Don’t want ‘Leaky Gut’ ๐Ÿคข and Diarrhoea๐Ÿ’ฉ? Then Hold the Ketchup!

In many cases it's not the food we eat that's the issue, it's the things we put on to the food. Today we're gonna be considering one of the most significant condiment culprits… ketchup!

I enjoy ketchup, I slop it over everything. And so this hits home for me.

Tomatoes are good for your health, aren't they?

Ketchup is essentially made up of tomatoes. This means you would certainly think that it's not too bad. We know that it's also packed with sugar, yet tomatoes are veggies, right? So at least you're receiving the nutrients from those.

Well not once you cook them to death!

Ketchup is actually made of incredibly over cooked tomatoes which have lost every bit of their nutrients, some water and a LOT of sugar.
The sugar in ketchup will probably be worth a closer look. Because of the fact that, whilst it starts out as sugar (and that is already undesirable) before it is added to the bottle it's refined into high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and this is quite a bit worse! As well as this, you have flavourings, such as MSG, that make us desire it a lot more.

How MSG got me a kiss!

It would appear that MSG is in pretty much everything everything. I remember many years ago, I was on a date with a stunning girl I'd been besotted with for the better part of a year. We were sharing Malteasers and she challenged me to list the ingredients.

I gave her one or two of the obvious ones, then I rolled the malteaser around inside my mouth like attempting to indentify the next flavour, before declaring 'monosodium glutamate?' She instantaneously scrutinised the contents and was stunned by my super-tasting ability, which earned me a kiss!!
I'm probably the one person on this planet that's ever got anything decent out of MSG (well me as well as the whole food production industry who use it to make us addicted to their products!)

And so, ketchup is bad for you. The single good ingredient has long shed its worth and all the other ingredients has been connected to several health conditions.

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is associated with:

  • Morbid obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Cancers

…and it provides minimal nutritional value. It only makes stuff sweeter, which means you eat more of it.

Is MSG seriously unhealthy?

If you do a search on MSG, you can find a ton of articles declaring that it has a poor rep but it really isn't that bad for you. Then you'll stumble upon this quote:

“It’s probably one of the most harmful substances that one can eat.”
Michael Galitzer MD

I actually believe there's a little bit of a conspiracy going on, intending to prevent the majority of folk from realizing the facts about MSG. In order that we continue consuming products which are loaded with it.

MSG can cause something called a 'Leaky Gut' which sounds horrible as well as being associated with

  • Bloating
  • Wind
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal cramps

I have to acknowledge, on more than one occasion I've suffered with all those, particularly after stuffing myself with a fatty takeaway.

Natural Ketchup options

So, let's get back to ketchup. We like it. And we want to continue eating it. But we don't really want 'Leaky Gut'

The better alternative to store bought ketchup is usually to prepare your own.

If you fancy giving that a go, you should have a look at this video clip:

How to make your very own simple fast and extremely healthy ketchup

If you just don't have enough time to do that, there are a selection of store purchased ketchups that are a better option.

Back in 2010 ConAgra took out the HFCS from their ketchup (Hunt's Ketchup) yet they put it back a couple years later. The reason? Well I think that they were looking to cash in on peoples growing awareness of the risks of HFCS and expecting that their healthy option may gain them a better share of the market.

I don't for a second think that they did it out of concern for our well being.

Of course, it didn't work, because they put it back. But the public is increasingly becoming more health conscious, so quite possibly they'll give it another go once they believe that the public is ready for it. It's surely worth grabbing a bottle and reviewing the ingredients from time to time.

Why not try tomato puree

Another alternative, but definitely not a very tasty one, could be to use tomato puree as a substitute for ketchup. In recipes this works fine, but as a condiment it's really not as good. Tomato puree isn't so sweet and also has an exceptionally intense flavour. But play with it, include some sweeter and just see what you can come up with. I'm fairly certain that whatever you end up with it'll be a good deal healthier compared with any branded ketchup!

As long as you don't cook all the nutrients away, cram it with HFCS or lace it with 'gut-leaking' MSG! Aside of this, you can go crazy, even adding some sugar and you'll still get a much healthier ketchup compared to the one you're eating now.

Tomato puree (along with a sweetener) is a superb alternative to producing your own ketchup because it usually lasts much longer than fresh tomatoes, needs significantly less room in your fridge and it is simple to rustle up in a couple of seconds as needed. They it, and let em know how it goes.

Yes.. A single can of Coke really does contain that much sugar!!!

Why exactly is Soda Bad For You?

The main reason that soda is bad for you is is the high sugar content. A typical can of Coke contains about 9 1/2 teaspoons of sugar. That's incredible!

Imagine grabbing a cup from your kitchen cabinet, adding 9 1/2 teaspoons of sugar before topping it up with water. Would you drink it?

In most cases, those that suffer from being obese, are not fat as a result of the food they're eating, but due to the supersize sodas that are included with it. Food fills a person up, if you really feel full you don't desire to eat more. But it's super easy to keep drinking soda, and also adding a lot of sugar into your system.

Iced tea offers a stimulating as well as nutritious replacement for soda

When you're trying to find a nutritious option to soda then iced tea is the ideal alternative. But it really is definitely worth noting that many makes of iced tea contain elevated levels of sugar as well.

Lipton iced tea contains considerably less sugar when compared with soda, so it's absolutely a much better option but the sugar content remains high. Most soda drinks contain between 10% to 12% sugar content, whereas Liptons Iced Tea comes in at just 4.5%

Naturally, you can always just make your very own iced tea, giving you full control over just how much sugar (if any) you choose to include. There are lots of healthier options available you can use as a substitute for sugar, for example Stevia.

Avoid drinking an excess of iced tea

Research shows that iced tea could reduce your risk of cancer, assist fat reduction and even lower your blood pressure levels. However you should drink it in moderation, an excess of iced tea is capable of oxalic acid deposits to build-up in the kidneys which prevents your body's ability to remove waste from your blood.

However, you'd need to drink quite a bit to end up being at risk of that!

Some other benefits associated with drinking iced tea as opposed to soda

1. It's better for the teeth

Iced tea is a better choice for your teeth as compared with soda, though not only because of the decreased sugar content. Studies have shown that tea alters the PH value of the mouth, which could stop cavities from developing.

2. A high source of anti-oxidants

We are all aware that tea is an effective source of anti-oxidants, but do you know precisely how good? Tea contains 8 to 10 times more polyphenol antioxidants than most fruits and vegetables. That's almost as incredible as the level of sugar packed into a can of Coke!

3. It may well help lessen the threat of cancer

Various studies have indicated that compounds present in tea (in particular epigallocatechin gallate) could actually help reduce and even battle cancer.

4. Tea will keep your heart strong

A very impressive study confirmed that people who consume 3 or more cups of green tea each day have a 32% lower risk of suffering from a heart attack. 32% is massive!! It's about as huge as the amount of sugar crammed into a can of Coke!

5. An efficient way to obtain manganese

Manganese will help to maintain the metabolism it strengthens your bones and it boosts healing. Did you know only one cup of tea can provide between a quarter and a third of the suggested daily quantity of manganese?

Which fats are good for you?

Sunflower oil is often considered to be a healthy option, but let’s take a closer look……

Sunflower oil (and also Canola, Soybean, Corn and Safflower oil) is refined, so it’s not a natural healthy oil. Processed oils have a much higher trans-fat content, and when you are talking about fats, trans is bad!

Good and Bad Fats…

The Bad Fats

Refined oils, such as sunflower oil can lead to serious health issues, you really need to avoid them!

Vegetable oils, like Sunflower Oil can cause harmful medical concerns!

Not all fats are bad, many of them are absolutely essential for good health. Bad fats are trans fats and vegetable fats – these are the ones you really want to steer clear of.

Bad fats (trans and vegetable) increase our risk of obesity, cancer and coronary disease.

Bad, bad and also very bad.

(I think that we can probably add the ‘very’ to all 3 bads!)

Why are these types of fats so bad?

Because they are not natural. These kinds of fats are in truth vegetable oils that have passed through an artificial process that makes use of high pressured hydrogen and various chemicals to modify them from oils into fats.

Vegetable oils are very bad for our bodies. They can induce considerable damage to your organs, especially the lung tissue and reproductive system. Scary stuff!

One study even claims that vegetable oils discharge toxic cancer-causing chemicals.

Additional researchers have found that a diet that is loaded with vegetable oils may lead to toxicity of the liver, decreased immune system and even learning disabilities! All bad. Very very bad.

Now for some good news…

The Good Fats

Coconut Oil is better for your health than Sunflower Oil!

Coconut Oil is better than Sunflower Oil! Coconut oil is the ideal healthy alternative to Sunflower oil

Contrary to popular belief, saturated fats and cholesterol are in fact good fats, and our bodies need them to be able to function effectively.

What’s the answer? Avoid using vegetable oils, like soybean, canola, sunflower, corn or safflower and instead go with natural oils, like coconut and krill.

Healthy oils may cost a little more in the short term, but consider the big picture. Isn’t your own long term physical health worth investing a few extra bucks? Besides, treatment for all those frightening illnesses caused by bad fats have a considerable price tag as well!

๐Ÿ Apple Cider Vinegar is the top secret superfood that has the power to quickly balance your PH and improve your health

Drinking diluted Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) can lead to many truly extraordinary health benefits. In this post we will consider some of them and with a little luck encourage you to give this well deserved Superfood a shot. I know that drinking Vinegar may not seem as appealing as sprinkling it on your chips but when you've found out a couple of the incredible ways that it'll improve your well being I'm sure you will be searching for reasons to include more of it in your diet plan.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Are You Ready to Discover What Apple Cider Vinegar Can Do For You? Let's get started…

1 Bringing down Your Blood Pressure Levels

Yes we decided to begin with a biggie. ACV contains acetic acid, which is unlike other acids. It's a very good one! Acetic acid is often used in clinical applications and has been shown to decrease blood sugar levels, boost blood circulation in the intestines and reduce blood pressure level.

2 Apple Cider Vinegar Help You To Lose Weight

Far more study is necessary in this area to be able to claim 'scientifically proven' but there is a great deal of anecdotal evidence that suggests ACV is a miracle liquid with regards to weight loss. Some research does indeed exist that promotes this idea, individuals that were given ACV drops on bread reported feeling much more satisfied as compared with a test group while eating less. The results of the research suggest that adding ACV to a meal causes one to feel full faster, thus, you consume less calories. The scientific studies concluded that this affect may lead to the average consumption of two hundred and fifty fewer calories daily.

3 Prevents the risk of cardiovascular disease

Reducing your blood pressure is without question a step in the right direction when it comes to good cardiovascular health however that's not all ACV gives. It also includes chlorogenic acid, which happens to be the antioxidant concerned with stopping LDL cholesterol from oxidising. This is vital for a healthy cardiovascular system and a significant factor to the prevention of heart disease.

4 Can make your meals more nutritious

ACV helps the nutritional value of everything that you eat, yet not by using it as a condiment, by consuming it. A watered down ACV solution ingested before meals can improve the PH value of your gut acids making the gastrointestinal system better at getting all of those lovely little vitamins and minerals from the food you consume and into our bodies. Aiding the digestive function has a few other benefits as well, it helps reduce bloatedness and indigestion by eliminating dangerous microorganisms and sterilising the intestinal tract.

5 ACV Improves your bodies Alkalinity

This one shocks most people so we're planning to look at it in a bit more depth. Vinegar is acidic, and owing to our poor diet of unhealthy food and treats, our bodies are typically acidic as well, and so you might reckon that consuming a vinegar solution could make things worse, right? Well indeed, it does… when you drink regular vinegar. But ACV is not like normal vinegar. As ACV breaks down inside your body it has an alkalising effect, therefore it organically shifts your bodies PH in the direction of alkaline. And why is that great news? For 2 good reasons. One, most microbes and viruses cannot live in an alkaline environment and two, in cases where your body is not alkaline enough it'll steal calcium from the bones to try and maintain a PH balance. It is this calcium leeching process that leads to lots of people suffering from early onset osteoporosis.

6 Apple Cider Vinegar helps make you more powerful!

ACV is seriously good news for the muscles. It has high levels of potassium, which is 1 of seven necessary minerals that your body needs to perform properly. For those who do not have sufficient potassium in your diet you can expect to experience muscle pains and twitching. ACV has the ability to get rid of that. The acetic acid in ACV also improves the muscles capacity to convert carbohydrates into energy, which is the fuel that your body wants if you go to the gym!

7 ACV helps to keep candidiasis at bay

Everybody has candida in our gut, and sometimes (especially if we have a bad diet) it gets a little out of control. The result… painful joints, digestive problems, stinky breath as well as feeling absolutely knackered for no good reason.

ACV has very powerful anti-fungal qualities that keep candida well in hand. So if you've been feeling any of the above symptoms, maybe you ought to take a closer look at ACV and start introducing it to your health regime.

Superfoods: Tumeric ๐Ÿฆธ๐Ÿป‍♀️

If you love Superfoods, you're gonna adore Turmeric!

Tumeric

Turmeric is not used that much in the West but its popularity is growing fast, and with very good reason. In the East, its medicinal properties have been known for a very long time and it's used in Chinese and Indian medicine too.

So what is all of the fuss with Turmeric?

Is it really worthy of its place in our SuperFood hall of fame ? Let's find out and take a look at 7 reasons for adding Turmeric to your diet…

1. Turmeric can reduce your cholesterol levels

The ingredient in turmeric that's responsible for its amazing benefits to health is curcumin. Curcumin will help to reduce your cholesterol levels in 3 very powerful ways. First, it reduces the time that cholesterol spends in the blood stream. Second, it reduces the oxidation of LDL cholesterol due to its antioxidant properties and third, it helps to boost the efficiency of LDL cholesterol by increasing the receptors. All of which results in dramatically improved cardiovascular health.

2. Lower the pain from (and the spread of) arthritis

In laboratory tests, the curcumin found in turmeric was just as effective as traditional anti-inflammatory drug for joint stiffness. Adding turmeric to your food plan will have a major impact on the quality of your life. Likewise, the antioxidant properties found in curcumin can help to remove free radicals from the body. Free radicals are particularly problematic for sufferers of arthritis because they damage cell membranes which is one of the main causes of joint pain.

3. Maintains healthy thyroid function

Thyroid problems are extremely prevalent in todays society and can trigger all kinds of issues, including weight gain, dry skin, thinning hair, numbness or tingling in the hands brittle nails, and even constipation. Manganese is a vital mineral that's essential for optimal thyroid function. Turmeric is rich in Manganese and helps you to make a significant step towards a better functioning thyroid. Given the amount of symptoms that are caused by a poorly functioning thyroid, its a good idea for you health, general well-being and future medical fees to incorporate turmeric to your diet plan.

4. Reduces inflammation and pain

When compared to medical anti-inflammatories, curcumin (prevalent in turmeric) wins hands down. The compounds that are responsible for pain during inflammation are called mediators, and they don't hunt alone! Most medical anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs only target a couple of these mediators but curcumin targets dozens! The result… more reliable, organic and total pain relief, and non of the nasty side affects associated with conventional medicines!

5. (Very likely) Enhances your memory and helps make you more intelligent!

A food that may be able to make you clever ? I don't think anything can make something more worthy of the prestigious rank of 'SuperFood' than its capacity to increase your intelligence.

The curcumin in turmeric increases brain functioning and lowers the risk of brain disease by promoting the neurotrophic factor. As we grow, neurons make new connections and our ability to learn and remember more information increases. The growth hormone that supports this process is called the brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). Decreased levels of this hormone have been linked to many common brain conditions, such as Alzheimers and depression.

Curcumin increases BDNF levels, which can help our brains do what they are meant to do… grow, learn more things and make us wiser, although additional research is needed to demonstrate that we really do become more intelligent. An increase of BDNF could also stop, and probably even reverse, the affects of many age-related brain functioning conditions.

6. Helps to prevent, and potential even treat, cancer

During lab tests on animals, curcumin was shown to lessen metastasis (the spread of cancer) decrease angiogenesis (the growth of blood vessels in tumors) and even kill cancerous cells. During another study (this time on people) curcumin decreased colon lesions in 44 adult males by 40% over 30 days. Although the study was not on men actually suffering from cancer, colon lesions can become cancerous, so it's a considerable indication that curcumin could possibly help protect against cancer.

7. A natural beauty treatment

Up to now we've highlighted some of the extraordinary health benefits of turmeric, but did you know it can make you more attractive too!

For generations women in Asia have been using turmeric as a natural beauty treatment. Its powerful beautifying characteristics have been praised for their power to reduce acne, treat eczema, get rid of dark circles from under the eyes, reduce the appearance of facial lines, reduce scarring and even remove sun spots.

๐Ÿ Why is Manuka Honey so much better for your health

Manuka Honey earns its spot in our super food hall of fame due to the amazing health benefits it gives you. Most honeys (aside from ‘hip hop hunnies’) are good for you, but Manuka takes the royal crown.

Manuka honey

Here are 5 brilliant reasons that you need to be grabbing yourself a jar of Manuka Honey…

1 The common cold

Forget about the flu jab, Manuka honeys immune-boosting capabilities help make it an awesome pro-active answer to a really common problem. Just two or three teaspoons daily will keep those bothersome winter blues in check. And if you’ve already come down with a nasty bug, then a nice hot drink of water with a teaspoon of Manuka Honey is going to have you feeling chipper in next to no time.

An ideal alternative to conventional medicines without the horrible side effects!

2 Making IBS considerably less Irritating!

If you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) then I definitely won’t have to sell you on this one. Laboratory experiments demonstrate that Manuka Honey (used orally) is effective in reducing colonic inflation and also defend against structural damage. And we all know how important it is to have a happy colon!

3 A Healthy Cough Treatment

Have you ever noticed the amount of over the counter cough syrups are honey flavoured? There’s a very good reason for this, honey contains hydrogen peroxide. However, Manuka Honey works even better, not only due to its exceptionally high levels of hydrogen peroxide, but because it also contains numerous bioactive substances that are missing from lesser honeys.

4 Immune Boosting Benefits

Lab tests show that Manuka Honey includes properties the are able to enhance the production of cytokine. These essential proteins help to support a more healthy immune reaction within the body.

This, coupled with the high nutritional value of Manuka honey makes it a powerhouse for enhancing the immune system, helping to protect you from illness in addition to keeping the body’s most vital system in excellent condition.

5 Reduces Loss Of Hair

Manuka Honey is packed with amino acids, minerals and B-complex vitamins, which are food for the scalp! Simply blend a teaspoon of Manuka Honey with a mild conditioner to stimulate and nourish the hair follicles and put a stop to pre-mature hairloss.

Manuka Honey is not only great news for your hair at the root end, it’s also great for the tips! The hygroscopic characteristics of Manuka Honey helps to prevent split ends and frizz!

Oatmeal Cookies ๐Ÿช The Delicious and Healthy Cookie Alternative

Healthy Cookies!

Regular cookies (they don't have to be chocolate chip) are high in sugar and refined white flower.

We can get back to sugar later. First, let's take a quick delve into the scary world of refined white flower.

The problem with white flour

Whole grain consists of 3 parts. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which is a fantastic source of fibre, B vitamins and antioxidant, next there is the endosperm (the section many people haven't heard of!) this is the least valuable section of the grain, and mainly consists of carbohydrates. Last of all, at the center, we have the germ, that has protein, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.

As you've possibly already guessed, the refining method which is used to make white flower does away with the bran and the germ and focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain that includes the very least nutritional value.

Flour, and ultimately cookies (as well as bread, or any number of things) that is made from the endosperm is very detrimental to your health. Why then do they make it? Why does refined white flour even exist? Because it keeps for a longer time. And products that have a longer sell by date generate much more profit. (which of course is much more important than our health, right!?)

Refined white flower can cause a whole multitude of health conditions. Including but definitely not limited to: gaining weight, diabetes, heart disease, tumors, digestive system problems, the list goes on and on!

Now for the sugar

Sugar seems to have such a bad rep already that I don't think I ought to beat it down any more. Everyone knows it's bad for us… but it makes things taste good, so we carry on eating it.

Many things are just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies are a fantastic example. They can get their sweetness from more healthy alternatives to sugar, for instance honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, or maybe even chocolate!

Oatmeal cookies are also made with whole wheat flower, which still includes all of the healthy parts of the grain, exactly as nature intended.

I also feel I need to point out that they actually taste better as well! Don't you agree? To me at least, oatmeal cookies are a lot more indulgent and sophisticated than regular cookies… and don't get me started on oatmeal cookies with stem ginger! They always get the secret hiding spot behind the pans! Far too good for kids!

๐ŸŒปIs Sunflower Oil Good or Bad?

Sunflower oil is frequently considered to be a healthy option, but let’s take a closer look……

Sunflower oil (as well as Canola, Soybean, Corn and Safflower oil) is refined, so it’s not an organic and natural healthy oil. Processed oils possess a much higher trans-fat content, and when you are talking about fats, trans is bad!

Good and Bad Fats…

The Bad Fats

Refined oils, such as sunflower oil can lead to serious health issues, you really need to avoid them!

Vegetable oils, like Sunflower Oil can cause considerable medical problems!

Not all fats are bad, a number of them are crucial for good health. Bad fats are trans fats and vegetable fats – these are the types you want to avoid.

Bad fats (trans and vegetable) multiply our risk of obesity, cancer and heart disease.

Bad, bad and also very bad.

(I believe that we could probably add the ‘very’ to all three bads!)

So why are these kinds of fats so bad?

Because they are not organic. These types of fats are in fact vegetable oils which have undergone an artificial process that makes use of high pressured hydrogen and a number of compounds to convert them from oils into fats.

Vegetable oils are harmful for the body. They may cause severe harm to the internal organs, particularly the lungs and reproductive system. Alarming stuff!

One study even claims that vegetable oils release toxic cancer-causing chemical compounds.

Other researchers have found that a diet which is rich in vegetable oils can result in toxicity of the liver, reduced autoimmune system and even learning disabilities! All bad. Very very bad.

Now for some good news…

The Good Fats

Coconut Oil is better for your health than Sunflower Oil!

Coconut Oil trumps Sunflower Oil! Coconut oil is the ideal healthy alternative to Sunflower oil

In contrast to popular belief, saturated fats and cholesterol are in fact good fats, and our bodies need them in order to function effectively.

What’s the solution? Stay away from using vegetable oils, like soybean, canola, sunflower, corn and safflower and instead opt for natural oils, like coconut or krill.

Healthy oils may well cost a touch more in the short term, but consider the big picture. Isn’t your own long-term well-being worth spending a few extra dollars? Besides, treatment for all those frightening medical problems brought on by bad fats have a hefty price tag too!

๐Ÿ ACV is the mystery superfood which will quickly balance your PH and improve your health

Drinking diluted Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) can lead to many really extraordinary health benefits. In this article we will discuss some of them and with a little luck convince you to give this well deserved Superfood a try. I admit that drinking Vinegar might not seem as desirable as sprinkling it on your chips but when you've discovered some of the astounding ways in which it'll improve your quality of life I'm confident you will be trying to find excuses to incorporate more of it in your diet plan.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Are You Ready to Discover What Apple Cider Vinegar Can Do For You? Let's get started…

1 Reducing Your Blood Pressure Level

Yes we decided to begin with a biggie. ACV contains acetic acid, which is nothing like other acids. It's a good one! Acetic acid is sometimes utilized in health-related applications and has been shown to decrease blood sugar levels, increase circulation of blood in the intestinal tract and reduce high blood pressure.

2 Apple Cider Vinegar Help You To Lose Weight

Far more research is necessary in this area to be able to claim 'scientifically proven' but there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that suggests ACV is a miracle liquid with regards to weight loss. Some research does indeed exist that supports this idea, individuals that were given ACV drops on bread reported feeling much more satisfied as compared with a test group even though eating less. The results of the study suggest that adding ACV to a meal will cause you to feel full sooner, subsequently, you take in less calories. The investigations concluded that this change can easily lead to an average consumption of two hundred and fifty fewer calories everyday.

3 Diminishes the possibility of coronary disease

Lowering your blood pressure levels is invariably a step in the right direction when it comes to good cardiovascular health but that is not all ACV gives. It also contains chlorogenic acid, which happens to be the antioxidant responsible for preventing LDL cholesterol from oxidising. This is certainly vital for a healthy cardiovascular system and a major factor to the prevention of heart disease.

4 Helps make your meals more nutritious

ACV increases the nutritional value of whatever you eat, and not by using it as a condiment, by consuming it. A watered down ACV solution consumed before food will improve the PH value of your stomach acids making the digestive organs more efficient at getting all those lovely little vitamins and minerals out of the food you eat and into the body. Aiding the digestive system has many other benefits too, it helps reduce bloatedness and indigestion by destroying undesirable microbes and sterilising the gut.

5 ACV Increases your bodies Alkalinity

This surprises lots of people so we're going to look at it in a little more depth. Vinegar is acidic, and as a consequence of our poor diet of unhealthy foods and treats, our bodies are frequently acidic too, and so you might reckon that drinking a vinegar solution can make matters worse, right? Well for sure, it does… when you consume ordinary vinegar. But ACV isn't like standard vinegar. As ACV breaks down inside your body it has an alkalising effect, so it organically alters the bodies PH in the direction of alkaline. And why is that good news? For a couple of reasons. One, most bacteria and viruses cannot live in an alkaline environment and two, when the body is not alkaline enough it'll steal calcium from your bones to try and maintain a PH balance. It's this calcium leeching process that leads to many people suffering from early onset osteoporosis.

6 Apple Cider Vinegar makes you stronger!

ACV is seriously good news for the muscles. It has increased levels of potassium, which is 1 of 7 essential minerals that the body needs to work properly. For those who do not have enough potassium in your diet you can expect to experience muscle discomfort and twitching. ACV can quickly get rid of that. The acetic acid in ACV also enhances the muscles ability to transform carbohydrate into energy, which is the energy source that the body demands when you hit the gym!

7 ACV helps to keep candida yeast at bay

We all have candida in our gut, and every now and then (especially when we have a poor diet) it gets a little unmanageable. The result… aching joints, digestive issues, bad breath as well as feeling absolutely knackered for no good reason.

ACV has extremely powerful anti-fungal characteristics that keep candida in check. So if you've been feeling any of the above symptoms, perhaps you might want to take a closer look at ACV and start introducing it to your health regime.

๐Ÿ Exactly why is Manuka Honey so much better for your health

Manuka Honey earns its place in our super food wall of fame due to the impressive health and fitness benefits it gives you. All honeys (except ‘hip hop hunnies’) are good for you, but Manuka takes the royal crown.

Manuka honey

Here are 5 excellent reasons why you should be grabbing yourself a jar of Manuka Honey…

1 The common cold

Forget the flu jab, Manuka honeys immune-boosting characteristics help make it the perfect pro-active solution to a truly common problem. Just two to three teaspoons a day keeps those annoying winter blues in check. And if you’ve already come down with a nasty virus, then a nice hot glass of water with a teaspoon of Manuka Honey will have you feeling chipper in next to no time.

An ideal alternative to regular medicines without the horrible side effects!

2 Making IBS way less Irritating!

If you are suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) then I certainly won’t have to sell you on this one. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that Manuka Honey (used orally) can reduce colonic inflation and also protect against structural damage. And we know how important it is to have a happy colon!

3 An Organic And Natural Cough Remedy

Maybe you have noticed the number of over the counter cough syrups are honey flavoured? There’s a really good reason for this, honey contains hydrogen peroxide. However, Manuka Honey works even better, not only because of its exceptionally high levels of hydrogen peroxide, but because it also contains many bioactive compounds which are missing from lesser honeys.

4 Defense Boosting Abilities

Lab tests show that Manuka Honey includes properties the are able to boost the production of cytokine. These essential proteins help to support a healthy immune reaction in the body.

This, coupled with the higher nutritional value of Manuka honey makes it a powerhouse for improving the immune system, helping to protect you from diseases and also keeping the body’s most vital system in excellent condition.

5 Reduces Premature Hair Loss

Manuka Honey is full of amino acids, minerals and B-complex vitamins, which are food for the scalp! Just mix a teaspoon of Manuka Honey with a mild conditioner to stimulate and nourish your hair follicles and put a stop to pre-mature hair loss.

Manuka Honey is not only excellent news for your hair at the root end, it’s also good for the tips! The hygroscopic characteristics of Manuka Honey prevents split ends and frizz!

Healthy fat: ๐ŸŒปSunflower oil Vs ๐Ÿฅฅ Coconut Oil

Sunflower oil is frequently regarded as a healthy option, but let’s have a closer look……

Sunflower oil (and also Canola, Soybean, Corn and Safflower oil) is processed, so it’s not a natural healthy oil. Processed oils include a more significant trans-fat content, and when talking about fats, trans is bad!

Good and Bad Fats…

The Bad Fats

Refined oils, such as sunflower oil can lead to serious health issues, you really need to avoid them!

Vegetable oils, like Sunflower Oil may cause really serious health issues!

Not all fats are bad, some are essential for good health. Bad fats are trans fats and vegetable fats – these are the ones you want to avoid.

Bad fats (trans and vegetable) increase our risk of morbid obesity, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Bad, bad and very bad.

(I think that we can probably add the ‘very’ to all 3 bads!)

So just why are these kind of fats so bad?

Because they are not natural. These fats are in reality vegetable oils which have undergone a synthetic process that uses high pressured hydrogen and a number of compounds to convert them from oils into fats.

Vegetable oils are not good for your body. They are able to induce considerable damage to the internal organs, notably the lungs and reproductive system. Alarming stuff!

One study even claims that vegetable oils discharge toxic cancer-causing chemicals.

Additional research has shown that a diet that is high in vegetable oils can result in toxicity of the liver, reduced immune system and even learning disabilities! All bad. Very very bad.

Now for some good news…

The Good Fats

Coconut Oil is better for your health than Sunflower Oil!

Coconut Oil trumps Sunflower Oil! Coconut oil is the perfect healthy alternative to Sunflower oil

In contrast to popular belief, saturated fats and cholesterol are in actuality good fats, and our bodies need them to be able to function effectively.

What’s the answer? Avoid using vegetable oils, like soybean, canola, sunflower, corn and safflower and as an alternative go for natural oils, like coconut or krill.

Healthy oils may cost a touch more in the short term, but imagine the big picture. Isn’t your own long-term well being worth spending a couple of extra bucks? Besides, treatment plans for all those scary medical problems attributed to bad fats have a considerable price tag as well!

๐Ÿ ACV is the hidden superfood which can quickly balance your PH and boost your health

Drinking diluted Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) can lead to many genuinely extraordinary health benefits. In this post we are going to consider a handful of of them and with any luck persuade you to give this very well deserved Superfood a shot. I understand that drinking Vinegar may not seem as appealing as sprinkling it on your chips but when you've found out some of the impressive ways that it'll boost your state of health I am sure you are going to be seeking excuses to include much more of it in your diet plan.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Are You Ready to Discover What Apple Cider Vinegar Can Do For You? Let's go…

1 Bringing down Your Blood Pressure Levels

Indeed we decided to kick off with a biggie. ACV contains acetic acid, which is not like other acids. It's a very good one! Acetic acid is often utilized in clinical applications and has been shown to reduce blood sugar, improve the circulation of blood in the bowel and reduce blood pressure.

2 Apple Cider Vinegar Help You To Lose Weight

A lot more study is needed in this area to be able to say 'scientifically proven' but there is quite a lot of anecdotal evidence that would suggest ACV is a miracle liquid when it comes to weight loss. Some research does indeed exist that promotes this idea, individuals that were given ACV drops on bread reported feeling much more satisfied in comparison with a test group even though eating less. The results of the research suggest that adding ACV to meals causes a person to feel full sooner, subsequently, you actually eat less calories. The research concluded that this change may well lead to the average intake of two hundred and fifty lower calories per day.

3 Lowers the possibility of a cardiovascular condition

Reducing your blood pressure level is clearly a step in the right direction when it comes to good cardiovascular health however that is not all ACV offers. It also contains chlorogenic acid, which happens to be the antioxidant concerned with stopping LDL cholesterol from oxidising. This really is vital for a healthy cardiovascular system and a significant contributing factor to the avoidance of cardiovascular disease.

4 Can make your meals more nutritious

ACV improves the nutritional value of anything that you consume, but not by using it as a condiment, by drinking it. A watered down ACV solution consumed before food can improve the PH value of your stomach acids making your digestive system better at getting all of those lovely little vitamins and minerals out of the food you consume and into the body. Aiding your digestive system has various benefits as well, it helps reduce bloating and indigestion by destroying dangerous micro organism and sterilising the bowel.

5 ACV Improves your bodies Alkalinity

This shocks the majority of people so we're planning to look at it in a little more depth. Vinegar is acidic, and thanks to our poor diet of unhealthy food and treats, our bodies are usually acidic as well, so you would probably assume that consuming a vinegar solution will make things worse, right? Well yes, it does… when you consume ordinary vinegar. But ACV isn't like normal vinegar. As ACV breaks down inside your body it has an alkalising effect, therefore it naturally shifts the bodies PH in the direction of alkaline. And why is that good news? For 2 good reasons. One, a good number of microbes and viruses are not able to live in an alkaline environment and two, when the body is not alkaline enough it'll take calcium from your bones to make an attempt to maintain a PH balance. It's this calcium leeching procedure that leads to lots of individuals suffering from early onset osteoporosis.

6 Apple Cider Vinegar makes you tougher!

ACV is very good news for muscle tissue. It includes high levels of potassium, which is 1 of seven necessary minerals that your body needs to function properly. When you do not have adequate potassium in your diet you can expect to experience muscular cramping and twitching. ACV can quickly put a stop to that. The acetic acid in ACV also improves your muscles potential to transform carbs into energy, which is the power that the body demands whenever you go to the gym!

7 ACV keeps candida-yeast in check

We all have candida in our gut, and now and again (particularly when we have a poor diet) it gets a little unmanageable. The result… sore joints, digestive troubles, stinky breath and feeling completely knackered for no good reason.

ACV has powerful anti-fungal capabilities that keep candida in check. So if you've been feeling any of the above symptoms, perhaps you might want to take a closer look at ACV and start introducing it to your health routine.

Exactly why is Manuka Honey good for your health

Manuka Honey earns a spot in our super food wall of fame due to the impressive health benefits it provides. Most honeys (with the exception of ‘hip hop hunnies’) are good for you, but Manuka takes the royal crown.

Manuka honey

Here are 5 great reasons that you need to be grabbing yourself a jar of Manuka Honey…

1 The common cold

Forget the flu jab, Manuka honeys immune-boosting capabilities help make it a perfect pro-active answer to a truly common problem. Just 2-3 teaspoons per day keeps those pesky winter blues in check. If you’ve already come down with a nasty virus, then a nice hot mug of water with a teaspoon of Manuka Honey is going to have you feeling chipper in next to no time.

An incredible alternative to traditional treatments without the horrible side effects!

2 Making IBS way less Irritating!

If you are afflicted with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) then I definitely won’t have to sell you on this one. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that Manuka Honey (used orally) is able to reduce colonic inflation and also defend against structural damage. And we all know just how important it is to have a happy colon!

3 A Natural Cough Remedy

Have you noticed the amount of non-prescription cough syrups are honey flavoured? There’s a very good reason for this, honey contains hydrogen peroxide. However, Manuka Honey works even better, not only due to its unusually high levels of hydrogen peroxide, but because it also includes numerous bioactive substances which are missing from lesser honeys.

4 Defense Boosting Abilities

Laboratory tests demonstrate that Manuka Honey includes properties the can enhance the production of cytokine. These essential proteins help to support a more healthy immune response inside the body.

This, along with the higher nutritional value of Manuka honey makes it a powerhouse for improving the immune system, helping to protect you from illness in addition to keeping the body’s most vital system in perfect condition.

5 Reduces Hair Thinning

Manuka Honey is high in amino acids, minerals and B-complex vitamins, which are food for the scalp! Simply blend a teaspoon of Manuka Honey with a gentle conditioner to stimulate and nourish the hair follicles and put a stop to pre-mature hairloss.

Manuka Honey is not just excellent news for your hair at the root end, it’s also excellent for the tips! The hygroscopic characteristics of Manuka Honey prevents split ends and frizz!

Oatmeal Cookies ๐Ÿช The Healthy and Delicious Cookie Alternative

Healthy Cookies!

Regular cookies (they don't have to be chocolate chip) are loaded with sugar and refined white flower.

We shall talk about to sugar later. First, let's take a quick delve into the horrifying reality of refined white flower.

White flour is bad for you

Whole grain is made up of three sections. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which is an excellent source of fibre, B vitamins and anti-oxidants, next we have the endosperm (the section the majority of people haven't heard of!) this is the least valuable section of the grain, and typically consists of carbs. And finally, in the center, there is the germ, which incorporates proteins, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.

As you've likely already guessed, the refining system which is used to produce white flower does away with the bran together with the germ and just focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain containing the lowest nutritional value.

Flour, and ultimately cookies (and bread, and an assortment of other things) that is made from the endosperm is very bad for your health. So why do they make it? Exactly why does refined white flour even exist? Because it lasts for a longer time. And foods that stay fresh for longer make more profit. (which of course is way more important than our well being, right!?)

Refined white flower can lead to an entire plethora of health conditions. Including but in no way limited to: weight gain, diabetes, coronary disease, cancer, digestive function problems, the list goes on forever!

Now for the sugar

Sugar seems to have such a bad rep already that I don't think I need to beat it down any more. It is well known it's bad for us… but it makes stuff taste better, hence we keep eating it.

Lots of things are just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies are a fantastic example. They can get their sweetness from more healthy alternatives to sugar, for example honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, or perhaps chocolate!

Oatmeal cookies are made with whole wheat flower, which still contains all of the good parts of the grain, exactly like nature intended.

I also feel that I should add that they actually taste better as well! Don't you agree? To me at least, oatmeal cookies are far more indulgent and sophisticated than normal cookies… and don't get me started on oatmeal cookies with stem ginger! They always get the top secret hiding place behind the pans! Way too good for kids!

ACV is the mystery SuperFood that will restore your PH and boost your health

Drinking diluted Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) can lead to a number of truly remarkable health benefits. In this article we are going to look into just a few of them and with any luck motivate you to give this well deserved Superfood a try. I realize that drinking Vinegar may not seem as appealing as sprinkling it on your chips but as soon as you've found out some of the remarkable ways in which it'll improve your well being I'm confident you will be seeking reasons to incorporate much more of it in your diet.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Are You Ready to Discover What Apple Cider Vinegar Can Do For You? Let's go…

1 Reducing Your Blood Pressure

Indeed we decided to begin with a biggie. ACV contains acetic acid, which is not like other acids. It's a very good one! Acetic acid is sometimes utilized in health applications and has been shown to decrease blood sugar levels, boost bloodflow in the intestines and reduce blood pressure level.

2 Apple Cider Vinegar Help You To Lose Weight

A great deal more research is necessary in this area to be able to claim 'scientifically proven' but you will find loads of anecdotal confirmation that indicates ACV is a miracle liquid when it comes to weight loss. Some research does exist that supports this idea, individuals that were given ACV drops on bread reported feeling much more satisfied when compared to a test group whilst eating less. The results of the study suggest that adding ACV to food causes a person to feel full more quickly, thus, you ingest fewer calories. The scientific tests concluded that this change could possibly lead to the average consumption of 250 lower calories every day.

3 Cuts down the chance of cardiovascular disease

Lowering your blood pressure levels is undoubtedly a step in the right direction towards good cardiovascular health but that is not all ACV has to offer. It also includes chlorogenic acid, which is the antioxidant responsible for preventing LDL cholesterol from oxidising. This is certainly essential for a healthy cardiovascular system and a significant contributing factor to the prevention of cardiac disease.

4 Makes your meals more nutritious

ACV improves the nutritional value of whatever you consume, but not by using it as a condiment, by drinking it. A diluted ACV solution ingested before food will alter the PH value of your stomach acids making the gastrointestinal system more effective at getting all those lovely little nutrients from the food you consume and into your body. Assisting the digestive organs has a few other benefits too, it can help reduce bloatedness and indigestion by eliminating dangerous micro-organisms and sterilising the intestinal tract.

5 ACV Boosts the bodies Alkalinity

This shocks most individuals so we're planning to look at it in a little more depth. Vinegar is acidic, and thanks to our poor diet of processed food and treats, our bodies usually are acidic as well, and so you would probably imagine that consuming a vinegar solution would make things worse, right? Well sure, it does… when you drink regular vinegar. But ACV isn't like regular vinegar. As ACV breaks down inside your body it has an alkalising effect, therefore it naturally shifts the bodies PH toward alkaline. And why is that good news? For 2 good reasons. One, a good number of microbes and viruses simply cannot live in an alkaline environment and two, if the body isn't alkaline enough it'll steal calcium from your bones to make an attempt to maintain a PH balance. It is this calcium leeching procedure that contributes to a lot of people suffering from early onset osteoporosis.

6 Apple Cider Vinegar makes you stronger!

ACV is very good news for muscle tissue. It has high levels of potassium, which is one of seven essential minerals that your body needs to perform correctly. For those who do not have enough potassium in your diet you'll experience muscle cramps and twitching. ACV can quickly get rid of that. The acetic acid in ACV also enhances your muscles ability to convert carbs into energy, which is the energy resource that the body needs if you hit the gym!

7 ACV keeps candidiasis in check

Everyone has candida in our gut, and sometimes (particularly when we have a poor diet) it gets a tad out of hand. The result… hurting joints, digestive problems, stinky breath as well as feeling entirely knackered for no good reason.

ACV has very powerful anti-fungal properties that keep candida in check. So if you have been feeling any of the above symptoms, perhaps you ought to take a closer look at ACV and start introducing it to your health routine.

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