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Metabolism refers to the organic processes that are carried out in the cells on the living organism and are vital for normal functioning of the body.

Although all of the food that you consume is processed and then metabolized, there are certain foods that enhance the rate of metabolism. Here is some more information about the various foods that speed metabolism.

Weight Loss and Metabolism

Increased metabolism is achieved by eating more, but eating smart. It not only helps to enhance the metabolic processes but also helps to burn the extra fat and enhance overall health condition.

It is a fact that amongst all the food groups, complex carbohydrates and proteins require more energy for their breakdown and absorption.

Foods that speed metabolism are the ones that are high in complex carbohydrates and proteins. Since the breakdown and absorption of complex carbohydrates and proteins takes longer time, the release of the caloric energy is spread out over a longer period of time, which results in less insulin released into the blood stream.

On the other hand sugars and fats, tend to give you a temporary and quick energy high, which is often followed by a low energy period, which results in increased craving for the sugar and fat products.

Foods That Speed Metabolism

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The foods that increase metabolism include a wide variety of vegetables, fruits and spices. However in addition to the basic ingredients, it is also the cooking method that has an effect on the metabolism. Here is a list of foods that speed metabolism if cooked and consumed in a healthy way:

Spicy Food & Metabolism:

It is a fact that spicy food can actually have an impact on the metabolism. A compound called Capsaicin, which is present in chili peppers, generates a lot of heat, which helps to burn more calories after a meal.

Other spices, which have similar compounds and similar effects, are chilies; black pepper and ginger have similar effects. Several studies have shown that a meal containing a spicy dish can temporarily increase the metabolism rate by about 8%.

Vegetables:

Vegetables are rich in fiber as well as many minerals and vitamins. Hence breakdown and absorption of minerals takes longer and hence requires a larger amount of energy to be spent by the body, thus increasing the metabolic rate.

Some of the vegetables that can be consumed include, broccoli, radish, turnip, tomatoes, spinach, aubergine, cabbage, celery, carrots, chicory, cauliflower, cucumbers, cress, fennel, gourd, leek, lettuce, marrow, radish and peppers.

Fruits:

Fruits are high in fiber, and although they contain sugar, it is the natural form of sugar which is different than the refined or synthetic sugar which we use while cooking. Some of the common fruits, which help to speed the metabolism, include apples, apricots, blackberries, blackcurrant, clementines, damsons, guavas, grapefruit, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, oranges, plums, peaches, raspberries, strawberries and tangerines

Whole Grains:

Whole grains like oats, wheat, barley or even soy products are a great way to speed the metabolism. Whole grains contain a lot of protein and fiber, which makes them difficult to break down and hence increases the amount of energy spent in their breakdown and absorption.

These are some of the foods that can increase your metabolism, however it is also necessary to use the right cooking methods and consume the food at the right time. Cooking with little or no use of oil is very good, and in case where it is impossible to avoid using oil, it is always better to use healthy oils like canola oil or olive oil.

Similarly instead of having three heavy meals, it is always better to eat smaller portions at regular intervals of two to three hours. Increasing the metabolism rate not only requires you to consume foods that increase metabolism, but also maintain an active lifestyle with a rigorous fitness regime.

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• 5 Poisonous Berries You Probably Want to Avoid

Berries are small juicy fruits, which can be round or semi-oblong, sweet or sour, with seeds embedded in the flesh or aril. Though most berries are healthy and edible, some are known to be toxic in varying degrees. Some berries which are harmless to animals can be hazardous to humans, causing illness, injury or even death.

Pokeweed Berries

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A pokeweed, also known as pokeberry or inkberry, is a perennial plant native to the North America.

Pokeweed berries grow in bunches and become purple when they fully ripen. If crushed with bare hands, the hands turn purple. These berries contain traces of phytolaccatoxin and phytolaccigenin which are toxic for mammals.

Consumption of pokeweed berries may lead to headaches, diarrhea and severe abdominal pain. If consumed in large quantities, these berries can lead to complications such as quickening of heartbeats and a feeling of giddiness or seizures, eventually leading to coma or death.

Actaea Pachypoda

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Actaea pachypoda, a perennial plant from the Ranunculaceae family, is native to the eastern regions of North America.

This herbaceous plant can grow up to 50 cm, and sports white flowers in a dense cluster. The actaea pachypoda berries, known as ‘doll’s eyes’ are 1 cm in diameter. The entire actaea pachypoda plant, including the berries, are considered to be extremely poisonous to human beings.

The cardiogenic toxins in these berries have a sedative effect on the cardiac muscle tissues. Therefore consuming these berries can lead to cardiac arrest, and eventually death of a person.

Yew Berries

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Yew is an evergreen shrub, sporting soft bright green needle-like leaves, resembling a ‘Christmas tree’.

Yew berries are usually red in color. They look like capsules, and have a hard green stone in their center. Although the aril, the fleshy part, is not poisonous, the green seeds within are highly poisonous and bitter in taste.

Eating yew berries can lead to severe abdominal pain, vomiting, breathlessness, nausea and dizziness. If consumed by children, it may affect their heart rate. Call the poison control center immediately, if you consumed Yew Berries.

Holly Berries

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Holly berries are one of the 600 species of flowering plants from the Aquifoliaceae family of flora.

The bright red colored berries, hard in nature, are mildly toxic. Consuming these berries can lead to severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and make the person feel drowsy. While Holly berries are not the most poisonous berry, you should still be cautious and aware of them.

Though they are poisonous for human beings, various species of birds and wild animals feed on them.

Ivy Berries

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Ivy berries, also known as Hedera, are a species of evergreen creepers from Araliaceae family, native to some parts of Europe, Africa, Asia and Atlantic Islands.

These creepers can climb to a height of 25 – 30 feet on trees as well as rocky surfaces. Ivy berries are small and black in color, ripening in late winter season. Although various species of birds feed on these, they are considered to be highly toxic for humans.

Ivy berries contain a polyyne, known as falcarinol, which can cause allergic reactions on consumption.

Other Relatively Non-Toxic Berries

Other than these there are some berries which are relatively non-toxic, but can lead to complications if consumed in large quantities. Mistletoe berries found in parts of the United States and Europe, can lead to problems like stomach upset, if consumed in large quantities.

These mouth watering fruits can sometimes tend to be very costly for the health, so if there is even the slightest doubt about them, they are better avoided. Its not a wise idea to risk the lives of yourself or your loved ones, just for the sake of being tempted by these colorful, but poisonous berries.

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This article was written by Abhijit Naik and syndicated from Buzzle.com.

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Over 10,000 years ago the diet of man was quite different from today’s. Lacking agriculture, dairy farms, or modern food processing methods, man ate only what he could either kill or pick. Many scientists believe that returning to man’s earlier dietary habits will make us thinner, healthier, and with less susceptible to cancer and diabetes.

The modern food industry is a wonderful thing. Through advances in science we can now feed millions more people on the same amount of land that once fed thousands. We lose fewer crops to disease and drought, and we can produce more bushels per acre than ever before. Our livestock are more healthy, the animals are less susceptible to disease, and they grow much larger (providing more food) than before antibiotics, steroids, and genetic engineering entered the picture.

Once the food enters our homes, we enjoy longer shelf life and easier preparation. Canned and dried goods can stay “fresh” literally for years. And it is quite possible to exist with no knowledge of cooking other than how to turn on the microwave.

With all of these modern advances one would think that the human species would be healthier, and better nourished, than ever in our history, but the truth is quite the opposite. While it is true that hunger is less of a problem in most of the developed world, we now face an obesity epidemic, and diabetes is growing ever more common. Disease and death from chronic overeating, and eating the wrong food, could be considered the major contributors making heart disease the leading cause of death in the United States.

By going back to the way our ancestors ate we can alleviate many of the causes of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. This type of diet is also believed to drastically reduce incidents of cancer. The diet I’m talking about has been called many things. Some refer to it as the Hunter-Gatherer Diet, others call it the Paleolithic Diet, and in this article I’m referring to it simply as the Caveman Diet.

The Caveman Diet, as the name suggests, means we eat like a caveman; well sort of. What all of these diets prescribe is that we eat the way people ate before modern farming, ranching, or even agriculture existed. This type of diet means we eat what the human species evolved (or was created) to eat, before man learned how to place a seed in the ground or dig a crude irrigation ditch.

Hunter-Gatherer perhaps best describes the Caveman diet. If you can kill it or pick it, then that is what you eat. This is exactly what our pre-agriculture ancestors ate. In this type of diet any and all meat, including fish, poultry, beef, pork, etc. is on the menu. Also, most items that can be picked and eaten WITHOUT cooking, such as fruits and vegetables, are also on the menu. What we avoid is processed foods, added sugars, excessive salt and dairy products.

Specific items to avoid are:

• Grains – including bread, pasta, noodles (processed grains are thought to provide excessive carbohydrates that can damage our gastrointestinal tract. Other studies have show that carbohydrates are not as necessary as previously thought)
• Beans – including string beans, kidney beans, lentils, peanuts, snow-peas and peas (while very controversial, beans produce gastrointestinal problems and could result in a mineral deficiency)
• Potatoes
• Dairy Products
• Added Sugars
• Added Salt
• Canola Oil

Here is what you can eat:

• Beef, Poultry, and Fish
• Eggs
• Fruit
• Vegetables (except potatoes or sweet potatoes)
• Nuts such as walnuts, pecans, macadamia, and almond. (Do not eat peanuts, which are not actually a nut, but a bean.)
• All types of Berries
• Honey can be used as a sweetener
• Olive Oil

This type of diet is obviously extreme, and goes against most conventional wisdom. A change of this magnitude will also undoubtedly take some getting used to. Try starting with only one meal per day, with breakfast probably being the easiest place to incorporate it. As you become comfortable with your new diet for breakfast, then move on to other meals.

The goal of the Caveman Diet is to bring us back to the foods that the human body was intended to consume prior to man’s ingenuity taking over. This type of diet is not without controversy, but the empirical evidence suggests that societies employing the Caveman Diet are thinner, healthier, and live longer, while greatly reducing heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

About the Author:

Article about ‘Cave Man Diet’ was written by: Scott Pettigrew from Capstone Health and Fitness

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Article syndicated from Buzzle.com

Lemon is an inexpensive, easily available citrus fruit, popular for its culinary and medicinal uses. It is used to prepare a variety of food recipes such as lemon cakes, lemon chicken and beverages like lemonade and lemon-flavored drinks.

It is also used for garnishing. Lemon juice consists of about 5% citric acid that gives a tart taste to lemon. Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C.

It also contains vitamins like vitamin B, riboflavin and beneficial minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium as well as proteins and carbohydrates.

Lemon is generally consumed in the form of lemon juice or lemon water. Lemon water makes a healthy drink, when taken in the morning. Daily consumption of lemon water provides a number of health benefits.

9 Health Benefits of Lemon Water

Lemon water is rich in several essential nutrients. It is known to have antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-aging, anti-fatigue and anti-inflammatory properties. It boosts immune system, improves digestion and maintains overall health.

It can be used to treat various health conditions and prevent infections. Traditional Chinese Medicine suggests that you begin your day with refreshing lemon water.

1. Lemon water is the best source of vitamin C and antioxidants. It removes harmful, free radicals from the body and improves immune system. Lemon water also acts as a blood purifier.

2. Lemon water is used to prevent and treat different infections as well as to control allergies. Due to its antiseptic properties, it is effective in healing wounds. Lemon water is helpful in relieving symptoms of sore throat, tonsillitis or asthma.

3. Lemon water plays an important role in maintaining digestive health. It boosts metabolism and improves functioning of the digestive system and prevents various digestive problems like constipation, indigestion, nausea, heartburn and parasites. It also helps dissolve gallstones.

4. Lemon water is effective in body cleansing and detoxification. It maintains good health by eliminating harmful toxins from the body.

5. Another important benefit of lemon water is that it strengthens the liver functioning and stimulates it to produce more enzymes essential for different body processes. A well-functioning liver is the key to a healthy body.

6. Since lemon water has a diuretic effect, it is beneficial for people with urinary tract infections. Lemon water is helpful in treating arthritis and rheumatism.

7. Daily consumption of warm lemon water is an effective remedy to get rid of belly fat.

8. Lemon water is one of the most effective regimens for skin care and hair care. Daily consumption can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It rejuvenates the skin and gives a clear, radiant and glowing complexion. Lemon juice is one of the best home remedies for acne control. It can also be used to treat various skin diseases like eczema. Application of lemon juice on the skin is effective in preventing sunburn. If you apply lemon water to your hair for a few minutes and then rinse with water, it will make your hair clean and shining.

9. Lemon juice, if externally applied on the nostrils, can help stop nosebleeds and control bleeding gums, when massaged onto the gums. Lemon juice combined with glycerin is effective to heal chapped lips.

Start your day in a healthy way with energizing lemon water. Nutrient-rich lemon water rejuvenates your body and improves overall fitness and stamina.

Article written by: Reshma Jirage

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Dieting among teenagers has increased at alarming rates. Teenagers are at a very critical developmental stage in their lives and depriving their bodies of the essential nutrients could cause more harm than good. The problem is the type of diets that our teenagers are engaging in.

Fad Diets

Fad diets are on the rise within the teenage community; these diets are designed as the quick fix and their target audience is the impatient. Fad diets could lead your teenager to a serious eating disorder. In the event that a diet is warranted a more healthy approach needs to be taken.

Female Teens & The ‘Barbie’ Look

Female teenagers are more likely to develop an eating disorder than their male counterparts because they are more body image conscious. Whenever they turn on the television or open a magazine they are confronted with the “Barbie Doll” look.

They start to feel inadequate because they don’t possess that same look, which is an unattainable look in most cases. It is nearly impossible for us to monitor our teenagers eating habits so we need to be watchful of the signs that an eating disorder is developing.

One of the worst things that we can do is confront the issue aggressively. This is only going to cause them to act out and in some cases make the situation worse. During meal time watch how they are or are not eating.

Encourage open dialog during mealtime on any subject being careful to stay away from the dieting subject. Try to have your teenager eat more slowly and by all means no phones or television during dinner. We want to have their attention and avoid distractions.

Overcoming Teenage Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can be overcome and your support is necessary. Proper nutrition, exercise, and consuming one ounce of water for every pound that they weigh a day will get them back on track. Healthy eating, communication, and love will do wonders. Teenage dieting doesn’t have to be problem dieting.

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If you are interested in your health and overall wellness, you really need to know not only what antioxidants are and how they work, but, even more importantly, which foods have the highest antioxidant content in order to know how to eat better and smarter.

Knowing what antioxidants are and why they are important in the diet with regards to overall health and wellness, plus also knowing what foods are high in antioxidants can help everyone eat better and smarter. There are actually a wide range of different types of foods, many which are common items in the daily diet, that are high in antioxidants and provide a great number of health benefits for your body.

There is a misconception that the very highest amount of antioxidants is found in tea and, in particular, in green tea. While green tea is very high in antioxidants, there is one food item that actually has a higher content. Believe it or not, dark chocolate is the winner of the high antioxidant food category.

It important to understand that this refers only to dark chocolate, and does not include milk chocolates or white chocolates. Dark chocolate is produced from the cocoa bean and is in the purest and least diluted form, which is why dark chocolate is so rich and distinct in flavor. Although high in antioxidants, eating large quantities of dark chocolate isn’t healthy either – just a small amount in the diet is beneficial.

Dark chocolate contains flavonols, which are a type of flavinoid. Further breaking down the types of antioxidants in dark chocolate you will find procyanidins, epicatechins and catechins, this last one being the same antioxidant found in green tea.

Berries have long been recognized as a healthy addition to the diet, but now researchers and nutritionists know why. Berries, particularly strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and kiwi fruit, provide a large amount of antioxidants to the diet, plus they also add fiber, vitamins and great taste. Consider eating berries on your cereal or as a dessert rather than cake or pie. Berries also make an easy to carry snack for kids and are simple to have at your desk for between meal cravings.

Many vegetables are also high antioxidant food types and generally they include the green leafy vegetables. Some good examples of high antioxidant content vegetables include green and red cabbage, kale, spinach, broccoli and cauliflower.

All of these vegetables are in the cruciferous group of vegetables along with bok choy, and Brussels sprouts. Eating these vegetables on a daily basis, or even adding one or two servings per week in addition to your regular diet, will help increase the amount of antioxidants available for your body to use.

Whenever planning to add more high antioxidant foods to your diet, be sure to do so reasonably and slowly, not all at once. In addition don’t only eat foods that are high antioxidant foods, you also need to consume complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, brown rice and cereals; proteins such as lean meats and fish, as well as other vegetables and fruits. Keep in mind that eating in balance helps your body with vitamins and minerals that are also necessary in the production of antioxidants as well as in overall health.

About the Author:

Terry Roberts is a professional translator and linguist with a wide range of hobbies. His website, Healthful Living Today, gives great advice for everyone.

Article syndicated from Buzzle.com

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