Health
9 benefits of maple syrup
Discover the 9 benefits of maple syrup.
Most people already consume a lot of sugar, probably even much more than they need.
With that said, maple syrup is one of the sweeteners you should use in small amounts and a good alternative to cane sugar when used in moderation.
Do you love maple syrup? See all the nutritional benefits in this guide.
Like the contrast between whole and refined grains, natural, unrefined sweeteners like maple syrup contain higher levels of beneficial nutrients, antioxidants, and phytochemicals than white table sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.
This is also why we see the many health benefits of raw honey. When used in appropriate amounts, the nutritional benefits of maple syrup can include the ability to reduce inflammation, supply nutrients, and better manage blood sugar.
Maple tree syrup, or more accurately the sap, has been used for centuries. The sap of various maple trees began to be processed into syrup long before European settlers arrived in the Americas.
Native Americans had theories about maple syrup’s nutritional impact even back then, and the sweetener had cultural significance to many Aboriginal tribes.
They even celebrated the sugar moon (the first full moon of spring) with a maple dance and saw maple sap as a source of energy and nutrition.
What are the benefits of maple syrup
Compared to refined cane (or “table”) sugar, which offers absolutely no nutrients, maple syrup contains some important antioxidants and minerals like zinc and manganese. When we do a side-by-side comparison of sugar nutrition and maple syrup nutrition, we see that they have some things in common, but also some things that make maple syrup more favorable.
Because maple syrup is better than sugar
Both are made from about two-thirds sucrose, but maple syrup provides less sugar overall to your diet and more nutrients. Maple syrup’s glycemic index score is around 54, compared to a score of around 65 for regular cane sugar.
This means that one of the benefits of maple syrup nutrition is that it affects your blood sugar levels a little less drastically than table sugar. Maple syrup also provides some minerals and antioxidants, while sugar lacks both.
Another factor that makes these two sweeteners very different is how they are made. Maple syrup is derived from the sap of maple trees.
Unlike refined cane sugar, which undergoes a long and complex process to be condensed into crystallized sugar, maple syrup is a relatively more natural and unrefined product.
And as you probably know, high fructose corn syrup is not a natural or healthy choice, and neither are artificial sweeteners (hence the name).
For example, sugar cane stalks and beets are mechanically harvested, cleaned, washed, ground, extracted, squeezed, filtered, purified, vacuumed, and condensed, even before they are converted! in sugar crystals!
Maple Syrup Nutrition Facts
1 tablespoon of maple syrup contains approximately:
•7 milligrams of manganese (33 percent of the recommended daily value, or DV)
•0.8 milligrams of zinc (6 percent DV)
•13.4 milligrams of calcium (1 percent DV)
•8 milligrams of potassium (1 percent DV)
•0.2 milligrams of iron (1 percent DV)
•8 milligrams of magnesium (1 percent DV)
9 Health Benefits of Maple Syrup
1.- Contains numerous antioxidants
According to studies comparing the total antioxidant content of natural sweeteners with refined sugar products such as white sugar or corn syrup, substantial differences in total antioxidant content were found.
Refined sugar, corn syrup, and agave nectar contain the least antioxidant activity, but maple syrup, black and black molasses, brown sugar, and raw honey showed the highest antioxidant capacity (with the highest molasses).
A good reason to use change your sweetener? Maple syrup nutrition is impressive when it comes to supplying protective antioxidants. The medical journal Pharmaceutical Biology revealed that pure maple syrup contains up to 24 different antioxidants.
These antioxidants, in the form of phenolic compounds, are beneficial in reducing free radical damage that can cause inflammation and contribute to the formation of various chronic diseases. Whenever possible, select darker grade B maple syrups, as these contain more beneficial antioxidants than lighter syrups.
Some of the major antioxidants found in maple syrup include benzoic acid, gallic acid, cinnamic acid, and various flavonoids such as catechin, epicatechin, rutin, and quercetin.
While most are found in low concentrations, others are present in higher amounts, so the benefits of these antioxidants may offset some of the downsides of consuming the high amount of sugar in the syrup.
2.- Reduces the glycemic index
The liver refines the rapid metabolism of refined sugar and refined carbohydrates in general, causing a “sugar high” followed by a “sugar crash.” Even worse, consuming too much sugar rapidly raises blood sugar and increases insulin levels, which over time can lead to lower insulin response and problems with blood glucose control, and is the reason it develops diabetes.
However, keep in mind that consuming too much sugar, from any source, is a major cause of some of the most widespread health problems, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, even natural sweeteners should be used like maple syrup in small amounts.
When it comes to solutions to naturally reverse diabetes or other blood sugar-related conditions, it’s best to minimize your overall sugar intake and especially avoid refined sugar.
3.- Fights inflammatory diseases
Because maple syrup nutrition supplies polyphenolic antioxidants that reduce inflammation, it can be considered part of a healthy diet that helps prevent certain conditions such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or heart disease.
The plant-based compounds in maple syrup reduce oxidative stress, which is responsible for aging us at a faster rate and reducing the strength of our immune systems.
4.- It can help protect against cancer
While some evidence shows that, to some degree, sugar can cause or at least contribute to cancer, maple syrup appears to be a much less harmful sweetener.
This is due to the presence of antioxidants in maple syrup that can protect cells from DNA damage and mutation.
While maple syrup alone won’t reduce your risk of developing cancer, it’s a much safer option than including high levels of refined sugar or artificial sweeteners in your diet.
5.- Helps protect skin health
Many people swear by using maple syrup topically, directly on their skin.
Similar to raw honey, maple syrup can help reduce inflammation, redness, blemishes, and dry skin.
Combined with raw milk or yogurt, rolled oats, and raw honey, this natural blend is applied to the skin as a mask that can moisturize the skin while reducing bacteria and signs of irritation.
6.- Alternative to sugar to improve digestion
Consuming high levels of refined sugar can contribute to candidiasis, irritable bowel syndrome, leaky gut syndrome, and other disorders of the digestive system.
One of the most important steps you can take to heal leaky gut and autoimmune disorders is to reduce your consumption of refined sugar and opt for small amounts of natural sweeteners instead.
Most artificial sweeteners also cause symptoms of indigestion, such as gas, bloating, cramps, and constipation.
To keep your digestive tract in a healthier shape, free from chemicals and the damage caused by a high-sugar diet, maple syrup can be a much better alternative to use in baked goods, yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothies.
7.- Supplies important vitamins and minerals
Maple syrup contains zinc and manganese in fairly high amounts, as well as potassium and calcium.
Zinc can help fight disease and improve immunity by maintaining white blood cell levels, while manganese plays a crucial role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, calcium absorption, blood sugar regulation, brain function, and the nervous.
8.- A healthier alternative to artificial sweeteners
If you regularly use artificial sweeteners or refined sugar products like Splenda, sucralose, agave, aspartame, or dangerous sugar, you should consider switching to maple syrup and raw honey as soon as possible.
Artificial sweeteners, while they may be calorie-free, are linked to numerous health problems including weight gain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, short-term memory loss, and more.
Many existing diseases can be made worse by repeated use of artificial sweeteners, and they also show unfavorable results when it comes to weight loss.
It is quite possible to become addicted to the artificial sweeteners used in many diets or light meals, as they affect food cravings and your ability to control your body’s signs of hunger and fullness.
Maple syrup isn’t linked to any of these health issues, plus it’s more satisfying due to its naturally sweet taste.
9.- It can improve the antibiotic effects
Antibiotics may seem like a quick and easy fix for several different illnesses, but as new research comes out, it’s getting harder to ignore the dangers and downfalls of antibiotic use.
While they target bad bacteria, antibiotics can also attack healthy cells, while overuse of antibiotics results in the creation of “superbugs” that no longer respond to antibiotic treatment.
When researcher Nathalie Tufenkji and her team investigated maple syrup extracts in conjunction with the antibiotics ciprofloxacin and carbenicillin, they observed the same antimicrobial effect with more than 90 percent fewer antibiotics.
In other words, the maple syrup extract helped the antibiotics work better. How? The researchers discovered that the extract increases the permeability of bacteria, helping antibiotics inside bacterial cells.
“There are other products that increase antibiotic resistance, but this may be the only one that comes from nature,” says Tufenkji. More research and testing for allergic reactions are still needed before this can become part of a medical protocol, but Tufenkji’s research suggests hope against antibiotic resistance in the future.
History of maple syrup
Maple syrup is one of the oldest forms of sweetener out there, having been eaten by Native Americans living in North America hundreds of years ago.
Maple syrup was first collected and used by indigenous peoples before it was introduced to early European settlers, who discovered ways to quickly improve the technology needed to collect more.
Due to its natural harvesting method and history as a healing sweetener, this is one of the reasons many people choose maple syrup and raw honey as their sweeteners of choice, even those on the Paleo diet, for example.
Today, Canada supplies more than 80 percent of the world’s maple syrup. In the United States, the largest maple syrup-producing state is Vermont.
Maple syrup has been made in Vermont for hundreds of years; in fact, some large maples in Vermont that are still providers of sap today are more than 200 years old. Most maple trees are 10 to 12 inches in diameter and are usually around 40 years old.
How maple syrup is made
In all plants, one kind of sugar is naturally present. The primary sugar of plants is a product of photosynthesis that occurs when sunlight comes into contact with the leaves of the plant. Sucrose is the most prevalent type of sugar found in maple syrup (at least 66 percent of the sugar in maple syrup must be sucrose to be considered pure).
Sugar synthesized in plants is used as a source of energy for growth and is stored throughout the plant, usually in the roots.
In most plants, sugar is not easily extracted from plant roots, stems, or leaves (as in sugar cane plants) without undergoing mechanical and chemical processes, but in the case of maples, the sap is easily collected.
According to the makers of Vermont maple syrup, “A tree that produces sap is like a person who donates blood.” They both have something to spare.” The sugar produced by maple tree leaves during the summer is stored as starch in the roots, then during the winter months “taps” are inserted into the trees. After the plug is drilled, a spout is connected with a bucket and a hook or tube.
Then, when spring comes and the temperature gets warmer, a pattern of freezing and thawing temperatures increases the pressure inside the trees, causing sap to flow from the holes in the buckets.
The cubes are collected by hand and added to large tanks were some of the water evaporates and is removed to produce a richer syrup. And that’s it, the process is that simple. A typical “sugar” season lasts 4-6 weeks, and it takes 40 gallons of sap to make each gallon of maple syrup!
How to buy and use pure maple syrup
To get all of these nutritional benefits of maple syrup, you’ll need to be careful to buy the right kind. Many maple syrups sold in stores are imposters or maple syrup “flavored” sugars that are highly refined.
Check the ingredient label carefully to make sure pure maple syrup is the only (or main) ingredient, not refined cane/beet sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.
It’s also smart to buy organic maple syrup whenever possible, which ensures the trees aren’t treated with any chemicals.
All types of pure maple syrup are classified as “grade A” or “grade B.” Both grade A and grade B maple syrups can be good options, as long as they are pure and free of preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors.
The biggest difference is that Grade B syrups are darker in color and more concentrated, so they’re generally used for cooking rather than drizzling on food.
Some research also shows that grade B syrup tends to be higher in antioxidants than grade A.
Most store-bought maple syrup is grade A, the lightest type used to sweeten pancakes. There are also several different types of Grade A syrups, ranging in color from light to dark amber. The darker the syrup, the later in the year it is harvested and the stronger the flavor.
When using maple syrup instead of table sugar in baked goods, replace the regular sugar content with the same amount of maple syrup but reduce the amount of liquid the recipe calls for by about a half-cup.
This will give it just enough of a sweet flavor without adding too much moisture and diminishing the texture you’re looking for. In smoothies, salad dressings, or other liquids, you can replace sugar or agave nectar with maple syrup.
Maple syrup recipes
Maple syrup is a heat-stable sweetener that works well in many types of recipes, so you can use it in many ways, including in marinades, dressings, glazes, baked recipes, or just on its own. It’s even a good alternative to white sugar in your morning coffee or tea.
Maple Breakfast Sausage Recipe
Total time: 25 minutes
Serving: For 4 people
Ingredients
•1 pound grass-fed ground beef
•2 tablespoons coconut aminos
•1/2 cup maple syrup
•2 tablespoons of ghee
Procedure
•In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients.
•Place a skillet over low heat and add the butter.
•Shape meat into sausage links and place in skillet.
•Cook with the lid on for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
Concerns about the consumption of maple syrup
As mentioned above, maple syrup can be a good natural sweetener option when serving sizes are kept small and eaten in combination with other whole foods.
While maple syrup does contain some nutrients and benefits over white sugar, it does not provide a very high level of important vitamins or minerals compared to other whole foods like vegetables, fruits, and high-quality protein and fat.
As a result, it might be best to think of it as a better alternative to sugar, but not necessarily something you should strive to include in your diet every day. As long as you have maple syrup in moderation it shouldn’t create a problem, just make sure you buy the best kind possible and watch your portion!
From the looks of it, you may think a leaky gut only affects your digestive system, but it can affect more. Because Leaky Gut is so common, and that conundrum, I’m offering a free webinar on all things leaky gut.
Discover the contraindications and side effects of Bupropion.
This psychotropic drug is used both to treat depressive symptoms and in tobacco addiction.
A drug belonging to the IRND.
Tobacco is one of the substances with psychoactive effects that have been used the most legally since its discovery.
Even though today smoking is prohibited in establishments and closed public spaces and its price has risen based on taxes, millions of people still have the habit of smoking.
But many of these people, at some point, need to stop. Although it is possible to do it voluntarily, in some cases they may require psychological and even pharmacological help.
In the latter case, one of the existing drugs used to quit smoking is bupropion, a drug that originated as an antidepressant.
What is bupropion?
Bupropion is a well-known antidepressant drug, although more than in its application for depression it is more common and distinctive due to its efficacy in the treatment of tobacco addiction.
In this sense, it is a treatment that does not include nicotine and that is recommended together with some type of therapy or psychological treatment.
This shows that psychotropic drugs are not designed following a plan from scratch, but rather that there is a certain process of trial and error in their development, and that sometimes there are benefits for the drug that were not even taken into account at first.
Bupropion is a specific dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or NRDI , that works by increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain.
Compared with other drugs in the group of antidepressants, bupropion has the advantage of not causing sexual dysfunctions, although, on the other hand, its effectiveness alone seems less compared to other drugs on the market.
Thus, bupropion is an example that molecules related to other substances used for a certain class of disorder may be more useful in different health conditions, no matter how similar their structure is.
Mechanism of action
The function of bupropion and its mechanism of action is based on its role as a selective inhibitor of dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake.
This implies that bupropion works by preventing these two transmitters (associated with gratification and energy) from being re-uploaded by the presynaptic neuron, in such a way that they are available to postsynaptic neurons for a longer time.
Furthermore, it appears to stimulate the secretion of these neurotransmitters.
Thus, dopamine and norepinephrine levels and their transport increase at the brain level, something that can alter the mood.
Likewise, it has also been observed that it has an effect at the level of acetylcholine, binding to nicotinic receptors and exerting a non-competitive antagonistic effect.
Although there is no total security for this, this element is one of the possible explanations for its role in smoking cessation.
However, it must be taken into account that the exact way in which the mechanism of action of bupropion and psychotropic drugs in general works is still unknown.
Its use does not guarantee that it will work to alleviate the symptoms of the disorder to be treated, and its efficacy is only slightly better than that of a placebo.
That does not mean that in many cases it is very useful, simply that the percentage of patients who try this treatment and do not obtain any benefit is relatively high.
Indications: uses in disorders
Bupropion is a drug that has had various uses throughout its history. Although it was born as an antidepressant and today it is still used to treat this condition both as monotherapy (single therapy) and combined therapy (more common, to enhance some specific antidepressants when first-line drugs are not effective), the truth is is that by itself it is generally considered less effective than other antidepressants.
Where this drug stands out and has the greatest use is in smoking cessation, being effective in reducing the consumption habit and the urge to smoke.
In this sense, its mechanism of action seems to contribute to stopping craving (possibly due, on the one hand, to its antagonism of nicotinic receptors and its interaction with brain dopamine, although the exact mechanism is not fully known).
Another disorder in which it is used is seasonal affective disorder, in which depressive episodes appear associated with certain times of the year.
In addition to the above, it has sometimes been used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, especially during the depressive episodes that can occur in this disorder (although this use requires caution since there is a risk of turning the disorder into a manic crisis).
Also in ADHD. But in any case, further research is required and possible risks must be taken into account.
Side effects of Bupropion
Bupropion is a drug that is very useful in smoking cessation and is used in cases of depression, but as with other drugs, its clinical utility is not free of risks and possible side effects.
This occurs because the active substance in bupropion affects many areas of the body, not just the areas that could produce an improvement in symptoms.
This unwanted interaction generates a chain reaction of consequences to some extent unpredictable, which can lead to new health disorders (although they tend to disappear as the substance leaves the body). Therefore, its use should always be supervised and indicated by doctors.
In this sense, among the main side effects of bupropion, we can find the cause of insomnia (being one of the most frequent), dry mouth and dizziness, headaches, nausea, constipation, rapid heartbeat, tremors, skin rashes, agitation, and nervousness. It can also cause a decrease in appetite.
In more serious cases it can generate seizures (this being one of the most well-known serious risks), arrhythmias, hallucinations, panic or difficulties in breathing or feeding, or inflammations being necessary to see a doctor. In some cases, it can cause irritability, hostility, depression, suicidal thoughts.
Contraindications of Bupropion
In addition to these side effects, this drug is contraindicated in some sections of the population.
People who are allergic to it or any of its components (something obvious on the other hand), those who consume certain medications (especially MAOS), dependence on substances other than tobacco (such as alcohol, drugs, and pharmaceuticals), and those who suffer from epilepsy, brain tumors and anorexia nervosa or bulimia (since it reduces the appetite).
It is also not recommended, although it can sometimes be used if the benefits are considered greater than the risks, in cases of people with kidney or liver failure, head trauma, insomnia, or the use of other medications that may interact with bupropion.
Diabetics, alcoholics, hypertensive or people with psychiatric disorders (since it can contribute to the appearance of mania in bipolar or psychotic crisis in schizophrenia, among others) also have it contraindicated (or at least the treatment should be done with a high level of control of the patient’s condition and the doses administered) due to the risk of seizures and other side effects.
Finally, it is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women either
Discover the 15 benefits of coconut oil for hair.
Coconut oil is very popular and often preferred as a hair oil throughout the world. And it is a very popular ancient elixir in Asia. We tell you why.
Many people who live in the coastal areas of the world, more specifically in areas where coconuts grow in abundance, know that pleasant coconut oil is their only hair oil. These are the areas like the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma, the Philippines and parts of the Caribbean.
Coconut oil is rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that are good for the human body. However, coconut oil is not limited to hair; It is used in the preparation of cosmetic creams and soaps, and in Asian countries, it is also used to prepare various types of food and salads.
Coconut oil has been used as hair oil for thousands of years and has shown remarkable results. Certain components of coconut oil keep hair strong, nourished, and protected from the effects of premature aging, such as baldness and hair loss. Let’s take a look at some of those hair benefits, and what components of coconut oil are responsible.
Benefits of coconut oil for hair
1. Hair loss:
Coconut oil has been used since ancient times in India for hair grooming. Various remedies using herbs and coconut oil were prepared to prevent hair loss. One such remedy can be prepared in modern times by boiling Salvia leaves in coconut oil.
This mixture can be applied to the scalp for the improvement of healthy hair, and its use will also prevent hair loss. Applying a mixture of coconut oil and lemon water can also provide relief from hair loss, as does the mixture of coconut oil and gooseberries. They boil gooseberries in coconut oil and then apply it to their hair.
2. Hair damage:
Using coconut oil on hair helps reduce protein loss in both damaged and intact hair. Rich in lauric acid, coconut oil has a high affinity for hair protein and easily penetrates the hair shaft due to its low molecular weight. It can be used for pre-wash or post-wash hair grooming.
3. Cooling Properties:
Applying coconut oil to the head and scalp also has a cooling effect. It can cool and soothe people with hotheads, or those who suffer from severe scalp sweating.
4. Moisture retention:
Coconut oil can retain moisture, as it does not break down or evaporate easily, it remains very stable. It does not let moisture escape, thus keeping hair moist and soft, preventing hair breakage.
5. Hair Conditioning:
Coconut oil is the best hair conditioner than any synthetic available on the market. Using warm coconut oil helps keep hair shiny and smooth. Apply the warm oil at night and wash your hair the next morning. This can be repeated from time to time for healthy, strong, and conditioned hair.
6. Anti-dandruff:
Various fatty acids available in coconut oil serve as very good anti-dandruff agents and are much better than any anti-dandruff shampoo. Regular application of coconut oil can help you get rid of dandruff for good.
Coconut oil mixed with warm water and castor oil can also be effective in treating dandruff. Massage the scalp and hair with this mixture for best results.
Another home remedy for dandruff can be prepared by mixing coconut oil with sesame oil. Apply this mixture for about 30 minutes and then wash your hair.
7. Styling:
Coconut oil can be a good styling oil for hair, as it melts and then condenses when cooled. Therefore, when you apply it to your hair, it is diluted and spread evenly due to the heat of the scalp. Soon after, as the hair comes into contact with air, the oil in the hair condenses, thus working as a hair cream or gel.
8. Head Lice Protection :
Head lice are a very common hair pest and can cause embarrassment for anyone. Also, they tend to come back again and again.
There are many chemical products for the treatment of lice, but unfortunately, they can also damage the scalp and hair due to their strong chemical components.
Combing through wet hair with a fine comb is a good remedy for getting rid of lice, but it can also damage wet hair. However, if one covers the wet hair with coconut oil, it becomes much easier to comb and subsequently remove the lice.
9. Hair care for dry hair:
For people with dry hair and who have dry and thin hair, taking care of their hair is a big concern. However, using strong hair care products for cleansing, toning and conditioning can lead to a dry and flaky scalp. Coconut oil can be effective in caring for this type of dry hair.
10. Hair toning:
Coconut oil also helps tone hair, especially dry hair. Apply a warm mixture of coconut oil and lavender essential oil to your scalp at night, then wash and rinse your hair the next morning. You can repeat this as often as you like until you see the desired results.
11. Hair Conditioning:
Hair conditioner can be easily prepared at home using coconut oil. Not only is it effective; but It also has no side effects. Mix a little henna with coconut oil and hot milk to form a paste. Apply this to your hair for 20 minutes and then rinse your hair properly. This hair conditioner is very effective, especially for dry hair.
12. Boils:
Some people experience the condition of boils on the scalp, especially during the winter. This can also happen if it is exposed to heat or sun for a long duration.
It is important to keep the hair and scalp clean and occasional hair massage with a mixture of coconut oil and olive oil can provide relief from the uncomfortable and unsightly problems of boils. However, if the problem persists, you should contact your health care specialist.
13. Split Ends:
If you have a lot of split ends in your hair, it is generally recommended to cut them, but in case this problem appears in a small number of your hair strands, then you could use simple home remedies to solve the problem.
Massage the hair with a mixture of coconut oil and almond oil for a few minutes; This will help minimize split ends and bring them back together.
14. Healthy Hair:
With various benefits such as hair nourishment, anti-aging properties, moisture retention, and vitamin E supplementation, coconut oil in shampoo is one of the best things that helps your hair.
15. The Oily Factor:
Detergent or soap-based shampoos leave your hair dry, rough, hard, and bleached. Therefore you will sometimes find that you cannot gently comb your hair after you have washed it.
The oil in the shampoo counteracts this effect. In coconut oil, that component comes from natural saturated fats and keeps hair smooth and shiny.
How to apply coconut oil to hair
Before fully entering into the different ways of using coconut oil in hair care, it is important to know the objective that we intend to achieve with its use. In other words, we will not apply it the same if we want to combat dandruff or, on the contrary, if we are looking for a hydrated and nourished mane.
Moisturize the hair
Take two tablespoons of coconut oil and spread this amount through your hair and scalp.
Cover the hair with a shower cap or something similar and let it act for an hour.
Rinse the hair with water, then comb the hair.
Curb frizz
Apply a tablespoon of coconut oil to your hair. On this occasion, it is not necessary to rinse the hair with water.
Fight dandruff
Mix two tablespoons of coconut oil with sesame or tea tree oil, whichever you prefer.
When the combination is homogeneous, apply it to the hair.
Let the mixture act for 30 minutes and rinse it off.
And you, do you know how you want your hair to look? Take a few minutes to look at your hair and try the star ingredient!
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Discover the 11 shocking health benefits of pepper and side effects.
The bell pepper (Capsicum) an ancestral spice, is a diverse and spicy edible fruit of any of the varieties within the Capsicum genus.
With the well-known popular use of the pepper, multiculturally, and for generations around the world, interest is developing in knowing the medicinal benefits of this natural plant food and culinary spices.
Many people are familiar with the use of bell peppers in the preparation of spicy foods, but what is it that makes them spicy?
The answer is capsaicin, an odorless and tasteless phytochemical that produces the heat in bell peppers.
With the varieties of peppers available, it is important to know that the capsaicin content of each type varies and that it is possible to get less heat and still receive the health benefits of the active ingredient capsaicin from chili peppers.
Capsaicin is found in the fleshy membrane of sweet and hot peppers and a higher concentration in the seeds.
This natural fruit can be used fresh or dried as a culinary spice, added to teas, or taken in capsules to reap its medicinal benefits.
The health benefits of pepper include relief from stomach problems, back pain, muscle spasms, headaches, cancer, aging skin, peptic ulcers, menopausal problems, lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and it can also provide relief from arthritis-related pain. Capsicum also helps with fibromyalgia and psoriasis
Nutrition facts of Capsicum
• The use of whole chili peppers of the genus Capsicum provides nutritional value, including high amounts of vitamin C and vitamin A.
• These vitamins are best obtained from fresh fruit.
• Chili peppers harvested when the color is red rather than orange or yellow have higher concentrations of these beneficial nutrients.
• Other beneficial bioactive components of bell pepper are the flavonoid content.
• Alkaloids and tannins are some of the other important bioactive compounds contained in it.
• Alkaloids work as anti-inflammatory, pain relievers, and antioxidant agents.
11 Health Benefits of Pepper
Adding capsicum to your daily diet can provide great health benefits against many ailments. Let’s see the benefits in detail:
1.- Benefits of pepper for inflammation
• The phytochemical constituents of bell pepper have been shown to produce an anti-inflammatory response that alleviates peripheral neurogenic pain related to Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory disease of the intestines.
• Another example of peripheral neurogenic inflammation in cutaneous pain of the skin.
• Pepper creams and balms are often applied by massaging topically onto the skincare to avoid open areas and mucous membranes.
• The burning effect of capsicum is felt when applied to the skin, which is caused by an inflammatory response from the peripheral nerve endings.
• But regular application attenuates sensory nerve endings and relieves chronic diabetic neurogenic pain.
• Some suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of bell pepper may also help ease arthritis-related pain.
• Its cream can be used as an option to treat this disease and many others.
2.- Benefits of pepper for stomach
• Capsicum contains tannins. Tannins are astringent and are often considered beneficial when treating gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, dysentery, and other microbial disorders.
• Gastric mucilage works to protect the gastric lining and prevent the development of peptic ulcers.
• Studies suggest that it acts as a mucilage to increase gastric mucus production and help treat peptic ulcer disease.
• Taking capsicum can increase nasal drainage due to the presence of phytochemical capsaicin.
• Also, for this reason, it is beneficial to avoid touching your eyes or body mucus membranes when preparing capsicum peppers.
• In the same way, wash your hands thoroughly after preparation to avoid transferring volatile oils containing pepper to these sensitive areas.
3.- Benefits of pepper for cancer
• Another bioactive effect of the tannin contained in the pepper is in the prevention and treatment of cancer.
• Studies have shown that it has an inhibitory effect on many types of malignant cancers.
• These antitumor properties are most beneficial in treating lung, liver, and gastric cancers.
• The antioxidant effects of capsicum show a possibility of treatment for other types of cancer, such as hormone-related prostate cancer.
• The anti-cancer effect of pepper is determined by the bioactive ability of the phytochemical capsaicin to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
• Capsaicin also destroys already damaged cell structures in the human body.
4.- Benefits of pepper for heart
• Studies on flavonoids have suggested that they are beneficial in preventing coronary heart disease.
• The pepper is both caloric and vasodilator.
• A suggested effect of the vasodilator properties of the pepper is the improvement of hypotension and the decrease of the heart rate.
• Vasodilation allows better blood flow resulting in better oxygenation of organ tissues.
• This is most likely due to tachykinins, a known bioactive ingredient in capsicum.
5.- Antioxidant agent
• Many of the bioactive compounds in bell pepper provide antioxidant effects.
• Enhanced vasodilation allows these antioxidant phytochemicals to circulate throughout the body.
• This allows you to protect and repair tissue and DNA damage.
6.- Benefits of pepper for diabetes
• With the worldwide prevalence of diabetes, the consideration of capsicum as a hypoglycemic drug has sparked research in this matter.
• Some studies have indicated, although it has not yet been concluded, that it can stimulate insulin production resulting in lower blood glucose.
• This would determine a possibility the pepper is beneficial in preventing the onset of type II diabetes and its possible complications.
• The hypoglycemic benefits of the pepper are more concentrated when it is green.
7.- Increases immunity
• The bell pepper contains vitamin C, which is valued as bioactive immune support phytochemical.
• Helps strengthen the immune system, repair damaged brain tissues, and reduce the risk of oxidative stress, pediatric asthma, and cancer.
• It also improves bone health.
8.- Treat fibromyalgia
• Many clinical trials show the efficacy of capsicum in treating fibromyalgia symptoms when applied topically.
• Those who use capsicum topically reported beneficial effects on improving sleep.
9.- Treat diabetic neuropathy
• One disease that often causes neurogenic pain is diabetes.
• Capsicum has been shown to have a beneficial effect on diabetic neuropathic pain when applied topically.
• It works to cushion the skin’s nerve endings and reduces pain.
10.- Benefits of pepper for Skin
• The vitamins in bell pepper have been shown to have an antioxidant effect on cell tissues, which can improve skin health and prevent aging.
11.- Relieves the symptoms of menopause
• Menopausal symptoms can also be alleviated by consuming fruits that contain flavonoids, such as chili peppers.
Uses of the pepper
• The pepper comes in dry form, as a spice like a chili pepper and paprika. The dried spice is used in many sauces or added to beverages such as tea.
Dried bell pepper can be found in whole dried bell peppers, as a single spice, or in dried spice mixes.
• As a more concentrated medication, bell pepper can be placed in a capsule for oral ingestion as a nutraceutical or applied topically to the skin as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory cream.
• With the availability of chili pepper in many markets, it should be considered that although the dried spice is convenient and effective in terms of its health benefits, eating fresh chili provides more benefits.
• As studies show bell pepper is beneficial as a daily health supplement.
The bell pepper is enjoyed by many as a daily food additive in cooking.
The culinary preparation of bell pepper can provide sufficient protection when consumed daily to have beneficial effects on certain chronic and potentially degenerative health conditions.
• The bioactive components in capsicum work together to improve blood flow, act as a cancer preventative and pain reliever, protect the gastric mucosa, and provide nutrients for a healthy lifestyle.
• Although all peppers contain vitamins and other beneficial bioactive components.
However, the color of the pepper determines the growth stage when it is harvested.
It also determines the concentration of vitamins and other beneficial phytochemicals.
In general, it can be said that, whether consumed dry or fresh, chili pepper is medicinal and beneficial to use in a daily diet as both a natural preventative and a treatment for many chronic conditions.
5 simple pepper recipes
A.- Fusilli with mushrooms and peppers
Ingredients (for 2 people)
• 200 grams of fusilli
• 100 grams of mushrooms
• 10 cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 green pepper and 1/2 red
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Parsley
• Thyme
• Salt
• Pepper
Preparation
• Wash the peppers, remove the seeds, and cut them into strips.
• Remove the stem from the mushrooms, clean them, run them under water, dry them with a clean cloth, and cut them into pieces.
• Wash the parsley, dry it with absorbent paper and chop it.
• Wash the tomatoes and cut them in half. Peel and mince the garlic clove.
• Wash the lemon, dry it and get a tablespoon of the zest from its skin into thin strips.
• Boil salted water and cook the pasta until al dente.
• Drain and reserve.
• In a very wide pan, heat 2 teaspoons of oil, sauté the minced garlic in it for 1 minute without letting it turn color.
• Add the mushrooms and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the peppers, the tomatoes and cook everything together for about 5 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with the chopped parsley, a little thyme, and mix.
• Add the pasta to the casserole with the grated lemon strips, sauté everything together for 2 minutes, and serve.
B.- Beef skewers with peppers
Ingredients for 4 people)
• 750 grams of beef tenderloin
• 1 red, 1 green, and 1 yellow bell pepper
• 50 milliliters of oil
• 2 tablespoons minced thyme leaves
• Salt
• Black pepper
Preparation
• Cut the meat into 3-centimeter cubes and put it in a salad bowl. Sprinkle the thyme, season, and drizzle with the oil.
• Mix and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Wash the peppers, remove the peduncle and seeds, and cut into squares.
• Thread the meat on the skewers and alternate it with the pepper; place in a large skillet to grill over high heat for 3 minutes on each side.
• Remove from the fire and serve.
C.- Chicken recipe with red and green peppers
Ingredients for 4 people)
• 500 grams of chicken
• 100 grams of onion
• 2 minced garlic
• 50 milliliters of soy sauce
• Basil
• 100 grams of green peppers and 100 grams of red
• Olive oil
Process
• Cut the chicken into pieces of about 2 centimeters. You can use any part of the chicken from the breast to the thighs.
• In a bowl, place the chicken, the onion cut into fine julienne strips, the minced garlic, the soy sauce, and the basil and leave to marinate. Meanwhile, make the peppers.
• Clean and cut the peppers into strips lengthwise. In a skillet, sauté them over high heat for 30 seconds so that they are crisp. Reserve.
• In the same pan where you sautéed the peppers, cook the chicken with the rest of the marinated ingredients. Once the chicken is cooked add the peppers, mix and serve warm.
D.- Peppers stuffed with cheese and bacon
Ingredients
• 12 small green peppers
• 2 sheets of puff pastry
• 225 grams of cream cheese
• 60 grams of smoked bacon
• 120 grams of cheddar cheese grated
• 2 eggs
Process
• Preheat the oven to 180ºC.
• Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix the cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and smoked bacon into pieces.
• Cut the puff pastry into squares of approximately 8 cm x 8 cm.
• Wash the peppers well, remove the seeds and the tail. Cut them in half. Choose small peppers to fit in the puff pastry (or cut larger pieces of puff pastry).
• Fill the peppers with the cheese mixture and smoked bacon. Wrap them with the puff pastry squares.
• Beat two eggs and bathe the puff pastry packets with this mixture. Cover well with the egg mixture.
• Bake for 20 minutes. Remove and serve hot.
E.- Pepper stuffed with ground meat
• 4 pieces of bell pepper
• 400 grams of ground beef
• 2 carrots
• 200 grams of peas
• 1 large potato
• ¼ onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 pinch of pepper
• 2 tablespoons of oil
Process
• Chop the carrot and potato into small cubes. Once ready, place them in a saucepan with enough boiling water to cook them. Also, add the peas or peas and cook all together, adding a pinch of salt. Once the vegetables are cooked, remove them from the heat, drain, and reserve.
• In another deep saucepan adds the oil, heat over medium heat, and, once hot, add the chopped onion and garlic to fry. Add a taste of salt.
• Once the onion is transparent, add the ground beef to the saucepan and stir to incorporate it perfectly. Let it cook for approximately 15 minutes, stirring constantly so that it cooks evenly.
• Meanwhile, take the peppers and cut the top with the stem to form a kind of lid. Then devein the chiles and clean them very well inside. Reserve a moment.
• On the other hand, once the ground meat is cooked, add the vegetables and let the ingredients of the filling finish cooking altogether.
• When the ground beef and vegetables are done, stuff the peppers. To do this, take a little of the stew and completely cover the inside of the chili peppers.
• Once filled, place them on a baking sheet greased with a little butter. Put some string cheese on top, or any other type of cheese, add the caps so that they also cook on the side, not on top of the chilies, and bake the peppers stuffed with ground beef for 10 minutes at 170 ° C.
• After this time, the peppers stuffed with ground meat are ready to be enjoyed
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