TAKING AN ASPIRIN A DAY TO PREVENT CERTAIN CANCERS?

Many doctors recommend an 81 mg aspirin a day to their patients for heart health. I was surprised by research a few years ago that found adults age 50 to 65 who took approximately 75 mg of aspirin a day for 10 years may significantly reduce their risk of developing and dying of the following cancers - stomach, colon, and esophageal. The study found it took 3 years for the benefit to kick in and at least 5 years for the death rates to fall. 

Maybe there is more than one reason to take that aspirin every night.

IBUPROFEN OR ASPIRIN FOR A HEADACHE?

For a simple headache (this does not refer to migraines or serious headaches) ibuprofen is recommended over aspirin/acetaminophen. Ibuprofen is gentler and faster-acting. Acetaminophen is primarily good for reducing fever and may indirectly improve discomfort.

APPLES

Did you know that more than 2500 varieties of apples are grown in the United States?  Some of the most popular ones are red delicious, golden delicious, gala, Granny Smith, and Rome.  No matter which variety you choose, apples are a good-for-you food.  However, if you think eating an apple a day will take care of your vitamin C needs as many people do, think again.  The average apple provides only around 8 mg of vitamin C; that is only 13% of the daily recommended allowance.  In addition to the vitamin C, apples are a good source of fiber, and the skins contain small amounts of beta-carotene, and the meat of the apple also contains some amounts of potassium and iron.

Apples are good fruits for diabetics.  The naturally occurring sugar in apples is Fructose which absorbs into the blood stream slower than sucrose otherwise known as simple table sugar.

Biting and chewing on an apple (an active calorie food, by the way!) stimulates the gums and prompts an increased flow of saliva which helps to reduce tooth decay by lowering levels of bacteria in the mouth.

Best to eat your apples fresh rather than dried.  It takes about 5 lbs of apples to produce 1 lb dried which contain about 70 calories per ounce.  When apples are dried, most of their nutrients are lost with the exception of fiber and a small amount of iron.

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APRICOTS ARE HEALTHY - BOTH FRESH AND DRIED

Apricots are rich sources of beta carotene, iron, and potassium.  They are high in fiber and yeah - low in calories and basically fat-free!  Yes, three fresh apricots have only about 50 calories and 10 dried apricot halves only have about 85 calories.

Fresh apricots are rich in vitamin C, however, when canned or dried apricots lose much of their vitamin C.  Still ounce for ounce, dried apricots are more nutritious than the fresh or canned ones.  That is because dried apricots are less than 1/3 water while the fresh apricots are 85% water.  (Remember this when you need hydration.  See article on this blog regarding "Eating Water.")

Apricots are great for desserts and for snacking.  Dried apricots and/or apricot leather are nutritious, fat-free snack foods.

Note: Apricots do contain natural salicylate which is a major ingredient in aspirin.  If you have an allergy to aspirin, be cautious about apricots.