Nutrition Articles

Coconut Water: Why this drink is more FAB than FAD!

You have seen people drinking it on the subway, in the elevator, at the gym and maybe even in those posh cafés and grills, but what's the big deal about coconut water?

Well, that's easy, coconut water is incredibly healthy and one of the best drinks to hydrate the body.  And besides aiding in digestion and helping to remove harmful toxins from your body, coconuts have anti-viral, anti-microbial, AND anti-fungal properties that can help cure disease!

Coconut water is low in carbohydrates, low in sugars and is 99 % fat free.  Many nutritionists are calling coconut water the “sports energy drink” of today's day and age because it is naturally good for you and full of the vitamins we need to ward off fatigue.

When compared to sports drinks, coconut water:

• Contains more potassium, about 294 mg.
• Has less sodium, at about 25 mg.
• Has 5 mg of natural sugars.
• Is very high in chloride at 118 mg.

(Data based on a 100 ml size coconut water drink.)

Because coconut water contains organic compounds possessing healthy growth promoting properties, drinking it has been known to help the following:

• Raise your metabolism.
• Boost your immune system.
• Promote weight loss.
• Keep the body cool and at the proper temperature.
• Carry nutrients and oxygen to cells.
• Naturally replenish your body's fluids after exercising.
• Detoxify and fight viruses.
• Boost poor circulation.
• Control diabetes.
• Cleanse your digestive tract.
• Treat kidney and urethral stones.
• Balance your pH and reduce your risk of cancer.
• Aid your body in fighting viruses that cause the flu, herpes and AIDS.
• Orally hydrate your body; it is an all natural isotonic beverage.

Still not sold on the amazingness of coconut water? How about these little known facts,

• Coconut water is much healthier than orange juice because it has much fewer calories.
• Coconut water is more nutritious than whole milk because it has less fat and no cholesterol.
• Coconut water is better than processed baby milk because it contains lauric acid, which is present in mother's milk.
• Coconut water is a universal donor and is identical to human blood plasma.
• Coconut water is naturally sterile.
• Coconut water is a naturally isotonic beverage; the same level that we have in our blood.
• Coconut water has saved lives in Third World Countries through Coconut IV.

Diet Soda Drinkers Prone to Depression Diagnosis

While many people enjoy the taste of a diet soda now and again, new studies have shown that people that drink diet sodas or fruit drinks on a regular basis are more likely to be diagnosed with depression.

The study, which took place over more than a decade of time, looked at more than 263,900 U.S. adults who answered questions about the beverages that they drank.  Ten years later, these same people were questioned whether or not they had been diagnosed with depression.

Men and women who regularly drank four or more cans of any type of soda were 30 percent more likely to have been diagnosed with depression than those who did not drink soda at all.  Diet soda drinkers had a higher risk of depression : a 31 percent risk versus a 22 percent risk of regular soda drinkers.

If a diet soda drinkers, drank more than four cans of diet soda a day the percentages of depression skyrocketed to 51 percent.

In contrast, people who drank four or more cups of coffee a day were 10 percent less likely to be diagnosed with depression than non-coffee drinkers.

While a family history of depression and stressful life events are some of the biggest predictors of depression, the study focused primarily on frequent beverage consumption of sweetened drinks.

More research will continue to be done on diet and fruity drinks, but in the mean time anyone diagnosed with depression should always continue to follow their doctor's orders and prescriptions.

The Amazing Avocado

We've all seen the avocado at the grocery store or at your favorite Mexican restaurant, but doctors are now stressing the importance and benefits of the avocado that go far beyond being just an ingredient in guacamole.

Some of these benefits include:

- Avocados have been shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer.

- Avocados have more of the carotenoid lutein than any other popular fruit. Lutein protects against macular degeneration and cataracts, two age-related eye diseases.

- The high levels of folate in avocado are also protective against strokes. People who eat diets rich in folate have a much lower risk of stroke than those who don't.

- Avocados are the best fruit source of vitamin E, an essential vitamin that protects against many diseases and helps maintains overall health.

- Avocado is high in oleic acid, which has been shown to prevent breast cancer in numerous studies.

- The vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, and glutathione in avocado are great for your heart.

Prevent Pounds by Avoiding These Winter Comfort Foods

Studies have shown that during the months of December and January, many people gain at least one pound , every year. Why? One main reason is that besides being less active during the winter months, we also turn to comfort foods to get us through those dark, dreary winter days.

In order to prevent that one pound per year weight gain that can be so hard to come off, the following foods should be avoided or at least eaten in extreme moderation:

Macaroni and cheese Cream based soups and bisques Cream and cheese based casseroles Cheesecake Pies with whipped cream and/or ice cream Cookies French fries, chili cheese fries, onion rings Creamy pot pies (with pastry top and bottom)

Just by making some slight alterations and by avoiding these fattening foods you will see that you will not only feel better but you can prevent packing on those unwanted pounds, too.

How Many Calories Are In Your Thanksgiving Feast?

Use this handy calorie counter to find out how many calories are in some of your favorite Thanksgiving foods, and avoid packing on some extra pounds this holiday season.

Salads and Appetizers:

3 cups salad (with light dressing): 100 calories ½ cup jello with fruit: 120 calories ½ cup Waldorf salad: 110 calories 1 cracker with cheese: 70 calories ½ cup mixed raw vegetables: 25 calories ½ cup mixed nuts: 440 calories 1 oz. tortilla or potato chips: 150 calories (75 extra calories per tablespoon of dip)

Main Course:

6 oz. cured ham: 300 calories 6 oz. white and dark turkey: 340 calories ½ cup stuffing: 180 calories ½ cup cranberry sauce: 190 calories ½ cup mashed potatoes: 150 calories ½ cup gravy: 150 calories ½ cup green bean casserole: 225 calories ½ cup candied sweet potatoes: 150 calories 1 dinner roll: 110 calories (45 extra calories with one pat of butter)

Drinks:

1 mixed drink: 250 calories 1 glass of wine: 120 calories 1 glass of cider: 120 calories 1 cup eggnog: 343 calories

Desserts:

2 small chocolate chip cookies: 150 calories 1 piece apple pie: 410 calories 1 piece pecan pie: 480 calories 1 piece pumpkin pie: 180 calories ½ cup whipped cream: 75 calories ½ cup ice cream: 145 calories

Leftovers:

1 turkey sandwich with mayo and cranberry sauce: 450 calories 1 open-face turkey sandwich with stuffing and gravy: 290 calories