Category: Vegetables

Beetroot Juice Improves Athletic Performance and Cardiovascular Health

(NaturalNews – David Gutierrez) Many studies have shown that beetroot juice can improve athletic performance. Now, a study conducted by scientists at Kansas State University and published in the Journal of Nitric Oxide, Biology and Chemistry has shown that the beverage could also provide an important quality of life boost to people suffering from heart failure.

“Remember, for every one football player in the United States, there are many thousands of heart failure patients that would benefit from this therapy,” researcher David Poole said. “It’s a big deal because even if you can only increase oxygen delivery by 10 percent, that can be the difference between a patient being wheelchair-bound versus getting up and walking around and interacting with his or her family.”

Improves patients’ ability to exercise

Prior research by the same team, published in the journal Physiology in 2013, showed that due to its high nitrate content, beetroot juice increases blood flow to skeletal muscles that are engaged in exercise. This, in turn, increases the oxygen flow to those muscles.

In the new study, the researchers found that, after drinking beetroot juice, participants experienced a 38 percent increase in blood flow to their skeletal muscles while exercising. Significantly, blood flow increased most to the fast-twitch muscles that are used for explosive running. These muscles are typically less oxygenated than other skeletal muscles.

The increased oxygen flow would be enough to significantly improve quality of life in heart failure patients, the researchers said.

“Heart failure is a disease where oxygen delivery to particular tissues, especially working skeletal muscles, is impaired, decreasing the capacity to move the arms or legs and be physically active,” Poole said.

By enabling heart failure patients to get more exercise, beetroot juice could be the first step in producing deeper, more permanent health improvements.

“The best therapy for these patients is getting up and moving around,” Poole said. “However, that is often difficult. Increasing the oxygen delivery to these muscles through beetroot can provide a therapeutic avenue to improve the quality of life for these patients.”

The researchers have already begun a clinical trial to directly test the effects of beetroot juice in heart failure patients. The research is being conducted in collaboration with the University of Exeter and is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Increases athletic speed, stamina and power

Why does beetroot juice have such a dramatic effect on blood flow? The answer lies in the drink’s high concentration of a chemical known as nitrate. Indeed, just 70 milliliters of beetroot juice contains as much nitrate as 100 grams of spinach.

In the body, nitrate is transformed into nitrite, which has been shown to help protect blood vessels from injury. The nitrite is eventually transformed into nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels and thereby increases blood flow. Because more oxygen is delivered to muscle cells, these cells are therefore able to produce more power and perform for longer without tiring.

Beetroot juice has been shown to increase both speed and endurance in athletes. For example, one study found that athletes who drank beetroot juice used 19 percent less oxygen and performed for 17 percent longer. Another, published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise in 2011, found that cyclists who drank beetroot juice completed a track faster than cyclists given a placebo. A pair of similar studies, conducted by researchers from Maastricht University Medical Centre in the Netherlands and published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism in 2012, found that consumption of beetroot juice improved not just the cyclists’ speed but also their power output.

Sources: 
http://www.k-state.edu
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
http://www.naturalnews.com
http://science.naturalnews.com

The Health Benefits of Kale

Kale is a nutritionally packed leafy vegetable that contains incredible healing and rejuvenating properties. Kale is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, chlorophyll, amino acids, vitamins A, C, E, K, B-complex and minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper, and potassium.

Kale is an anti-cancer powerhouse and contains phytochemicals such as glucosinolates that help protect the body from breast, colon, prostate, ovarian, and bladder cancer. These glucosinolates are also known to detox the body on genetic level and have the ability to literally transform your body and health. Kale also contains an exceptionally high amount of antioxidants such as carotenoids and flavonoids which are essential for protecting the body from degenerative diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, prostatitis, osteoporosis, and neurological disorders.

Kale contains an organic sulfur which has potent antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that work to boost to the immune system and provide significant benefits for chronic inflammation and oxidative stress seen in conditions such as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, COPD, and irritable bowel disease. Kale also contains isothiocyanates which have been shown to help protect the stomach from H. Pylori bacteria.

Kale is part of the Brassica vegetable family which is known to mildly stimulate the liver and other tissues and organs out of stagnancy. Purple kale is a mild, sweeter variety of kale that is a delicious and beautiful addition to any meal. Purple kale is excellent to add to your green juice, wraps, salad, or steamed vegetables.

Try this simple recipe for a Healthy Kale Salad:

  • 1 cucumber, cubed
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 large tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 bunch scallions, chopped
  • 1/2 bunch purple kale, finely chopped
  • 1 avocado, cubed
  • 1-2 oranges, squeezed over salad

Mix all together in a bowl, eat, and enjoy

The Health Benefits of Fennel

Fennel is considered both a vegetable and a herb due to its wide ranging nutritional and healing benefits. Fennel is rich in folic acid, vitamin C, magnesium, cobalt, iron, and essentials oils that contain powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Fennel is excellent for indigestion and is commonly used as a natural antacid in order to help reduce acidity and inflammation in the digestive tract and to facilitate proper absorption and assimilation of nutrients from food. Fennel has potent anti-flatulent and carminative properties which means it is able to prevent and stop the formation of gas in the stomach and intestines. Fennel is also known to be highly beneficial for sinus congestion, bronchitis, renal colic, anemia, hypertension, macular degeneration, constipation, bloating, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Fennel is used to help protect against both cardiovascular disease and cancer. Fennel contains an important anti-inflammatory phytonutrient called anethole that blocks both inflammation and carcinogenesis, which is the mutation of regular cells into cancerous cells.

Fennel also has the ability to ease and regulate menstruation by regulating hormonal action properly in the body. Fennel is used amongst nursing women to help stimulate consistent milk flow for their babies. Fennel is also known to help strengthen hair, prevent hair loss, relax the body, and sharpen the memory. Fennel seeds can be chewed after a meal to aid in digestion and to remove bad breath.

Fennel seeds can also be made into an effective medicinal tea by steeping the seeds in hot water for 10 minutes or more. Fresh fennel juice can be combined with fresh celery, cucumber, and/or apple juice for a healing and medicinal drink. Fresh fennel juice can also be used topically to swollen or inflamed eyes to reduce irritation, swelling, and fatigue. Fresh fennel has a crunchy, slightly sweet licorice flavor and is a wonderful addition to fresh salads, smoothies, soups, stir-fry, potatoes, and other vegetable dishes.

Fresh fennel and fennel seeds can be generally found at your local supermarket or farmer’s market. Fennel tea, capsules, tincture, and extract can all be found online or at your local health food store.

 

The Health Benefits of Dandelion Greens

Dandelion greens are packed with vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, C, E, & K, and calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium & copper. Dandelion greens are also about 14% protein, which is MORE protein per serving than spinach, Popeye’s favorite muscle building food.

Dandelion greens are especially beneficial for the liver and aid in flushing out toxins and remineralizing the body. It’s high beta carotene and flavonoid content also benefits the immune system and cardiovascular system. Dandelion greens are also one of the richest sources of plant based Vitamin K which is essential for bone and neurological health and Vitamin A which is vital for eye and skin health.

Dandelion greens can be found at most health food stores and farmer’s markets, but they also can be found in the spring and early summer months in your own backyard. Just make sure they have not been sprayed with any pesticides and wash in cold water before using. The leaves can also be dried and later used as a medicinal tea. The yellow flower tops and taproot are also edible and nutrient packed and will be discussed further in a separate post.

Try adding a few dandelion leaves to your soup, salad, green juice, or smoothie. They can also be steamed with garlic and ginger and drizzled with a little extra virgin olive oil.

 

The Health Benefits of Cucumbers

Cucumbers are a highly alkalinizing and hydrating food that are rich in nutrients such as vitamins A, C, K, magnesium, silicon, and potassium. Cucumbers are also packed with antioxidants and enzymes such as erepsin which helps to digest proteins and destroy parasites and tapeworms. The high chlorophyll and lignan content in the cucumber skin makes it a great anti-cancer food and can be particularly helpful in reducing the risk of estrogen related cancers such as breast, uterus, prostate, and ovarian cancer. The high fiber content of cucumbers makes it an excellent remedy for constipation by adding bulk and hydration directly to the colon.

Cucumbers are also one of the best natural diuretics around, aiding in the excretion of wastes through the kidneys and helping to dissolve uric acid accumulations such as kidney and bladder stones. Cucumbers have wonderful anti-inflammatory benefits which can significantly benefit autoimmune and neurological disorders. It can also help to diminish swelling and puffiness underneath the eyes when applied externally.

Cucumbers also benefit teeth and gums as the fiber and nutrients help to massage the gums and remove bad bacteria from the teeth. Their high silica content promotes strong and healthy hair and nails which has earned them the reputation for centuries as being a “beautifying” food. Fresh cucumber juice has the ability to cleanse and detox the entire body as well as help to alleviate digestive problems such as gastritis, acidity, heartburn, indigestion, and ulcers.

It is also an ideal way to properly hydrate the body since it is contains beneficial electrolytes that have the ability to bring nutrients and hydration deep into the cells and tissues making it far more effective than water alone. Fresh cucumber juice is also an excellent remedy for bringing down a fever in children and the convalescent.