Showing posts with label sugar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sugar. Show all posts

August 25, 2010

Prevent Acne with Whole Grains

A study found that eating whole grains can help to prevent acne. An American Journal of Clinical Nutrition paper reported that when people cut refined carbs from their diet and increased high-fiber grains, they had half as many pimples after 12 weeks. The fiber in whole grains helps the body absorb and burn carbs more slowly, which keeps blood sugar and insulin levels steady.

Less healthy carbohydrates, such as white bread and pastries, encourages the pancreas to send out a surge of insulin, which triggers hormone-levels to change, oil production to increase, and cells to multiply. This chain of events clogs pores and causes acne.

April 20, 2010

Cinnamon Used to Help Diabetes

Cinnamon is a spice that has been used for medicinal properties since ancient times in ancient Egypt, China, and India. It is now grown in many countries all over the world. Recent studies show that cinnamon can help to keep blood sugar levels stable by enhancing insulin sensitivity and allowing more glucose in the blood to be used. Keeping blood sugar levels stable decreases sugar highs and lows, which may cause a diabetic to need less insulin. Cinnamon increases the ability of fat cells in diabetics to respond to insulin and there is an increase of glucose removal. The spice contains a substance called MHCP that is believed to be the reason for its benefits. Type II diabetes is a condition that causes cells to lose their ability to respond to insulin, which is the hormone that tells the body to remove excess glucose in the bloodstream.

Cinnamon can be bought in powdered form at most food shops and can be added to milkshakes or fruit juices to make it easier to drink. It is recommended that type II diabetics should take a quarter to one full teaspoon of cinnamon per day. Even a teaspoon of the spice each day might help to prevent the onset of diabetes.

April 15, 2010

Lose Weight with Safflower Oil

Safflower oil is a polyunsaturated fat that comes from safflower seeds. It has been shown to increase metabolism, decrease body fat percentage, decrease the risk of heart disease, and lower glucose levels.

A study done on postmenopausal women showed that when they added 1/2 tablespoon of safflower oil to their diet, they were ale to lose up to 4 pounds of belly fat and gain 1 1/2 pounds of muscle in 4 months without changing their diet or exercise habits. The oil contains linoleic acid that might improve the way the body uses fuel. Safflower oil is sold in both supplement and liquid form. It is recommended to add 1 2/3 teaspoon of the oil to your daily diet and wait about four months to start noticing results.

August 28, 2009

Prevent Cavities with Apples

The popular saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" may be true or at least they can keep cavities away. Apples increase the flow of saliva, which washes away sugars from food and reduces bacteria buildup. Saliva is good at decreasing mouth acidity and washing away food particles.

June 5, 2009

Fight Heartburn with Chewing Gum

It is found that chewing sugarless gum can help to relieve heartburn. Heartburn happens when acidic digestive fluids travel from the stomach to the esophagus making your chest feel like it's on fire. Gum works by lowering the acidity in the throat and stimulating the production of saliva. Saliva is alkaline, so it helps to neutralize the acid in the esophagus. Also when you swallow saliva, it helps to wash and cleanse the esophagus of everything, including acid.

May 27, 2009

The Health Benefits of Chamomile

Chamomile is a daisy-like plant that is originally found in Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean region. It has a long history of being used as a medicinal herb and as a tea. Its dried flowers are commonly used in herbal tea.

Chamomile has many health benefits associated with it. It can be used to reduce blood sugar and lower the levels of compounds that can cause diabetic complications. It has been found to be able to boost the immune system and fight illnesses. It can help intestinal discomfort with its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to reduce gas. Its foliage and flower heads have been used as antispasmodics to reduce muscle spams and diaphoretics to help produce perspiration. It can also be used to relax the nerves, ease menstrual cramps, and help stomach ulcers. Chamomile creams can be used to help pain and reduce irritability on the skin, such as burns, wounds, eczema, chickenpox, and diaper rash. The longer and more regularly chamomile is used, the better it works.

February 25, 2009

Health Benefits of Ginger

There are positive health benefits to ginger. Fresh ginger and ginger root have compounds that can fight certain cancer cells and slow the growth of tumors. For many years, ginger root has been used to treat nausea, pain, swelling, and cold symptoms. Studies have shown that regular use can lower cholesterol levels, help to stabilize blood pressure and glucose levels, and reduce blood clotting.

Ginger root is safe to use as long as it is used in reasonable amounts. A safe dose would be 100 mg per day. There have not been any severe side effects reported when higher doses are taken, except in people who are allergic to ginger root. The most common allergic reaction is excessive burping.

Ginger capsules are sold for medicinal purposes in pharmacies in many other countries. They are not sold for medicinal purposes in pharmacies in the United States. They are sold as capsules in the United States as dietary supplements. The FDA classifies it as a food and not a drug.

July 27, 2008

Benefits of Soy Yogurt

Soy yogurt is a healthier form of yogurt because it is made with soy milk from soy beans instead of cow’s milk. The natural compounds in the yogurt can help to control blood sugar levels by slowing down carbohydrate digestion. Also, the yogurts are usually all-natural, organic, and dairy free.

June 8, 2008

Diet Soda Not Good For Diet

Drinking diet soda to lose weight is not as good as it seems. Diet soda can increase the risk of having high amounts of belly fat, high blood sugar levels, and high cholesterol. A person that drinks one diet soda each day have a 34 percent higher risk of having these things than people who don’t drink diet soda. To have a healthier and tasty drink, it is a good idea to mix freshly cut fruit such as berries and citrus fruits, with seltzer water.

March 17, 2008

Artificial Sweeteners Could Make You Gain Weight

It is found that artificial sweeteners could make a person gain weight. The sweeteners confuse the body and the body is already programmed to associate sweet tastes with calories consumed. When we break that connection by eating or drinking something with little or no calories, our bodies become confused and want more food. Also, sugar substitutes don’t increase metabolism so fewer calories are burned. A larger appetite combined with a slower metabolism can cause a lot of weight gain.

February 21, 2008

New Options For Diabetic Patients

Two different companies named Bentley and Nastech are testing nasal insulin sprays for people who have diabetes. It is found that insulin is absorbed quicker and more efficiently when it is inhaled than when it is injected. There are also chemists that are developing a breath test to monitor sugar levels for diabetics.

February 20, 2008

Cutting Carbs Helps Eye Sight

It is found that a person could prevent their eye sight from getting worse as they get older by cutting out refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, white rice, and other food with a high glycemic index. It is best to also cut back on soda and sugary foods and eat more whole wheat versions of pasta, bread, and rice

January 19, 2008

Sweet Snacks Help Stress

It is reported that eating sugary foods when you are stressed can help you relax. Glucocorticoid is released during times of physical or mental stress. Too much glucocorticoid production can cause obesity and a decreased immune response. Research has found that when sweet snacks or drinks were consumed, lower levels of glucocorticoid were produced, and stress levels were lowered. When you are feeling stressed or pressure, a snack in moderation could help you relax.