People with higher levels of antioxidants in their blood may be less likely to develop dementia, according to a new study.
People with higher levels of antioxidants in their blood may be less likely to develop dementia, according to a study published in the May 4, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Filed under dementia, leafy green vegetables
Acai (ah-sigh-EE) berries are a grape-like fruit native to the rainforests of South America. They are harvested from acai palm trees.
The fruits are about 1 to 2 centimeters (cm) in diameter and a deep purple color. The seed constitutes about 80 percent of the fruit. The taste of acai berries has been described as a blend of chocolate and berries, with a slight metallic aftertaste.
Photo by Irina Iriser on Pexels.com
Acai berries have been called a superfood, with benefits ranging from improved skin appearance to weight loss, but not all of these claims are supported by evidence.
Many fruit and vegetables offer a range of health benefits, and acai berries are no exception. Continue reading
Filed under acai berries, antioxidants, heart, heart health, stress, stress reduction, Uncategorized
Truth be told I never heard of Lion’s mane mushrooms before today. However, this article in Medical News Today piqued my curiosity. I would like to hear from any readers who may have had experience with the mushrooms in one form or another.
Lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) are white, globe-shaped fungi that have long, shaggy spines. People can eat them or take them in the form of supplements. Research suggests that they may offer a range of health benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved cognitive and heart health. Continue reading
I have to admit that I have been seeing items and ads about CoQ10 for years and never paid it much attention. I stumbled across this rundown in Medical News Today and was amazed at its functionality. I thought it would interest you.
CoQ10 is an antioxidant that exists in almost every cell of the human body. CoQ10 deficiency is associated with various medical conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Although the body naturally produces CoQ10, some people may benefit from taking supplements. Overall, CoQ10 supplements appear relatively safe and cause few side effects. Supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for purity or verified for labeling accuracy, so purchase only those products that have been tested by an independent lab.
People who are interested in trying CoQ10 supplements may want to consult a healthcare professional first. Experts do not recommend CoQ10 for people taking blood-thinning medications, insulin, or certain chemotherapy drugs. Continue reading
Filed under aging, Alzheimer's disease, anti oxidant, heart disease, inflammation, statin drugs, successful aging
The foods can offset the impact of major life events, like divorce and unemployment.
Eating more fruits and vegetables is linked to a lower risk of depression new research concludes.
An extra four portions of fruit and vegetables per day can offset the impact of major life events, like divorce and unemployment.
The boost from more fruit and vegetables could counteract half the pain of getting divorced or one-quarter that of being unemployed.
The effect on mental well-being of eating 8 portions per day compared with none is even more dramatic.
These benefits come on top of the well-known protective effect against cancer and heart disease.
The conclusions come from an Australian survey of 7,108 people carried out every year since 2001.
All were asked about their diet and lifestyle.
The results showed that the more fruit and vegetables people ate, the less likely they were to be diagnosed with…
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Filed under antioxidants, anxiety, mental health, mental strength
A collection of new studies in The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences further quantifies how blueberry consumption can contribute to healthy aging.
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“Since the 1990s, research on the health benefits of blueberries has grown exponentially,” wrote guest editor Donald K. Ingram, PhD, FGSA, in an opening editorial. “Studies have documented that this fruit ranks highest in antioxidant activity compared to many other popular fruits. Moreover, other mechanisms for the health benefits of blueberries, such as their anti-inflammatory properties, have been identified.”
Ingram’s editorial is followed by four articles in a special section of the journal’s Biological Sciences section. One of the studies found that consuming 200 grams of blueberries (about one cup) daily can improve blood vessel function and decrease systolic blood pressure. As the cause, the authors cited anthocyanins, which are phytochemicals that give blueberries their dark color.
Other studies document the cognitive benefits of eating blueberries. One tied the fruit’s high polyphenol count to improved performance on memory tests by a group of older adults. Likewise, another journal article provides a review of several clinical studies focusing on benefits of blueberry supplementation — with a focus on specific memory effects in children as well as older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
The journal collection also includes a rodent study, which presents data on the improved memory performance of blueberry-supplemented aged rats compared to rats on a control diet.
Filed under aging, aging brain, blueberries, successful aging
I am a big chocolate lover, both mildly dark and milk chocolate. As I eat some every day, the following from Tufts Health and Nutrition Letter interested me greatly.
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Q. You have suggested people eat chocolate to get the antioxidants and other “good stuff” that it contains. Do we get the same benefits if we eat chocolate in another form, such as chocolate milk, cake, or pudding?
A. Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, senior scientist at Tufts’ Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging and executive editor of Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter, answers: “Cocoa contains phytochemicals called flavanols that may have health benefits, but just because a little might be good, that does not mean a lot is better! Flavanols are part of the reason cocoa is so bitter. To make chocolate candy, many of the flavanols are stripped away, and the cocoa is mixed with sugar. Turning that chocolate into brownies or pudding or other chocolate products further dilutes out the flavanols. Hence, there is unlikely to be much actual cocoa or cocoa flavanols in a serving of these foods. In a recently reported large study, chocolate-candy intake was associated with greater likelihood of weight gain in postmenopausal women. Whether the weight gain was directly due to the chocolate cannot be determined at this time.”
“If you enjoy chocolate, identify the type you enjoy the most and don’t overdo it. If it’s healthful flavanols you’re after, there’s no need to eat chocolate or cocoa at all. They are also found in tea, wine, and fruits like apples, grapes, and pears. And remember, an ounce of dark chocolate a day (or a dose of any other purported ‘superfood’) cannot take the place of a balanced, healthful dietary pattern.”
Filed under chocolate, chocolate cravings, dark chocolate
I have to confess a great deal of ignorance when it comes to the pomegranate. I haven’t had one in years. I have had some of the juice the comes in very cool shaped bottles.
Today, pomegranate juice is being studied for its many health benefits. It may help with cancer prevention, immune support, and fertility.
Here are some of the potential benefits of pomegranate, according to Medical News Today.
Pomegranate seeds get their vibrant red hue from polyphenols. These chemicals are powerful antioxidants.
Pomegranate juice contains higher levels of antioxidants than most other fruit juices. It also has three times more antioxidants than red wine and green tea. The antioxidants in pomegranate juice can help remove free radicals, protect cells from damage, and reduce inflammation.
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I thought it worth revisiting this post I did on eating more dark chocolate.
Enjoy!
Tony
Before starting, let me clarify that the word ‘more’ in the header assumes you are eating little or no dark chocolate at present because here in the U.S. we primarily eat milk chocolate. How much? Good question. Some 71 percent of the chocolate we eat is milk chocolate. And, how much total?
The World Atlas of Chocolate puts the U.S. in 11th place worldwide in per capita chocolate consumption with a paltry 11.5 pounds per year. Switzerland is in first place with more than double that total.
As far as a definition of dark chocolate goes, the U.S. has no fixed percentage of cocoa content to define dark chocolate. In practice, however, it seems that 70 percent cocoa solids qualifies as dark chocolate.
But why eat more dark chocolate? Experience L!fe says, “Sure, chocolate’s exquisitely decadent. But its primary ingredient, cocoa, has triple the antioxidants of green tea, helps reduce…
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Filed under dark chocolate, Valentine's Day
I have always entertained a hint of confusion about free radicals and antioxidants. For one thing they are counterintuitive. Free is good normally and anti is against. Yet, we need antioxidants and don’t want free radical accumulation. What’s up with that?
So, I was most pleased to run across the following informed discussion of that very subject in The Conversation.
The holiday season is in full swing, and with it comes time for family celebration while gathering around tables full of delicious foods with seasonal spices! But it can also be a stressful time of year, with substantial meal preparation as well as stress in the gut from digesting highly caloric and rich foods. Your food choices can help reduce stress in your body.
Traditional holiday meals are laden with salt, fat and sugar, which can spike blood glucose and insulin levels when eaten in excess all in one day. They also, alas, can increase the amount of free radicals, or molecules with unattached electrons, in the body, which can do serious cellular damage.
We hear a lot about antioxidants, and we are encouraged to eat foods that are rich in them. But what exactly are they, and why do we need them? As a researcher who examines cellular damage, I will explain the oxidative process and why it’s important to curb it. Continue reading
Filed under anti oxidant, antioxidants, free radicals, holiday eating
This is actually a backward blog item. I began writing about coffee and its good and bad attributes. One of the good aspects of coffee is that it is a source of antioxidants. Fair enough. Then I read that coffee is actually the best source of antioxidants for most people. Wow! That is amazing. Why? Because, antioxidants are found in varying amounts in foods such as vegetables, fruits, grain cereals, eggs, some meats, poultry and fish, legumes and nuts. With all those excellent sources of antioxidants, coffee is the best source for most folks? I find that incredible. It seems a terrible statement on our collective diet. Of course, with 60% of the population overweight and 30% actually obese, maybe it’s not so strange. We have a lot of work to do when it comes to what we put in our mouths.
Blueberries are a berry good source of antioxidants
A little background. An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Antioxidants are intimately involved in prevention of cellular damage — the common pathway for cancer, aging, and a variety of diseases. Antioxidants may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke and radiation. Free radicals can damage cells, and may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases.
These names are counter-intuitive to me. Usually the prefix ‘anti’ suggests a negative while ‘free’ has positive connotations. However, in this situation, they are exactly the opposite. Antioxidants are very important in protecting our system as they fight free radicals that attack our cells.
Blueberries rank at the top of the fruit list for antioxidant content. Known for protecting your heart, blueberries also slow down and maybe even reverse the memory decline that comes with aging.
Continue reading
Filed under antioxidants, Uncategorized
At the end of the day, cinnamon is one of the most delicious and healthiest spices on the planet.
It can lower blood sugar levels, reduce heart disease risk factors, and has a plethora of other impressive health benefits.
Maybe I should call this 10 MORE Health Benefits …. I have posted on cinnamon previously. How to Use Cinnamon Sticks – Infographic, Cinnamon and diabetes.
Tony
Authority Nutrition December 6, 2014
Cinnamon is a highly delicious spice. It has been prized for its medicinal properties for thousands of years.
Modern science has now confirmed what people have instinctively known for ages. Here are 10 health benefits of cinnamon that are supported by scientific research.
1. Cinnamon is High in a Substance With Powerful Medicinal Properties
Cinnamon is a spice that is made from the inner bark of trees called Cinnamomum.
It has been used as an ingredient throughout history, dating back as far as Ancient Egypt. It used to be rare and valuable, and was regarded as a gift fit for kings.
These days, cinnamon is cheap, available in every supermarket and found in all sorts of foods and recipes.
There are two main types of cinnamon:
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Pumpkin seeds – great source of zinc
Zinc is very important in the first line of defence in our bodies. This first line is represented by physical barriers, such as the skin and mucous membrane linings inside the body. Zinc is found in the mucous secretions of the respiratory system and on the surfaces of lungs and throat. It has an antimicrobial effect, so helps to kill inhaled bacteria and viruses before they get chance to take hold. Zinc is also secreted in the saliva and the mucous membranes of the digestive system to kill any ingested invaders.
by Jane Cronin
Do you suffer from acne, stretch marks, white spots on your nails, poor wound healing, poor immunity? Zinc may have something to do with it. Here we discuss Zinc deficiency, causes, symptoms and why zinc is important.
Zinc is an essential trace mineral and is one of the most abundant to be found in the body. It is naturally found in some foods, added to others and also available as a dietary supplement. You have approximately 2-3g with around 60% is in the muscles that support your skeleton and 30% is in the bones. So if nothing else zinc plays an important part in keeping you upright. The remaining 10% is found in the teeth, hair, nails, skin, liver, leukocytes (white blood cells), prostate, sperm and testes.
So what are some functions of Zinc in the body?
Zinc makes things happen
Zinc is used in by…
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Filed under anti oxidant, antioxidants, bone health, bones, pumpkin seeds, stress, zinc
You can eat them raw or soak them in hot water before munching. Others prefer adding goji berries to trail mixes, smoothies or as a garnish on cereals, salads or yogurts. Basically, goji berries can be baked, cooked, steamed, and processed in any way after they are washed.
Must confess my ignorance about these fascinating berries. I have ordered some from Amazon. Update: They came and I really liked their complex flavor. As Michelin would say, “Worth a detour.”
Caveats from WebMD: “There are herb-drug interactions with goji berries. If you take warfarin (a blood thinner) you should avoid goji berries. Goji berries may also interact with diabetes and blood pressure medicines, so check with your pharmacist about possible interactions.
“If you have pollen allergies you may want to stay away from this fruit. Case reports have linked goji berries consumption with skin photosensitivity, causing a skin rash on exposure to sunlight. They are also naturally rich in oxalate which may be a health issue in kidney problems.”
Tony
The Huffington Post Canada By Arti Patel 03/28/2014
Even though goji berries date back to the early days of Chinese medicine, people (including celebrities like Madonna and Miranda Kerr) can’t seem to stop talking about this tiny scrunched up fruit.
“The sky is the limit when it comes to incorporating goji berries in your diet,” says health and nutrition expert Rosanna Lee based in Toronto.
Considered both a fruit and a herb, goji berries are typically found in Asian and European countries, but sold in bulk or packages across North America. Although they are a bit pricey, Lee says they include a long list of benefits.
“Goji berries are an excellent source of antioxidants,” she says, though she cautions against immediately believing all of the berries’ health claims. Helping to reduce cancer risk and its “fountain of youth” claims, for example, aren’t backed up by…
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Filed under antioxidants, cancer, goji berries
I have friends from India who swear by the spice turmeric. Here are some reasons why.
Tony
Filed under anti oxidant, antioxidants, turmeric
Since blueberries are frozen soon after they are picked, “they are equal in quality to fresh,” Plumb explains. She analyzed the anthocyanin content of blueberries frozen for one, three, and five months and found no decrease in antioxidants over fresh berries.
Blueberries pack a powerful antioxidant punch, whether eaten fresh or from the freezer, according to South Dakota State University graduate Marin Plumb.
Anthocyanins, a group of antioxidant compounds, are responsible for the color in blueberries, she explains. Since most of the color is in the skin, freezing the blueberries actually improves the availability of the antioxidants.
The food science major from Rapid City, who received her bachelor’s degree in December, did her research as part of an honors program independent study project.
“Blueberries go head to head with strawberries and pomegranates in antioxidant capacity,” says professor Basil Dalaly, Plumb’s research adviser. In addition, blueberries are second only to strawberries, in terms of the fruits Americans prefer.
Blueberries are beneficial for the nervous system and brain, cardiovascular system, eyes, and urinary tract, Dalaly explains. “Some claim it’s the world’s healthiest food.”
The United States produces nearly 84% of the world’s cultivated…
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Filed under antioxidants
Wellness Secrets of a SuperAger 