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Healthy Living

Surprising Health Benefits of Coffee

Surprising Health Benefits of Coffee

Coffee — the beverage so many don’t even feel human without. There are downsides to drinking too much, but did you know that in moderation there are health benefits, as well?

How often have you heard the half-true jokes about how no one should speak to a certain person until they’ve had their morning cup of joe? Coffee is a huge part of our culture. So popular that you’ll often find coffee shops across the street from other coffee shops! Even fast-food restaurants serve the beverage.

Yes, too much caffeine (the addictive chemical found in coffee) can cause health problems. But, you’ll be glad to know that this beverage does have health benefits, as well — you may be a little surprised at what those benefits are. By the end of this post, you just might find yourself running to your local Le-Vel Thrive cafe for a latte.

Surprising Health Benefits of Coffee

Coffee improves energy and makes you smart

The benefit of a morning brew that we all know already is that it makes us wake up. The reason for this is that coffee contains caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant which is absorbed into the bloodstream and then the brain. It blocks a neurotransmitter called adenosine and when this happens we release dopamine which makes us feel happy and awake.

In turn, this can make us smarter and improve memory because our brain is able to work much more efficiently.

Be careful though, not all people can tolerate the stimulant effect. So don’t overdo it!

Java can help you burn fat

Did we just hear the sound of thousands of people cheering? Was that you?

Yes, it’s true. Drinking a cup of joe can help you to burn fat, and in turn to lose weight. The way it works is by speeding up our metabolism by up to 11%, which can help us to digest food better and therefore burn fat more efficiently. This is why you’ll often find caffeine in diet pills.

Coffee helps your physical performance

Caffeine comes into play again in the form of our nervous system. In the same way, as caffeine stimulates brain activity, it also stimulates the nervous system. This subsequently sends signals to fat cells to break them down as we exercise. Drinking a small cup of java 15 minutes before you work out can help your body during the workout.

A cup of joe contains some good stuff

Coffee isn’t just caffeine in water, it also contains a lot of micronutrients which can be a huge help to the overall function of our bodies.

One cup contains:

  • Magnesium and niacin: Together these nutrients are associated with improved energy and metabolism, heart health, and preventing diabetes.
  • Manganese and potassium: Manganese is an essential nutrient involved in many chemical processes in the body, including processing of cholesterol, carbohydrates, and protein. Potassium is necessary for the heart, kidneys, and other organs to function normally.
  • Riboflavin: Also known as vitamin B2, is an essential component of two major coenzymes that play major roles in energy production; cellular function, growth, and development; and metabolism of fats, drugs, and steroids.
  • Plantothetic acid: Another B vitamin (B5), this nutrient is among the most important of the B vitamins for the basic processes of life and is associated with energy production and fat metabolism.

Coffee lowers the risk of Type II Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the more severe of the two types and is caused by spikes in blood sugar levels which cannot be controlled by insulin.

The reason for this is unknown at the moment, but coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of developing diabetes. It could have something to do with sugar being metabolized more quickly, but it is unknown exactly the reason.

Coffee could protect you from Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s is a disease which is caused by the cells in the brain prematurely deteriorating. It is a condition which affects many people all over the world and is the main cause of dementia in older people. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, however, you can reduce the risk of developing this disease in the first place by drinking coffee. Because coffee stimulates the brain cells, it can also keep them healthy — leading to a lower risk of deterioration.

But Exercise Caution with Coffee

Yes, there are health benefits to drinking your morning latte, but like anything, overdoing it can cancel those benefits out. And, of course, not everyone will react to caffeine in the same way. In fact, caffeine has been known to put me to sleep! Also, many caffeine-containing beverages, including coffee, are acidic which is not so good for people with reflux disorders.

A cup of joe a day could keep the doctor away, but too many cups can put you in the doctor’s office — or emergency room — if you’re not mindful of what you put into your body.

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Take Charge of Your Health!

Changing your eating habits can be tough. But it doesn’t have to be if you take a little time to think it out and create a plan.

This Healthy Eating Worksheet will walk you through the process of creating a healthy eating plan. All you need to do is print it out, set aside some time to complete it, and then fill it out. Then you can create your plan, knowing that you have addressed potential obstacles and came up with some creative ways to handle them.

Download Now [/two_third_last]

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Healthy Living Well Stocked Pantry

The Benefits of Purple Potatoes

Purple Potato from Peru
Reduced from a photograph taken 28th January 2004 by Stephen Lea and released under the GFDL by the photographer.

Purple Potato from Peru
Reduced from a photograph taken 28th January 2004 by Stephen Lea and released under the GFDL by the photographer.
I first encountered the purple potato while at a business conference. The buffet lunch provided included baked potatoes medley, which included these deep amethyst curiosities. Then, recently, I received a book to review called Whole Body Reboot, which introduced me to the health benefits of brightly colored foods, including the superfood that is the purple potato.

This week’s featured recipe comes from that book, and inspired me to research what benefits this root vegetable has for us.

The purple color is courtesy of anthocyanin, a flavonoid that has been shown in studies to have anti-cancer and heart-protective effects, the ability to boost the immune system and protect against age-related memory loss. Anthoscyanins may also reduce the risk of Parkinson’s and improve eyesight.

Purple potatoes provide a healthy dose of antioxidants — 4 times as much antioxidants as Russet potatoes and levels equal to kale and spinach — which also help with age-related issues.

creative-cooking-tips

What can you do with a purple potato? Pretty much anything you can do with any other type of potato! You can make:

  • Purple potato salad
  • Purple hash browns
  • Country fried purple potatoes
  • Purple mashed potatoes

The list goes on and on. The only caveat I’d add is that you want to be sure that when you serve it, people know what they’re getting into. The color of food affects people’s reactions to it, so don’t surprise someone with an odd-colored food that might put them off.

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[one_third] Healthy Eating Worksheet [/one_third]
[two_third_last]

Take Charge of Your Health!

Changing your eating habits can be tough. But it doesn’t have to be if you take a little time to think it out and create a plan.

This Healthy Eating Worksheet will walk you through the process of creating a healthy eating plan. All you need to do is print it out, set aside some time to complete it, and then fill it out. Then you can create your plan, knowing that you have addressed potential obstacles and came up with some creative ways to handle them.

Download Now [/two_third_last]

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The Health Benefits of Yogurt

By USDAgov [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

yogurt with cherries
By USDAgov [CC BY 2.0],
via Wikimedia Commons
I began my love affair with yogurt as a young child. I was prone to colds and, for awhile, vaginal yeast infections, so my mother began looking for ways to help boost my immune system. One of the things she found was that Lactobacillus acidophilus, a healthy bacteria found naturally in the body and in yogurt, helps maintain an acidic environment in the body, which, in turn, helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Yogurt, which you can find in a variety of styles and flavors at any grocery store, has quite a few health benefits:

⇒ It contains animal protein. Your body uses dietary protein to build and repair tissues; and make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Protein is a key component of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and blood. Incorporating yogurt into your diet can help you maintain a good balance of protein.

⇒ It contains calcium, which is needed for healthy bones and teeth. It is also useful in weight management and reducing PMS symptoms. There is evidence that calcium may play a role in the prevention of cancer, too. And calcium also plays a role in heart health.

⇒ It contains vitamin B2, also called riboflavin, an important chemical for a variety of cellular functions, such as deriving energy from your food. It helps your body absorb iron, which is important for healthy red blood cells. B2 also protects you from free radicals, chemicals that can speed aging and raise your risk of cancer and other diseases.

⇒ It contains vitamin B12. Along with vitamin B2, B12 helps produce energy from nutrients and supports production of new red blood cells, replacing the old, worn out cells. It helps your nervous system function properly and supports DNA synthesis. Vitamin B12 is also needed for the enzyme that coverts a bad amino acid, called homocysteine, into a harmless compound. The Office of Dietary Supplements reports that keeping blood levels of homocysteine low may have significant benefits for your cardiovascular system.

⇒ It contains potassium. Potassium’s primary functions include building muscle, synthesizing proteins, controlling the heart’s electrical activity and maintaining pH balance. It is also needed for maintaining the body’s total fluid volume, keeping your electrolytes in balance and ensuring normal cell function. Research suggests that a diet high in potassium can help reduce the risk of stroke, lower blood pressure, preserve bone mineral density and reduce the formation of kidney stones.

⇒ It contains magnesium, which is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in your body, including food metabolism and the creation of fatty acids and proteins. It is also involved in the communication between nerves and muscles, which affects performance and relaxation. Not getting enough magnesium can lead to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, coronary heart disease and osteoporosis.

⇒ It is a good source of probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, which are the “friendly bacteria” found naturally in your digestive system and help with digestion. Evidence suggests that the probiotics in yogurt contribute to a healthy immune system and digestive tract. There is also some research that suggests that probiotics can help with skin conditions, urinary and vaginal health, prevention of allergies and colds, and aiding in oral health.

As you can see, yogurt is packed with a plethora of health benefits. And with the wide variety of styles and flavors available, as well as the convenient packaging, you are sure to find a yogurt that works with your lifestyle and pleases your tastebuds.

Power-Packed-Foods-150Learn About 9 More
Power-Packed Foods
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If you would like to learn about more power-packed foods, grab your copy of Top 10 Power-Packed Foods. When you subscribe to my email newsletter, using the form below, you’ll not only receive this handy one-sheet downloadable PDF report, you’ll also receive three more articles — like this one — providing you with more information about three of the power-packed foods listed in the report.

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[one_third] Healthy Eating Worksheet [/one_third]
[two_third_last]

Take Charge of Your Health!

Changing your eating habits can be tough. But it doesn’t have to be if you take a little time to think it out and create a plan.

This Healthy Eating Worksheet will walk you through the process of creating a healthy eating plan. All you need to do is print it out, set aside some time to complete it, and then fill it out. Then you can create your plan, knowing that you have addressed potential obstacles and came up with some creative ways to handle them.

Download Now [/two_third_last]

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Healthy Living Video Podcast Well Stocked Pantry

Carma’s Cookery – The Show! Episode 5

Clayton Jewell on Carma's Cookery

Guest Clayton Jewell talks about Favorite Spices and Their Health Benefits

Guest Clayton Jewell, professional personal chef, shares her favorite herbs and spices and their health benefits. Host Carma Spence and Clayton chat about a variety of spices, what you can do with them, and some of their health benefits.

Clayton’s Special Offer

If you contact Clayton, mention you heard about her personal chef services through Carma’s Cookery and arrange both a consultation and cook day with her, she will include an additional side dish to your menu at no additional charge — up to a $20 value.

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[one_third] Healthy Eating Worksheet [/one_third]
[two_third_last]

Take Charge of Your Health!

Changing your eating habits can be tough. But it doesn’t have to be if you take a little time to think it out and create a plan.

This Healthy Eating Worksheet will walk you through the process of creating a healthy eating plan. All you need to do is print it out, set aside some time to complete it, and then fill it out. Then you can create your plan, knowing that you have addressed potential obstacles and came up with some creative ways to handle them.

Download Now [/two_third_last]

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