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As it turns out, the human body is far from perfect.  In fact, right after our ex-partners, our angry bosses or even that local football team, the human body can be the most problematic cause to your happiness.

So I’ve been looking at ways to combat the problems our bodies can give us. You may be just as surprised as I was to learn how advantageous adding a glass of orange juice to your diet can be.

Let’s take a look at these health benefits of orange juice:

1. Coffee vs Orange Juice

Most people tend to start their day with a fresh cup of coffee, with the reason being that we’ve all been taught that caffeine wakes us up, but all it does is give us a temporary ‘jolt’.

Studies have indicated that orange juice, on the other hand, causes a natural surge in our blood sugar leading to longer lasting amounts of energy.

2. Eternal beauty

For those more concerned with their exterior posture than their inner posture, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that Vitamin C can radically improve your skin, hair and even nails.

Vitamin C plays a strong part in the production of collagen, which is a type of fibrous protein responsible for holding the body together. It does that by providing it with strength and structure through muscle tissues. In other words, the less collagen type of protein your body has, the easier it is for the skin to start sagging.

3. Hesperidin

This is a water-soluble plant pigment, that can be found in citrus fruits, actively studied in 1828 by French chemist Lebreton.  It has the capability to improve the activity of the human body’s blood vessels, which in turn helps keep your overall blood pressure in check. What that means is a proven result of decreasing cardiovascular risks.

4. Kidney Stones

There are various different amounts of causes for this condition. The primary cause is substances such as calcium becoming highly concentrated in the urine. Citrate is a good citric acid that counters the highly concentrated substances, making it an almost guaranteed way to prevent getting kidney stones in the first place.

5. Best Detox

Vitamin C again provides a triumphant benefit such as the ability to naturally detox your body. By increasing your white blood cell count, your body increases its own first line of defense to combat bacteria and therefore staying healthy.

6. Source of Potassium

A 6 ounce serving of orange juice can provide you with 7% of the daily required intake of a healthy diet (That’s 332mg.)

Why is potassium important? It basically plays a role in every single one of your heart beats, helping the heart pump blood throughout the body.

7. Good Cancer prevention

Orange Juice already seemed a better option to all those sugar crazed drinks out there, but researchers have recently found an even better reason to drink it. Recent studies show that Orange juice can be highly effective in preventing leukemia in children as well as aid chemoprevention against other types of cancer, due to oranges containing high amounts of antioxidants.

Conclusion: Orange juice is more than a delicious drink we can enjoy first thing in the morning or after a stressful day, it’s packed with goodies that will aid our bodies in staying healthier in the long run.

Milk is one of the 8 most common food allergies and it is found in an astounding variety of food products. Thankfully, manufacturers are mandated by law in the U.S. to label their products so that consumers will know that milk is among the ingredients. Here are 8 common foods that people with a milk allergy should avoid.

1. Milk and milk products

This is about as obvious as it gets, and although you may be saying “Duh!” right about now, but remember that “milk products” cover a wide variety of foods, including things like butter, cream, custards, cheeses, sour cream, pudding, yogurt, ice cream, and ice milk. There are even brands of margarine that contain milk proteins.

Fads come and fads go. Some fads keep coming back and in this case, it’s a good thing. Juicing has been around for decades and numerous books have been published on the subject over the years. Now that being healthy seems to be in style again, it’s a great time to look at juicing and the benefits it can have for your health.

1. More nutrients

These days many of us are not getting the nutrient we need from our food. Processed foods dominate the diets of many people making them deficient in a number of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Juicing is an excellent way to make sure you are getting all the nutrient you need for optimal health.

2. Digestion

Not only is juicing a quicker and easier way to enjoy the benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables, juice is also very easy to digest. This also allows your body to absorb all those health-boosting nutrients faster and easier. Many of us eat too fast and that sometimes leads to indigestion. Juicing eliminates that problem entirely.

3. Energy

The energy you will get from drinking real juice is not some phony “high” you would experience from drinking some caffeine-laden “energy drink.” The vitamins and minerals that you get from juice will give you energy and stamina that won’t end with the “crash” that’s so common with the temporary boost you get from energy drinks.

4. Weight loss

While we have probably all heard about various juice diets that promise dramatic weight loss in a short amount of time, specialized diets that limit your juice selection to one or two kinds of juice do not offer you the full spectrum of healthy nutrients that you’ll enjoy by drinking juice from a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. And yes, the weight will still come off!

5. Mental clarity

Just like every other organ in your body, your brain must have a sufficient supply of vital nutrients to keep functioning properly and give you the mental clarity you must have in order to stay focused and stay on top of your game.

6. Detoxification

Juicing is a great way to help flush all kinds of toxins from the body. There are a number of juicing strategies that have been developed especially for detox and can help eliminate various toxins through the kidneys, lungs, and skin.

7. Variety

The amazing number of foods that can be used to make juice provides enough variety to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Nearly every fruit and vegetable you can think of can be used for juicing and the possibilities are almost endless.

8. Immune system health

We know now just how important it is to maintain a healthy and effective immune system. The incredible number of vital nutrients you get from juicing can help keep your immune system functioning at its best which will greatly improve your chances of fighting off sickness and disease.

9. Stay hydrated

Although drinking water (especially in the mornings) is the best way to stay hydrated, it can be kind of boring, especially since so many of us are accustomed to drinks that have a lot of flavor such as juices and soda. Juicing is a great way to stay properly hydrated and enjoy a variety of juices at the same time.

10. Strong bones

Since fresh fruits and vegetables contain calcium, juicing can help build strong bones and teeth. Avoiding dairy products, which are also considered a primary source of calcium, is a requirement for some people due to allergies or lactose intolerance, while others have decided that too much dairy just isn’t healthy.

Most people are able to enjoy a couple of beers, cocktails or glasses of wine occasionally with little or no effect, life goes on and all is well. Perhaps life is better while enjoying your favorite alcoholic beverage relaxing after work, having dinner or socializing with a group of co-workers or friends. The case is different for problem drinkers, potential alcoholics and alcoholics. As a recovered alcoholic, I wanted to examine and share the benefits of NOT drinking alcohol from my own experience.

While this examination uncovered numerous benefits, too lengthy to list, the main benefits fall under three areas.

The Body

The human body is a beautiful instrument. When the body is taken care of properly—nutrition, exercise, and rest—miraculous feats can be accomplished. Not drinking alcohol enables the body to function at higher levels, allows the body to receive benefits of more restful sleep and can even promote weight loss.

No alcohol consumption allows the skin to be better hydrated producing a more youthful, less wrinkled appearance. Not using alcohol makes optimal physical heath more obtainable.

The Mind

The benefits of not drinking alcohol are not limited to physical. Not consuming alcohol also enables us to have a clearer mind. Decision-making is enhanced; therefore fewer problems come our way. While alcohol in small amounts, for non-alcoholics, helps to relieve stress and relax, for the alcoholic and problem drinker the consumption of alcohol increases stress levels.

Abstaining from alcohol lessens anxiety, promotes better emotional stability and helps to improve relationships. Our ability to remember and recall, from both short-term and long term memory, is also improved by not drinking alcohol.

The Soul

Can our soul really benefit from not drinking alcohol? Without a doubt! Consumption of alcohol generally raises our heart rate, therefore breathing tends to speed up and we become more anxious.

Peace, calm, and serenity are all benefits of not drinking alcohol. One major benefit in the soul/spirit area is that our overall outlook on life is improved. We have a tendency to stay more positive, upbeat and cheerful when not drinking. We are less agitated and less likely to be angry. Our perspective on life, nature and our fellow man tends to lean toward a more positive and grateful attitude when not consuming alcohol.

Alcohol, for the problem drinker or alcoholic, often seems like a solution. However, when examined closely the benefits of not drinking alcohol far outweigh the short-lived benefits of drinking alcohol. The three main areas of benefit–body, mind and spirit– are only the beginning. If you are curious, the best way to find out is to experiment. Try not drinking for a week, month or even a year. If you do abstain from alcohol take note of how you feel, notice how your body changes and perhaps most importantly notice how you perceive the world.

Make sure to be aware of how your relationships change, how your attitude and life perspective improves. The benefits of not drinking alcohol can blossom and grow in all areas of your life with a little focus and examination.

Related:
20 Facts About Alcohol

Digestive Aid

Pineapple juice is an excellent digestive aid and it also has soothing properties that can heal and augment stomach and intestinal lining. Packed with both soluble and insoluble fibre it is an excellent treatment for infections of the intestinal tract and acts as a natural mild laxative. Enjoying pineapple juice between meals can smooth out the digestive process due to high levels of bromelain, an enzyme that proactively breaks down protein

Be warned however that too much of a good thing is still too much. Excessive consumption of pineapple juice can cause upset stomach and digestive distress.

Immunity Booster

Like other tropical fruits, pineapples are rich in vitamin C, an immune boosting nutrient also found in abundance in orange juice. A healthy immune system improves your body’s ability to fight off common sickness, infections, and other forms of illness. Additionally, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, or a nutrient that helps protect your body from the progressive damage of free radicals, age, and normal body deterioration. A diet that is rich in antioxidants will help protect against some forms of cardiovascular disease among other health benefits.

Relief from Morning Sickness

Research indicates that eating a healthy dose of pineapple in the morning can be an effective relief from the effects of morning sickness. To reap the same benefits, the same results can be achieved with a glass of pineapple juice. This has long been a folk remedy, but science suggests that the morning sickness relieving effects can be attributed to pineapple juice’s high vitamin B6 content, a known remedy for pregnancy related stomach distress.

To get the most out of pineapple for this purpose, drink a glass of juice first thing in the morning.

Weight Loss Aid

When on a weight loss diet, foods that provide a feeling of satiety without a high calorie count quickly become staples. Pineapple juice fits the bill on both counts; it provides a feeling of fullness and energy without being a high calorie drink. This is due in part to the fact that, like many tropical fruits, pineapple is high in water content and as mentioned before is high in fibre.

A recipe for a pineapple based weight loss aid tincture is as follows: cut a fresh pineapple into chunks. Process the chunks with a meat grinder or a food processor (don’t turn it all the way into mush). Add a pint of vodka and store the mixture in the fridge for seven days. Fifteen minutes before meals, take one teaspoon to aid with weight loss and continue as needed.

Reduces Blood Pressure

Hypertension is the medical term for chronic high blood pressure and the high potassium content of fresh pineapple juice helps reduce blood pressure. Conversely foods that are high in sodium can raise blood pressure, and a high sodium diet greatly increases the risk of hypertension. Pineapple juice is high in potassium and low in sodium, making it a great way to feel full, feel energized, and combat the negative health effects of hypertension.

Combats Inflammation

Bromelain, the same enzyme that aids in digestion is also a powerful anti-inflammatory. This includes inflammation due to minor sprains and bruises as well as chronic sources of inflammation such as that associated with conditions like arthritis and gout. While pineapple juice won’t cure chronic pain conditions it will contribute to lessening inflammation and pain, though remember that too much will lead to an upset stomach.

Contributes to Eye Health

In addition to immune boosting vitamin C, pineapples are also rich in vitamin A which contributes to improved eye health and fights the progress of macular degeneration which is tied to the age-related loss of vision among the elderly. Research suggests that doubling up on the dosage can have tremendous effects—an Archives of Ophthalmology study suggests that three or more servings of pineapple a day can reduce the risk of macular degeneration by 36% versus those who consume half as much.

Contributes to Bone Health

In addition to your digestive system, your skeletal system can benefit from the regular consumption of pineapple juice as well. Pineapples have a concentration of manganese, a trace mineral that can contribute to healthy bones and stave off the effects of bone density loss. Loss of bone density can lead to osteoporosis, a condition where bones become brittle and easily damaged.

Like the antioxidant vitamin C, manganese also protects against the damaging effects of free radicals meaning that regular consumption of pineapple juice can slow the effects of aging and reduce the risk of chronic diseases and even reduce the risk of cancer. It doesn’t take much pineapple to reap the benefits either; a cup of chunked pineapple contributes roughly three-quarters of the daily value of manganese.

Clears and Nourishes Skin

The antioxidant properties of vitamin C can repair daily skin damage and lighten skin. Together with providing a boost to skin elasticity and reducing dead skin cell count, daily servings of pineapple juice can produce healthy, glowing skin. Plus, the overall effects of aging on skin are reduced due to the age slowing effects of antioxidants.

Don’t just eat the fruit or drink the juice: incorporate the rejuvenating effects of pineapple into your beauty regimen by adding pineapple pulp or juice to your skin masks. Alternatively, rubbing the fresh cut fruit on your face then rinsing after fifteen minutes will produce similar effects.

Supports Oral and Dental Health

What can’t vitamin C do? Vitamin C rich pineapple juice can help reduce the formation of plaque on teeth and less plaque means a lower risk of gum disease. Studies have linked diets low in vitamin C to poor periodontal health so even if you aren’t convinced that pineapple juice is the way to go, get your vitamin C somehow!

Remember the inflammation fighting and digestion aiding bromelain? It has also been found to be a stain remover which means that it can help whiten teeth. Pineapple juice is a double edged sword in this respect however; acidic foods soften teeth and erode enamel. This means a through rinse with water after your daily pineapple (juice or whole fruit) will help get all of the benefits and reduce the detriments.
As a brief reminder, canned pineapple chunks are often packed in syrup and no matter how light, sugary syrup will counteract any positive oral health effects that the pineapple wold have conferred. Opt for fresh pineapple whenever possible for the optimal health benefit.

Enhances Fertility

For women particularly, reproductive health can be improved with regular servings of pineapple. Antioxidants (like vitamin C and bromelain) not only fight free radicals but contribute positively to reproductive health and fertility. Copper, zinc, beta-carotene, and folate all also contribute to reproductive health in both men and women, and all are found in notable quantity in pineapple so couples trying to get pregnant should up their pineapple intake.

Though they are colloquially called beans, scientifically, what we know as green beans are more closely akin to pod vegetables. Sometimes also known as snap beans or string beans, they are picked and consumed before they mature, and as such are much more like snap peas and okra then ‘beans’.

Like your mother used to say, you should eat your vegetables, they are good for you. Fruits and vegetables are universally accepted to be beneficial dietary choices. Studies consistently find that a diet high in fruits and vegetables confers a number of positive health effects such as fighting heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Of course that’s just a taste of what a diet high in vegetables can do for you, and green beans can be a healthy element of such a plant rich diet.

Beans Helps to Beat Cancer

Chlorophyll is the compound in plants that make them green. It is an essential part of the photosynthetic process—the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy—and when consumed by humans chlorophyll as an interesting effect. When grilling or searing meats, the resulting black charred bits are full of compounds known as heterocyclic amines. Known carcinogens, these compounds can increase the risk of cancer. Pairing green beans with charred meats is an effective way to increase your chlorophyll intake; chlorophyll can reduce the carcinogenic effects of heterocyclic amines.

Beans Boost Fertility

Iron is a fertility boosting nutrient and a key component in a woman’s diet. Green beans, along with many other greens such as spinach are high in iron. Of course iron alone isn’t the only key nutrient for mother and baby; folic acid is also a big part of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy reproductive system. Green beans are a healthy choice for couples looking to conceive; one cup provides 10% of recommended daily folic acid intake and 6% of recommended daily iron.

Beans Fight Depression

Folates have a variety of health benefits, and meeting the daily recommended amount may contribute to the lessening of depression symptoms. This is due to the fact that folate consumption can reduce the build-up of homocysteine within your body. Too much homocysteine can inhibit nutrient absorption in the brain and this means lower levels of all of the good mood regulating hormones—serotonin and dopamine.

Beans Build Bones

Vitamin K has been linked to the strength of bones. A vitamin K deficiency can lead to a weak bone matrix from poor absorption of calcium. More vitamin K means more calcium is absorbed and less is excreted as waste. A single cup of green beans has nearly 20% of the daily recommended intake—roughly 14 micrograms. While not a high source of calcium, many diets are low in calcium and green beans contain about 4% of the daily recommended amount.

While many people will skip their vegetables in favour of supplements, studies have consistently shown that consuming vitamins and nutrients within our diets is much more effective than isolating the nutrients in supplements. The bottom line: eat your vegetables.

Beans and Cardiovascular Disease

Green beans are also a major source of flavonoids. These antioxidants have an inflammation fighting effect on the body and have been shown to reduce chances of blood clots and strokes. Known as thrombotic activity, these cardiovascular events can have serious consequences and a diet rich in flavonoids—such as one that favours green beans—can significantly reduce cardiovascular risks.

Beans Regulate Diabetes

While it is uncommon to find natural remedies to the symptoms of diabetes, green beans have consistently been linked to the regulation of blood sugar levels in those suffering from the debilitating disease. While green beans alone will not treat a diagnosis, their regulating effects can have a positive effect on the lives of many people.

Beans Beef up the Immune System

Antioxidants have a tremendous range of beneficial effects on our bodies. They reduce inflammation, fight free radical damage, and can reduce the risk of cancer. As we learn more about antioxidants, it is clear that green beans are better for us than previously suspected. Flavonoid components such as quercetin and kamferol and the recently uncovered catechins and epicatechins can protect the body and reduce the risk of serious disease.

Beans mean Better Eyes

Various compounds within green beans are known to reduce stress to components in the eye. These include lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids that keep the macula from being damaged (the macula is a part of the retina). Combined with other eye-health fruits and vegetables, a diet high in green beans can help reduce the effects of progressive vision deterioration.

Beans mean Less Gastrointestinal Issues

Despite all of the powerful health benefits that green beans confer, this is what they’re known for. The high fibre content in green beans means that they are good for a variety of digestive issues. Minor symptoms like constipation, haemorrhoids, and acid reflux disease can be reduced and green beans also contribute to more serious conditions such as ulcers. The best vegetable for digestive health, a single serving of beans contains as much as 110 grams of fibre—as much as 15% of your daily recommended intake.