Posted in Antioxidants, Eyes, Health, Protein, Vitamins on March 9th, 2010
Novelist Fay Weldon’s famous advertising slogan for eggs back in the last century is being revised again.
Despite worries about cholestrol, nutritionists are now saying that eggs are one of the most nutrient-dense foods and are suggesting we need one a day for optimum health.
The study, which has been released today and will be published in June in the science journal Nutrition and Food Science, analyzed 71 research papers and documents about eggs.
Eggs are low in calories and a rich source of protein. They contain nutrients essential to good health, like vitamin D, vitamin B12, selenium and choline. They have the richest mix of essential amino acids of any other food.
Antioxidants in eggs could help prevent age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness, especially in the elderly.
Dietician, Dr Carrie Ruxton, said: “The health benefits of eggs would appear to be so great that it’s perhaps no exaggeration to call them a superfood — they are one of the most nutrient-dense foods available. Eggs are not only low in calories but are packed with nutrients that are essential to healthy living. They are an ideal food at every stage of life, as well as being easy to cook and enjoyable to eat.”
Eggs are an important dietary source of vitamin D. One egg provides more than 20 percent of the recommended daily allowance. Low levels of the vitamin have been linked with medical conditions, including poor bone health, cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, immune disorders and mental health problems.
Dr Ruxton said, “There are clear nutritional benefits to eating eggs on a regular basis. Emerging evidence suggests that eggs may be beneficial for satiety, weight control and eye health. With previous limits on egg consumption lifted, most people would benefit from a return to the days of going to work on an egg.”
The work was funded by the British Egg Industry Council.
Posted in Alternative Treatments, Health, Herbal Remedies, Herbs, Peppermint on March 4th, 2010
Many of us know that peppermint is good for a stomach upset and even freshens the breath — for a while, anyway.
Now scientists in the U.S. are claiming that it also increases alertness by as much as one-third.
More, it reduces tiredness by 15pc, they say.
Peppermint is obviously a herb you should have on your shelf, not to mention a box of mint teabags.
It can also easily be grown in small containers or a few feet of spare garden soil.
Peppermint is delicious in salads, soups and casseroles.
Posted in Cider Vinegar, Diet, Health, High Blood Pressure, Vinegar on March 4th, 2010
Cider vinegar is surprisingly good for you, according to health experts and long-term devotees.
You may shudder at the taste of vinegar — a surprising number of people, especially children, do — but it really is good for you.
Image by Syntagma Photographic
Cider vinegar taken with meals will reduce your blood pressure just as it’s likely to rise.
A shot of the liquid, twice a day, cuts out cravings and helps the body digest food.
Cider vinegar is deemed preferable to other forms, like malt, wine and balsamic, because it is said to have added health benefits, such as antioxidants, as well as tasting sweeter, rendering it more palatable.
It can be bought in good grocery stores, or unfiltered in health food shops.
Posted in Alternative Treatments, Alternatives, Health, Organic Food on January 26th, 2010
Sales of alternative medicines are booming despite the long and crippling recession. In just two years, the market has grown by 18 per cent to £213million a year.
Analysts predict sales will increase by 33 per cent to £282million over the next four years. More and more people are rejecting prescription drugs, preferring milder natural remedies. Mintel says the rise is partly explained by official acceptance of many treatments such as acupuncture, which is now available on the NHS.
Other holistic treatments such as the Indian ayurveda, which concentrates on diet, yoga, massage and herbs are making ground against standard invasive therapies.
In these times of recessionary stress, depression has led to a surge of sufferers exploring holistic approaches rather than addictive prescription drugs.
Around 1.5million Britons bought St John’s Wort last year, mainly for depression.