The English name coconut, first mentioned in English print in 1555, comes from Spanish and Portugese word coco, which means "monkey face.".
While people prefer different flavors of coconut water, generally a green coconut with some age spots is the most popular. Coconuts from various parts of the world also differ in taste. For example, Indian coconuts tend to be sweet while Brazilian coconuts have a bland taste and Bangladeshi coconuts (due to the soil composition) have extremely sweet water and flesh with a very slight salty aftertaste similar to the Indian.
But you may not know that....
# Coconut Water is More Nutritious than whole milk - Less fat and NO cholesterol!
# Coconut Water is More Healthy than Orange Juice - Much lower calories
# Coconut Water is Better than processed baby milk- It contains lauric acid, which is present in human mother's milk
# Coconut water is naturally sterile -- Water permeates though the filtering husk!
# Coconut water is a universal donor-- Its identical to human blood plasma
# Coconut Water is a Natural Isotonic Beverage - The same level we have in our blood.
This nutrient rich beverage includes organic compounds with beneficial growth properties that can dramatically improve your health. Coconut water contains vitamins which help stop fatigue, chloride, cytokinins, and lauric acid. Completely free of chemicals it is safe to give to children and babies. Some pregnant women prefer drinking coconut water as a natural aid to help ease digestion problems during pregnancy. The lauric acid found in coconut water is the same as human breast milk.
Fact of Coconut Water that will surprise you
Lemon - 25 different benefits
Lemon is one of those super foods with a myriad health and cosmetic benefits. There are a few persons for whom it is an allergen, so make sure you are not allergic to this natural product, before you start enjoying the many benefits.
1. Lemon being a citrus fruit , fights against infection. It helps in production of WBC's and antibodies in blood which attacks the invading microorganism and prevents infection.
2.. Lemon is an antioxidant which deactivates the free radicals preventing many dangerous diseases like stroke, cardiovascular diseases and cancers.
3. Lemon lowers blood pressure and increases the levels of HDL (good cholesterol) .
4. Lemon is found to be anti-carcinogenic which lower the rates of colon, prostate, and breast cancer . They prevent faulty metabolism in the cell, which can predispose a cell to becoming carcinogenic. Also blocks the formation of nitrosamines in the gut.
5. Lemon juice is said to give a glow to the skin.
6. A few drops of lemon juice in hot water are believed to clear the digestive system and purify liver as well.
7. The skin of lemon dried under the sun and then ground to make powder can be applied to the hair for a few minutes before bath which relieves head ache and cools the body.
8. Applying lemon juice to acne dries the existing ones and prevents from getting more.
9. Lemon juice acts as a natural hair lightner and skin bleach which reduces the pigment melanin and prevents the risk of chemical allergic reactions which is common with hair dyes and bleaches.
10. Lemon juice is given to relieve gingivitis, stomatitis, and inflammation of the tongue.
11. Lemon juice is given to prevent common cold.
12. Lemon juice is given to prevent or treat urinary tract infection and gonorrhea.
13. Lemon juice is applied to the sites of bites and stings of certain insects to relieve its poison and pain.
14. Lemon juice relieves colic pain and gastric problems .
15. Lemon juice soothes the dry skin when applied with little glycerin .
16. Lemon juice used for marinating seafood or meat kills bacteria and other organisms present in them, thereby prevents many gastro-intestinal tract infections.
17. Lemon juice with a pinch of salt (warm) every morning lowers cholesterol levels and brings down your weight.
18. Lemon juice is the best drink to prevent dehydration and shock in case of diarrhea.
19. Lemon juice can also be used as a mouthwash. It removes plaque, whitens the teeth and strengthens the enamel.
20. A table spoon on thick lemon syrup everyday relieves asthma.
21. Lemon juice relieves chilblains and itchy skin.
22. Gargling lemon juice relieves throat infection and also used as a treatment for diphtheria .
23. Lemon juice is an excellent treatment for dandruff and greasy hair .
24. Lemon applied over the face removes wrinkles and keeps you young.
25. Lemon juice helps to prevent and cure osteoarthritis .
Benefits of Strawberry
The fragrantly sweet juiciness and deep red color of strawberries can brighten up both the taste and aesthetics of any meal; it is no wonder they are the most popular berry fruit in the world. Although strawberries have become increasingly available year-round, they are at the peak of their season from April through July when they are the most delicious and most abundant.
Health Benefits of Strawberry :
1. This is highly rated as skin cleansing food, even though the skin eruptions may appear at first in some cases.
2. It is also known to clean or rid the blood of harmful toxins.
3. It has been reported to help cases of syphilis.
4. The strawberry, when cut in half and rubbed on the teeth and gums, removes tartar from the teeth and strengthens and heals the gums. The juice should be allowed to remain on the teeth as long as possible in order to dissolve the tartar. The mouth may then be rinsed with warm water.
Strawberries are among the most versatile of fresh fruits. Unfortunately, they are quite perishable as well. So purchase fresh strawberries only a few days before they are to be eaten. When strawberries are in season locally this is rarely a problem. But at other times of the year, it may be necessary to make due with frozen strawberries, which lose much if not all of their nutrition.
Prevent Osteoporosis - 10 food to build bone
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. These broken bones, also known as fractures, occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist.
Dried plums
Also known as prunes, these dark shrivelers are rich in copper and boron, both of which can help prevent osteoporosis. Enjoy four or five a day to strengthen your bones and boost your energy.
Alaskan king crab
High in protein and low in fat, the sweet flesh of the king crab is spiked with zinc—a whopping 7 milligrams per 3.5-ounce serving.
Bok choy
This crunchy cruciferous vegetable is more than the filler that goes with shrimp in brown sauce. Potassium keeps your muscles and nerves in check while lowering your blood pressure.
Oysters
Shellfish, in general, is an excellent source of zinc, calcium, copper, iodine, iron, potassium, and selenium.
Bananas
Athletes and performers are familiar with the calming effect of bananas—a result of the fruit's high concentration of tryptophan, a building block of serotonin. But their real benefit comes from potassium, an electrolyte that helps prevent the loss of calcium from the body.
Kiwis
Like bananas, this fuzzy fruit is high in bone-protecting potassium.
Broccoli
And that's in addition to its high concentration of vitamins—including A, C, and K—and the phytonutrient sulforaphane, which studies at Johns Hopkins University suggest has powerful anticancer properties.
Spinach
A renowned muscle builder, spinach is also rich in vitamin K, which has been shown to bolster bone-mineral density (thus protecting against osteoporosis) and reduce fracture rates.
Leeks
These scallion-like cousins of garlic and onions are packed with bone-bolstering thiamine, riboflavin, calcium, and potassium. Leeks are also rich in folic acid, a B vitamin that studies have shown to lower levels of the artery-damaging amino acid homocysteine in the blood.
Artichokes
Lauded for centuries as an aphrodisiac, this fiber-rich plant contains more bone-building magnesium and potassium than any other vegetable. Its leaves are also rich in flavonoids and polyphenols—antioxidants that can cut the risk of stroke—and vitamin C.
Asparagus for cure Cancer
ASPARAGUS is super high in glutathione, has anti-viral and anti-fungal properties, helps fight chronic fatigue syndrome, helps treat toothaches, helps chelate heavy metals from the body, heals blood vessels, is a diuretic, laxative, antidepressant and an aphrodisiac, and is a wonderful anti-cancer food.
I add three to four stalks of asparagus to my veggie juice every day. Or place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy t make a puree, and store in the refrigerator. Give the patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and evening.
Asparagus Extract is a detoxifying agent extracted from whole, organically grown asparagus. It is specifically designed to strengthen immunity and the benefit kidney and digestive functions. To give you an idea of how potent our product is, each 5-gram tea bag is extracted from 1/2 lb. of asparagus and asparagus root. It’s like having an entire bundle of fresh asparagus in each serving!
An effective tools to help you slim your waist
Girls like to have a slim waist. But either you do many excercise or control your diet, you still need an effective tools that can help you to monitor your effort. Well, maybe you may consider this tools as shown in the photo, I am sure it can greatly improve your willingness to reduce weight and achieve a slimmer waist. 
I think just need to eat more vegetables and fruits, do more excercise, and monitor your weight and waistline regularly, sure you can slim down. As there is no ulgy woman, only the lazy one.
Useful info for destressing
Hand reflexology can instantly ease away stress, headaches and pain. It doesn’t matter if you are an office exec who gets tension headaches or simply someone who wants to reduce trips to the doctor. Hand reflexology benefits everyone. Massaging certain points on the palm can instantly relieve stress- which is the main cause of many diseases out there.
1) Interlocking fingers - Cross your 10 fingers with strength and slowly loosen the grip. Repeat this 3 to 5 times. It will stimulate the central nervous system and release stress from working or studying.
2) Fingertip massage - With your palm facing up, press and massage each finger entirely for 1 minute. Spend more time on aching fingertips. This helps to reduce headaches and boosts concentration. Massage the thumb for the brain, index finger for digestive system, middle finger for heart, ring finger for liver and the pinky for your kidney.
3) Finger stretching - Cross your fingers and extend your arms forward to maximum length, hold them there and move up for 3 to 5 times. This stretches your arms and prevents hands, arms, shoulder and waist discomfort. This exercise is ideal for workers who spend the day facing computers.
4) Piano playing - To prevent cardiovascular diseases, pretend you are playing the piano on the table for 3 minutes. This is especially good for those who party hard and entertain.
Very simple and yet useful tips that you can easily try it out even you are in the office.
How to clean your grapes - very important!
Always when you buy grapes, do you notice some white color stuff outside the skin? In fact, those are poisonous chemical "malathion" that is sprayed on grapes to get rid of insects. This is a very simple tips on how to remove those chemical from grapes. It is simple, washe the grapes with tooth paste, as demonstrate below.
A very simple and useful tips. So do remember wash your grapes with tooth paste before eating.
Ways to Lower your Cholesterol
1) Try 3 tea spoon of oat (require the cooking type and not instant type, preferably organic) and dissolve with drinkable room temp. water and soak overnight. (You could do it before you go to bed). Drink them all the next morning before your breakfast. It's quite nice to drink as it's already soft. Try everyday for 3 months and check your cholesterol, it should come down significantly. Many had tried and found that it works and cost effective with no side effect, if you are taking medication you can try too but don't stop the drug until you achieved good result and doctor say so. Cooked oats especially instant are very slow to reduce cholesterol, eating raw is better absorption and more effective.
2) You may have read about the low rate of heart disease in France. It led researchers to believe that the French habit of drinking red wine with meals contributes to this. Apparently some of the non-alcoholic ingredients in red wine raises HDL and suppresses the body from producing LDL. Purple grape juice works the same way. It will work like red wine to lower the fat level in your blood. The LDL lowering effect of red wine and grape juice comes from a compound that grapes produce normally to resist mold. The darker the grape juice, the better. Grapefruit juice does the same thing and it may also help your body get rid of that nasty plaque that we discussed earlier.
3) Just as fibers in food absorb all that bad cholesterol in your body, fiber supplements, like Metamucil and Citrucel, do the same thing. The more you take, the more effect it has on lowering your cholesterol. So, you should take three doses a day, one before each meal. You also can eat psyllium-enriched cereal. It will also keep your digestive system working well.
High Heel Shoes is killer heels?
The wearing of high-heeled shoes is a prime example of women inviting foot problems. Many doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs) see no value in high heels (generally defined as pumps with heels of more than two inches). They believe them to be biomechanical and structurally unsound, citing medical, postural, and safety faults of dangerously high heels.
Many women are made to look foolish when trying to balance on those tiny heels, thereby diminishing their chances of finding a mate. They would have been better off not wearing high heels, at least leaving potential mates wondering whether they could have looked physically impressive had they worn them. It reminds me of Ben Franklin’s famous quote: It is better to keep silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.”
If women persist in wearing high heels, there are ways to relieve some of the abusive effects; they can limit the time they wear them, for example, alternating with good-quality oxford-type shoes or flats for part of the day. What about that "exquisite pinch?" High heels that are too tight compound the abuse; it's good advice to buy shoes in the afternoon, since feet tend to increase in size later in the day.
Pregnant women need to observe good foot health to prevent pain and discomfort. Since the body undergoes changes and acquires a new weight-bearing stance, women should wear shoes with broad-based heels that provide support and absorb shock. Additional body weight also calls for more support, to prevent foot "breakdown."
The battle is not necessarily over for women who master high heeled shoes. Well, for some men, maybe it is over—for some men, the finessed use of high heels might serve as a token for a high level of general health.
Water overdose? Can you over drink?
A Californian woman died of water poisoning after taking part in a bizarre drinking contest to win a computer games console, according to US authorities. Jennifer Strange, 28, was found dead in her home in Rancho Cordova, California, on Friday after drinking as much water as she could without going to the toilet.
The condition of your body when you've consumed too much water is called hyponatremia or "water intoxication." This occurs when an abundance of water causes salt in the blood to become diluted. Add this to the fact that we sweat salt and it's easy to see why the amount of sodium our bodies need would decrease. This decrease can cause swelling in the brain that can lead to coma or death.
Water intoxication, also known as hyponatremia, is extremely rare and only usually affects endurance athletes, such as long distance runners. The condition is caused by a loss of sodium in the blood due to sweating and dilution by drinking large volumes of water. Typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting and headache. In the most serious cases the brain swells causing confusion, seizures, coma and even death.
The trick when participating in strenuous exercise or activity is to get the right amount of fluids. Eight to sixteen ounces is a good guideline, but there are other factors to consider. These factors would include how much you sweat, your size, weight, climate, and the level of activity you are participating in. Typically, a person will lose weight during exercise, especially if it is a distance event. Weigh yourself before you begin. If after the event is over, your weight is the same or you have gained, you have probably drank too much and are over-hydrated.
How to stop cough in 5 minutes
We have all been kept awake by our own or someone else's cough. Try this and pass it on. The tip and not the cough. ANYTHING is better than antibiotics. Even babies could benefit from this and the parents wouldn't worry about the safety of their child. And of course, it is harmless and free from any type of side-effects.
To stop night time coughing in a child (or an adult, as we found out personally), put Vicks Vapor Rub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime and then cover with socks.
Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about five minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. This works 100 percent of the time, and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is ! extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly. I heard the head of the Canada Research Council describe these findings on the part of their scientists when they were investigating the effectiveness and usage of prescription cough medicines in children, as compared to alternative therapies like acupressure. I just happened to tune in to a.m. Radio and picked up this guy talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good due to the chemical makeup of these strong drugs, so I listened. It was a surprising finding and found to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bedtime, and in addition to have a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly.
Health tip: Drink Water On Empty Stomach.
It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:
Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases!
METHOD OF TREATMENT
1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water
2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minute
3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.
4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours
5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.
6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.
The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure/control/reduce main diseases:
1.. High Blood Pressure (30 days)
2. Gastric (10 days)
3. Diabetes (30 days)
4. Constipation (10 days)
5. Cancer (180 days)
6. TB (90 days)
7. Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment only for 3 days in the 1st week, and from 2nd week onwards - daily.
This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times.
25 Tips for a healthy heart
Want to have a healthy heart and hence a healthy body? Here got 25 useful tips.
Start to practise now, it is never too late to start.
Instant noodle can be cancerous food
Make sure you break for at least 3 days after one session of instant noodles before you eat your next packet! Please read the info shared to me by a doctor. My family stopped eating instant noodles more than 5 years ago after hearing about the wax coating the noodles - the wax is not just in the Styrofoam containers but it coats the noodles. This is why the instant noodles do not stick to each other when cooking.
If one were to examine the ordinary Chinese yellow noodles in the market, one will notice that, in their uncooked state the noodles are oily. This layer of oil prevents the noodles from sticking together.
Wanton noodles in their uncooked state have been dusted with flour to prevent them sticking together. When the hawker cooks the noodles, notice he cooks them in hot water and then rinses them in cold water before cooking them in hot water again. This process is repeated several times before the noodles are ready to be served. The cooking and rinsing process prevents noodles from sticking together.
The hawker then 'lowers the noodles in oil and sauce to prevent the noodles from sticking if they are to be served dry.. Cooking instructions for spaghetti require oil or butter to be added in the water when boiling the spaghetti to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Otherwise, one gets a big clump of spaghetti!
You never imagine Banana got so many functions
Continue from yesterday... Here are the rest of the banana functions
Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because t hey contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.
Smoking & Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine, 'eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"
Banana is good for so many ladies sickness
Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.
But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND among people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.
Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate. Looking at 5,000 hospital patie nts, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
More to come tomorrow.
Reasons for sleeping and waking up early
Evening at 9 - 11pm: is the time for eliminating unnecessary/toxic chemicals (detoxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes). This time duration should be spent by relaxing or listening to music.. If during this time a housewife is still in an unrelaxed state such as washing the dishes or monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative impact on health.
Evening at 11pm - 1am: is the detoxification process in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state.
Early morning 1 - 3am: detoxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep sleep state.
Early morning 3 - 5am: detoxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time. Since the detoxification process had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.
Morning 5 - 7am: detoxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.
Morning 7 - 9am: absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30am, for those who are sick. Breakfast before 7:30am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 - 10am rather than no meal at all.
Sleeping so late and waking up too late will disrupt the process of removing unnecessary chemicals. Aside from that, midnight to 4:00 am is the time when the bone marrow produces blood. Therefore, have a good sleep and don't sleep late.
How Water Is Related To Weight Loss
Now comes scientific evidence that H2O really does help you lose weight. Researchers in Germany report that water consumption increases the rate at which people burn calories. The impact is modest and the findings are preliminary, but the researchers say their study could have important implications for weight-control programs.
Some dieters find it helpful to drink a glass of water when they feel hungry between meals, or just before a meal. However, I do not recommend this as a regular appetite-reduction tactic. Firstly, because hunger is an important indicator of low blood sugar, which water can do nothing to correct. And if blood sugar falls too low, it can lead to irresistible urges to eat junk food or binge. Secondly, drinking water purely to fill up your stomach is merely an artificial short-term measure which does nothing to help create the sort of eating habits that are essential for long term weight control.
Drinking water is important if you're trying to lose weight, some studies have shown that thirst and hunger sensations are triggered together. If there is a slight dehydration the thirst mechanism may be mistaken for hunger and one may eat when the body is actually craving fluid. As most food contains some water, if one doesn't drink much they may be subconsciously driven to eat more to gain the necessary water supply however, you also gain the undesired effects of increased calorie consumption. Drinking more water can help to prevent overeating and benefit weight loss.
The body maintains a healthy fluid balance by a complex cell mechanism involving sodium, potassium and other electrolytes. In simple terms, if you eat too much salt (sodium) you will retain more water, leading to weight gain. Anyone who suffers from fluid retention and accompanying swelling (edema), especially women who experience premenstrual symptoms (PMS) or obese men with high blood pressure, is advised by dietitians to follow a low sodium diet (eg. the DASH diet). Ideally, limit your intake to 1000 milligrams of sodium per day, until the water retention eases.
Eating fruits and vegetables may help manage weight
Numerous foods are low in energy density. Among these foods, fruits and vegetables are excellent substitutes for high-energy-density foods.
Losing weight can be very difficult, even for the highly motivated. In addition, maintaining an appropriate weight is difficult, particularly as a person ages. Health care professionals need to provide sound, scientific information when they advise people to eat foods that help them stay healthy, which includes maintaining a suitable weight. The research community is evaluating the effectiveness of a number of weight loss strategies; however, this brief examines only one strategy: the role that fruit and vegetable consumption may play in weight management.
Providing you are eating about one-third of the diet as fruits & vegetables, you should notice rapid weight loss because the ample fruit consumption helps fill the stomach faster encouraging less high calorie foods to be consumed. The total calorie consumption will automatically reduce even if we are eating plenty of fruit and vegetables. There is such a variety of fruits available that many can be freely eaten without consuming too many calories thereby controlling weight more effectively.
Very few studies in the literature have investigated whether there is a direct relationship between eating fruits and vegetables and losing weight. The studies in this brief examined many issues such as the relationships of calories, volume of food eaten, types of food eaten (including fruits and vegetables), satiety, and weight reduction. Many of the studies reported on consumption of fruits and vegetables but did so in the context of a larger framework, such as preventing or treating high blood pressure or cardiac disease, but reported on weight loss also.
Relationships between calories, amount of food eaten and body weight
Extensive research has been conducted on the relationships between calories, amount of food eaten and body weight. The association of this information with the role of fruits and vegetables in weight management can be summarized as follows:
Studies consistently show that over the course of a day or two, a person eats about the same weight of food. On average, the weight of food eaten is more constant than the daily calorie intake. So if you eat the same amount (by weight) of food, but lower the calories in each portion, you will consume fewer calories. Studies also indicate that you don't even miss the calories and feel just as full as the high calorie day.
To lose weight a person must eat fewer calories than what he or she expends.
People may not limit what they consume based on calories alone. Feeling full is one reason that people stop eating. Short-term studies indicate that the volume of food people eat at a meal is what makes them feel full and stop eating, rather than the calorie content of the food.
At the same calorie level, foods with low energy density provide a greater volume of food, which may help people feel full at a meal while consuming fewer calories.
Water and fiber increase the volume of foods and reduce energy density. In their natural state, fruits and vegetables have high water and fiber content and thus are low in calories and energy density.
Fruits and vegetables are good substitutes for foods of high energy density.
In addition to nutrients such as protein and fiber, the energy content of food, gram for gram, also affects how full we feel. The term for this is energy density, which is simply the amount of calories in a gram of food. The relationship between the weight of food and its calories content is largely based upon the amount of water in the food. Water adds weight but not calories, so the higher the water content the lower the energy density.
Ten Reasons To Eat More Like A Vegetarian - Part II
Continue from yesterday. Here are another 5 reasons why you should eat like a vegetarian.
6. Safer food
Some of the deadliest food-borne illnesses enter the body via animal foods. "Ground beef is the most likely source of E. Coli 0157:H7. Poultry carry Salmonella and Campylobacter, and the consumption of raw shellfish has caused infection with Vibrio vulnificus," says David Swerdlow of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
Any raw food - including fruits or vegetables - can carry harmful bacteria. "For example, recent outbreaks of Salmonella have been associated with cantaloupe, tomatoes and alfalfa sprouts," says Swerdlow. But meat, seafood and poultry are the most likely culprits in food-borne illness.
7. The environment
"Our eating habits have a tremendous effect on the planet," says Jenkins. "Eating animals wouldn't harm the environment if it were done on a much smaller scale," explains Alan Durning, Director of North-west Environment Watch in Seattle.
"Modern meat production involves intensive use - and often misuse - of grain, water, energy and grazing areas," says Durning. He cites the following examples:
* Water pollution: the manure and sewage from stockyards, chicken factories, and other feeding facilities can pollute water supplies.
* Air pollution: thirty million tons of methane - a gas that contributes to global warning - comes from manure in sewage ponds or heaps.
* Soil erosion: nearly 40 per cent of the world's - and more than 70 per cent of US - grain production is fed to livestock. For each pound of meat, poultry, eggs and milk we produce, farm fields lose about five pounds of topsoil.
* Water depletion: an estimated half of the grain and hay that's fed to beef cattle is grown on irrigated land. It takes about 390 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef.
* Energy Use: it takes almost ten times more energy to produce and transport livestock than vegetables.
* Overgrazing: about 10 per cent of the arid West of the US has been turned into a desert by livestock. But some of that land couldn't be used for much else. "That's why my argument isn't for vegetarianism, but for people to reduce the consumption of animal products," maintains Durning.
8. Cost
Sure, you can spend $7.99 a pound on mesclun or other gourmet foods. But from squash to sweet potatoes, most plants are a downright bargain. And the lower price of plants shows up when you eat out. On Chinese, Indian, and most other restaurant menus, the vegetarian selections are usually cheaper than the meat, seafood and poultry.
9. Animal welfare
It's unpleasant to think about, but before we slaughter them, the animals we eat are often raised and transported under inhumane conditions.
10. Taste
The number-one reason for eating a plant-rich diet is that it tastes good. The five vegetables that Americans eat most are French fries, tomatoes (mostly as sauce or ketchup), onions, iceberg lettuce, and other potatoes.
But if most Americans shrink the meat, seafood and poultry on their dinner plates, they - or many of their favourite restaurants - wouldn't know what to replace them with. You have to go to ethnic restaurants to get interesting plant-based dishes. It's no coincidence that ethnic restaurants know how to make vegetable dishes taste good. "Fortunately, there's a wealth of experience around the world because almost all traditional diets are plant-based," says Willet.
Yet many Italian, Mexican and other ethnic restaurants have become so Americanised that their vegetables have been largely replaced by meat and cheese. And that's a shame. In Asian and Mediterranean cuisines, cooking fruits and vegetables is an art form. The Italians don't put tremendous amounts of meat and cheese on pizza, for example. I had a thin-crust pizza at a traditional restaurant recently with no cheese - just fresh basil, tomatoes and garlic. It was totally wonderful.
Ten Reasons To Eat More Like A Vegetarian - Part I
Evidence is mounting that the healthiest diets are loaded with plant foods (vegetables, fruits and beans) and short on animal foods (meat, fish, poultry and dairy products), especially those with a high fat content.
"A diet rich in fruits and vegetables plays a role in reducing the risk of all the major causes of illness and death," says Walter Willet, Head of the Nutrition Department at the Harvard School of Public Health.
To many people, vegetarian is a loaded word. It typically refers to people who never eat meat, fish or poultry for ethical, religious or health reasons. Vegans also avoid all dairy products and eggs. But scientists are more interested in how often - not whether - people eat animal foods. And much of their research points to the same conclusion: people should eat fewer animal foods and more plant foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Why? Here are 10 reasons - some related to health, some not.
1. Cancer
"The scientific base is very strong suggesting that fruits and vegetables are protective elements for all gastrointestinal cancers and all smoking-related cancers," says Tim Byers, professor of Preventive Medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. That includes cancers of the lung, colon, stomach, mouth, larynx, esophagus and bladder. And a recent study found that lycopene - a carotenoid in tomatoes and tomato sauce - may protect against prostate cancer.
It's not clear how fruits and vegetables may reduce cancer risk. It could be their phytochemicals - things like carotenoids, vitamins C and E, selenium, indoles, flavonoids, phenols and limonene.
There is also evidence that high-fibre grains like wheat bran can reduce cancer risk. "Fibre has a beneficial effect in preventing colon cancer," says David Jenkins, a fibre expert at the University of Toronto. And pasta, rice and other grains can replace the animal foods - red meat, in particular - that may increase the risks of some cancers.
"Men who eat red meat as a main dish five or more times a week have four times the risk of colon cancer of men who eat red meats less than once a month," says Edward Giovannucci of Harvard Medical School. Heavy red-meat eaters were also twice as likely to get prostate cancer in his study of 50,000 male health professionals.
That's just one study. Looking at others, says Lawrence Kushi of the University of Minnesota, "the evidence is quite consistent that red meat is associated with a higher risk of colon - possibly prostate - cancer".
But even lean red meat seems to increase the risk of colon cancer. "It could be the carcinogens created when meat is cooked or meat's highly available iron, or something else in meat," speculates Willett.
2.Heart disease
A plant-based diet with lots of fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of heart disease. For the last 20 years, heart experts have emphasised cutting saturated fat and cholesterol intake, but plants may protect the heart in other ways. Among them:
* Soluble Fibre: "To reduce your risk of heart disease, you may want to eat more beans, peas, oats, and barley," says Jenkins, because their "sticky" soluble fibre seems to help lower blood cholesterol.
* Folic Acid: "The evidence that folic acid reduces the risk of heart disease is pretty strong," says Willet. Folic acid, a B-vitamin, lowers blood levels of a harmful amino acid called homocysteine. "And fruits and vegetables are a major source of folic acid," he adds.
* Antioxidants: a growing body of evidence suggests that LDL ("bad") cholesterol damages arteries only when it has been oxidised (combined with oxygen). That's why researchers believe that antioxidants like vitamin E may protect the heart.. And many of the phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables are antioxidants.
* Squeezing Out Saturates: if you eat lots of plant foods, there's simply less room for the saturated animal fats that clog arteries.
3. Stroke
There's a lot of evidence showing that fruits and vegetables are beneficial for reducing the risk of stroke," says Willet. For example, in a 20-year study of 832 middle-aged men, the risk of stroke was 22 per cent lower for every three servings of fruits and vegetables the men ate each day. Again, no one's sure if it's the potassium, magnesium, fibre or other components of fruits and vegetables that prevent arteries from clogging in the brain.
4. Diverticulosis & Constipation
High-fibre grains - especially wheat bran - can help prevent constipation. That's not trivial in a country like the US that spends millions a year on laxatives.
Diverticulosis is also common. About 30 to 40 per cent of people over 50 have it, though most have no symptoms. Others experience bleeding, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, pain, or diverticulitis (that's when the pouches - or diverticula - that form in the walls of the colon get inflamed).
"In our studies, it's clear that fibre both from bran and from fruits and vegetables is protective," says Willet. Men who ate the least fibre (13 grams or less a day) were almost twice as likely to get diverticulosis as men who ate the most fibre (at least 32 grams of fibre a day).
5. Other diseases
Plant-rich diets may prevent other illnesses:
* Macular Degeneration: a carotenoid called lutein - which is found mostly in leafy greens - may help prevent the deterioration of the retina that causes blindness in older people. "In our study, people who ate spinach or collard greens two to four times a week had half the estimated risk of macular degeneration compared with those who ate them less than once a month," says Johanna Seddon of Harvard Medical School.
* Neural Tube Defects: folic acid supplements can reduce the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube birth defects. Folic acid from foods (mostly fruits and vegetables) may also cut the risk.
* Diabetes: "We found a lower risk of adult-onset diabetes in people who ate more whole grains," says Willet.
To be continue tomorrow.....
What cause bad breath and how to cure.
People casting around for long term ways to deal with an oral malodor problem often wonder what to eat for bad breath. Although suggestions for specific beneficial foods - mostly to temporarily mask the odor in the mouth - are easy to come by, there are few solid suggestions for lifestyle and dietary changes that will actually alleviate the problem. No doubt the best overall advice is simply to stick to a healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and plant protein sources (beans, nuts), and low in fat, and refined carbohydrates.
The biggest offenders include cheese, coffee, onion and garlic. Garlic and onions are particularly potent, because they contain compounds that are absorbed into the bloodstream and expelled by the lungs long after you’ve eaten.
Only time can really cure garlic or onion breath, but for most other food-related types of halitosis, a sprig of parsley, a good brushing (teeth and tongue), or some sugarless gum, mouthwash or mints should do the trick.
On the flip side, bad breath can also be caused by what you’re NOT eating! Fasting or going for long periods of time without eating can be problematic (typically experienced by people suffering from eating disorders). Finally, many medical conditions can contribute to bad breath, including periodontal disease, xerostomia (dry mouth), respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis or bronchitis, postnasal drip, diabetes, gastrointestinal issues and liver or kidney disease.
Herbs like parsley, basil, or cilantro, they all contain the green plant pigment chlorophyll, which is a powerful breath freshener.
More Fresheners for Your Mouth include these easy-to-find breath fresheners:
* Dill: It’s also rich in chlorophyll. Chew the seeds, or make dill tea by adding the leaves or mashed seeds to boiling water.
* Cardamom: It contains cineole, a potent antiseptic that kills bad-breath bacteria. You can chew the seeds and then spit them out.
* Anise: The seeds of this licorice-flavored herb have been used for thousands of years to freshen breath. Boil the seeds in a cup of water. Strain, and then drink or use as a mouthwash.
* Peppermint tea, a strong antiseptic, fights halitosis. Learn how peppermint perks up your brain, too.
What foods can I eat when I have a cold?
Drink plenty of hot liquids. Water, tea, fruit juice, fruit drinks, warm gelatin or broth based soups. Hot liquids help thin mucous secretions and drain mucous secretions faster. Cold liquids like iced carbonated beverages slow the draining of mucous secretions. Chicken noodle soup has been shown to be better at thinning and draining mucous secretions. Remember to hold your head over hot, steaming liquids while you drink.
Fruit juice or drinks can be thinned with more water to increase tolerance. Drink dairy products like cream based soups, ice cream, pudding or milk as they don't increase phlegm or upper respiratory tract symptoms. Eat spicy foods when you have the cold. Although this may have an uncomfortable effect on your throat if it's already sore, spicy foods are excellent for clearing out the sinuses and helping to reduce overall congestion. Wasabe, for example, can have a profound effect on congestion.
If you're running a fever with a cold, it's important to stay well hydrated. Although you may not feel like drinking, you need to replace fluids lost through sweating and through nasal secretions. In addition, fluids can help to thin out nasal secretions so you feel less stuffy. Hot liquids are more beneficial for opening up the sinuses than are cold ones. Keep some white tea on hand which you can brew at the first sign of a cold. White tea has been shown to have antibacterial and antiviral activity which may help to shorten the duration of a cold, although you'll have to drink at least several cups per day. White tea may also be helpful in reducing the risk of contracting colds and flu in the first place. Fruit juice rich in vitamin C such as orange juice and cranberry juice may are also good choices when you have a cold.
Any other foods are allowed as long as you tolerate them. Tolerate means a food does not cause vomiting, diarrhea or allergic reaction. As your cold symptoms lessen, gradually increase your food intake back to normal for you. If stuffy sinuses are your main symptom, you may get some relief by eating hot and spicy foods. Foods that contain chili peppers or curry can help to open up clogged nasal passages so you can breathe a little easier. They may not provide the cure you're looking for but they may at least ease some of your stuffiness and congestion. Your appetite for food should increase as you get better.
What foods can I eat when I have the flu?
If your symptoms include fever and / or vomiting, contact your doctor. The strains of flu this season can be life threatening. When vomiting has stopped for a few hours, start drinking more liquids to replace the loss of body fluids. Water, tea, fruit juice, fruit drinks, carbonated beverages, broth based soups or prepared gelatin. Green gelatin is not a favorite though among people with vomiting.
If you are vomiting, don't eat or drink for up to 1 hour after the latest instance. Then try 2 ounces of water or flat lemon-lime carbonated beverages. If that stays down, then repeat one of these beverages every 15 - 30 minutes. Vitamin B6 is widely available in foods, including protein foods such as turkey and beans as well as potatoes, spinach, and enriched cereal grains. Proteins such as meats, milk, and fish also contain vitamin B12, a powerful immune booster. Minerals such as selenium and zinc work to keep the immune system strong. These minerals are found in protein rich foods such as beans, nuts, meat, and poultry.
If you have the flu, stay home rather than spreading the flu virus at work or school. Definitely stay home if you are vomiting, have a fever or diarrhea. Remember to get plenty of rest. If you are having problems getting to sleep, switch to decaffeinated tea, herbal tea or decaffeinated carbonated beverages. As your flu symptoms subside, gradually increase your food intake back to normal for you. Your appetite for food should increase as you get better.
Nutrients are special compounds in foods that are essential to the body's repair, growth, and wellness. Nutrients include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and water as well as the sources of calories -- carbohydrates, proteins, and fat. Some nutrients -- called nonessential nutrients -- are made by your body. Other nutrients -- essential nutrients -- must come from your diet. Any deficiency in nutrients can lead to illness if not corrected.
One nutrient that's found to strengthen the immune system so it can fight other infections is glutathione. To help control diarrhea symptoms, try banana, apple juice, applesauce, tea, rice or rice cereal without milk. These foods should help reduce your symptoms because banana and apple have pectin, a soluble fiber that helps solidify watery stool. This powerful antioxidant is most plentiful in the red, pulpy area of the watermelon near the rind. Glutathione is also found in cruciferous vegetables like kale, collards, broccoli, and cabbage.
Healing and cleansing with Barley
BARLEY water was always a regular drink when we were still living at home. Whenever we had to go for a medical exam that included a urine test, my mum would make us drink barley water a day before it to make sure we got a positive result !
My mother was a wise woman. I later found out from an Australian naturopath that barley is known to be a kidney cleanser, and he happily downed glasses of it at a meal we had in a coffee shop here. Barley is good for your intestinal health too. Try to eat the barley grains you find in your drink or sweet broth with fu chook (bean curd skin)and ginkgo nuts.
It's high in fibre which feeds the friendly bacteria in the colon and helps! speed up the transit of fecal matter in it. In this way it helps prevent haemorrhoid and colon cancer. The prop ionic acid and beta glucan from barley's insoluble fibre also help lower cholesterol and prevent the formation of gallstones. Eating barley regularly is a preventive step against heart disease as,besides the fibre content, it is also high in niacin, a B vitamin good for lowering cholesterol.
Diabetics should eat more barley as the fibre will prevent blood sugar levels from rising too high. It also provides relief from constipation or diarrhoea for those suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Barley is rich in selenium which prevents cancer and relieves symptoms of asthma and arthritis. It is a good source of manganese, copper and phosphorous.
Malt sugar comes from sprouted barley which, when fermented, is an ingredient in beer and other alcoholic beverages. Barley, whose Latin name is Horde um vulgare, has been cultivated for more than 10,000 years. Since ancient times, barley has been used for healing purposes and has been known to the Chinese, Egyptians,Greeks and Romans. Athletes in Greece and Rome in those days were known to eat barley bread to give them strength.
Tips for eating
Healthy eating is a vital part of good health. This document gives some brief tips on increasing the amount of healthy food we eat, and how to avoid unhealthy food.
1. Maintain a balanced food intake
* Follow the healthy eating principles and avoid eating too much food in one single meal. Leftovers can be packed home.
* Enjoy plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Surveys show most Americans don't eat enough of these foods. Do you eat 6-11 servings from the bread, rice, cereal and pasta group, 3 of which should be whole grains? Do you eat 2-4 servings of fruit and 3-5 servings of vegetables? If you don't enjoy some of these at first, give them another chance. Look through cookbooks for tasty ways to prepare unfamiliar foods.
* Trim off visible fat from meat and remove the skin of poultry before eating.
2. Avoid sauce and gravy
* Avoid oily sauces like coconut sauce, cream sauce, curry sauce, and salad dressing in order to cut down on the intake of fat.
* Choose sauces and dressings of lower fat content, such as tomato sauce and low-fat salad dressing.
3. Pace oneself slowly when eating
* Eating too fast not only increases the chance of choking and stomach discomfort, but can also lead to overeating.
* Eat regular meals. Skipping meals can lead to out-of-control hunger, often resulting in overeating. When you're very hungry, it's also tempting to forget about good nutrition. Snacking between meals can help curb hunger, but don't eat so much that your snack becomes an entire meal.
4. Turn down unhealthy food
* When offered with high-caloric, high-fat, or salty foods, try to turn them down politely.
5. Maintain a healthy weight.
* The weight that's right for you depends on many factors including your sex, height, age and heredity. Excess body fat increases your chances for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, some types of cancer and other illnesses. But being too thin can increase your risk for osteoporosis, menstrual irregularities and other health problems. If you're constantly losing and regaining weight, a registered dietitian can help you develop sensible eating habits for successful weight management. Regular exercise is also important to maintaining a healthy weight.
Healthy and Smart Eating for Elderly
Eating a healthy diet can reduce the risk for many conditions associated with aging, including anemia, confusion, infections, hip fractures, hypotension, and wounds. And when combined with regular physical activity it can reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, including osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers.
There are an estimated 78 million baby boomers in the United States who started turning 60 in January 2006. The numbers of senior citizens in this country will continue to increase at a rapid rate over the next 30 years due to the aging of this generation. As baby boomers continue to age, more older Americans than ever will be at risk for conditions associated with poor nutrition.
1. Estimate the correct amount of food
* Before ordering food, estimate the portions that can be eaten so as to avoid ordering too much.
* Some restaurants may serve larger portion sizes, so do not hesitate to ask the waiters about the food portions in advance.
* The bulk of the diet should include foods that are high in fiber like whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, fruits and vegetables. These foods can help prevent constipation as well as lower the risk for chronic diseases.
2. Grasp the opportunity to order food
* When eating out with family or friends, do grasp the opportunity to order some healthier dishes.
* Ask the waiters about the ingredients or cooking methods being used for those dishes with unfamiliar names.
3. Go for low-fat meat or soy bean products
* Choose lean meat, fish, skinless chicken, and tofu more often.
* Avoid high-fat or high-cholesterol meats, such as belly meat, offal, luncheon meat, sausages, chicken feet, fish head, etc. and deep-fried soy bean products such as deep-fried tofu, etc.
* Milk products are high in calcium and vitamin D, which helps keep bones strong in aging. It is important that the elderly have three servings of vitamin D fortified low-fat/fat-free milk, yogurt or cheese every day. Reduced-lactose milk products, soy-based beverages or tofu are good alternatives for those who are lactose intolerant.
4. Choose more high dietary fiber food
* Choose more foods prepared with high dietary fiber ingredients which include whole grain cereals, dried beans, vegetables, and fruits, etc. Some side vegetables, such as mushroom, dried fungi, and carrot, are also good sources of dietary fiber.
5. Reduce salty food or condiments
* Try to avoid dishes with cured meat or preserved ingredients, such as sausages, salted fish, salted egg, and pickled vegetables, such as sauerkraut (pickled cabbage) and pickled olives. Dishes cooked with salty condiments, such as spare ribs with preserved black beans and pork with sauerkraut, should also be selected less often.
* Choose dishes seasoned with natural low-salt condiments like ginger, spring onion, garlic, and onion, etc.
6. Choose dishes cooked with less oil
* Low-fat cooking methods include steaming, boiling, baking, grilling, and stewing. Examples of low-fat foods include noodle soup, boiled vegetables, grilled fish, and roast chicken etc.
* Avoid deep-fried and oily foods like French fries, deep-fried chicken, spare ribs, etc.
7. Be smart when choosing desserts or drinks
* Most desserts have high sugar and caloric contents, so it is preferable to eat only small portions. Fresh fruit is a healthier dessert choice.
* For drinks, choose water, plain tea, or small amount of fresh fruit juice rather than high sugar and caloric drinks, such as soft drinks, sweetened juice, and beer, etc.
Finally, loneliness also contributes to decreased food intake. Many older adults would rather eat something convenient and unhealthy than cook for themselves and then eat it alone. Skipping meals is not healthy, and may cause your metabolism to slow down or lead you to eat more high-calorie, high-fat foods at your next meal or snack.
Is salty food bad for your health?
The body needs some salt, but too much can cause high blood pressure, which is a major cause of strokes and heart attacks. High levels of salt are also associated with fluid retention, stomach cancer and osteoporosis. Some sweet snacks, breakfast foods and low-fat foods contain high levels of sodium even though they may not taste salty, according to an analysis of supermarket products by a consumer group.
The Food Commission has analysed four types of foods - white bread, baked beans, tomato soup and crisps - to see how today's salt levels compare to those recorded in 1978. They also examined children's foods to see if they meet the Government's salt recommendations. According to the center, while some companies have reduced sodium in their products in recent years, amounts have spiked in other products over the same time period. A serving of french friesat Hardee’s, the fast food chain, contains three times as much sodium as it did in 2005, according to C.S.P.I.
The Food Commission discovered that the levels of salt in crisps had risen dramatically and children's foods were far too salty. In contrast the salt levels for white bread, baked beans and tomato soup had hardly changed. Experts say too much salt is a major health issue, but cooking at home, not adding salt to food and eating more fresh produce could help.
The best safeguard against consuming too much is to read the labels and become aware. That means avoiding foods that are high in sodium. You can dramatically reduce the amount of salt you intake by making minor modifications to your every day diet.
