Given our modern way of life and unhealthy food consumption, people often suffer from constipation, bloating, gas, and various others digestive problems.  In particular, their colon gets constipated with waste materials, harmful bacteria, and various build ups that may be found attached to the colon interior. In the recent years, colon cleansing has emerged as a new popular trend among the healthy living supporters. There are many methods to do perform colon cleansing, including hydrotherapy (colonics), laxatives, and enemas, but in this post we will look into the least invasive method, which is how to do that naturally. Specifically, the natural method we will discuss here is using herbal supplements and eating healthy foods beneficial for your gut. Herbal Supplements Some herbs have the natural ability to act as laxatives. The fiber present in the herbs can stimulate the movements of the bowel, which then naturally helps expel any waste matter, bacteria, and toxins. While the effectiveness of herbal cleansing is not as good as in the case of colonic hydrotherapy, it can help with constipation and stimulate movement of  the bowel, which is a good enough natural way of detoxification. Plants that belong to this category are ginger, aloe […]

Consuming potassium rich foods brings to your body a number of important health benefits. Potassium is a very important nutrient which serves to keep the electrolyte balance in your body as it should be. If you are persistently potassium deficient, you may develop various health problems, for example hypertension, fatigue, and irritability. What’s really important to remember is that supplementing with potassium shouldn’t be your priority: there are plenty of food sources and natural foods you can consume for enriching your body with this important mineral. for faster and better nutrient assimilation, you can include these foods when you prepare your healthful juices and smoothies. Besides, if you take potassium as a supplement, you may take too much of it, which would then lead to vomiting, nausea, or even heart problems. Still, the recommended daily allowance is between 3,500 and 4,700 milligrams per day is not to be taken lightly. This recommendation is much lower for people with chronic kidney disease, who need less than 2000 mg per day. Therefore, it is important to see what the natural foods rich in potassium are, and to include them in your meals. Avocado (1 medium avocado contains about 950 mg) Avocados are […]

I use parsley every day. I use it for cooking, and I use it as an addition to prepare my green shakes and juices. It is so useful that once you know about its numerous health benefits, you will be using it too. The main purpose of this post is to help you understand how important parsley is for improving your health and how to incorporate it into your diet. So stay tuned! One important distinction you should know about this green vegetable is that are several types of parsley. Basically there are three main varieties: Common Parsley: Also called Curly Parsley. Very easy to grow if you want to grow it on your own. Fast growing, edible, decorative, and compact. Flat Leaf Parsley: This one is rather tall and brings in more flavor than the previous variety. Japanese Parsley: As the name suggests, this variety is native to Japan. It has a slight bitter flavor and has large stems and thick roots. Why is Parsley So Useful For You? If we check the nutritional profile, one nutrient stands out: Vitamin K. More than five times the recommended daily allowance! The other abundant important nutrients found in parsley are vitamin […]

We have already considered the health benefits of Prune Juice. But what about Plum Juice? After all, Prunes are just dried Plums. In this post we will examine some of the health benefits of Plum Juice and then we will compare these two essentially similar juices. One of the main reasons that people look up the benefits of plum juice is related to constipation. Indeed, Plum Juice can help you if you are suffering from constipation, but there are many other potential benefits (and several side-effects) of plum juice besides helping you deal with this kind of issue. I’ll quickly start out by saying that – should you be having problems with constipation – you could find prune juice helpful as well. If you want to get a lasting solution to the issue, neither plum juice nor prune juice should be your choice. Then, I’d have to recommend using herbal supplements for colon cleansing instead. Plum juice is packed with a range of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. The juice extracted from plums helps to alleviate medical conditions like indigestion, macular degeneration, osteoporosis, diabetes, and more. In this post, you can learn about the nutritional value and health benefits plum juice. […]

Pomegranates are wonderful fruits with a truly ancient history of medicinal healing. In fact, pomegranates are mentioned multiple times in holy scriptures for their healing properties! When you see a pomegranate for the first time, you may wonder what to do with it. The red outer skin is tough and thick, and it isn’t easy to tell how to eat it. With time, you learn that the benefits of pomegranate juice begin when you peel back the protective skin and retrieve the small, juicy red inner seeds. These seeds can be juiced, eaten as-is, added as a garnish to foods and even brewed as an herbal tea. In this article, learn 10 time-honoured health benefits of fresh pomegranate juice! Benefit 1: Pomegranate juice eases symptoms of strep throat Strep throat is all the things most people want to avoid: it is painful, highly contagious, and often takes a while to go away, even with strong medications. If you or a loved one is suffering with strep throat, you will be delighted to learn there is a home remedy for strep throat that is both tasty and effective. You can use pomegranate in different ways to promote faster healing of strep throat: […]

High blood pressure (Hypertension) is a devastating condition. If you blood pressure is elevated, you have to do everything you can to deal with it as soon as possible. This is potentially a very risky disease and if untreated it may damage your blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and other organs. That’s why you should consult your doctor immediately, and especially if you intend to make any significant changes in your life. That being said, in this post we will see how you can help yourself by introducing green smoothies into your everyday diet. One of the reasons for high blood pressure is wrong diet. That is, consuming the wrong types of food (processed foods, foods rich in carbs, fried food, fast food, etc) on a consistent basis for a long period of time. In addition, experts say people with hypertension should limit their intake of sodium (check out these low sodium juicer recipes), alcohol, and caffeine, avoid stress, and start to exercise in order to reduce their waistline. That’s why, in parallel to taking green smoothies and juices, you should restrict these harmful foods. In fact, they are harmful not only for high blood pressure, but for many other conditions […]

The 21 day juice diet is a great way to ensure that you eliminate the toxins accumulated in your body as quickly as possible. It may be your getaway to a healthier life, provided that you are ready to change your eating habits after this program has finished. And make no mistakes. Today we live surrounded by toxic substances from all sides. These substances accumulate in our bodies every day. You should do everything in your power to reduce the amount of toxins your body is exposed to. The type of juice cleanse we are talking about in this post is one of the best ways to purge them from your system. Typical allowed levels of chemicals and harmful compounds have been set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Some of the most harmful pollutants include lead as well as arsenic. Other different class of chemicals include flavors, preservatives, and artificial colors which are gotten from petrochemicals. These can also be found in lots of foods which we take into our bodies. The Background Behind The 21 Day Juice Diet One of the problem with these toxins is that they build up in your internal organs and systems. If you […]

This essential element (zinc, chemical symbol Zn) is extremely important for the normal functioning of your body. It is essential, despite the fact that the total quantity of zinc in the human body is small: no more than a couple of grams. Experts point out the importance of consuming foods rich in zinc, especially if you want to maintain good health, because even a small Zn deficiency can be alarming and may lead to various health issues. To be clear, I don’t take Zn supplementation, and I don’t think you shouldn’t too, that is, unless your meals are deficient in zinc rich ingredients. Even then, it is far better to include Zn rich foods on your menu then to take Zn supplements. Taking too many unnecessary supplements can easily throw your body out of balance, which is never a good situation to find yourself in. Therefore, it would be wise to consume foods rich in zinc on a daily basis, and especially during the winter season, given that zinc is related to an additional benefit: it helps prevent viruses (and flu infections) from penetrating into your body. In following, you will find out about the biological role of zinc in […]

Morning juices have become a convenient way of providing the body with the daily requirements of vegetables and fruits while preventing midday cravings. For some people, nutrient-rich morning juices offer an excellent way to shed a few pounds, keep a youthful skin, and detox. Until a few years ago, my morning juice would be a blend of sweet fruits-bananas, pineapples, oranges topped up with a pawpaw. A glass of the morning juice was equally exciting as I always looked forward to preparing and drinking it. However, with all the fuss about taking green juices, I decided to give it a try. Of course, it wasn’t as sweet as the sweetened morning juices that I was used to, but since my goals for the next few months were all about detoxification, I decided to take the plunge. What’s more, my morning juice blend lacked the appropriate amount of fiber the body required.   Image source: Flickr Benefits of Taking Morning Juice Most people still don’t appreciate the benefits that come with a glass of green morning juice: Improved absorption of nutrients from the vegetables. Since most people experience impaired digestion, juices aid in the pre-digestion of the food, so the body […]

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition, often seen in the form of red, dry, and itchy skin on the face, hands, elbows, wrists, and knees of the individual affected with this problem. As problematic as this skin disease can be on its own, it makes additional problems because it may cause the skin to be prone to attacks from bacteria and viruses. So how can you help your body fight this problem? One option is to use nutrition from the right types of found, especially when it comes to controlling the flare ups of eczema. The advice is to make a conscious change of your diet, so that you can alleviate the most problematic symptoms of this condition. In the second part of this article we will give some recipes for healthy juices that can help relieve the symptoms of eczema. But first, let us see what kind of change in diet is needed in order to strengthen your body to deal with this problem in a natural way. Several Strategies For Fighting Eczema Naturally This strategy is fairly simple: consume whole raw vegetables and some fruits, as well as a lot of high fiber ingredients, including green smoothies, juices, […]

I have some mixed feelings and thoughts about watermelon and watermelon juice. In the past, I used to consume a lot of watermelon either as juice or in its raw form. But as of recently, I am not so sure about its health benefits. To me, the main reason of concern is its relatively high fructose concentration. Sure, if you are young and if you are in a good shape, you can and should enjoy this delicious treat. Your body probably works great, your metabolism is in perfect shape, and a couple of cups of watermelon juice during the summer months will only do you good. But here’s the thing. If you are obese, if you struggle to lose weight, if you have metabolic syndrome, if you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, it would be wise to avoid this high-fructose food. Why? Well, because fructose is metabolized in the liver. The cells of your body cannot directly use it as a fuel source. What’s even worse, the liver usually converts fructose into triglycerides, which is another way to say adipose tissue, or body fat. So how much fructose is there? One medium watermelon has a staggering 180 grams of […]

Magnesium (Mg) is an important element for a healthy living. You should know more about it in order to make informed decisions, for example, about magnesium supplementation or how to get enough of it from foods and beverages. Magnesium is not really a trace element, like iodine, selenium, zinc, copper, manganese, and others. In general, trace elements are defined as elements whose intake is between 50 micrograms and 18 milligrams per day. In contrast, the RDA for magnesium is much larger: somewhere in the range from 400 to 420 mg per day for men and 310 to 320 mg per day for women. About 60-65 percent of magnesium in your body is found in the skeletal system, about 25 percent in the muscles, and the remaining 10 percent in the other cell tissues and fluids. Symptoms of Mg Deficiency The symptoms of magnesium deficiency are sadly all too common. Some of them are nerve and muscle weakness, headaches, constipation, heart arrhythmia, high blood pressure, muscle tremors and spasms, weakened bones, seizures, depression, vomiting, nausea, appetite suppression, and imbalanced blood sugar. Other Mg deficiency symptoms include restless legs, anxiety, sleep disorders, insomnia, asthma, nervous disorders, fibromyaliga, allergies, arthritis, PMS, menstrual cramps, […]

Cucumber is probably among the few vegetables that offer nothing but positive nutritional benefits. The same holds for cucumber water. One of the most refreshing and hydrating drinks during the summer season is cucumber water. If you have never tried this thirst quencher before, now is the time to do so. Packed with vitamins and minerals, cucumber water is a great healthy alternative to sodas and sweetened beverages. Depending on the actual year, Cucumber may or may not be on the list of dirty dozen foods. This notorious list categorizes the foods that contain most of harmful pesticides and other chemicals. Therefore, to be on the safe side, always purchase your cucumbers organic. Why would you risk drinking anything but pure clean perfect cucumber water anyway? First let’s see how to prepare your own cucumber water. It’s very simple. Cucumber Water Recipe Ingredients: Clear Water (avoid tap water or sparkling water) Several cucumbers cut in slices. Ice Sliced lemon (optional) Directions: Start by slicing up the cucumber. Put them in a glass pitcher (avoid plastic containers), pour water and gently mash the slices against the glass container using a spoon. Add some ice cubes on top of them. Leave in […]

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, and because of that, any food or drink that causes inflammation in your body should be avoided. The acidity of the foods and beverages you consume is important too. When you ingest too much acid forming foods and drinks, you create an acidic environment, which also promotes inflammation and increases pain. You will see that almost all beverages on the list of drinks to be avoided have a pH value below 7, which means they are more or less acidic. You might already know what foods to avoid ( like fried foods, processed foods, sugars, refined carbs, vegetable oils, etc.) but what about drinks? In this article we are going to focus on the worst possible drinks you should be avoiding as much as you can to keep the systemic inflammation under control. Even if you don’t suffer from this serious health condition, it would be wise to avoid these beverages, as they bring nothing good to your body. Soda Soda is full of sugar, and sugar is very inflammatory. This should be a very obvious connection. If you need proof, there is a study by the researchers from the Harvard Medical School linking […]

In our body, Manganese is a trace mineral, which means that you only need small amounts of this nutrient for your body to function properly. The chemical formula of Manganese is Mn. Mn is primarily important for the synthesis of superoxide dismutase (SOD), one of the key antioxidants in your body. What’s less known is that Mn also takes part in cholesterol synthesis by the liver. At any given time, your body contains no more than 20 milligrams of this mineral, most of which present in the pancreas, kidneys, liver, and bone tissue. The organs that are affected the most with manganese deficiency are the brain and the nervous system. Other organs include, the bones and joints. Sometimes, manganese can even lead to fertility issues. Manganese deficiency may also cause deafness, tinnitus, and dizziness. This trace element is important for treating diabetes and multiple sclerosis. The biological function of this essential element is realized via its active compound, manganese superoxide dismutase. This enzyme is included in many important bodily functions, such as bone formation, wound healing, and proper metabolism of nutrients. Even though Mn is important, there is no recommended dietary allowance (RDA) when it comes to it. Some guidelines recommend […]

Bitter Melon (Latin name Momordica charantia)is also known as “Karela”, “Bitter Gourd”, or “Bitter Squash” in various parts of the world. It is a type of vine that grows in the tropical and subtropical areas, but mostly in Asia and the Caribbean. What is really unique about this vegetable is its ability to naturally lower blood sugar and help you keep under control or even reverse diabetes. The reason is that this veggie contains two phyto-nutrients with hypoglycemic action called charantin and polypeptide P (plant insulin). If you’ve never seen one, it looks much like a cucumber, with the exception that it has gourd-like bulges all over its surface. This veggie can be found in many varieties that have different color, shape, and size, but also different degree of bitterness. The red or orange color of the ripe vegetable is contains even more bitterness than the unripe Bitter Melons. If you are not familiar with this produce, you might have problems with the taste. If you can handle the taste, though, you will get a lot of benefits out of it! Here is why: The Nutritional Facts About Bitter Gourd Bitter gourd is relatively low in calories, however, it is […]

In this post, we have compiled a list of free Juicing Ebooks. Some of them may not be totally free, but it’s up to you to decide if it’s worth trading your email address for them. The easiest way you can download them is by clicking on the cover of each of the book, which will take you to the page where you can enter you email for the book, or in some cases the PDF file will be directly downloaded to your computer. Please note that the ebooks are given in no particular order. If you feel that some freebie has be left out of this compilation, please let us know in the comment section below and we will include that ebook too. Free Juicing 101 eBook The American College of Healthcare Sciences is offering this free ebook you can download from HERE, or by clicking on the image below. You will have to leave some basic info about you and the ebook will be emailed to you! In this book you will learn a basic instructions to juicing, how to choose a juicer, what fruits and veggies you shouldn’t mix, what produce is good for certain conditions, why […]

Regulating your body’s pH is very important. For one, many health disorders are able to manifest only if the body’s environment is acidic. If you consume too many acidic foods, your body has to put an additional effort to maintain the very narrow blood pH values (slightly alkaline, from 7.35 to 7.45 pH). A failure to do so may result in inflammation, which leads to other health problems. While your body has some sophisticated mechanisms to keep an ideal alkaline pH values of the blood, you can help it immensely if you learn how to fine tune your body’s pH with the tips given in this post. All the different systems of your body are affected by what you put in (food, drink and supplements) and put out (breathing, exercises). And you can learn how to modulate both the input and the output to your advantage. But first, let’s see how pH works. What the Heck is pH (and How Does It Work)? Everything around you is either acidic, or alkaline, and the borderline between these two is neutral. This is a very simple scale. It goes from 1 to 14. A pH from 1 to 7 is considered acidic. […]

If you are considering juicing as a way to prevent or treat diabetes, this might not be a good strategy. Every person is different, and you should definitely consult your doctor before deciding on the right course of action. But I believe juicing is not the way to go, even if we are talking about green juices. This post is written with diabetes type II in mind, as I have some experience with this condition. But both people with diabetes type 1 and type 2 should talk with a medical professional when planning any significant changes in their diet. In the following I will talk about how I personally look at this health condition and exactly what kind of change in you eating habit could be beneficial. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean the tips I am about to give you can be applied by everyone. Nevertheless, I hope that my experiences can be useful at least in a general sense. How did I get involved? A close friend of mine was diagnosed with type II diabetes a couple of years ago. It was a dreadful experience for her. The guy who was performing her blood test called her up on […]

In addition to sweet cherries, tart or sour cherries (also called pie cherries) are the other very popular cherry variety. They are both healthy and taste great. Tart cherries are slightly smaller and brighter than the sweet cherries. Sweet cherries have more sugar and their glycemic index is slightly higher, which makes them a slightly less healthy choice for people with diabetes or metabolic syndrome. In contrast, the tart cherries have less calories and a slightly lower glycemic index. Their region of origin is Southeastern Europe, but they are one of the most popular and sought-after type of fruit in America. Generally harvested in June and July for maximum concentration of tartness, they can also be found frozen, canned, dried and as a delicious juice. Whenever you can buy and eat them fresh, that’s the best possible choice. If you find them fresh, you can prepare a cold pressed juice, or you can buy an already prepared one. Sour cherries won’t stay fresh after picking up for too long. That’s why they are hard to find in a grocery store in their fresh form. As far as the glycemic index is concerned, cherries are somewhere at 22 (which is quite […]

Cayenne pepper (also called cow-horn pepper, guinea spice, bird pepper, aleva, and red pepper) has so many health benefits that it is hard to list them all. When people generally think of cayenne pepper, they basically think of the hot spicy plant that we use in many dishes. But, this little spicy pepper is loaded with nutrients and has a number of health benefits. Now, just about everyone knows what too much cayenne pepper can do. Most people have experienced the unpleasantness that comes from adding just a bit too much of it to their food. Not to speak of handling cayenne peppers and then mistakenly touching the eyes or other delicate body parts. Ouch! Yet, despite all the burn that cayenne pepper provides, there are plenty of health benefits inside this hot pepper. It is said that Christopher Columbus brought cayenne pepper back from the New World when he returned to Europe. Traditionally, cayenne pepper was cultivated in tropical climates, although, it can also be grown in temperate ones. Besides its various culinary uses, cayenne pepper has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including diarrhea, excess stomach gas, asthma, and toothache.[1] Research shows that the administration of […]

Chokeberry is one of the foods that make a real difference. If you are not already consuming them, fresh or otherwise, you should. And here is why. Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is one of the plants with really high nutritional power. Often called aroniaberry, this plant has already shown great healing potential for various health conditions. For example, it effectively cleanses the human body from harmful substances and heavy metals. Aronia looks like a blueberry, with berries that are tiny, small, and dark-blue, growing in clusters. The plant itself grows in a form of bush, reaching up to two meters. The berries have astringent taste after ripening. Chokeberry is a real treasure when it comes to biologically active compounds. It contains over 300 chemical compounds with medicinal capacity, including many essential nutrients: vitamins C, A, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B9, as well as zinc, iron, potassium, calcium, manganese, phosphorus and iodine. Chokeberries can be consumed fresh or you can use them to make a healthful smoothie, juice or tea. Throughout the year, they can be used frozen, dry, or boiled, as jam, syrup, wine, liqueur, and brandy. What we recommend, however, is using these berries either whole or […]

Ginger comes from the root of the Zingiber officinale plant. The numerous health benefits of ginger have been known for centuries. The Spaniards began growing ginger in the 16th century, and when their conquistadors traveled to the New World, they brought ginger with them. It is a common ingredient in most Chinese dishes and many dishes from Japan, India, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and North Africa. The flavor of Ginger is both citrus and spicy, and is found in both desserts (such as gingerbread, ginger cookies, cakes and muffins) and main dishes. What About Ginger Juice? Like Ginger, it has more or less the same benefits. Ginger juice is packed packs with a lot of nutritional substance, and when you juice it together with other veggies and fruits, you increase the nutritional richness of your drinks. 2 ounces of ginger juice come with: more than 1000 milligrams of potassium (great for you heart), about 2 milligrams of Vitamin b3 – Niacin (great for the nervous system), about 80 milligrams of phosphorus (important for strong teeth and bones), and 12 milligrams of vitamin C (natural antioxidant and necessary for collagen production) I like drinking my ginger juice straight, but for most […]

We all know how great Dark Chocolate can be. Not only does it taste good, but it is healthy, and makes you feel great. But commercial chocolate can have a number of hidden dangers, so a much better option is preparing your own home-made cocoa drink. In this post you will see what the benefits and hazards of chocolate are, and why raw cocoa powder is a much better alternative. That is, if you want to rip the health benefits without the adverse effects that often originate from various additives or toxin contamination. There seems to be a consensus among the scientists that dark chocolate is healthy – at least the recent studies show that (1, 2). And, of course, the health benefits of dark chocolate can be traced back to its high amounts of cacao. Natural cacao contains a lot of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds that are great for the cardiovascular system, weight management, as well as for more than 40 other health related issues (1). In this post we will see how we can prepare our own cacao based drink to maximize the benefits of this powerful nutrient. But first, some definitions: Pure Cold processed Cocoa Butter […]

MCT Oil is a great supplement you can and should add to your juices and smoothies on a daily basis. MCT stands for medium chain triglycerides. They are a special type of saturated fatty acids with carbon chains of medium-length, typically from 6 to 10 or 12 carbon atoms. In contrast, the short chain-fats have fewer than 6 carbon atoms, whereas the long-chain fats have more than 12 carbon atoms. MCTs are largely missing from our diets, because the people responsible for creating the dietary guidelines has led us to believe that the saturated fats are harmful, whereas, in fact, the opposite is true. Most of the commonly used saturated fats are the long-chain triglycerides (LCT). They are much harder to digest when compared to the less common MCTs. Why is MCT Oil Important? They typical source of energy for our body in the Western diet is glucose. Glucose is the end result of the process of breaking down of carbohydrates. But your brain, as well as many other organs in your body, can run on more than just one type of energy, and this is where MCT oil enters the picture. MCT oil is an excellent source of tiny […]

Brazil nuts are much larger in comparison to other nuts. They are highly nutritious, rich in calories and fat and are considered to have several health benefits. They come from a tree that is grown throughout the Amazon. We like to use our Brazil nuts in our juices and smoothies. We hardly ever miss putting a couple of nuts in our vegetable smoothies. They make excellent additions, and are very healthy and nutritious. Here is why: Just 6 Brazil nuts comprise one full serving of 1 ounce, which contains 185 calories, 3 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber and 4 grams of proteins. Brazil nuts also contain various micro-nutrients, like iron, calcium, and other vital minerals. Let’s look at the fat content in Brazil nuts, as many people are weary of its high fat content, a concern that is not justified at all. The fat contained in Brazil nuts is Saturated fat 20 g, Poly-unsaturated fat 27 g, and Mono-unsaturated fat 27 g, a total of 88 grams of fat as estimated per one cup (133 grams). Brazilian Nut Tree The saturated fat is actually the good fat (even though your nutritionist may tell you otherwise). The mono-unsaturated fat […]

I love juices! As I decided to be healthier, I try to experiment with my juices throughout the day… and whenever I feel like recharging my batteries and boosting my immune system I choose Raspberry juice. If you are looking for a healthy and delicious juice, this is a great choice. Not only does Raspberry juice taste good, but it is a great source of nutrients for the body. It contains a couple of important nutrients, as you will see in just a second. My entire family loves it, because we all know that a balanced and healthy diet should include a lot of fresh fruits, both juiced and whole. Fruit juices, in general, are very healthy because they help our body detoxify and reduce the risks of cancer and heart problems. Raspberry juice offers a lot of benefits due to its mineral and vitamin contents. Health Benefits Raspberry juice is a great source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Magnesium, but it lacks the Dietary Fiber present in the whole berries. Raspberries are very low in sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat. A cup of fresh raspberries (123 g) amounts to: 65 calories, 32 milligrams of ascorbic acid (equivalent to 50 […]

Feel like you need a fresh supply of nutrients to recharge your body?  But, at the same time, you don’t like preparing something complicated and time consuming. Then, why not prepare a refreshing Aloe Vera drink instead? There are many uses and benefits of this magical plant. From Aloe you can make fantastic drinks that can serve both as energy boosters and as health improvement drinks. Aloe vera has been used since thousands of years ago. The ancient Egyptian people have given it the name “plant of immortality”. With the provided list of Aloe Vera recipes for preparing healthful and energizing drinks, you will get exactly that and considerably improve your health. About Aloe Vera Juice (Gel) You can always buy bottled drinks sold in stores, so why bother with making your own home-made drinks? Because it is always much better to prepare your own juice, no matter what type of juice we are talking about. Not only are you getting many of the nutrients your body needs, but it also helps improve your health. From Aloe vera you can prepare drinks that are absolutely soothing, refreshing, and cooling. Aloe Vera juice has a lot of health boosting micro-elements, vitamins, flavonoids, […]

Wheatgrass juice is obtained by juicing the young grass of the wheat plant harvested early to keep its minerals and nutrients at their peak. Sure, wheatgrass can be purchased in a form of supplement, or even in a liquid form. But, when it comes to your health, the best and most consistent results can be obtained by juicing your own fresh wheatgrass in a juicer. Besides, you can add some of the wheatgrass to your shakes or in your favorite teas, which is also a better way of consuming than using powdered wheatgrass, or otherwise prepared supplements for instant consumption. A note about the taste. I still remember the first time I tasted wheatgrass juice. I have to admit … the taste was awful, simply because it was a new, previously unknown taste. I added some lemon juice, and I forced myself to somehow drink the mixture. A few days later, the taste was more acceptable, and after several week, it became even desirable. If you are new to wheatgrass juice, my advice is, don’t be distracted by the taste. If you persist, the benefit will be enormous. Wheatgrass juice is one of the best natural medicines out there. It […]

Have you ever tried chia seeds? If you haven’t, this might be the best time to include them into your diet. They are so fun to use and require only a small effort on your side to prepare. Moreover, chia seeds mixed up with your favorite healthy juices might be the right combination to considerably improve your health. Ever since my family members and I discovered Chia seeds online, we never stopped being amazed as to how cool they are. In this post we are going to talk about how to use chia seeds in your everyday diet plan. But, let us see first what chia seeds are and how they can help. Chia seeds belong to the family with Latin name Salvia hispanica and are closely related to the common mint. This plant is native to South America. In Southern Mexico, they have been a part of their cuisine since centuries ago. They used to be so popular, that the Mayans, Incas, and Aztecs utilized them as a monetary means. They valued them for their ability to bring extra energy and stamina. In fact, in the language of the ancient Mayans chia means “strength”. It is said that only […]

In case you never heard of Joe Cross, let me give you a short introduction into his life story. A lot of people find it inspiring and life changing. A couple of years ago Joe was 100 pounds overweight, loaded up on steroids and was suffering from a painful autoimmune disease. The symptoms of this disease were being managed by a strong steroid with a number of side-effects, including stomach ulcers, depression and weight gain. In the mirror Joe saw a 310lb man with gut bigger than a beach ball. He had one foot already in the grave, the other wasn’t far behind. Realizing that in the long run conventional medicine can do little to help him, Joe decided to take things in his own hands. Joe understood the natural ability of his body to heal itself. He also had acquired a fair amount of knowledge about the devastating effects of processed food and essential value of plant based diet. What was missing was a plan for action. Joe committed to spend 60 days on a juice fasting program. He decided to consume nothing but the fresh juice of fruits and vegetables and see what was going to happen. He […]

Every now and the I enjoy drinking a quarter glass of red grapefruit juice. I don’t remember why I choose red grapefruit juice in the first place, but I am glad I did so. It tastes delicious and I find it very refreshing. Until now I haven’t really bothered to check the health benefits of this uplifting and energizing drink. The fact that it always feels so good was more than enough for me. But, a couple of days ago I decided to check the health benefits and look into the properties of grapefruit, and specifically, of its red variation. Here is what I found: The Benefits of Red Grapefruit First, let us see what is so special about red or pink grapefruit versus the other, white variety of grapefruit. A study that appeared recently in an article published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry reported that one grapefruit a day – especially the red variety – can help prevent heart diseases (source http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/02/060213091300.htm). The scientists found that taking just one red grapefruit a day is enough to significantly reduce the levels of cholesterol in the blood. This feature alone brings a huge benefit, as high levels of […]

Cleaning one’s body from the inside out can be performed with fasting, and one of the age-long methods of fasting is juice fasting. The mere drinking of fruit and vegetable juices is recognized as a way to flush out accumulated toxins and waste material from our body. The main benefits of juice fasting are seen not only in the increased strength and vitality of the body – the conditions of our mind and spirit are also affected in a positive way. If you are looking for a proof, just check the miracle transformation of Jeo Cross. Useful Information It takes a lot of preparation, some additional time and some extra money to be able to perform you juice fasting successfully. The important thing is – you should be relaxed and without too many engagements – if you have a busy week at work, or if you have any upcoming engagements, it might not be a good idea to start with the fasting until you have cleared up some space and time in your life. Fruit juices are abundant in sugar, minerals and vitamins. Vegetable juices contain a lot of useful nutrients and can be used as cleansing and healing juices […]

Cranberry, a native American species, is a miraculous berry plant. Just like their relatives blueberries, aroniaberries, and blackberries, cranberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and bio-flavonoids. The color of the cranberries originates from the presence of a special type of bioflavonoid called proanthocyanidin. This is similar, for example, to the carotenoids that provide the yellowish-orange color of carrots, or to the well known example of chlorophyll that provides the green color in leaves. In fact, most of the bluish, reddish and purple hues found in plants can be traced back to the presence of bio-flavonoids. What makes the bioflavonoids especially important is their antioxidative activity. They protect the plant from the free radicals that occur as a result of ultra-violet solar radiation. In people, the bioflavonoids are useful for reducing the amount of free radicals that if, present in large concentration, could damage the individual cells and proliferate degenerative tissue changes and diseases in the long run. In particular, the cranberries’ bio-flavonoid proanthocyanidin has been proved to ameliorate the formation of free radicals and reduce the symptoms of chronic age-related disorders. It regulates the antioxidant defense mechanism and improves insulin sensitivity. It also stabilizes the collagen, which is […]

If you are used to juicing for better nutrition and optimum health you certainly know how important it is to take at least one glass of vegetable juice in the morning. The juices taken in the morning will help you energize your entire body. In addition, they will give you enough nutrients to get you going. Here are some useful juicer recipes that you can use to prepare your delicious morning juices or smoothies. Make sure you also check our list of tips on preparing vegetable smoothies for maximum health benefit. Detox Morning Juice 2-3 stalks of celery 2 peeled cucumbers 6 broccoli flowers and stalks 1/2 lemon 1 piece of ginger This juice is a great way to absorb all the healthy nutrients your body needs right after you wake up in the morning. It will provide plenty of minerals and vitamins and will prepare you to meet the challenges of the day in a much better shape. Simple Vegetable Morning Juice 2 large beets 8 stalks of celery 10 medium carrots Celery is an important ingredient of this juice. Researchers have shown that adding celery to your morning juice can lower the blood pressure by up to 15 […]

Gut detoxification is an important process that, occasionally, everyone of us should perform in order to get a stronger immune system and strengthen one’s health. The good thing is – you need no invasive methods – this type of detox can be done naturally, for example by using freshly prepared raw juices, smoothies as well as by following the right diet plan. I personally am never in favor of invasive methods. I am a strong believer that we have been provided with all the necessary inner and outer (natural) resources to be able to maintain a healthy life. The Good and Bad Bacteria in the Intestines Let us see first where the problem with the toxins in our digestive systems actually lies. It turns out that the small intestine is lined with columnar tissue in form of tiny villi responsible for nutrition absorption. This is the place where most of our digestion actually takes place. Food and fiber make up to 60 percent of the total mass that passes through the intestines. The remaining 40 percent are mucous and bacteria. Not all of the bacteria present there are healthy. Certain types of pathogenic bacteria are normally present there as well […]

Juicing is one of the easiest ways of consuming vital nutrient and bio-active elements, including calcium. The advantages of juicing for calcium (chemical formula Ca) is that juices are mainly alkaline drinks as opposed to meats and dairy products which are abundant in calcium but create an acidic environment once taken in the body. It is estimated that about 4 percent of the total mass of the human body consists of minerals. Out of all the minerals required for normal function of the human organism, calcium is at the very top of the human body’s mineral chart. The main function of calcium is to strengthen the bones and teeth, but this vital mineral is also needed for the proper function of the muscle and nerve tissue and to regulate the heartbeat. Calcium helps in the contraction motion of the muscles and aids the nerve signal transmission. As we all probably know, the main sources of calcium are milk yogurt, cheese and the other diary products. One of the less known but fantastic source of calcium is bone broth. Other foods, such as green vegetables (especially cabbage, okra and broccoli, but NOT spinach or collard greens), soya, tofu, almonds, and some […]

Juicing is one of the best ways of consuming folate on a daily basis. Many vegetable and some fruit juices and their combinations are great sources of natural folate (Vitamin B9). Before presenting a couple of juice recipes that can boost the levels of folate, let us take a look at precisely why the regular intake of this micro-nutrient is so important. Of all the Vitamins there are, folate is one of the most interesting. If we judge the impact of folate on human health through the multitude of different ways this substance works in the human body, its important biological function is even more pronounced. Folate Deficiency Some of the symptoms of folate deficiency can be irritability, fatigue, depression, lack of concentration, insomnia and gums inflammation. The other signs are not so obvious, but the consequences can be very serious, especially for pregnant women that don’t consume enough of the foods rich in folate. The signs of folate deficiency are seen directly in the blood count, because without folate there is no normal production of erythrocytes – red blood cells. Folate deficiency may ultimately result in anemia. Folate is actually a member of the B Vitamin complex, also referred […]

You can use the following list of fruits and vegetables whenever you need some additional help to ease the current or prevent the potential health conditions. This is a very flexible, quick and dirty list. When preparing your healthy and refreshing juices, make sure that you use the indicated combinations of ingredients only as an approximate guide. In many cases, more elaborate recipes should be used. A word of caution: if you are overweight, if you have diabetes or prediabetes, or if you suffer from a metabolic syndrome, it would be wise to avoid most, if not all fruit-based juices. Try to modify the juices give below and stick to the freshly squeezed vegetable juices. Even if you are totally healthy, to maintain long-term health, I would suggest keeping the amount of carbs and fructose from the fruits in your juices as low as possible. Juice for heart and intestinal inflammation – orange, raspberry, banana Anti-cellulite juice – pineapple, raspberries, kiwi, red grapefruit Juice for regulation of blood pressure – apples, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries Juice for shiny and smooth skin – orange, banana, mango Another juice for the skin – kiwi, lime, strawberry, strawberry yogurt Anti-aging juice – orange, pineapple, […]

Frequent respiratory problems, including asthma and allergies, can be alleviated by using raw home made juices. Today we know that a lot of health conditions can be traced back to improper nutrition. Sometimes, it is enough to change our eating habits to improve our health. The key to a better breathing consists, at least partly, in consuming some fresh vegetable and fruit juices on a daily basis. Research has shown that the breathing capacity can be improved by consuming a lot of natural vitamins A, C and D, omega 3, zinc, folic acid and other micro-nutrients. If you are not sure about what foods to use, you should know that almost all fresh vegetables and fruits contain high concentrations of nutritive substances.  Probably the best way to absorb them quickly and efficiently is to set aside some time to extract the phytonutrients from fruits and vegetables and consume the obtained raw juices. Vitamin D is found in sunflower seeds and sprouts. Folic acid is abundant in spinach, blackberries and cruciferous vegetables. The cruciferous vegetables include, amongst the other foods, cabbage, collards, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprout and turnips. For example, kale juice can be a great, refreshing morning juice. In […]

Detoxification (detox) is a physiological process of removing the possibly toxic substances from the body. We absorb toxic substances usually from our environment (air pollution, smoke or chemicals, like chlorine from tab water). Unfortunately, our daily diet is the other main source of toxins that come in form of additives, preservatives, drugs, antibiotics, synthetic vitamins and other chemicals. Once absorbed, our liver is the organ where most of these toxins end up. The liver is the primary filter of our body for all sorts of toxic substances. Unless you are living a very healthy way of life, from time to time you too will need to purify this extremely important organ so that is is able to maintain its proper functioning. So, let’s reiterate about where detoxification happen: it happens in the liver, not in the colon. Therefore, to perform a successful detoxification of you body, you wold have to perform detoxification of the liver and strengthen its function. When you improve the function of the liver, it can naturally perform its detoxification process much better. There are several important steps to do that: increase omega 3 intake reduce omega 6 intake reduce fructose intake don’t eat too much carbs […]