Tomato

Introduction

Tomato is the edible, often red fruit/berry of the nightshade Solanum lycopersicum, commonly known as a tomato plant. Tomato is consumed in diverse ways, including raw, as an ingredient in many dishes, sauces, salads, and drinks. The fruit is rich in lycopene, which may have beneficial health effects.

One serving of red, ripe, raw tomatoes (one cup or 150 grams) is a good source of vitamin A, C, K, folate and 534 milligrams of potassium. Tomatoes are naturally low in sodium, saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories. Tomatoes also provides thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorus and copper. One serving of tomatoes gives 2 grams of fiber, which is 7% of the daily recommended amount. Tomatoes also have a relatively high water content, which makes them a filling food.

Health Benefits

Tomatoes are a treasure of riches when it comes to their antioxidant benefits. Tomatoes provide an excellent amount of vitamin C and beta carotene; a very good amount of the mineral manganese; and a good amount of vitamin E. In terms of phytonutrients, tomatoes are basically off the chart, and include:

• Flavonones: naringenin, chalconaringenin
• Flavonols: rutin, kaempferol, quercetin
• Hydroxycinnamic acids: caffeic acid, ferulic acid, coumaric acid
• Carotenoids: lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, beta carotene
• Glycosides: esculeoside A
• Fatty acid derivatives: 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid

Alpha-lipoic acid helps the body to convert glucose into energy. Some evidence suggests that alpha-lipoic acid can aid in blood glucose control, improve vasodilation and protect against retinopathy in diabetic patients and may even help preserve brain and nerve tissue.
Choline is an important nutrient found in tomatoes that helps with sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory. Choline also helps to maintain the structure of cellular membranes, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, assists in the absorption of fat and reduces chronic inflammation.

Tomatoes do not have to be a deep red color to be an outstanding source of lycopene. Lycopene is a carotenoid pigment associated with the deep red color of many tomatoes. Lycopene from orange- and tangerine-colored tomatoes may actually be better absorbed than the lycopene from red tomatoes. That's because the lycopene in deep red tomatoes is mostly trans-lycopene, and the lycopene in orange/tangerine tomatoes is mostly tetra-cis-lycopene.

Fresh tomatoes and tomato extracts have been shown to help lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. In addition, tomato extracts have been shown to help prevent unwanted clumping together (aggregation) of platelet cells in the blood - a factor that is especially important in lowering risk of heart problems like atherosclerosis.

Anti-Cancer Benefits

Tomatoes can definately help lower risk of prostate cancer in men. One key tomato nutrient that has received special focus in prostate cancer prevention is alpha-tomatine. Alpha-tomatine is a saponin phytonutrient and it's shown the ability to alter metabolic activity in developing prostate cancer cells. It's also been shown to trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis) in prostate cancer cells that have already been fully formed. Research on alpha-tomatine has also been conducted for non-small cell lung cancer, with similar findings.

Research on tomatoes and breast cancer risk has largely focused on the carotenoid lycopene, and there is fairly well documented risk reduction for breast cancer in association with lycopene intake.
Beta-carotene consumption has been shown to have an inverse association with the development of colon cancer in the Japanese population. High fiber intakes from fruits and vegetables are associated with a lowered risk of colorectal cancer.

Blood Pressure
Maintaining a low sodium intake is essential to lowering blood pressure, however increasing potassium intake may be just as important because of its vasodilation effects. A high potassium intake is associated with a 20 percent decreased risk of dying from all causes.

Heart Health
The fiber, potassium, vitamin C and choline content in tomatoes all support heart health. An increase in pottasium intake along with a decrease in sodium intake is the most important dietary change that a person can make to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. In one study, those who consumed 4069 mg of potassium per day had a 49 percent lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease compared with those who consumed less potassium (about 1000 mg per day). High potassium intakes are also associated with a reduced risk of stroke, protection against loss of muscle mass, preservation of bone mineral density and reduction in the formation of kidney stones.

Strong Bones

Tomatoes build strong bones. The vitamin K and calcium in tomatoes are both very good for strengthening and repairing bones. Lycopene also has been shown to improve bone mass, which is a great way to fight osteoporosis.

Blood Sugar

Tomatoes can keep blood sugar in balance. Tomatoes are a very good source of chromium, which helps to regulate blood sugar.

Vision

Tomatoes can improve your vision. The vitamin A that tomatoes provide can improve vision and help prevent night blindness. Recent research shows that consuming tomatoes may help reduce the risk of mascular degeneration, a serious and irreversible eye condition.

Chronic Pain

Tomatoes can reduce chronic pain. If you are one of the millions of people who deal with mild to moderate chronic pain (such as from arthritis and back pain), tomatoes may be a painbuster. Tomatoes are high in bioflavonoids and carotenoids, which are known anti-inflammatory agents. Chronic pain often involves chronic inflammation, so attacking the inflammation is a good way to fight the chronic pain.

Depression
The folic acid in tomatoes may also help with depression by preventing excess of homocysteine from forming in the body, which can prevent blood and other nutrients from reaching the brain. Excess homocysteine interferes with the production of the feel-good hormones serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which regulate not only mood, but sleep and appetite as well.

Lose Weight

Tomatoes can help you lose weight. If you are on a sensible diet and excercise plan, build lots of tomatoes into your everyday eating. They make a great snack and can be used to "bulk up" salads, casseroles, sandwiches and other meals. Because tomatoes contain lots of water and fiber that will fills you upfast without adding a lot of calories or fat.

Constipation

Eating foods that are high in water content and fiber like tomatoes can help to keep you hydrated and your bowel movements regular.Fiber is essential for minimizing constipation and adding bulk to the stool.

Source: Wikipedia, The World's healthiest Foods, beliefnet, WebMD, MNT, Bejewelled, Investor Place, wikipedia, Guilt Free Food Guide

Apple (part 2)

Consuming apples boosts your intake of essential nutrients, including fiber and the essential mineral potassium. Apples also benefit your appearance, since they contain nutrients that nourish your skin. A medium apple with the skin contains 4.4 grams of fiber, 8.4 milligrams of vitamin C, and 98 IU of Vitamin A. Simply eating raw apples can help your body by introducing antioxidants, which prevent cell and tissue damage, preventing wrinkles and aging, and promoting health hair growth because of a compound known as procyanidin B-2.

Green apples are rich in vitamins A, B and C, so apart from protecting the skin from harmful effects of free radicals. It also helps one in maintaining glowing skin from inside. Antioxidants and fibers present in this apple keep your skin elastic and youthful for long. Green apple is a highly effective anti-acne treatment as well. Regular consumption of green apple help you control and prevent pimple eruptions. It is also recognized remedy for strengthening the locks, enhancing hair growth and preventing hair loss.

Vitamin C

Apples boosting intake of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. Vitamin C helps make collagen, a protein found abundantly in your skin. Collagen is a crucial structural component of skin and helps maintain your skin's waterproof barrier. Low collagen production caused by vitamin C deficiency affects your skin, leading to a re-opening of old wounds and skin tearing. A large apple contains 10.3 milligrams of vitamin C, 14 percent of the daily vitamin C requirements for women, according to the Linus Pauling Institute, or 11 percent for men.

Copper

Apples also provide a source of copper, an essential mineral that contributes to healthy skin. Copper helps you make melanin, the brown-black pigment that colors your skin. Melanin in your skin protects you from the sun's ultraviolet rays, so being able to produce melanin provides natural sun protection. Melanin also makes up an essential part of other tissues, including your eyes and hair. Each large apple contains 60 micrograms of copper, or 7 percent of your daily copper requirements.

Vitamin A

Apples provide a small amount of skin-friendly vitamin A, a family of chemicals called retinoids. Vitamin A plays an important role in skin development -- it helps immature skin develop into mature and functional skin tissue. Vitamin A might also reduce the risk of skin cancer. A large apple provides 120 international units of vitamin A. This makes up 5 percent of the daily vitamin A requirements for women or 4 percent for men.

Biotin

Apples belong to the category of fruits that are known as hair growth boosters. This quality can be attributed to the presence of a nutrient called biotin which has been heralded as the natural growth steroids for hair and nails. People are often recommended biotin in their diet to combat hair loss. Research has indicated that biotin promotes hair growth and infuses strength and thickness into each strand.

Source: Healthy Eating, HUFFPOST, eHow, stylecraze, stylecraze, Common Sense Health, the benefit of

Apple

Introduction

Apples belong to the Rose family of plants. There are more than 7,500 varieties of apples. Several anti-cancer studies show daily intake of this fruit to provide better anti-cancer benefits than lesser amounts. Apples have a moderately sweet, refreshing flavor and a tartness that is present to greater or lesser degree depending on the variety.
Whole apples are a much better nutritional choice than apple juice. Not only are whole apples richer in dietary fiber, but the current processes of juicing seem to drastically reduce the polyphenolic phytonutrient concentrations originally found in the whole fruit.

Nutrition

Packing in quite a bit of soluble fiber (4 grams per medium apple) for a modest amount of calories (95) and has no fat or sodium. A medium apple counts as 1 cup of fruit. They also are a good source of immune-boosting vitamin C (providing 14% of the Daily Value). Apples are packed with vitamins A and C and flavonoids and with smaller amounts of phosphorus, iron and calcium. Apples provide a source of potassium. Apples have 5% protein. 25 percent of their volume is air. Notably, much of apples antioxidant power is contained in the peel, where you'll find antioxidants like catechin, chlorogenic acid, ploridizin, and more.
Apples are rich in antioxidant phyto-nutrients flavonoids and polyphenolics. Some of the important flavonoids in apples are quercetin, epicatechin, and procyanidin B2. Additionally, they are also good in tartaric acid that gives tart flavor to them. These compounds help the body protect from deleterious effects of free radicals.
Apple seeds contain cyanide, a powerful poison. Apple seeds should not be consumed.

Antioxidant Benefits

Most of the polyphenols in apples function as antioxidants. Particularly strong is the ability to decrease oxidation of cell membrane fats. This benefit is important in cardiovascular system since oxidation of fat (lipid peroxidation) in the membranes of cells that line blood vessels is a primary risk factor for clogging of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and other cardiovascular problems. Apples also provides about 8 mg of vitamin C, the recycling of vitamin C in our body depends on the presence of flavonoids and apples providing us with those flavonoids.

Brain Health Benefits
Apples have been found to protect neuron cells against oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity and may play an important role in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. And eating apples is linked to a decreased risk of stroke.

Cardiovascular Benefits
Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol are both decreased through regular intake of apples. In some studies, reguler intake has meant apple intake very close to the level of one whole fresh apple per day. The strong antioxidant composition of apples provides us with protection from possible oxidation of fats (lipid peroxidation), including fats found in the bloodstream (like triglycerides) or fats found in the membranes of cells linking our blood vessels. Recent research has shown that the quercetin content of apples also provides our cardiovascular system with anti inflammatory benefits.

Benefits for Blood Sugar Regulation

The polyphenols in apples are clearly capable of influencing digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, and the overall impact of these changes is to improve regulation of blood sugar. The impact of apple polyphenols on carbohydrate processing includes:

• Slowing down of carbohydrate digestion
• Reduction of glucose absorption
• Stimulation of the pancreas to put out more insulin
• Stimulation of insulin receptors to latch on to more insulin and increase the flow of sugar out of bloodstream and into our cells.

Protect Against Parkinson's

Research has shown that people who eats fruit and other high-fibre foods gain a certain amount of protection against Parkinson's, a disease characterized by a breakdown of the brain's dopamine-producing nerve cells. Scientists have linked this to the free radical-fighting power of the antioxidants contained therein.

Beat Diarrhea and Constipation
Fibre found in apples can help for diarrhea and constipation. Fibre can eithe pull water out of the colon to keep things moving when you're backed up, or absorb excess water from your stool to slow your bowels down.

Fight Cancer
Apples have a number of properties that may help reduce the risk of cancer, including antimutagenic activity, antioxidant activity, antiinflammatory mechanisms, antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activity, as well as, novel mechanisms on epigenetic events and innate immunity.

Help Breathing Problem
Five or more apples a week has been linked with better lung function, most likely because of an antioxidant called quercetin found in the skin of apples (as well as in onions and tomatoes)

Boost Immune System
Red apples contain an antioxidant called quercetin. Recent studies have found that quercetin can help boost and fortify immune system, especially when stressed out.

Weight Loss
Apples satisfy hunger for few calories. In a recent study, dried apples also helped participants lose some weight. Women who ate a cup of dried apples daily for a year lost some weight and lowered their cholesterol and heart disease markers.

Exercise Extender

Eating an apple before you work out may boost your excercise endurance. Apples deliver an antioxidant called quercetin, which aids endurance by making oxygen more available to the lungs. One study showed that quercetin-when taken in supplement form-helped people bike longer.

Source: the World's healthiest foods, Best Health, Eating Well, Care2, Mercola.com, Power your diet, Medical News Today, Times of Wayne County, fanpop, The Sydney Morning Herald , YouthCrash.com

Aloe Vera

Introduction

Aloe vera is a cactus plant that belongs to the Liliaceae family. It grows in dry climates. Aloe leaves secrete a clear gel that when broken off from the rest of the plant that can be applied topically to heal wounds and soothe skin.

Various studies have been conducted to examine the benefits of the aloe vera and it was found out have several properties that are effective in treating a variety of skin conditions, from flaky or dry sign, cosmetic ailments, hair and scalp problems to many more.

Nutritional Value

Aloe vera consists as much as 75 nutrients, 20 minerals, 12 vitamins, 18 amino acids and 200 active enzymes. It contains vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, and B12, vitamin C and E, folic acid and niacin. Minerals found include copper, iron, sodium, calcium, zinc, potassium, chromium, magnesium and manganese. It contains other beneficial compounds like polysaccharides, mannans, anthraquinones, and lectins.

Benefits of Aloe Vera for Face

Moisturize

Aloe Vera possesses excellent moisturizing capabilities it is commonly used as a daily skin cream. Aloe moisturizes the skin without giving it a greasy feel, so it's perfect for anyone with an oily skin complexion. It is excellent especially for women who use makeup frequently, as it effectively cleans and softens the skin. For men: aloe vera gel can be used as an aftershave treatment as its healing properties can treat small cuts caused by shaving.

Treat Acne

Aloe vera gel contains two hormones: Auxin and Gibberellins. These two hormones provide wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin inflammation. Gibberellin in aloe acts as a growth hormone stimulating the growth of new cells. It allows the skin to heal quickly and naturally with minimal scarring.

Aloe is shooting and can reduce skin inflammationn, blistering and itchiness, while helping the skin to heal more rapidly.

Fight Skin Aging

Applying aloe vera to face regularly will help to diminish the lines and wrinkles associated with ageing and loss of elasticity in the skin. Aloe vera contains a plethora of antioxidants including beta carotene, vitamin C and E, known to be vital for healthy skin and help to improve natural firmness, leaving skin soft, supple and hydrated.

Treat Sunburn

The healing properties of aloe vera gel can help to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with sunburn. It restore the skin's natural moisture and also acts as protective barrier against further damage.

Lessens the Visibility of Stretch Marks

The skin is like one big piece of elastic that'll expand and contract as needed to accommodate growth. But if the skin stretches too far, too fast (due to pregnancy, rapid weight gain or loss) the elasticity of the skin can be damaged. That's what leaves those unsightly stretch marks. These marks appear due to minor tears in the layers of the skin caused by sudden and excessive stretching. Aloe vera gel can help hide these stretch marks by healing these wounds.

Source: New Health Guide, herbwisdom, MindBodyGreen, STYLECRAZE, Aloe Vera Headquarters, Dynamic Health