Cooked Carrots are better
A study from the University of Arkansas finds that cooking carrots can actually boosts their nutrient value. The scientists found that blanched, pureed carrots had 34% more of antioxidants called phenolics than raw carrots. The heating softens the fibrous root, allowing more phenolics to be released from cell walls.
Antioxidants protect our body by neutralizing free radicals, bad molecules that can damage cells, leading to chronic diseases such as cancer.
Read MoreFoods That Can Cause Headache
Before blaming stress for our aching head, we need to check our diet. The chemicals contained in many foods can lead to swelling of blood vessels that can give us a headache. Coffee is not included in the list because caffeine can actually relieves headaches by constricting the blood vessels. However, after the caffeine wears off, the pain may return worse than before.
If you often get headaches, you might need to cut these foods:
- Cheese
Aged cheese such as Brie and blue cheese contain amino acid tyramine, a natural by-product from the ageing process.
- Alcohol
If you drink too much, you will awake in pain.
- Meats
Cured meat and sausages may contain nitrites being used for preservation purpose.
Read MoreWatermelon Facts
Watermelon contains great nutrients, such as lycopene (can lower the risk of prostate and cervical cancer), vitamin A (improve eye health), and vitamin C (boosts immunity and also fights infection).
Chocolate, the Healthy and Tasty Food
Studies have shown that chocolate triggers the release of feel-good endorphins (natural opiates) in the brain. Researchers have even reported that chocolate contains pharmacologically active substances with the same effect on the brain as marijuana.
Chocolate contains caffeine, theobromine, and phenylethylamine that can raise endorphins levels. Chocolate also contains very high level of catechins, compounds that act as antioxidants. 25 grams of dark chocolate contains as much as 41 mg of flavanols, another kind of powerful antioxidants.
There are also some essential nutrients in chocolate, such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, niacin, and riboflavin.
Read MoreSalt Can Be Bad for Children
In the last 20 years, high blood pressure in children has doubled, and this could be caused by too much salt. A study showed that reducing children’s salt intake can lower their blood pressure, which in turn lowers the heart disease risk later in life.
Processed food is a major cause, though it is now easier to find products with lower salt content by checking the label on them. How much salt is considered as too much? Well, a 6 year old should have no more than 3 grams of salt a day.
Read MoreSerendipity Berry
Serendipity Berry is a western African fruit. The fruit contains a substance 1,500 times sweeter than sucrose, which makes it the world’s most concentrated natural sweetener.
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