Basil? Apparently, aside from its antibacterial and other health benefits, basil contain volatile oils that has anti-inflammatory properties, which basically act the same way as your over the counter aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen (source). Want more scientific proof? Check out this animal trial published in Fitoterapia.

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Anti-Inflammatory Powers of Basil

I’ve found an article that cites 20 alternatives to ginger for curing sore throat! The options range from something as simple as salted water gargle to herbs I’m not that familiar with, such as Goldenseal root, betony and Hyssop. There are also the more common remedies such as echinacea, chamomile, and honey/lemon juice. The common denominator among these remedies? Most of them have antibacterial properties. Some may be anti-inflammatory, too.

Photo Credit: Ben Cumming via Flickr

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Home Remedies for Sore Throat

• Eyes: Keep your vision sharp with bilberries, which are packed with antioxidants—even more than their blueberry cousins.
• Sinuses: Research shows that oils from dill, bishop’s weed, and cumin work as well as or better than antibiotics against eight types of common bacterial infections.
• Breasts: Flaxseed reduces inflammation and tumor growth.
• Tummy: Get rid of your burping and bloating with digestive-enzyme supplements which are available in capsule form. Mint has also long been considered a tummy soother.
• Feet: To ease the chronic pain of plantar fasciitis (an inflammatory condition), try acupuncture or natural anti-inflammatories such as ginger, turmeric, or boswellia.

There’s more here for just about every part of teh body, but take note, though, that there’s no scientific backing referenced for these claims (if you have leads, I’d be glad to receive them!)!

Photo from PR received via email.

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Health Magazine’s Head-to-Toe Guide to Natural Health

These are just preliminary data from animal trials and therefore further trials are necessary to see if these health benefits will also apply to humans. Besides, the dosages they used in the experiments were quite high, and though turmeric has no known dose-limiting toxicities in doses of up to at least 12 grams daily in humans, just how much curry can you eat on a regular basis, eh?

“It’s too early to tell whether increasing dietary curcumin [through turmeric] intake in obese people with diabetes will show a similar benefit,” Dr. Tortoriello said. “Although the daily intake of curcumin one might have to consume as a primary diabetes treatment is likely impractical, it is entirely possible that lower dosages of curcumin could nicely complement our traditional therapies as a natural and safe treatment.”

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Turmeric May Help Treat Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity

Aside from mulled wine, gingerbreads and other holiday treats, what other recipes do you know of that calls for cinnamon?

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Health Benefits of Cinnamon

1. Beets: “…one of the best sources of both folate and betaine. These two nutrients work together to lower your blood levels of homocysteine, an inflammatory compound that can damage your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease.”

2. Cabbage: “…loaded with valuable nutrients. At the top of the list is sulforaphane, a chemical that increases your body’s production of enzymes that disarm cell-damaging free radicals and reduce your risk of cancer.”

3. Guava: “Guava has a higher concentration of lycopene — an antioxidant that fights prostate cancer — than any other plant food, including tomatoes and watermelon.”

4. Swiss chard: “A half cup of cooked Swiss chard provides a huge amount of both lutein and zeaxanthin, supplying 10 mg each. These plant chemicals, known as carotenoids, protect your retinas from the damage of aging, according to Harvard researchers.” See related info on my previous post on Xangold and macular degeneration.

5. Cinnamon: “Cinnamon helps control your blood sugar, which influences your risk of heart disease. In fact, USDA researchers found that people with type-2 diabetes who consumed 1 g of cinnamon a day for 6 weeks (about 1/4 teaspoon each day) significantly reduced not only their blood sugar but also their triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol.”

6. Purslane: “Purslane has the highest amount of heart-healthy omega-3 fats of any edible plant [and] 10 to 20 times more melatonin — an antioxidant that may inhibit cancer growth — than any other fruit or vegetable tested.”

7. Pomegranate Juice: “… 2 ounces of pomegranate juice daily for a year decreased their systolic (top number) blood pressure by 21 percent and significantly improved bloodflow to their hearts. What’s more, 4 ounces provides 50 percent of your daily vitamin C needs.” Also, see my posts on the studies pomegranate juice and Alzheimer’s Disease and Cancer (lung cancer and prostate cancer).

8. Goji berries: “Goji berries have one of the highest ORAC ratings [and have been] found that the sugars that make goji berries sweet reduce insulin resistance — a risk factor of diabetes — in rats.” I’m not sure you can get them in the supermarket, but they are ubiquitous online! Just look at the choices of Goji Berry Juice products in Amazon.

9. Dried plums: “Prunes contain high amounts of neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids, antioxidants that are particularly effective at combating the “superoxide anion radical” [snip] thought to be one of the primary causes of cancer.”

10. Pumpkin seeds: “Downing pumpkin seeds is the easiest way to consume more magnesium. [snip] Men with the highest levels of magnesium in their blood have a 40 percent lower risk of early death than those with the lowest levels.”

If these stuff sound foreign to you, have a look at the Men’s Health article on how to incorporate these superfoods in your diet. Some recipes sound easy enough to toss together. Check it out!

(Thanks for the tip, David!)

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Ten Superfoods from Men’s Health

“We discovered that catechins found in green tea protected both normal and cancerous bladder cells from inflammation when we exposed the cells to hydrogen peroxide,” said Michael B. Chancellor, M.D., professor of urology and gynecology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “Although further studies are needed, these results indicate herbal supplements from green tea could be a treatment option for various bladder conditions that are caused by injury or inflammation.”

If you’re prone to bladder infections or inflammation, cranberry juice may also be another option.

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Green Tea May Help Prevent Bladder Infection

Results showed that the cherry-enriched diets significantly lowered total cholesterol levels, triglycerides, insulin and fasting glucose levels after 90 days. All of these measures are factors that are linked to metabolic syndrome. The study also showed the cherry-fed groups had lower levels of a plasma marker of oxidative damage and increased blood antioxidant capacity – not surprising since cherries are one of the richest sources of antioxidants.

Additionally, the cherry-enriched diets reduced “fatty liver” or the accumulation of triglycerides and cholesterol in the liver.

These health benefits may likely be due to the anthocyanins responsible for cherries’ deep rich red color, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.

See also: Tart Cherry Juice May Relieve Muscle Pains

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Tart Cherries Reduce Metabolic Syndrome And Heart Disease Risk Factors

A new study also suggests that EGCG may also provide therapeutic benefits to people with rheumatoid arthritis.

The researchers looked at whether the green tea compound has the capability to block the activity of two potent molecules, IL-6 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which also are actively involved in causing bone erosion in the joints of people with rheumatoid arthritis.

[In untreated cells], a sequence of molecular events occurred that resulted in production of the bone-destructive molecules. But the scientists found that pre-incubation with EGCG was capable of inhibiting the production of these molecules. EGCG also inhibited the production of prostaglandin E2, a hormone-like substance that causes inflammation in the joints.

Of course, this study, having used cell models, is still far from conclusive. Similar therapeutic or preventive effects will still have to be demonstrated in animal, and subsequently, human trials.

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Green Tea Compound May Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Well, no need to mope, guys! If you’ve been reading this blog, you’ll know by now that healthy food does not necessarily equate to bland, boring, and tasteless stuff you eat just to stave off hunger. Forbes gives us a slideshow, featuring 9 surprisingly healthy foods:

1. Chocolates: Dark ones for your heart, milky ones for your brain.
2. Oils: Saturated fats are just one part of the equation. Some oils are also rich in Vitamin E. “A fat soluble vitamin, it works as an antioxidant and may lower LDL, or bad cholesterol, protect against heart disease and promote healthy skin.”
3. Potatoes: “Red, purple-skinned and sweet potatoes also are high in carotenoids, which protect against lung cancer and help fight heart disease and diabetes.” And scientists are continuously on the hunt for other varieties of phytochemical rich potatoes. Remember my entry on blue potato chips?
4. Nuts and Nut Butters: Walnuts, for example, are even better than olive oil in preventing heart disease, according to a recent study.
5. Coffee: I’ve covered coffee extensively here at EatingFabulous, discussing its benefits on decreasing risks of diabetes, reducing cognitive decline and many more.
6. Bruschetta: “Tomatoes are a great source of lycopene, an antioxidant that can protect against cancer, heart disease and even macular degeneration.” And then there’s the garlic and olive oil, too!
7. Spices: Large doses of cinnamon may help lower blood glucose, and turmeric has been reported to ease pain in arthritis patients, as well as lower risk of colon cancer.
8. Tea: “Studies suggest that many types of tea, including black, green, white or oolong, may help prevent cancer and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease.” There are a number of entries discussing the various health benefits of tea here at EatingFabulous, too!
9. Soups: “Just a cup can sneak more antioxidant-packed vegetables into your diet.” Oh, and yes, chicken soup does wonders, indeed!

C’mon, these are items that are already part of your regime, aren’t they? So it’s not like you’re going to have a need a major diet revision to fulfill that New Year’s resolution. The key, I guess, is simply to eat in moderation. And these are just 9. Trust me, there’s more!

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Surprisingly Healthy Foods