10 Troublesome Symptoms of Copper Deficiency (+ How to Correct It)

Copper deficiency isn’t something you hear a lot about, which can make it hard to detect. In general, copper isn’t talked about as much as iron or zinc is. You might not even know what copper is or what role it plays in the body. Despite only being needed in small amounts, a copper deficiency can cause significant problems if left untreated. Some symptoms are universal, which means that they can easily be mistaken for other conditions. Luckily, we’ve put together a list of ten problematic symptoms of copper deficiency and how to treat it.

What is Copper?

Copper is a mineral that is needed to help maintain skeletal, nerve and bone health. As the third most prevalent mineral in the body, copper is an essential mineral, which means that it cannot be made in the body and must be obtained through food sources. Copper is responsible for assisting in the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin. It’s also needed to help the body properly utilize oxygen and iron in the blood. 

Additionally, you need copper to maintain a properly functioning metabolism, to maintain healthy connective tissues, and to effectively carry out reactions that involve enzymes.

Many people use copper as a natural way to treat arthritis pain. That’s because it is needed to maintain the cells in almost every part of your body’s tissues, which can be used to relieve joint and muscle pain. Copper can also be used to prevent age-related disorders, balance hormones, and keep your energy levels up.

Copper Deficiency Symptoms

Because copper has so many responsibilities, you can see how a deficiency would be a big deal. Here are some symptoms to be aware of.

1. Poor Brain Function

Research shows that copper is needed to keep your brain healthy by impacting specific pathways that involve galactose and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters that help us focus, keep our energy levels up, and allow us to remain positive and in a good mood. Low copper levels can result in problems concentrating, depression, a poor attitude, and more.

Additionally, copper is needed to help the body utilized antioxidants, such as vitamin C, tyrosinase, ascorbate oxidase, and superoxide dismutase, which are needed to help slow down the age-related decline in the brain. Otherwise, a build-up of free radicals in the brain may result in neurodegenerative diseases.

2. Fatigue

One of the easiest ways to detect a copper deficiency is by checking in with your energy levels. Unfortunately, fatigue is a pretty general symptom, so this one is easy to overlook. Research shows that copper is needed to help you maintain healthy energy levels because it assists with ATP production. So when you’re not getting enough copper, it’s easy to feel tired all the time.

3. Growth and Development Problems

Growth and development problems are more likely to show up in children who have growing minds and bodies. While copper deficiencies are more common in parts of the world that are not as developed, it’s a good idea to have your child checked for a copper deficiency if you suspect that he or she is not growing properly. This is because copper is needed to help transport oxygen throughout the body via red blood cells. So when your copper levels are weak, it can result in your cells, organs, and tissues not getting enough oxygen, which results in a delay in growth and low weight and height. Copper deficiencies can also slow down metabolic activity, which is problematic for children.

4. A Slow Metabolism

If you’re having a hard time keeping the weight off despite a seemingly healthy diet and exercise program, then it could be due to a lack of copper. This is because copper plays a role in as many as 50 different enzyme reactions within the body, including your metabolism. As mentioned above, copper is needed to help synthesize ATP, which is your body’s source of energy. When you don’t have enough ATP, it can result in low energy and a slow metabolism that makes it hard to keep weight off.

5. Hormone Imbalances

Copper works with other minerals such as potassium, calcium, and zinc to support proper thyroid function. When you don’t get enough copper, it can throw your thyroid activity out of whack, which results in either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Most people tend to suffer from hypothyroidism, which occurs when your body doesn’t make enough hormones. Research shows that trace minerals must work together to balance each other. When one of these trace minerals is off, it’s easy to cause hormonal changes. As a result, you might experience fatigue, weight gain, and heavier periods than usual. Other symptoms may include sleeping problems, a change in body temperature or appetite, and skin problems.

6. Anemia

Anemia occurs when you have low levels of iron in your blood. This might seem like it has nothing to do with copper, but as explained above the two minerals work together to balance each other. Both iron and copper are needed to produce hemoglobin and red blood cells. Research shows that when you have a copper deficiency, it causes your iron levels to fall short, too. This results in iron deficient anemia. Common symptoms include muscle pains, digestive disorders, impaired brain function and fatigue.

A good way to tell if your iron levels are low is to have blood work done. In addition to having you eat more iron, your doctor may also suggest taking a copper supplement as well. Research shows that copper is needed to help absorb iron into the intestinal tract. It also helps iron to be released into the liver, which is where most of your levels are stored. So taking a copper supplement is like insurance for your iron levels.

7. Bruising Easily

People who have lower levels of copper are more likely to bruise due to a reduced amount of red blood cells and hemoglobin in their blood. You might notice that you wake up with a terrible bruise that you have no memory of getting, or the slightest contact with another person leaves you looking black and blue. Another sign of copper deficiency is being cold all the time. This is also due to the lack of production of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Both symptoms are easily treatable by taking a copper and iron supplement, but make sure you talk to your doctor first before starting on one.

The post 10 Troublesome Symptoms of Copper Deficiency (+ How to Correct It) appeared first on Health Wholeness.

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Crunchy Salty Peanut Butter Chocolate Tart

The combination of flavors in this salty peanut butter chocolate tart are familiar and crowd-pleasing. It’s also packed with lots of good nutrition from the oats, peanuts, and cacao. This is an impressive dessert to take to a party because unlike other tarts that may be messy to serve, this one has a thick peanut butter and […]

The post Crunchy Salty Peanut Butter Chocolate Tart appeared first on VegKitchen.

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22 Best Foods for An Upset Stomach (+ Why They Work)

We’ve all been there- doubled over in pain with gas, bloating or constipation due to something bad we ate. During times like this, food might be the last thing on your mind. But the truth is that the right foods can help you ease your symptoms and fight an upset stomach the natural way without the use of harsh medications.

Sometimes, the worst thing you can do when you have an upset stomach is to avoid food as you likely need something healing with lots of fiber and anti-inflammatory properties to help pass whatever is in your system. Here are the 22 best foods for an upset stomach along with an explanation as to why they work.

1. Ginger

Ginger should always be your go-to when you have an upset stomach. It contains a substance known as gingerol that has been shown to relieve nausea and indigestion fast, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Ginger is especially useful for the treatment of morning sickness and vomiting after surgery due to chemotherapy. It also reduces muscle pain and soreness, which is helpful if abdominal pain is one of your symptoms. One study found that ginger helps relieve an upset stomach because it speeds up the process by which the stomach empties itself. And the quicker you get the bad stuff out, the sooner you’ll feel better. Taking ginger in capsule form when you have an upset stomach with a full glass of water is best when you have an upset stomach. If you have recurring stomach troubles, you might want to make ginger part of your daily supplement regimen.

2. Oatmeal

Oatmeal sounds pretty dull, but it’s a good stick to your ribs food with a bland taste that won’t cause further stomach problems for you. Plus, it’s full of both soluble and insoluble fiber to help move the contents of your stomach out of your system. Many people get an upset stomach when they get an urge to go to the bathroom but can’t do the deed. Adding more bulk fiber to your diet can help ease the pain of bowel movements. It can also help keep you regular so that you don’t have this problem again in the future. Make sure your oatmeal is gluten free and organic if possible. Be sure not to add any refined sugar as this will make your stomach worse. Raw honey, blueberries, and some flaxseeds are all full of tummy-soothing ingredients that should help ease your tummy trouble.

3. Slippery Elm

Slippery elm is an herb with mucilaginous properties, which means that it helps soothe the mucosal lining of your gut by coating it with a protective layer. Research shows that slippery elm improves the symptoms of constipation and irritable bowel syndrome such as a bloated stomach, gas, straining, and diarrhea by 20 percent. It also improves stool consistency to make it easier to go. Slippery elm is often used to treat diverticulitis as well as diarrhea. You can take it in supplement form or sip on slippery elm tea for fast relief from an upset stomach. Or get creative and sprinkle slippery elm powder onto your oatmeal first thing in the morning to prevent a problem before it occurs.

4. Bananas

Let’s face it. You can’t just eat nothing when your stomach hurts, even though food is probably the last thing on your mind. Bananas are generally pretty easy to digest, which makes them a good option for someone with stomach trouble. Plus, they are loaded with prebiotic fiber, which is the fuel that the good bacteria in your gut feeds off. This can help improve the overall health of your gut by support a healthy microbiome. Bananas also contain a unique type of fiber called pectin that is commonly found in over the counter laxatives to help you go. For a safe meal, try adding bananas to gluten-free oatmeal and a scoop of almond butter for protein and fat to help sustain you.

5. Probiotics

While we’re on the topic of gut health, it’s hard to ignore the most important supplement for your stomach of all. Probiotics aid in the development of all the good bacteria in your gut, which can significantly reduce symptoms of an upset stomach. They are soothing and work almost instantly to reduce bloating and gas. Probiotics help keep you regular and work best when you take them on a daily basis. Most people take a probiotic capsule daily while others try to eat a lot of naturally fermented foods, such as kefir, sauerkraut, and miso. If you’ve never taken a probiotic before, be sure to start slow. If you take too many at once, it could make your stomach pain worse.

6. Mint

Mint doesn’t just leave your breath smelling fresh. It also aids in the digestive process to relieve unwanted symptoms. This is because mint has a calming and soothing effect on the stomach and increases the secretion of bile in the liver, which helps ease digestion. Peppermint has also been shown to relieve abdominal pain due to gas and bloating. You can drink peppermint tea after meals to help keep flatulence down or chew on a few mint leaves for the same effect. If anyone asks, just tell them that it helps freshen your breath. No one needs to know of your tummy troubles! Be cautious when chewing mint gum as most gums contain sugar or sugar alcohols, which can make your stomach feel worse.

7. Aloe vera

You might be familiar with using aloe vera topically on your skin when you have a sunburn, but did you know that you can ingest aloe and get the same soothing effects on your tummy? Aloe is loaded with nutrients, including 75 different active compounds. It has vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, and 20 out of the 22 amino acids with eight out of eight essential amino acids. In other words, aloe vera has everything you need to repair a damaged system. It works by flushing toxins out of the body that is causing pain. You can find 100 percent pure aloe vera juice at any health store, but don’t drink too much because it has a laxative effect if over consumed.

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Food of the Week: Bok Choy

Bok choy has been enjoyed in China and other parts of Asia for over 1,500 years. And bok choy is by no means a total newcomer to North America either, having been cultivated on the continent for over 100 years. About 95 million pounds of Asian ...

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Recipe of the Week: 3-Minute Bok Choy

I have discovered that "Healthy Sauteing" bok choy for just 3 minutes gives you perfectly cooked bok choy and cutting it into small pieces after cooking enhances the best flavor even more. ...

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Best sources of Vitamin C

Vitamin C may be the most familiar of all of the nutrients. Although most adults would be hard pressed to name a good food source of biotin or riboflavin, most everyone can name citrus fruits as good sources of vitamin C. It is also a commonly used ...

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From the kitchen: Tips for Preparing Bok Choy

From all of the cooking methods we tried when cooking cabbage, our favorite is Healthy Saute. We think that it provides the greatest flavor and is also a method that allows for concentrated nutrient retention. To Healthy Saute bok ...

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Can Preparation Methods Impact the Benefits of Cruciferous Vegetables?

In each of the 100 individual food profiles on our website, we tell you the best way to select, store, prepare, and cook each food. Our recommendations are based on our experience with the pleasures of eating - including textures, flavors, and ...

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Eating Healthy with Cruciferous Vegetables

Many people are familiar with the term "cruciferous vegetables" and can even identify a vegetable like broccoli as belonging to this group. But because research on cruciferous vegetables has skyrocketed over the past three to seven years, many ...

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Feeling Great with Cruciferous Vegetables

Part of the vitality that we feel when we are fully healthy and well-nourished comes from the functioning of our body systems at their full capacity and the successful balancing and integration of all metabolic processes taking place within our ...

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Food of the Week: Spinach

Spinach is generally regarded as being native to the Middle East and appears to have been cultivated there for well over a thousand years. Trading between the Middle East and Asia is believed to have been responsible for the migration of spinach to ...

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Recipe of the Week: 1-Minute "Quick Boiled" Spinach

This way of preparing Spinach has the best flavor because it helps remove some of the acids found in Spinach and brings out its sweetness. Make sure thewater is at a rapid boil before adding Spinach. Taken from page 417 of the 2nd Edition of the ...

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Best sources of Folate

Arguably, no conventional nutrient has undergone as much of a research renaissance in recent years as folate. Many people are familiar with the name of this B complex vitamin, and it has long been recognized as a key nutrient in human health. Low ...

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From the kitchen: Tips for Preparing Spinach

Spinach should be washed very well since the leaves and stems tend to collect sand and soil. Before washing, trim off the roots and separate the leaves. Place the spinach in a large bowl of tepid water and swish the leaves around with your hands as ...

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Is it possible to eat too many vegetables?

A sound dietary principle to follow is "Moderation in all things, except vegetables!" Most foods that are considered vegetables are extremely nutrient dense, providing lots of nutrients in a relatively small number of calories, so there is no need ...

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The Safety of Our Food

We continue to receive letters from readers who are understandably concerned about the safety of their food. Whether it be related to the outbreak of swine flu, the discussion of MRSA in pigs, or the recall of peanuts, pistachios, and sprouts, ...

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How Much of a Problem is Iron in a Vegetarian Diet?

Based on our review of the research, we do not believe that vegetarians typically have problems in getting the iron that they need. In large scale studies like the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), over three-fourths of ...

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I've heard a lot about eating a "colorful diet." Should I pick fruits and vegetables based on color to help me get more benefits from these foods?

Color shouldn't be the only factor when picking fruits and vegetables - but it also shouldn't be ignored. In this article, we will tell you when to rely on color and when to rely on other features of fruits and vegetables. You'll learn the basis of ...

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Can you tell me more about chlorophyll?

This article is the first part of our four-article series about chlorophyll, including its [role in health:george,432], its [concentration in different foods:george,431], and its [stability in cookinggeorge,433]. This undervalued nutrient can make ...

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10 Natural Treatments to Treat Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are one of those conditions that you probably don’t pay close attention to unless you have been diagnosed with them. But because approximately 75 percent of women will experience them sometime in their life, it’s important to educate yourself on what they are, how they’re treated, and what it means if you get them.

As always, preventing the condition from occurring in the first place is still the best treatment, but this can be tough if you have a family history of them.

Luckily, your diet and lifestyle habits can significantly affect your risk of getting uterine fibroids, and these factors are easily within your control. Here are ten natural treatments to fight uterine fibroids.

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that occur inside a female’s reproductive system. The tumors, which are firm and compact, are made out of fibrous connective tissue and smooth muscle cells. Most of the time, uterine fibroids are found within the uterine wall, which is how they get their name. Research shows that approximately 20 to 50 percent of all women have fibroids during their reproductive years, which makes them more common than you might think. Many women who have uterine fibroids don’t even know it while others are diagnosed right away based on their symptoms. This is because only approximately one-third of uterine fibroids are big enough to be detected by a doctor during a physical exam.

The good news is that in about 99 percent of all cases, uterine fibroids are benign or not cancerous. Additionally, research shows that having uterine fibroids (even big ones) doesn’t put you at an increased risk of developing uterine cancer. These tumors can vary in size from the size of a green pea to as big as a softball or grapefruit. Ouch!

According to one study, uterine fibroids are the “most frequent indication for major gynecologic surgery.”

In other words, you’ll probably need surgery to remove the big ones. Research shows that more than 200,000 hysterectomy surgeries are done every year on women with severe cases of uterine fibroids.

Researchers aren’t exactly sure what causes fibroids, but they think that each tumor occurs as a result of abnormal muscle cells in the uterus. These cells tend to divide rapidly and develop into a tumor thanks to the female sex hormone estrogen, which tends to speed up the growth of many things in the body. As stated above, not all women experience symptoms due to these tumors. Some are painful or cause menstrual problems while others have no signs at all. Because it’s not always apparent if you have uterine fibroids, it’s a good idea to make sure you have regular check-ups. Other symptoms include:

● Heavy or seemingly long menstrual periods that can lead to anemia

● Abnormal vaginal bleeding that occurs between periods

● Pain in the pelvic area that is caused by the tumor pressing on nearby organs

● Lower back pain

● The need to urinate frequently (again, due to the tumor pressing on the nearby organs)

● Pain during sex

● A firm mass that can be felt near the middle of the pelvis

Women approaching menopause are the most at risk for developing uterine fibroids, thanks to their longtime exposure to high levels of estrogen. Hormone changes are also associated with the tumors, which means that you can get fibroids anytime during puberty and childbearing years. Research shows that African American women and obese women are more likely to develop the condition. You’re also at an increased risk if you have a family history of them.

Surprisingly, some research shows that many factors can protect women from getting uterine fibroids. For example, women who have had two children have a 50 percent decreased risk of having uterine fibroids than women who have had no children at all. It’s unclear whether having children protected these women from developing the condition or the fibroids were to blame for the women being infertile.

Still, research shows that the best way to reduce your risk of getting uterine fibroids is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. One study found that treating high blood pressure in premenopausal women can help reduce the risk of getting uterine fibroids.

This can be done by making better dietary choices, such as eating higher quality meat and more detoxifying vegetables and cutting back on refined sugars and alcohol. Exercise is also an essential part of the treatment process. The idea behind most natural treatment methods is to balance your hormones naturally to prevent excessive tumor growths in the first place.

Uterine Fibroids Natural Treatments

 

If you were to go to the doctor to have your uterine fibroids treated, you might be met with some unpleasant options. Generally, treatment options for uterine fibroids include one of the following:

● Hysterectomy: the surgical removal of your entire uterus. This is the number one reason why women in the United States have hysterectomies. Once a woman has a hysterectomy, she cannot get pregnant.

● Anti-hormonal drugs: some drugs are available to counteract the effects of estrogen or progesterone in the body. Although they might be useful for treating fibroids, this type of therapy comes with some risks, such as hormonal imbalances.

● Conservative surgical therapy: this type of treatment involves a myomectomy, which removes the fibroids but leaves the uterus intact so that a woman can still get pregnant. But there are some risks involved such as damage to the pelvic tissue during the procedure, which might still impair a woman’s chance of having a baby.

● Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists): this approach triggers medical menopause by reducing your levels of estrogen in the body. The idea behind this approach is that it will help shrink the fibroids, but who wants to be put into medical menopause if you don’t have to be?

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The Truth About Using Body Wraps for Weight Loss

When it comes to weight loss, people will do some crazy things. If you’ve never heard of using body wraps to lose weight, then you’d better read on. As with most weight loss products, body wraps claim to be the answer to blasting belly fat that you’ve been searching for. Depending on the type of wrap, some products claim that you can lose anywhere from a few pounds to a few inches in as little as 30 to 90 minutes.

Other claims insist that when you use the product for longer, you can even drop a few dress sizes. But these claims all seem too good to be true, which leaves many people wondering what the side effects are of dropping weight so quickly. This article covers everything you need to know about using body wraps for weight loss, and whether or not they really work.

What Are Body Wraps?

 

A body wrap can be made from plastic or fabric. It will need to be several feet long so that you can wrap it around your waist or another body part several times. Usually, the top layer of the wrap contains natural or herbal ingredients that are meant to penetrate into the skin and help you lose weight by sweating or detoxing naturally. The idea behind the wrap is that when you wrap a certain part of your body, it causes you to sweat and flush out toxins that help you lose weight or inches in that particular area.

When wraps first came out years out, most people used linen or fabric because it was soft and not so terrible on your skin. But recently, many people have started using plastic wraps or even blankets. The idea behind plastic wraps is similar to that of a sauna. It creates heat and allows you to work up a good sweat, especially if you use them during exercise. Neoprene body wraps are similar to plastic wraps, and they are most commonly used around your middle section. Some wraps claim to be more effective than saunas because they allow you to target a specific area of your body, such as your midsection or thighs.

But keep in mind that excessive sweating only causes you to lose water weight, so if you step on the scale and like what you see after using one, chances are you haven’t lost any real body fat. Additionally, losing a lot of water weight can cause dehydration, which has adverse effects on the body and can be extremely dangerous when done in excess. You’ll want to replenish any water weight you lose right away. Additionally, raising your core body temperature may also lead to health problems, especially if you have a preexisting condition.

How Do You Use Them?

You can either apply a body wrap at home or get one done at a spa. The person who applies the wrap should be a licensed esthetician or massage therapist. You can choose from several different types of wraps. Heat wraps are used by applying heat cream to your skin first before wrapping it. Slimming wraps often use topical herbal products or lotions. You can also get a detox wrap that contains ingredients that are meant to pull toxins out of the skin to help you lose weight, cellulite, and impurities. Once you take off the wrap, your skin should be noticeably tighter, but keep in mind that this tightness is often temporary and your skin will go back to normal after you take off the compression wrap and proper blood flow returns to the area.

Do Body Wraps Really Work?

The short answer is that body wraps might work within reason, BUT they also come with some potentially dangerous side effects that you should be aware of before trying. Keep in mind that body wraps are a short-term weight loss tool that may take off an inch or two, but this is mostly from water weight. These inches may reappear when you become rehydrated and take the wrap off.

Your weight loss may also depend on what type of wrap you use and how long you use it for. Remember that it’s not a good idea to keep the wrap on for too long because it may cut off your circulation and damage your skin. Plus, you’ll be denying nutrients and oxygen from that area of the body, which is never a good idea.

According to an article posted by ABC News, there are some strings attached when it comes to the benefits of using a body wrap. Specifically, the article states that the only thing you lose when you do a body wrap is money. Doctor Victor Herbert of Mt. Sinai Veterans Research Center calls body wraps a bunch of “pseudoscientific gobbledygook.” He stated that the only way you’ll lose weight is by dehydrating yourself. He warns against something called hypovolemic shock that occurs when you become so dehydrated that you have low blood volume shock. Additionally, you could give yourself circulatory problems on top of that.

How To Use A Body Wrap At Home

Some people like the idea of using a body wrap at home because they have control over what goes in it. In other words, there is no “secret formula” that spas use that you have no idea what you’re putting on your body. If you’re going to use a wrap at home, start by taking a shower so that your skin is clean and can better absorb any of the materials that you use in the wrap. The next step is to exfoliate your skin by using a homemade scrub. You can make one by combining two tablespoons of coconut oil with one teaspoon of fine sugar and a drop or two of lemon essential oil. This is a good way to get any dead skin off your body before applying the wrap.

The next step is to apply the wrap on some regions of your body using the homemade body wrap recipe that is provided below. Make sure that you only apply a thin layer of the mixture to avoid skin irritation. For the recipe, you’ll need:

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Food of the Week: Green Beans

Green beans are native to North, South, and Central America. Plant specialists have documented their native status in numerous parts of Mexico, as well as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In South America, the native ...

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Recipe of the Week: 7-Minute "Quick Steamed" Green Beans

Traditionally, green beans have been prepared by boiling, which not only dilutes their flavor but also results in a greater potential for loss of nutrients. That's why I recommend "Quick Steaming" green beans. With "Quick Steaming" you will not only ...

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Best sources of Vitamin K

If you've read about vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, you might feel like we've missed a few vitamins as we jump over to vitamin K. But there are no vitamins F through J (at least not yet). Vitamin K is named after the German word for blood clotting ( ...

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From the kitchen: Tips for Preparing Green Beans

We recommend Healthy Steaming green beans for maximum flavor and nutrition. Fill the bottom of a steamer pot with 2 inches of water. While waiting for the water to come to a boil, rinse green beans. It is best to cook green beans whole for even ...

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Can you tell me what oxalates are and in which foods they can be found?

Introduction Oxalates are naturally-occurring substances found in plants, animals, and in humans. In chemical terms, oxalates belong to a group of molecules called organic acids, and are routinely made by plants, animals, and humans. Our bodies ...

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How do frozen green beans compare with fresh?

If you are unable to obtain fresh green beans, you can still get many valuable nutrients from green beans that have been frozen or canned. We like fresh greens the best! But we realize that access to them can sometimes be a problem. When first ...

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How do our vegetable recommendations at WHFoods compare with common public health recommendations?

At WHFoods, we place greater emphasis on vegetables than most common public health recommendations. In fact, we are not aware of any widely publicized vegetable recommendations that focus as much on vegetables as much as we do. You will find public ...

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Which foods contain chlorophyll, and in what amount?

While most plant foods contain at least small amounts of chlorophyll, green vegetables are an especially concentrated source of this nutrient. We've seen studies on most of our 38 WHFoods vegetables, and many would be considered as fairly ...

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How do cooking and handling affect the chlorophyll in food?

Since chlorophyll is unstable to heat, it is naturally impacted by cooking. In fact, this pigment is even more unstable to heat than its fellow carotenoid pigments - including beta-carotene and lutein! Exactly how unstable is chlorophyll? One study ...

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High-Temperature Cooking & The World's Healthiest Foods

(Note: All temperatures below are reported in Fahrenheit measurements).One of the greatest insults to nourishment in our modern, fast-paced, and processed food culture is the high heat at which so much of our food is cooked. We deep fat fry at ...

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12 Crispy Benefits of Pickle Juice + How to Down it Easier

Let’s be honest. When someone offers you a nice, refreshing beverage, the last thing you’re expecting them to hand you is pickle juice. But before you dismiss the idea of drinking something that sounds gross, think about how delicious pickles are. If that doesn’t have you sold, then consider the fantastic health benefits of pickle juice that you probably weren’t aware of, such as weight loss and better breath. You’ll be especially keen to try pickle juice if you’re an athlete with sore, achy muscles. Here are 12 benefits of pickle juice and tips for making it your new favorite drink.

1. It soothes sore, achy muscles.

According to a study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, drinking about one-third of a cup of pickle juice provided enough electrolyte support to soothe muscle cramps and aid in a faster recovery time in dehydrated men. The study found that the pickle juice worked better than water at relieving achy muscles, but it should be noted that you still need water after a hard workout too! Mixing pickle juice with water is a great way to get both. Researchers believe that in addition to providing electrolytes, the vinegar in the pickle juice may explain why the subjects who drank it had rapid pain relief. This is because vinegar may help inhibit the nerve signals that cause you to feel pain.

2. It helps you stay hydrated.

Tired of drinking water on hot days to stay hydrated and need something with a little more jazz to keep you interested? Try some pickle juice. We’re not kidding. You might notice that when you sweat, your skin gets salty. That’s from the sodium that you’re losing. Pickle juice contains potassium and sodium to help maintain your hydration and balance electrolytes so that you remain hydrated throughout hot days, workouts, or even when you’ve been out drinking too much. If you have high blood pressure, you may want to limit your pickle juice intake due to its high sodium content and save it for when you need it, such as during exercise.

3. It’s inexpensive.

Chances are you already have pickles in your refrigerator right now, which means that you have access to pickle juice without having to go out and buy more. Some store-bought brands go for less than two dollars a jar, making pickle juice a much less expensive item to buy than Gatorade or other sports drinks.

4. It’s low calorie.

Most pickle juice is very low calorie, depending on what’s in it. This comes in handy if you’re trying to watch your calorie intake. Pickle juice can have anywhere between zero and 100 calories per cup, so make sure you read the label when picking out a store-bought brand. Look for one that contains no added sugar to keep the calories down.

5. It’s sugar-free.

If you’ve ever read the nutrition label on a bottle of Gatorade, then you know you’re drinking a ton of sugar. Sure, you need a little bit of sugar if you’re exercising hard, but not that much. Pickle juice is naturally sweet due to its vinegar content, and the best news is that it won’t spike your blood sugars like a bottle of Gatorade would. As always, make sure you buy a brand of pickle juice that doesn’t contain added sugars, otherwise this point is moot.

6. It has antioxidants.

Pickle juice is a good source of vitamins C and E, which act as antioxidants in the body to reduce free radical damage. Why is that important? Free radicals accumulate in the body in the form of toxins where they cause inflammation and are disruptive to your health. The antioxidants in pickle juice bind to free radicals and donate an electron to them to make them stable and no longer harmful to the body. So go ahead and take a gulp.

7. It could help you lose weight.

Here’s a good reason to give pickle juice a try: it could help you lose weight. That’s because of the vinegar, which has been shown to promote weight loss in test subjects, according to one study. The 12-week-long study had participants drink either one-half an ounce or one ounce of vinegar every day. Results showed that the vinegar-drinking subjects lose more weight and fat than those who did not drink vinegar.

8. It helps you maintain normal blood sugar levels.

According to a study published in the Journal of Diabetes Research, consuming vinegar before you eat a meal can help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Other research has shown drinking a tablespoon or two of vinegar before you go to bed can have the same blood sugar stabilizing effects. Even if you don’t have type 2 diabetes, it’s worth a try if you know you will be eating a higher carbohydrate meal and want to avoid the post-meal sugar spike (and drop).

9. It improves your gut health.

Need a reason why you should pay more attention to your gut health? We’ll give you two good ones. First, your gut houses most of your immune system, so you want to be kind to this area of your body. It’s also responsible for producing about 90 percent of your serotonin levels, and deficiencies have been linked to depression. Because pickle juice contains fermented vinegar, it boosts the good bacteria in your gut to ensure that all of the areas of your body work properly.

10. It may lower cholesterol.

Speaking of dill, did you know that this powerful little spice comes with a bunch of benefits? For example, research shows that dill may be able to help reduce cholesterol levels.

11. It gives you good breath.

Did you just eat something smelly and don’t have access to a toothbrush? Grab some pickle juice! The vinegar and dill in pickle juice contain antibacterial properties to kill the bad bacteria in your mouth that gives you smelly breath. Your co-workers will thank you.

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