Studies have shown that eating avocados may help the body fight fluid buildup. Avocados are loaded with oleic acid which is a healing nutrient that encourages the liver to break down and release pain-triggering fluid before they can build up in tissues. Spanish investigators suggest eating one avocado daily to ease stiffness. Some easy ways to enjoy avocado are mashed on toast, in salads, and my favorite guacamole.
If you have problems with joint swelling, aches and pains, try snacking on nuts. Italian scientists have found that a handful of nuts daily can cut the risk of joint swelling and pain by half. Nuts are packed with nutrients such as selenium, magnesium, and vitamin E, all which are key to repairing and building joint cartilage. I was not surprised when I can across this data. I have walnuts, sometimes other nuts, several days a week with breakfast. And I usually bake with pecans. I find the days I skip the nuts; I do have more aches and pains. My body is like one big autoimmune factory. I have several autoimmune diseases which cause joint swelling.
I know many get tired of hearing about dark leafy greens. Having said that, here I go again on benefits of eating dark leafy greens. According to an article, last year I believe, in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating dark leafy greens may reduce bowel cancer risk. Researchers say these greens are high in folate, which is crucial for the repair of damaged DNA and to optimize immunity. Both of those factors contribute to a reduced risk of cancer. The researchers suggest 400 mcg, of folate daily. Some foods to eat are spinach, broccoli, kale, etc. Below is a good group of foods to choose from.
As a diabetic, I don't usually recommend sugar. However, I know how annoying hiccups can be, so here is a trick you may want to try next time they are bugging you. Sprinkle a bit of sugar on the very back of your tongue. The sugar granules stimulate the vagus nerve in your throat, which is causing the hiccups. What a sweet way to solve the problem.
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The dreaded colds and flu can make us sick and miserable. Here are some foods that have been proven scientifically to be beneficial in fighting both colds and flu.
Need to be invigorated and refreshed? Try the following suggestions from your kitchen.
According to research in the journal Nature Communications, the colors you wear may determine whether or not mosquitoes will bite you. Sounds too good to be true, but definitely worth a try if mosquitoes always choose you. According to the research you should wear green, lavender or ivory to avoid being bitten. The article went on to say, "While mosquitoes are attracted to folks dressed in red, orange or black, they seem to have a blind spot when it comes to purple, green and white."
If you plan to go hiking, etc. into tall grass or going into a wooded area, here's a quick and easy trick to try. Before going into such areas, mist your clothing with diluted cedar oil. Studies show the scent of cedar oil repels ticks. This works like DEET. However, you need to reapply every couple hours to be effective.
Have you ever thought about how much your skin weighs? Would you be surprised to know the skin of an average adult weighs between six and nine pounds? Actually, skin makes up about 16% of a person's total body weight. If one's skin could be laid out it would cover about 22 square feet. Take care of your skin, it is an important part of your body.
Broccoli is probably one of the best foods we can eat. Eating it fresh or just steamed allows you to the most of its vital nutrients. When shopping for fresh broccoli, you will notice the color can range from almost purple to yellowish. When buying broccoli, the darker the better. The broccoli that is almost purple in color is packing a whopping lode of beta carotene, the nutrient proven to cut the risk of cancer and heart disease. Remember to go for the darkest green and to forget the ones turning yellow. Those turning yellow have lost most of their nutritional value.
