The Queen of Fruits - Mangosteen Fruit

Southeast Asia for the longest time has revered Mangosteen for the unique flavor it has as well as the suggestion that it can actually promote good health. The most amazing thing about this fruit is that the entire fruit is used especially, the rind which is xanthone packed. It acquired the name "the queen of fruits" as a result of Queen Victoria fetish for the fruit. She would offer knighthood to anyone who managed to bring the fruit to her in its prime condition. However, no one ever succeeded because of preservation issues considering the long journey the fruit had to take. The admirable quest of the queen gave this fruit this title and it has stuck to date. The fruit is now grown in different parts of the world and it is gaining popularity.

The Mangosteen Fruit Juice

The mangosteen fruit is usually eaten as a fruit for dessert. It is also made into jams which can be enjoyed with different kinds of breads and foods too. The one thing that is becoming too popular, however is mangosteen juice. There is a health drink known as xango juice and one that has created a whole new way of enjoying the fruit. The juice is not only made to be enjoyed, but also as a supplement. The fruit is packed with lots of minerals, compounds and nutrients hence the reason as to why it used to make the juices. Besides enjoying the popular xango juice, individuals can also make their own juice at home using this fruit.

Materials

To make delicious mangosteen juice that you can enjoy at home, you will need

• 2 pieces of the fruit
• Honey
• 200ml of water
• Sugar (optional)

Start by choosing the best mangosteen fruits that you can find. They should be ripe enough and free from any dirt. Clean the fruits in readiness for the juice preparation. Make sure that the fruit is well cleaned before opening it. You can easily use a knife to open the fruit to reach to the flesh inside it. Remove the contents inside the fruit. This should be done with care to make sure that the outer skin does not come in contact with the fruit flesh. This is because it can be very bitter and can give the juice a taste that is not too pleasant. Take the mangosteen fruit peel and the contents inside into a blender before then adding a little honey, water and some sugar. The sugar is however optional; it will be better to blend the juice without the sugar. Blend the content until you have a smooth beverage. You can then enjoy your juice with meals or at any other given time of the day where a refreshing drink is needed.

The mangosteen fruit is a delicious fruit with a taste that is simply unique. It is tasty and can be enjoyed in lots of different ways. It is a tropical fruit with useful rind, fruit juice, fruit, bark and twig.

By Shalini Mittal

Spirulina, The Natural Nutrition That Benefits Your Health

Spirulina is a single-celled, spiral-shaped blue green microalgae grown in tropical salt lakes. This microalgae is discovered by Dr. Clement of France in 1962. Dr. Clement found that the Ganimou people living around Lake Chades in Africa had stronger bodies than other civilized people at that time, despite poor living conditions and few resources. Upon further studies, he observed that the Ganimou eats a particular blue green algae found floating on the lake's surface. This algae is spirulina. Such simple one-celled organism already exist when life first appeared on earth. They are the earliest forms of life and is the source of all life in the oceans.

Nutritional Values of Spirulina

So how nutritious is spirulina to the human body?
This algae is a highly digestible food, containing 60 to 70% of protein, and provides all the essential amino acids, which is a rarity among plant foods. It is so nutritionally balanced that it is 5 times easier to digest than meat. Besides protein, spirulina is a rich natural source of Vitamin E and B12, iron, calcium, anti-oxidants,  minerals, carbohydrates and enzymes. Its rich phytochemical composition are carotenoids, chlorophyll (known as a blood purifier),  and phycocyanin. Phycocyanin is a blue pigment found only in blue green algae.  Experiments have shown that this particular protein can increase the survival rate of mice with liver cancer.  That means it can inhbits cancerous cells growth. It can also inhibit viral replication, and strengthen the humoral and cellular
arms of the immune system.

Anemia, a deficiency in red blood cells and/or hemoglobin, responds well to vitamin B12, folic acid and chlorophyll found  in spirulina. In fact, spirulina is the richest natural source of vitamin B12, once thought to be available only in animal products.  Not only that, a test have shown that stomach ulcers can be cured with 2 grams of spirulina intake per day, by coating chlorophyll onto the stomach lining.  Other diseases known to improve with the help of spirulina include liver disorders, such as chronic hepatitis, and diabetes. Another important compound in this superfood is the Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA).  This essential fatty acid cannot be produced by our body, yet is important for
healthy bones, normal brain function, growth and development, stimulation of skin and hair growth and regulation of metabolism such as lipid. Furthermore, GLA in vivo changes easily to arachidonic acid, and then to prostaglandin E2. The end product can be  developed as a blood pressure regulating agent in our body.

An article written by Christopher Hills, Ph.D, D.Sc., titled "Spirulina as nutrition for the brain" says that
"the interesting part... is the remarkable effects of this vegetable plankton on our state of consciousness particularly
while fasting on nothing else... most people feel increased energy and clarity of mind after taking the Spirulina as a
vitamin supplement."

Other effects and uses of spirulina includes rejuvenation, increase of energy level, reduction of cholesterol, reducing body acidity,
cardiovascular support and detoxification. The soft cell walls of spirulina allows it to be digested easily and assimilated, making
it ideal for detoxifying.

Safe for Consumption

Spirulina is very safe for human consumption. In fact, it is not a new health supplement. The Africans have consumed it decades ago and Mexicans now uses it to replenish the inadequate nutrients in a mother's milk.
More than 70 countries have approved the super food as safe for consumption by their respective health agencies. In an evaluation of spirulina by WHO in 1992, the organization states that: Spirulina is a high quality food product. It is rich in iron and protein. It is safe to consume and is an excellent nutrient supplement for children.By Alvin Ng

The Best Foods to Improve Hearing

Many believe that age-related loss of hearing is inevitable, that it should occur as we get older but did you know that by including certain foods in your diet you can improve hearing? You heard me right, hearing can be improved not only by reducing exposure to noise, having implants, having hearing aids, or by having your ears regularly cleaned by professionals but also by making lifestyle changes particularly in the kind of food you eat.
Studies have shown that those suffering from varying degrees of hearing loss also suffer from nutritional deficiency as well. Improve hearing by including the foods that will be mentioned later in this article in your daily diet and you will have gone many steps forward not only in benefiting your ears but your overall physical health as well.
Food rich in Vitamin D will help improve hearing because Vitamin D is responsible for the absorption of calcium which is required for us to have strong bones. Lack of this vitamin causes osteopenia in adults, a condition where the bones of the ears harden and become porous.
Sources of Vitamin D: cod liver oil, fish oil, salmon, mackerel, tuna fish, liver, and egg yolk.
Food rich in Vitamin A in combination with Vitamin C and E and magnesium work together to prevent the formation of free radicals that form during noise exposure. Studies have further shown that exposure to noise also lessens blood circulation to the inner ear.
The vitamins and mineral mentioned also works by scavenging and destroying these free radicals.
Sources of Vitamin A: a) vegetables that are dark green and yellow and yellow fruits like broccoli, squash, spinach, turnip greens, carrots, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and apricots; b) animal sources are liver, milk, butter, cheese, and whole eggs.

Sources of Vitamin C: fresh vegetables and fruits like broccoli, green and red peppers, cauliflower, cabbage, collard greens, brussel sprouts, lemon, pineapples, strawberries, citrus fruits.
Sources of Vitamin E: wheat germ, green leafy vegetables, margarine and vegetable oil (soybean, corn, safflower, and cottonseed).
Sources of Magnesium: dairy products, meat, fish, poultry, green vegetables, legumes.
Interrupted or poor blood circulation, high blood pressure, and stiffening of the bones in the middle ear, are some of the causes of tinnitus or ringing in the ears, a condition that is often associated with hearing loss.
Food rich in Vitamin B12 or cobalamine help improve hearing by regulating the formation of red blood cells, assisting in the metabolism of homocysteine, and preventing tinnitus.
Sources of Vitamin B12: dairy products, eggs, lean beef, shellfish
Food rich in Folic Acid lowers the production of homocysteine which is thought to be the cause of some kinds of hearing loss and boosts circulation of blood to the inner structures of the ear.
Sources of Folic Acid: beef liver, spinach, asparagus, green peas, broccoli, avocado, lettuce, peanuts, tomato juice, whole eggs, strawberries, papaya, banana, and cantaloupe.
Food rich in Manganese also improve hearing because this mineral aids in the formation of connective tissues, and bones, plus it is also necessary for the normal functioning of the brain and nerves. If you have low levels of manganese, you will likely be suffering from tinnitus.
Sources: apples, apricots, avocado, beans, pineapples, berries, raisins, celery, egg yolks, legumes, and pine nuts By Tina Sherman

Risks and Benefits of Cod Liver Oil

There are health benefits of cod liver oil and there are drawbacks. Cod liver oil benefits may not outweigh the risks. The primary benefit of cod liver oil is related to its omega-3 content, but fish oils derived from the flesh of fish, rather than the liver, provide that benefit without the risks.

The health benefits of cod liver oil are related, primarily to omega-3 fatty acids. These are essential for the healthy function of the brain, the heart, the joints, the digestive system and many other systems of the body. Another benefit of cod liver oil is related to its vitamin E content, which helps the body process the fatty acids, is an essential antioxidant and promotes the health of the skin and the hair.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids/Benefits of Cod Liver Oil

Omega-3s are essential to human health, cannot be produced inside the body, and so, must be obtained from food or through supplementation. The best know source of omega-3 fatty acids is fish. Some fish contain more omega 3s than others.

There are two types of omega-3 fatty acids that have been identified as essential for human health. They are Docosahexaenoic Acid or DHA and Eicosapentaenoic Acid or EPA. These are found primarily in fish. The body can convert another omega-3 fatty acid, known as Alpha-linolenic acid or ALA, to DHA and EPA, but the process is relatively inefficient. It is believed that one would have to consume a great deal of ALA in order to get the health benefits provided by DHA and EPA.

The omega-3 found in flax seed oil is ALA. And some believe that flax seed oil can provide cod liver oil benefits, without the risks, but this is debatable. Although there are no risks associated with flax seed oil, it is unknown if ALA provides the same health benefits as DHA and EPA.

The Risks

Cod liver oil contains large amounts of vitamin A and vitamin D and may contain contaminants such as mercury and pesticides. The body needs adequate amounts of vitamin A, but large amounts can be toxic. Vitamin D is not commonly found in natural foods, but many processed foods are fortified with vitamin D to ensure good nutrition.

At one time the benefits of cod liver oil were believed to be associated with its vitamin A and D content. This was before omega-3 fatty acids had been identified and before food fortification was a common practice. It was also before taking daily multi-vitamins became a common practice and before industrial pollutants had contaminated our oceans.

Vitamin D

While no tolerable upper limit for vitamin D consumption has been established, adequate intake for adults, under the age of 50, and children is believed to be around 200 units per day. Adults over 50 should increase consumption to 400 units per day for men and 600 units per day for women. Vitamin D is necessary for the body to process calcium and is therefore a factor in preventing osteoporosis and maintaining bone health. However, one of the popular cod liver oil products contains 4000 to 5000 units of vitamin D per teaspoon, more than anyone needs on a daily basis.

Vitamin A

A tolerable upper limit for vitamin A has been established. The maximum amount of vitamin A that a 25 year old man should consumer per day is 10,000 IU. Women should consume less than half that amount. Women who are pregnant should avoid dietary supplements that contain vitamin A because of the risk of birth defects. While vitamin A is necessary for fetal development and overall good health, it is stored in the fat cells and there is a great risk of over supplementation. Excess consumption of vitamin A is also believed to contribute to osteoporosis.

One of the popular cod liver oil products contains 4000-5000 IU of vitamin A, per teaspoon. When added to the amount that may be present in other dietary supplements, as well as the food that a person consumes per day, it will put most people over the safe upper limit for vitamin A. While the benefit of cod liver oil for supplying essential omega 3s is known, it is unknown if excess consumption of vitamin A will counteract those effects.

A better choice for vitamin A supplementation is beta carotene and other carotenoids. Present in the better daily dietary supplements, carotenoids are converted by the body to vitamin A on an as-needed basis and are not associated with the negative effects of "pre-formed" vitamin A. The only known side effect of excess consumption of carotenoids is a yellowing of the skin, called carotenosis, which is not dangerous, but may be undesirable.

Alternatives

Fish oil derived from the flesh of fish does not contain the vitamins A and D. Those vitamins are usually present in adequate amounts in daily multi-vitamins and fortified foods. Though extra vitamin D supplementation is often recommended for persons over the age of 50, it is not a benefit of cod liver oil and there are better choices for vitamin D supplementation.

From an environmental standpoint, over harvesting of the cod fish has led to the depletion of many populations. Farms affect the health of wild fish. The equipment used for harvesting damages the habitat of other water dwelling life forms. Although there are cod liver oil benefits, these health benefits can be obtained from other sources that do not cause damage to our environment.By Patsy Hamilton