Health Value Of Foods

Health Value Of Foods

Health Value Of Foods
A healthy diet is rich in foods with high nutritional value, providing your body with the vitamins, minerals and other food nutrients it needs to protect against disease and maintain a healthy weight. To identify healthy foods, it's important to read nutrition labels and know the source of your food. Products advertised as whole-grain, organic or fortified may not necessarily be healthy for you. Find out how to get the most health value from various fruits, nuts, spices, oils and vegetables -- and learn which types of red meat and processed foods to avoid -- with expert advice from Sharecare.

Recently Answered

  • QWhat are health benefits of whole-wheat flour?
    1 Answer
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    Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
    A answered
    The next time a recipe calls for flour, add a little nutrition power by using whole-wheat flour. What's the benefit? Start with the name: "Whole" means that the flour is not refined, and it contains the bran, germ and endosperm of the grain; "wheat" is the actual grain being used. Whole-wheat flour provides iron, thiamin and niacin, as well as fiber and an earthy taste.

    There is a long-list of tasty foods that can be made from whole-wheat flour, including bread, pizza crust, crackers, muffins, pie crusts, pasta noodles, tortillas, pretzels and bagels. When purchasing foods, read the label and look for whole-wheat flour at the top of the ingredient list.
  • QWhat are the health benefits of eating cheese?
    2 Answers
    A
    Dr. William W. Li, MD - Cambridge, MA - Internal Medicine
    A , Internal Medicine, answered
    Dr. William Li - What are the health benefits of eating cheese?

    Certain cheeses contain a type of bacteria that can lower your risk of cancer. Find out which kinds of cheese fit the bill by watching this video featuring diet and disease prevention specialist Dr. William Li.
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  • QWhat are the health benefits of watermelon rind?
    1 Answer
    A
    Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD - New York, NY - Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease)
    A , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered
    Juicy watermelon rinds offer a high dose of citrulline amino acid, which helps dilate blood vessels, improving blood circulation. The easiest way to take advantage of watermelon rind health benefits is to blend a whole piece of watermelon with lime. If you’re in the mood for something with a little kick, add some gin or vodka to make it a heart-healthy cocktail.
  • QWhat are the health benefits of eating jicama?
    2 Answers
    A
    Dr. Michael T. Murray, ND - Atlanta, GA - Naturopathic Medicine
    A , Naturopathic Medicine, answered

    A fiber-rich, low-carbohydrate Mexican "potato," jicama's nutritional profile makes it the perfect "baked potato" for those wishing to lose excess weight. Eaten raw, jicama's high vitamin C content also translates into good insurance against colds and flu.

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  • QHow can eating berries benefit my brain?
    1 Answer
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    Int'l Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA)
    A answered
    Berries are not just a delicious summer treat, they can also benefit your brain by helping to keep your mind sharp. Berries contain flavonoids, which are compounds produced by plants that are associated with antioxidant properties and a number of health benefits.

    Flavonoids, including anthocyanin found in red, purple and blue fruits, have been linked to better memory and delay of age-related brain decline. A study involving more than 16,000 people found that intake of blueberries and strawberries could delay cognitive decline by as much as a two and a half years. Animal studies have also shown that the flavonoids found in fruit can boost memory.

    In addition to flavonoids, blueberries are also a good source of vitamin C and dietary fiber.
  • QWhat is jicama?
    3 Answers
    A
    Judy Caplan - Arlington, VA - Nutrition & Dietetics
    A Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of
    Jicama is a white colored flesh tuber that can weigh anywhere from a half of pound to five pounds or more. Jicama is shaped like a turnip, has a thin brown skin. It is crisp and juicy like an apple and its flavor is rather bland. This makes jicama able to be used in a variety of ways. It can be served sliced with fresh lime juice and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. Dip it in salsa or sliver it into salads with grapefruit and avocado. Jicama is a good source of Vitamin C and contains potassium, iron, and calcium. Once cut store in a container of cold water.
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  • QWhat are some health benefits of lingonberries?
    1 Answer
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    Dr. Pina LoGiudice, LAc, ND - Huntington, NY - Naturopathic Medicine
    A , Naturopathic Medicine, answered
    Well known in Sweden, the lingonberry is related to the cranberry, bilberry and blueberry. Animal studies have shown how the lingonberry can lower inflammatory molecules, block oxidants from destroying tissue, and also help the body replace important antioxidants, like glutathione, which is a master antioxidant in our body.

    Lingonberry has also been shown to increase red blood cell and liver enzymes needed for antioxidant protection. We need antioxidants to protect vessels and nerve tissue, and also to help decrease the damage from inflammation. Proanthocyanidin extracts from lingonberries were also found to be effective against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause a wide variety of infections.

    A Finnish study gave rats with high blood pressure lingonberry juice to drink for eight weeks. While the juice did not lower blood pressure, there was a striking benefit of protection for the inner linings of the animals' blood vessels (called endothelial linings). The lingonberry helped the effect of a molecule called nitric oxide, which is needed to help the vessels relax. Most interestingly, this effect seemed to be stronger with the lingonberry over the cranberry and black currant. They found the lingonberry to have almost twice the phenols as the cranberry.
  • QWhat are the health benefits of red bell peppers?
    1 Answer
    A
    Sharon Richter, RD - New York, NY - Nutrition & Dietetics
    A , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered
    Sharon Richter - What are the health benefits of red bell peppers?
    Red bell peppers have lycopene (which protects our skin from the sun), as well as vitamins C and A. In this video, registered dietician Sharon Richter, RD, explains the benefits of red bell peppers, and how to get the most nutrients from them.
  • QWhat are the health benefits of chili peppers?
    5 Answers
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    Alyssa Anderson, RD - Salt Lake City, UT - Nutrition & Dietetics
    A Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of
    Chili peppers provide a couple of benefits. Eating something hot and spicy can increase your metabolic rate temporarily, so you’re going to get hot, you’re going to sweat and you’ll have a very strong metabolic response to that. It doesn’t mean your metabolism is forever boosted, though. Peppers also help clean out nasal passages, and are good sources of antioxidants. There’s also a cancer-fighting compound in chili peppers. Some people even take cayenne pepper in pill form for health benefits. The thing is, a lot of the time we’ll get good results in animal studies but not human studies, so I don’t know how good our research is on this topic specifically. Chili peppers definitely add flavor without the calories, though. 
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  • QWhat are the health benefits of hot red peppers?
    2 Answers
    A
    Frances Largeman-Roth, RD - Brooklyn, NY - Nutrition & Dietetics
    A , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered
    What are the health benefits of hot red peppers?

    Hot red peppers have a chemical called capsicum that makes them hot; when we eat them, our bodies respond to that extreme heat by producing endorphins. Watch registered dietician Frances Largeman-Roth discuss the benefits of eating hot peppers. 
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