The Health Benefits of Cranberry Juice

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Cranberry juice has both anecdotal and scientific pieces of evidence to show that it can prevent infections and also reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Cranberries have essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which is why it is considered a superfood. The juice is not only a delicious thirst quencher, but it comes with a lot of health benefits. Check out the rest of this article to learn more about the many benefits of cranberry juice.

Anti-Aging

Free radicals are present everywhere, and once they get inside the body, they cause cellular degradation through oxidative stress resulting in aging. Studies show that oxidative stress is also linked to diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases. Since cranberry juice contains a high oxidative value, it can fight off the harmful effects of free radicals.  Studies show that the berries are more potent regarding antioxidative properties,  but the juice works too.

Improved Heart Health

The many compounds in cranberry juice can improve heart health. Cranberries contain high amounts of polyphenols that can support healthy heart health. Studies show that cranberry juice can increase the antioxidants found in blood plasma. It also can lower bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein). Other studies suggest that the mean carotid-femoral artery pulse wave velocity can also be reduced among people who regularly consume cranberry juice.

Cranberry Juice Prevents Urinary Tract Infection

One of the most popular health benefits of cranberry juice is that it can treat urinary tract infection.  In a study published in Frontiers in Microbiology, cranberry juice was shown to reduce the number of colonizing E. coli in the bladder. This bacterium is the common cause of most urinary tract infections. In another study in 2016, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine noted that cranberry juice could reduce harmful bacteria in urine cultures from boys who regularly consumed it compared to those who drank the placebo.

Supports Better Digestion

There is increasing evidence that cranberry juice can help promote better digestion. Cranberry juice contains high amounts of phytochemicals that can reduce inflammation within the gut. Moreover, cranberry juice is also known to inhibit the production of H. pylori that is the common cause of bacterial ulcers in the stomach.

Prevents Infections

Compounds found in cranberries can fight off viral and bacterial infection. Several studies noted that cranberry juice could inhibit the proliferation of seven harmful microbes including norovirus that causes food-borne diseases. However, further studies need to be conducted to confirm this claim.

Support Female Health

Women’s health can be complicated due to hormonal changes. Cranberry juice can be beneficial among women who are in their menopause stage. Menopause makes women at risk to heart problems and other diseases. A study in 2013 noted that consumption of cranberry juice on laboratory rats that have their ovaries and uterus removed reduced their total cholesterol level.

Cranberry juice presents a lot of benefits to the body, but it is essential to take note that it can interact with certain medications particularly warfarin. Having said this, it is crucial that you don’t take cranberry juice while taking warfarin as the effect will be too much thinning of the blood. Nothing in this article is intended to be medical advice, and you should consult your doctor about using cranberry juice with any of the things above.

Inspired by www.medicalnewstoday.com

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FDA Bans 7 Artificial Flavoring Substances

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Many consumers are unaware that they are ingesting substances that are not good for them. These substances are usually written as “artificial flavors” on product labels.  Recently, the United States Food and Drug Administration released a list of seven artificial flavoring substances that are harmful to health. These flavorings include ethyl acrylate, benzophenone, eugenyl methyl ether (methyl eugenol), ethyl acrylate, mycrene, pyridine, and pulegone.

The Substances Were First Approved by the FDA

These synthetic substances might be foreign to ordinary consumers, but they were first approved by the FDA during the early 60s. These substances are used for a wide variety of purposes such as mimicking or enhancing natural flavors. They are used to impart the flavor of mint, cinnamon, and floral in ice cream, baked products, beer, candy, and chewing gum.

The flavoring industry and FDA mentions that there is no risk to the public when consuming these products as long as the quantity is small. But even if this is the case, there are a growing number of people who prefer not to eat or drink anything synthetic.

Natural Alternatives Needed for Artificial Flavoring

Many people are opting not to buy products that contain artificial flavoring or substances. As a result, food companies are looking for natural alternatives to flavor for food. Petitioning to ban these substances pose a significant risk to many food manufacturers. The Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association noted that the delisting of these substances confirms that there is a need for FDA to assess the actual risk instead of still following the 60-year old provision of the Delaney Clause.

The Delaney Clause was the statutory provision created by the FDA. In a nutshell, the provision strictly discourages the FDA from approving any food additives that can induce cancer to humans at any dose. And since the substances mentioned above did not reveal to cause cancer in the past, their use was continued until today.

Approving the Petition May be Difficult

While these substances may not be linked to inducing cancer, they can cause other health problems that are as concerning as cancer. However, FDA noted that approving the petition to ban these substances may not be that easy as the agency receives more than 200 petitions annually and it takes several weeks or more to evaluate and validate each.  But because of the public outcry including those from the institutions such as the Center for Food Safety, Center for Science and Public Interest, and the Natural Resources Defense Council, the FDA was forced to act.

The Implications

The implication of banning these substances is to push the manufacturers will likely be looking for natural substitutes and determining how they can change recipes using natural flavoring. But this might take a while, and many food manufacturers are asking for at least two years to be able to have a smoother transition in getting the job done. But on the bright side, switching to natural flavoring can draw in more consumers leading to a competitive boost for a variety of products.

Inspired by www.fooddive.com

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Infographic: The Eight B-Vitamins Your Body Needs

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In the infographic below, Dr. Weil explains these eight B-vitamins that your body needs and the best whole food sources to find them. The eight B-vitamins are essential to so many body functions including your metabolism, immune system, energy production, and so much more. Enjoy!

eight b-vitamins essential whole food source plant-based nutrifusion ingredients

Say No To Sugar This Halloween For Your Health

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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

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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

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Low Nutritional Value Foods are Linked to Increased Risk for Cancer

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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

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Metabolism Boosting Vitamins & Minerals

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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

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Whole Food B-Vitamins Could Help Your Fatigue

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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

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