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Category Archives: digestion


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Hats Off to Maple Syrup For Its Many Health Benefits

by Heather Dale    SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

When you need a sweetener, what do you turn to? Honey, agave nectar, or maybe just plane ole sugar? I’m far from being this “freaky” eater, but my sweetener of choice is organic, Grade A maple syrup. Aside from smothering pancakes and waffles in this delicious brown syrup, maple syrup is a very versatile sweetener. I like adding it to yogurt, oatmeal, or apple sauce, but you can also use it in dressings for salads, in fish or chicken dishes, or in a granola parfait, or roast some almonds in maple syrup and spicy cinnamon for a light, healthy snack. These maple syrup recipe ideas are sure to inspire you.

Pure maple syrup tastes great, and it offers a myriad of health benefits. Here are just a few:

It’s an antioxidant powerhouse. Researchers at the University of Rhode Island found that maple syrup is filled with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that may help prevent several chronic and inflammatory diseases like diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s. It also comes packed with phenolics — the beneficial antioxidant compounds in maple syrup — that may help diabetics keep their blood sugar levels balanced since phenolics inhibit the enzymes that are involved in the conversion of carbohydrates to sugar.


Here are more reasons why it’s good for us.

It settles digestion issues. Try swapping out sugar in baked-good recipes for maple syrup, and you may find that the usual gas and bloating you normally experience after consuming processed sweeteners is no longer an issue. If you do replace sugar with maple syrup, just be sure to reduce the amount of liquid the recipe calls for by about a half-cup.

It helps with muscle recovery. Real maple syrup is an excellent source of manganese, which helps repair muscle and cell damage; it also keeps bones strong and blood sugar levels normal.

It is filled with important nutrients. Maple syrup contains essential nutrients like zinc, iron, calcium, and potassium. Zinc not only supports reproductive health, but it also helps to keep your white blood cells up, which assist in the protection against colds and viruses.

As sweet as all of this sounds, keep in mind that at the end of the day, maple syrup is still just liquid sugar. Too much sugar intake can increase your risk of obesity, diabetes, unhealthy blood levels of fat and cholesterol, and high blood pressure, so regardless of its health benefits, be sure to use maple syrup in moderation.


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Probiotics can ‘benefit brain function’

By Tim Sandle    May 30, 2013

Scientists now argue that beneficial bacteria ingested in food (‘probiotics’) can affect brain function in humans. This is based on a study of women who consumed probiotic yoghurts.

The research found that women who regularly consumed probiotics (a term applied to beneficial bacteria) added to yogurt showed altered brain function in terms of less stress and anxiety when exposed to images designed to trigger such reactions. Probiotics are commonly consumed as part of fermented foods with specially added active live cultures, such as in yogurt, soy yogurt, or as dietary supplements.

For the study, thirty-six women between the ages of 18 and 55 were divided into three groups: one group ate a specific yogurt containing a mix of several probiotics twice a day for four weeks; another group consumed a dairy product that looked and tasted like the yogurt but contained no probiotics; and a third group ate no product at all.

The change to brain function was seen in the majority of the women both while they were resting and when exposed to various images designed to elicit an emotional response. The researchers found that, compared with the women who did not consume the probiotic yogurt those who did consume probiotic activity showed a decrease in brain activity associated with ‘stress’ and ‘anxiety’. This was shown through magnetic resonance imaging.

 

probiotics


This leads into other research where scientists have known that the brain sends signals to the gut in a way that explains is why stress and other emotions can contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms like irritable bowel syndrome.

The finding, which seems to suggest that changing the bacterial environment in the gut can affect the brain carries implications for future research into dietary or drug interventions aimed at improving or altering brain function (to treat digestive, mental and neurological disorders). It may also be that a diet high in fat and carbohydrates has the reverse effect. However, given that the study was quite small, further research will be required.

The study was carried out by scientists based at UCLA’s Gail and Gerald Oppenheimer Family Center for Neurobiology of Stress and the Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center at UCLA. The findings have been published in the journal Gastroenterology. The paper is titled “Consumption of Fermented Milk Product with Probiotic Modulates Brain Activity”.

source: digitaljournal.com


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Probiotics Primer

By Nora Simmons

Probiotic, prebiotic; good bugs, bad bugs. Every time we turn around, another study champions the benefits of these gut-friendly supplements. But what are they? What do they do? Why should we take them? We asked Angelica S. Vrablic, PhD, a leading expert in nutrition research and a probiotic guru, to give us the lowdown. Here’s what we learned:

1. Probiotics are non-pathogenic (not capable of causing harm) bacteria that naturally live in our gut.

2. Probiotics help keep our intestines healthy and our digestive and urinary tracts running smoothly. These immunity boosters keep infection-causing bacteria (think salmonella and ulcer-inducing H. pylori) from thriving in our intestinal tracts by crowding them out and producing proteins that kill them.

3. The body doesn’t make probiotics on its own; we have to supply them, either by eating fermented food or taking supplements. Back in the good ol’ days, when Grandma pickled her garden-grown cucumbers, fermented the cabbage patch into sauerkraut, and cultured her own yogurt, our diets supplied all the healthy flora we needed. But now almost all fermented foods (even those found in natural grocery stores) contain added sugars and have undergone pasteurization, which kills the good bacteria along with the bad. “If you can find unpasteurized fermented foods (kimchi, pickles, and sauerkraut), buy pasteurized yogurt to which the probiotics have been added back, and eat plenty of prebiotics, you don’t need to supplement,” says Vrablic. But if you’re like most of us—and be honest—you need to supplement.


4. And you should. Every day. Especially after you’ve taken antibiotics. “Antibiotics kill bacteria, and because probiotics are bacterial cultures, they can’t survive. Your gut will desperately need to recolonize its healthy flora,” says Vrablic. “But wait until you finish your antibiotics before starting your probiotic supplements.” As long as you’re not on antibiotics currently, you can take probiotics at any time of the day, with or without food. And they’re totally safe; even a first-time probiotic user can confidently take the recommended dose every day.

5. So what is a prebiotic? Simply put, a prebiotic is food—a complex carb (fiber)—for your probiotic bacteria. For example, Lactobacillus acidophilus feed on the lactose from milk; they then produce lactic acid and thus yogurt. Common prebiotics include inulin (carb from chicory), pectin fiber (from citrus fruit), and almonds. Many probiotic supplements will contain a prebiotic formula too.

6. You can find formulas that specifically target different digestive issues: Lactobacillus acidophilus for gassy stomachs and lactose intolerance; bifidobacteria for intestinal problems and deeper digestive issues; or Lactobacillus rhamnosus for general gut and immune support. But Vrablic recommends finding a good all-around daily supplement that includes several strains so that you cover all your bases.

7. When you choose a supplement, remember: Any probiotic you take should contain at least 1 billion to 5 billion colony-forming units (CFUs). Probiotics come in liquid form (most concentrated), capsules, or chewable wafers (popular with kids). Many need to be refrigerated, but you can also find freeze-dried varieties that are stable at room temperature.


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Health Benefits of Cardamom

Cardamom combines health benefits and spicy flavors to Indian dishes.

Growing wild in Sri Lanka and south of India is the cardamom. It is also cultivated in some other tropical areas. Silver Grell, a health author, every cardamom seedpod is usually handpicked. Cardamom belongs to the same family as clove and ginger. Cardamom contains warming properties and it adds spicy warmth to the Indian dishes.
Benefits to digestion
Cardamom is known to stimulate the appetite in the same way in which it spices dishes that are bland. It is known to stimulate the digestive system. It is also able to counteract excessive stomach acid. This is according to the author, Silver Grell. The carminative properties of cardamom help in relieving flatulence and indigestion. Cardamom essential oils studies done on animals have demonstrated the ability of stimulating the production of bile and reduction of gastric juices.
Inhibit Pathogen Growth
Herbal Medicines PDR reports that cardamom is able to inhibit the development and growth of viruses, fungi and bacteria. It may help those individuals who are having little resistance to infections and diseases. Its capacity to fight disease and its stomachic properties help in reducing bad breath.
Benefits in Respiration
Author Silver Grell says that cardamom helps to improve lung circulation. It soothes mucus membranes.
A therapeutic guide to herbal medicine called German Commission E Monographs, verified the safety and efficacy of cardamom for the treatment of colds, bronchitis and coughs. It contains expectorant properties and can lead to a reduction in the production of mucus.
Anti-inflammatory
Tea containing Cardamom may help in reducing sore throats. Herbal Medicines PDR has said that Commission E has approved usage of cardamom for the treatment of pharynx and mouth inflammation. Traditional medicines have been using cardamom oil in the treatment of inflamed nerves, back muscles and joints that are swollen. Cardamom has analgesic properties, as Indian medicine and traditional ayurvedic reports that it eases joint and muscle pain.
Masseuses use cardamom essential oil for massages to relax the muscles and for stimulating the mind.
Antioxidant
The Association of Physician Journal in India published in August 1998 reported a cardamom analysis of flavonoids and phenolics. It rated the antioxidant cardamom properties at 50-100mg medium levels per serving.
Detoxification
Cardamom is used in Indian medicine for treating bladder disorders, urinary tract disorders and the kidney. It also treats other complications such as nephritis and cystitis.
Antispasmodic
A study done on animals which published on the July-August Pharmacological Research edition in 1996 verified the antispasmodic cardamom properties. The properties could validate cardamom use in remedies of folk in stopping convulsions and hiccups, relieving stomach and intestinal cramping, relieving morning sickness and reducing vomiting and nausea.
Anti-depressant
Use of cardamom in the treatment of depression has not been validated. Some herbalists however claim that tea made from cardamom helps in relieving depression.


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8 Health Benefits of Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a white, flowering, cruciferous vegetable (other cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, cabbage, and bok choy). Vegetables in this family have been found to have a multitude of medicinal benefits.

Here are 8 health benefits of cauliflower that may make you want to include it in your diet on a regular basis.

Cancer Prevention
A diet high in cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower has been been linked to a significant reduction in the risk of cancer, especially prostate cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and bladder cancer. One Canadian study found that eating a half cup of cauliflower per day reduced the risk of prostate cancer by 52%.

Better Digestion
Cauliflower is a great source of dietary fiber, which is essential for optimal digestion. When you get enough fiber in your diet, it helps to keep things moving smoothly through the intestines. Cauliflower also contains a compound called glucoraphin, which protects your stomach and intestines from certain health conditions such as cancer and ulcers.


Antioxidants
Cauliflower contains a high amount of antioxidants, which are essential for the body’s overall health and help to prevent heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Antioxidants are also essential in destroying free radicals that accelerate the signs of aging.

Anti-Inflammatory
Because of the omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin K in cauliflower, it helps to prevent chronic inflammation that leads to conditions such as arthritis, chronic pain, and certain bowel conditions.

Pregnancy
Cauliflower provides a good amount of folate (B9), a B vitamin that is necessary for a healthy pregnancy. Folate deficiency in pregnant women can lead to problems such as birth defects and low birth weight.

B Vitamins
In addition to folate, cauliflower is also loaded with other important B vitamins like niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and thiamine.

Heart Health
Cauliflower protects from heart disease in many ways. It contains allicin, which has been found to reduce the occurrence of stroke and heart disease. Additionally, cauliflower can help to lower cholesterol levels in the body.

Weight Loss
Cauliflower is a great food to include in your diet if you’re dieting because it’s low in calories and can be used in a variety of ways. Try grating the cauliflower into a “rice” and using it in stir-fries instead of regular rice. You can also boil cauliflower and mash it into a healthier version of mashed potatoes. 

Published on November 9, 2011                        source: Healthdiaries.com


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Herbs and Spices to Aid Proper Digestion

Anise – is good for problems of flatulence and colic.

Basil – is used for indigestion, cramps, nausea and vomiting.

Bay – is helpful in preventing gas and indigestion when added to soups or beans.

Caraway – can be taken for indigestion, gas and colic. It prevents griping.

Cardamom – is used as a carminative to treat indigestion and gas.

Cayenne – is a carminative and an antispasmodic. It helps to prevent indigestion.

Cinnamon – is a demulcent and a carminative which makes it effective in relieving indigestion, gas, diarrhea and dysentery.

Cloves – improve digestion, treat flatulence, vomiting and nausea.

Coriander – is a carminative which prevents griping when used in laxative formulas.


Cumin – prevents and relieves gas.

Fennel – is a carminative and an antispasmodic used to prevent griping when used in strong laxative formulas.

Garlic – is a good general antispasmodic and carminative.

Ginger – benefits the stomach and the intestines. It is used for indigestion, cramps and nausea.

Marjoram – is an antispasmodic and a carminative that can relieve severe abdominal cramping.

Nutmeg – is a good aid to digestion and can relieve nausea.

Rosemary – is useful for indigestion, colic, nausea and gas.

Thyme – is helpful in instances of diarrhea, chronic gastritis, and lack of appetite.

More can be done, however, than simply adding bay leaf and thyme to a pot of beans; or adding garlic, anise and basil to some spaghetti sauce. Herbs can be used for direct relief of acid indigestion, gas, and heartburn—and to promote good digestion, in general.

(Source: Jude’s Herbal Home Remedies)