Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Nutritional Values of foods.



Asparagus

Asparagus

  • Asparagus is high in glutathione, an important anticarcinogen
  • It also contains rutin, which protects small blood vessels from rupturing and may protect against radiation
  • Asparagus is a good source of vitamins A, C and E, B-complex vitamins, potassium and zinc
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Avocado

Avocado

  • Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fat, which is easily burned for energy.
  • An avocado has more than twice as much potassium as a banana.
  • For a delicious, creamy salad dressing, mix together avocado and fresh carrot juice.
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bananas

Bananas

  • You don’t need to eat bananas for the potassium! (Although it is present in bananas, potassium is the predominant nutrient among most all fruits and vegetables.)
  • Bananas are high in sugar, so they should not be eaten if you have blood sugar problems.
  • Don’t eat bananas on an empty stomach; combining them with a bit of protein will help to normalize the insulin response caused by the sugar in the banana.
  • Green-tipped bananas are better for your health than over-ripe bananas.
  • On a side note: Because bananas are so popular, rainforests are often destroyed to make way for banana plantations.
Beet Greens/Root

Beet Greens/Root

  • Beet greens contain notable amounts of calcium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus
  • They also contain vitamins A, B-complex and C
  • Beet roots are high in carbohydrate levels and should therefore be used sparingly
     
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Broccoli

Broccoli

  • Broccoli contains twice the vitamin C of an orange
  • It has almost as much calcium as whole milk--and the calcium is better absorbed
  • It contains selenium, a mineral that has been found to have anti-cancer and anti-viral properties
  • Broccoli is a modest source of vitamin A and alpha-tocopherol vitamin E
  • It also has antioxidant properties
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Celery

Celery

  • Celery is the best vegetable source of naturally occurring sodium.
  • It is high in potassium.
  • The high water content in celery makes it ideal for vegetable juicing.
  • As an easy way to reduce grains in your diet, spread peanut butter on celery rather than bread.
     
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Cilantro

Cilantro

  • Cilantro may be useful to treat urinary tract infections
  • Both the leaves and seeds aid digestion, relieve intestinal gas, pain and distention
  • They also treat nausea, soothe inflammation, rheumatic pain, headaches, coughs and mental stress
  • Cilantro is a member of the carrot family
     
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Chicory

Chicory

  • Chicory contains insulin, which helps diabetics regulate their blood sugar levels
  • Chicory is closely related to lettuce and dandelion but is a member of the sunflower family
  • It may be cleansing to the liver and gallbladder
  • Chicory is beneficial for digestion, the circulatory system and the blood
  • Chicory leaves are a good source of calcium, vitamin A and potassium

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Chinese Cabbage

Chinese Cabbage

  • Chinese cabbage has anti-inflammatory properties
  • It is an excellent source of folic acid
  • Chinese cabbage is low in calories and low in sodium
  • It is also high in vitamin A and a good source of potassium
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Dandelion Greens

Dandelion Greens

  • Dandelion is beneficial to digestion and is an antiviral that may be useful in the treatment of AIDS and herpes
  • It may also be useful in treating jaundice, cirrhosis, edema due to high blood pressure, gout, eczema and acne
  • Dandelion is also used to treat and prevent breast and lung tumors and premenstrual bloating
  • Dandelion greens are high in vitamin A in the form of antioxidant carotenoid and vitamin C
  • They also contain calcium and potassium
  • Dandelion root contains inulin, which lowers blood sugar in diabetics

Fennel

Fennel

  • Fennel contains the antioxidant flavonoid quercetin
  • This herb is anticarcinogenic and can be useful for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation
  • Fennel can be useful for indigestion and spasms of the digestive tract
  • It also helps expel phlegm from the lungs
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Green Beans

Green Beans

  • Fresh beans contain vitamin A, B-complex vitamins, calcium and potassium
  • Green beans are diuretic and may be used to treat diabetes
  • A fresh bean should snap crisply and feels velvety to the touch






Jicama

Jicama

  • Jicama is low in sodium and high in potassium
  • It has a slightly sweet flesh that's on the order of water chestnuts, but crunchier
  • Due to their high carbohydrate content, they should be used sparingly





Kale

Kale

  • Kale eases lung congestion and is beneficial to the stomach, liver and immune system
  • It contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which protect the eyes from macular degeneration
  • It also contains indole-3-carbinol, which may protect against colon cancer
  • Kale is an excellent source of calcium, iron, vitamins A and C, and chlorophyll




Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi

  • Kohlrabi, which belongs to the cabbage family, is an excellent source of vitamin C and potassium
  • It is also high in fiber
  • Kohlrabi helps to stabilize blood sugar and is therefore useful hypoglycemia and diabetes
  • It can also be effective against edema, candida and viral conditions




Mustard Greens

Mustard Greens

  • Mustard greens are an excellent anticancer vegetable
  • They may also be beneficial for colds, arthritis or depression
  • While mustard greens sold in the United States are relatively mild in flavor, some mustard green varieties, especially those in Asia, can be as hot as a jalapeno pepper depending on their mustard oil content




Onions

Onions

  • Onions are an excellent antioxidant, and they contain anti-allergy, antiviral and antihistamine properties.
  • Sulfur compounds in onions help to detoxify the body.
  • Onions aid in cellular repair.
  • Onions are a rich source of quercetin, a potent antioxidant.
  • To obtain the maximum nutritional benefits, onions should be eaten raw or lightly steamed.




Parsley

Parsley

  • Parsley is useful as a digestive aid
  • It helps to purify the blood and stimulate the bowels
  • Parsley is an anticarcinogen
  • It contains three times as much vitamin C as oranges, and twice as much iron as spinach
  • Parsley contains vitamin A and is a good source of copper and manganese
  • For a natural breath freshener, try a sprig of parsley!

Peanut Butter

Peanut Butter

  • When buying peanut butter, only buy organic varieties.
  • Non-organic peanut butters are high in pesticides and fungus and contain aflatoxin, a potent carcinogenic mold.
  • To increase the protein in peanut butter (peanuts have about the same amount of protein as soy), Brewer’s yeast can be mixed in. This is especially useful for vegetarians.




Peanuts

Peanuts

  • Peanuts contain beneficial protein, but many people are allergic to them and find them hard to digest.
  • They also contain aflatoxin, a carcinogenic, which may explain why peanut farmers have been found to have disproportionately high rates of cancer.
  • Peanuts are high in fungus and, often, pesticides.
    They do not contain any omega-3, which can contribute to distorting your omega-6:omega-3 ratio.
  • The peanut is actually a legume, not a nut (which is why they are often roasted).
  • Peanuts contain about the same amount of protein as soy and are low in starchy carbohydrates.
  • Did you know? George Washington Carver was largely responsible for popularizing the peanut as a food in America.

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin Seeds

  • Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc, which is good for the prostate and building the immune system.
  • They also contain fatty acids that kill parasites.
  • Raw pumpkin seeds contain essential fatty acids and beneficial proteins.
  • For maximum nutritional benefits, seeds should be eaten raw.
  • Roasted seeds contain damaged fat that can lead to plaque in the arteries.




Radishes

Radishes

  • Radishes have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties
  • They are a member of the cabbage family
  • Radishes contain vitamin C, potassium and other trace minerals
  • Grown in Egypt since at least 2780 B.C., radishes were originally black






Sweet Potato

Sweet Potato

  • Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of carotenoid antioxidants
  • They contain calcium, are high in vitamins A and C and contain thiamine
  • Be careful: eating too many may cause abdominal swelling and indigestion
  • Sweet potatoes are also high in sugar and therefore should be used sparingly
  • Sweet potatoes are not related to the potato nor the yam--they are actually a member of the morning glory family



Tomatoes

Tomatoes

  • Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, flavonoids and other phytochemicals with anticarcinogenic properties
  • Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C (the vitamin C is most concentrated in the jelly-like substance that surrounds the seeds)
  • They also contain vitamin A and B-complex vitamins, potassium and phosphorus
  • A tomato grown in a hothouse has half the vitamin C content as a vine-ripened tomato




Zucchini (Summer Squash)

Zucchini (Summer Squash)

  • Zucchini and other summer squash varieties contain vitamins A and C
  • They also contain potassium and calcium
  • The flavor of zucchini is best when it is less than six inches long
  • Zucchinis can grow as large as baseball bats but have little flavor when they reach this size


 

2 comments:

Unknown said...

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Rajan

Unknown said...

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Rajan