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The Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a product of the kernel of mature coconuts obtained from the coconut palm. It has a myriad of applications in the food and medicine industries. Coconut oil can last for more than two years without spoiling, this is because of its high level of saturated fat. Coconut oil has several health benefits to its users, these benefits are attributed to the lauric acid, caprylic acid and capric acid present in it. Human beings are able to synthesize monolaurin from lauric acid, monolaurin helps in fighting viruses and harmful bacteria. The following are medically proven health benefits of coconut oil;

1. Weight loss Coconut oil has short chain and medium chain amino acids which help in shedding excess weight. It can be effortlessly digested, a quality that makes it aid in the normal functioning of the endocrine and thyroid systems. It lowers stress on the pancreas, thereby raising the body’s metabolic rate, thus burning more energy and helping obese people in cutting down their weight. Research has shown that inhabitants of tropical areas who use coconut oil on a daily basis rarely get obese or overweight.

2. Digestion Coconut oil improves digestion, thus preventing the occurrence of digestion and stomach related issues such as irritable bowel syndrome. It also has antimicrobial properties which help in dealing with harmful microorganisms which can cause problems in the digestive system. In addition to these, coconut oil aids in the absorption of nutrients such as amino acids, minerals and vitamins.

3. Immunological properties Coconut oil reinforces the immune system as it has antimicrobial lipids, caprylic acid, lauric acid and capric acid. These substances possess antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial characteristics. The human body synthesizes monolaurin from coconut oil which is a very effective antimicrobial agent. This assists the body in dealing with pathogenic microorganisms like listeria, helicobacter and protozoa.

4. Rapid healing aid When topically applied on injured or infected areas, coconut oil sets a protective layer on the affected part which protects it from dust and harmful microorganisms. This attribute helps in speeding up the healing process in injured or damaged tissue. Coconut oil is also very effective against yeast and fungi which cause athlete’s foot, diaper rash and ringworm.

5. Skin and hair care Coconut oil aids in hair growth and gives hair a shiny sheen when applied. It also combats protein loss which can cause unattractive or unhealthy looking hair. It prevents the formation of dandruff in the hair when massaged into the scalp daily. Coconut oil also works as an effective moisturizer for all skin types. It has no side effects and prevents drying and flaking of the skin. It can also treat a variety of skin conditions and has been known to prevent premature ageing.

5 Benefits of Kiwis

Kiwi Fruit Benefits

Kiwi fruits originated in China where it has been used since ancient times as a health tonic especially for women after child birth .It was also used as a health tonic to enhance immunity in children. The potential nutritional kiwi fruit benefits were first identified by the people of New Zealand who started its cultivation commercially.

Kiwi fruit has a brown hairy peel with green flesh and white pulp. It has green creamy and yummy flesh and tiny black seeds. Kiwi fruits are full of Vitamin C and usually used as appetizers in meat dishes , fish , salads, puddings , cakes and pies. Many people are not aware of the many health benefits associated with this delicious fruit.

Nutritional Value of kiwis

Kiwis are very rich in Vitamin C, Potassium, Dietary Fiber, Vitamin E, and Magnesium .It also contains traces of Sodium ,saturated fat and cholesterol.

The following are the five benefits of kiwis:

1. Protecting your eyes

Kiwi fruits contain Zeaxanthin and Lutein which are natural chemicals found in the human eye.Lutein helps in filtering blue light which is damaging to the eye.It also helps in preventing muscular degeneration associated with old age.Lutein also offers protection against cataracts and glaucoma. Zeaxanthin also works together with Lutein in contributing to good eye health.

2.Maintaining Good Health of the Heart

Consuming kiwi fruit enhances the health of your heart. Being rich in fiber and Potassium and also low in Sodium, kiwi fruit gives you the most important dietary change to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. High potassium intake is also associated with a reduced risk of stroke , preservation of bone mineral density ,reduction in the formation of kidney stones and protection against loss of muscle mass.

3.Prevention Of Cancer

Kiwi fruits contain a variety of Carotenoids and Flavonoids which have clearly demonstrated antioxidant activity. These are phytonutrients that protect the DNA from oxygen -related damage. Preventing the DNA from damage ensures that cancer growth is inhibited and prevented.

4.Boosting Immunity

Due to the high content of Vitamin C in kiwis and the presence of antioxidant compounds,they have proven to good immune boosters.

5.Lowering Blood Pressure

Because of their high Potassium content, kiwis are able to negate the effects of sodium in the body. Potassium plays a major role in body cells by keeping body fluids and electrolytes in balance. This helps in controlling the heart rate and blood pressure by negating the effects of sodium.

There are many more benefits that are not mentioned here. All these kiwi fruit benefits should lead you to consider giving them a try and incorporating them in your diet for your health.

A Beginner’s Guide To Detoxing

Thinking about a detox diet?

Once spring arrives, many people start thinking about getting rid of toxins accumulated during winter. Chinese medicine supports this belief and suggests spring as the best time to perform a cleansing and detoxification of the liver.

Detox diets or detoxing is the practice of cleaning your internal organs and tissues. It is claimed to improve health, revitalize and rejuvenate the body along with ridding the body of symptoms and protecting the body from diseases. After a detox cleanse some say their body feels more energetic and their mind feels clearer.

Many people are hesitant about detoxing as they fear that they will get hungry or have lowered energy levels, others are worried about ending up with headaches. Some are worried about interrupted digestion and think that they will need to be near a bathroom at all times. Apart from this, most people simply do not know where to begin. Those who’ve tried it say to smoothly sail through your first detox without getting hungry, having headaches, upset digestion or low energy levels is to keep the detox diet plan simple. First time detoxification should be done in small steps to avoid shocking the body. The following are three simple steps to a first detox:

1. Do it in stages. The first detox should last for 1 to 3 days and should be done during the night. For a thirty six hour detox, the regimen should be started at night, preferably after dinner and continued through the next day, with the detox ending in the morning of the following day with breakfast.

2. It is advisable to ease into and out of the detox. A healthy diet should be maintained not less than forty eight hours before and after the detox. Junk food, alcohol, coffee and sugar should be avoided. Be kind to yourself and avoid shocking your body.

3. A lot of water should be drunk to aid removal of toxins.

Beginners could try the following detoxification programs to find one that suits them best.

1. Remove junk food from your diet. This is the first level of detoxing. Junk foods contribute a lot of toxicity to the body. Sugar, soda, processed foods, alcohol and coffee should be avoided. Regular meals devoid of junk foods should be taken.

2. Remove meat, grains and dairy from your diet. The second level of detoxification is to put more emphasis on plant based meals which are nutritious. Intake of fiber and nutrients should be increased. Foods that appear higher on the food chain should be avoided.

3. Lemon cleanse. This is a tougher form of a beginner detox program. The lemon cleanse, also known as the master cleanse is an excellent beginner juice fast. It is prepared by mixing two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice with a tablespoon of maple syrup, a bit of cayenne, preferably a pinch in a glass of fresh spring water. 8 to twelve glasses of this should be taken daily for up to a couple of weeks. It is okay to start with a shorter time. It’s said that the lemon juice in this drink acts as a great detox, particularly for the liver. The cayenne is meant to promote digestion, stimulate circulation and purify the blood. While the maple syrup is said to provide the body with the energy needed to keep it running throughout the day.

All in all, many swear that detoxing is good for overall health, however it can get very challenging for beginners. Strict detox diets are not for the faint hearted!

5 Reasons to Try the Benefits of Juicing

The benefits of juicing for health started as an Ayurvedic practice in ancient India. Juicing is a tradition that has been around for more than 5000 years. Studies have shown that juice from certain fruits and vegetables have the ability of enhancing body functions and cleansing it of toxins. Squeezing out the juice from fruits and vegetables ensures that you receive a high concentration of enzymes, minerals and vitamins. This requires a juice extractor to press fruit and vegetable juices. This is different from pureeing since juicing separates the nutrients and water from the fiber and pulp which is generally indigestible. Bitter tasting vegetables can be made more palatable by combining their juices with those of sweet tasting vegetables. The following are the main reasons to try juicing;

1. Health enhancement
Juices have a high concentration of antioxidants among other immune enhancing compounds. These antioxidants can accelerate healing after illness. Juicing also avails a fast source of live enzymes, minerals and nutrients in their unmodified state, this combined with the micro nutrients found in juice confer the health benefits of juicing to the drinker. In addition to this, juicing also provides essential phytochemicals to the body. These are substances found in plants which are considered one of the most effective ways of fighting diseases.

2. Weight loss
Regular fruit and vegetable preparations are very acidic and normally tip the body’s p.H scales. This acidity actually prevents the body from losing weight and can subsequently cause rapid weight gain. Some fruit and vegetable juices are very alkaline, especially those from leafy vegetables and grasses. Since the body uses fat deposits as protection from acidity, juicing ensures the restoration of normal p.H balance in the body. This gives rapid results as the fat will no longer have any use, thus the body will begin metabolizing it. Apart from this, since juicing gives the body live enzymes which promote metabolism, it can directly increase our metabolism which translates to instant weight loss.

3. Anti-aging benefits
Since fruit and vegetable juices have a high concentration of antioxidants they can slow down the aging process. This is because these antioxidants negate the damaging effects of free radicals on our muscles and skin. This ensures that the skin remains supple and free from wrinkles as the muscles also remain toned. Juicing can also slow down the commencement of age linked diseases.

4. Improved digestion
Because greens are principal components of the regular digestion process, combining their juices in a single juice has desirable effects on digestion. This ensures that the digestive tract stays free of toxic substances because these fruit juices help in the elimination of harmful substances from the digestive tract, thereby increasing its efficiency.

5. Hydration
The more the fluids you drink, the more hydrated your body is. Juicing fruits and vegetables ensures that the body gets sufficient electrolytes devoid of artificial sweeteners and enhancers. This is one of the most basic benefits of juicing.

6 Ways to Enjoy the Health Benefits of Avocado

Need some inspiration? Here are six ways to enjoy the health benefits of avocado.

1. Stuffed Avocado
Cut 2 avocados in half and remove the pit. Fill each half with a tablespoon of diced fresh tomatoes mixed with a little chopped garlic. Sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese and a teaspoon of breadcrumbs. Bake at 450 degrees for 5 minutes until the cheese melts.

2. Grilled Avocado
Nothing could be easier. Simply cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Brush the flesh with lime juice and olive oil, and place flesh side down on the grill for 5 minutes. Before serving, squeeze on a little more lime juice and a pinch of salt.

3. Baked Unripe Avocado
This is a great way to use unripe avocados. Select a rock hard avocado and bake for 20 minutes with the oven on very high, 500 degrees. Remove from the oven and peel off the skin – it will come away very easily. Drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt, and enjoy!

4. Avocado Fries
Pit and peel 2 avocados and slice into French fry style slices. Dip the slices first in flour, then in beaten egg, then in breadcrumbs. Working in batches, deep fry the avocado slices in canola oil for one minute. As each batch is ready, keep warm in a warm oven while the remianing batches are cooking. Sprinkle with salt, and they’re good to go!

5. Avocado Soup
Deliciously simple to make. Take 1 pint of warm chicken stock, 3 avocados, and 1 tablespoon of fresh cilantro. Pit, peel and chop 2 of the avocados, place in a blender with the stock, and blend at high speed in a blender for 20 seconds. Allow the soup to cool before serving garnished with slices of the remaining avocado and chopped fresh cilantro.

6. Avocado Sorbet
Pit, peel and roughly chop 2 avocados. Place in a blender together with 1 cup of water, 1 tablespoon of honey, and the juice and grated rind of 1 lime. Blend until smooth, pour the puree into a baking dish (preferably metal), and freeze. To serve, break up the frozen puree and blend it quickly in a blender before spooning the sorbet into bowls and serving.

Got a recipe suggestion for avocados? Send us a recipe via the contact us page.

Start enjoying your health benefits today!