Benefits of beetroot leaves

Published

3 months ago

February 14, 2024

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Health benefits of beetroot leaves
Beet Leaf Recipes:
- Related
Beets have been cultivated in the Mediterranean region since 2000 BC, cultivation of beets spread to Babylon in the 8th century, and then to China around 850 AD.The beet, along with its green leaves, belongs to the family known as Chenopodioideae.
Within the botanical family, beet leaves are part of the same group that contains plants such as spinach, chard, quinoa, lamb’s quarter “qualities”, and several other wild plants, which means that the leaves Beets can be classified as part of the category of “dark” vegetables.

Because it is a cool-season crop, beets grow quickly and can survive near-freezing temperatures, making it a favourite crop among northern gardeners.
Beets and their green leaves also enjoy a longer than normal cultivation and growth period.

It is best to use beet greens within 2-3 days after refrigeration. Enjoy them on their own as a salad or with other leafy greens, or you can stir-fry them with a little olive oil or balsamic vinegar and salt to create a delicious side dish.

One big tip: If you have too many beet greens, don’t throw them away. Freeze them and use them when making a soup or broth.
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- Health benefits of beetroot leaves
- Beet Leaf Recipes:
Health benefits of beetroot leaves

In addition to providing a large amount of protein, phosphorus, and zinc, beet greens are also a great source of fibre.

Full of antioxidants, they are rich in vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, and low in fat and cholesterol.

Based on a 2,000 calorie diet, beet greens contain the following daily values: 220% vitamin A, 60% vitamin C, 16% calcium, and 15% iron.

As if that weren’t enough, studies have also shown that the vitamin K present in beet greens contains blood-clotting properties, helps prevent osteoporosis, works with calcium to increase bone strength, and It could also play a role in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

Beet greens also contain a higher iron content compared to spinach, and a higher nutritional value than the beet itself.

The vitamin A content in beet greens helps strengthen the immune system and stimulates the production of antibodies and white blood cells.

The beta-carotene in vitamin A is an antioxidant known to fight the effects of free radicals in the body, as well as cancer and heart disease. Doctors often recommend vitamin A to patients at risk of developing night blindness.

Beet Leaf Recipes:

Use every part of the fresh beet and get two delicious side dishes.

Betabel Leaves Recipes

Ingredients:

A bunch of beets with leaves

-¼ cup olive oil

-2 garlic cloves, minced

-2 tablespoons chopped onion

-1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar

-Sea salt and pepper to taste

Process:

•Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

•Wash the beets well, leaving the skin on – “unpeeled”. (It is easier to peel the beets after roasting) Remove the leaves and rinse them, remove any large stems, and separate the leaves.
•Place the beets in a small roasting or roasting pan, toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, cover, and bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until soft. Serve with red wine vinegar or butter, and salt and pepper.

For the leaves: heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat.

•Add the garlic and onion and cook for a minute.

•Shred beet greens into 2-3 inch chunks and add to skillet, stirring until tender and tender.

•Season with salt and pepper.
(Source: AllRecipes.com )

Fun Facts About Beets
Cultivated since prehistoric times, the early Romans only ate the stem of the beet, leaving the root of the beet for medicinal purposes.

Summary
Beets and their leaves offer not only two delicious dishes but also two sets of nutritional attributes.

The leaves contain vitamins A and K, which offer a host of benefits for the entire body, from the brain to the blood, and even the eyes. In the kitchen, beet greens can be enjoyed sauteed or as a salad.

Another way to get the nutrients from beet greens is through juices.

We hope the article “Health Benefits of beetroot leaves” is of help to you.

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Benefits of chamomile tea for weight loss

Published

3 days ago

April 29, 2024

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Discover the benefits of chamomile tea for weight loss.

Chamomile tea is great for relieving stomach upset, promoting relaxation, and lowering anxiety. In addition to a healthy diet and sports activity, consuming this tea can also help you lose weight and be a great way to lose excess pounds thanks to its health benefits.

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Chamomile tea for healthy weight loss

Having a cup of chamomile tea 15 minutes before a meal helps to increase the production of your gastric juices, which will facilitate your slimming as well as your loss of excess kilograms.

Chamomile tea helps you lose weight by increasing nervous calm and relaxation because your nervous tension process can create an imbalance in your hormonal system and therefore increase fat accumulation, especially in the abdominal area.

Drinking chamomile in the form of tea saves you from snacking because it’s a great way to regulate your metabolism. Used in tea during your diet, chamomile has a very effective appetite suppressant effect that helps you lose weight quickly.

Have a cup of tea as soon as you start to feel hungry: this cup is usually enough to make your stomach feel full. Which protects you from temptations. Drink your tea without cream or sugar so that it cannot lose its slimming properties.

Also, the tea can de-bloat your abdominal area. It is a very powerful natural anti-inflammatory, so this tea is an excellent way to reduce your abdominal discomfort and inflammation.

By reducing them, you will have a flat stomach and you will feel better. To take full advantage of the virtues of your tea, a good cup in the evening will do you good.

How to consume chamomile tea to lose weight

You should avoid drinking more than 4 glasses of chamomile tea per day because too large a dose can cause undesirable side effects: dizziness, vomiting, nausea… Also, be sure not to exceed 10 g of chamomile leaves per 1 liter of water when making a homemade chamomile tea recipe.

Due to the effectiveness of chamomile in inducing the onset of menstruation and the lack of an indicator that guarantees safety to a pregnant woman or when breastfeeding, a pregnant or breastfeeding woman is advised to avoid consuming chamomile. But it is important to emphasize that you will only experience these effects if you take chamomile in high doses.

Thus, your chamomile tea remains your slimming ally to lose weight effectively and quickly.

Food

8 Benefits of peanut butter and side effects

Published

3 days ago

April 29, 2024

admin

Table of Contents

Is peanut butter very greasy?
Health benefits of peanut butter
How to prepare peanut butter at home
- Ingredients for homemade peanut butter
- Preparation
What to eat peanut butter with
Discover the 8 Health Benefits of Peanut Butter and side effects.Yes, as you read in the title, peanut butter has many properties that are very beneficial for the body.
Many have the belief that it is an artificial product that far from helping people harms them, but we inform you that it is not.

Believe it or not, peanut butter is very good for people, as long as it is not consumed in excess (like everything).

In the United States it is very popular, especially at children’s breakfasts or to take as a snack to school, college or office. But in the rest of the countries it begins to gradually gain in popularity.

It does not matter if it is the commercial version, an organic one or one that you can prepare at home. In each of these presentations you will get the benefits that we are going to comment on here.

And you are going to be surprised by some of them and also we are going to break some myths that there are around peanut butter.
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Is peanut butter very greasy?

The first sensation that people have with peanut butter is that it contains a lot of fat and makes it a food that you should not consume because it will affect cholesterol and your cardiovascular system.

Here we are going to break that first myth, because it turns out that the fat in peanuts is healthy.

The one that your body needs to function well, like the same one that olive oil and nuts have . What in the world of health is called monounsaturated fat.

What you are right about is that it contains many calories, just like nuts themselves.

Therefore, you should consume peanut butter with great caution.

Ideally, you should accompany it with a few slices of whole wheat bread. No more than three at breakfast and spread a tablespoon, so that in this way you have the correct dose.

It is not recommended that you eat peanut butter directly, although if you prefer to do so, do not exceed one tablespoon per day.

You can also spread it on some fruits, such as bananas, because not only does it help them with muscle recovery, but it also gives them energy to continue with their routine.

Banana is one of the best fruits for a snack that you can combine with peanut butter.

But for you to finish convincing yourself that it is very healthy and you will feel better, as long as you consume it correctly. We are going to leave you the best benefits of peanut butter below.

Health benefits of peanut butter

The best health benefits of peanut butter are:

1- Benefits of peanut butter for anxiety

Eating a tablespoon of peanut butter on your sandwich or with your favorite fruit, whether for breakfast, dinner or a snack, you will avoid feeling the episodes of anxiety or hunger before the next meal.

This is due to the large amount of fiber that peanuts have that will offer you satiety and thus you will say goodbye to those desire to go for a sweet in the middle of the morning or afternoon.

If you want to lose weight, peanut butter will be of great help. Because in addition to being very tasty, it will allow you to get to your next meal without feeling that anxiety that always affects, especially in the first days of the diet.

Of course, remember that only one tablespoon per day.

2- Benefits of peanut butter for digestion

Due to its amount of fiber and the healthy fats that peanut butter has, it regulates several of the stomach’s processes.

One of them is to carry out a good digestion and thus avoid the presence of gas or abdominal bloating .

It also allows a regular transit through the intestine and you will not have problems with constipation . Soak everything if you accompany the peanut butter with a rich intake of fruits, which mostly have a lot of fiber and water.

3- Benefits of peanut butter for blood pressure

One of the reasons people always have high blood pressure is because they eat foods with a lot of salt.

Peanut butter can help you lower the sodium levels of the body due to its large amount of potassium.

The important thing is not to exceed the doses I would say recommended for calories.

4- Improves the immune system

Peanut butter contains a large amount of vitamins that are very important for the body and especially for the immune system to be high and alert.

This way you can stay away from many diseases.

Some of the vitamins it has are E, which is very good for the skin, hair and strengthening nails. It also has several of the B complex that is so important for various functions of the human body.

Its minerals include magnesium and phosphorus.

A large amount of potassium, which is beneficial for those who suffer from blood pressure because it removes sodium from the body. It also has a very good amount of calcium.

We cannot forget about folic acid which is so important to have always high hemoglobin. It is a positive way to beat anemia.

5- It is an antioxidant

One of the best health benefits of peanut butter is that it is an antioxidant.

Yes, peanut butter will also help you eliminate free radicals that you have in the body.

This is because it has resveratrol in its composition, which is a powerful antioxidant, which will act directly on these particles that harm the body and help prevent the presence of cancer.

This antioxidant pays special attention to the skin, so it protects the appearance of wrinkles from UV rays. Prevents the destruction of cells thus preventing premature aging

6- Reduces cholesterol levels

Being made up of monounsaturated fat, peanut butter helps fight bad cholesterol in your body. Since it increases the presence of the good that when it passes through the arteries it takes off that fat deposited there and discards it.

That is good news for your heart, as your blood will flow much better.

7- Benefits of peanut butter for diabetes

If you are a person who suffers from sugar spikes or you are prone to being diabetic, peanut butter is for you.

It helps carry glucose to the cells and convert them into energy, this way it does not stay in the blood for long.

This is due to the amount of fiber that this food has.

This benefit of peanut butter occurs to a greater extent when you consume the one made at home or when you buy it in organic markets, since they have much less preservatives.

8- Helps muscle recovery

This is one of the best health benefits of peanut butter and without a doubt the reason why many fitness enthusiasts include it in their healthy diet .

Peanut butter has 25% protein for every 100 grams of this food. A fairly respectable amount, taking into account that our diet must be made up of 40% of this food group.

Proteins are very important to the body because they participate in many processes. For example, together with carbohydrates, they carry energy to the cells. So it allows you to stay active throughout the day.

In addition to this, proteins help a much faster recovery. Ideal for those who exercise regularly.

Also in the training of muscles , especially when you are in a state of rest, because it allows a much faster oxygenation.

If you are an athlete who demands daily in the gym, the calories that peanut butter gives you should not be a problem for you. Since you will have the necessary energy to be able to “burn” them, while you do your routine.

Remember that calories are a problem as long as you don’t lose them for the rest of the day.

And the best of all is that you can buy it ready at the supermarket or prepare it at home. But yes, if you are going to buy it, always choose natural peanut butter .

How to prepare peanut butter at home

To be able to enjoy all the benefits of peanut butter that we already mentioned. We are going to offer you a homemade recipe, because yes, it is possible to make it yourself.

It is very simple, you just have to follow it to the letter and you will enjoy breakfasts and snacks with a different touch.

Ingredients for homemade peanut butter

• 300 grams of peanuts in shell

Preparation
1. Peel the peanuts and pour them into the food processor or blender. You will see how little by little it turns into powder and by the same oil that the peanuts have, it will gradually turn into paste.
2. Regardless of the appliance you use, you must turn it off every so often, move the mixture and then continue. After 10 minutes you will have the right consistency.
In this way you can enjoy a very healthy peanut butter, without preservatives, with that fat that the body does need.

It is delicious.

What to eat peanut butter with

If you are not an expert with peanut butter and just now you want to start discovering the benefits it has. It is time for you to know that you can eat it alone or with someone.

From HBO we recommend that you do it more with the second option.

You can’t just spread peanut butter on a few slices of fresh or toasted bread. But it can be one more ingredient in your sandwich for breakfast along with a light cheese and turkey ham for example.

It can also go with lettuce or other vegetables of your choice.

It is also possible to eat it with your oatmeal waffles or with almond flour, the same as the pancakes that we like so much for breakfast.

Being a spread you can use it with various types of food.

If you like to eat fruit for snacks (and you didn’t eat peanut butter for breakfast) it is a good option to spread it along with banana, apple and pear, you don’t have to worry about the taste, it works very well.

Food

7 Benefits of bitter melon and side effects

Published

3 days ago

April 29, 2024

admin

Table of Contents

Health benefits of bitter melon
How to use bitter melon
Side effects of bitter melon
Discover the 7 shocking health benefits of bitter melon and side effects.
Bitter melon is known as a type of nutritious and medicinal fruit that is native to the continents of Asia, Africa, and much of the Caribbean.

It has a long history of use in China, Ayurvedic medicine – a traditional system of healing that has been practiced in India for over 3,000 years – and also in some of the healthiest places in the world, such as Okinawa, Japan (one of the “blue zones” of the world). In the next post, we will take a close look at the benefits of bitter melon.

Much of history makes it clear that the culinary uses of both bitter melon and its benefits originated in India, and then entered the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the mid-fourteenth century.

Knowing that bitter foods tend to be cleansers for the body and capable of increasing liver health, the Chinese were drawn to the extremely bitter taste of bitter melon.

Although researchers state that more studies are required to recommend its use for certain conditions, based on a review, findings show that bitter melon has some of the following benefits:

• Control blood sugar levels and diabetes

• Reduce respiratory infections like pneumonia

• Decrease inflammation and increase immunity

• Treatment of abdominal pain, peptic ulcers, constipation, cramps, and fluid retention

• Increasing protection against cancer

• Reduce fevers and coughs

• Decrease menstrual irregularity

• Treatment of skin conditions including eczema, scabies, and psoriasis

• Antiviral, antibacterial, and anthelmintic properties (including those that can be used to prevent or treat parasites, HIV / AIDS, malaria, and even leprosy)

• Treatment of gout, jaundice, and kidney stones

• Manage symptoms of autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis
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Health benefits of bitter melon

1.- Benefits of bitter melon for diabetes

Findings from studies in humans and animals have shown a hypoglycemic effect of the concentrated bitter melon extract, which means that it helps lower blood glucose (sugar) levels and regulates the body’s use of insulin.

In many ways, bitter melon extract acts like the insulin that the body produces naturally.

More than 100 studies using modern techniques are believed to have authenticated its use in diabetes and its complications.

Diabetic symptoms and complications that bitter melon extract can help control include:

• Insulin resistance and high blood sugar levels

• Nephropathy (kidney damage)

• Eye disorders such as cataracts or glaucoma

• Hormonal irregularities and menstrual changes in women

• Heart complications and blood vessel damage

While multiple studies have found that Momordica charantia may be beneficial to normalize the sugar in the blood and control diabetes, its effects seem to depend on how it is consumed.

One study showed that bitter melon consumed raw or in the juice helps lower blood glucose levels in healthy and diabetic animals, although other studies have found that responsiveness varies by individual.

This study looked at the hypoglycemic effects of bitter melon extract and seeds in mice with normal or elevated blood sugar levels.

The data showed that bitter melon extract (1 g / kg) significantly lowered the blood glucose level of normal and diabetic mice.

It did this primarily by regulating insulin signaling pathways in muscle and fat cells (adipose tissues), helping cells take in more glucose from the blood as needed.

Bitter melon was shown to target insulin receptor sites and stimulate downstream pathways, leading the researchers to conclude that it may serve as a beneficial “glucose metabolism regulator.”

Other research has identified a blend of active components within bitter melon that are responsible for its antidiabetic abilities.

These include steroidal saponins (known as quarantines), insulin-like peptides, and alkaloids, which are mainly concentrated in the fruit of the Momordica charantia plant.

2.- Fight bacterial infections and viruses

Research has shown that bitter melon contains various forms of antibacterial and antiviral agents.

These agents are capable of reducing susceptibility to infections such as Helicobacter pylori (a very common bacteria linked to the formation of stomach ulcers when someone’s immune function is low), along with viruses, including HIV.

One report states that bitter melon powder has been used in Ayurveda for centuries to remove dust from leprous ulcers and other untreatable ulcers in wound healing, especially when mixed with cinnamon, pepper, rice, and chaulmugra oil.

“In recent years, the bitter melon extract has been used successfully against pyloric ligation, aspirin, and stress-induced ulcers in rats, showing significant reductions in ulcer symptoms.

Additionally, studies have identified anthelmintic agents within bitter melon, a group of antiparasitic compounds that help expel parasitic worms and other internal parasites from the body.

Anthelmintics work by killing parasites internally, without causing significant harm to the host (the person or animal that carries the parasite).

3.- Improves digestive and liver health

There is evidence that bitter melon extract can help reduce stomach and intestinal disorders, decrease kidney stones, help prevent liver disease and improve liver function, help treat parasitic worms that enter the gastrointestinal tract, reduce symptoms of the disease inflammatory bowel disease (including colitis) and improve digestive health.

Research conducted showed that bitter melon extract increased levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase, helping to improve detoxification and prevent liver damage.

Bitter melon also has natural laxative effects and therefore helps relieve constipation. The traditional use of bitter melon was to reduce stomach aches and ulcers.

Recently even been discovered that can help act against the bacteria Helicobacter pylori that contributes to the formation of ulcers.

4.- Benefits of bitter melon for cancer

Although the results of the studies have been inconsistent, several studies have shown the effectiveness of bitter melon to prevent or treat various types of cancer: lymphoid leukemia, lymphoma, choriocarcinoma, melanoma, breast cancer, skin tumor, prostate cancer, carcinoma of the tongue and larynx, bladder cancer and Hodgkin’s disease.

How does bitter melon act as a cancer-fighting food?

The Department of Biophysics, Molecular Biology, and Bioinformatics at the University of Calcutta state that Momordica charantia has “anticancer, antimutagenic and antitussive” properties.

Although more research is still needed, to date a small group of studies has found that cancer patients who use bitter melon in addition to other treatments have shown promising results.

Bitter melon extracts have been shown to increase metal chelation, promote detoxification, prevent lipid peroxidation, and inhibit free radical damage, contributing to cell mutations and tumor growth.

The College of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Hong Kong has identified more than 20 active components within bitter melon that have antitumor properties.

Concluding their research on bitter melon as an “antidiabetic, anti-HIV and antitumor compound,” they declared that bitter melon is “a cornucopia of health and deserves in-depth research for future clinical application.”

5.- Reduces respiratory disorders and symptoms

Through increased detoxification, improved blood flow reduced inflammation, and decreased free radical damage, bitter melon can prevent common illnesses such as coughs, colds, or the flu.

A strong immune system and a well-functioning digestive system are essential to avoid possible infections and illnesses, as well as to reduce seasonal allergies and asthma.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the juice of the bitter melon fruit has been used to treat dry coughs, bronchitis, and sore throats for hundreds of years.

Today’s studies show that bitter melon juice, fruit, and seeds can be beneficial in preventing respiratory illness, cough, runny nose, and food allergies.

6.- Helps treat inflammation and skin wounds

Several studies have identified anti-inflammatory compounds within bitter melon that help treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

Due to its antibacterial properties, traditionally (and sometimes even today) bitter melon has also been used topically on the skin to treat deep skin infections (abscesses) and wounds without the use of antibiotics.

7.- It can help prevent obesity and heart disease

The bitter melon fruit extract has shown strong antioxidant activity in human and animal studies.

In addition to balancing the hormones related to diabetes, there is a possibility that bitter melon acts as a therapeutic agent to prevent obesity and other symptoms related to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases (such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure).

Although more research is still needed, experimental animal and clinical studies show that bitter melon is beneficial in preventing weight gain through the mediation and induction of fat and lipid metabolism processes, gene expressions that control appetite, and body weight and reduce inflammation.

How to use bitter melon

• Bitter melon fruit can be eaten alone, cooked, or consumed in extract/tablet form.

• Look for unripe bitter melon fruits that are green, firm, and free of bruises or cracks. Store it at cool temperatures, ideally in the refrigerator, for 1 to 2 weeks or until its green color begins to leak.

• If you can find all the fruit, you can try cooking it traditionally in Asia: frying it with potatoes, garlic, chili, and onion until its strong smell is reduced.

• You can take up to 100 milliliters of fresh bitter melon juice once a day. If you want to reduce the bitterness of fresh fruit or fresh fruit juice, use a small amount diluted with fresh fruit or vegetable juice or add a small amount of raw honey.

• The dose of the bitter melon extract depends on the condition in question. Most research shows that taking around 1000-2000 milligrams daily has the strongest effects.

Many brands recommend dividing the doses into 2-3 servings and taking capsules after meals to help with absorption.

• Bitter melon is usually taken in doses of 1-2 capsules, three times a day after meals, for up to 3 months.

This amount has been shown to help improve blood sugar management / diabetic conditions, but not enough is known about its effects when used for more than 3 months in a row.

• Look for pure bitter melon extract in tablet or capsule form that is ideally certified organic, non-GMO-free, gluten-free, magnesium stearate-free, and contains no synthetic additives.

Side effects of bitter melon

Based on the research available at this time, bitter melon is intended to be used in conjunction with other preventive measures (such as eating a healthy diet and exercising to control inflammation), along with conventional treatments when needed.

Here are some possible side effects and precautions to consider before using bitter melon products:

• While bitter melon has proven hypoglycemic effects, the available scientific data is insufficient to recommend its use to treat diabetes without careful supervision and monitoring.

Bitter melon “cannot be recommended as insulin replacement or hypoglycemic therapy” at this time, so if you are diabetic or prediabetic, it is best to talk to your doctor about using bitter melon excerpt in addition to your current treatment plan.

Because bitter melon lowers blood sugar, it can interact with diabetes medications. If you take diabetes medications, be aware that they could lower your blood sugar level too much, and therefore it is recommended to monitor them.

• Bitter melon should not be consumed by pregnant women, those who are trying to get pregnant, and women who are breastfeeding, as research shows that it has some abortifacient properties (the ones that can cause miscarriages), can cause menstrual bleeding, and has some antifertility capabilities.

• If you’ve recently had surgery, been fasting, or have lost substantial blood for some other reason, bitter melon should be avoided as it can interfere with blood sugar control and cause side effects like dizziness or fainting.