The term fungus often conjures up images of mold and other harmful substances, yet fungus has been used, positively, in the food industry for many years. The Botany Department at the University of Hawaii states that using fungus in food…
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With all the hype about reducing the consumption of trans fats, many food production companies in the United States are turning to palm oil as an alternative. Palm oil has long been used in cooking in West Africa and Southeast…
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Overview The flavor of umami can be described as savory and is found in soy sauce, mushrooms, yeast extracts and parmesan cheese, among other things. Adding umami flavor to your food can reduce your need for salt and help you…
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Overview The oil palm, Elaeis guineensis, has oil in both its fruit and seeds. Oil that comes from the fruit is palm oil, while oil from the seeds is palm kernel oil. This distinction is important because the nutritional content…
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The use of birthing tubs for labor and delivery has been gaining popularity in Western cultures since the 1970s. Benefits may include increased relaxation and comfort for the mother and a smoother transition for the newborn. Babies breathe when exposed…
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Overview Shrimp cocktail is a popular seafood appetizer of American origin. This appetizer is calorie-controlled, low in fat and high in many nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, that are essential for human health. Identification This tasty seafood appetizer typically…
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Overview A staple of medicinal herb gardens, the flowering plant feverfew contains medicinal properties in its leaves and flowers. Migraine sufferers turn to feverfew, or Tanacetum parthenium, for pain relief and to reduce the frequency of migraine episodes. Grow your…
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Morinda citrofolia, also known as Indian mulberry or noni, is a tree in the coffee family that is found throughout the tropics. Although the roots, bark, stem, leaves and fruit from this tree have been used in Asian folk medicine…
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Your liver is a remarkable organ. Aside from filtering your blood and manufacturing bile to break down fats, your liver digests and recycles red blood cells, makes proteins necessary for blood clotting and stores iron, vitamins A and D and…
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Platelets are microscopic compounds in your blood that are produced in your bone marrow. They are responsible for clotting your blood, such as when you cut your skin. The lower your platelet count is, the more susceptible your body is…
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The fruit of Schisandra chinensis, also spelled schizandra, is an herbal remedy people use for preventing and treating liver problems, improving heart function, relieving coughing and wheezing and improving exercise performance. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that animal research…
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You might be familiar with well-known triggers of asthma attacks, such as exercise and breathing in dust or smoke. However, asthma is a complex disease, and it’s possible that the food you eat can trigger an asthma attack or be…
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Overview Selenium is a mineral that your body needs to function properly. It is found in many common foods and is also available in supplement form. Although a selenium deficiency is rare in the United States, people who have one…
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A few decades ago, being a vegetarian meant living on fruits and vegetables or preparing most of your own food. Today, there are many convenient options available, largely because the vegetarian population is significant–up to three percent of the population…
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Overview Finding a diet that complements your workout plan and produces results can be challenging. We are bombarded with a multitude of diets, programs and opinions from those who swear this plan worked for them, so how do you know…
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The top 10 filling foods are the foods with the most fiber because high-fiber foods make you feel fuller than any other food. “Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution” attributes this feeling to fiber being indigestible, its slowing down how quickly…
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The foods produced today can be deceiving when it comes to quality. They may be the freshest produce on the market, but what have they been exposed to during the growing process? Many have been grown in soil, laden with…
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Overview A casserole is a dish in which a single container is both the cooking and serving vessel for the cooked food. It’s common in cafeterias and is an effective method of using leftovers. Mexican chicken casserole contains ingredients such…
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Kona kava is a South Pacific drink that’s prepared using kava powder. It’s used in religious ceremonies and as a relaxation aid. You may also hear kava referred to as kava kava, ava, kew or kava pepper. Hawaiian kava, known…
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Overview The Eskimos and the Japanese have low levels of triglycerides because they eat large amounts of fish high in omega-3 fish oil, according to prominent heart and diet experts Dr. Kenneth Cooper and Robert Pritikin. The experts’ books report…
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Overview Fresh fruits supply needed vitamins, minerals, water and fiber. Their flavor, color and texture make snacks enjoyable and meals more appetizing. And fruits promote health and protect against chronic disease. Fruits deliver these nutrients and health benefits with few…
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Potassium iodide is a salt comprised of non-radioactive (stable) iodine compounded with potassium. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, much of the iodine humans need is derived from food sources; however, potassium iodide is available in liquid…
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Overview Garlic is a staple in cooking. It’s so familiar that you often forget about its long heritage in folk medicine. From the village healer to the vampire hunter, garlic has made its way through myth and legend and is…
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Grown in China and Eastern Russia, Siberian ginseng, or Eleutherococcus senticosus, has been a component of herbal medicines in those countries for centuries. While its shares a common name with American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, and Asian ginseng, or Panax ginseng,…
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The best approach to reduce body fat is to commit to a healthy lifestyle of daily exercise and a diet low in saturated fats. When trying to reduce body fat, the foods you eat are just as important as how…
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Eating a balanced diet each day helps keep kids healthy in many ways, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy food helps keep your muscles, bones, skin, teeth and other body functions strong. Healthy eating can also…
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Having a consistent supply of uncontaminated water is essential. While most public water supplies in developed countries are relatively safe, contaminants do occasionally slip in, affecting both the safety and taste of your tap water. Fortunately, there are several water…
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The thyroid gland is one of the primary directors involved in managing the body’s most significant functions. These include metabolism, hormone production and brain development, both in-utero and throughout childhood. Normal thyroid function is reliant on the micro-nutrient iodine and…
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The aloe vera plant is widely known for its effectiveness at soothing minor burns. Although topical treatment with aloe vera is the most common use, juices from the plant’s leaves can be distilled into a liquid substances known as “latex.”…
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Goji Guarana is a powdered drink containing extracts of Lycium barbarum, more commonly called goji or wolfberry, and Paullinia cupana, known as guarana. Goji Guarana is marketed as an energy drink, appetite suppressant and sexual enhancement product. Goji berry is…
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