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Cranberry

Cranberry is a plant which has confirmed its contribution to health. The fruits are rich in a variety of benefitial substances, contain minerals, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and fiber. Red, hard berry has tart taste because of large amounts of vitamin C.
Thus, cranberry has long been used as a medicinal herb. Tea can be made of leaves and fruits, as well as juice from fresh fruits. The fruits can be stored by freezing or drying. Also, tasty sauces and dishes can be prepared with cranberry.

Some of the especially useful qualities of cranberry is that it acts as a natural antibiotic that destroys harmful bacteria and fungi in the body. Studies have shown that bioflavonoids have a special antibacterial effect and may prevent urinary tract infections (E. Colli bacteria). Also, cranberry compounds act on the destruction of the bacteria Helicobacter pylori that causes ulcers. Furthermore, it reduces the risk of dental diseases, reduces the risk of various cancers such as breast and colon cancer, preventing cancer cell growth and expansion of its spread throughout the body. Cranberry helps to restore vision (eyes), reduces blood sugar, which is beneficial for diabetics. The fruits of cranberries are very appreciated in the diet of individuals exposed to stress and in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessels).

Cranberries are often used as ingredients for cookies and cakes, jams, syrup in baked products, in fruit salads and shakes. Game meat is more enjoyable and the taste of it is more acceptable if is prepared with cranberry sauce. In any way used, cranberries are a real source of comfort and health.

Honey and Bee Products

Honey is a natural resource of nutrients that are extremely important for the human body. Therefore, it is an excellent food, essential in the daily human diet.

Crystallization is a natural characteristic of honey. The tendency towards crystallization depends on the ratio of grape and fruit sugars in honey, temperatures and humidity. The crystallized honey can become again liquid by heating. This can be done by immersing the bowl with honey in a vessel with hot water, but the water temperature should not exceed 55 degrees of Celsius, because then the honey loses the vitamins. Natural honey leaks as a fine continuous thread.

Honey shows good effects in the treatment of many diseases, however its effectiveness depends on proper application.
-Honey has to be kept for long time in the mouth until it melts, because the medicinal substances in contact with the tongue glands quickly and unchanged enter the blood and body.

Numerous Benefits Of Garlic Juice

Did you know that garlic and garlic juice has been used as a medicine for some 5,000 years? It is because the benefits of garlic are numerous.

Let us see what are those good things that garlic contains. At first, garlic has powerful effects on healing wounds; also, it is very good as a disinfectant. It was proved by in a laboratory research that garlic destroys staphylococcus. Later, it is also demonstrated that garlic has good effect in improving the condition of arteriosclerosis whilst, at the same time, brings down the blood-pressure.

Japanese Persimmon

This extremely healthy fruit (latin name: Diospyros kaki) is known for its use in China for more than 2000 years, however its first botanical description appeared around 1780. Japanese Persimmon is a sweet, slightly tangy fruit with a soft to occasionally fibrous texture. It is very rich in vitamin C, and boosts immunity.
Diospyros kaki contains three grams of fiber (that is approximately 10 per cent of daily needs). It also helps in lowering cholesterol and in digestion regulating. Moreover, it contains a large quantity of fructose, so this fruit is recommended in the diet of those who have elevated blood sugar levels.

Spelt

Spelt is an old variety of cereals that is rich in dietary fiber and some vitamins and minerals which are not found in wheat.
It contains all the B group vitamins (except vitamin B 12). Also, spelt contains 7-8 times more calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and selenium than other cereals. Those minerals from spelt can be fully absorbed into the body. Spelt contains a considerable amount of zinc and has a relatively low glycemic index, which helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Because of its excellent nutritional characteristics, traditional cultures used food products of spelt to recover and regain strength after an illness or a major effort.

Compared to wheat, spelt has several advantages.

Ideal Food During Winter

In these really cold days, it is good to know which foods contribute to warming the body and feel the heat. Some food should be included in the daily menu, but some should be avoided because they cool the body.

According to Chinese diet and macrobiotics, during winter it would be desirable to use more root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, onions and garlic, as well as corn. Buckwheat is great for winter because it warms the body, so the traditional buckwheat porridge breakfast in welcomed in cold countries like Russia.
All foods of animal origin, including meat and eggs are among the group of foods that heat the body. Vegetarians can alternatively use the high-protein soy products – tofu and tempeh, as well as an extremely powerful energy-product of wheat proteins, seitan.

There are ingredients are known to have a thermogenic effect, that is, to increase the feeling of heat in the body. Here are a few of them, that would certainly be included in winter meals.

Coconut oil
It consists of medium-chain acids that are known to have a thermogenic effect (heat). In addition, those fatty acids go from the intestine directly to the liver where are converted into energy, rather than circulating in the form of particles of fat in the bloodstream, as is the case with most dietary fats. Coconut oil usually has a number of beneficial effects on the body.

Almonds
Almonds are an excellent source of high quality fatty acids, which help regulate cholesterol. Also, almonds are one of the richest natural sources of magnesium (contributing to the spread of blood vessels, and thus improving blood flow). Just do not overdo it! Nutritionists say that 30 grams per day is more than enough.

Berries

With its juicy, tender and tasty fruits, berries are an excellent source of natural vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, wild strawberries and currants  grow  as wild fruits. Also, they are grown as domesticated species  in gardens.

Berries are rich in plant phenols, particularly flavonoids, which have strong antioxidant properties. These are the pigments which originate from the color of fruits and their characteristic taste. These substances play an important role in the immune system and help the plants ripen in the sun, and not “burn”.
Certainly, berries  have a positive effect on our health. In combination with antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C and E and provitamin A) , flavonoids bind free radicals and thereby protect the integrity of cells. It is therefore advised to consume berries in order to strengthen the immune system, in cases of anemia and fatigue, to relieve various symptoms of allergies. Furthermore,  people who are prone to frequent infections should eat berries. Berries reduces the risk of emergence of some cancers, especially stomach, esophagus, colon and lung. Most of these flavonoids, including quercetin, can be found in currant, blueberries and red grapes.

With Balanced Diet Against Infertility

Balanced and complete diet is a key to many health problems. For example, in some cases it is enough to improve nutrition in order to solve infertility problems. Let us see what should be eaten in cases of infertility:

1.Folic Acid. Folic acid (folacin or vitamin B)  stimulates the secretion of estrogen, production of female gametes and ovulation. Folic acid together with vitamin B12 participates in synthesising nucleic acid (DNA) and some amino acids. Moreover, with vitamins B6 and B12 improves the function of sexual glands in women and men.
It can be found in: brewer’s yeast, soy, wheat germ, whole grains, legumes, asparagus, broccoli, potatoes, green leafy vegetables, chicken liver, egg yolk, bananas.

 2.Vitamin A. Vitamin A boosts immunity, protects against infection and finally it is a powerful antioxidant. It is important for the reproductive system in men ( it is necessary for sperm production). People who consume too much alcoholic suffer from infertility because alcohol bothered converting provitamin A in its active form in the testes. The best sources: unrefined fish oils, cold pressed vegetable oil, yellow and red fruits, yellow, red and green vegetables, green leafy vegetables, legumes, egg yolk, milk and dairy products.

3.Vitamin C.

Oranges

During winter time, I usually eat a lot of oranges. It is for a variety of reasons, some of them are that they represent a tradition in my family. Oranges always remind me of Christmas and childhood. Also, they are vary healthy and  now we are going to see how.

Although they are usually recommended because of the high percentage of vitamin C, oranges have many other useful features. Oranges are a rich source of vitamin B1 (thiamine), folate, potassium, vitamin A and calcium. Oranges contain a flavonoid called herperidin. Studies have shown that herperidin lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, and also has strong anti-inflammatory properties. Since it is located mainly in the cortex and white matter, which is located in the heart of the orange , do not completely remove the white substance while eating this fruit.

Moreover, oranges are an excellent source of limonoids, which are known to have a preventive effect against some cancers. Unlike polyphenols from green tea, which act similarly but are active only 4 to 6 hours, limonoids found in citrus fruits, including orange, remain in the body 24 hours. There is also one another flavonoid, cryptoxanthin, that is found in oranges. It has been shown that have a preventive effect against lung cancer. Finally, daily consumption of orange juice, according to the British Journal of Nutrition, increases the pH of urine and the excretion of citric acid, which reduces the risk of  kidney stones.

Chestnut Puree

Chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds … we just mentioned some of the delicious fruits that  fall gives us. When the irresistible smell of chestnut begin to spread through the streets, it is the best sign that autumn has arrived in your town. It is used for the finest pastries, a variety of cakes to a unique desserts such as the chestnut puree. Chestnut can be used as an excellent ingredient for a lot of dishes. Many prefer chestnut prepared in the simplest way, boiled or baked.  The fruit of the chestnut has a great amount of carbohydrates, about 44 percent.Moreover,  chestnut also contains vitamin C, then B group vitamins, and minerals. It is poor in fat, unlike other nuts. It has high energy value, so if you are dieting , chestnuts are not recommended.In particular, roasted chestnut has a higher energy value and a greater amount of carbohydrates than cooked. Unfortunately, the chestnut season is very short, however, there is a  way to preserve the wealth of its taste for the upcoming winter season through making chestnut puree that can be frozen. Here is how you can prepare it: