10 Reasons You Should Add More Carrots to Your Diet

 Whether roasted with olive oil, blitzed for a juice, chopped into a soup, or eaten crunchily raw, there will always be a special place in my kitchen for a good bunch of carrots. I have loved them since I was just a baby carrot eater, and though I always believed they were healthy I never knew they were THIS healthy! Here are 10 hard-to-believe - but easy-to-stomach - health benefits given us by the clever carrot. After you read these, you’ll do well, like me, to start thinking about how you can boost your carrot power with a few new healthy eating suggestions too. 

10 Beneficial Roles the Carrot Takes
 

1. It's a vision enhancer 

It’s just like you were always told: carrots give you good eyesight. Carrots are rich inaptly named beta-carotene, which your liver makes into vitamin A, which in turn becomes rhodopsin when it comes to your eye’s retina. Rhodopsin is a purple pigment that our eyes need if they are to see at night. With beta-carotene from your carroty diet, you will also keep your eyes protected against macular degeneration and senile cataracts.

2. It's a cancer preventer  

Carrot loving mice have done us all a favor by showing the world they have a 1/3 lower cancer risk, simply thanks to their favorite veggie. Since carrots contain the natural pesticide, falcarinol, which helps protects their roots from fungal infections, these vegetables are leaders in their field when it comes to fighting cancer, whether lung, breast, or colon. With falcarinol, researchers feel that we have a much-improved chance of freeing ourselves from this terrible disease. 

3. It's an age-stopper 

Age is a natural process, and by-product of our metabolism in action, where our cells become oxidized and damaged. However, thanks to beta-carotene, a natural antioxidant, carrots can help slow down the aging of cells. Raise a glass of carrot juice to yourself and drink to your long life.

4. It's a skin fixer 

Some of our skin problems: wrinkling, acne, dryness, and flakiness are merely symptoms of a single root cause, a lack of vitamin A. So, fill your larder with lots of carrots and open wide, because plenty of carrots means plenty of vitamin A. 

5. It's an antiseptic 

Here is one of the great wonders of the miraculous carrot: it actually helps prevent sepsis or infection. Perhaps you have gotten excited because someone has told you you ought to start eating bucket loads of carrots and you rashly grate your own finger instead of the special vegetable. Well, luckily the cause of the excitement will come to your rescue. Simply apply the grated carrot to your raw wound and seal yourself up with a good Band-Aid. You will be right as rain, and you can get on with your carrot chomping plans. 

6. It's a face beautifier 

Certainly, carrots are rooty vegetables that get to the heart of many problems, but they are also good at giving a superficial shine too. A bit of grated carrot with a dash of honey can be mixed up to make a lovely carrot face mask. That'll give your precious skin a winning glow like never before.

7. It's a heart disease preventer  

Hey, put down that steak and gobble up this carrot instead! Why? Well, it’ll only prevent you from getting heart disease, that’s all. Firstly, the soluble fibers of the carrot bind with bile acids in your belly to reduce cholesterol levels. Secondly, containing both alpha and beta-carotene, carrots are rich in the carotenoids and lutein that have been specifically associated with a lower risk of heart disease.

8. It's a body cleanser The carrot is not only a giver (of life), but also a taker – of dirt. Yes, thanks to its vitamin A, it’ll help your liver in eradicating toxins from your body, reducing the bile and fat your liver contains, and it’ll also help clean up your colon naturally, thanks to its fibers – helping to hasten bowel movements. 

9. It's an oral hygienist

Let me count the ways the carrot cleans your gums and teeth. One: it contains minerals that prevent tooth damage. Two: Carrots stimulate your gums (as well as your taste buds) to produce the saliva which as an alkaline neutralizes the acidic bacteria which would like to form cavities and plaque. Three: Because of its crunchy yumminess the carrot is a natural toothbrush that scrapes plaque and food particles off of your would-be-white teeth. 

10. It's a stroke preventer 

One Harvard University study has looked at people with wildly different carrot diets. It found that those who eat just a lonely one carrot a month are at a much greater risk of a debilitating stroke than those carrot worshippers (like us) who eat more than 6 a week. 

All of these 10 fantastic reasons go to show why we should be eating carrots every day of the week. Naturally, there are tons of great uses, in all kinds of dishes, spaghetti Bolognese, lasagna, carrot cake, etc. But what about some handy snacking ideas too. 

Here are 3 to try for yourself at once. 

1: Try this carrot juice 

For a delicious and healthy super juice, try this: peel 4 large carrots and blitz in a juicer with 2 cored apples. Simple. 

2: Try some raw carrot with dips 

Peeled carrots make great dippers. So why not get yourself a range of tasty dips and find which one the carrot complements best. Suggestions: salsa, cream cheese, tzatziki, hummus.

For healthy carrot soup, kindly see my recipe blog.

 

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs

You Won’t Believe the Health Benefits of This Tiny Fruit!

     Gurana

Energy, vitality, alertness, and a pain-free existence - what more do we need in our daily lives? Not too much, if you ask us. The problem is that it is not always easy to feel these things since daily fatigue and worries constantly plague us. But what if we told you that there is a simple natural solution that can bring relief and peace to your life along with a large stock of energy and plenty of vitality? 

You might be quick to disbelieve, but there actually is such a thing and it’s called Guarana - a wonderful tropical fruit, with unique medicinal and health qualities. We invite you to learn more about this intriguing and exotic fruit, and about 9 of its qualities that can do wonders for your body. 

 

What is Guarana? This small, sweet fruit comes from the Amazon rainforest and contains innumerable natural components that have a plethora of positive effects on our bodies. The local natives, descendants of the ancient tribes that lived close to the forest for many years, have known of its benefits for a long time, and they used it to make a tea infusion to heal the body and lift the spirit. 

 

In Brazil, guarana is a particularly popular fruit, and it is customary to use it in carbonated soft drinks, and even to turn it into pills which are taken before the annual Brazilian Carnival to maintain strength throughout the celebration. Both Guarana infusions and pills can be found in health and wellness stores. To avoid problems, it is not recommended to use Guarana products if you have a caffeine sensitivity, if you are taking stimulants or thinners, or if you are pregnant.

 

Recommended Dosage: 

 Pills: 4-5 grams a day 

Tea: 1-3 cups a day

9 Health Benefits of Guarana 

 

1. Natural source of energy 

 

One of the most important advantages of Guarana lies in its ability to provide the body with large amounts of energy naturally. This is due to the fact that the main active ingredient in Guarana is caffeine, which is found at even higher concentrations than in coffee beans (2-4.5% in Guarana versus 1-2% in coffee beans). In a study conducted at the University of Tasmania, it was found that while one cup of coffee provides our body with energy for a maximum of 30 to 45 minutes, followed by a rapid drop, Guarana intake provides the body with no less than 150 minutes of continuous energy! This makes the Guarana a recommended natural stimulant, enabling you to enjoy a stable and long-term energy supply.

2. Helps to lose weight 

 

Guarana not only provides a vital boost to our physical and mental abilities and increases body energy levels, it also contributes to weight loss. Eating the fruit encourages the body's nervous system to activate the lymphocytes - the natural process by which fats are released into the bloodstream and transformed into energy that allows us to perform physical actions. 

 

In a 2001 study involving two groups of overweight subjects, the group treated with a blend of Guarana extract was able to lose a more significant amount of weight when compared to the placebo group. In addition, the fruit is also known for its hunger-inhibiting properties, as the use of Guarana tea to reduce appetite and reduce the desire to eat is known among various South American tribes.

3. Natural remedy for dealing with stress, tension, and anxiety 

 

Beyond all the wonders that have been noted so far, Guarana also calms the body and reduces tension, stress, and anxiety. Regular intake of Guarana extract may help you reduce your stress levels and improve your mood. Caffeine, which is found among the active ingredients in the fruit, helps to impart a good and pleasant feeling to the body, and beyond the physical alertness it provides, it also helps to achieve relief and relaxation from daily worries. 

 

4. Strengthens brain activity 

 

Every one of us needs something to stimulate our minds and focus our thoughts - whether it is to get through a long day's work full of meetings or to stay alert while dealing with something important. In order to achieve this mental arousal, Guarana can work wonders. As you have already learned, it contains a variety of active substances that work together not only to improve our body but also our brain helping us remain alert and focused in every situation. In addition, this fruit has unique qualities in improving blood circulation, which can help us avoid migraines or headaches.

5. Helps the digestive system  

 

Guarana intake may strengthen and improve bowel movement, which can be very helpful for those with constipation. Guarana is also effective in treating other digestive problems, such as diarrhea and gas, and also cleans the system of various toxins and speeds up the production of essential digestive juices. 

 

6. Stimulates sex drive and contributes to the quality of sex life 

 

Sexual desire and arousal are some of the most important things in relationships, and if they are diminished, Guarana can certainly help spice up your sex life and even revive it. The presence of high-dose caffeine in the fruit and its ability to raise alertness - mentally and physically - makes it a natural and effective stimulant, which can help you to restore desire and sexuality in your life.

7. Relieves pain naturally 

 

In addition to all the benefits we have mentioned so far, Guarana is also known as a natural analgesic that can rapidly soothe the effects of pain on the body after an injury or illness. Guarana is also effective for women with severe menstrual pain, as it helps regulate, and sometimes prevent, acute menstrual symptoms as well as PMS. Even women who do not have these symptoms of pain, but feel more exhausted and stressed during their cycle, are recommended to take Guarana to increase their energy levels and feel better overall, both mentally and physically.

8. Prevents heart problems and other serious illnesses 

 

Guarana contains more antioxidants than those found in green tea, which is considered to be particularly healthy - and it certainly shows that it has significant properties in the prevention of serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes and a host of problems and complications related to heart activity. One of Guarana's main ingredients, catechin, helps significantly reduce oxidative stress and helps our immune system prevent various infections, age-related deterioration, and blood clots.

 

9. Contributes to skin health 

 

We might experience quite a few types of nuisances on our skin due to daily exposure to sun and polluted air, but the use of tropical guarana helps to prevent these afflictions and improve overall skin appearance. The active ingredients in the fruit block the development of various skin infections and reduce the risk of developing acne. In addition, the fruit extract can be used as a moisturizer to help restore skin and restore shine and radiance to this area of the body.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement
https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs

Vitamin C Cannot Prevent Colds, But It Can Do So Much More

There is a stereotype that vitamin C is only beneficial for preventing the flu, which is why we usually start supplementing it and eating more foods that contain vitamin C during flu season. But recent research shows that there is no relationship between vitamin C and cold prevention, which may falsely render vitamin C useless for the average consumer.

In this article, we would like to stress the importance of meeting your daily value of vitamin C by highlighting all the important functions and health benefits it provides for the body. Although vitamin C may not protect you from the flu, it can do wonders for your immune system, heart, skin, and the nervous system.

These are some of the scientifically proven health benefits of vitamin C: 

 

1. Slows Down Cognitive Decline

Even short-term vitamin C deficiency is famously associated with brain fog and memory problems, and scientists believe this is due to oxidative stress of your central nervous system. Vitamin C belongs to the class of chemicals called antioxidants, the major role of which is to prevent oxidative stress. 

 

In fact, vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants known, and luckily, one of the most common ones. Furthermore, it was found that people who suffer from memory problems and dementia often have low levels of vitamin C in their blood, which further accentuates the crucial role of this vitamin for our memory and thinking. 

 

 2. Boosts Collagen

You may be familiar with collagen production if you have an interest in anti-aging skin care, as this compound gives our skin a youthful bounce and tautness. In fact, the older we get, the less collagen our skin produces, and so we get wrinkles. But collagen is important for more than just skin health, it plays a significant role in healing our bones, cartilage, and skin, which is also why you might find that with age, your wounds may heal slower. 

 

Vitamin C is one of the few compounds in the body that can boost collagen production, which is why it is a key ingredient in many anti-aging skin care products and the doctor may prescribe you with a vitamin C supplement after traumatic injuries. 

 

3. Prevents Heart Disease

The recommended amount of vitamin C you should consume every day is 500 mg a day, which is equal to about 1 glass of orange juice or a ½ cup of fresh red bell peppers. Those who meet this daily value have been found in several studies to have a lower risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure and lower levels of bad cholesterol. 

 

One study even found that people with the highest blood concentrations of vitamin C were 42% less likely to get a stroke than those with lower-than-normal levels. And it didn’t matter if they got their vitamin C from a supplement or food either. 

 

4. Helps You Avoid Complications of a Cold

Eating more vitamin C during flu season may not protect you from a cold, but it may lower your risk of developing complications even if you end up getting the flu. Don’t rush to the pharmacy for a supplement just yet, though, as too much vitamin C may cause some side effects, such as nausea and diarrhea. 

 

Instead, most medical professionals and nutritionists agree that it’s best to get your vitamin C from food, especially since it’s quite easy, as so many different foods contain this vitamin. 

 

5. Prevents Gout Attacks

Gout is a very painful condition that affects around 4% of people in the world. It’s a type of rheumatoid arthritis, and the inflammation in the joints, most commonly in the extremities, is caused by uric acid crystals forming in the joints and causing excruciating pain attacks. These crystals form when there is too much uric acid in the blood, and the body tries to get rid of it by depositing it in your joints and muscles. 

 

One way to lower the level of uric acid in the blood, thus preventing gout and the pain that comes with it is by, you guessed it, consuming enough vitamin C. A 20 year long study that looked at more than 50.000 participants even showed that high vitamin C levels were associated with a 44% lower chance of developing gout.  

 

6. Prevents Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency is a common and very dangerous condition, which can ultimately lead to a disease called iron deficiency anemia where low iron blood counts prevent the formation of new red blood cells and make these cells worse at carrying oxygen to the different cells of the body. This condition manifests itself through the symptoms you can see on the picture below.

 

But what’s the link between iron deficiency and vitamin C, you might ask? Well, vitamin C is necessary for iron absorption in the body, and it’s often the case that low iron counts are caused by low vitamin C counts. This way, optimal levels of vitamin C promote the absorption of iron and prevent iron deficiency. 

 

7. Urges the Production of White Blood Cells

Yet another way vitamin C influences our blood and immune system is by promoting the formation of white blood cells, the guards of our body that fight off infections. White blood cells comprise less than 1% of our blood, but they come in various forms, which are illustrated in the picture below. 

 

Vitamin C was proven to help form new lymphocytes and phagocytes, which are immune cells that promote healing and fight infection. Apart from that, vitamin C helps protect all white blood cells from getting damaged by free radicals. Both ways help strengthen your immune system and make you ready to ward off any infections. 

 

8. Improves Degenerative Diseases

Some of the most dangerous and most debilitating conditions are chronic. Chronic conditions come in very different forms, and most of us suffer from at least one degenerative illness that worsens with age. Arthritis, diabetes, cancer, dementia, Parkinson’s, cystic fibrosis and asthma are all examples of such conditions, and often, we are forced to live with these conditions as they are difficult or impossible to treat.

 

If you are suffering from a degenerative disease, it’s especially important for you to include a lot of antioxidants in your diet, as they can prevent the free radical damage that can really worsen your condition. Vitamin C is one of the most potent antioxidants, with studies showing that adequate vitamin C levels can raise your blood antioxidant levels by as much as 30%.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com     is my latest addition to my blogs. I'm going to add posts there, do give me your valuable feed back on my blogs. Thanks a lot, take care, be healthy and be happy.