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Archive for the ‘Vegetarian’

Risks and Benefits of Drinking Coffee

March 04, 2008 By: Mr. Healthy Category: Vegetarian No Comments →

Coffee is a very popular drink. According to recent statistics, people throughout the world consume over 400 million cups of coffee a day. The study of the health effects of drinking coffee has always been around, but it has experienced major growth during the last 25 years or so. Not so long ago it was very common to think that the coffee drinking habit might be unsafe. Modern scientific studies of the health benefits of coffee consumption show that more often than not the opposite is the case. The emerging research data are numerous and diverse.

One of the main ingredients in coffee - caffeine - has long been known to be a mild stimulant. The most noticeable effects of caffeine consumption are increased heart rate, raised blood pressure, and occasional irregular heartbeat. While these may seem as negative, most researchers nowadays believe that the effect is mild and short-lived. They believe that drinking coffee in reasonable amounts has many benefits. Let’s take a look at some of the best researched of them.

Everyone knows that coffee contributes to mental alertness. Studies performed by Chinese scientists take this concept even further and strongly suggest that coffee helps to reduce the effects of Parkinson’s disease.

Coffee is similar to wine in its antioxidants contents. Antioxidants remove cell-destroying oxygen radicals from the blood. They are well known to help in prevention of heart disease and certain types of cancer. According to some studies, the concentration of antioxidants in coffee is even greater than that found in apples, tomatoes, and cranberries. Keep in mind that, unlike coffee, fruits and vegetables contain many other valuable minerals, vitamins, and fibers.

Moderate consumption of caffeine reduces constriction of airways in asthma sufferers. Besides caffeine coffee also contains theophylline, a bronchodilator which helps the effect. Caffeine also aids digestion by increasing the secretion of stomach acid.

Independent Scandinavian and American studies confirm that regular coffee and decaf help in reducing the risk of type-2 diabetes.

It’s important to mention that excessive coffee consumption is not beneficial at all. For example, there’s enough evidence to support the idea that coffee reduces the odds of developing colon cancer. This, however, only occurs at higher levels of consumption - you need to drink four or more cups a day. It may not be very obvious, but that much intake well outweighs the benefits.

Depending on the preparation method, coffee can also contain cafestol which is known to raise cholesterol levels. Cafestol normally can be found in coffee made by the European method of boiling ground beans in water. In filtered coffee drinks, such as drip brewed coffee, it is present in only negligible amounts. Decaf coffee may be an exception.

Increased coffee consumption leads to higher blood levels of LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and homocysteine. Homocysteine is an amino acid produced from the metabolization of other amino acids. It’s been known that high levels of homocysteine and LDL-cholesterol can be a risk factor for coronary heart disease.

Mammalian sperm in fluids laced with coffee generally swim faster, longer and farther. There are some studies, however, that link heavy coffee drinking with reduced fertility. Those who drink four or more cups per day also have twice the risk of urinary incontinence.

There are also some gender-specific risks associated with coffee drinking. For example, women lose more calcium and tend to have less dense bones when compared to those who don’t drink coffee.

Despite of some negative effects, most researches agree that the benefits of drinking coffee outweigh the risks. It’s important to remember that you can only benefit from it at moderate consumption levels.

Acme Juicer: A Great Instant Juicer

September 19, 2007 By: Mr. Healthy Category: Vegetarian No Comments →

The Acme Juicer is able to convert fresh fruits as well as vegetables into a spray of highly dense as well as pure juices in a trice and has been hailed as one of the best juicers all across the world when it comes to obtaining essential nutrients from fresh vegetables as well as fruits.

The Acme juicer is not like other blenders and liquefiers and it is able to grind food into a homogenous mass by cleanly separating the juice from the pulp. It has a powerful centrifugal action with an inner basket spinning at 60 times per second thus it will be forcing the pure juice through thousands of very minute side openings that don’t let the pulp through and makes it adhere to the side and so it is very easy to dispose of the pulp. Article On: Astro Juicer

Capturing Every Last Drop of Moisture

The Acme juicer is able to mine every last drop of moisture from various fruits as well as vegetables and so makes a very deep juice that is far too rich and tasty as compared to other juicers and it retains the incomparable taste of garden-fresh juices to give the user a special treat.

The Acme Juicers is ideal for making juices for children to enable them to savor the wholesome raw juice everyday and one would not need to worry about any artificial ingredients, either. In addition, the sweet taste of fresh juice would be relished by kids since one is assured of absolute quality and purity.

Raw juice is good for easy digestion and for the elderly, who may not be able to chew a raw carrot, or who may have trouble in digesting crisp apples, they can still enjoy the nutritiously rich fruit and vegetable juices produced by the Acme juicer.

It is believed that a glass of celery juice produced by an Acme juicer would have the same appetizing flavor as that of a crispy stalk of celery. Also, the Acme juicer produces pulp-free juice regardless of the kind of fresh produce used and the whole family can enjoy the pleasure of drinking vegetable and fruit juices as never before.

The Acme juicer has a perfectly balanced flywheel to eliminate “walking” as well as other vibrations. In addition, with a light twist it can release a patented clutch that enables all parts of the unit to come free, thus making it easier to clean. The induction-type motor contains no brushes that would wear out and requires no maintenance or lubrication. One may able to pick up this item for under two hundred dollars.

Vegetarian Foods and Soy

August 01, 2007 By: Mr. Healthy Category: Vegetarian No Comments →

Vegetarian Foods and soy seem to be two words that go together naturally. Much has been made of the aura surrounding vegetarian diets including soy in China, Japan and other Asian countries for thousands of years.

Yes, it has been eaten in some form for perhaps the last thousand years but as a condiment not a staple.

Today, soy is recommended for women going through menopause because of the high plant-form of estrogen levels found in it called ‘phytoestrogens’. They’re touted as a natural relief for hot flashes and even put in creams and applied topically.

What you might not know is all that estrogen in soy can also lower the production of testosterone.

Vegetarian monks in Buddhist monasteries noticed that the more tofu consumed, the easier it was for them to maintain sexual abstinence. For them, tofu was a blessing. Not only was it a cheap source of protein but it also aided their spiritual development. As more tofu that was consumed, the monk’s testosterone levels dropped allowing them to focus on the spiritual path to enlightenment. Very convenient if you’re a monk.

In recent years, vegetarians have come to believe soy products are the solution to the protein dilemma posed by not eating meat. Imitation meat products made from soy protein isolate have become commonplace. These products are highly processed and made from the sludge left over after extracting the oil. They’re a long cry from traditional soy products eaten in Asian countries.

Vegetarian Meals need to be carefully planned to include balanced proteins from plant sources without relying so heavily on soy.

More Soy Protein Diets in your diet for less fat

June 23, 2007 By: Mr. Healthy Category: Vegetarian No Comments →

Too many fast releasing carbohydrates lead to weight gain.
Traditionally we were taught that carbs should provide our body with its primary supply of energy. However, many eople have confused fast releasing carbohydrates (pasta, cakes) and slow releasing carbohydrates (whole grains, vegetables) eating too many of the former-the tempting, convenient, tasty variety! Most of us lead sedentary lives, so any excess energy from carbohydrate-rich food) is stored as fat. Cereals and toast for breakfast, jacket potato for lunch, pasta for dinner and rice cakes and biscuits for snacks?!

Remember to:
1. Eat regular meals spaced throughout the day
2. Choose slow releasing carbohydrates foods
3. Increase your intake of live foods (fresh fruit and vegetables)
4. Identify your body’s protein needs and consume  the amount you need.

TAKE PROTEIN WITH EVERY MEAL

If you tried to get all the protein you need from foods such as meats, you would consume too many calories, because these protein rich foods come with extra fat calories. Protein-enriched meal replacement shakes, Protein Supplement Powder and High Protein Low Carbohydrate snack
products, contain protein sources which are easily absorbed and assimilated, and which allow you to reach your body’s protein requirements without those unwanted calories. Easy and convenient to follow the programme, so will fit into a busy lifestyle.

Learn more about protein. And contact a Herbalife ShapeWorks Distributor who will determine which personalised Meal Plan, with the correct amount of protein, you should follow for an effective weight loss programme.

Lose Stomach Weight Tips

June 15, 2007 By: Mr. Healthy Category: Antioxidants, Aromatherapy, Chinese Tea, Chitosan, Ginkgo Biloba, Green Tea, Healthy Living, Herbal Remedies, Lecithin, Vegetarian No Comments →

In the weight loss industry the most popular question, is”How to lose stomach weight?’” And “fast?”

Well, stomach weight loss is a mystery that has been dying to be solved, and fortunately it really has been solved. You will need very simple steps to lose stomach weight really fast, trust me, I tried it myself, and I was jumping up and down after three weeks, when I could actually see the curves of my six pack.

You see in order to actually lose weight in the stomach area, it is important for you
to make sure, that the overall body fat is low. You probably have heard this again and again. But I am still convinced to say that you HAVE to lose overall body fat.

And I am sure you sure want to know how to get rid of that flabby arms, fat around back, fat thighs, and breast fat as well… More on lose stomach weight

Becoming a Vegetarian

September 28, 2006 By: Category: Vegetarian Comments Off

The following article lists some simple, informative tips that will help you have a better experience with Vegetarianism.

Vegetarian diets are lower in fats, cholesterol, and animal protein and higher in fiber than diets containing animal protein.  Because of this vegetarians have a reduced risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, to name just a few.

However it is not just the way vegetarians eat that impacts their health so positively it is also their lifestyle.  Most vegetarians don’t smoke for example.

Just because someone is vegetarian does not mean they are healthy.  This is because some vegetarians cut out eating animal meat and continue eating a lot of junk food.  Because they don’t satisfy their hunger with plenty of protein and fiber they often have cravings and overindulgences with high-sugar, high-fat, and empty calories.

Any diet change should include wholesome foods with plenty of fresh vegetables, fresh fruit and whole grains.  Keep track of your food intake when you first become a vegetarian to make sure you are getting enough of all your essentials for your activity level and weight goals.

For protein use soya beans because they are an exceptionally good source of protein.  For instance in the dried form they contain about 40% protein, which is about double the amount of protein in other types of beans.

Take some of the mystery out of becoming a vegetarian by changing the ingredients in some of your favorite recipes.  For instance you can leave out the meatballs from your spaghetti recipe.  This will enable you to begin being a vegetarian without a lot of research and shopping in the beginning.

After you have found the time, look inside the supermarket for vegetarian products, ingredients, and meals. In this step it is important to stay flexible.  Try different vegetarian items twice if you don’t like them the first time.  For example: if you have tried a veggie burger and you did not like it, try it again only this time prepare it differently.  So if you microwaved your veggie burger and did not like it then the next time grill it.

Another tip is to be patient with yourself.  If you discover you are having cravings for say that big juicy hamburger, then give yourself more time to let go.  The longer you had eaten animal meat the more used to it you are, and the more it may bother you to give it up.  Well don’t despair!  Just keep going and be patient and before you know it all your cravings will be gone.  Go now and enjoy!

If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole Vegetarian story from informed sources.

The day will come when you can use something you read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then you’ll be glad you took the time to learn more about Vegetarian.

Read more vegetarian articles here.

Should You Become a Vegatarian?

August 17, 2006 By: Category: Vegetarian Comments Off

Many nonvegetarians wonder what drives vegetarians to give up meat and adopt an entirely different lifestyle. There is no single answer to this question. Nonvegetarians become vegetarians for a number of different reasons - some even for multiple reasons.

Most vegetarians claim that they became a vegetarian for one of three reasons.

The first reason, which most vegetarians claim, is that they have ethical problems with eating meat. Most disagree with how chickens are debeaked, forced to live in small cages, and are then slaughtered when they do not produce eggs fast enough.

Most vegetarians also disagree with the crowded and stressful environments animals are forced into; and the hormone-laden feed used to make them grow faster and produce more.

People who become vegetarians for this purpose often draw ethical boundaries in different spots, depending on their personal beliefs. For instance, some staunch vegans wont consume yeast, wear wool, or even eat certain vegetables, such as carrots, that require killing the plant to harvest.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, some vegetarians– sometimes referred to as pseudo-vegetarians–will actually eat fish and chicken on a regular basis.

The second biggest reason vegetarians claim for not eating meat is that it conflicts with their dietary preferences. Some of these vegetarians simply do not like the texture and taste of meat; others do not eat it because it is high in cholesterol and often contains high concentrations of hormones and preservatives.

The third and smallest group of vegetarians cite environmental reasons for not consuming meat. They complain that consumption of meat causes farmers to continually deforest land to create grazing land for cattle.

In addition to these three major groups, there are a number of other smaller groups of vegetarians who stopped eating meat for entirely different reasons.

Find more vegetarian articel here.