Lentils have been a staple of Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine for thousands of years. In fact, these pulses go back to Neolithic times and are believed to be one of the oldest crops there is. Records show that in the Near East, they were eaten as far back as 6,000 to 13,000 years ago.…
Have you ever heard of xanthan gum? There is lots of conflicting information out there about this common food additive, which can make it difficult to decipher whether or not you should consume it. You’ll read everything describing xanthan gum as a “natural” health food to being a known carcinogen. So what is xanthan gum,…
Is an apple a day really good for you? You bet, thanks to all that apple nutrition has to offer. Did you know that apples and bananas are the most widely consumed fruits in the world? While berries usually get most of the credit when it comes to supplying antioxidants, apple nutrition is a close…
If you've ever eaten sushi, you're likely familiar with the beautiful, pistachio-green, paste-like dollop of color known as wasabi that typically adorns the plates of rolls and sashimi. I'm sure you can recall that first time when the somewhat painful rush of vapors hit your nasal passages combined with the wakame seaweed, rice, soy and…
You may never have heard of diatomaceous earth before, but chances are you've consumed or used plenty of products that contain it. What is diatomaceous earth, and does it really work? Diatomaceous earth is a powder that comes from the cell walls or shells of diatoms, or aquatic organisms. It's commonly used by humans to…
It's undeniable that there is an intricate connection between your gut microbiome and overall health. Made up of trillions of microorganisms, increasing research shows that the health of your gut flora is thought to have a massive influence on health and disease. Improving the composition of your gut microbiome is the main concept behind the…
Goldenseal is popular herbal products in the U.S. Native Americans historically used goldenseal for various health concerns, including skin diseases, ulcer symptoms and gonorrhea. Today’s traditional uses of goldenseal have broadened to include the natural treatment and prevention of colds, respiratory tract infections, allergies, eye infections, digestive issues, canker sores, vaginitis, urinary tract infections and even cancer. Goldenseal…
Have you ever checked out the ingredients of your favorite hummus and noticed tahini among those listed? That’s a good thing, because tahini sauce is made from ground sesame seeds, which we know are nutritious in their own right. In fact, research shows that sesame seeds and, thus, tahini have similar immune-boosting, cardiovascular-protective abilities as superfoods like olive…
The aloe vera plant has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties and to improve skin and hair health. Each leaf of the plant has three layers: the inner clear gel, middle layer of latex and outer rind. Aloe vera juice comes from all three layers of the leaf, which are crushed, ground and…
Doubling as both an important fat-soluble vitamin and potent antioxidant, getting enough vitamin A is absolutely crucial to maintaining overall health. Not only does it play a role in keeping your skin healthy and clear, but it's also a key factor in disease prevention, immunity and even bone health. A deficiency in this vital vitamin…
