Grapefruit Juice Benefits

From the daily fortification provided by its vitamins to its effects on more serious illnesses, grapefruit juice is a nutrient-rich beverage that serves as a great supplement to any healthful diet. In its raw form, the juice carries all the vitamins and minerals found in the fruit itself. The dense concentrations of several of these nutrients make grapefruit juice an effective component of a healthful diet.

Vitamins
Pure grapefruit juice is packed with vitamin A and vitamin C as well as a healthy amount of folates. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, vitamin A has many health benefits, ranging from improved vision to the healthy development of soft tissue, skin and bones.
Vitamin C is found in most citrus fruits. One of its main benefits lies in its role in generating collagen, one of the main connective tissues in the body that forms the skin, ligaments, tendons and bones. Also, vitamin C helps the body absorb iron--an essential mineral that helps transport oxygen to the body's cells. The folates found in grapefruit juice help provide the building blocks for cells. This makes it necessary for the growth and maintenance of new cells in the body.

Minerals
The main mineral provided by grapefruit juice is potassium. In order to properly function, the body must maintain certain levels of water within its cells. Potassium's main responsibility is to monitor fluid levels and keep them at a healthful level.

Fat Content
Grapefruit juice is a naturally low-fat food. However, the density of nutrients found in the juice makes it an easy way to consume vitamins and minerals while controlling one's fat intake. A moderate consumption of fat is vital to a balanced diet.

Effects on Certain Medication
One of the qualities that makes grapefruit juice a rare beverage is its interactions with the body after consumption, especially in regards to medications. While scientists have found that at times, these interactions can be dangerous, such as the mixture of grapefruit juice with certain heart medications, they've also discovered that it can act as a catalyst.
In 2009, scientists at the University of Chicago discovered that taking a certain cancer medicine weekly with a glass of grapefruit juice mimics the effect of taking the pill daily without the juice. However, the researchers noted that the juice must be fresh or fresh-frozen in order to provide the potency necessary for these results.

Other Possible Benefits
Because of its high levels of vitamin C, the benefits of grapefruit juice are often lumped in with the widespread (if not proven) benefits attributed to citrus fruits. First and foremost, there is the belief that consumption of juices high in this vitamin can help prevent the common cold.

There are also many unsubstantiated links between grapefruit juice and weight loss. Many claim that the juice and the fruit it originates from contain a certain enzyme that can prevent the body from absorbing fat and carbohydrates. It should be noted, however, that both of these theories still exist in the realm of the old wives' tale---neither have actually been proven by strong scientific evidence.

How to Increase Brain Functions With Vitamins

A healthy and nutritious diet is an important factor in brain development, according to Sean Brotherson, family science specialist at North Dakota State University. Keep the brain healthy by eating a nutrient-rich diet that provides essential brain vitamins and minerals. The website Brain Health & Puzzles states that these brain vitamins cannot be made by the body alone. They have to be found in the food you eat. They aid with brain functions such as improved memory, concentration and mood, so enhance a flagging brain by knowing which vitamins are needed and in what quantity.

Ensure your diet is full of foods that provide the vitamin B complex, especially those that contain vitamin B12 and vitamin B6. According to The Diet Channel website, these vitamins help manufacture and release neurotransmitters, upon which the brain relies to communicate messages of hunger, sleep and mood, while vitamin B itself helps spatial awareness and memory. Ensure your diet is rich in spinach and other dark leafy greens, as well as broccoli, asparagus, potatoes, bananas, strawberries, melons, lentils, chili peppers, liver oil, liver, turkey, tuna, black beans and other legumes, citrus fruits and soybeans. The recommended daily dosage of vitamin B complex is 300 milligrams.

Arm your brain with the appropriate levels of vitamins C and E. Both these vitamins are antioxidants -- nutrients that defuse the harmful effects of free radicals. The Brain & Mind website states that the brain consists mainly of fatty acids, making it susceptible to the oxidation damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals can destroy brain cells, leading to memory loss and, in worst cases, dementia. Brain & Mind goes on to say that vitamin E maximizes brain functioning by aiding good circulation of blood to the brain. Oils such as palm, corn, sunflower and olive are good sources, as are nuts, sunflower seeds, kiwi fruit, fish and peanut butter. The recommended daily dose of vitamin E is 15 milligrams. Most fruit, vegetables and plant contain vitamin C. The recommended daily dose is 90 milligrams.

Expose your skin to the sun for at least 15 to 30 minutes, three times a week to allow your body to synthesize enough vitamin D for healthy brain functioning. According to Robert J. Przybelski, doctor and research scientist at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, "vitamin D activates and deactivates enzymes in the brain and the cerebrospinal fluid that are involved in neurotransmitter synthesis and nerve growth." Neuroscientist David Llewellyn of the University of Cambridge conducted a study which assessed vitamin D levels in more than 1,700 men and women from England, aged 65 or older. He found that the lower the level of vitamin D, the lower the level of mental performance. Foods such as milk, soy milk and cereal grains have been fortified with adequate levels of vitamin D.

Foods That Increase Antibodies

Antibodies are proteins found in the blood that function to help rid your body of viruses and bacteria. Also called immunoglobulins, antibodies are produced by the immune system when viruses or bacteria are detected. Each different type of virus or bacteria has a different kind of antibody that is generated to destroy it. There are many things you can do to increase your number of antibodies and stay healthy. One way is to eat foods rich in the vitamins and minerals that stimulate the production of antibodies.

Oranges
According to Dr. Bill Sears, a professor at the University of California at Irvine, the amount of vitamin C contained in oranges not only increases the amount of antibodies being produced, but also stops viruses from entering the body at all.

Garlic
Most doctors sing the praises of garlic for its simulative power on antibodies. Dr. Sears explains that garlic causes the body to multiply the anti-bodies that it already has produced and makes them stronger.

Salmon
Being a rich source of dietary protein, salmon helps stimulate the immune system and promotes healing within the body. Dr. Sears says that the omega-3 fatty acids contained in salmon increases antibodies and can help prevent the body from getting infections.

Broccoli (and other sources of vitamin E)
Broccoli is rich in vitamin E, which stimulates the production of the antibodies that destroy cancer cells. Not only does vitamin E stimulate antibodies that attack cancer cells, it has also been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In a Harvard School of Public Health Study, vitamin E was proved to cut the risk of heart attacks by 50 percent.

Oysters (and other sources of zinc)
Oysters, which are rich in zinc, increase the strength and production of white blood cells. White blood cells not only fight infection, but they also release antibodies into the system. Zinc is especially important for people of an advanced age, as the antibodies of infection reduction that they produce are typically lacking in older people. Other foods rich in zinc are turkey, crab, beans and zinc-fortified cereals.

Carrots (and other sources of beta carotene)
The beta carotene found in carrots, among other sources, is a vitamin that increases the antibodies that fight infection and cancer. In addition to these virtues, beta carotene also attacks free-radical cells that accelerate the aging process. Beta carotene has also been proved to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes.

Whole Grains (and other sources of selenium)
Foods high in the mineral selenium are known to create an increase in the production of antibodies that fight cancer cells, Dr. Sears explains. In addition to creating new cancer-fighting antibodies, selenium functions to strengthen the existing antibodies in the body. Other foods rich in selenium are tuna, lobster, red snapper, shrimp, most vegetables, brown rice, egg yolks, white meat chicken, cottage cheese, sunflower seeds and Brazil nuts.

How to Make Banana Chips With a Food Dehydrator

Rich in potassium, vitamin A and B, bananas are a terrific food, both fresh and dried. Bananas are healthy and have medicinal uses as well. Although bananas can not be dried in the sun as they ferment too quickly, a food dehydrator will easily dry bananas for banana chips. Drying bananas in a dehydrator takes about eight hours, requires no pre-treatment except for dipping in lemon juice, and makes a delicious and healthy snack.

Things You'll Need

• Cutting board
• Knife
• Lemon juice
• Food dehydrator
• Bananas

Obtain bananas. Slightly brown-flecked bananas will have the sweetest, most concentrated flavor when dried. If necessary, wait until bananas have ripened to brown-flecked.

Peel the bananas. Slice bananas into 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch chips.

Dip each banana slice into the lemon juice. This lessens browning of the banana chips and adds a bit of vitamin C back into the banana.

Shake off the extra lemon juice and lay the banana slice on the dehydrator tray. Leave enough space between banana slices on the tray to allow sufficient air flow for drying.

Fill the available dehydrator trays with banana slices. Put the trays into the dehydrator and set initial temperature to 150 degrees Fahrenheit and dry at that temperature for the first two hours. If your dehydrator does not have variable temperatures, just use the normal setting.

Turn the temperature down to 130 degrees Fahrenheit after two hours. From here it will take another six hours for bananas to fully dry.

Half way through, stop the dehydrator and flip over all the banana slices. The slices are easy to peel off the dehydrator tray when they are warm, and turning ensures dryness.

Test for dryness. If the banana chips are leathery to crisp, they are done.

Cool the banana chips for a few hours in the dehydrator before removing them. Pack dried chips into plastic bags when they are fully cool. Store at room temperature.

List of Resistant Starch Foods

Diet Bites defines resistant starch as a "starch which goes undigested by the body." Resistant starches are believed to aid in the maintenance of blood sugar levels, digestion management, as well as maintaining regularity of the bowels and weight loss. Resistant starches can be beneficial to the overall human diet when prepared properly and consumed daily.

Resistant Starch Food List
Bananas, corn , potatoes, yams, pasta, pearl Barley, whole grain bread, navy beans, oatmeal, lentils and brown rice are some of the common resistant starch foods recommended by Diet Bites. Navy beans have the highest resistant starch at 9.8 grams (per 1/2 cup). Bananas are the second highest at 4.7 grams (1 medium); yams at 4.0 grams (per 1/2 cup), and potatoes at 3 grams (per 1/2 cup). Whole grain bread and oatmeal have the lowest resistent startch, 0.5 grams for bread, and 0.7 grams for oatmeal.

Benefits of Resistant Starches
According to Prevention, "Resistant starch is a type of dietary fiber naturally found in many carbohydrate-rich foods. ... It gets its name because it 'resists' digestion in the body, and though this is true of many types of fiber, what makes resistant starch so special is the powerful impact it has on weight loss and overall health."

Resistant starches are not digested, though they do travel through the digestive tract--directly to the large intenstine. It is their failure to digest that makes resistant starches most effective. As the fat and oil from regular starches are distributed throughout the body, resistant starches are not, thereby being eliminated from the body much quicker. As per Prevention, resistant starches are natural fat-burners, further increasing satiety, and diminishing hunger. "Resistant starch is bulky, so it takes up space in your digestive system. And because you can't digest or absorb it, the starch never enters your bloodstream. That means it bypasses the fate of most carbohydrates, which get socked away as body fat," informs Prevention.

Butyrate, an enzyme created by resistant starch is believed to nurture the colon, thereby aiding in the prevention of colon cancer, Prevention states. It also causes pH balance in the intestines, which boosts the immune system, further demolishing free radicals.

Recommended Intake
According to Diet Bites, the method in which foods are prepared actually impacts the amount of resistant starch found in particular food sources. As of 2010, there is no recommended amount of resistant starch for consumption, though Prevention suggests 4 grams of resistant starch daily, eaten cool or at room temperature. Chilled potato salad and potato soup, and frozen bananas are a few of the many recommended recipes offered online via Prevention.Com.

Possible Disadvantages
According to Nutrition and Metabolism, "little is known about the impact of RS on fat metabolism." Yet, in recent studies performed by BioMed Central, LTD, as per Nutrition and Metabolism, "replacement of 5.4 percent of total dietary carbohydrate with RS significantly increased post-prandial lipid oxidation and therefore could decrease fat accumulation in the long term."

To date, there are no specific disadvantages of a RS diet. Overall, incorporating resistant starches in one's diet can minimize the accumulation of fat.

10 Nutrients That Shrink Your Belly

Calcium pyruvate is a substance that occurs naturally and is made in your body during digestion and metabolism. This nutrient’s main role is to make energy and fuel your cells.

A study done by the University of Pittsburgh found that obese women lost 48 percent more fat when following a calorie-restricted diet with supplemental calcium pyruvate than those women following the diet alone. It appears that calcium pyruvate can get into the fat cells and help them burn energy more effectively, promoting more weight loss.

Calcium pyruvate occurs naturally in foods like red apples, red grapes, red wine, and cheeses. It can also be taken in supplemental form. If supplementing with calcium pyruvate, take 1,000 milligrams on an empty stomach before each meal up to three times per day. Taking too much of this supplement may cause nausea, however.

To help get rid of gas, try snacking on caraway seeds.

Bloating and gas can occur in your gastrointestinal tract for a number of reasons. And increased gas can cause your belly to bloat.

Caraway seeds are effective at reducing gas and bloating because they’re a powerful digestive aid. They help to expel and eliminate gas due to their carminative properties. Caraway seeds are also beneficial at keeping bloat away because they help the good bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract digest and break down food while inhibiting the growth of the bad bacteria.

Research has found that the active compound methylhydroxy chalcone polymer (MHCP) in cinnamon makes fat cells more receptive to insulin.

When cells are more receptive to insulin, they allow the insulin to transport sugar into the cells for energy, thus keeping insulin levels in the bloodstream low. High insulin levels trigger the body to store more fat, especially in your midsection. So consuming a seasoning like cinnamon that helps maintain healthy levels of insulin is a great way to combat belly fat.

The main polyphenol, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), in green tea has been shown to have thermogenic properties and to help increase fat oxidation.

In fact, one study found that when overweight individuals consumed the same number of calories and performed the same amount of exercise, those drinking green tea lost more weight, especially weight from the abdomen. Green tea is also loaded with powerful antioxidants, which help decrease inflammation (another belly-fat contributor) and fight off disease and infection. Aim for brewed green tea over powders and supplements.

Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid found in brown seaweed.
Research on this compound suggests it may be a powerful fat fighter. In animal studies, overweight and obese mice were found to lose 5 to 10 percent of their entire body weight when consuming fucoxanthin. Although research is still unclear as to exactly how fucoxanthin promotes weight loss, it may be due to its ability to target a specific protein that increases the rate at which abdominal fat is burned.

Edible brown seaweed is available in Japanese specialty stores and health food stores under the names wakame and hijiki.

Omega-3-rich foods been shown to help reduce abdominal fat storage.
Studies have also shown that they keep the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline from peaking, helping to prevent damage to your body from chronic stress and also helping prevent increased fat storage caused by elevated cortisol levels.

Fatty fish, such as salmon, is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. However, plant-based sources, such as chia seeds, walnuts, and flaxseed, are terrific sources as well. Supplemental omega-3 fatty acids are also fine.

Quercetin, a powerful flavonoid, has been shown to not only improve the immune system and promote cardiovascular health but also fight belly fat.

Research has shown that this flavonoid can block baby fat cells from maturing and is more effective at inhibiting the rate of new fat cell formation than any other flavonoid. Quercetin also is effective at decreasing inflammation in the body.

Large amounts of quercetin are found in apples, onions (especially red onions), and green tea. Red grapes, tomatoes, broccoli, cherries, raspberries, and leafy greens are also excellent sources. Aim to take in quercetin from foods rather than supplements, because foods rich in quercetin contain many additional health benefits.

Studies have indicated that high levels of resveratrol in your diet may boost metabolism, helping you to burn more calories (and more belly fat) throughout the day.

Resveratrol has also been shown to suppress levels of the hormone estrogen. High levels of estrogen in your body promote increased fat storage, so suppressing these levels may decrease body fat while helping to increase lean muscle mass.

Resveratrol is found in red grapes, red wine, peanuts, and dark chocolate.

Vitamin C helps reduce stress hormone levels and return the stress hormone cortisol to normal levels after a stressful situation. This reduction in cortisol may help to prevent increased belly-fat storage.

Aim to consume at least two foods rich in vitamin C each day. Options include oranges, kiwis, and green peppers. Vitamin C is available in supplement form, but taking in nutrients through food is always the best option. If you do opt for a supplement, keep your dosage to 500 milligrams per day and choose a time-released formula for the best benefit.

Just drinking water may shrink your belly!
A study from the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism showed that individuals increased their metabolic rates by 30 percent after drinking approximately 17 ounces of water. Other research indicates that increasing fluid volume in the body may help to promote the breakdown of fat. And because dehydration can suppress metabolism, you have even more reasons to drink up! Aim for at least 64 ounces of water daily.

Vegetables That Boost Your Immune System

Cruciferous vegetables are the gold standard in immune-boosting vegetables.
Although all vegetables have nutrients and some protective powers, for these vegetables, it’s off the charts. Cruciferous vegetables have a special chemical composition: They have sulfur-containing compounds that are responsible for their pungent flavors. When they’re broken down by biting, blending, or chopping, a chemical reaction occurs that converts these sulfur-containing compounds into isothiocyanates (ITCs). ITCs prevent and knock out cancer and have infinite proven immune-boosting capabilities.

They contain antiviral and antibacterial agents that keep you disease free. Adding the following cruciferous vegetables to your daily plate is like taking an anticancer pill: arugula, beet greens, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, radishes, red cabbage, turnip greens, or watercress.

Garlic is surely one of the world’s most potent medicines, and its potent smell is what makes it so powerful.
The active ingredient allicin turns into organosulfurs, which are the compounds that keep your cells safe from all the destructive cellular processes that can cause major chronic diseases. Garlic is a natural antiseptic; it prevents cancer, fights infection, and prevents colds. Research also states that garlic may prevent or decrease chronic diseases associated with age, such as atherosclerosis, stroke, cancer, immune disorders, brain aging, cataracts, and arthritis.

Onions are rich in quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that may reduce the risk of cancer.
Like garlic, onions also contain the amazing compound allicin. Red and purple onions contain anthocyanins, the same antioxidants that make berries so robust in healing powers. In addition to being extraordinary at preventing and healing cancer, the quercetin contained in onion makes them a safe therapy for allergies; it also helps prevent heart disease and reduce high blood pressure.

The power of mushrooms comes from their ability to enhance the activity of natural killer T cells (NKT).
These NKTs attack and remove cells that are damaged or infected by a virus. Mushrooms are associated with decreasing most cancers and significantly reducing the risk of breast cancer in women. They prevent DNA damage, slow cancer or tumor growth, and prevent tumors from acquiring a blood supply.

Tomatoes are also the richest source of the exceptionally potent antioxidant lycopene, a substance that prevents cancer, particularly cancer of the prostate.
Tomatoes also have high levels of beta carotene, an antioxidant that supports the immune system. They have high dietary fiber and taste delicious raw or cooked.

Beets are an amazing blood purifier.
Beets are rich in iron and produce the disease-fighting white blood cells. They also stimulate red blood cells and improve the supply of oxygen to the cells. Beets prevent cancer and heart disease, and the detoxifying properties make them good for your organs. Beets are also high in fiber and nourishing for digestive health.

Spinach is rich in beta carotene, which the body transforms into vitamin A, triggering your immune response to keep you well.
Spinach prevents cancer and heart disease and is rich in the disease-fighting mineral zinc. The vitamin C helps you resist colds and infection and keeps your skin healthy; the B vitamins keep you calm and more energetic.

Asparagus’s biggest talent is its ability to encourage the body to flush out toxins, due to its natural diuretic abilities.
Asparagus is both cleansing and anti-inflammatory to the body. It has the antioxidant glutathione, which can lower your risk factor for heart disease and cancer. It’s useful for all inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome.

Artichoke supports the liver.
The substance cynarin gives artichoke its detoxifying qualities. Artichokes’ B vitamins increase mental alertness and strengthen your immunity.

Red bell pepper is bursting with vitamin C, making it a powerful immune builder.
Red bell pepper’s high level of beta carotene turns into vitamin A, making it a strong defense against disease. Although green and yellow peppers are certainly healthy, they’re more superfoodish. Although they both have similar amounts of vitamin C, red bell peppers have quite a bit more of the superstar beta carotene.

Sweet potatoes are far superior than the run-of-the-mill white potato.
The orange variety contains beta carotene, which makes them filled with robust antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer abilities. They’re also full of fiber and the vitamin E they contain is healthy for the skin.

The 8 Best Foods to Eat For Depression

Superstar foods
Research shows a diet rich in produce, fish, whole grains and nuts reduces the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease. Studies suggest such a diet also may help relieve symptoms of depression and even prevent it.

“Scientific evidence shows a clear connection between what you eat and your risk of depression and dementia,” says Drew Ramsey, MD, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City and author of the upcoming book “Eat Complete: The 21 Nutrients that Fuel Brain Power, Boost Weight Loss and Transform Your Health.”

Here are 8 superstar foods Ramsey and other experts say can ease symptoms of depression and even help to prevent it. (Note they aren't a substitute for seeing a mental health care specialist if you think you're depressed or taking any medication you've been prescribed.)

Wild salmon
Studies have found people with depression are likely to have certain inflammatory proteins in their blood, brain and spinal cord fluid. Salmon and other oily fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation. If you have depression, two weekly servings of cold-water fish may ease your symptoms, according to Ohio State University researchers.

Salmon also contains vitamin B12, zinc and protein which are all important for brain health, says psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD. “The brain is your body's master mood regulator," he adds. Stick with wild salmon and other sustainable seafood. If you're pregnant or nursing, have no more than 12 ounces of fish per week.

If you don’t like fish, supplements may help. A large Canadian study found omega-3 supplements reduced symptoms in people with depression (who did not also have anxiety disorders).

Berries
Fruits help fight inflammation because they’re low in fat and high in antioxidants. But berries have the highest levels of antioxidants of any fruits and vegetables, according to the Department of Agriculture.

A study published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry in 2012 found patients suffering from depression had significantly lower levels of vitamins A, C and E compared with a healthy control group. After being treated for six weeks with antioxidant supplements, the patients had significantly lower depression scores.

Berries are rich in anthocyanins, powerful phytochemicals that give them their bright hues. They're critical to brain health, says Columbia University psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD, because they increase levels of BDNF, a brain-protecting chemical that improves memory while warding off depression.

Curry made with turmeric
If you’re a fan of Indian food, you’re in luck. Turmeric — the ingredient that makes curry yellow — contains curcumin, an anti-inflammatory compound that has a protective effect against major depression, according to a study in the Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. In animal studies, curcumin also has shown promise for treating depression, according to an article in the Scientific World Journal.

Research in people is also promising. A 2014 study in Phytotherapy Research found patients with major depressive disorder who were treated with 1000 mg of curcumin for six weeks had similar symptom relief as those taking 20 mg of the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac).

Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate (not milk chocolate) is packed with antioxidants — and the darker the better. Dark chocolate also contains tyrosine, an amino acid that contributes to the production of dopamine, a chemical associated with pleasure centers in the brain, according to the Women’s Brain Health Initiative, an organization that promotes research about brain aging diseases that affect women. Dark chocolate also stimulates the production of endorphins, brain chemicals that make you feel pleasure.
Even in terms of nutrients, dark chocolate has value. “You get a good dose of iron and fiber,” says Columbia University psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD. But remember chocolate has a lot of calories, so make a little go a long way.

Lentils
One cup of lentils provides 90 percent of the recommended daily allowance of folate, a B vitamin shown in studies to help ward off depression, according Roberta Lee, MD, author of "The SuperStress Solution." In fact, a Harvard study showed people with depression may have a significant deficiency of folate.

Lentils also are a great vegetarian source of protein (18 grams in a cup), which is important for brain health. “People tend to have a problem getting plant-based protein into their diet," says Columbia University psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD. Legumes, he says, are a great way to go.
Lentils provide lots of iron, too, which can boost energy. Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency, and its symptoms can include depression, according to Ramsey.

Walnuts
According to the Women’s Brain Health Initiative, walnuts contain a variety of nutrients and other substances that help boost brain health, including omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and protein. Walnuts also are a good source of tryptophan, which plays a role in increasing serotonin levels, in turn helping us feel more relaxed and happy.

Walnuts provide magnesium as well. This crucial mineral calms and relaxes blood vessels and nerves. Up to two-thirds of Americans don’t get enough magnesium in their diet, according to Columbia University psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD.

Eating walnuts will help guard against magnesium deficiency, which has been linked to depression. In an article on depression and magnesium deficiency published in the Journal of Geriatric Medicine, the authors noted symptoms of magnesium deficiency range from apathy to psychosis.

Kale
Kale is a true superfood, says Columbia University psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD, who is so impressed with the nutritional benefits of this vegetable he wrote an entire book about it: "Fifty Shades of Kale." One cup of raw kale (in a salad, say) has only 33 calories, he says, but provides more than the recommended daily allotment of vitamins A, C and K.

Kale contains a good deal of folate (vitamin B9), so eat up — several studies have linked folate deficiency with depression, according to Ramsey. Kale also is a rich source of iron and vitamin B6 — both needed to make the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine, which play important roles in mental health.

Kale also boasts omega-3 ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), a compound that helps lower the risk of depression, according to Ramsey.

Tomatoes
Can a tomato a day keep the therapist away? Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that may help protect against depression, according to a Japanese study in the Journal of Affective Disorders. Researchers found a tomato-rich diet lowered the risk of depression. In fact, older people who ate tomatoes two to six times a week were 46 percent less likely to suffer from depression than those who ate tomatoes less often than once a week.

Look for smaller varieties, because much of a tomato’s nutrients are in the skin. A pound of grape tomatoes has more skin than a pound of larger varieties, Ramsey advises. "Also look for darker-skinned tomatoes because they have higher concentrations of other important brain-protecting compounds, such as anthocyanins." By canning some of your summer tomatoes, he says, you can have tomatoes year-round.

Nutritional Value of Mushrooms

Mushrooms are forms of fungus, many of which are edible and can be consumed by humans. They are enjoyed around the world due to their delicious taste and impressive nutritive value. They are so widely praised because they not only contribute normal nutrients and benefits of vegetables, but they also contribute nutrients commonly found in animals, beans, and grains as well. They are commonly known as the “meat” of the vegetable world. This makes mushrooms a well-rounded and nutritive part of any healthy diet and they are commonly found in cuisines all around the world. They are also found all around the world, since fungi commonly grow in dark, damp places, or on top of a food source that they are decomposing.

Nutritional Value of Mushrooms
Mushrooms have a wealth of different nutrients and minerals contained in their edible bodies, but the most interesting thing is that mushrooms take on the nutritive composition of the food that they decompose/consume. Therefore, mushrooms can contain any number of unique and beneficial minerals for humans. The most common minerals found in mushrooms are selenium, copper, potassium, and phosphorous, with smaller amounts of iron, magnesium, zinc, and manganese.

Mushrooms also contain protein and dietary fiber, two other essential components of a healthy diet. Mushrooms are low in saturated fat and sodium, and very low in cholesterol.

Caloric Content of Mushrooms
One of the main reasons why people love to eat mushrooms is that they don’t make you gain weight, yet they provide so many nutrients! In a 100 gram serving of mushrooms, there are only 22 calories, and only 3 of those calories are from fat!

Vitamin Content of Mushrooms
The vitamin content of mushrooms is also rather impressive. Common mushrooms are rich in the B-complex vitamins, including pantothenic acid, niacin, and riboflavin, as well as slightly lower levels of thiamin, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and vitamin D. They are the only “vegetable” in the produce aisle that supplies you with vitamin D, so keep that in mind when putting your balanced diet together!

Health Benefits of Mushrooms
Some of the miraculous health benefits of mushrooms include their ability to lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL) and raise good cholesterol levels (HDL), which protects heart health and reduces blood pressure. The high-energy, low-fat composition of mushrooms also makes it ideal for diabetic patients who want to maintain a good balance of vitamins and minerals in their bloodstream so the insulin is well-regulated.

In terms of the mineral content, mushrooms help prevent anemia by contributing iron and copper to the diet, which are essential for red blood cell production. The minerals also boost bone mineral density and help prevent conditions like osteoporosis and arthritis. The potassium keeps blood pressure low, while selenium protects the hair, nails, and teeth, along with acting as a powerful antioxidant.

Mushrooms as a whole are great antioxidants, which have been proven to protect against a variety of cancers, including breast cancer and prostate cancer.

The vitamin content is equally significant, especially vitamin C’s immune boosting capabilities and the presence of vitamin D, a rare vitamin to find in vegetables that is essential for calcium uptake and proper metabolic functioning.

Overall, it is safe to say that mushrooms are a “superfood” that can help improve your health in a variety of ways thanks to its impressive nutritional value.

Nutritional Value of Oranges and Mangoes

Nutritional Facts of Oranges: Oranges are good sources of minerals such as calcium, iron, sodium, copper, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and sulphur. They also contain traces of chlorine.

Vitamin Content
Orange, like other citrus fruits, are most widely known for their vitamin C content. Due to the high amount of vitamin C, oranges help in absorbing calcium into the body and maintaining the health of teeth and bones. This powerful fruit also contains vitamin A and vitamin B.

Calorific Content of Oranges
100 grams of oranges contain about 60 calories. This energy is available in the form of sugar, which can be easily absorbed by the body. Therefore, orange juice is often fed to people who have become weak due to illness. Orange juice is also a good refresher after a long, exhausting day.

Health Benefits of Oranges
The nutritional value of oranges makes it good for indigestion, constipation, bowel disorders, dyspepsia, dental care, pyorrhea, bone health, heart diseases, respiratory problems, cold, cough, influenza, skin care, pimples, acne, fever, measles, typhoid and tuberculosis (T.B.).

Nutrition Facts of Mangoes: Mangoes are good sources of minerals such as copper and potassium. They also contain traces of magnesium, manganese, selenium, calcium, iron, and phosphorus.

Vitamin Content
Mangoes are rich in vitamin C and A. Ripe mangoes contain less vitamin C than raw mangoes. They also have traces of vitamin E, B and K.

Calorific Content of Mangoes
100 grams of mangoes contain about 75 calories. Raw mangoes contain starch, which is converted into sugar as the fruit ripens. These sugars are very useful in weight gain when consumed with milk, which is rich in proteins.

Health Benefits of Mangoes
The nutritional value of mangoes make them good for weight gain, eye disorders, hair loss, heat stroke, prickly heat, diabetes, bacterial infections, sinusitis, piles, indigestion, constipation, morning sickness, diarrhea, dysentery, scurvy, spleen enlargement, liver disorders, menstrual disorders, leucorrhoea, and vaginitis.

The Best Foods for Breast Cancer

In addition to other contributing factors, dietary choices may effect the development of breast cancer. There is considerable evidence that avoiding fatty foods can help prevent the disease, as well as eating foods that are rich in cancer-fighting vitamins, minerals and chemicals. Additionally, certain foods may diminish the recurrence of breast cancer and lessen the adverse effects of treatment once diagnosed with the disease. While eating foods loaded with antioxidants and other nutrients may stave off breast cancer, maintaining a healthy diet is key.

The Facts
According to Medical News Today, breast cancer is the seventh leading cause of mortality in the United States and results in approximately 41,000 deaths each year. Although genetic factors are important, there is considerable evidence that breast cancer risk is related to modifiable lifestyle factors, including dietary choices. While no single food or food substances can protect you against breast cancer, scientists believe that the right combination of foods may.

Preventative Foods
According to a new study conducted by the American Institute for Cancer Research/World Cancer Research Fund (AICR/WCRF), there is a link between body fat and the development of breast cancer. Therefore, to help prevent breast cancer, one should consume foods low in fat and calories. Also, fruits, vegetables and whole grains are especially rich in vitamins, minerals and chemicals that prevent the development of cancer. Specifically, green, yellow, orange and red vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots contain substances which help to fight cancer. Red fruits such as tomatoes and watermelon are a source of lycopene, a cancer-fighting agent. Berries and green tea are rich sources of antioxidants. Additionally, flax, fish, beans, soy and nuts all contain nutrients which help to fight breast cancer.

Post-Diagnosis Foods
In addition to eating at least five servings of fruits or vegetables everyday, according to The Diet Channel, those that have already been diagnosed with breast cancer should replace white or processed carbohydrates with whole grain varieties to increase B vitamins and fiber. Post-diagnosis, patients should also eat two to three servings of low fat dairy daily because cancer treatment may negatively effect bone health. It is important to incorporate calcium-rich foods into one’s diet. Lean meats, poultry, fish, nuts, seeds, legumes and beans should be incorporated into meals to ensure an adequate amount of protein is consumed.

Foods to Avoid
Because of the link between obesity and breast cancer, ReduceBreastCancerRisk.com recommends that saturated fats found in meats, whole-fat dairy products, vegetable shortening and coconut and palm oils, as well as trans fats in fried foods, pastries, margarine, cookies, chips, crackers and many processed foods should be avoided. Additionally, because alcohol may act to promote cancer by depleting folic acid, having more than one drink a day increases one’s risk of developing breast cancer.

Considerations
According to the AICR/WCRF study, over 70,000 U.S. breast cancer cases could be prevented each year by dietary changes. Breast cancer rates vary in different parts of the world, and the incidence seems to be associated with the amount of fat in the diet. Even more striking, when women move from a country where the diet is low in fat to a country where fat consumption is higher, their risk for breast cancer increases. While foods rich in cancer-fighting vitamins, minerals and chemicals also help to prevent breast cancer, maintaining a healthy diet appears to be a key component in warding off the disease.

Health Benefits of Goat Milk

Some of the health benefits of goat milk include its ability to reduce inflammation, optimize digestion, improve bioavailability of nutrients, strengthen bones, boost heart health, increase immunity, increase your metabolism, prevent toxins from accumulating in the body, protect against weight loss, and benefit the overall environment.

Goat Milk
As the name likely implies for any reader, goat milk is milk derived from goat’s, rather than the more common source of milk in most countries, cows. While goat milk may be harder to acquire in terms of availability and access in some parts of the world, the impressive health benefits of goat milk, and the recent research into its positive effects on the human body have made it a very popular choice in recent years. Although goats only produce about 2% of the global milk supply, it is cheaper to process, due to it not requiring homogenization (the small fat molecules do not separate and remain suspended in the cream).Certain studies have recommended that goat milk not be given to very young children, due to their unique nutritional needs in their developmental stages, but as we age, the chemical composition and impact of goat milk on our body is actually preferable to the effects of cow milk. For example, people who suffer from lactose intolerance can digest goat milk far better than cow milk due to its much higher levels of beneficial fatty acids (twice that of cow milk). Goat milk is commonly processed into cheeses, butter, ice cream, and yoghurts, many of which are considered delicacies due to their high buttermilk content and rich consistency.

While the prevalence of cow milk is not likely to fade in the near future, it is important to understand that there are other options out there if you’re interested in increasing your overall health. This is not meant to say that cow milk is “bad” for you, but if you’re willing to put in a bit of extra effort to find goat milk, you might be surprised at the beneficial effects you experience. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the health benefits of goat milk.

Health Benefits of Goat Milk
Build Strong Bones: This is one of the most common characteristics of all forms of milk, and the main reason why we tell our children that milk is so important. Milk of all varieties is rich in calcium, and goat milk is no exception. In addition, goat milk gives you comparable amounts of calcium as cow milk without so many of the side effects, ensuring that our calcium deposits stay rich and stable, and our bones don’t experience bone mineral density loss as we age, thereby helping to prevent osteoporosis.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties: One reason why people tend to love goat milk is that they are able to enjoy it without the common inflammation and upset stomachs that cow milk so often causes. This is due to the unique enzymatic make-up of goat milk that soothes inflammation in the gut. Research is ongoing to see whether these anti-inflammatory properties extend to other areas of the body, but one thing is for certain, it’s definitely better for your stomach!

Nutrient Uptake Efficiency: One of the main benefits of goat milk is that the chemical composition is far closer to human milk than cow milk. Essentially, humans are designed to be breast-fed, just like goats and cows, but human milk is similar to goat milk, so our bodies are able to get more nutrients out of the milk as it moves through our system and it causes less stress on our digestive processes.

Metabolism Booster: Goat milk is far more nutrient-dense than cow milk, meaning that you don’t need as much of it to receive the same (or better) nutrient intake. A single cup provides nearly 40% of our daily calcium requirements, 20% of our vitamin B intake, as well as significant amounts of potassium and phosphorous. Furthermore, studies have shown that goat milk can help increase the uptake of iron and copper in our digestive tract, which is essential for people who struggle with anemia and other nutrient deficiencies.

Heart Health: There are nearly twice as many beneficial fatty acids in goat milk as can be found in cow milk, which means that our cholesterol balance can be helped significantly by goat milk. By balancing our essential fatty acids in the body, we can prevent atherosclerosis, strokes, heart attacks, and other coronary complications. The high potassium levels in goat milk also help to reduce blood pressure, as potassium is a vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels and relieves tension on the cardiovascular system.

Immunity Booster: Trace amounts of selenium are found in cow milk, but there are also significant amounts in goat milk. This somewhat rare mineral is a key component in immune system functionality, making us better able to protect ourselves from illness and fend off infections.

Growth and Development: Goat milk is a very rich source of protein, which is an essential part of growth and development, as proteins are the building blocks of cells, tissue, muscle, and bone. By ensuring a steady stream of protein, we protect our metabolic processes and stimulate growth and overall good health.

Weight Loss Efforts: Although goat milk has more fatty acids than cow milk, it actually has less “bad” fats, meaning that it can help people who want to lose weight, without compromising their nutritional needs.

Environmental Protection: Due to the digestive processes of cows, they tend to suffer from extreme flatulence, which comes out in the form of methane. This gas is highly corrosive to the atmosphere and the ozone layer; environmental scholars actually suggest that the millions of cows raised for beef and milk are a major player in ozone degradation and global warming. By supporting goat milk production, we can protect future generations and ourselves from the dangerous effects of climate change!

A Final Word of Warning: Due to the different nutrient composition of goat milk from cow milk, it is not recommended to immediately give your children goat milk once they stop breast or bottle-feeding. As they get older, the nutrient composition of goat milk becomes more appropriate, but for proper development, it is wise to begin with cow milk.

Avocados for Weight Loss (Easy Steps)

Avocados may be higher in fat and calories than other fruits, but that doesn't mean you should avoid them when you're trying to lose weight. In fact, they may be able to assist your weight-loss efforts. But like everything you eat, when you're cutting back to lose weight, portions count. Consult your doctor before starting any weight-loss diet.

Avocados and Your Diet
When restricting the calories in your diet, it's important to eat foods rich in nutrients. Not only do avocados act as a source of fat on your weight-loss diet, but they also contain other nutrients you need for good health, including potassium, magnesium, vitamins A, C and E, folate, a variety of B vitamins and phytonutrients such as phytosterols, lutein and zeaxanthin.

Additionally, a study published in 2005 in Nutrition found that including avocados as part of a reduced-calorie diet in place of other sources of fat did not impede weight loss.

Nutrients for Satiety
Avocados may aid in weight loss by helping control hunger. A review article published in 2013 in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition said that even though avocados have a higher calorie density, their fiber, water and fat content make them a filling and appetite-satisfying food.

A standard serving of an avocado, which is one-fifth of the fruit or 30 grams, contains 2 grams of fiber. People who get more fiber in their diet eat fewer calories without trying, according to a review article published in 2001 in Nutrition Reviews. Adding avocados to your weight-loss diet may help you feel more satisfied while eating less.

Calories Still Count
Although they may assist with weight loss, avocados are still a source of calories. The standard serving of an avocado contains 44 calories. However, according to Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, most people tend to eat half of an avocado at a time, which contains 100 calories.

Being mindful of the amount you eat and tracking your intake is important when following any weight-loss plan, especially when including a more calorie-dense food like the avocado.

Tips for Adding Avocados
A good way to control calories when adding avocados to your weight-loss diet is by using them in place of other foods. For example, instead of cheese or mayonnaise on your sandwich, add a couple of slices of avocados for moisture. Or, mash a few slices in a bowl and use it as a spread for your toast or bagel or even a baked potato. You can also add a small amount of avocado to your fruit smoothie to help control hunger.

Avocado Extract
Avocado extract is a supplement made from the sugar in the fruit. According to RxList, there is preliminary evidence that the extract may help prevent the breakdown of sugar and block the effects of insulin. It is touted as an aid to weight loss, but there is very little evidence to support the claims, according to RxList. Talk to your doctor before adding any dietary supplements to your diet.

How to Eat Watermelon to Cure Acidity

Day after day you suffer from stomach acidity. You chew dry tablets or swallow some foul liquid to get rid of it. It would be nice if there was something natural, good tasting and inexpensive that could relieve your heartburn symptoms. Check the produce aisle of your supermarket. When you find watermelon, you've found your remedy.

Things You'll Need

• Watermelon
• Large knife
• Other fruits (optional)

Select a watermelon. There are many varieties, depending on the season of the year and where you live. The melons may be large or small, have yellow, red or pink flesh and seeds or no seeds. Any kind will do.

Make sure the melon is ripe. Unripe melons will not help reduce acidity. To check for ripeness, look at the bottom of the watermelon (the end opposite the stem). Look for a yellow or cream color to the rind. If the rind is green or white, the melon is not ripe.

Store uncut watermelon at room temperature. It will last about 2 weeks if the rind remains intact.

Put cut watermelon in the refrigerator. Be ready to eat it right away. Once cut and chilled, it will only stay fresh for about 3 days.

Prepare the watermelon in any way you like. Cutting it into bite-sized chunks and storing it covered in the refrigerator will make it easy to take it out and eat to cure acidity at any time.

Eat 4 to 6 chunks slowly. Repeat throughout the day. How many you eat and how often will depend on how much discomfort you have. You can eat watermelon to cure acidity as often as once an hour.

Get creative with your watermelon. Blend it to make a refreshing drink. Freeze it plain or make a frozen sorbet or granita. Add other fruits or juices that help cure acidity, such as bananas or coconut milk, and make a smoothie.

How to Make Heart-Healthy Granola

Store-bought granola can be loaded with sugar and fat. Control the nutrition content of this favorite snack and breakfast food by making your own at home. Use whole grains for fiber and choose raw nuts over fat-laden roasted kinds. Keep granola on hand at work or in your pantry for a quick and heart-healthy snack.

Things You'll Need

• 4 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 cup raw almonds, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup raw wheat germ
• 1/2 cup cracked wheat
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Combine the oats, almonds, honey, wheat germ and cracked wheat in a large mixing bowl, stirring well to coat the oats with the honey.

Pour the mixture into a heavy-duty roasting pan that has been greased with the olive oil. Spread the granola in an even layer.

Bake 30 minutes or until the granola is toasted and golden brown. Stir the mixture every 10 minutes to prevent scorching and to roast evenly.

Remove the pan from oven and cool to room temperature. Store the granola in an airtight container.

The Leviticus Diet Food Plan

Part of the Bible's Old Testament, Leviticus was written by Moses as a guide for holy living and spiritual growth, and it includes laws pertaining to diet. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are the basis of the Leviticus diet, which recommends you not eat “unclean” meat, including pork and shellfish, and suggests you limit your intake of red meat.

Fruits, Vegetables and Grains
Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and rich in fiber, vitamins C and A, potassium and folate. Whole grains, which include wheat, millet and barley, are also rich in fiber, as well as B vitamins, iron, magnesium and selenium. While the Bible mentions specific fruits, vegetables and grains, such as grapes, figs, cucumbers, onions and wheat, eating a variety of foods from all the groups helps vary your nutrient intake for better health.

Clean Meats
The Leviticus diet also suggests you eat meats that are "clean," which includes chicken, turkey, pheasants, animals with split hooves such as cattle or goats, and fresh and saltwater fish with fins and scales such as salmon or flounder. While beef is allowed on the Leviticus diet, it is recommended that you eat it in small amounts and instead eat more poultry or fish as your source of protein. Eating a variety of different types of fish may help increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, which may help improve heart health.

Healthy Fats
Fat intake is limited on the Leviticus diet, specifically fat from foods such as milk, butter and cheese. Most of your fat choices on the diet plan should come from healthy sources including fatty fish such as salmon and healthy oils such as extra virgin olive oil. Replacing foods high in saturated fat -- whole milk and butter -- with healthy fats -- olive oil -- may help lower cholesterol levels.

Sample Meal Plan
A healthy breakfast on the Leviticus diet might include oatmeal with raisins and nonfat milk. Mixed greens topped with salmon, balsamic vinegar and olive oil, served with whole-wheat bread and an apple may be a healthy lunch option on the diet. A sample dinner includes millet with grilled onions and peppers and roasted chicken. For snacks, sliced cucumbers, figs, dried apricots or whole-grain crackers make healthy choices.

How to Do a 3-Day Juice Cleanse

A 3-day juice cleanse is a type of fast where you limit your diet to raw fruit and vegetable juices. Proponents of juice fasting believe that a high level of detoxification takes place while the body takes a mini-break from processing solid food. The juice itself is also thought to be an excellent source of antioxidants and vitamins.

Choose a long weekend or 3 day period when you can set aside demands on your time. Take the opportunity for reflection, reading or other forms of quiet relaxation. Ideally, it should be during the warmer months.

Prepare for the fast by reducing or eliminating alcohol, nicotine, sugar, dairy, caffeine, meat and fish, eggs and wheat from the diet. Eat mainly beans, organic fruits and vegetables.

Consume at least 32 to 64 oz. of fruit and vegetable juice during each day of the fast. Sip the juice throughout the day.

Process the fruit and vegetable juice as needed, or purchase it fresh from a juice bar at a health food store. Include fresh carrots, apples, pineapples, cranberries, beets, spinach, kale and cabbage for low-acid juices. Add green vegetables and sprouts that contain high levels of chlorophyll.

Return gradually to solid foods. Begin by adding 2 pieces of fruit to your diet, then adding steamed green vegetables the next day. Next, add fresh salad and brown rice and progress to eggs and yogurt. Add chicken, fish or meat to the diet 5 to 6 days after the fast.

How to Cleanse Your Body After Eating Too Much Salt

Though salty foods tastes good, too much salt has a challenging effect on the body. Its presence in the body system forces the body to retain water to deal with it. Furthermore, too much salt in your diet can raise blood pressure, swell ankles and affect the health of some of your major organs---primarily the heart, stomach and intestines. But don't fret that you can't eat just one (potato chip), here is an easy way to flush that extra salt out of your body.

Things You'll Need

• Purified spring water
• Fruits and vegetables
• Access to a sauna

Drink 64 oz. of purified spring water for three days. This translates into 8 glasses that hold 8 ounces of water each. Spring water is devoid of salt---some natural waters are not. It is important to choose a water that is naturally salt-free, and while this might seem like a large amount of water, know that the body retains water even if it is a little dehydrated. This technique ensures that the body gets plenty of water and ironically responds to this hydration by releasing any excess water. And it is in the excess water weight where the body stores the salt.

Eat foods that are low in salt for those three days. You want to limit your salt intake to under 1500mg a day. Read labels to find out how much sodium is present in the foods you intend to ingest. Clearly, junk foods are out of the picture as they are usually extremely high in sodium. And of course, do not add salt to anything. Use alternative salt-free spices in your cooking such as garlic, pepper and other spice combinations that are marketed as "salt substitutes."

Cut down on your carbohydrate intake. Complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables are the only carbohydrates that you should eat during this three-day salt flush. Forget the bread and pasta. Every pound of carbs stored in your body hold 2 or 3 pounds of water and it is this water that holds the excess salt. Thus, the practice of eating high-protein foods low in carbs, such as lean meat, oatmeal and brown rice, assist the entire process of drinking great amounts of water to purify the body system of excess sodium.

Sweat out the excess salt. For the three-day flush, choose to exercise aerobically while wearing warm clothes that will force you to sweat when you are moving. Alternatively, you can choose to haunt a sauna daily. Stay in the sauna long enough to break a sweat. When you are sweating profusely, leave the sauna and shower with tepid water. After you are cleansed of surface impurities as well as cooler in body temperature, do this sauna step again. Be sure to drink plenty of water.

Fruit and Water Diet

The fruit and water diet is a practical diet for weight loss and body cleansing. This is a short-term diet. Fruit is high in natural fiber and moisture and low in calories. The fiber and moisture helps the body flush out the digestive system.

One Day
Some people choose one day a month for a fruit and water diet, eating all the fruit they want and drinking only water.

Three Days
Choose seasonal fresh fruits like berries, bananas and melons for a three-day diet. Eat as much fruit as desired the first day, then eat only when hungry the next two days.

Month Diet
Some people eat a modified fruit diet several weeks or up to a month two or three times a year. Fruit with glasses of vegetable juice or water make up meals and snacks.

Water
Drink a glass of water with each fruit meal and between meals. Drink six to eight cups of water a day.

Seasonal
Choose seasonal fruits for fresh flavor and lower cost. Wash and store them for quick snacks or meals.

Considerations
An all-fruit diet may cause muscle weakness or digestive upset such as diarrhea.

Food That Naturally Enhances Breast Size

Women often are interested in increasing their breast size, whether it's because of personal preference or external pressures. There are ways to do this, with the most popular being breast implants, which can be expensive, painful and unhealthy later in life because many women's bodies aren't naturally built to handle large breasts. There are, however, natural ways to increase breast size through diet alone. Though there aren't a large number of these foods and the increase isn't dramatic, it is cheaper and undoubtedly healthier than having an orb of saline inserted into your body.

Increase in Hormones in Meats
According to The Wellness Mythbuster blog, hormones have been added to meats like beef and poultry to increase breast sizes in teenage girls and young women. And according to Articlebase.com's piece on changing breast sizes, the average natural size for a woman was 34B two decades ago. Now, the average natural size is 36C.

Regulating Testosterone in the Body
Fruits and vegetables regulate testosterone in the body, which allows breasts to grow with the intake of other natural foods or supplements. Vegetables that are high in fiber--along with oats, wheat and barley--can also increase breast size. Other fruits and vegetables, from berries to brussels sprouts, are good for the cells in breasts, helping them regenerate.

Consuming a Variety of Herbs
Another way to increase breast size is to regularly consume large quantities of a consortium of herbs. Fenugreek contains a compound that creates healthy breast tissue. Wild yam is a known breast enlarger and is also considered a sex stimulant. Fennel not only increases breast size but promotes milk production in new mothers.

Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds have been found to be effective at firming and enlarging the breasts of women. Made up of calcium, protein, iron and phosphorous, these seeds are easy to add to a standard daily diet. The oil from these seeds can also be applied to the breast themselves and is supposed to enhance size and firmness.

Healthy Eating and Slimmer Waist Lines
Soy and low-fat dairy products are known to help increase breast size, and they also slim the waistline, giving the appearance of larger breasts. Generally eating healthy will make a body thinner and breasts fuller, giving the illusion that the breasts are bigger and instilling confidence in a woman regarding her appearance.