Wechoosehealthy.com – All about food, health, diets and more

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.

Spinach

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a plant from the family of Amaranthaceae. A research has shown that it probably comes from the Middle East,  from where came through the Arabs to Spain. It was known as the Persian grass  in the VIII.-IX. century. In can be harvested in the  late winter or early spring, therefore it is one of the earliest of fresh vegetables. Experts say that this easily digestible food, low in energy values should be eaten at least once a week. However, it must be prepared in a certain way, and in some cases to limit or avoid its consumption.

Vitamins
Spinach has high nutritional value, with large amounts of easily digestible protein. It is a rich source of folic acid, and other B vitamins, which play an important role in carbohydrate metabolism and the nervous system. Spinach is very rich in vitamin C which boosts immunity and helps iron absorption, as well as beta-carotene (provitamin A), which maintains healthy skin and mucous membranes. Almost twice the amount of daily recommended intake of vitamin K which is important for bone health can be found in only one cup of fresh spinach. Moreover, if it is cooked cooked – this amount is six times larger!

Important minerals
Spinach contains a high level of potassium, which stimulates the secretion of water from the body and therefore help the easier work of kidneys and heart. Cup of cooked spinach contains about 40 percent of the recommended daily dose of magnesium, which helps prevent heart and blood vessels. Rich in calcium that is important for growing healthy bones and teeth, and iron – in a cup of cooked spinach there is about 30 percent of the recommended daily allowance. In smaller quantities are represented phosphorus, manganese, copper, zinc and iodine.

Vitamins and Minerals

There are nutrients that are very important for our body, for the proper growth and development. Those nutrients are called vitamins and minerals. We get almost all of them from the food that we eat. However, not every food consists of  the same amount of these useful nutrients. One of the reasons why junk food is not good for us is that is fills up us, but does not contain a lot of vitamins and minerals.

Two kinds of vitamins can be found: fat-soluble vitamins, such as A , D , E, and water-soluble vitamins, for example B and C. Our body can not store the water-soluble ones, so we need these every day.

We can get vitamin A from citruses and vegetables, such as carrots, peppers, pumpkins or peaches, and from dark green vegetables, like spinach. This vitamin is beneficial for the skin and the eyes. Also, eggs and milk are rich in vitamin A.