Natural Slow Release Energy FoodsSlow release energy? Most of us suffer from energy slumps at various times of the day. For some of us it’s the battle to get out of bed in the morning, for others, it’s the famous afternoon drowsy feeling. Whatever you do, don’t grab an energy drink when tiredness hits, instead, eat a diet which contains natural, slow release energy foods and the problem will disappear. Which Foods? Firstly, choose foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. Then look at foods that keep yo...
The Healthiest BerriesMmmmm you’ve gotta love berries… Berries have been eaten by man for millennia. Ancient man, or rather ancient woman, foraged for these Superfoods and enjoyed the colourful, nutrient rich gifts from Mother Nature. They contain exceptionally high levels of antioxidants, making them the perfect food for fighting off disease and maintaining a healthy body. Blueberries Blueberries have it all. They are great anti inflammatories and have antibacterial qualities as well. They are full of antioxi...
Nutrients that Boost EnergyThe old adage, “we are what we eat”, is so true... It’s a scientifically proven fact that the food we put into our bodies affects our health either positively or negatively. We all need energy to survive this busy world and the following information gives you an idea of where to look to keep up your energy levels. Vitamin E Vitamin E plays a large role in maintaining our energy levels. This vitamin helps protect our cells from free radical damage, maintains muscle strength and helps us ...
3 Reasons to go Gluten FreeWhat is gluten? Gluten is found in grains such as wheat, rye and barley. What many people don’t realise is that it’s also found in oats. Supermarkets that label their oats ‘Gluten Free’ are usually referring to the fact that the oats were grown, processed and packed in an area without the presence of wheat, rye or barley. However, oats contain the gluten protein ‘avenin’. There’s a large body of research on this particular debate which is worth investigating. Coeliac Disease Coeliac disea...
The Benefits of Using Digestive Enzymes"It's not what you eat, it's what you absorb" - Dr. Wallach Simply put, digestive enzymes are proteins that break down our food into minute pieces to allow them to enter our bloodstream and be carried around our body. Although, you may follow a healthy diet, it’s possible that the nutrients you are taking in aren’t providing you with any goodness. This particularly applies to people who have IBS, Crohn’s, coeliac disease, leaky gut or food allergies/intolerances. This inabi...
Do I Burn Fat Whilst Sleeping?Burning fat whilst sleeping?? Surely not! When you think of burning fat, you imagine a tough workout at the gym or running a half marathon and eating a healthy, lean diet. This may be one way of burning fat, however, research has shown that a good night’s sleep is imperative to keeping that unwanted fat at bay. Studies A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that sleep is one of the most powerful fat burning tools. Two groups were put on a calorie-controlled diet (1450 ...
Fruits and veg Containing the most Vit COur bodies cannot produce Vitamin C, neither can we store it, so we have to get it from our food. All fruits and vegetables have their own benefits, this article concentrates on those which have the highest Vitamin C content. Guava The guava is native to South America and central Mexico and is now the staple fruit of many Asian countries. Just one serving of guava (1 cup) contains 377 mg of vitamin C. Blackcurrant The blackcurrant is native to central and northern Europe and parts of n...
3 Reasons to Eat SeedsSeeds?? That’s bird food isn’t it…? There are many tasty seeds out there which can be eaten raw as a snack, added to smoothies, sprinkled on salads or used in cooking various dishes, including cakes and biscuits. Not only are they delicious, they are extremely nutritious. Fibre Seeds are high in fibre. For example, one tablespoon of chia seeds contains 5g fibre – one sixth of our recommended intake, according to the British Nutrition Foundation. Eating a fibre rich diet not only keeps the...
The Positive Effects of deep BreathingDo you take time to just breathe? Raymond Weil, M.D., wisely said, “Practising regular mindful breathing can be calming and energising and can even help with stress related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders.” Deep breathing is innate but frequently we go through life never fully inflating our lungs, and yet mindful breathing is a simple way to encourage self-healing. Shallow Breathing As children, we are discouraged from showing fear, anger or displaying outbu...
Magnesium BenefitsOur bodies contain only 25 grams of magnesium, most of which is stored in the skeletal system. This 25 grams may be a small amount, but it’s involved in more than 600 enzymatic reactions, from metabolising our food to creating and repairing our DNA. Below are some of the major benefits: – Healthy Bones Magnesium is vital for the formation of healthy bones and in maintaining bone density. It’s therefore one of the major players in the prevention of osteoporosis. Absorption of Calcium Magne...
Apple Cider Vinegar and DigestionApple cider vinegar has been used medicinally for a variety of ailments for thousands of years. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, prescribed apple cider vinegar and honey as a cure for a variety of health issues. It’s even said to have been used by Cleopatra as a facial cleanser and toner. However, here we talk about the benefits of apple cider vinegar on our digestive systems. Apple cider vinegar is made by firstly crushing apples and then adding a bacterial yeast. This causes t...
The Benefits of Citrus FruitWhen people think of the health benefits of citrus fruit, most concentrate on its high vitamin C content, but there is so much more to citrus than vitamin C. Good Source of Fibre An average sized orange contains around 2.3 grams of fibre, of which 50% is soluble. Not only does this help lower cholesterol levels, it also makes it a great food for dieting, as you feel full for longer. Keeping our cholesterol levels in check obviously reduces our risk heart disease. Vitamin C Vitamin C is vita...
How Much Water Should We Drink?The amount of water each person should drink a day varies enormously. Everyone has different requirements. Variables such as climate, health and exercise need to be factored into water requirements and, even then, there’s no set amount. The important thing to remember is that when you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. What’s Right for You? There are many factors to consider when deciding how much fluid is right for your body. Is it an exceptionally hot day? Are you planning on running a ...
Do we need less sleep as we get older?Feeling tired? As we age we see changes in our physical appearance and our sleep patterns. Many older people find it more difficult to fall asleep and often wake in the early hours, finding it difficult to return to sleep. The National Sleep Foundation firmly believes that our need for sleep doesn’t lessen as we get older. Study Results Research from the National Sleep Foundation has shown that we need the same amount of sleep throughout our adult lives. The Foundation’s studies have demon...
Blood Sugar and Burning FatFirst of all, let’s discuss exactly what insulin is and its function in our bodies. Insulin is a hormone which is manufactured and released into our bloodstream by the pancreas. When we eat, our food is broken down into the following nutrients which then enter our bloodstream: – Protein to amino acids Dietary fats to fatty acids Carbohydrates to glucose When we eat, the pancreas releases insulin which directs the nutrients from the bloodstream to muscle and fat cells. As the nutrients are a...