Plants produce a wide variety of chemicals to ensure their survival. Many of these compounds happen to be beneficial to humans because of their outstanding biological properties. For example, plants naturally produce ascorbic acid – also known as vitamin C – because it plays an important role in photosynthesis and is needed for controlling plant cell growth. Vitamin C is an ...

Low-carbohydrate diets are some of the most popular diets for reducing weight and managing blood sugar levels. According to studies, reducing your carbohydrate intake also provides additional benefits such as lowering your blood triglyceride levels and increasing your high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or good cholesterol, levels. The idea behind low-carb diets is simple: Carbohydrates are one of the three energy-giving nutrients your body ...

People may be surprised to learn that chocolate is considered a healthy superfood. After all, chocolate has a bad rap for being a sugary, highly processed snack that can cause food addiction. According to studies, foods that are rich in refined carbohydrates and/or added fats are like tobacco, meaning they trigger strong urges or cravings due to their effects on the brain. ...

Coffee can help boost alertness and focus. Studies show that drinking coffee can also do wonders for your mental health. In fact, multiple meta-analyses suggest that drinking coffee in moderate amounts could help reduce your risk of depression. Coffee consumption protects against depression Many of the beneficial effects of coffee are directly linked to caffeine, the bitter-tasting chemical that’s naturally present in ...

Cranberries are a great addition to a healthy diet. These small, red wetland fruits grow on trailing vines, or lowbushes, and are farmed on 58,000 acres of land across the Northern United States, Canada and Chile. Like their close cousin the blueberry, cranberries are considered “false berries” owing to the fact that they grow beneath flowers instead of from the flowers themselves. True ...

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is often added to savory dishes for its sharp taste. It is also brewed into a tea and imbibed for its digestive benefits. However, this rhizome has been proven to help relieve the symptoms of anxiety. A study published July 2017 in the Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research outlined the anxiety-reducing effects of ginger in ...

The sight of weeds in a garden may stress out a gardener, but in a recent study, researchers discovered that the fruit of cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), an invasive weed, can boost collagen synthesis and even prevent early signs of skin aging. Cocklebur commonly grows in backyards in the United States. According to the study, the weed’s spiky fruit could not only help reduce damage ...

Cherries are a delicious fruit, and studies found that they also offer several health benefits. According to studies, cherries can promote weight loss and even protect against gout. Health profile of cherries Cherries come in both sweet and sour (tart) varieties. The fruit is full of a potent and beneficial antioxidant called anthocyanin. Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments that, depending on their ...

If you start each morning with a cup (or two) of coffee, here’s something that might cheer you up: According to a study, those who drink at least two or three cups of coffee per day have lower blood pressure than people who consume less. The study was published in the journal Nutrients. Coffee and heart health Coffee is an ...

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages around the world. And while some people like drinking it with other ingredients like creamer, sugar or flavored syrups, others prefer drinking black coffee. But according to a study, drinking coffee with milk can help protect against inflammation. In a preliminary study of isolated cells, researchers found that the specific combination of coffee ...