Fruits For Diabetes Is a Good Concept - Know The Best Fruits

What fruits can diabetics eat? This is indeed an anxious question put by anyone prone to diabetes or pre-diabetes. But when you are suffering from diabetes, you may raise a reasonable doubt about the consumption of fruits for diabetes and the risk in it. It's partly a genuine attitude to know the influencing factor in fruits helping to keep normal blood sugar levels. The American Diabetes Association emphasises that eating fruits loaded with vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber is good to keep off diabetes for healthy living. The prime key is to pay concern for portion sizes of what you consume to add energy to your body.

In this juncture, it is warned that fruits canned in syrups should not be considered to replace whole fruits. When you have concern for glycemic index (GI) for managing diabetes with ease, you should have the right choice of fruits with low glycemic index. You can just check your blood sugar by eating fresh or frozen low carb fruits. Hereunder you have the alphabetical A,B,C,D fruits described in order.

Apricots

Sweet but low carb apricots are indeed wonderful summer fruits that can be listed as the best fruits for diabetics. Adding apricots in diabetes meal plan is nice for the good reason that one apricot weighing 15 grams contains just 18 calories to revitalize body energy. Including four apricots can ensure one serving to provide you 70 percent of the vitamin needs for your body. Apricots are high in fiber source. You can relish a delicious salad by adding some cut pieces of apricots and cereal to hot or cold milk.

Berries

You have blueberries, strawberries, and other varieties in berries family. Irrespective of your taste, choosing berries to consume is good for the simple reason that they contain benefitting antioxidants helping the diabetics. The vitamins and fiber contents are of low carb nature. Regarding the calories, a small cup of blueberries can give 60 calories and 15 grams of carbohydrates.

Cherries

Cherries are friendly diabetic diet fruits a diabetic can eat without hesitation because they comprise low-carb components and have low glycemic index. They are sweet but just evolve 60 calories with 15 grams of carbohydrates. You have also bitter tasting cherries loaded with antioxidants helping to fight not only type 2 diabetes but also cancer and a few other diseases. Cherries are available in fresh pack canned, frozen, or even dried form. But it is better to avoid canned and dried form as they are packed with added sugar detrimental to diabetes. However, by checking the label about the amount of added sugar content you can have a nice purchase.

Durian

Durian is identified as the king of fruits. When it comes to diabetes, the choosing fruits low in glycemic index is the best. In this list, Durian is a better choice among fruits good for diabetics as the GI is 49 +/-5 whereas it is 55 +/-3 for watermelon. Sulphur helps to keep balanced blood sugar in the blood cells and nullify hypoglycemic effects. As such, the organosulphur components contained in Durian fruit stimulate antioxidant activities to maintain normal sugar levels in the blood cells. Also, sulphur ingredient reacts with thiamine and biotin to promote normal metabolism. In spite of all these, it will be safe a diabetic consumes durian in any form in moderation because of high nutritious values comprised in durian fruit.

A final say: Though 'fruits for diabetes' is a good concept helping to maintain normal sugar levels, fruits low in sugar is best suggested. If at all you have cravings for consuming sweet fruits, no harm, you are safe if you are consuming one or two slices.

By Varadharajan R 

Health Benefits of Vitamin E

The health benefits of vitamin E range include skin enhancement, wound healing, immune function, and protection against various diseases. Also called alpha-tocopherol, vitamin E is believed to reduce cholesterol and plaque buildup, reducing the risk of stroke and coronary artery disease (CAD).
Vitamin E is an essential nutrient, which means the body needs it but cannot produce it on its own. However, vitamin E deficiency is rare because it is fat-soluble - it is stored in the fat tissues for up to six months before getting depleted. Common food sources include nuts, poultry, wheat products, and various vegetable oils, particularly wheat germ oil. It is also available as a health supplement. Other health benefits of vitamin E include the following:
Antioxidant
One of the best health benefits of vitamin E is its antioxidant capacity. Antioxidants help remove free radicals - unstable compounds that damage cell structure, increasing the risk of cancer and weakening the immune system. This also protects against eye diseases, diabetes and pancreatic disorders, and Alzheimer's Disease.
Cholesterol reduction
Vitamin E prevents cholesterol from being converted to plaque, which thickens the blood vessels and leads to stroke and heart disease. It also thins the blood and improves blood flow even with plaque buildup on the artery walls. Studies show that vitamin E from foods can reduce the risk of stroke in postmenopausal women, although further studies are needed to support this claim.
Skin care
Skin and lip protection are also well-known health benefits of vitamin E. Vitamin E helps retain moisture in the skin and prevents dryness, itchiness, and chapping. It also protects against UV radiation and speeds up wound healing. It can be applied topically and is a main ingredient in most creams, lotions, and sunscreens.
Anti-inflammatory and pain relief
Studies suggest that vitamin E can both relieve and prevent osteoarthritis. Its effects are similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are traditionally used to relieve arthritic pain. It also improves joint mobility, preventing gout and buildup of waste material in the joints.
IMPORTANT: Vitamin E is considered a dietary supplement, which means it is not as strictly regulated as conventional drugs. Additives in some products (such as starch, silica, and gluten) can inhibit the health benefits of vitamin E and even be harmful to your health. Buy only products that are GMP-compliant and make sure they do not contain any artificial colors or flavorings.

Honey Lowers Cholesterol

A Honey Spoonful a Day Keeps the Free Radicals at Bay!

There have been many reports that honey lowers cholesterol.

Now, what exactly is cholesterol? It is a type of lipid or fat produced by the liver needed to make vitamin D and some hormones, build cell walls, and create bile salts that help you digest fat. Our liver produces enough of this waxy substance (about 1,000 milligrams a day), so we don't have to worry if there is need to get supplements. In fact, many foods contain cholesterol and sometimes it's hard to ensure that we don't get an excessive intake of cholesterol that could lead to serious health problems. Eggs, meats, and whole-fat dairy products (including milk, cheese, and ice cream) are loaded with cholesterol, whereas vegetables, fruits, and grains contain none. Because cholesterol can't travel alone through the bloodstream, it has to combine with certain proteins, which pick up the cholesterol and transport it to different parts of the body. When the cholesterol and protein are combined, a lipoprotein is formed. Most cholesterol is LDL/bad (low-density lipoproteins) cholesterol which can narrow the arteries and clog the blood vessels that supply the vital organs such as the heart, brain, kidneys and intestines. This is why it's so important to start paying attention to our cholesterol levels by maintaining a healthy weight, keeping an exercise regime to strengthen your heart, avoiding foods that are high in saturated fat and trans fat and following a at a diet that contains many low-cholesterol foods such as fruits, veggies, whole grains (like breads and cereals), legumes (beans), and fish. When you eat more of these carbohydrate-rich foods, you will eat less of the foods higher in fat and cholesterol.

Honey and cholesterol-free recipes are often associated in the world of healthy foods. Not only is honey free of cholesterol, it has been reported that adding small amounts of it in the daily diet could even help keep cholesterol levels in check. High in minerals such as potassium, calcium and sodium and B complex vitamins, honey is known to be a cholesterol fighter - honey lowers cholesterol in our blood! The antioxidants in honey prevent cholesterol from being moved out of the blood and into the lining of the blood vessels.

Daily consumption of this natural sweetener could raise blood levels of protective antioxidant compounds in the body. It is believed that honey contains about the same range of antioxidants as green vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach and also comparable to fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges and strawberries. And the antioxidant level in mead , a wine made with honey is believed to be comparable to white wine in terms of its antioxidant capability. Generally, it's been known that dark honey lowers cholesterol more effectively than lighter honey. For instance, Buckwheat honey contains the highest levels of antioxidants. The intake of honey and cinnamon, mixture also has been reported to have innate healing characteristics that appear to help diabetics control both blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

So, see if honey lowers cholesterol by kick starting your day with this honey and lemon home remedy, cleansing tonic: mix a spoonful or two of honey and the juice of half a lemon into a cup of hot water and drink each morning before breakfast. Incorporate honey in more places where you might be using table sugar, and use it often as a home remedy, in no time, you may find a significant increase in the amount of antioxidant chemical compounds in your body.

By Ruth Tan

7 Super Anti-Aging Foods

Antiaging food has been a hot topic recently. Everybody knows that you are supposed to eat more fruit and vegetables to protect yourself from aging. But are all fruits and veggies equally good? Find what specific foods are considered best when it comes to anti-aging diet.
1. Avocado for younger looking skin
People who keep low fat diet usually avoid avocado because it contains a lot of fat. But actually it is high in monounsaturated fat which reduces cholesterol level in the body. Avocado is a very good source of Vitamin E, which is essential for keeping your skin smooth and young.

Also avocado contains potassium which prevents high blood pressure. Avocado is great to use in sandwiches instead of butter spread.
2. Berries as antiaging antioxidants

Most berries especially blackberries, blueberries, blackcurrants contain phytochemicals which are powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants help to protect your body against damage caused by free radicals so they are very important for antiaging nutrition. Red grape is technically not a berry, but it has similar properties.
3. Fish for protein and Omega 3 fats

Your body needs quality proteins and some fat, and it is much better to take fish as a source of these and not red meat. Fish supplies us with Omega 3 fatty acids which stimulate the immune system and lowers risk of heart disease. Some studies have shown that people who eat a lot of fish have lower risk of colorectal, esophageal and stomach cancers.
4. Carrots for cancer protection

Carrots are an excellent source of beta carotene which is a powerful antioxidant that fights aging and many diseases. Studies have shown that people who eat one medium carrot a day significantly reduced risk of lung cancer. Beta carotene also keeps your vision sharp protecting your eyes from age related diseases. It is also important for keeping your immune system strong.
Carrots give you most benefits if eaten uncooked. If you don't feel like eating a row carrot, try adding it to your salads, it gives slightly sweet taste to a salad. Alternatively drink carrot juice once in a while - the juice is a concentrated source of beta carotene.
5. Nuts to bust your immune system

Raw nuts are very high in fiber; they are also a good source of vitamins and potassium, zinc, iron, magnesium, copper and selenium. They control cholesterol level and strengthen your immune system. The only draw back of nuts is that they are high in fat, so a couple table spoons a day is good but not more.
Only row nuts are good anti-aging food. Avoid salted and roasted nuts, they do more damage to your health than bring benefits. A good way to add nuts to your everyday diet is to sprinkle them over a salad or to add them to cereals.
6. Whole meal pasta and brown rice for energy

These contain complex carbohydrates, to insure that you feel full of energy all day. Brown rice is high in fiber and B group vitamins. Only don't make fried rice out of it - steamed brown rice is the best choice. Whole meal pasta is high in fiber and iron.
7. Water to detoxify and keep smooth skin

Water is absolutely essential for our health. You probably have heard that you should drink 8 glasses of water every day, but do you follow the advice? Water helps to get rid of toxins. Also adequate intake of water insures that your skin looks young and healthy. Moisturizing anti-aging creams and lotions are good, but if you drink enough water your skin will be less dry without creams.
Pure bottled water is very good for you, but not exciting. So you can replace it with other nutritious liquids - juices with no added sugar, herbal teas or mineral water. Fresh fruits also are good source of water, for example watermelon is basically 90% water. 8 glasses a day is a rule of thumb, but in hot or windy weather you might need more.
Include these products in your diet on a regular basis and you will see that soon you will feel and look younger than your physical age.
By Tanya Turner