CHG Best of July 2010

You guys! No-Cook Month was a sweet, ovenless success. Thank y’all for being there. We’re so happy with how it all came out, we’re gonna try another theme month pretty soon. (TBD!) In the meantime, here’s a rundown of what July 2010 hath wrought:

JULY RECIPES
Chocolate Cherry “Ice Cream” Popsicles
Chopped Salad
Greek Antipasto Pita
Herbed Tuna in Tomatoes
Refrigerator-Pickled String Beans
Sprouted Grains
Sprouted Quinoa and Mango Salad
Tamarind-Blueberry Granita
Vegan Mayo
Vegan Worcestershire Sauce
Watermelon and Feta Salad with Mint
White Bean and Roasted Red Pepper Wraps with Spinach

JULY ARTICLES

Man, it was Countdown Central this month, which kicked off with 13 Ways to Cook Without an Oven.

Two weeks later, we brainstormed 18 No-Cook Meal Ideas.

We rounded off our roundups with the mighty 68 Cheap, Healthy, No-Cook Recipes. Bookmark it for yo mama.

And last, but far from least, Ask the Internet elicited some faboo answers to the following inquiries:

• Camp Stove Recipes for Kids?
• Favorite Smoothie Recipes?
• Favorite Weird Kitchen Tool?
• Recipes Without Onions?

For more Cheap Healthy Goodness…

1) Have your say!
We love reading creative comments and participating in thought-provoking discussions. There’s even a fabulous new Ask the Internet column, where readers can write in with various inquiries and/or offer helpful suggestions. Sweet.

2) Spread the word!
Like us? Link to us! Refer us to a bookmarking site! (We have StumbleUpon and Digg buttons now!) Or just talk us up to your mom. That’s nice, too.

3) Behold our social networking!
Subscribe to our feed, join our Facebook page, or check out our Twitter … thing. They’re super fun ways to kill time, minus the soul-crushing frustration of Lost.

4) Buy from our Amazon Store!
If you click on the Amazon widget (lower left hand corner) and buy anything from Amazon (not just what we’re advertising on CHG), we get a small commission. And that’s always nice.

5) If you ever fall butt-first into a Brooklyn sewer grate overflowing with cooking oil, realizing shortly thereafter the stoppage was clearly caused by the neighboring restaurant, resist the urge to burn down said restaurant.
You will probably be arrested.

different kind of soups

Different Kind of Soups

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BENEFITS:

Can be highly nourishing.

An ideal food for convalescents.

Easy to make and economical.

DRAWBACKS:

Commercial varieties are often high in salt and fat.

Soups are nourishing, comforting and inexpensive, soups are a staple food worldwide. A simple soup can be made in minutes with a few vegetables, broth and seasonings, while more elaborate concoctions may be based on long simmered stocks and exotic ingredients.

different kind of soups

HsayaEMADE SOUPS:

Even a novice cook can make a delicious soup with a few basic ingredients, diced carrots, potatoes and other vegetables simmered in a broth with herbs. Leftover meat or seafood can be added for more flavor and nutrition. Cooks who have the inclination can simmer left over bones with vegetables to make a soup stock reduced sodium canned broths are also acceptable. Bouillon cubes can be used, but they are high in monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium, and other additives, taste the soup before adding salt or seasonings.

Although the slow cooking of vegetables soups made with fresh ingredients still provide and excellent variety of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and protein. Vitamin loss can be minimized by adding the vegetables toward the end of the cooking process, bringing the soup to a boil, and cooking only until the vegetables are barely tender.

Making your own soup allows you to control the salt content and important consideration for people with high BLOOD PRESSURE or those who are on sodium restricted diet. Use herbs and natural vegetable flavor to replace salt.

Chilling the stock forces the fat to congeal on the surface and makes it easy to remove for fat free soups. Or remove the fat by pouring the stock through a deflating cup. Cream soups and New England style chowders contain high amounts of saturated fat this can be reduced with losing flavor or texture by substitution evaporated skim milk for cream and whole milk.

different kind of soups

CsayaMERCIAL SOUPS:

Canned and instant soups come in many flavors; the quality and nutritional value are equally variable. Although canned soups are not as nutritious as their homemade counterparts, they are better than instant soups, which are so highly processed that food authorities have described them as little more than a mixture of MSG, artificial flavors, sodium, dyes and other additives.

different kind of soups

TYPES OF SOUP:

Whether made from scratch or canned, soup falls into one of six types. Cooking methods and ingredients frequently overlap.

Chowders, such as bouillabaisse, combine coarsely chopped vegetables and fish, shellfish, or meat with stock for a stew like consistency.

Clear broths, such as consomme or bouillon, are stained concentrated stocks made from a mixture of aromatic vegetables, either cooked in water or beef or chicken broth. Noodles, vegetables, and diced meat may be added to the strained broth. Some broths are thickened with a beaten egg just before serving. When a concentrated beef or chicken consomme is chilled, its natural aspic forms a solid jelly, which is a digestible food for convalescents.

Cold Soups, such as the Spanish gazpacho and Scandinavian style fruit soups are always served chilled. Others, such as the leek and potato vichyssoise, are equally flavorful and nourishing whether served hot or cold.

Cream soups, based on vegetables, meat or seafood are often thickened either with the same roux that is used for sauces or with cream. The fat and calorie content of cream soups can be drastically reduced by replacing milk and cream with evaporated skim milk or double strength reconstituted skim milk. (Nonfat yogurt can be used instead of sour cream in some soups, but it will curdle if the soup is cooked after it is added).

Vegetable purees (potage) are smooth textured soups made from vegetables that are simmered in stock or another liquid and then blended or sieved. Vegetable soups, including mines stone, are made with chopped vegetables boiled  quickly in water and are thickened with rice or pasta. 

different kind of soups

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different kind of soups

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Top 10 Links of the Week 1 22 10 – 1 28 10

This week, we question authority, stand up to The Man, and discuss some lovely options for midday snacks. Tally ho!

1) Serious Eats: How Do You Eat for a Week for $50?
I think this thread might be longer than the Constitution. And the ideas are just as excellent. What, me exaggerate?

2) GMA: Grocery Bill Was Out of Control, but Year-Long Meal Plan Saves Texas Woman Time and Money
Leslie Chisholm, mother of four boys, started planning her family’s dinner a year in advance. It took some time, but she’s managed to reduce her grocery bill by half. Moms take note! (Note: it’s a video.)

3) Slashfood: What Can I Get You Folks – Using Your Coupon
“For whatever reason, coupon users tend to be among the most impolite diners,” says Slashfood columnist/waitressing vet Hanna Raskin. Here, she suggests ways to avoid being that guy. A solid comment thread follows the post. (Incidentally, when I worked in the food industry, the very best and very worst customers were almost always senior citizens.)

4) Jezebel: OK Helps Kourtney Shed Baby Weight with Photoshop Phony Diet
This whole piece is just emblematic of why I love Jez, but especially this sentence: “Since women have already learned from other magazine covers to loathe their ‘bikini bodies’ and that they should be wrinkle-free after 40, why not send the message that their bodies arent good enough mere days after theyve brought forth life?”

5) Jezebel: Whole Foods Employee BMI Discount Raises Legal Concerns
Whole Foods is giving discounts to workers in good shape. Normally, this would anger me, since it seems like discrimination. But here’s the hitch: if you’re trying to project a certain image with your business, does it make sense to encourage employees to uphold that impression? Hooters does it. (Note: This is a devils advocate kind of question. IMHO, its discrimination.)

6) The Kitchn: Quick and Light – 14 Ideas for Fresh and Easy Snacks
All of a sudden, I’m hungry for kale chips. And roasted chickpeas. And granola. And … you get the idea.

7) The Simple Dollar: Trimming the Average Budget – Alcoholic Beverages
For all this talk about frugal food, you don’t see booze mentioned very often. Trent attempts to remedy the situation with smart tippling strategies. As always, the comment thread is required reading. Drink up!

8) Coupon Sherpa: Recipe for Survival - 23 Ways Restaurants Save Money
Restaurants have taken some serious hits these last few years, so it’s logical they’re making cutbacks. Many are pretty reasonable, but a few border on unethical, e.g., the porcelain plates with bumps built in to make it look like you have more food. (Thanks to Simple Dollar for the link.)

9) Consumerist: You Ignore Calorie Info for Yourself, but Not Your Kids
Oh, man. So interesting. Parents buying fast food dinners for their kids saved 100 calories per meal when the nutritional data was posted on the menus (670 calories vs. 570 calories). Apparently, this can mean 10 pounds per year, ungained by children.

10) Serious Eats: Taste Test – Veggie Burgers
Morningstar Grillers: still the best! Even after all these years out of college, when vegetarian friends taught me they were totally the best!

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Boston.com: Weight Watchers Sues Jenny Craig
It’s like the ‘90s East Coast/West Coast hip-hop feuds, starring Valerie Bertinelli instead of Suge Knight.

The Kitchn: 6 Ways to Reuse Oatmeal Tins
As someone on an oatmeal kick of epic proportions, this will come in handy.

Neatorama: Brain Slug Cupcakes
Because sometimes, you just want a cupcake shaped like a brain slug.

New York Times: The New Old Way to Tote Your Beer
If you’re a serious microbrew fan, growlers are your best friends. They’re essentially gallon jugs that you can ill at local pubs/specialty stores. One of roommates does it, and it’s saved him quite a bit of cashola.

Serious Eats: Finally, a Heavy Metal Cookbook - Hellbent for Cooking
For those about to cook, we salute you.

Wise Bread: Frugal, Gluten-Free Living – Kitchen Tools That Stretch Your Budget and Time
Celiac folks! Look here! I swear its not weird.

AND ALSO

McSweeney’s: Benefits Not Provided by “Friends with Benefits.”
My most excellent and hilarious friend Tony got a piece in McSweeney’s! This is the link to it. Because that’s what we do here.

Thank you so much for visiting Cheap Healthy Good! (We appreciate it muchly). If you’d like to further support CHG, subscribe to our RSS feed! Or become a Facebook friend! Or check out our Twitter! Or buy something inexpensive, yet fulfilling via that Amazon store (on the left)! Bookmarking sites and links are nice, too. Viva la France!

Blood Donor lower risk of heart attack and cancer

Blood Donor lower risk of heart attack and cancer - Recent studies have shown that donating blood may reduce the risk of heart attacks and cancer. This is thought to occur due to decreased levels of high iron in the body.

Iron levels in the body can affect how thick and sticky texture of the blood. High iron content which causes the blood becomes very thick. And increased levels of iron in the body can also speed up the process of oxidation of cholesterol.

This condition can affect the consistency of the blood and creates an increase in friction on the way through the blood vessels. Because this increases the wear and tear in the lining of an artery, it can contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

According to a study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found that those aged 43 to 61 years who donate blood every six months, lower risk of heart disease.

Top Ten Links of the Week 9 10 10 9 16 10

1) Food Politics: This Is Good News? UN Says 925 million People Are Chronically Hungry
2) NY Times: Ranks of Hungry Shrink, but Remain Large
Ten years after the world’s wealthiest nations promised to reduce hunger by half in 15 years, there has been .5% decrease in the number of hungry people around the globe. But experts say the situation is not hopeless. “While all the movement in terms of aid is in the right direction, [Jacques Diouf, the director general of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization] said, the pace needs to be accelerated.”

3) Food Politics: Corn Refiners Ask FDA to Replace “HFCS” with “Corn Sugar”
Big Corn wants a little rebranding for HFCS, I see. Be sure to check out Marion Nestle’s reader updates on the etymology of corn syrup’s moniker. It shows how susceptible we are and always have been to marketing.

4) Lifehacker: Budweiser, Balsamic Vinegar and How Expectations Affect Our Views
Hold up! We fall for marketing because of brain science. Behavioral economics professor, Dan Ariely, explains how our brains use information to make decisions and form opinions with a fascinating experiment with Boston students as his lab monkeys. My guess is the balsamic was a improvement on a classic.

5) The Minimalist: The Food Processor: A Virtuoso One-Man Band
Mark Bittman dedicates a love song to his food processor. Tonight, I’m going sprinkle some rose petals around the kitchen, turn down the lights, and put on some soft music while my Cuisinart and I make sweet, sweet poblano hummus.

6)Chow: How Do You Get Rid of Fruit Flies?
7)Lifehacker: Capture Fruit Flies with a Cup and Apple Cider Vinegar
Dueling fruit fly remedies: which one works best? You be the decider.

8) Science Daily: Only 5% of Americans Engage in Vigorous Physical Activity on Any Given Day
The report also states, “The most frequently reported moderate activity was food and drink preparation.” If we’re not exercising, at least we’re cooking.

9) The Kitchn: Best Way to Keep Greens Fresh? The Bath Towel Method
I can’t wait to try this. My tried-and true-salad spinner just bit the dust, and I’ve been enjoying the space it vacated.

10) Chow: Hazmat Investigates Exploding Sauerkraut
High school science class gets explosivo and requires a visit from HazMat. What was the most fun you ever had in science class?

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Food Politics: Department of Talmudic Investigation: Define Candy
For the love of taxes, someone has to draw the line between candy and cookies. The differential ingredient is flour, but as you might guess, it’s not that simple.

Jezebel: The World’s Smallest Cow
Jezebel: Worlds Tallest Dog Meets Smallest Dog
A banner week for cute and extremely sized animals!

NY Times Diner’s Journal: The Baker’s Apprentice: Peach or Apple Pie
Food writer Emily Weinstein gets a pie-making lesson from Sarabeth Levine of New York’s Sarabeth’s Kitchen. Luckily for us, she shares what she learned.

NYTimes The Curious Cook: For Old Fashioned Flavor: Bake the Baking Soda
Mmm...apparently lye makes good pretzels as well as soap and drain cleaner. Or just use toasted baking soda.

Unplugged: 3 Tips for Efficiently Stocking the Fridge
via The Kitchn
Save money on food and electricity with these oh-duh reminders.

There I Fixed It: So Is this Food Full of Iron?
Brilliant! Where was this hack during No Stove Month?

AND ALSO

National Maritime Museum: Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2010

Lets feel small together.


Thank you so much for visiting Cheap Healthy Good! (We appreciate it muchly). If you’d like to further support CHG, subscribe to our RSS feed! Or become a Facebook friend! Or check out our Twitter! Or buy something inexpensive, yet fulfilling via that Amazon store (on the left)! Bookmarking sites and links are nice, too. Viva la France!

10 Benefits of magical strawberry for health

10 Benefits of magical strawberry for health - Who does not know the strawberry? Cute pieces that look beautiful and make saliva dripping. Although small, this fruit is called as Queen of fruits you know! The reason is because strawberries contain many nutrients and health benefits.

What are the benefits of magic strawberries for health? Heres the list, as reported by Best Health.

1. Boost immunity

Strawberry is the best source of vitamin C. Two bowls of strawberries a day alone can satisfy the bodys vitamin C requirement. Vitamin C is known as an immune system enhancer and antioxidant good for fighting disease. Plus, the antioxidants in strawberry fruit is different from others because the antioxidants work more quickly and be ready in the bloodstream.

2. Maintaining eye health

Antioxidants in strawberries are also effective to prevent cataracts can lead to blindness in old age. Eyes need vitamin C to keep them from free radical sun. In addition, strawberries can also strengthen the cornea and the retina of the eye. Although the study never reveal that excess vitamin C actually increase the risk of cataracts in the elderly, but this does not apply vitamin C in strawberry bag.

3. Ward off cancer
Antioxidants in strawberries also help prevent cancer. Chemical called ellagic acid found in strawberries is erred to as an anti-cancer agent that can suppress the growth of cancer cells. In addition, other antioxidants such as lutein and zeathancins can also ward off free radicals and protect the health of the cell.

4. Preventing wrinkles
Not only good for your health, strawberries are also good for skin health. indirectly, strawberries also make you more beautiful. This fruit helps improve the elasticity of the skin so that it can prevent the appearance of wrinkles and make you look younger. Ellagic acid in strawberries can protect the collagen in mind that is not easily damaged and prevents inflammation of the skin.

5. Fight bad cholesterol

Based on the Heart and Stroke Foundation, heart disease is one of the most deadly diseases for women. Fortunately strawberries also contain substances that can improve heart health and lowering cholesterol. In addition, strawberry also prevent inflammation which indirectly also protect the heart. To that end, strawberries fit for consumption and included in the diet if you have problems with cholesterol.

6. Reducing inflammation

Antioxidants and chemical found in strawberries may reduce inflammation in the joints that can lead to arthritis and can lead to heart disease. A study at the Harvard School of Public Health showed that women who ate at least 16 strawberries per week had a 14 percent lower likelihood becomes inflamed.

7. Keeping blood pressure

Potassium in strawberries are known to maintain blood pressure levels, and even lower high blood pressure. If you have a problem with high blood pressure, there is no harm in eating strawberries regularly. One bowl of strawberry can contain 134 milligrams of potassium to keep blood pressure.

8. Digestion

Strawberry also contains fiber which is good for smooth digestion. Strawberry contains at least two grams of fiber per dose. Eating strawberries can prevent constipation and inflammation of the intestine. In addition, as well as the strawberry can also prevent type 2 diabetes because it slows the digestive process and absorption of sugar in the blood.

9. Keeping weight

m Trying to keep the weight off? Strawberry can be your best friend. Strawberry has a fairly low calories, no fat, sodium or sugar. Carbohydrates contained in it even only half a loaf of bread. Nothing wrong with inserting a strawberry in a part of your diet.

10. Maintaining health during pregnancy

Folate and B vitamins are recommended for women who are pregnant or give birth. Strawberry contains lots of folate and B vitamins that can help you. This substance is very good for babys brain development and skull early in pregnancy. In addition, folic acid in strawberries are also good for preventing birth defects.

That many wonders of strawberry for health. Nothing wrong with this fruit is called as one of the healthiest fruit because of the many benefits contained therein. So, do not hesitate to eat strawberries on a regular basis.

Cancer protective properties of milk

Milk consumption has been linked to improved health, with decreased risks of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and colon cancer. A group of scientists in Sweden found that lactoferricin4-14 (Lfcin4-14), a milk protein with known health effects, significantly reduces the growth rate of colon cancer cells over time by prolonging the period of the cell cycle before chromosomes are replicated. In a new study, investigators report that treatment with Lfcin4-14 reduced DNA damage in colon cancer cells exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Their results are published in the October issue of the Journal of Dairy Science®.

"We previously hypothesized that the prolongation of the cell cycle in colon cancer cells as a result of Lfcin4-14 treatment may give the cells extra time for DNA repair," says one of the lead investigators, Professor Stina Oredsson, of the Department of Biology at the University of Lund, Sweden. "Indeed, UV light-induced damage was decreased in colon cancer cells treated with Lfcin4-14 compared with controls. The differences were small but significant."

Investigators exposed colon cancer cells to UV light that caused DNA damage and then grew the cells in the absence or presence of Lfcin4-14. They evaluated DNA damage using a sensitive technique known as comet assay. After the cells are processed, the cells with DNA damage resemble a comet with a tail, and the intensity of the tail compared to the comet head indicates the number of DNA breaks. UV light exposure resulted in an increase in the number of comets while treatment with Lfcin4-14 reduced the number of comets in UV light-exposed cells.

To understand the mechanism by which Lfcin4-14 reduced DNA damage, investigators evaluated the levels of several proteins involved in cell cycle progression, DNA repair, and cell death. They found an increase in flap endonuclease-1, a protein associated with DNA synthesis; a decrease in b-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein, which is involved with cell death; and a decrease in the level of -H2AX, indicating more efficient DNA repair. "These changes in expression support our hypothesis that Lfcin4-14 treatment resulted in increased DNA repair," says Dr. Oredsson.

Dr. Oredsson notes that cancer cells, in general, have defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. Thus, Lfcin4-14 may have a greater effect on normal cells than on cancer cells. "Our data suggest that the effects of Lfcin4-14 in prolonging the cell cycle may contribute to the cancer preventive effect of milk. This must be further investigated in different systems," she concludes.

The Privilege of Living with Diabetes

Dear Beautiful Person (who happens to have diabetes),

Today, you are here. Is there a purpose to your being here? A universal, master purpose? Many claim to have the answer to this, but the honest response is that no one knows. The question is, in fact, irrelevant. You are here. That is a fact. Everything else is just speculation.

It matters not if its an illusion, a grand plan, a godly design, or a happenchance. You are here.

And while you are here, think upon the magnitude of your existence: The last science knew, the universe was 13.8 billion years old. During much of that time, Earth was a big, hot mess. Life only began to evolve 3.5 billion years ago. Modern man, alone, has only existed for about 200,000 years...  and only in the last 30 years or so, have we seen vast improvements in industry, technology, education, science... and medicine.

Medicine.

If you would have been diagnosed with diabetes (of almost any type) back in the 1800s, it was most certainly a death sentence -- if not, a very challenging life.

Insulin wasnt discovered as a treatment for diabetes until the 1920s, thanks to Banting and Best, when many children were literally dying of malnutrition and emaciation. Banting had the heart to insist on not patenting their new-found medicine, so that it could reach as many as needed it.

Metformin was invented in the 1920s as well, and has been used in other countries since the 40s, and 50s. It was not, however, approved in the United States for use with type 2 diabetes until 1994! Yes, that is not a typo. 1994.

Back in the pre-insulin days, starvation was all people knew to do to control diabetes. To eat basically no carbohydrates, or really anything much -- as proteins and fats can also raise glucose (though, admittedly, to a lesser degree). Many simply died because it was so stressful -- or they just couldnt resist pinching food, while no one was watching.

It wasnt until the 1980s when a person with diabetes was able to monitor their levels, independently, and the first glucose monitors appeared. If they had insulin -- that was a good tool -- but if they didnt, all they knew to do was avoid eating sweets. Diabetes has always been with us, at least in the archaeological records, since Egyptian times, and weve known its a disease about high glucose, but aside from that, there wasnt much monitoring of glucose levels until well into the 80s. Ask anyone who was diagnosed many years ago, and they will tell you stories of urine testing (sometimes, once a month, at a doctors office), and sharpening and boiling their own needles, for sterility.

In fact... we really didnt know that diabetes was not a disease caused by eating excess sugar and sweets, until at least the early 90s. The other day, I saw a very old VHS tape for an old Vitamix blender I have acquired, and in it, they recommended diabetics substituting honey, in place of sugar. I guess in their minds, anything that was natural sugar, was not really sugar.

And here we are now... 2013. With a variety of different types of insulin, mimicking both basal and bolus outputs from our pancreas, insulin pumps and CGMs to allow us to eat with more freedom and catch hypoglycemic events, the knowledge of counting carbohydrates and the freedom to eat cake, diabetes alert dogs, and glucose meters small, sleek, or indistinguishable from an iPod, small, and painless needles... and on the thresholds of smart insulin, biohub and artificial pancreas options, and noninvasive glucose testing.

. . .

Yes. Diabetes is still hard. But we are blessed to live in 2013, and not 1913. We can see ourselves as the victims of fate, or as the blessed recipients of a grand universal lottery. Think about the kind of life you have the chance to pursue, right now... that you would have never had a chance to pursue back then. Let it sink in -- let its blessings humble you. 

Yes... diabetes can be embarrassing. But all disease is humbling. 

Even if you never had diabetes, life is much of an embarrassing process, as well... At birth, and near death... someone has to wipe our behinds. We get old, and lose our good looks... we may get cancer, and lose our breasts, we may get alopecia, and lose our hair... We may be like Farrah Fawcett, and get colon cancer -- colon cancer. 

Illness is humbling -- for we have to accept that we are frail, that we get sick, that we get old, and yes, sometimes... that we havent always done the best to take care of ourselves. But, can you think of anyone who has been perfect -- all of their lives? Always perfect? I know one or two who claim they were -- and you know what -- I honestly dont like them very much. For one, they are liars. They may have read the manual on living, but they havent actually lived very much. No one learns to ride a bike from reading a book -- and thus it is with living. Some of us just have to fall a few more times, than others... and it is our beautiful, gnarly scars, which make us who we are.

I never thought of Farrah Fawcett as much of a hero -- until her war with colon cancer. And I never thought much at all, about Ryan ONeal, until his passionate devotion to the woman he sought to wed on her deathbed. 

Dont be angry at your loved ones, beautiful person (who happens to have diabetes). It is not a matter of blame. It is not a matter of fault. Dont leave this world, and lose hope... for these massive amount of events I have listed had to have gone through... and for you to be here, in this point in time. Your loved one, well... your loved one simply LOVES you. They are in deep fear because they do not want to be without you -- at least -- not sooner than life will will. Can we blame them? 

I was angry once... at my father for (in my own warped perception) not trying harder, at life and circumstance, and God, and you name it. I was once that angry loved one... living in FEAR. Sheer fear. But, you see... for whatever reason, you are here -- in this very moment in time, and a time when you happened to meet your loved one. This is a very precious moment in time... In fact, to quote Lawrence Krauss -- a renowned Theoretical Physicist: 

“Every atom in your body came from a star that exploded. And, the atoms in your left hand probably came from a different star than your right hand. It really is the most poetic thing I know about physics: You are all stardust. You couldn’t be here if stars hadn’t exploded, because the elements - the carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, iron, all the things that matter for evolution and for life - weren’t created at the beginning of time. They were created in the nuclear furnaces of stars, and the only way for them to get into your body is if those stars were kind enough to explode . . . The stars died so that you could be here today.”

Is diabetes embarrassing? Well, sometimes... But I am in fact honored to be so privileged to be alive, today... right now... Experiencing this universe, the love of friends, and family... The patter of rain on my window pains, the loving purr of my cat, and the imperfect love and friendship of that idiot that still lives here which I call my husband.

Yes, I am honored... to be living here, and living with diabetes.

Nutritionism Food is More Than the Sum of its Nutrients

In a nutshell, "nutritionism" is the idea that the healthfulness of a food is based on the sum of the nutrients it contains.  I learned about this concept from Michael Pollan, who you may have heard of... he wrote "The Omnivores Dilemma" and "In Defense of Food", both phenomenal books that I highly recommend.  Pollan makes the argument that this is a reductionist philosophy that assumes we know more about the composition of foods and the inner workings of the human body than we really do.  I couldnt agree more.

Take the carrot, for example... we all know carrots are good for us.  Youve probably heard that theyre high in beta carotene.  Well, when researchers have taken beta carotene out of the carrot and given it to people in pill form, it turns out it doesnt do jack shit.  Is beta carotene useless?  Or is it just useless outside the context of the food it comes from? Context matters.  Were not as smart as we think we are, and we dont have it all figured out.  Studying individual nutrients outside the context of a real food tells us very little about what we should eat, and sometimes it just makes things more confusing.  We dont eat nutrients, we eat food.

If we want to learn how eating a carrot affects our health, then we need to study carrots.  Yet, as obvious as that may sound, we dont often study nutrition in this way.  We study the nutrients on their own, and then decide whether a food is good or bad based on which nutrients it contains.  There are plenty of examples where this paradigm has led us astray... here are just a few.


Dairy Fat
Unless youre from Mars, its been jammed down your throat that you should avoid butter and whole milk, and instead choose low-fat dairy products like skim milk (yuck) and low-fat cheese (double yuck).  Full-fat dairy products are high in saturated fat, saturated fat raises your cholesterol, and then you die of heart disease.  Ohh I never grow tired of hearing that one (**sarcasm**)!  In reality land though, people who eat more full-fat dairy have lower rates of heart disease and diabetes, and they sport better-looking cholesterol profiles (1).

So why are you told that butter kills you?  Because when you take saturated fatty acids out of the context of the foods they come from, isolate it in a liquid formula, and feed it to people, their cholesterol levels go up.  In real life, though, we dont drink palmitic acid from a beaker... it comes in a real food like cheese, along with other fats and lots of other shit we dont even know about yet.

Whole Grains
Whole grains are healthy, we all know that.  Theyre more nutrient-dense than ined grains, and they have more antioxidants too!  This is what Michelle Obama tells you.  What she doesnt tell you... is that whole grains, despite containing more vitamins and minerals, deplete your body of important minerals.  You may have heard of them... zinc, calcium, magnesium... some pretty important nutrients!  Its also been shown in controlled studies that whole grains, despite containing more antioxidants, do NOT increase your bodys total antioxidant capacity!  For real (2, 3).  Nutritionism done set us down the wrong path.

Canola Oil
Ah canola oil... the dietitians new darling oil.  It didnt explode onto the scene until 1998, but it has already become a staple oil in many American households (4).  And because its high in oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat which lowers your cholesterol when you drink it out of a beaker, its been touted as a healthy oil.  But consider how its made...



I cant believe how perfectly this narration illustrates my point.  It really is just too good to be true!

Still think canola oil is healthy?  I dont care what anyone says, having a lot of monounsaturated fat doesnt change the fact that it looks like elephant poop in processing.  Nothing about this process is natural.  Plus, more and more canola seeds are genetically modified (5, 6).  I aint messin wit dat shit.


Dont get me wrong, nutritionism has its place.  Focusing on nutrients has gotten us to where we are today in nutritional science.  Learning about essential nutrients, for example, has allowed us to effectively feed someone through a tube or an IV in severe trauma.  And in all honesty, we can make a pretty good guess at the healthfulness of a food based on the nutrients it contains.

But we would be extremely arrogant to think that we fully understand food and its intimate relationship with our bodies.  Sometimes, you just have to trust real food.  You dont really believe that God put the fat in the milk to kill us do you (7)?

The Importance Of Eating Your Greens

Eating your greens may be even more important that previously thought, with the discovery that an immune cell population essential for intestinal health could be controlled by leafy greens in your diet.

The immune cells, named innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), are found in the lining of the digestive system and protect the body from bad bacteria in the intestine. They are also believed to play an important role in controlling food allergies, inflammatory diseases and obesity, and may even prevent the development of bowel cancers.

Dr Gabrielle Belz, Ms Lucie Rankin, Dr Joanna Groom and colleagues from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institutes Molecular Immunology division have discovered the gene T-bet is essential for producing a population of these critical immune cells and that the gene responds to signals in the food we eat.

Dr Belz said the research team revealed T-bet was essential for generating a subset of ILCs which is a newly discovered cell type that protects the body against infections entering through the digestive system. "In this study, we discovered that T-bet is the key gene that instructs precursor cells to develop into ILCs, which it does in response to signals in the food we eat and to bacteria in the gut," Dr Belz said. "ILCs are essential for immune surveillance of the digestive system and this is the first time that we have identified a gene responsible for the production of ILCs."

The research was published in the journal Nature Immunology.

Dr Belz said that the proteins in green leafy (cruciferous) vegetables are known to interact with a cell surface receptor that switches on T-bet, and might play a role in producing these critical immune cells. "Proteins in these leafy greens could be part of the same signalling pathway that is used by T-bet to produce ILCs," Dr Belz said. "We are very interested in looking at how the products of these vegetables are able to talk to T-bet to make ILCs, which will give us more insight into how the food we eat influences our immune system and gut bacteria."

ILCs are essential for maintaining the delicate balance between tolerance, immunity and inflammation. Ms Rankin said the discovery had given the research team further insight into external factors responsible for ILC activation. "Until recently, it has been difficult to isolate or produce ILCs," Ms Rankin said. "So we are very excited about the prospect for future research on these cells which are still poorly understood."

ILCs produce a hormone called interleukin-22 (IL-22), which can protect the body from invading bacteria, Dr Belz said. "Our research shows that, without the gene T-bet, the body is more susceptible to bacterial infections that enter through the digestive system. This suggests that boosting ILCs in the gut may aid in the treatment of these bacterial infections," she said.

ILCs help to maintain a healthy environment in the intestine by promoting good bacteria and healing small wounds and abrasions that are common in the tissues of the gut. They may also have a role in resolving cancerous lesions. "The discovery of these immune cells has thrown open a completely new way of looking at gut biology," Dr Belz said. "We are just starting to understand how important these immune cells are in regulating allergy and inflammation, and the implications for bowel cancer and other gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohns disease," she said.

"Understanding the biology of ILCs and the genes that are essential for generating them will help us to develop methods of targeting these cells," Dr Belz said. "This might include boosting ILCs in situations where they may not be active enough, such as infections or some cancers, or depleting them in situations where they are overactive, such as chronic inflammatory disease," she said.

Higher Intake of Fruits and Vegetables Lower Risk of Bladder Cancer

University of Hawaii Cancer Center Researcher Song-Yi Park, PhD, along with her colleagues, recently discovered that a greater consumption of fruits and vegetables may lower the risk of invasive bladder cancer in women.

The investigation was conducted as part of the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) Study, established in 1993 to assess the relationships among dietary, lifestyle, genetic factors, and cancer risk. Park and her fellow researchers analyzed data collected from 185,885 older adults over a period of 12.5 years, of which 581 invasive bladder cancer cases were diagnosed (152 women and 429 men).

After adjusting for variables related to cancer risk (age, etc.) the researchers found that women who consumed the most fruits and vegetables had the lowest bladder cancer risk. For instance, women consuming the most yellow-orange vegetables were 52% less likely to have bladder cancer than women consuming the least yellow-orange vegetables. The data also suggested that women with the highest intake of vitamins A, C, and E had the lowest risk of bladder cancer. No associations between fruit and vegetable intake and invasive bladder cancer were found in men.

"Our study supports the fruit and vegetable recommendation for cancer prevention, said Park. "However, further investigation is needed to understand and explain why the reduced cancer risk with higher consumption of fruits and vegetables was confined to only women."

Efficacy of lemon fruit can inhibit the growth of cancer cells

Efficacy of lemon fruit can inhibit the growth of cancer cells - This fruit is very fresh when served with drinks and food. The content of vitamin C are also many benefits to the body. In addition to toning properties, it turns out lemons are also useful for the treatment of cancer, which is to slow the growth of cancer cells. There was also a lot of other benefits, what are the benefits and other advantages, such as in the quotation er to the Huffington Post following.

Enzyme

Lemon helps the liver to expel toxins from the body through natural enzymes contained therein. It also triggers the bodys overall health and keep skin clean.

Calcium

Citric acid in lemons role in cleaning calcium deposits in the blood vessels, pancreas, and kidney stones at the same time.

Antioxidants

Lemon accounted for a high dose of antioxidants in the body in the form of vitamin C in it. Eating lemons also effective to reduce wrinkles in the face.

Immune system

Vitamin C is also an immune system booster which counteract fever and flu.

Electrolyte

Lemon is a good source of electrolytes because it contains potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Electrolytes are tasked to prevent the body from dehydration and maintain its functions in order to keep it running smoothly.

Circulatory

Flavonoids in the fruit juice are compounds that improve blood circulation, blood pressure control, and reduce inflammation.

Acidity

PH or acidity levels in the body can be kept balanced with diligent eating lemon.

Cancer

Lemons contain citric pectin and limonoids were shown to inhibit the spread, growth slows, and kill cancer cells.

Thats 8 health benefits of fruit juice for the body. You can try it in a practical way, namely by making the lemon juice and drink it every morning. With regular drink it, you will get the properties.

Benefits of Avocado

Health Benefits of Avocado

Avocado Butter

Benefits of Avocado - Avocado is including special fruit because they contain 20-30 times more fat than other fruits. Benefits of Avocado fat can provide enough energy as it consumes. Type of fat in Health benefits of avocado found in fruit avocado is an unsaturated fat, which is easily digestible and useful to the body. Thus Spake, an avocado provides a high enough energy behind it is tasty and delicious and not bitter.

Almost all parts of the avocado tree has its advantages. Benefits of Avocado tree useful for wood fuel. Seeds and leaves can be used in the garment industry. Shell can be used for dyeing leather products brown. In the field of beauty, avocados are frequently used as a facial mask. The fruit is able to make the skin firmer. Avocado is also useful for hair care materials, such as cream bath.

Avocado Garnish

Nutritional Benefits of Avocado

95 mg phosphorous,
23 mg of calcium,
1.4 mg of iron,
9 mg of sodium
1.3 mg of potassium
8.6 mg niacin
660 mg of vitamin A,
82 mg of vitamin C.

5 Health Benefits of Avocado 

1. Avocados are the best sources of carotenoids from the carotenoid and phytonutrient. Avocado, also known as the fruit that offers not only various types of carotenoids like beta carotene, alpha carotene and lutein, but also lesser-known varieties of this type of phytonutrient such as neoxanthin, zeaxanthin, chrysanthemaxanthin, neochrome, beta-cryptoxanthin and violaxanthin. Every time you eat foods rich in carotenoids, your body will receive a lot of good intake of vitamin A for eye health. Carotenoids also enhance immune system function and improve the health of the reproductive system function. Carotenoids are fat soluble, thus optimizing the absorption of nutrients.
2. Anti-inflammatory effects of the combination of the nutrients in Avocado offers great benefits as an anti-inflammatory (anti-inflammatory). The unique combination of avocado such as Vitamins C and E, carotenoids, selenium, zinc, phytosterols and omega 3 fatty acids help to prevent inflammation. This suggests that the avocado can help prevent or reduce the risk of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid disease.
3. Protein Avocados provide all 18 essential amino acids needed for the body to form a complete protein. In contrast to the proteins in meat are difficult to digest for most people, Avocado protein is easily absorbed by the body because it also contains fiber. If you are trying to reduce the sources of animal protein in the diet, or if you are a vegetarian and want to look for more protein, avocados can be a good nutritional choice.
4. Avocados provide the type of beneficial fat healthy fats our bodies need. Such as olive oil, avocados can increase levels of HDL ("good" cholesterol). HDL cholesterol may help protect against damage caused by free radicals. Even this type of cholesterol can also help regulate triglyceride levels and prevent diabetes. Unsaturated fats, vegetable fats in avocados have a high unsaturated. Fats are useful for lowering blood cholesterol (LDL), which means it can prevent stroke, high blood pressure, cancer or heart disease. Unsaturated fat in avocados is also easy to digest the body so as to provide maximum results in the body. Unsaturated fat in avocados also contain anti-bacterial and anti fungal. A study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that a vegetarian diet, which includes HDL fats, can reduce levels of LDL ("bad" cholesterol).  
5. Heart health in the Avocado fat content is often considered a bad influence on health. In fact, fat is actually very good for protecting the health of your heart. Studies have shown that oleic acid in avocado can improve heart health. Oleic acid is the major fatty acids in avocado. Oleic acid, oleic acid is a powerful antioxidant that can capture free radicals in the body due to pollution. Free radicals in the body will cause a variety of health complaints.

 You can get the Benefits Of Avocado fruit to eat every day. All fruits have their efficacy, including Avocado Fruit. It is time consuming Avocado fruit from now. Prevention is better than cure!!

Top 10 Links of the Week 4 30 10 – 5 6 10

So much good stuff going on this weekend: Mothers Day, beautiful weather (in NYC), and tonights Season 4 premiere of Friday Night Lights, the best hour-long drama on TV. 

But before any of that: Clear eyes! Full hearts! The links!

1) New York Times: For Corn Syrup, the Sweet Talk Gets Harder
HFCS has taken a huge publicity hit in the U.S. the last couple of years, and it’s being lected in sales. Less money is never a good thing for any business, so food manufacturers are taking steps to replace corn syrup with real sugar. Honestly, I don’t know how much better that is anyway, but HFCS admittedly kind of freaks me out. So … yay?

2) Almost Frugal: You vs. the Grocery Store
LOVE this post about combating supermarkets’ subtle ways of getting you to buy extra stuff. Think of it like a casino: go in with a plan, and you’ll walk out with your pants still on. (Um … you know what I mean.) (Thanks to Casual Kitchen for the link.)

3) Frugal Green Family: Considering a CSA? Weighing the Pros and Cons
For those of us still on the fence about a CSA share, this fabulously thoughtful post should seal the deal, either way.

4) Get Rich Slowly: The Savvy Shopper’s Guide to the Farmers’ Market
Need help navigating your farmer’s market? Go here. Do it now. Before you start cluelessly wandering your local produce gathering like a noob. Heh. Noob.

5) Surviving and Thriving: I glean ketchup packets. So what?
“Want to be considered weird, embarrassing or just plain cheap? Be frugal among people who aren’t.” In her new blog, MSN’s Donna Freedman discusses life as a frugalist, and why some people look at it weirdly (but probably shouldn’t). Good stuff.

6) Publix Penny Pincher: How to Make Your Cashier Love You
I first read the title as “How to Make Your Cashier Make Love to You.” Needless to say, it’s not about that. BUT, these simple supermarket tips will turn grocery shopping into a much more pleasant experience for everyone involved. Remember: Cashiers are people, too! (People who enjoy making love.)

7) HuffPo: A Table, Les Enfants! Dinner Is Served!
Neat piece about mealtime cultural differences between the author’s American family and French in-laws. At home, she’s always eaten quickly, mostly for fuel. Abroad, she parks her derriere and takes the time to enjoy the frommage. Tres bien.

8) stonesoup: 10 tips for optimum vegetable storage
Yes! This! Your parsley will never wilt prematurely again. (Photo courtesy of The Kitchn.)

9) Non-Meat Athlete: 7 Steps to Eating Less Meat Now
We all know that consuming less beef, poultry, and pork is better for our health and bank accounts. But how do we start? This guy knows. Oh, how he knows. (Thanks to Casual Kitchen for the link.)

10) The Atlantic Food: Among Dorms and Dining Halls, Hidden Hunger
Hey low-income college kids! Do you want an education, or do you want to eat? Unfortunately, more of you are being forced to make that decision. Fortunately, there are an increasing number of food programs being created to address the problem. Still, yikes.


HONORABLE MENTION

Associated Press: Expert: Surface area of Gulf oil spill has tripled
The AP piece is a few days old by now, but it’s still a solid overview of the Gulf catastrophe. This NYT article is newer, and explains how it might affect our seafood supply. What a mess, people.

Casual Kitchen: Meat Versus Miles - Why Less Meat is Better Than Going Local
Ideally, you can be doing both and still saving some cash. But slowly phasing meat out is a tad more effective.

Culinate: Gas vs. Electric Cooktops
I grew up on electric, and started using gas when I began renting. I will never switch back. And you can punctuate it. (Photo from Wikimedia.)

Food Politics: Where Do Farm Subsidies Go? Now We Know.
It’s your tax dollars at work. In the fields. For major corporations, mostly.

Get Rich Slowly: Getting Paid to Lose Weight with Healthy Wage
Is competing for a cash prize a good way to drop some pounds? Adam Baker is gonna find out. His Healthy Wage team has three months to lose, with $10,000 at stake.

The Kitchn
How Does a Food Lover Maintain a Healthy Weight?
Whipping Cream or Egg Whites: Soft, Firm, and Stiff Peaks - A Visual Guide
Link #1: Huge comment thread chock full of sweet suggestions.
Link #2: Ooo! My angel food cakes will be much happier now.

Money Saving Mom
Freezing Homemade Baby Food
Is Freezer Cooking Really Worth it?
Link #1: Looking to cut down on Gerber jars? Here’s how.
Link #2: Crystal’s first reason alone is enough to make me want to try this. Dishes are the scourge of humanity, people.

My Paper Crane: the dirty dozen cheat sheet
Need a super-cute graphic reminder of what organics to buy? This is your post.

NY Times: Farmers Cope With Roundup-Resistant Weeds
Dude. Nature ALWAYS wins. This could be very not good. Or just the opposite, if it’s publicized enough.

Serious Eats: Are There Foods You Can’t Keep in the House?
M&Ms. I will eat every one of them in a single sitting, lick the bag when they’re gone, and snort the air for chocolate dust particles afterward.

Simple Bites: Ten Ingredients You Must Have on Your Spice Rack
Guest poster Lydia Walshin runs down a list of her ten essentials, including a surprising #10. While I might add cloves, it’s a solid roundup.

This Mama Cooks: Healthy Comfort Food Weekly Meal Plan
It’s essentially a recipe roundup, but it’s a REALLY good recipe roundup. I want to go to here.


AND ALSO

The Seattle Times: Local boy with cancer turns into a superhero for a day
Favorite. Story. EVAH. 13-year-old Erik Martin is struggling with cancer, and loves superheroes. So, Make-A-Wish got most of Seattle together (seriously, it’s a cast of thousands) to turn him into one. I swear, this will warm your heart, kidneys, spleen, and every inch of your intestines. Go now!

Betty White SNL Promo
If you can’t catch FNL, go for SNL. The second take nearly made me cry laughing. St. Olaf, represent!



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Smoking marijuana can lower the risk of diabetes

You would have to know the negative effects of smoking marijuana. But it turns out marijuana also has benefits. Recent research has shown that people who regularly smoke marijuana have a lower risk of developing diabetes.

Marijuana users had lower insulin levels. This indicates control blood sugar better. If the link between cannabis and prevention of diabetes clarified, then it is likely researchers will develop diabetes treatments using the substance in cannabis, namely THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

The study, published in The American Journal of Medicine found that people who smoke marijuana regularly have insulin levels 16 percent lower compared with those who never smoked marijuana.

Those who used marijuana also known to have a smaller waist, while a large waist circumference can increase a persons risk of developing diabetes.

Currently marijuana is generally used in patients with cancer or experiencing severe pain. The use of marijuana as medicine is allowed in 18 states, as reported by the Daily Mail.

The study looked at 4,657 patients. Approximately 579 people use marijuana, 1,975 marijuana use in the past but had stopped, and 2,013 people have never used marijuana. Insulin and glucose were then measured through participants blood samples after fasting for nine hours.

As a result, users of cannabis had insulin levels 16 percent lower than those who had never used marijuana at all. Murray Mittleman of the Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Unit at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center also explained that in previous studies researchers found that rates of obesity and diabetes is lower in cannabis users.

Although the substance in the cannabis plant is known to control and prevent diabetes insulin, Indonesia would allow the use of marijuana for treatment?

Health benefits of coconut water

coconut water

Coconut water provides numerous health benefits to us. It could potentially be the greatest energy drink in the world, to top it off, it’s all-natural. Low in calories, naturally fat- and cholesterol free, more potassium than four bananas, and super hydrating - America’s latest health craze: It contains more potassium than the majority of energy drinks. The chloride it holds is at 118g, and it’s natural sugars extent to about 5mg. 

Coconut water is the juice or liquid inside an immature green coconut and it is best to drink when it is more than 5 months as the water will have a bitter tinge if consumed earlier. Its water is one of the nature’s most reshing drinks, consumed worldwide for its nutritious and health benefiting properties.
 
The coconut palms grow abundantly along the coasts of tropical environments.Botanically, coconut plant belongs within the Arecaceae family of palm trees and has the scientific name: Cocos nucifera.

The coconut tree has been called the "Tree of Life" for its uncanny (nearly miraculous) healing properties and usefulness. A study of the coconut tree reveals an almost supernatural evolution to become one of the most useful species of plant life known to man.
 
Coconut palm flourishes well along the costal tropical environments. A coconut tree may yield several hundred tender nuts each season. Different species of coconut palms are grown all over the tropics. Naturally, their taste and flavor of water show variations according to saline content in the soil, distance from sea shore, mainland, etc.

tender coconut

The palm can yield 150 to 200 coconuts a season and each coconut contains 200ml to 1000ml of water depending on its cultivar size and type. This water is rich in vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, enzymes, amino acids and cytokine. This water is now popular all over the world for its reshing nutty taste as well as its health benefits.

Any nuts younger than five months of age tend to be bitter in taste and devoid of nutrients. In contrast, mature nuts contain less water, and their endosperm thickens quickly to white edible meat (kernel). Coconut milk obtained from the meat is theore should not be confused with coconut water. Coconut milk is obtained by grating and grinding this ‘meat’ and passing it through a sieve. It is very high in fat content – a cup of coconut milk has 550 calories whereas coconut water has only 50 calories a cup.

Surprisingly, Coconut water is more nutritious than whole milk. Its crammed with Natural Sugars, Salts, and Vitamins to block out fatigue. Drinking coconut water straight from a green tender coconut in the summer heat is simply divine. Not only is it reshing, it also has a number of health benefits. Most importantly, coconut water contains less sodium than any other energy drink. See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients:

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	354 kcal (1,480 kJ)
Carbohydrates	24.23
- Sugars	6.23
- Dietary fiber	9
Fat	33.49
Protein	3.33 g
Water	47
Thiamine (vit. B1)	0.066 mg (6%)
Riboflavin (vit. B2)	0.02 mg (2%)
Niacin (vit. B3)	0.54 mg (4%)
Pantothenic acid (B5)	1.014 mg (20%)
Vitamin B6	0.05 mg (4%)
Vitamin C	3.3 mg (4%)
Calcium	14 mg (1%)
Iron	2.43 mg (19%)
Magnesium	32 mg (9%)
Phosphorus	113 mg (16%)
Potassium	356 mg (8%)
Zinc	1.1 mg (12%)
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Fresh tender coconuts are readily available in the markets in tropical countries year around. However, they require importation into the semitropical and cold regions. Nowadays, ready to use prepared tender coconuts are made available in USA and Canada imported from Thailand and Malaysia.

In the stores, coconut water sold in packets, and bottles. However, their overall nutritional profile may not be up to the mark in terms of vitamins and enzyme levels, since some kind of additives and preservative added in order to enhance shelf life.  

Health benefits of coconut water:
Coconut water is very beneficial after a bout of diarrhoea, as it replaces fluid loss. It is rich in amino acids, enzymes, dietary fibre, vitamin C and minerals such as potassium, magnesium and manganese; at the same time it is low in cholesterol and chlorides. This fluid is ideal to maintain body fluids when a person gets dehydrated. Coconut water contains a good amount of electrolyte potassium, thus it can replenish the electrolyte composition in body fluids. 

Coconut water was used as a “universal donor”, making it identical to human blood plasma. It was used in the Pacific War to save thousands of lives through Coconut IV’s, and emergency plasma transfusions.

A study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine suggested that coconut water can be successfully used as a short term intravenous hydration fluid for hydration and resuscitation of critically ill patients in the remote regions of the world where medical resources are not available. Other health benefits are as under.

Quick energy boost
Abundant in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, Coconut Water makes a wonderful energy drink. In particular, coconut water has less sugar and sodium content compared to most sports drinks, while packing more Potassium, Calcium, and Chloride, which makes it a better choice to rehydrate, replenish and boost the bodys energy levels after any strenuous activity or workout. 

Weight Loss
Coconut water is a natural electrolyte and isotonic beverage which help increase the bodys metabolism. Theore, it can greatly benefit people who are struggling with weight issues. Drinking coconut water helps a person to lose weight as it is low in fat and it keeps a person feeling full. It also reduces food cravings.

Useful in aging spots, wrinkles, and other skin problems
Researchers have found that Cytokinins help regulate the cell growth and their divisions. Coconut Water contains these cytokinins and lauric acid which can minimize the aging of skin cells, balance PH levels, and keep the connective tissues strong and hydrated. Theore, simply applying ccoconut water onto affected skin areas every night before going to bed may help with acne, age spots, wrinkles, stretch marks, cellulite, and eczema. Within two to three weeks, it clears up the skin.

Cardiovascular health
Coconut water promotes health as it is rich in potassium and it also helps to reduce the risk of hypertension and strokes. According to researchers, individuals with high blood pressure usually have low potassium levels. Theore, drinking coconut water on a regular basis can be quite effective at regulating blood pressure. 

There are several animal studies suggesting coconut water can lower cholesterol and blood pressure, but this research is too preliminary to make claims about it’. But they do agree that coconut water may be a healthier option as compared with other beverages. Similarly, some recent studies have found that coconut water can help increase HDL (good) cholesterol, which makes it a wonderful natural treatment for maintaining good cardiovascular health.

Dehydration
Rich in Potassium and other minerals, Coconut Water helps to regulate our internal fluids and replenish and rehydrate the body. It has been used to treat dehydration caused by dysentery, cholera, diarrhea and stomach flu, and the electrolyte balance and plasma in coconut water has been found to be similar to that of human blood. 

Theore, drinking one cup of Coconut Water twice daily during digestive tract abnormalities, hot temperatures, and after strenuous workouts can help rehydrate the body quickly.

Good in diabetes 
It is good for diabetics as it is good in nutrients required by diabetics to keep their sugar levels in control.

Anti viral
If you are suffering from flu or herpes due to some type of viral attack on your body, drinking coconut water is very beneficial as it has anti viral and anti bacterial properties.

Reduces the risk of kidney stones 
Due to the minerals, potassium and magnesium, present in coconut water the risk of kidney stones is greatly reduced.

What are the side effects of coconut water?
Fresh coconut water is one of the best natural drinks on the face of the earth. It doesnt have any known side effects unless somebody is prone to having allergic reactions or have severe nut allergies. 

It is considered to be safe for children, pregnant, and breastfeeding women. If you are taking potassium supplements it is recommended to regulate your potassium levels since Coconut Water is high in potassium.

NOTE: Once a coconut is cut open the water should be consumed as exposure to air can result in loss of nutrients. It is low in fat though rich in vitamins and the potassium level is twice the amount found in banana.