5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Cranberries

1. Cranberries can both bounce and float. This is due to pockets of air inside the fruit. 

2. According to oceanspray.com, "If you strung all the cranberries produced in North America last year, they would stretch from Boston to Los Angeles more that 565 times." Pretty impressive, right?

3. Cranberries were originally named "craneberries" because people thought that the blossoms on the plants resembles cranes.

4. Cranberries may help prevent cancer. According to 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life by David Grotto, "Multiple studies have found that flavonoid compounds including anthocyanins, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins, found naturally in cranberries, may be able to fight leukemia, breast, lung, colon, and potentially many other types of cancer."

5. Only about five percent of cranberries are sold fresh. The rest are turned in various types of cranberry products including dried cranberries, cranberry sauce, and cranberry juice.

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5 Foods That May Reduce the Risk of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men worldwide and the leading cancer for men in the United States. Here are five nutrient rich foods that may help to prevent it .

1. Onions

Not only is there strong evidence that onions can help lower the risk of prostate cancer, they may also help prevent other types of cancer too.

According to The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why by Jonny Bowden:

"Onions are a cancer-fighting food. In a number of impressive published studies, the consumption of onions (and other members of the allium vegetable family) demonstrated protective effects against stomach cancer. And in one study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, eating onions (as well as other members of its family like garlic, scallions, chives, and leeks) significantly lowered the risk for prostate cancer. Onions (and there close relatives) have also been shown to have the same effect against esophageal cancer."

2. Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain the powerful antioxidant lycopene, which multiple studies suggest may help to both reduce the risk of prostate cancer and prevent tumor growth. Eating cooked tomatoes or tomato sauce along with foods rich in healthy fats, like olive oil or avocados, is the best way to get lycopene in a way that your body can easily absorb.

3. Broccoli

According to http://www.healthline.com:

"Several studies have demonstrated a lower chance of developing prostate cancer among men who eat large amounts of broccoli or other cruciferous vegetables...Although the reasons as to why are still unclear, some researchers propose that one of the pytochemicals found in these vegetables, called sulforaphane, selectively targets and kills cancer cells while leaving normal prostate cells healthy and unaffected."

4. Pomegranate Juice

Preliminary studies show the potential of pomegranate juice to reduce the risk of prostate cancer is promising.

According to http://www.health.harvard.edu

"Two recent studies suggest that pomegranate juice may help fight prostate cancer. In one study, scientists grew cells from highly aggressive cases of human prostate cancer in tissue cultures. Pomegranate fruit extracts slowed the growth of the cultured cancer cells and promoted cell death. The researchers then implanted the cancer cells in mice. A group of mice that received water laced with pomegranate juice developed significantly smaller tumors than the untreated animals. In a preliminary study of men with prostate cancer, pomegranate juice lengthened patients’ PSA doubling time (the longer the doubling time, the slower the tumor is growing) from 15 months before treatment to 54 months on the juice."

5. Grapes

This is good news for red wine lovers. According to 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life! by David Grotto, "A cell study using advanced human prostate cells found that treatment with grape seed extract inhibited cell growth and caused them to die. Another study showed that drinking four or more glasses of red wine per week could cut the risk of prostate cancer in half."

10 Potential Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar!

Apple cider vinegar is made when fresh cider is fermented into an alcoholic drink and then fermented once again into a vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has been used for its health benefits for thousands of years. Although most of these health benefits are unproven, we still find them interesting and worth knowing! Many studies that support these claims are promising, but preliminary. Here is a list of ten potential health benefits of apple cider vinegar! 

1. Apple cider vinegar may help to control blood sugar levels. It is often used as a natural treatment for diabetes.

2. Apple cider vinegar may help to lower cholesterol.

3. Apple cider vinegar may help with weight loss. This is probably at least partly due to the fact that vinegar tends to make people feel full. It has also been thought to boost metabolism.

4. Apple cider vinegar may help to reduce gas and bloating. It may also help to relieve heartburn.

5. Apple cider vinegar may help prevent cancer by promoting alkalinity in the body.

6. Apple cider vinegar may provide relief from night time leg cramps.

7. Apple cider vinegar may boost your energy. It contains amino acids that may fight lactic acid build up that can cause fatigue.

8. Apple cider vinegar may help relieve sinus congestion.

9. Apple cider vinegar may help to soothe a sore throat.

10. Apple cider vinegar may help to detoxify the liver.

How to Feed Your Family Healthy Meals on a Tight Budget!

Eating healthy doesn't always have to cost a fortune! Check out this Howcast video for some great tips on how to eat healthy on a tight budget! 

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Rosemary!

1. The rosemary fragrance has been used in aromatherapy since the fourteenth century. In particular, the scent of rosemary is thought to be a memory-stimulant. The scent is also thought to relieve stress and reduce anxiety.

2. The name originates from the Latin word, rosmarinus, which means "mist of the sea."

3. Rosemary may help treat Alheimer's. According to The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why, "Rosemary contains several compounds that prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter in the brain and one that is needed for memory and healthy brain function. (In fact, one drug used for Alzheimer's-Aricept-works similarly, by interfering with acetylcholine breakdown.)"

4. There is a tradition of placing rosemary sprigs on graves to show that loved ones will not be forgotten.

5. Rosemary is part of the mint family.

Five Foods To Fight Anxiety!

Eating the right foods can be a great way to hep control anxiety and stress. Here are five healthy foods that provide important nutrients that can help reduce stress and stabilize your mood.

1. Blueberries

Why they help: Blueberries are very high in antioxidants & rich in vitamin C.

Also see: Why Are Blueberries So Nutritious?

2. Almonds

Why they help: Almonds are rich in B Vitamins, Magnesium, & Zinc.

Also see: Why Are Almonds Good For Your Skin?

3. Dark Chocolate

Why it helps: Cocoa has a high antioxidant content.

Also see: 15 Fun Facts About Chocolate!

4. Asparagus

Why it helps: Asparagus is rich in folate.

Also see: 5 Reasons To Eat Asparagus!

5. Spinach

Why it helps: Spinach is rich in magnesium and folate.

Also see: Good Reasons To Eat More Spinach!

Why Potassium Is Important & Which Foods To Get It From!

Watch this short and informative video below to find out why potassium is important to good health and which foods to get it from. Also, the video shares a delicious potassium smoothie recipe!

You may also be interested in:

3 Reasons Bananas Are Good For You!

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3 Reasons Bananas Are Good For You!

1. Bananas are a good source of fiber. Bananas provide 3-4 g of fiber each. Although fiber is essential to good health and a healthy digestive system, many people are lacking it in their diet. Fiber is good for your heart, can help promote weight loss, and helps to control blood sugar levels. Eating more fiber may also help to reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. 

2. Bananas are a good source of potassium. A medium banana contains around 420 mg of potassium. Potassium is an important mineral for proper cell function and a healthy heart. Potassium can also help to lower your blood pressure. Low potassium levels can lead to weakness and muscle cramps. 

3. Bananas are good for your digestive system. Bananas contain prebiotics called fructoogliosaccharides which help to nourish the "good bacteria" in your gut. Maintaining a healthy balance of good bacteria in your digestive system is crucial to protecting the body from harmful bacteria that may cause illness.

Thanks for reading, and we hope you learned something! Be sure to follow us on Twitter (@EatGroovy) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EatGroovy) for lots of great healthy eating tips!

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5 Vegetables High In Fiber!

Fiber is an important nutrient that many people do not get enough of. It is essential for a healthy digestive system, good for your heart, promotes weight loss, and helps control blood sugar levels. Eating more fiber may help to reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Add more fiber to your diet by eating more of these five fiber-rich vegetables! 

1) Artichokes

Artichokes contain more fiber per serving than any other vegetable! One medium artichoke contains around 10 grams of fiber. Artichokes are also very high in antioxidants and great for the liver (3 Amazing Health Benefits of Artichokes!). 

A Few Delicious Artichoke Recipes:

Delicious Low Calorie Artichoke Quesadilla!

Light Spinach & Artichoke Dip!

2) Green Peas

One cup of green peas contains around 9 grams of fiber. Eat cooked green peas as a side dish or try adding them to soups, salads, pastas and casseroles! 

3) Broccoli

One cup of broccoli contains about 5 grams of fiber. Broccoli is also a great source of other important nutrients including vitamin C, lutein, and beta carotene. 

4) Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts contain about 4 grams of fiber per cup. Brussels sprouts also help protect against cancer, are high in vitamin C, and contain powerful anti-inflammatory nutrients (3 Great Reasons To Eat Brussels Sprouts!). 

5) Sweet Corn

Sweet corn contains about 4 grams of fiber per cup. Get even more fiber by mixing corn with black beans in this Easy Black Bean Corn Salad! or try this delicious Chili Lime Grilled Corn on the Cob!

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Cabbage!

 

1. Cabbage has been cultivated for over 4000 years! It has been used for nourishment throughout history, by everyone from sailors, to warriors, to the builders of the Great Wall of China!

2. Cabbage has been linked to fertility. According to 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life by David Grotto, "...in some cultures, a bowl of cabbage soup is given to newlyweds the morning after their wedding as part of a fertility ritual. Perhaps that's where the concept for "cabbage patch kids" came from!"

3. Cabbage is a top cancer fighting food! Numerous studies have linked cabbage to cancer prevention. In his book, The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, Dr. Jonny Bowden calls the cabbage family "probably the most important vegetable in the world from the point of nutritional benefits and cancer fighting ability."

4. Although cabbage is a very healthy choice for most people, people with hypothyroidism should consume it in moderation. This is because cabbage contains some natural substances that can interfere with the function of the thyroid gland.

5. Cabbage juice is sold in many health stores as a popular home remedy for ulcers.

5 Reasons To Eat Turmeric!

Turmeric, also known as Indian Saffron, is a spice from the ginger family, typically used in its dried powdered form, and is frequently used in Middle Eastern and South Asian cooking, especially in India where over 90% of the turmeric in the world is produced. It is responsible for making curry and mustard yellow-orange in color. Turmeric has many health benefits and here are just five reasons to think about adding more of this super spice to your diet!

1) Turmeric May Help To Prevent Dementia and Alzheimer's

Turmeric contains a phytochemical called curcumin which has powerful antioxidant and disease fighting properites. According to 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life by David Grotto, "One mouse study confirmed that curcumin significantly lowers oxidized proteins and inflammatory cytokines associated with Alzheimer's. Elderly people who ate curry at least once a month scored better on tests to measure cognitive function than those who reported they ate curry less frequently."

2) Turmeric Can Help To Alleviate Arthritis and Joint Inflammation

Turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason, it is frequently used for the treatment of arthritis, and can also be useful for muscle pains, joint inflammation, and carpel tunnel syndrome. According to studies, turmeric may be as effective as anti-inflammatory medications, without any toxic side effects.

3) Turmeric May Help Prevent the Growth of Cancerous Tumors

According to The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why by Jonny Bowden, "There are at least thirty published studies indicating that curcumin has an antitumor effect (either reducing the number or size of tumors or the percentage of animals who developed them)." In particular, turmeric has been linked to the prevention and/or treatment of skin cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer.

4) Turmeric Is Great For Your Liver

Turmeric can help to protect and detoxify the liver. Turmeric has been used to help treat liver conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and jaundice. Promising studies also suggest that curcumin may even kill liver cancer according to http://www.greenmedinfo.com. The liver protective qualities of turmeric are similar to those found in milk thistle and artichokes. 

5) Turmeric Is Great For Your Skin

Because of it powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is great for your skin. It may help with the treatment of skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. It has also been associated with the treatment of acne, dark spots, and hyper-pigmentation. As a powerful antioxidant, turmeric can help to slow the aging process, prevent wrinkles, and improve the skin's elasticity.

We hope you enjoyed learning more about this delicious spice! If you love spices, you may also be interested in checking out 3 Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper!, 5 Spices That May Boost Your Metabolism!, and/or Why Is Ginger So Good For You?

Eat Groovy Q&A: Can Spicy Mustard Boost Your Metabolism?

Question: Can spicy mustard boost your metabolism?

Answer: Yes! You may have heard that hot peppers can boost your metabolism and spicy mustard works the same way. It increases your body temperature causing your body to burn more calories as it uses energy to cool down. According to a recent article in examiner.com, Scientists at England's Oxford Polytechnic Institute recently found that eating just one teaspoon of hot mustard may boost metabolism 20 to 25% for several hours after eating! Mustard is also likely to be beneficial to your health in other ways, because mustard seeds are a good source of health promoting nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and glucosinolates. Plus, mustard is very low in calories (only about 5 calories per teaspoon) compared to other condiments such as mayo, which makes it a great choice for those looking to add flavor while watching their weight.

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