CHEWING GUM FOR HEARTBURN?

According to Kings College of London researchers, chewing gum can reduce heartburn-related symptoms.  Chewing gum (sugar-free!) boosts the production of saliva which is an alkaline that helps neutralize stomach acid.   More saliva also means more swallowing.  More swallowing stimulates the muscle contractions that help digest food, according to the researchers.  Also, a piece of hard candy or a lozenge may have the same effect.

Note: This is in reference to mild and occasional heartburn. Severe or constant heartburn is a reason to see your doctor.

 free clipart

PARKISON'S DISEASE AND VITAMIN-E

Some studies have shown that patients who suffer from Parkinson's disease, when compared to their similar-aged siblings, ate a diet with less nuts and seeds.  Nuts and seeds are high in vitamin E and an actual study of Parkinson's patients at Columbia University found that those taking megadoses of vitamin E did have fewer symptoms than those who did not take the extra vitamin E.  Probably worth your while to add some walnuts, sunflower seeds, etc (see E photo below) to your diet if you aren't already doing so.  They have many health benefits and this seems to suggest another one.

HEALTHY CANNELLINI BEANS

Cannellini Beans are an excellent 'white food' that should be included in our diets on a routine basis.  One cup of these beans provides almost half of our daily fiber needs and provides 14 grams of protein.  Fiber is important in so many different health ways and protein is essential to our daily diet.  Protein and fiber are also both great blood sugar stabilizers for diabetics and both are filling, thus helping to keep us feeling full.  Cannellini beans are easy to work into the diet for those who don't want to sit down to a bowl of beans.  Learn to include them in your soups, salads, etc.

 

 This is a file photo.

PISTACHIOS AND HEART DISEASE

Research shows that pistachios help to lower ones risk of heart disease.  Researchers at Penn State University found that adults who got 20% of their calories from pistachios reduced their LDL cholesterol by 12%.   For an 1800 calories a day diet, that would mean eating about 1/2 cup of pistachios.  You may not want to eat that many pistachios a day, but including them in your diet on a routine basis would probably be a good idea.