Say No To Sugar This Halloween For Your Health

in ,

We’ve talked about this before on our blog and we will continue to because sugar is slowly but surely, killing us. The video above is from the organization, Sugar is Killing Us, and they have made it their mission to educate more people on all problems with sugar. While Halloween is a fun holiday and candy is the focal point of trick or treating every year, we have to find a better way. You don’t have to completely eliminate all candy on Halloween, but you need to figure out a way to get rid of most of it. Below are a couple tips for helping you get the family on the same page this year and in the future.

1. Feed The Family a Healthy Meal Before Trick or Treating

An easy way to keep the kids and yourself from eating too much sugar and candy this Halloween is to serve up a healthy meal before trick or treating. The theory here is to get everyone full so they are not super hungry when the candy starts pouring in.

2. Consider Removing At Least 50% of Your Candy Haul

This could be hard and it may feel wasteful, but it’s best for everyone. Try taking 50% of your family’s candy and donating it to your dentist or an accepting organization. Dentists like to take candy donations for gift cards or service discounts to help encourage healthier eating.

Pro tip: If you are going to have a time getting the candy away from kids, consider buying it back with cash or toys…kids will typically fall for it :)

3. Provide Healthy Alternatives to Candy

This tip is definitely a challenge because as we know kids love their candy. Try engaging with non-food treats like toys, stickers, temporary tattoos, etc. You can also create some cool, healthy treats with fruits and vegetables that get your family excited.

Just Say No to Sugar This Halloween

Take the tips and use them to your advantage. Your family may not love you at first but they will thank you in the long haul. Sugar is toxic to our bodies and we have to do something to reverse the trends of chronic diseases. If anything, we hope this video and article at least makes you think about sugar more this Halloween. Have a great holiday!

The Healthy Vegetables You Need in Your Diet

in ,

Vegetables contain high amounts of vitamins, minerals, and fiber so they present a lot of health benefits to the body.  There are so many vegetables that you can consume but this article will list the most healthy vegetables that you can include as part of your balanced diet.

Spinach

Spinach is a green leafy vegetable and is known to be rich in iron. But aside from iron, it is also rich in calcium and antioxidants. A cup of spinach only contains 7 calories, but it can provide an average adult’s daily requirement for Vitamin K. It also contains high amounts of Vitamin A, C, magnesium, and folate. Vitamin K, in particular, is essential for stronger bones and it improves the absorption of calcium. You can enjoy spinach in salads, soups, and smoothies.

Kale

Kale belongs to the family of cruciferous vegetables. A cup of kale contains 7 calories and high amounts of Vitamin C, A, and K. It can also benefit people who suffer from high cholesterol. One study shows that consumption of 150mL of kale smoothie can result in a 10% reduction of bad cholesterol.  It can also help stabilize blood pressure and sugar levels.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a relative to cabbage and kale. A bowl of broccoli only contains 55 calories, but it provides your full daily requirement for Vitamin K. It also contains twice the daily recommended amount of Vitamin C for healthier immune system function. Broccoli is also considered as a superfood and it can reduce the risk of developing cancer due to the compounds sulforaphane. Animal studies noted that this compound can reduce the size as well as a number of breast cancer cells in the body.

Peas

Peas are starchy vegetables belonging to the legume family. Once cooked, a cup of peas only contains 134 calories. They also contain a high amount of fiber and protein as well as Vitamins A, C, and K. Moreover, it also contains certain B vitamins. Because they contain high amounts of protein, they are used as substitutes for meat. They also contain high amounts of saponins, which is a known antioxidant. Pea based protein is an important ingredient for many new vegan dishes as well as plant-based milk.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are root vegetables that contain 103 calories per cup.  Each potato contains Vitamin A, C, and B6. It is also rich in beta-carotene that can improve eye health and antioxidants to fight off against cancer. This root vegetable is also good for people with diabetes because it has a low glycemic index.

Beets

Beets contain high amounts of antioxidants due to its color. It also contains high amounts of potassium and folate. It is also high in heart-healthy nitrates thus it has heart-protective functions.  Beets are best served in salads or in smoothies.

Carrots

Carrots contain high amounts of beta-carotene. A cup of carrots only contain 52 calories, but regular consumption may help maintain good eyesight. Carrots also contain high amounts of antioxidants that can fight off cancer. Reports show that carrot juice can inhibit the growth of leukemia cancer cells.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are technically fruits, but they are still considered vegetables.  They are rich in potassium and Vitamin C. Moreover, they also contain lycopene – powerful antioxidants that also play a vital role in cancer prevention. Tomatoes also contain lutein and zeaxanthin for good eyesight.

Other Healthy Vegetables

There are so many vegetables that are beneficial for your health. Make sure that you include garlic, onions, alfalfa sprouts, bell peppers, cauliflower, and seaweed in your diet. You can also consume fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut and kimchi as they contain beneficial microorganisms for better gut health.

Inspired by www.medicalnewstoday.com

nutrifusion download R&D resource kit

Low Nutritional Value Foods are Linked to Increased Risk for Cancer

in ,

According to a new study, individuals who often consume low nutritional quality foods have an increased chance of getting cancer. That’s why the study’s authors are urging governments to implement labeling of foods and specifically include the nutritional value.

Britain currently implemented a method where people can look up a food product’s nutritional value. Known as the Nutrient Profiling System, it was developed by the British Food Standards Agency (FSAm-NPS). It can easily be downloaded via BFSA’s website which lets individuals make informed dietary decisions when it comes to picking out foods that are healthier as opposed to those with empty calories.

Likewise, France has also adopted a system similar to Britain’s along with other countries like Belgium.

Nutrient Profiling on Low Nutritional Value Foods

In a new study spearheaded by Melanie Deschasaux of the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research in Paris, they found that consuming foods with low-nutritional content is linked to increased cancer risk. The proof is quite substantial to prod policy-makers to urge food manufacturers and countries, as a whole, to implement nutrient profiling in food labels. This study was printed in the journal PLOS Medicine in collaboration with specialists from various research institutions.

The Study

Data was collected from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, which amounted to 471,495 participants analyzed. A 15.3-year median follow-up period was done wherein the volunteers provided data on their food habits and pertinent medical data like their history of cancer.

Out of the participants surveyed, a total of 49,794 individuals have been diagnosed with cancer. Out of these numbers with cancer, 11.66% have colorectal cancer, 13.55% has prostate cancer, and 24.23% has breast cancer.

The study further postulated that low nutritional quality foods were linked to a higher chance of getting cancer of the stomach and upper aerodigestive tract for males and females. And a higher chance for cancer of the lungs in men. While the increased risk for postmenopausal breast cancer and liver cancer were seen in women, who indulged more on lower nutritional value foods.

According to the researchers, the only study limitation they could see is that most of the data was self-reported by the volunteers and may not be completely spot on. However, the size of the study is vast and a dependable source of data that researchers can access and evaluate.

The Relevance of Nutrient Profiling System

The study authors have further reported that their study is the first study to look into the connection between diseases and the dietary index, FSAm-NPS within a sizeable European sampling unit. Further, the researchers also believe that the research is solid to urge countries to execute enhanced guidelines when it comes labeling of foods.

Accordingly, the researchers further claim that “This study supports the relevance of the FSAm-NPS as an underlying nutrient profiling system for front-of-pack nutrition labels, as well as for other public health nutritional measures.”

Inspired by www.medicalnewstoday.com

nutrifusion download R&D resource kit

Metabolism Boosting Vitamins & Minerals

in , ,

Metabolism is the body’s process by which it uses food to fuel the various bodily functions. Therefore, whatever you put into your mouth that goes down to your stomach fundamentally affects metabolism—whether they are vitamins, minerals or not.

An individual’s metabolism generally slows down as they age. However, with all things equal, some people have a faster metabolic rate which likewise means that they burn calories faster and are less likely to put on weight. At the other end of the spectrum is a slow metabolism which also means a more gradual calorie-burning process.

But, did you know that some minerals and vitamins help boost metabolism? Yes, there are. However, the best form for these vitamins and minerals are whole foods and not necessarily supplements.

So, here are the top 5 minerals and vitamins that will help boost your metabolism:

1 – Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral known for being a catalyst in various bodily chemical reactions. It is an essential mineral for energy production and metabolism. However, a word of caution, do check with your doctor before gorging yourself on magnesium-rich foods as there are health conditions negatively impacted.

Foods rich in magnesium are potatoes, whole grains, halibut, salmon, bananas, spinach, legumes, seeds, and nuts.

2 – Iron

Iron has a variety of roles performed in the body. It carries oxygen in the blood to be transported all over the body. It is crucial for the creation of hormones and proper cell functioning. When the body has low levels of iron, it also follows that low-oxygen muscles are not at their optimum level to burn fat effectively thereby interfering with the body’s metabolic activity.

Good sources of Iron are soybeans, tofu, dark green leafy veggies, nuts, brown rice, fortified cereals, beans, and meat.

And to help the body absorb iron through the diet, the consumption of Vitamin-C rich foods are suggested.

3 – Calcium

Emerging studies point that calcium plays an important function when it comes to blood sugar control and a healthy metabolism. It is already a proven fact that calcium is essential in building healthy bones and teeth.

Foods that are good sources of calcium are almonds, seeds, dark green leafy veggies, fortified orange juice, fortified cereals, yogurt, and milk.

4 – Vitamin D

Studies are suggesting that vitamin D helps improve insulin resistance and control blood sugar in people with diabetes. Although the analysis is still unsure, results of studies show that individuals with less fat have higher levels of vitamin D in the body as opposed to those with higher levels of fat.

Although Vitamin D can be had with exposure to sunlight, some foods contain Vitamin D and they are some mushrooms, fortified breakfast cereals, fortified plant-based milk, fortified dairy, beef liver, cod liver oil, sardines, mackerel, salmon, and egg yolks.

5 – B-Complex Vitamins for Metabolism Boost

A healthy metabolism is fueled by the presence of the vitamin B-complex. A deficiency in one or more of these vitamins can disrupt an individual’s metabolism.

Here is a list of B-complex rich foods like squash, potatoes, spinach, seeds, nuts, watermelon, grapes, apples, bananas, eggs, dairy products, brown rice, seafood, and lean meats. Vitamin B-12 rich foods are marmite, meat substitute, fortified breakfast cereals, nutritional yeast, and fortified plant-based milk.

Inspired by www.medicalnewstoday.com

nutrifusion download R&D resource kit

Whole Food B-Vitamins Could Help Your Fatigue

in , ,

Feeling down in the dumps? On your second cup of coffee, but still struggling to wake up? Or maybe counting the hours until you get home while having a hard time focusing on the task at hand? Could it be due to all those late nights you’ve been spending at the bar or out with friends? Could be… But, if you have been like this for days on end, then you may want to look into your vitamin-B complex intake. Whole food B-vitamins play a crucial role in various bodily functions from the conversion of food to energy, production of red blood cells, neurotransmitters, and hormones. Let’s take a closer look at the important whole food B-vitamins.

Vitamin B1

Also known as thiamine, when you are deficient in this area you experience muscle weakness, memory loss, confusion, and poor appetite to name a few. Consume more tuna, mussels, trout, pork, black beans, and whole grains.

Vitamin B2

With an inadequate intake of Riboflavin or Vitamin-B2, you may experience cataracts, anemia, nervous/reproductive system problems, liver disorders, sore throat, and skin conditions to name a few. Add enriched whole grains and fortified cereals in your diet.

Vitamin B3

For a healthy digestive system function, Niacin or Vitamin B3 is needed by the body in adequate amounts. If deficient, you may experience scaly skin sores, inflamed mucous membranes, digestive problems, mental impairment, and confusion. Foods rich in niacin are enriched bread, fortified cereals, rice, dairy, peanuts, poultry, lean meat, fish, and eggs.

Vitamin B5

 

Pantothenic Acid or Vitamin B5 is essential in the carb and fat breakdown for energy. A deficiency of this vitamin causes loss of appetite, digestive problems, sleeping problems, restlessness, irritability, headache, and extreme fatigue to name a few. Eat more of chickpeas, sunflower seeds, peanuts, whole grains, broccoli, potatoes, milk, eggs, organ meats, seafood, poultry, and beef.

Vitamin B6

Pyridoxine plays a crucial role in over 100-enzyme reactions in the body. A deficit can cause weak immunity, confusion, depression, and anemia to name a few. Vitamin B6 rich foods are fortified cereals, organ meats, fish, poultry, fruits, and starchy vegetables.

Vitamin B7

Another name for this vitamin is biotin and is responsible for healthy nails, skin, and hair. A deficiency of this vitamin causes problems with hair, skin, and nails. Increase consumption of broccoli, spinach, sardines, whole grains, almonds, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, egg yolks, organ meat, pork, and beef.

Vitamin B9

Folate is essential in DNA synthesis, and a deficiency can cause low birth weight, anemia, weak growth, diarrhea, and gingivitis to name a few. Foods rich in folate are rice, enriched flour products, cereals, and other fortified foods.

Vitamin B12

Likewise known as cobalamin a deficiency can lead to tinnitus, a decline in memory and cognition, mood swings, depression, dizziness, shortness of breath, appetite loss, and digestive problems to name a few. Foods rich in cobalamin are milk, eggs, poultry, fish, clams, beef liver, and fortified yeasts and cereals. Our team has also found a way to concentrate vitamin B12 in plants, contact us to learn more!

Looking for Plant-Based, Whole Food B-Vitamins?

Look no further! We developed our GrandFusion products to change the way manufacturers add vitamins and minerals to their packaged foods. Our concentrated fruit and vegetable powders are easy to add without impacting the flavor or texture profile of the end product. If you are just a regular consumer wanting to add the plant-based B-vitamins to your smoothie at home, we have a product for you too! Check out our store to try your favorite GrandFusion product with up 23 vitamins and minerals in one blend.

Inspired by www.wellandgood.com

nutrifusion download R&D resource kit

What are Greens Powders?

in ,

The benefits of eating your greens have been proven. Unfortunately, many people dislike eating green vegetables despite their known benefits. Good thing that there are now green powders that are sold in the market as vitamins and supplements all over the country which presents people with a convenient greens option.

Green powders are combinations of plants and herbs that have been dried and processed into powder. Green powders contain ingredients that are touted for their dense nutrient content, and these include wheat grass, chlorella, spirulina, kelp, kale, beets, green tea extract, and ginseng. They also contain prebiotics and probiotics that aid the body in digestion and mineral absorption. The premise of green powders is that it allows your body to assimilate the vitamins and minerals quickly. GrandFusion vegetable blends give you many of the same benefits above except in a more concentrated form. With just a 1/4 teaspoon, you can get 100% DV of at least 6 different vitamins all from vegetables. 12 and 21 nutrients also available.

The Benefits of Greens Powders

Greens powders are marketed as beneficial for the body. Many brands of greens powders boast to benefit the immune system. They also improve energy levels and nutrient absorption. Products also claim to help in fat loss and better hormonal balance. While most of the benefits are just claims, registered dietitian Vandana Sheth noted that green powders do have some real benefits to the body. Evidence-based studies linked green powders to improved endurance, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. A study published in the journal Chiropractic Medicine noted that 40 men and women who were subjected to the intake of greens powders had a significant reduction in their blood pressure.

While greens powders bring a lot of health benefits, some experts suggest that it should not replace good eating habits. Lori Zanini, creator of the For the Love of Diabetes online program,  noted that green powders should only be used in addition to a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. They should never be used as an excuse not to eat your vegetables. The thing is that the body reacts differently when eating whole foods than supplements and while you get concentrated amounts of vitamins and minerals from greens powders, relying on it alone reduces your intake of other essential vegetables within the rest of the color spectrum.

Eating whole plant foods have a synergistic effect on the body. In one study published in Advances in Nutrition, researchers noted that lycopene from tomatoes is more beneficial compared to those found in supplements.  Eating greens powders together with a whole food diet is crucial.

Food-Sourced Nutrition

Vitamins or minerals based on food are 100% assimilated into the body. This is called Food Sourced Nutrition. The NutriFusion products are absorbed into the body because they are a food with its own co-enzyme.

Artificial or synthetic vitamins are poorly assimilated. Typically, the body is only able to absorb 10 to 12% of the synthetic chemical. The balance is passed from the body as waste.

Food-Sourced Nutrients are Bioavailable

In providing the basic nutrient, food can supply all the complex micronutrients, phytonutrients and co-enzymes which help the body to absorb the main nutrient more effectively.The complexity of whole food and the balance and content of micronutrients cannot be matched by isolated extracts or fractions of food (as in synthetic vitamins).

For example, in the case of vitamin C, a food-based supplement would contain ascorbic acid complexed from real oranges and apples (all vitamin C rich foods). Research has shown that substances known as bioflavonoids protect and support the assimilation of vitamin C; they also have benefits in their own right. Bioflavonoids and the many other lesser-known micronutrients are not present in artificial supplements are not as bio-available.

The higher bioavailability of vitamins and minerals in the food-based form means that much lower doses of the nutrients are required to get beneficial effects. This means there is less wastage of nutrients and much less chance of excess fat-soluble nutrient build-up.

Food sourced nutrients contain natural co-enzymes, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, chelated amino acids as well as nutrients and their associated nutrient co-factors. Isolated synthetic nutrients contain only isolated chemical nutrients (and may include artificial colorings, flavorings, and sugar).

Buying Your Greens Powders

So, if you have decided to purchase greens powders to supplement your healthy diet, then you need to make sure that the product contains what it claims it does. Studies have been shown that some labels are contaminated by heavy metals such as arsenic and lead. It should only contain plant ingredients, digestive enzymes, or powdered probiotic strains and nothing more. They should not contain artificial sweeteners, lecithin, and fillers to increase their volume. Make sure that you read the labels and research about the company or supplier before getting your greens powders. Doing due diligence can go a long way and can help you get the most out of this product. If you are interested in trying GrandFusion Greens Powders and our other fruit & vegetable powders, please visit our store. Our products are plant based with NO synthetics.

New Research Shows Vegetables May Have Preventative Properties for Colon Cancer

in

In a study reported by Immunity, research showed that mice fed with lots of vegetables belonging to the Brassica genus had lower gut inflammations and benefitted from colon cancer protection. Researchers believe that the substance indole-3-carbinol (I3C) offered these benefits to the gut.

It is a widely accepted truth that veggies offer a lot of positive health benefits. However, the real mechanism behind how they provide health benefits is still not well-understood. This is the first study to establish evidence on the specifics of vegetable substances that prevent colon cancer and inflammation. It showed that I3C activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a protein that causes epithelial cell differentiation when not stimulated sufficiently.

Reactions in the Gut

The AhR protein essentially works by dispatching signals from the gut linings’ epithelial cells to the immune cells. This then regulates the inflammatory response to the massive amounts of bacteria living in our stomach.

According to one of the research authors, Dr. Amina Metidji, mice who cannot activate or produce AhR in their stomach led to gut inflammation development and consequently led to cancer of the colon. These mice were genetically modified so that they cannot produce AhR. On the other hand, when these mice were fed with vegetables rich in IC3, they did not acquire gut inflammation nor colon cancer. Further, resulting tumors in the gut were few and were non-cancerous.

Moreover, when applied to stem cells that differentiated to mini-guts, the absence of AhR led to the failure of the stem cells to become specialized epithelial cells. These epithelial cells are essential for generating protective mucus and absorb nutrients. The stem cells divided uncontrollably—a precursor to cancer of the colon.

Colon Cancer Prevention

According to Dr. Gitta Stockinger, another author of the study, the effect of diet on colon cancer and gut inflammation is quite salient. We used to believe that a diet deficient in vegetables coupled with rich fats promote colon cancer. However, with the study, increased consumption of AhR promoting chemicals can mitigate the effects of insufficient AhR stimulation thereby preventing colon cancer and intestinal infections.

Although we cannot alter the genetic factors that intensify our risk for having cancer, the study shows a light at the end of the tunnel that we can moderate our colon cancer risk by embracing a diet rich in I3C found in vegetables.

 

The Optimal Diet

In the study, the mice were fed food that was calibrated to eliminate variables that may affect the study. This resulted in findings that suggest that even without genetic risk factors in mice if they are not fed vegetables, it still led to cancer of the colon for them.

Another cancer research expert, Professor Tim Key, commented that it isn’t just the fiber content of veggies that impart health benefits, but likewise, essential veggie substances that give protection against diseases—specifically in this study, against colon inflammation and cancer. So, eat more of Bok choy, Kale, Collards, turnip greens, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, and the likes.

Inspired by www.sciencedaily.com

Infographic: The Nutrition Rainbow for Health

in ,

Have you ever heard eat the rainbow? This infographic digs into the nutrition rainbow and how the different color fruits and vegetables offer different health benefits. Fruits and vegetables are critical to eat because of their protective compounds. The saddest thing is that only 1 out of 10 U.S. adults are meeting their daily serving of fruits and vegetables. Check out this infographic for more details on the compounds in these different color fruits and vegetables. Enjoy!

nutrition rainbow fruits vegetables vitamins minerals plants nutrifusion infographic

 

Inspired by Dr. Neal Barnard