Bananas can be a perplexing food. On the one hand, we know that banana nutrition is high in sugar, and sugar is anything but good for us. On the other hand, we also hear that they are full of important nutrients that can help promote better health. So what’s the verdict on banana nutrition and…
Small, cabbage-like and often ignored on plates across America, Brussels sprouts become more popular every Fall because they're often used at holiday time. Packed with vital nutrition, they deserve to extend into the other seasons. Brussels sprouts nutrition provide many important health benefits: plenty of antioxidants, help prevent cancer and heart disease, support for digestive…
Maple syrup is now among the most commonly consumed natural sweeteners worldwide. What are the benefits of maple syrup? This sweetener does more than make your pancakes taste sweet. It surprisingly has health benefits, including providing certain protective phytochemicals. Similar to the contrast between whole and refined grains, unrefined natural sweeteners that are used as sugar…
You may have heard that zinc benefits include the ability to help people recovering from the common cold or other illnesses, but this mineral is also needed by those who aren’t sick and who don’t have compromised immune function. As an essential mineral, zinc should be consumed in small amounts every day in order to…
Often considered one of the world's healthiest foods, quinoa is a powerhouse of nutrition that offers an array of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals in every serving. Interestingly enough, the quinoa pronunciation (keen-wah) isn't the only source of confusion when it comes to this incredible ingredient. In fact, although it's commonly known as an “ancient grain,”…
Durian fruit has been utilized in Eastern medicine practices for many years, which isn't surprising considering it's rich in a number of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, vitamins and minerals. While this fruit hasn't been studied as extensively as many others, it's considered to be a valuable addition to one's diet, in addition to being utilized as…
Christopher Columbus was known to call papaya the “fruit of the angels.” This orange-colored, melon-like fruit is part of the Caricaceae family of plants and grows on the Carica papaya tree. It's native to southern Mexico and Central America but can be grown in most tropical areas. When ripe, it is commonly used around the world…
You probably associate figs with the extremely popular fig newton, which if we're being perfectly honest is not the healthiest of options. While you shouldn't make a habit of eating those packaged fig goodies, figs nutrition actually has a surprising amount of health benefits. Of course, when I say figs nutrition, I mean the fruit…
Looking to get rid of dark spots and give your skin a lighter, brighter look? Say hello to kojic acid — a cosmetic ingredient that's getting attention lately for its skin-lightening and antioxidant properties. Kojic acid may serve as an alternative to hydroquinone, the primary ingredient used in many skin-lightening products, and glycolic acid, or…
Pumpkins are an integral part of the holiday season. From pumpkin carving to sweet pumpkin spice and fresh pumpkin pie, it’s hard to imagine fall without this bright orange fruit. Unfortunately, pumpkin seeds, much like pumpkin seed oil, often get lost in the mix and are frequently discarded or ignored altogether in favor of the…
