C. This citrus fruit is full of vitamins  and low in calories. Grapefruit contains: water – 82 – 86 percent,  sugars – up to 10 percent, fructose – 4 percent, and glucose – 6  percent.

There is a theory according to which we should eat according to the so-called “Principle of the traffic lights”. Consume  red-colored foods (wild strawberry, raspberry, tomatoes) that are rich  in flavonoids as to prevent the accumulation of fatty deposits. Have  yellow-colored foods (carrots, apricots, yellow peppers) as well. These fruits  and vegetables are rich in carotene, which fights free radicals. And don’t forget green vegetables (lettuce, green beans, broccoli), which contain a plant pigment that regenerates the cells.

Carrots  have an excellent taste and nutritional value, as well as dietary and  medicinal properties. Not surprisingly, this vegetable ranks among the  most valuable vegetables in the cuisine of many nations. Carrots contain  large amounts of sugars, mineral salts and vitamins, especially vitamin  A (about 6 times more vitamin A than in tomatoes). The daily need of  vitamin A can be met by eating only one  carrot.

Food products containing fibers are particularly good for your health. Fibers are of two types: soluble  and insoluble. The soluble ones improve the absorption of food, and  keep in check the level of sugar in the blood. They also cleanse the  blood vessels from bad cholesterol. Soluble fibers are contained in  oats, cereal, legumes, apples, bananas, carrots, and red beet. The  insoluble fibers help cleanse the body from accumulated poisons in the  digestive system and normalize its work. They are contained in the bark  of many fruits and vegetables, but are mostly found in legumes and  wholegrain products. Both types of fibers help you keep your body fit.

healthy living — No Comments
31
Aug 11

Remove Toxins through a Healthy Diet

There are different methods to remove toxins from your body. One is detoxification, which normalizes the function of all organs and improves your mental and physical health.

Why do people go with detoxification in the first place? Many of us drink contaminated water, breathe polluted air, eat pre-cooked foods, and have a sedentary life. Poisons and chemicals enter the body and as a result of this, all systems (digestive, respiratory, endocrinal, cardiovascular, and so on) are clogged with different waste products, preventing them from functioning normally. People get obese or overweight, and their immune systems are compromised.

Seasonal changes are a good time to remove toxins from your body. You should stick to your chosen detoxification program for about three weeks, exclude certain foods from your menu and have more of the others, listed below.

Avoid alcohol, black tea, coffee, refined sugar and sweets, salt and salty products, sauces, all kinds of meat, canned soups, eggs, milk and dairy products. Consume plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit, wholegrain foods, seeds, nuts, and legumes.

The foods that effectively remove toxins from your body are apples, beetroot, blueberries, cabbage, linseed, onion, grapefruit, and seaweed. Apples are rich in pectin, which connects with cholesterol and heavy metals in the body, thus dissolving and removing toxins in the intestines. Avocado reduces the cholesterol level and blocks the toxins damaging the arteries. Avocado contains glutathione, which blocks over 30 different cancerogenous substances and improves liver detoxification.

Beetroot contains a unique combination of natural substances, making it a wonderful cleansing food for the liver and blood. Blueberries are among the most powerful foods to cleanse your body from toxins. They contain natural aspirin which helps your body fight chronic inflammations and pain. Blueberries act as an antibiotic and block bacteria in the urethra, thus preventing infections. They have anti-virus properties and help reduce stress.  Cabbage also contains many anti-cancer substances and antioxidants that facilitate the work of the liver. This vegetable cleanses the digestive system and neutralizes some harmful substances found in tobacco smoke. Cabbage improves the capacity of the liver to cleanse the body as well.

Red blueberries are even more beneficial than the blue variety. They have antibiotic and antivirus properties. Linseed contains Omega-3, which has a cleansing effect on the whole body. Garlic is another food to consume as it cleanses harmful bacteria from the blood and the intestinal parasites. It prevents clogging of the arteries and has anti-cancer and antioxidant properties. Garlic helps cleanse the respiratory tract, the sinuses, and lungs. Use fresh garlic to enjoy its cleansing properties.

Red grapefruit contains pectin which connects with cholesterol, thus cleansing the blood. Grapefruit also cleanses the intestines and has antiviral properties. Substances in seaweed connect with radioactive chemicals and heavy metals in the body, thus removing them. Finally, seaweed is rich in microelements and minerals.  To remove toxins from your body, consume more legumes as well. They are rich in fibers, which help reduce cholesterol, cleanse the intestines, and regulate the level of blood sugar. Legumes are also said to prevent the development of cancers.