By now, most people are well-aware that foods rich in dietary fiber and probiotic foods offer a long list of benefits and are essential to overall health. Nonetheless, prebiotics are still largely under-appreciated and often lacking in the typical American diet. Unfortunately, this can result in serious issues like indigestion, inflammation, impaired immunity, weight gain and…
Artificial sweeteners, or non-nutritive sweeteners as they are sometimes referred to, have been controversial since they were first introduced to the market in the 1950s, and scientific research shows they are associated with many dangerous side effects. Introduced to satisfy consumers’ sweet tooth, these artificial sweeteners with no calories seemed, at the time, like good…
Whether you love it or hate it, chances are you're plenty familiar with grapefruit, but what do you know about grapefruit benefits, nutrition and history? This citrus fruit can be white, yellow, pink or red in color with a taste ranging from sour to sweet — most often a refreshing mix of the two. Whatever…
Records of eating artichokes date back to Ancient Greece and the Roan Empire. There are texts indicating that these populations consumed the naturally occurring variant of the artichoke, the cardoon — especially for help managing rheumatism and gout — thanks to all artichoke nutrition has to offer. Today, this native plant is still found in the same…
Zinc is an essential trace mineral that plays a role in more than a hundred enzymatic reactions in the body, which is why consuming foods high in zinc is so important. This mineral (along with iron) is needed in small amounts every day in order to maintain your health and perform important functions. Zinc benefits come from…
Although it's only a small part of the brain in terms of volume, the limbic system has some of the most basic, life-sustaining and meaningful roles of all brain structure. The word limbic comes from the latin word limbus, meaning "border." That's because the limbic system forms a curved border around the subcortical parts of…
Often called “wheat protein,” “wheat meat” or “wheat gluten,” seitan (pronounced say-tahn) has a look and texture shockingly similar to meat when it’s cooked, and its alternative namesakes are quite fitting since it’s made from gluten, the main protein found in wheat. Seitan stands out as one of the only meat substitutes completely free of soy. Like its soy counterparts,…
Did you know that cranberries contain one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants of any fruit? That's right — these incredible berries are loaded with health-promoting antioxidants, which studies show help protect cells against free radical damage and aid in the prevention of chronic disease. Cranberries should be a staple on every shopping list for many reasons,…
Many people have heard that foods with antioxidants protect us from free radical damage, which is responsible for many of the effects of aging on both the body and mind. But what exactly are free radicals, why are they bad and where do they come from? When antioxidant levels in the body are lower than…
Almonds have been prized since ancient times and are believed to be the oldest widely grown of all nut crops. Today, they are still one of humankind’s most beloved and healthiest nuts, and almonds nutrition benefits are appreciated across the globe, where they're used in numerous ways, such as: eaten raw as a healthy snack…
