Food

 When people think of addiction, they usually think of drugs such as opioids and marijuana. However, it is worth of note that some of the most addictive foods can be as addictive as opioids and marijuana. By cutting back on the consumption of these seven most addictive foods according to science, many have found a myriad of health benefits and also lost excess weight. 

Understanding that ‘exorphins‘, a chemical in foods, can act as a drug in your body and thus fuel addiction can help many patients to better monitor their weight and to successfully fight off those late-night eating binges and their excessive cravings.

Here Are the 7 Most Addicting Foods According to Science:

• Dairy is considered a highly addictive foods

The protein in your dairy foods is called casein. This casein is very addictive and interestingly the same medications that are administered in an emergency room for a drug overdose can eliminate the craving for dairy. This gives you an idea of just how very powerful the craving for casein is in your body. 

• Meat

Many people crave meat however, what they are really craving is the albumin as well as the hemoglobin and gamma globulin that are in the meat. These specific chemicals are well known for their ability to activate the opioid receptors in the brain. If these patients are treated with medications that block opiate receptors their craving drops dramatically.

• Sugar top’s the list of foods that are addictive

Sugar, especially when combined with fats, acts as an opiate. In fact, when treated with opiate blockers the person will stop craving the combination very quickly. Sugar and fats are responsible for obesity in many patients.

• Addictive Foods List: The Most Dangerous High-Fat Foods to Avoid

Combine fats with sugar and you have an epidemic of obesity. Many people think that if they just eat donut holes in lieu of the actual donut they are okay. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The combination of sugars and fats works together to act as opioids in the system.

• Salt

If you suffer from high blood pressure one of the first things, you’re advised to do is take the salt shaker off of the table and stop using salt with your cooking. Salt is the most addictive food that forces the body to retain fluids and thus increases blood pressure. Sadly, many of us learn to crave salt from a young age. This salt craving is very difficult to break but well worth the effort if you, like many of us, are suffering from high blood pressure.

• Rice And Wheat

A protein in wheat and rice called gliadin acts as an opiate in your system. Again, your body begins to crave its ‘drug’ and you crave more and more bread when you’re dining. The more bread you eat the more you’re feeding the addiction. The same goes for rice. If you’re craving more than a normal serving of highly addictive foods, you may need to wean yourself off of bread and rice.

Conclusion

If you’re struggling with the list of most addictive foods mentioned above, there is hope. Cut back on the amounts of the above-mentioned foods and make sure you’re only eating normal-sized portions. Stock your kitchen, pantry, and work desk with healthy snacks such as fresh fruits, nuts, and whole grains. Eat only healthy serving sizes when you snack.

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Fat has, for years, been depicted as a big evil when it comes to our diet. It has been shown to cause obesity, heart disease, as well as high cholesterol. However, there have been recent scientific studies that show many health benefits of fats, so people should consume more fat.

A doctor by the name of Perlmutter has stated that many health conditions such as anxiety, chronic headaches, ADHD, depression, as well as Alzheimer’s have been a result of the brain and bodily inflammation resulting from carbs. Here are some of the many benefits of fats

Essential For Brain Health

Our brain tissue consists of as much as 60% of fat. This means that a diet low in fat will not be able to provide the brain with the essential material that it needs to keep functioning properly. Fat that you consume should not only include omega 3s, but also essential fatty acids found in avocados, nuts, and salmon. Fats should also include the natural animal fat that we have been told to avoid for years.

The essential vitamins like A, D, E, and K aren’t water-soluble and hence will require fat for them to be absorbed and transported throughout the body. These vitamins are extremely important for vital organs including the brain.

Health benefits of fats for Lungs to Functioning Properly

A substance that is coated into our lungs is mostly saturated fat. Premature babies who lack the substance are normally given surfactants so that their lungs can continue to function properly. If we do not consume sufficient saturated fat, then our lungs can be affected.

Nutritional Benefits of Fats to Boost Your Immune System

The saturated fats found in coconut oil and butter are known to play an important role in boosting immune health. If the body does not have sufficient saturated fatty acids within the white blood cells, then this can hamper their overall ability to recognize and destroy foreign invaders like bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Keeps The Skin Healthy

Our cellular membrane consists of huge amounts of fat, and our skin consists of many cells. If we do not consume good amounts of fat, then our skin can get compromised by becoming chapped and dry. This can then result in infection.

Health Benefits of Fat in Promoting Heart Health

There have been many studies conducted on the health advantages of fats on people consuming saturated fats. A particular study was done on the population of the Pacific Isles where people consumed 60% of the diet in the saturated coconut oil form. Therefore, the incidence of heart disease is practically nil.

Also, fat provides a lot more energy than carbs, and therefore, will help in giving sufficient individual energy to sustain themselves throughout the day. A person, in turn, will also eat less. However, you should not have trans-fats since they are harmful to the body.

So, why not enjoy more salmon, walnuts, butter, and olive oil throughout the day to make sure you remain full of energy?

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There are many interesting facts about salt, including its role in preserving food, regulating blood pressure, and aiding in hydration, including its role in the body and its history as a valuable commodity.

Now, how much salt are you REALLY eating each day? A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that we are getting a majority of our salt content from common foods even before we add that little extra from the salt shaker. In fact, over 44% of our daily food intake is made up of these foods. With the amount of increase of salt in food, are you increasing your chances of heart disease and hypertension?

Here Is the List of the Saltiest Foods:

• Bread and rolls
• Lunchmeats (cold cuts)
• Pizza
• Processed chicken
• Soups
• Cheeseburgers
• Cheese
• Pasta
• Meat dishes
• Snack Foods

The amount of sodium can dramatically vary from product to product. Some companies use salt as a preserving agent, some use it to promote flavor, and still, others use it to cultivate your appetite. Before you put it into your mouth, take a look at the nutritional information on the back of the container to find out how much sodium you’re ingesting.

Salt and Heart Health

Salt intake has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, as high levels of sodium can lead to high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. To maintain heart health, it is important to monitor your salt intake and choose lower sodium options in your diet.

How Much Salt Intake (Sodium) Do You Need in a Day?

Our bodies are comprised of around 1% salt, and we need 500 mg per day to survive. That salt that we ingest helps with muscle function as well as transmitting signals from our brain through the nerves. The surprising fact about salt is that the extra salt, ingested through foods and through the iodized salt that we put on the table, is excreted through our pores and processed through our kidneys. When the levels of Sodium content are too high, our bodies store it in our veins, creating an excess of plaque and other hypertensive concerns.

The Institute of Medicine recommends:

• 1,500 mg for people aged 9 to 50
• 1,300 mg for adults aged 51 to 70
• 1,200 mg for people over 70/

The common fact about salt is that the average salt intake for people above the age of 2 is 3,436 mg. This is twice the recommended daily amount and over 1,100 mg over the recommended upper limit of 2,300 mg per day. According to Thomas Freiden, director of the CDC, “Heart disease and stroke alone kill more than 800,000 Americans each year and contribute an estimated 273 billion dollars a year in health care costs. Reducing the sodium content of the ten leading sodium sources by just 25% would lower total dietary sodium by more than 10% and prevent an estimated 28,000 deaths per year.”

The Good Salt

Our bodies require a certain amount of salt to survive, so salt and health are important to maintain balance. In order to do this, we must know where to get salt that is not harmful, such as the table salt we consume.

Look to natural salts like Himalayan sea salts, pink salt, or black salt. The table salt that we ingest has been processed, bleached, and sterilized to flow better and look better. This salt has been heated to over 1200 degrees and refined to the point where it is merely sodium and chloride. The natural salts which have not been processed also contain trace elements that promote good health and well-being.

Sea salts are more flavorful than regular table salt. The impurities within the sea salt give it varying flavors depending on its origin. While sea salts are generally more expensive in the grocery store, they can also add subtleties to your eating experience.

When considering your family’s food choices, put down the salt shaker and consider spicing your foods with other flavors.  Chances are, the food that you’re eating has enough sodium in it to receive the recommended daily allowance. Try putting aside the salt shaker for a day and experimenting. Your body will thank you for it.

Here Are Some of the Health Benefits of Salt

Salt and Wellness

The healthy fact about salt is that it is an essential nutrient that plays a role in many aspects of health, including electrolyte balance, hydration, and muscle function. However, it is important to consume salt in moderation, as high intake can have negative effects on blood pressure and overall wellness. Choosing lower sodium options and monitoring your salt intake can help support overall health and wellness

Salt and Nutrition

Salt is an important nutrient that is necessary for proper body function, but it is important to consume it in moderation. On the other hand, a deficiency in salt can lead to symptoms such as muscle cramps and fatigue. Thus maintaining a balanced intake of salt is important for optimal nutrition

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Coconut Water, “Natures Energy Drink” is becoming quite a popular health drink that we see more and more people experimenting with. Because of the many health benefits of coconut water, celebrities too are becoming quite accepting of this new drink, as well as supporting its multimillion-dollar industry now.

Coconut Water Nutrition

Fresh coconut water, found in an immature green coconut is abundant with minerals and nutritional (coconut water nutrition) traits. Coconut liquid (coconut water calories) is the purest of all waters and is fat-free, low in calories (46 calories), and excellent in hydration (600 mg of Carbohydrates), so no wonder it’s becoming high in demand.

Health Benefits of Coconut Water

Contains Electrolytes

Coconut liquid contains more electrolytes (conducts electricity) than any fruit, vegetable juices, or sports drinks available in stores, and contains salts, sugars, and vitamins needed for a healthy athlete. It provides athletes with a quick nutrition source for the quick energy needed. It is made up of copper, sulfur, and phosphorus which are necessary to correct any electrolyte (coconut water electrolytes) imbalances in the body. A proper number of electrolytes is necessary for appropriate heart and nerve functions, coordination, absorption of fluids, and muscle control.

Packed with Vitamin C

Coconut fluids also contain the proper amount of vitamin c to meet the body’s daily requirement in the body, as well as other vitamins such as niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, riboflavin, folic acid, and thiamin. It even contains 600mg of potassium per serving! Coconut fluids contain an abundant amount of vitamins and minerals. With so much nutritional value, the benefits of coconut water can not be ignored.

Coconut water and digestion

Drinking coconut water improves digestion, improves calcium amount, and absorption of magnesium. Magnesium absorption is needed to support the development of strong bones and teeth and protects the body against the chance of developing osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bones are brittle and can fracture easily.

Coconut Water and Immune System

Drinking coconut liquid boosts the immune system, stops fatigue, controls diabetes, eases stomach pain, assists in proper circulation, improves intestinal health, and prevents hypertension (elevated high blood pressure).

Cures Hangovers?

Could this new health drink offer you anything better? Well, for those who enjoy drinking, you may be ecstatic that it can cure hangovers too! Remember those unpleasant symptoms after drinking a lot of alcohol? Symptoms such as headaches, nausea, body aches, dizziness, loss of appetite, sensitivity to light, and thirst? Well, that unpleasant feeling can be avoided by drinking a good amount of coconut juice. It’s hard to function properly when your body is hurting all over, but with coconut water, you can function much better. The key to cure hangovers has always been hydration, and with the extensive amount of hydration offered through drinking coconut water, it might be worth trying. Coconut water for hangovers works by quickly rehydrating the body, as well as offers lots of potassium, which alcohol depletes your body.

So next time you are suffering from a hangover, resort to drinking coconut water; it can help!

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Pomegranate is a unique fruit in comparison to many others. It consists of a hard exterior that protects the pomegranate seeds embedded inside. Pomegranates have been used in many literary works as a symbol of fertility and marriage. There have been numerous pomegranate health benefits and also numerous myths written based on pomegranates! People in the early ages even believed in the pomegranate’s ability to heal and restore health.

In this century, pomegranates are considered to be one of the healthiest fruits out there. Pomegranate nutrition is rich in minerals, vitamins, and other beneficial properties. These consist of antioxidants, folic acid, iron, and more.

Here Are Some of the Pomegranate Health Benefits

Pomegranate and Heart Health

The antioxidants aid the heart by lowering plaque buildup in the arteries. Plaque buildup can cause high blood pressure or even worse conditions such as heart attack or stroke. There are numerous other types of heart conditions that can occur. Reducing plaque in the blood vessels allows proper blood flow. In addition, pomegranates have been found to lower levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.

Pomegranate and blood pressure

Pomegranate has been shown to have a positive effect on blood pressure, making it a potential natural treatment for hypertension. Drinking about ¼ cup of pomegranate juice regularly allows for good circulation and control of blood pressure.

Pomegranate and cancer prevention

Pomegranate has been shown to have potential cancer-fighting properties, making it a promising choice for cancer prevention. Better yet, it has also been found that pomegranates can help prevent certain cancers like lung cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.

Pomegranate and inflammation

Pomegranates are also a great source of fiber. The fiber is found in pomegranate seeds. Just a half-cup serving of pomegranate seeds provides about five grams of fiber. That’s 20% of the recommended daily intake of fiber!

Moreover, pomegranates have the ability to reduce inflammation. For this reason, eating pomegranates can be especially beneficial for arthritis patients. It has also been found that pomegranates are able to stop cartilage from progressively deteriorating.

Despite all the pomegranate health benefits, they are still not eaten on as large of a scale as other fruits. It’s “[A pomegranate] a day that keeps the doctor away!” Some even believe that eating pomegranates when you are sick can get rid of the common cold. It’s up to you to determine whether this is a myth or not. Try it for yourself!

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 The biggest health disorder in the USA is stress, which leads to various more serious conditions. Breathing exercises and nutritious foods reduce stress. Stress is a common condition that can be caused by many factors. For some people, the best way to relieve stress is to eat. However, not all foods are good for stress relief. In this article, we will explore many foods that help with stress, including avocados, nuts, and dark chocolate, and which ones should be avoided at all costs. 

Foods That Reduce Stress Hormones

Stress-relieving foods such as vegetables

Vegetables contain magnesium and vitamin C, which are both important for reducing stress levels and enhancing moods. They also contain antioxidants that help reduce inflammation in the body which can cause or worsen depression symptoms or anxiety attacks. People who deal with chronic pain may find relief from eating vegetables as well since they contain natural painkillers such as capsaicin (found in hot peppers) and curcumin (found in turmeric).

Stress-reducing foods such as nuts

Next up we have nuts and seeds as stress-reducing foods, these high-fat foods are great for reducing tension because they contain omega-3 fatty acids which have been shown to improve tension by relaxing your nervous system.

Incorporating foods that help with stress, such as Walnuts and pumpkin seeds is great for beginners because of their low-fat content. Next up we have dark chocolate, which is packed with flavonols, antioxidants that reduce tension by increasing blood flow to your brain. This can increase your ability to be alert and concentrate on tasks which can decrease symptoms of anxiety.

Anti-inflammatory foods that reduce stress

Anxiety is not just a mental health issue; it also has physical effects such as increased inflammation and high cortisol levels. Foods that help fight inflammation are avocado, berries, mint leaves, and turmeric. Turmeric is great because it has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. and also contains curcumin which has been shown to improve cognitive performance. For those who are vegan or vegetarian, get your turmeric from supplements.

Stress can cause both physical and mental effects that can cause loss of function. Food that should be avoided if you’re trying to reduce your stress includes fast food, fried foods, and sugar-sweetened beverages. In addition to drinking alcohol, try natural stress remedies like journaling each day or listening to calming music while relaxing in a bubble bath.

What Foods Worsen Stress and Anxiety?

Some foods can worsen anxiety. These include foods that increase stress hormones and oxidative stress. Different people react to food differently, but there are some general guidelines for what can worsen anxiety.

High-sugar foods

caffeine and alcohol all increase the risk of anxiety symptoms. These include candy, donuts, ice cream, and many other sugary snacks that can worsen anxiety symptoms. In particular, sugar increases stress hormones and these can lead to an increase in anxiety symptoms.

Fat and Protein

High-fat or protein foods can also increase oxidative stress in the body which has been linked to increased anxiety symptoms.

Caffeine

Contrary to popular belief that it is a stress-reducing food, caffeine is not good for overall health but it may worsen anxiety due to its effects on the body’s stress hormones and cortisol levels. 

Alcohol

Alcohol can lead to anxiety and make the symptoms worse.

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Summer means watermelon – Watermelon is not only juicy and thirst-quenching – it is also packed with vitamins and antioxidants that are beneficial to your health, which can provide a variety of health benefits. Some of the nutritional benefits of watermelon include its ability to help hydrate the body, support weight loss, improve heart health, and manage diabetes. There are many health benefits of watermelon here are some reasons why you should stock up on this crunchy, delicious fruit this summer.

Health Benefits of Watermelon in Elevating Mood:

Watermelon is full of vitamin B6 which helps the function of the chemicals in the brain that moderate anxiety and panic.  People usually take vitamin B6 to stabilize their mood and improve their metabolism.

Watermelon and Heart Health What the Research Says:

Lycopene is an antioxidant that is found in some red fruits, such as watermelons. This antioxidant reduces people’s risk of prostate cancer and heart disease. In addition, it has been found that if you eat a diet high in lycopene you are less likely to suffer from a heart attack.  Watermelon is the only fruit that contains high concentrations of lycopene.

Watermelon and Immune System (The Benefits You Need to Know):

Watermelon is high in vitamin C, an important substance if you want to boost your immune system. The vitamin C in watermelon will prevent you from becoming sick and will slow down the progress of medical conditions such as cataracts.

Watermelon and Skin Health the Anti-Aging Effect:

Watermelon is a natural source of the most powerful antioxidants. The beta-carotene in watermelon will help prevent a number of illnesses, and provide health benefits such as anti-aging. The components in watermelon will neutralize the free radicals in your body and slow down your aging processes. The fluid in watermelon will keep your skin hydrated and beautiful.

Good Eyesight:

Most people look to carrots to provide them with good eyesight, but there is plenty of Vitamin A in watermelon too. This will prevent blindness and will also help boost your immune system.

The Nutritional Benefits of Watermelon for Replenishing:

Watermelon is a low-calorie, hydrating fruit that is rich in essential nutrients, including electrolytes, sodium, vitamins A and C, potassium, lycopene, and potassium, which we lose when we sweat. Its high water content makes it a great choice for replenishing the body after an intense workout to refresh your body.

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