You might already know the following about spinach, but there were definitely some eye-opening things I learned in the following excerpt from Nourishing Traditions (a cookbook that I use all the time. It's actually my fav.)
"Spinach is the queen of the dark green leafy vegetables, the least bitter and most tender. The first record we have of spinach occurs in the year 647, when teh king of Nepal sent a gift of spinach to the emperor of China. It was introduced into England in the middle of the 1500's.
Spinach is exceptionally high in carotenoids and vitamin C. It contains calcium and iron but scientists now believe that the form of iron, contained in spinach is one that is not easily absorbed. Spinach also contains oxalic acid that can prevent calcium absorption. Oxalic acid is neutralized during cooking; so while cooked spinach can be eaten regularly, spinach salads should be eaten only on occasion.
Both the chlorophyll and carotenoids found so abundantly in spinach are potent cancer blockers. Japanese studies also indicate that spinach lowers blood cholesterol in laboratory animals. New research indicates that spinach is effective in preventing macular degeneration of the eye, possibly due to high amounts to glutathione in spinach.
Spinach is now available at almost any time of the year. Many times you can buy it prewashed in sealed plastic bags. Do take advantage of teh wonderful things that the modern age has made available to one and all and eat spinach regularly." SWF (p. 403, Nourishing Traditions)
Wasn't that enlightening? I found it to be so. Our family ate lots and lots of raw spinach salads until I read this. Don't you want to go cook some spinach now? Here's the recipe that Nourishing Traditions has beside the write-up.
SPINACH
How to Steam Spinach:
In general, one bunch of spinach or one bag will serve three persons.
1.) Cut stems off leaves and wash well in filtered water -- even if prewashed, the leaves should be rinsed so that they are moist.
2.) Place in a large pot. Do not add more water to the pot as the water adhering to the leaves will be sufficient to steam the spinach.
3.) Cover pot and place over a medium flame. When spinach begins to simmer, reduce heat. Cook several minutes or until leaves are just wilted.
4.) Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a heated serving bowl. Press with the back of the spoon to squeeze out any liquid and pour out.
5.) Make a few cuts through the spinach and top with a generous pat of butter.
Mary Jo's Spinach
Serves 6
2 bunches fresh spinach
3 tablespoons butter (I use salted butter)
1 clove garlic, peeled and mashed
1 tablespoon crispy pine nuts (page 514)
1 tablespoon sun dried tomato flakes (see Sources), optional
Steam spinach as described above. Melt butter with garlic, pine nuts, and optional tomato flakes. Pour over spinach and mix slightly.
I made the recipe above minus the pine nuts and sun dried tomato flakes, because I didn't have them on hand, but even without those ingredients, it was yummy. Be sure to add some sea salt as well. Let me know if you try it!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Top 10 healthiest foods to eat
by Melissa Martinelli, Atlanta Food Examiner
We all know there are no real magic foods. The road to optimum health is not in a pill or one magic food. But there are foods that pack such a nutritional wallop and possess such powerful health benefits, that they are referred to as "super foods".
This healthy food list consists of foods that are nutrient dense. That is, they have more nutrients per calorie than most other foods. They have also been proven to contain vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that prevent disease: from cancer to heart disease to arthritis, and many more.
These super foods are perfect for heart healthy, low fat cooking and most fit perfectly into a low carb lifestyle as well.
The 10 healthiest foods are foods that are so exceptionally good for us that we should include them in our healthy diet on a regular basis. Our list of super foods is arranged alphabetically, not in order of importance. Each is an amazing food, jam packed with health giving benefits.
The 10 Healthiest Foods to Eat
1. Berries
Berries are extremely rich in antioxidants which help protect the cells in our bodies from damage and therefore from diseases like cancer. Among other things they are also an excellent source of Vitamin C and soluble fiber. Blueberries might help reverse the short term memory loss that often comes with aging.
2. Broccoli
Broccoli (and other cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage) helps fight cancer, especially breast, colon and lung. It boosts the immune system. Broccoli also contains antioxidants and a substance called sulforaphane, which research is showing to be a powerful cancer fighter and preventer.
3. Citrus Fruits
The citrus bioflavanoids in oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit have anti-cancer and antioxidant properties.
Many of these citrus bioflavanoids have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and blood clot inhibiting abilities.
4. Garlic
Numerous studies have shown that regular consumption of garlic can lower our blood pressure. It also prevents the blood from being overly sticky and decreases LDL cholesterol (the "bad" one) while increasing the good HDL cholesterol.
5. Nuts
Walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, a special type of fat that is essential for our bodies, but that the body cannot produce. Omega-3 essential fatty acids protect us against heart disease.
Almonds are also known for their ability to help lower LDL cholesterol levels.
6. Oats
Oats also help reduce cholesterol. Research shows that one bowl of oatmeal per day can reduce cholesterol by up to 23%. Oats are also considered an excellent grain for diabetics as they have less impact on blood sugar levels than some other grains.
7. Salmon
The Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and other fatty fish may help prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering the body's rate of blood clotting.
8. Spinach
Spinach's secret weapon, lutein, makes it one of the best foods in the world to prevent cataracts, as well as age related macular degeneration, the leading cause of preventable blindness in the elderly.
9. Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain high levels of lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant and as such helps to protect the cells in our bodies from damage.
10. Turkey
Turkey is one of the leanest protein foods and is low in calories, making it an excellent healthy food choice. Turkey also contains selenium which has been shown to inhibit cancer development, improve the immune system, and aid in the metabolism of our thyroid hormone.
You can see that the top 10 healthiest foods, or "super foods", are also some of our favorites. By including these super foods in a healthy diet on a regular basis you can easily gain many health benefits.
Making healthy food choices just got easier.
We all know there are no real magic foods. The road to optimum health is not in a pill or one magic food. But there are foods that pack such a nutritional wallop and possess such powerful health benefits, that they are referred to as "super foods".
This healthy food list consists of foods that are nutrient dense. That is, they have more nutrients per calorie than most other foods. They have also been proven to contain vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that prevent disease: from cancer to heart disease to arthritis, and many more.
These super foods are perfect for heart healthy, low fat cooking and most fit perfectly into a low carb lifestyle as well.
The 10 healthiest foods are foods that are so exceptionally good for us that we should include them in our healthy diet on a regular basis. Our list of super foods is arranged alphabetically, not in order of importance. Each is an amazing food, jam packed with health giving benefits.
The 10 Healthiest Foods to Eat
1. Berries
Berries are extremely rich in antioxidants which help protect the cells in our bodies from damage and therefore from diseases like cancer. Among other things they are also an excellent source of Vitamin C and soluble fiber. Blueberries might help reverse the short term memory loss that often comes with aging.
2. Broccoli
Broccoli (and other cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage) helps fight cancer, especially breast, colon and lung. It boosts the immune system. Broccoli also contains antioxidants and a substance called sulforaphane, which research is showing to be a powerful cancer fighter and preventer.
3. Citrus Fruits
The citrus bioflavanoids in oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit have anti-cancer and antioxidant properties.
Many of these citrus bioflavanoids have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and blood clot inhibiting abilities.
4. Garlic
Numerous studies have shown that regular consumption of garlic can lower our blood pressure. It also prevents the blood from being overly sticky and decreases LDL cholesterol (the "bad" one) while increasing the good HDL cholesterol.
5. Nuts
Walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, a special type of fat that is essential for our bodies, but that the body cannot produce. Omega-3 essential fatty acids protect us against heart disease.
Almonds are also known for their ability to help lower LDL cholesterol levels.
6. Oats
Oats also help reduce cholesterol. Research shows that one bowl of oatmeal per day can reduce cholesterol by up to 23%. Oats are also considered an excellent grain for diabetics as they have less impact on blood sugar levels than some other grains.
7. Salmon
The Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and other fatty fish may help prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering the body's rate of blood clotting.
8. Spinach
Spinach's secret weapon, lutein, makes it one of the best foods in the world to prevent cataracts, as well as age related macular degeneration, the leading cause of preventable blindness in the elderly.
9. Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain high levels of lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant and as such helps to protect the cells in our bodies from damage.
10. Turkey
Turkey is one of the leanest protein foods and is low in calories, making it an excellent healthy food choice. Turkey also contains selenium which has been shown to inhibit cancer development, improve the immune system, and aid in the metabolism of our thyroid hormone.
You can see that the top 10 healthiest foods, or "super foods", are also some of our favorites. By including these super foods in a healthy diet on a regular basis you can easily gain many health benefits.
Making healthy food choices just got easier.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
High-sugar Foods Leading Cause of AMD Vision Loss
Food diets containing excessive amounts of sugar may not only affect a person's BMI (body mass index) and fitness. High-sugar foods have also been connected to a specific type of vision impairment, as a leading cause of age-related macular degeneration also known as AMD.
AMD is an eye condition that normally affects people late in life causing a deterioration of central vision. This condition is related to the macula of the eye, the part of the eye that controls vision focus and sharpness. The macula is located in the center of the eye's retina - a light sensitive tissue that converts lights into images and electric impulses to send to the brain for interpretation.
That high-sugary food diets is a contributing variable to age-related macular degeneration of the eye was furthermore proven in a nationwide study conducted by researchers Chung-Jung Chiu and Allen Taylor at Tufts University's Jean Mayer U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging.
The study included over 4,000 adults in the U.S between the ages 55-80. All participants had to document their dietary habits and test for AMD. Special attention was focused on foods such as sugary items and refined grains, ranking high in the glycemic index - foods that raise blood sugar levels.
And though the study did not entirely exclude other factors as a cause of AMD, foods that increase blood sugar levels showed a clear connection with cases of advanced AMD.The study goes on to list nutritious foods and diets that may help prevent AMD, including whole grains, antioxidants, vegetables and legumes - all also listed low in the glycemic index.
By keeping a diet rich of low-glycemic-index-ranking foods, a person's chances of avoiding AMD can hence be increased. And while the question exactly how and why high-sugary foods may cause this type of vision deterioration remains unanswered, the message is clear.
The connection exists and in order to maintain a healthy body, heart and eyesight, a low-sugar diet is a must. Regular eyesight check ups are also recommended. AMD is an eyesight condition that can be detected and treated at an early stage.
Written by Anders Wedin, Optician
AMD is an eye condition that normally affects people late in life causing a deterioration of central vision. This condition is related to the macula of the eye, the part of the eye that controls vision focus and sharpness. The macula is located in the center of the eye's retina - a light sensitive tissue that converts lights into images and electric impulses to send to the brain for interpretation.
That high-sugary food diets is a contributing variable to age-related macular degeneration of the eye was furthermore proven in a nationwide study conducted by researchers Chung-Jung Chiu and Allen Taylor at Tufts University's Jean Mayer U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging.
The study included over 4,000 adults in the U.S between the ages 55-80. All participants had to document their dietary habits and test for AMD. Special attention was focused on foods such as sugary items and refined grains, ranking high in the glycemic index - foods that raise blood sugar levels.
And though the study did not entirely exclude other factors as a cause of AMD, foods that increase blood sugar levels showed a clear connection with cases of advanced AMD.The study goes on to list nutritious foods and diets that may help prevent AMD, including whole grains, antioxidants, vegetables and legumes - all also listed low in the glycemic index.
By keeping a diet rich of low-glycemic-index-ranking foods, a person's chances of avoiding AMD can hence be increased. And while the question exactly how and why high-sugary foods may cause this type of vision deterioration remains unanswered, the message is clear.
The connection exists and in order to maintain a healthy body, heart and eyesight, a low-sugar diet is a must. Regular eyesight check ups are also recommended. AMD is an eyesight condition that can be detected and treated at an early stage.
Written by Anders Wedin, Optician
Friday, January 9, 2009
Farmed Tilapia and Catfish are More Like Chicken than Fish
Dr. Gabe Mirkin's Fitness and Health E-Zine
December 28, 2008
Fish are heart-healthy foods because they usually have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and low levels of omega-6's.. However, researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine show that farm-raised tilapia and catfish contain less than one-eighth the amount of omega-3's found in farmed salmon or trout. The tilapia and catfish also had much larger amounts of omega-6 acids than salmon or trout. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in tilapia and catfish averaged 11 to one, about the same as that of chicken (Journal of the American Dietetic Association, December 2008).
A crucial part of a healthful diet is the ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s. Your immunity is supposed to be good for you by killing gems before they can harm you. However, if your immunity stays active, it starts to attack your own body to increase risk for heart attacks, certain cancers and even asthma and some types of arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids produce prostaglandins that turn down your immunity to help prevent inflammation and the health problems it can cause. Omega-6 fatty acids promote inflammation. A major explanation for the high heart attack rate in North Americans is the high ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s in the diet that contains lots of omega-6s from vegetable oils and low amounts of omega-3's found in fish and seeds.
Few species of fish can grow and thrive on a diet of corn and plant oils. Salmon, trout and most other farmed fish must be fed fish meal and fish oils, which are good sources of omega-3's. However, tilapia and catfish can be raised on corn alone. Since corn-fed tilapia are inexpensive and abundant, they are the fifth most popular fish in America and are widely used for fish sticks, fish burgers and artificial crab (surimi). These are perfectly good foods, but to get the full benefit of omega-3's in seafood, choose oily fish such as salmon, trout, tuna, sardines, anchovies, mackerel or herring.
December 28, 2008
Fish are heart-healthy foods because they usually have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and low levels of omega-6's.. However, researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine show that farm-raised tilapia and catfish contain less than one-eighth the amount of omega-3's found in farmed salmon or trout. The tilapia and catfish also had much larger amounts of omega-6 acids than salmon or trout. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in tilapia and catfish averaged 11 to one, about the same as that of chicken (Journal of the American Dietetic Association, December 2008).
A crucial part of a healthful diet is the ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s. Your immunity is supposed to be good for you by killing gems before they can harm you. However, if your immunity stays active, it starts to attack your own body to increase risk for heart attacks, certain cancers and even asthma and some types of arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids produce prostaglandins that turn down your immunity to help prevent inflammation and the health problems it can cause. Omega-6 fatty acids promote inflammation. A major explanation for the high heart attack rate in North Americans is the high ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s in the diet that contains lots of omega-6s from vegetable oils and low amounts of omega-3's found in fish and seeds.
Few species of fish can grow and thrive on a diet of corn and plant oils. Salmon, trout and most other farmed fish must be fed fish meal and fish oils, which are good sources of omega-3's. However, tilapia and catfish can be raised on corn alone. Since corn-fed tilapia are inexpensive and abundant, they are the fifth most popular fish in America and are widely used for fish sticks, fish burgers and artificial crab (surimi). These are perfectly good foods, but to get the full benefit of omega-3's in seafood, choose oily fish such as salmon, trout, tuna, sardines, anchovies, mackerel or herring.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Info on Flavonoids
Flavonoids are a class of water-soluble plant pigments. Flavonoids are broken down into categories, though the issue of how to divide them is not universally agreed upon. One system breaks flavonoids into isoflavones, anthocyanidins, flavans, flavonols, flavones, and flavanones. Some of the best-known flavonoids, such as genistein in soy, and quercetin in onions, can be considered subcategories of categories. Although they are all structurally related, their functions are different. Flavonoids also include hesperidin, rutin, citrus flavonoids, and a variety of other supplements.
Flavonoids are found in a wide range of foods. For example, flavanones are in citrus, isoflavones in soy products, anthocyanidins in wine and bilberry, and flavans in apples and tea.
Flavonoid deficiencies have not been reported.
Chronic venous insufficiency (rutin) Edema (water retention) (coumarin, hydroxyethylrutosides) Hepatitis (catechin) Bruising Cold sores Diabetes (bilberry) Dysmenorrhea (rutin plus vitamin B3 [niacin] and vitamin C) Edema (water retention) (diosmin and hesperidin combination) Gingivitis (periodontal disease) (in combination with vitamin C) Hemorrhoids (hydroxyethylrutosides derived from rutin) Ménière’s disease (hydroxyethylrutosides) Retinopathy (bilberry) Skin ulcers (diosmin, hesperidin) Allergies Atherosclerosis (quercetin, bilberry) Cancer (naringenin) Capillary fragility (hesperidin, quercetin, rutin) Cataracts (quercetin, bilberry) Diabetes (quercetin) Edema (water retention) (quercetin) Gingivitis (periodontal disease) Glaucoma (rutin) Hay fever (quercetin, hesperidin, rutin) Macular degeneration (bilberry) Measles Menopause (hesperidin) Menorrhagia (heavy menstruation) Night blindness (bilberry) Peptic ulcer (quercetin) Progressive pigmented purpura (in combination with vitamin C) Retinopathy (quercetin, rutin)
No consistent side effects have been linked to the flavonoids except for catechin, which can occasionally cause fever, anemia from breakdown of red blood cells, and hives. These side effects subsided when treatment was discontinued. In 1980, quercetin was reported to induce cancer in animals. Most further research did not find this to be true, however. While quercetin is mutagenic in test tube studies, it does not appear to be mutagenic in animal studies. In fact, quercetin has been found to inhibit both tumor promoters and human cancer cells. People who eat high levels of flavonoids have been found to have an overall lower risk of getting a wide variety of cancers, though preliminary human research studying only foods high in quercetin has found no relation to cancer risk one way or the other. Despite the confusion, in recent years experts have shifted their view of quercetin from concerns that it might cause cancer in test tube studies to guarded hope that quercetin has anticancer effects in humans. The flavonoids work in conjunction with vitamin C. Citrus flavonoids, in particular, improve the absorption of vitamin C. Certain medicines may interact with flavonoids. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.
Flavonoid supplements are not required to prevent deficiencies in people eating a healthy diet. Healthcare practitioners commonly recommend 1,000 mg of citrus flavonoids taken one to three times per day. Alternatively, 240–600 mg of bilberry (standardized to 25% anthcyanosides) may be taken per day.
Flavonoids are found in a wide range of foods. For example, flavanones are in citrus, isoflavones in soy products, anthocyanidins in wine and bilberry, and flavans in apples and tea.
Flavonoid deficiencies have not been reported.
Chronic venous insufficiency (rutin) Edema (water retention) (coumarin, hydroxyethylrutosides) Hepatitis (catechin) Bruising Cold sores Diabetes (bilberry) Dysmenorrhea (rutin plus vitamin B3 [niacin] and vitamin C) Edema (water retention) (diosmin and hesperidin combination) Gingivitis (periodontal disease) (in combination with vitamin C) Hemorrhoids (hydroxyethylrutosides derived from rutin) Ménière’s disease (hydroxyethylrutosides) Retinopathy (bilberry) Skin ulcers (diosmin, hesperidin) Allergies Atherosclerosis (quercetin, bilberry) Cancer (naringenin) Capillary fragility (hesperidin, quercetin, rutin) Cataracts (quercetin, bilberry) Diabetes (quercetin) Edema (water retention) (quercetin) Gingivitis (periodontal disease) Glaucoma (rutin) Hay fever (quercetin, hesperidin, rutin) Macular degeneration (bilberry) Measles Menopause (hesperidin) Menorrhagia (heavy menstruation) Night blindness (bilberry) Peptic ulcer (quercetin) Progressive pigmented purpura (in combination with vitamin C) Retinopathy (quercetin, rutin)
No consistent side effects have been linked to the flavonoids except for catechin, which can occasionally cause fever, anemia from breakdown of red blood cells, and hives. These side effects subsided when treatment was discontinued. In 1980, quercetin was reported to induce cancer in animals. Most further research did not find this to be true, however. While quercetin is mutagenic in test tube studies, it does not appear to be mutagenic in animal studies. In fact, quercetin has been found to inhibit both tumor promoters and human cancer cells. People who eat high levels of flavonoids have been found to have an overall lower risk of getting a wide variety of cancers, though preliminary human research studying only foods high in quercetin has found no relation to cancer risk one way or the other. Despite the confusion, in recent years experts have shifted their view of quercetin from concerns that it might cause cancer in test tube studies to guarded hope that quercetin has anticancer effects in humans. The flavonoids work in conjunction with vitamin C. Citrus flavonoids, in particular, improve the absorption of vitamin C. Certain medicines may interact with flavonoids. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.
Flavonoid supplements are not required to prevent deficiencies in people eating a healthy diet. Healthcare practitioners commonly recommend 1,000 mg of citrus flavonoids taken one to three times per day. Alternatively, 240–600 mg of bilberry (standardized to 25% anthcyanosides) may be taken per day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
