Friday, 5 September 2014

Just Add Water: 3 Delicious Metabolism Boosters

Did you get that? Just by drinking water your body increases its burning of calories. You know that soda is very bad for you, and that includes diet soda. These caloric beverages steal your health and steal great food from you because they fill you up with not only the wrong stuff but the bad stuff too. Soda is the number one culprit for the type 2 diabetes epidemic in America. 

Drinking infused water for weight loss is one of the easiest things you can do for better health. Experts suggest that the average person should drink at least 64 ounces of water a day, but it’s recommend that you drink almost double that amount for weight loss and try adding one of these for a little help.

1: Citrus Fruit – Adding citrus fruit to your water can speed up the fat burning process and help you feel more energized. Oranges and lemons in particular are a great source of Vitamin C, and will help with fat burning at the cellular level. This is due to the metabolic process of transporting fatty acids within the cell and mobilizing them to be used as an energy source and to do this it needs vitamin C. That means loading up on vitamin c can naturally increase fat burning, so add 3-4 thin slices of lemon or orange to your water to get that boost of Vitamin C and help use fat as energy.




2. Cayenne Pepper - You might not like the sound of spicy water maybe give it chance. Research suggests that the capsaicin found in cayenne pepper can boost your metabolism shortly after ingesting it, and make you feel fuller. On its own cayenne isn’t that appealing so try this recipe: Mix slice strawberries, blueberries, and just half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper into your water. You’ll have a surprisingly sweet and calorie burning booster with just little bit of kick. 

3. Cucumbers – By sipping on a cool glass of cucumber water will help flush out your system and your metabolism. Cucumber has natural diuretic effects and the potassium and vitamins A and C will flush out toxins and get your metabolism moving. Add 6-8 slices of cucumber to a pitcher of water a refill you glass for cool, refreshing drink.

Source
Image

Why You Should Be Eating Watermelon Everyday

Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of watermelon can help decrease the risk of obesity and overall mortality, diabetes, and heart disease. Watermelon also promotes healthier complexions and hair, as well as increasing energy levels.

One cup of diced watermelon (152 grams) contains 43 calories, 0 grams of fat, 2 grams of sodium, 11 grams of carbohydrate (including 9 grams of sugar and 1 gram of fiber) and 1 gram of fiber. One cup of watermelon will provide 17% of vitamin A, 21% of vitamin C, 2% of iron and 1% of calcium needs for the day.

Watermelon also contains thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, choline, lycopene and betaine. According to the National Watermelon Promotion Board, watermelon contains more lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable.





Here are a few of the benefits adding a cup or two of watermelon daily to your diet will bring:


Asthma prevention: The risks for developing asthma are lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients. One of these nutrients is vitamin C, found in abundance in watermelon.

Blood pressure: A study published by the American Journal of Hypertension found that watermelon “reduced ankle blood pressure, brachial blood pressure and carotid wave reflection in obese middle-aged adults with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension”. The study also showed that watermelon consumption improved arterial function.

Cancer: An excellent source of the antioxidant vitamin C, as well as others, watermelon can help combat the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer. Lycopene intake, for example, has been linked to a decreased risk of prostate cancer prevention in several studies.

Digestion and regularity: Watermelon, because of its water and fiber content, helps to prevent constipation and promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract.

Hydration: Made up of 92% water and full of important electrolytes, watermelons are a great snack to have on hand during the hot summer months to prevent dehydration.

Inflammation: Choline is a very important and versatile nutrient that aids in sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory. Choline also helps to maintain the structure of cellular membranes, assists in the transmission of nerve impulses, and helps in the absorption of fat. Choline can also alleviate chronic inflammation.

Muscle soreness: Watermelon and its juice have been shown to reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery time following exercise in athletes. Researchers believe this is likely do to the amino acid L-citrulline that watermelon contains.
 
Skin: Watermelon is fantastic for your skin because it contains vitamin A, a nutrient required for sebum production that keeps hair moisturized. Vitamin A is also necessary for the growth of all bodily tissues, including skin and hair

Source
Image credit

20 Reasons You Should Be Drinking Lemon Water Every Morning

Drinking lemon water first thing in the morning is one of the simplest habits to get into, yet one of the most beneficial for you overall health. Here are 20 reasons why you should start today.

Lemons are packed full of vitamin C, B complex vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, enzymes, antioxidants, and fiber. They have a host of beneficial an therapeutic properties and help to maintain a well functioning immune system protecting you from infections owing to the extraordinarily high vitamin C content (one whole large lemon contains approximately 44.5mg of vitamin C, which provides 74% of the USDA recommended daily value of vitamin C). By adding organic lemons to our daily diet our digestive system works more efficiently by flushing out toxins, skin will be healthier alongside a host of other benefits listed below.

Lemons are obviously highly acidic on their own, however as they are metabolized they have a very alkalizing affect on the body. This is vital as cancer cells can’t grow in an alkaline environment. Keeping your body slightly alkaline by consuming alkalizing foods is extremely important to your overall health, alongside reducing consumption of acid-forming foods including dairy, animal proteins and high amounts of processed sugar.

In addition they are the lowest fruit on the glycemic index, meaning there will be zero spike in blood sugars. Conversely oranges are high in sugar and may cause a blood sugar spike just like bananas.
Experts advocate drinking a glass of warm lemon water first thing every morning for maximum health boosting properties. The cleansing and medical effects will have hugely positive effects on your health in the long term. However to protect your dental health and reduce the risk of the acidic lemon water softening and eroding teeth enamel, drink through a straw and rinse your mouth out after drinking it to prevent this irreversible damage.




Simply squeeze half an organic lemon into lukewarm water. Some people have a preference for either hot or cold water, but as these take more energy to process your first glass in the morning should be lukewarm or at room temperature to slowly wake your body and kick start digestion.
Limes can also be used although the effects are not as strong – try a mixture of the two to suit your taste.


Additional Health Benefits Of Drinking Lemon Water


1. High levels of vitamin C protect the body against immune system deficiencies
2. Pectin fiber found in lemons can prevent colon and prostate cancer
3. Pectin also lowers levels of bad cholesterol
4. Aids digestion and stimulates the production of bile and supports the pancreas, also regulating the flow of excess bile
5. Supports liver function by cleansing the liver and strengthening liver enzymes when they are too dilute
6. Helps helps balance the calcium and oxygen levels in the liver
7. Has a synergizing effect on the body as it helps soothe the digestive system
8. Prevents the growth and multiplication of pathogenic bacteria that cause infections and diseases
9. Helps dissolve stones in the gall bladder and other harmful calcium build ups
10. The potassium content in lemon helps nourish brain and nerve cells
11. Can help relieve the problem of indigestion and excess gas
12. For heart burn, drinking a glass of concentrated lemon juice can give relief
13. Helps maintain the eye health and reduces eye problems due to high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin
14. Reduces production of phlegm (mucus) by the body easing asthmatic symptoms
15. Helps to purify the blood eliminating toxins
16. Enormously beneficial to the skin and helps prevent the formation of wrinkles and acne
17. Reduces pain and inflammation in joints and knees by dissolving uric acid
18. Helps control the unhealthy bacteria in the gut
19. Aids in the production of essential digestive juices
20. For pregnant or lactating women, lemon juice will help build strong bones in a child, owing to its high calcium content.


An additional benefit is that drinking lemon water daily is that it can help people trying to lose weight. The pectin fiber helps to curb the appetite naturally and fight hunger cravings. The aid to digestion and the healthful effects on the liver mentioned above can both aid in weight loss over time.

Source
Image credit

How to Clean Your Liver

Your liver works to cleanse the blood and remove toxic substances that we’ve eaten, inhaled, or rubbed on our bodies. When it is overworked—as it is in many modern adults—or when you are under a significant amount of physical or even mental stress, your liver can struggle to keep up. 




  • 1. Warm Lemon Water - Warm lemon water is a great way to detox your liver every single morning. This isn’t lemonade, so don’t add sugar or anything else. Just purified water and a healthy dose of fresh lemon juice. Some experts, like author A.F. Beddoe who wrote the book Biological Ionization as Applied to Human Nutrition, also believe that the liver produces more enzymes in response to water with lemon than to any other food.
  • 2. Garlic - Add some garlic to your cooking or thinly slice a clove into your next salad. Garlic contains sulfur compounds that can help activate enzymes in the liver. It contains allicin and selenium, which are both good for liver protection.
  • 3. Avocados - As if you need another reason to add avocados to your diet, a Japanese study found that avocados contain compounds that can protect the liver from damage. When compared with 21 other fruits, avocados had the most promise in protecting the liver from galactosamine, a “powerful” toxin that has been shown to produce a liver damage much like human viral hepatitis.
  • 4. Cilantro - This versatile herb can be added to just about any dish, including salads or smoothies. This herb can help remove heavy metals from the body, something your liver could be struggling with right now.
  • 5. Turmeric - Another powerful spice with a long list of benefits, turmeric is said to not only protect the liver from damage, but also encourage regeneration of liver cells. In addition, it increases natural bile production and aids in keeping the body toxin-free.
 

Cleansing your liver is crucial, so don’t hesitate to incorporate these liver-cleansing solutions right now. For more on how to clean your liver, check out these 4 natural liver cleansing foods outlined by Anthony Gucciardi.

Source : Truth Story 
Image Credit