According to the International Food Information Council, more than 4,000 foods and beverages sold in about 90 countries around the world contain the chemical acesulfame potassium. This sweetener is roughly 200 times sweeter than regular table sugar based on volume but contributes no calories to your diet. Even though health authorities, including the U.S. Food and…
Hot peppers have been used for cooking and medical purposes for ages, and the serrano pepper is one of them. Not only does it share the characteristics of the desired spiciness in many popular dishes, similar to cayenne pepper, but the serrano pepper can actually generate relief for sore muscles, arthritic patients, those who have heart problems,…
Painful conditions like gout and kidney stones affect millions of people around the world. Fortunately, both can be well-controlled simply by making a few modifications to your daily routine and following a low-purine diet. Not only can limiting your intake of purines aid in the prevention of these serious conditions, but it can also boost…
If you've ever visited Vietnam, Thailand or China, you may have come across the fruit called longan, a relative of lychee. Longan is a white-fleshed, juicy fruit with yellow-brown skin that grows in hanging clusters. Each small fruit is about the size of a large olive and is sometimes called a "berry" (although it's not…
There are many food sources that have been debated over the years as to whether or not they're helpful or harmful to human health — from eggs and dairy to alcohol and caffeine. You can add mustard oil to that list. Mustard oil has had a tough go at it for some time, considered toxic…
If you've ever visited Mexico or the Southwest United States, you may have come across a type of pink cactus fruit called prickly pear. It has a long history of use in folklore medicine and according to historians, was relied upon by Native Americans who used the fruit not only for food, but also as…
We can give thanks to the coconut tree for the numerous healthy products it yields: coconut water, desiccated coconut flakes, coconut vinegar and wine and, many people's personal favorite, coconut oil. Now meet coconut sugar. The inflorescence of the coconut — or coconut blossoms of the coconut tree (not to be confused with the palm…
People know tuna fish to be a nutritious option that provides healthy fats, antioxidants and micronutrients, but a recent tuna recall raises some major concerns about the safety of fresh and frozen fish products. Eating contaminated tuna can lead to signs of food poisoning from fish, causing allergy symptoms like swollen mouth, hives and nausea.…
Ask any expert, "What are the best ways to fight cancer?", and you'll likely be told advice such as to eat a healthy diet, exercise and avoid smoking. You're probably aware of the protective effects that certain cancer-fighting foods, such leafy greens and berries for examples, can have on your immune system and overall health.…
