Everytime I turn around I see a new healthiest foods list. On almost every list I see, the tiny blueberry is at or near the top of the healthy food chart. For such a tiny little fruit, blueberries pack a mighty punch.

Blueberries are high in antioxidants which are thought to help protect our bodies from free radicals. They’re high in vitamin E and C, among other important antioxidants. Check out some of the studies at the US Blueberry Council for more on the health benefits of the tiny blueberry.
Now is the time of year to stock up on blueberries. When …read more

When Dr. Melina Jampolis diet and fitness expert was ask the question, “are dried fruits equal to fresh fruit”? Her answer, she was not a big fan of dried fruit because they are higher in calories due to added sugar and fats. When fruit has been dried we also lose some of the nutrients.
When the water is taken out of the dried fruit we tend to think that the portions are smaller so therefore we can eat more. Actually when eating fresh fruit we can control the amounts we eat with greater ease.
With obesity at epidemic levels we need …read more

 
Cherries have powerful antioxidants, known as anthocyanins that are thought to help fight inflammation and risk of heart disease.
A study conducted by Dr. Steven F. Bolling at the University of Michigan, shows that eating cherries may lower body fat, weight, cholesterol and inflammation.
Our bodies use inflammation to fight off infection and injury. A chronic state of inflammation can raise your risk of heart disease.  With 2 out of 3 people overweight or obese in the United States, especially around their middle, this problem is more prevalent.
In the study rats were feed a (Western Diet) which was high in fat and …read more

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner you may want to consider giving your love, a heart healthy treat.
For those of us with partner’s that have high blood pressure or heart problems that love their sweets, this article is a great find. Dark chocolate may be just what the answer you are looking for.
Do you know that cocoa is actually a fruit? We all know that fruits are good for us.
Researchers have found a link that shows cocoa and dark chocolate aid in the fight against cardiovascular disease.  The studies show reduced risk for blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks.
Food …read more

I am not trying to push dark chocolate, but the fact is that we are all trying to improve our health. Our heart is the jewel of our body, when the heart is not functioning properly the whole body suffers.
While looking for ways to improve our heart health we all look for everything available on heart. Finding that a small amount of dark chocolate daily is good for the heart, is a great treat. Dark chocolates are fully loaded with many flavaniods. So by simply eating 1.4 ounces of dark chocolate daily we may improve our heart health.
A spot on …read more

When we think of Christmas we think of cookies, candy and all of the treats that go with the holiday. There are studies that prove that you too, can enjoy Dark Chocolate treats.
If you have high blood pressure, or problems with your heart ask your health care provider about the benefits of Dark Chocolate.
On August 27th, a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association stated that a university in Germany has studied the effects of dark chocolate on lowering blood pressure.
The study shows that eating dark chocolate in moderation tends to lower mild cases of high blood pressure. …read more

I just saw this ad (click for a larger image) for Welch’s American Concord Purple Grape Juice that claims it helps promote a healthy heart.
Concord grape juice flavonoids may promote healthy arteries.
Preliminary research suggests that flavonoids may function in ways other than as antioxidants in the body. First, some initial studies showed that the flavonoids in Concord grape juice promoted the flexibility of arteries, which is important to allow increased blood flow when needed, such as during exercise, shoveling snow, and climbing stairs. Second, additional preliminary studies suggest that these flavonoids may also help reduce the stickiness of the blood, …read more

Antioxidants, such as beta-carotene and vitamin E, deactivate free radicals which are known to cause cell damage. Free radicals are also known to oxidize LDL cholesterol leading to the build-up of fat in arteries. Theoretically, preventing this oxidation should reduce the risk of heart disease. New evidence suggests that antioxidants may not play such a role after all.
Researchers have found that Probucol, a cholesterol-lowering drug that reduced the levels of LDL cholesterol but with adverse side effects, was not acting as an anti-oxidant as previously thought. It seems to exert its effect via a part …read more