Pecans, walnuts, and almonds possess much the same attributes giving these nuts a blanket title of “Superfoods”.  Where they differentiate is in the levels of nutrients they contain. ALMONDS Almonds are a complete source of energy as well as nutrition; high in dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and other health promoting phyto-chemicals. A handful of nuts a day provides much of the recommended amounts of proteins, vitamins and minerals. Almonds are rich in oleic and palmitoleic…

POMEGRANATE   Pomegranates, because of notoriety and marketing, have been heavily researched. This fruit truly lives up to its hype. They are a very good source of fiber, antioxidants and a host of vitamins and minerals. Regular inclusion of this fruit in diet boosts immune system, improves circulation, and offers protection from cancers. Ellagitannin compounds: Granatin B and Punicalagin are abundant in pomegranate juice. These compounds are effective in reducing heart disease by scavenging free…

PERSIMMONS   Persimmons have a wealth of health benefits packed in side them. Persimmons, like most fruits, are high in dietary fiber. High fiber fruits boost the gastrointestinal system and help protect against colorectal cancer and similar ailments. They also reduce lipid uptake and assist in weight loss. Persimmons contain betulinic acid which is a proven anti-tumor compound that plays a part in prevention and/or reduction of tumor development. Vitamin rich persimmons contain vitamin A,…

MULBERRIES   Wow!  I need to catch my breath for a moment...When I began this journey; I had a fundamental understanding of nutrition, but no way did I believe we had such a wealth of health benefits at our finger tips. This bounty of nutritious food is a delicious way to get your "ounce of prevention". If you have been following these blogs you will have noticed that there has been some repetition regarding the…

JUJUBES Jujubes have been used as herbal medicine for thousands of years throughout Asia. Jujubes are highly nutritious and loaded with vitamins and minerals that benefit the blood stream, hormones, bones, soft tissue, enzymes and neurotransmitters. Jujubes are high in vitamins A, C, and potassium that strengthen the immune system. The mucilaginous property of the fruit soothes sore throats. These benefits combined make Jujubes a natural cold and cough preventative. Jujubes contain 18 out of…

CHERRIES       Cherries are a power house of antioxidants and very beneficial for maintaining good health. Anthocyanin, that gives cherries their red color, is a dietary antioxidant that has therapeutic and preventive roles in a number of ailments.     Cherries are a rich source of  vitamin A and beta-carotene which benefits eyesight as well as fights cancer in organs and glands.     Vitamin C and many B family vitamins (folic acid,…

APRICOT- UME Umes have been (almost exclusively) used by Asian cultures for centuries. Although it is very tasty pickled and juiced (and showy flowers), it is primarily consumed for the health benefits. Umes are an effective alkalinizing food. Very useful in combating a highly acidic diet full of red meat and refined sugars and starches. They contain high levels of citric acid, anti-oxidants, iron, thiamin, and riboflavin. Umes: Support a healthy immune system, nervous system,…

APRICOT -Sweet Apricots are very rich in antioxidants and offer good protection against free radical damage. They rank as a good source of vitamin A and C. Apricots contain quercetin, proanthocyanidin, catechin, epicatechin, hydroxycinnamic, gallic acid, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, and ferulic acid. Vitamin A (from beta-carotene), carotenoids, and xanthrophylls help protect eyesight from damage and lutein protects the retina from blue light. Vitamin C benefits are multiple and well documented. Apricots are high in…

Apple contains quercetin, epicatechin, anthocyanins and triterpenoids which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The apple peel is the most nutritious as the majority of Quercetin (80%) is found in it. Alzheimer's - Apple juice consumption shows higher levels of acetylcholine,  a neurotransmitter that improves brain function Parkinson's - fiber and anti-oxidants fight the breakdown caused by free radicals All forms of Cancer - flavonol rich apples reduce incidence of pancreatic cancer. Triterpeniods in apple peel…

  We have all heard this for as long as we can remember. As it turns out, there is more truth than poetry to this old saw. As modern medicine advances, we are finding increasing evidence that we truly are 'what we eat'.  It is often much better to strengthen and fortify our immune system and whole body health than it is to try to fix a broken machine; so we circle back to a…