The ABCs of Healthy Fruits (Part Two)

Thursday, April 10th, 2008

Fruits are great cures for what ails you. There are many fruits that you can use; this article takes a look at only a few of them.

The fuzzy brown exterior of the kiwi fruit gives way to a bright green interior which is an excellent cancer fighter. Kiwis contain a lot of vitamin C and fiber. Vitamin C is believed to play an integral role in preventing cataracts.

Grapes are a tremendous source of boron, which is a type of mineral that may be connected to a lower risk of osteoporosis. Grapes when turned into red grape juice are full of not just boron but also something known as reservatrol. Reservatrol is a chemical that is believed to be able to ward off heart disease by inhibiting the clumping action of blood cells.

Mangoes are full of vitamin C and beta-carotene, both of which are considered to be anticancer antioxidants. This fruit is also full of copper and vitamin B6. The USDA research into the importance of vitamin C to the body has found that this essential vitamin is beneficial at lowering blood pressure.

Oranges and oranges made into orange juice are filled with vitamin C and folic acid. Folic acid is beneficial for preventing a number of birth defects such as spina bifida and encephalitis. Folic acid is believed to help reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

There are other types of citrus fruits besides orange juice that are full of limonoids which are substances that can help the body to detoxify itself and by so doing can decrease the risk of cancer. Be aware that smokers need twice the daily intake of vitamin C as non-smokers and should therefore drink double the quantity of orange juice.

Pears are not only delicious but they are also an excellent source of fiber. Fiber has a great deal of benefits but when combined with a diet low in fat it is able to decrease the chance that a person will develop polyps in the colon which can lead to the development of cancer. Pears are not just full of fiber but also they contain plenty of vitamin C, boron (which is also prevalent in grapes), and potassium (which is also prevalent in bananas).

Prunes are the recommended fruit for relief of constipation, however some people prefer to drink prune juice instead. Prunes are good for this purpose because they are full of fiber. Prunes they have a natural sugar called sorbitol. Prunes are excellent for the bones and like grapes contain boron as well as plenty of vitamins A and E.

Berries in general contain plenty of fiber and strawberries are a perfect example of this. Strawberries have more fiber as well as more vitamin C in them than the majority of other fruits. Strawberries contain a substance called ellagic acid, which is a natural chemical that is excellent at fighting cancer. Studies of ellagic acid have discovered that it very potent as an inhibitor of carcinogens that the body takes in, particularly for smokers, including nitrosamines and tobacco smoke.


Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Food Cures.

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The ABCs of Healthy Fruits (Part One)

Wednesday, April 9th, 2008

All fruits are healthy to the human body in specific ways. A combination of fruits in your diet can help to keep you healthy, and cure certain diseases as well. There is a huge variety of fruits that can help you, including apples, apricots, bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, kiwi fruit, lemon/limes and oranges. Other healing fruits include papaya, pears, pineapple, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries and watermelon. Here we take a look at a variety of the healing properties of a selection of fruits.

Amaranth is a food that not everyone is familiar with. While technically a fruit, amaranth is commonly used as a type of grain that is found in many different types of breads, muffins, pasta and other foods that are as an adjunct to flour. The seeds of amaranth are extremely high in protein that builds muscle. Amaranth is much richer in protein than most grains. Amaranth seeds are also excellent at building up the immune system because they are high in zinc, copper and magnesium.

Apricots are excellent antioxidants. They are chock-full of vitamin C and beta-carotene. Research studies have yielded the fact that beta carotene is beneficial at protecting the body against lung cancer. Apricots are great sources of fiber. Apricots are more nutritious if you buy them fresh as opposed to canned.

Bananas are full of potassium, and therefore great at reducing blood pressure. Bananas are full of vitamin B6, which is good for encouraging the strength of the immune system. Bananas are particularly good to start off the day. Eat a banana with a glass of low fat milk and a piece of whole wheat bread (or toast) with peanut butter for breakfast and it will give you plenty of energy. For a change of pace whip up a banana shake in the blender and drink your start to a good day!

Cantaloupe is full of plenty of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, potassium and fiber. Research studies have shown that beta-carotene is particularly helpful at fighting cancers that originate in the lungs but more recent studies have shown that it is also worthwhile for fighting other types of cancers such as cancer of the cervix, uterine cancer, stomach cancer and oral forms of cancers. Evidence also supports that vitamin C decreases the incidence of mouth cancers, throat cancers, pancreatic cancer and stomach cancer.

Figs are beneficial to health and that is the case regardless of whether you choose to eat figs fresh or in their dried form. Figs have plenty of vitamin C, fiber, magnesium and potassium in them. Figs contain a type of fruit fiber that is able to decrease blood pressure, and in particular, systolic blood pressure, which is the top number of the blood pressure reading which in turn, calculates the pressure of the contractions of the heart. Fiber in general is connected to decreasing the bottom number of the blood pressure equation, which is the diastolic blood pressure. The diastolic blood pressure stands for the pressure of the heart when it is resting between its contracting action.


Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Food Cures.

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Surprise! Foods Can Heal You!

Thursday, April 3rd, 2008

There are a great number of foods that are healing in nature to the human body. Many of these foods may surprise you. This article will deal with a number of these foods, and discuss how they help the body.

Take the time to learn what foods are the most healing. If you already eat a vast array of healing foods then good for you- keep on doing what you are doing. If on the other hand your body could use a larger dose of healing foods then revamp your daily diet with some foods that can help to support health. These foods can also benefit you when you fall ill.

Artichokes are helpful in several ways. Artichokes can lower cholesterol, improve digestion and protect your heart from diseases. Artichokes can also help to protect your liver from being invaded by disease and they can stabilize your blood sugar if it tends to be on the high side.

Chili peppers are worth including in your diet if your throat is sore and achy and your sinuses are bothering you. Chili peppers certainly have a bite to them, but they are excellent for digestion and they help to fight cancer before they start. Chili peppers are extremely beneficial in boosting the function of the immune system.

Sometimes nuts are just what the doctor ordered. Peanuts help to protect against diseases of the heart, as they lower cholesterol levels and encourage weight loss. Peanuts are especially good for men as they help to combat prostrate cancer. Chestnuts are not just a Christmas time treat; they can be eaten all year long for their healing properties. Chestnuts are very protective of the heart they also combat a variety of cancers. These nuts also help to lower cholesterol and control blood pressure. Chestnuts are beneficial as well for individuals who are attempting to lose some weight.

If you enjoy walnuts then you are in luck! Walnuts have many healing properties. Walnuts help to combat a variety of cancers and they lower cholesterol and protect the heart against disease. Walnuts also aid in a sharp, clear memory and they are an instant mood-lifter.

Prunes are known to be good at preventing constipation, but they are also excellent at protecting the heart from disease, lowering cholesterol and boosting a person’s ability to remember these. Prunes are also believed to play an integral role in slowing down the process of aging, which is enough to make anyone smile.

Green tea is very therapeutic to the human body. This type of tea protects the heart, helps to prevent the onset of strokes and is excellent at combating cancer. As well green tea is an effective bacteria killer and it is helpful when it comes to losing weight.

If you like to take honey in your tea, or if you enjoy putting one of nature’s purest foods on toast, then you are being very smart. Honey is beneficial for the digestive process. It protects against the development of ulcers and encourages the healing of wounds. Honey is also effective at fighting a variety of allergies and it is an excellent energy booster.


Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Food Cures.

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Foods to Relieve Constipation

Friday, December 14th, 2007

Constipation is an uncomfortable yet common condition that is not fun for anyone, but unfortunately can be a part of life. Constipation is often the result of a lack of fiber and roughage in the diet. To improve this problem simply take a close look at what you are eating on a regular basis and resolve to make fiber more a part of your daily eating routine.

Bran is one of the best foods to prevent constipation, and in particular rice bran. Bran needs water to work properly and vice versa so drink as much fluid as possible. You should aim for at least six to eight glasses of water on a daily basis. It is recommended that you do not bombard your digestive system with a tremendous amount of fiber right away but start adding a little bit of it gradually each day. The body needs time to adjust to the addition of fiber to the system, especially when you are not inclined to consume much at all. Fluid needs to accompany fiber because the fiber is likely to absorb a great deal and the fluid will then in turn be able to “bulk up” the bran that is being eaten.

Why this works so effectively at combating constipation is that bran has rough edges and it is these rough edges that serve to stimulate the nerve endings in the bowel to start working to eliminate waste and in particular to increase the work of the colon. Bran is also beneficial to increase the amount of bulk that makes up the stools.

Not everyone is aware of this and researchers have no idea why it works but hot coffee, whether it be decaffeinated or regular helps to treat constipation. If you are constipated uncommon awakening drink six ounces but make sure you do so on an empty stomach so drink the coffee before you eat your breakfast. The good aspect of this remedy is that it yields almost immediate results. It is surmised that it is a chemical that is found in the coffee that makes it work like a charm, however it is not believed to be caffeine that makes it work so well. For reasons that have researchers baffled, the coffee for constipation cure works more effectively for women than it does men.

Prunes and prune juice have long been used as a treatment for constipation. The amount that is required to help a person tends to vary with the individual situation. The worse your constipation is, the more prunes or prune juice you will need to consume. It is unclear why prunes are effective when it comes to relieving constipation. Some researchers believe it is the fiber that is found in the prunes why others attribute it to the extremely high levels of sorbitol found in them. For those who are not familiar with sorbitol, it is an indigestible sugar alcohol.

Take the time to do your research over the Internet or at the public library to find other possible treatments for constipation if it is an issue for you.


Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more informaton on Food Cures.


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