Tag: benefits

What Is Arugula Good For?

The Arugula Advantage

Botanical name: Eruca sativa

(Dr. Mercola) If you ever see a salad green referred to as “rocket,” it’s simply another name for arugula, or roquette in French. Yet another brassicaceae along with kale and cauliflower, its delightfully pungent leaves have been cultivated in the Mediterranean since time was recorded. As such, arugula is a perennial favorite in Italian cooking.

Rather nondescript in appearance, arugula is often added to mesclun mixes, where it adds a delicious zest. While the young, paler leaves have a mild flavor – good for fresh dishes like salad and pesto – the older, darker leaves have a bit of pepper to them, making them stand out in soups and pizza toppings.

Health Benefits of Arugula

Arugula derives a lot of nutritional value from its cruciferous family roots, such as antioxidant benefits from glucosinolates and detoxifying power from enzymes. It’s an excellent source of fiber, vitamins A, C (to boost the immune system), and K (for bone strength), folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and manganese.

Arugula also provides high levels of protein, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, zinc, copper, and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) for raising good cholesterol levels and lowering the bad. Its flavonoid content has multiple benefits: to prevent cholesterol from sticking to arteries, lower blood pressure, increase blood flow, lower inflammation, and improve blood vessel function.

Arugula Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 ounce (28 grams) of raw arugula
Amt. Per Serving
Calories 7
Protein 1 g
Carbohydrates 1 g
Sugar 1 g
Sodium 8 mgs

Studies Done on Arugula

A research team studying the natural health benefits of arugula1 discovered that it could be associated with fighting gastrointestinal ulcers, possibly through the many antioxidants it contains. Other studies have linked it to relief from gastric ulcer and psoriasis, as well as protection from skin, lung, and mouth cancers.

Arugula is one of the leafy green vegetables that contain cleansing properties to counteract the poisoning effects of heavy metals in the system, particularly in the liver.2 It also has the ability to eradicate pesticides and herbicides from the body.

Arugula Healthy Recipes: Arugula, Asparagus, and Olive Salad with Toasted Pine Nuts

Ingredients:

  • 3 bunches arugula or spinach
  • 2 ½ cups asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup kalamata olives (or any other Greek olive)
  • ½ cup toasted pine nuts

For the Dressing:

  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, pressed
  • 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of 1 lemon

Procedure:

  1. Quickly blanch the asparagus and set aside. Remove seeds from the olives by cutting down the center lengthwise. Combine the arugula, asparagus, and olives in a bowl.
  2. Roast the pine nuts in a shallow pan at 325°F until brown. Whisk the dressing together, pour over salad, and top with pine nuts. Makes 4 servings.

Arugula Fun Facts

Ancient Roman writings reveal arugula to be used as a powerful aphrodisiac from the first century A.D., especially when combined with other natural plants with similar libido-boosting qualities, such as chicory, dill, lettuce, and lavender.

Summary

Arugula is a leafy green vegetable that’s loaded with nutritional benefits for nearly every area of the body, from the brain to the liver, as well as the skin and blood vessels. A zesty addition to any salad, it’s also great in other recipes, such as pizza, pesto, and soup.

Other sources:

Dragon Fruit: The Scaly-Looking Food with Amazing Health Benefits

(NaturalNews – Raw Michelle) With a name like “dragon fruit,” how could one not eat it, or at least be tempted to? The exotic-looking fruit is also known as “pa-ni-ni,” “mood flower” and “strawberry pear,” and the speckled flesh inside its colorful, scaly outer skin has a bevy of health benefits too good to pass up. (1)

Some may turn away because of its scaly, cactus-like appearance, but doing so is only contributing to a growing food waste problem. In fact, the many foods that are discarded by consumers and retailers are ones that are deemed undesirable because of their unusual appearance, or because they are slightly bruised. While many initiatives to help combat this issue exist, such as Fruta Feia, or “Ugly Fruit,” a food cooperative in Portugal dedicated to fighting food waste, the reality is that food waste still remains a problem on a global level.

So, why not try something new? Dragon fruit may have an “edgy” name with an equally bold look to match, but the health benefits it provides are well worth enjoying.

The health benefits of dragon fruit

Weight loss
With a mere 60 calories in one small dragon fruit, it’s ideal for those watching their weight. Furthermore, while it has 14 grams of carbs, they are healthy, unprocessed, nutrient-packed ones that won’t contribute to weight gain.

Reduced risk of illnesses like cancer
Dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant known to help eliminate free radicals. In fact, it has more than three times the amount of vitamin C as carrots. (2) Because cells are protected from damaging stress, the body is better protected from illnesses such as cancer and heart disease.

Better bone, muscle and nerve health
Dragon fruit’s high calcium content has led The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations to refer to the food as one that is of high nutritional value. Foods with good amounts of calcium have been shown to play a role in improving nerve function and keeping bones strong.

Helps fight constipation
The seeds of a dragon fruit have laxative properties, making it an ideal natural alternative when faced with constipation. (2)

Why not enjoy the health benefits of dragon fruit today? It’s typically eaten raw, but many people enjoy them in smoothies or using them in other creative food preparation ways.

Sources for this article include:
(1) http://www.naturalnews.com
(2) http://www.healwithfood.org

The Benefits of Aloe Vera Leaf

Aloe vera leaf is a miraculous healing food that is one of the oldest healing remedies and natural antibiotics in the world. Taken internally, aloe works wonders for assimilation, circulation, and elimination. It is known to purify the blood, reduce inflammation, ease arthritis pain, prevent kidney stones, lower high cholesterol, prevent Candida, boost physical endurance, benefit cardiovascular health, and protect the body from oxidative stress. It also soothes ulcers, hemorrhoids, gastritis, diverticulitis, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and other digestive disorders.

Aloe provides recovery from fatigue and aids in muscle function as well as optimal utilization of several vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. It’s alkaline nature, helps to soothe acidosis and alkalinize the whole body. Aloe’s clear gel can be applied externally to soothe and relieve pain from sun burn, rashes, bug bites, scratches, and wounds as well as deeply hydrate the skin to prevent wrinkles and aging. It can also be massaged into the hair and scalp to stimulate hair growth and can be used as a toothpaste or mouthwash to keep the mouth healthy, clean, and free from plaque producing bacteria.

For best results, purchase whole Aloe leaves in the produce section of the grocery store. Cut a 2 inch piece off the leaf and scoop out the clear gel inside. This gel can be blended in water, juice, or smoothies to be taken internally or used externally and applied directly to the skin for quick relief and healing.