The benefits of fruits and veggies consumption are all too well known. Fruit and vegetables are full of fiber, plus a whole range of vitamins and minerals. They also make an important and healthy part of any diet because they are quite low in calories.

Many scientific studies have reported that people who eat a lot of fruit and veggies may have a lower risk of getting illnesses.By consequence, the specialists recommend an intake of at least five portions of fruit or vegetables per person per day. This is to help reduce the risk of prostate cancer and some other malignant conditions, heart disease and many other chronic disorders. By a portion they mean an amount of 80gr.

A recent study based on data on more than 257,500 people from Europe, Japan and the US has concluded that consumption of more than the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day can cut risk of stroke as well.

Very important is that study observations revealed that people who ate three to five portions cut the risk by 11 percent compared to those eating fewer than three. The explanation is very simple. By increasing from three to to five servings a day, people would increase the potassium intake by about 50 percent, and this mineral is suspected to be the most important factor in preventing stroke.

Valerian D is a freelance writer interested in health benefits of low fat diet and exercising

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Some weight loss companies have used The Mediterranean diet as a name for a diet consisting mainly of food that are eaten by the population of the Mediterranean countries. By eating such foods as one of the ways to increase metabolism in addition to calorie counting and exercise, people will lose weight fairly fast. Quite frankly, the variations in dieting culture among these countries and even within regions of each country is too broad to call it a specitic diet. So, rather than talking about a pure diet, it is more appropriate to call it the Mediterranean-style diet. Because even with all this variation in food culture and dieting practice, their dietary pattern has something in common:.

The Mediterranean people eat much fruit, vegetables, potatoes, beans, nuts, seeds, bread and other cereals. The protein they eat is mostly fish and poultry but in pretty low amounts and they don't eat much red meat. They also eat eggs as often as four times a week. Their most important fat source is olive oil which is monounsaturated fat. They drink wine in low to moderate amounts.

If we compare the Mediterranean-style diet with the average American diet, we'll find that the average Mediterranean-style diet contains less saturated fat than the average American diet. More than half of the fat calories in a Mediterranean-style diet come from monounsaturated fats, mainly from olive oil. We also know that monounsaturated fat doesn't raise blood cholesterol levels as much as saturated fat does.

At the same time statistics show that the incidence of heart disease in Mediterranean countries is lower than in the United States. Death rates are lower too. At least a part of these differences can be explained by different dieting patterns, there are also other lifestyle factors that play a part. Until we know more about it, why not eat Mediterranean-style food more often?

Terje Brooks Ellingsen is a writer and internet marketer. He runs the website 11-Weight-Loss.net. Terje enjoys to give advice and help people with rapid weight loss like the mediterranean diet and workout as one of the ways to increase metabolism.

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Chronic illnesses like arthritis, are often linked to dietary practices. Researches show that certain food can start arthritic pain. But on the positive side, recent studies also show that some food can alleviate pain caused by arthritis. However, it must be clarified that far from being cures, these offer only temporary relief or act as preventive measures.

Teas are known detoxifiers and cleansers. But did you know that they also minimize inflammatory signals that cause arthritic pain? It is actually advised by doctors to persons who suffer from arthritis to drink more tea. Moreover, all teas made from tea leaves have the same effect. This means that it doesn't matter if you prefer black tea over green tea. Another drink which have high anti-inflammatory agents is red wine or other grape-based wine. Snacking on fresh grapes is also advised since these agents are actually found on grape skins.

Vegetables are also known to restrict transmissions of pain signals. Experts even advocate the removal of animal products from your diet to reduce pain and inflammation due to arthritis. Broccoli has glutathione, an efficient detoxifier and antioxidant. Researches show that people with lower glutathione levels are more prone to arthritis than people with higher levels. It's not a problem if you don't like brocolli; cauliflower, tomatoes, asparagus, potatoes, and cabbages also have high levels of glutathione. If you are a fruit person, this agent is found in watermelon, grapefruit, peaches, oranges, and avocados. Speaking of fruits, pineapples also contain anti-inflammatory agents and are known minimize swellings.

Containing large amounts of fatty acids like omega-3, fish had also made its mark as an anti-inflammatory agent. Researchers found that consuming more fish actually reduced risks of developing arthritis in women. Omega-3 in fish limit the inflammatory agent production. Fish diets composed of tuna, mackerel, herring, and other oily fish are recommended. Fish oils supplements are even prescribed for people who suffer from severe arthritis. Another source of good fatty acids is olive oil. Experts recommend cooking vegetables in olive oil. They found out that compared to raw veggies, those cooked in olive oil actually produce more anti-inflammatory agents. Another health food that reduces pain caused by arthritis is soy or soy beans. What's more, it's an excellent substitute for protein.

Maintain a diet abundant in the above-mentioned foods and minimize the discomfort of having arthritis. Don't have arthritis? Start this diet just the same and lower the odds of having it. After all, no one wants to grow old with aching joints.

For more valuable information on Arthritis please see http://www.eknowitall.com/eshops/health-beauty/bones-joints/arthritis-relief/

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In today's polluted society is very taxing on the body. While the body benefits exceptionally from fruit and vegetables, to cope with all the chemicals around us the body needs specific supplements.

Most supplements turn into very expensive urine. This is a very important point. Carbon dioxide, exhaust fumes, putrid invisible gases and boron (a chemical that leaks into buildings from bricks) poison our bodies on a daily basis. We need extra support to counter this.

Want to know how to counteract all the wastes the body has to take in? Chlorophyll is the substance that causes the green coloration in plants and vegetables. It is similar to hemoglobin in the blood except for one molecule. Green vegetables, especially leafy greens, shoot the highest energetic nutrients into the body.

There is one supplement that has high concentrated source of chlorophyll. This supplement also contains Vitamins A, C, E, K and B including B12 and B17 (these two are particularly significant because it's been suggested that it's not easy to get vitamin B12 on a vegetarian diet. B17 is significant because of the latest research that suggests possible benefits it provides on specific types of cancers). It also contains every single known mineral, in organic form (on Day 2 we talked about the importance of getting organic minerals). That's every single known mineral needed by the body. Some of these are extremely hard to get. It also has every known trace mineral. A true phenomenon. It considered a wonder food. It is tasteless in a glass of fruit juice. It's much better than its name suggests. This is Wheatgrass. Don?t be mistaken, this is far different from wheat ? the most important point is that Wheatgrass does not contain gluten.

Have you ever seen or come across the latest craze for Omega 3 Fats? They are also known as Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids. If you haven?t seen it yet, you will very soon. Many scientists are linking them with everything your body needs, everything from weight loss to skin shine. One challenge is that the body can?t store Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Omega 3 is made from a substance called ALA (alpha-lipoic acid). ALA can be stored by the body. Linseed is packed full of ALA, or basically the building blocks of essential good fats. These fats are good fats, as opposed to the excess weight which comes from bad fats. Scientists are now finding that good fats will push out bad fats from the body. Linseed is not green; however it's very powerful, so we've included it here.

Remember you get most of your nutrients from fruits and vegetables.

Dr. Edward Steiner has dedicated over 15 years to understanding nutrition and articulating complex information simply. He has worked internationally with indivduals who wish to improve their lives through the proper use of exercise and nutrition. He has condensed the best information he has discovered in 15+ years into one place at http://www.energyboostnow.com.

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Ideally, the best way to get recommended nutrients is?to eat them! We have the potential to live long, healthy lives due to advances in technology, discoveries in medicine and improvements in lifestyle. We can reap these rewards if we are mindful of what we eat.

Your food and physical activity choices each day affect your health?how you feel today, tomorrow, and in the future. These tips and ideas are a starting point.

Use the Nutrition Facts label and choose products with a higher % Daily Value (%DV) for fiber ? the %DV for fiber is a good clue to the amount of whole grain in the product.

Select fruits and vegetables with more potassium often, such as sweet potatoes, white potatoes, white beans, tomato products (paste, sauce, and juice), beet greens, soybeans, lima beans, winter squash, spinach, lentils, kidney beans, split peas, bananas, prunes and prune juice, dried peaches and apricots, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and orange juice.

If you do not consume milk products try these for your calcium sources: calcium fortified juices, cereals, breads, soy beverages, rice beverages, canned fish (sardines, salmon with bones) soybeans and other soy products (soy-based beverages, soy yogurt, tempeh), some other dried beans, and some leafy greens (collard and turnip greens, kale, bok choy).

Choose fish more often for lunch or dinner. Look for fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, trout, and herring. Processed meats such as hams, sausages, frankfurters, and luncheon or deli meats have added sodium. Check the ingredient and Nutrition Facts label to help limit sodium intake.

In a restaurant, start your meal with a salad packed with veggies, to help control hunger and feel satisfied sooner. On long commutes or shopping trips, pack some fresh fruit, cut-up vegetables, low-fat string cheese sticks, or a handful of unsalted nuts to help you avoid stopping for sweet or fatty snacks.

In addition to eating well, fitting activity into a daily routine is paramount. This can be as easy as taking a brisk walk to and from the parking lot, bus stop, or train station. What?s important is to be active most days of the week and make it part of daily routine.

Copyright Glenda Erceg.

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authorHello, my name is Jim Black. I'm interested in healthy cooking and fitness.



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