Tag Archives: antioxidant

Seven+ Superfoods, Part 4: Acai

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This is Part 4 in a series of Seven+ Superfoods. Previously, we have learned about Gac, Fucoidan, and Mangosteen.

This post is dedicated to Acai (ah-SIGH-ee), also known as “Amazon’s Healing Fruit” or Euterpe oleracea.

Why is Acai a Superfood?

Acai contains the highest free-radical-fighting power of any known fruit with 16 different antioxidants.

Acai contains 33 times the amount of anticianine, a potent antioxidant, than grapes do.

Anthocyanins, the reason many people drink red wine, are 30X more potent in Acai. Benefits without the buzz :)

A near-perfect essential amino acid complex, Acai’s most abundant mineral is potassium. Potassium helps to regulate the body’s water balance to prevent swelling and high blood pressure, and keeps the body’s acidity in check.

The second most abundant mineral in Acai is calcium, which promotes bone growth and density.

Acai is rich in iron, as well as vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E, and K, which help promote collagen production, energy, restores tissue damage, protects cellular membranes, regulates the thickness of the blood, and regulates dopamine and serotonin production in the brain.

Acai contains beneficial fatty acids (omega-6 and -9) which reduce bad cholesterol and maintain good cholesterol levels. Continue reading →

Seven+ Superfoods, Part 3: Mangosteen

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This is Part 3 in a series of Seven+ Superfoods. This post is dedicated to Mangosteen, also known as “Queen of Fruits” or Garcinia Mangostana.

Why is Mangosteen a Superfood?

Where to begin?

The most powerful healing properties of Mangosteen lie in the pericap (rind) of the fruit where it is sopping rich in xanthones - nature’s super antioxidant’s.

Mangosteen has the most xanthones of any other food - in fact more than 40 types of xanthones have been discovered in the pericap alone.

Why are xanthones so highly valued? These polyphenolic compounds provide the following:

  • beneficial healing in the areas of cardiovasular disease, ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, thrombosis
  • is antibiotic, anti-viral, antitumoral, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory
  • highest antioxidants anywhere in nature, swiftly healing free-radical damage
  • slows aging, wards off degenerative diseases, and prevents physical and mental deteriorization
  • treats infection, reduces pain, controls fever
  • vascorelaxant properties helps to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow

As there is currently no known medical cure for glaucoma, those suffering with symptoms will be happy to hear Mangosteen is showing great promise in treating glaucoma. Increasing in popularity, doctors are seeing wonderful results when using Mangosteen as a way to both treat and prevent glaucoma. Continue reading →

Seven+ Superfoods, Part 1: Gac

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This is Part 1 in a series of Seven+ Superfoods. This post is dedicated to Gac, also known as “Fruit From Heaven.”

Why is Gac a Superfood?

One of the best things about tomatoes is their lycopene content. Well hold on to your hats because Gac contains 76 times the lycopene of a tomato. Remember, lycopene has anti-cancer properties and also may help prevent heart disease and loss of vision. Lycopene also reduces inflammation in the lungs and is helpful in reducing symptoms of asthma.

If that wasn’t enough, Gac contains 40 times more Vitamin C than an orange We all know how beneficial Vitamin C is in preventing or reducing everything from the common cold to cancer.

Not sold yet? How about when I tell you that Gac also contains 20 times the beta carotene as carrots? Gac actually contains, by far, the highest amount of Vitamin A of any known fruit or vegetable. Continue reading →

Make Your Own Elderberry Syrup (easy!)

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Elderberries are the best things to have around during cold and flu season. Taking a teaspoon a day can ward off illness, and a tablespoon a day can help your body bounce back from illness quicker.

A clinical trial published in 2004 showed 1 TBSP of elderberry extract given to flu patients four times daily “recovered in an average of 3.1 days compared to 7.1 days for those given a placebo.”

Beyond boosting your immune system, elderberries are anti-inflammatory and have anti-cancer compounds.

For those of you following ORAC ratings (ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) elderberries top the list with a rating of 147 (blueberries are only a 62!).

Elderberries contain antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, copper, B vitamins and more. Continue reading →

28 Things Betcha Didn’t Know About Aloe Vera

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I have a huge aloe vera plant in my kitchen bay window. A few years ago, I thought it was a goner, but thankfully I didn’t throw it away. It has blossomed into a very hearty plant, and has gotten so big I’ve had to give several sections of it away.

Most of us think of aloe vera as a sunburn soother. Although it’s great for burns, it has many other health benefits as well (links go to scientific studies provided by Google Scholar): Continue reading →