FRUITS AND HUMAN BODY
CARROTS EYES
SLICE a carrot and it looks just like an eye, right down to the pattern of the iris. Its a clear clue to the importance this everyday veg has for vision. Carrots get their orange colour from a plant chemical called betacarotene, which reduces the risk of developing cataracts. The chemical also protects against macular degeneration an age-related sight problem that affects one in four over-65s. It is the most common cause of blindness in Britain. But popping a betacarotene pill doesnt have the same effect, say scientists at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore
WALNUT BRAIN
THE gnarled folds of a walnut mimic the appearance of a human brain - and provide a clue to the benefits. Walnuts are the only nuts which contain significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. They may also help head off dementia. An American study found that walnut extract broke down the protein-based plaques associated with Alzheimers disease. Researchers at Tufts University in Boston found walnuts reversed some signs of brain ageing in rats. Dr James Joseph, who headed the study, said walnuts also appear to enhance signalling within the brain and encourage new messaging links between brain cells.
TOMATO HEART
A TOMATO is red and usually has four chambers, just like our heart. Tomatoes are also a great source of lycopene, a plant chemical that reduces the risk of heart disease and several cancers. The Womens Health Study € an American research programme which tracks the health of 40,000 women € found women with the highest blood levels of lycopene had 30 per cent less heart disease than women who had very little lycopene. Lab experiments have also shown that lycopene helps counter the effect of unhealthy LDL cholesterol. One Canadian study, published in the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine, said there was Å“convincing vidence that lycopene prevented coronary heart disease.
GRAPES LUNGS
OUR lungs are made up of branches of ever-smaller airways that finish up with tiny bunches of tissue called alveoli. These structures, which resemble bunches of grapes, allow oxygen to pass from the lungs to the blood stream. One reason that very premature babies struggle to survive is that these alveoli do not begin to form until week 23 or 24 of pregnancy. A diet high in fresh fruit, such as grapes, has been shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer and emphysema. Grape seeds also contain a chemical called proanthocyanidin, which appears to reduce the severity of asthma triggered by allergy.
CHEESE BONES
A nice Ëœholey cheese, like Emmenthal, is not just good for your bones, it even resembles their internal structure. And like most cheeses, it is a rich source of calcium, a vital ingredient for strong bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Together with another mineral called phosphate, it provides the main strength in bones but also helps to Ëœpower muscles. Getting enough calcium in the diet during childhood is crucial for strong bones. A study at Columbia University in New York showed teens who increased calcium intake from 800mg a day to 1200mg equal to an extra two slices of cheddar - boosted their bone density by six per cent.
GINGER STOMACH
Root ginger, commonly sold in supermarkets, often looks just like the stomach. So its interesting that one of its biggest benefits is aiding digestion. The Chinese have been using it for over 2,000 years to calm the stomach and cure nausea, while it is also a popular remedy for motion sickness. But the benefits could go much further.
Tests on mice at the University of Minnesota found injecting the chemical that gives ginger its flavour slowed down the growth rate of bowel tumours
BANANA (SMILE) DEPRESSION
Cheer yourself up and put a smile on your face by eating a banana. The popular fruit contains a protein called tryptophan. Once it has been digested, tryptophan then gets converted in a chemical neurotransmitter called serotonin. This is one of the most important mood-regulating chemicals in the brain and most anti-depressant drugs work by adjusting levels of serotonin production. Higher levels are associated with better moods.
MUSHROOM EAR
Slice a mushroom in half and it resembles the shape of the human ear. And guess what? Adding it to your cooking could actually improve your hearing. Thats because mushrooms are one of the few foods in our diet that contain vitamin D. This particular vitamin is important for healthy bones, even the tiny ones in the ear that transmit sound to the brain.
BROCCOLI CANCER
Close-up, the tiny green tips on a broccoli head look like hundreds of cancer cells. Now scientists know this disease-busting veg can play a crucial role in preventing the disease. Last year, a team of researchers at the US National Cancer Institute found just a weekly serving of broccoli was enough to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 45 per cent. In Britain, prostate cancer kills one man every hour.
CARROTS EYES
SLICE a carrot and it looks just like an eye, right down to the pattern of the iris. Its a clear clue to the importance this everyday veg has for vision. Carrots get their orange colour from a plant chemical called betacarotene, which reduces the risk of developing cataracts. The chemical also protects against macular degeneration an age-related sight problem that affects one in four over-65s. It is the most common cause of blindness in Britain. But popping a betacarotene pill doesnt have the same effect, say scientists at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore
WALNUT BRAIN
THE gnarled folds of a walnut mimic the appearance of a human brain - and provide a clue to the benefits. Walnuts are the only nuts which contain significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. They may also help head off dementia. An American study found that walnut extract broke down the protein-based plaques associated with Alzheimers disease. Researchers at Tufts University in Boston found walnuts reversed some signs of brain ageing in rats. Dr James Joseph, who headed the study, said walnuts also appear to enhance signalling within the brain and encourage new messaging links between brain cells.
TOMATO HEART
A TOMATO is red and usually has four chambers, just like our heart. Tomatoes are also a great source of lycopene, a plant chemical that reduces the risk of heart disease and several cancers. The Womens Health Study € an American research programme which tracks the health of 40,000 women € found women with the highest blood levels of lycopene had 30 per cent less heart disease than women who had very little lycopene. Lab experiments have also shown that lycopene helps counter the effect of unhealthy LDL cholesterol. One Canadian study, published in the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine, said there was Å“convincing vidence that lycopene prevented coronary heart disease.
GRAPES LUNGS
OUR lungs are made up of branches of ever-smaller airways that finish up with tiny bunches of tissue called alveoli. These structures, which resemble bunches of grapes, allow oxygen to pass from the lungs to the blood stream. One reason that very premature babies struggle to survive is that these alveoli do not begin to form until week 23 or 24 of pregnancy. A diet high in fresh fruit, such as grapes, has been shown to reduce the risk of lung cancer and emphysema. Grape seeds also contain a chemical called proanthocyanidin, which appears to reduce the severity of asthma triggered by allergy.
CHEESE BONES
A nice Ëœholey cheese, like Emmenthal, is not just good for your bones, it even resembles their internal structure. And like most cheeses, it is a rich source of calcium, a vital ingredient for strong bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Together with another mineral called phosphate, it provides the main strength in bones but also helps to Ëœpower muscles. Getting enough calcium in the diet during childhood is crucial for strong bones. A study at Columbia University in New York showed teens who increased calcium intake from 800mg a day to 1200mg equal to an extra two slices of cheddar - boosted their bone density by six per cent.
GINGER STOMACH
Root ginger, commonly sold in supermarkets, often looks just like the stomach. So its interesting that one of its biggest benefits is aiding digestion. The Chinese have been using it for over 2,000 years to calm the stomach and cure nausea, while it is also a popular remedy for motion sickness. But the benefits could go much further.
Tests on mice at the University of Minnesota found injecting the chemical that gives ginger its flavour slowed down the growth rate of bowel tumours
BANANA (SMILE) DEPRESSION
Cheer yourself up and put a smile on your face by eating a banana. The popular fruit contains a protein called tryptophan. Once it has been digested, tryptophan then gets converted in a chemical neurotransmitter called serotonin. This is one of the most important mood-regulating chemicals in the brain and most anti-depressant drugs work by adjusting levels of serotonin production. Higher levels are associated with better moods.
MUSHROOM EAR
Slice a mushroom in half and it resembles the shape of the human ear. And guess what? Adding it to your cooking could actually improve your hearing. Thats because mushrooms are one of the few foods in our diet that contain vitamin D. This particular vitamin is important for healthy bones, even the tiny ones in the ear that transmit sound to the brain.
Close-up, the tiny green tips on a broccoli head look like hundreds of cancer cells. Now scientists know this disease-busting veg can play a crucial role in preventing the disease. Last year, a team of researchers at the US National Cancer Institute found just a weekly serving of broccoli was enough to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 45 per cent. In Britain, prostate cancer kills one man every hour.
It increases muscle tone. People who exercise in the sunlight build muscle faster than those who exercise indoors. (Crazy!)
It increases body metabolism.
Sunlight has been shown to increase to relieve depression and to improve sleep.
Everybody looks better when theyre a little sun-kissed!
How to Get Your Sun:
Like we said, small doses (20 minutes per day) of sun is best. Dont run out and fry yourself for 2 hoursthats not healthy no matter how good you think it looks.
Take into consideration the hour of the day youre getting your sun (10 am to 3 pm). As the sun moves more directly overhead, its intensity increases.
After you get your dose-full, wear sun-screenbecause more wrinkles shouldnt be part of your resolution.
It increases body metabolism.
Sunlight has been shown to increase to relieve depression and to improve sleep.
Everybody looks better when theyre a little sun-kissed!
How to Get Your Sun:
Like we said, small doses (20 minutes per day) of sun is best. Dont run out and fry yourself for 2 hoursthats not healthy no matter how good you think it looks.
Take into consideration the hour of the day youre getting your sun (10 am to 3 pm). As the sun moves more directly overhead, its intensity increases.
After you get your dose-full, wear sun-screenbecause more wrinkles shouldnt be part of your resolution.
Dont eat right before bedtime.Nobody likes to go to bed hungry, but if its possible, finish eating several hours before you plan on going to sleep.
Finally, if youve done all these things and still cant get a good nights sleep, dont fret. It happens to the best of us. And were ladies. Thats why we have make-up.
Get More Sunshine
It might not be possible to get ityear-round, but when it is available, 20 minutes of direct sunlight per day are the doctors orders. Yes, we know you have heard all the bad things about sun exposure. But there are lots of good reasons to let the sun shine in, in moderation. Aside from its link to longevity, heres why:
It increases the circulation of the blood.
It stimulates the production of more red blood cells, increasing the oxygen content of the blood, and thus increasing muscular endurance.
It increases liver function and stimulates the liver to produce a drug-metabolizing enzyme. This increases one's ability to withstand pollutants in the environment.
It stabilizes blood sugar levels (which may help you eat less).
The ultraviolet rays are antiseptic. A short morning sunbath (before 9am) several times a week will kill germs and promote wound healing. Even reflected light from windows can destroy bacteria in the dust on window sills and floors.
Finally, if youve done all these things and still cant get a good nights sleep, dont fret. It happens to the best of us. And were ladies. Thats why we have make-up.
Get More Sunshine
It might not be possible to get ityear-round, but when it is available, 20 minutes of direct sunlight per day are the doctors orders. Yes, we know you have heard all the bad things about sun exposure. But there are lots of good reasons to let the sun shine in, in moderation. Aside from its link to longevity, heres why:
It increases the circulation of the blood.
It stimulates the production of more red blood cells, increasing the oxygen content of the blood, and thus increasing muscular endurance.
It increases liver function and stimulates the liver to produce a drug-metabolizing enzyme. This increases one's ability to withstand pollutants in the environment.
It stabilizes blood sugar levels (which may help you eat less).
The ultraviolet rays are antiseptic. A short morning sunbath (before 9am) several times a week will kill germs and promote wound healing. Even reflected light from windows can destroy bacteria in the dust on window sills and floors.
Lack of sleep leaves skin dull, dehydrated, and believe it or not, wrinkled. On top of that, eyes look puffy and dark.Attractive, huh?
Another reason sleep is so crucial is cell regeneration, the process where fresh, new skin cells replace old, dead skin, happens quicker at night compared to daytime.
Sleep also cleans up daily damage.During the day, skin is bombarded with UV rays, pollution and other harmful environmental elements. These culprits can cause damage like dehydration, lines, wrinkles and sun spots. At night, skin repairs itself to reverse this damage. Adding an antioxidant-rich night cream can boost this repair process.
If youre one of the lucky ones blessed with the ability to have a sound sleep nightly, well, we kind of hate you. For the rest of us, here are a few tips from the National Sleep Foundation to help you catch some zzzs.
Create a sleep-friendly environment. This means having a room thats dark, cool and free from distractions yes, that includes your TV and laptop.
Leave work out. Occasional work stress is inevitable. Dont take it into the bedroom. Leave work materials outside of your bedroom and think of your room as a place for rest and relaxation.
Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.Sometimes its tough to keep a consistent schedule, particularly on the weekends, but its an important part of fostering healthy sleep habits.
Another reason sleep is so crucial is cell regeneration, the process where fresh, new skin cells replace old, dead skin, happens quicker at night compared to daytime.
Sleep also cleans up daily damage.During the day, skin is bombarded with UV rays, pollution and other harmful environmental elements. These culprits can cause damage like dehydration, lines, wrinkles and sun spots. At night, skin repairs itself to reverse this damage. Adding an antioxidant-rich night cream can boost this repair process.
If youre one of the lucky ones blessed with the ability to have a sound sleep nightly, well, we kind of hate you. For the rest of us, here are a few tips from the National Sleep Foundation to help you catch some zzzs.
Create a sleep-friendly environment. This means having a room thats dark, cool and free from distractions yes, that includes your TV and laptop.
Leave work out. Occasional work stress is inevitable. Dont take it into the bedroom. Leave work materials outside of your bedroom and think of your room as a place for rest and relaxation.
Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.Sometimes its tough to keep a consistent schedule, particularly on the weekends, but its an important part of fostering healthy sleep habits.
Drink More Water
Yes, youve heard it a million times, but do you ever really do it?
The benefits of drinking 6-8 glasses a day are endless, but were sticking to the ones pertaining to vanity here. (You know, the important ones.)
The debate whether drinking water actually helps hydrate your skin is an ongoing one, but it certainly cant hurt.One thing we know water does helpwith is flushing toxins out of the body. With inadequate amounts of water flowing through the system, toxins can build up and escape through skin pores, which can contribute to acneeven as an adult.
Another area water helps with is diminishing the dreaded under eye circlesas one of the main causes of dark circles is dehydration. Water retention also causes swelling under the eyes (salty foods, anyone), and downing a few extra glasseswill help de-puff skin. (Coincidentally, it is also said to increase skins plumpness.)
Lastly, filling up on water can help you eat less, and in turn, help you weigh less. Have you ever heard that hunger is often mistaken for thirst? Try it! Instead of reaching for a handful of pretzels, drink a glass of water first and seeing if youre still craving the salty snack after.
Were thinking you wont be.
Sleep More
Could there be an easier resolution? Sleep, believe it or not, is one of the best beauty treatments in your arsenal. (Beauty sleep is not just an old wives tale.) When you dont get enough of the good stuff, it showsnot only in your disposition, but in your face
Yes, youve heard it a million times, but do you ever really do it?
The benefits of drinking 6-8 glasses a day are endless, but were sticking to the ones pertaining to vanity here. (You know, the important ones.)
The debate whether drinking water actually helps hydrate your skin is an ongoing one, but it certainly cant hurt.One thing we know water does helpwith is flushing toxins out of the body. With inadequate amounts of water flowing through the system, toxins can build up and escape through skin pores, which can contribute to acneeven as an adult.
Another area water helps with is diminishing the dreaded under eye circlesas one of the main causes of dark circles is dehydration. Water retention also causes swelling under the eyes (salty foods, anyone), and downing a few extra glasseswill help de-puff skin. (Coincidentally, it is also said to increase skins plumpness.)
Lastly, filling up on water can help you eat less, and in turn, help you weigh less. Have you ever heard that hunger is often mistaken for thirst? Try it! Instead of reaching for a handful of pretzels, drink a glass of water first and seeing if youre still craving the salty snack after.
Were thinking you wont be.
Sleep More
Could there be an easier resolution? Sleep, believe it or not, is one of the best beauty treatments in your arsenal. (Beauty sleep is not just an old wives tale.) When you dont get enough of the good stuff, it showsnot only in your disposition, but in your face
It stabilizes blood sugar levels (which may help you eat less).
The ultraviolet rays are antiseptic. A short morning sunbath (before 9am) several times a week will kill germs and promote wound healing. Even reflected light from windows can destroy bacteria in the dust on window sills and floors.
It increases muscle tone. People who exercise in the sunlight build muscle faster than those who exercise indoors. (Crazy!)
It increases body metabolism.
Sunlight has been shown to relieve depression and to improve sleep.
Everybody looks better when theyre a little sun-kissed!
How to Get Your Sun:
Like we said, small doses (20 minutes per day) of sun is best. Dont run out and fry yourself for 2 hoursthats not healthy no matter how good you think it looks.
Take into consideration the hour of the day youre getting your sun (10 am to 3 pm). As the sun moves more directly overhead, its intensity increases.
After you get your dose-full, wear sun-screenbecause more wrinkles shouldnt be part of your resolution.
The ultraviolet rays are antiseptic. A short morning sunbath (before 9am) several times a week will kill germs and promote wound healing. Even reflected light from windows can destroy bacteria in the dust on window sills and floors.
It increases muscle tone. People who exercise in the sunlight build muscle faster than those who exercise indoors. (Crazy!)
It increases body metabolism.
Sunlight has been shown to relieve depression and to improve sleep.
Everybody looks better when theyre a little sun-kissed!
How to Get Your Sun:
Like we said, small doses (20 minutes per day) of sun is best. Dont run out and fry yourself for 2 hoursthats not healthy no matter how good you think it looks.
Take into consideration the hour of the day youre getting your sun (10 am to 3 pm). As the sun moves more directly overhead, its intensity increases.
After you get your dose-full, wear sun-screenbecause more wrinkles shouldnt be part of your resolution.
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