Top 5 Healthy Foods For Women

The first step towards gaining a healthy body is to have a balanced diet. Given below are some foods which will help in achieving a healthy body especially in women.

Cranberry Juice
A lot of times natural cures do soothe our body and help to get rid of those nagging diseases which just do not seem to go away. Cranberry juice is one such solution for the treatment of Urinary Tract Infections especially among women. As opposed to the popular belief that the acidic nature makes it effective, cranberry juice helps in this regard due to the presence of the large quantity of antioxidants present in it which prevent the damage that may be caused by the free radicals in the body. These tannins stop the bacteria from sticking on to the walls of the urinary bladder and hence prevent them from infecting the body or multiplying in it. This is more helpful for women than men as the occurrence of the UTIs is observed more among women.

Greek Yogurt

This particular variety of yogurt contains double the quantity of protein present in the regular yogurt. They also have very less carbs in them and hence do not interfere with the blood sugar level. This is especially helpful for women for weight loss, healthy aging and also maintenance of muscle. Not only is it super healthy, it also doubles up as a portable snack and so instead of eating junk this works as a perfect alternative.

Walnuts

Munching on a handful of these delicious nuts is known to help in the prevention of breast cancer and also osteoporosis which is a very big problem among women. Eating just a couple of ounces of these walnuts may slow the rate of growth of tumours. Although the exact reason for this effect is unknown, it is being said that the phytosterosis, an antioxidant which is already known for its anti – cancerous properties, may be responsible for it. Also the beneficial omega 3 fats found in walnuts may also be contributing to the well being of the body especially by keeping the strong.

Kale

This leafy vegetable is often shunned by a lot of people but what a lot of us fail to realise is that it is filled with nutrients which are very good for our health, especially women. The antioxidants found in these are known to protect the eye against damage and also supply the body with an entire day’s supply of Vitamin C in just one serving. The vitamin K found in it is very helpful in building strong bones and since women are more prone to bone problems this should be added to their diet.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are loved by all and can be incorporated in just about anything. They are rich in lycopene and hence may assist in protecting the body against cervical cancer and also breast cancer. It has also been observed that eating a diet rich in tomatoes may help in protecting the heart from cardiovascular diseases.

If all of the above mentioned foods are added to the diet then you will be taking the first step towards achieving a healthier body.

Cranberry Juice: The Amazing Nutrition Drink

Cranberries have been known to be extremely nutritious and hence consuming the cranberry juice is definitely one of the ways to take in all the nutrition the fruit has to offer.

Black Cherry Juice

Cranberry juice
The cranberry juice is crushed out of the acidic fruits that grow on vines or small shrubs. Although packed with a large number of nutrients, it is slightly tart and hence people tend to dilute it with different kinds of juices, like apple or mango, before consuming it. It can also be diluted with sweeteners or water to dial down the acidity content of the tart fruit juice.

For people who are not very big fans of the tart flavour, diluting the juice will definitely make it easier for them to consume it. But care has to be taken to refrain from diluting it too much or adding too much sugar as too it would reduce the health benefits of the juice.

Health benefits of the cranberry juice
Cranberry juice has been widely known to help in the treatment of the urinary tract infections (UTI) and is also known to help in the treatment of the bladder. It is known to make the bladder more acidic and hence it makes it difficult for the infection causing bacteria to multiply. This in turn prevents the contraction of the UTIs.

Cranberry juice is a good source of vitamin C, manganese and also other nutrients. It is also a good source of several kinds of antioxidants including polyphenols. These polyphenols may be helpful in the prevention of the heart diseases and cancer. Apart from these benefits, it is also known to boost the immunity system of the body. Certain components found in the cranberry juice are also known to help in the fight against plaque and also tooth decay.

Some cautions regarding the cranberry juice
Take a lot of care while choosing the cranberry juice. While choosing the juice, do make it a point to go through the label and understand the quantity of the cranberry juice present in the drink. In its natural form cranberry juice is very nutritious but if you happen to choose a brand which is diluting the juice too much or is adding a lot of sugar and preservatives then it just might not be as helpful as the natural one. Adding a large quantity of sugar might lead to weight gain or also insulin resistance in the body.

Sometimes cranberry juice is connected to the kidney stones as it also contains oxalates which may harden and form stones. But certain studies have been known to prove that the cranberry juice might in fact be helpful in reducing the risk of the formation of kidney stones. The acidity in the cranberry juice is helpful in fighting tooth decay and plaque. But too much cranberry juice can erode the enamel off the teeth.

People who are under medication for thinning the blood should refrain from consuming the cranberry juice as it has anti – clotting properties. With a wide array of health benefits, the cranberry juice if consumed in the required quantities, might just help you attain a healthy body.

Health Benefits Of The Amazing Cranberry Juice

Cranberries, the fruits native to North America, have always been known for their benefits to human health. Its versatility allows them to be used in food and also in medicinal products. When compared to all the other fruits and vegetables available in nature like broccoli, oranges and pumpkins, cranberries have an amazing quantity of antioxidants in them. Consuming just a cup of cranberries give us an antioxidant capacity of about 8983.

Black Cherry Juice

Cranberries or cranberry juice offer a wide variety of health benefits, ranging from kidney stones, respiratory problems and urinary tract infection to heart diseases and cancer. Its benefits extend to prevention of stomach problems, gum diseases and diabetes. Naturally obtained plant compounds called phytonutrients are found in cranberries and hence are known to prevent several health problems.

Nutrition Content

With just 45 calories in a cup of cranberry juice, it blends well into the dietary guidelines. For every 100 gm it contains about 87.13 gm of water. It is known to contain salicylic acid, antioxidants, vitamin C, zinc, sodium, iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium. It is also known to contain riboflavin, vitamin B-6, vitamin K, niacin and vitamin E.

Cranberry juice’s benefits to health

1. Urinary Tract Infections

Cranberry juice contains a compound called proanthocyanidin which are known to have anti-clinging properties. This prevents bacteria from sticking to the cells on the bladder walls. These compounds also prevent the multiplication of the bacteria which are eventually flushed out.

2. Antitumor Effects

Polyphenolic compounds found in the cranberry juice are known to have anti tumour properties. It also prevents the spread and development of cancerous tumours on regular consumption. The high quantity of salicylic acid in cranberry juice helps to prevent blood clots and reduce swelling.

3. Healthy heart

Cranberry juice has been known to reduce the risk of heart diseases and helps in maintaining a healthy heart.

4. Tooth Decay

According to certain studies, cranberries have been to prevent tooth cavities. A compound called proanthocyanidine found in the cranberries prevents the bacteria from sticking to the teeth. It also reduces the production of acid and hence prevents the plaque formation on the teeth.

5. Prevention of respiratory

Studies have shown that cranberry juice prevents respiratory infections and ear infections caused by haemophilus influenza in young children. The juice prevents the bacteria from sticking to the skin surface.

6. Strengthening of teeth and bones

Cranberry juice is a very good source of calcium and hence helps in the prevention of osteoporosis leading to strong bones and teeth.

7. Peptic Ulcers

Doctors have always advised regular consumption of the cranberry juice to prevent stomach infections. Cranberries contain flavonoids which soothe the stomach and helps in reducing the chances of contracting stomach disorders including ulcers.

8. Inflammation of lungs

Cranberry juice is proven to be very effective against inflammation in lungs caused by the virus influenza. Cranberries prevent the sticking of the virus to the walls of the lungs and hence help in preventing infection.

9. Anti- aging benefits

Research has shown that the antioxidants and phytonutrients found in cranberries play a very important role in protecting the human body against age related problems like lack of coordination and memory loss. Cranberries have therapeutic properties that help the cell in fighting against damages caused by free radicals (which play an important role in aging) and hence make the skin look younger.

Irrespective of the age or gender of the consumer, everybody stands to benefit from consuming cranberry juice. With a wide range of benefits that can be obtained by consuming cranberry juice on a regular basis, it will definitely get easier and tastier to maintain a healthy body.