Curcumin is the main ingredient in the ‘golden spice’. It will be used interchangeably with Turmeric throughout this article. It has proven to protect cells from damage.
This is because it is an anti-inflammatory. This effect lowers the risk of cell mutation and thus lowers the chances of getting cancer. This herb also has anti-cancer effects. This means it can kill cancer cells and slow down tumor growth. Even the National Cancer Institute sees the spice as a cancer-preventing agent.
Curcumin is also an anti-oxidant. Any kind of cold symptoms, cough or fever can go away when you take it. Curcumin has proven to up your body’s sickness-fighting response. This means you won’t have to worry about the horrors of a cold with this tea. These effects also apply to infections. This is because Turmeric benefits include anti-bacterial effects too. It can fight it a lot!
Research shows that Turmeric softens your arteries and lowers levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Stiff arteries can cause major heart problems such as a stroke or a heart attack. LDL can clog your arteries and also cause heart problems. The studies show that only a small dose of curcumin can lower these symptoms. So even trying a little bit of this spice can make a big difference.
Turmeric can be helpful in managing arthritis. Since it is an anti-inflammatory, it reduces swelling in the body. Reduced swelling means fewer pain symptoms. This makes arthritis a lot more manageable.
Alzheimer’s is a very complex disease. We don’t know everything about Alzheimer’s, but we do know that Turmeric can help prevent it. A big symptom of Alzheimer’s is the dark plaques that show up in the brain. Curcumin has the ability to prevent these plaques from growing. Also, since it’s an anti-inflammatory, it lowers the loss of brain cells that comes with aging. This means that this tea can make your brain stay smarter for a long time. Who doesn’t want that?
Most evidence on this topic comes from animals. Studies have shown that Turmeric can reverse depression in animals. However, the results look good for humans too. One study on humans used 60 people who had depression. Some of the participants took Prozac for their symptoms and the others took curcumin. Both groups said that each treatment helped them out. Though evidence is still in early stages, it might be worth giving this tea a try for depression.
Turmeric tea has proven to prevent diabetes and help control it. It does this by reversing insulin-resistance issues and managing blood sugar.
This goes hand in hand with our next point. High blood sugar can turn into fat in the body. Since curcumin can help manage your blood sugar levels, it can help with fat loss. Curcumin also boosts metabolism, which means you will burn more calories. This makes the spice a great fat burner.
If you have digestive issues, the ‘golden spice’ might be able to help you. It can promote good bacteria in your gut while killing bad bacteria. This makes sure you get the right nutrients you need from your food. This makes digestion easier for your body. Also, because curcumin helps with pain, it can help the cramps that come with many digestive issues. Some issues include IBD, Crohn’s disease, and acute diarrhea. Turmeric can also protect your liver and gallstones. It does this by making more good enzymes while protecting from bad bile.
There isn’t much evidence on this, but some studies show that Turmeric can treat some lung conditions. This works because curcumin reduces inflammation, which is what causes a lot of lung problems. Some of these conditions include asthma, lung cancer, COPD and cystic fibrosis.
The effects this tea has on your skin is also worth noting. The powder can prevent acne, psoriasis, and eczema from flaring up. This is because of its anti-inflammatory effects. The spice can also prevent skin infections from popping up. Wrinkles and blemishes can also go down. The components in Turmeric stimulate skin cell growth, which keeps your skin nice and healthy.
Did you resolve the cut back on salt? Or maybe you’re just looking for a new way to flavor your food?
Either way, there’s one very versatile product you should try: Bragg Liquid Aminos.
This is not your average condiment. Bragg Liquid Aminos is an all-purpose, gluten-free seasoning product that provides 16 different essential and non-essential amino acids derived from non-GMO soy protein. It contains only naturally occurring sodium but is full of delicious flavor.
Use it in place of soy sauce, salt, salad dressing and many other flavor enhancers.
10 ways to use Bragg Liquid Aminos
There are many special occasions through the year that are perfect to spend time with loved ones while preparing delicious baked foods in the kitchen. Follow these safety tips to help you and your loved ones stay healthy when handling raw dough.
When you prepare homemade dough for cookies, cakes, and bread, you may be tempted to taste a bite before it is fully baked. But steer clear of this temptation—eating or tasting unbaked products that are intended to be baked, such as dough or batter, can make you sick. Children can get sick from handling or eating raw dough used for crafts or play clay, too.
Flour is typically a raw agricultural product. This means it hasn’t been treated to kill germs like Escherichia coli (E. coli). Harmful germs can contaminate grain while it’s still in the field or at other steps during flour production. The bacteria are killed when food made with flour is cooked. This is why you should never taste or eat raw dough or batter.
In addition, raw eggs that are used to make raw dough or batter can contain a germ called Salmonella that can make you sick if the eggs are eaten raw or lightly cooked. Eggs are safe to eat when cooked and handled properly.
Eating uncooked flour or raw eggs can make you sick. Do not taste or eat raw dough!
Follow safe food handling practices when you are baking and cooking with flour and other raw ingredients:
Source – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Fish is a low-fat high quality protein. Fish is filled with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins such as D and B2 (riboflavin). Fish is rich in calcium and phosphorus and a great source of minerals, such as iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times per week as part of a healthy diet. Fish is packed with protein, vitamins, and nutrients that can lower blood pressure and help reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Eating fish is an important source of omega-3 fatty acids. These essential nutrients keep our heart and brain healthy. Two omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Our bodies don't produce omega-3 fatty acids so we must get them through the food we eat. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in every kind of fish, but are especially high in fatty fish. Some good choices are salmon, trout, sardines, herring, canned mackerel, canned light tuna, and oysters.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
Source – Washington State Department of Health
Eating homemade foods is usually much cheaper than eating at a restaurant or buying processed foods from the market.
Ben’s advice: “When we eat at a restaurant, we pay for not only the food, but also the costs of running that business. The lights, the water, the building, and the staff — in addition to the meal we are eating. The same goes for the pre-made or frozen meals at grocery stores.”
Here are some additional ways to save money:
It might seem like grabbing something to eat at the local supermarket or driving to get take-out at the closest restaurant might be a quick solution when you’re in a hurry. In reality, many times it can be much faster to cook something at home, especially when you plan ahead. There are so many meals that can be made in less than 30 minutes. And if you choose a more complex recipe, you can always cook in bulk and eat the surplus later in the week or freeze it.
Many commercially prepared foods are high in fat, salt, and sugar. When we prepare our own food, we know exactly which ingredients and how much of each are going into our food.
Preparing your food at home can be especially beneficial if you or a family member has a food allergy. Because you are in control in your own kitchen, you can reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
Many restaurants and fast food joints offer portions that are much larger than necessary. And the problem is, when food is in front of you, chances are you’ll eat it. When you dine in, you can regulate the amount of food served for dinner, eliminating unnecessary temptation.
Eating at home gives the entire family time to talk about their day.
Ben’s advice: “Studies show that when we eat together, our kids and family are much healthier. Eating together is linked to less obesity, kids doing better in school, and less substance abuse within the family.”
Involving your children in food preparation (maybe by asking them to read the recipe out loud or mix ingredients) is not only a fun thing to do, but also a great way to teach them healthy eating habits.
Thanks to Ben for filling us in on the benefits of cooking at home!
Source – University of Washington
Whether you usually shop for organic skincare products or synthetic ones, you may wonder what the difference is between lotion and cream. After all, they look the same; you put them both on your skin, so surely, they do the same thing? Believe it or not, both lotion and cream serve different purposes, and you’re best to work out what they are to ensure you get as many of the benefits as possible.
What is Lotion?
Body lotion is something that you may find more benefit in using in summery weather, or when your skin is feeling only a little bit dry – or entirely okay. Lotion tends to be more water than anything else, with just a little bit of oil and other ingredients thrown into the mix. These ingredients differ depending on whether they are natural body care products or synthetic.
Lotion is lightweight, quickly absorbed into the skin, and isn’t greasy. What’s more, you will find it is generally sold in bottles which makes it easy to squeeze into your hands. The downside to lotion is that it doesn’t last long on your skin.
What is Cream?
Whether you buy synthetic or natural body care products, you will find that most creams on the market are in tubs instead of bottles. This is because they are thicker with more oils and less water. They are also denser and richer, with a thick consistency that works better with dehydrated skin, or for use during the colder months such as winter.
Cream also works better to keep your skin hydrated for more extended periods, which is why it’s usually a recommendation as a night lotion for anti-ageing.
Which Should I Choose?
There are many things you need to consider before you purchase either cream or lotion. However, you can go ahead and buy both if you feel like you can use them for different purposes. In summer, you may like to stock up on lotion, which can help to keep your skin beautiful, revitalized, and fresh in the warmer weather. However, you will need to reapply it more than you would with cream.
When the colder weather sets in, or you find yourself with exceptionally dry skin, then cream may be your natural body care product of choice. It’s thicker, creamier, and creates a protective barrier for your skin that lasts longer than lotion.
Source – Women Work – The National Network for Women
The health standards practiced in the workplace determine the extent to which the employees are protected from infections and diseases.
A company that does not pay serious attention to its washrooms creates the right environment for an infection to quickly spread among the employees.
The result is usually a series of calls from the employees to inform the managers they can’t come to work due to illnesses.
Now imagine if a half of the employees fell ill at the same time. That would be a serious issue, wouldn’t it? The advocacy for regular hand washing has been widely promoted by the health experts.
In fact, it’s already widely acknowledged that proper hand washing can protect you from common infections and diseases like the flu and even common cold.
Everybody thinks they are washing their hands properly. Water, soap, scrub and rinse, right? Not exactly. A big part of the hand washing process is being overlooked: hand drying.
The importance of hand-drying
Hand drying completes the much-advocated habit of regular hand washing. It is the final act that ultimately prevents the spread of bacteria after hand washing.
Many people overlook the need to properly dry their hands. They end up walking out of the washroom with some bacteria still clinging to the moisture of their inner palms.
Properly drying your hands after washing determines how safe you actually are from those germs and bacteria you do not want getting into your system. Drying hands after properly washing them is particularly effective against the much-dreaded salmonella and E.coli bacteria.
Wet hands provide a more conducive environment for these harmful bacteria, so it is necessary to ensure that the hands are properly dried after washing.
Your hand drying options
Did you know that the hands can accommodate as much as 200 million bacteria after a visit to the toilet? These studies have also indicated that the bacteria will be transferred onto as many as 16 other objects during the course of the day.
The common utilities used in public places for hand drying are the paper towel and the electric hand dryers. Most people would go for the convenience of an electric hand dryer, but let’s take a much closer look at paper towels. How effective are they in drying and keeping our hands clean and germ-free at the same time?
Paper towels can dry your hands fast
Paper towels have a very high level of absorbency so it can easily remove residual water from your hands at a very short time. To be more specific, it would only take 10 seconds to reduce residual water from the hands to 4% and 15 seconds to reduce it to 1%.
Paper towels can remove bacteria from your hands
Studies have found that paper towels can help reduce the numbers of bacteria on the finger pads and on the palms of the hands by an average of 76% and 77% respectively.
Health experts believe that the main reason for this is because paper towels, when used for drying hands, create friction.
This friction becomes the key component in paper towels’ hand drying efficiency as it helps physically remove bacteria that remain on the hands after washing. Obviously, this prevents further contamination.
In previous studies, paper towels that were used to dry hands went through microbiological testing and the results show that most of the bacteria were transferred to the paper towels.
Source – Alsco
Apple cider vinegar is the most popular type of vinegar in the natural health community.
It is claimed to lead to all sorts of benefits, many of which are supported by science.
This includes weight loss, reduced cholesterol, lower blood sugar levels and improved symptoms of diabetes.
It is also an ancient folk remedy, and has been used for various household and cooking purposes.
Here are 6 health benefits of apple cider vinegar that are supported by scientific research.
1. High in Acetic Acid, With Potent Biological Effects
Apple cider vinegar is made in a two-step process, related to how alcohol is made (1).
The first step exposes crushed apples (or apple cider) to yeast, which ferment the sugars and turn them into alcohol.
In the second step, bacteria are added to the alcohol solution, which further ferment the alcohol and turn it into acetic acid — the main active compound in vinegar.
In French, the word "vinegar" actually means "sour wine."
Organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (like Bragg's) also contains "mother," strands of proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria that give the product a murky appearance.
Some people believe that the "mother" is responsible for most of the health benefits, although there are currently no studies to support this.
Apple cider vinegar only contains about three calories per tablespoon, which is very low.
There are not many vitamins or minerals in it, but it does contain a small amount of potassium. Quality apple cider vinegar also contains some amino acids and antioxidants.
SUMMARY
Apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting the sugar from apples. This turns them into acetic acid, which is the active ingredient in vinegar.
Vinegar can help kill pathogens, including bacteria (2).
It has traditionally been used for cleaning and disinfecting, treating nail fungus, lice, warts and ear infections.
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used vinegar for wound cleaning over two thousand years ago.
Vinegar has also been used as a food preservative, and studies show that it inhibits bacteria (like E. coli) from growing in food and spoiling it (2, 3, 4).
If you're looking for a natural way to preserve your food, then apple cider vinegar could be highly useful.
There have also been anecdotal reports of diluted apple cider vinegar helping with acne when applied to the skin, but I didn't find any strong research to confirm this.
SUMMARY The main substance in vinegar, acetic acid, can kill harmful bacteria or prevent them from multiplying. It has a history of use as a disinfectant and natural preservative.
3. Lowers Blood Sugar Levels and Fights Diabetes
By far, the most successful application of vinegar to date is in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels, either because of insulin resistance or an inability to produce insulin (5).
However, high blood sugar can also be a problem in people who don't have diabetes. It is believed to be a major cause of aging and various chronic diseases.
Pretty much everyone should benefit from keeping their blood sugar levels in the normal range. The most effective (and healthiest) way to do that is to avoid refined carbs and sugar, but apple cider vinegar can also have a powerful effect.
Vinegar has been shown to have numerous benefits for blood sugar and insulin levels:
For these reasons, vinegar can be useful for people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or those who want to keep their blood sugar levels low for other reasons.
If you're currently taking blood-sugar-lowering medications, check with your doctor before increasing your intake of any type of vinegar.
SUMMARY Apple cider vinegar has shown great promise in improving insulin sensitivity and helping lower blood sugar responses after meals.
4. Helps You Lose Weight and Reduces Belly Fat
Surprisingly, studies also show that vinegar can help you lose weight.
Several human studies show that vinegar can increase satiety, help you eat fewer calories and lead to actual pounds lost on the scale.
For example, if people take vinegar along with a high-carb meal, they get increased feelings of fullness and end up eating 200–275 fewer calories for the rest of the day (11, 12).
A study in 175 people with obesity showed that daily apple cider vinegar consumption led to reduced belly fat and weight loss (13):
However, keep in mind that this study went on for 3 months, so the true effects on body weight seem to be rather modest.
That said, just adding or subtracting single foods or ingredients rarely has a noticeable effect on weight.
It's the entire diet/lifestyle that counts and you need to combine several effective methods to see results.
Overall, it seems like apple cider vinegar is useful as a weight loss aid, mainly by promoting satiety and lowering blood sugar and insulin levels.
But it won't work any miracles on its own.
SUMMARY
Studies suggest that vinegar can increase feelings of fullness and help people eat fewer calories, which leads to weight loss.
Heart disease is currently the world's most common cause of premature death (14).
It is known that several biological factors are linked to either a decreased or increased risk of heart disease.
Several of these "risk factors" can be improved by vinegar consumption, but many of the studies were done in animals.
These animal studies suggest that apple cider vinegar can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, along with several other heart disease risk factors (15, 16, 17).
There are also some studies showing that vinegar reduces blood pressure in rats, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and kidney problems (18, 19).
The only human evidence so far is an observational study from Harvard showing that women who ate salad dressings with vinegar had a reduced risk of heart disease (20).
But this type of study can only show an association, it cannot prove that the vinegar caused anything.
As mentioned above, human studies also show that apple cider vinegar can lower blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity and help fight diabetes. These factors should also lead to reduced risk of heart disease.
SUMMARY
Several animal studies have shown that vinegar can reduce blood triglycerides, cholesterol and blood pressure. This could lead to a reduced risk of developing heart disease.
6. May Have Protective Effects Against Cancer
Cancer is a terrible disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells.
There is a lot of hype online about the anti-cancer effects of apple cider vinegar.
In fact, numerous studies have shown that various types of vinegar can kill cancer cells and shrink tumors (21, 22, 23).
However, all of the studies on this were done in isolated cells in test tubes, or rats, which proves nothing about what happens in a living, breathing human.
That said, some observational studies in humans have shown that vinegar consumption is linked to decreased esophageal cancer in China, but increased bladder cancer in Serbia (24, 25).
It is possible that consuming apple cider vinegar may help prevent cancer, but this needs to be researched more before any recommendations can be made.
SUMMARY
Some studies in test tubes and rats have shown that vinegar can slow the growth of cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Dosage and How to Use
The best way to incorporate apple cider vinegar into your diet is to use it in your cooking — for salad dressings, homemade mayonnaise and that sort of thing.
Some people also like to dilute it in water and drink it as a beverage. Common dosages range from 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 ml) to 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 ml) per day, mixed in a large glass of water.
It’s best to start with small doses and avoid taking large amounts, because too much vinegar can cause harmful side effects.
It is recommended to use organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with the "mother."
Bragg's seems to be the most popular option, which is available on Amazon along with tons of interesting testimonials and reviews that are fun to browse through.
SUMMARY
A common dosage for apple cider vinegar ranges from 1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons per day, either used in cooking or mixed in a glass of water.
The Bottom Line
There are a lot of wild claims about apple cider vinegar on the internet.
Some say that it can increase energy levels and have all sorts of beneficial effects on health.
Unfortunately, many of these claims are not supported by science.
Of course, absence of proof isn't proof that something isn't happening and anecdotes often end up becoming supported by science down the line.
However, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for more studies, since research on natural health products like these are both few and far between.
From the little evidence available, I think that apple cider vinegar may be useful and is definitely a good candidate for some experimentation if you're interested in it.
At the very least, apple cider vinegar seems to be safe as long as you don’t go overboard and take excessive amounts.
Apple cider vinegar also has various other non-health related uses like hair conditioning, skin care, dental care, pet use and as a cleaning agent (to name a few).
These can be highly useful for people who like to keep things as natural and chemical-free as possible.
At the end of the day, apple cider vinegar appears to be very healthy.
It's not a "miracle" or a "cure-all" like some people seem to believe, but it does clearly have some important health benefits, especially for blood sugar and weight control.
Red
Red foods contain a number of antioxidants, including lycopene (tomatoes), anthocyanins (red berries) and ellagic acid (strawberries, raspberries and pomegranate). Lycopene is a pretty powerful antioxidant that can help reduce the risk of cancer and protect against heart disease.
Orange
Orange foods are high in carotenoids, including alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, which are responsible for the vibrant orange colour of foods such as pumpkin, sweet potato and carrots. The human body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which is important for healthy skin, a strong immune system, and good eye health and vision (see, grandma was right – eating your carrots really does help your eyes!).
Green
Green vegetables are some of the most nutritionally charged foods around, packed full of fibre, vitamins and minerals. Vegetables like spinach, broccoli, peas and kale contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which may help protect against age-related eye disease. Vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale and pak choi are also sources of sulforaphane and glucosinolate, which may help protect against certain cancers and blood vessel damage (which can lead to heart attacks and stroke).
White/Brown
White fruits and vegetables can get their colour from anthoxanthins, which may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and arthritis. Banana and parsnip and are great sources of potassium, which is important for normal heart and muscle function, while cauliflower, turnip and cabbage contain sulforaphane, which is associated with fighting cancer, strengthening bone tissue, and maintaining healthy blood vessels.
The fibre in the skins of brown fruit and vegetables (such as potatoes, pears and mushrooms) helps maintain a healthy digestive tract and can reduce the risk of some types of cancer. Selenium – found in mushrooms – plays a key role in metabolism, supports the immune system and is an antioxidant. Pulses such as lentils and chickpeas have phytoestrogens that may help prevent hormone-related cancers.
Yellow
Like orange foods, yellow foods are rich in beta-carotene, a source of Vitamin A for the body. They also contain beta-cryptoxanthin – a powerful carotenoid with strong antioxidant properties. As well as links to cancer prevention, studies have shown that a small increase in your beta-cryptoxanthin intake can reduce your risk of developing inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Peppermint tea is known to be soothing, sure, but what else does this tea have for our body in terms of benefits? Let’s explore some of the medicinal applications of peppermint tea below.
Relieves Headaches
Peppermint tea helps to relieve headaches, migraines, and other stress-related symptoms. By elevating the constricted blood vessels in the brain, peppermint tea promotes relaxation and reduces the severity of headaches. It is also effective against headaches caused by a poor diet. Not just the tea of the peppermint leaves, but also the aroma of peppermint oil helps in providing relief from a headache.
Reduces Mental Stress
Both peppermint and its oil have been used as an antispasmodic agent in traditional medicine.
The natural sedative or antispasmodic nature of menthol helps you get instant relief from mental stress. Caffeine-free peppermint tea can reduce your blood pressure and body temperature, allowing you to unwind and relax and letting your stress melt away.
This is part of the reason why peppermint oil for aromatherapy is so popular, and the effects of peppermint tea are similar in nature.
Relieves Symptoms of Sinus
It can relieve the irritating sensation that makes you want to cough. According to a review study peppermint may help soothe the respiratory tract and treat sinus. By relaxing the muscles of the throat and chest, it may eliminate the symptoms of cold and flu.
Weight Loss
Peppermint tea aids in weight loss. It is one amongst the digestive herbs that is used to prepare weight loss formulations.
Research suggests that the aroma of peppermint tea can help you control your appetite, so you can reduce overeating, and subsequently, prevent obesity. To add it’s a good way to cut down on calories.
Promotes Sleep
Research studies suggest that peppermint tea is used to improve sleep. It is caffeine-free, so people who suffer from sensitive sleep patterns like to drink this relaxing tea before bed. A cup of peppermint tea before bed can also help with insomnia. It promotes sound sleep and also acts as a muscle relaxant.
Treats Upset Stomach
Peppermint tea has been commonly used to treat a variety of variety of digestive and stomach ailments including IBS or irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and constipation.
Peppermint tea may help reduce stomach inflammation-associated pain of cramps, bloating, & indigestion. This tea also stimulates bile flow to increase the rate and efficiency of digestion and promote healthy bowel movements.
Further, a study on herbal remedies for non-ulcer dyspepsia carried out by Dr. J. Thompson Coon, School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, UK, mentions peppermint as a very important food that can reduce inflammation in the stomach.
