Nutrition

When high starch foods like potatoes or breads are subjected to high temperature cooking, which includes frying, baking, and roasting, the heat can result in the production of acrylamide, which is believed to be a carcinogen that may be linked to breast cancer in humans. Food researchers, however, are discovering novel ways to reduce acrylamide in many of the foods that we eat, including potato chips and breads.

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Calcium is an essential mineral for many different functions in the human body. In fact, it is the most abundant mineral in the body. Of course, the best-known role of calcium is in the structure and strength of the skeletal bones and the teeth. Some of its lesser-known functions include cell metabolism, muscle contraction, and nerve impulse transmission.

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There are many reasons to choose a plant-based diet, but probably one of the most beneficial reasons is for your own personal health. A vegetarian diet, or even a “less-meatarian” diet, can have many positive health effects.

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The term vegetarian means different things to different people. Although the word technically describes someone who does not eat meat, there are many interpretations and views about what a vegetarian actually is.

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Long considered the epitome of healthy eating, it turns out that wheat bread might be displaced from its lofty perch by none other than rye bread. In a finding that surprised even researchers, it appears that while whole grain bread is without question good for you because of the fiber rich outer shell (bran) used in making it, bread made with white rye flour actually leads to healthier levels of insulin and sugar in the blood.

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Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in this country, and most healthcare professionals agree that high levels of fat and cholesterol in the blood increase a person’s risk for the disease. With this in mind, the trend has always been toward reducing saturated fat intake and replacing it with unsaturated fats. In other words, oils such as olive oil and canola oil are better for you than butter.

Or are they?

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If you are deciding whether or not to eat a healthier diet, then you might want to consider the following: researchers have found that a Mediterranean diet was associated with a decreased chance of having brain infarcts, which are small areas of dead brain tissue that result from lack of blood to the specific area. It can lead to thinking problems as well as speech impediment and memory diminishment. The most common form of brain infarction is a stroke.

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You've heard of buckwheat pancakes, but have you tried buckwheat noodles? How about buckwheat groats, the seed of the buckwheat plant, tossed into a healthy and satisfying salad? This stellar seed is rich in fiber and minerals, and contains all the essential amino acids, making it an excellent source of vegetable protein. It's also gluten-free, a boon to those with celiac disease.

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Since ancient Aztec and Roman times, couples have been searching for aphrodisiac foods to boost their love lives. The word “aphrodisiac” comes from the name of the Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite. The best part of “love foods” is that most of these are healthy.

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Most of us know that blueberries are good for us for a number of reasons, including the high levels of antioxidants they contain. Now researchers have uncovered yet another potential health benefit: blueberries may help to alleviate intestinal inflammation (that can lead to ulcerative colitis) and colorectal cancer. When blueberries are combined with probiotics, the protective effect is even greater.

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