Top 10 Heart-Healthy Diets
Listed below are some foods that can contribute to a healthy heart:

• Seeds and Nuts (Don’t have too much but just enough as they reduce the “bad” low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels)
• Apples (Helps in slowing down the oxidation of the “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and also prevents the formation of plaques that makes arteries hard and narrow)
• Oat Bran (Oat is an excellent source of fiber that mixes with the bile acids in the intestines and prevents the absorption of “bad” LDL cholesterol)
• Fruits and Vegetables (Calorie-free and helps in lowering blood pressure)
• Oolong Tea (Helps reduce the “bad” LDL cholesterol levels)
• Legumes (Fiber-rich source that helps in reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis)
• Grapefruit (Contains photochemicals which can break the cholesterol levels but you must check with a doctor as grapefruit has also been sighted to interfere with medications)
• Dark Chocolate (Reduces blood pressure)
• Red Wine (Red wine is polyphenol-laden which protects the lining of the coronary arteries and at the same time also helps in boosting the “good HDL cholesterol levels”)
• Fish (Fish is an effective triglyceride buster which also prevents blood clots)

Whether foods or feelings, you got to feed your heart right with positive elements, which will help keep your heart beating healthy throughout life.

Parameters of the Michigan Study
About 48 rats which were more likely to become obese were studied. The sampled rats were fed with a cherry-filled diet which was well complemented with calories and carbohydrates for about 90 days. The rats were tested for the following:

• Glucose levels
• Cholesterol levels
• Triglyceride levels
• Weight and fat storage
• TNF-alpha
• Interlukin-6

Researchers called the results “delicious” and said that it was amazing to confirm the role of inflammation, obesity, blood lipids, and body compositions in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Results of the study
The study revealed the following:

• Rats who were fed with tart cherries reported – lower weight, lesser fat mass, lesser IL-6 levels, less cholesterol, fewer triglycerides, less TNF-alpha levels
• TNF-alpha reduced in lean (by 50%) and obese rats (by 40%)
• IL-6 also dropped in lean (by 38%) and obese rats (by 31%)
• Cherries-fed rats also showed a reduction in retroperitoneal fat, which is one kind of abdomen fat responsible for triggering cardiovascular diseases and inflammation

E. Mitchell Seymour, a senior scientist of the study also confirmed that colorful fruits like cherries were helpful in preventing deaths caused due to heart diseases.

British scientists have been prompt in declaring that kids who drank plenty of apple juice were less likely to develop asthma problems. This study relating to apples and lung health has been published in the European Respiratory Journal.

Health Benefits of Apple Juice
Some health benefits of apple juice are listed here below:

• Prevents early aging
• Prevents the risk of developing heart diseases
• Prevents cancer risks
• Promotes healthy bones (apple juice contains an active mineral nutrient called boron which helps in strengthening bones)
• Reduces asthma risks

Peter Burney, who led the research team at the Aberdeen University, studied kids between the ages 5-10 years in London. The team sought to ask parents about their kid’s fruit intake and the effects of the same on their bodies.

The link between apple intake and wheezing was strongly established though there were still some ambiguities remaining with relation to apple juice and asthma diagnosis. Experts were of the opinion that wheezing was a significant symptom of developing asthma, though all conditions did not lead to the illness.

Drinking fresh apple juice was not really important. Researchers said that apple juices prepared from other concentrates were also effective in reducing the symptoms of asthma.

The World Health Organization (WHO) terms “asthma” as a chronic disorder in children. About 300 million people worldwide are said to suffer from the illness. Asthma is a condition marked by the muscle tightening in the airways which causes the lining of the air passages to swell. This reduces the supply of air into the body.

The most common symptoms of asthma are – wheezing, shortness of breath and cough. Experts opine that asthma can get dangerous if the airways are severely restricted.

5 Miracle Foods for Digestion
Listed below are 5 foods that can aid digestion:

• Water: Water is considered very essential for the proper digestion of foods. Water enables digestion by allowing the nutrients from the foods to be circulated throughout the body and to allow the foods to pass easily through the intestines. During summer, experts recommend people to drink 10-14 glasses of water every day because much of fluid is lost through perspiration
• Onions: Onions aid digestion because they are an effective source for a fiber called “inulin”, which is a healthy food for the healthy bacteria thriving in the intestines. Inulin it has been found, improves digestive health by maintaining regular bowel movements. Researchers also opine that onions help in the absorption of nutrients like calcium
• Fiber Cereals: High fiber cereals are considered very beneficial for digestive health because they help in retaining fluid in the intestinal tract. This fluid or water enables the easy flow of wastes from your body and thereby prevents constipation
• Beans: Beans of any size, shape or color is considered to be very healthy for digestion. Experts opine that beans are not only an excellent source of fiber which can prevent constipation but also helps essential nutrients from the foods to get emptied into the intestines. This in turn leads to a better regulation of nutrients to other parts of the body as well. Studies suggest that a steady flow of nutrients throughout the body help control conditions like diabetes, etc
• Yogurt and Kefir (liquefied yogurt): Experts opine that fermented foods like yogurt and kefir contain live bacteria (good bacteria called probiotics) which is considered healthy for the digestive tract. Studies suggest that 70% of the digestive tract is responsible for boosting the immune system. Thereby if that much space is taken up harmful bacteria then the body will become more prone to infections

These foods can help improve digestion which is surely going to be a boon for long-term secure health.

Experts opine that the best part of naturally grown fruits and vegetables is that they lack additives and boost a person’s capabilities to do things naturally. For example, vitamins and proteins are world famous ingredients present in natural foods like vegetables, eggs, milk, etc which help in improving the performance of individuals.

Dietitians further explain that sufficient amounts of proteins and vitamins taken along with carbohydrates can help boost poor intellect in people. Experts recommend fruits and vegetables grown in organic manure to improve the intellect and academic performance of individuals.

Top 15 Brain-Healthy Foods
Listed below is a list of about 10 brain-health foods that is believed to improve intelligence and the academic performance of individuals:

• Yogurt
• Spinach
• Eggs
• Egg plants
• Red cabbage (improves blood flow)
• Broccoli (increases the iron content in the body)
• Tomatoes
• Avocados
• Green tea
• Pumpkin seeds
• Blackberries
• Strawberries (raises the though process in individuals)
• Chocolates
• Pumpkin seeds
• Almonds

The above brain healthy foods contain essential minerals and vitamins that assist in the overall development of a person. Experts explain that the lack of essential vitamins or minerals can compel a person to suffer from some chronic problems like night blindness due to deficiency of vitamin A or scurvy which results from lack of vitamin C.

You are wrong – Skipping breakfast would, in fact, lead to obesity. Attributing this to a change in lifestyle and perception, we grow up on the belief that skipping a breakfast would not matter and we could compensate it by way of a good meal.

But dietitians are asserting the important of this meal due to the 11-12 hour gap between your last dinner and the breakfast that makes it too long a time for the body to resist. Skipping a breakfast would add additional hours thereby disrupting the metabolism of the body. In addition to this, this long period could also lead to digestive problems. To avoid all these, intake of a healthy and nutritious breakfast is very important for effective functioning of the body metabolism.

It is a misinterpreted myth that skipping breakfast would help you lose weight. Whereas, most of the diets advocate the fact that skipping meals would help you gain weight on the contrary (as one tends to eat more than normal due to the craving) and lead you to be the host of many problems and diseases. On the long run, skipping meals leads to the shrinkage of the stomach and the intestines causing a few more issues.

The ideal time to have breakfast would be from 7 AM to 9 AM. A breakfast should be wholesome, nutritious and balanced consisting of essential nutrients like proteins, calcium, fiber, considerable amount of antioxidants, and multivitamins. Anything done in the right time is beneficial and that is true for breakfast too, it keeps the body metabolism intact. Plan your breakfast beforehand to avoid skipping this and be a ‘brainy YOU.’

It is not simply said, “Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper.”

When we would be out raking leaves for hours on our one-acre lawn covered with big old trees, we’d come in for a cup of hot mulled cider and powdered donuts.

Sometimes we would have an easy dinner, where we may have omitted vegetables, or perhaps the kids just wouldn’t eat them. We’d serve apple cider and rest assured that our family was getting their basic four food groups.

If someone did come down with a cold, we’d go to the hard stuff and serve hot tea with a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar. We saw miracles happen and early strep throat symptoms sometimes vanished within 24 hours.

Another serious home remedy was to stir two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a 1/4 cup of honey. A teaspoon of this mixture upon retiring would produce a peaceful night’s sleep. Apple Cider for our family was one of the rites of autumn.

Of course, a visit to the cider mill was also one of my favorite memories related to apple cider. The fresh crisp air of fall, together with family and time to talk, seeing friends with the same idea, and getting the freshest apple cider in town made for a delightful Saturday excursion.

Scientific Evidence about Apple Cider – Benefits of Apple Cider
Scientific evidence about Apple Cider is not as easy to obtain as legends are to remember and pass along. But here are a few facts, and a great recipe for those who search for the evidence of cider’s benefits!

Apples contain vitamin C and flavonoids. Vitamin C helps with wound healing and in reducing the severity of colds and flu symptoms.

Flavonoids are a family of compounds (there are more than 4000 of them in plant foods) which are currently being studied for their health benefits. Plants produce flavonoids to protect themselves against infection with bacteria and fungi, and to prevent too much oxidation, which can damage cell structure.

Scientists think that humans who eat flavonids may benefit from these properties, and particularly the anti-oxidant properties. In addition, pure apple juice/cider (with no sugar or preservatives) is an excellent beverage to drink during pregnancy. One cup of apple juice is a good source of iron, potassium, and magnesium.

In sum: Eating apples every day may really help keep the doctor away!

Can it be controlled?
Definitely, this can be controlled by effective efforts from personal will power, few arrangement in diet plans and proper check over home food storage simultaneously. The following may be executed:

• Avoid sugary stuffs during meals
• Avoid buying and storing sweet items at home
• Eat small regular meals instead of skipping
• Engage yourself in works of your interest to stay away from even the thought of sweet
• Maintaining a relax mind and body (yoga or meditation may be chosen)
• Replacing sweets with natural sweeteners like- fruits
• Artificial sweeteners should be avoided
• Intake of protein can be increased

What causes this unbeatable craving?
An exhausted body and an occupied mind sometimes is responsible for creating low blood sugar levels which turn out in signaling the body for immediate intake of instant energy giving stuff..

At times, hormonal imbalance may act as one of the major reason. Level of Serotonin (known as feel-good hormone) sometimes gets low as a result it causes depression, frustration and sadness. Intake of simple carbohydrates like – Sugar and Sugar-based products can release Serotonin in the body.

In few cases, maintaining an improper diet plan may also act as a strong reason for sweet intake. Adrenal Fatigue is also proved to be an important cause of intense sweet intake. In quite a few cases, genetic factor also plays a vital role. Intense urge for eating sweets can be seen through generations of many families.

Diet for Adrenal Fatigue
Listed below are some dietary tips for adrenal fatigue:

• Omega-3 Fatty Acid Food to fight Adrenal Fatigue: It is suggested that omega-3 fatty acid can improve communications between nerve cells (neurons). The essential fatty acid can revive mental health, thereby treating depression and adrenal fatigue. One can get omega-3 fatty acids from herring, salmon, mackerel, tuna, flaxseeds, etc. One might also take fish oil supplements in their regular diet.
• Lean Proteins to Treat Adrenal Fatigue: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for mental well being, calmness, relaxation, etc. Experts suggest that deficiency of serotonin in our brain can cause depression, fatigue, insomnia etc. Diet rich in essential amino acids (proteins) such as tryptophan can help in the synthesis of serotonin, thereby treating adrenal fatigue. Tryptophan can be obtained from turkey, milk, soy products, cottage cheese, avocado, etc.
• Zinc for Natural Treatment of Adrenal Fatigue: It is suggested that zinc deficiency might lead to depression, weakened immune system, etc. Besides, zinc can play a vital role in the structure of proteins and cell membranes. Dietary source of zinc can include calf’s liver, sesame seeds, lean beef tenderloin, boiled green peas, etc.
• Starchy Carbohydrates as Cure for Adrenal Fatigue: It is suggested that starchy carbohydrates might reduce amino acid level in the bloodstream but increase the level of tryptophan. Increased level of tryptophan can help in the increases level of serotonin and melatonin. This can help in treating adrenal fatigue. One can get carbohydrates from pasta, whole wheat flour, potatoes, rice, corn, honey, jaggery, etc.
• Calcium for the Natural Treatment of Adrenal Fatigue: Experts suggest that calcium can help in inducing good sleep by keeping nerves calm. This can help in maintaining normal serotonin level, thereby curing adrenal fatigue. Calcium can be obtained from yogurt, milk, cheese, asparagus, broccoli, kale, turnip greens, etc.
• Water for the Treatment of Adrenal Fatigue: It is suggested that water can help in alleviating stress and fatigue by uplifting mood and improving motor function. One may want to drink atleast 40 ounces of water daily.

Healthy diet can play a pivotal role not only in improving our body’s ability in managing stress but also in keeping us fit and strong. Along with this, lifestyle changes such as increased relaxation, regular healthy meals, yoga and exercises, early bedtime can help.