THE BENEFITS OF DRINKING LEMON WATER

Lemon water is claimed to have powerful health and weight loss benefits.

Lemon water is simply the juice from  lemon mixed with water.

The amount of lemon you use depends on your personal preference, and this drink can be enjoyed either cold or hot.

Some people also choose to add lemon rind, mint leaf or other ingredients.

Lemon water has become a popular morning beverage, since it’s been claimed to help improve your mood, energy levels, immune system and metabolic health.

Lemon Water Nutrition Facts

For the purpose of this article, the definition of lemon water is one glass of water mixed with the juice from half a lemon.

This is the nutrient breakdown for one glass:

One glass does not seem to provide a lot of nutrients, but drinking lemon water is a low-calorie and low-sugar beverage that can boost your vitamin C intake.

For comparison, if you replaced half a lemon with half an orange, it would double the calories and sugar in your drink.

Additionally, remember that the exact nutritional value depends on how much lemon juice you add, as well as any other ingredients.

Lemon Water Contains Antioxidants

Lemon water contains other beneficial substances, and is a source of plant compounds called flavonoids 

Many have antioxidant properties that appear to help protect your cells from damage.

Flavonoids from citrus fruits are often linked with benefits for blood circulation, insulin sensitivity and other aspects of metabolic health.

Lemon flavonoids also have the potential to reduce oxidative stress and damage, at least in rats.

All that said, there are no human studies to support these findings, so they may not be as useful in real life.

Lemon Water May Help Treat Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are solid mineral formations that collect in the kidneys.

The most common type is made of a substance called calcium oxalate and is typically treated with a compound called citrate.

Increasing the amount of citrate in your urine is thought to prevent calcium from binding with other compounds and forming stones.

In short, citrate restores the urine’s ability to prevent kidney stone formation.

Lemon water contains high amounts of citrate, and numerous human studies have found it can successfully help treat kidney stones.

It appears to be most effective when used alongside potassium citrate, the supplement form of citrate. However, lemon water may also be a good alternative for those who don’t tolerate potassium citrate as a first-line treatment.

Lemon Water Has The Benefits of Regular Water

Lemon water is water with a bit of lemon added, which means it has all the benefits of regular water.

Drinking plenty of water is known to have benefits for:

• Weight loss: Increases feelings of fullness and boosts metabolism slightly, which can help with weight loss.
• Mental health: Optimizes mood and memory.
• Digestive health: Helps relieve constipation.
• Exercise performance: Improves athletic performance.

Does it Have Any Harmful Effects?

Lemon water is perfectly safe to drink.

However, the acid in lemons can damage your tooth enamel over time, which makes your teeth more prone to cavities.

You can manage this easily by drinking lemon water with a straw whenever possible, to avoid contact with your teeth.

Also, you should rinse your mouth with water afterwards. However, it is best to wait an hour before brushing your teeth. Brushing while your tooth enamel is an an acid-softened state can lead to damage.

If you’re taking the lemon water with breakfast, then it’s a good idea to brush your teeth before breakfast.

Does the Temperature of Lemon Water Matter?

The best temperature to drink lemon water is a highly debated topic.

For example, some claim cold water helps burn extra calories. Others believe warm water helps improve digestive health.

There is very little research to support either side, and it’s highly unlikely the temperature makes any meaningful difference.

Therefore, it simply comes down to what you feel like at the time.

How to Make Your Own Lemon Water

Most recipes suggest using the juice from half a lemon mixed with a glass of water. You can tweak the amounts from there or add other ingredients.

Take Home Message

Lemon water is a healthy drink that can add a good amount of vitamin C to your diet.

It’s a fantastic, flavorful alternative to plain water that has several health benefits.

However, if you already eat lots of fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of fluids, then lemon water will be of no nutritional benefit.

You should drink it for the taste rather than the health benefits.

8 SEEMINGLY GOOD-FOR-YOU FOODS THAT AREN'T AS HEALTHY AS YOU THINK

Sugar shows up in the most surprising places.
The concept of eating healthy is a simple one: eat lots of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and stay clear of sweets. But successfully making that happen these days when so much of our food is packaged, is a lot trickier than you might expect. Many healthy food options are actually not as good for you as they seem. Have you been wrongly adviced?  Find out below...

1. Juice cleanses: Think about it ― those store-bought juice cleanses mean you’re drinking a lot of juice. It’s better to eat the fruit or vegetable rather than a juiced version of it because you lose the fiber when you juice. Actually, most healthy eating sources will tell you to steer clear of juice altogether. So-called “detox” juices offer more nutrition than your run-of-the-mill store-bought juice, but drinking them in place of a meal means you’re missing out on protein and taking in way too much sugar.

2. Dried fruit:

Dried fruit

Yes, eating dried fruit is probably a healthier choice than the cookie you actually wish you were eating. But you should know that dried fruit is still a sugary treat. The sugar that’s usually added to dried fruit make it more like candy than fruit at all. But not all store-bought dried fruit has added sugar, just be sure to check the label and choose wisely.

3. Flavored yogurt: They flavor it with sugar. Lots of it, too. Sure, yogurt is a good choice, but you’ve got to eat it plain (or with fresh fruit on top).

4. Energy and protein bars: These options sound healthy, but most of them are basically just candy bars. Many are loaded with sugar and have more calories than you’d expect. Consider making your own, then you’ll know exactly what’s in them.

5. Frozen yogurt: Just eat the ice cream. Sure, frozen yogurt has less saturated fat than ice cream, but once you load it up with toppings that are sugar and fat-loaded it can often times wind up as unhealthy a choice as ice cream.

6. Peanut butter (and other nut butters): These are a healthy, protein-rich option when eaten in moderation, but only if you buy natural varieties that have no more than two ingredients. Some nut butters ― like the reduced fat kind ― have sugar added in the form of high fructose corn syrup, making this seemingly “smart” snack option not so smart after all.

7. Smoothies:

Blueberry smoothie

Smoothies aren’t necessarily bad for you if made with fresh fruits and vegetables. But be careful of serving size and where you get one. Pre-made smoothies and store-bought ones can be loaded with sugar and calories. It’s safer to just make your own.
8. Canned soups: Soup is often a healthy meal choice, but when it’s canned it comes with more sodium than is good for you. Excess sodium can make you feel bloated and sluggish. Soup is easy to make; too easy, actually, to not go the homemade route.

8 EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH BENEFITS OF GRAPEFRUIT

Grapefruit is a tropical citrus fruit known for its sweet and somewhat sour taste.

It’s rich in nutrients, antioxidants and fiber, making it one of the healthiest citrus fruits you can eat.

Research shows that it may have some powerful health benefits, including weight loss and a reduced risk of heart disease.

Here are 8 evidence-based health benefits of grapefruit.

1. It’s Low in Calories, Yet High in Nutrients

Grapefruit is an incredibly healthy food to include in your diet. That’s because it’s high in nutrients, but low in calories . In fact, it’s one of the lowest-calorie fruits. 

It provides a decent amount of fiber, in addition to more than 15 beneficial vitamins and minerals.

Here are some of the major nutrients found in half of a medium-sized grapefruit:

• Calories: 52
• Carbs: 13 grams
• Protein: 1 gram
• Fiber: 2 grams
• Vitamin C: 64% of the RDI
• Vitamin A: 28% of the RDI
• Potassium: 5% of the RDI
• Thiamine: 4% of the RDI
• Folate: 4% of the RDI
• Magnesium: 3% of the RDI

Additionally, it is a rich source of some powerful antioxidant plant compounds, which are likely responsible for many of its health benefits

2. It May Benefit Your Immune System

Eating grapefruit regularly may be beneficial for your immune system.

It’s prized for its high content of vitamin C, which has antioxidant properties known to protect your cells from harmful bacteria and viruses.

Additionally, several studies have shown Vitamin C to be beneficial for helping people recover more quickly from the common cold.

Many other vitamins and minerals found in grapefruit are known to benefit immunity, including vitamin A, which has been shown to help protect against inflammation and several infectious diseases.

Grapefruit also provides small amounts of B vitamins, zinc, copper and iron, which all work together in the body to promote immune system function. They also help maintain the integrity of your skin, which acts as a protective barrier.

3. May Promote Appetite Control

Grapefruit contains a decent amount of fiber— 2 grams in half of a medium-sized fruit.

Research shows that a diet high in fiber-rich fruits is beneficial for inducing feelings of fullness. This is because fiber slows the rate at which your stomach empties, increasing digestion time.

Thus, consuming adequate amounts of fiber may automatically help you eat fewer calories throughout the day by keeping your appetite at bay.

4. It Has Been Shown to Aid Weight Loss

Grapefruit is a weight loss friendly fruit. 

It has several properties linked to weight loss, especially its fiber content, which helps promote fullness and reduce calorie intake.

Additionally, grapefruit contains few calories but lots of water, which is another characteristic known to help with weight loss.

One study in 91 obese subjects found that those who consumed half of a fresh grapefruit before meals lost significantly more weight than those who didn’t.

In fact, those in the group that ate fresh grapefruit lost an average of 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg) over 12 weeks, while the participants in the group that didn’t eat grapefruit lost less than 1 pound (0.3 kg), on average.

Other studies have found similar weight-reducing effects. For instance, one study found that participants experienced a reduced waist size when they consumed grapefruit daily with their meals.

This isn’t to say that grapefruit will produce weight loss on its own, but adding it to an already healthy diet may prove to be beneficial.

5. Grapefruit May Help Prevent Insulin Resistance and Diabetes

Eating grapefruit regularly may have the potential to prevent insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes.

Insulin resistance occurs when your cells stop responding to insulin.

Insulin is a hormone that regulates many processes in your body. For example, it’s involved in many aspects of your metabolism, but it’s most commonly known for its role in blood sugar control.

Insulin resistance ultimately leads to higher insulin and blood sugar levels, two primary risk factors for type 2 diabetes

Eating grapefruit may help control insulin levels and thus have the ability to reduce your likelihood of becoming insulin resistant.

In one study, subjects who ate half of a fresh grapefruit before meals experienced a significant reduction in both insulin levels and insulin resistance, compared to the group that didn’t eat grapefruit.

Furthermore, eating fruit as a whole is generally associated with better blood sugar control and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

6. Eating Grapefruit May Improve Heart Health

Regularly consuming grapefruit is thought to improve heart health by reducing risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol.

In one study, people who ate grapefruit three times daily for six weeks experienced significant reductions in blood pressure over the course of the study. They also showed improvements in total cholesterol and “bad” LDL cholesterol levels.

These effects are likely due to the important nutrients that grapefruit contains, which play a role in keeping your heart functioning properly.

First, grapefruit is fairly high in potassium, a mineral responsible for many aspects of heart health. Half a grapefruit provides about 5% of your daily potassium needs.

Adequate potassium intake is associated with a reduced risk of high blood pressure. Additionally, it has been shown to lower the risk of death from heart disease.

Second, the fiber in grapefruit may also boost heart health, given that a high fiber intake is associated with lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Overall, researchers claim that including fiber and antioxidant-rich fruits like grapefruit as part of a healthy diet helps protect against conditions like heart disease and stroke.

7. It’s High in Powerful Antioxidants

Grapefruit contains a few different anti-oxidants that provide various health benefits, including a reduced risk of several diseases.

Antioxidants protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that may cause harmful reactions in your body.

Here’s an overview of the most important antioxidants in grapefruit:

• Vitamin C: A powerful, water-soluble antioxidant that is present in high amounts in grapefruit. It may protect cells from damage that often leads to heart disease and cancer.
• Beta-carotene: It’s converted into vitamin A in the body and thought to help reduce the risk of some chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer and eye-related disorders like macular degeneration.
• Lycopene: Known for its potential ability to prevent the development of certain types of cancer, especially prostate cancer. May also help slow the growth of tumors and decrease the side effects of common cancer treatments.
• Flavanones: Their anti-inflammatory properties have been shown to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart diseases.

8. May Reduce the Risk of Kidney Stones

Consuming grapefruit may reduce your risk of developing kidney stones, which result from a buildup of waste materials in the kidneys.

These waste materials are products of metabolism that are normally filtered through the kidneys and removed from the body in urine.

However, when they crystallize in the kidneys, they become stones. Larger kidney stones may cause a blockage in the urinary system, which can be incredibly painful.

The most common type of kidney stones is calcium oxalate stones. Citric acid, an organic acid found in grapefruit, may be effective at preventing them by binding with calcium in the kidneys and flushing it out of the body.

Also, citric acid has the ability to increase the volume and pH of your urine, producing an environment that is less favorable to the formation of kidney stones.

DRIVE PREGNANCY STRETCH MARKS AND OTHER STRETCH MARKS WITH COCONUT OIL

Sudden stretching of your skin will make stretch marks appear. Coconut oil is a great treatment option for stretch marks during pregnancy because it can penetrate deeper into your skin.

It prevents stretch marks and plays a role in their removal as well. Coconut oil contains saturated fats that strengthen the cell walls and also fights free radicals to reduce the appearance of your stretch marks.

Stretch marks are common during pregnancy and weight loss or weight increase as a result of stretching of the skin. You can prevent those marks by gently rubbing coconut oil twice a day.

It is a safe remedy for stretch marks to use during pregnancy. In fact, the use of coconut oil will help soothe, heal, moisturise, and clarify your skin during pregnancy.

According to www.newhealthadvisor. com, if you have already acquired those unsightly stretch marks, you can slather warm extra virgin coconut oil on those marks before going to bed to reduce their appearance.

Massage gently to ensure it penetrates deep into your skin. Use lukewarm water to rinse your affected area in the morning. Using this simple remedy for a few weeks will make you notice positive changes with a good glow on your skin.

Tips

• Try to apply coconut oil to the affected area right after you take a shower because that’s when your skin is clean and more capable of absorbing the oil.

•Take the right amount of oil to ensure it will absorb completely.

•For better effects, create oil blends by combining different essential oils. Mix some cocoa butter, coconut oil, and Shea butter and melt it in a double boiler.

Add some vitamin E oil and apply on your skin for better effects.

11 NATURAL REMEDIES FOR NAUSEA

Nausea is something most people are familiar with. It is never pleasant and can arise in a variety of situations, including pregnancy and travel.

Anti-nausea medications are commonly used to help relieve it. Unfortunately, such medications can have negative side effects of their own, including drowsiness.

1. Eat Ginger

Ginger is a popular natural remedy commonly used to treat nausea.

The way it works is not yet fully understood. However, experts believe that compounds in ginger may work in a similar way to anti-nausea medications.

In fact, several studies agree that ginger is effective at reducing nausea in various situations.

For instance, consuming ginger may be an effective way to reduce nausea during pregnancy. 

Ginger may also be effective at reducing the nausea people commonly experience after chemotherapy treatment or an operation.

Some studies even report ginger to be as effective as some prescription medications, with fewer negative side effects.

There is no consensus regarding the most effective dosage, but most of the studies above provided participants with 0.5 to 1.5 grams of dried ginger root per day.

Ginger use is safe for most people. However, you may need to limit your ginger intake if you’re prone to low blood pressure or low blood sugar, or if you’re taking blood thinners.

While there are only a small number of studies on ginger, the ones performed on healthy pregnant women report a low risk of side effects. Thus, most experts consider ginger to be a safe, effective remedy during pregnancy.

2. Try Acupuncture or Acupressure

Acupuncture and acupressure are two techniques commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat nausea and vomiting.

During acupuncture, thin needles are inserted into specific points on the body. Acupressure aims to stimulate the same points of the body, but uses pressure instead of needles to do so.

Both techniques stimulate nerve fibers, which transmit signals to the brain and spinal cord. These signals are thought to have the ability to decrease nausea.

For instance, two recent reviews report that acupuncture and acupressure reduce the risk of developing nausea after an operation by 28–75%.

What’s more, studies show that both forms are as effective as anti-nausea medications at reducing symptoms, with virtually no negative side effects.

Similarly, two other reviews report that acupressure lowers the severity of nausea and the risk of developing it after chemotherapy.

There is also some evidence that acupuncture may reduce nausea during pregnancy, but more research is needed on this.

You can stimulate this nerve on your own simply by placing your thumb 2–3 finger widths down from your inner wrist, between the two prominent tendons.

Once you’ve located it, press down with your thumb for about one minute before repeating the same procedure on your other arm. Repeat if needed.

3. Slice a Lemon

Citrusy smells, such as those from a freshly sliced lemon may help reduce nausea.

Slicing a lemon or simply scratching its peel may work in a similar way because it helps release its essential oils into the air. A vial of lemon essential oil may be a practical alternative to use when you’re away from home.

4. Use Certain Spices

Several siceare popular home remedies often recommended to combat nausea.

Most of these spices are supported solely by anecdotal evidence. However, the nausea-fighting power of these three spices is backed by some scientific evidence:

• Fennel powder: May reduce menstrual symptoms, including nausea, and help women experience shorter periods.
• Cinnamon: May reduce the severity of nausea that women experience during menstruation.
• Cumin extract: May help improve symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, constipation and diarrhea in individuals suffering from irritable bowel syndrome 

Although these three spices may help relieve nausea in certain individuals.

6. Take a Vitamin B6 Supplement

Vitamin B6 is increasingly recommended as an alternative treatment for pregnant women preferring to avoid anti-nausea medications.

Several studies report that supplements of vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, successfully reduce nausea during pregnancy.

For this reason, several experts suggest taking vitamin B6 supplements during pregnancy as a first-line treatment against mild nausea.

Vitamin B6 doses up to 200 mg per day are generally considered safe during pregnancy and produce virtually no side effects. Therefore, this alternative therapy may be worth a try.

Nevertheless, there haven’t been very many studies on this topic, and some report no effects.

Additional tips to reduce Nausea

In addition to the tips above, a few other recommendations may decrease the likelihood of nausea or help relieve its symptoms. The most common include.

7. Avoid spicy or fatty foods: A blander diet made up of foods such as bananas,  rice, applesauce, crackers or baked potatoes may relieve nausea and decrease the likelihood of an upset stomach.

8. Stay hydrated: Dehydration can worsen nausea. If your nausea is accompanied by vomiting, replace your lost fluids with electrolyte-rich fluids such as flat mineral water, vegetable broth or a sports drink.

9. Avoid strong smells: These may worsen nausea, especially during pregnancy.
10. Avoid iron supplements: Pregnant women with normal iron levels should avoid taking iron supplements during the first trimester because they may worsen feelings of nausea.
11. Exercise: Aerobic exercise and yoga may be particularly helpful ways to reduce nausea in some individuals.