Organic food isn’t healthier and no safer than non-organic

Is organic food healthier for you and worth the higher price tag?

 

Even if organic isn’t healthier, it is still tastier in some people’s eyes

 

It comes at a premium price, but it seems organic food may not be worth shelling out for.

Researchers claim it is no more nutritious than food grown using pesticides and chemicals – and won’t benefit your health.

Many people pay as much as a third more for organic food in the belief that it is healthier and safer. However, Dr Dena Bravata and colleagues from Stanford University Medical Centre, California, found no clear evidence of any significant added health benefits.

 

They also found that there was no guarantee organic food would be pesticide-free – a key attraction for many consumers – though it did have lower levels.

Senior author Dr Bravata said: ‘There isn’t much difference between organic and conventional foods, if you’re an adult and making a decision based solely on your health.’

The results, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine journal, come from the biggest review yet of existing studies comparing the two types of food. However, UK campaigners said the survey was not equipped to detect real differences.

Researchers sifted through thousands of papers looking into the health benefits of organic food.

The review included studies of people with organic and conventional diets, as well as research into nutrient levels, bacterial, fungal or pesticide contamination.

 

Researchers found no consistent differences in the vitamin content of various foods. They also found no difference in protein or fat content between organic and conventional milk.

They were also unable to identify specific fruits and vegetables for which organic appeared consistently to be the healthier choice.

 

Certain organic foods produce higher greenhouse gas emissions than their conventional farmed counterparts

 Co-researcher Crystal Smith- Spangler, who is also an instructor of medicine at Stanford’s School of Medicine, said: ‘Some believe that organic food is always healthier and more nutritious. We were a little surprised that we didn’t find that.’

The researchers did find organic produce was 30 per cent less likely to be contaminated with pesticides than conventional fruit and vegetables, but not guaranteed to be pesticide-free, while pesticide levels of all foods came within the allowable safety limits.

Two studies of children found lower levels of pesticide residues in the urine of those on organic diets, though for all those studied the levels were below allowable safety thresholds.

A spokesman for the Soil Association said: ‘This US study, of limited application in Europe, found organic food helps people avoid pesticides in their food.

“However, the scientific methodology used for the review, while suitable for comparing trials of medicines, is not right for comparing different crops.’

Organic farming may not be better for the environment, according to Oxford University scientists.

They found organic milk, cereals, and pork all generated higher greenhouse gas emissions than their conventionally farmed counterparts. Organic beef and olives produced lower emissions.

Daily Mail

LATEST CANCER INFORMATION

 

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AND ELIMINATE CANCER,

JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY …

[Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins ]

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person’s lifetime.

3. When the person’s immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to STARVE the cancer cells by not feeding it with foods it needs to multiple.

What cancer cells feed on:

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Note: Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg’s aminos or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells will starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes t o nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells.

To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water–best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines will become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body’s killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body’s own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body’s normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor.

Anger, unforgiving and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

 

 

 

 

விரதமே மகத்தான மருத்துவம்!

இயற்கை மீதான பேரன்பும் உடல் மீதான அக்கறையும் எந்த வயதிலும் ஒருவரை இளமை குறையாமல் வைத்திருக்கும் என்பதற்குச் சாலச் சிறந்த உதாரணம் நம்மாழ்வார். சிறிய எழுத்துக்களையும் கண்ணாடி இல்லாமல் துல்லியமாகப் படிப்பது, சோர்வே இல்லாமல் பல கிலோ மீட்டர் தூரம் நடப்பது, தோட்ட வேலை, எழுத்துப் பணி, மேடைப் பேச்சு என ஒரு நாளைக்கு 16 மணி நேரம் பம்பரமாகச் சுழல்கிறது நம்மாழ்வாருக்கு. ”75 வயதிலும் எப்படி இப்படி ஒரு சுறுசுறுப்பு?” எனக் கேட்டால், சிறு குழந்தையாகச் சிரிக்கிறார் நம்மாழ்வார்.

”எத்தனையோ வருஷங்களுக்கு முன்னாலேயே, ‘உணவே மருந்து; மருந்தே உணவு’ன்னு திருமூலர் சொல்லிட்டுப் போயிட்டார். இந்த அற்புதமான வாக்கை ஆராதிக்கத் தவறியவர்கள்தான் எண் சாண் உடம்பில் எண்ண முடியாத வியாதிகளோடு அலையறாங்க. வாழ்க்கையில் இரண்டு வகை இருக்கிறது. ஒன்று நோயே வராமல் வாழ்வது. இரண்டாவது, நோய் வந்த பின் வருந்தியபடியே வாழ்வது. முதல் வகையில் இணைந்துவிட்டால், நமக்கு இன்னல்கள் இருக்காது.

‘மருந்து என வேண்டாவாம் யாக்கைக்கு அருந்தியது அற்றது போற்றி உணின்’ என்ற குறளிலேயே நோய் அண்டாமல் வாழ்வதற்கான வழி சொல்லப்பட்டு இருக்கிறது. உண்ட உணவு சீரணமாகிவிட்டதை அறிந்து, அதன் பிறகு உண்டால் அந்த உடம்புக்கு மருந்து என்ற ஒன்றே தேவை இல்லை எனச் சொல்லி இருக்கிறார் வள்ளுவர்.

எதை, எப்போது, எப்படி உண்ண வேண்டும் என்பதே நம்மில் பலருக்கும் தெரிவதில்லை. நாம் உண்ணும்போது முதலில் உணவை விழுங்குறோம். ஆனால், அப்படி விழுங்கக்கூடாது. பற்களால் நன்றாக அரைத்து, கூழாக்கி உமிழ்நீரோடு சேர்த்து உள்ளே தள்ளவேண்டும். இதைத்தான், ‘நொறுங்கத் தின்றால் நோய் தீரும்!’ எனப் பழமொழியாகச் சொன்னார்கள். அளவு கடந்து உணவு உண்பவர்கள் நோய்களை எதிர்கொள்ளவேண்டி இருக்கும். நாம் உண்ணும் உணவுக் கழிவுகள் உடம்பில் உள்ள ஒவ்வொரு செல்லிலும் கொஞ்சம் கொஞ்சமாகத் தேங்குகிறது. இதன் அளவு அதிகரிக்கும்போது நோய் உண்டாகிறது. சரி, அதை எப்படிக் களைவது? இதற்கான சுலபமான வழி, உண்ணாநோன்பு. இதைத்தான் ‘விரதம்’ என்ற பெயரில் கடைபிடித்தார்கள் நமது முன்னோர்கள். ‘நோயிலே படுப்பதென்ன கண்ண பரமாத்மா, நோன்பிலே உயிர்ப்பதென்ன கண்ண பரமாத்மா’ எனப் பாடினார்களே… அந்த நோன்புதான் உண்ணாநோன்பு. இறக்கும் தருவாயில் இருப்பவனைக்கூட உயிர்த்தெழுச் செய்யும் சக்தி உண்ணா நோன்புக்கு இருக்கிறது. இதைத்தான் ஆங்கிலத்தில் ‘தெரப்பூட்டிக் பாஸ்ட்டிங்’ (Theraupeutic fasting) என்று சொல்கிறார்கள். இன்றைக்கு சர்வதேச அளவில் இந்தச் சிகிச்சை பிரபலமாகி வருகிறது. உண்ணாநோன்பு இருக்கும்போது நம் உடலுக்குள் இருக்கும் தேவையில்லாத கழிவுகள் தன்னாலே வெளியேறி விடுகின்றன. உடல் தன்னைத்தானே குணப்படுத்திக்கொள்ள நாம் அனுமதிக்க வேண்டும்.

அடுத்ததாக, எதைச் சாப்பிட வேண்டும் என்பது மிகவும் முக்கியம். நம் உணவில் காய்கறிகள், கீரைகள், பழங்கள் ஆகியவற்றை அதிகம் சேர்த்துக்கொள்ள வேண்டும். ‘வெந்ததைக் குறைத்தால் வேதனையை குறைக்கலாம்’ என்பார்கள். அதாவது வேகவைத்த உணவைக் குறைத்துக்கொண்டு பச்சைக் காய்கறிகள், பழங்களை உண்ண வேண்டும். நான் 35 வயதில் கண்ணாடி அணிந்தேன். 60 வயதில் அதை அகற்றிவிட்டேன். இப்போது கண்ணாடியைப் பயன்படுத்துவதே இல்லை. பொடி எழுத்துக்களைக்கூட என்னால் துல்லியமாக வாசிக்க முடியும். இதற்குக் காரணம் எனது உணவுப் பழக்கங்கள்தான்!” – விழி விரியவைக்கும் அளவுக்கு ஆச்சரியமாகப் பேசுகிறார் நம்மாழ்வார். அடுத்து, மூலிகைகளை நோக்கி நீள்கிறது பேச்சு.

”இயற்கை நமக்குக் கொடுத்த அருட்கொடை மூலிகைகள். நாம் பயிர் செய்யாமலேயே நமக்கான உணவாக சில மூலிகைகளை இயற்கை உற்பத்தி செய்கிறது. உதாரணமாக, பிரண்டை. இதைத் துவையல் செய்து சாதத்தில் குழம்புக்குப் பதிலாக பிசைந்து உண்ணலாம். தூதுவளை, மொசுமொசுக்கை இலைகளைச் சேர்த்து ரசம் வைத்து உண்டால் நாள்பட்ட சளி தீரும். வாய்ப்புண்ணை ஆற்ற மணத்தக்காளி, வெட்டுப் புண்களை ஆற்ற வெட்டுக்காயப் பச்சிலை, அனைத்துக் கும் சிறந்த ஆவாரை, துளசி என மூலிகைகளின் அதிசய ஆற்றல் கொஞ்சநஞ்சம் அல்ல. நம்மைச் சுற்றி வளர்ந்துகிடக்கும் எண்ணில்லா மூலிகைகளை நாம் சரியாகப் பயன்படுத்தினாலே பாதி நோய்கள் காணாமல் போய்விடும்!” எனச் சொல்லும் நம்மாழ்வார், உடலின் மகத்துவத்தையும், யோகாவின் சிறப்பையும் சொல்லத் தொடங்கினார்.

”இயற்கை ஒருபோதும் தவறு செய்வதில்லை. உடல் ஒருபோதும் தன் கடமையை நிறுத்துவதில்லை. பசி வந்தால் உணவு, தாகம் எடுத்தால் தண்ணீர், சோர்வு வந்தால் உறக்கம் என உடல் சரியான சமிக்ஞைகளை நமக்கு கொடுத்தவண்ணம் இருக்கிறது. அதன்படி உணவு, உறக்கத்தை நாம் கடைப்பிடித்தாலே உடலுக்கு எந்தவிதமான சிக்கலும் வராது. பலர் உடம்பு வலிக்காக மாத்திரை, மருந்துகளை உட்கொள்கிறார்கள். வலி என்பது உடம்பு தன் உள்ளே இருக்கும் நச்சுப் பொருட்களை வெளியேற்றும் முயற்சி. அதைத் தடுக்கக்கூடாது.

50 வயது வரை உடம்புதான் உன்னதம் என நினைக்கும் மனது, அதற்குப் பிறகு ஆன்மாவை ஆராதிக்கிறது. ஆன்மா இந்த உடம்புக்குள்ளேதானே இருக்கிறது! அதனால், உடலைப் பராமரிப்பதும் அவசியம். இது இரண்டையும் ஒரே நேரத்தில் பராமரிக்க உதவுவதுதான் யோகா. நான் நீண்ட காலமாக யோகா செய்து வந்தாலும், ‘ஈஷா’ பயிற்சியில்தான் அதை முறைப்படுத்தினேன். தினமும் காலையில் நடைப்பயிற்சி, மூச்சுப் பயிற்சி, யோகா செய்கிறேன்.

ஈஷா யோகா பயிற்சியின்போது நடந்த நேர்காணலில், ‘யோகா செய்வதன் மூலம் நோய்கள் குணமாகும் என்றால், எதற்காக இத்தனை மருத்துவர்களும், மருத்துவமனைகளும் இருக்கின்றன?’ என சத்குருவிடம் கேட்டேன். ‘நாட்டில் தினமும் ஆயிரக் கணக்கில் விபத்துகள் நடக்கின்றன. விபத்தில் கடுமையாக பாதிக்கப்பட்டவர்களுக்கு யோகா சொல்லிக் கொடுக்க முடியாது அல்லவா? அவர்களுக்குத் தேவை, அவசர சிகிச்சை. அதற்காகத் தான் மருத்துவர்களும், மருத்துவமனைகளும்!’ என்று அவர் அமைதியாகச் சொன்னார்.

அவர் சொன்னது உண்மைதான். ஆங்கில மருத்துவத்தை அவசரத்தேவைக்கு மட்டுமே பயன்படுத்த வேண்டும். மாத்திரை, மருந்துகளைத் தொடர்ச்சியாக உட்கொள்ளும்போது, அதுவே உடம்பில் பல உபத்திரவங்களை உண்டாக்குகிறது.

மொத்தத்தில், சரியான பழக்க வழக்கங்களும், உடலைப் பேணும் உணவு முறையும், ஆரோக்கியமான சுற்றுச்சூழலும் இருந்தாலே நோய்க்கு ‘நோ என்ட்ரி’ போட்டுவிடலாம்!” எனச் சொல்லும் நம்மாழ்வார் இறுதியாக இப்படிச் சொல்கிறார் வாழ்வியல் மந்திரத்தை.

‘கணியன் பூங்குன்றனார் சொன்ன ‘தீதும், நன்றும் பிறர் தர வாரா’ என்கிற வரி நம் உடலுக்கும் உள்ளத்துக்கும் ஒருசேர வழிகாட்டக்கூடியது. அந்த வரிகளை மனதில் ஏற்று இயற்கையை வணங்கி, உடலை ஆராதிக்கக் கற்றுக் கொண்டால் வாழ்வின் சிறப்புக்குக் குறைவே இருக்காது!”.

– நன்றி சக்தி விகடன்

 

 

 

 

Few Hate it but Guava has it all

Health Benefits of Guava

1. Guava is a rich source of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin E. It also contains folic acid, potassium, manganese and copper.

2. Guava is a laxative fruit. Being a rich source of dietary fiber, it helps to cure constipation.

3. Guava is packed with vitamins and minerals that help to keep the skin healthy, fresh and wrinkle free.

4. Guava contains the powerful antioxidant Vitamin C to boost the immune system. It plays a vital role and helps in cancer prevention and anti-aging.

5. Magnesium in guavas helps to relax the nerves and muscles in the body.

6. Potassium in guavas helps to regulate the blood pressure by reversing the role of sodium in unbalancing the normal blood pressure.

7. Guava is rich in Vitamin C which helps to prevent the viral infections like cold and cough. It also effectively helps in treating scurvy.

8. Guava has very good astringent properties. It helps in treating gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea or dysentery.

9. Vitamin A and the fiber content in guava helps to protect the colon mucous membrane.

10. Guava is a cholesterol free fruit. It satisfies and keeps the stomach free from hunger for a long time. It assists in weight reduction and helps to control diabetes.

Guava is also a great fruit to juice with. It can take the edge off of dark green vegetables/leaves and make for a naturally sweeter energy drink.

Long Haul Flight Issues

Its vacation time! Been planning to go on a long holiday with your family and all geared up for it! But little does your ticket mention how troublesome your long journey could get. Long flight hauls can become tiresome and drain out all the energy out of you.

Some of the most common problems faced by the passengers-

Deep Vein Thrombosis(DVT)

People are usually under the impression that airplane seats are very comfortable. On a general basis, the economy class seats are not really designed for comfort. Sitting in the same position for long time means that blood pools in the body and clots can develop. DVT is normally formed in a deep vain in the leg.
Those who have already have known to have blood clotting problems are advised to consult their doctor before flying. Avoiding long stretches where you are inactive during a flight is probably the best way to avoid DVT from developing. The problem aggravates when a part of the clot breaks off and flows to the lungs. This condition, known as Pulmonary Embolus, can cause severe injury or death.

Stretch your legs every few minutes and move around the cabin if possible. Wear some clothing you are comfortable in, preferably loose clothing in order to avoid constriction of veins.

Jet Lag

Travel by sea provides an ample amount of time for the human body to adjust to the local time but flight journeys are a difficult. The traveler usually ends up in the part of the world where the time is out of sync. With a disturbed body clock, it takes one day per time zone for it to adjust to the new surroundings.
Jet lag usually causes insomnia, tiredness, nausea, vomitting, constipation, poor concentration etc.

So take enough rest before the travel.
Avoid having alcohol as much possible on the flight and cut down to coffee and tea.
Just have lots of water without any carbon content; carbonized drinks makes you feel bloats you up and also upsets the stomach. And some sleeping tablets en route the journey could give a good amount of sleep.

Respiratory Infections

Sitting for a long time next to passengers suffering from common cold may not only make you feel uncomfortable but might also increase your chances of getting infected. Surveys say that there is small risk of catching Tuberculosis over air flights; the transmission has been noted in flights lasting over eight hours.

Other health issues

Long-haul flights a curse of many a back pain sufferers. Cramped leg room, uncomfortable seating and being confined to a small space all contribute to lower back pain during and after a flight.
Doctors advice to sit at an angle of 135 degrees; the pressure is least on the vertebral discs.
If you have neck pain, carry an inflatable neck pillow along with you to provide extra support for your head and neck.

After the flight

Now that you have arrived at your destination, collect your bags and get started. Even after the flight, if you find yourself in pain, you can do is keep moving. Stand up for sometime and give your back a good stretch with a spinal roll-down. A good tissue massage can release the stiffness and relax tense muscles.
If you’ve a had a ad stomach throughout the journey, have a cup of herbal tea.

Related articles

• Norwegian discount airline in it for the long haul (cbsnews.com)
• Heathrow Airport chiefs back moves to keep Aberdeen flights (eveningexpress.co.uk)
• Short haul flights on the increase (travelnews.britishairways.com)
• What is deep vein thrombosis? (zocdoc.com)

SNAKE VENOM , IT’s HARMLESS . CHECK HOW !

 

If you drink SNAKE VENOM ,YOU WILL BE UNHARMED!!

Yes UNHARMED (Unless you have some cut in your mouth).

SNAKE VENOM only affects your blood stream and tissue.
The snake venom will be digested and will be released from your excretory system !!!

 

 

 

 

Processed food is NOT the way to go

 Another reason why Fast, Processed food is NOT the way to go

 

The watermelon is easily digestible, and will be excavated much faster than the burger and fries below. If the burger and fries remain in tact for 180 days, imagine how it must look inside your intestines! That stuff clogs you up, prevents the villi in the intestine from functioning properly, and results in malabsorption issues and GI tract problems. Not to mention a variety of other bodily effects that I could list for days on end.

Suggestion : Eat clean. Eat Fruits. Eat Greens. Eat nuts, seeds and avocados minimally. See the changes. Exercise, get enough sleep, reduce daily stress.

 

 

 

Healthy Fruits and Vegetables You Aren’t Eating

 

Fruits and Vegetables are very important in human diet. In today’s world most of the foods are processed. You should stop depending on artificial food items; it’s possible to get all the vitamins and minerals you need from fruits and vegetables. Living on a rich fruits and vegetable diet can help you store more energy. It will also help to reduce cholesterol, regulates blood sugar, cancers and obesity. Here we tell you about the top 5 Healthy Fruits and Veggies You aren’t eating but contains powerful health properties. Do not forget to include these five items in your diet.

Guava

One raw Guava provides 5 times as much vitamin C as a medium orange contains. Guva contain the same amount of lycopene presented in tomatoes and watermelon. It is also known for its ability to protect against foodborne pathogens such as Listeria and staph. Guava beat out apples, bananas, and grapes to be the number one fruit in a recent survey released by The Center for Science. They contain certain nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, potassium, folate, iron, calcium, and antioxidant-packed pigments called carotenoids.

Lychees

This is a popular fruit having numerous health benefits. Lychee has the second-highest level of heart-healthy polyphenols out of 24 fruits tested. Studies proved that they had nearly 15% more disease-preventing polyphenols than grapes and other fruits. The powerful antioxidents contains in Lychee also help to prevent the formation of breast cancer cells. You can try them in your favorite fruit salad or crush them with soup and to make tasty sauce meals.

Drumstick leafs

Drumstick pods and leaves are known for its sources of acrotene, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin C. The leaves and other parts of drumstick which are used as vegetable have great nutritional value. The leaves and flowers are commonly used to prepare curry and cake. Drumstick-leaf is very beneficial for pregnant women as it can help them to overcome lethargy of the uterus, ease delivery, and reduce post-delivery complications. These leaves are also found to be very useful in treating wheezing, asthma, bronchitis, and tuberculosis.

Sweet potato

Sweet potato is a common Asian fruit rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Vitamins A and C are powerful antioxidants that help the body to eradicate free radicals from damaging human body cells. Sweet potatoes are also good for stomach ulcers and colon infections. People involved in heavy muscular work should include this fruit in their diet since is high in vitamins and minerals. It will also help to stabilize blood sugar levels

 

Top 10 Bad Things That Are Good For You

 

Beer quells heart disease and chocolate staves off cancer? Though often tagged with a disclaimer, studies that tell us to eat, inhale and generally indulge in “bad stuff” is music to our ears. So go ahead and enjoy these bad-for-you remedies-everything in moderation, as they say-until the next study inevitably overturns the research.

Sex

Credit: Dreamstime

Scientists have found that the benefits of sex go beyond immediate, ahem, gratification and satisfying the goal of procreation. Besides the obvious evolutionary purposes, we can all take pleasure in the news that having sex is an easy way to reduce stress, lower cholesterol and improve circulation throughout the body. As if you needed another excuse.

Chocolate

Credit: Dreamstime

Chocolate lovers rejoice: study after study lately has touted the magical benefits of the indulgent treat, which is packed with the antioxidant flavonols that prevent certain cancers and keep your arteries from clogging. The most recent news? These powerful chemicals may even increase blood flow to the brain, warding off dementia. Just stick to the highest cocoa content possible-the bars packed with sugar don’t help your health one bit.

Red Wine

Credit: Dreamstime

A crucial ingredient in the diets of the world’s heart-healthiest populations-like those Bordeaux-guzzling French-red wine has long been known to have potent anti-cancer and artery-protecting benefits. The key, some studies indicate, is an antioxidant found specifically in the skin of red wine grapes, called resveratrol. The latest studies even link resveratrol to greater endurance, a reduction in gum disease and Alzheimer’s. White wine, which is fermented after the skins are removed, is less beneficial according to some studies.

Marijuana

Credit: null

It’s medicinal, we swear! Marijuana, often associated with memory loss, is ironically now being hyped as a way to stave off the ultimate form of memory loss: Alzheimer’s. Recent studies on mice suggest that anti-inflammatories found in the drug prevent the clumping of brain proteins, one major cause of the disease. So when should you start preventative therapy? We suggest waiting for the human studies to wrap up.

Maggots

Credit: Wikimedia commons user Tarquin

They’re creepy, slimy and altogether ooky, but maggots can save your life. These squirmy larvae are science’s newest wonder-cure and were approved in 2003 as the Food & Drug Administration‘s only live medical device. Placed on serious wounds, maggots mimic their “wild” lifestyle and munch on bacteria and dead tissue, stimulating healing and helping to prevent infection.

Sunlight

Credit: Ron Sumners | Dreamstime

Exposure to the sun’s rays is necessary to survive, but can also kill youin gross, cancerous quantities. Asthmatics, at least, could benefit from measured doses of ultraviolet rays, according to scientists. Sunlight suppressed the immune reactions that cause asthma in some lab studies with mice and could be used to treat humans afflicted with the disease in the future. And sunlight-even if indirect, such as on a shaded porch-is known to boost the mood. Extra sunlight can help office workers avoid afternoon drowsiness, a recent study found. There’s still no excuse to head outside and bake, however.

LSD

Credit: Wikimedia commons, public domain

We’re definitely not in the business of advocating drug use. But check out this interesting science: In heavy drinkers, small doses of LSD have been thought to help bypass the rock-bottom stage of alcoholism and prevent relapses. These studies-some decades old-were done in closely monitored, clinical settings; many patients haven’t had a drink in the many years since. It’s an interesting finding that needs a lot more investigation, and not a remedy that should ever be tried at home. Meantime, and this may come as no surprise, recent study of 36 volunteers who took an LSD-like drug in a lab setting had them reporting mystical experiences and behavior changes that lasted for weeks.

Coffee

Credit: Yuri Arcurs | Dreamstime

Java is one of the most debated substances around. Is it good for you? Is it bad for you? Both? The consensus, now anyways, seems to favor those who enjoy their morning jolt — unrelated studies claim coffee is a major source of antioxidants in our diet and can help lower your risk of diabetes. Something in the beans is also thought to ease the onset of cirrhosis of the liver and pancreatitis, good news for those who like to party hard all night before their morning caffeine boost.

Anger

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If you’re one of those people who tends to bottle things up, only to explode … don’t hold it in so long. Studies show that bursts of anger here and there are good for the health, and can be an even more effective coping mechanism than becoming afraid, irritated or disgusted. Anger, like the consumables in this list, however, is best in moderation: stay angry for long periods of time and you’ll be plagued with a host of health issues, like blood pressure, sleep disorders and lung damage.

Beer

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The newest bad kid on the block, beer has long been overshadowed by its healthier alcoholic cousins. While no one’s suggesting you switch that glass of antioxidant-rich Pinot Noir for a tall glass of lager-there’s still that beer gut to worry about-new research has suggested that moderate beer intake can actually improve cardiovascular function. Now if only a scientist will discover the health benefits of ballpark franks and chicken wings. Heaven.

 

The Internet Is Ruining Your Brain [INFOGRAPHIC]

As you’re reading this, you have tunnel vision — that feeling that the world is closing in on you after surfing the Internet for eight straight hours. Web dead head (yes, I made that up) is a growing concern for today’s connected generation, which collectively spends 35 billion hours on the Internet every month.

But we’re not just talking one online shopping experience at a time. Often, we have four tabs open, cycling between emails and shopping, tweeting and word processing. Such multi-tasking actually raises stress levels and lowers creative thinking overall, according to the research compiled by ForensicPsychology.net.

Turns out, multi-tasking online doesn’t positively exercise our brains or mental state. Heavy Internet users are 2.5 times more likely to be depressed. And web addiction reduces the white matter in our brains, basically the transmitters responsible for our memory and sensory abilities.

 

Stephanie Buck