Walnuts Can Reduce The Risk Of Heart Attack And Diabetes

As I have mentioned before here about nuts can reduce the risk of a heart attack.

According to another research by Yale University study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, overweight adults can reduce the mortality risk from diabetes and heart disease by eating walnuts.

Back in 2011, a scientific study, walnuts are said to rank number one as heart-healthy antioxidants. Joe Vinson, Ph.D said that walnuts contains almost twice as much antioxidants as an equivalent amount of any other commonly consumed nut. [source]

The latest study also revealed that people who ate nuts, particularly walnuts, tended to have a lower body mass index and a smaller waist. They were less likely to smoke and were more likely to be physically active.[source]

 As I have mentioned before here about nuts can reduce the risk of a heart attack.

Fructose Causes Overeating And Obesity Problem

According to a study by scientists from Yale University in US, fructose or fruit sugar causes one to overeating.

Fructose Brain And Hunger
It was discovered with that after drinking fructose-laden drinks, parts of the brain associated with desire for food, motivation and reward processing were switched off or suppressed. In other words, the brain did not register the feelings of fullness or satisfied. That could lead one to overeat and obesity, as a result.

As fructose is sweeter and cheaper than glucose, food manufacturers are using more high-fructose corn syrup in the foods we eat. Fructose can be found in fruits, sugar and even water.

For those of you who want to prevent one from overeating which could lead to weight problem, it is best reduce the intake of sugar, or if possible stay clear of sugar-sweetened sodas and drinks.

My personal view is eat with moderation and avoid eating unhealthy foods.

Image courtesy of Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Six Foods With Hidden Salt Which Can Cause Stroke And Heart Attack

We have been warned time and again the danger of consuming too much salt in our food intake. We know that we should not consume more than 5 grams of salt per day.

It is said that when we consume sodium or salt, it causes our body to retain water. Thus increases our blood pressure.

High blood pressure or hypertension is a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.

But then again, back in 2011, there was an article published in the Nature magazine, which highlighted that there is no connection between of too much salt and the development of cardiovascular disease.

Anyway, whatever it is, I always believe we should always take everything in moderation.

Most of us when we mention salt, we always assume the salt shaker and those salty snacks are the culprits.

But in fact, there are foods which we have been consuming daily, without even knowing they are equally guilty of adding excess salt to our daily food intake.

Beware of these list of foods which are actually laden with salt:

1. Bread & Rolls
Do you know that a piece of bread is packed with about 230 mg of sodium?

2. Cold Cuts & Cured Meats
Next time when you are at the deli, go slow with all those cured meats, pre-packed turkey and cold cuts. It is said that a serving of deli can have as much as 1,050 mg of sodium.

3. Pizza
Do yo know just one innocent slice of pizza has about 760 mg of sodium?. Just stuffing two slices is and you have already hit the salt limit for the day!

4. Chicken Nuggets
If you can, avoid those frozen breaded chicken nuggets. They have about 600 mg of salt.

5. Canned Soup
A cup of canned soup contains around 940 mg salt.

6. Sandwiches
If you want to take sandwiches, avoid salt-filled condiments, such as mustard and ketchup.

[source:AFP-Relaxnews]

Cooling Pandan Leaves Water You Should Be Drinking

On any hot scorching day, I love to drink chilled pandan leaves water. The scientific name for pandan is pandanus amaryllifolius.

The Southeast Asians folks use these green aromatic leaves a lot in their cooking and also when making cakes and snacks. 

Pandan leaves is said to have many health benefits as well. It can relieve pain, chest pain, headache, reduce fever and arthritis.

How To Make Pandan Leave Water

It is very easy to make your own fragrant pandan leave water. 

Just buy about ten pandan leaves from the wet market or supermartket. Wash them thoroughly clean with cold running water. Then knot each of them, to squeeze out some of its juice. Another reason for knotting these leaves, so these long leaves can be accommodated comfortably inside a pot.


Fill a pot of water and place the knotted pandan leaves in it. Cover it with the lid. Then let it simmer for an hour or so.

Once it is done, remove the leaves and let the pandan-flavored water to cool. If you prefer to be slightly sweet, you can add some rock sugar into it. Once it is cool, keep it in the fridge.

That's all. Just pandan leaves and clean water. You should try making this cooling aromatic pandan water, instead drinking all those sugar-laden carbonated drinks.

Grilled Food And Cancer Risk And Carcinogens

Is it true that grilled food can cause cancer? We are told that it is healthier to eat food which is grilled than fried in oil. Grilling is definitely a better way to cook food without adding any fat. But then again, I have read articles by many cancer societies and also medical reports that grilled food may cause cancer. They all say grilling foods produces carcinogens, which are cancer causing agents. The two key causes of cancer from grilled meats are: Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)


© Photographer | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Those burned blackened or charred parts at the edges of meat are bad for your health. They contain cancer-causing compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs).

This health-hazard heterocyclic amines (HCAs) is formed when the amino acid, creatine in meats is break down during the heating process.

Grilling is carcinogen-forming as the process involves high heat and long cooking times. Besides grilling or fried, even oven-broiled does produces large amount of HCAs. The longer and hotter the meat is cooked, the more these compounds form.

The other dangers of consuming grilled meat is the smoke from grilling. When you grill or even broil meat over a direct naked flame, the meat juice drip onto the burning charcoal, and it produces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs). This carcinogens smoke rises from the charcoal and it get sticks onto your grilled meat. The hotter the heat, the more PAHs are present.

According to medical reports, many commonly grilled foods contain alarmingly high levels of HCAs; especially those grilled well-done. Be they skinless chicken breast, steak, pork, salmon or your favorite juicy hamburger.

As we all have read that consuming too much meat (especially the fat part) has long been associated with increased risk of breast and colon cancer. While the fat in meat is said to be key cause of cancer, but, HCAs also contribute a part as well.

You can still enjoy grilled meat by reducing the cancer risk without having to give up grilling. The next time when you grill your food, make sure you don't let your grill get too smoky. Cook in lower temperature to prevent the meat from getting charred. One imprtant tip is never ever grill frozen meat.

Other things which you can do to prevent or reduce the formation of cancer-forming smoke when grillng is to trim away the fat on the steak or choose only lean meats. Another advice is to marinate your meats in sauces containing vinegar, garlic, mustard or lemon juice which can protect the surfaces of the meats from the carcinogen-causing smoke.

Remember when you grill your burger, flip the meat regularly to reduce the juices from dripping onto the hot charcoal or any hot surfaces.

One good way to reduce getting the smoke directly onto the meat is the use of aluminum foil. What I do is I wrap my meat inside the aluminum foil then places it on the grill. So there is no contamination of the cancer-causing smoke.

A good way to reduce grilling time to minimize exposure to the smoke, is go for small pieces of meat. The other thing is put your grilling rack at least 15cm away from the charcoal.

Not forgetting to clean your grill regularly to remove any accumulation of carcinogens that can be pass onto your food the next time you grill.

Other better alternatives to reduce cancer risk for grilling is to stay clear of meat. Instead go for grilled vegetables,as they do not create heterocyclic amines or HCAs.

As you know that vegetables are low in fat and high in fiber, and they also have various cancer-fighting substances like carotenoids (the pigment that gives fruits and vegetables their dark colors), have been said to help prevent cancer. The other substance is beta-carotene (found in dark green and yellow vegetables). It can protect against lung cancer and prevent bladder, mouth, larynx, esophagus and, breast cancer.

You can find out more about grilled food, cancer and carcinogens from the many cancer society sites.

How To Build Strong Bones Naturally To Avoid Osteoporosis

Let's find out how to build strong bones naturally to avoid osteoporosis. It is essential to have strong bones to prevent bone breaks and fractures.

We all know that our bones consist mainly of mineral calcium. So in order to have stronger bones, we need to increase the intake of calcium. Many people have been taking calcium supplement hoping to build stronger bones hoping to avoid osteoporosis.

How To Avoid Osteoporosis With Exercise

Recently I read that consuming calcium supplements is NOT going to help you to prevent osteoporosis. Taking calcium supplements will give you a short-term boost in bone density.

According to a report, studies have proven that calcium intake does not prevent fractures due to bone loss. Doctors in United Kingdom found that calcium and vitamin D did not prevent fractures. Their two-year study showed that neither calcium nor vitamin D lowered the number of fractures in women over the age of seventy.

So, then what affect bone loss? Hormones and exercise.

Hormones:
It is said that bone building is hormonal. For women, estrogen are the main regulators of bone health and breakdown. Progesterone controls the rate of new bone deposition.

For both men and women, it is testosterone which is key fact for achieving maximal bone mass and strength. One way to keep your bones strong, is to maintain healthy levels of hormones in your body.

Instead of wasting money on ineffective calcium supplements, you can go for inexpensive DHEA treatments.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone produced by our body's adrenal glands. Our body uses DHEA to make androgen and estrogen, the male and female sex hormones.

As we age, our levels of DHEA will decline. That is the reason why older people have lower libido or sex drive. The reduction of DHEA is also said to cause older folks to have osteoporosis, heart disease, memory loss problems.

WARNING: dehydroepiandrosterone side effects. Before taking the DHEA supplements, you should consult your doctor. DHEA supplements are synthetic hormone and can cause side effects, for instance they may decrease levels of HDL “good” cholesterol in the body.

The best way is to avoid taking both calcium and DHEA supplements.

Here are some tips on how to build strong bones naturally to avoid osteoporosis:

Exercise:
The best to increase bone mass or density is to take up body weight exercises, like calisthenics workout and resistance training. Calisthenics are a form of vigorous and dynamic exercise consists of bending, jumping, swinging, twisting or kicking, using only one's body weight for resistance. They can help to increase body strength, flexibility with movements, and cardiovascular fitness.

Do these powerful exercises two or three times a week.

Other activities which can help to strengthen your bone are weightlifting, climbing stairs, taking a step aerobics class or brisk walking. Do you know that thirty minutes of walking a day will lower your risk of fracture by 30 percent? When you walk, your muscles pull on your bones. This pressure creates a challenge that your body responds to by increasing bone density.

Another fun way to increase muscle mass is to play a sport, such as basketball, soccer, tennis or volleyball.

If you need to take calcium, get it in your daily diet and NOT through man-made supplements. Consume a variety of small fish, dark, leafy green vegetables, almonds and cashews, or dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt.

You can also consume foods rich in B-complex vitamins in bone building. The best sources of B-complex vitamins are liver, eggs, lean meats, yeast, fish, raw nuts, asparagus, broccoli and bananas.

If you want to know your home levels affecting your bone health, get a blood test.

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How To Detox Your Body Naturally And Safely

Find out how to detox your body naturally and safely. These days we keep hearing or reading about detoxification of the body, or popularly known as “detox”. Detox is basically about cleansing your body system so that your body’s organs and systems can function properly. It protects you from disease and renew your ability to maintain optimum health.

Well, by eating a healthy and balanced diet, together with adequate amounts of water and fiber, your body will detox naturally. The body has its own detoxification systems. You don't have to fast or starve and go for colon cleansing for detoxification. Colon cleansing is only used as preparation for medical procedures like colonoscopy. Doctors do not recommend colon cleansing for detoxification.

According to them, our digestive system and bowel can naturally clear waste material and bacteria. There are various detox services and therapies offered in the market; ranging from the simple as drinking tea to even flushing coffee into your "bottom orifice" (colon cleansing).

Inevitably we are exposed to toxins that enters our bodies daily. From exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke to caffeine, saturated fats and all kinds of preservatives in our food. Toxin build-up in the body is just like a clogged pipe.

In order to overcome the problem you need to clear of the unwanted wastes in your body regularly. Besides, your body also needs to take time to rest in order to heal from the constant onslaught of chemicals and toxins.

The thing is we cannot see these toxins, but they are doing harm in our body. The gradual build-up of toxins will cause you feel tired and sluggishness. In addition, these unseen harmful toxins make you fall sick easily, or have skin and digestive problems as well. Actually our body has already come with an effective built-in mechanism to get rid of wastes and toxins from the body.

This cleaning function is the work of the kidneys and the liver. Our kidneys filter out extra fluid and waste from the blood, and then pass them through to the bladder to be removed when we urinate or pee.

The liver filters the blood coming from the digestive tract, plus it detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs.

But the problem is our body has taken in way too much toxins from air pollutants and chemicals from our daily food and drinks. As a result, our liver and kidneys have to work very hard to get rid of all these daily toxins. In no time, these organs got worn out and they can not function properly. And this will begin to take a toll on our whole body and overall health.

You don't actually experience the toxin effects on your body right away. It is a gradual process. You start off feeling physically and mentally tired.

Then you may experience more frequent headaches, digestive problems, annoying aches and pains, or even skin problems. So now the question is how do you know which method is safe and effective.

Let's take a look at how to detoxify your body naturally and safely. The important thing is choosing the right food. Besides providing you the necessary nutrients, the food with antioxidants can be great detoxifiers.

For a start, drink ample water. Water is said to be the ultimate body detoxifying agent in our body. It helps to clear the wastes through our skin and kidneys, and it also improves our sweating with exercise. Drink at least two liters or more of water every day so that you can flush out the wastes in your body.

You don’t need waste money on expensive mineral or spring water, or the so-called special detox drinks. You just drink plain (boiled) tap water. Not forgetting drinking plain green tea as well.

The next thing is consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. They are rich with vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants that can boost your immune system.

For instant, the grapefruit contains a powerful antioxidant called naringenin that can help reprogram your liver to melt excess fat.

Garlic is known for its many health benefits and medicinal properties. It is even dubbed as a herbal "wonder drug", with a reputation for preventing everything from the common cold and flu to managing high cholesterol levels. It is also said to an excellent cleansing food that helps boost the ability of your white blood cells to fight the effects of toxins in your body.

I am told that by taking three cloves of fresh garlic per day can do wonders to your body. If you abhor the strong smell of fresh garlic, then you can always take those odorless garlic supplements, which you can buy them from the health store.

Many of us have mistaken that eating meat protein is bad for detox. The truth is you need intake of protein for energy, building muscles, and to stimulate the enzymes that break down toxins in the body. The only thing is you need to remove the fat in your protein.

So go for lean pork or lamb, skinless chicken, and not forgetting consume lots of fresh fish. If possible, you should go for organic stuff; so that you take in less pesticides and chemicals used in agriculture.

Another simple way to detox your body naturally is by getting fiber from brown rice and other wholegrain foods.

Other ways to reduce the harmful toxin in your body are: reduce or totally remove the intake of coffee, alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, refined sugars and saturated fats.

Do you know that stress can also create toxins in your body? You see when you are stressed out, stress hormones are produced in large quantities over a protracted period, they produce toxic by-products. And this will slow down the action of detoxification enzymes in the liver.

By slowing down, learning to let go and have enough sleep can help you to reduce stress in your life. Other options are take up yoga, meditation or Buteyko Breathing Technique.

Regular exercise is a great way to detox your body. It encourages better metabolism so you can remove toxins in your body easier.

You can also detoxify your body naturally are avoid or reduce using factory-manufactured cleaners, cosmetics and personal health-care products. If possible use natural household products. Frankly it is impossible to live a total toxin-free life. My view is try to reduce or avoid whatever you can to detox.

Definitely by detoxing or unclogging, your body system can function more efficiently and the nutrients from your food can nourish your organs, muscles and brain much faster. Thus, feeling more revitalized, and refreshed.


Here is book on how to refresh and rejuvenate your body by detoxification. It is called "7-Day Detox Miracle, Revised 2nd Edition: Revitalize Your Mind and Body with This Safe and Effective Life-Enhancing Program". It will show you a simple seven-day detoxification program that can help you improve resistance to disease, normalize weight, and increase physical and mental stamina.

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Healthy Eating Habits For People With High Blood Pressure

Today I am going to talk about healthy eating habits for people with high blood pressure. As you know I always try to eat healthy these days, after my bypass surgery. I stay away or at reduce my intake of processed and packed foodstuff.

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Let me share with you what I consume regularly. Foods which are said to be good for the heart. Besides eating healthy, I still go for my regular 20-minute brisk walks every day and sip a bit of red wine every now and then.

I am told that red wine has this antioxidants called resveratrol and polyphenols. It is said that both of these antioxidants can reduce LDL as well as total blood cholesterol and reduce blood clots respectively.

1. Oats
I have been eating oats for my breakfast a long time now. From my own personal experience with eating oats, it has definitely helped to reduce my weight and my bad cholesterol level or they called it low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

For my breakfast I have a bowl of oats, a glass of fruit juice and a banana. That can lasts me till lunch time. The I will put on my walking shoes and head off to the nearby newsstand to get my morning papers and go for my morning walking around my neighborhood before the sun gets too harsh. Usually I will stop over for a breather and read the papers in the park, and then take advantage of the benefits of nature to de-stress myself before I head home.

Eat unprocessed oats, instead of the refined grains, which lacked much of the good ingredients like B vitamins, vitamin E, fiber, and antioxidants.

I am sure you have read about some studies that says oat bran can decrease the total cholesterol by as much as 18 percent and also a drop of 9 percent in LDL cholesterol. Furthermore, whole grains have a low glycemic index. Hlycemic index is a measurement of how high a food raises your blood sugar level.

In other words, foods with a low glycemic index can help to prevent diabetes. And diabetes is one of those major contibuting risk factor for coronary heart disease. So enjoy your bowl of oatmeal in the morning.

2.Spinach And Lettuce
Besides eating other vegetables, these green leafy vegetables are my favorites. They contains folate, or vitamin B9, which helps to reduce the circulating levels of homocysteine in the blood.

Homocysteine is an amino acid produced by the body and it is found in blood plasma. It is usually as a byproduct of eating meat. According to studies, high levels of homocysteine in the blood has found to linked with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis ("hardening of the arteries") and venous thromboembolism (blood clots in the veins).

So start eating more lefty green vegetables together with fresh fruits can significantly reduce your blood pressure, which is a big risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD).

3. Almonds And Other Nuts
Do you know that almonds and other nuts not only reduce the total cholesterol but also raise your so-called "good" cholesterol high-density lipoprotein (HDL)?

It is because almonds and other nuts have mono and polyunsaturated fats together with phytosterols that help to block the intestinal tract from absorbing all kinds of fats. So with low in saturated fat and cholesterol, nuts can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Then again, bear in mind that almonds and other nuts can reduce the risk of a heart attack, but they are rich in calories. So, you are advised to just eat a handful of nuts is suffice for a day.

4. Salmon
I have hearing people saying about eating salmon and other fish for heart protection. It is the omega-3 fatty acids in the fish which is the key factor in reducing risk of coronary heart disease.

This omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce blood pressure, blocking platelet function and clot formation, and also preventing the formation of plaque in artery walls.

For those of you who have high blood pressure or hypertension, then it is time to eat healthy and do your regular walking. If you can't afford to sign up for a gym membership, just start walking whenever and wherever you can. I totally agree Joan Rivers said in her book on aging "Don't Count The Candles: Just Keep The Fire Lit!", climb every staircase. Find reasons to walk. You can lose weight and you feel rejuvenated and raring to go after a long sweaty walk.

For those of you who want to know more about diets to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol without medication, then you get this friendly-user guide book "The DASH Diet Action Plan: Based on the National Institutes of Health Research: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension." DASH stands for "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension".The DASH diet is recommended by the U.S. treatment guidelines for hypertension.

The dietary guidelines in this useful book is basically about eating healthy food like fruits, vegetables and low-fat or non-fat diary. Plus food which is low in sodium, for example fish, lean meat, grains, nuts and beans. Other than eating healthy food, this book also talks about healthy weight loss, exercise that can lower your blood pressure. If you can, get this valuable book.

Michael Pollen 64 Food Rules You Should Know

Have you read Michael Pollen 64 Food Rules? You see, I am a big follower of author Michael Pollen's books, like "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto", "The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals" and "The Botany of Desire".

Recently I got this wonderful 137-page book "Food Rules: An Eater's Manual". It is a simple, sensible, and easy to use guide on eating real food wisely.

This book is divided into three section:-
1. What should I eat? (Eat real food)
2 - What kind of food should I eat? (Mostly plants)
3 - How should I eat? (Reasonable amount)

Anyway, here are the 64 food rules found in Michael Pollen's book "Food Rules: An Eater's Manual".

1. Eat food

2. Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food

3. Avoid food products containing ingredients that no ordinary human would keep in the pantry

4. Avoid food products that contain high-fructose corn syrup

5. Avoid food products that have some form of sugar (or sweetener listed among) the top three ingredients

6. Avoid food products that have more than 5 ingredients

7. Avoid food products containing ingredients that a third-grader cannot pronounce

8. Avoid food products that make health claims

9. Avoid food products with the wordoid “lite” or the terms “low fat” or “nonfat” in their names

10. Avoid foods that are pretending to be something they are not

11. Avoid foods you see advertised on television

12. Shop the peripheries of the supermarket and stay out of the middle

13. Eat only foods that will eventually rot

14. Eat foods made from ingredients that you can picture in their raw state or growing in nature

15. Get out of the supermarket whenever you can

16. Buy your snacks at the farmers market

17. Eat only foods that have been cooked by humans

18. Don’t ingest foods made in places where everyone is required to wear a surgical cap

19. If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don’t.

20. It’s not food if it arrived through the window of your car

21. It’s not food if it’s called by the same name in every language (Think Big Mac, Cheetos or Pringles)

22. Eat mostly plants, especially leaves

23. Treat meat as a flavoring or special occasion food

24. Eating what stands on one leg [mushrooms and plant foods] is better than eating what stands on two legs [fowl], which is better than eating what stands on four legs [cows, pigs and other mammals].

25. Eat your colors

26. Drink the spinach water

27. Eat animals that have themselves eaten well

28. If you have space, buy a freezer

29. Eat like an omnivore

30. Eat well-grown food from healthy soil

31. Eat wild foods when you can

32. Don’t overlook the oily little fishes

33. Eat some foods that have been predigested by bacterial or fungi

34. Sweeten and salt your food yourself

35. Eat sweet foods as you find them in nature

36. Don’t eat breakfast cereals that change the color of the milk

37. The whiter the bread, the sooner you’ll be dead

38. Favor the kinds of oils and grains that have traditionally been stone-ground

39. Eat all the junk food you want as long as you cook it yourself

40. Be the kind of person who takes supplements – then skip the supplements

41. Eat more lie the French. Or the Japanese. Or the Italians. Or the Greeks.

42. Regard nontraditional foods with skepticism

43. Have a glass of wine with dinner

44. Pay more, eat less

45. Eat less

46. Stop eating before you’re full

47. Eat when you are hungry, not when you are bored

48. Consult your gut

49. Eat slowly

50. The banquet is in the first bite

51. Spend as much time enjoying the meal as it took to prepare it

52. Buy smaller plates and glasses

53. Serve a proper portion and don’t go back for seconds

54. Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like pauper

55. Eat meals

56. Limit your snacks to unprocessed plant foods

57. Don’t get your fuel from the same place your car does

58. Do all your eating at a table

59. Try not to eat alone

60. Treat treats as treats

61. Leave something on your plate

62. Plant a vegetable garden if you have space, a window box if you don’t

63. Cook

64. Break the rules once in a while

If you want to know more details about the list of 64 food rules, then get Michael Pollen's book" "Food Rules: An Eater's Manual".

Seven Unhealthy Foods To Avoid Eating

Today I want to share with you those unhealthy foods to avoid eating. Before I had my coronary bypass surgery, I didn't bother much about what I consumed. I gorged on all kinds of unhealthy, high-cholesterol, fat-laden processed food. Soda, instant noodles, fries, etc.

These day, I don't buy any processed and packaged food from the supermarket. I only purchase real food. Fresh produce from the local farmers' market. The only meat I consume are fresh fish and skinless chicken meat. They say it is fine to eat everything in moderation. But there are foods which I don't put into my body anymore. I choose to live a happy and healthy life. Here are seven unhealthy food which I avoid them like plague.

1. The So-called "Low Fat Foods"
Be it cookies, salad dressings, cheese, and other processed foods labeled as low-fat. From what I read, these "low-fat" bland foods are substituted with sugar and salt to add flavor.

2. Sugar-Packed Soda Do you know that a can of soda drinks contain about 7 to 10 teaspoons of sugar? It is reported that by drinking two soft drinks a week can double a person’s risk of getting pancreatic cancer. Of course you should know that these sugar-laden drinks with caffeine and artificial coloring can lead you to overweight, cardiovascular disease, tooth decay and diabetes. Say no to this "liquid candy".

3.Processed Meat
If possible, one should avoid eating processed meat which is preserved by smoking, curing, or salting. They contain lots of chemical preservatives, salt, fat, and cholesterol. As you know all these bad ingredients can cause hypertension, obesity, heart disease, and colon cancer.

4. Unhealthy Doughnuts
I have stopped eating sweet high-calorie glazed doughnuts long time ago. They are filled with trans fat, sugar, hydrogenated oil, artificial flavors and refined flour.

5. Frozen Meals
This is another processed food which is very popular with many of us. These frozen meals are overloaded with calories. Some of these so-called diet version frozen foods are in fact very high in sodium.

6. Potato Chips And French Fries
Yes, I know they are yummy, but they are deadly too. These snack foods when they are baked or fried in high temperature, they contain acrylamide and neurotoxin. According to research, people who are exposed to hig levels of acrylamide, can get nerve damage. Exposure to neurotoxin can cause dizziness, seizure or strokes. Then of course these junk foods are very high in trans fat.

7. Canned Soup
Take your time to make your own soup, rather than consuming canned soups which you get them from your neighborhood grocery store. These processed canned soups are high in trans fats, sodium and artificial preservatives (MSG).

10 Health Benefits Of Drinking Green Tea

These days we keep reading or hearing the many effective health benefits of drinking green tea. According to many sources, it is said that drinking green tea has been proven to lower the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, periodontal disease, and even the deadly cancer.

Personally I am not too sure whether the so-called proven findings are true or not, but the craze of drinking green tea for health benefits is definitely taking the world by storm.
After my bypass surgery, I am more conscious about my well being. I am more particular of what I eat and drink. Besides drinking chamomile tea, recently I have also taken up drinking green tea as well. I drink about three to four cups of green tea a day.

Here are just some so-called health benefits of drinking green tea.

1. Live longer with green tea. It is said that green tea contains an antioxidant called polyphenols which fight against free radicals. In other words, it helps to slow down your aging process.

2. Keep you stronger with green tea. It has powerful antioxidants polyphenols and flavonoids that help to streghtened your immune system, thus keeping your health at tip top form to fight against infections.

3. Prevent obesity with green tea. According to a research, green tea can prevent one from putting on weight. It is reported in some new studies that green tea extract containing EGCg can increase the rate of calorie burning, prevent excess weight gain and also reverse established obesity.

4. Prevent high blood pressure with green tea. Based on a research, they found that drinking half a cup of green tea on a day can actually reduce high blood pressure symptoms by more than half. It helps by repressing or inhibiting angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). ACE is the one which cause the blood vessels to narrow.

5. Prevent heart attack and stroke with green tea. I read somewhere that a research shows that green tea lowers total cholesterol and raises HDL or the so-called good cholesterol in both animals and people.

6. Good skin with green tea. In tip #1, I mentioned that consuming green tea can help you to live longer. It is the antioxidant found in green tea which protects your skin from the harmful effects of free radicals; the culprits which cause your skin to wrinkle and age.

7. Prevent arthritis with green tea. Again it is the antioxidants polyphenols, is said to reduce the incidence and severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

8. Prevent diabetes with green tea. One study found that green tea can reduce both blood glucose and insulin levels.

9. Strong bones with green tea. It is said that green tea can protect against osteoporosis. The high fluoride content found in green tea, which keeps your bones strong.

10. Fight cancer with green tea. This is one the most popular health benefits of drinking green tea. I read that the antioxidant found in green tea known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)is much more effective than vitamin C and vitamin E. They inhibit an enzyme required for cancer cell growth, and also kill cancer cells with no ill effect on healthy cells.

Eat Healthy Mediterranean Food

Find out why I recommend you to eat healthy Mediterranean food. Basically Mediterranean cuisine comprise of heart-healthy olive oil, protein-rich legumes, fish and whole grains with moderate amounts of wine and red meat. It is not just because of the delectable taste, but because of the health-enhancing benefits. I have read somewhere, that studies have shown that eating a Mediterranean diet can prolong your lifespan and cut down the incidence of heart disease and cancer.

No doubt the vibrant healthy Mediterranean food from different region and country has its own individual characteristics. But the key elements are the Mediterranean folks who eat their rich and colorful traditional cuisine, generally have good health, absence of obesity, and longer life expectancy.

Yes, it is true that people consuming classic Mediterranean diet live longer. They have lower rate of mortality and cardiac death. Even common cancers were reduced. You see the Mediterranean diet is made up of olives and olive oil which contain many health properties like polyphenols which contain antioxidants. Polyphenols increase the healthful benefits of vitamin e levels, decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad cholesterol" and increase glutathione, which is a natural antioxidant which helps in detoxification of the body.

Olives can reduce inflammation and joint pains. Then we have the fish and fish oils which have health benefits such as preventing cardiovascular disease, reducing inflammation and improving the immune system. As you know fish is a great source of protein.

Mediterranean food comprises of fresh fruits and vegetables. For instance dates, olives, figs, tomatoes, fresh herbs, cucumbers, berries and lemons. As you know the fresh fruits and vegetables are enriched in antioxidants, vitamin C, beta carotene and vitamin A. They are an excellent source of fibre. We know that eating lots of fruits and vegetables can prevent us from heart disease, cancer and we can live longer. I strongly you should start eating healthy Mediterranean food.

Besides, the nutritious benefits, it is also because of their eating lifestyle that contributes to good health. Mediterranean folks take the time to enjoy their healthy meals and they love to eat in company.

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10 Cheap Healthy Food

Yes, these days, most of us are cash-strapped. But that shouldn't mean you have to sacrifice your health. Do you know there are many budget-friendly foods and nutritious too.

Check out this video. Watch and discover the top ten cheap health foods. They are good for both your wallet and your health.

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Chamomile Tea Benefits

I used to wake up early in the morning and have my mug of black steaming coffee to jolt me up in order to start my day. But these days, I'm more relaxed and living a balanced life, I prefer sip my cup of warm fragrant chamomile tea while watching the sun rises.

What are chamomile tea benefits?
Chamomile tea comes from herb Matricaria recutita, also known as manzanilla. The word "chamomile" is derived from the Greek terms for "on the ground" (kamai) and apple (melon). There are two kinds of chamomile: German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and English (or Roman) chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Its flowers and leaves have been brewed for centuries and drank as a fragrant and flavorful tea.

Both the fresh and dried flowers of chamomile have been used to create teas for centuries to cure various health problems. Now, researchers have found new evidence that the chamomile tea may actually help relieve a wide range of health ailments, including colds, insomnia, calming nerves, skin irritation and menstrual cramps. The active ingredient in chamomile essential oil is known as bisabolol, which has a number of anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties.

Well, I find the refreshing chamomile tea benefits are indeed true. It helps to calm my nerves, keeps my once irritating cold away and I definitely sleep better.

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Good Health Tips: How To Spice Up Healthy Food

Here is a quick good health tips:

I know most of the healthy food is usually bland, without sodium, fat and sugar. Eating salad without dressing is torturous for many of us. What I normally do to add flavor to my so-called tasteless healthy food with garlic, ginger, onions, pepper, chili, curry powder, olive oil, oregano, basil or a dash of lemon juice.

Herb and spice and everything nice.

Back in the ancient civilizations, they had already discovered that by adding certain plants to their food, not only would it taste better, but they actually were able to extend its "shelf life" by preventing bacterial growth. People then suspected that herbs and spices had certain properties that made them beneficial for health, and scientists today have proven that they were right.

According to good health tips, herbs and spices add flavor without adding calories, and also beneficial to our health. They have antimicrobial properties, act as antioxidants, and may even help prevent or decrease the spread of cancer.

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Heard Of Fast Healthy Food?

Today I'm going to share with you on healthy food options. I am no health freak, but I believe in eating in moderation and I do indulge in fast food once a while. But what I do is I would make better and healthier choices in my selection of fast food. Or what I call fast healthy food.

Tips for healthy eating at fast food restaurants:
I always make sure to check out the descriptions on the menu. A big no-no for me are dishes which read deep-fried, pan-fried, basted, batter-dipped, breaded, creamy, crispy, scalloped, Alfredo, au gratin or in cream sauce. They are usually high in calories, unhealthy fats or sodium. I go for items with more vegetables and choose leaner meats.

When it come to drink, I almost never go for soda. It is a huge source of hidden calories. Do you know a 32-oz Big Gulp with regular cola pack about 425 calories? I normally do is I add a little lemon to flavor my plain water or I simply order an unsweetened iced tea.

Another one of the many good health tips is beware of salad dressings, spreads, cheese, sour cream, etc. They appear innocent, but actually they are loaded with calories. One of my favorite healthy food options is I ask for a grilled chicken sandwich without the mayonnaise. Probably I may squeeze a bit of ketchup or mustard on it.

Always ask for your vegetables and main dishes to be served without the sauces. If you want, then go for olive oil and vinegar for your salads. But if you go for it, then be smart, order the dressing "on the side" and spoon only a small amount on at a time.

Another one of the healthy food options is go for smaller portion size. At a typical fast food restaurant, a single serving provides enough for two meals. What I do is bring half home or divide the portion with a dining partner. Another trick is order from th kid's menu.

Basically I am very conscious at what I eat. I bite and chew my food thoroughly and avoid eating on the run. Being conscious also means knowing when to stop eating before I'm full. Conscious eating get you digest better, and makes you feel more satisfied.

Whatever your healthy food options, go for moderation. Know what you put into your mouth and enjoy your dining out experience, while maintaining good nutrition and diet control.

I know many fast food chains do have nutritional information on their websites. But the lists are often confusing and difficult to use. What I suggest is you go to other more useful sites like HealthyDiningFinder.com or Stop&Go Fast Food Nutrition Guide .

Or get this 400-page guide "EAT THIS, NOT THAT: THE BEST (AND WORST) FOODS IN AMERICA" written by Men's Health editor-in-chief David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding.

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