Tomatoes

Tomatoes are consumed and are available in diverse ways...raw, cooked, bbq'd, as a sauce, ketchup, etc...but did you know that it contains lots of benefits?

Here are some benefits of this red fruit:

• Anti-oxidant: Tomatoes contain a lot of vitamin A and C, mostly because of beta-carotene, and these vitamins act as an anti-oxidant, working to neutralize dangerous free radicals in the blood stream. These dangerous free radicals can cause cell damage. And keep in mind, the more red the tomato, the more beta-carotene it contains. Also, remember that cooking destroys much of vitamin C, so stick with raw tomatoes for these benefits.
• Diabetes: Have plenty of the mineral chromium, which helps diabetics to keep their blood sugar level under control.
• Smoking: No, tomatoes can’t help you stop smoking, but what they can do is to help reduce the damage smoking does to your body. Tomatoes contain chlorogenic acid and coumaric acid, which help to fight against some of the carcinogens brought about by cigarette smoke.
• Vision: Because of all that vitamin A, tomatoes are also an excellent food to help improve your vision. This also means tomatoes can help your eyes be better about night blindness.
• Heart troubles: Due to potassium and vitamin B, tomatoes help to lower blood pressure and to lower high cholesterol levels. This, in turn, could help prevent strokes, heart attack and other potentially life-threatening heart problems.
• Skin care: Because of high amounts of lycopene, a substance found in many of the more expensive over-the-counter facial cleansers, tomatoes are great for skin care. The best way to use tomatoes for skin care is to peel a bunch of them, eight to twelve, then lay back and place the tomato skins on your face (or other skin areas). Make sure the inside of the tomato skins are against your skin, and let this sit for at least 10 minutes. Then wash off. You’re face will be cleaner and more shiny, though it also might be a little red from the tomatoes. Don’t worry, that red on your face will wear away.
• Hair: Remember all that vitamin A in tomatoes? Well, it’s good for keeping your hair strong and shiny, and its also good for your eyes, teeth, skin and bones.
• Cancer: Various studies have shown that because of all that lycopene in tomatoes, the red fruit helps to lessen the chances of prostate cancer in men, and also reduces the chance of stomach cancer and colorectal cancer. Lycopene is considered somewhat of a natural miracle anti-oxidant that may help to stop the growth of cancer cells. And, interestingly enough, cooked tomatoes produce more lycopene than do raw tomatoes, so enjoy that tomato soup!
• Bones: Tomatoes have a fair amount of vitamin K and calcium, both of which help to strengthen and possibly repair in minor ways bones and bone tissue 
• Kidney stones and gallstones: Eating tomatoes without the seeds has been shown in some studies to lessen the risk of gallstones and kidney stones.

Peas

Peas are super delicious and I always crave a huge bowl with a bit of margarine and salt. Do not judge these little buggers by its size as they are actually packed with benefits! Check out why peas are good for your health!

Health Benefits:

• Contain nicotinic acid which reduces cholesterol in the blood.
• Has the ability to dissolve clumps of red blood cells that are destined to become clots eventually. This clot prevention is due to the presence of special plant protein called lectins.
• May help in the prevention of all forms of cancer due to its high Vitamin A and C content.
• Contain insoluble fiber which aids intestinal mobility and may help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Have lutein, the carotenoid with a proven record of helping to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
• Provide nutrients that are important for maintaining bone health.
• An energy and body building food.
• Green peas iron content can help prevent anemia. Iron is a mineral necessary for normal blood cell formation and function, whose deficiency results in anemia, fatigue, decreased immune function, and learning problems.

Brussel Sprouts

Lately, I have been craving these miniature cabbages and they are packed with lots of health benefits!

Here are some of the benefits of eating Brussel Sprouts:

- They have many cholesterol lowering benefits. When steam cooked, they retain much of their goodness.
- Have many fiber related components which help in many ways. Including a healthy digestive system, clean colon and it also helps to keep you feeling full.
- Great health benefits such as glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are very important for protecting and reducing the chances of getting cancerous diseases.
- Are a cruciferous vegetable, which helps to prevent thyroid problems.
- Low in calories and delicious, meaning you can eat plenty of them to fill you up and help you lose weight!
- Plenty of Vitamin K and C.
- Folate, potassium and manganese are present in brussel sprouts, making them extremely nutritious.
Brussel sprouts are a good source of calcium, protein and magnesium.
- High levels of copper, Vitamin A, B2 and E.

Spinach

 

Spinach is one of my favorite vegetables! It is packed full of nutrients and benefits for your health and can be prepared pretty much any way you like...raw, cooked, made as a spinach dip, and can be added into your protein shake!


I have a list of benefits of why Spinach is one of the healthiest Vegetable out there:

• Energy: This is where Popeye gets his powers from spinach! Iron is high in the leafy plant, and iron helps to carry blood throughout the body by helping to build red blood cells. More oxygen throughout the body and stronger red blood cells means more energy and less fatigue.
• Anti Cancer: Loaded with phyto-nutrients and anti-oxidants that help prevent various types of cancer. Fiber, flavonoids, vitamins A and C and plus folic acids, they are powerful anti-oxidants and anti-cancer agents that work together to slow down multiplication of cancerous cells or kill cancer causing chemicals especially in colon, breast, lung and prostate cancer.
• Infant Development: Contains high amounts of folate and it’s highly recommended for pregnant women. Folate is an essential compound that helps prevent neurological defects like cleft palate or spina bifida that may occur due to its deficiency in infants. Vitamin A is also important in lungs development of the foetus and during breast feeding.
• Healthy Skin: Presence of phyto-nutrients like vitamin B and other pigments help repair and maintain the firmness of the skin. This elements shield the skin from harmful UV rays, thus preventing the risk of skin cancer. In addition, spinach contain vital compound such as lutein and other anti-oxidant properties that help strengthen your skin and slow down the aging.
• Digestive System: This vegetable is rich in cleansing properties that help detoxify your digestive system. Beta-carotene and vitamin C protect the colons cells from harmful effects of free radicals. Fiber is also essential in preventing constipation and cleansing the digestive system.
• Improve Eyesight: Lutein and Zeaxanthin anti-oxidants help prevent cataracts and other age related illness like macular degeneration blamed for weakening the eye muscles.
• Heart Diseases: Most of heart diseases are caused by high levels of bad cholesterol in the body. Spinach is blessed with strong anti-oxidants that help prevent oxidation of cholesterol and prevent it from sticking on the artery walls. Inositol and choline properties prevent thickening of arteries.
• Strong Bones: Rich in vitamin K which needed for strengthening the bones. Vitamin K prevents the bone from losing Calcium…a vital mineral for high bone density. It helps minimize the risk of osteoporosis disease where bones density is reduce and fractures become common. Its also contain phosphorus, manganese, zinc, copper and magnesium which help in building up strong bones.
• Anemia: Iron is very vital in blood formation. Spinach contains good amounts of iron which speeds up blood formation in the body. That’s why spinach is recommended to menstruating women and children who have increased need for Iron.
• pH: Spinach is alkaline in nature and effective in maintaining and regulating the body pH.
• Weight loss: Spinach is low in calories and fats but high in dietary fiber. It helps burn excess fats and aid natural weight lose. Fiber makes you feel fuller for longer hence the body burns the excess fats for energy.
• Diabetes: The presence of magnesium helps regulate level sugar levels in the body. Research shows that regular consumption of spinach stabilizes your blood sugar and prevents it from fluctuating too much and often.

Carrots

Carrot or called Daucus carota is a vegetable grown throughout the year, especially in mountain areas that have cold temperatures and moist, approximately in height of 1200 meters above sea level.

Carrot plants can grow in almost all seasons. There are more than 100 types of carrots ranging from not only in colors but also its size from as small as two inches to three feet.

Carrots are the second most popular type of vegetable after potatoes.

Benefits of Carrots

Consuming Carrots are known to be good for your overall health and organs like the skin, eyes, digestive system and teeth. Carrot is used in several Juice Therapy Remedies for diseases.

• Are rich in Beta carotene which is a powerful antioxidant which helps in maintaining a healthy skin and also keep one away from many diseases.
• Rich in alkaline elements which purify and revitalize the blood. They balance the acid alkaline ratio in the body.
• Have Potassium in it which helps to balance the high levels of sodium associated with hypertension and keeps blood pressure under control.
• The high soluble fiber content in carrot, it reduces cholesterol by binding LDL, the bad cholesterol, and also increases the HDL which helps in reducing blood clots and heart diseases.
• Great for dental health as they kill harmful germs in the mouth and prevent tooth decay.
• Aid digestion by increasing saliva and supplying the minerals, vitamins and enzymes required for it. Regular consumption of carrots helps in preventing gastric ulcers and digestive disorders.
• Raw carrots are used as a home remedy for treating worms in children.
• Raw or grated carrots can be used for wounds, cuts and inflammation.
• Are rich in Carotenoids which are beneficial to blood sugar regulation.
• Contain a phyto-nutrient called falcarinol which helps in promoting colon health and a reducing the risk of cancers.
• Consuming carrots regularly are known to improve the quality of breast milk in mothers.
• Helps in increasing the menstrual flow.
• Consuming Carrots regularly can improve the appearance of skin, hair, nails etc and also improve eyesight.